April 2012

Page 1

Volume 60, Issue 8

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

April p 2012

No Apaches Down: Coach Dimalante’s Legacy

In this issue:

Photo courtesy of LLOYD FUJIWARA

PERFORMING ARTS pg. 13 Orchesis Obsession: A recap of Orchesis Dance Company’s exciting spring dance production. Photo by ELLIOTT LEE

GOODBYE COACH! After altering the lives of countless athletes and motivating the Apaches to always do their best, Coach Jon Dimalante is hanging up his jersey and saying goodbye. By STEPHEN CHU Staff Writer Graphic courtesy of POZADIA.ORG

CENTER SPREAD pg. 16-17 Gives Me Hope: Students share inspirational quotes and phrases.

Photo courtesy of APCLEPTEST.COM

ACADEMICS pg. 29 AP Testing Season: Tips and tricks for students on how to survive their upcoming AP tests! 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.

“48 minutes or the rest of your life to think about it.” The lights have dimmed, the season is over, and once again our Apache Football team is in the midst of its offseason training regime. Just like any other season, our Apaches are preparing for victory next fall, with one major difference: a new head coach. For 17 years, Arcadia has been blessed by the virtues, determination, and soul that Coach Jon Dimalante has presented to this very school. Now, we are faced with the retirement of a legend, a true empowering figure in the history of Arcadia High School. Senior Taylor Lagace said, “Coach Dimalante is a legend of Arcadia football, [and] he has made me the man I am today on and off the field.” With a winning record of 113-76-1 throughout his entire coaching career, Coach Dimalante has provided Arcadia with an anchor, seemingly always present to provide positive insight not only in the faction of football, but also in guiding his players on the right path through life. “Coach Dimalante has been like a second father to me. He’s impacted my life tremendously and he has taught and inspired me to work my hardest on and off the field,” said senior Brian Ponce. A characteristic Coach Dimalante has brought to this school is winning, taking Arcadia to new heights, and elevating the Arcadia Apaches to Pacific League title contenders. Truly a spe-

cial father figure to many of his former and current players, Coach Dimalante has instilled in his players the commitment to excellence and dedication. “The community, the players, [and] the coaches that worked with [him]” were what helped make Coach Dimalante’s experience as a coach both valuable and memorable. “It’s just been a wonderful 17 years, and I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. This is my home. I have nothing but great feelings here,” he said. After his unsettling and heartwrenching loss to La Mirada in California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) last winter, Coach Dimalante met a fork in the road. Did he want to continue to battle alongside his community, his people, and his family on the football field, or pursue his goals in the educational field? After much deliberation, he decided that “it was the right time” to retire as a coach. For now, he is leaving the football team in the capable hands of his assistant coaches Coach Elias and Coach Long. Even though he is retiring, Coach Dimalante promises he will not be a stranger to the athletics program at AHS. He plans to continue to teach physical education at AHS for the foreseeable future and to continue to do something he loves: teaching kids. Even though he will be a familiar face on campus, he said that he will “miss seeing [his] players work hard and grow”. You do not have to stray far to meet at least one person who has been touched by the actions of Coach Dimalante. No matter how different or how talented every member of Apache football team is, each and every one of them can honestly say that Coach Dimalante has made a difference in his life. Senior

Lawrence Chan explained, “I’ll miss being around him. There are so many life lessons I’ve learned from him. I [can] only aspire to be half the man he is.” With long-standing effects on the personality and attitudes of many individual characters on a volatile and physical football team, Coach Dimalante found a way to control all these different egos and beliefs to build a strong team concentrated toward victory. “He has changed the tradition of Apache football tremendously by all of the time and effort he has put in the program and just by being a great coach. His tradition will last forever,” said senior Myles Carr. Senior Kevin Giammalva said, “Throughout my four years in the football program, he not only taught my teammates and me how to play the game of football, but also how to live an honorable and respectful life. Without Coach Dimalante I don’t know what type of person I’d be, and I’m thankful for everything I have learned from him.” Coach Dimalante will always be remembered as a high-class character and motivator, who was able to draw the best out of each and every student-athlete. No words can truly describe the impact Coach Dimalante has had on Apache football; if you had gone to a Friday night game, you would have had the opportunity to witness Coach Dimalante in all of his glory. Although he may be retiring, Coach Dimalante’s legacy, his inspirational motto of always giving your best, and his resounding “No Apaches Down” will forever ring in our hearts. schu@apachepowwow.comw


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