2011 october

Volume 60, Issue 2

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

October 2011

Paving the Way to the Parent Portal

In this issue:

Photo courtesy of TOTALLYCOOLPIX.COM

NEWS pg.2 Remembering Steve Jobs: We take a look at the groundbreaking work of Apple’s former CEO. Graphic by ALWYNA LAU

A TWO-WAY STREET It’s up to everyone involved in a student’s education to take advantage of this new system.

By NANCY XIAO Managing Editor Photo courtesy of ELLIOTT LEE

PEFORMING ARTS pg.11 Costumes of the PA Groups: Check out their cool and colorful performance attire!

Photo courtesy of WALLSPAPERBUZZ.COM

FEATURES pg.17 Vamping It Up: We pay tribute to the exremely popular vampires in today’s entertainment industry.

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.

Judy didn’t do her homework today. She walked in to her 5th period English class and realized she left her Lord of the Flies annotations at home. Afterschool, Judy scrambles into her dad’s van, setting her backpack down in the space between her feet. Abruptly, her dad asks, “Why didn’t you turn in your homework today?”

Gulping a dry swallow, Judy wonders, How did he know?

Marcus got a 97% on his Statistics midterm. He walked in to his 5th period Statistics class and saw the score on his exam. Afterschool, he walks onto his driveway and digs around his backpack for house keys; he finds them and opens the front door to his home. His mom greets him happily and remarks, “Great job on your Stats test, honey!” Smiling bewilderedly, Marcus wonders, How did she know?

What Judy and Marcus experienced is about to become commonplace. In early November, letters will be mailed out to AHS parents and guardians. These letters will detail instructions to create accounts for AHS’ new Parent/Student Portal.

Through the previous system, ISIS, parents had access to some information, but not to the teacher Gradebook and assignment information.

The new student information system, PowerSchool, gives teachers the ability to provide

more information in real time. At present, teachers are not required to use the electronic Gradebook, so information may not be available for some classes.

All classes will be online starting next school year.

The motivation behind this new system is the hope that all parties involved in education (students, parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators) can help students succeed.

This new system is reflective of the way technology has rapidly changed communication and information accessibility. As AUSD’s Director of Technology and Information Services, Mr. Scott Bramley explained, “This is just the next step for everyone in AUSD.” Gone are the days where parents wait for progress reports to find out that their child is struggling in a class. Gone are the days where students have to approach teachers with Friday cards. Gone are the days where those who have a vested interest in education need to wait.

One of the most important factors in a student’s education is accountability. Mr. Bramley, whose kids attend a school that already has a similar system in place, described, “This has made me more accountable as a parent, and has made my kids more accountable as students. I believe this is extremely beneficial to teachers who want to help kids succeed. It will make communication between parents and teachers more effective since they will be able to see if assignments are missing or late, as well as assignments that have been collected but not graded.”

The Parent/Student Portal will most definitely change the dynamic between teachers and parents.

Teacher Mr. Brian Walker commented, “Parents will already know how their child is performing in my class.” It is indisputable that accessibility to information will be made more convenient by the Parent/ Student Portal.

What is in dispute is whether this is good or bad thing. Sophomore MacGregor Mooney detailed, “I personally don’t think parents should be able to see the grades that often. If there are only a few grades entered in the Gradebook and the child has a bad grade, parents might punish their students without really understanding.” What MacGregor touched upon is a fundamental concern in education. The ultimate performance of a child in a class may not be reflected every single day or every single week.

Much speculation occurs based on past records of a teacher’s grading methods or empirical evidence from past students.

Offering a more comprehensive stance on the issue, senior Wendy Chung remarked, “I think it’s good because students won’t have to constantly check with their teachers and face the consequences when they forget to check in; but a possible downside is that parents will be too involved in their students’ grades and constantly nag them.” Most things are different in theory and in practice, so AHS will have to wait and see how this new system really plays out.

When it does, you won’t have to wonder, How did my parents know? like Judy and Charles. Because now, you know. nxiao@apachepowwow.com

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NEWS

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October 2011

Steve Jobs, The Core of Apple Inc., Passes Away

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

Apples, flowers, and Apple products are being left outside Apple stores. Mourners use their iPhones, iPod Touches, or iPads as lights during a candlelight vigil. A sticky note left on the glass window of an Apple store reads, “Apple is the most awesome fruit ever. Thanks Steve Jobs.”

Steve Jobs, retired CEO of Apple Inc. and a board member of the Walt Disney Company, passed away on Oct. 5 at the age of 56 from an islet cell neuroendrocrine tumor—a rare form of pancreatic cancer—and respiratory arrest.

Even though Apple has lost its most iconic figure, the company itself appears as if it will come out of this storm unscathed. While some analysts say that the new CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, did not live up to expectations during his first keynote address, others maintain that Jobs would not have recommended Cook to be his successor if he were not capable of managing the company. According to Apple analyst Gene Muster, Apple “has the best executive bench” in the world which will help it prevail even after Jobs’ death. Jobs has left behind a legacy as an innovator, a technological luminary, and a leading philanthropist.

Jobs was born on Feb. 24, 1955 in San Francisco, out of wedlock. Consequently, he was put up for adoption and was taken in by a lower-middle class couple that promised Jobs’ biological parents that they would send Jobs to college. He finished high school and went to Reed College, but dropped out after one semester. He then met with a childhood friend, Steve Wozniak, and helped him sell a computer Wozniak had made by hand. Eventually, Apple

A TECHNOLOGICAL LUMINARY Steve Jobs presents his crowning

achievement, the iPhone. Jobs’ unique approach to business and technology allowed for him to make a name for himself on the world stage.

Computer was founded by Jobs, Wozniak, and another colleague. Although the company had a good start, it soon fell on hard times.

Jobs was fired from the company that he had co-founded and started up another computer company called NeXT. Meanwhile, Jobs purchased a obscure division of Lucas Film that would later be known as Pixar Animation. Apple, on the other hand, began losing market shares which resulted in then-Apple CEO Gil Amelio hiring Jobs back into the company as a consultant.

In a few months’ time, Jobs would re-

CERN Discovers New, Speedy Particle

By LAUREN TRAJANO Staff Writer

It has been over 100 years since the German physicist, Albert Einstein, proposed that nothing is faster than the speed of light. This theory caught the attention of the world’s most brilliant scientists and soon became the basis of physics. However, after having spent three years testing their theory, scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, Switzerland, known as CERN, have discovered something that can alter Einstein’s theory of special relativity and the entire world of physics.

“We have high confidence in our results.

We have checked and rechecked for anything that could have distorted our measurements, but we found nothing,” stated Antonio Ereditato, a physicist at the University of Bern Switzerland, who was involved in the experiment.

As far back as three years, an experiment was conducted by the European scientists to see just how fast subatomic particles, neutrinos, could travel. With this in mind, 15,000 neutrino beams were fired from CERN’s research base in Geneva to Gran Sasso, Italy, 454 miles away. To the researchers’ surprise, the results showed that the neutrinos traveled faster than 186,282 miles per second, making them faster than the speed of light. Though a marginal error of ten nanoseconds was found, the difference in time is still statistically significant. Therefore, if proven to be correct, neutrinos could alter “pretty much everything in modern physics,” according to John Ellis, a theoretical physicist.

However, given the enormous implica-

tions of the find, scientists at CERN have made sure to recheck their data for anything that could have affected their results. So far, they have found nothing. “We have not found any instrumental effect that could explain the result of the measurement,” Ereditato explained.

Even with the careful rechecking of their results, scientists at CERN remain skeptical toward their recent discovery. They have now called in American and Japanese scientists to confirm their results.

Fermilab, the lab that American scientists will be using to confirm CERN’s experiment, was involved in a similar case back in 2007. However, even though three years ago the data conveyed that neutrinos did in fact, exceed the speed of light, its marginal error was too great that the results were considered invalid.

With a fresh start though, Femilab’s scientists are looking forward to double-checking CERN’s results, hoping to prove that the experiment they conducted three years ago showed results that were indeed correct. They hope to do this by using a more sophisticated GPS system and atomic clock, as well as LED lights, to detect the neutrino beam.

Scientists like Drew Baden, chairman of the physics department at the University of Maryland described it as “a flying carpet,” something too fantastic to believe, but as verification for CERN’s results take place, scientists and the rest of the world can only hope for the best. ltrajano@apachepowwow.com

place Amelio as CEO of the company; within a decade, Apple rode waves of success to its current position as one of the foremost pioneering companies in everyday technology.

Jobs was first diagnosed with the rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2003, but decided not to announce it out of fear that stocks would drop.

He disclosed the information in 2004 after he claimed to have had a successful surgery. The cancer seemed to have gone into remission, but may have returned in 2008 when Jobs started to appear thinner and frail. In the following years, Jobs would take two more medical leaves before

resigning as CEO of Apple Inc. on Aug. 24 of this year, and passing away at his residence in Palo Alto on Oct. 5.

Jobs passed away peacefully, but his death came as a shock for the world. Apple users across the globe were surprised to hear that he had died one day after the new iPhone 4S was unveiled by Cook.

Despite having passed away, Jobs’ legacy remains with the current generation in the form of the products that he has created and showcased. In 2007, the effort of the development team, along with Jobs’ strict guidance, culminated in the release of a “revolutionary mobile phone” that incorporated “widescreen iPod with touch controls” and a “breakthrough Internet communicator”. Four years later, millions of people around the globe now have the fruit of Jobs’ labor, the iPhone 4S. Although the world is still coming to terms with Jobs’ death, he had already accepted that death was imminent six years ago in a commencement speech he gave at Stanford University.

“Death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.”

Although Jobs has left us, his work will not be forgotten. Jobs’ achievements signify not just a brilliant step forward in modern technology, but also a man who refused to be anything but unique. Jobs fulfilled his potential, and the world is better for it. Jobs will surely live on in the people he has inspired. sshaw@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of CNN.COM

Amanda Knox Found Innocent

By SHREYA MAHARANA

found all over Kercher and her room. A year later, Guede was sentenced to 16 years in prison Staff Writer for his role in Kercher’s murder.

All suspicion immediately turned back to “I did not kill. I did not rape. I did not steal.

I wasn't there. I wasn't there at the crime. I did Knox. On Jan. 16, 2009, her trial began. And not kill my friend!” Amanda Knox tearfully pro- by the end of the year, both Knox and Sollecito claimed her innocence to Italian courts on Oct. 3. were found guilty and sentenced to 26 and 25 In Sept. 2007, Knox, an American language years in prison, respectively.

This summer, student, moved to Peduring their appeal, rugia, Italy to study a scientific panel apItalian, German, and pointed by the court creative writing. found that the DNA Two months later, used to convict Knox her British flat mate, was unreliable. FurMeredith Kercher, thermore, statements was found dead affrom witnesses, such ter being sexually as homeless heroin assaulted behind a addicts, were also locked door in their discredited from the apartment. Kercher prosecution case. had slash marks on On Oct. 3 the her neck, was covmurder and rape conered by a duvet, and AWAITING THE DECISION Amanda victions were overwas surrounded by a Knox spent over four years on trial for turned, and Knox and pool of blood. allegedly killing her roommate in Italy, which Sollecito were both After four long, she has now been acquitted of. immediately released. sleepless nights of interrogation, Knox signed a self-made statement Knox sobbed with relief as the accusations were that declared she was in the house with her boy- lifted. “I lost a friend in the worst, most brutal, friend, Raffaele Sollecito, when her boss, a lo- most inexplicable way possible," she said. "And cal bar owner, Patrick Lumumba, killed Kercher. I paid with my life for things that I didn't do."

Italian authorities arrested all three suspects. Knox returned home to Seattle on Oct. 4 to fiJudges then released Lumumba believing that nally restore the life that was wrongly snatched Knox had falsely accused him due to “extreme from her and her family. stress”. However, on Nov. 20, a fourth suspect smaharana@apachepowwow.com named Rudy Guede was arrested in Mainz, GerPhoto courtesy of CNN.COM many because his fingerprints and DNA were

October 2011

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Nobel Peace Prize Winners of 2011

en to break free of the restrictions of conservative Yemen and fight for their Staff Writer rights.

In a move that recognizes the fight President Sirleaf, who is the curfor women’s rights around the world, rent president of Liberia, was the this year, the Nobel Peace Prize was first elected female president in postawarded to three women—three strong colonial Africa. As president, she has and influential women who were, and maintained peace in Liberia, making it still are, instrumental a self-sufficient country. to the development and “We are now going into progress of Africa and the our ninth year of peace, Middle East. With the Noand every Liberian has bel Peace Prize, Leymah contributed to it,” PresiGbowee, Tawakkol Kardent Sirleaf proudly anman, and President Ellen nounced. “We particuJohnson Sirleaf were aclarly give this credit to knowledged not only for Liberian women, who their remarkable achievehave consistently led the ments, but also for the struggle for peace, even causes they support and under conditions of nerepresent. glect.” Financially, PresAbout nine years ident Sirleaf has raised ago, Gbowee organized a Liberia’s budget from large-scale protest against $80 million to over $350 Liberia’s second civil million and relieved Liwar, in which thousands NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS This year, the Nobel Peace beria’s $4 billion debt. of Christian and Muslim Prize was awarded to three women, whose influential work and As three of the fifwomen demonstrated in strength reshaped the Middle East and Africa. teen women who have white shirts and peaceever won the Nobel fully protested for the violence to end. Saleh and his dictatorship. In 2007, she Peace Prize, Gbowee, Karman, and Gbowee’s work was crucial in ending the began to openly criticize President Saleh President Sirleaf represent the world’s war. Now, through the Women Peace and through a group she created to advocate fight for peace and women’s rights. As Security Network Africa, an organization freedom of the press, known as Women Gbowee advocated, “There is no way that promotes peaceful resolution of con- Journalists Without Chains. In 2010, Kar- we can negotiate peace and security if flict, Gbowee focuses on spreading her man held protests every week at the Girl's we leave out the women of the world.” peace-keeping ideals not only in Liberia, College of Sana'a University, requesting afu@apachepowwow.com but also in other nearby countries, such as for women’s rights. Through her efforts, Ghana. “After working with the women Karman has inspired many young womPhotos courtesy of BLOGCDN.COM in Liberia for a number of years, I realized that peace building, peace activism, and women’s role in that process was where I wanted to be. It was a calling for me,” said Gbowee in an interview.

In Yemen, Karman was one of the first to encourage Yemeni youth to join protests against President Ali Abdullah

By ALISON FU

The Republican Race Rages On

By ARIANA ARZANI

Staff Writer

With barely three months remaining until the first votes are cast, the prospects for the Republican primary campaign are both uncertain and complicated due to the the absence of a clear front-runner.

The Republican presidential contest is up in the air as 15 declared candidates wrestle with one another on tough topics and tight budgets to come out on top and claim the crown as the GOP presidential candidate.

After six debates and a variety of candidates topping the polls—including a brief appearance by Donald Trump—the race is settling into a one-on-one battle between Texas governor Rick Perry and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

Governor Perry jumped in the polls after joining the race less than two months ago, whereas Romney ran in the 2008 primary as well, but lost to former Arizona governor John McCain. Approval ratings are slightly in favor of Romney for now, who heads the primary with a 5% lead over Governor Perry. Romney and President Barack Obama, however, are deadlocked with 48% each.

President Obama’s approval rates are steadily falling as the economy fails to improve; he serves as the face of unemployment rates and overall negative

feelings toward the government. His highest approval rate of 61% was back in January of 2009 and is currently at 41%, the lowest it has been during his entire presidency.

As the public opinion drops, the question arises as to who will potentially

become president in 2012.

Republican strategist Dick Wadhams “knew from the beginning that this was going to be one of the most competitive nominating fights we’ve had,” blaming it on the “twists and turns” that are defining this presidential election. The economy is sluggishly growing at 2%, home values are one-third less than what they were five years ago and unemployment rates hold steady at a staggering 9.1%. The current state of the economy may cause President Obama to

lose his footing in the upcoming presidential race, as Republicans fight off one another and the president for the lead in the primary.

The initial glossiness that resulted from President Obama’s victory in 2008 has worn off as reality struck Americans across the country, and across campus. Junior Austin Wallick “absolutely believes that President Obama is not the same man he was back in 2009. While he holds true to the same ideals,, he’s gone from a candidate date saying ‘yes we can’ to a presiesident saying ‘I hope we can.’” ’” Students are also weighhing in on their forecast for or the 2012 presidential election.

Senior Greg Chang believes Americans may be looking “for a new face in the White House, and if they attribute the failure of Congress to President Obama, his reelection may be in jeopardy.” With Republicans Romney and Governor Perry hot on his tracks, President Obama is faced with building public trust. The Republican primary will soon unveil whether Romney or Governor Perry will be facing off against President Obama. aarzani@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK.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 Editor Josie Yang 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, Jonathon Matsumoto, Stanley Shaw, Lauren Trajano, Jing Wang Helen Chou, Mya Ho, Ivy Jenn, Jeanne Kuang, Helen Lee, Sophia Tang, Vanessa Yu Kelly Ching, Albert Hu, Amanda Huynh, Jonathan Matsumoto, Phoebe Shen, Emilie Wang, Vanessa Yu Niki Chi, Kelly Ching, Allan Gao, Courtney Hang, Daniel Jenn, Ivy Jenn, Helen Lee, Stanley Shiau, Kristie Sun, Lauren Trajano Josh Bay, Courtney Hang, Daniel Jenn, Jeanne Kuang, Jonathan Matsumoto, Victoria Nakaganeku, Sarah Quon, Belle Zheng Josh Bay, Stephen Chu, Karina Laigo, Alice Lin 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, Courtney Hang, Albert Hu, Anna Naran, Kristie Sun, Kenneth Vuong Vivian Chan, Leo Jiang, Tommy Liao Katrina Chao, Helen Chou, Courtney Hang, Stanley Shaw, Lauren Trajano 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 LEEOPHANSEN.COM

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NEWS

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October 2011

Protesters Occupy Wall Street Governor Brown Vetoes SB 185 of global change. Today, we are fighting back against the dictators of our country––the Wall Staff Writer Street banks––and we are winning.”

A massive group of activists demanding Political parties have each taken an opequality with the corporate giants have assem- posing view on the movements. Democrats, in bled in the Zuccotti Park, also known as “Liber- a general sense, showed empathy for the demty Plaza Park”. Although there seem to be many onstrators’ protests and cries by agreeing with motives for the Occupy Wall Street movement, most of their principles. Republicans, on the the central demand of the protest seems to be other hand, have shown less sympathy. Voicthat President Barack Obama should ordain a ing the opinion of fellow Republicans, Herman Presidential Commission tasked with ending Cain and Newt Gringrich called the movement the influence money has over our representa- “jealous class warfare”. tives in Washington. With the exception of The movement gave birth to a subcatsome marchegory of the es on the movement multi-billion called the dollar homes Todo Boricua of JPMorPara Wall gan Chase Street. The CEO James subgroup Dimon, exmarched as a ecutive vice Puerto Rican president of provisional, Koch Indusconsisttries David ing of sevH. Koch, eral hundred and News performing Corp CEO traditional Rupert Murmusic and doch, the waving their p r o t e s t e r s THE OCCUPY MOVEMENTS Citizens assemble flag. “Puerto stay situated in protest of the strengthening corporate sector in Los Ricans are around their Angeles, New York, Chicago, and abroad. the 99% and main camp we will conin the lower Manhattan area. With Liberty tinue to join our brothers and sisters in occuPlaza Park center stage, the protesters espouse pying Wall Street,” said David Galarza Santa, their ideals for a better, stable, and neoliberal a trade unionist from Sunset Park, Brooklyn. economic state of the U.S. Some analysts of the “We are here to stand with all Latinos, who are events occurring in Lower Manhattan wonder if being scapegoated by the 1%, while it is the power should reside in the hands of America’s bankers who have caused this crisis and the wealthiest. The participants’ slogan “We are the banks who are breaking the law.” Many other 99%” refers to the difference in wealth between subgroups have been created from the movethe top 1% and the other citizens of the United ment.

States.

The movement has shown no signs of Although some may mark the voices of slowing. The drive for equality has spread rapthe protesters as insignificant, their voices are idly. On Oct. 9, similar demonstrations were certainly being heard. “I am occupying Wall either ongoing or had been held in 70 major Street because it is my future, my generations’ cities and over 600 communities in the U.S. future that is at stake,” said Linnea Palmer Internationally, other “Occupy” protests have Paton, 23, a student at New York University. modeled themselves after Occupy Wall Street, “Inspired by the peaceful occupation of Tah- in over 900 cities worldwide. rir Square in Cairo, tonight we are coming together in Times Square to show the world that djenn@apachepowwow.com the power of the people is an unstoppable force Photo courtesy of LATIMES.COM

By DANIEL JENN

By JONATHAN MATSUMOTO Staff Writer

On Oct. 9, Governor Jerry Brown decided to veto a bill that would have allowed California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems to accept students based on factors such as gender, household income, and race, in an effort to diversify the student body.

Governor Brown, a personal supporter of the bill, decided to veto it in order to not upset supporters. He cited Proposition 209, voted on in 1996, banning the preferential treatment of minority groups by the state, or, affirmative action. In his veto message, Brown stated "signing this bill is unlikely to impact how Proposition 209 is ultimately interpreted by the courts; it will just encourage the 209 advocates to file more costly and confusing lawsuits."

State Senator Ed Hernandez, author of SB 185, believes that “minority students are not getting an equal share in our stake.” After Proposition 209 was introduced, the number of African-American and Latino students admitted to UC schools dipped “significantly”. While the admission numbers have risen since, Senator Hernandez believes they still remain “too low” and that he will continue to do “everything in [his] power to change that.”

Asians and Caucasians, who make up the majority of the student bodies in UC and CSU schools, would have been most affected by these changes, which were intended to increase the number of minority students accepted into state universities.

The supporters of SB 185 also aimed for gender equality

and an increase of accepted students from lower income families. By saying that universities can judge applicants based on personal factors, they hoped to create a balanced, diverse environment.

Students at universities were initially outraged. The Berkeley College Republicans (BCR) club at UC Berkeley held a bake sale to show their distaste for affirmative action.

Called “The Increase Diversity Bake Sale”, they charged the price of their pastries based on ethnicity and gender, with a Caucasian paying $2, but no charge for a Native-American. BCR President Shawn Lewis told CNN, “the purpose of the pricing structure is to cause people to disagree with this kind of preferential treatment.”

Ultimately, he wants “people to say no race is above another race.”

Following the veto, Lewis congratulated Governor Brown on his decision, posting an open letter stating, “I am pleased with the goveernor's decision to veto this bill. SB 185 was an attempt to undermine the will of the voters who passed Proposition 209 in 1996…the people of California believe, as does the BCR, that college admission decisions should be based on the qualifications of the applicant and the individual challenges he or she has faced, not based on his or her race.” He also noted a Sept. 26 Survey USA poll that had shown that 77% of Californians were opposed to SB 185. jmatsumoto@apachepowow. com Photo courtesy of AOC.GOV

New LGBT Major Added By SDSU Breaks Barriers, Creates Controversy

By ALISON FU Staff Writer

With numerous schools facing financial crises, more and more universities are gradually cutting back programs and opportunities for students. San Diego State University (SDSU), however, recently announced that it would be adding one more undergraduate major to its list of 84—a major focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) studies. The major will be offered beginning in the spring 2012 semester and reflects SDSU’s ranking as one of the most LGBT-friendly schools in the country.

SDSU is currently the second college in the nation and the first in California to offer an undergraduate degree in LGBT studies. An LGBT minor has been offered at the school since 2009, and since then, this particular area of study has attracted much attention, leading to the creation

new courses of the LGBT to financially major. “We had so many burden the university in courses on any way.

LGBT issues The adin so many dition of an departments, a group of LGBT undergraduate deus got togree to SDSU gether to put reflects the together a slow and major,” explained Progradual infessor Esther LGBT STUDIES Courses for SDSU’s new LGBT major crease of R o t h b l u m will open on campus in the spring of 2012, ushering in new LGBT awareness across from SDSU. possibilities in the field of equality studies. the state and Since all of country. People are starting to see LGBT studthe professors and supplies the school needs for the LGBT classes are already available at ies as a “huge asset in getting [themselves] into the university, organizers do not expect the medical school, law school, or even the corpo-

rate sector,” according to Professor Rothblum.

However, there are also many people who object to the idea of establishing an undergraduate LGBT degree. Some argued that the new programs would incur financial burdens, claiming that precious taxpayer dollars would be used to cover the costs of the classes. They argued that the funds could be used to aid other core programs. Others also wondered about the practicality of the major. “Our focus should be on retaining programs and classes that prepare students for the workforce,” expressed Assemblyman Martin Garrick in disapproval.

The new LGBT degree at SDSU reflects not only the increased interest of students in this field, but also the increased awareness of the country as a whole. afu@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of LATIMES.COM

October 2011

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OPINION

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October 2011

Reading Between the LOL’s, lol’s, and LOLOLOL’s

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writer

It is almost midnight. I should be sleeping, but the cool glow of the laptop screen keeps me wide awake. My fingers flit across the keyboard, and I hit ENTER, my heart beating its way erratically out of my chest.

It’s been sent. My line of text has zipped out onto the Internet, where it will travel to those distant electronic shores and reach the boy of my dreams.

It says, “lol ur funny”.

I have never been so nervous for a response. It’s been five seconds already. Ten. Oh no. My chat says it’s been an entire half a minute. He’s not responding. What if he can tell that I like him? He must be laughing at me right now. I knew I shouldn’t have taken Chrissy’s advice to flirt with him. I’ve gone overboard and sent five lines of text already without waiting for him to reply to any of them. Why did I do that? I was just trying to put myself out there more, let him know that I think he’s cool, and that I’d be open to seeing him more and having more conversations with him. I hope he catches that. But at this point my long chain of IMs just makes me look like I’m desperate.

I can’t believe this could happen and those silly English sticklers can still go about saying that instant messaging is an insufficient form of communication. Do they not realize how complicated this is? I experienced a horrible moment yesterday when I started joking around with him on IM. I guess he got the impression that I was being serious, although I’m pretty sure my sarcastic tone was obvious (I mean, all I said was “lol im not dum lyk u”).

He didn’t respond for a full three minutes. I even quickly added in a “ :P ” emoticon just to clear the air. He eventually responded say-

ing he had been doing something else, but the whole IM conversation was tangibly awkward after that.

I’ve been especially careful to throw in a lot of “haha”s and smiley faces today because I’m so scared of offending him again.

Who knows what he might think of me now?

If I saw him often at school maybe I could tell him I’m sorry about yesterday’s debacle, but even then I wouldn’t know what to say. How would I avoid the awkward silences? I guess I’ll just have to resort to literally saying “lol”.

I would sound ridiculous. But it’s better than nothing, right?

Natalie thinks I should talk to cuteguy84 more in real life. As if it isn’t hard enough having to deal with all the implications of chatting. Take the classic “lol”, for example. What if I had caps-locked it? “LOL”—I should have done that. With the caps you get a much clearer idea of how much I appreciate his humor. In fact, I should have tacked on a few more. “LOLOLOLOLOL” says it even better. Why didn’t I do that? Instead, my measly little lowercase “lol” just makes me look lazy.

Or worse, he probably thinks I don’t even really care. There are too many ways to mess up with “lol”. And don’t even get me started on the multiple connotations of “...”!

If I talked to him, I would actually have to pay attention to facial expressions too! And tone of voice! Can’t people see that there is far too much emotion already from all the variations of “lol”?

But Natalie, for some reason, insists that face-to-face conversation is better. She’s starting to sound like all those teachers who keep putting so much emphasis on this whole “speaking skills” thing with all their oral presentations and class discussions. I’m only human—do they really expect me to master the difficult art of conversation at such a young age?

Graphic by NIKI CHI

CHATSPEAK It’s a language that wracks our nerves at every letter, emoticon, and “lol”, but shouldn’t have to.

Well, I suppose it would be nice to see him. Maybe I should just say hi every day or something easy like that. I can start small.

I am about to give up on my midnight conversation when the quiet little “ding” of the chat jolts me from my thoughts. My eyes narrow in on the box in the corner of my screen.

He’s replied. “ ;) ” My heart leaps. It’s a wink. What could that mean? Could he be flirting with me?

That’s what guys do, right? They wink. Maybe he likes me back...

No, no, no. I’m probably thinking too hard about this. He probably just meant to type a smiley face and didn’t press the SHIFT key hard enough. It’s no big deal. Just a smiley face. He’s not trying to communicate any hidden message. I’ll just say goodnight, go to sleep, and talk to him tomorrow. At lunch. For real.

Or he could be flirting with me. There’s a definite chance. I mean, how often do people make typos online anyway? jkuang@apachepowwow.com

Our Side of the Story: Dear Adults, Is it You or Me?

By SOPHIA TANG Staff Writer

Dear Gregarious Parent, Hey, I guess we have mutual feelings here. You don’t like introducing me at social gatherings, and I don’t like standing in your shadow. When you’re the life of the party, I’d rather sit in a corner and read. And though you keep pushing me to make friends and approach random strangers, I’m never going to follow in your footsteps and be that really outgoing kid you’ve wanted. I wish you’d let me grow on my own time.

Sincerely, Introverted Dear Strict Parent, I feel like I’ve worked hard enough to prove my academic capability. I can do more than churn out A’s and take tests. I want to be someone unique, and branch out to other activities and inspirations outside the four walls of a classroom. I could be really good at something that I haven’t tried yet. Don’t let me grow up doing less than I can achieve because of what you’ve pressured me to do.

Dear Adults, We cannot be perfect, but we also understand that you guys can’t be either. We have to grow up and stop blaming the grownups in our lives for risks we fail to take, opportunities we don’t take advantage of, and bad traits that inhibit us from reaching our potentials. Instead of holding you all responsible for our problems, we can be the adults that we want to be seen as and take the courage to find ourselves.

With our life in our own hands, we promise not to be subservient, to surrender, or squander.

From, The Nonconformist Teens

Dear Cool Parent,

Dear Oblivious Teacher,

You see my credit card bills, my horrible manners, and bad habits. I hang out with the wrong group, and I’m digging myself deeper and deeper into that dark hole. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know that what I get away with is wrong and I need you to tell that to me. You’re setting me up for failure in my future.

Why don’t you do anything when you see the other kids ignoring me and putting me down?

Don’t you know something worse happens after class when there are no adults around? But even when you’re around, my cry for help is being ignored. Why do you just keep watching when you know I can’t stand up for myself? Say something please.

Honestly, I Need to Be Grounded

Write Soon, Bullied

Dear “Encouraging” Teacher, Please don’t hand back my B test with a smile and a “good job”. It makes me feel you think that that is the best I can do. I have more to offer than you think. But if you continue disregarding my ability, soon I might start believing you too. I can do better and so can you.

Signed, Please Tell Me to Suck It Up

Yours Always, Confined Student

stang@apachepowwow.com

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October 2011

OPINION

opinion@apachepowwow.com

Reach Out, Grab On, Make a New Bond

By VANESSA YU

Staff Writer

On the last day of eighth grade, there were tearful goodbyes sounding from all corners of the campus, a myriad of voices exchanging phone numbers, and the frantic scratching of pens signing cliché messages in yearbooks. I watched from a distance, confused by all the valedictions. I mean, it wasn’t like we weren’t going to see each other again in September. After all, we were all enrolled at the one high school in Arcadia, where our friendships would still thrive as they had done before. Or so I thought.

Looking back, I was naïve to think that all my friendships would be as strong as they were back then. High school has scattered the 2010 graduates of every Arcadia middle school so far, placing some in academic teams, some in ASB, and most of all, everybody in different niches. It may seem depressing to witness all your friends diverge and cut off contact with you, leaving you stuck in a class with absolute strangers. Yet we should look on the bright side; we can always make new, meaningful friendships that will actually last. I realize that too many times we focus on

past relationships instead of the ones we have now, taking for granted the friends we have and soon, losing them even before we know it.

It’s inevitable for us all to undergo transformations, whether it’s t’s personalities or clothing. People we know change, and we’ve got to do anything accept the fact that wee can’t about it no matter how w hard we try. o be just I would love things to the way they were back ck before high school. After all, it’s quite intimidating to be suddenly pushed into unknown wn territory, exposed to change that we’re nott used to. That’s why y it’s so hard to let go of ships, not just old relationships, but everything else. We cling onto old memories, objects, and friends, afraid of stepping into new waters. But sooner or later, we will dless have to let go, regardless y be. Evof how difficult it may ol influerything in high school ay; why ences me in some way; would I expect otherss not to

Fine Line: Fact or Fiction?

By HELEN CHOU Staff Writer

The first time I watched Mythbusters was in ninth grade. The episode tested the validity of the commonly-accepted theory that walking in rain gets people wetter than running.

At the time, I thought that the walker would be wetter—that’s what I’d always been told. I was shocked to be proven wrong. The results weren’t too difficult to swallow. I was more concerned with the fact that g I had believed in something for so long could be so debunked by a easily mere TV episode. At the sion of the vidconcluto re-evaluate my eo, I had nking—just how way of thinkgs I had once accepted many things to be true were actually misconceptions? ies, superstitions, and stereoTheories, und in our society, all of types abound which havee the potential to be misconceptions. tions. While they ome sort of evidential do have some me point in history, it’s basis at some important to realize that not all of ecessarily true. A few of them are necessarily these can bee trivial or silly: the fivesecond rulee does not actually limit the bacterial growth on dropped food, and seeing a black cat will not curse you to a premature death (as long k both ways before crossing). as you look

ESCAPING REALITY Growing up, we need to let go of the balloon that is misconception, no matter how long we’ve latched on to it.

Being able to accept that some beliefs aren’t true is a part of growing up and can open your eyes to seeing things in a new light. In doing so, you’ll be able to look past the trivial things and see the big picture. In elementary

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school, there was one particular teacher whom everyone feared. I was in second grade when some of my friends who had her told me that she would yell at students for no reason. She was also extraordinarily strict, from classroom rules to grading to even food. It was just my luck that she was assigned to be my third grade teacher. On the first day of school, however, I was pleasantly surprised. She seemed more of the doting grandmother type than the teacherzilla my friends had depicted her to be. As I got o know ow her e be e , I realized ea to better, that everything I had been told had been utter misconceptions.

Indeed, she was strict, but it was understandable in context. She did didn’t like cleaning up after people eating in cla class. She graded harsher than other teachers be because she wanted her students to improve. She Sh scolded the students who didn’t behave. Fro From then on, I learned to come into every new cclass with a blank slate allowing my own opinion of for the teacher, allowin the teacher to develop oon its own, not be polluted by what others ha had tried to get me to believe. Being able to cons consider context and create your own realistic concl conclusions based on factual growing up. In my case, I evidence is a part of gro learned to see people fo for who they really were, not focus on one or two tiny habits that others had taken to reflect the entire person.

Strongly held beliefs are not sins. Feel ffree to develop a perspective all you want. In fact, opinion opinions with a strong factual bbasis are good and necessary for interesting conversations and AP English essay writing. B But don’t be afraid to let opinio that have morphed go of opinions into misconceptions, regardless of how long you’ve held onto them. There’s a fine line between assurance and stubbornness; tread carefully, or you may just find yourself falling behind while everyone else moves on. hchou@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of THEDADPROJECT.COM

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and actually make some lasting relationships that will be meaningful. Everybody has had those “friendships” that are just hollow and artificial; usually, we’re surrounded by them!

For me, it would be more than welcoming to be surrounded by true friends who genuinely cared about me. Those are the friends who will always stay by my side, giving me advice and helping bring me toward success. High school is full of change, but it’s also a place where you can find some things you’re really interested in—and people with the same interests.

There are always some friends of mine whom I miss dearly that I never see around anymore. But I know that there’s always the present and the future that I can look forward to, filled with meaningful friendships that will stay with me longer than the ones I had in middle school. In the meantime, I’m going to treasure and enjoy all the FORK IN THE ROAD As we move relationships with my friends forward, holding on holds us back, espethat I have now. After all, you never know what will cially when it comes to friendships. happen that might cause that relationship to slowly become part of the past. rest of our lives. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t try to vanyu@apachepowwow.com mend past relationships, but it’s Graphic by RENA CHEN more important to focus on the present

be influenced, too? And perhaps it’s actually you and I that have a part in the failed relationship; after all, it’s not like we don’t change either. But instead of lamenting all day about disappeared friends, I’ve come to realize I have to be more proactive about the relationships I have now. While focusing on the past, we let the present things slip our mind. Instead of doing that, we should try to accomplish the complete opposite. If we try to strengthen our present relationships with friends, those will most likely be the friends that we will keep in touch with, not only after high school, but also for the

Lost in the Digital Age

By SOPHIA TANG

ing his or her online status and gabbing to a pixilated face? Yes, web chatting has its benStaff Writer efits of bringing people from opposite sides of the world together, but in this age, the people I secretly chuckle at the technologically right in the neighborhood may be the ones challenged people who can’t keep up with that I am the most distant from. This generathe fast-paced generation. It’s kind of funny tion has threatened not only my relationship that once they’ve learned how to use Internet with books and friends, but also many people’s Explorer on their desktops, the coming year jobs. I realize I use the self-checkout counter brings Google Chrome on iPads. So I’m glad at the store more often. I read online articles of I’m a modern teen living in the tornado’s magazines I don’t subscribe to. Did you know eye of this pivotal time. I’m young and tenaiPads are slowly replacing waiters? Technolocious enough to keep up with what’s new on gy makes life easier and more private, but will the market each year, whether it is Razrs or all these people—my teacher, butcher, doctor, iPhones, Game Cube or Xbox 360. and gardener—be replaced by machinery?

Okay, so maybe I’m not as techie as What a hostile world it will be, I’ve realized, I’ve cut myself out to be. Maybe I still use when I can’t form these simple relationships DVDs (not Blu-ray—gasp!) and still don’t with people in my life! know what device to read In the end, I’m probae-books from. And now, as bly worse than the grownI’m confessing everything ups who can’t keep up anyway, I’ll admit that I with this revolution. I am may be a modern teen, but a young, tenacious teen I’m not a modernized teen living in a pivotal phase, at all. I’m what you might completely capable of adcall old-fashioned. justing to new inventions, I’m a teen who’s but I don’t apply myself. I had her hair windswept am bound by a generation in front of her face by the gap of preference. I don’t great storm of technology, OVERWHELMED In this who keeps getting surprise fast-paced age of electronics, it’s want to order food from hits from new gadgets, re- hard not to lose the human touch an iPad—I want to ask the waitress for her personal placing what she still has in life. recommendation. I want trouble coping with. And to know the first name of the neighbor who lately, the technology surge has been abnorlives to the right of me. I want to hold a paper mally powerful—one of my favorite places book in my hands, treasure a favorite DVD, in the world, Borders, closed 600 stores this and maybe even pen a letter. Some may call summer after losing its stories to e-books on these connections primitive, but these are relaiPads and Kindles. I felt most comfortable in tionships so intimate, they can still survive in a bookstore, surrounded by a million printed this automaton generation by the hand of oldpages and bound books. Oh, go ahead, laugh. fashioned people like me. Someday I know But can you estimate the thickness of the spine I will have to conform to all the new, techie of an e-book to guess the length of the story, ways, but for now, I am still reluctant to let go. treasure that well-loved tattered copy, or line your favorite book series out on a bookcase? stang@apachepowwow.com And what’s with all this Skyping anyGraphic courtesy of way? Can’t we ever call a friend to meet up THECREXENBLOG.COM at a favorite place to talk, instead of check-

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OPINION

apachepowwow.com

October 2011

Are You Smarter Than a Caveman?

By MYA HO Staff Writer

without our “basic needs”—in other words, our luxuries. How on earth could we last a week without In-N-Out Burger for our dinners, without Tylenol whenever we’re feeling under the weather, and without Tumblr to blog about our lives every five minutes? We’ve become accustomed to these innovations and have depended on them for our survival and amusement in the era we live in today. Without them, we would be lost. Without them, we would feel disconnected from the world and from ourselves. The cavemen, on the other hand, managed to make do without what we call our “necessities”.

They were as adapted to their environment as we are to ours, so who are we to say that our evolved selves rank higher in intellectual thought if we don’t even have the

Cavemen didn’t have GPS navigators— they had to familiarize themselves with theirr own surroundings. Cavemen didn’t have a Ralphs or Trader Joe’s—they had to hunt and d gather their own food. Cavemen didn’t havee Gucci handbags and skinny jeans—they had d animal skins and loincloths. Cavemen, as you u can conclude, were not as advanced as mod-ern-day man…but the immediate presump-tion is that modern-day man is more intelli-gent than his ancestors. With our reliance on n technological means of survival though, as thee years have passed, we have actually lost somee of our most basic, primitive knowledge with h the substitution of gizmos and gadgets. We ve love to pride ourselves by saying that we’ve grown intellectually as a race, but the fact of ss the matter is that our capabilities are no less impressive than those of the cavemen. ne Humor me for a while, and imagine he yourself being magically transported to the ou Paleolithic Era. There is no medicine for you cto take except for some strange herbal concocet tions. Big guns and ammunition were not yet s. invented, so you hunt with spears and arrows. ad You sleep on the furs of your last kill instead ou of on a bed comforter. I guarantee that you would not survive comfortR IS SMARTER The ably past a week in this type NEITHER ies with his modernized of environment. We are sim- caveman ties rt in a battle of smarts. ply not accustomed to a life counterpart

knowledge to live as they once did? I will bet that if we ppicked up p two twigs g and began g to ferociously rociously rub them together, our lack of methods ethods and experience would make thee job much more difficult. If wee happened to have a serious injury and needed to

treat treaat our wound, we would have no clue how to utilize our surroundings. The cavemen did though, so kudos to them—kudos to the people we have undermined ffor so terribly long.

We are extremely good at one thi in ng though: convincing ourselves thing tha att, as the human race grows older, that, we e, in turn, turn grow cleverer. This is not we, com mpletely false; we’ve found that Earth is completely nott flat, tha at man can walk on the moon, that and d that ther re is a wonderful thing called there lig ghter fluid for those fire-starting challighter lenged nged peopl le. We collect our knowlpeople. edge into ttextbooks and databases around the gglobe. We teach new people every day wi with a little thing called education.

This gives us every right to claim that our knowledge is accumulatiing, correct? We are able to declare that our genius minds are forming with a snowball effect and be benefiting all of mankind, right? Modestly put, in the end, there is simply no way to compare us to our past selves. T The times were different. The envir environment, the resources, the people— people—they were all different. The cave cavemen were impressive in their own ways, and we in ours.

In the same w way that they could not surf the web, we cannot live in the wild. Caveme Cavemen did not shop at their local superm supermarkets for supper, and we cannot hu hunt game before every meal either. W We do have one thing in common th though—the incredible way we’ve bo both not only survived, but also thrive thrived in our own worlds.

Let us all take this as a hint, then, to lower our inflated egos and realize that even thoug though we are quite extraordinary, we sho should keep in mind that we share the sa same credit as the cavemen. mho@apachepowwow.com Graphic by BELLE ZHENG

Walking in Another’s Loafers/High Heels

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writerr

So another Homecoming ng has come and gone, and while watching several of my friends and classmates get swept pt off their feet by several fine and worthy gents, ents, I let my thoughts drift off to the fun and nd fascinating topic of modern gender roles. It’s a confusing subject, to be sure, but mostt of all, gender roles just seem unnecessary.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced enced that tangibly silent split second after “aww”s aww”s hhave ave died down and a flower-bearing g boy uutters tters the words, “Will you go to Homecoming with me?” Of course, if it’ss a publi public ic or extravagant asking, the girll usuall usually ly says yes. There is a hug and a picturee and a shyly mumbled thanks. Everyone veryone stops holding his or her breath, aand nd the crowd cheers.

It seems strange that the boy oy has weeks on end to decide whether her or not to ask a girl to a dance, and nd thee girl has about two seconds to sayy yes or no. And she has to choose in front of a room full of peers cheering for or her to say yes, or at least praying shee won’t say no. The pressure for a girl to say ay yyes es seems a little ridiculous to me. Thatt po poor or boy, public sentiment threatens,, put so much effort into ask-ing you—how could you rejectt him?

And now I turn the question on to our gentlemen—wouldn’t you

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rather take a girl to Homecoming because she genuinely wants to go with you? Where is the conversation? If you want her to be together? your ddate, ate, why not decide to oge gether? confused the I’m also a bit confuse ed aboutt th he asking. expectation of boys doing the aski k ngg.

Sure, there’s Sadies every year, but that only makes it all the clearer that a girl asking someone to be somehow her date is someho h w unique and out of the oordinary. rdinary. y It’s

not often that you hear of a girl taking a boy on a date. And speaking of taking people on dates, d tes, why is there a rule about paying? da If girls want to be “equal” with boys, shouldn’t the cost? The sh hou o ldn’t they share sh only ttime heard of a girl paying ime I’ve ve he at lleast east ea stt ppart art of the share is, of course, Sadies, but S di Sa d es, bu ut that’s a much cheaper and casual more casua al da ddance n than Homecoming nc Boys, or Prom. m. Boy o s doesn’t this bother slightest? I’m seeing yyou yo u in the h sl some double doub standards here, pretty sure they are not and I’m m pre feminists fought for. what past fe Sure,, tthere are all the little about girls wanting to clichés ab abou special and boys wanting feel specia

A DAT DATE FOR TWO In n thi this h s day and age, princesses can come princ in n shining s armor and knights can be in knig distress. di is to feel needed. Those seem like justifications keep the status quo to ke bbecause be cause we’re already so entrenched iin our expectations.

But B Bu ut do we really need to follow these “established date actions” as though they weree strict social laws? Personwould ally, I wo w uld not pass up the opportudinner, but I’d always nnity ni ty for a free di

feel responsible for my fair share of the price.

Girls who want to have a say in the date should consider having a part in every aspect of the date. There’s no such thing as a damsel in halfdistress.

I suppose everyone wants something different in the end. Some girls are aggressively feminist and some boys are old-school chivalrous. Of course, it all depends on the person or the couple, but there are some things that are probably never going to happen. That knight in shining armor ready to serve his weeping maiden? However you feel, he’s a figure of the past, and that’s for the best. Long gone are the days of gown-decked ladies sitting helplessly in towers while men are off jousting in their tights and helmets. But that doesn’t mean gentlemanly behavior is out of the question.

There are still girls who want to be treated to dinner and boys who want to be the ones who lead the way. There are times when I may find it unnecessary to have a door held for me, but it is a nice gesture all the same.

Perhaps, as with all things, a careful balance between what’s expected for girls and boys is the best standard to have. Or better yet, there needn’t be a standard at all. Why don’t we just shun all expectations? No matter what, you’ll have to figure out someone’s personal preferences. Go out and ask the boy or girl of your dreams, but, by all means, give him or her a minute to come to a decision. After all, it takes two to tango. jkuang@apachepowwow.com Graphic by MICHELLE ZHANG

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October 2011

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PERFORMING ARTS

Vertical Concert Preview

By ALBERT HU Staff Writer

On Nov. 3, the Pasadena High School (PHS) auditorium will be filled with the sounds of violins, violas, cellos, and basses, all working in perfect harmony. Seats will be filled with classical music enthusiasts and performers alike, ready to take in the beautiful sounds and blow the audience away.

Held every year, the Fall String Concert is one of the season’s biggest shows. It’s the only time all the middle schools perform alongside AHS’ three orchestras. It’s a real treat for performers, who get to listen to their peers and enjoy a night of great music. As freshman Casey Huang put it, “It’s a great opportunity for all the middle school students to see the high school kids as role models.”

But the concert is also a chance for the upperclassmen to remember their roots, as they get to enjoy the music of their middle schools and reminisce about past experiences.

The Fall String Concert is quite a feat; every year, without fail, the performers stride to the stage and show us that their immense hard work and abundance of talent are more than enough to light up the stage. ahu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of CLKER.COM

October 2011

Haunted Hallways: An Arcadian Horror Story

By AMANDA HUYNH

a monster in the Haunted House.

Along with loud noise makers and smoke machines, the path victims took and the placement of clowns and skeleton men were all strategically planned for the ultimate Haunted House experience.

“I went once in freshman year,” senior Aileen Mu said. “I was surprised at how scary was.” Sophomore Angel Bai adde added, it actually was. great.

“I went last year and it was grea It was

Even Pep members were terrified of their own creation.

Staff Writer “You should watch out for the chainsaw No one is too old for trick-or-treating. Not [man]! He scares me every time, even though even high schoolers. But there comes a time I helped build the Haunted House,” Pep memwhen going door to door and asking strangers ber sophomore Rayna Tian said. for candy just doesn’t capture the full meanTickets were $5 presale and $7 at the ing of “you should be scared and concerned door, with all proceeds going toward Pep. for your health”.. That That’ss “Since we’re not funded by AHS, Pep uses why Pep Squad ad (Pep) the money earned toward uniforms and equipwas proud to put ut on its ment,” Rayna exp explained. Without annual Haunted House, money from the Haunted House which was held eld and other ffundraisers, Pep right on campuss would not be able to put on for those who their shows and perform in think school competitions yearly. compe isn’t scary If you missed enough althe Haunted House ready. Comthis th year, there’s plete with a always the next. classic chainsawawEven if you’re wielding man lurkurknot n interested in ing around the corthe bloodcurdling ner of a dark, eerie terror tthat goes on at pathway, the Haunted unted AHS after hours, you af House would have ave can still tag along with you screaming for your horror-movie-lovmore, or perhaps LITTLE MONSTERS Volunteers and Pep members pose in ing friends, wait for them at the end of your mom. full costume as they prepare to make the nightmares of Haunted the hall, and make fun of them when Held from Oct. 21 Hallways patrons come true. they leave the Haunted House crying. to 22, Pep and countless ahuynh@apachepowwow.com volunteers had plenty of time to organize the really scary going around the monsters who Photos by VIVIAN CHAN and LEO JIANG event. Additionally, a meeting was held on weren’t moving, because you [wouldn’t] know Graphic courtesy of WALLPAPERSONWEB. Oct. 4 for anyone who wanted to participate as whether they would pop out at you or not.”

COM

The (39) Steps to Staging a Play With the opening night on Nov. 15, ADD’s production crew is pushing to perfection as fast Staff Writer as it can. Rehearsals take place everyday after Applause begins. Curtains part. The au- school from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and even when dience quiets down and the show starts, end- members are not rehearsing the scenes as a whole, they are busily improving their individing the crowd’s long awaited anticipation.

The innovative and talented performers ual lines and practicing the songs.

Sophomore Liam Swan is playing the key of the Advanced Drama Department (ADD) are at it again with their upcoming play, The role of Mr. Memory, an entertainer with a photographic memory. Liam enthusiastically said, 39 Steps. “ We ’ v e The plot of ADD’s fall show is based all been on the 1935 British film directed by Alfred workHitchcock. The story begins with Richard ing very Hannay, a Londoner accidentally pulled hard and into a chase involving secret agents and unour efexpected forts are f o e s . definitely Finding going to himself pay off.” the target C a s t of a nam a t e tionwide Jasmine manhunt, a d d e d Hannay because travels the “everyone countryis comside in orpletely der to disdedicated cover the a n d meaning of the 39 EXPRESSIONS ADD rehearses scenes from its up- strives to shine,” only clue coming play based on Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. she has he was high hopes that ADD will do “its best [and] given: the 39 steps.

The play adapted by ADD takes more make this production the best the school has of a comedic approach to the performance seen yet!” Looking forward to your perforrather than the film’s thriller feel. According mance, ADD! to senior Jasmine Falatoonzadeh, “this show kching@apachepowwow.com is a murder-mystery with a Monty Python Photos courtesy of LIAM SWAN twist, so it’s super funny” and entertaining.

Graphic courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

By KELLY CHING

apachepowwow.com

New Building, New Outlook

By PHOEBE SHEN

[rehearsals] in the performance space will make a huge difference in the caliber of our concerts,” Staff Writer shared Ms. Chen. Mr. England also looks forIt is a universally acknowledged truth that ward to being able “to rehearse in the actual getting something new is delightful. As con- place [the choir] is performing.” struction progresses, the air is already teeming Dance Director Mrs. Liza Tedford exwith excitement for the scheduled Aug. 2012 plained that “the new building is going to meet opening of the Performing Arts (PA) building. many needs for the dance program. [Small The new building promises to be a state- changes will be implemented], but [they will of-the-art venue, with all the equ equipment neces- make] a huge impact on our program. The archicerts sary for professional concerts and drama tects were very responsive to [every] request.” productions. Finally being ng able to Mr. Volpe shared that the new building “is own the necesgoing to have sary equipment two separate will “save us a theaters, a black lot of monbox theater, and ey,” exa 1,200 seat plained theater with a Drama Debalcony. Stage partment Direcspace will be tor Mr. Steven increased and Volpe. we’ll have more Every PA space to create group on camprofesFRESH START The new PA building promises more pus will finally sional-looking “have a home,” to be both beautiful and functional. productions.” stated Choir Director Mr. Rick England. The Band Director Mr. Tom Landes stated, choir will no longer have to perform “off cam- “The completion of this building is going to pus or in other facilities.” meet so many needs that the school district has.

Orchestra Director Ms. Pin Chen ex- Whether it’s for the choir, or drama, or dance, or pressed that not having “to take buses to Pasa- Orchestra, or Band, it’s going to be able to show dena High School [for concerts] will be very off all those groups at their very best.” nice.” She added that “the main hall is designed With all these changes that are going to be specifically for concerts. The architect worked implemented in these coming years, the caliber with sound engineers and it’s going to sound of these PA groups will no doubt be augmented fantastic in there.” greatly with the opening of the new building.

The PA directors are particularly pleased with the fact that their group’s performances pshen@apachepowwow.com will be more professional once they are in the Graphics courtesy of AHS.AUSD.NET and new building. Being able to “have several dress FOOBOOZ.COM

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October 2011

PERFORMING ARTS

11

Performers Reveal All...About Their Costumes

By VANESSA YU Staff Writer

If you’ve ever been to any performance hosted by a Performing Arts (PA) group, you have probably caught a glimpse of its eye-catching fashion that so proudly displays its Apache pride. The cardinal and gold colors of AHS shine through some uniforms, while other PA groups are more bold in their fashion, wearing classy costumes and surreal outfits. Though some members aren’t particularly fond of their attire, they manage to pull off the outfit with grace and a runway model look. Whether it’s the startling unity of the Band uniforms or the spectacular dresses of Chanteurs and New Spirit, there’s no doubt that the PA groups’ fashion will definitely catch your attention.

With Hal ing, Halloween soon arriving, Band is not oonly preparing for the annual foot football game, but also its costum costumes! During one off the most ente h entertaining games off the year, mem members of Band are allowed to dress up in anything that allows them to march. Some notew noteworthy examples from past years: bass clarinets ddressed up as the group from Blue’s Clues, the flute seniors with a villain theme, and this ye ea The junior flutes as year? charact cter from Lilo and Stitch. characters As fo or tthe traditional two-part for Band nd un uniform, junior Joyce Li exp plain how it’s composed explained of “pa “pants with suspenders and a red d jacket with either the ‘A’ or the bars. During halftime shows, we wear the bars; otherwise, we w wear the side with the ‘A’.”

A . To Joy Joyce, the uniform is not only a war warm covering in the cold, but “it [al [also] gives us a sense of pride ssince we’re representing Ar Arcadia and that we’re a part of o this award winning Band.”

Band

Orchestra is one of the pus that few PA groups on campus esses to provide customized dresses each member for a small mall fee. Sophomore Isabel el Jin elaborated on how w “our dresses are cus-tomized, so the size is perfect, and plus, they make us look professional.” Orchestra 1’s black dress is two-piece while Orchestra 2 and d 3’s consists of only onee piece. Isabel, a memberr of Orchestra 3, described d how “this year’s dresss is tighter on the bottom m so we can’t run and do o crazy things [like] we did d the year before. The dress ess is also really thick, so at times mes it gets very hot.”

Corresponding with Orchesis Dance Company’s (ODC) yearly theme and adding that needed “oomph”, ODC’s ethereal costumes help tie dances together while displaying its performers’ immense talent. ODC Secretary senior Veronica Yu explained how “we [usually] wear tights and costumes that the directors feel are well suited for the dance. The costumes help us look great and add another layer to the dance.” Sometimes, ODC members dress in unconventional costumes that still manage to give off a pleasant, otherworldly feeling. Personally, Veronica’s favorite costume was one she wore for the dance called “Crash” that was part of last year’s ODC’s production, “Heads Will Roll”. She described how “we wore a turquoise, blue tie dye mini-skirt that flowed and gave [us] a sense of lightness. It fitted the dance perfectly and looked really pretty on stage.”

You spot some figures Yo ures rehearsing their choreography on the footballl field, some twirling flags rkling? No No, they aren’t gracefully…but they’re sparkling? re members of Colorguard olorguard! glittery vampires, they’re Colorguard!

Sophomore Katherine Liu clarified that “we usually wear tight (but warm!) outfits that are sparkly and ontrast from the field that shine a lot, so there’s a contrast far.” However, the semakes us visible from afar.” ub and scratch the quins of some outfits rub ng members’ arms, making them uncomfortable to move around in. Katherine expressed how “I really liked my costume for The Four Freedoms show last year because it was a lot easier to move [around] in and it matched the theme of the show!”

The members of Pep Squad (Pep) aren’t only energetic and enthusiastic about their Apache pride, they’re also quite proud of their uniforms. Sophomore Allie Hisey described that “to add to the experience, w we have super cute uniforms, w with a new thing this year w where we have our shoelaces m match our socks. My favorite pa part of the uniform is definitely ou our bows, and we have a ton [of th them], ranging from plain gold to cardinal with zebra stripes.”

Alli Allie also explained how Pep has ‘wint ‘winter’ (long-sleeved) uniforms and ‘‘spring’ (short-sleeved) uniforms.

Though Chanteurs and New Spirit are both show choirs, their attire varies a bit from each other. For the ladies of New Spirit, they are known for their striking, bedazzled dresses that are worn at performances. Senior Janise Qin explained how two years ago, “the New Spirit dress was pink and had rhinesto rhinestones everywhere.

But my favorite w was last year’s simplee and cute bblue dress had an organza llaythat ering on thee top to mak make it shine.”

Y Yet, there were ttwo outfits that Janise det detested: the raincoats w worn over er the their dresses and the red cconcert choir dre dress.

Janise

described h o w she disliked the rainco raincoats “because when we danced, it was hhard to move in along w with the fact that it came ap apart easily holiday easily.”” For the concert dress, it was because it just didn’t look pretty. For the girls and guys of Chanteurs, Chanteurs President senior Cathy Lee described how “it’s always been [the] tradition for the guys to wear traditional suits and for the girls to wear sparkly dresses. This year, we will be wearing more costume type outfits to match our show theme.” With their custom made dresses and tuxes, everyone in Chanteurs looks uniform and professional on stage. However, Cathy described how it’s “expensive and uncomfortable to sit in for our six-hour competitions.”

It comes as no surprise that the PA group with the most outfits and costumes is none other than the Advanced Drama Department. Costumes are a huge factor in determining settings and characters in plays. After all, there’s a huge difference between the fashion nowadays and the attire people wore in the 1950s. Senior Jasmine Falatoonzadeh described how “costumes are really tricky because it’s hard to find the right clothing.

We’re very limited in the theater, forcing us sometimes to find stuff at home or rent clothing that gets pretty pricey.” But the feel of the costume is the real key. Jasmine explained that sometimes, “they don’t feel right and [in turn] don’t help us feel the part”; instead, they feel itchy and hot. However, Jasmine complimented that “our costumers are geniuses; they always go to the max to find the right costume (even doing their own research), and never complain.”

Now that you know a bit of what to expect to see at performances, you’ll be able to identify one PA group from another with ease. After all, each PA group puts its own charm and twists on its costumes that truly define the group and its members. But overlooking the differences, every single costume radiates its wearer’s passion and fervent enthusiasm for his or her PA group, and ultimately, represents AHS.

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Photos by VIVIAN CHAN, ELLIOTT LEE, and TOMMY LIAO Photos courtesy of LIAM SWAN and RONALD LEE Graphics courtesy of SILHOUETTECLIPART.COM

STUDENT LIFE

12

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October 2011

AHS Art Students Paint the Biggest Canvases on Campus

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

Thousands of students pass them in the hallways every day. Yet many students don’t know who paints these murals or what they are doing there in the first place.

Every year, Ms. Georgette Tuttle gives students in her Art Honors classes the opportunity to paint the hallways of AHS. The project is voluntary, but most students in the class always volunteer. There are only five available spaces for the students to paint on, so the Art Honors classes, Advanced Art classes, and the Art Department staff vote on paintings submitted by students with the top five being selected. Ms. Tuttle explained, “We vote on paintings, then the students wash the mural, sand it, and apply a primer. Then they sketch their design and paint acrylic.”

It’s easier said than done as these projects often last for at least two months, and in

some cases, can take up to an entire school year to complete. Speaking of years, students will be surprised to learn that painting on the murals has been, according to Ms. Tuttle, a “tradition at AHS for 20 [to] 25 years.”

Ms. Tuttle, who has been in charge of the mural project for the last 15 to 20 years, remembers when the project was done on a larger scale. Before 1996, the Art Honors students painted on the walls next to classrooms instead of painting on the east and west wing hallways.

Teachers back then could request the Art Honors classes to paint next to their classrooms, often to reflect the teacher’s course. However, these paintings were removed, and the Art Honors class was given permission to paint over the lockers once they became obsolete in 1996. In total, there are 11 large murals in the east and west wing hallways with one smaller mural on a showcase close to E-Hall. Ms. Tuttle allows a mural to last at least one year before it can be painted over. After construction is completed,

A PLETHORA OF CREATIVITY (above and below): A collage of characters from Hayao Miyazaki will greet students on the vertical side of B-Hall, painted by seniors Jaki Liu and Victoria Orolfo. A Winnie the Pooh-inspired mural designed by junior Carol Chu will adorn the hall between B and C-Halls.

five new mural spaces will be available.

This year, the top five mural designs were designed by two pairs and three solo artists.

Juniors Leslie Ho and Robyn Wong are one of the two pairs that had their mural designs selected. Leslie said that they will be painting a “sky [that has] different shades of light blue, and an ocean [that will have] a dark, almost gray, blue” color. Seniors Jaki Liu and Victoria Orolfo will be painting a “collage of characters from Hayao Miyazaki’s most popular films, [the] majority of which will be portrayed as the Beatles’ album cover, Abbey Road.” Junior Carol Chu, one of the solo artists, said that her “design is [from] one of the pages of a Winnie the Pooh children’s book called Forever Friends by Lisa Ann Marsoli.”

Although it will be disheartening to see past works of students being erased, everyone can be glad that these new murals will continue to make AHS a unique place. sshaw@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of JAKI LIU and CAROL CHU

Red Ribbon Week

A Pep-Filled Occasion: Homecoming 2011 Recap

By KRISTIE SUN

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Red Ribbon Week, which took place Oct. 25 to 28, reached millions of Americans in our nation. The red ribbons covered areas all over campus, showing support for the movement.

Red Ribbon Week means a lot to people all around the world. Parent volunteers and Senior Men and Women put up red ribbons, banners, and posters. The red ribbons symbolize the promise of keeping drug free. Students participated around AHS and the community by wearing red to support the fight against drugs.

This event is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program. It raises awareness of the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. It educates students about the dangers of drugs. Red Ribbon Week is a reminder that drugs, if abused, can ruin lives.

This is a tribute to a drug enforcement officer named Enrique “Kiki” Camerena. He was tortured and murdered by a Mexican drug cartel. His tragic death opened the eyes of many Americans to the danger of drugs.

Red ribbons weren’t just put up for his honor.

They also became the “national symbol and reminder of how we need to work together” to prevent illegal drug usage.

Thanks to the volunteer committee, we were able to support and honor Red Ribbon Week. Don’t forget to stay drug free!

Hints of homecoming began to appear at the start of school on Homecoming Day. Students wearing spirit shirts and carrying balloons walked with their heads raised up high. Friends sat next to each other in their first period class, eagerly chatting about the homecoming game and dance. Students eagerly walked to their classes, completed their class work, and prepared themselves for the assembly during third period.

All of AHS, from freshmen to seniors, were treated to a wide variety of dances from Orchesis Dance Company, Pep Squad (Pep), Senior Men and Women (SMW), and Associated Student Body (ASB) after members of AHS’ fantastic sports teams were introduced. Homecoming royalty also made their appearance during a break in the performances. Homecoming Assembly wrapped up with everyone singing the Alma Mater. The morning festivities, how-

ksun@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of UEXPRESS.COM

ever, were only to get Apaches pumped up with anticipation for the homecoming game later in the evening.

The homecoming game served as a bonding event for the students attending. The game, along with help from Band and Pep, imbued school spirit into the students that allowed them to cheer on our football team as it played against Burroughs. On the other hand, alumni used the opportunity to return to the halls in the school that they themselves once used to shuffle through.

Although the game was interesting to watch with fellow Apaches, the actual homecoming dance was the grand finale to the twoday event. This year’s theme for the dance, which was at the California Science Center, was “A Starlit Soiree”. Junior Chloe Conrad stated that she “loved that there were a lot of things to do besides just dancing. You could eat,

talk at the tables with your friends, take photos and also explore all the hands-on activities the science center offered.” Freshman Kayla Beaumont commented that she “enjoyed the homecoming dance because the location was big enough to host all of [AHS’s] students.”

Junior Class Senator and Prom Committee President Andrew Sun said that there are two more dances in the school year. This gives students who were unable to attend Homecoming, or did attend Homecoming and are eager for the next dance, the chance to attend and go to a school dance.

Even though Homecoming has come and gone, it has brought with it a time to break loose from the rigid schedule of high school and allow students to actually enjoy a day or two of relaxation. sshaw@apachepowwow.com Photos by VIVIAN CHAN, TOMMY LIAO, and ELLIOTT LEE

SPIRIT (left to right): The Girls Varsity Cross Country team bounds into the gym. SMW members seniors Justin Fan and Albert Hu prepare to bust some moves. ASB Pep Commissioner senior Glen Liang plays Jabba in ASB’s Homecoming skit.

October 2011

studentlife@apachepowwow.com

STUDENT LIFE

AHS’ Own Miss Teen Taiwans

changing into a short cocktail dress, the girls took turns giving a brief description of an imStaff Writer portant place in Taiwan. A quick question-andWho knew the Miss Teen Taiwan World answer stage rounded up the last event before Pageant was held here in California instead of the judges tallied up the votes, leading up to Taiwan? This past July, 19 of the 50 girls who the final event—the crowning. All hard work applied participated in the El Monte-based paid off for the girls, especially when each was as competition. Because it is open to any 13 to crowned a title, as following: Miss Teen Tai18-year-old girls with a Taiwanese background wan International Queen ueen Alfrom any location around the country, it’s een Tailison Hsu, Miss Teen hard to imagine our own school would be wan Global Queen home to three of the winners: juniors AlliStephanie Chan, son Hsu and Stephanie Chan, and sophomore and Taiwan n GoodJasmine Ma. d will Ambassador To take part in Jasmine Ma. the actual competiAll 19 young tion, applicants had women who competed to first pass a prewere awarded a title, liminary stage with a leaving plenty of room well-rounded essay. ver winto not stress over After the preliminarher bond ning, but rather ies came the pags. “We with strangers. eant preparation. “It started out as total took three months w we’re strangers and now for me to prepare. I like sisters,” Jasmine had to learn how to said. “I mean, even with walk with grace and Stephanie and Ally, I AHS winners never thought we’d end poise,” explained AHS BEAUTIES pose with the other Miss Teen Taiwan Jasmine. Although up this close.”

World winners. the show lasted for From the perspecabout four hours, every girl was up at dawn get- tive of an outsider looking in, the Miss Teen ting her hair and makeup done for at least an Taiwan World Pageant may seem unnecessary, ecessary, hour. erienced but for the young women who experienced First, each girl performed a traditional Tai- extreme bonding while gaining confi nfidence wanese Aboriginal dance as an ensemble. Next and poise and a chance to enhance Taiwanese iwanese came a short self-introduction for each young culture, there was definitely nothing g to re relady in her first evening gown of the day. After gret about the entire process. Congratulations again to Jasmine, Stephanie, and Allison!

By KELLY CHING

kching@apachepowwow.com

13

Never Too Old for Candy

By CO COURTNEY HANG Staff Writer

Halloween is upon us, and for those Ha who celebrate, c this means a time full of fun, fr friends, and free candy. As we age, we often of hear people telling us that we are to too old for trick-or-treating, or that Halloween Hallow is only for children, and we shou shouldn’t be celebrating it anymore.

But for m many of us, the thrill of trickor-treating or celebrating never goes or-treati away. D Despite being in high school, many still sti celebrate Halloween and look forw forward to it for months before Oct. O t 331 31.

A As high school students, many of us don don’t have time to celebrate Halloween, eespecially when it’s on a Monday, like th this year. But for a few students, they w will make the time to celebrate.

J i Anna Wang stated, “I plan to Junior arou to several haunted houses go around around the neighborhood.” Others, like sop sophomore Audrey Lew, who esn uusually celebrate Halloween, doesn’t planneed “o planned “on going to the Haunted House held bby Pep Squad and to a friend’s party.” F Freshman Ashley Yan and junior Prisci Yon Bai both plan on going Priscilla trick-o trick-or-treating, with their respective friends Ashley also plans to “eat all friends. [ ] candy in one night,” simply be[her] cause sh she “likes candy, and it will be ch a fun challenge.”

Her favorite candy “Thre Musketeers…because it’s is “Three colatey. Priscilla, des sweet and chocolatey.” despite

being a junior, “still [has] the he same fun as [she] did when she was as younger, ck-or-treats] especially when [she trick-or-treats] with friends.” Trick-or-treating, ating, one of llowe iis a many ways to celebrate Halloween, fun and easy way to hang out with your friends, no matter how old you are.

If you decide to go trick-or-treating, keep an eye out for this year’s top ng to the Halloween candies. According website Candyfavorites, Pop Rocks Pumpkin Patch Orange is the 5th top candy of the year, with its limited edition green and orange Pop Rocks. As an added bonus, Pop Rocks iss a welcome aters expect surprise, as no trick-or-treaters to receive Pop Rocks. Junior Kerry Wang agrees that “Pop Rocks would be surprising to get, because usually, no one gives them out.” Halloween Jelly Kabobs, skewers of iced jelly candy, our top Halcomes in as the number four ate-Covered loween candy. Chocolate-Covered d York PepPeeps are in 3rd place, and d York peppermint Batty (bat-shaped d. Rounding permint patties) are in 2nd. eanut Butter out the top five, Reese’s Peanut ce Whethe Pumpkins come in 1st place.

Whether you go trick-or-treating or are stuck handing out candy, these top candies are likely to satisfy all types of candy-lovers of all ages this Halloween. owwow.com chang@apachepowwow.com Graphicss courtesy of VEER.COM and SNOWONLINE.COM NLINE.COM

Photo courtesy of STEPHANIE CHAN Graphics courtesy of PRISSED.COM and ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Memories of Halloween: Fears, Frights, Tricks, and Treats Galore

By DANIEL JENN Staff Writer

Fear exists as a distinct definition among the delicate and splendidly scented pansies of the metaphorical human garden, and the brawny men who eat the physical manifestation of fear for breakfast in cereal form of phobia during October. Many cower in cold sweat under the emanating warmth of cozy mattresses and cotton blankets, hearts beating as fast as hard-core techno, and eyes scanning the dark closet. Siblings practice the key component to cruel pranks: patience. The barriers between courage and dread merge into one force, hesitation no longer playing its part among jokers.

Whether the merry, yet subtly influenced satanic day of reckoning is ideal for senseless pranking, un-

expectedly becoming senselessly pranked, or scouring the ends of streets to find candy, there is no doubt that there will be memories. For the students attending AHS who were so fortunate to experience such melodious monstrosities of creating such memories, the fact does not dissipate.

The most simplistic of muscularly-able men rarely have their moment of weakness.

Luckily, mental studies show when Strong Man A is released into the same environment as Strong Man B, there will be a high statistic of brute conflicts. Freshman Tom VanderHoof stated, “When I was 12, I went trick-or-treating with friends. We traveled to a large house, with towering doors, and enormous trees. Out of the [trees], a huge man leaped out with bulging muscles. We feared for our lives. We were about to scream until he spoke. He said that he did not mean to scare us too much and that he was the owner of the house. Then he gave us candy— chocolates and sweets—so it was okay.”

Sophomore Angela Huang had a similar experience. Sitting alone, watching television on a windy Sunday night and ignoring g the rings of trick-or-treaters, she had the most scarcarring experience yet. She revealed, “There was a guy standing outside my window with a chainsaw and kept knocking on my door. I don’t

really want to talk about it.” But all students are destined to have a scarring evening. Given the fateful circumstances, sophomore Justin Ho was able to go to Universal Studios last October along with his friends and family. He said, “I remember there was an electronic moving body bag that hung from the ceiling. There were also over-sized scarecrow heads placed around it.

Creepy stuff.”

Although some experiences are more disturbing than others, freshman Justin Yeh had one of the most unprecedented surprises yet to occur to a single person. Justin explained, “Three years ago I went trick-or-treating with my friends, but they invited this one person. I have to admit, she was kind of weird. But ut that’s not all. She wore a pink princess costume me with ith monster mask. I [could] even hear her breathing reathing through the mask, but I couldn’t hear her er speak very well. As the night went on, I started d to get to know her and kind of liked her. But ut at the end of the night, she took off her mask and it turned out to be a guy.”

Whether anxiety has penetrated your

heart by being jumped by an extremely large man concealed in a garden of actual pansies, cowering in the face of a stunt double for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, frightened by animatronics of Halloween-themed amusement parks, or finding out your lady friend is actually a feminine male, Halloween is the day packed full of memories saluting the idea of fear. djenn@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of WORDPRESS.COM, MYCLIPART.COM, DIPART.COM, CLKER.COM, LEEHANSEN.COM, and FLICKR.COM

14

Thinking

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October 2011

October 2011

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“Our first event in Hope Can Cure Cancer Club (HCCC) will be Walk for Hope, a walk ffor women's cancers, in early November. We have events throughout the year, such as Walk fo for Hope, Pennies for Patients, Comedy Show fundraiser, Yogurt Lid Fundraiser, our biggest event - Relay for Life, and more to raise awareness for breast cancer awareness as well for other cancers. As an individual, I do this for the people I love and to help prevent others from losing their loved ones. My mom's best friend had breast cancer and thanks to all the medical help she received, she fought it through like a trooper. She's completely fine now. I pour my heart and soul into this club because I have encountered cancer affecting people close to me multiple times, and I personally know how hard it is. And it helps that the fundraising and ccancer anc nceer er aawareness waare rene ness ss pprocess roce ro ceess ss iiss rre really eaallly y fun! HCCC is not a depressing club that only shows the sad side ssi ide de ooff tth things. hin hi inggss. We We rraise aissee sspirits ai piri pi rits ts hhigh igh with hope with our fundraisers and events.” ig -Rosalyn Lam, 12, HCCC Co-President

By PH OEBE SHEN Canc where er does not di w sc at least e come from, riminate. No Staff W many o one wa matter riter who w y, shap f us ha There a e are, o ve been e, or fo re thos r rm. Its e affecte a strug in d gle, bu who choose to wall fluence has a by this disea t there ow are ffec se (NBCA This month, a also those wh in despair kn ted many of in o us s o M) beg wing th Nation choos is toug i at canc . h, the fi ns, we discov al Breast Ca e to hope. e r is nc g e accord ing to i ht is still goin r that even th er Awareness o t g M s webs ugh the breast strong. ite as a cancer battle a onth NBC gainst Despite awareness...a “partnership AM began 2 cancer 7 yea ...wo nd p the o to help raise aw bstacles, peo rovide [neces rking togethe rs ago, r to pro sary] s ple aro cancer areness erv mote un is Cancer the most com for the diseas d the world c ices.”” e and m ontinue Society mon ca oney fo will be ncer fo to find estimat r w d r e continu iagnosed with s that in this women world research. Bre ays y a w ed rese s e b t ar alon i reast c a early s e, 230,4 de. The Ame tages o rch efforts, th ancer in the rican 8 0 m U f o e nited S cancer are get re wom five-ye tin ta is a e found a g regular ma 88%. Due to r breast cance tes. But, beca n mmogr use of t earlie wncrea r surviv ams an r stage sed aw al rate Durin sw dm ar fo can hel g this month here they are ore cases of eness, more w r the p furth , we le b o t r r men e e a a t s ed mor t ar er affecte e easily cancer are b d by it. the cure of c n that hope, a eing . an s well a W togethe s a goo r to pro ith determine cer and incre d deal ase the m men!) d and i of q may on ote research n ly hear and aw formed citize uality of life f action, ns cont areness of brea or thos i e st canc er in hi , a future gen nuing to work eration story b ooks. of wom en (and pshen@ apache powwo w.ccom

Photos by VIVIAN CHAN and TOMMY LIAO and ELLIOTT LEE and graphics courtesy of COUNRYLIVING.COM and OFFICETECK.COM

“All of the main eevents we have either raise money or awareness, often times time both. As stated previously Relay For Life is our biggest event, w we fundraise for it throughout the year and throughout the event itself. We are fortunate enough to be able to donate at least $4,0 $4,000 every year and last year we received the award for the You Youth Team That Raised the Most Money. All of the money is donat donated directly to American Cancer Society, which is the official ssponsor of birthdays!

Relay For Life is a 24-hour event that helps communities across the globe celeb celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember lov loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. Teams come together to walk laps and raise money throughout these 24 hhours. To date, Relay For Life has raised over $3 billion and wi will continue to do so until we defeat breast cancer and all cancers once and for all.”

-Rima Vora, 12, HCCC Co-President

“Fortunately, I do not personally know anyone with breast cancer. But I am in HCCC because it is so much fun! When I attended Walk for Hope last year, I realized that HCCC is a club that does what it does for a good cause. I know that when we work together, we are helping those in need. Plus, the ways to help are endless! It can be from simply donating yogurt lids to attending Relay for Life, which I wish I was able to attend. I feel fortunate to not know anybody who has had breast cancer, but it's important to educate people about it because this can save a life, or hopefully, more. With this knowledge, women (and men) will know if they have cancer at an earlier stage, like my friend did. The National Breast Cancer Foundation helps by providing mammograms, and we can help too, through fundraisers and like I said before, education.”

-Joyce Lo, 10

In Pink

“My main motive is that I wanted to increase the ppopularity of Relay for Life at A Arcadia and to also bring more awareness to fighti ghting cancer and get more pe people involved in the community. Students udents can show support by going to the ccancer.org website and finding out information about iit. There’s several things tthey can do, such as participate cipate in the Susan G. Komen event that goes on. There’s all kinds of research search out there that they can talk abo about with other students as well, and d also get involved with the club Hope Can C Cure Cancer on n this campus. For or me, personally, I don’t have any personal stories about breastt cancer, but ut obviously it’s another form of cancer that affects a lot of women, and d it’s another form of cancer that we need to find a cure for. I’d just like to see more students get involved with fighting cancer, and promoting cancer can awareness. Relay for Life is a great way of doing it and getting involved with the community.”

-Mr. M Carter C t S Spruill Spruuilllll

“My main motive for running the AHS chapter of Relay for Life was maki making people aware of cancer and cancer research, and what it takes to continue cancer research. It takes hundreds of thousands of dollars, millions of dollars, donations, and volunteers, and by being part of that I bring awareness to those around me, that it’s a co constant battle to fight cancer.

During the month of October people can wear as much pink as possible, even the boys! A real man n wears pink! They can definitely do research. A All of our girls here on campus who have started ed the womanhood process can learn ho how to give themselves self-exams. If they don’t they can ask k their pediatrician to give them paperwork on how to do that. Be very aware of your own body. That’s hat’s the best way. It’s not as easy for men, but boys can do the same thing. They should make suree to check themsel themselves, and if they feel any irregularities they should let their doctor know as soon on as possible. possib As an individual, breast cancer awareness is very important to me. My best friend is a breast divid cancer survivor, and I have had a couple of aunts that have gone through breast cancer, one that has had a double mastectomy, and my best friend has had a double mastectomy. And so, for me personally, it’s just very important that people stay very proactive about their bodies and make sure that they take care of themselves and be aware of their symptoms and how it can affect them.”

-Ms.LeAnn Solis

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An Overall Guide to Trick-or-Treating rick or Treatin

By BELLE ZHENG Staff Writer

Trick-or-treating is a pastime that many of us have participated in at one time or another.

The following are several ways to increase your yearly candy haul by adding a few strategies to your yearly routine.

Never Trick-or-Treat Alone Believe it or not, it is quite easy to get kidnapped while trick-or-treating. When everyone is in costumes, no one can tell who anyone else is and snatching you up would be a breeze. If you think that going with your parents is lame, gather up a group of friends or relatives to go together. Make sure one or more of you have a fully charged cell phone in hand. Besides, even if nothing bad happens, you can always trade candy with one another.

Check Your Treats Always dump out the candy you have collected into a box, where you can see every piece of sugary goodness. Filter out candy that looks resealed along with those you may not like very much. Lollipops with clear plastic coverings are candies to rethink because they can be easily resealed.

Things Worth Bringing Along Babies and Young Children Yes, babies and little five-year-olds are a pain to take care of, but they come in handy when it comes to trick-or-treating. When these little “angels” are dressed up, they can be as cute as a button. Mostt likely, they won’t be able to eatt any of the candy they get be beb

cause they are too young to eat at it or their parents are concerned about their heir health. u love to be They usually find the candy you distasteful. Luckily, you will be the one who ends up getting the candy.

Adorable dogs Bring Fido along! Most people love ra candy for dogs! Many people give out extra dogs. Make sure you bring a leash eash to prevent your lovable ball of fur from trying to lick other small children. Bring ing a dog that is not hostile toward other er people l and other dogs, or easily scared. It iis also best to dress up your dog, as it only makes your dog more adorable. There may be some not-sofriendly pets in the area, so be careful and keep a good grip on that leash!

Where To? Now, most people are always trying to find the best place for trick-or-treating. The answer is simple: if you want the candy, stay in your neighborhood, but if you want the thrill, seek elsewhere.

Places like Longden Ave. are not good places for candy, but the thrills have no comparison. It is famous for its yearly haunted-house so if you’re out for a scare, try it! The decorations are traditionally over-the-top, but the area around the street often runs out of candy within hours.

The border of South Pasadena and Alhambra is also a good place for a taste of adventure.

It is advised that you brace yourself for some scares There are many people hiding in the scares. bushe with faux blood-covered plastic knives. bushes Fog machines and mechanical zombies line ma of the houses. Young children and dogs many are not advised to be brought here as there are many random attacks by zombies jumping out of the trees.

Candyy P Passers Many people p really can’t decide on what candy tto pass out. Everyone has a pref different preference but you should pass out the candy you enjoy. Though there is no definite answer, there are a select few that pe people tend to love the most.

Chocolates Choco These are the classic Halloween candy ffavorites. Most people like normal milk chocolate candy bars. But there is, however, a preference toward chocolates with ith nnuts ts and caramel filling. Maybe it’s the color or the perceived difference in taste, but many people love white chocolate as much as they love milk chocolate. Dark chocolates are not as popular as the other varieties. Trick-ortreaters regard them as being too bitter.

Soft Chewy Fruit Candies We’re not talking about jelly fruit chewies.

Although some people enjoy fruit chewy candies, the best way to go is to choose Starbursts or fruity gummy bears. Gummy worms are also a favorite among kids. But it is advised that you hand them out in their separate packets.

Get What You Enjoy Eating At the end of the night, you’ll be left with a pile of leftover candy that never got passed out. Of course, you don’t want to be stuck with a bunch of candy you hate eating. Candy you enjoy eating is the most important thing! bzheng@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of 123RF.COM, BLOGSPOT.COM, BUYCOSTUMES. COM and WONDERCOSTUMES.COM

The Scary Side to Witchy Wonderlands and Paranormal Parks

By SARAH QUON Staff Writer

Are you someone who livess for o thrills or someone who wants to visit haunted areas to train yourr reflexes? Now that it is October, er, there are many amusement parks arks that have some pretty spooky ky features, including Knott’s Scary ary Farm and Disneyland. Here is the lowdown on choosing which terrifying park to visit to celebrate this Halloween season.

If you are not as experienced in the scary department, then visit Halloween Time at Disneyland, open until Oct. 31. Some of the many featured events include Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, the Villain Meet and Greet, and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy: If you like roller coasters, then hop on Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy! For those who have already been on Space Mountain, prepare for new surprises —instead of going deep into space, you plunge into a ghostly netherworld where creatures lurk around and only scary music is played.

The Villain Meet and Greet: Oh, my!

Disneyland’s famous protagonists have been pushed aside as to make room for the infamous Disney villains! Here you can meet and take pictures with your favorite villains such as Cruella de Vil from 1 101 Dalmatians, Maleficent from S Sleeping Beauty, Captain Hook from Pete Pan, and many more!

Peter The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Enter this fi fifth fth dimension in the Hollywood Tower Hotel where you encounter phantoms and ghosts who are guests at the hotel. Be prepared for this deadly and haunted drop!

Now, if Disneyland is too PG for you, then head on over to Knott’s Scary Farm, where it is guaranteed to be at least PG-13, or maybe even worse!

Scare Zones: Step into one of three scare zones: Necropolis, Carnevil, and Ghost Town.

For those vampire lovers, take a step into Necropolis where there is no sparkly Edward Cullen, but vicious flesh-eating machines who crave blood. If vampires do not interest you, then enter Ghost Town, where it is so dark you cannot see what is coming at you.

Shows: There are shows that include some freaky entertainment including pain torture at Zamora’s Side Show of Horrors and a drum troupe at Street Drum Corps Presents Bang.

Whichever show you go to, you will be spooked by it!

Mazes: Knott’s Scary Farm is famous for its mazes. Many of them are returning, and other mazes are joining the crew, including Delirium and Endgames Warriors of Apocalypse. Just remember, once you step in, there is only one way out, and that’s forward… squon@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of BUSINESSSPUNDIT. COM and ROCKWALLBREWERS.COM

October 2011

Pumpkin Fun

By COURTNEY HANG Staff Writer

We’ve all seen carved pumpkins sitting on the front porches of house after house. It’s a sign of Halloween, but have you ever wondered how jack-o’-lanterns came to be? The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack”. He invited the Devil to have a drink but didn’t want to pay. He convinced the Devil to turn into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks, but Jack kept the coin in his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil, this time convincing him to climb a tree to pick fruit. Jack then carved a cross into the bark so that the Devil could not leave. Soon after, Jack died. God would not allow him into heaven, and the Devil could not let him into hell. He sent Jack off into the night with only a burning coal to light. Jack put the coal into a carved turnip and has been roaming ever since.

The Irish referred to this figure as Jack O’ Lantern. People in Ireland and Scotland carved scary faces into turnips to frighten Stingy Jack. Immigrants brought this tradition to America, where pumpkins were in abundance, and so they became what we now know as jack-o’-lanterns.

Now that you’ve read the history of carving pumpkins, let’s carve one ourselves! Picking a good pumpkin is quite simple. It should be firm and healthy, but still easy to cut into. Tap the pumpkin and listen for a hollow sound. Also, make sure that your pumpkin can stand on its own, so it doesn’t roll over when you display it.

Keep in mind that tall, oblong pumpkins tend to be stringier inside, making more work for you.

Besides carving, pumpkins are also great in pies. If you want to make your own pie from fresh pumpkin, choose smaller pumpkins since they are smoother and have a higher sugar content. As pumpkins age, their flesh often gets sweeter, while the shell gets duller. Many cooking varieties have names like “Small Sugar Pumpkin” or “New England Pie Pumpkin” for consumers to easily spot and purchase.

Though pum pumpkins are mostly associated i d with Halloween, there are many other uses for the them. They can be used to ma make soups, sauces, desser serts, and an abundance of other delectable dis hes. S dishes.

Since Hallowee en is rolling in, be een ssure to go and get yyou your own pumpkin! chang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of WORDPRESS.COM

October 2011

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The Vampire Phenomenon Takes Pop Culture By Storm

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writer

If you’ve been paying any attention to popular culture for the past few years, you may have noticed that of all the supernatural creatures, the blood-drinking ones are getting the most attention. Vampires have certainly been a notable recent trend, with young-adult book series such as The Saga of Darren Shan and Vampire Academy producing sequel after sequel.

Television and movies have also been garnering hype with their new portrayals of these creatures of the night.

Though Stephenie Meyer of Twilight has taken liberties with her sleepless, sparkling undead, vampires themselves are anything but new. Beliefs of our fanged friends date back to prehistoric times, but it wasn’t until the early 1800s that they were believed to be anything more than rotting corpses raised from the dead to feed on the living.

The first English story about vampires was the 1819 short story “The Vampyre” by John William Polidori. It marked the appearance of the classic vampire—well-bred and attractive, a far cry from previous disgusting imaginings.

The titular character is Lord Ruthven, a supposedly noble gentleman, who brings tragedy to everyone he encounters.

Lord Ruthven isn’t as celebrated as the famous Count Dracula, of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel. One of the world’s best-known Gothic novels, Dracula tells of the vampire’s dealings with a solicitor who is helping him move to England. It was so well-received that it has spawned various other works, including a film adaptation by the title Nosferatu. Released in Germany

in 1922, the film changed all the names of the view with the Vampire was adapted into a 1994 main characters but kept much of the original movie starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, and it plot. Though it is now regarded as a quality was nominated for two Academy Awards. horror film with critically praised acting and efNo account of the history of the vampire fects, Nosferatu was found, predictably, to be genre would be complete without at in violation of Stoker’s copyright and least a mention of Buffy the Vampire all copies Slayer. The were ordered wildly poputo be burned. lar televiA survivsion series ing copy has ran for sevsince been en seasons duplicated from 1997 and re-disto 2003. It tributed to began with the pleasure bold high of vampireschool stulovers and dent Buffy horror fans Summers, alike. whose callA ing in life is modern twist to be a Slaywas introer and defeat duced by vampires author Anne and other deVAMPIRE GALORE From Dracula to TwiRice, who, bemons. Early in the light, vampires are coming back for a bite! tween 1976 and show she meets 2003, published the series The Vampire Chroni- Angel, the quintessential tall, dark, and handcles, revolving around the ancient French vam- some stranger. And so the vampire-human love pire Lestat de Lioncourt. Though Lestat has stories began. Mysterious and alluring, Angel similar characteristics to classic vampires, he was the very definition of the romantic Byronicisn’t vulnerable to stakes or garlic. In the first hero-esque monster, struggling to be good but novel, Interview with the Vampire, the newly tortured by his past. Angel continued his story created vampire Louis initially only drinks the in his own self-titled spin-off show, and after blood of animals—clearly, Edward Cullen isn’t his departure Buffy deals with Spike, another the only vegetarian vampire. The book also fea- “good” vampire who gets dangerously close. tures the angelic child vampire Claudia, who is The first of many teen vampire stories to come, stuck forever in a five-year-old’s body. Inter- Buffy was a milestone both in television and in

VS

the vampire genre.

The twists and turns and the drama and romance of vampire lore continue today in numerous book series, and two popular television shows. The Vampire Diaries, based on the young-adult novels of the same name, is currently running on The CW. As with any teen drama, there is a love triangle, between 17-yearold Elena and vampires Damon and Stefan. Stefan is the morally righteous one, while Damon is the dark antihero. Meanwhile, in the alternate universe of True Blood, which is also based on a book series, vampires live amongst humans and survive on a newly-engineered synthetic blood, but still pose a danger by trying to prey on the “real” thing. The protagonist, telepathic human Sookie Stackhouse, is involved in vampire-related murder investigations in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Throughout the series, she also involves herself with many a vampire paramour, the main two being the lying, manipulative Bill Compton and the arrogant but caring 1000-year-old Eric Northman.

There are countless other vampire tales lurking out there in popular culture, from the 1800s or earlier right up to the present. Clearly, something about these bloodsucking monsters is irrepressibly intriguing to us mortals, and whatever it is has been written about for hundreds of years. Look around for more of the beautiful undead, and perhaps you’ll find that the dangerously attractive Edward Cullen is pretty familiar after all. jkuang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM and BS.CYTV.COM

A Grimm Outlook on Disney’s Fairy Tales

By VICTORIA NAKAGANEKU

Staff Writer

From generation to generation, people all over the world have fallen in love with Disney’s classic tales for their charismatic characters and happily-ever-after endings. Although Disney’s fame is widespread, few know the true origins of its films, which were derived from the childhood fairy tales of old Europe. Meant to frighten young children into behaving well, European authors Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm created stories of a more morbid nature—nothing like Disney’s fantastical fantasies.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs The Disney-fied version of this woodland fairy tale tells the story of a fair maiden, who is envied by her stepmother, the queen. Consumed by her hatred, the evil queen demands that her henchmen cut out Snow White’s heart, forcing the innocent princess to scurry to the safety y of the forest. There, she finds a peaceful ceful home with seven ven

dwarves until the vengeful queen, once again, tries to kill the princess by poisoning the naïve Snow White. The queen’s plan is successful at first, but its results are not permanent, as Snow White is later rescued by a charming prince. Snow White’s savior then carries her away to his kingdom, while the queen is chased off a cliff as punishment for her crimes. More horrifying than Disney’s portrayal of the stepmother, the Grimm version of the evil queen actually desires to feast on the liver and lungs of Snow White.

The queen’s death is also much more painful in the Grimms’ tale as the penalty for her malicious actions is to dance in red-hot iron shoes until she dies.

Tangled In Disney’s Tangled, the princess, Rapunzel, is stolen from her parents at birth by an evil witch and forced to live alone in a tall tower— that is, until Rapunzel leaves her solitary confinement on an adventure with a notorious thief. All seems w ll on tthe journey, until Rapunzel is we well tricked into returning to her tower.

Rapunzel soon sees through the Rapun treachery treach and attempts to escape once more, but her plans are unfortun fortunately foiled by the witch, fat who fatally wounds the thief. As he

lays dying, the thief’s last valiant effort is to sever Rapunzel’s magical hair, turning the witch to dust and ending the story happily as Rapunzel’s tears save his life. The Grimm version of Rapunzel, however, tells an entirely different tale. At birth, Rapunzel isn’t stolen; she is actually traded for radishes by her peasant parents. Furthermore, this fragile character never ventures outside her home, but is instead cast out into the desert by the witch as punishment for having a relationship with a suitor.

The witch punishes the suitor as well as she tricks him into climbing Rapunzel’s tower. There, the suitor attempts to escape by leaping off the ledge of the tower, where he is blinded after landing in a bush of thorns. He then wanders the desert and miraculously finds Rapunzel, who weeps on him, restoring his sight and bringing about a cheerful ending.

Cinderella In a heart-warming tale of rags to riches, Disney’s Cinderella is treated as a servant by her stepmother and stepsisters, but is luckily blessed with the help of a fairy godmother, who helps her attend the ball. There, Cinderella and the he Prince fall in love, but she suddenly departs and leaves a glass slipper behind, nd, which the Prince then uses to locate his lost love. Upon arriving at Cinderella’s home, the stepsisters at-

tempt to force their feet into the slipper, but their efforts fail and the Prince offers the slipper to Cinderella. Finding the shoe to be a perfect match, the Prince then whisks Cinderella away to his castle. Although the heroine of this movie has a joyous ending, what Disney carefully omits from its feel-good fantasy is what happens to the stepsisters.

In the Grimm Brothers’ version, the cruel stepmother commands the stepsisters to chop off pieces of their feet so that the shoe will slide on. As if this wasn’t gruesome enough, the Prince, upon being notified of the stepsisters’ deception, sends pigeons after them to peck their eyes out. The stepsisters then live as blind beggars for the rest of their lives, while Cinderella enjoys a life of luxury. vnakaganeku@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM, DEVIANTART. COM and WORDPRESS.COM

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The Top Six Most Bizarre Toys

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

Toys are made to be fun, but the following ones are downright questionable. Although some of them were made in different parts of the world, you may recognize one from your own childhood.

1. USB Pet Rock For $34.99, you can get ng your own USB pet rock, along with a nest, carrier, and even a in book to teach you how to train your rock! Simply plug the he nd USB cable into a free port and y the USB Pet Rock will instantly begin to work its magic. People will stop by and ask you what your USB Pet Rock does.

Each time, you can make up a new story, but no matter what you say, it will be greater than the truth— because these USB Pet Rocks don’t do a single thing but make you smile. You can even confuse your friends and teachers, which will make you smile even more.

Because no one wants a stray rock.

2. Pregnant Barbie Midge, a friend of Barbie, was introduced in 1963 carrying her future baby-doll son, Ryan. The pregnant Midge, who wears a tiny wedding ring, has a detachable magnetic stomach that allows easy “delivery” of the baby, a crib, cradle, changing table, baby toys, and even a baby monitor.

This might be why the U.S. has such a high number of teenage pregnancies.

3. Furby Mix together colorful balls of fur, giant, creepy eyes, and the resemblance of a small gremlin and you’ve got yourself a Furby! Furbies are adorable electronic animals that communicate with each other in their own language.

And as you interact with them, they begin to learn English. These were almost cute, until they started talking to each other in the middle of the night. Then it was just creepy.

44. Baby You Can S Shave Bizarre doll alert! We’ve heard of pregnant dolls and breast-feeding dolls, bu Sasquatch baby dolls? but F For some reason, this toy’s m manufacturers think hairy an ankles and armpits are pro problems you’ll be more than happy to fix. Thank goodness for shaving cream and razor-blades.

5. Hazmat Disposal Crew Figurines Playmobil makes little figurines with hundreds of different professions, but only Hazmat disposal crew figurines provide children with the stark reminder that mankind’s excess waste will doom us all. Man, I want those!

Just in case Barbie has an oil spill.

6. Baby Wee-Wee Doll Here’s an interesting toy— the Baby Wee-Wee doll. Step 1: feed the doll water from a “special” bottle. Step 2: let the doll waddle around as it says “Mummy, wee wee!” Step 3: pull down the doll’s pants so it can pee standing up or sitting down. I feel like I need to apologize for this one.

That’s how bad it is. jbay@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of FACEBOOK.COM, SCLICK.NET, and BLOGSPOT.COM

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October 2011

Frankenstein Meets Canine AlphaDog, with the BigDog being its predecessor. The project is currently funded by Defense Staff Writer Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) As a company that upholds the true value and the Marine Corps. Everyone, whether they in robotic engineering, Boston Dynamics is re- are socially awkward geeks who sit home alone nowned for developing some of the technology fantasizing about the finished project or amaindustry’s most advanced feats. The company teur robotic engineers who look at other comhas earned recognition for constructing robots panies for inspiration, are eager for the “walk that mimic the biological responses and physi- out” scheduled in 2012. The current specificacal abilities of generic animals. Although build- tion of the unfinished project is that it will have ing a multifunctional bionic mechanism that re- the potential to carry 400 pounds worth of milisembles a canine may seem as easy as the initial tary grade gear, stroll 20 miles over the course of 24 hours, automatically follow a level of retro side-strollers, projects must meet leading soldier using computer the expectations of key components in this sensors, and travel to desigcompetitive field. These investnated locations via GPS. ments must excel in mobility, The leaders managing agility, and speed. the project noticed the enorIn 2007, Boston Dymity of the development and namics released a video have invited other innovative showcasing its newest confreethinkers of Bell Helicopter, tribution to the scientific AAI Corporation, Carnegie Melcommunity. The finished lon University, the Jet Propulproduct was called Bigsion Laboratory, and Woodward Dog and is able to react to HRT. Moving only 20 miles in miscellaneous forces that 24 hours, the LS3 was not created affect its equilibrium in to evade or attack any possible encontact with the ground. emies, despite its menacing name.

The BigDog was built with an engine Most likely, the machine will walk containing a hydraulic actuation sysalongside a troop or soldier, assisting tem, crafted with shock-absorbing and him or her in carrying the required equipment energy-recycling legs, and is the size of to complete a misa small 240-pound mule.

BigDog’s onboard con- MECHANICAL DOG BigDog has the sion. Whether the LS3 strives under trols manage leg func- necessary response techniques to pass the expectation of tion, balance, and energy for a real canine! becoming troops’ conservation. When a kicking force is applied to the torso of BigDog, best friend or remains just another electroit is able to balance itself with a responsive pro- hydraulically engineered imitation of a canine, the scientific community will wishfully remain cess similar to that of other biological animals.

Scientists and engineers leading the quaint watching for any hint that the completion date robotics company set in Boston have com- will come earlier than scheduled. menced a 30-month project called the LS3. The djenn@apachepowwow.com LS3 is more formally known as the Legged Support Squad Systems and casually deemed the Graphic courtesy of NYDAILYNEWS.COM

By DANIEL JENN

All The Gadgets You Will Ever Need—On a Budget!

By JONATHAN MATSUMOTO Staff Writer

A lot of “cool” gadgets today are overpriced so it seems irrational for most people to spend $100 on a pair of headphones when the ones that came with your iPod work just fine.

But in the case of these gadgets, they truly are worth paying the extra money.

Flash T-Qualiser T-Shirt ($29.43, FlashWear) The only thing that’s cooler than a glowin-the-dark shirt is one that glows in both dark and light. This $30 t-shirt from Britain reflects the Equalizer of the air around it. Equalizer is a representation of the changes in bass and treble in music, and the graphics on each shirt move up and down to reflect those changes. They are available in several styles, including hearts, radioactive signs, and the British flag, for both men and women.

Note: Batteries not included.

Casio LCF20 ($39.95, Casio) The LCF20 has a look that is somewhere between retro and futuristic, and is completely affordable. Water resistant up to 50 meters, this ’80s-style watch features both an LCD display and analog hands. It has all the normal features like light, stopwatch, world time, and automatic calendar (date), along with a countdown timer.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play ($49.99 with two-year Contract, AT&T or Verizon) The Xperia Play is a great phone for gaming on the go. As the World’s First Playstation Certified Smartphone, it features a slide-out gamepad, with four buttons and a directional pad. As a phone, it is a powerhouse. With Android 2.3 and a 5 MP camera, it is on par with other smartphones like the iPhone 4. This sleek and sexy phone can be purchased for $50 with a new contract from AT&T or Verizon, with the

AT&T version having additional support for the company’s 4G Network.

Powermat 2X Mat with Powercube ($59.99, Powermat) Cables are easy to break, messy, and let’s face it: how many times have you tried to use the wrong one? Well, tangled wires no more. With the Powermat, there’s no need for any of them: one mat charges all. Just place the electronic device on the mat, and it charges on its own.

And, for older devices, the Powermat comes with a special Powercube, which is like a special adapter.

The Powermat sends power through the Powercube, which is directly connected to your other electronics. Easy to use and aesthetically pleasing, the Power- mat is a perfect complement to any living room.

Sol Republic Amps ($59.99, Best Buy) Monster Cable, founded in 1978 by engineer Noel Lee, broke into the headphone scene after producing a line of headphones with hiphop producer Dr. Dre, now known as Beats by

Dre. Lee’s son, Kevin Lee, left earlier this year to make his company, Sol Republic, and has released his own line of headphones with great sound and durable build. In an effort to compete with his father’s business, Sol Republic’s headphones are also very inexpensive. And, for the person that still thinks his iPod headphones are good, these will blow you away.

From Equalizer t-shirts to designer headphones and retro watches, each of these gadgets are sure to turn heads. And for under $60, these will hopefully satisfy both your inner geek and your wallet. So go out and spoil yourself a little. Enjoy these highquality luxuries at a reasonable price without going bankrupt! jmatsumoto@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of TEENORMOUS. COM, WATCHESRETAILER.COM, SIZLOPEDIA.COM, and GADGETS-T.COM

October 2011

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ACADEMICS

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What Ticks Teachers Off

By ARIANA ARZANI

How Academic Teams are Preparing

By AMANDA HUYNH

Staff Writer

Perhaps yours is toe-tapping, talkative peers, squeaky lead pencils, or annoying seat partners. You’re not alone. You can rest assured that teachers have their fair share of classroom pet peeves as well, and they really do have reason to. Six hours in a classroom with one of them and thirty of us. It’s no wonder we drive teachers up the wall. And if you’re desperately trying to get on your teachers’ good sides, it’s always a good tactic to try and avoid their pet peeves.

October 2011

Mr. Matthew Woodin “One of my biggest pet peeves is the phrase ‘I don’t know’ becaus because se the reality is that each of us has some God-given intelligence and if you truly have no clue, at least take a stab at it. The phrase is a cop-out and a notso-cleverly disguised way to escape thinking, which is what we are here to do. I also ability dislike the lack of abi ility by students to clean up after themselves, as if they have a maid or butler that’s going g to clean up after them. The situation is a little ironic for taught me because I have tau ught in other school districts with less ‘privileged’ student bodies neater. that were much neater r. Another pet peeve of mine is the sense of entitlement students work feel. They don’t wor rk for their A and expect it just for breathing—simply being in entitle the class doesn’t en ntitle you to an A. Hard work, effort, and willingness to go beyond—that’s beyond— —that’s what w determines an A. On a more positive note, for the students most part stu udents that I have taught here seem to me more grateful. never I had ne ever once heard a student say ‘thank you’ untill I ccame ca me to AHS.” m

Mr Sam Williams Mr. “Well, I have a pet, but his name is not ‘peeve’—he’s a chocolate Labrador named Maximus! Anyway, the biggest pet peeve for me, which is also a school policy, is when students do not follow the school’s electronic policy which clearly statess that ‘pagers, cell phones, CD players, iPods, and any other electronic devices must be turned off during class’. My personal pet peeves include anything that disrupts or inhibits thee learning environment for students. This includes not coming copying to class prepared or not paying attention in class, copyin ng homework, cheating, or inadequate college preparatory academics.” academics ics.”

Ms. Claudia Diaz “A huge pet peeve I have in the classroom is when students eat dumplings or Corn Nuts simply due to the smell.

I love them, but oh my God, the smell! When students are impolite it drives me crazy. Every year for the freshman fact finder, I give the students a piece of candy (which I buy out of my own pocket) and over the last two or three years I have made a list of the kids that say ‘thank you’. Hardly any thank me for the candy, and yet they say ‘thank you’ for a quiz or test! I also really hate it when students look over my shoulder when I’m typing, so I take their phones and make them think I’m lo looking ookingg through their messages to see how they like it! Another pet peeve of mine is when students notice I’m having a private conversationn with another student and they still stand there, partially oblivious.”

aarzani@apachepowwow.com Photos by ARIANA ARZANI Graphics courtesy of PRINTABLESIGNS.COM, FREECLIPARTNOW.COM, and RAVICA.COM

Staff Writer

Get those ballpoint pens and scientific calculators ready because the academic season has officially begun. AHS’ various academic teams are stretching their brains and readying those buzzer hands for competitions and tournaments this season.

Quiz Bowl (QB) already competed in UCLA’s “Tournament Without An Interesting Name” on Oct. 2, where Team A and Team B dominated with rankings of 1st and 2nd place, respectively. As a result, two teams will be sent to Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia this May. “We had no other competitions this month, so we used it to train and improve,” said QB Captain senior Andrew Wang. QB members prepare for competitions by breaking up into groups based on each member’s interests, utilizing their strengths to the fullest.

Speech and Debate (S&D) is also preparing for upcoming competitions, according to S&D member sophomore Shannon Liao. “This month we prepared for the Novice Fall Debate and Varsity Fall Debate tournaments that were held at Alhambra High School on Oct. 14 and 15, respectively,” she said. S&D officer junior Rachel Gasparini also said, “I am especially excited for the State Quals competition in March [in which] we compete to make it to the state level.” S&D officers have been working hard to meet these goals by running multiple workshops after school in order to teach the members valuable debate skills. “S&D is also a great place to work with a lot of new faces,” Shannon said. “It’s been a great experience.”

With sharpened No. 2 pencils in hand and pocket protectors in place, Academic Decathlon (AcaDeca) members are preparing for their annual scrimmage in November, in which each member takes a multiple choice test on seven out of ten subjects.

Their performance in the scrimmage will determine if they make it to Regionals, and then on to their ultimate goal: State Finals.

According to AcaDeca member sophomore Shreya Udani, the team practices by meeting twice a week, taking multiple-choice tests, and memorizing flashcards. “Also, teamwork is essential in AcaDeca, as we are all there to help each other out in the ten different subjects,” she said.

Ocean Science Bowl (OSB) members are just as busy preparing for competitions, polishing their skills in preparation for Regionals on Mar. 3. OSB Captain senior Andrew Sung stated, “We prepare through constant practice and individual study.” Additionally, OSB holds weekly meetings on Tuesdays after school where members simulate the real competition, complete with buzzers and enough ocean facts to make anyone bubbly. “I think one of the most interesting aspects of OSB is seeing people with different niches join together on the same team,” said senior Jack Hou. Obviously, AHS’ academic teams have a lot of success to look forward to, with all new and returning members working to make this year even better than the last. ahuynh@apachepowwow.com

October 2011

ACADEMICS

academics@apachepowwow.com

The Benefits of College Rep. Visits

By VIVIAN CHAN

Staff Writer

Riverside? Columbia? Irvine? Berkeley?

Yale? How do you know which school is the right one for you? Fortunately, representatives from colleges around the nation visit high schools every fall to present valuable information to interested students, parents, and counselors. At these visits, students can connect to school representatives, ask questions, and discuss topics ranging from academic programs to the application process.

While there is a plethora of information available in books, in catalogs, and on the Internet, attending the college representative visits is the only way to get specific questions answered. The presentations provided by the representatives offer a wide variety

of data including different organizations on campus, academic classes, student life, ethnic diversity, and much more.

Students are granted the chance to meet one-on-one with a representative to discuss any personal questions or to let him or her know that they are interested in that college. In some me ves cases, the representatives are also the admissionss officers. This allows stu-dents the opportunity to o interact with the person n

21

r resentative visits is an opportunity to explore op wh each campus ofwhat fers and possibly e even influence the student stu when they are considering which co colleges they want to apply to.

Don’t be afraid to ask the representatives questions. Remember, they’re giving the presentation in order to inform young minds about their respective colleges. It couldn’t hurt to show your interest in their colCOLLEGE VISITS: College representatives lege by asking questions. So come to talk about their colleges. when you’re sitting in a room who could possibly be reviewing their ap- jam-packed with prospective students, don’t plications in the future. Occasionally, repre- be afraid to ask, “How’s the food there?” Afsentatives will assist students in determining ter all, once you decide which college to attend, if they fit the demands of that institution and you’ll be stuck with its food for the next couple give pointers as to how students may improve years of your life. their chances of getting in. Even just a short chat with the college representatives can benvchan@apachepowwow.com efit students in the college admission process Photos by VIVIAN CHAN Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM, by giving them a feel of what the schools are GEMZIES.COM, and PYCOMALL.COM looking for in students. Attending college rep-

Tutoring Centers: Pros and Cons How to Take Good Notes

By LEO JIANG

write this down,” or, “This might be on the Staff Writer test.” Those are the important things that you

Note taking is a vital skill that most students overlook in the classroom.

Many think that taking notes is simply writing what the teacher says on a sheet of lined paper, but it is more than just that. Lecture notes are a critical tool for preparing for exams. The key is being able to take notes quickly and efficiently so you can look back on them and understand them. The following are some tips and advice on how to take great notes.

1. Notebooks. The most important aspect of note taking is to organize and sort your notes. Because even if you write the most amazing notes, if you can’t find them, what’s the point?

Although it may sound convenient to have one big notebook for all of your classes, there is a reason teachers make sure you separate your notebooks. If it’s the night before your huge chemistry exam, you don’t want to spend an hour looking through a 10,000-page notebook to find that one page about covalent bonds.

2. Paying attention. This might seem a little obvious; I mean, you have to pay attention if you want to take notes right?

Still, some people don’t. You can’t always trust your brain to remember everything the teacher says. Paying attention to what the teacher says will make your notes more informative and concise.

Listen to cues like, “You should

will definitely need.

3. Don’t just write. Although taking notes is mainly about writing what the teacher says, you’re writing them for your own good. When you go back to read your notes, you don’t want to have to search through pages of the same thing to find a vocabulary word. Use bullet points, dashes, or even asterisks to signal an important idea, topic, or something you don’t understand. This way, when you come back to your notes, you can find the important things first.

4. Use your notes. You take notes for yourself and not for others. What is the point if you don’t even use them? Your brain can only remember so much. Notes act as a “refresher” or a tool to help you remember what you forgot. When the teacher announces a quiz or a test on the topic, go home and go over your notes. Even a few minutes of skimming over well-taken, organized notes can make a big difference in your comprehension and grade.

All in all, note taking is an important skill and tool not just for high school, but your whole educational career. Although for many it might not be the most exciting thing to do in class, you have to remember that it’s the most helpful thing. Always remember that you’re taking notes for yourself.

Even if your teacher collects them, they’re ultimately for you to read and review off of.

Your notes are there to help you memorize and review concepts you might not be able to alone. ljang@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of QACPS.MD.US

By BELLE ZHENG Staff Writer

Educational centers. Outside learning institutions. Tutors. Everyone’s heard about some form of academic help group. Special services such as tutoring have been around for a long time, but their usefulness in academics is widely disputed.

Tutors tend to give an excessive amount of homework on top of homework from regular school. Students who take these classes cannot just wave the work away; their parents, who are paying for their education, force them to do it. In the end, many students just finish it halfheartedly, often guessing through the problems or not putting any thought into the extra work.

Although most parents regard it as more practice, many students think of it as a useless burden. The work just keeps stacking up from class to class. Eventually, most people get swamped with mountains ains of work.

Although gh attending a tutoring center may seem like more work, there are a few ew benefits for going. These include meeting new people, ople, such as students from om different grade levels or different schools, and getting help for things you don’t on’t understand.

Getting ahead of your class is another other good reason to attend tutoring centers. rs.

Learning things ings a chapter ahead ad will make your classes er when much easier your teacher er teaches d time. But you a second make sure that hat you re-

member to do your work the way your teacher at school teaches you to. Many tutors are not familiar with the educational codes of a state or district, so be sure to inform your tutor about your teachers’ specific preferences and standards.

The benefits of going to outside academic centers are not limited to academics alone. Centers dedicated to tutoring allow students from different schools to interact with each other.

Meeting new people is enjoyable for many social butterflies. They often make new friends and form lasting friendships with each other.

The more friends, the merrier!

Tutoring centers typically drill subjects a student has trouble with. Any student can tell you that work has a way of piling itself up at the end of the day. Even though there is a lot of work to do, it will be effective if it is done correctly. “It’s a lot of work,” freshman Robert Min admitted. “It takes a lot of getting used to, but in the long run, it really helps.”

Nowadays, it is ccommon for students to go to tutoring centers to get help with school. there are the ups and down of Of course, ther such places for help. Tutoring going to suc may sound distasteful, but there are resources to take advantage of. also resou end, the most important thing In the end learn what you need to learn. is that you lea bzheng@apachepowwow.com bzhe Graphics by BELLE ZHENG

22

SPORTS

apachepowwow.com

October 2011

A Brisk Jog Down Memory Lane for Boys XC

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

Looking back at the Boys Varsity Cross Country team, it has surely made major accomplishments. It has felt blessed enough to make it to the state meet, but defeating all of its competitors on its way showed how true its Apache spirit really was. And becoming national champions was just “the icing on a cake,” according to senior Charlie Shen.

For veteran senior Ryan Vargas, becoming national champions, as well as state division and CIF champions, was the highlight of his year. His utmost dedication and talent shone through when the team made a record for every course it raced. “I think I’m most proud of just be-

The Boys Varsity Cross Country team started off the season strong wielding an impenetrable team of well-seasoned players.

After winning the national, state, and CIF championships last year, the team is putting its utmost effort and dedication to achieving such titles for a second year in a row.

According to Charlie, the team has already surpassed its previous times by about 30 seconds, an outstanding accomplishment Charlie believes is thanks to his fellow teammates sophomores Estevan De La Rosa and Josue Gonzales. Their talent is simply “out of this

ing on such a historic team and wearing ‘Arcadia’ across [my] chest. Being part of that team and winning the way we did will stay with me forever,” said Ryan.

Just like Ryan, Charlie believes that winning the state meet was a major accomplishment last year. “No other sport in AHS has won its state competition. When the season started, everyone had one goal in mind: winning the state championship. And watching the guys holding the State Division trophy was just surreal.”

world”. One person Charlie knows has gone above and beyond is his fellow captain senior Anu Shah. “He has sacrificed so much for the team and has not gotten the attention he deserves. He knows just about everything there is to know about running and when he sees some-

thing wrong, he corrects it. People who are in-

Senior Francis Lee stated, “Winning once is a fluke. Winning twice shows that you are the best.” Trying to aim ahead instead of fixating on the past is one goal Francis is trying to accomplish.

Although he is proud of winning Nationals and being the “underdog” of the team, he knows that if the team wants to win again, it needs to work harder, and every team member needs to help each other out. “The team is doing a lot better than what everyone else expected. Of course we know how great we can be, but we have a lot of

jured or hurting go to him because he knows what to do for about every single injury.” The inspirational words Charlie shares about Anu show the great amounts of courage and positive intuition he has.

From Ryan’s point of view, the goal for this season is to achieve national and state championships like last year. Although the team lost a few guys on the Varsity squad, it has a lot of young guns waiting in the wings. There

work if we want to become state and national champions.”

Coach Jim O’Brien has been the man behind the success of the Boys Varsity Cross Country team, and it’s no wonder that the team gets stronger and stronger as the years go by.

As Francis reminisced about the Boys Varsity Cross Country team’s past victories, he stated, “Coach O’Brien used our hunger for the state championship. Our hunger spiked higher after a disappointing 3rd place finish at State and an embarrassing 22nd finish at Nationals. This motivated us to train harder and better and it ended up working a lot better than we thought.”

Hopefully, for this season, Coach O’Brien can reuse this motivation and reel in another win for Arcadia.

are many guys who stepped up to fill the void for the graduated seniors, stated Ryan.

“Estevan and Josue, both sophomores, are playing a vital role in the team. The fate of this season could come down to them.”

Francis, who’s very proud of the team’s accomplishments last year, said, “The team is doing a lot better than what others expected, but we have a lot of work to do if we want to achieve a second, back-to-back, state and national championship.” This year, Francis is thankful for the great leadership of seniors Sergio Gonzales, Ryan, Charlie, and Anu. Without them, the team would not be what it is now. jbay@apachepowwow.com

Student Athlete Profile: Katherine Guo

By KARINA LAIGO Staff Writer

Senior Katherine Guo tees off her final year, taking her team to league championships and beyond. Without fail, she dedicates herself and has done so since her “dad introduced [her] to golf when [she] was…around four years old.” She has been in love with the sport ever since. Katherine remembers playing with “plastic toy golf clubs,” and while they weren’t the nine irons that help her get her victories now, everyone has to start somewhere. It may take people their whole lives to find their niche, but that wasn’t the case with Katherine. Picking up the sport at such a young age did not only give her the length of her life to enjoy it, but also time to improve her skills with age. With that much passion and those many years under her belt, Katherine hopes to lead her teammates to their fourth year of league victory, and has nothing but the stars to aim for.

Golf requires a lot of dedication and strict focus in order to succeed. Katherine believes that it’s so much more than that, and all those around her and close to her can see that. Girls

Varsity Golf Coach Robert Greep has only good erine. Compliments aside, Katherine knows words for Katherine and her talents. She “is that golf has made her “a lot stronger now, both physically and the epitome of the perfect teammate; mentally” and it she’s [an] unselfish, has shaped her to who she is tonatural leader. As a day. It is a mental player she has done game that works an amazing job.

[She’s] been conto feed one’s custantly at the top riosity and strategy, engaging of the lineup since one’s logical side her freshman year.” when determinKatherine’s love ing which club to for the sport and her teammates has use or how hard to hit it; Katherine is spread to all those all the wiser due around her; she has to her golf-filled a knack for being childhood. infectious like that.

While the Junior Mikaela GAME FACE It’s noted that Katherine Santos cheered sport has its rekeeps this cool demeanor regardless of sponsibilities and her on saying that the situation. technical aspects, “she’s a great playit isn’t all statistics er and friend”. The family and friendship aspect of the sport only and points. For Katherine, “golf helps [her] recontributes as a strengthening factor for Kath- lease stress from school” and focus on what’s

truly important to her. The course, filled with all its trees and open air, is a safe haven for her to find her peace. She said that “it’s really nice just being there.” Though it is an activity for relieving stress, Katherine has golf weighing heavily on her mind. She wants “to do better in CIF Individuals,” as well as help her team go farther in the CIF Finals. With such dedication, it’s no wonder that her teammates have deemed her captain.

There isn’t a lot that can bring Katherine down, even when her teammates are having a tough time. “Often she’s the one who breaks the tension [when] the team is struggling,” explained Coach Greep. Katherine looks up to Tiger Woods as a fitting role model despite “his scandals” because to her, “he’s so mentally tough” and that’s what really counts. Lastly, Katherine aims to be as focused as Woods because “when he’s at the top of the game, no one can beat him!” Despite its water and sand traps, golf will always be something Katherine cherishes and loves because “it’s [her] life!” klaigo@apachepowwow.com Photo by LEO JIANG

October 2011

sports@apachepowwow.com

SPORTS

Girls Volleyball: Ready, Set, Spike!

By ALICE LIN Staff Writer

If you have ever stopped to look around the North Gym, whether it is during an assembly or a freshman PE class, you might have noticed banners of cardinal and gold that honor our fellow Apaches, our athletic teams, and of course, the years that AHS has won league championships. If you managed to get a closer look at the banners that honor league championships, you might have noticed that one banner is longer than the rest. This banner has more years than any of the other teams, and it belongs to the legendary Girls Varsity Volleyball team.

Already beginning the season with a great start, the Girls Varsity Volleyball team won the Arcadia Invitational Tournament, is 9-2 in league, and has a 14-6 overall score to boot.

Despite losing nine seniors to graduation last year, five of whom were starters, our Lady Apaches are still going strong. So far, the team has lost only to Burroughs, its longtime rival. However, next year, when the the team goes against Burroughs once more, it plans to settle the score with it fans ral-

lying it on. steer the team in the right direction by “leadBeside the fans’ support, the Girls Varsity ing through example,” it’s easy to see why the Volleyball team is one of the best teams on camteam is flourishing. Even Coach pus for two other reasons: hard work and dedicaFreberg has detected their team tion. Despite being involved in several activities camaraderie. He stated that as such as Senior Men and Women, Link Crew, a team, the girls “work well and a myriad of other organizations, the girls with each other, [and] with not still manage to practice for three days a week a lot of drama.” from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Coach Charles Freberg One more explanation noted that to reach its goals of winning league, for the team’s bond might just the team had to “play to [its] capabilities and be its cheer. Catherine do [its] best all the time.” The team is preparstated that before ing to meet these goals by practicing hard, and each game, “the team working on developing ball control. With these does a special cheer acquired skills, the coach declared that the team to keep [each other] wins 90% of the time “by passing better than pumped and excited.” [the other team serves] and serving better All of the girls encour[than the other team] passes.” age one another and, Another reason for the team’s to Catherine, as well as success is its overall unity. Despite many other members, having people from different grade “these girls are sisters.”

Overall, the Girls Varsity Volleyball team is dominating VERSATILITY ON THE COURT in both the league championship Senior Brittney Lee knows when to set banners and in league itself. With a play for her teammates and how best team camaraderie that could rito serve. val any of the other teams’ as well as the dedication and talent levels and a very young team, junior Catherine to go with it, maybe next year, Su described the team “as one of the best teams there will be another number she has ever played on.” Under the capable on its banner, the number 12 leadership of Co-Captains, seniors Brittany for the year of 2011-2012. Go Woo and Brittney Lee, the girls play their best.

Apaches!

With Brittany’s supportive philosophy of “going for every point, doing your best and stayalin@apachepowwow.com ing positive,” as well as Brittney’s ability to Photo by LEO JIANG

AHS Football Brings a Valiant Effort Home

By JESSICA HUEY Staff Writer

Despite a disappointing loss at this year’s homecoming game, AHS’ Varsity Football team keeps a determined attitude and stays focused on the prize: the Pacific League Championship title. During a crucial game, our Varsity football players admitted that the team hadn’t played its best, resulting in a defeat by Burroughs with a score of 29-41. Senior Lawrence Chan commented, “We didn’t show that we wanted [a victory] badly enough. We made too many mental errors and careless mistakes, [and] it wasn’t just a few people [but] the whole team.” From Lawrence’s perspective, AHS should have won but didn’t.

Since Burroughs entered the Pacific League, our Varsity Football team has never taken a victory against Burroughs at home.

Lawrence stated, “We came close [in] several years, but they always manage[d] to slip by and win. [Success] is going to take commitment and the entire team’s effort.” With their unwavering spirit and persistent endeavors, our fellow Apaches are sure to be triumphant soon.

The team’s dedication to hard work reflects its determination for greatness. Each teammate devotes six days a week to football, with practice from Monday to Thursday, a game on Friday, and a review film day on Saturday.

Lawrence stated that football “requires an unfathomable amount of time and physical commitment, but the players all manage to continue to come out with the same great attitude and

intensity every day.” Considering how our Varsity Football team does this every week in the season, its persistence is highly admirable.

After a loss to Burroughs, AHS’ Football team needs to step up its game for a chance at the league title. To lead as league champions, it will have to win every game for the rest of the season. Our football team hopes to see Burroughs again at CIF finals, when it will be determined to win more than ever.

What will it take to beat Burroughs next time? Senior Gabriel Rousset said, “We just play like we know how to play and we are set.

[Burroughs] is a tough team to beat, and it is going to take the whole team’s effort” to win.

The experience of not having the league title to itself is enough to motivate AHS’ football team to fight on harder. After a critical loss to Burroughs last year, Arcadia’s Varsity Football team was forced to share the league title with another

team, and Gabriel described the team’s feelings as “bitter. We want[ed] it for ourselves.” This year, Arcadia’s Varsity Football team certainly won’t let it happen again, because Apaches don’t give up. Our football team will give this season its all and will never lose heart. jhuey@apachepowwow.com Photos by LEO JIANG and TOMMY LIAO

23

Up to Par

By KARINA LAIGO Staff Writer

This year the Girls Varsity Golf team is ready to win another league championship. With talented girls under its belt, AHS is sure to secure that title for the 2011-2012 season. Practicing intensely, these girls ready their golf swings, set up the tee, and aim for three under par. With an almost perfect record, there is no team that can stop these Lady Apaches.

With a team consisting of 13 girls, competitions can sometimes be head-tohead. The girls “are [all very] competitive,” said junior Mikaela Santos. But the competition is what brings them close together, since there are few. “We are with each other almost every day,” continued Mikaela.

Weekly practices on the course aren’t the only element in the team’s formula for success. The team plays many matches, usually coming out in victory.

Practice does help make perfect, but so does winning matches. The team is now 1st in league and is hoping this year to push for CIF and to win the league championship for the fourth consecutive year.

Also, “we’re hoping to get more girls to Individuals” said junior Bianca Picasso.

Individuals are a kind of tournament that occurs after team finals, or league-versusleague championships, where the best individual players go against their teammates, as well as other schools’ best players in which their final score determines the winner.

The other element of their success is the girls’ camaraderie. “When we play together more often, we share our secrets such as who we like, how our grades are going, and drama that’s going on in our lives,” admitted Bianca, being close to 12 other sister-like girls usually does that, and they “all contribute different personalities which make playing golf much more enjoyable” so there’s never a dull moment when they’re playing.

The perfect balance between dedication and pure fun is the final component that sets the fire under their explosive streak to victory. With fall sports ending, these girls know that they have made their mark this season, and ready themselves for the next. And though seniors will leave in June and the whole team may shift, Bianca knows that she “cannot imagine [her] life without golf.” klaigo@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of COACH GREEP

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October 2011

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26

CALENDAR

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October 2011

By: Rena Chen

By GLUTTON GHOUL Staff Writer

How many of you have been to In-NOut? All of you? All right. But how many of you have heard about its secret menu? None of you? Well, let’s fix that right now.

We all know that the In-N-Out menu is simple and consists of around six items. You can always order regular combo meals, like a hamburger with fries and a Coke, or you can spice it up a bit.

You can customize your burger and add up to four patties. (In-N-Out used to accommodate up to 100 patties!) If you ask for a Three by Three, you get a burger with three patties and three slices of cheese. A Four by Four would have four patties and four slices of cheese. Or, you could also ask for a Two

by Four (two patties, four slices of cheese), Three by Four, and so on. The magic formula is X number of patties by Y slices of cheese.

The options don’t stop there, however. Your burger can also be Mustard Fried. In a Mustard Fried burger, the cook will squirt mustard onto one side of the patty, flip it over, squirt mustard onto the other side, then grill it.

Then there are the different types of burgers. There’s the Veggie Burger, also known as the Wish Burger. It’s salad stuffed between two toasted buns. For those who still want meat but enjoy eating veggies, there’s also the Protein Style burger. Instead of wrapping a burger in buns, protein-style burgers come wrapped in large leaves of lettuce. On the other hand, those who enjoy meat can order the Flying Dutchman. A Flying Dutchman comes with two melted slices of cheese tucked between two patties, conveniently served in a hamburger wrapper.

Another burger option is Whole Grilled Onion. It’s not a whole onion. This is for those of you who might not like your onions raw, as it comes with delicous slices of sizzling hot grilled onions. Buns can be made in vary-

ing degrees of crispiness, ranging from extraa enertoasty to untoasted. The patty, which is generally done medium well, can be cooked medi medi-ese””, um rare as well. Say the words “cold cheese”, ll bee and thick, unmelted slices of cheese will added to your burger.

French fries can be just as easily cus cus-tomized at In-N-Out. You can order Friess p Light Well, which come to your plate limp and greasy, as they’ve only been fried for a rum m, little while. On the other end of the spectrum, hesee you can also order Fries Well-Done. These are crispy and crunchy, almost like potato otato o chips. Fries can also be ordered Animal Style, tylee, which is a bit different from Animal Stylee ollop p burgers, as the fries will come with a dollop d of melted cheese as well as Thousand Island spread. Perhaps you don’t like Thousand Is-u land spread. That’s not a problem because you can always order Cheese Fries, which are friess topped with a coat of melted cheese. ut And as for those standard In-N-Out milkshakes? Well, those don’t have to be bor-ing either. In-N-Out will take requests forr any mixture of milkshake flavors, such ass e, Neopolitan, which is a strawberry, chocolate, o and vanilla milkshake blended together into one glorious cup. Or maybe you’d like a Roott Beer Float, which is made with one half roott beer and one half vanilla ice cream.

Lastly, before you leave, don’t forgett your In-N-Out hats! Ask any employee for a hat, and your request will be granted. In-NOut also has its signature palm leaf logo printed onto stickers, which are freely given out to anyone who asks. The next time you stop by In-N-Out, make sure that you have fun—go forth and burgulate!

Until next time! And who am I? That’s a secret I’ll never tell. You know you love me!

XOXO, Glutton Ghoul gluttongirl@apachepowwow.com

Puzzle courtesy of DISCOVERYEDUCATION.COM Graphics byy NIKI C HI and d RENA RE ENA NA CHEN CH CHE HE H EN CHI

October 2011

CALENDAR

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27

By:Niki Chi

Q: Two of my friends like the same guy, and they’re both telling me that they like him. Normally, I’m totally okay with telling my friends that their crush must like them back, but now I don’t really know what to do.

A: You’re stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. But if both of your friends know they like the same guy, then your job is made a lot easier. Just give them both emotional support. And even if they don’t know, you can still give them reassurance. Your friends probably just want to tell you about him since they feel comfortable talking to you about it, so just be a good listener. No one expects you to be Oprah.

Q: I have a friend who’s really highmaintenance. She’s always fretting about something or is getting caught up in some kind of drama. I want to be there to comfort her, but I have a lot of things to do on my own. What should I do?

A: Comforting her every time her life takes another dramatic turn is too much. If your friend comes to o you, lend a sympa-

thetic ear and listen to what she has to say.

Otherwise, just do whatever you have to do and leave her to her drama. Check up on her every once in a while (perhaps once every other day or so) to make sure she’s all right, and spend a couple of minutes comforting her. That way she won’t feel like she’s been abandoned or that you suddenly dislike her.

Your friend will also be learning to stand on her own two feet, and she’ll find out that she doesn’t always need somebody to help her through every tough situation she has.

Q: I have trouble saying “no” to friends and other people, and I feel like I’m constantly being taken advantage of.

How do I resolve this?

A: You need to grab the bull by the horns and spit it out! Nobody is forcing you to do anything, nor are you obligated to do what they ask. You need to stand up for yourself and tell them that you can’t or won’t do what they want. If your friends don’t accept your refusal, they might not be your real friends. If this problem isn’t fixed now, it’ll only get worse. Don’t let it get to the point you can’tt refuse anything others where yo ou can therss ask of

Byy JOSH JOS BAY Staff Writer

Love Halloween but could live without the fear ffactor? Prefer your costumes more sweet than spooky? Wonder why Hollywood can’t make a movie called Sweet Dreams on Elm Street? No worries, Movie Man is here for you! After pulling together a few fun, yet thrilling movies, I can guarantee that they won’t make you yelp with fright.

1) Return to Halloweentown Rating: G Genre: Comedy, Family Drama Return to Halloweentown revolves around the adventures of Marnie Piper and her beloved friends. On the eve of Halloweentown’s 1000th anniversary, Marnie must enlist the aid of two close friends in order to finally reveal a long-buried, secret prophecy. Marnie wins a scholarship to the prestigious Witch University in Halloweentown, and she’s eager to begin studying alchemy,

you. Remember that while it’s perfectly fine to help out once in a while, it’s not okay to let them use you. All you need to do is muster up some courage and say one word: “NO”.

Q: As a high school student, what should I do on Halloween instead of going trick-or-treating?

A: You can always host a Halloweenthemed party at your house, and invite some friends over. Setting up a haunted house in your front yard is also a good idea, since you can scare everybody and chase them around while still being able to have as much (if not more) fun as trick-or-treaters do. Giving out candy is a classic alternative, but it’s something you can put a spin on. Instead of just opening your door, you can dress up in a scary costume and make yourself look like a large Halloween decoration. When trickor-treaters ring the doorbell, you jump up and scare them. Of course, there’s always the classic stay-at-home-with-the-lights-offand-the-curtains-drawn option if you’re not in a very Halloween-y mood. katsadvicecolumn@apachepowwow.com katsadvicecolumn@apachepo oowwow.com wwo

amulets, and magic potions. While Marnie is set to become Witch University’s most popular student, the ban on magic on the school campus poses problems for the young witch eager to learn her true power. Return to Halloweentown is an okay movie in my opinion; it wasn’t the best Halloween movie ever created. (Halloweentown 2: Kalabar’s Revenge is still my absolute favorite of them all.) However, this movie embodies the spirit of Halloween and is still the perfect film to watch this month.

2) Beetlejuice Rating: PG Genre: Comedy, Horror Beetlejuice, a popular comedy-horror film by Tim Burton released in the late eighties, revolves around Barbara and Adam Maitland, a married couple that dies in a car accident. As their souls return to their old house, they see that there are new residents and vow to drive them away. And it’s up to Beetlejuice to help Barbara and Adam with

mission. Although Be Beetlejuice has a few their mission inappropriate words and may be frightening to younger children, I can’t see why anyone older wouldn’t like it. It’s both funny and bizarre at the same time!

3) Casper Rating: G Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy In the movie Casper, a man named Harvey and his daughter Kat move into a house full of ghosts. Later on, Kat meets Casper, the ghost of a young boy who’s “the friendliest ghost you know”. But Casper’s uncles— Stretch, Fatso, and Stinkie—are determined to drive all “fleshies” away. Ultimately, it is up to Harvey and Kat to help the ghosts cross over to the other side and escape the wrath of Carrigan Crittenden, an evil man ready to get rid of all the ghosts in his home. How can you resist such a cute movie? It contains all the fun of Halloween in just two hours. jbay@apachepowwow.com

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CAMPUS FOCUS

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October 2011

e tum cos guy n wee me gallo as so r Ran e H t w aus es we e b r seen e Po it, bec was h T “ eve esom r su d it e I’ve n aw hunde ro, an costum n a e T t t h r s o n a o p i wor lk c Din a ld’s ers a chi l. The s a mi as che s a i o w w o t i een ly c e it real ever s ecaus b e I’v ume, .” t cos boring ang, 9 u and sey H a C -

By COURTNEY HANG Staff Writer

Every year on Oct. 31, a menagerie of creatures—ghosts, ghouls, and spirits everywhere—escape k king haunted mansions and houses to roam the streets, seeking tin ting treats—or tricks. From macabre menaces to floating fairies, a myriad of costumes make their appearancnc nchyy es on this night, whether they are praise-worthy or deserve to be in a graveyard. Maybee some delightfully frightful ideas will help you decide what to be this Halloween—or avoid being.

“The best costume I think I’ve seen was the Buzz Lightyear costume from last year’s Halloween football game. It was a full-out, Disneylandworthy costume. The worst was probably when these guys dressed up as trash, I think it was. They just used masking tape and taped soda cans to themselves.”

-M Mi Michael ich hae ael Ch C Chu, hu,, 111 hu, 1

“The best Halloween all llow owee ow eenn co ee ccososs-tume I’d ever seen was een en w a a gguy as uyy dressed as Princess Why ss Peach.

P ac Pe a h. W h hy did I like it? Because eccau a se iitt wa was was different and showed wed tthat hat hee ha wasn’t afraid to stand out. In that wa way. way. y I ddon’t onn’t ’t think there are any costumes out utt tthere here he ree tthat hatt ha should be labeled as the worst, bu bbut ut I do ddon’t on’ nt really like how most costume stores protorre to res pr romote skimpy clothing for girls. irlls. It ir IIt’s It’ t’s ’s degrading.”

- Victoria Orolfo, 12

“I think the worst one I have seen is when a boy dressed up as a toilet, and people would put candy inside the toilet. The best one was at music camp, when these guys dressed up as Tetris pieces.”

- Isabel Jin, 10

chang@apachepowwow.com Photos Ph t by b KATHERINE BAY Y and d courtesy of IPAD-WALLPAPERS.US