February 2012

Volume 60, Issue 6

February y 2012

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

Have You Heard About Measure A?

In this issue:

Photo by ELLIOTT LEE

ACADEMICS pg. 10 Gov. Team Champs: Gov. Team celebrates as they prepare to make their way to Nationals.

Graphic by ALWYNA LAU

MEASURE A As the date to mail in ballots for Measure A draws closer, many members of our community are considering the impact it would have on Arcadia’s schools and their own households.

By ARIANA ARZANI Executive Copy Editor Photo by LEO JIANG

SPORTS pg. 17 Boys Varsity Soccer: A young team learns many valuable lessons from an up-and-down season.

Photo courtesy of RONALD LEE

STUDENT LIFE pg. 19 Mr. Edwin Schreiner: Students and faculty fondly remember their time with Mr. Schreiner.

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.

In recent weeks, a drive around Arcadia will prove to be filled with visions of brightly colored signs propped up on lawns advocating for voters to mark “Yes on Measure A”. For many, the tough economic times have hit home and the strain on pocketbooks and textbooks alike can be felt throughout Arcadia. Measure A, or the Arcadia Teacher and Academic Instruction Protection Measure, hopes to raise $3.4 million per year solely for AUSD without having to return a share back to Sacramento. As state funding continues to decrease, Principal David Vannasdall understands that this measure “is essential to maintain the quality of education in Arcadia as [they] can no longer rely on the state for appropriate funding.”

In return for the stable local funding it provides for schools, the measure will cost property owners $228 annually for a maximum of five years. Voting for the measure will last from mid-February to mid-March and the entire election will be conducted through mail, with every registered voter receiving a ballot in the mail. If approved by two-thirds of those who vote on it, Measure A will pass and begin to provide stable local funding for Arcadia’s schools. Once the 2011-2012 school year draws to a close, AUSD will have made a total of $17 million in cuts since 2007. If passed, Measure A hopes to restore our

schools back to standards that once defined Arcadia’s schools and try to maintain that high reputation. With the increased funds, the measure will protect quality programs as well as maintaining AHS’ high-caliber honors and AP courses. The funding will prevent the reduction or elimination of extra-curricular programs on campus such as academic teams, clubs, and Band.

Activities and curriculum will not be the only things possibly safeguarded as the measure hopes to attract and retain high quality teachers into Arcadia to further improve our schools. The improvements will not be limited to AHS, but rather every school in AUSD. Parents, students, and teachers are some of the largest advocates for the measure but the benefits apply to all Arcadia citizens, not just those involved in education. High-achieving schools usually substantially increase property values for their cities and Arcadia is no exception. For Mr. Kevin Fox, searching for a home in Arcadia proved to be an interesting task as he saw “two homes that looked virtually identical but one house was $100,000 more expensive because it was in Arcadia and therefore in the Arcadia School District while the other was not. Around $228 for five years to maintain the value of my house to $100,000 more than a house across the street is a great deal so it doesn’t even matter if I have a kid.”

Property values are not the only reason why the measure will benefit all Arcadia citizens, regardless of age or occupation. Although they will not be at AHS, or possibly even Arcadia in the next few years, seniors Greg Chang and Chung Chan are still heavy supporters of the measure. Greg loves “Arcadia, and

[he] thinks Measure A is what Arcadia’s school district needs to continue being what it was for [him]; a great learning facility. On a side note, [his] diploma will, hopefully, maintain its value in the years to come if AHS’ reputation of quality is preserved.” Similarly, Chung’s “sister, sophomore Cheryl Chan, and other very deserving students, will still be at AHS in the next few years. The maintenance of property values will also positively affect [his] friends and family.”

The benefits of Measure A will extend to all students as it will maintain the quality education we have all become accustomed to.

For many, the only negative effect of the measure is that it would drain money out of taxpayer’s wallets. Regardless of the financial strain, Principal Vannasdall “believes that the measure will, in fact, be passed by Arcadia voters because people live in Arcadia for the schools and $228 is a small price to pay for the maintenance of an excellent education.”

In regard to opposition against the measure, sophomore Albert Gianatan believes “that this measure is simply working to sustain our current budget and in a school district with both teachers and students who share such a profound passion for learning, you cannot place a price tag on education.” If passed, Measure A will benefit all residents of Arcadia while ensuring that current and future generations of students who walk out of AHS with a diploma in hand receive a top-notch education, benefiting themselves and society. aarzani@apachepowwow.com

2

NEWS

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February 2012

Syria: The Crisis Escalates

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

With the Libyan Civil War over, the international community has turned its attention to the next nation on the brink of civil war, Syria.

This nation is the latest to be impacted by the Arab Spring, and has initiated a meeting with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

While western nations are scrambling to find an alternative way to prevent further bloodshed in Syria, the world is watching as the Syrian uprising gathers momentum.

On the world stage, the Arab League has suspended Syria from the organization and has brought the nation to the attention of the UNSC. A UNSC resolution with the intention of bringing an end to the Syrian conflict failed after Russia, an arms dealer for Syria, and China vetoed it. Both nations rejected the resolution on grounds that it violated Syria’s sovereignty.

However, some nations claim that the actions of China and Russia have essentially given Syrian President Bashar al-Assad a license to kill with impunity.

While U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the events at the United Nations a “travesty,” the rejection has come as a reprieve for Iran. “To put it bluntly, if Iran is a threat, then one way to weaken that threat would be to weaken Syria and to help the anti-Assad movement in Syria,” said Ali Banuazizi, a political science professor at Boston College.

Even without foreign aid, the 11-month uprising has been growing, mostly because Syrian activists are fueled by the desire to see an end to the dictatorial Assad family which has

been ruling over Syria for close to 40 years.

Despite the concessions that President Assad made to the protesters last year—including the lifting of an “emergency” law that allows for the imprisonment of people without due process, a new cabinet, and the release of some political prisoners—the revolt continued to gain traction, so much to the point that a new rebel army, appropriately named the Free Syrian Army (FSA), has been established.

With Syrians clamoring for democratic reforms and government changes, President Assad initiated a series of crackdowns on the local population which has already claimed at least 5,000 lives.

On that day, the wellequipped Syrian Army initiated a bombardment on the city of Homs that ravaged and laid waste to its neighborhoods. The neighborhoods weren’t the only things that have disappeared. Over 200 people were reported dead on the first day of the attack.

The FSA does not take these civilian killings lightly, and has been attempting to whittle away at the more experienced Syrian Army by means of hit-and-run attacks. Some people who refuse to fight with either army return to their families in order to protect them from the widespread violence. With the FSA about to head on the combat-hardened Syrian Army, and the international community divided on the issue, it appears as if the future of Syria has already been decided. However, the Libyan Civil War has taught us that sometimes, a strong belief in a cause can prevail. sshaw@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of CONSTALLATIONRG.ORG

Status Update: Facebook Friends Stock Market

By CHRISTOPHER CHO Executive Copy Editor

Ending months of speculation, F Facebook presented the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission with documents required before the company could make its initial public stock offering (IPO) on Feb. 1. Predicted to raise $5 billion for the social network giant, Facebook’s IPO is one of the largest in history, far su surpassing Google’s first public stock sale in 2004. Facebook itself is expected to be valued at $75 billion to $100 billion, an achievement tthat many believe serves as a testament to the company’s phenomenal growth over the years.

With over 800 million uusers, Facebook is the second most visited website in the world after Google and has become one of the world’s most valuable Internet Inter companies. The release of Facebook’s IPO was highly anticipated due to the fact that the Internet colossus had more than 5500 shareholders, a condition that requires companies to release almost as much information as publicly traded businesses. Its IIPO prospectus attested Facebook’s growing success—the company reported revenue last year was $3.7 billion, which was an 88% increase from the earlier year. Although some Facebook users had hoped to gain access to the prospectus suggests that shares will be distributed by the investors of the banks leading the effort, which as of now IPO, its prospectu Goldman Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan. include Goldm prospectus also contained a personal letter from Facebook founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark ZuckThe pro erburg. Stating that companies should “believe in something beyond simply maximizing profits,” Zuckerburg argued that Facebook was not founded with the goal of making money, and thus should be viewed differently by in a letter th investors tthan other companies. He described Facebook’s philosophy as the “Hacker Way”, explaining that hackers that the best idea and the implementation should always win—not the person who is best at lobbying for “believe th an idea oor the person who manages the most people.”

Fa Facebook’s IPO also forced the company to spell out the risks it would face moving forward, including competiti competition from companies such as Google that can possibly integrate social networking platforms into its prodMany have also expressed doubts concerning Facebook’s IPO, explaining that most IPO’s are overvalued ucts. Ma eager investors. Regardless, most are in agreement that Facebook’s IPO will create enormous wealth and due to ea bright future awaits the eight-year-old social networking giant. that a br

ccho@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of CONSTALLATIONRG.ORG

February 2012

NEWS

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3

The Race to the White House Continues

By JING WANG

Staff Writer

Ten days after a bitter loss in South Carolina, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney won Florida’s Republican presidential pprimary y on Jan. 31. Taking ng a major step toward the Republican presidential nomination, omination, Romney was confident he had left Newt Gingrich and his two other rivals, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, in the dust.

While Gingrich entered d the race energized by his victory in South Carolina and a $5 million donation from a Las Vegas billionaire, it was Romney who dominated the race, winning over almost every age, ethnic, income, and religious group.

He lost votes only among those who described themselves as “very conservative”. Florida was a battle primarily between Gingrich and Romney, as neither Santorum nor Paul had spent much money or effort in the state, preferring to focus on later contests. Groups such as Restore Our Future have spent almost $9 million endorsing Romney on a bitter ad war between Romney and Gingrich.

Super PACs in general have raised issues such as whether large corporations practically funding candidates are participating in unconstitutional actions.

Regardless of who was funding them, negative advertisements have caused some voters to turn away from the election.

On Feb. 4, Romney also swept Nevada. Although his wealth and controversial statements about poor Americans hurt him politically, politically 58% of voters who made more than $1 $100,000 per year cast their votes for Rom Romney. Despite troubles with low-income vo voters, Romney holds a key advantage.

Neadv vada’s voters w want some-

THE RACE HEATS UP Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum debate for the Republican nomination. one who can defeat President Barack Obama, and Romney is one of the more moderate candidates.

In Maine, the results of the political contest are still very controversial. A discrepancy occurred in the tally of the

votes, and there has been speculation that Paul may have very well won the state. This would be bad news for Romney, as he hoped to snatch the nomination without being contested.

After nine contests, Romney has won four states, Gingrich just one, and Santorum four.

Santorum’s recent success is especially apparent in Colorado, where he was declared the victor in the caucuses held there. Romney leads in the number of delegates, with 123; Santorum comes in second with 72 delegates; and Gingrich and Paul trail behind with 32 and 19 delegates, respectively.

Santorum’s victories bring up doubts in Romney’s appeal to Republicans. Santorum, like Romney and Gingrich, has made it clear that this is not a battle within the Republican Party, but one against Barack Obama. “I don’t stand here to be the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney; I stand here to be the conservative alternative to Barack Obama,” he stated. Paul, too, has not given up hope. Regardless of who is actually in the lead now, it is unclear who will ultimately challenge President Obama in the national election.

make up almost a fourth of Internet content.

If they had been passed, website operators believe that the bills would have given Congress unparalleled power to shut down or modify any site that

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

Writers News Staff

Opinion Staff

jwang@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of NYTIMES.COM

The Great Internet Censorship Debate the bills as a momentous victory for citizens against injustice, others saw the acExecutive Copy Editor tions as a huge win for companies such Jan. 18 will forever be rememas Google. These companies changed bered as the day the Internet fought back the public’s view of themselves from against online censorship. For 24 hours, generic tech-giants to innovators standthe world’s most popular ing up against greedy websites, such as WikiHollywood lobbyists. pedia and Craigslist, shut The bills are far more themselves down. Other modest than the “Insites, such as Google, ternet tantrum” sugblacked out their logos to gested and are not as serve as a reminder of the severe as the picture harsh and very real effects painted by websites. of censorship. An online The bills primarily petition was even signed targeted private firms by over 7 million people. in Russia, China, and The protests clearly got other foreign counWashington’s attention, tries that trade illegal and in just 48 hours, the content.

Stop Online Piracy Act It is clear that (SOPA) and the Protect protection of intellecIntellectual Property Act tual property on the (PIPA) were flatly rejected Internet is necessary and postponed, respecas technology makes tively. it possible to dupliThe opposition was cate a creative work directed toward two bills CENSORSHIP OR JUSTIFIED REGULATION? While and distribute infinite in Congress designed to proponents of this legislation have argued that it would protect copies for free. The crack down on Internet pi- copyrights, citizens have claimed that it would curtail their rights. fight against copyright racy. SOPA and PIPA called for a black- spreads copyrighted material, even un- infringement is not over, as two interlist of rogue sites that allow Internet users knowingly. A site that may have been national bills, the Anti-Counterfeiting to illegally download music, movies, and affected is YouTube, where millions of Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific books for free while proposing to give the users regularly upload plagiarized TV Partnership are currently in the works. government new authority which could shows, music videos, and films without aarzani@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of potentially drive these companies out of the website’s knowledge.

WIKIPEDIA.COM business. Such pirated material currently While many saw the rejection of

By ARIANA ARZANI

s t a f f

Performing Arts Staff

Student Life Staff

Features Staff

Sports Staff Academics Staff

Center Spread Staff Calendar Staff Campus Focus Staff Advertisement Staff

Photo Staff Copy Editing Staff

Adviser

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

Publication Information: The Apache Pow Wow is a student publication distributed monthly throughout the school year. The paper has been continuously published since Arcadia High School opened in 1952. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinion page reflect the opinion of The Apache Pow Wow editorial board. A student’s work does not represent the views of Arcadia High School or the Arcadia Unified School District. Address letters to the editor to: The Apache Pow Wow, 180 W. Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. To place an advertisement in the newspaper, email ads.powwow@gmail.com. Advertisement rates vary from $30 for a business card advertisement to $250 for a full-page black and white advertisement, with quarter-page, half-page, and advertisement insert options available.

Graphic courtesy of LEEOPHANSEN.COM

4

OPINION Ordinary O rdinary iiss Extraordinary E xtrraordinaryy

B HEL By HELEN EL ELEN LEN LEE LEE Staff Writer

Right-handed? Own a cell phone? Do not own a bank account? Make less than $12,000 a year? 28-year-old male? Han Chinese? If you apply to all of these, you are one of the most typical people on the planet. Last year, National Geographic revealed the “Most Typical Person”: 28-year-old Hao Ren living in China. Even though he is one of the 9 million out of 7 billion, he was not too excited about that title. He argued that he is not as boring as what others consider “average” or “typical” people to be, but often times, being average may be better than what people say.

Many of us say that being typical is boring and call “average” people as the ones who fit in but just aren’t good enough to stand out.

We try so hard to fit in with the world, to wear the trendiest clothing, to have the newest hair sstyle, st yle, but w fte tenn fo for rget et tthat hatt once eve v ryyone ve onne wee of often forget everyone ddoes oees tthe he ssame am me th tthing, thin hingg, the sstyle ty yle bbecomes ecom mes th he the new ne w ttypical ypiccall look k. In In oour ur soc ocie oc iety y tod day ay, we ffear ear ear ea look. society today, be eing in ng typ pica call. E ca ven th thou ough ou gh w havee a pla acee being typical.

Even though wee ha place to o bbelong, ellongg, w want n to be bbetter et than eeveryone etter very ve e yon o e wee wa else el lse se bbecause ecau ec ausse it al llo lows ws us to feel ac acco comp comp mpli lish li shed sh ed. d. allows accomplished.

O TV, On TV, we see see succes essf es sfull ddoctors, sf occto tors rss, ac aactors, to orss, successful sing ger erss wh ho lead lead d rrich ic lif ic ich festyless, bbut fes ut on ncee w singers who lifestyles, once wee swit ittch tthe he cchannel, h nnnell, we ssee ha eee tthe he oother ther end ooff tthe th he switch sspectrum. sp ectr ec trum tr um. We um We ssee ee child ld ldre dre renn ffrom rom m tthird-world hird hi rd-w rd -wor -w orld or ld children ccountries co untriies cr cryi ying yi ngg ffor or a bow wl of ccorn. ornn. H or owev ow ver, crying bowl However, we rarely we rar arel e y se seee ppeople eop ople op le rig ig ghtt bbetween etween n tthe he two he w bbeeeright cause we ffocus ocus oc u ssoo much us h oon n the ac acco comp co mplish mp p sh shed ed d accomplished and th he un nfo f rtunat atee th at hatt w areely y nnotice otic icee oouric urthe unfortunate that wee ra rarely selv se lves lv es. es selves.

In A m ricaa ttoday, me odday ay, it iiss th tthe hee mi midd idd ddlle le class, America middle the on oness lleading ones e diing tthe ea hee aaverage v ra ve rage g llifestyle, ge iffessty t le le, that make ma ake k it up p. Th They ey y aare r nnot re ot m ulti ul tii-bil -bb lliion onai aiirees up. multi-billionaires w wh n la lavi v shhly spe peend m onney y, bu bbutt th tthey the hey ddo o nott whoo can lavishly spend money, qu ual alif ifyy to rreceive if eceive ffood ood st tam mps p . Ne N verthele less,, le qualify stamps.

Nevertheless, th hey y are the oones nes who who pr wh pproudly rou ouudl dly re epr p esentt Am Amer erer r they represent Americ ca. Peo opl plee th hin inkk of of tthem, hem, re egul egul ularr m iddlee cl clas ass as ica.

People think regular middle class ccitizens, citi iti tize zenns, aass tthe ze he suc uccce cess of Amer A meric ica, yyet ic et peopl et pe pl success America, people sstill st til i l finnd d sshame haame iin n th he cl clas assi as sifi si ficccation ation on off midd dle the classifi middle beca be caause th hey y ssee ee ppeople eople ev even en more su ucc ccessful c l because they successful than th an n the heemselves an and bl and blam amee themse am elv lves es ffor or nnot ot themselves blame themselves bein ng as gr reatt as th re the em. Ev ven tho houg ho uggh they th hey e may ay y being great them.

Even though nnot ot be be llike ike Bi Bill ll G ll ates at e , th hey aree ccertainly e tain er inly in ly nno o Gates, they wors se than than oth t errs,, so bein in ng thee aaverage ver eraage pr er reworse others, being prevvents ve ent ntss th nt them e ffrom rom ro m fe ffeeling eel elingg an anyy le lesss tthan hann othe ha oothers the h rs butt ddoes bu oes not ot m akee them ooverly ak v rly ve rly co rl confi nfidddent nfi ent fo en fforr make bein be ingg be in bbetter tter err tthan h n ot ha othe h rss. It iiss jjust he ust rig ight ig ht. ht being others. right.

Inn a w orld or ld w here ev veryth hin ingg is aabout bout bo utt world where everything ccompetition, co mpettit itio io on,, they say saay th hat we ne eed to ea eatt or that need bee eeaten, a en at en, an nd th hat hhas ass lled ed us of ff ttrack rackk of o w hatt ha and that off what ex xac a tly “a ave verragee” an nd “t “typ ypic yp iccal al” l” ar are re. e. W e, as exactly “average” and “typical” are.

We, stud den nts ts, tr ttry ry soo hhard arrd tto o bbee bbetter ett tter e tthan hann ot ha oothers thers students, tthat th hat att w get tthat hatt be ha bein i g av in aver errag ge is jjust uusst an anot otthh wee forg forget being average another term fo forr be bbeing in ng be ett tteer tha han so ha some me bbut ut w ut orse better than worse than th han an oothers. th her ers. W re th tthe hhee on oones nees es w ho sstand ho tand ta nd right nd ight ht iin n Wee ar are who thee m th idddlee aand nd ffeel e l th ee he jo jjoy y and the di ist stre ress ss ooff middle the distress bboth bo oth ssides, ide id des,, so w hat iiss soo shameful ha shamefful abo sh bbooutt bbeing eiingg eing what about aver erag er ag ge?? average?

W der eres esti es tim ti mate ppeople eoplee w ho ar re av verWee und underestimate who are average. e T heey do d nnot ot sstand tand ta n oout u ffor ut or bbeing eiing eexcepxcc xcepThey tion ti o al on ally ly suc ucce uc cess ce ssf ss sfu ful, l, butt tthey heyy are al he also so nnot ot ppointoint oi nt-nt tionally successful, ed out forr llacking a ki ac kingg resou urc rces es. And es Annd th that hat a iiss wh w at resources. what make ma kess uss sspecial. ke p ci pe cial al. We aare al ree avera age ge, bu but th that at makes average, does nnot ot m eann th ea that a we are are nobo odi dies es w ho ccan’t an n’tt mean nobodies who be cat ateg at egoori eg rized inn on onee or o the oother; th her er;; ra ath theer, we categorized rather, aree ex ar ext trao ord rdin inar in aryy be ar ecaus use wee aare re tthe he oordinary. rddin inar ary. ar y. extraordinary because

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February 2012

High School: Four Years or Forever?

By SOPHIA TANG Staff Writer

And you still don’t have the right look And you don’t have the right friends Nothing changes but the faces, the names, and the trends High school never ends Ah...’90s rock songs never fail to weld simple teenage lives into a more deeply twisted perception. However, this song, “High School Never Ends”, by the band Bowling for Soup, may be worry-worthy. It states that years after you graduate from high school and enter the “real” world that you’ve prepared for, you’ll realize nothing’s ever changed at all. The real world is high school, and you’ll just have gone in circles from the beginning of your life. Your grown-up life will emulate that of your 16-year-old self’s—so concurrently, you’ll still eat lunch by a bathroom and get hazed by the same bullies?

The thing is, maybe the real world is high school, but in just a few ways. Some people with similar personality types may pop up in your life. You’ll still have to buy unnecessary clothes to maintain a social standing, and still have a greater power residing over you, whom of which you’ll actually have to pay taxes to instead of kiss-up to. It looks as if your surroundings will never change, except maybe only you? Maybe, there may be a secret loophole out. Hmmm...

You take a look around and you say—hey wait This is the same as where I just came from I thought it was over Aw that’s just great Sure, there’s going to be the evil boss that will remind you of the mean kids, and the expensive take-out that could give as mean a stomachache as cafeteria food. But what about the nice janitor who unlocks classrooms for you, that extra large cookie from the food cart, and the random pizza parties? Perhaps little appreciable things like these will still show up in your grown-up life, maybe in different shapes and forms, but there will be upsides to every downside. If you care to change your situation, and if you truly want to seek the good in life, you may find these little pluses anywhere, and at anytime.

Reese Witherspoon, she’s the Prom Queen Bill Gates, captain of the chess team Jack Black, the clown Brad Pitt, the quarterback Seen it all before I want my money back If Bowling for Soup is still expressing the same “high school transcends to the real-life” idea here, then these few lines state that high school students will just grow up to become a older version of themselves. But wait—wasn’t Bill Gates a college drop-out? Jack Black was a black sheep raised by two rocket scientists.

Though Brad Pitt played multiple sports back in his day, he isn’t famous for his athletics today, but for his acting. Likewise, Reese Witherspoon, “America’s Sweetheart”, was a selfconfessed nerd, once stating, “I get crazy in a bookstore.” These very people are examples of how you can change as a person from high school. If things are looking down, there’s only four years of it. You still have about 60 more years to live your life to the fullest. And in those 60 later years, your personality and habits might change too.

Four years you think for sure That’s all you’ve got to endure Everything might stay the same after graduation, but there’s a high chance that you won’t. You have the power to change when high school and the world don’t. It’s simple.

If you want to change and you want to bad enough, you can. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”, and he never listened to rock songs.

And who says you have to just “endure”? Go through high school with a winning personality and a brave face and you’ll find it easy to go through life the same way. And yeah, you’ll realize nothing’s ever changed at all...the real world is high school, and you’ll just be beating out the negativity from the very beginning. stang@apachepowwow.com

Monsters, Witches, and a Love for the Wicked

By RENA CHEN

ty. Who would’ve thought we, Americans, notorious for our efficient clearing of natives and Staff Writer mass importing of involuntary workers, would “Last night, I, like, had a dream that the end up promoting love between humans and bad guys and good guys would sit at the table monsters? Yet the fetish has spread all over and have a cup of coffee, preferably toasting to the world as the world gradually became more me.”—The likely thought process of modern tolerant. As opposed to only a century ago, teen-fiction writers. anti-Semitism hardly exists now. In America, We’re all familiar with these kinds of stothe dream of Martin Luther King Jr. has finally ries, yes? You know, the ones where wicked been realized. But now, riding on this trend, creatures from ancient lore are given some another dream has been molded and delivered cosmetics and a dose of sparkles, and then through the media: that the wall between hethey’re suddenly marching all prettily down roes and villains be broken so that even the the streets, exciting out-of-season amour. most nefarious vampire may unite with girls Those witches, vampires, and lycanthropes and produce offspring. would have probably never imagined their But it doesn’t have to be only in a romanpopularity, poor monsters, with all that hatred tic sense. In the Percy Jackson series, Percy’s brewing around much of their lives. However, half brother, Tyson, is a Cyclops, but his clumlike many forms of hatred, “monster-ism” fisiness and attachment to Percy makes him lovnally faded, and a new fever for interspecies able and not at all like the traditional Cyclopes. relationships sprung from the residue.

Shylock, from The Merchant of Venice, is now Throughout history, racism, classism, and considered a tragic hero instead of the typical religious intolerance have all marred humanivillain as anti-Semitism died out and people became more apt HEROIC VILLAINS to see the other Lately, “nice” guys have side. The Mists of been finishing last to the bad Avalon had the porguys. trayals of Morgan and

hhlee@apachepowwow.com hl leee@a @apa p ch pa hep pow wwo wo wow.com m

Guinevere warped so that the audience sympathizes more with the former, though in traditional legends Guinevere is the heroine. It also presents more detail in Mordred’s complicated past so that he is no longer the flat villain he was in Thomas Malory’s texts. That makes him so much more charming—not that I’m particularly interested in him. Nope.

Moving on, our new acceptance of dangerous beings spawns from our new perspective—to see the other side, which often isn’t as bad as we first presumed it to be. Then, there’s also our desire for danger and excitement, sharpened by many repetitive days of sheltered studying. We’re pretty limited in where we can go. Traveling is very strict and moneydependent. If you walk, you’ll have to beware of traffic, but if you drive, traffic lights, curbs, and the bulk of your car will vex you as you try to steer the machine into a narrow parking space. The law-bound city definitely does not create the same romantic feeling as the wilderness. So, as our familiarity with danger subsides, we tend to underestimate it. Unlike the days when neighbors accused each other of being witches, our time involves people wishing they were witches—not that I ever want to be one, of course. But I’d be lying if I said I never wanted to fly on a broom.

But time wears on and opinions change, and who knows, maybe in the future there will be a mass burning of vampire texts. Or, if this trend continues, we may actually find a way to modify our teeth into triangles and stop our creation of melanin, becoming true creatures of darkness. The unanimous dream of sitting at a table with demons is yet to be realized in reality; let’s hope it stays that way, for the sake of our sanity. rchen@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of 123RF.COM

Photos courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM

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February 2012

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OPINION

Confessions of a Second Semester Senior

5

Dear Second Semester, You lied to me.

At the beginning of September, I remember thinking, in just four short months, I will be free from the bonds of college apps and freedom shall finally be mine. At the time, it seemed far enough away. You couldn’t come quickly enough; apps consumed my free time, and even when I was able to sneak in an hour of TV, I couldn’t help feeling guilty that I could be using the time to perfect one of my 219,387 essays.

Then the fated day arrived. All the buildup to the final day made me half-expect some kind of a drum roll prior to my clicking the “submit” button. But when I did, and that little green triangle marked the conclusion of the busiest time of my high school career, I felt only the slightest bit of relief. As I went out for lunch with friends and snuggled under blankets catching up on Modern Family, I had to continuously remind myself that I had nothing more to worry about. But there was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I just couldn’t seem to get rid of—why couldn’t I just relax and let it go?

As it turns out, that nagging feeling in the back of my mind wasn’t unsubstantiated. Now that I’m here, all that’s different is that FAFSA and CSS Profile forms have replaced college apps, along with never-ending scholarship applications. And what’s worse, school hasn’t let up either; projects, homework, tests haven’t disappeared, contrary to popular belief. Grades still count. How is it that I actually still find myself scrambling to finish my allotted work every day after school before the next school day begins? Then there are college interviews to worry about and over-prepare for, potential acceptances or rejections to wring one’s hands over, and financial worries to stay up nights pondering. Where did the promised relief go?

I guess in retrospect, college applications were really only the beginning. Of course, completing them was very much a milestone, and I am unarguably happy that I’m over and done with them, but maybe what comes after is equally, if not more important. Now that colleges are making decisions over what we have already done, what we do now is a true test of whether or not we have the perseverance to keep pushing through to the end, even if there’s no solid reward to show for it. As for me, I can’t succumb to senioritis even if I wanted to. The annoying feeling of knowing that I’m avoiding my work clings onto the back of my mind to the point where I finally have to stop whatever it is I am doing and finish it. I just can’t let a pile of homework go to waste. Perhaps it’s just me and the way I was brought up, or perhaps it’s simply that old habits die hard. It may come as a surprise, but years of hard work and building up a strong work ethic cannot be disposed of overnight.

Now, all I really want is to enjoy what I have left of you, my final semester at AHS, with the friends I have made over the past four years. I want to be able to leave knowing that I have made the most of my high school experience. And failing my classes isn’t part of that plan. So I guess, even though you broke your promise and didn’t deliver on giving me complete and utter freedom, I have to thank you for keeping me on top of things and not letting me give up my hard-earned work habits.

Regards, hchou@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of SQUIDOO.COM and FREELANCEDESIGNERS.COM

Losing the “I” in Charity

By ALLAN GAO

of compensation for their work once they are rewarded once.

Staff Writer Even as teenagers, those who were once bribed continue to carry with them their love When I say “helping out”, few actually for payment. For example, community service think “helping out”. Most jump to “service is no longer about helping others, but helphours”, “extra money”, or even “menial laing the helper. Because most colleges prefer bor”. Sure, people still do community service to admit students with a certain number of and what not, but they simply help out for volunteer hours, teenagers flock to volunteer service hours, or whatever the incentive is, centers, trying to squeeze in a little extra time and few actually care about those they help. so as to have higher chance of admission. UnIf we are get rid of this bargaining mentality, fortunately, the purpose we need to eliminate behind community serthe giving of prizes for vice is to gain a love doing jobs that should for helping others, and be done for goodness’ since most people who sake. volunteer are there simStarting from ply for the time, the childhood, parents use purpose of volunteering incentives to pull their is defeated. children away from Of course, there games and into work. I are some who might was no exception. As a say, “It doesn’t matter child, I, like many other how the job is done, bechildren, loved playcause the end justifies ing, sometimes by mythe means,” or “At least self, sometimes with a people do the job if they friend. However, I did are bribed. Help might not completely neglect HEART OF GREED Helping not be available without my duties, and every- out should be a reward in itself, no incentives.” Both statething I did, I did be- strings attached. ments are flawed. First, cause I wanted to, often if a person who works out of a desire to do leading to impeccable results. Then, one day, the job does the same task as another person my mother came up with a system to keep me who works to get the job done, who will yield constantly working: for every chore that I did, a better result? Of course, the former would I would be paid a dime. From there on out, do a better job, for passion leads to effort, and I washed dishes, swept floors, wiped tables, effort often leads to near perfection. With no and even picked mold off of the yard wall, just tangible prize in sight, there will be nothing to to get a few extra cents. Pretty soon, I became stand in the way of grateful faces. addicted to money.

“The end justifies the means.” True, this However, while my investments grew, so statement applies in certain circumstances, but did my greed. Before long, I only worked for when helping others, there should not be any gain; at one point, I even denied helping my goal besides getting a job done well. Besides, teacher because I could see no profit from it. why not do the best possible if the time spent This goes to show that despite claims about is the same anyway? how kids will develop a love for helping others after time passes, kids will always value agao@apachepowwow.com their rewards above all. As naturally greedy beings, humans will always expect some sort Graphic by RENA CHEN

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PERFORMING ARTS

Percussion Heads for the Start of the 2011-2012 Season

By ALBERT HU Staff Writer

The road to Dayton, Ohio begins. After months of accompanying Band through parades and field shows, Percussion begins its own competitive season of indoor shows and competitions. It hopes to defend its title as Scholastic World Champions at the Winter Guard International Percussion World Championships.

The transition isn’t an easy one, but the members seem to make it with ease.

“There’s so much more focus on the individual,” said senior Kevin Schroyer. “We go from 350 people on a football field to 25 on a basketball court.” Because of the additional attention paid to each performing member during Percussion’s performances, any misstep, no matter how small, could be costly. But that’s what it’s all about to senior Neil Tahani, the goal of “turning in a perfect show.”

“We put so many hours into practicing, we expect perfection” said senior Simon Luong. Despite the immense pressure that comes with such individual scrutiny and sky-high expectations, Percussion continues to thrive.

All this success doesn’t come without a price. For months leading to and continuing through their season, Percussion members spend hundreds of hours practicing, often finding themselves spending whole weekends at AHS practicing non-stop. But practice isn’t limited to organized rehearsals. Junior Chris Lum said he spends “at least two hours a week” practicing on his own, in addition to the countless hours spent practicing with the rest of the line. “We usually have at least seven hours on the weekends” said senior Kaitlyn Forell, who was also quick to add that, “in the end, it’s all worth it.” The hours spent together has created an incredibly close-knit group of students, bound together by a common goal: success.

As the competition season rapidly approaches, Percussion members are working around the clock to perfect this year’s show, “Brief Eternity”. But rest assured, they’ll be ready once competitions come around, and ready to start the journey to Dayton.

Photo by ALBERT HU

PERCUSSION IN PRACTICE Members wait for their next command at one of many practices. ahu@apachepowwow.com

apachepowwow.com

February 2012

Orchestra Has a “String Enchanted Evening” ed students as well as special guest artists. This year two artists named Ken Oak and Ed Gorski, a cello-and-guitar duo, performed a unique blend of country folk and chamber rock as the

Songs for the finale included “Eline Kleine Nachtmusik” by Mozart, “The Moon Song” (an Staff Writer arrangement of a popular Chinese song), and concluded with the night’s theme’s song (arThe 18-year long tradition of a timely, muranged by Orchestra Director Tom Forbes), sic-filled event continued as the Orchestra “Some Enchanted Evening”. After hard Benefit Dinner (OBD) was held on Feb. work and long preparation that finally lead 25 at the Arcadia Community Center. It to this night, sophomore Stephanie Hsieh featured a candlelit atmosphere, catered said it “was such a great experience! Condinner, and enchanting performances sidering Orchestra doesn’t usually memowith student and professional musicians. rize music, I thought it went really smoothThe annual OBD followed tradition ly and the ending music sounded great.” and set the evening to a theme: “String Although it is difficult for most to Enchanted Evening”. A word play on follow years of success, this past OBD the song “Some Enchanted Evening” by only furthered Orchestra’s tradition of an composers Richard Rogers and Oscar entertaining, fundraising night filled with Hammerstein ll, it delighted guests with fantastic music. As an audience member, the theme of a romantic night. junior Julia Peng commented that “the Although dinner started at 6:00 p.m., guests were encouraged to arrive AN ORDERLY ORCHESTRA Members of music was really good” and there was “a great variety of food! Overall, I can say earlier for appetizers and a silent auction.

Orchestra pose at the OBD venue. that it was a very enchanted evening.”

The auction included many donated gifts With more than half a school year’s worth of from bicycles and gift cards, to services such as professional act of the night.

The event concluded with a “surround performances behind members, OBD is a tradipiano lessons. Pre-dinner music was provided by students who auditioned for coveted oppor- sound” performance. Orchestra Director Ms. tional AHS event that gives Orchestra a chance tunities to play extra pieces. After dinner, all of Pin Chen explained that students surrounded to shine.

Orchestra entertained attendees with a number “each table and play[ed] right in front of those of ensemble pieces, followed by the guest art- dining.” Students were challenged with memokching@apachepowwow.com rizing their pieces, contrary to their usual perists’ performance.

Photo courtesy of BRENDA GEE Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM Each year, Orchestra showcases its talent- formances with music sheets in front of them.

By KELLY CHING

Hugs and Kisses from Members of PA

By PHOEBE SHEN Staff Writer

Dear Performing Arts (PA), ...I love you! You’ve been there to add a new layer of excitement to life at AHS. PA, there is a lot I’d like to say to you. But I’ve invited some of the best from each group to let you know what THEY feel about you, because there’s no way one person could do this alone.

“I love the adrenaline rush after a really good run through at a competition and the great friendships you form with the group of people that you have spent hours practicing an awesome show with.”

—Theodora Chan, 11, Percussion “Beloved theatre, it has been nearly three years that we’ve been together. I have to say, it wasn’t love at first sight. You were so beautiful and incredible, but I didn’t know if I could be with someone who has so much going on behind the scenes. Luckily, I took the risk. You’ve taught me so much: the mastery of my emotions, the expansion of perspectives, and the thrill of vulnerability. For all the hours that we’ve spent together, I thank you because those times are my source of happiness. Some people ask why I spend so much time with you, but I can only tell them, “What can you do when you’re enchanted by the magic of theatre?”.

—David Liu, 11, Advanced Drama

“Thanks for being a class that makes my junior year really memorable.

You’ve helped me to come out of my comfort zone and form new friendships. I love the way New Spirit lets me be almost every kind of performer. Other than being a singer, I also get to be a dancer, actress and musician. Even though rehearsals are tiring, I’m learning how to be a true performer while having fun at the same time. Thanks so much for all the unforgettable experiences I’ve gained through New Spirit and thanks to the members for making this so much fun.”

—Alyssa Hsiang, 11, New Spirit “Colorguard is a fun opportunity to meet new people and experience performing in front of a crowd.

You get closer to others and get to learn how to work as a team. I like it because it’s fun!”

—Daryl Fu, 11, Colorguard

“I love performing for a huge audience and feeling the awesomeness of playing a perfected march or field show after hours and hours of practice, and meeting friends from all ages.”

—Randy Lee, 11, Band

“Dear Orchestra, I love the way you make me smile; you are one of the only classes that doesn’t give me bile. I love the friends I’ve made there, and the nice dresses we must wear.

I love going on all these cool trips, and learning about bow tips.

You taught me how to play the string bass, and now I know how to put it in a case.”

—Roni Yamane, 10, Orchestra “I love being able to wake up every morning and see 29 smiling faces, ready to work hard. I love being able to go through hours and hours of rehearsals and get to see the final product be amazing. I love working out to upbeat music where we’re getting buff but having fun. I love being able to do what I love with a great dance company!”

—Michelle Tseng, 11, Orchesis, Dance Captain We’ve been through a lot together, but we’ll pull through no matter what happens! I hope you had a happy Valentine’s Day. XOXO, AHS PA pshen@apachepowwow.com Photos by PHOEBE SHEN Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM

Correction: There was an error regarding a photo credit in last month’s issue. It stated “Photo courtesy of Phoebe Shen”, but should have read “Photo courtesy of Ronald Lee”.

performingarts@apachepowwow.com

February 2012

PERFORMING ARTS

Be Mine: My PA Sweetheart

By VANESSA YU Staff Writer

Everybody has had that special crush during their teenage years. That exhilarating feeling when you see your other half meeting your gaze; those heart-warming, sweet texts typed at lightning speed between you two; that special dance at Sadie’s.

Like all the students at AHS, Performing Arts (PA) group members also have a secret “crush”, with select members sharing their love and gratitude below.

No, not that kind of crush, you nosy students! It’s someone they admire or respect in their PA groups!

I really respect the section leaders because they dedicate so much of their time to teach us the notes or the choreography when we need it. I can see how much passion they have, and [they] put so much effort into helping to make us strono ger. They’re such an inspiraira raaple, tion to the new people, including me!” en en, —Caroline Chen, 10, New Spirit

“Som “Someo meone I aadmire dmire wouldd be m my y ca captain, apt apt ptai a n,, K Kelly el elly el Mock Mock, ck, because ck becaus u e withou without outt her leadersh ou dershhiip p for fo th the squad, squa ad, d, ourr perform maances nces wo wouldn’t be at the llevel le evel th they hey aare re today. He Her motivation [[iss al [i also also] s ] what pushes m me to do my best be est aand nd improve eve nd every single time.””

—K —Kariss K a Nemis, Nemis 10, Pep Squad So Song

“I have to say that every single Chanteurian has my utmost respect.

When I see the sweat and tears that each and every person puts into all the songs and choreography, it inspires me to give the group my all as well.”

—Shawn Halim, 12, Chanteurs

“I really look ook up to Alex Garcia. This year our friendship really grew from being in theater and church together, and I really respect her for her genuine, “I admire Brandon Caronee beloving personality. She is alcause he’s my best friend and d he ways there to encourage me always manages to make me to do better.” smile. He’s a really good od —Dominique Ortiz, friend and practices his 11, Advanced Drapercussion parts at ma Department home a lot!”

—Iris Pan, 9, Band vanyu@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of JINXIBOO JINXIBOO.COM COM

ADD Works Its Magic at Disneyland

By AMANDA HUYNH

to create levels,” said ADD Historian senior Jasmine Falatoonzadeh. While they weren’t sure whether or not treating the MTCA like DTASC would help or hurt their performance, it was well worth taking the chance. “After we performed, most of us were pretty confident in our performance and expected to do well,” stated Cassie. “The judges gave us very positive feedback.”

“The entire competition was a wonderful experience, and we’re looking forward to our next competition,” said Gwen. Along with a shiny new trophy, ADD has gotten more recognition and publicity through its stunning victory in the MTCA. “We continue to build our reputation not only throughout AHS, but also the entire Arcadia community and beyond,” stated Keith. Because the MTCA is associated with Disney, ADD members were able to advertise and spread the word about their department, receiving coverage from local papers and even getting a couple of the judges to buy tickets to

This month the Advanced Drama Department (ADD) took part in the Musical Theater Competition of America (MTCA), taking home a 1st place trophy, along with 3rd place for costume design, for its 12-minute rendition of the play Oklahoma!. Since the MTCA was new for ADD, the members didn’t know what to expect going into the competition. “I think everyone was pretty excited and went into the competition to have fun with it,” said ADD member junior Cassie Nickles. However, there was still a good amount of prepping the group did for the competition.

According to member junior Keith Harmel, the group took a week off from rehearsing for its full production in order to cut the play down to just 12 minutes. Keith also won 4th place for his solo performance.

“We had about four three-hour rehearsals A WEEK TO REMEMBER The and a six-hour rehearsal on [a] Saturday,” members of ADD pose at the competition. said ADD Secretary aryy ssenior eni en nio ior Gwen Vahey. Members worked hard to perfect every single le aspect of the short, 12-minute ute rendition, from cutting the script to choreography, pacing, acing, and harmonies.

“We decided we would go at it like we did with our usual Drama Teachers Association of Southern hern California (DTASC) ASC) performances, [using] ing] human bodies as set pieces as well as [ususing] boxes as risers ers

performances.

Since Oklahoma! is to be the last ADD performance in the Little Theater, members are extremely excited for the full presentation play in March. Stunning acting, singing, and dancing is definitely guaranteed for their presentation of this beloved classic musical.

“This year is the last year for a lot of us,” said ADD member senior Patrick Harbicht, “so we all want to make it as fun as we can.”

Even with success so recent, ADD is already looking forward to and preparing for its next competition, which is the Shakespeare DTASC. Without a doubt, the members of ADD deserve first place. They are extremely hardworking with numerous rehearsals, auditions, showcases, performances, and competitions keeping them on their toes. Hopefully this successful first year at the MTCA is one of many to come. ahuynh@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of GWEN VAHEY Graphic courtesy of DISNEY.WIKIA.COM

9

Orchesis Cares about the Young Folks

By EMILIE WANG Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of TIFFANY WU

A DAY TO REMEMBER A group holds hands as they take a break from dancing.

The members of Orchesis Dance Company (ODC) have always looked forward to seeing the smiles and moves of the kindergarten to eighth grade students that participate in Dance Day. The members of ODC taught the younger generation what they love to do most—dance.

ODC Historian senior Tiffany Wu says that her favorite part about Dance Day is “Being able to do something you love, and sharing it with someone who’s eager to learn about it— [that] is what really makes Dance Day incredible.”

Members taught the kids by showing them movements over and over while using simple phrases that would help them remember the movements. The children were split into four separate groups to learn their routines. The kids in the kindergarten to second grade group were the tiniest but most enthusiastic, bobbing to the beat of the song, “Walking on Sunshine”. The third and fourth graders didn’t stop smiling or laughing the whole time they were learning their routines to “ABC” by the Jackson Five.

All the fifth and sixth graders concentrated hard to get every move down perfectly to the catchy song, Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight, Tonight”, sometimes doing moves dozens of times before finally being satisfied. The oldest kids there, the seventh and eighth graders, danced to Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”.

They were extremely supportive of each other and cheered each other on throughout the tough parts.

It was an honor for ODC members to have many of the young kids look up to them in admiration. The product of their time together was shown at the Little Theater, where parents got to see what their children had learned in the past few hours.

“I love seeing the kids have fun dancing. Most of us were in the very spots that those kids were in right now,” said VicePresident senior Veronica Yu. Afterward, with promises to keep in touch, high-fives, and lots of hugs, the students reluctantly trickled out the door.

Hopefully, in the next few years, those same kids will remember what their first taste of ODC was like and join the legacy of AHS’ greatest dancers. ewang@apachepowwow.com

10

ACADEMICS

apachepowwow.com

February 2012

Gov. Team Wins 1st Place at State

By VIVIAN CHAN Staff Writer

They came. They saw. They conquered.

Our very own Constitution Team (Gov. Team) competed in the state competition on Feb. 11 against eight other teams, but only one emerged victorious. With a recent 1st place victory at Regionals under its belt, Gov. Team stormed into Golden Valley High School (GVHS) in Bakersfield, swept the competition, and snagged the 1st place trophy over Amador Valley High School and Centennial High School, which have always been its powerhouse rival schools.

Upon arriving in Bakersfield, the members checked into their hotels and waited for the opening ceremony. After the ceremony and dinner, the entire team crammed into one room to hear a few words from adviser Mr. Kevin Fox and some other coaches. Unit coaches showed up that night and some of the units went through a couple rounds of mock hearings. Other units spent the rest of the night reviewing and prepping for the competition.

Gov. Team is split up into six units, each with its own specialization. The competition consists of two rounds of hearings, in which all six units present its four minute prepared response th hen engage in eight minthen utes of free response to a panel of judges. This year’s panel of judges ranged from an attorney from Sacramento, to alumni from the We The People program, and various government teachers from across the state. Senior Garrick Liang commented how it made the free response portion much more interesting, as they were able to hold “in-depth

conversations with people who actually studied their subject areas.” Gov. Team arrived early at GVHS to compete in the first of two rounds, followed by a lunch break, and then the second and final round. Once the judges finished finalizing the scores, all teams met in the auditorium and nervously waited for the results.

Results were announced in a reverse order, so by the time 2nd place was announced, everybody knew who would be heading to Nationals in Washington, DC. Senior Alex Lee recalled quite vividly, “I began praying when 3rd place went to another school, and broke into tears when 2nd place went to another

school. We were the only school left, and we were announced as the State Champions.”

When asked about her feelings about the title, senior Aimee Borrayo replied, “I [couldn’t] believe it; to be honest, it feels so surreal. But we’re super excited nonetheless.”

In preparation for Nationals, Alex plans to keep doing “the same thing [he’s] been doing. You don’t fix what ain’t broken.” Senior Patrick Vossler recalled looking at the national level questions on the bus ride back, commenting on how they “have to write three new responses” and the questions are definitely more “complex and challenging.” Seniors Victoria Shi and Vincent Ann both stressed the importance of keeping everyone on top of their game. “Prepping for nationals will probably just be a more extreme continuation of what we’ve been doing—studying the We the People book material, doing lots of independent research, drafting and perfecting prepared responses, and practicing with our units,” remarked Victoria. Vincent commented, “We will be reading up on Time magazine, Washington Post, and any newspaper or article we can get our hands on, but as our name suggests, we always have to bring it back to the Constitution and know it from the inside out. out.” With Mr. Fox Fox’ss tradition of excellence, the team plans to keep on working hard and show up to Nationals ready to do what it has been doing for the past 25 years. With two 1st place victories at both Regionals and State, the members of Gov. Team continue on their road to victory as they head to Nationals on Apr. 28. Two down, one to go. vchan@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of BLOGSKINS.COM Photos by ELLIOTT LEE

February 2012

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ACADEMICS

S&D Hosts Spring Varsity

By ARIANA ARZANI Executive Copy Editor

The familiar sounds of endless speeches, pre-performance rituals, and speech warm-ups were rampant once again as Speech and Debate (S&D) hosted and performed at the Spring Varsity Individual Event (IE) on Feb. 4. As always, the team left its competitors speechless and impressed all those who attended. Ms. Ashley Novak, who advises the team, was proud of everyone who attended, but wishes she “was able to focus more on the competitors and their struggles and successes.” Instead, she “had to worry about whether or not there [were] enough hamburgers or coffee,” but it was well worth it due to the “pride and recognition it [brought] AHS.” Volunteers from clubs such as Leo Club and Interact Club, as well as members of S&D who didn’t perform, helped keep the tournament running smoothly.

While Ms. Novak had to worry about 500 competitors in attendance rather than the usual 50, members of S&D worried about the same stress that results from any tournament, particularly one of such high caliber. Sophomore Abel DeCastro, who performed an Original Oratory (OO) on setting goals, placed 7th place after months of hard work and dedication.

OO topics are generally about societal problems which cannot be solved by the government and are usually internal conflicts. He was “extremely proud of [himself] since [he has] been trying to do this since [his] first tournament!” Abel, like most who competed, is glad to have “finally reached [his] goal!”

Similarly, junior Mary Guyer, who performed an Original Advocacy (OA) on taxes, was proud of her accomplishment of 3rd place.

Her topic “in a nutshell is that sales tax is better than income tax and subsequently income tax should be abolished. Income tax is faulty, defective, and has a lot of loop holes which many people take advantage of.” Another student who was proud of her hard work and achievements is freshman Cambria Braun who broke to semifinals with her Thematic Interpretation, or three mini speeches which revolve around a theme.

Cambria’s theme was expectation, which was highlighted through her own differing expectations of the competition. She was “surprised because [she] didn’t think [she] could make it past the first couple rounds!”

Unlike OO topics, OA topics are generally about problems in society soluble by the government. Sophomore Albert Gianatan, who also performed an OA, focused his speech on the significant topic of world hunger. Albert received 6th place and believes that “while it becomes easy to feel excited about tournament

into the school to help their fellow students.

Among the volunteers were S&D members junior Nathan Chi and sophomore Robynn Singer-Baefsky. Robynn found the volunteering opportunity more than just busy work, as it “made [her] feel very proud to be a member of S&D and [she] loved helping out [her] fellow mem-

Photos by TOMMY LIAO Graphic courtesy of HIGHEDUTAH.ORG

SPEECH AND DEBATE Whether they were flipping burgers or performing in the actual competition, S&D members worked hard in hosting another successful Spring Varsity IE Competition. bers.” Likewise, Nathan thought that even though “flipping burgers is harder work than it may seem, all in all, [he] was happy to help and glad so many fellow members did well.” He thought it was “very inspirational to see his friends be so successful!”

Whether they were performing, judging, volunteering, or even advising, everyone who attended Spring Varsity IE saw the event as a learning opportunity. Ms. Novak summed it up best, saying she felt “exhilarated, exhausted, relieved, proud, but mostly happy because [she] doesn’t have to do this again for another 364 days!” aarzani@apachepowwow.com

results, we must remember all of the people we are advocating for in the first place.” Freshman and 5th place winner Kevin Chou performed an OA on fake news broadcasts. Kevin’s unique topic focused on the “all too frequent event where companies buy media firms and produce commercials which seem normal but are actually made to endorse their own products.” He was “very surprised but also very happy about his win!”

Competitors were not the only ones who spent several hours at AHS as volunteers filed

11

Math Team

By BELLE ZHENG & ASHLEY CHEOU Staff Writers

Math Team (MT) hosted the Bay Math League Competition in J-Building on Feb. 15. This is the third of four different competitions in the academic season. The competition consisted of a few write-in sections individually and as a team.

Members of MT have been working meticulously and studying hard for months in preparation for this event. “If people don’t understand [the warm-ups], whoever knows how to do the problem will explain it in a comprehensive manner,” explained MT member senior Tony Zhao.

In this meet, there were about 250 people total. Each of the ten schools brought three teams, each consisting of ten team members. Each competitor participated in two to three events. At each meet, math teams compete against each other for points. At the end of the season, the points are tallied up from all four competitions and the winning school is then decided. As Co-Captain James Cheng explained, “The team that scores the best in all four meets gets first in the competition.” The winner is determined by the team that has the most points at the end of the academic season.

Our own team has just finished their latest competition and is in the lead by over 100 points after this competition. According to Co-Captain junior David Liu, the “odds of our losing [league] are very low. I have complete faith in my teammates,” David explained. He added, “And even if we don’t win, it’s alright! We’ll do better next time.”

There are high hopes in the air for MT’s next, and final, competition. bzheng@apachepowwow.com acheou@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of JAMES CHENG

12

UNCONVENTIONAL

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February 2012

Chr C hr hri h riiissi r iss ssi ssie s ss sie s ie ie e**

Th Thi T This h his hiiiss year yea yea ear arr I am am alone allone alo alon a lon lon one nee again n ag agai a aga ga gai ga aiin, n, I hav have ha h avve no no Valen Val Vale V a ale alen llen entine en ttine. ti ine. ne I ssit i in in a corne cor ccorn orrrn o orn neerr with witth w h choco ch c ocol ocola cola ollate late te From: Me, To: Me, just mine.

All of a sudden, a fairy appears Offering some words of advice.

If I were to risk asking someone, I could get love as a prize .

So I dash out my room and ask the first girl that I see.

She’s a real beauty, with hair soft as can be.

And though her breath stinks, and her teeth are yellow, I still think I’m a rathe r lucky fellow Patiently she waits by the door As I prepare my mind .

I get the nerve to ask her, Will you be my Valentine?

First she takes my bribe s of food, Which I assume to mean approval.

She jumps on me, and I hug back, Then we go out the door.

She leaves me.

She was just hungry.

But I still have my choco

IIn lligh i ht of Valentine 's, I'll spill my hea rt And thank you for the times you stu ck by me.

The comfort you provide is divine art That no one could replace so expertl y.

Your presence is an aphrodisiac And keeps me loo king forward thro ugh the day.

Too much of you could bring a hea rt attack But when you're gone, it is to my dismay.

Excuse my histrio nics, but you do The noble deed of keeping me alive.

I never want to bid to you adieu; A person lacking you could not sur vive.

Oh, lovely friend, you're neither girl nor dude, My everyday com panion, you are Foo d.

ellss del de od od Mo eM Male e to M

Od e’s Day comes on a Valentin If the apocalypse couples) all you annoying (Good riddance to see it fit will le peop e hop I e models.

To rescue all the mal ess They may seem usel But think about it— clothes r abs to scrub our We could use thei s to chisel stone tool Their cheekbones r panels sola e ectiv refl as Their hair tical prac be ly It would definite se as an ’t need the apocalyp Then again, I don excuse with a ry O’P Sean me from You couldn’t pry crowbar ajarena’s Kort Jon with k I could cut stea cheekbones mat at Gordon as a place I would use Matt and dinner breakfast, lunch, much I how me s owski show And Francisco Lach fail as a woman, ay anyw a aaaa But like, who thought of lost my train of Excuse me, I kind Is it 12/21/2012 yet?

late.

*My dog

By PHOEBE SHEN

Valentine’s Day has already made its approach Love, chocolate, kissing, roses, red, pink, hearts, an For all the single ladies and all the guys who ha this holiday may not be your favorite. The tradition on this day is very strong, so it’s easy to feel awkw enjoy this day? Love is not merely reserved for onl share with our parents and family is definitely diffe love a couple shares. Love is multi-faceted, and app art you may be passionate about, the food that you been there for you. Valentine’s Day is what you ma special perspective on life you have. Take advantag the most to you and appreciate it! And for the coup already, be sure to celebrate them and let them kno Valentine’s Day is all about.

This month students here at AHS have written verses are dedicated to food or male models, they a varieties of love in these poems, Valentine’s Day is share the love with everyone, no matter what kind o

Poems by NANCY XIAO, YEJEAN KIM, MYA HO, KELLY CHING, ARIANA ARZANI, and courtesy of ANNABELL LIAO Photos courtesy of FLICKR.COM and BGSCRAPBOOK.COM

February 2012

LOVE POEMS 13

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onaut ro tro Astr o As err to D ve uba Di ub Sccu

sss ess kne h darrkn the so used to th We are both floating ing—you say To the swimm d to the quiet use so h bot We are to ourselves To the lonely,

Tumblr is white, Facebook it blue You guys are alright, but my grades hate

you

When we're together time disappears Seriously-when I look up from the monitor With all your pictures and fun it becomes

the moon's reappeared

so easily to be a glutton

If only my homework could disappear with

the click of a button

You look so harmless, you look so fun The guilt I have feels like a ton You apologize; hugs and kisses follow I always come back, no matter my sorrow

Staff Writer

once again, and you know what that means. nd commercials for diamond jewelry. ave yet to find that person worth fighting for, nal emphasis on having a significant other ard and lonely. But why let only the couples y one person and another only. The love we rent from the love between friends, or the plies to many things in our lives such as the adore, or that old sweater that had always ke of it, so even if you’re alone, recognize the ge of this time to really explore what means les who have their own special someone w how much they mean to you because that is

Valentine’s Day poems, and whether these are all related to love. As proven by the a great excuse live with an open heart and to of love it is. pshen@apachepowwow.com

pressure so used to the We are both the stars I the salt, you knowing the so used to We are both apart whole worlds That we are two d live I’ve e, all life My watery cag greater truth some kind of Searching for of it ths dep the all I swam through for you I was looking But I realized the night ow agl , set Your brilliant sky for travelers who way home Light the path s to find their ven hea e to me too the Look up to your way hom you could find And you wish same the all fs are familiar; the ree you see, The coral is all here, k will go now Your space jun r change rts missing, Nothing will eve are drifting, hea And so here we w: though we kne us, Hands empty n distance betwee No matter the ays true our love is alw

pss iips hip h tattoo Ch PPoota W att is something Wh ses to amuse?

That never ceaases nkles I love it's funny wri nd when chewed And the crunchy sou What is something ver?

That seems to last fore never gets empty I love that the bag my whenever tum There to feed your What is something not stand to see?

That my mother can er find out about you I love that she'll nev waiting for me Soaking in salt just s galore Oh, dear potato chip n as you live Please love me eve . hidden in my drawer

14

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February 2012

February 2012

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16

SPORTS

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February 2012

The Girls Varsity Basketball Regimen? Eat, Sleep, Breathe, Ball

By ARIANA ARZANI Executive Copy Editor

1979. The Bee Gees were all the rage. Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Your parents may have even been in high school. But for the Girls Varsity Basketball team, 1979 was the last time it won League Championships.

This year’s girls, whom Assistant Coach Lizzie Martinet called “the best team they’ve had in years,” were determined to, once more, get as close to that championship as they could and, in doing so, placed 3rd in League and secured a seat in CIF. The team is headed by three captains: center senior Michelle Lai, point guard senior Heather Young, and shooting guard junior Melody Chang. Melody was also named Co-MVP of the Pacific League, bringing joy to all her teammates while still remaining humble and dedicated to the game. The team consists of 14 girls who “really get along and all work hard in practice,” according to Head Coach Don Young, who has been with the girls for five years. He went on to say that “a lot of people didn’t think [they] would be do as well as [they did] this season” but “the girls finished 3rd which is the highest finish since 1979.”

The girls have already beaten the record set by the previous year’s team and secured 3rd place in League. They are not deterred because they did not reach 1st place; in fact, it is motivating them to play harder and practice longer for CIF. Because they placed 3rd in League, they got an “automatic bid to CIF,” which Coach Young very excited

about. All of the girls enjoy the sport and if not, thanks to all the practices and workouts, they learn to love it. For point guard sophomore Sami Quon, during the season, basketball practice is six days a week and three hours a day but she loves it because “it inspires [her] to work harder in school and in life.” Similarly, for Michelle, her life is “basically a social life, school, and basketball.” Heather “eats, sleeps, and drinks basketball!” Even during the off-season, the

girls relentlessly train and hold practice sessions which enable them to keep their skills sharp.

While the team currently functions as a family now, many of the girls come from different athletic backgrounds. For Melody, basketball

has been a favorite sport since she was little, even though she didn’t grow up watching it with her family. Likewise, freshman Kimberly Kodama has been playing basketball since she was in second grade and she has loved it ever since!

Heather also started playing at a young age; she was only five years old when she started!

At 6’2’’, Michelle and her twin sister Kristine, who is 6’0’’, were urged by all their friends to try out for the team. Surprising no one, the sisters made it and have been confus-

pulling it off, it felt great!” Michelle’s favorite moments are always from the Senior Dinners in which her senior teammates are appreciated and praised before they drift off past high school. Sami’s favorite moments are simply whenever the girls play the game and do their best “because it strengthens the glue that bonds them together.”

Basketball is not all just fun and games for the girls, many of whom have developed battle scars over the years. Sami remembers “a game when [she] was running backwards and [she] over her feet.” She did get DRIVER’S LICENSE Junior fell some laughs from spectators but Melody Chang begins a hard drive she laughed it off too and kept on to the hoop. playing! Melody has played both a ing their opponents game with the stomach flu and a game when she ever since. got her tooth chipped. Despite the injuries, her After team managed to win both games! After getting months of her tooth chipped, getting covered in blood, and going through eventually blacking out, Melody vowed to wear hardships a mouth guard during games. Heather’s favorite and successes moment occurred last year when they had a trick together, the play when they tried to pretend they thought girls have very their basketball hoop was on the other side and fond memories that they set up on the wrong side. When they of one anthrew the ball and she “was on the correct side, other and [she] was wide open and able to make the shot.” the game.

A fun, lively, and interesting team of girls hoped to get as close to the League Championship as it could. The team’s hard work as well as team spirit is evident as its plays together and For Melbonds together. As they dominated in League ody, her faand hoped to do the same in CIF, the girls and vorite memory their spirits will never be deterred as long as occurred when her team managed they remember their strong ties and love for to successfully execute a “Flying Wing”. In the game that is so dear to all of their hearts. this play, “four people ran up in front of [her] and [she] pulled up a few feet short of the three-point aarzani@apachepowwow.com line. They act like [her] bodyguards and after Photos by ELLIOTT LEE

Banking on a Banked Track

By ALICE LIN Staff Writer

To many of AHS’ dedicated runners, running is not just a sport or a hobby; it’s life.

Some runners, like senior Francis Lee, believe that their lives “revolve around running”; the sport itself can take up to 80% of their schedules. Others, like senior Irma Nugruho and junior Glindyll Mancia, feel that running teaches them an important life lesson, one that fosters a “never-give-up” mentality and forces them to “push themselves.” And all of our professional runners state that running is a way to “relieve stress”, “to have fun”, “to relax” and that there is no way that they can’t run.

Recently, at the California High School Indoor State meet, these runners proved their point. Despite having to run on a small, banked track that forced the runners to run at an angle while turning, our Track team still brought back many wins. According to Coach Chris Schultz, the runners ran “amongst the top in the state”, and “made a very good showing.” Senior Sergio Gonzalez named the champion with a time of 9:28.47 minutes and 2nd overall for the 1600 m at a time of 4:26.64 minutes. Glindyll was 1st in her heat and 4th overall at 2:24.19 minutes for the 800 m. Francis was 3rd in his heat and 9th overall at with 4:39.39 minutes for the 1600 m and 5th in his heat and 6th overall at 2:04.84 minutes for the 800 m. Freshman Isabel Annino was 6th in her heat at with a time of 9.71 sec-

onds for 55 m Hurdles and 20th overall for the long jump event at 15’10.25’’. Irma ran a time of 59.2 seconds for her 400 m event and 26.49 seconds for her 200m. And finally the Girls’ 4x400 relay, with runners Irma, Isabel, Glindyll, and senior Fiona Chu placed 3rd in their heat and 8th overall at a time of 4:18.58 minutes.

With support from family and friends, such as Glindyll’s best friend junior Devin Arenas, as well as dedicated practice and bonding over Winter Break to get used to the “smaller than usual track”, this year’s track team will likely “have a great chance to relive the title of Pacific League Champions” and “qualify for CIF,” Coach Schultz stated. Coach Schultz, who is coming back for his 29th season of Track, (he’s been coaching at AHS for 11 years), also remarked that “this season could be the best in school history with several of our athletes and relays having a chance to break school records.”

Following the footsteps of their idols, Steve Profrontaine, Dathan Ritzenhein, Ashton Eaton, and Bernard Lagat, AHS’ runners are quickly becoming the icons of the next generation.

Some of our senior runners, like Sergio, are already being scouted by several of America’s top colleges, and the juniors are quickly stepping up to the plate. AHS’ success among top competitors at this meet will surely be reflected in its upcoming outdoor season. alin@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of VECTORSHAPES.CO.UK

By SPORTS STAFF Staff Writers

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

“I sleep at 9:00 p.m. the night before and eat oatmeal for breakfast. And [I] always rub my good luck wrist band.”

—Devin Arenas, 11, Boys Varsity Cross Country Member “I prep for games by listening to my iPod, eating brownies, and having fun with my teammates.”

—Laura Chun, 9, Girls Varsity Water Polo Member “I never touch the [foul lines] because I’m superstitious. I have a lot of little rituals with my friend[s] on my team and [with the way] I stretch. Basically if I have a good game, I start little rituals hoping it’ll help me do well in the next game.”

—Brendan Toy, 11, Boys Varsity Baseball Member “I have to go through months of training, weeks of reassuring myself, and staying confident, which is the hardest part for me.”

—Alejandra Quintero, 11, Varsity Track and Field Member Graphics courtesy of COMMONS.WIKIPEDIA.COM and IMAGEENVISION.COM

February 2012

SPORTS

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17

A Crew of Players with a City on Its Shoulders

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

Currently, the Boys Varsity Soccer team has reached the crossroads of its worth with a bright and talented group of guys. It is significant enough for its fellow peers to recognize, and is an addition to the team’s bountiful number of achievements in the past. Yet, seeing it continue its line of success shows how dedicated and pure their Apache spirit truly is.

Junior Steven Burstyn, who has high hopes for this season, believes camaraderie and teamwork are the secrets behind the Boys Varsity Soccer team’s success. “In my opinion, we have improved a lot from last year, but we still have a long path ahead of us and much to improve on.

We’ve had our achievements and our disappointments, despite how we turned out in League.

However, I’m just glad that we toughed it out as a team,” he said. From the moment Steven was four years old, he fell in love with soccer. It has been, and still is, his life’s passion and he hopes to pursue a career in it, whether it be in college or professionally. Speaking of which, Steven has achieved much thanks for his vocal and dy-

soon fell apart. However, his love for competition, the flow of the team, and just having the ball at his feet truly makes soccer worth playing. After being asked if he looked up to anyone, Spencer’s immediate response was his father because he was a great athlete who played a variety of sports and taught him

Junior Andrew Chin stated, “Representing your city and creating bonds with your teammates truly makes [Boys Varsity Soccer] enjoyable.” Throughout the season, Andrew believed the team’s progress was growing tremendously after every practice. Seeing the team work hard every day always put a smile on his face.

“I enjoy playing soccer because I’ve been doing it my whole life and I enjoy P R A C T I C E M A K E S . . . the thrill of competing,” he said.

Coach Paul Miles has been Sophomore Harrison Ma (right) and senior Anthony Rivera the man behind the Boys Var(left) battle for the ball during sity Soccer team’s success. “The season has been full of ups and practice. downs. [Although] we have been how to be mentally plagued with injuries, [we’ve] overcome lots of tough. Plus, he competed hurdles this year. We are a young team with a in the 1984 Olympics bright future.” The team’s current stats are 7-6-3 Decathlon thus in- overall and 4-6-2 in the Pacific League tables. All spiring Spencer to his life, Coach Miles has enjoyed the speed and achieve greatness in physicality of soccer. He said, “Having played whatever he does. for this program myself and starting my coaching As a team cap- career here, this program is where my heart is.” tain, Spencer certainly does jbay@apachepowwow.com not disappoint.

Photo by LEO JIANG

namic leadership. “I like switching up the pace of the game, whether it [is] by switching the field or just by calming down the game and starting possession.” In the end, however, Steven will always be proud of his team.” I didn’t just gain friends, I gained a family,” Steven remarked.

“My favorite part of being on the Boys Varsity Soccer team is being able to play the game I love every day with some of my best friends,” exclaimed veteran senior Spencer Terry. In the beginning, Spencer believed that the season started off “pretty intensely” and

Inspirational Quote of the Month

Zack Zhang Boys Volleyball Junior Vagabond (film)

Preoccupied with a single leaf...you won’t see the tree. Preoccupied with a single tree...you’ll miss the entire forest.

Graphics courtesy of SAH-RAH.COM and UAA.ROCHESTER.EDU

BEYOND THE TEAM PHOTO: GIRLS VARSITY GOLF BY BRENDAN TRAN

After a successful season, Girls Varsity Golf is enjoying the rest of its practices. The girls’ camaraderie and love for each other make them more than a team. They are so close that they even have nicknames for each other. Freshman Michelle Cheung said, “The team is just like a big family. Our team is all love, no competitiveness, drama, or fighting.”

A.Coach Robert “Greepster” Greep Fact: He is a distant relative of Rihanna.

B. Natea “Tea” Cooke, 10 Fact: Natea is a transfer student and is new to AHS this year.

C. Gwen “Gwenny” Vahey, 12 Fact: Gwen is in Theater, and is a belly dancer.

D. Katherine “KaPow” Guo, 12 Fact: Katherine is a “lazy” golfer, but performs well even if she doesn’t practice.

E. Ashley “Ash” Cheou Fact: Ashley is an unknown artist! She is also obsessed with aviator sunglasses.

F. Joyce “Chu Chu” Chu, 10 Fact: Joyce loves dancing and has a high-pitched voice.

G. Christina “4 Cents” Shum, 10 Fact: Christina is regarded as the new Tiffany Young, an AHS Girls Golf alumna.

H. Bianca “Crazy Girl” Picasso, 11 Fact: If you’re ever with Bianca, you will NEVER get bored hanging out with her.

I. Grace “47” Song, 12 Fact: Grace consistently shoots a 47 at every competition.

J. Adrienne “Eeyore” Lao, 10 Fact: Adrienne bakes very tasty cookies, cupcakes, and other goodies. She also has the best poker face in the world.

K. Kayla “Sweetie” Yn, 9 Fact: Kayla is always super perky and happy.

L. Michelle “Michelly” Cheung, 9 Fact: Michelle is always playing rounds of golf with many, many layers of clothing.

M. Mikaela “Mikaykay” Santos Fact: Mikaela is the “mom” of the team.

N. Kaitlyn “Busy Bee” Jeong, 12 Fact: Kaitlyn is involved in many school activities, including ASB.

A

E

J

B

F

C

D

G

K

L

H

M

I

N

btran@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of COACH ROBERT GREEP

18

STUDENT LIFE

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February 2012

Teachers Can Love, Too: Their Valentine Sweethearts

By KRISTIE SUN Staff Writer

Everyone has some memory of Valentine’s Day, whether they were good or bad. Rarely do students get the chance to hear the fascinating stories of a teacher’s Valentine’s Day. However, when students do get to hear the stories, they’re in for a big surprise. These teachers are opening up about their past Valentine’s Day experiences!

-Ms. Claudia Diaz

“I met my future husband at a Valentine’s Day dance in my freshman year of college. I wasn’t planning to go to that dance but my grandmother had sent me a dress that had little heart buttons. I received that dress in my college mail box the day of the dance that I wasn’t going to, so I figured that must be a sign. So I put on the dress, went to the dance and I met the man who turned out to be my future husband.”

“Last year was the first official Valentine’s Day that I had with my fiancé. He was my boyfriend at the time and we each decided to organize a particular activity. I made reservations at the Huntington Library to have tea there and walk around the gardens. He on the other hand wanted to go bowling, and there was nothing romantic about it. Not only that, but he wanted to go to a burger joint, but we ended up painting tiles which were going to be for our future home. After dinner, we were near Chuck E. Cheese, so we decided to play skee ball. It’s about being with people you love, not necessarily doing something romantic.”

-Ms. Leslie Klipstein

“So we’ve been married for almost 30 years now. When I was young and still dating my wife, I used to give her flowers, candy, and a card with a cute little poem about how much I loved her and she would always love that. Nowadays though, she still likes the card with the little poem and flowers but if I give her candy she gets mad because she thinks it’s too fat.”

-Mr. Oliver Beckwith ksun@apachepowwow.com

Photos by KRISTIE SUN Graphics courtesy of HOMEDESIGNETC.COM, BLOGSPOT.COM, LIPARTGRAPHICS.COM, and CLKER.COM

Valentine’s Day, According to AHS

By COURTNEY HANG Staff Writer

Valentine’s Day. We’ve been celebrating it for ages. From making gifts to giving cards in the classroom, Valentine’s Day has been with us for as long as we can remember. But from where did it originate and how did it come to be? What is the difference between Valentine’s Day and Singles’ Awareness Day (SAD) and which one should be celebrated?

There are many stories surrounding the origin of Valentine’s Day and St. Valentine, and it is impossible to say which one is correct. One legend says that St. Valentine was imprisoned for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. While he was imprisoned, St. Valentine was said to have sent the very first “valentine” greeting to a girl who often visited him in jail. Another story says that St. Valentine was a priest under Emperor Claudius II, who outlawed marriage, believing that it weakened soldiers. St. Valentine realized the flaws of this new law and continued to marry young couples secretly, leading to his execution.

While Valentine’s e’s Day is commonly associoci-

ated with romance and love, it is not only for those in relationships. For some, Valentine’s Day is simply a day for kindness and expressing appreciation for any relationship. For junior Vena Prasatarporn, Valentine’s Day is enjoyable because “the environment is happy, without any sense of hate.” Valentine’s Day does not have to be celebrated between couples; it can be shared between friends and family as well, as long as your affection is expressed.

Valentine’s Day is a lifelong celebration, whereas S.A.D. is only temporarily celebrated. Sure you can pamper yourself on S.A.D., but with Valentine’s Day, you can pamper someone you care about, and vice versa. That way, you can spend the day with a loved one while still experiencing the same indulgences. Whatever way you’d like to celebrate S.A.D., you can celebrate it on Valentine’s Day—but with friends!

Admittedly, S.A.D. is more popular with us teenagers, but soon enough, as we go off to explore the real world, it will become obsolete. We will all find that special someone to spend time with, as skeptical as some of us may be. It is not the romance that makes Valentine’s Day what it is, it’s the love and affection we have for others, whether they are friends, family, or that significant other. chang @apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of 1800SUNSTAR.COM and BLOGSPOT.COM

February 2012

studentlife@apachepowwow.com

STUDENT LIFE

19

April Davis, Tumbling to Victory Miliah Haslerig: Beauty and Brains

By STANLEY SHAW Staff Writer

Three years ago when she was a freshman, current senior April Davis was nicknamed “the flipper girl” because of the tumbles and flips she would do at pep rallies and football games as a cheerleader. Fast forward to today and you’ll find her as a bronze-medaled Junior Olympian and seasoned gymnast.

The road to success isn’t a smoothly paved road, but is one of tedious work that requires persistence. So it should be of no surprise that April has “qualified and competed at the Junior Olympic National Championships in trampoline and tumbling, [more specific] type[s] of gymnastics, for the last eight years in a row.”

One highlight of April’s career was when she attended the Junior Olympic National Championships last year as a five-state regional and California champion. Shortly before the event was to start though, the aspiring gymnast tore a muscle in her back which forced her to wear a back brace.

“The brace…kept my back quite stiff and hard to move around in. In a way I felt like giving up because at times the pain would be so extreme. However, I had come so far and I knew if I kept fighting I would makee it through this,” commented April. se In spite of the immense d, pain the torn muscle caused,

April went through with the competition, made it to finals, and eventually won 3rd place in the entire nation. She was only one-tenth of a point away from nabbing 2nd place.

Being the diligent athlete she is, however, April has also fervently participated in polevaulting, going as far as placing 3rd place at the San Gabriel Valley Championships with a height of 8 feet 8 inches on May 7, 2010. Additionally, on Apr. 24, 2010, she pole-vaulted to first place at the Pacific League Championships with a height of 8 feet 6 inches.

Now, after several years of constant endurance, April is finally approaching the end of her career as a competing gymnast. Junior Alyson Watkins summed up how the two sports affected her friend by saying, “Gymnastics and pole-vaulting has made April a confident person [who] works full-heartedly towards her goals.”

This school year, however, does not mark the end of April’s connection with gymnastics.

For her, there is still the 2012 Junior Olympic National Championships that will conveniently be held at Long Beach this summer. sshaw@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of JOHN DAVIS Graphics courtesy of CLKR.COM and COGENTQC.COM

By ALLAN GAO Staff Writer

All eyes were upon her as she walked forward. Heart pounding, mind racing, she did her best to swallow her anxiet anxiety. She stepped out, faced the judges, and hoped. Her hopes were not in vain; the judges declared he her winner of the Southern California Juni Junior niior o Teen Beauty Pageant! Sobbing, Miliah Haslerig obbbi bing, freshman M iliah Has accepted her err tro trophy, ropph ro phy, y, bbouquet, ouquet ett, aand nd crown and faced the judges he ju udg d es ttriumphantly. r um ri mphantlly. y.

Miliah bbegan egan eg an ccompeting ompetingg iin n ppageants ageants when shee was ten ye years ear a s ol old, d, aand ndd hhas a continued to as Last show love for pageantry. pageean page pa antr trry. y L ast July 2011, Milas the Southern California iah competed in th he So Sout uutthe uthe hern ernn C alifornia Miss merican Coed Pageant in Costa ttaa M esa for the American Mesa third time. me. To begin, she submittedd an a applicaibing her achievements and se serv erv r icces tion, describing services nity. From there, she foun nd a to the community. found on. F Finally, sponsor to aid her in the competition. cked her er bbags and ma after doing both, she packed made nH Hotel near the Onher way down to the Hilton tario Airport, where she met with the judges and other contestants. iv Upon arriving at the hotel, the pageant finally began. Miliah wa was judged based on three main categories: her poise in a formal dress, personality during an interview, and presentation in an interview outfit. While these tasks are bit daunting, Miliah still felt the competition “was great and always [let her feel]

MORE THAN A COMPETITION Beauty pageants have helped Miliah gain confidence.

very happy.” Interviewing wasn’t much of a challenge either, because “the judges were great; you could speak to them as if they were a close friend,” and, after six years of competing, thinking up answers was not difficult. Her skills paid off; she was announced winner of the State Division Pageant, and advanced to Nationals in Florida. There, she competed against 70 other girls, and she placed in the top 20.

Miliah has won a total of eight pageants, including Southern California’s 1st runner up in 2010, and Junior Miss America Coed Pageant winner in 2011. She plans to continue participating in pageants, which have “helped [her] gain confidence and articulate a desire to be a positive influence.” Keep up the good work! agao@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of MILIAH HASLERIG Graphics courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, ALLGOOD.COM, and THEBESTLIFECO.COM

In Memory: Edwin “Ed” Schreiner, an Apache Family Member

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writer

On Feb. 12, the North Gym was filled with students, staff members, members of the Arcadia Police Department, and others who came to celebrate the life of Mr. Edwin “Ed” Schreiner.

The former Arcadia police officer, who had been closely involved in a multitude of AHS activities, passed away Jan. 21 from cancer. He was 68.

At AHS, Mr. Schreiner was known for the time he dedicated to the music program. He often fixed drums and materials and maintained equipment trucks for Band, driving as far as Dayton, Ohio, to accompany students two competitions.

“He was an expert with percussion gear,” said Varsity Percussion Section Leader senior Kendall Wong, who described Mr. Schreiner as “always knowledgeable, always reliable.”

Senior Kaitlyn Forell, another Varsity

Percussion Section Leader, remembered that he them to the White Mountain Apache Tribe in was “poised and ready to reach into his magi- Arizona. cal trailer and pull out just the tool needed to He developed a deep bond with the Apachget the job done.” Kaitlyn fondly characterized es, said seniors Wendy Huang and Jasmine Wu, Mr. Schreiner as a father figure who “gave wise who worked with Mr. Schreiner through SCAC. “He was really dedicated,” Wendy said, advice and would drop everything to console a student.” calling him the “unsung hero” of AHS. “When On campus, Mr. Schreiner was also a he talked to us about [the Apaches], he was so prominent volunteer with the Student Council passionate. He was the kind of person who did Apache Commisprojects sim“He was really...the unsung service ply because he wanted sion (SCAC). Every winter, he collected to, because he felt he hero of AHS.” items from the Toy could make a differand Jacket Drive and ence that way.”

Mr. Schreiner personally delivered

A MENTOR, A HELPER Mr. Schreiner was a valuable helper with Band and regularly drove up to meet with the Apaches for SCAC.

“regularly shared his stories of the Crown Dancers or Sunrise Ceremony,” Jasmine recalled. “I will never forget the grin on his face that appeared whenever he talked about his latest visit to the Apache reservation.”

At the memorial service, Principal David Vannasdall told the attendants that Mr. Schreiner had found out about his illness on the reservation, and received a blood transfusion there.

He came back smiling because, as he said, “I finally have Apache blood in me.”

Present at the memorial event on Feb. 12 was an Apache leader who had come from Arizona to speak. Wendy recalled that in his farewell speech to Mr. Schreiner, he told the crowd that in the Apache language, there is no word “goodbye”.

“There is only ‘we will see you again’,” Wendy expressed. “And he said [of Mr. Schreiner], we will see you again.” jkuang@ apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of RONALD LEE

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CALENDAR

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February 2012

The Reel Deal: Romantic Movies

By JOSH BAY Staff Writer

I’ve enjoyed heartfelt romantic movies ever since I was a little boy.

They fill me with hope that I will one day have my own happy ending.

Below are a few upcoming movies that can make any movie-hobbyist’s heart melt.

The Vow: 5/5 Release Date: Feb. 12 Genre: Romance Rating: PG-13

Peppers: A Not So Hot Fiesta

By GLUTTON GIRL Staff Writer

Peppers Mexican Mexi xiicaan Re R Restaurant stau st a rant is a cozy little place located ocat oc atted e oon n 181 West Colorado Place in Arcadia. dia ia. Pe P Peppers ppers has been around for more than 20 0 yea years. e rs r.

With a giant, ant, light-up red d bell pepperr sign proudly y proclaiming “Peppers”, it can’tt be missed.

I went with my friend, andd iitt seemed as iff every single famous person on from Arcadia had dined ned there at some time. Other than that, the decorations were pretty depressing; it looked like a cave.

Peppers’’ food was better rations, and the complimenthan its decorations, tary, all-you-can-eat can-eat salsa did not hurt either. Our waiter ter served us some delicious, spicy, red salsa sa and crunchy tortilla chips before he even en brought over the menu!

Throughout the course of the meal, he continually refi efilled our portions of salsa and chips as well.

The menu nu was more familiar than exotic, which h was kind of disappointing.

Peppers has ribs and such and a small selection of burritos urritos and tacos. My friend and I decided to split a grilled chicken burrito and chicken taquitos.

When our order came, the burrito could be summed up with one word—huge. It seemed as if it weighed ten pounds, and I am pretty sure that it was bigger than my forearm.

We unsuccessfully attempted to cut it in half,

but it was still an enormous burrito. The burrito was stuffed with chicken, thick slices of avocado, bell peppers, mushrooms, and a dollop of melted cheese. Sad Sadly, the chicken in the burrito was completely aaverage. It was tender and grilled well,, but th there was no flavor at a l. Th al all.

The burrito would have bee a complete letdown been if nnot for its extra stuffing ing.

T The taquitos were aver also average.

They consisted roll up tortillas stuffed of small, rolled Th taquitos were deep with chicken. The fried for too long and tasted bland. It was all crunch and no real substance beca c use the chicken was not because all that flavorful either.

As we finished up our meal, I thou thought it was decent at best. Our bill totaled up to slightly over $20, which whic I thought was expensive for two orders. P Peppers does, however, have very friendly sservers. They are also very generous with food foo portions and do not hesitate to refill your salsa. sa It was pricey, and it tasted almost exactly like Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, which is probably a cheaper version of this place. P Peppers Mexican Restaurant deserves a 5/10 5/10. Even with all these good points, however, however the lack of quality and delicious food brings bri me to the conclusion that I will not be back.

See you next time! tim And who am I? That’s a secret I’ll nev never tell.

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

In the movie, The Vow, a young couple’s marriage is put to the test when the wife, Paige (Rachel McAdams), suffers a coma after a tragic car accident. When she wakes up, not only does she not recognize her husband, Leo (Channing Tatum), but her last memory is of being engaged to her ex-fiancé, Jeremy (Scott Speedman). Despite all his efforts to make his wife fall in love with him again, Paige doesn’t recover her feelings for him. Leo’s family and friends advise him to let go and move on with his life. However, true love and a pure heart are all Leo need to be with his soulmate. All I can say is I loved The Vow! I left the theater feeling the same way about Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams as I did about Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling

at the end of The Notebook— these two belong together. Is it sappy? Yes. Is it a chick flick?

Not at all. If you have a heart and believe in love, this is definitely a movie worth seeing.

Big Miracle: 3.5/5 Release Date: Feb. 3 Genre: Drama, Family Rating: PG Inspired by the true story that captured the hearts of people across the world, the rescue adventure Big Miracle tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter (John Krasinski) and a Greenpeace volunteer (Drew Barrymore) who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. As the world’s attention turns to the top of the globe, saving these endangered animals becomes a shared cause for nations with strained relations.

Typical of true-story adaptations, Big Miracle struggles with many characters, subplots, and themes and can’t settle on a solid point of view. Through whose eyes are we whale watching? Ultimately, this whale tale, though admirable for its efforts, gets trapped by its own big ambitions. jbay@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of BANGORDAILY NEWS.COM and FRONTROWREVIEWS.COM

Need advice?

Send your questions to Trinasadvicecolumn@apachepwowow.com

Q: This is my fifth time being caught in a tardy sweep and frankly it has become really annoying. I sleep fairly late because I need to study for this and that, and in the mornings I’m just physically incapable of moving out of my bed. How do you suggest I drag myself out of bed in the mornings?

A: Go to sleep early! You’re not going to die if you don’t study for all of your tests, and the extra sleep will do you a whole world of good. If you know you’ve got some upcoming tests, study for one or two of them at a time and a couple days in advance. Review whatever you need to every day, but not for too long.

That way you’ll have time to do whatever you want, and the material will still be fresh in your mind. If you still can’t get out of bed, set an alarm clock (or three, if you’re a heavy sleeper) and put it at the other side of the room. That way you’ll have to get up and walk over to turn it off, so it’s a good way to wake you up.

Q: I hate to sound like that type of person, but lately I’ve started to like someone. Obviously, I can’t tell all my friends, but since my best friend and I always make these references, I feel like my other friends are left out. Where should I draw the line of who to tell or not? (Some of them know him.)

A: If you feel uncomfortable telling them, don’t. They don’t need to know; your private life is your own business, and honestly they may not care, so don’t stress yourself out.

There’s nothing wrong with keeping secrets from your friends. If you feel some of them really must know, tell the ones who won’t spill it, whether by accident or on purpose. Don’t tell anyone you’ll have doubts or second thoughts about since it’s possible they’ll give your secret away. Other than that, just try not to talk about him around your other friends if you’re feeling guilty about leaving them out.

February 2012

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Couples We Wish Had Dated in Real Life

By JEANNE KUANG Staff Writer

Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone, and with it, a wave of people who celebrated Single Awareness Day. But never fear—one can always find comfort in the stories of fictional couples. Here aree he a few highlights from the world of TV romance.

Jim and Pam It’s hard to find a more compatible couple on television. Back when The Office premiered in 2005, Pam was the shy receptionist with an inconsiderate n fiancé and Jim was the good-natured salesman who loved her from afar. And so began an hyears of a quiet and heart-wrenchoned ing romance as Pam questioned ncé, her feelings for her fiancé, ly and Jim tried unsuccessfully to stop pining over the friend he can seemingly never have.

When she finally called off the wedding and he asks her to dinner, her smile is an emotional high for the zany sitcom. Now married with children, Jim and Pam never cease the workrkers place banter that endeared them to coworkers and audience alike.

Ted and the Mother Sure, they’re not together yet—nor have they even met. Though the plots and storylines of How I Met Your Mother have long

since deviated from protagonist Ted’s search for his One and Only, Future Ted narrates in 2030 to his children that he will indeed meet the titular mystery woman and marry her. We know little about the elusive Mother aside from a few personality nality tra traits and the fact th that Ted d wil will meet hher at a wedding.

But it’s Ted’s enduring belief in true love, lo through plenty of

CUTE COUPLES Keep an eye out for these pairings! heartbreak h and frustration, and his search ch for “The The One” that make th the he promise of this yet-to-be y couple al all the more ore sweet. swe

Angel and Buffy The quintessence of a modern-day forbidden love, the vampire-human ern-da romance of 90’s teen drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer was filled with all the angst and melodrama of Romeo and Juliet. Buffy Summers, a Vampire Slayer who moves to Sunnydale, California to fight the forces of evil, falls for

Angel, a reformed “vampire with a soul” who is tortured by his sinful past. Their courtship is smoldering, dering, pas passionate, and star-crossed—he loses his conscience and torments her, she stabs him to save the world just as he regains r himself and kisses e her. Angel eventually moves away, but he and mo Buf Buffy reunite numerous time times, and sparks always fly.

Ross and Rachel Ros No list lis would be complete witho without the central couple of sitcom Friends, whose will-theywon’t-they dance of courtship lasted the show’s entire ten-year run.

D Despite mutual feelings, Rachel and Ross both dat date other people ju just as one is ready tto declare his or her love. After a jealously-fueled breakup, Ross’s brief marriage to another w woman, and even a decision to ra raise a child together, the pair are on the verge of separating forever when Rachel acc accepts a job offer in Paris in the e Sh series finale.

She boards the plane initially but at the end gets off for a long-awaited reunion with Ross and the joy of romantics everywhere. jkuang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of SAMSUNGLE.TK

February 2012

Secret Starbucks Menu

By EMILIE WANG Staff Writer

Sure, the animal fries at In-N-Out are pretty delicious, but that’s old news. Have you ever thought about all the other places that have secret menus? Among Chipotle, El Pollo Loco, and other places, one of the most surprising places that has a secret menu is Starbucks. That’s right, the place that holds your hand to get through all-nighters has been keeping secrets from you.

Penguin Mocha/Zebra Mocha/ Black and White Mocha: Chocolate Mocha combined with the original for those who can’t make up their mind Chocolate Dalmation: A White Chocolate Mocha with java or chocolate chips sprinkled in.

Raspberry Cheesecake: With White Chocolate Mocha and shots of raspberry swirled in, this drink looks as great as it tastes. Whipped cream is optional, but who wouldn’t want whipped cream?

Chocolate Cream Frappuccino: chocolate syrup and chocolate flavoring in a frozen blended coffee. Perfect for those of us who love all things sweet.

Three C’s: Cinnamon Dolce Latte + caramel syrup + Chocolate Mocha syrup = the best alliteration ever!

The secret menu is just a list of interesting combinations that baristas have accidently stumbled on so feel free to be creative! The baristas are happy to blend whatever fancies your taste buds. ewang@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of COSTARIANEWS.COM

Pick-up Lines

By VICTORIA NAKAGANEKU Staff Writer

Having trouble starting a conversation with that cute guy or girl that you see in the hallway every day? Got a penchant for the ridiculously cheesy or unbearably lame? Well, a dose of humorous pick up lines is just what the doctor ordered! Here are some of the most tolerable, or some might even say flattering, lines: 10) Can I take a picture of you so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?

9) Can I borrow your library card? I want to check you out.

8 ) Are you lost? Because heaven’s a long way from here.

7) People call me [insert name here], but you can call me Tonight!

6) Excuse me, I seem to have lost my phone number, can I please borrow yours?

5) Do you have any raisins? No? How about a date?

4) Can I have your significant digits?

3) Your name should be “Online Gambling”, because I find you highly addictive.

2) I’m thinking of switching my major to fine arts so I can study you.

1) Are you a carbon sample? Because I want to date you. vnakaganeku@apachepowwow.com

The Benefits of Being a Part of a Blog-osphere

By SOPHIA TANG Staff Writer

Blogging has often been thought of as a socially-depriving activity, shutting kids ya away from peer connections with only screen to empathize with your life. But ut wait, bloggers, you may be saved from m complete social awkwardness. Thee benefit of expressing yourself on the In-ternet can transcend into real life, wheree it morphs into self-confidence and social al skills. Still scratching your head? Here is the research: 1) Blogging Improves Self Esteem ...Which in turns leads to teens becom-ing more comfortable and self-confident in n social situations. Psychologists at the Uniniversity of Israel studied 161 teens, aged 14 4 to 17, who had social anxiety and distress, forr ten weeks. The group of bloggers, especially those who blogged on sites that allowed public comments from others, benefited the most, relieved the most social distress, and engaged in more social activity in real life. Expressing themselves by finding a comfortable space on an online world, the kids developed self-confidence which then helped them out in real-life social situations.

2) Explore and Express Yourself The results suggest that the Internet has an enormous potential to help socially awkward teens recognize that the social structure of their

high school isn’t the only one that’s important in their lives. The Internet may reveal a more diverse and sometimes, more accepting, world that e r a d i - cates the mo more narrow-minded life in which some teens tee live. People of different ages and races race may share the same ssam quirky intere orr experiences, ests which wh w

tteenagers ers makes gov d by feel less alone. Though governed ities cliques and other social conformities ods, at school and in their neighborhoods, hemteens can express and explore themselves freely online. rtive 3) Blog Feedback is Supportive yberOf course, the ides of cyberbullying and caustic comments may eir priscare people from writing out their vate thoughts on a social blog. However, d in an APA the Iranian physiologists reported nd to a blogstudy that the people who respond ger’s writings often relate emotionally to the blogger’s feelings. Study co-author Dr. Azy

Barak explained that “although cyber-bullying and online abuse are extensive and broad, we noted that almost all responses to our participants’ blog messages were supportive and positive in nature.”

Teens who used social media were found to be more empathetic. Students reported that sotion enhanced their fee cial interaction feelings of conimprov depression nectedness and sometimes improved symptoms. Concerned parents sh should keep an ope open relationship sh with their children ch to make m sure that they have a safe life so that the positive effects from blogging can transcend and help kids out.

stang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of BIGSTOCKPHOTO.COM, BLOGSPOT.COM, and MACSCITECH.ORG

FEATURES

23 Dreams: An Interpretation Flirting Through the Ages

February 2012

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By COURTNEY HANG Staff Writer

Every night as you sleep, your mind wanders from topic to topic, image to image. We call these topics pics ges and images dreams. We all dream, whether we remember it or not.

Some dreams are dark, playful, emotional, or just plain strange, and m ha every single one of them has some underlying meaning or relation to our past, present, or future. While there are an innumerable number of dreams you may have,, there are also some very common ones.

These dreams often reveal a lot about y yourself. What do your dreams say about you?

Falling: One of the mostt htcommon dreams—or nightg. mares—involves falling.

Falling is an indication of insecurities, instabilities, or anxieties. If you often dream about falling, you probably feel overwhelmed or out off ituacontrol in some situation. You havee st somehow lost g your footing and there is nothing you can hold onto so you are forced toward this downward motion in your dream life.

These dreams may also reflect a sense of failure or inferiority in some circumstance, as if you don’t measure up. Popular myths say that if you fail to wake up before you hit the ground, you’ll die. But don’t

worry, this is not actually true!

Being Chased: Chase dreams also signify feelings of anxiety in your waking life. In the dream, you are often being chased by som someone who wants to hurtt yo you and your acti tions parallel the way you would respond to pre pressure in you yo your waking lif life.

These dr dreams often m mean that you ha a have a tendency to o ru run and avoid the is ssu sue, rather than conissue, fron ntin it. Conversely, fronting if yyou are the chaser, the dream highlights you your drive and ambition to go after your goals.

Falling Teeth: The most common dream scenarios include having your dre teeth h crumble c iin your hands, fall out one by oone, grow crooked, or start to rot.

One explanation is that your teeth reflect yyour anxieties about your appearance an and how people see you.

Teeth help co convey an image of beauty and attraction. Th These dreams can also represent your fear of eembarrassing yourself in front of others. The They over-exaggerate your worries and make yo you feel unprepared for the task at hand.

Through your dreams, you can learn a lot about yourself. Dreams are an extension of how ab yyou vie view yourself and may be a source of inspira irat at spiration, joy, and imagination. Though it may seem aas if dreams are insignificant, learning to rec recall your dreams can help you becom become a stronger, more confident person person, and can guide you through difficult decisions and situations in life. So nnext time you have a dream, try to rem remember it; you never know what you’ll le learn from them. chang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of ETSYSTATIC.COM G and GILDEMAGAZINE.COM

Now let’s skip over to the 1950’s, where a 13-year-old who has not started dating was Staff Writer considered a late bloomer and “going steady” It may not always have been the same, but became very popular. Prior to World War II, flirting has been a part of society for ages. If you “going steady” meant that you would get marthink about it, even the legend of King Arthur ried, but in the 1950’s it began to mean that you had flirting involved. He flirted with his wife would be in a committed and exclusive relationGuinevere, and she with Sir Lancelot. It may be ship. At first, boys and girls had to just socialize hard to believe, but yes, people did have crush- with one another. Then eventually you would es on one another; they were just shown and be able to use “apple butter”—or smooth talk named differently throughout the years. So let’s and flattery—and really cheesy pick up lines to take a trip down history lane and see how flirt- progress into dating. It may sound like the guys did all the work, but girls also had to flirt to iming, dating, and courtship actually went down.

First, let’s head on over to the Victorian press their “flutter bum”—or a good-looking Age (1837–1901), when the idea of women boy. In the 1957 edition of a Seventeen magaflirting was using objects such as fans, parasols, zine’s “Dating Do’s and Don’ts” it said, “Do be and handkerchiefs, to beckon for the man her fascinated by the same subjects he is. Say things heart yearns for. Simple gestures with those ob- like, ‘I see you have your football letter. It looks jects suggested the cheesiest things. For exam- wonderful!’ Don’t keep him waiting. Be ready ple, if you put your fan near your heart, you are when he arrives and introduce him with obvious saying “You have won my love,” or if you draw pleasure to your parents.” Eventually when the chief across your lips, then you guy got the nerve to ask the girl out on a date, your handkerchief date. They were very meone that you want to flirt with it was usually on a double da are telling someone then then, because it was came to using a para- popular back him. When it treated as an initiation for the to make sol, you had couple and it cresure you ated a more open were using environment to a parasol inget to know one stead of an another. Eventuumbrella, be-ally, you would ellas cause umbrellas LOVE CONNECTION do single dating. hat suggested that Learn to flirt properly no The boy always ot you could not had to present afford to pay matter which time period some sort of token for a carriage you belong to. of hhim; for example, when it was hi letterman l jjacket, k ID bbracelet, or class ring. his raining. But, a woman owning a parasol meant that she was a “Going steady” was also a sign of the couple sophisticated lady. A woman would even make being “radioactive” and “scorch”—popular— her driver pull down the top of the carriage to because it showed that you would always have show the world her parasol, rain or shine; a a consistent date for school dances. Finally, it parasol said everything about a woman. And was basically expected for the boy to call his gentlemen, if you were going to get your sweet- girlfriend and go on dates for a certain number heart a present, you would go out to buy her of times throughout the week.

Flirting, courtship, and dating have a parasol—not jewelry or chocolate. It was the most important flirtation object because with it, changed a lot over the years. So will you emthe woman could hide her expression, disguise brace the past’s traditions and study up on them her glances to someone, indicate her changing to prepare for next year’s Valentine’s Day to try moods, and emphasize her sparkling eyes and to get your love? bright smile. It was basically her makeup for squon@apachepowwow.com flirtation because it hid most of her imperfecGraphic courtesy of HUBPAGES.COM tions.

By SARAH QUON

Girls’ Generation is Making a Splash in America

By JONATHAN MATSUMOTO Staff Writer

Ten reality shows, over a million album sales, and sold-out shows wherever they go. In the past few years, Girls’ Generation (SNSD) has quickly risen to become one of the biggest groups in Asia, but it’s not stopping there. With recent performances on The Late Show with David Letterman and Live With Kelly, the group is poised to succeed where no Korean group has before: America.

Founded by SM Entertainment, Girls’ Generation debuted in July 2007 by performing their song “Into the New World” on Korean TV. They released an eponymous album the same year. The album experienced moderate success, but the group broke out on the Korean scene with their 2009 song “Gee”, one of their most successful singles to date. The single was rereleased in Japan, making them instantly successful in both Korea and Japan.

America has the largest international music entertainment market, yet it seems to be

THE GIRLS (left to right) Seohyun, Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Yoona, Yuri, Jessica, Sunny, Tiffany, Sooyoung are making a name for themselves in the US. missing one area: Asia. For the last 20 years, Asian groups have avoided America altogether because of an event in the 70’s known as the Pink Lady fiasco. Mitsuyo Nemoto and Keiko Masuda had the hearts of boys and the admiration of girls all across Japan, but after a poor management decision, they fell out of popularity. They moved to America and got off to

a hot start, but once again made bad managing decisions. Their TV show, Pink Lady, is widely considered to be one of the worst TV series of all time, mainly because the lead actors weren’t fluent in English.

Girls’ Generation is determined to make it in America and this time around, The Wall Street Journal believes that Asian music can

s succeed in America. For one thing, the membbers can speak proper English. In fact, members T Tiffany and Jessica were both born in America.

IIn their effort to create talented groups, manaagement companies like SM Entertainment reached out to the US. r But most importantly, they employ a diffferent strategy in their approach. Whereas prevvious groups came to America expecting immediate success, Girls’ Generation realizes that m while they have fans in America, they need to w sstart gaining more. Their appearances on American talkshows are the first ever by a Korean group, and that kind of publicity is crucial to their success in America.

Girls’ Generation is poised to take America with their dancing, singing, and good looks, so brace for an Asian invasion. It’s time you get to know Taeyeon, Jessica, Sunny, and Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun—you’ll be seeing a lot more of them. jmatsumoto@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of MUSICASIA.NET

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February 2012

By COURTNEY HANG Staff Writer

The oldest nationally-recognized competition for high school students, Academic Decathalon (AcaDeca), has been a part of AHS for a long time. The competition focuses on one major theme each year; this year’s theme is the Great Depression, with the objective categories of Art, Economics, Music, and several others. There are also subjective categories, like Essay, Interview, and Speech. Preparations for these competitions are most rigorous during the summer months and begin to ease off as the school year progresses. This year, AcaDeca won the extremely competitive regional competition and is going on to State for the very first time in AHS history. As such an elite academic team, AcaDeca deserves all the attention and respect it gets. Congratulations AcaDeca, and good luck in Sacramento!

“I am absolutely thrilled and honored to have won at such a big competition with around 50 participating schools. This achievement gives me more motivation to work harder, learn more, complain less, and just really enjoy participating in the team and hanging out with the other members.”

- Sue Wang, 11

“As the announcer listed the top 20 teams, I was really praying to make 8th or 9th place. Once he read 4th, I pretty much only heard the “Ar” in “Arcadia” and blanked out, probably from shock. It was only the piercing screams from our team that jolted me.

I sprinted from our table and leapt up the stairs, feeling very tempted to just yank the trophy from the presenter.”

- Emily Liu, 12 “Regionals consisted of nearly an entire day of pencil-pushing, bubble-bubbling fun! With a team consisting of nine members and seven of them are seniors with returning experience, I feel that this year’s team is one of the strongest!”

- Lynn Huang, 12

Photos by ELLIOTT LEE and courtesy of WALLPAPERBASE.COM, WIKITRAVEL.ORG, GRAPHICSHUNT.COM, and EVEREST-KYDIVE.COM and graphics by KATHERINE BAY

“AcaDeca is often overlooked because the few people that do know of AcaDeca see it only as a den of hardcore students. However, I’d say we’re more like a dysfunctional family.

Each of us brings our own quirk and experience to mix and through our time together, we’ve all become well-rounded (in the intellectual sense)!”

- Courtney Nguyen, 12