December 2010

Volume 59, Issue 4

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

December 2010

O’Brien’s Army Conquers Nationals

In this issue:

Photo courtesy off LAP Ph LAPROG LAPROGRESSIVE.COM ROGRES RESSIV SIVE E.COM COM

NEWS S pg. 2 Living the DREAM: As the DREAM Act draws closer to becoming a reality, so do the hopes of California’s students.

Photo courtesy of CLAUDIA GONZALEZ

MAKING HISTORY After proving they are a force to be reckoned with at the State Meet, the boys of Varsity Cross Country celebrate their hard-earned national victory.

By MATTHEW ORMSETH Staff Writer Photo courtesy of ALLPOSTERS.COM

FEATURES pg.10 Holiday Cheer: Tips on how to spruce up your home this season.

Graphic courtesy of COMMONAPP.ORG

ACADEMICS pg. 17 ‘Paches Declassified: An alumnus gives advice to seniors in the home stretch of the college app process.

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.

Since it first opened its doors in 1952, AHS has never been home to a national champion sports team. The boys of Varsity Cross Country (XC) put an end to that drought on Dec. 4, in dynamic fashion, capturing the Nike National Championship in Portland, Oregon with a time of 1:24:53.9.

Coach Jim O’Brien described the scene as “total jubilation.” He went on to say, “I was very, very proud of the boys and their hard work. It was complete validation of our training method and just proves our mantra, ‘Intelligent, hard work over time pays huge dividends.’” Senior Ammar Moussa finished 4th with a time of 16:16 in the final race of his tremendous high school running career. Ammar said, “My entire high school goal was to win a state title and a national championship and being able to do it with this group of guys was just the best ever.” Senior Eric Garibay placed 35th with a time of 16:59. “Sergio struggled a bit, but Eric really stepped up,” said Ammar.

Eric’s performance was nothing short of amazing, considering he spent much of the season as a spectator in a bulky knee brace after being pinned between two cars in a gruesome accident. Suffering a compression knee fracture, he gradually worked his way back to racing form by the end of the season and placed 3rd for the team at the California

State meet, finishing with a time of 15:34. With the team’s usual second-man junior Sergio Gonzalez struggling, Eric capped off his high school XC experience with a race to remember.

The Nike Nationals course is notoriously grueling, complete with mud pits, calf-high puddles and hay bales. Coach O’Brien said, “There’s no way to prepare for racing Nike, because there’s no way you can mimic the conditions.” To make matters worse, senior Allen Leung lost his shoe in the first mile of the race. Allen nevertheless finished the race with a time of 17:22, a testament to the team’s ideals of perseverance and complete dedication.

Not only did the team capture AHS’ first national championship in history, the boys placed AHS in the record books as the first California school to win a national XC title. Defying the “soft” stereotype of California XC teams, the boys proved they could hang with the toughest teams in the country despite training in placid southern California where temperatures hardly ever dip below 60 degrees and rainfall is a rarity.

Despite the fact that Ammar did not win the race individually, as he did in both the CIF and California State Meets, he credited his teammates for bringing the national title home to Arcadia. “We’ve got the best seven in the nation, not just the best two,” he said. “It’s not just Sergio and me, it’s Allen and Ryan and Eric and William and Francis. We’re not only teammates,” Ammar explained. “We all

have complete faith in one another.”

Once the results were released, the boys erupted in a “mass celebration of love,” as Coach O’Brien put it. Allen said, “We were all jumping up and down, and most of us were crying.” For Ammar, it was a dream come true. “It’s still surreal for me,” he explained. Ammar continued, “It was the best feeling in the world, and you dream about it but you never really think that it would actually happen.”

The team also competed in the Junior Olympics in Alabama against over 3,000 other runners, as a club team with the name “O’Brien’s Army”. As a team, they placed first with a time of 1:21:15. Ammar finished the race in first place with a time of 15:22.

While most sports require some degree of skill and finesse, be it shooting a basketball or kicking a field goal, XC is 100% determination. The first runner to cross the finish line may not be the fastest, or the strongest, or the most gifted. What XC ultimately comes down to is heart. Every AHS runner’s sweatshirt is emblazoned with a quotation by the legendary XC coach Joe Newton. It reads, “Your mind can make you train, your body can create power, but only your heart can make you a champion.” It was not through natural talent nor prodigious skill, but rather through sheer willpower that the team captured the title, and that is what makes this group of young men national champions. mormseth@apachepowwow.com

2

NEWS

Can You Believe It?

By BRANDON PANG Staff Writer

1. One ordinary man unexpectedly becomes a hero. Carlos Flores, a New York City grocery clerk, jumped onto city subway tracks and hauled an unconscious passenger to safety. The passenger was sent to the hospital without any major injuries.

2. People often lock themselves out of houses, but how often do they lock themselves in? A German pensioner wanted to seal off this cellar, but ended up sealing himself in behind a brick wall. After staying in the cellar for a few days, the German pensioner finally decided to knock down a wall, but destroyed his neighbor’s wall instead of his own. The pensioner is now being charged for property destruction.

3. The head of the Washington State Potato Commission, Chris Voigt, started a spuds-only diet to protest a U.S. Department of Agriculture rule barring low-income recipients from using food vouchers to purchase white potatoes. Voigt ate 20 potatoes a day: sliced, fried, roasted, snack-cubed, and fingerling-sized. Voigt even spent his Thanksgiving dinner eating a “tur-tato”, a five-pound chunk of mashed potatoes, molded into the shape of a turkey.

4. ‘Tis the season to be (eco-) friendly.

An aquarium in Tokyo, Japan shocks its visitors with an electrifying display, a holiday tree illuminated by an electric eel. Using two aluminum panels to collect the eel’s electricity, a two-meter-tall tree utilizes this electricity and flashes in bright festive colors purely through eco-friendly methods.

5. Throughout England, thieves are targeting the roofs of the Church of England’s buildings to sell on the world metal market and they’re using Google Earth to carry out their plans. By using the map on Google Earth, thieves locate their targets, then easily map out escape routes. Many churches have replaced their roofs only to lose them again, and in one case, the roof of a particular building was replaced 14 times.

6. With blizzards raging in southeast England, anyone would think a call to the police would be important. Still, an anonymous female caller asked the police to locate a certain stolen item, a snowman she had created. The woman left the snowman alone for five hours, which disappeared during that time, and she legitimately wanted it back. However, the police were not amused and the call prompted them to send her a transcript of the call to show her misuse of the emergency number 999 system.

7. Sven Koppler, a German man, has allegedly shipped hundreds of live tarantulas into the U.S. through mail. An inspection of his “packages” resulted in the discovery of 300 live tarantulas, and then further investigation led to two more packages, both equally full of tarantulas. Apparently, Koppler has been selling tarantulas all over the globe. Through his packages, he was quickly located then arrested by federal officers and is now being fined for transporting spiders protected under an international treaty.

apachepowwow.com

Wikileaks Controversy: Can the United States be Trusted?

By MICHAEL PAI Staff Writer

On Nov. 28, 250,000 top-secret messages were published on the renowned website, “Wikileaks”. Owned by 39-year-old Australian Julian Assange, this website is notorious for leaking major government secrets. These semi-formal secrets are like e-mails, and are transmitted between different federal departments. Poorly secured, the messages are easily accessible by government employees. In this case, “Wikileaks” was believed to have obtained the files from Bradley Manning, a 23-year-old ex-Army intelligence analyst.

The federal government did not want to release these files immediately, since they contained “explosive” topics regarding North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iran. In the letters between diplomats were many informal conversations that could be threatening to inter-

national peace. For example, Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez was described as “crazy” by a French diplomat. Another more serious letter said North Korea successfully smuggled 19 Russian missiles into its country.

Some people cite this as an example of the Obama administration’s incompetence. Foreign countries have had varying responses. Some supported America’s attempts to cover the leak,

while others viewed it as an opportunity to analyze beneficial data. Nations all around the world however, agreed that this slip-up is an embarrassment to the federal government.

In the U.S., some like freshman Vivian Guan said, “I think the leak is bad because there’s a reason information is being kept confidential.” Others like freshman Shawn Wu stated, “It’s better to know the harsh truth than be misled and lied to.”

If these messages are not quickly patched up, they will act as a portal into America’s secrets and exhibit America’s inability to secure its homeland. If the messages are quickly taken down and disposed of, the government will be criticized for hiding the truth from its citizens. mpai@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of RENOVOMEDIA.COM and 4ALLVIOCES.COM Graphic courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM

Beauty in the Breakdown: Los Angeles Street Art’s New Home

By KERRY WANG Staff Writer

Vibrant colors. Bold outlines. A pungent odor. This is what remains after selfproclaimed gangsters vandalize walls, alleyways, and any other surface they y can rt, claim. Graffiti is rarely viewed as art, and more often is considered to bee destructive. However, a group in Los Angeles is hoping to change this belief with the creation of the Graff Lab. The Graff Lab in the PicoUnion neighborhood of Los Angeles is a weekend program thatt hopes to transform graffiti “taggers”” into artists. Wall space that wraps around the office complex of the Pico Union Housing Corp is offered as a canvas for former taggers to use. The Lab also funds classes led by

accountants and professional artists on handling finances and entering the media business.

Founder Richard Guerrero launched the program four years ago, in the midst of art program cuts and the closing of graffiti havens, to offer potential artists a place for “outward express pression.”

PA I N T I N G THE TOWN An artist works on a mural at the Graff Lab. To the right, a recent design at the Los Angeles lab is displayed.

“It’s not defacing property; it’s an art form,” said Guerrero, an artist and musician. “When people cross through those doors, they are artists.”

The presence of the Lab has made a difference in a community plagued by gangs and vandalism. “There’s not a lot of writing on the streets anymore,” said Kendor Aguilar, a 33year-old tattoo artist who grew up in the area. A few dozen regulars ranging from teenagers to midmid-30s use every paintable surface on the th office complex.

The Graff Lab is a creative outlet for all artists in Southern California, some coming from as far away as the San Gabriel Valley. The only way creativity is limited is if, as said by regular John Tolentino, “you don’t have enough e spray cans to pump out your art.” kwang@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of THEGRAFFLAB.COM Graphic courtesy of ISTOCKIMAGES.COM

Students’ DREAM For a Brighter Future Comes True

By CHRISTOPHER CHO

Graphics courtesy of SPOKESMANNREVIEW.COM Photos courtesy of BIOLA.EDU and CULHAM.AC.UK

Staff Writer

As more minors enter the United States as undocumented immigrants, many begin to envision a day in which the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act becomes a reality. Proposed by federal legislation, the DREAM Act offers certain deportable aliens an opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency. While scores of students across California have united with supporters to see the bill pass, skeptical conservatives have raised questions regarding the bill’s necessity. First proposed in 2001, the DREAM Act owes its recent reintroduction to the dedicated efforts of many undocumented aliens. Benefiting 825,000 students out of 2.1 million total, the bill’s primary objective is to endow legal residency to immigrants fulfilling specific qualifications. Undocumented students must have arrived before the age of 16 and have lived in the U.S. for a minimum of five years. High school graduation, completion of two years of military service, and a clean criminal record are other requirements. It is estimated that California will have the majority of beneficiaries. Throughout its legal history, the DREAM Act has faced a road of trials and tears. During its introduction on Sept. 21, 2001, the DREAM Act was rejected by a margin of eight votes.

Opposition rose due to misconceptions that the state would be required to provide tuition for the DREAM Act’s beneficiaries, inability to decide on an age gap, and being regarded as meaningless in defense matters. Similar results transpired at its March 2009 and September 2010 ballots. However, President Barack Obama himself has called for the DREAM Act’s reintroduction into the House of Representatives. “Although certain aspects of the bill worry me, I think we should approve the DREAM Act to provide undocumented students a chance for residency in the U.S.,” stated freshman Liam Swan. Seizing this his opportunity, all kinds of students have shown their support, approval. Thousands of our nation’s undocumented hoping to increase the likelihood of approval documented students remain trapped in what has often been On Dec. 8, however, the long debated called a “broken system”. O ebated DREAM Act was approved by the House of Representatives. Altho Although this step has proved to bee a crucial milestone, yet to overcome a Republican filibuster the DREAM act has ye ibuster by the Senate. As Congress conti pes of residency for continues to debate the bill, the hopes students seem close at hand. undocumented student

bpang@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of ARTGUIDE.COM

December 2010

ccho@apachepowwow.com

December 2010

NEWS

news@apachepowwow.com

3

A New Downtown Arcadia on the Horizon

By ALISON FU Staff Writer

As Arcadia’s new Metro Gold Line station starts to materialize, the Arcadia City Council is planning ahead for the future, arranging the restoration and redevelopment of the area surrounding the soon-to-be station—the once-flourishing downtown Arcadia. The addition of a new “mixed-use” plaza around the future station is intended to increase business around the neighborhood and bring back downtown Arcadia’s charm.

This updated general plan, which has already been approved by the City Council, will allow condominiums and apartments to be built on previously commercial-use-only zones, creating new “mixed-use” structures around the future Gold Line station. The mixed-use complexes will include a bottom level of stores and several upper levels of housing, and will be developed over the next 25 years.

This plan

LOCAL NEWS IN ONE MINUTE

By JUSTIN PARK Staff Writer

Orange County

Emergency homeless shelters were set up on Dec. 6 due to plummeting temperatures in Orange County. Around 400 beds and meals were provided for the homeless until Dec. 12. On Dec. 13, the California Guard Armory opened up emergency sites as well.

Pasadena

Pasadena restaurants banded together this month to donate surplus food to contribute to the weekly Hot Meal program. One aspect of the program allowed low-income families to enjoy professionally made cuisine.

Arcadia

Wildlife groups gathered at the Los Angeles County Arboretum after learning of the Arcadia City Council’s decision to eradicate coyotes by using lethal snares. Several wildlifeprotection organizations and a local humane society called the meeting to raise awareness of effective and humane methods to discourage coyotes in neighborhoods. The meeting was deemed a great success in informing Arcadia’s public of the cruel contraptions that are used on coyotes today. jpark@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM

also includes constructing mixed-use buildings on a short chunk of Live Oak Avenue, a street that has also diminished greatly in popularity over the years. The City Council hopes that promoting new developments in the downtown and Live Oak areas will make them popular again and help them prosper. Businesses have diminished over the past few decades due to the aging of these neighborhoods and the emergence of other commercial regions. They’re “not as thriving as we’d like” them to be, elaborated Arcadia Councilman Bob Harbicht. Other than the addition of a few new buildings, however, Arcadia will remain the same, and the rest of the city will stay untouched.

The revitalization of the downtown area is hoped to boost businesses and encourage the city’s growth. However, there are mixed feelings on whether or not this new plan will be

successful, or even helpful. Senior Holly Young retains an optimistic view of the plan, explaining her view that “adding more housing” would be “beneficial” because the new mixed-use area would “attract more residents.” With a neutral stance, senior Alice Lee is not sure if more development is “necessary,” though she does not see any “harmful effects.”

The Metro Gold Line Foothill extension will open up in 2013, connecting Arcadia to Monrovia, Sierra Madre, and beyond. Hopefully the new plans will be able to revive the downtown area to its former glory. afu@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of EN.FOTOLIA.COM and MY-OPERA.COM

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Writers

New Meaning to “Summer School”

By JASMINE WU Staff Writer

Imagine that it’s summer. Mid-August, to be specific. You’re walking out your door whistling a little tune as you review your class schedule—you wouldn’t want to get lost on the first day of school, would you? Yes, that’s right, the first day of school. And yes, in mid-August.

A new plan concocted by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education (BE) would bump up both the first and last days of school. For example, under this proposal, the 20112012 school year would begin on Aug. 15 and end on June 1—an approximate twoweek difference from the norm. Although at first glance, two weeks seem inconsequential in relation to the whole school year, there are multiple takes on how this reform would—or would not—be effective for the students in the LAUSD. As a proposal for positive education reform, this alternate calendar runs on the theory that this change in the school year schedule would result in better exam grades for students. The BE states that elementary and middle school students wouldn’t be heavily affected, as high school students are the primary targets of this plan. Supposedly, high school students would get a more definitive conclusion to the first semester; semester finals would be taken right before winter break, and students would have the entire break to recuperate. “I’m all for it,” said junior Raymond Li, “because during winter break [there’d be] nothing to worry about in the back of my mind.” In the second semester, teachers would have more time to review material with students taking

Advanced Placement (AP) tests. After the AP tests, there would be about two weeks until the end of school.

However, the plan has come under various points of opposition: some people simply believe it would not create a change in test scores. Winter break, as argued by this side, is an opportunity for some students to catch up on material and review for semester finals in January. Such students may be placed at a disadvantage, should the new calendar be implemented, and they may be left with lower semester final grades.

On another note, under this proposal, AP test-takers may experience a reversed problem: rather than having not enough time to review, there would be too much time to review for AP tests.

However, there could be more conflicts than just with test dates, like the possibility of an “early calendar but…no workers,” said the United Teacher Los Angeles president Mr. A.J. Duffy.

As evidenced, there are many viewpoints the LAUSD will have to consider before taking further steps.

Over 15 schools have already switched over to the new plan this past summer, and the BE is expected to vote on the new calendar in December. Junior Ivana Ro, who is “a bit indifferent” on the matter, observes that “the district should be making these changes because they want to better our educational experience, and [she hopes] that they still abide to that ruling when they make these decisions.” jwu@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

News Staff Christopher Cho, Evan Delgado, Alison Fu, Michael Pai, Brandon Pang, Justin Park, Kerry Wang, Jasmine Wu Opinion Staff Apoorv Chaudhary, Arnav Chaudhary, Yejean Kim, Utthara Rameshbabu, Hannah Redberg, Melissa Song, Sophia Tang, Josie Yang, Valerie Yu Performing Arts Staff Annie Huang, Karina Laigo, Stacey Ng, Carrie Qiu, Jasmine Wu, Christina Zhou Student Life Staff Edward Chao, Evan Delgado, Courtney Hang, Karina Laigo, Justin Park, Sophia Tang, Elbert Wang, Rita Wang, Valerie Yu Features Staff Ellison Chen, Raphael Lu, Laureen Ma, Carrie Qiu, Sarah Quon, Rachel Thai, Rita Wang, Michelle Zhang port po ort r Staff Edward Chao, Arnav Chaudhary, Sports Stephen Chu, Belle Chuang, Stacey Ng, Matthew Ormseth, Andy Qin, Christine Sun i Staff Apoorv Chaudhary, Christopher Chen, Academics Andy Qin, Rachel Thai, Elbert Wang, Shibo Zhong Center Spread Staff Valerie Yu Calendar Staff Christopher Cho, Karina Laigo, Brandon Pang, Sue Wang, Michelle Zhang, Christina Zhou Campus Focus Staff Courtney Hang Advertisement Staff Arnav Chaudhary, Belle Chuang, Ryan Hajiheshmat, Annie Huang, Chris Lee, Laureen Ma, Brandon Pang, Hannah Redberg Photo Staff Ellison Chen, Tommy Liao Copy Editing Staff Courtney Hang, Hannah Redberg, Elbert Wang, Jasmine Wu, Josie Yang Adviser 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.

Graphics courtesy of CLIPARTGUIDE.COM and CHRISTMAS-GRAPHICS-PLUS.COM

4

OPINION

A Personal Waste of Time

By ARNAV CHAUDHARY Staff Writer

There lay my personal statement, unfinished on my laptop. I glanced over at the clock. It had been two hours since I had written the last word on my essay. How was it possible to summarize 16 years of experience into a mere 500 words? How could I portray all of the emotional struggles and challenges that made me into the person I am now in a mere 500 words?

How could I impress admissions officers while labeling myself as unique in a mere 500 words?

The personal statement is the single most important essay any high school student will write over the course of his or her high school career. It is used to evaluate the student on a more individual level and is weighted heavily by colleges in the final application. Often, the personal statement can make or break a student’s chances of being accepted.

However, is the personal statement really necessary? While it may give college admissions officers a good opportunity to analyze a candidate at a more personal level, one essay is by no means enough to know if a student is a strong choice for the college. How can a student express all of his or her experiences, emotions, and other habits in a single essay? This is a near impossible feat, and instead of giving admissions officers a good impression of who the student is as a person, it will most likely leave a false impression. An interview would give admissions officers a much better idea of what a student is like, because they can observe the student’s actions, habits, and other quirks that define them. Also, during an interview, it is nearly impossible to embellish details and happenings, something that is a common occurrence in personal statements.

As colleges grow more and more competitive, the personal statement gains more weight and plays a more essential role in deciding whether a student makes it into the school. Because of this, many students hire professional writers to write their essays for them. As immoral and unjust as this may seem, it happens all the time and has spawned a new industry that caters to the needs of students who feel that they cannot adequately express themselves through their own writing. This concept clearly skews the playing field for students who are not as fortunate as others who can hire an essay writer, and for those individuals who feel that it is morally wrong to cheat in such a manner.

As I wrote my personal statement that night, I realized that it was superfluous. It did not really provide an accurate representation of who I was as a person.

There are ways to cheat the system and this makes the essay unfair for others.

However, because the essay is still important to the application, I trudged on, hoping that inspiration would strike me. archaudhary@apachepowwow.com

apachepowwow.com

December 2010

Love or Hate, Just Don’t Manipulate

By UTTHARA RAMESHBABU Staff Writer

I love you. You love me. But what does that really mean? I used to think that love was something mature, genuine, unconditional— an emotion that was so raw it could never be faked or tossed around like a wad of paper.

However, upon entering the anarchical stage of life complete with self-consciousness and raging hormones, which we know as “teenagehood”, I’ve noticed that people hand out loads of false love desperately, hopeful that someone may return the favor, except with the real thing. The issue is that if we keep quantifying our self-worth with love and throw it around willy-nilly, we will never be able to know true love when it hits us. Day by day, we are hacking away at the value of one of the most precious human emotions there is, and if we continue to do so, we may just end up with a world void of true love, and full of empty words.

Everywhere we turn, we hear “I love you” as compensation for the most trivial and insubstantial of favors or compliments. I used to think love was felt in response to an altruistic or romantic action, but it seems that today, all you have to do to be loved is sell someone’s other box of Goldfish. In other cases, friends exchange “I love you” as casual greetings, just as easily and frequently as they would say “see you later”. Like in economics, the larger an excess of something (in this case, the word love)

there is, the less it appraises for—the meaning becomes inflated, so to speak. With every lackadaisical use of the word, it loses its meaning, making the accompanying emotion more and more obsolete.

Likewise, people exchange gifts during the holidays just as carelessly as they do love.

We all know those people who, every holiday season, buy obscene amounts of, say, paperweights to distribute as Christmas presents— the people who put no thought into their gifts and simply try to cover all their bases in the hopes that they forget no one, but more importantly, that no one forgets them. These are the kind of people who equate love and appreciation with a cheap gift, and yet expect something of utter honesty and thoughtfulness in return.

Likewise, many people just proclaim love for everyone they know, hoping that someone in the crowd will reciprocate it. But, as a recipient of both a paperweight and some pseudo love, I’m probably not the first to admit that neither of those things makes me feel special or in any way obliged to “return the favor”.

More and more, I see people doing just this— handing out love as if it were candy, desperate to have someone return it so they can finally feel fulfilled and righteous.

I, personally, want to feel true love someday, but the true emotion has so depreciated that I’m afraid the real thing may cease to exist by the time our generation grows up. Today, it seems that people want so badly to be loved

that they are willing to step in and manipulate others’ feelings so that they may bask in the warmth of their peers’ approval. Impulsive and superficial, teenagers especially forsake the sanctity of love, using it to sustain their sudden cravings for acceptance, rather than as an ultimate emotional goal. We fail to understand that this goal, when reached, provides far more satisfaction and confidence than any passing fancy can. We need to realize that these meaningless hallway utterances (that are commonly mistaken for such intense emotion), are inaccurate gauges of our self-worth and should not be exchanged as some sort of emotional currency. We run the risk of getting so caught up in dishing out “love” to every breathing thing we see that we will lose sight of the emotion we were originally striving for. In other words, as long as this word-slinging is kept up, love itself may just get lost in translation.

So let this holiday season be a test run for your emotions. Give out gifts as you would give out love: sparingly, cautiously and genuinely. It is wiser to hold on to your love and invest it in a lasting, loving relationship than to impatiently disperse it, and miss out on the most euphoric feeling of your life. Also, don’t buy people paperweights for Christmas...that is, unless you want one lodged in your forehead. urameshbabu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of HEARTCLIPART.NET

Our Fallen Idols and Rising Heroes

By JOSIE YANG Staff Writer

ing them “fail”, whether it is by using drugs or committing adultery, we learn not to act similarly. We can recognize in our role models the traits we should not have and rise above those traits to be better people. We outgrow our heroes and surpass them in ability and moral conduct, but this is only possible because we have a standard to match up to. This standard is defined by the flaws we identify in our role models. As children we watched all those Disney channel stars live seemingly perfect lives as celebrities; then, we watched them as they fell to eating disorders and illegal substances.

Our idols teach us both how to live and what mistakes to prevent; it is up to us to recognize what they did wrong and learn from their examples.

When one has matured enough to distinguish between the good and bad aspects of a hero, that person is equipped to live a good life without having to base his or her decisions on what someone else has done. Being able to see the imperfections of someone we previously looked up to gives us experience in living our lives. We no longer need them to set an example; we are capable of doing it just as well, and the people who are younger than us can in turn follow our lead, because we have our experiences and the added experiences of watching others fail before us.

All this boils down to one point: it is our turn to be the heroes. This is a call to adventure, a chance to become a role model for someone else. We must learn from our former idols’ mistakes and not follow that same path in our lives; instead, it is time to create our own “ideal” way of living. This way, we have the potential to become a generation of better heroes than the ones before us. It is time for all of us to step up and teach others how to live by setting a better example than what we had, and hopefully as each group of heroes passes, our society will learn from its mistakes Graphic courtesy of TIFFANY LAI and improve as a whole.

Since we were little, we have all had our role models—the people we look up to and aspire to be. They start out as the cartoon superheroes on TV, and as we grow older, they may become teen pop stars with seemingly unattainable talent and virtue, and then perhaps guest speakers from leadership conferences and seminars. These are people essential to our emotional growth as individuals. They show us how we are supposed to live if we want to be good, productive members of society.

But over time, these heroes fall. The cartoon character is just that: a fictional character. The teen queen we once emulated is now going into rehab for drugs, anorexia, or some other problem. The professor who gave the inspiring speech about respecting women cheated on his wife with a student. Soon, it starts to look as if there is nobody to look up to anymore; our great heroes are all fatally flawed, and we cannot follow their examples for living. And without these symbols of perfection, how will we cope with life’s difficult decisions? But while our former role models seem to have let us down by making mistakes, they have actually fulfilled their jobs completely.

It seems paradoxical, but we need to be let down by our heroes SUPERHEROES As we grow up, we realize that we in order to learn from them. By see- have to be our own heroes.

TCID:

jyang@apachepowwow.com

December 2010

OPINION

opinion@apachepowwow.com

Fairytales: Our Imagination’s Captivations

By VALERIE YU Staff Writer

life of bliss and happiness where everything is mapped out in black and white?

Face it—it’s simply in our nature to treasure perfection and happy endings, to seek prosperity and peace. Like all creatures, we want to feel secure and to feel like we belong.

Fairytales take care of these needs; they create a happy world and story that leaves us feeling light-hearted and hopeful of the goodness in our lives. That fantastic notion of true love, the strong conviction in hope and happy endings, and that imagination-inspiring world of magic, princesses, princes, and kings all shine together as one beacon of hope in the dark, chilling world of bleak reality. They stand as reminders of justice, generosity, goodness, and enchanting beauty.

So, as a happy ending to this article, yes, fairytales may seem too good to be true, too fantasized. They may be the stuff of dreams, the figments of imagination— witches, fairies, giants, goblins— things that are too simple for us.

But surely something, something about that magical world, that perfect happy ending, keeps us captivated. Maybe it’s imagining a world where good always prevails over evil. Maybe it’s the simplicity and bliss that the characters represent. Maybe it’s the escape from the tragedies of real life. And maybe, just maybe, it’s simply the freedom with which fairytales let our imaginations run wild.

But truly, forever and always, fairytales, while some may say are only for children, definitely have a certain charm that captivates all Graphic by MICHELLE ZHANG ages, a charm bound to our very natures.

us imagine a perfect world of overwhelming goodness where everything goes right in the end.

More importantly still, fairytales act as mirrors that reflect the depths of the human soul. Packed in those simple stories thrive basically everything we humans relate to, things that are universal through time and space— romance (true love’s kiss), adventure (Jack’s encounter with the giant on the magical beanstalk), sin and evil (there’s always an evil character—stepmother, evil queen, etc.), good and kindness (the princess, fairy godmother), dreams achieved, family conflict, dramatic irony, comedy, and suspense. With that said, it’s true that fairytale ideals are definitely integrated into the core of our identities as humans.

Which one of us has never believed in happy endings or finding true love one day? Which one of us has never thought about a simple

Once upon a time in a faraway castle, there lived a beautiful princess who dreamed of the day her true love would come. Almost all fairytales start out with this romanticized beginning, a beginning as perfect as a deep crimson rose blooming, flawless, simplistic, ethereal, and most of all, untouchable. They are cliché, those famous fairytales, those bedtime stories we’ve heard or read about so many times that we’ve gotten completely tired of. It’s always the same old story—a princess meets a prince and together, they overcome all difficulties and obstacles, whether it be an evil, jealous stepmother or a transformation spell, winning the ticket to a happily-ever-after. It seems that no matter what, they always get happy endings. That’s just something for sure.

A way of life. An unbreakable rule.

However, there exists another thing that’s for sure: fairytales have us under an ageless, timeless spell. No matter what day and age, fairytales possess a certain charm. What is it that keeps us under their spell? What exactly makes us fall in love with these stories?

Easy. It’s the beauty and simplicity of a brightening story, and the appeal it has to human nature. Because of the charm of fairytales’ simplistic storylines and archetypal characters, people of all backgrounds can relate. Take a look at the story of Cinderella. It has appeared so many times throughout different cultures—India, China, Europe, Africa.

Through this universality, as humans, we constantly feel the need to escape hard, cold reality. Luckily for us, fairytales in movies, books, and videogames whisk us from this all-too-real world from time ONCE UPON A TIME Fairytales may be cliché, but to time. For fleeting moments, they let they still manage to keep us under their spell.

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Judging By First Impressions and Face Values

By MELISSA SONG Staff Writer

If we roll out of bed right into the car, not bothering to pull a comb through the tangle of bed-hair or even washing our face, chances are, we’re going to attract a lot of sideways glances. But why? People shouldn’t care about how we look, because after all, what’s on the inside is the most important! As long as we’re awake and ready to learn on the inside, that’s all that matters. Not. In today’s society, sometimes what we’ve got on the outside is just as important as, if not more important than, what’s on the inside. People will always be people, and we can’t help but judge others (ew, that girl’s boots are hideous). First impressions will always be made, and most of the time people will only glance at our covers. It’s not right or wrong; it’s just the way it is.

However, I hear phrases like “what’s on the inside is the most important” and “don’t judge a book by its cover” thrown left and right to encourage people (namely teenagers glued to the front of a mirror) to realize that the shallowness of appearances isn’t enough to sum up the true character of a person and that first impressions just don’t cut it. We’re supposed to take the time to get to know that person deep down, because under that permanent scowl (making a general assumption here), there just might be an innocent girl who simply wants to be our friend. Right.

As teenagers, we’re the ones who fall victim to these suggestions that our appearance is not the most important thing out there and what matters is simply to be a nice person who does the right things. But sometimes, we wonder if it’s just another tactic to get us away from the mirror and to school on time. There’s nothing wrong with looking our best inside and out; it is possible to be a good person on the inside and look just as amazing (of course, this is debatable) on the outside as well, but we are constantly reminded that what’s on the inside is infinitely more important and that outward appearances are meaningless. I believe that the people who are firm believers in the almightiness of being good on the inside must not get out much, for a quick tour of our society is enough evidence that first impressions are very important, whether it be an interview for college or snagging a job.

We can’t expect people to dig in deeper to see how good of a person we are way down below, for there simply is not enough time, that is, if people want to find out. Most times, they’re satisfied with just a quick head-to-toe scan; they take in our clothes, face, habits, hair, expression, and stick a label on our foreheads. So no matter how precise and organized we are deep down, if our wrinkled clothes and nest of hair scream “slacker”, then that’s who we are. Life is all about making an impression on people, and if we want to show the world how organized and precise we are, then our outward appearances should make an effort to announce it to whomever we meet. I mean, nobody’s psychic. msong@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of GARCHIBALD.COM

TCID TCID:

5

A Personal Way to Reflect

By APOORV CHAUDHARY Staff Writer

College applications. These two words alone are capable of striking fear in the hearts and minds of almost any overburdened senior. The process entails filling out information, sending SAT scores, requesting teacher recommendations, and lastly, writing the personal statement. Unlike the tedious forms, personal statements require ingenuity and a great amount of thought, making them great opportunities for writers.

However, a common misconception that exists among students is that personal statements are useless and extremely difficult. Having written numerous personal statements myself, I beg to differ. In an application filled with grades, test scores, and 50 different activities, the personal statement is the only place where you have the opportunity to define yourself as an individual. It allows colleges to see you as a person rather than an array of numbers. An excellent personal statement that allows colleges to get a feel for your personality and character can mask low grades and test scores. In short, a well written personal statement will serve to help an applicant tremendously.

In my eyes, the greatest benefit from writing a personal statement is the knowledge that you gain about yourself. In the midst of the hodgepodge of the last three years of my high school career, I never stopped to smell the roses. I never reflected on all that I had done and pieced together what I learned from my experiences. Writing my personal statement truly gave me the opportunity to see how the last three years of high school have changed me. It gave me the chance to see what I had become. I was able to see all the positive qualities I gained in high school, and because of this, I plan on employing them in the future.

As stated by a blogger on one of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s websites, “if you don’t learn a tremendous amount about yourself during the application process, then you haven’t done it right.” The application process—and more specifically the personal statement— is a representation of your personality.

You are given the opportunity to describe the world you come from, talk about an important quality of yours or an experience that made you the person you are, and even explicitly tell the college why you want to go to their school. In all honesty, I was not very sure of the answers to these questions a little while ago. I never considered the hardships I face in a nice neighborhood such as Arcadia. I never even knew why I wanted to go to certain colleges either.

Writing personal statements has not only taught me a lot about myself but has also allowed me to answer these questions for myself and for the colleges I am applying to. apchaudhary@apachepowwow.com

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OPINION

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December 2010

Dear Santa, All I Want For Christmas Is...Me!

By SOPHIA TANG Staff Writer

“Me, me, me!” This is no longer just a line Christmas carolers belt out on your front porch, but the main thought most kids and teens have in mind around the gift-giving season. Don’t deny it; when people give gifts to others, they usually expect something of equal or greater value in return.

You have to admit, you always feel a little forlorn when you get a bad present from a Secret Santa exchange or when your friends give you a flimsy bookmark compared to the large box of chocolates you gave him or her.

Giving no longer becomes an act from the heart, but a system in which we always expect to receive something of equal value to what we give. Many a time, with a tight budget for giftbuying and so many people to give to, I find myself wishing I could skip giving presents altogether. All I want to do is keep my money in my pocket and spend it on myself. No tearful self-sacrifice conducted! No one has to pretend to appreciate cheap candy and trinkets from the 99 cent store, and I get those designer headphones I want.

But really, is gift-buying truly a burdensome task? Sometimes we think we have so many struggles and obstacles that even the slightest effort makes us squirm. We think that we’re sacrificing our time and money for gifts, when really, so much of our burdens have already been lifted for us.

Our responsibilities and struggles are minimized, thanks to our parents. Think of all the times they have supported us, kept us out of homelessness and trouble, and warmed our hearts. We have friends who care for us and accompany us. Although they have infuriated or annoyed us from time to time, think of the time your friends kept you from humiliating yourself yet again, followed your every whim, and listened to your every word. Our teachers are yet

another big part of our lives. Think about the questions they have answered for us, how they have pushed us, and assigned tests and homework when we needed it. (Okay, so that last one was a little hard to appreciate, but just try!)

While you may be out this Christmas hoping to see some random acts of kindness being proposed, remember that kindness is already being spread by the people around you. All the little things our parents, friends, and teachers have

Graphic by CHRISTOPHER CHO

IT’S ALL ABOUT ME Don’t deny it. You expected something better in return, but why not just appreciate whatever you get?

done for us over the past year can amount to a lot of help that make our lives just that much easier—help we take for granted. There is nothing to be expected from these people because they have already given everything they can to us in the best forms possible.

Not everyone is as lucky as we are, and that is where the giving of Christmas comes in.

True self-sacrifice is giving up something that is truly yours, like your money, charitable services, or belongings, to people who do not have all the opportunities you do. They do not have the providing parents you have, the support of others you have, or the education opportunities that you have. Over the past year, they have not been given the same amount of hope we take for granted. If you gave those people just a portion of your many benefits, then that is real selfsacrifice from the goodness of your heart.

So even if your friend knit you a sweater with three armholes, or your mom didn’t get you the iPod Touch you wanted, or your teacher assigned a load of homework over the break, just grit your teeth and remember all the beneficial things they have done for you over the past year. Then, imagine if none of them existed and you were forced to brave the world without their help and support. Realize that there are people who live that way every day. Maybe then you can shed some light on your situation and feel more content. That sweater might actually keep you warmer anyway. stang@apachepowwow.com

December 2010

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7

PERFORMING ARTS

8 Holiday Concert Sets the Atmosphere for Festive Cheer

By CARRIE QIU

Staff Writer

The imminent holiday season is a signal for performing arts (PA) groups to brighten the holiday season with music and merriment. This year, AHS’ annual Holiday Concert was held on Dec. 14 at Pasadena High School, with the Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra 2, Chanteurs, New Spirit, Treble Choir, and mixed chorus performing a variety of holiday and classical music. Changes within the music department were made concerning the procedures and music styles of the concert, but junior Shawn Liu expressed that “this year’s performance was epic because, unusually enough, the Symphony Orchestra united with Chanteurs and New Spirit to perform two combined pieces!”

Unlike previous years, the choral groups and Symphony Orchestra put together two grand f i n a l e s , “Grown Up Christmas List” and “An English Carol Medley”, to conclude the show. And unlike past traditions, choreography was not a part of Chanteurs’ and New Spirit’s performances.

Profile: Phillip Lu

By CHRISTINA ZHOU

Instead, the two groups dressed in concert choir attire and combined to form a stronger, more vocalized choir, embracing the tradition of a real Christmas concert. Senior Brian Chang commented that the audience

Photos by TOMMY LIAO and graphics courtesy of PSDGRAPHICS.COM

WINTER WONDERLAND Singers and musicians show off their holiday spirit during their performances. “won’t be able to see Chanteurs and New Spirit members in their shiny costumes until the spring season.” Orchestra 3 performed pieces such as “Stille Nacht”, “Danse Chinoise”, and “Sleigh Ride”, while Orchestra 2 performed the pieces “Sleigh Ride”, “Prelude and Fugue”, and “A Christmas Concertette”. Some major pieces performed by the choral groups included

For some people, joining a performing arts group or any other group only affects their high school careers, but for others, it is a life-altering EXPERT DANCER c h o i c e .

Mr. Phillip Phillip Lu is his name and dancing is his game. Lu, AHS alumnus of 2006, decided to join Colorguard from his sophomore to senior year, and the simple decision changed his life. “After watching Colorguard’s Holiday Assembly and Winterguard show, I just knew that was what I wanted to do,” Phillip said.

Despite the fact that Phillip had no dance training before joining Colorguard, Phillip continued his dance and colorguard career while attending University of California, Irvine (UCI), joining Donald McKayle’s Etude Ensemble professional dance company, and professional colorguard groups such as The Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps.

So where is he now? Aside from dancing professionally, Phillip is now helping Colorguard instructors Ms. Mindy Cobb and Mr. Geoff Longo train Colorguard members.

“I worked with Ms. Cobb at Chino Hills High School, and she invited me to come back as an instructor,” he explained. “I’m glad I accepted her offer. [AHS’ Colorguard] knows how to...take in information quickly. The basics I’ve taught [them] are something that I can only give them—it’s really difficult for colorguards in other high schools.”

Dance and Colorguard have the power to drastically change lives, especially for instructor Phillip—his life now revolves around dance. czhou@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of PHILLlP LU

be the year for unification. The concert procedure was a fusion of all the groups evenly spread throughout the concert. Choir director Mr. Rick England referred to previous concerts as a “festival of intermissions”, with orchestras performing in the first half of the performance, and choral groups performing in the second. But unlike those previous concerts, Mr. England felt

December 2010

that “this year’s show [was] fast-paced, which [made] it more entertaining.” He also remarked that “the music department experimented with new interesting things this year and have set a new and promising direction for our musicians.”

Many pieces that were performed during the Holiday Concert will also be on the program for the Holiday Assembly on Dec. 17. The hosts of the assembly, Advanced Drama Department members, will put on a special skit featuring The Nightmare Before Christmas. Orchesis Dance Company and Colorguard will follow this theme and dance to “Nightmare before Christmas” and “What’s This”, respectively.

Concluding another productive fall season with a successful Holiday Concert and Holiday Assembly, AHS’ talented PA groups have definitely set the atmosphere for this holiday season with bright music and cheer. cqiu@apachepowwow.com

ODC Charity Dance Show: Just Dance, Just Donate Charity Dance Show is sure to provide a night of entertainment for all who attend. The show will Staff Writer feature a wide va- riety of performances by Riddle me this: tonight, from about 7:00 different groups, including AHS’ own to 9:00 p.m., where can you find some dance groups— Beginning Dance, Interof the best dancers in the school? mediate Dance, and ODC—and guest P-Hall? No, not quite. The Apache Pit? performers such as the Laker Girls and ClipNo, but you’re get- ting warmer. The per Girls. Senior Wendy Wu, ODC PresiNorth Gym? Yes—we have a winner! dent, described the show as a “must-see” and Every year, the Orchesis Dance encouraged at- tendance, saying, “There Company (ODC) hosts the Charity Dance is always a great line up, and the variety of Show with two main goals: to put on a dancers [is] amaz- ing.” stunning show for per- formers’ peers, Preparation for the Charity Dance friends, and families, and to support Show began way back in the beginning of a selected charity. the school year: Beginning Dance and When the show Intermediate Dance built the foundawas still being planned, tion for future performances by ODC members conl e a r n i n g basics and different techtributed their own time niques, and ODC reinforced and efforts to research s u c h techniques by attending a potential charities to d a n c e camp in the summer, as which proceeds would w e l l as working hard during be donated. After studyb o t h morning and afternoon ing different charities, practic- es. This group effort coneach member made a tributed to the progresshort presentation on sive improvement in one or two organizaskill and eventually ENHANCE THE DANCE tions; ODC then voted brought them to on the charities, and ODC dancers show off the high level their wide range of the few that made they now dancing skills. it to the top were stand at: discussed by the ready for advisers, who performade the mance. final selection.

Senior SoT h i s year, phia Ning, h a l f t h e ODC Treamoney raised surer, said, “Orfrom t h e chesis [has been] putting routines together, ticket s a l e s cleaning, and practicing techniques…all just will go to char- to present a good show and show our love for ity: water, a non-profit the charity.” But, for the members, dancing is o rg a n i z a t i o n that provides not all about technique: “It’s really important safe drinking water for people in developing to us that the pieces we put out aren’t merely nations. The rest of the money will fund AHS’ practiced dances,” Wendy said, “but true perfordance program so Beginning Dance, Intermedi- mances that captivate the audience.” ate Dance, and ODC can all continue to put on Many people, performers and attendees great dance performances. alike, are anticipating a great show. Junior VeIn addition to helping a good cause, the ronica Yu, ODC Secretary, said, “I’m looking

By JASMINE WU

Staff Writer

“The Divine Image”, “O Little Town of Hackensack”, “Twelve Days after Christmas”, and “Carol from an Irish Cabin”.

The new directors of Orchestra and Choir decided that this would

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forward to performing with the people that I love the most and representing Orchesis as a whole.” So don’t forget—if you want to see some of the best dance talents AHS has to offer, head to the North Gym at 7:00 p.m. tonight! jwu@apachepowwow.com Photos by ELLIOTT LEE Graphics courtesy of BILLFRYMIRE.COM

charity: water

By ANNIE HUANG Staff Writer

Water: a resource that we never worry about in everyday life because water is abundant in our society. This is not the case in the lives of almost a billion other people around the world. It may be hard to imagine, but more people die from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation than from any other form of violence, including war. charity: water is a non-profit organization that aims to bring clean and safe drinking water to inhabitants of developing countries. It recognizes that women and children walk many miles to obtain water for their families everyday, when they could be using their time more effectively by getting a good education or by going to work to provide for their family.

It explains that with access to safe drinking water, women will be able to pursue new opportunities and reach gender equality while children will be able to get an education. charity: water aims to provide safe drinking water in order to cut down the rates of disease. Not only do the men and women of the developing communities engage in the construction and maintenance of freshwater wells, but they are also taught basic sanitation training. charity: water emphasizes that by building latrines and simple hand-washing stations, they are teaching the communities to practice hygiene and sanitation. As mentioned on its website, charity: water will “not stop until every person has safe water to drink.” ahuang@apachepowwow.com

December 2010

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PERFORMING ARTS

9

What I Want for the Holidays: Performing Arts Wish Lists

By STACEY NG Staff Writer

STUDENTS

‘Tis the season for neighborhood caroling and evergreen tree hunting—or rather, for overspending on gifts and nursing that holiday food baby. In addition, it is also a golden opportunity to showcase your appreciation toward friends, family, and, most importantly, your performing arts (PA) leadership. These individuals have dedicated countless hours, invested immeasurable amounts of effort to ensure smooth sailing for their respective performing groups. With all the hullabaloo, some might easily forget to show a little gratitude to their leadership once in a while. But fear not, for below is your guide to the perfect gift.

“As [Song] captain, the best Christmas gift would be something that would help me remember my ‘Songies’. I loved collecting mementos for my scrapbook from my previous years on Song. It’s really special when it comes from a team who appreciates me and what I do.”

- Junior Kelly Mock, Song Leader

By KARINA LAIGO Staff Writer

DIRECTORS

With the holiday season coming around, we can all spot the slight changes in the atmosphere at AHS, but we have yet to really see the immense changes—that is, until we visit our performing arts (PA) groups. With no shortage of school spirit, our performers add a little spice to their usual flare and pop, with a gaggle of Christmas ornaments, a pinch of golden garland, and a handful of holiday joy, creating a schoolwide aura that just screams Christmas! Here’s a little peak inside the lives of our own PA directors as they share the contents of their holiday wish list.

“The best gift [my] squad could ever give me [is] growth. I love when I see my teams progress, not just with their physical ability—hitting 20 à la secondes in perfect unison, a helicopter toss, [or] a basket kick full—but also growth with their maturity, desire to help out, being positive, willing, and able.”

- Ms. Tamra Erickson, Pep Squad Coach

“We’re going to decorate the Little Theater like we do every year. We have an upside-down Christmas tree; we’re going to put up a lot of lights and make everyone a little ornament, and it’s a lot of fun. There may even be some Secret Santas for the older kids.”

- Mr. Steven Volpe, Director of Advanced Drama Department (ADD) and Theaters I and II

“I think the best gift would be a 100% commitment level. [I hope that we will] continue to work hard and hopefully we will have [a] successful competition season. We’ll have fun being with each other and bonding as a whole.”

- Senior Micah Kwok, Chanteurs President

“I think the best Christmas gift that Colorguard can give me is a fun holiday party. It’s good bonding time, especially now that we’re moving into Winterguard season and we’re divided into two teams, and it’s a great way to start off our winter break.”

- Senior Nicole Benipayo, Colorguard Co-captain

“I think the best gift [from Orchesis] would be everyone just always having a positive attitude once they step through the dance studio doors and to just leave whatever bad day they’ve been having there because it’s a lot easier to work with a happy team.”

- Junior Isabella Muljana, Orchesis Dance Company Dance Captain

“[One thing that] we always have [is] a time where we do a birthday celebration for Jesus. We have cake and everything. All so that Jesus gets same recognition as everyone else’s birthday. It’s just something that we do so that Christmas isn’t just about the gifts.”

- Mr. Tom Landes, Band Director

“One thing that I do [annually] is direct my church’s choir; it’s something that I love doing every year.”

- Mr. Rick England, Choir Director

“The best Christmas gift that New Spirit can give me is to enjoy themselves and have fun. I’m not too worried about winning competitions or singing flawlessly. My ultimate goal is to make sure they are enjoying their time in New Spirit and I hope that they walk away from every moment we spend together with a feeling of pure happiness. “ - Senior Kristal Ha, New Spirit President

“Every year I spend Christmas Eve with my family...we tend to have a family Santa each year, which is simply someone to pass out gifts...my favorite part of the holiday season is having some time to spend with my family. We don’t get to see each other very often and I enjoy just watching TV or running errands with them.

Life is so busy; this time of year just allows me to focus on family a little more than I’m able to in my day-to-day life.”

- Ms. Mindy Cobb, Colorguard Director

Captains and leaders are constantly working hard for their groups, so any form of “thank you” for your leaders will show them all your appreciation for their jobs. So when you graciously present your gift, don’t forget to wish them a very merry PA holiday!

Mr. Volpe sums it up perfectly when he says that “it’s not about gift giving or presents; it’s about love and compassion. I wish it was Christmas all year, because for just those few days, everyone is just so happy and welcoming, and that’s what I love the most about it.”

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Photos by KARINA LAIGO and STACEY NG, photo courtesy of MINDY COBB, and graphics courtesy of AMAZONAWS.COM and BLOGSPOT.COM

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December 2010

Chicken Soup for the Holiday Soul

By ELLISON CHEN, LAUREEN MA, SARAH QUON, RACHEL THAI, MICHELLE ZHANG Staff Writers

The holidays are here, and it’s time to deck the halls and fill the house with cheer and distinctive aromas. But you can use more than boughs of holly to decorate the house, and there are more gifts to give than a partridge in a pear tree. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and since there is no reason to miss out on being creative and fun, here are some ways to show your holiday cheer.

Heree are some soome ways to slyly lure that special someone under the mistletoe so that hopefully this year, you won’t be spending Christmas alone alone. efully th his year 1. Many florists sell fresh mistletoe, so give your loved one a bouquet of flowers and hide the mistletoe in it. As they are transferring the bouquet of flowers to a vase, turn on some smooth jazz and spray some breath freshener into your mouth. th.

They will notice the mistletoe, and that will cue your next move.

2. Put a $10 bill under a bunch of cleverly hidden mistletoe. When they bend down to grab for it, rush in and point out the mistletoe above. They’ll be obliged to kiss you, and without any escape, you’ll have them cornered. h 3. Wear a bracelet with mistletoe on it while watching a Christmas movie with them. During the movie, smoothly yawn and bring your arm around them. They’ll look up and see the mistletoe while you are executing this trite move, and hopefully, a romantic scene will be playing at this point.

esh Christmas Chrisstmas trees have many advantages. These trees can be planted practically practtically Fresh re, inclu uding where other plants cannot grow, barren land, and under po ower anywhere, including power lines. Though these trees grow slowly, their population is not affected because for each tree that is cut down, one to three more trees are planted. The living Christmas tree can be recycled or turned into mulch, a protective barrier for the roots of other plants which prevents weeds from growing. Finally, the most important aspect of all is that living Christmas trees are fresh. When you have a real tree, the aroma of pine scent fills the room. h Like artificial trees, real Christmas trees have disadvantages. Though you see fresh trees everywhere, each one of those trees took eight to twelvee ayears to grow, compared to artificial trees that can be easily made by a mare, chine or a factory. While artificial trees just require a small place to store, real trees require labor, care, and a lot of water. Real trees also do not cally have the same convenience because the trees have to be grown locally stmas in order to be kept fresh and are transported by trucks. Real Christmas trees cost $25 and up, depending on size, freshness, and where you get them, whereas artificial trees start at $20. These trees cannot be reused like artificial trees.

With timed d writings writings, math tests tests, and science labs labs, high school students are ink and graphite vampires. So, to satisfy their o prehunger, give them pens or pencils with soft gel grips to actical, may vent writer’s cramp. But writing utensils, while practical, ould be carefully seem a bit mundane, which is why they should picked out. Girls often appreciate designer pencils adorned wever, prefer with pastel-colored cartoon animals. Boys, however, sleek ones. The card attached to such a presentt can begin with, “I feel really guilty about writing this with the pen I am about to give you,” then continue to ramble for another two paragraphs.

Parents, who may not be amused by office supplies, will perhaps appreciate peace of mind. With the world constantly being polluted by wasteful extravagance, give them household items made from recycled materials. Calendars, notebooks, and rugs are now made with recyclable materials, and using recycled goods is a simple way to save the Earth. Since it’s the season of giving, it only seems right to give back to Mother Earth as well. Parents may be sympathetic to such a cause because it gives them and their children a healthy environment to live in.

When writing a card for such a present, there is no need for a solemn message; writing “global cooling” along with a short heartfelt message is fine.

If you are looking to make a sophisticated ornament, the ricee wreath picture ure frame is perfect for you. For this unique wreath, you will need n raw rice, liquid glue, green food coloring, red glitter glue, and a paper clip.

After mixing the rice, glue, and food coloring, mold the mixture into the sh shape of a donut and stick a paper clip in the back. Let the shape harden ov overnight. The next morning, use the red glitter glue to draw a bow on the wreath. Finally, tape a picture in the middle of the wreath from the back to w complete this memento. co Snow is such a rare spectacle in Southern California, but that doesn’t m mean you can’t enjoy your very own white Christmas. Just make snowflaakes yourself! Simply take some blank paper from your printer and get started. First, cut the paper into a square and fold it diagonally into a trianst gular ggu uular shape twice, or thrice, if you want your design to be more intricate.

Then, shapes with a pencil along the edges of the triangle.

Th hen, draw out desired shape hen With a pair of scissors, cut oout the shapes and voilà! You have yourself a W merry m rry little snowflake that yo you can hang as a tree ornament or put up as an adornment ad dornment for your window. do

Each year, artificial tre ees have become increasingly popular r. These trees popular. rea alistic, colorful, lighted, and a even pre-decorated trees are crow wd pleasrealistic, crowd ers that appeal to the ma masses. They are also easy on your wallet. At first it sounds contradicto contradictory, with prices ranging from $20 to more than $1,000, depending on the size and type of tree; however, artificial trees are reusable for up to 115 years. They are easily stored and packaged away because you can disassemble the trees into pieces. Many of these trees come in ddifferent colors, are already lighted, and have ffake k snow on th them.

While we have come to love its convenience, we must also fac face and understand the risks and disadvantages of the artificial tre ee. Unfortun tree.

Unfortunately, artificial trees are made out of polyvinyl cchloride (PV (PVC)—a petroleum-derived plastic. PVC pollutes the environm environment and is nonrenewable. It fact, some of these trees have w warning labels telling you that they may be hazy ardous to your health. If the tree does come with that warnlabel then it will most likely have lead in it. When ing label, inhaled or digested, it can hurt your body.

A ffun way to wrap a gift is by using the Sunday ’s sweet comic section section. Maybe even play off of someone someone’s tooth by using clean candy wrappers to wrap a gift.

Wrapping a gift for a constant movie-goer? Try printing out all of his or her favorite mini movie posters and advertisements, and use that as wrapping paper.

It looks artistic when all the posters overlap each other so it looks like a movie collage. Do not hesitate to only use movie moviie posters; everybody ha has as a favorite celebrity. cele elebrity. You can try pr pprinting multip ple pictures of that on ne celebout multiple one rity or ch choose several stars and d repeat the mov movie ovie poster wrapping pro process. oc Is your gift g recipient an avid cook? coo ok You can aalso wrap another gift usi using ng recipes es. Print them off the internet interneet or use pes. recipes you find in magazines. re magaziness. If you have h old cookbooks that you u ddo not use, feel free to use those recipes reccip as well. Whichever method you cchoose t incorto use, these are all fun ways to wrapping porate the person you are wrapp pi the present for into the gift wrap.

Graphics by MICHELLE ZHANG Z

echen@apachepowwow.com, lma@apachepowwow.com, squon@apachepowwow.com, rthai@apachepowwow.com, and mzhang@apachepowwow.com

December 2010

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Places to “Chill” this Winter

By RITA WANG Staff Writer

As we anxiously count down the last few seconds before being released from the last, seemingly endless school day before winter break, we immediately start daydreaming about everywhere we’ll go and everything we’ll do (aside from studying, that is). But as the bustling students we are, we never have the time to think of different nearby places to go this holiday break aside from the mall. Worry not, stressed students of AHS, because here are some exciting ways to spend your winter vacation!

Ultrazone: Tired of those regular arcade games like Time Crisis? Why not head on over to Ultrazone in Alhambra and laser tag with your friends?

It’s only $8 per person or get the “All You Can Play” package for $22. This is the perfect way to not only hone your spy skills, but also to exercise after a large holiday meal. Laser tagging will amp up some competition amongst your friends, and why not set a bet to make things more interesting? Ultrazone not only offers la-

ser tagging, but also sells food and drinks. You can also play on their multiple air hockey tables.

So grab your friends and enjoy yourself!

Action Lanes: Need to relieve some of that built-up tension and stress from schoolwork?

Why not try your hand at bowling? A game of bowling can soon turn into a friendly competition between friends or just with family. Lucky for us, we have an inexpensive and reliable bowling alley nearby. If you’re looking for a regular game of bowling with cheap shoe rentals and games, head on over to Action Lanes, located in a plaza in El Monte. But of course, when your hands get cramped up from throwing the ball at the pins, visit the small arcade or choose a delicious snack from the various vending machines there.

Getty Center: Located near downtown Los Angeles, the Getty Center is a great place to relax with family or friends. It exhibits endless art galleries from various time periods. Even getting to the Getty Center itself is an adventure.

After parking your car, you can take a metrolike “train” that takes you up into the mountains where this museum is located. Along the way, you can see the beautiful scenery of Los Angeles from above. However, what attracts most people is the Central Garden, which has beautiful flower gardens.

All three of these are great places to be this holiday season if you aren’t going on vacation and it’s especially great to get some fresh air for once. Go out and enjoy at least some of your break and most of all, just remember to relax and unwind. rwang@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of LASER-FLASH.COM

No Snowflakes? No Worries!

By SARAH QUON Staff Writer

When we think of winter, we think of snowflakes, snowmen, snowball fights, snowboarding, snow days, and “snow” much more!

However, living in Southern California, the closest it gets to snowing is raining and the rare occasion of hailing. Moreover, many of us cannot take a drive to Big Bear or Mammoth just to play with the snow. So how can we celebrate this winter without the snow? Here are a few suggestions!

Community Events: ents: In Arcadia, we have an event called the he Holiday Snow Festival. Snow is brought to o the community center and sled races take ake place. There is also craft making and a snow area where you can make snowmen, snow angels, or just hang out in the snow. Best off all, this event is completely free for everyone.

In addition to thee festival, there is another event named Breakfast with h Santa. Though it doess sound childish, this event also includes holiday entertainment and delicious food. By simply signing up you can treat your younger siblings and cousins to a fun event for only $8 per person; after all, it is the season of giving.

Skateboarding, Surfing, Roller-Skating, and Ice Skating: These may not sound like your type of sports, but all four of these closely relate to what it is like to slide on the snow.

Skateboarding down an immense hill and snowboarding consist of the same skill—balancing

on a board. When you skateboard, you ride down a hill just like snowboarding. Sledding can be paralleled by sitting on a skateboard and going down a hill. Moreover, surfing is even more like snowboarding because you glide and balance on a board.

Aside from snowboarding and sledding, there also is skiing. With both feet having their own piece of equipment to balance on, rollerskating closely resembles cross-country or alpine skiing. Last but not least, ice skating is a winter sport that can be enjoyed by everyone!

In fact, there is an ice rink in Pasadena that is conveniently nnearby.

Fa Family Time: Even in South Southern California, it is cold outsid when we step inside outside; the house, we immediately think oof ways to warm up. If your ga family gathers around the fireplace, with each having a hot cup of cocoa and a blanket to bundle up in, yyou can warm up and bond yo family at the same time. with your While yyou are with your family, you can play board games, w watch movies, or just talk to each other! Whichever way, no one can resist this activity. Have fun with each other in this warmth and enjoy this winter family time!

Though these suggestions don’t measure up to having actual snow to play in, they come in close second. Have a good time with these activities because you can still have the same amount of fun without snow! squon@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of CLEVELANDSENIORS.COM

A Global Merry Christmas This Season

By RAPHAEL LU Staff Writer

December is finally here, re, marking the end of a year of hard work, blood, od, sweat, and tears, but with this month comess a wondrous round of holidays to “wrap p up” the year. Although December iss most well-known for Christmas in n the U.S., this month also marks arks the time for other important ant holidays, such as Boxing Day, ay, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and nd Omisoka.

Boxing Day: On Dec. 26, this is celebrated in Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, the he Unitmany ed Kingdom, and man ny other countries that are or were British ii h colonies. Boxing Day is a day when donations are given to the poor and working class. There are two

ppopular p stories behind this holiday. The first story is that on the day after Christmas, churches woul would place metal boxes outside for donatio donations to be collected. would then be given These donations w to the poor and needy. The second stor story is that in England, servants had to work on serva Christmas, but the day Chr after Christmas, the aft se servants were allowed tto go home. The servvants were also commonly given boxes m oof presents to bring to their families. Now the these customs are still carried out by people givcarrie presents to the needy. ing pres In a ffew parts around ound the world, employees are also given a day off on this day.

Boxing Day is also much like Black Friday in America. On this day, many stores ores open early, offering great discounts.

Hanukkah: The popular story behind this eight-day Jewish holiday day is that in a Jewish temple, there was only enough olive oil to burn for one night, but miraculously the ys. oil lasted for a steady eight days.

Today, this is represented by lighthting the menorah for each day of Hanukkah. Many popular Hanukukkah traditions and games includee the g Haspinning of the dreidel, singing nukkah songs, and distributing gifts and rious treats money to young children. Various

consumed throughout the eight days include ah (doughnuts), fritpotato pancakes, sufganiyah elts” or coins. Unlike ters, matzo, and cheese “gelts” ll gifts are given to its cousin Christmas, small oliday. children each day of the holiday. day, celebratKwanzaa: This holiday, tes, is the ed mainly in the United States, y with little-known winter holiday ed by quite a short history. Started vist author and political activist Ronald McKinley Everett in day 1966, this week long holiday lethat begins on Dec. 26 celeure brates the tradition and culture rett of African Americans. Everett llow created this holiday to allow African Americans to havee their lebrate. own cultural holiday to celebrate.

Like Hanukkah,, candles can are also lit in a specia al holder special carrying seven cand candles, called a kinara, symbolizing the ancestral roots of the Afri African Americans.

The seven candles repreth Nguzo Saba, sent the the seven principle The last day ples. of Kwanzaa is m marked by a day o meditation or of s self-refl ection.

Omisoka: In Japan, taking pla place on every Dec 30, Omisoka Dec. is the New Year’s celebratio that is much celebration

like Chinese New Year in February. Like Chinese New Year, O Omisoka is marked by a day of osoji, a sort of Japanese spring cleaning if you yo will. For Japastuden this is also the nese school students, last day of school before the winter break. Toshikoshi udon, literally translated late as New Year’s Ev noodles, are eatEve en to celebrate the e of a long year. end Osechi, which is O a bento-like meal c consisting of simple pl foods, is eaten because bec cooking on this holiday is considh ered rud rude to the “Kitchen Kami,” or Kitchen God. As with Chinese New Year each food in the osechi has its own special meaning. Lastly, near midnight, a bell at a local shrine is stuck 108 continuous times. Each strike represents the 108 bonno, human desires, that are thought to cause great suffering.

The holiday season does it have its diversity, so the next time you’re sitting in front of the fireplace, remember that a red hat, a plastic tree, and a pile of flashy paper-wrapped boxes isn’t the only way to celebrate the winter holiday. rlu@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of BLOG.JEMPP.COM.AU, FLICKR.COM, MANYFREEWALLPAPERS.COM, and RUMROMANISMREBELLION.NET

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“One nee time mee dduring uringg th tthe hee holida daay holiday season, my dad spotted a homeless man that was by himself on the streets.

It was extremely cold that day and it was pouring.Wanting the homeless man to be warm, my dad gave him an original pea coat that someone from thee given That jacket Navyy hhad ad giv ven n him. Th T hat jac ckeet was impo important porrttant to po om my y dadd an and nd thee fa fact act tha that at he he wa w was as so willingly wil illi lli linngly too gi ggive ve it aw away way is th tthe hhee pe erfect ex eexample xample of of ggivingg bback ack dduring urin uri ur ing perfect th the h holi lida li day seas asson on.” holiday season.”

Sanhueza, sophomore - Geoff Ge Sa Ge anh n uezaa, so ophom mor ore

December 2010

“Well, one holiday memory I have is when I went to China over winter break. It was really, really cold there and on Christmas day my family and I went on to visit the Great Wall of China. It was the coldest day I’ve ever experienced. My gloves weren’t a big help to keep my fingers warm. They were literally frozen, so our friend that we made during our trip on our tour let me use hers even though she was also as cold. I thought this was really nice and selfless of her, considering how it was the holiday season, which is all about caring for others.”

-Danielle Lee, senior -D Daan niieell ell lle Le L ee, senio or

“I remember for SCAC last year we spent one Friday sorting through piles clothes, of cclo lothes loth ess, to ttoys, oys ys, an aand nd appliances for the White Mountain Apaches with ASB members Senior Men andd th an thee S Se eniior or M en and Women. The amount of things completely filled the school en cafeteria and was cafe ca ffeetteeri ria an nd iitt w as overwhelming to see the end result, which was piles of clothing as that th at w wer were erre se sseparated ppaara rate t d into men’s, women’s, children’s, and household items. We packed everything ev veerrytthhiinngg iinto nntto to ba bbags ag and put them in this huge trailer to bring down to the Apaches in Arizona the trailer was also filled. It was thrilling to see that we could provide for Ar riizzonna an and tth and he tr ra the White Mountain th he W Wh hit ite M Mo oun unta tain in Apaches so they could also plenty to go around during the holiday season. seas se ason on.. I fe ffeel eeell llike ik ike ke hholiday season is a season of giving and this act of Arcadia sstudents ttu uddeent ntss across the school working together to provide for our sister tribe was ex extremely acro ac ross ss tth hhee ssc cchhool ool di oo ddistrict i xtre trreem mely wonderful touching.” wo ond nder derrffu ful ul an aand nd to ttouc ouc ucc Wendy Huang, -W We enddy Hu H uan ang junior

Photos Phot ttos os by TOMMY LIAO O and nd dE ELLIOTT LLIOTT LEE and gra grap graphics ap a aphics phics hic iicc ccourtesy ourtesy of PAP PAPERBLOG.NET and by ALWYNA ALWY YNA LAU

fire my house beside the “I was just sitting in sw an to or do the to ran mom o the doorbell rang. My ing nd sta t mid twenties jus and found a guy in his sed pri sur s wa ing. At first she there in the cold, cry He ha explain his situation. to d rte sta y then the gu ck ga ba It had ran out of the his small greyhound. s and eet str the g. It ran into when he wasn't lookin uld co t bu it er aft t , he ran ou disappeared. Worried und aro go to ed cid de d he ha find it anywhere. So had seen to ask people if they od rho bo igh ne tire en see it a n't did I so use all day Sadly, I was in the ho brot my d an , ter sis my t, me, However, after he lef t nd fi to our own dog to try all left the house with ci de we , urs ho t after a few by calling out for it bu ou y, we were about to set da xt ne e Th . to give up go rin to re but the guy came find the dog once mo d of k loo a d This time, he ha doorbell once more. c the d hin be ing hid had been on his face. His dog m ard he nd it. He said that he and they had just fou nte wa t jus g out for it so he and my siblings callin uld h nd. I know that I sho fou s wa it to tell us that bee I d Ha . ief rel s wa t I fel been frustrated but all Iw se cau have even slept be is sshoes I would not his hhi g.” worrying about my do eeenn wo ve bbeee have ha Kiim, senior ce K yce oyc Joy --Jo -J

when wer out d but ad lost ate d soon dn't the n it. at all. ther the dog ided ut to our delight couch me ed have en in would

December 2010

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B

By VALERIE YU Staff Writer

Quick as a wink this December, the holiday season has jingled in, brightening up our hearts and minds as the one special time of year of giving and selflessness. As the wintry weather gets progressively colder by the day and holiday shopping, glittering lights, majestic evergreens pervade our spheres of life, it is official that the holiday season has commenced.

Though it’s true that the materialistic side of the holidays constitutes “To get into the holiday spirit, I went caroling with my leadership group to a nursery nnuur urrss home up in Eagle Rock.

Roockk. After we caroled, we R plopped ppllop opp ourselves next to an an eelderly l eerr gentleman or lady ld and and an nd aas asked sk about their lives. I think I learned so much that day; I still remember one old lady tell me how she also used to play the violin and the joy it gave her. My heart swelled when she told me that the music I played and sang brought her happiness.

That is what I think holiday spirit is all about; it's not about the materialistic presents, but about the sharing of knowledge and happiness.”

-Lawrence Bai, junior

a great part of the season, the spirit of giving plays an even greater role.

Acts of kindness that embody the true meaning of the holidays, exchanged in friendly patterns of love, forgiveness, altruism, thankfulness, and pure generosity, really do brighten up lives as much as holiday lights with their colorful twinkling do. These acts may even change lives or bring happiness to thousands of people at a time, their effects strengthened by the spirit of giving. Even if it means sacrificing your gloves for someone else, no matter how small the warmth of kindness is always felt, especially during the cold of the holidays.

With some of the holiday testimonies of students here at AHS, though the weather outside is frightful, hearts are warmed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of the holiday spirit. vyu@apachepowwow.com

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December 2010

Underdogs Prove Victorious at L.A. County

By ANDY QIN Staff Writer

“Good evening Your Honor; we are Arcadia High School, representing the people of the state of California in this matter,” said opening statement attorney senior Michelle Zhu, representing the AHS Mock Trial team.

The Constitutional Rights Foundation’s (CRF) California Mock Trial holds competition rounds in which two teams compete; one team is deemed the prosecution, accusing the defendant, while the other plays the defense. Points are awarded not for winning the verdict, but for how well each team executes their performances. Students take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs, and court clerks to present their cases before a real judge, debating legal issues in an all-too-realistic courtroom. This setting also serves as a training ground for the CRF Mock Trial Program, in which high school students from across the state convene to experience the back-and-forth struggle of justice.

This year’s CRF case was People v. Woodson, in which an 18-year-old ex-computer intern was charged of assaulting 13-year-old Angel Sterling with a deadly weapon. In comparison

Gov Team Advances to State

By APOORV CHAUDHARY Staff Writer

In light of last year’s Gov team’s victory at the national competition, this year’s team has large shoes to fill. With many Arcadians expecting yet another national title from this award winning team, the members of Gov team have been hard at work, meeting Monday nights at the Arcadia City Hall and other times throughout the week. What was one of the events that these talented individuals were preparing for? The regional competition, held Dec. 11.

In preparation for regionals, each unit was given a set of questions. Each unit had to prepare responses for these questions, which were assigned to them approximately two months in advance. After providing their responses, they entered into an open question session with the judges where the judges asked them various questions on topics relating to their section. Senior Jason Chern commented that this portion of the exam “was much harder than the prepared responses despite the fact that [they] spent countless hours preparing for those six minutes of the competition.” Jason elaborated that the most difficult part of the free response portion was “that almost anything was fair game as a question.”

AHS’ Gov Team has a tradition of advancing past its regional competition, and this year was no different. Despite the addition of Diamond Bar and veterans such as Bishop Amat, Arcadia made it to the next round with flying colors. With this victory under their belt, the students of Gov team will begin preparation for their state competition, to be held in February at Sacramento. Having taken its first step to fulfilling their legacy, Gov team starts on its road victory and AHS wishes them the best of luck in their journey. apchaudhary@apachepowwow.com

to cases in previous years, this case was satu- nounced Arcadia as L.A. County Champions.

Mock Trial (MT) had its humble beginrated with facts, but the legal minds of Arcadia nings only 14 months ago, when senior Ray let no detail escape during the trial.

Chao and alumIn previnus Andrew ous years, the Chang first county-level gathered the recompetition has sources, sorted been dominated out the logistics, by private and and created a magnet high brand new team schools. From that Arcadia the 70 schools had no previous in L.A. County, experience in. the final teams The team was left standing unable to adwere Harvardvance past preWestlake School liminary rounds on the defense its first season, and AHS as the but found inexprosecution. Deplicable elation spite a stumbling in the legal prostart, Arcadia finished strong, BEARING GRINS It’s all smiles with the members cess. Fourteen particularly in of Mock Trial as they celebrate their status as the best months and six consecutive trial its witness roles in L.A. County. victories later, and objection arguments, and the judges of the round an- the team has been featured in the Los Angeles

Times and Chinese Daily for both its spectacular upset and for being the youngest program in 33 years of county-level Mock Trial to claim the title.

None of the students’ success would have been possible without the core of the team—its brilliant coaches are real attorneys who volunteer their time to teach legal theory: Judge Tia Fisher, former public defender Greg Fisher, defender Adam Chang, defender Alison Meyers, and prosecutor Olivia Wang.

Judge Fisher was appointed to the California Supreme Court Bar by former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and imbued a love of the judicial system in the team. Despite a hectic schedule and numerous trials to oversee, Judge Fisher personally took the team on trips to courtrooms, replacing what was once gripping edginess with a familiar comfort in the courtroom.

The team will head to the Riverside Hall of Justice on Mar. 25 to 27, where it will contend in State Finals in the hopes of claiming a spot at Nationals. Until then, MT rests its case. aqin@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of RAY CHAO

cxu@apachepowwow.com

Editor-In-Chief

CHRISTINE XU

Do Now: “What did the Mama Mole say to the Papa Mole?

The Chemist Who Combusts Our Passion Known for operating late class hours with seemingly endless food service and punny chemistry jokes, Ms. Christina Chow is a big hit amongst her students. Due to an unexpected course of events, Ms. Chow will be on leave for the remainder of the year. Her former students threw together a tribute to wish her a happy holiday season!

A TRIBUTE FROM CHRISTINE XU A student’s first impression of Ms. Chow would be that she has quite a lightning-quick tongue, speaking at a rate that requires her to take sharp breaths between 20-second stretches of sound bytes. But that comes as no surprise once that unsuspecting student is struck with the full force she invests in teaching chemistry. Ms. Chow is the type of teacher who sees no dead ends in the ways of learning, and commands teaching with an in-your-face, almost goading attitude toward turning on light bulbs in students’ heads. When asked to describe her in three words, students chime in with a multitude of combinations that sum her up as a passionate force of energy, inexplicably superhuman, and wonderfully compassionate, as only the very best teachers are.

How does she do it? Ms. Chow approaches teaching the subject of chemistry with the intent to make it come alive for her students, even— no—especially for those who find an aversion to all things natural science. She does so by showing enthusiasm for the vitality of the subject and its relevance to our lives, and her students love how she has the drive to teach every little detail and facet of chemistry to as much as “Honors” or “CP” can truly entail. She does so in a “way to explain things so that it's impossible not to understand,” said senior Vania Wang, with so much attention to nuance, whether it is for a difficult subject like thermodynamics or a topic as simple as learning significant figures. It is Ms. Chow’s belief that teaching is learning, and she is constantly adapting to her students’ needs by “making practice worksheets and having review sessions after school”, which senior Irene Liu always took advantage of, and “staying for hours every day after school to help her students, no matter their proficiency,” as senior Sen Gao remembered. Alumnus Austin Yoon admires her for putting in “tremendous amounts of effort and hours into work [to benefit]her classes,” though “so much" he'd "kind of worry for her sanity.”

Often seen nursing cold, granulated coffee in a meat sauce jar, Ms. Chow balances a full schedule as a Ph.D. candidate, Ocean Science Bowl adviser, and full-time teacher. You would think the weight of her load is all any normal human being can focus on, but what goes on in that brilliant mind of hers (“She went to MIT as her third choice; no big deal,” deadpanned junior Albert Hu) are thoughts on how to move beyond classroom curriculum into the fun side of learning. Familiarizing herself with her students from the very start of the school year is just one of the little things that show “the amount of effort and care that Ms. Chow puts into her lessons and into ensuring that her students are immersed in the material,” Albert recalled. "Ms. Chow lives day-to-day with a kind of childishness and playfulness that makes her easy to approach and makes the class enjoyable,” said Vania, and she pushes classroom limitations with the belief that what we learn will never be enough. That has paid off for Vania, who believes that “her teaching has definitely helped [her] maintain an A in AP Chemistry this year.” It’s completely amazing from all that she does, but she manages beautifully nevertheless, and is nothing g that Ms. Chow hasn’t keeled over from sleep p deprivation p short of amazing for that.

Personality. That's the first word that comes to mind when I hear "Ms. Chow." Ms. Chow's enthusiasm for her subject is contagious; I never thought that I would like chemistry, but it's my favorite class right now. Her dedication to educating her students (former and current) is amazing.

- Brenda Guan, 12

Photo by BELLE CHUANG

ALL SMILES Reluctant to let her leave, Ms. Chow’s former students huddle around her for a last embrace.

December 2010

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Speech and Debate Dominates at Fall Varsity

By SHIBO ZHONG Staff Writer

The “finals showcase amazing talent,” said junior Utthara Rameshbabu, who continued, the “amount of passion and dedication is incredible.” This year, many members made finals, in

The members of Speech and Debate seize every opportunity to showcase, or rather, orate their talent. On Dec. 11, they channeled their enthusiasm into their speeches at Fall Varsity.

During this event, members ranging from novice to varsity level displayed their skills in individual competition against a multitude of other schools. After finding his or her code from a giant master list, each Speech and Debate member went into a testing “house”, or performing room, where he or she performed in three preliminary rounds. Those who impressed the judges enough with their performances were invited back for a fourth and final TEAM PRIDE The Speech and Debate round, and the chance to place in the top team is full of pride as a number of its members seven for a trophy. celebrate another successful Fall Varsity.

‘Pache’s Declassified: The Senior Edition

By JOE TIAN Alumnus Writer

Hey seniors! Why do you look so weary?

Winter break’s coming! You’ve got Christmas, New Year’s, and all those extra days off! You also get all these presents from family and friends, and to top it all off, you get—oh right, those last few apps…well hey, look at the bright side: your life will be so great afterward with all the time in the world to relax! Before you get too carried away with dreaming about your life after Jan. 1, take a few minutes to read the rest of this article to see what you should and shouldn’t do in the remaining six months of your high school career.

1. Get your financial aid applications done.

Get them done as soon as possible. Once you finish, you really will be done with everything involving college. Seriously, do not y before the deadline to wait until a few days submit the forms; those forms are not easy to fill out, and should anything go wrong, you won’t have time to fix it. Financial aid is ex-

tremely helpful in paying for college. Think about it, what is the point of being accepted into Princeton if you cannot afford the tuition?

So get it done!

2. Don’t slack off.

Not yet. I’m not going to scare you with all the stories of students getting rescinded because they didn’t work hard. I’m saying that you should not slack off in your AP classes because you need to do well on those AP exams in May. The credits you get will be extremely useful in college: not only do you get a head start in taking upper division courses, you can also choose classes before your classmates do because registration is based mostly on credits acquired.

3. Visit your teachers!

If you haven’t done so, please spend some extra time with all your teachers, especially those who wrote your recommendation letters. They want to know where all their hard work got you into, and they would appreciate just a simple visit or two from you.

4. Relax and have fun!

I know I probably said too much about work, but nothing should prevent you from having a little fun in the last few months of your high school life. You’ve all worked hard for this well-earned break, so relax a little and hang out with all those friends you never get to see because of those college applications!

5. Do not start a relationship now.

Unless you have loved the person for the last four years and feel like this is your last chance, don’t do it. Chances are you will be heading to different universities and probably won’t see each other again. (On that note, don’t choose your college based on where another person is going.) Now, of course I’m not saying all existing couples should break up, but don’t get too hung up over a relationship.

Whatever happens, tomorrow will always be better.

HOLD Y YOUR OUR HORSES Don’t let senioritis sen get to you. There are still things to get done.

joe.tian@rice.edu Graphic courtesy of TIFFANY LAI

which a total of ten proceeded to trophy. Senior Officer Ray Chao commented, this year’s team is “really talented and dedicated.”

Junior Officer Amy Wen stated that she enjoys “being able to help out Novice and JV members because [she] was, at one point, where they are now.”

Fall Varsity is an opportunity for individuals to shine, as the competition is structured around individual speeches rather than group debates. Those who do well in both Fall and Spring Varsity are automatically eligible for State Champs.

The meet “ran pretty well,” said junior Andy Qin while senior Jon Ma summed up his experience as “tiring but...bomb.”

AHS placed 2nd overall at the event, edging out San Marino, which placed 3rd. Congratulations to all of Speech and Debate for a great competition, and best of luck for Spring Debate!

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Results: Humorous Interpretation: Jon Ma - 6th Dramatic Interpretation: Kate Zha - 1st Varsity Oratorical Interpretation: Nadia Saleh - 3rd Farihah Chowdhury - 6th Varsity Thematic Interpretation: Ashley Golinski - 7th Varsity Duo Interpretation: Jon Ma and Andy Qin - 6th Varsity Original Oratory: Andy Qin - 7th Varsity Original Advocacy: Nancy Xiao - 1st Mary Guyer - 2nd Alison Chang - 6th szhong@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of JON MA

An A for The Holidays

By YEJEAN KIM

Academics emics Editor

Hear that? It’s the sound of holiday spirit and jolly laughter—or, more likely, the scratching of pens on lists recording all the presents students at AHS are hoping to receive this year.

However, we nerds don’t need to deal with all this list nonsense because we already know what wewant this year: A’s. Not everyone who wants A’s is a nerd of course, but you can bet on your iPod that straight A’s are all a nerd would want for the holidays.

Who cares about gift cards? CD’s? We nerds just need a line of A’s going down those despicably red, hard-to-open sheets to feel holiday joy. As report cards come out in January we’ll be a little late in feeling the holiday spirit; sometimes we nerds are too distracted by things like polyatomic ions to notice decorations, carols, and the fact that it is December.

The average nerd doesn’t go to school to learn; instead we see how much we can cram and then release all at once. This goes into overdrive around the holidays, as F Days—or as it’s known to the majority, finals—fare fast approaching.

So instead of drinking eggnog or some other festive beverage with odd ingredients, we nerds will be sitting at home, dutifully memorizing both of the Dawes Acts and what they entail. Nerds know the not-so-fine line between memorizing just to regurgitate and actually learning, and we refuse to cross it.

While everyone else studies because of the joy of learning (right?), we nerds struggle to re-memorize everything they threw away in August, September, October, and November so we can ace our finals. So, the gift of learning is not something a nerd wants for the holidays, thank you very much. We would rather get an A.

ykim@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of PSDGRAPHICS.COM and DANIELLESPLACE.COM

STUDENT LIFE

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apachepowwow.com

December 2010

Weird Gifts I Know What You Did Last Winter

By EDWARD CHAO

Staff Writer

By VALERIE YU

Staff Writer

It’s the holiday season once again—a time full of joy and cheer that comes every year.

Come this time, everyone hopes for a Christmas gift; everyone hopes for just one special little parcel of sugar, spice, and everything nice. But when it comes down to whether that wrapping paper reveals something worth chasing after for years, or something strange and unexpected, a different story unravels.

Let’s start with the facts. First, gifts can be separated into 1) those that evoke a dim, lukewarm spark of interest and 2) special ones that have been on your wish list for years. As those layers of glossy wrapping paper are ripped back savagely to reveal the gift that’s hiding beneath all that shine, we always wonder if the gift that awaits us may be the very one we’ve always dreamed about. One Christmas, sophomore Dominic Di Silva got just that—an iPod Touch from his “mom because she knew [he had] really wanted one.” Electronic devices as gifts are popular nowadays. When asked about the best Christmas gift he has ever received, freshman Chris Zavala remembered the “computer from [his] older brother.” For Chris, it was both the gift and the gift-giver that made his holiday special. As for a gift of monumental proportions, senior Dionne Sandoval recalled, “I got a motorcycle from my parents for Christmas when I was 12. I remember that I had been asking them for years!”

However, not all the best gifts to be found this giving season are electronic gadgets. Some have special, sentimental value. For sophomore Rochelle Lai, the best Christmas gift she has ever received was a “toy fire truck.” She explained, “My family never really had a Christmas tree in the past. After a while, one Christmas we got a little tree. The first gift underneath the tree was a [toy] fire truck. Because it was the first gift ever that my brother and I had gotten on our first traditional Christmas, I felt like it was the best Christmas gift I’ve ever gotten!”

From all these “best” Christmas gifts, it’s clear to see that meanings and memories play a huge role in a favorite gift. However, gifts are sure to be especially memorable when they turn out to be something unexpected. For junior Natasha Hamilton, one of the strangest gifts she received for the holidays was given to her while she was in the seventh grade. “My friend gave me a pair of earrings that were worn by her sister. Her sister wore them every day before,” recounted Natasha. Another gift that came unexpectedly was the “internet cable that junior Tilan Kura got from his mom instead of the Xbox he had wanted. For senior Jonathan Xa, the weirdest Christmas gift he ever received was the “marshmallow shooter” his cousin gave him. Nonetheless, he still enjoys it because “even though it’s weird, it’s pretty cool.”

In the end, it seems there will always be some Christmases when we get what we always wished for and others when we’ll receive something unexpected, but not necessarily unwanted.

Even so, as the aphorism goes, it’s the thought that counts. So this holiday season, appreciate each gift you receive—whether it be a motorcycle, a coveted iPod Touch, a pack of hair bands, or even a pair of used earrings. Yes, those too. vyu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of KSCDIRECT.COM

Ah, the holidays—the time of year when the majority of people stay at home, cozy up with a warm blanket, get up early to watch holiday cartoons, and drink mugs of hot chocolate.

As the spirit of the holidays warmly fills up the hearts and souls of many, a few AHS students have shared their holiday plans.

“During my time that I spend at my grandmother’s house during the holidays, my family and I celebrate Hanukkah. We play with dreidels and after all the fun and games, we light candles on a menorah. Overall, we just end up having a great time.”

- Johnny Perlis, 9 “My family and I plan to go up to Washington to take our very first ski trip to Crystal Mountain. Then, we’re going to go fishing and chop our very own pinewood Christmas tree.

After all that, we plan to just stay indoors in our cabin and drink hot cocoa together.”

- Aileen Ju, 10

“Every New Year’s morning, my companions and I go on a 50-mile bike ride to start off the new year. This tradition is used to show that we’ll be biking all year. Around 20 to 40 people show up for this.”

- Devin Arenas, 10 “I plan to take my family on a hiking trip up to Chantry Flats, which is located near the Santa Anita Mountains. I think it would be a great and exciting experience for them, because the last time I ran up Chantry Flats, I loved it.

I’m thinking about making this trek up Chantry Flats a holiday tradition.”

- Jerry Zhao, 11 “I’m going to Portland on a train trip by myself, because I earned a lot of money from recycling. I’m visiting the art museums and festivals up there.”

- Jenny Earnest, 11 “We are going to fly all the way to Florida, and then we’re going to buy a trailer at Chalet Village, Tampa. After, we’re taking a road trip all the way back home to Arcadia. This isn’t re-

ally a tradition. It’s just that this year, we wanted to try something spontaneous and do some family bonding.”

- Clark Shao, 12 “I plan to take advantage of my break by doing everything I’ve ever wanted to do but didn’t have the time for during junior year. That includes skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, and then Disneyland for New Year’s! Also, my family and I usually get a real tree every year, but this year we have to get a fake one because Costco sold out.”

- Michelle Chen, 12 “I’m going to the North Pole.”

- William Chan, 9 So, whether people decide to stay within the comfortable confines of their rooms or dare to venture outside in the freezing cold weather, just remember to have fun and cherish every moment of the two-week holiday break. echao@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of CHRISTMASCRAFT.COM

When in Doubt, Help Out!

By ARNAV CHAUDHARY

Staff Writer

As holiday lights festoon the roofs of houses, plastic Santa Clauses stand glowing on lawns, and Christmas trees stand tall and proud inside homes, it is clear that holiday cheer is in town. Anxious children get ready for the plethora of desired gifts they picture themselves receiving. Hectic parents scramble from store to store trying to find the best deals, making sure their budget stays in check. But what about the less fortunate? Shouldn’t cheer be universal?

To help out the White Mountain Apaches, the Student Council Apache Commission (SCAC) held an annual Toy and Jacket Drive.

According to SCAC member sophomore Andrew Sun, the Apaches “live in cold regions [and] are not fortunate enough to have clothes to wear for warmth.” Junior SCAC member Wendy Huang asserted that “even a used stuffed animal that you no longer want can make” a big difference because it means that one more

Apache child is able to receive a gift for Christmas. ASB Boys’ Relations senior Alan Zhu also stated that donating to the drive was “one of the ways for Arcadians to give back to the Apaches” since they let us use their name to represent AHS. Christmas is a time of giving, and junior Michael Nguyen feels that “it really is necessary to give to those who would not survive without it.” Senior Taryn Go said that she believes that the “Christmas cheer definitely lifts up” spirits and there is no better way to spread it than by donating to those that are in dire need of resources.

Freshman Darrel Cheung felt that “helping people out” during this time helped him “feel like a better person.”

The Toy and Jacket Drive was a district-wide event, held from Dec. 6 to 10, and it was an immense success. All of the donations were

loaded onto a truck and delivered to the Apaches by Mr. Ed Schreiner, who personally drove a truck all the way to Arizona to ensure that they received their gifts for the holiday season. archaudhary@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of EBUYHEAVEN, FRENCHTRUCKERS.COM, and HOLLINS.EDU

Holiday Clothing Rampage

By KARINA LAIGO

Staff Writer

With the holiday season just around the corner, there are so many things to look forward to, but the one thing that we can all look forward to is the holiday outfit extravaganza!

Although the sweaters may not be as crafty and adorable as Ron Weasley’s, the socks may not jingle as much as Santa’s sleigh bells, and the little buttons may not flicker as bright as Rudolph’s red nose, these are the building blocks for the perfect holiday outfit.

Holiday sweaters are going to pop up everywhere—bright ones, red ones, and soft ones!

Pair them with knee-high socks in stripes and white and blue snowflakes, and you can keep your little toes warm while showing off your snazzy Christmas style. And even if you’re just staying home, you’ll be warm by the fire.

Though Los Angeles may not get as cold as New York City or San Francisco, AHS has no shortage of Christmas wear and style.

Most find it tacky and cheesy, but isn’t that what the holidays are about? The true spirit of Christmas is expressing yourself.

Sophomore Christina Nguyen explained that although “last year [she] went all casual, this year, [she wants] to do something big, like wear a big ugly Christmas sweater!” She confessed, “I know people call them ugly, but I think they’re cute!” People often worry about how they look instead of expressing how they feel, but Christmas is the perfect time to focus on the warm and fuzzy.

“I’d love to dress up if I had the chance,” senior Jimmy Chim commented. “It seems fun to get all dressed up.” With the spirit of the sea-

son in mind and all the choices of bells and colors to chose from, the festive clothing options never end!

Ms. Kim Sobieck, an AHS math teacher, smiled as she shook the bells of her bracelet and lit up her hat, saying, “Dressing up makes me giggle and brings other people happiness; sometimes my kids want to see what I’ll think up next! I like it because I get the chance to be festive and to celebrate these holidays.” Ms. Sobieck knows the true meaning of Christmas: the sweaters, socks and buttons! Another reason why Ms. Sobiek loves festive clothing is that it “lets [her] celebrate as long as possible!”

Regardless of what article of festive clothing you decide to don this winter, it’s all about the spirit. You never know whose eye you might catch this holiday season. klaigo@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of EVERYTHINGISPATTERN.COM and UGLYSWEATERS.WORDPRESS.COM

December 2010

studentlife@apachepowwow.com

STUDENT LIFE

A Season of Spirit

By SOPHIA TANG Staff Writer

There’s a certain essence of the holidays that makes most people feel merry. Maybe it’s something about the pinecone and cinnamon scents wafting around, or the twinkling sounds of bells and laughter. Everyo n e has different reasons for feeling happy around this time of year, and several AHS students are giving their say on the spark that fuses their Christmas spirit.

Christmas is a time for giving back, whether you benefit from it or not.

Every year, junior Annabel Combs goes to the Los Angeles County Arboretum to package boxes of Christmas dinner for less fortunate families. She remarked, “It shows people how much you care about them and gives them a reason to keep on going and work hard every day.”

For freshman Cheryl Chan’s first Christmas in the United States, her parents got her and her brother a real tree, along with an additional artificial tree for them to decorate. She recalled, “When I look back now, it’s memorable because my parents cared enough to get us that tree.” Today, she believes that this is the kind of “loving attitude everyone should share.”

On the other hand, freshman Silvia Liu once had one of her friends give her a shirt for Christmas that she had just seen her friend wear-

ing the day before. “I hate it when people give you used or old presents that they own,” she exclaimed. Cheryl agreed, saying, “I hate it when people reuse presents. Like when they take the dorky hat their aunt gave them, and give it to their best friend for Christmas. I mean, what does that say about them as a friend?”

However, the mere price of a gift cannot always win someone’s heart. Annabel reasons that “you can’t measure love in dollar bills.” She said, “It doesn’t matter how much a gift costs; it’s the reason and thought process behind it.”

Christmas is often turned into promotional gimmicks, especially in other countries.

While in Harbin, China one Christmas break, freshman Jacky Liang saw a jack-o-lantern bucket, the kind kids usually trick-or-treat with on Halloween, amid the festively decorated shopping center.

He said the “pumpkin bucket [was] topped with candies and [a poster] that said ‘Happy Christmas!

All treats are 30% off!’”

Not only did the store look like it was selling leftover Halloween candy, but the unseasonal decor clashed with the Christmas scene around it. Mr. Scrooge has finally met his match. stang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of HOMEIMPROVEMENTPLACE.COM and AMERICANTHINGS.WORDPRESS.COM

Winter Preview

19

According to ASB Historian junior Amy Wang, “whether it be district officials, parents, Staff Writer or incoming freshman,” everyone seemed to As the construction of the new student “enjoy the event.” Clubs like Future Business services building and the new science building Leaders of America, Sierra Club, Leo Club, came to a close, they were ready for presenta- Robotics Club, and Model United Nation set tion to the public. Winter Preview Day, held on up booths with posters, picture montages, handDec. 11, was an event which gave eighth grad- outs, and brochures to explain the purpose of each club to attendees. ers the opportunity to Incoming freshbe able to not only tour man and their parAHS, but also see the ents thought the event new facilities. Incomserved as a good source ing freshman also got of guidance for the the opportunity to learn coming year. Noah Hui, about classes, clubs, an eighth grader said and other activities that that after seeing all of AHS offers. the clubs, he was reWinter Preview ally interested in “the Day was an event robotics one because it which was organized appealed to [his] love by the administration SHOWCASING Principal David for science.” Noah’s in an effort to attract Vannasdall introduced AHS to incoming mother, Ms. Vivian students who would freshmen and their family members.

Hui believes that Winpotentially consider schools other than AHS. It allowed incom- ter Preview Day was absolutely “fantastic as it ing students and their parents a chance to provides more interaction” between 8th graders view what types of organizations are on cam- and AHS. Another parent, Mr. Steven Nikoui pus, which clubs might interest them over the said he was “excited for the new campus and course of four years, and which activities they facilities that his daughter would get to enjoy.”

Winter Preview Day definitely lived up could participate in. The Associated Student Body (ASB), Senior Men and Women (SMW), to its purpose. It showcased the effects of conand Student Council Orientation Commission struction, introduced AHS clubs and activities, (SCOC) helped throughout the event, making and also marked the “official” opening of the sure that students and parents do not get lost or new buildings. confused. They were also responsible for leadarchaudhary@apachepowwow.com ing guests on tours throughout the school and Photo courtesy of IVAN LAI the new facilities.

By ARNAV CHAUDHARY

Apaches Celebrate Diversity as One

By COURTNEY HANG Staff Writer

Diversity is what sets us apart, yet it promotes acceptance and respect, ultimately unifying us. It is embracing and celebrating the uniqueness within each and every individual.

Undoubtedly, diversity is a integral part of life.

During the week of Dec. 6 to 10, AHS celebrated diversity with its third annual Diversity Week. Diversity Week featured many cultural seminars that were intended to educate students about new cultures and traditions. These seminars included “Japanese Culture”, “Stop Sex-Trafficking”, “Trevor Project”, “Dream Catchers”, and many more, each held by teachers and cultural clubs at AHS. Diversity Week also featured performances by several talented groups, like Orchesis Dance Company, Culture Percussion, Magic Club, and Korean Culture Club. The exciting performances and seminars that were held during Diversity Week were very memorable, and surely created some unforgettable memories.

On Monday, the “Japanese Culture “seminar allowed students to experience Japanese culture through music and art. Ms. Carol Bradley, one of the hosts of the seminar, liked seeing “the interest that students [showed] in teaching and making origami. Students must watch closely and do each fold in a particular sequence. Origami is very creative and beautiful.” One of the seminars on Tuesday, “Stop Sex-Trafficking”, taught students how to protect themselves against exploitation. Sophomore Robyn Wong believes that everyone “should at least have a

ry about being abused all the time.” Wednesday’s “Trevor Project” seminar presented the Lifeguard Workshop, a program designed to respond to the unmet needs for suicide prevention.

Sophomore Riyan Coombs explained that “no one should have to contemplate suicide or selfharm because of intolerance, and [he] wanted to learn how [he could] help prevent suicide or mental health issues from insensitive comments and actions.” “The Deaf: Culture and History of an American People” seminar on Thursday educated students in the culture and history of deaf people. Students were also taught sign language and issues facing the deaf in America. Freshman Andy Kim wanted to attend the seminar because “deafness will always be a problem in the world. [He] wanted to learn how people cope with the disability as well as a way to communicate and support deaf people.”

Why do we celebrate diversity? Is it even important? We celebrate diversity to raise tolerance for each other, despite all the differences in our backgrounds and personalities. Sophomore Anna Wang considers diversity “a crucial part of our life, especially in the U.S. It’s important because we are not limited to our own ways of thinking, but are constantly open to the ideas of different cultures.” Diversity and tolerance go hand in hand.

By celebrating the diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and many other differences, we can express our unification. As the saying goes, “United we stand, divided we fall.” chang@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of ELLIOTT LEE

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SPORTS

apachepowwow.com

December 2010

Boys Crowned with State Victory

record of 1:17:09 and beat runner-up Loyola High School by almost two whole minutes—all Staff Writer of which occurred in the rain.

Whether it was by live internet streamLeading the Apache squad was senior Aming or by viewing the glorious scene in person, mar Moussa, who took control of the race by the hoards of avid running fans got a run for the third mile with relative ease. He went on their money. And boy, what a run it was. The to finish the 5,000-meter course with a time of young men who bore “Arcadia Cross Country” 14:43, taking 1st place out of all runners with on their chests crossed the line to bring home the second fastest time in Woodward Park histoAHS’ first Division I CIF State Championship onship ry. Th The class of 2011 also houses seniors Allen in its illustrious 58-year history. Viewers ers Leung aand Eric Garibay who both executed predicted a grand show, but perhaps notheir usual consistently quick times runbody could have foreseen the incredible edible ning 15 15:32 and 15:34 respectively.

1:16:12 that the top five boys scorched orched These thre three seniors have, since on the course. This performancee placed freshman year, been pushthe boys in the history books,, as they ing consta constantly to land in the shattered their own previouss course highest highe stratum of distance tanc running.

Coach Jim O’Brien could no not be more proud of his a vocal and fervent team. Always Alw Coach O’Brien wasted no leader, C explaining his team’s developtime in expl which he has carefully nurtured ment whic over the past 15 years. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. They’ve grown in so many ways that you can’t even begin to calculate when you’re just talking about running speed or places in races— it has nothing to do with that.” Dyestat, the nation’s leader in cross country coverage, currently ranks American Fork High School (AFHS) as the leading proPhoto courtesy of CLAUDIA GONZALEZ Graphic courtesy of KIDPRINTABLES.COM gram in the nation with AHS as a close 2nd. When asked to predict how his O’BRIEN’S ARMY The top five runners team would fare against AFHS, Coach include seniors Eric Garibay, Allen Leung, and O’Brien responded with his charismatic Ammar Moussa and juniors Sergio Gonzalez sense of humor: “We were so worried and Ryan Vargas. about American Fork that that week we

By ANDY QIN

Photo by TOMMY LIAO

By MATTHEW ORMSETH Staff Writer

Junior Tony Moseley’s sights were set on playing basketball for all four years of high school. However, Tony discovered the joy of running track during his sophomore year and soon developed a passion for the sport. Rather than choosing one sport over the other, he joined both Boys Varsity Basketball and Boys Varsity Track and Field, and has learned that playing one sport greatly benefits the other.

Currently, his focus is on basketball and Tony, a point guard, has prepared for the season by “practicing two hours a day, hiking with [alumnus] Brent [Lagace], biking with teammates, and putting in extra hours at the gym.” After playing on the Boys JV Basketball team last year, Tony made the transition to varsity this year. He described his goals team-wise and individually as “to win league and to help [his] team in any way to do so.” Tony’s leaping ability, stamina, raw speed, and skills developed by running track have helped him become a key member of the basketball team.

His agility and sheer athleticism have contributed to his role as a spark plug off the bench, providing depth behind point guard senior Kiran Koneru. Track benefits Tony’s stamina, speed, and heart rate while playing basketball improves his track skills, such as strength and vertical leap.

Although basketball currently consumes most of Tony’s time because it is in season, he still tries to find time to get back on the track. “I try to get to the track whenever possible and work out fast twitch muscles,” he explained, so that “when track comes around I’m not out of shape.”

Despite the fact that basketball and track are both rigorous and timeconsuming sports, Tony has not only lettered in both, but has also developed a symbiotic relationship between the two.

It is the ability to not only balance two sports, but also use one to improve the other, that makes Tony such a spectacular athlete. mormseth@apachepowwow.com

were just eating with spoons.”

The dynamic underclassmen duo of juniors Sergio Gonzalez and Ryan Vargas broke serious ground at the State meet; the two finished with the second and third best times out of the team. These two distance monsters ensure a similiarly brilliant season to follow. During the online broadcast, a Dyestat commentator called Sergio the “best second-man in the state.” True to his title, Sergio went on to finish 6th in the Division I race with a time of 15:02. Ryan was inducted into the Varsity lineup after Eric was involved in an accident that sandwiched his knee between two cars, resulting in a compression fracture injury. Fortunately, Eric gradually regained his health and finished the meet with his personal best on the course of 15:34, but while he had been out, Ryan saw his opportunity to prove what he is made of. Ryan improved his times drastically and began consistently placing among the top seven of AHS at huge meets such as the Mt. San Antonio College and Stanford Cross Country Invitationals.

Coach O’ Brien acknowledged that “the future’s bright. All these guys are waiting in the wings to become leaders and establish themselves as the big dogs in the program.”

The fairytale was far from over. The boys headed over to Portland, Oregon on Dec. 4 for the Nike Cross Nationals meet at which they dominated the field to capture the national title. Despite a soggy, muddy course, despite temperatures below forty degrees, despite five consecutive weeks of championship season running, the Apaches prevailed, running a remarkable team time of 1:24:53.9. As Coach O’Brien remarked, “the times don’t lie.” aqin@apachepowwow.com

Here’s to the Seniors: A Final Goodbye

By CHRISTINE SUN Staff Writer

All good things come to an end, and as brilliant as this year’s football season was, it was no exception as the season concluded last month with a loss to Norwalk in the first round of CIF. A few years from now, it’s hard to say if we’ll remember just how much the team won by when they played against Hoover, and similarly, who scored the winning touchdown in a match against Crescenta Valley. Of course, a good season will linger in our memories for years to come, and a bad season might haunt us down the road; and while we do appreciate the fantastic statistics, there is something more than numbers and scores that we’re thankful for.

Much of the success this year is rooted in the seniors’ exceptional leadership.

As Coach Jon Dimalante reflected, the success “was a team effort, but it [started] with the seniors and their leadership.” Sure this season didn’t go completely without blemishes, but through those rough times, the seniors led the pack and lifted the team back up.

Senior Lionce Haggerty pointed out a particular demonstration of true leadership, stating, “Every time at halftime in the locker room, [senior] Jonathan Wong would stand up and tell us that the game is far from over. If we were winning, he said that we must keep on fighting to

but also “came through with flying colors.”

There’s no denying that the seniors’ exemplary leadership was the driving force behind the success of this season. Simply put, they were the “heart and soul” of the team.

Junior Myles Carr, who directly experienced the leadership of the seniors, felt that their guidance was “key” and that their leadership motivated the underclassmen to “work harder just to show the seniors that [they] appreciated them.”

The legacy the seniors leave behind is far from finished.

In fact, it is just the only that, but beginning and is left to be they also stressed to the underclassmen the im- Photos by TOMMY LIAO continued by the current sophomores and juniors. But portance of being a family; as senior David Maldonado stated, “When you what the seniors do hope to have accomplished become a team, that’s when you will go far in this season, as Victor stated, is to have “brought the season.” Jonathan further reinforced the im- back the winning ways for the next few years to portance of camaraderie, adding that the bond come.” Teammates Lionce and Jonathan agreed shared between the players has given him “the with that sentiment, both hoping that through their hard work, they’ve “restored the pride and best four years of [his] life.”

After suffering a few dry seasons, the se- tradition” and brought “a good name back to niors were bent on making their last year of high AHS Football.”

Nothing is set in stone, but as for the future school football memorable, and in senior Victor Wei’s words, they “took it upon [themselves] to of AHS Football, the outlook seems increasingmake sure that [they] didn’t have a repeat of last ly brighter. With the legacy of the seniors left to year.” They were more than successful, accord- be continued, we eagerly await the beginning of ing to Coach Dimalante, for “they [not only] got the next football season. the football program back where it should be” csun@apachepowwow.com break the other team’s will; if we were losing, he would say that the next half is like a new football game [with] the score back to 0-0.”

This year’s seniors led by example and showed the younger team members the true spirit of football, playing with vigor, enthusiasm, and determination. Not

December 2010

SPORTS

sports@apachepowwow.com

21

Boys and Girls Soccer Look Hopefully Toward the Future ship.” However, he noted that it is most important that the team “always represent [itself] and Staff Writer [AHS] in a positive way.”

The team’s skills were put to the test on If Paul the Octopus (yes, the one that ac- the soccer field as November rounded out. On curately predicted the outcomes of Germany’s Nov. 30, the Apaches played against the Wildeight World Cup games) were to look into the cats on their home turf, but unfortunately AHS future of the Boys Varsity Soccer team, he would fell short of a win with an overall score of 1-2. see a bright one. The team’s record, although The boys sought to redeem themselves at the La Salle game on Dec. 2. riddled with losses, is With a stagnant score for certain to change this the majority of the game, year, and for the betthe team felt that winning ter. Undeterred by their was possible with an inidismal history, these tial score of 1-0. Howboys are determined to ever, the game ended on be victorious. a sour note as AHS lost Senior Sean Juswith a final score of 1-2. tin reflected on prior Four days later, the team seasons, stating that went up against Maranathe players didn’t tha, losing 0-1. The team work hard and give then battled it out with it their all, which “is West Ranch High School why [they] were not on Dec. 8, finishing with able to execute [their] a 2-3 loss. goals.” However, this Although hard work year’s team differs in and determination may that “the team’s overall add to success on the work ethic is much betPhotos by ELLISON CHEN field, it’s really the menter,” commented junior Spencer Terry. Coach BOYS SOCCER Aiming for tality that counts. AccordJason Franz added that improvement, the team plays with ing to Sean, success will come easily, once each the team “learned that it determination and vigor. and every player “gives needed to put players on the team that are workers first and talented sec- all [of his] heart to the game.” ond.” This year, sights are set high as the team’s bchuang@apachepowwow.com goals “are nothing less than League Champion-

By BELLE CHUANG

Girls Water Polo Starting Anew

By STEPHEN CHU Staff Writer

After years of mediocre seasons, the Girls Varsity Water Polo team has grown as a united team, and hopefully can come together to swim toward a winning season.

Preceded by years of unspectacular performances, this year’s team hopes to end this trend and play competitively till the end of the schedule and beyond. Although a young team, the players can only depend on one another to learn from their mistakes and aim toward a brighter future. Junior Naomi Wilcox said the team has “much improved from last year; I hope we can play well because we truly do have a special team.”

This year, expectations are especially high, as senior Michelle Fry described, “I hope that we can go to

Photo by ELLIOTT LEE

GIRLS WATER POLO Junior Sabrina Rademaker releases the ball before her opponent gets it.

Hart High School on Nov. 29.

The first game of the girls soccer season Staff Writer was an eventful match as the two teams clashed together, eager to show off their new skills.

Our Girls Varsity Soccer team is un- After Sydney and junior Molly McGuire both like any other high school soccer team. What scored separate goals, the final score was 2-2. makes this team stand out from other soccer A similar scenario was repeated on Dec. 2 when teams is the way it is filled with determina- the team played La Salle and ended with a tie tion, works together as a great team, and of 0-0. But not feeling discouraged, the girls upholds Apache Pride prepared for their next (and winning 21 League game against Alverno Championships helps). on Dec. 7. The outcome Although the previous was an unfortunate 0-1 season was great, our loss. Sophomore Shelby girls are back and eager Dreves felt that they to prove that they are the “weren’t making enough best team AHS has ever runs to go to the goal, seen. and [they] weren’t hitIn order to top last ting [their] shots on tarseason’s accomplishget.” ments, the team has to With a record of meet a lot of expecta0-1-2, it is without a tions. According to doubt that this season Coach Paul Miles, one has not started on the of the main expectations right foot for the girls on for this year is to “make the team. Nevertheless, it to at least the quarthis current record only terfinals of CIF.” Team consists of the first three Photos by TOMMY LIAO games out of the numercaptain senior Sydney Dreves added that an- GIRLS SOCCER The team ous games in the future other goal is to “win the strives toward exceeding last year’s in which these girls will Pacific League Champi- accomplishments. prove that they can live onships,” a feat that has up to everyone’s, includbeen accomplished time and time again. So ing their own, expectations. with their eyes on the prize, the girls started off their season by playing against William S. echao@apachepowwow.com

By EDWARD CHAO

Prospects for the Playoffs

By STACEY NG

CIF this year and win more games.” Due to the colossal number of games played over the past couple of years, these girls hope to learn from previous mistakes to become a more complete team and be an aggressive challenger in the Pacific League. “We are a young team; most of our players have only played for two years,” said Michelle. Hoping to gain respect for their play this year, the girls need to prove themselves in league while starting a new trend of winning seasons.

Believing that the key to success lies in the attitude during practice, the girls have practiced harder than ever before and pray that more wins will come as a result. “Practices usually consist of 1,000 yard swim sets and ball drills. The drills are tough and challenging but we also have fun,” said Michelle.

The team will put 100% effort into practice which could lead to a gratifying season and respect from opponents as well as any observers. “We are going to focus on one game at a time, and hopefully in the end we will reach our team goals,” explained Naomi.

After wins against San Marino, Monrovia, and Mark Keppel teams, seniors, including Michelle, remember that “it’s their senior year and they all want it to be their best year ever.” By changing their mindset and showcasing their willingness to get better, the team members are primed for a spectacular season. Soon the team will be in the spotlight dominating the competition.

It was once a common misconception that female sports were not equivalent to male sports. But if any sport on campus should be recognized for its vast improvement through the years, it should be the Girls Varsity Basketball team. Four years ago, the team finished last in the league, winning only one league game, so it is no small feat that for the past two years, the team has finished 5th in league, which is merely one spot from receiving an automatic bid to CIF playoffs.

Last year the team applied to be an atlarge team. The team received a bid and loss to Santa Monica High Sc School in the first round.

How However, the loss has encourage couraged our Lady Apaches to train with renewed effort.

Team ccaptain senior Julianna Okamoto said, “I think it’s important tthat we don’t get too down on ourselves after a loss.

We need to learn from it, move on, and not make the same mistakes ag again.”

As its season has already begun, th the team has upped practice hours from four to at least fourteen hhours a week. During

practices, Coach oach Don Young focuses on strengthening rengthening the lays and sets, offensive plays but the team m possesses a ent—a secret greater talent—a weapon.

Sophomore Claiborne Huynh revealed, “We have the speed. Our defense is impeccable and that’s how we score.” re.”

In contrast rast to previous years, this is the first that the senior class will have started and ended with Coach Young as their coach. He stated, “I can’t say enough about my seniors: Danielle Lee, Joy Kang, Melody Cazarin, Dana Yamada, and Julianna. These ladies are the heart and soul of the team.” The seniors strive to, as Dana said, “end [their] high school careers on a positive and strong note.” She continued, “We as a team have a high chance of winning or at least being at the top [of our] league.”

On Nov. 29, our Lady Apaches played their first away game at Glendora High School. The team emerged victorious with a 33-point lead, ending its five year slump, as Dana justified that Glendora is “a team that we have lost to almost every year.”

A week later, the girls played South Pasadena High School, a team that they lost to last time, but dominated this time 62-48.

With two years of coming close to receiving an automatic bid to CIF playoffs, this third try is sure to be the charm.

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Photo by ELLIOTT LEE Graphic by MICHELLE ZHANG

stng@apachepowwow.com

Staff Writer

22

CALENDAR

apachepowwow.com

Diversity December

December 2010

Twas the Night Before Christmas

BY CHRISTOPHER CHO

Across Down 1. _____ Club decorated D-Hall this year.

3. Number of Clubs in the World Expo.

5. Name of dance group that performed on Thursday, Dec. 9

2. _____ performance on Tuesday, Dec, 7 4. Event afterschool on Dec. 10 in the Cafeteria 6. _____ Club danced at the Rally Court on Dec. 10 7. Experience _____ in J-12!

This Holiday Season: It’s Cobblerin’ Time!

By GLUTTON GIRL Staff Writer

Cranberry juice, eggnog, freshly baked cookies and chesnuts roasting on an open fire. What other foods scream holiday more than these? Can’t think of any? Well, I’ve got one for you, and it’s the crust of a cobbler.

Grandma’s dessert delights.

It’s a rare occurrence to find familyowned shops that sell homemade desserts, but when it does happen, it’s heaven on earth. The Gourmet Cobbler Factory, located 33 N. Catalina Ave. in the heart of Pasadena, is owned by a humble family and bakes up delicious pies and fruit cobblers daily.

The bakery itself is actually quite small, and it’s quite easy to miss if you don’t keep your eyes peeled. But don’t fret! Even as you drive, the tantalizing aroma of pies and fruit will guide you to your destination.

The Gourmet Cobbler Factory is a family-owned shop and the in-

terior of the shop offers a peek into their family tree. Lined along the walls are black cloth dolls clad in

Photos by GLUTTON GIRL

MADE WITH LOVE Cloth dolls, each hand-made by the store owner’s mother, sit proudly on the shelves of the bakery. various styles of clothing, including traditional African apparel and garments from the South; all of the dolls are hand-made by the current bakery owner’s mother.

Purchasing a mixed berry cobbler and mini pecan pie for $7.04

and $3.25 respectively, I thanked the cashier and rushed home, my eager taste buds unable to stay patient much longer. After heating both up, I was unable to sustain my patient demeanor much longer. The aroma quickly filled my kitchen, and soon I found myself voraciously inhaling both the cobbler and the pie.

If you’ve never had cobbler before, you actually might want to stay away from The Gourmet Cobbler Factory because once you take a bite of it and its juicy fruit and flaky lattice top, you’re done for.

Your taste buds will punish you for never eating The Gourmet Cobbler Factory’s cobblers before. Anything else you eat will be bland, boring, and incomparable.

Anyhow, the cobbler was absolutely, positively amazing. Pure grandmother’s home-style cooking; nothing will warm your heart more than this. The crust of the cobbler was done perfectly, flaky and soft, and when accompanied with the luscious mixed fruit filling, it caused my taste buds to dance with joy.

The fruit was cut in whole chunks

so when consuming the cobbler, you could see and taste the individual fruits. It was incredible. Juicy and sweet—but not overpoweringly sugary. The cobbler simply melted in my mouth and never ceased to please my taste buds. Well, that is, until the last bite—at which my

JUST LIKE GRANDMA USED TO MAKE The Gourmet Cobbler Factory sells delicious homemade cobblers and tarts perfect for holiday dessert. taste buds just screamed for more.

And just when I thought I

couldn’t be more pleased, I was. Everything I said about the cobbler applies to the mini pecan pie tenfold.

The crust of the mini pecan pie was flaky and crunchy, and the caramelized pecans and sweet filling put my taste buds into overdrive. Naturally, the pie had a sweet pecan taste, but unlike other pecan pies, it wasn’t overloaded with sugar. It balanced the sweetness, saltiness, crunch, and softness like a trapeze artist on a high wire.

Overall, The Gourmet Cobbler Factory is a must. Whether it’s to please at the Christmas table or just to silence your yearning for a sweet dessert, The Gourmet Cobbler Factory is perfect for any occasion.

Its Southern, Grandma homemade cooking deserves a perfect ten out of ten. Hey, it’s never too late to start a new Christmas tradition, if you catch what I’m saying!

Until next time! And who am I? That’s a secret I’ll never tell! You know you love me, XOXO, Glutton Girl. gluttongirl@apachepowwow.com

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December 2010

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The Wishlist Evolution

BY MICHELLE ZHANG

CALENDAR

23

‘Tis The Season for the Sagittarius Nov. 22 - Dec. 22

By SUE WANG Staff Writer

North Pole Budget Cuts

BY CHRISTOPHER CHO

With the holiday season drawing closer, outgoing and carefree Sagittariuses will revel in all the excitement and festive spirit as they occupy themselves with not only holiday preparations, but also their birthday celebrations. As a Sagittarius, you are always bright and cheerful, bringing optimism and happiness wherever you go. When the weather is cold and bleak, you are like a ray of sunshine, and your infectious personality will warm up any day.

In the winter, you can wear purple or royal blue clothes to be more aligned with your inner horoscope, since these are your lucky colors. Just like the social butterfly you are, you will certainly bask in all the attention and birthday wishes you receive from your friends, but be extra careful not to act overly narcissistic or arrogant because this is a sure-fire way to annoy your friends. Furthermore, when the days get more hectic and you have more and more gifts to wrap, don’t be too impatient. Channel your endless energy into something productive, like writing a poem or making a holiday craft.

Having a positive outlook on life, you are humorous and honest, though at times you are a bit blunt and tactless. However, your friends love your candidness because you are not afraid of offending others when you speak the truth. You have an irrepressible sense of fun that often makes you the center of the party. As the semester winds down and teachers thrust projects your way, use your amazing organization skills and strong will to bring these projects to a successful conclusion.

Some famous Sagittarians are the renowned writers George Eliot and Mark Twain, the legendary musicians Tina Turner and Jimi Hendrix, and the extremely wealthy Andrew Carnegie. Others include Winston Churchhill, Bruce Lee, and Beethoven. Judging from these well-known figures from a wide spectrum of fields and eras, you Sagittarians are not only versatile, but also very talented and hard-working.

As an optimist, you will definitely not fret about the coming new year, but will embrace it, along with all the changes it may bring. Even though you will encounter several obstacles in 2011, with your optimistic mindset and love of challenges, you will persist and thrive, blazing out new trails for others to follow. swang@apachepowwow.com

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Puzzle courtesy of WEBSUDOKU.COM

24

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