December 2014

World Is Campus The T heThe W World or ld Is Is O Our urOur C Campus am pus Volume 62, Issue 4

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

December 2014

In this issue:

Photo courtesy of DAILYMAIL.CO.UK

OPINION pg. 4 Arcophobia: Sometimes you can’t be afraid to fall; the higher the place, the greater the rewards.

Photo courtesy of RYAN FORAN

MUSIC IS THEIR FORTE Orchestra and Choir put on their best performance for two winter nights, keeping their audience warm with popular holiday songs and melodies.

By MADELINE LEE Staff Writer Photo courtesy of WIKIMEDIA.ORG

FEATURES pg. 6 Traversing LA: Have nothing to do over the break? Here are some great spots to explore alone or with friends!

Photo courtesy of E-MANONLINE.COM

ACADEMICS pg. 15 Onwards to State: Gov Team wins 1st at Regionals and will now be advancing to the next stage.

Have a question, comment, or concern about The Apache Pow Wow? Email the Editors-in-Chief at eic.powwow@gmail.com Find us online at arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of gift-buying and tree-decorating, our very own Performing Arts department has been busy putting together its annual Holiday Concert, just in time for Winter Break and the peak of the holiday season. Encompassing all orchestras and choirs, this two-night spectacular featured Orchestra I, Treble Choir, Harmonix, and Mixed Choir last Wednesday and Orchestra II, Chanteurs, and Symphony Orchestra last Thursday.

Coming off their previous performances just weeks before, this is quite an impressive feat for all groups to have learned brand new material in such a short period of time. Each orchestra featured a piece originally rendered by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra under the direction of Ms. Pin Chen and Mr. Jeff Collins while all choirs performed a vast assortment of holiday and traditional arrangements directed by Mr. Rick England. While Mr. Tom Forbes originally planned to conduct Orchestra II, he has successfully undergone and is slowly recovering from a recent heart surgery and instead demonstrated his immense support with his presence on Thursday night.

Focusing on the latter day and featur-

ing the more advanced Orchestras and show choir, Orchestra II kicked off the holiday concert with instrumental renditions of popular songs. As always, the hours of rehearsal and dogged efforts in practice from the talented musicians of Orchestra II shone. Under the direction of Mr. Collins, the musical runs, dynamics, and rhythms in every piece were played beautifully, rousing the audience and treating the performers to rounds of applause.

Next, Symphony Orchestra took the stage to showcase a few more choice songs. Senior Kelly Hui, who was among those playing in the orchestra, noted that it “played a variety of magnificent pieces, [one being] ‘First Essay’.

Everyone played with enthusiasm and all of us had a great time.” Symphony Orchestra member senior Calvin Chiang agreed, adding that “for the past five weeks, [Orchestra members] have been dedicating over three hours a day” to the performance, and were committed to having a great concert. The featured members from Band III were also extremely committed to the music and went out of their way to ensure a flawless show. The second piece was conducted by Mr. England as part of an annual concert tradition that invites past conductors to take the stage once more. Rehearsals were filled with laughter over Mr. England’s accounts of Wagner’s elaborate autobiography and the emotional piece was one that everyone really resonated with and tuned into. Concert-

master Evan Chuu delivered a flawless opening solo. Finally, with the addition of several electric guitars, a drum set, and extremely talented percussionists, “Sarajevo” and the sounds of discordant strains filled the hall for a spectacularly fast-paced end to the set.

After clearing the stage, Chanteurs delivered powerful vocals under the direction of Mr. England. In a combined finale and ode to Mr. England’s last year of teaching at AHS, Symphony Orchestra returned to the stage to perform John Higgin’s “Christmas on Broadway”. Incorporating themes from classics, this Hollywood-esque piece was the perfect swan song for Mr. England and his last time conducting on-stage.

On the performance as a whole, Mr. England stated, “The students had been working diligently on their music since the end of October. Many challenging and complex compositions were presented which showed the diversity and depth of the Arcadia Music Program.”

Fortunately, if you missed out on the showcase this time, the holiday assembly this Friday will include a performance from members of Orchestra and Band. That performance will be the final one of the year, but our PA groups will return in 2015 for another undoubtedly great year. mlee@apachepowwow.com

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NEWS

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December 2014

Q&A with the Laser Watch’s Inventor

By KRISTEN TRAN

Staff Writer

Your wristwatch may be cool, but not as cool as Patrick Priebe’s watch. Why is that, you ask? Well, for starters, his watch shoots out lasers. Not just any regular pointer laser, but a real heat laser. A real laser that shoots out a beam strong enough to burn holes through walls. This watch was inspired by the Nintendo game “GoldenEye 007”, which was based off of the 1995 Pierce Brosnan Bond movie. Sadly, it wasn’t created to be quite as deadly as the James Bond device, although it’s just as awesome. Patrick Priebe is an inventor during the day, and, well, an inventor during the night.

On his YouTube account AnselmoFanZero, he records his different gadgets and mechanics in action. Most of the time, he constructs many fan-made weapons such as Iron Man’s Arm or Spiderman Webshooters. In his Iron Man video, he gives an inside look of the Arm’s mechanics and shows his viewers how it shoots. The arm shoots real missiles and is too dangerous to show people how they are made. However, drop by his channel and comment on his inventions; he will surely reply! In his Spiderman Webshooter video, Priebe shoots with his “web” that has a string attached to the end of it onto objects so he can retrieve them, just like Spiderman.

Patrick works full-time to create many different laser gadgets and to make devices upon request. He constructs pieces for the TV show “Warehouse 13,” while taking on many other projects. However, he doesn’t sell most of his creations for obvious reasons. During an interview I’ve conducted through email with Patrick, I asked how long he has been creating and inventing toys. He replied, “I started when I was 20 years old and I still create them today. It’s been 10 years since I’ve started.”

Photo courtesy of IBTIMES.CO.UK

Q: Does your family approve of you making such dangerous props?

Q: What inspires you to invent new things?

A: Sci-fi movies got me into inventing to begin with. From there on, movies and video games have inspired me to create. However, I don’t copy their designs, I make my own.

Q: I’ve read in an article that inventing is your main career. Is that true?

A: Yes, right now that is my job. I create custom SciFi props on request.

A: Yes, they’re very supportive of me.

Q: How dangerous is this job?

A: I haven’t been seriously injured. Lots of cuts and minor burns, but nothing too major.

Q: Do you have any advice to aspiring inventors?

Q: Did someone teach you how to create your gadgets?

A: Start, but start simple.

A: No, I’ve self taught myself.

ktran@apachepowwow.com

OBAMA’S IMMIGRATION PLAN & THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE

By VERONICA YU Staff Writer

President Barack Obama has made a decision to pardon some immigrants from being deported. The President’s decision has shocked Democrats and health care advocate groups, who are pushing for health care coverage for those who are uninsured. However, immigrants who have entered the country illegally are excluded from this health care coverage benefit. In California, immigrants may still be able to avoid deportation under California’s health care coverage policies (which differ from the nation’s as a whole). Here in California, im- migrants may receive health care coverage thanks to state funds, and President Obama’s “deferred action” program allows immigrants to stay longer in the U.S., thus keeping many immigrants from their fear of deportation.

The result of President Obama’s executive decision will allow low-income immigrants in California to qualify for Medi-Cal, a state funded health coverage program that cares for people with low incomes who can’t afford health care coverage themselves. With MediCal, immigrants will be able to get more primary and preventive care than one would get from just going to hospitals for emergency situations. The program has grown to cover over 11 million Californians, which the state and federal government have to pay for. California is expected to spend $17 billion on this program. Many taxpayers are already upset

over how the state is spending their money.

Senator Ricardo Lara, who serves on the California State Senate, has decided to renew an old bill after President Obama’s decision. The bill, called Health4All, will allow all Californians to have healthcare coverage regardless of their economic status. The Health4All bill was previously criticized for its high cost of $1.3 billion per year. “The president’s action covers almost half of California’s undocumented population, but that still leaves over a million people with no access to health care. We can do better. The bill will cover those remaining uninsured that will not benefit from action,” said Senator Lara. Some people, however, aren’t too happy about this decision.

Joe Guzzardi, a representative for Californians for Population Stabilization, is one of those people.

“There are millions of Californians who don’t have health care insurance or have to pay for their health care insurance out of their own pockets. So it seems unfair to have legislation that provides for people who came to the United States unlawfully to be rewarded with a health care plan,” Guzzardi said. Although many people and taxpayers are upset over this decision, California is still looking to expand its health care coverage program, which will definitely benefit the immigrants living in the state. vyu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of WIKIPEDIA.ORG

By SHAWN XING Staff Writer

Back in September, all Republican senators voted for a motion to block President Obama’s decision regarding immigration reform. If the bill had passed, it would have allowed the senators to subsequently vote to not allow Obama authority over the expansion of immigration relief without congressional reform. Among the Republican senators who voted, four of them were part of the Gang of Eight that had fought for comprehensive immigration reform last year.

The motion needed 51 votes to pass, but it ultimately failed at a 50-50 vote. Five Democrats voted in support of the motion while four of them were campaigning to be reelected in November.

After the midterm elections ended, during which the Democrats lost control of the Senate for the next year, the Republicans are still working to counter Obama’s efforts at immigration reform. In early December, House Speaker John Boehner informed party members of the plan to “rebuke the president and keep the government open” after the spending agreement expires. Aides described the plan as a two-step process. The first part is to propose a bill that would prohibit the White House from changing immigration laws. The bill is meant to be mostly symbolic, as the currently Democrat-

controlled Senate would immediately reject the bill. The second bill would fund the government throughout the rest of the fiscal year, but leave out parts related to immigration funding. Those programs and agencies would be funded for a shorter period of time, likely until the spring, so Republican legislators will have more time to figure out how to curb Obama’s actions.

However, Republican party members who are thinking about campaigning for president cautioned the Republican Congress members to move prudently, as they do not want a standoff between Congress and the White House to hurt their chance at the presidency. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, during a luncheon on Capitol Hill, told a group of Republican officials and donors that the party should avoid a “standoff” with the White House. He suggested that the party instead pass “sensible” immigration bills next year to emphasize the party’s “commitment to governing and reforming the immigration system.”

Whatever the Republicans’ course of action this year through next year, it will have a large impact on immigration and the governance of the country. sxing@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of WIKIPEDIA.ORG

December 2014

NEWS

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UC Tuition Hike

By SUKANYA MUKHERJEE

Napolitano argued that the increase was necessary after the three-year Staff Writer tuition freeze caused by the recession. During the recession, California University of California (UC) had to cut funding for the university students across the state have been system by $1 protesting the billion a year.

UC Board of While state supRegents’ deciport now supsion to raise tuplies $2.8 billion ition. Although of the university Governor Jerry system’s nearly Brown, a UC $7 billion budregent himget, regents self, has voted have emphasized down the propthat it’s just not osition, the UC enough with stuBoard of Redent enrollment gents approved growing to more a plan on Nov. than 230,000 20 to raise tustudents.

Deition 27.6% spite her reaover five years soning, students in a 14-7 vote. are clamoring Students at for Napolitano’s UC Berkeley resignation. have taken the Another relead in protest- THE COST OF EDUCATION All of the UC’s, including UC Irvine (pictured gent, Richard C. ing by organiz- above), will be raising tuition costs by 27.6% over the next five years. ing a group called “The Open UC”. gents are increasing tuition in the Blum, supported the tuition increase, They claimed that by increasing tu- midst of 20% salary increases for arguing that the system needed more ition, the UC’s seek to “transform high-level university administrators, money to stay competitive. Govereducation from a right to a privilege.” referring to UC Irvine Chancellor nor Brown, who is strongly against Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks Howard Gillman, whose salary was the tuition increase and working to reduce the hike, replied, “This is not has refuted this accusation by saying raised to $485,000 earlier this year.

Berkeley students occupied Wheel- Wall Street. This is the University of that students from families “earning less than $150,000 a year will see no er Hall for six days after the vote and California.” increase.” According to Janet Napoli- hundreds of students have been rallysmukherjee@apachepowwow.com tano, president of the university sys- ing on campus chanting, “No cuts, no Photo courtesy of WIKIMEDIA.ORG tem, a third of the tuition money will fees, education must be free.”

By KIMBERLY LO

go toward financial aid. However, Berkeley sophomore Hannah Berkman has said that the university’s statement “isn’t definitive enough.”

Berkman also laments how the re-

NASA’s 3D Printer Staff Writer

On Nov. 24, it took just an hour to create the first object outside of Earth. On the International Space Station (ISS), a 3D printer created an extruder plate. This is an important occasion, since NASA believes that 3D printing may be able to make space missions less costly in the future.

The 3D printer that created the plate was designed and manufactured in California by

Made In Space, a design consultancy located in Los Angeles. 3D printing uses plastic, metal, or other materials to print out an object using layering.

The extruder plate measures three inches by one and a half inches by one quarter inches, and on it is printed the logos of both NASA and Made In Space. Made In Space CEO Aaron Kemmer said that they decided to 3D print an extruder plate as their first piece because it represents “the idea that if something goes wrong on the space station, or [any] future space stations, the crew and NASA now have the ability to build a solution.” 3D printing in space is part of a 3D Print Project NASA and Made In Space are working together on.

This occasion is an important step toward a development in 3D print-

ing and production in space. First, the scientists had to make sure that 3D printing in space worked as well as 3D printing on Earth. They compared the same object made in the two different environments to ensure that 3D printing on space is just as accurate and effective as it is on Earth. Niki Werkheiser, manager at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center 3D Print program, said, “I think we’re making history by, for the first time ever, being able to make what we need when we need it in space.”

After completion of the first part of the project and all the 3D printed parts have been created, the 3D printed parts must be tested. They will be used to see if they can serve their purposes well on the space station.

There are hopes that in the future, space stations will not need to depend on parts manufactured on Earth alone but can also try to create their own parts in space when necessary. 3D printing could allow for lower costs and open more possibilities for human exploration. Kemmer commented, “It’s a huge milestone, not only for Made In Space and NASA, but for humanity as a whole.” klo@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of MADEINSPACE.US Photo courtesy of PA.MSU.EDU

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s t a f f Editors

Editors-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editors Opinion Editors Performing Arts Editors Student Life Editors Features Editors Sports Editors Academics Editors Center Spread Editor Calendar Editor Campus Focus Editor Advertisement Editors Photography Editors Executive Copy Editors Fundraising Chairs

Katrina Chao and Stanley Shaw Belle Zheng Simone Chu and Terri Shi Victoria Yu and Erika Zheng Amelia Jin and Briana Shen Daniel Jenn and Justin Tang Elaine Chung and Lily Ling Allan Gao and Charles Xu Helen Lee and Tiffany Liu Josh Bay Brittanie Gaja and Rose Li Flora Ung Derek Lee and Belle Zheng Ben Geisberg and Millie Wong Michelle Gu and Hafsah Umerani Yoko Chan and Chelsea Cheng

Writers

News Staff Eric Chen, Amber Chong, Jessie Hui, Michelle Huang, Eileen Lee, Kaitlyn Liao, Andrew Lim, Julia Lin, Kimberly Lo, Sukanya Mukherjee, Emily Quach, Kristen Tran, Shawn Xing, Veronica Yu, Roy Zhang Opinion Staff Niki Chi, Amber Chong, Teddy Chu, Ben Geisberg, Madeline Lee, Julia Lin, Andrew Muliadi, Sukanya Mukherjee, Millie Wong, Titus Wu, Veronica Yu Performing Arts Staff Jacqueline Chang, Eric Chen, William Hsu, Katie Huang, Celine Lee, Eileen Lee, Ellie Lee, Erin Li Student Life Staff Eric Chen, Tiffany Chen, Eileen Lee, Ellie Lee, Andrew Lim, Andrea Liu, Emily Schube, Kristie Sun, Tiffany Tsui, Emily Wu, Sunny Wu, Shawn Xing, Gary Zhu Features Staff Tiffany Chen, Katie Huang, Michelle Huang, Celine Lee, Julia Lin, Cristian Nalbandian, Emily Schube, Cathleen Shen, Sunny Wu, Pearl Yang, Elyse Yao, Veronica Yu, Gary Zhu Sports Staff Ryan Fann, William Hsu, Peter Ju, Ellie Lee, Erin Li, Andrew Muliadi, Christina Read, Lauren Trajano, Brendan Tran, Kyle Wang, Titus Wu, Shawn Xing, Pearl Yang, Roy Zhang Academics Staff Tiffany Chen, Brittanie Gaja, Katie Huang, Derek Lee, Andrea Liu, Kimberly Lo, Sukanya Mukherjee, Andrew Wang, Sunny Wu, Elyse Yao Calendar Staff Jacqueline Chang, Brittanie Gaja, Jessie Hui, Peter Ju, Kaitlyn Liao, Andrew Lim, Kimberly Lo, Debbie Moon, Emily Quach, Cathleen Shen, Kristen Tran, Andrew Wang, Kyle Wang, Emily Wu, Sunny Wu, Pearl Yang, Elyse Yao Campus Focus Staff Emily Quach Center Spread Staff Katie Huang Advertisement Staff Jacqueline Chang, Teddy Chu, Ryan Fann, William Hsu, Michelle Huang, Peter Ju, Andrea Liu, Andrew Muliudi, Tiffany Tsui, Kyle Wang, Emily Wu, Elyse Yao Photo Staff Teddy Chu, Ryan Fann, Brittanie Gaja, Derek Lee, Debbie Moon, Stanley Shaw, Cathleen Shen, Kristen Tran, Titus Wu Copy-Editing Staff Ryan Fang, Jessie Hui, Madeline Lee, Debbie Moon, Christina Read, Emily Schube, Andrew Wang, Kyle Wang, Elyse Yao, Veronica Yu, Gary Zhu Adviser Mr. Johnny Lee

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

Graphic courtesy of FREEVECTOR.COM

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OPINION

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December 2014

Fighting the Heights

By TEDDY CHU Staff Writer

One prominent fear from my childhood is the fear of heights. I was always the last one down the slide, if ever. Even when I began high school the same fear resonated within me.

Some time in my sophomore year I had an inkling that it wasn’t the heights that scared me; it was the risk of falling. This notion became far more prevalent while talking to a friend of mine about college applications; one of his hooks happened to detail my same fear. Having seen it on paper for the first time, I finally began to realize that my inherent fear of falling had to be overcome for at least a brief period of time. I needed to be able to take leaps and be ready for the consequences, both figuratively and literally.

Like I said earlier, the bulk of this realization happened while go- ing over college applications with a friend. For those of you with a few years left before you need to tackle them: it’ll definitely

be one of the biggest leaps you’ll ever have to take in your high school career. It requires a huge amount of preparation, creativity, and commitment to craft solid applications. For me, the fall would be not being admitted to the schools I’ve dreamed of attending. I’ve poured out all of my hard work for the past few months—I guess my entire life—on a couple of applications that will be the determining factor of whether I get accepted to my dream schools to further my education. A lot of morale is riding on those applications, and failure could mean destruction of my self-esteem. However, I’m doing my best to acknowledge the risks I’m taking to attend some stellar schools and staying grounded through that is really helping me out. I definitely fear the fall in this situation, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to climb as high as I can.

Another aspect of figurative falls is that of social relationships. I’ve had quite a few falls regarding friendships in the recent years mostly due to stress from other sources. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t falling outs; I have awesome friends and I’ve put a lot of effort into getting really close with them in the past; it’s just recently that we haven’t had the time nor energy to keep up the interactions we used to have. You can consider close friends as the skyscrapers you build, but when you slip and fall off of that it’s pretty difficult to scale all the way back up. What I’ve come to realize is that rather than complaining that what we have now isn’t as good as it was before, we should be relishing the fact that we were able to metaphorically build a friendship that high up. It’s better to cherish the good moments instead of missing them after they’ve passed; you will go through different times of your life and it’s best to stay humble while you’re in a high and stay

hopeful when you’re in a low. Don’t be scared to take a hard fall, it just means you made it high up to start with.

Lastly, I’ve been trying to come to terms with the fear of a physical fall. I’ve had a lot of run-ins with falling in general and I’m not the most coordinated person. Getting up to high elevations and looking down on cities has really helped me realize this whole notion of high risk, high reward. City lights are absolutely amazing from roofs, trails, lots, and plenty of other places. The only catch is, you need to be willing to climb, hike, or drive a good distance. Climbing highlights both risk and reward clearly; the higher you scale, the better the view. Just don’t slip up or you’ll have to start from the bottom. I’ve learned to not fear falling anymore; it’s hard not to slip up and fall in life. It’s how I’ve picked myself up and started climbing to my goals again that has made it all worthwhile.

tchu@apachepowwow.com

Graphic by SUNNY WU Graphic courtesy of PSDGRAPHICS.COM

By TITUS WU

More Than Just a Christmas Gift Staff Writer

Christmas—what is it? Look it up in the dictionary and it will say: “A legal holiday celebrated on Dec. 25 and an occasion for exchanging gifts.” So, according to the dictionary, it is merely about presents. I mean, why else would people flock to stores during Black Friday to buy gifts? Why else is the most anticipated time of Christmas the moment you get to open your presents? Why else are the wrappings and bow ties so delicate and fancy?

The aspect of gifts seems to dominate many Christmas stories as well . Santa—he delivers gifts. Frosty—in the end, the antagonist gives in because he wants gifts. Grinch—he tries to take away gifts but realizes he’s wrong.

Gifts can be seen also in The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Nutcracker, and other stories—just gifts, gifts, gifts. As a result, I grew up believing that the meaning of Christmas laid underneath all those gift wrappings. The meaning of Christmas had to be gifts.

A Christmas Carol is no exception from this theme of presents.

I remember my English teacher made us read A Christmas Carol when I was in seventh grade. I was shocked—I had read the story before during elementary school, so why was a middle school teacher making us read this again? The plot was fairly simple for any little kid to understand. A cranky old guy named Scrooge hates giving presents and is very egocentric. During the night before Christmas, he sleeps

and encounters three ghosts: one of the past, present, and future. With each ghost, Scrooge goes through many experiences. By the time he leaves the last ghost, he realizes that it’s better to be nice and give gifts. Moral of the story? Give gifts. Seriously. This was just like any other naive children’s book with “inspiring” generic messages like “Believe in yourself” or “Never give up”.

By this time, I didn’t even bother reading the story in class. I knew all there was to know.

I mean, after all, this was just another dumb children’s tale.

Turns out I was the dumb one. After reading the story, my teacher made the class watch the movie version of A Christmas Carol, and suddenly, what seemed pathetic on paper became heart-stirring on screen. The words on paper came to life. The symbolism, the imagery, the contrast, but most importantly,

the raw feelings one could get from it—the frustration Scrooge felt, the intense sadness of the poor, and the joy when Scrooge corrects his wrongs—all of that connected with me intensely.

So I realized that the greatest gift is the spirit of giving itself. But let me define what this “spirit” is—it is the very feeling of joy that one experiences when helping others out.

It is also the very hole in one’s heart when one sees people in need. It is the very ecstasy I felt when I saw Scrooge, a sinful man, change and develop into a better character. In other words, it is feeling itself—the type that bonds one with others. That is Christmas.

It is a bit ironic that, the whole time I was reading A Christmas Carol, I was reading it without feeling—without Christmas itself. Only through the movie could I feel it.

Had I read the story with more emotion instead of regarding it as dumb, I would have perhaps felt that same connection when I watched the movie. Nonetheless, just like Scrooge, I changed for the better. From throwing away my materialistic view of Christmas, I finally saw the emotional value behind it.

Each gift you will receive during Christmas is like the story A Christmas Carol. Initially, I saw it as just a story, and so can you see your gift as simply a gift. But to truly understand Christmas, don’t just view it as a gift, but try to see the emotional meaning behind it, the love and effort made, just like how I saw the emotional connection from this work.

Too many times in our daily lives, whether it is a story or a gift, we miss out on this emotional connection. We usually take things at face value, not realizing the deeper meaning beneath everything that we encounter.

Christmas is the time to remember that a gift is more than a gift, that a story is more than the words on paper, that one’s family is more than just the people it comprises of.

Christmas, once again, is the emotions and feelings between people.

Once we realize this can we truly appreciate and understand the meaning of Christmas. twu@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM, DEVIANTART.COM, and GLOGSTER.COM

December 2014

OPINION

theopinionsection@gmail.com

Dear Santa,

I totally get you. Sometimes the pressure is too much to bear. I’m not, say, crippled with the perpetual expectations of being an omnipresent, supernatural, gift-equipped, reindeer-wielding force, but I mean, I can so empathize with you on a spiritual level. A couple of insignificant years of my childhood being overlooked is not unforgivable. I see that there are many (7 billion in estimate) contenders for your attention, and so I will hastily write my letter to you, as I do every year, in hopes you will consider my plea.

You see, lately I have been pondering the conditions of my loyalty to you and have deduced a number of possibilities excusing your astounding ignorance. 1. The Post Office is merely incompetent and neglected to deliver my mail to the North Pole. 2. The Boogieman, as foreseen in The Nightmare Before Christmas, has indeed taken you captive. 3. The latest installment of sleigh technology is sponsored by Google, and my chimney is invisible to the otherwise impeccable navigation system.

While all these conclusions seem justifiable, the cynical side of me cannot help but wonder if you are playing favorites!

Not to equate you to the likes of Kim Kardashian, but is fame getting to you? Dare I say it, but without the unfailing adoration of fans like me, the holiday spirit would not be so prominently instilled in our culture! I, with the confirmation of my parents, can claim that I have exercised deeds within the “nice” spectrum all year. Excuse me if I sound resentful, but what is the purpose in recording children’s mistakes and judging whether they deserve a gift or not solely on that anyway? Where is the sense of equality, Mr. Claus? Basing presents as an ultimatum is asking for trouble. When they are no longer provided in adulthood, they serve no further to deter people’s rambunctious tendencies. Glimpses into a child’s life are not as blackand-white as they appear, because the grey catalysts behind actions are unknown to the perceiver. Also, are you aware of the lack of trees and how your waste of paper could be detrimental to Earth’s struggling ecosystems? From wrapping paper to the slaughter of live Christmas trees, jubilant families become accustomed to squandering the world’s limited resources!

Nevertheless, I am not here to heckle you, Ol’ Saint Nick. In fact, I have penned you in request of a sincere favor: to believe and succeed. As I’ve somewhat grown up—gimme a little credit, jeez—my desires have shifted from the Exclusive Barbie-Ken Doll Dream House (though I still feel you are indebted to me of this) to intangible wishes. I am now overwhelmingly concerned with the fruition of my relationships with people and aspirations for the future. There is so much to do and I am horrifically unmotivated. My future looms over me like that pair of Gucci sandals I didn’t purchase. Part of me is spiteful because I shouldn’t have to pace around worrying about “You’re older now and with that comes responsibility”. Instead, I should be flouncing around with boys, but I know that’s reckless and my ‘coming of age’ is inevitable. I decidedly want everything there is to be offered.

If you could be so kind, spare me a few points on my next history exam? Deposit a little cash into my bank account so I can repair my phone? Send a pair of concert tickets so I can patch up things with my best friend? Granting me these things would lift an extreme weight off my shoulders, as we have discussed our problems with pressure previously. A golden star is already perched on the top of my tree.

Scrumptious cookies have been baked. I have sung multiple Christmas carols and built snowmen all across the neighborhood. I will fervently await your arrival. Send my regards to the elves.

Admirer of White Beards, Amber Chong Dear Amber, To cease the barrage of letters in my inbox, I have reluctantly decided to respond. While your portrayals of me are brutally honest and a little stinging, I can inform you that I am wise beyond your years. Allow me to share a piece of advice so that you can be introduced to a different perspective. The holiday season is an exuberant time, filled with tenderness and mysticism. It incites cheerfulness within people unparalleled to any other time of year. In truth, the simple things like nestling next to an open fire and cherishing life with your loved ones is the true magic. The exchange of presents is supposed to be symbolic of love opposed to the superficial greed imposed by advertisements. As for your wishes? Suck it up. It would be a Christmas miracle to substitute corporeal objects for intangible yearnings, and a tad ironic as well. I suggest you grip on to your own sense of will and do what you have to do, because no one will do it for you, especially not me. If you really have no motivation, perhaps you’re not passionate about whatever you’re doing and should spend your time elsewhere. Toil and you shall receive. If you want a higher test score, be a better student. If you want a better friendship, be a better friend. Work for what you want and be the change you want to see. I appreciate your confidence in me, and I hope you know I reciprocate the same assuredness that you will prosper in all your endeavors and ambitions just the same. Happy holidays.

Santa Claus

achong@apachepowwow.com

Graphics by SUNNY WU Graphics courtesy of CAROLINECREATES.COM and ZAZZLE.COM

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High School Myths Debunked

By JULIA LIN Staff Writer

How accurate are teenage movies?

Let’s be honest, Hollywood productions like Mean Girls and Easy A are fun to watch, but they only borrow the basic high school setting. Stereotypes are replayed film after film, even though they’re extremely unrealistic.

Myth 1: The cafeteria is a brewing ground for backstabbing, alienation, and food fights. The unlucky ones end up in the bathroom, the janitor’s closet, or some other unsanitary location to eat.

The main character (usually a new student) falls subject to his or her peers’ ridicule, and has a tearful remembrance of his or her old life. That’s what happens when you don’t stick to the status quo.

Status: Debunked. First of all, we don’t even have a legitimate cafeteria with lunch tables to socialize. The small, cramped lunchroom that is so prevalent in movies doesn’t exist at AHS. Students are generally spread out through the lettered halls, buildings, staircases...you get my drift. Therefore, we cannot gossip in the manner as portrayed in the films.

Myth 2: The nerds are always, and I mean always, bullied by the jocks or popular crowd.

Cue the wedgies, lunch money robbery, and locker room antics. If I had a dollar for every time white underwear has graced the flagpole in a teen flick, I would have 15 yachts and a unicorn. It’s a common scenario in most high school centered movies.

Status: Debunked. In an academically high-achieving school such as Arcadia, most students are intelligent enough to be considered nerds. In this case, many nerds are not only popular, but also athletic. Basically, they’re the jack of all trades. Running a mile in five minutes, being a part of ASB, and having a 4.5 GPA? Darn you overachievers.

Myth 3: The source of stress is the vast amount of drama that occurs on a daily basis.

Hollywood scriptwriters tend to forgo mentioning education in favor of showdowns between cliques. How many scenes are there of actual classroom learning in comparison to hallway screaming matches?

Status: Kinda true. Slaps and scuffles aren’t everyday occurrences here, but there is a glimmer of relatability in these spectacles. When more than 3,000 teenagers are placed into a 40-acre area, catfights are bound to happen. If you ask me, however, the real struggles stem from the courses we take and from the homework we are assigned. Who has the time to worry about stuck up Sally stealing my bae when there’s a 500 word essay due the next day? Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Although filmmakers glam up some aspects of a school life, it certainly exaggerates our ways of interaction. The Hollywood portrayal may be enticing, but we should be glad that we don’t have to live through these cliched shenanigans. jlin@apachepowwow.com

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FEATURES

Unique Locations in Los Angeles

By MICHELLE HUANG

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in a Flash

By CELINE LEE Staff Writer

Are you craving a sweet or savory snack, but don’t have enough time to actually make it? Well, you’re in luck! In honor of the microwave, here are five easy step-by-step instructions on how to make snacks and baked goods with just a few ingredients and a mug! Some of these recipes are also vegan!

Staff Writer

Cookies and Cream Mug Cake It goes without saying that many of us will Ingredients: be bored over winter break. And what better to do · 1/4 cup white chocolate chips than to explore Los Angeles? It’s close, and aside · 4 Tbsp milk from famous landmarks, LA is a behemoth of a · Scant 1/4 cup all purpose flour city, full of nooks and crannies that are yet to be · 1/4 tsp baking powder discovered. · 2 Oreos (or any type of cookie substitute) The Last Bookstore Instructions: Located in Downtown LA, The Last Book1. Combine white chocolate and 3 tbsp of milk (reserving store has a mixture of books, vinyl records, art, the final one) into an oversized microwaveable mug. crafts, and plays. The first floor is like any other 2. Microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir with a fork until bookstore—it contains books, records, and a readchocolate is melted. Chocolate should melt, but it may not be ing area. However, it’s the second floor that’s truly completely smooth. impressive. It’s a labyrinth of used $1 books— 3. Microwave for another 20 seconds and stir again. hard to navigate, but well worth the stroll. Books Chocolate should be thickened and completely melted and are organized by color, and there are sculptures smooth. and art pieces made out of them as well. And if 4. Add in flour and baking powder. Stir with a small whisk that doesn’t interest you already, the architecture until batter is smooth. It will be quite thick. Add in the addiis whimsically designed. Vaults and arches made tional 1 tbsp milk and stir again. This will loosen the batter. out of books create tunnels you can walk through, 5. Add in two Oreos. Using a fork, smash Oreos into mug. and there are decorations made out of books too.

Continue to mash Oreos into the batter until only small chunks MILK remain.

Possibly one of the most acclaimed small ca6. Microwave for approximately 1 minute. Poke the top fes in LA, MILK was praised by big news sources with a toothpick in order to make sure it’s fully cooked. Let such as the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, cake cool completely in mug so that it sets before eating. and LA Weekly. MILK is known for its deliciously-baked snacks, which include sweets such as Chocolate Mug Cakes “ooey-gooey-chocolate-chip” cookies and “blue” Ingredients: velvet cake. And, if you’re not afraid of the cold, · 1/2 cup all-purpose flour there are also macaroon ice cream sandwiches · 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder and various types of ice cream floats. Aside from · 1/2 tsp baking powder sweets, it also offers fresh sandwiches, salads, and · 1/4 cup + 2 tsp granulated sugar soups. The inside of MILK is quite small and has · 1/4 tsp kosher salt that homey kitchen feel. There’s a wide array of · 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp milk (any kind but skim) baked foods and snacks, easy to eat on the go or ·1/4 cup neutral-flavored oil in the shop. · 2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips Old LA Zoo · Optional: whipped cream, cherries, ice cream Located nearby in Griffith Park, the Old LA Instructions: Zoo is an abandoned zoo that shut down in the 1. First, gather up two microwave-safe mugs. Each mug 1960s. Now, it’s filled with open cages, twists should hold at least 1½ cups of water to prevent overflows and turns, and abandoned buildings. Best of all? during cooking. Check your microwave, and ensure the power It’s free. This place is pretty big, and usually not setting is on high. very crowded, so there’s plenty to explore. You 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powcan pretty much go anywhere here, as there’s no der, baking powder, sugar and salt. Set aside. supervision whatsoever. But beware, some say 3. In a measuring cup, whisk together the milk and oil. it’s supposedly haunted, so it’s not for the faint Pour this over the dry ingredients, and of heart. whisk until the batter is lumpBradbury Building free.

E Also located in Downtown, the Bradbury V I 4. Divide the batter beT le Building is one of the few historical sites in Los AN RNA simp attween the two mugs, and s E Angeles. Built in 1893, it has been restored top each mug with 1 Tbsp LT and itely mug A and is maintained in perfect condition. The of the mini chocolate Y ick defin th, go! u S interior features a really antique, yet interA a q will t too to chips.

E y esting construction, making the location or that swee e wa 5. Microwave F h t a favorite for films. For architecture fans, each mug cake sepaea your are t r t this building is a must-see. ts rately for 70 seconds. isfy sser Venice Canals After 70 seconds, e d The Venice Canal Historic District is let the cake rest in well known for its man-made canals. Conthe microwave structed in 1905, the canals still exist today. for about 1 As its name suggests, the district resembles minute before Venice, Italy, with its waterways and romantic opening the scenery. Pretty houses, quiet atmospheres, and door. a mellow mood all combine to make this area a 6. Serve pleasure to visit. The serenity makes it hard to bewith whipped lieve that this place is just a few minutes away cream, chocofrom the busy beachfront. late sauce, ice mhuang@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of NUCHRONICLE.COM

December 2014

cream, and cherries.

Brownie in a Cup Ingredients: · 1/4 cup flour · 1/4 cup sugar · 2 Tbsp cocoa (natural, unsweetened) · Pinch of salt · Tiny pinch of cinnamon · 1/4 cup water · 2 Tbsp canola oil or vegetable oil (NOT extra virgin olive oil; it’s too strongly flavored) · 1-2 drops vanilla extract · 1 small scoop of ice cream or heavy whipping cream to serve (optional) Instructions: 1 Place flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and cinnamon in a microwave-safe ceramic mug. Stir with a fork or spoon to mix well and break up any clumps.

2. Add the oil, water, and vanilla to the cup and stir until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.

3. Place in microwave (heat on high) until the mixture is cooked-through, or for about 1 minute and 40 seconds. It should still be moist at this point, not dry.

4. Let cool for a minute and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a tsp of whipping cream poured over. Voila!

Red Velvet Cookie in a Cup Ingredients: · 1 Tbsp butter · 1 Tbsp granulated white sugar · 1 Tbsp of firmly packed dark brown sugar · 3 drops of vanilla extract · Small pinch of kosher salt · 1 egg yolk (discard the egg white) · 2 Tbsp of flour · 2 Tbsp of Red Velvet Cake mix Instructions: 1. Start by melting your butter in the microwave. Add sugars, vanilla and salt. Stir to combine.

2. Separate your egg and add the yolk only to your cup.

3. Add flour and cake mix, then stir again.

4. Cook in microwave for about 60 seconds.

5. Let cool for a minute or two. Cookie will be soft at first, but will become chewier as it cools.

Cheesecake in a Cup Ingredients: · 2 oz cream cheese (softened) · 2 Tbsp sour cream · 1 egg · 1/2 tsp lemon juice · 1/4 tsp vanilla · 2-4 Tbsp sugar substitute (taste as you go) Instructions: 1. Carefully mix all of these ingredients thoroughly in a cup.

2. Microwave on high heat for about 90 seconds while stirring every 30 seconds.

3. Cool down.

4. Refrigerate until serving.

5. Top it off with fresh fruits, whipped cream, or any topping you desire. clee@apachepowwow.com

Photos courtesy of RECIPES.COM

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December 2014

FEATURES

Behind the Iconic Holiday Characters

7

By JULIA LIN

Staff Writer

Christmas is symbolized by a multitude of holiday icons: elves, pine trees, angels, and so on. With some, it is easy to see how they are tied to the winter culture. With others, the history is less clear.

Previously, reindeer, or caribou, were not thought to be aerodynamic. In fact, they were so easy to spot that they were the most hunted species by humans. It’s hard to imagine Santa Claus’ sleigh helpers being captured by the very people that relish in the Christmas spirit, but it’s true. So how did the caribou become a symbol of Christmas?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. These names made reindeers Christmas symbols in “A Visit from Saint Nicholas”, also commonly known as “The Night Before

Christmas”. Since the poem was a smash hit, the concept of Santa having reindeer to pull his sleigh on his journey to deliver presents stuck.

Perhaps the most prominent of all of Santa’s reindeer was Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. Originally created by Robert L. May for coloring books, he was almost named Rollo or Reginald. Thankfully, the name “Rudolph” triumphed. May’s brother-in-law based the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on his story, and the catchy holiday tune has been a popular pick for carolers ever since.

The singer of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, Gene Autry, also sang “Frosty the Snowman”. Funny enough, the song itself doesn’t mention the word “Christmas”. It was released during the winter, so Frosty had became a prominent

figure in Christmas folklore. Like the previous seasonal success, Frosty the Snowman earned many adaptations such as a television special, a children’s book, and a short film.

The earliest documentation of a snowman dates back to 1380 in an illustration, but the idea of a snowman probably emerged before then. Some researchers believe that snowmen were first created to ward off evil, but now they are an integral custom in parts of the world that celebrate white Christmases.

Another representation of Christmas is gingerbread. A gingerbread house embodies the warmth and love that should be felt by a family during the special celebration, bringing people together as they work to construct it piece by piece.

It started out a lot less festive, however, as just plainold gingerbread biscuits. With

the idea of Queen Elizabeth I herself serving these cookies, many European countries had professional gingerbread bakers around the 1600s recognize the importance of gingerbread. The position was highly regarded, as only the certified bakers themselves could bake the aromatic treat, except at Christmas and Easter. Gingerbread biscuits were even worn into battle as a talisman of luck.

We celebrate holiday classics without fully knowing their roots although they are fundamental to our culture. But now that the history of these symbols are more widely known, we can appreciate them even more.

jlin@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of CLIPARTBEST.COM and DREAMSTIME.COM

Why Animals Are Going Extinct

Debunking Fairytales

By NIKI CHI Staff Writer

Imagine a regular photo booth. Now imagine that ten times bigger, with costumes, plushies, and even a stand-up horse to use as a backdrop. Put that all together and you have yourself Selfie Selfie, a newly opened photo studio located in the heart of Arcadia, dedicated to giving everyone who goes a good time. I was recently given the chance to visit and experience the service with a couple of Pow Wow companions. Let’s just say it was an interesting experience, to say the least.

The concept goes a little along the lines of something like this: gather a group of friends (six people maximum), and bring a flash drive with you to the studio. First, you will be told to enter the prop room to begin choosing the items you would like to use. This includes items ranging from wedding dresses, onesies, gigantic duck plushies, and even sets of Communist outfits.

Once that is done, prepare to enter the studio. Be it yellow, orange, or pink, you are able to choose the color you want for your background.

The kind receptionist will then hand you a “clicker” with which you will be

given the freedom to take as many photos as you want. This lasts for up to an hour, and once that time is up, the receptionist will come back and ask for your group to come up to the front.

A perk is that there is no cleaning required, so don’t mind the mess you make (as long as you aren’t being super sloppy about it, of course).

Plus, Selfie Selfie prints each person a photo of their choice onto nice Polaroid film and loads every single file onto the flash drive you have brought.

While the location is small, there’s a lot of fun opportunities waiting inside. The small space forces everyone to be close together, and in turn, creates a better experience. The unlimited photos let anyone have reign as a photographer. The two receptionists at the front are very friendly and open to any conversations. And since they’re pretty young themselves, they have the capability to relate to people our age.

Don’t shy away from this opportunity. While it’s definitely an obscure concept, for unlimited photos and a comfortable atmosphere, it’s a great bonding experience for anyone who goes. I can’t count the number of times I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt. That’s exactly how fun it was.

It’s just an hour of your life, so try this place out! nchi@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of SELFIE SELFIE

By JESSICA WANG Staff Writer

While Disney has covered a wide range of topics in its movies, one thing they all have in common is that they all end happily ever after. However, the classic stories that many Disney movies are based off of rarely end in a happy ending. Get ready for some ruined childhood memories and some eye-openers, because this ride is going to be a wild one.

The Little Mermaid: This Disney movie is about as far as you can get from the original story. There are some similarities: she sees a hot guy on a ship, saves him from drowning, falls in love, and trades her voice (because she has a breathtaking voice) for legs. In the original, it’s her tongue in exchange for legs, but it’s more or less the same thing. Disney also neglected to mention that every single step the mermaid-turned-human takes is excruciatingly painful, as if she were walking on glass. When told to kill the prince, she finds herself unable to and throws herself into the sea. It’s implied that she dies, so definitely no happily ever after.

The movie only made minor changes compared to some of the other adaptations

by Disney. Cinderella doesn’t have a fairy godmother in the original. Instead, she plants a tree by her mother’s grave and prays under it daily. Dresses magically appear under the tree for her to wear to each of the prince’s balls. However, Cinderella does have little bird friends who help her.

When her

two stepsisters’ feet are too big to fit into the infamous slipper, one of them cuts off her toes and the other cuts off her heel to fit the tiny slipper. The prince doesn’t notice until doves point out that there is blood on the glass slipper, and discovers that the true owner of the shoe is Cinderella.

Peter Pan: The main difference lies in the fact that the Lost Boys remained young forever because Peter kills them when they get too old. When they seem to be growing up, which is against the rules, Peter turns on his companions, while in the movie, they remain good friends despite this. The real Peter doesn’t seem so sweet and innocent anymore, huh?

Hercules: Most people know the real story behind Hercules, so this shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. Zeus tricks a female mortal into sleeping with him, and as a result, Hercules is born! He has superhuman strength, and eventually accidentally kills his music tutor with a lyre (a Greek harp).

He ends up marrying Megara, which Disney got right for once, but later goes insane.

In his insanity, he murders her and all of their children. The end. Not so heroic of him, right?

While it’s obvious some of these stories have seriously questionable roots, one would have to admire Disney for transforming these seriously twisted tales into something more child friendly and magically inspired. jwang@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of BEHANCE.NET Photo courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM

8

PERFORMING ARTS

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December 2014

Holiday Events

By KATIE HUANG

By EILEEN LEE Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Clara. She received a magical nutcracker on Christmas Eve and her journey began. Clara went on wondrous adventures off in the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. On her way, she met toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, fighting mice, dancing snowflakes, and even Sugar Plum Fairies, who guided her on her journey. Interested? A few weeks ago, The Nutcracker was presented by the Inland Pacific Ballet (IPB).

IPB was first founded by Victoria Koenig and Kevin Myers, Southern California directors, who successfully developed the small team into a highly acclaimed professional dance team.

IPB covers all genres in both dance and music and is acclaimed as a team with the largest and most varied repertoire in the area.

Ranging from classics such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream to contemporary classics such as Serenade, the team incorporates each masterpiece and each dancer’s style, evident in IPB’s performances.

IPB serves a special

mission to “build and sustain a professional ballet company of national stature in the Inland Empire of Southern California.” The company is dedicated to performing full length story ballets, as well as more modernized, contemporary choreography. IPB strives to “introduce new audiences to the magic of ballet through marketing and extensive outreach programs, where students ranging from preschool to high school can go on a field trip to watch its show.”

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) proudly serves as one of its few venues for the 2014-2015 season. On Nov. 29 and 30, IPB visited the PAC to present the fascinating story of The Nutcracker.

The holidays are right around the corner, so it was the perfect time to stop by to enjoy a good holiday themed dance piece. Dazzling sets, bright costumes, and over 100 talented dancers completely captivated the audience. Junior Stephanie Zhang stated that she was upset because she couldn’t make it to the show. Stephanie said, “I am a huge fan of IPB’s work. Since I am in Chanteurs, I am a singer and dancer myself, and I believe [the company’s] work is always great. I learn a lot from its performances; the company fosters inspiring dancers!”

The Nutcracker ended in great success, so be sure to stop by to see IPB’s next performance. You definitely won’t regret it! elee@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM, PCLPART.COM, SHOPIFY.COM, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, and THURSTONTALK.COM

Holidays are to be spent with family and friends, and LA offers the best events for you to get into the holiday spirit. Here are some of LA’s best wintery events this year.

Located next to the Nokia Theater, the LA Kings brings its annual ice skating rink to the public from Nov. 30 to Dec 31. With a Christmas tree in the middle of the rink, this is one of LA’s most festive events. Southern Californians can enjoy a “White Christmas” at the ice rink; families have a chance to celebrate the holidays in a frosty winter wonderland. While it’s only $13 to skate at the rink, the “Supper and Skate” offer includes a meal at a participating LA LIVE restaurant. If you’re interested, make the trip down to Downtown LA to ice skate under the holiday lights!

For those who want to do a little singing of their own, the Music Center Plaza houses its annual Holiday SingAlong on Friday, Dec. 19. Sing along with the crowd to classic favorites like the “The Christmas Song,” “O Christmas Tree,” “Silver Bells,” “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and more. This popular event is free, but you still need to redeem tickets to enter the event. Distribution starts at 6:00 p.m., so that gives you plenty of time to meet up with your friends on the last day of school before break to go caroling! You can finally sing those Christmas songs that have been stuck in your head all day.

These events are only available for a limited time, so make sure to take advantage of them. There are events in LA suited for everyone, so bring your family and friends to spend quality time together over break. Happy holidays! khuang@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of FG-A.COM

Worldline Successes in 2014 Throughout our nation, there are many high schools that have percussion groups and drumlines. However, only a few of them have the opportunity to compete in Nationals. AHS is home to one of these groups. The drumline is split into three groups: ALine (Beginning), O-Line (Intermediate), and World Line (Advanced). During the first semester, World Line got the opportunity to play with Band. When marching season ended, these drummers train to compete in hopes of making it to Nationals every year. In the last few years, World Line has been achieving this goal constantly. This year, to maintain their wonderful achievement, World Line members have stated their undeterred determination to go to Nationals again.

By KYLE WANG

“We plan on practicing efficiently and effectively. Also, this year we are trying something out that may woo judges.

Not forgetting that we have a lot of talented percussionists this year, we have the potential in beating last years results.”

-Josephine Faith Yip, 11

“I believe this year, since we got first at the SCSBOA Championships, we’ll be able to carry that mentality over to winter season and really kick butt.”

-Andrew Yen, 12

“This year we’re trying out a totally new show concept.

It’s super exciting so we’re fueling that energy into hard work and hopefully the gold!”

-Tiffany Lau, 11

“We strive to be better and more confident than we were the day before, both as a musician and as a performer. The day-today growth culminates to our end result on the floor at National Championships, and the scores will reflect the hours we put in.”

-Kenneth Sanheuza, 12

“The World Line members have been closely working with our instructors to plan our winter show.

Combined with our amazing leadership, we are surely to go far this season.”

-Ishaan Dev, 12

kwang@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of MUSIC-4-LESS.COM, PHOTOSEARCH.COM

December 2014

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10

H A P P Y H O L I D AY S

By KATIE HUANG

arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

Staff Writer

It’s Christmas Eve and you’ve completely forgotten to do your Christmas shopping. No matter what the reason for putting it off till last minute, it is still possible to come up with exemplary gifts in a small amount of time and on a tight budget. Below are a few last minute Christmas gift ideas you can pull off last second.

For your coffee lovers, you can purchase a package of Folgers coffee, a package of cinnamon sticks, and wrap it all together with a scarf or ribbon. However, if the person you are giving a gift to isn’t very fond of coffee, there is always a second option: tea! You can purchase a tea set at any vintage or secondhand shop. Add in a package of French tea or any other tea you can find and piece it all together with a big bow.

If you are in need to please some friends who love video games, attempting to purchase one last minute may be a bit too risky. Instead, you should purchase a voucher at their favorite video game store so they can redeem it and buy whatever they want later on. If that gift seems too simple, you can add in a video game controller, a case for them to put their video games in to, or anything of the sort.

Those who love to bake will surely love new baking tools. Interestingly shaped silicone baking tools are sturdy and durable, but wooden spoons, pastry brushes, or cookie cutters can suffice as well. If you have time, a collection of your favorite recipes pieced together in a scrapbook can also be an amazing gift to give.

If you forgot to purchase one, two, or several Christmas gifts last minute, don’t fret! You can still pull off an exemplary gift in a short amount of time and on a limited budget. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May your winter break be full of family, friends, and lots of food! khuang@apachepowwow.com

December 2014

December 2014

L O V E , P O W W WO O W 11

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12

STUDENT LIFE

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A Stellar Interstellar

Healthy Holidays

By KRISTIE SUN

Staff Writer

By SHAWN XING Staff Writer

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Interstellar rocketed to the top of the charts soon after its release date in early arly November, nearing $550 million at the global box office. The out-of-this-world ut-of-this-world nd Anne Hamovie, starring Matthew McConaughey and thaway, features a nearly uninhabitable Earth and a team of astronauts who travel through a wormhole in search of a new planet to call home. Whilee Interstellar dives into the topics of space travel, wormholes, rmholes, d black time warps, fifth dimensions, existence, and holes, the underlying concepts of love and huHS manity ultimately drive the story. Many AHS y students have taken time out from their busy schedules to head over to the theaters to seee this particular movie. While some studentss liked the film for its mind blowing plott twists, others liked it for its unique portrayall of space travel and alternate galaxies.

However, initial expectations for the film were mixed. Junior Jeff Jing had watched the film’s trailer, but that was not enough for him to have many things to look forward to, since the trailer itself did not give away too much of the film’s plot. ad On the other hand, junior Yeab Guracha had a vague idea what the film would be like based on other dystopian films, such as District 9 and Prometheus. In the end, no matter what kind off notions hey both they brought with them into the theater, they left amazed and “awed.”

According to Yeab, the best part of Interstelrs, Yeab lar was its ending. Without offering spoilers, commented that the ending left his “mind blown.” ped him He continued to explain that this movie helped understand the potential of humanity and that haver ing a goal in mind, like Cooper, the main characte character in the movie, can help humans in science and sociel are not ety. Yeab believes that space and time travel

By NIKI CHI

December 2014

abstract ideas and with humans’ growing hunger for knowledge, “we may not be far from obtaining the means to travel away from Earth to another galaxy”. Yeab recommends Interstellar to anyone and ev everyone who enjoys good movies.

Jeff partic particularly liked that the movie challenged its viewers mentally and bbrought them out of their comfort zone. They have to really think about how the storyline is even cohesive and plausible, due to th the complex nature of the narrative. Jeff explained that “With the exception of time travel, I believe that wormholes and altern alternative galaxies all exist. Watching Interstellar was really th the first time I was given the chance to” view visual depi depictions of wormholes, dark holes, and alternative gal galaxies. One of the reasons that compelled Jeff the mo most to watch Interstellar was that the movie is direc rected by Christopher Nolan, who Jeff points out also dir directed the Dark Knight trilogy.

Finally, senior Morven Sharp stated that Intterstellar “struck a good balance between general audience viewers and Sci-Fi nerds.” To Morven, Interstellar felt like it was actually split into “two different films.” He explained that one film is about space travel and the other is about “love conquering all.” Morven states that both of the films are “really well made,” and work to complement one another nicely. He also commended C Christopher Nolan for his scientifically accurate researc research on wormholes and time travel. “It’s rare for a Hollyw Hollywood Sci-Fi movie to be so scientifically accurate,” expres expressed Morven.

In Interstellar is unique, visually spectacular, and delv delves into the monumental themes of alternate galaxies, love, and the future of humanity’s survival. Many AH AHS students believe that this movie is one of the grea great cinematic experiences of our time and is definitel nitely worth watching. sxing@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of HOLLYWOOD.COM

¡Feliz Navidad!

Staff Writer

The holiday season is already here. Families are putting up their Christmas trees, children are preparing for the upcoming present wars, and the festive lights surrounding Arcadia are sights for everyone to see. And it’s definitely no surprise that almost everyone at AHS is getting ready to leave for winter break. But before that can actually happen, the Spanish department took it into its hands to educate fellow students on how the holidays are celebrated outside of America, specifically in Mexico.

Called “Las Posadas”, this nine day celebration is one with historical roots, celebrating the pilgrimage Joseph and Mary took when they were looking for lodging in Bethlehem. Following this, “El Día de Reyes” is another holiday celebrating the height of the Christmas season. Rather than having a Santa Claus going from house to house giving presents, it is the Three Wise Men who leave gifts in the shoes of small children. With so many differences, the Spanish teachers helped create a festive afternoon for the students at AHS, with food and activities to carry out all the specific traditions that would have otherwise been seen in Mexico. This included singing Christmas carols, a play about the Three Wise Men (with a Mean Girls rendition on the side), a God’s eye craft, and factual presentations for the students to take notes on. E-Hall was packed with students from all Spanish levels, and everyone seemed to have been enjoying their time.

Personally, I believe that the highlight of the event was definitely the food that was there. Many Spanish students were assigned to cook for this celebration, and let’s just say the food was nothing short of amazing. There were tamales, churros, flan, chicharrones, enchiladas, buñuelos, horchata, agua de Jamaica, and so much more. If you happen to not know what some of these are, I would suggest you look it up. You will not regret it.

The festive atmosphere was extremely enjoyable, since I could tell that everyone, especially the teachers, was passionate and enthusiastic in what they were doing. At first, when I heard about this event, I expected a completely different experience.

I would have never imagined an endless buffet of the best Mexican food around, a fun learning experience and even piñatas strung to trees for us to hit. But now that I’ve actually had the chance to experience an event like this, I would recommend for everyone to go the next time one rolls around. Within a mere two hours, I came to appreciate the traditions of another country and also crave celebrations like it from locations all around the world. Just imagine the endless opportunities students could be having, looking through the cultural lenses that the diverse world we live in presents today. nchi@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of FLICKR.COM

Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving are all holidays that consist of large family dinners. Since these holidays are only several weeks apart from each other, students are bound to put on some weight from left over turkey or numerous bottles of apple cider. Here are some tips to stay healthy and in shape over the holiday break!

Remember to get a dosage of nutrients from fruits and veggies. This can be difficult while students are shoving their faces full of mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other delicious foods. However, an addition to your holiday meal is a daily smoothie recipe, which includes one apple, three celery sticks, two handfuls of grapes, two handfuls of carrots, and ice. This is the perfect mixture of both fruits and veggies and also tastes delicious.

For a easy, cute and healthy food idea, cut out a circle of bread from the middle of a slice of bread. Spread a little bit of butter or oil in the pan and once the skillet is hot, place both the circular bread and the original slice of bread onto it. Then crack one egg into the middle of the skillet and wait for it to cook so it can be flipped over. This small snack or meal contains enough protein for the day and can be eaten as any meal of the day!

Work out everyday, or at least stay active. Whether it is a brief walk or an intense workout, a little exercise a day can go a long way.Do as many reps of each exercise in one minute, changing from one to the next without pausing. Do them in the order of jumping jacks, squat jumps, side-to-side hops, and burpees. For side-to-side hops, keep your knees slightly bent and your feet together and pretend you’re jumping back and forth over a line on the ground. Just remember that after all these workouts, you will probably grow hungry so don’t feel guilty for consuming even more goodies over the holidays!

The holidays are the time for people to indulge in sweet treats and eat without any guilt. Whether it is exercising more or eating healthier, there is nothing wrong with staying or getting healthy over the holidays! ksun@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of PHOTOBUCKET.COM

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ACADEMICS

Cal Poly Architecture

By LAUREN TRAJANO

Staff Writer

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, more commonly known as Cal Poly SLO, was founded in 1901 as a vocational high school. This university is comprised of six distinct colleges, one of which is called the College of Architecture and Environment Design.

This particular college offers prospective Cal Poly SLO students a chance to major in Architecture. The school’s Architecture program is well-accredited and one of the best Architectural programs in the nation. According to a report by Design Intelligence, the department of Architecture at Cal Poly SLO is ranked first in the nation among undergraduate programs this year, and has made the nation’s Top 20 list since 2003 with a ranking of sixth or better.

The Architecture Department at Cal Poly SLO offers a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree. This is a first professional degree accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. In addition, the department offers the Master of Science in Architecture, which is a post-professional degree in the broad field of architecture with an emphasis on environmental planning and design in an information society. These are not the only degrees available to prospective students; other institutions offer programs leading to either a pre-professional Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Architecture) or a four-year degree that usually requires a professional master’s degree before the graduate is eligible for licensure as an architect. But, students of the professional master’s degree who must complete a fouryear undergraduate degree can still enter a program granting the Master of Architecture, which is accepted in lieu of a five-year Bachelor degree for licensure.

Students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in architecture with a specialization in areas such as design theory, healthcare facilities, historic preservation, or solar design can resume their studies at the graduate level to receive the Master of Science or Doctorate degree in Architecture. They may choose to do this either directly after receiving their undergraduate degree or after a few years working in a professional office. Some choose to return after many years of professional training.

Cal Poly SLO’s College of Architecture and Environment Design has a historical commitment to learning that requires an emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning which is designed to amplify the interdisciplinary opportunities offered by the College’s five departments. Students learn to think creatively and critically while directly applying their knowledge through a design-based education.

ltrajano@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM

arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

December 2014

Volunteering at Methodist

By BRITTANIE GAJA

Staff Writer

Ever thought about becoming a dietician or prenatal nurse, but have no clue on where to start? Have you considered volunteering? Here at AHS, volunteer hours are not a requirement for graduation. However, it is not a bad idea to help the community once in a while. You’ll learn from the experience and expand your horizons. And for the aspiring future doctors and nurses, what better place to gather experiences other than at our local Methodist Hospital?

Methodist Hospital of Southern California offers a Junior Volunteer program to those prepared for a serious com-

mitment to their tasks. The program is open to those in grades 8 to 11 and requires its participants to dedicate 3 to 4 hours every two weeks.

They are trained beforehand then assigned to various in-service areas, such as the Nursing Floors, Wound Care, Intensive Care, Information Desk, and many more. In return for a hundred hours of service, volunteers receive letters of achievement from the hospital, which may be beneficial come college application season.

But hold your horses; there are forms and applications you must submit before being considered to volunteer. Much like an employer, the hospital only recruits those they deem fit for the job. So be prepared to answer some per-

sonal questions and suit up for an interview. Applicants can only submit their applications on Aug. 18. All additional information and on-line forms can be found on their main website.

If you are more reserved and like to handle paperwork, try your hand at Admitting. If you have a friendly and outgoing personality, why not be a Hospitality Volunteer or work at the Information Desk? If you crave on-hands experience, then the Intensive Care and Nursing Floors may be your forte. Whatever you are interested in, don’t hesitate to pursue it. Not only does volunteering benefit the community, but it also greatly benefit the volunteer. It increases social interactions, opens up new opportunities, and builds new skills. Good luck and have fun volunteering!

bgaja@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of CAHOSPITALS.COM

By ANDREA LIU Staff Writer

Everything is perfect for the holidays: the garlands strung across the board, messy paper snowflakes pinned along the white walls, wreaths hung above the fireplace. There’s only one thing wrong with this candy-cane-induced winter wonderland: the level of learning has been heavily replaced by the sudden festivity. All of us have experienced distractions as winter vacation inches closer and closer by the days, whether it’s about the curiosity of your next vacation, or simply an urge to be free from school, or a sudden interest in your eraser. However, this annual enthusiasm proves to be a huge, and an annoying, problem within the classroom.

Just because winter break is right around the corner, it doesn’t mean that your grades are safe from potential damage. The constant holidayinfected distractions aren’t bad for the social level, but not so good for academics. If you find yourself having a hard time concentrating, either take a break from that Starbucks intake level or short breaks between periods of studying—just make sure to remember to get back to work.

Another way to beat the holiday stress is to think of something that will pay off for all the extra work you’re taking on now.

Try to picture the best aspect of winter break, like the weeks off from school, or the chances to meet up with your friends more, and try to put that to your advantage. Work towards your goal—if you do well now, your vacation

can be stress-free—at least, before the reminder of finals come back and gives you a wake-up slap in the face. Think: all over the nation, at this very second, students in high school, college, and grad school are going into freak-out mode, sweating over how they can cram in a whole semester full of information for the big finals.

You are not the only one, and now, you can make those panic attacks a thing of the past.

Contrary to the common belief of students, the study demand is often the highest around this time of year, with finals just around the block. Don’t let yourself lag behind, and pick up some helpful study methods. Groups can be nice and fun to study with, but there’s a flip side to the coin. You can find yourself lagging off once the word “holiday” is mentioned, and a full-blown discussion can follow, leading you to wander further off the math worksheet you were supposed to be doing. Rather, try studying

by yourself in a quiet area.

Eventually, you have to start putting yourself up for the test. Quizzing yourself might just be the best trick in the book to ace your finals, but you just have to have heart. Don’t worry about chewing off all your nails in trying to remember the harder stuff. Likewise, the more difficult the information, the better chance you have that you’re going to remember it.

Is your house too loud? Bring your books to a more tranquil area. The quieter section of the library is reserved for this purpose, but if you prefer a bit of noise to accompany the textbooks, try heading to a small cafe to get some work done, and maybe enjoy some of the seasonal drinks they’re bound to offer.

Speak out loud.

Reading material out loud can be crucial— you’re practically storing the information in two ways by both seeing and hearing it. There’s just no guarantee that you won’t be kicked out of the library.

Learn for yourself of what works and what doesn’t. Some people want cheery Christmas music blasting as they crack down the books, others want potential pins dropping. Some work best going slow, others like the panic-induced rush of finishing all of last night’s assignments in first period. See which method works the best for you during this holiday season, and stick to it. aliu@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of CELEBRATION.COM, EBAY.COM, and FLICKR.COM

December 2014

academics.powwow@gmail.com

By SUKANYA MUKHERJEE Staff Writer

From weekly summer meetings to Monday night practice sessions at Arcadia’s city hall chambers, AHS’s We the People Constitution Team (Gov. Team) has been grappling with philosophical, historical and contemporary ideas revolving around the constitution. After winning the regional competition on Dec. 13, Gov. Team is advancing on to the state competition in Bakersfield, CA on Jan. 30-31 2015.

On a sunny Saturday morning, AHS and Martin Luther King High School from Riverside piled into the Arcadia Education Center.

From labor union lawyers to California district judges, an extensive panel of judges critiqued and praised both teams on their ability to deliver a four-minute prepared response with their unit mates as well as their ability to think on their feet and offer logical answers to free response questions.

By SUNNY WU Staff Writer

Now that Christmas is just around the corner, you know the best places to buy your friends and family gifts for the holidays, but do you know what and where to find books that are the best to read over your winter vacation?

Read for a variety of the best novels that are suitable for you!

Ahh, the holidays. A wonderful time of year, full of light, love, laughter, and endless moments with your perfect family. Except, not. Everyone is stressed from the pressure of giving gifts and exhausted from the constant entertaining. If only there were a way to escape into a world where all your family problems just—poof!—went away.

That’s why we turn to books; nothing calms your nerves better than curling up with a good read. Here’s a collection of some of our favorite tomes for you to dive into this Christmas, but there’s a little twist: the plights of each of these novels will make all of your familial issues and dramas seem minuscule in comparison.

There are all kinds of dysfunctional events here, whether it’s murder, deceit, or meth labs deep in the rural Ozarks. Lose yourself in the page, and most importantly, lose your worries on the page.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding.

The classic study of human nature depicts the degeneration of a group of schoolboys marooned on a desert island. Ralph, Piggy, Simon and their fellow castaways attempt to develop their own society—and fail disastrously.

ACADEMICS

AHS’ Gov. Team compromises of thirty seniors split into six different units of five people each. Each unit focuses on a different aspect of the constitution application from colonial times to present day. In the past, Gov. Team has been state champion five times and national cham-

performance was among its best so far.” He realized that “in preparation for state, they’ll have to put in even more time and effort and dig deeper with their questions.”

Coach Leahy thought that “the team handled themselves well considering it was its

pion twice. Coach Megan Leahy hopes that the team “will follow in the tradition of all the AHS teams that have come before them and have a strong showing at state. As long as they perform to the best of their abilities I will be happy”, she said.

Senior Erik Zhao, a member of Unit 2 which focuses on how the framers created the constitution, is proud that his unit’s “district

first competition. Their performance,” she said “makes me very hopeful for the state competition at the end of January.”

As the team continues to prepare for the state competition, everyone is looking forward to Monday night chamber sessions with his or her respective unit coaches and the traditional late night bites after chambers. With only little more than a month before State, Gov. Team is

The Divergent series by Veronica Roth.

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Paper Towns by John Green. One month before graduating from Central Florida high school, Quentin “Q” Jacobsen basks in the predictable boringness of his life, until the beautiful and exciting Margo Roth Spiegelman, Q’s neighbor and classmate, takes him on a midnight adventure and then mysteriously disappears.

The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Able to see demons and those who hunt them, Clary Fray is drawn into the world of the Shadow hunters when her mother slips into a coma and travels to the City of Glass, the capital of their secretive country, where she uncovers important truths about her family’s past.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. Always being dumped by girls named Katherine, Colin Singleton, a washed-up child prodigy with a Judge Judy-obsessed best friend, embarks on a quest to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will affect all of his future relationships and change his life.

Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes.

When brain surgery makes a mouse into a genius, dull-witted Charlie Gordon wonders if it might also work for him. It does ... but then the mouse begins to regress.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing 13 cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah’s voice recount the events leading up to her death.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Sherman Alexie’s humorous, semi-autobiographical novel, illustrated by Ellen Forney, follows 14-year-old Junior—poor, skinny and with a freakishly big head—as he leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation for a mostly white school in a nearby town. Alexie captures the pain and awkwardness of adolescence while also meditating on the devastation that poverty, racism and alcoholism have wreaked on Native American communities.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares. During their first summer break spent apart, longtime friends Lena, Tibby, Carmen and Bridget each embark on adventures that they share with each other through a pair of jeans that they have decided will be worn by all, and so will absorb all of their stories.

The Call of the Wild

by Jack London. This classic novel presents the adventures of an unusual dog, part

15

working hard, hoping to achieve first place at the state competition, a prerequisite to compete at the national competition. Aside from meeting as a team Monday night, each of the six units meet up individually two to three times a week to discuss possible free response questions and polish their prepared response. For many, Gov. Team has grown to be more than a team Senior Caryl Dann, a member of Unit 6, which specializes in the challenges that might face American constitutional democracy in the 21st century, holds Gov. Team dear to her heart.

“When I joined the team, I didn’t think I was going to have a new family – but I did. I’m so happy to get to know every single one of my unit members. I feel like we can accomplish anything if we do it together and I know we’ll go far as a unit.”

Best of luck to Gov. Team in the state competition! smukherjee@apachepowwow.com

Photos by BEN GEISBERG

Saint Bernard and part Scotch shepherd, forcibly taken to the Klondike gold fields, where he eventually becomes the leader of a wolf pack.

Happy reading over winter break!

swu@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of IMGUR.COM

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Boys Cross Country Pushes On one returning varsity runner and six new recruits. Although this meant several underclassmen had to step up It’s been another great season to the plate, they “worked hard and it for the Boys Cross Country team, and truly showed on the course” said jualthough it barely missed qualifying nior Shady Makar. for State, the boys are ready to work One runner that has consistently hard and improve for their next sea- shone in meets is junior Phillip Roson. With such a young Varsity team, cha. As a leader on the team, Phillip the runners brought amazing results, sets a great example by demonstratand are excited for what they can ing diligence and perseverance on bring to the table next year. and off the course. With a blazing The Boys Cross Country team time of 15:36, his hard work has has been known for its work ethic paid off with an 11th place finish in and consistency, as it has won numer- the prestigious Nike Cross Nationals. ous state and national titles these past Arguably the best runner in the counyears. This year, the Varsity team, try for his age group, Phillip has acconsisting of seven runners, had only quired numerous accolades and broCOME TOGETHER Great team chemistry and ken several records throughout the cohesion have propelled Boys Cross Country to a season.

Moreover, successful season.

Phillip was recently named Pasadena Star-News’ Runner of the Year.

Phillip’s success this year is just a glimpse at his potential and limitless ceiling in future years.

Despite not moving on to State, our Apaches have

By ROY ZHANG

Staff Writer

lost no motivation to improve upon their skills. They intend to, “keep working hard, and try to improve as much as [they] can over the summer and come back with full force next season” said junior Jonathan Zong.

Regardless of winning or losing, what’s important is “how [they] respond to these events, this only teaches [them] that [they] have to work harder for next season” proclaimed Shady. Even now, the Boys Cross Country team is already working hard, practicing for its track season during the spring in order to maintain and improve endurance.

Our Apaches take no days off.

They have no doubt in their minds that their next season will only improve upon this one, especially the new Varsity runners, who are working strenuously to beat the competition awaiting them next year. Our Apaches will push through a hard journey, but they are confident in their ability to do so. Under the leadership of Phillip, a bona fide champion, Arcadia’s future is brighter than ever.

Make sure to cheer on your Boys Cross Country team next year when it comes back hungry for a State and National Championship. rzhang@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of AUSTIN CHE

The Roots of Our Athletes

By TITUS WU Staff Writer

For an athlete, choosing a sport is perhaps one of the biggest moments of his or her life. The sport one chooses will ultimately shape that person’s being, not just in physicality but also their process of thought. Players must devote hundred of hours of practice to their sport, as well as countless drops of sweat and blood. Athletes spend just as much time on the field as at home and in classrooms. With all this significance on this one important decision, an athlete must have good reasons to choose the sport they do. Let’s see what Arcadia’s winter athletes have to say.

“Soccer is competitive for me, and you get to play with your feet, unlike the other sports where you play with your hands. That is really important to me because I have really bad hand coordination. Also, you can shove people more in soccer and get away with it. I didn’t like basketball because they called a foul every single time you touched someone, which was...simply annoying.”

— Erin Wong, 9, Girls Varsity Soccer

“When I was in elementary school, I was a pretty chunky kid, so my parents urged me to play basketball to lose some weight. It was the right decision for me, because I went from being a 160-pound fifth grader with multiple health problems, to the healthy and energetic man I am today. Basketball also gave me my huge calves.”

— Eric Chen, 11, Boys JV Basketball “I chose basketball as my sport because when I play basketball, I leave my stress outside the gym. Basketball is what I resort to when I need to let off some steam or to just play away a bad game. In life there are so many goals that it’s hard to focus on just one. While in basketball, it has one goal and that’s to score.”

— Jenny Wu, 10, Girls JV Basketball “I’ve played soccer since as far back as I can remember. When I was growing up I played many other sports but I like soccer the most since it’s so simple on paper but really intricate with skills, turns, and movement during a game. It’s just a childhood sport that I grew up with, and one that I

want to continue and maybe even pass on to others.”

— Forrest Hofmann, 12, Boys Varsity Soccer “I’ve been swimming since eight years old, but then one day, I saw people playing water polo. I thought it would be really interesting to use my swimming skills to a more interactive sport, so I tried the sport out.

I’m happy that I chose water polo.

I mean, I still swim, but sometimes swimming can get boring and water polo is a nice relief.”

December 2014

Girls Water Polo Wins Without Having a Pool at AHS

By LAUREN TRAJANO Staff Writer

The Girls Varsity Water Polo team played its first game against La Salle High School on Dec. 1. With the game ending in a tie, it was up to our fellow Apaches to score a goal as they went into overtime. During this sudden death round, the girls vigorously treaded the pool waters and fought hard to get ahead of their opponents. Their dedication and efforts proved to be to their advantage as they emerged victorious with a score of 11-10 against La Salle. This feat was a first for the girls on the team, as senior Laura Chun stated, “It’s the first time we have beaten La Salle and started the season strong with a 1-0 record.”

The team is comprised of players who are full of talent and dedicated to improving themselves each and every day. According to Co-Captain senior Nicole Sargent, the girls on the team mainly wish to “pick up from where they started last season and improve themselves from there.”

This goal of continuous progress is also shared by the rest of her teammates.

Every day after school, the girls practice for nearly three hours, usually from 2:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. They also have weight room workouts up to three days a week to build their muscles in and outside the pool.

Their daily workouts first consist of a swim set of 1,000 to 2,000 yards for conditioning, then they work on improving their ball passing skills through basic exercises designed to build balance and coordination in the water. Finally, they finish off strong with scrimmages which help them work on their offense and defense training.

Because the AHS pool is still under construction, the girls have to practice every day at Muir High School in Pasadena. Although the drive from Arcadia to Pasadena can “be a pain” sometimes, Nicole admits that this has only brought the Girls Varsity Water Polo team “closer” together. However, the team still faces many difficulties. Such difficulties include a lack of experience working together since many of the team’s players are new members.

But despite such difficulties, Nicole hopes that the team as a whole will “advance through these obstacles and succeed” throughout the season by creating “a strong team platform” that will promote effective communication among the girls during games.

For our Girls Varsity Water Polo team, a strong team bond will be very important since team spirit plays a large motivating factor in these girls’ performances.

Nicole stated that the girls “need to relearn how to effectively communicate with each other” since they are “a new group, each with varying skill levels” and need to discover “what each one of [them] has to offer in order to figure out how everyone can contribute to a shared success.”

Last year, our Girls Varsity Water Polo players encountered many challenging opponents whom they are looking forward to playing again this year. The members of the team wish to not only improve as individual players but also to grow closer as a team. Through hard work, dedication, and devotion during practice sessions, the girls hope to blossom into an excellent team that will finish off the season strong. ltrajano@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of NICOLE SARGENT

— Laura Meiling Chun, 12, Girls Varsity Water Polo Ultimately, whether to get fit, relieve stress, or continue a childhood hobby, all the athletes here have a strong connection to their own sport.

The reasons they gave in choosing their sport manifest this connection; indeed, for a sport to be selected out of a whole palette of options, it must be special to the chooser. It is this connection to the sport that truly matters, and it can bring Apache athletes far into the competition this winter. twu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of FLICKR.COM

ZONED IN Senior Nicole Sargent and the Girls Water Polo team have demonstrated diligence and tenacity in games as well as practices.

December 2014

17

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Kickin’ Off

By PETER JU Staff Writer

Soccer is not easy, to say the least. Soccer players run up and down the field countless times throughout the game. Our boys train hard to build the endurance needed in order to withstand the physical demand of this sport.

Last season, Boys Varsity Soccer found quite some success, going 12-11-4. Not only that, it advanced all the way to the quarter finals of CIF. That is a great accomplishment since it faced tough competition. When asked about season, senior Brandon Chang had this to say: “Coming out of the gates, we as a team were looking for a strong start. We felt like we were prepared, but unfortunately, it was a rough start for us; however, we knew what we needed to improve on to flip the script. Our team fought through the struggle. We improved greatly throughout the season, primarily our defense and passing, and that was what allowed us to have a pretty successful run in CIF.” As a team, its goal is to win league this season as well to advance even further in CIF. When asked about his personal goals, Brandon said, “This season, I hope that I make the all pacific league first team and all CIF first team if we get to advance further in CIF.” Something that Brandon thinks the Boys Varsity Soccer team needs to improve on to achieve its goals of “not [underestimating] the abilities of other teams since we tend to relax in games against the ‘weaker’ teams, so we hope to play every game with high intensity and focus, and not let the opponents change our mentality.”

Senior Oscar Chen has very similar goals to Brandon’s, and he shared his thoughts about this season.

“I think we need to talk and communicate more with each other on the field during games, so we won’t get confused. Also, we have to be tougher mentally and be hungrier.” Senior David Wilson also thinks it’s crucial that the team takes it one game at a time.

Boys Varsity Soccer found lots of success against La Salle, beating them 4-0; however, it was a different story for the team against a stronger opponent Salesian, losing 3-5. The Apaches rebounded with a spectacular performance against Mark Kepple, dominating them 9-0.

Boys Varsity Soccer is off to a great start yet again. Let’s support the players as they progress through this season! pju@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of VECTOR.ME

Girls XC XCeeds This Season

By CHRISTINA READ Staff Writer

The Girls Cross Country team went to the California state championships for the first time ever this Nov. 29, and it was a great success.

The team finished its season strong by placing 6th overall out of 23 teams, with sophomores Holly Lung and Joy Huang and senior Madison Ross leading the team to victory with their 32nd, 55th, and 64th place finishes, respectively. The result was an amazing achievement, especially for a team in its first qualifying year.

However, even this result was slightly less than they expected. According to sophomore Holly Lung, the team “had a good chance at getting second,” so the 6th place finish came as a slight surprise. Even so, the team made an amazing accomplishment to finish so highly ranked, and to qualify for a spot at the state championships for the first time! Because this was its first year qualifying, ranking 6th was “actually really good,” explained Holly.

Her teammate, Joy Huang, agreed.

The team started preparation for the race two days early by trav-

eling to visit the course, which is located about three and a half hours away in Fresno. The runners spent

TRIFECTA Lady Apaches leading the race has been a common theme in this season’s invitationals and meets. their preparation time making practice runs on the racing ground, to give them a feel for the course and

Focus: Caira Benton Caira plans on leading the team primarily by just “keeping a posiStaff Writer tive vibe.” She explained, “We tend Senior Caira Benton is getting to be put down by outside negativity ready to lead the Girls Varsity Bas- and I just want to always be the one ketball team this year. She has distin- to ‘hype’ us back up again. I love to guished herself as a leader of the bas- dance and sing around the team to ketball team and plans to help lead it create laughter and keep [the girls] to victories. happy with one another.” Along with Caira began playing cheering each other on, Caira competitive basketball believes trust and comwhen she was just a munication will be the sixth grader. Ackey to the team’s cording to Caira, success this year. she chose bas“We must know ketball because how to trust and it was the sport communicate she “felt the most as a team. Each talented and powplayer has [his or erful in.” She was her] own special asked to join a Pasacontribution to the dena travel team in team, such as shooting, sixth grade, and has been passing, or rebounding. If playing basketwe put all those ball ever since. TWO WAY PLAYER Senior qualities together, Her favor- Caira Benton dominates and is a vital we are bound to ite basketball part of the team’s offense. win league.” moment was Whether its when she realized that she broke the grabbing a rebound or “scoring with record for rebounds at AHS with 26 [her] speed while attacking the basrebounds in a single game. Caira is ket,” Caira is bound to do great things planning to break her own record this this year. Caira, a fourth-year Varsity year. She explained that “rebounding member, has acquired the experience is a way for [her] to show the [girls] and leadership to lead the team to that she has their back.” Whenever greater heights, so expect a great seathey are on a fast break, Caira will son from the girls this year. be right beside them “to show [them] sxing@apachepowwow.com that they can trust her if they need Photo courtesy of CAIRA BENTON help.”

By SHAWN XING

to allow them to plan intelligent strategies for running the actual championship.

However, despite this extra preparation time, sophomore Holly Lung said that they had “felt more

prepared than they actually were.”

The championship “just wasn’t that great of a race for [them] as a team,” which could have contributed to the lower-than-expected result. But although the race might not have gone exactly as well as planned, it clearly went well enough for the team, because the girls managed to place 6th overall, with six of our Apaches in the top 100, and all finishing within the top 200. Great job, Arcadia!

The team’s final finishing place of 6th, consistent with its overall state ranking over the entire season, makes a great start for a team in its first qualifying year. Holly explained that “because [the] team is really young, next year [it’s] probably going to be up there with the really good teams.” She hopes to make it the national championships next year. Because the current team is led by mostly sophomores, when they become juniors, and eventually seniors, the team will become much stronger as a whole and they’ll have a stronger chance. Make sure to cheer on your fellow Apaches! cread@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of SARA COLTON

The Impact of Sports

By WILLIAM HSU Staff Writer

To the athletes at AHS, the football field, the basketball court, and the swimming pool are as much their homes as the classrooms at school. On their teams, these young men and women make incredible sacrifices and learn heartwarming lessons; here are just a few ways that athletics have changed their lives.

“Water polo has shown me the value of time management and decision making. There are times that I’ve missed the big shots at the end of games and questioned for a long time whether I was the right person to take it. The sport has taught me how to learn from my mistakes and keep moving forward.”

— Laura Chun, 12, Girls Water Polo “I’ve been playing soccer for almost eleven years now, and people always as me how I can stay with one sport for so long. I just love soccer. It’s forged me into the strong, confident person that I am today. The countless hours that I practice with my teammates have taught me the passion and work ethic I need to succeed in every other part of my life.”

— Isabella Dou, 12, Girls Soccer “Basketball has been a really big part of my life throughout high school.

It’s afforded me the opportunity to surround myself with girls that I can honestly call my second family. Although practice is really time consuming, spending time with my teammates and working together to win games is absolutely worth the sacrifice.”

— Erika Olofson, 12, Girls Basketball Challenged with balancing their schoolwork, their extracurricular studies, and the stress of playing sports at the Varsity level, our Arcadia athletes perform extraordinarily well. They show us that no matter what sport they’re in–whether it’s basketball,soccer, or water polo–their lives have changed for the better. whsu@apachepowwow.com

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December 2014

Holiday Festivities

By JACQUELINE CHANG

Staff Writer

By EMILY WU Staff Writer

1. Which American state was the first to make Christmas an official holiday? a. Alabama b. California c. New Hampshire d. South Carolina 2. On Christmas, it is customary to exchange kisses beneath a sprig of which plant? a. Holly b. Mistletoe c. Ivy d. Pine 3. How many times does Santa check his “Naughty and Nice” list? a. Once b. Twice c. Three times d. Five times 4. Which Christmas song includes these lyrics: “You better watch out, you better not cry”? a. Winter Wonderland b. We Wish You a Merry Christmas c. Deck the Halls d. Santa Claus is Coming to Town 5. What brought Frosty the Snowman to life? a. A hat b. A carrot c. A kiss d. A pipe 6. Which of the following is not one of Santa’s reindeer? a. Comet b. Cupid c. Dancer d. Flash

Ho! Ho! Ho! Thanksgiving is out of the way, and we can all be joyful that it is finally acceptable to blast Christmas music 24/7. With Winter Break just around the corner, it’s time to make plans for the holidays.

If you are a huge supporter of all things to do with winter, then this is the time of the year for you to have some fun.

Now, take a look at our list of action-filled holiday activities that will keep you occupied for the entire break.

Fun on Ice This slippery activity will be tricky for newcomers, but once they get the hang of it, they might get addicted. For those of you planning to sit around the house this break, head over to an ice rink and lace up!

Walking through a Winter Wonderland You don’t need to drive a long way to see spectacular light displays. If you are looking for something free and exciting to do with your family, bundle up and take a walk around your neighborhood to see all of the wonderful Christmas displays lighting up the night. Nothing quite surpasses this activity for keeping the holiday spirit, especially when you can do it with little ones.

Be Classy: Attend a Showcase During this time of the year, the performing arts industry is buzzing with action, and shows are opening up here and there. The Los Angeles Ballet will be touring performances of “The Nutcracker” around L.A. this holiday season, and the Archlight’s Holiday Screenings are about to begin. The line-up this year will be: “White Christmas”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “A Christmas Story”, “Love Actually”, and “Scrooged”. For those of us who don’t want to skate or take a walk, these classic shows will be sure to make you smile! jchang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of DREAMSTIME.COM and LABETHEL.COM

By EMILY QUACH Staff Writer

Q: What’s a creative gift idea that I could make for my friends?

A: Sometimes, gifts don’t need monetary worth but personal thought! I’m trying to make a mason jar gift kit, which is great for stuffing small goodies. One example is a food mason jar which could contain a Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix or a Cookie Mix. You can layer the ingredients, festively decorate the jar, and tie it off with a cute note and instructions. This is a great and inexpensive way to give a gift that you put time and thought into.

Q: For Christmas this year, I’m Q: Finals are coming, work is piltrying to save money, so where can I ing up, and I’m not ready! How do I get inexpensive but nice gifts? prepare over break?

A: Well, these are pretty generic places, but Target and Walmart have great deals on Christmas gifts for friends of all ages. Both have good quality products and a large selection. You can also search online for excellent holiday deals at sites such as Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy. If you really are short on money, consider making something with things you have at home. Various sites such as Pinterest have great DIY ideas for you to try, and a handmade gift is just as valuable.

A: First of all, calm down! Take a break, but don’t procrastinate. The more work you get done before you go back to school, the better. If you finish the majority of your work toward the beginning of break, you’ll have plenty of time for both resting and studying.

Review all the notes and handouts you have accumulated over the first semester, and don’t hesitate to revisit your textbooks. Call up a few friends and have a study session over some hot chocolate. Happy studying! equach@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of BYTHEBUTTERFLYCOM and PDSGRAPHICS.COM

Answer Key: A, B, B, D, A, D 0-2 correct: Grim Grinch You’ve got some brushing up to do on Christmas fun facts. If the Grinch can have a change of heart and redeem himself, you can, too.

Don’t worry, you’re still on the “nice” side of Santa’s list!

3-4 correct: Educated Elf You’ve got the knowledge to become one of Santa’s little helpers. Bring warmth and kindness this winter, just like the elves do, and have a wonderful Winter Break!

5-6 correct: Stupendous Santa Your Christmas knowledge is as remarkable as Santa’s. Share your Christmas spirit with everyone around you and enjoy the holidays! ewu@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of 1999.COM.JP, CLIPARTLORD.COM, DEVIANTART.COM, DREAMSTIME.COM, GOPIXPIC.COM, and MISSKATECUTTABLES.COM

By DEBBIE MOON

December 2014

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December 2014

By Emily Quach When the winter season hits, everyone gets into the holiday spirit. Winter break benefits us all! There are two weeks off from homework, test, and stress. Students can spend time with their family, friends, and also catch up on some much-needed sleep. It is also a great way to get ahead with studies. There are so many things to do during winter break, and here are what some students do during theirs.

“I like to stay in bed with my iPad and watch movies, go out with friends, and visit my grandma.”

-Bryan Xu, 9

“Holidays are a chance for me to kick back, relax, and get my mind off from school. I enjoy hanging out with friends and traveling the world! My goal every year is to see what Christmas is like in different countries.”

-Leann Lu, 10

“I usually spend most of my winter break relaxing and taking a break from all the stress created by school. I also go on vacation to places like Big Bear or Las Vegas to have fun!”

-Eric Chen, 11

Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM and IMGARCADE.COM