November 2015

The World Is Our Campus Volume 63, Issue 4

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

November 2015

Girls Tennis Makes History

In this issue:

Photo courtesy of CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

NEWS pg. 3 Paris Attack: On Nov. 13, Paris was unexpectedly attacked by terrorists, taking the lives of 129 victims.

Photo courtesy of RYAN FORAN

CONQUERING CIF Led by Co-Captains seniors Tina Yueh and Angelica Zhou, Girls Tennis swept the Division II CIF title in the first time in AHS’ history. Coaches Bo Win Tin and Damon Lieu also dedicated countless hours to making this season one to remember.

By SIMONE CHU & KIMBERLY LO Academics Editor, Staff Writer

Photo by DYLAN SHEN

PERFORMING ARTS pg. 9 The Secret in the Wings: Check out Advanced Drama Department’s new show, playing from Nov. 19 to 21.

Graphic courtesy by FESTIVALEN.NO

CENTERSPREAD pg. 10-11 Appreciating Our Teachers: Let us take the time to thank the teachers who have taught us so many valuable life lessons.

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 apachepowwow.tumblr.com

The Girls Varsity Tennis team has been doing a great job this season, winning all its games throughout its season in the Pacific League. This month, the Girls Varsity Tennis players moved their focus to their CIF games, which took place throughout the month of November. They continued their winning streak in CIFs, making it all the way to CIF Southern Section Finals and taking the win. For the first time ever in AHS’ history, Girls Varsity Tennis completed a 21-0 season and moved on to the state competition!

On Nov. 4, the team had their first CIF playoff game of the season, playing La Reina High School from Thousand Oaks. They did a great job, winning 162, losing just one set of doubles and one set of singles in the entire match. CoCaptain senior Tina Yueh exclaimed, “Today’s match against La Reina was great, [since] everyone tried their hardest and we ultimately won.” The team’s second CIF match took place on Nov. 6 against West Ranch High School. Once again, the Apache athletes played brilliantly, winning 13-5. Afterward, they rallied against Martin Luther King High School on Nov. 9, winning 16-2, and Sage Hill School on Nov. 11, winning 18-0, which led up to

the CIF Southern Section Finals. On Nov. 13, the Apache athletes traveled to Claremont Tennis Club to play against Murrieta Valley High School. They dominated, winning 13-5, and took the CIF title for the first time in AHS history!

“Honestly, I feel accomplished and blessed to be a part of such a great team,” said team member sophomore Sydney Tran on the girls’ victory. “It’s really amazing because we made history in AHS and achieved something only a few schools get the opportunity to do.”

Freshman Francesca Yao attributes their win to “cooperation, because without it, [the girls] wouldn’t really have won as a team if [they] didn’t support each other through it all.”

In terms of the team’s progress as well as each individual’s progress, most felt like they had made great progress during the season. Tina noted that they got to know each other “mostly during [their] breaks in between matches in which [they] would talk to each other about things aside from tennis.” In addition, she elaborated that they gained team spirit by cheering for each other at games. Through competition, the tennis team was able to become a close-knit family of players. After a season of playing with a team boasting eight freshmen and two sophomores, Tina felt that “it is easier for [her] to communicate with the underclassmen.”

In general, this season was great for the Girls Varsity Tennis team, and all the members felt that they had a lot of great moments during this time. In terms of becoming familiar with the whole team, junior Vivian Bai enjoyed “the moments when [they were] in the bus because [she could] just talk and bond with [her] teammates.”

Thus, Vivian shared that she gained treasured friendships over the course of the season. Likewise, Francesca appreciated “being part of a team and [knowing] that [her] teammates can always be there for [her] as [her] second family.”

Their strong friendships brought fun to the court as well. Sophomore Aubrie Weissbuch stated, “My favorite moments are probably when I’m warming up with three others on the court because we can all joke around and have fun while hitting around some balls.” In terms of improving teamwork during the game, Aubrie felt that she has “gained a lot of knowledge on how to work with [her] peers and how to win with [her] team by [her] side, which is a great feeling.”

Great job to the Girls Varsity Tennis team for becoming CIF Champions, and congratulations on a phenomenal season! schu@apachepowwow.com klo@apachepowwow.com

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NEWS

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November 2015

War Among Giants: Republican Debate

By ANDREW LIM, ANDREW MULIADI, & ANDREW WANG Staff Writer, Advertisements Editor, Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at the Milwaukee Theater in Wisconsin, eight Republican candidates faced off against each other in a heated debate about controversial matters, including immigration issues and policies. The candidates were Governor John Kasich of Ohio, former Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, former Fortune 500 CEO Carly Fiorina, Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. With most of the candidates having considerable experience in politics, they shared their opinions and views while hoping to persuade the citizens of America to vote for them.

One of the biggest topics discussed at the debate was current and future policies of immigration, mostly concerning Mexico. Many of the candidates went on the offensive by criticizing Trump’s harsh policies of deporting the 11 million immigrants. However, despite these attacks, Trump stood

firm by his beliefs and is still supportive of building his wall on the border with Mexico.

What seems to be the most memorable highlight of the night was Governor Kasich’s comment about the truth of immigration. “Think about the families, think about the children. Come on folks, we know you can’t pick them up and ship them across the border. It’s a silly argument. It’s not an adult argument.” Governor Kasich pleaded.

Trump simply quoted President Dwight D. Eisenhower by saying that there was no choice but to deport the immigrants.

The debate then went forward and the candidates were given 90 seconds to answer proposals and questions given to them. They promoted their tax proposals and discussed about intrusive business regulations. The country’s monetary policy was also discussed by all the candidates.

Due to the lack of clarification of the nominee for the Republican party, the candidates explained their plans to cut taxes and create more jobs. They didn’t explore on recent controversies of the Republican party, such as the accusations of Carson’s life story being a fraud. When asked if he was worried about the accusa-

Flying to New Heights

By HAEUN PARK Staff Writer

Google has a new project coming up called Project Loon. Project Loon sends Internet-beaming balloons out into space, and by next year they predict that there will be enough to surround part of the world’s stratosphere. Its purpose is to provide connection to the hundreds of millions of people in certain areas, like Indonesia or New Zealand, so they can access information and have the ability to connect with the web.

The balloons are called superpressure balloons that are filled with ‘lighterthan-air’ gases. The balloons are made from tightly sealed plastic and specifically made to carry such light gas. They are designed to maintain a stable and consistent volume even through weather changes.

These balloons are first sent 12 miles into the stratosphere. From there, software winds direct the balloons into posi-

tion by guiding them up or down, finding the right winds. These balloons then beam down an Internet connection to the antennas down at Earth. Underneath every balloon there is a GPS location tracker, a flight computer, an altitude control system that is used to direct it into position, two radio transceivers to receive and send data streams, and solar panels to power all the devices.

In order to make a continuous string around the world, 300 balloons are needed. If a balloon ever gets out of range, a new balloon is soon launched. However, the initial ring will only be limited to certain parts of the Southern Hemisphere because the balloons can only provide Internet service to about 40 kilometers in diameter on Earth Local networks, Indostat, Telkomsel, and XL Axiata are currently partnering with Project Loon. Google remarks that Project Loon is a cleaner, less expensive way to signal connection across the world that will impact the lives of many for the better.

hpark@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of THE4CAST.COM

tions and the criticism he will receive due to his fabrication, Carson replied the news and social media are biased against him.

“The fact of the matter is, we should vet all candidates,” Carson said. “I have no problem with being vetted. What I do have a problem with is being lied about.”

Another topic discussed during the debate was the subject of raising the minimum wage. Fox Business Network host Neil Cavuto first questioned Trump on the issue, claiming that citizens outside are demanding “an immediate hike in in the minimum wage to $15 an hour.” He questioned Trump, “As the leading presidential candidate on this stage are you sympathetic to the protesters’ cause?”

Trump subtly turned the proposal down.

In response to Cavuto, Trump replied that “we are a country that is being beaten on every

front economically [and] militarily. Our taxes are too high, wages too high, we’re not going to be able to compete against the world. People have to go out, they have to work really hard and have to get into that upper stratum.”

Senator Rubio shared similar sentiment on matters concerning the minimum wage.

Following Trump’s train of thought, Rubio announced that if “you raise the minimum wage, you’re going to make people more expensive than a machine. And that means all this automation that’s replacing jobs and people right now is only going to be accelerated.”

Additionally, Carson conveyed that raising the minimum wage could negatively impact current employment. Using African American adolescents as an example, Carson denounced that only “19.8% of black teenagers have jobs…And that’s because of those high wages. I would not raise it, specifically because I’m interested in making sure that people are able to enter the job market and take advantage of opportunities.”

Conversely, Governor Kasich defended a raise in minimum wage. He supported his plea by illustrating thosewho are at the bottom of the “economic ladder.” alim@apachepowwow.com, amuliadi@apachepowwow.com, awang@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of RAREFLAG.COM and WALLPAPERSUP.COM

UC Tuition Hike

By CASSANDRA GONZALES Staff Writer

A panel made up of a 12-member university committee suggests that the California State University system should make several changes. One suggested change involves increasing tuition for California residents and students who live out-of-state. The panel also recommends starting year-round academic schedules and providing funding to campuses based on graduation and other rates.

Campuses can no longer rely on state funding as it is no longer enough to expand enrollment, expedite graduation rates, and pay for technology and facility upgrades.

The tuition proposal will most likely face opposition from not only students, but also lawmakers as well. A number of lawmakers already believe that the annual rate of $5,472 for undergraduates is too high. The California State University system, made up of 23 campuses, has not raised its fees for four years. It is under a plan by Governor Jerry Brown that provides the higher education system state funding that is increased incrementally. Unfortunately, this is not adequate to make up for the budget cuts that Cal State and University of California systems faced. Budget cuts during the recession exceeded $1 billion for the two systems.

Officials contend that small adjustments in tuition and fees will give students the opportunity to plan more easily for education costs.

Dramatic annual spikes, such as the 22% hike at Cal State in 2011-2012, would also be avoided.

The report stated, “Enrollment demand continues to exceed capacity, which presents a dilemma for the CSU.” The report also mentioned, “Denying admission to eligible students or accepting them without the additional or sufficient funds to offer an efficient pathway toward graduation are not acceptable alternatives.”

The group’s other major recommendations include small, annual tuition increases tied to the rate of inflation, a year-round academic calendar for some campuses, allocation of some campus funding based on student performance, and giving authority to individual campuses to charge market-based tuition rates for out-of-state and international students.

The panel also suggests that eligible Cal State applicants be steered to other Cal State campuses that have not reached their enrollment capacities.

Another proposal that could cause friction is a facilities fee that students may be required to pay. Elliot Hirshman, president of San Diego State University and cochairman of the task force, said that such proposals are intended to improve the success of the 430,000 students in the system. cgonzales@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of STORIFY.COM

November 2015

powwownews@gmail.com

Moment of Silence For Paris

By KIMBERLY LO Staff Writer

On Nov. 13, Paris was hit with attacks in various locations, leading to tragedy as hundreds were wounded and many killed. As of now, it is known that six places were targeted in France and three groups of terrorists that were working together to carry out this attack. Across the different sites, over 129 people were killed in the attacks in Paris.

An attack was placed at the Stade de France, the national stadium of France, while there was an ongoing soccer game between France and Germany. The President of France, François Hollande, was present at the game and was immediately escorted out of the stadium when the attack began. Other locations included the restaurants Le Carillon and Le Petit Cambodge, diners La Casa Nostra and Cafe Bonne Biere, eatery La Belle Equipe, cafe Comptoir Voltaire, and the Batclan concert hall.

The place affected the most was

the Bataclan concert hall, where over 89 people were killed. The attackers entered the concert hall with their weapons and held the people in the hall hostage on the stage. Police were able to carry out a rescue plan and enter the concert hall successfully to stop the situation.

According to a CNN affiliate, six of the attackers involved had stayed in Syria for some time. In response to the

been conducted in cities in France by police forces. As for the U.S.’ response, over half of the states refuse to take in Syrian refugees because of the potential dangers. However, there are still six states that will accept Syrian refugees. Currently, there appears to be no imminent threat to the U.S. from ISIS. Some of the attackers are dead, while roughly 23 people have been taken in as suspects.

Police are still in search of other suspects who have not been arrested as of yet. 1,500 troops have been sent out to guard specific locations and maintain the security of Paris.

In the meantime, France is tightening security, especially on the borders of the country, attack, France sent out planes to target to prevent any more possible atIslamic State group (ISIS) located in tacks as well as catch any of the Syria. The attacks are aimed for Raqqa, people involved in the Paris attacks. which is the center of the ISIS organization that claimed to have sent out the klo@apachepowwow.com attacks on Paris. Moreover, raids have Photo courtesy of LATIMES.COM

NEWS

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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 Advertisements Editors Photography Editors Executive Copy Editors Fundraising Chairs Webmaster

Victoria Yu and Erika Zheng Yoko Chan Justin Tang and Emily Wu Amber Chong and Tiffany Liu Jacqueline Chang and Katie Huang Briana Shen and Terri Shi Michelle Fang and Jessie Hui Charles Xu and Pearl Yang Simone Chu and Veronica Yu Elaine Chung Kristen Tran Kaitlyn Liao Tiffany Chen and Andrew Muliadi Ryan Fann and Debbie Moon Michelle Gu and Hafsah Umerani Julia Lin and Flora Ung Elyse Yao

Writers

News Staff

Aaron Chan, Trinity Chhay, Cassandra Gonzales, Jocelyn Hu, Vivian Kwang, Eileen Lee, Eric Chen, Yanhui Li, Andrew Lim, Kimberly Lo, Joshua Ma, Andrew Muliadi, Cristian Nalbandian, Noelle Natividad, Chloe O’Connor, Ha Eun Park, Christina Read, Kayli Temple, Victoria Tovmasyan, Michael Tseng, Faisal Umerani, Andrew Wang

Opinion Staff

Eric Chen, Simone Chu, Justin Cun, Christy Kang, Yanhui Li, Julia Lin, David Llacuna, Ha Eun Park, Pourobee Saha, Kayli Temple, Cindy Tse, Faisal Umerani, Maggie Wong, Titus Wu, Elyse Yao

Features Staff

Trinity Chhay, Christy Kang, Christine Law, Yanhui Li, David Llacuna, Andrew Muliadi, Noelle Natividad, Kayli Temple, Victoria Tovmasyan ,Cindy Tse, Michael Tseng, Faisal Umerani, Andrew Wang, Katie Wen, Maggie Wong

By KIMBERLY LO Staff Writer

Launched on Oct. 28, YouTube Red is a monthly subscription service for YouTube offered to people who want to enhance their viewing experience. This idea was first developed as YouTube Music Key, which lets customers listen to YouTube music videos without ads. However, the name was later changed to YouTube Red and the no ad feature was made available for all YouTube videos as long as one has a subscription. Right now, this service is only available in the U.S. Perhaps the biggest perk to YouTube Red is that endorsements have been blocked, but a subscription to this service does not really get rid of all the ads. Only ads on the YouTube website or ads in YouTube mobile applications will be gone. On the other hand, paid channels, purchases, or rentals may still have ads that come with the content. YouTube Red can be used on several devices including consoles like the Xbox One and Playstation 4, Android TV, Apple TV, Android, iOS, Chromecast, Roku, and some Smart TVs. Another huge benefit to this subscription is offline viewing.

Viewers can download content that will stay available on the device for thirty days for one to watch at any time. Of course, not all features will be available with offline view-

ing. For instance, liking a video and making a comment on a video will not be available. Also convenient is the option to listen to videos with the screen off. When one is just listening

to the audio, the screen can be turned off and battery can be conserved.

Not only will there be more features to the app, but there will also be exclusive content starting from the early months of 2016. Subscribers of YouTube Red will be able to see shows and movies from YouTubers in advance. Revealed works are “Scare PewDiePie” by PewDiePie, “A Trip to Unicorn Island” by IISuperwomanII, and “Sing It!” by the Fine Brothers.

Not to worry, though. Eventually the exclusive content will be open to all YouTube users.

Subscribing to YouTube Red comes with a free subscription to Google Play Music. Usually, the subscription fee for Google Play is ten dollars, but this gets two services for the price of one! Similarly, if one subscribes to Google Play Music, he or she will get access to YouTube Red also. The subscription fee for YouTube Red is also just $10 a month, and people can register for a free trial for a one month period. All in all, YouTube Red is an upgrade of the regular YouTube service that offers great benefits at an affordable cost. klo@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of WIRED.CO.UK Photo courtesy of GIZMODO.COM

Performing Arts Staff

Eric Chen, Trinity Chhay, Cassandra Gonzales, Jocelyn Hu, Thomas Hui, Christine Law, Eileen Lee, Pourobee Saha, Nadine Templeton, Victoria Tovmasyan

Student Life Staff

Liani Chan, Eric Chen, Trinity Chhay, Thomas Hui, Eileen Lee, Ellie Lee, Andrea Liu, Cristian Nalbandian, Noelle Natvidad, Chloe O’Connor, Ha Eun Park, Nadine Templeton, Kyle Wang, Maggie Wong, Titus Wu

Sports Staff

Trinity Chhay, Justin Cun, Ellie Lee, Andrew Lim, Kimberly Lo, Joshua Ma, Christina Read, Danielle Santoyo, Timothy Yen

Academics Staff

Jocelyn Hu, Andrew Lim, Kimberly Lo, Noelle Natividad, Pourobee Saha, Nadine Templeton, Michael Tseng, Faisal Umerani, Katie Wen, Titus Wu

Calendar Staff

Vivian Kwang, Christine Law, Andrew Lim, Andrea Liu, Danielle Santoyo, Kayli Temple, Victoria Tovmasyan, Cindy Tse, Andrew Wang, Sunny Wu, Elyse Yao

Campus Focus Staff

Maggie Wong

Center Spread Staff

Christy Kang

Advertisements Staff

Cassandra Gonzales, Christy Kang,, Kyle Wang, Timothy Yen

Photo Staff

Aaron Chan, Vivian Kwang, Andrea Liu, Joshua Ma, Danielle Santoyo, Nadine Templeton, Titus Wun, Christine Law, Ellie Lee, David Llacuna, Christina Read,

Copy Editing Staff

Pourobee Saha, Cindy Tse, Kyle Wang, Katie Wen, Maggie Wong, Elyse Yao,

Web Staff

Aaron Chan, Christine Law, Chloe O’Connor, Katie Wen, Maggie Wong

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 TOPTENPACK.COM

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OPINION

Amazingly Average

By JULIA LIN

Fundraising Chair

Speaking as objectively as possible, I’ve always been one of the brighter students in a classroom. Yes, there were times when I couldn’t completely wrap my head around a subject, but those times were scarce. I understood that I was smart, as I never had to study hard for a test or practice my skills.

In second grade, I won an Accelerated Reading contest.

In fifth grade, I won the Scholarship award. In sixth grade, I won the Spelling Bee. It was around seventh grade that I realized that I wasn’t as intelligent as I liked to think. I struggled in first semester with Algebra Honors. I hated it so much. The fact that I didn’t do well in a subject for once really dented my confidence. It sounds completely dramatic, but I felt I had an identity crisis. After five semesters of Straight A’s in middle school, I finally ended up with a B in Algebra Honors.

Despite that, I won the Student of the Year in eighth grade.

The point isn’t for me to brag about my achievements. I was overfilled with joy and guilt at the same time: I was happy to be recognized, but I knew I didn’t deserve the award. There were far more well-rounded students that deserved the title, students with flawless grades, kinder personalities, and better reputations. Honestly, I am average. I was above average in middle school, but in high school I’m pretty much middle ground in a Hunger Games-esque sea of 3,600 students. I’ll probably never score 2400 on the SATs or graduate as the valedictorian. The thought that I am easily replaceable and just a forgettable face haunts me sometimes. Even so, it is that very thought that motivates me to be my best average.

Comparisons are the bane of my existence, and likely the bane of many other students’ existences as well. Never smart enough, never pretty enough, never talented enough. Never enough. Never enough according to what, though? One’s own standards or someone else’s perceptions? I want to accomplish great things without having to question its value through a pair of lenses that aren’t mine. Maybe being average is the best I can do in Arcadia, and that’s perfectly okay.

I’m going to be an average of which I can be proud. Winning, winning, winning. I was accustomed to that. Now, it’s the little victories that count. jlin@apachepowwow.com

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November 2015

The Golden Turkey: A Short Story

By YANHUI LI Staff Writer

There’s a certain path I take when I go to my volunteer meetings, past the park and the library. I know every nook and cranny‒the trash can in the corner and the worn park bench, the homeless man and the birds on the powerline, singing away the rain.

It’s Thanksgiving, so this afternoon, Cora is even more energetic than usual.

“This is it, folks,” she says, clapping her hands together.

“Our goal is to raise $5,000, so that our less fortunate friends can have a happier holiday season. Let’s make this Thanksgiving count.” She finishes to a warm round of applause.

I tiredly go through the motions of volunteer work. At the end of the hour, Cora calls us together to congregate before we all go our separate ways. “Good work today,” she says. “I expect to see each and every one of you back here same time next week. Have a good Thanksgiving!”

As I start walking home, my mind darts to the roast turkey waiting for me. I think of the mashed potatoes and the pumpkin pie; and my mouth waters. I think of the crackling fire in the fireplace, and I can almost feel the warmth in this chilly autumn air.

I’m so absent-minded that I walk right into a giant sack propped against the wall.

No, not a sack. A man.

“I’m sorry, dear,” he says quickly, eyes cast down.

That’s when I take a good look at him.

And I realize, I know him.

He may not remember me, but I remember him. I pass by him on my way to and from the volunteer meetings. He’s always covered in the same grime and the old blood of dying hope—he’s always wordlessly begging with his eyes. But it won’t make a difference, because people walk by this place every day, and yet no one is able to hear his silent pleas for help.

He won’t be going home to a warm meal this Thanksgiving night, surrounded by a loving family. He won’t be stuffing himself to his heart’s content or drifting off to the music of sweet dreams.

I have a sudden impulse to give him something, anything, but some teenage boys rolling by on skateboards eye his dirty hair, and snicker horribly. The poor man looks up, looks right at me as if challenging me to laugh too, and I lose the nerve.

All throughout the dinner, I can’t seem to get him off my mind. Meanwhile, I have to endure constant fawning from various members of my extended family. Look how tall you’ve g r o w n , they say. You’re going to go on to do great things, they say.

How do you know? I want to ask.

You know, I’ll bet people used to fawn over the poor homeless man when he was a kid.

Then, Grandpa Bill presents me with the Golden Turkey, and I feel sick to the stomach. In our family, the best parts of the turkey, christened the Golden Turkey, are given to a child of an elder’s choice. It’s supposed to be an honor to be a recipient, but I don’t touch my Golden Turkey that evening.

Why do I get all this, privileges that I’ve never really earned, while someone is out there freezing on a Thanksgiving night?

Everyone deserves to have a nice Thanksgiving.

I know what I have to do now. It may not be much, but sometimes, it’s the small acts of kindness that matter most.

When all my relatives are fast asleep, I quietly open the front door, and head out into the night, the plate of Golden Turkey clutched tightly in my hands. When I find him, I give him the best gift I have ever given. His face lights up with gratitude, and my heart swells at the sight. I’ll never forget that feeling.

All those times I’ve raised money for the volunteer organization, I’ve never really gotten what it was all about.

But I think I get it now. I really do. yli@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of CLIPARTBEST.COM

Coffee Stains and Messy Papers

By ELYSE YAO Webmaster

My desk is nestled in the corner of my tiny little room.

Its cherry wood surface, once smooth and glistening like new, has been gradually worn down through the years. It has followed me through my childhood, poor thing. There are signs of abuse everywhere. A darkened circle marks the home of my coffee mug. The dents and scratches on its cheap surface are as familiar to me as the veins on my hand. Then there’s the surface itself. A stack of textbooks takes up half the space, teetering and threatening to topple over at the slightest nudge. A dusty old computer monitor and a set of speakers rest in the dead center, surrounded by a mess that would make any clean freak scream for mercy. The pencil holder in the top left hand corner, only halfbalanced on the edge of the desk, is empty save for a few unused pens. Markers, erasers, and other various supplies join their rank, forming a completely disorderly whole. Stacks of binders, boxes, and papers form a halo around the desk, as if they were a border between the mess of my desk and my otherwise organized room.

To a stranger, it’s no small wonder how I get anything done here. Don’t misunderstand—it’s not that I’m too lazy to organize anything. In fact, I normally would find organizing a relaxing task, not a bothersome one. However, while typically such a mess would bother me to no end, I love my messy desk.

Really, what’s the harm in a messy desk?

I’m familiar with the disorder of my desk. It’s easy to find things, despite the clutter. The environment is also liberating. Un-

like the world outside, with all its strict rules and conventions, my desk carries no order whatsoever. Papers go wherever there’s space. There’s no need to follow some set of guidelines, no need to apply superficial labels to everything. At times when I’m just about ready to tear my homework into a million tiny paper flakes, the presence of the desk calms me down. It smells soothing, of old

wood and coffee, and sometimes I spend a few moments smiling at the worn, trusty old surface. It’s like an old friend—it’s grown up alongside me, watching as I struggled through all the ups and downs of life. The mess atop is my inspiration. The shapes and strange angles of the heaps of “junk” are interesting: there’s no

end to the weirdness I can draw out of it.

Sometimes, when I’m wringing my hands in frustration and trying to pry off the heavy weight otherwise known as art block, the messiness whispers to me. Just relax, it says, stop trying so hard. It’ll come to you. And it does.

It comes to me in the form of shapes and thought-scapes, of dreams and strange fantasies.

It comes in the form of the messiness of the desk, and all the experiences it’s followed me through. More than anything or anyone else, it’s my trusty old companion, like me in all its disorder and strangeness.

There’s a certain charm to the beaten-up desk and the rather “terrible” mess that surrounds it. I grew up with my desk, perpetual messiness and all. The cold sterility of a clean desk, although perhaps visually attractive, depresses me. Meanwhile, the disorder of my messy desk is strangely comforting: it’s familiar, and makes me feel at home.

Every rut, every worn down nook and cranny, every discoloration on its surface—I know inside and out. Echoing the disorder of my own life, my desk is chaotic, but comfortingly so. I have company in my confusion of the world, comfort in the form of the never-changing chaos of the desk.

My desk is my old friend, my companion. It’s my inspiration, my trusty little helper. It’s stood with me, tall and upright, through the years. And maybe it’s hard for others to understand my love for this messy desk of mine, but to me?

It’s difficult to imagine a life without it. eyao@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of 4.BP.BLOGSPOT.COM

November 2015

OPINION

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5

Struggles of Reaching Out

By MAGGIE WONG

Staff Writer

By SIMONE CHU Academics Editor

Ah, yes. November. The leaves are falling (well, I mean, kind of), the weather is cooling (as much as it cools down in SoCal, that is), and pumpkin spice fever is still going strong.

But for me, the month of November is more than just Thanksgiving and Uggs—it’s also about the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge.

The object of the NaNoWriMo challenge is to motivate aspiring writers to produce a 50,000-word novel within 30 days.

Difficult? Yes. A good thing to try out during junior year? Um... maybe? Or maybe not. This should be interesting, to say the least.

Day 1 3,000 words in. 47,000 more to go, but I’m not going to think about that too much. Beginnings are hard, but it’s a bit like jumping into cold water: you just have to jump in, scream a little, and flounder around until you start to warm up.

Day 2 No time to write today. Oops.

Day 3 Squeezed in 1,000 words! Small victories still matter. Like Andrew Jackson winning the Battle of New Orleans...after the War of 1812 was already over.

Day 4 I’m stuck.

Day 5 There’s this method of moving past stumbling blocks called the Elephant Method. It’s where you replace whatever words you’re blanking on with “Elephant,” just so you can keep your momentum going. Can’t decide your secondary character’s last name? Just type in “Elephant” in its place, and when you’re done, you go back through and use the Find and Replace tool to fill in all of the appropriate Elephants. So far I have two Elephants. Hopefully this elephanting works!

Day 6 6,000 words and counting.

Day 7 Everything is an elephant and I don’t want to go back and address all the elephants in the room.

Day 8 Couldn’t write on the computer, so I grabbed a few sheets of lined paper and went old school. Hopefully I remember to type these up later.

self-doubt and lack of motivation and all sorts of fun things.

Must... not... re-read...

Day 11 I had all day to write and I did nothing. I don’t understand what’s wrong with me. There was no school. I sat down at the computer and opened Google Drive. And then... I spun around in the swivel chair for half an hour with Smash Mouth’s “All Star” playing in the background. I don’t even know.

Day 12 Writing? Or homework? Homework it is, then.

Day 13 Has anyone smirked within the last few minutes? Or chuckled? Or how about gritted their teeth? Hmm. I’ll have to scroll back up to check. Did Els ever uncross her arms? Or has she just been sitting there with her arms crossed for the entire conversation?

Day 14 Detail is very important, kids. Employ all five types of imagery. Otherwise your characters could just be standing in a white box for all the reader knows. Like mine. I’m terrible at this.

A sneak preview: The catacombs are dimly lit, but Eirik almost wishes that they were completely dark. That would be better, he thinks, than watching the light from their torches flicker across the walls as they pass. Whoever had stacked the aging yellow bones in the walls had done so with a loving hand; the placements were done artistically, almost. But he can’t shake the feeling of being watched, even though he knows that the grinning skulls in the walls haven’t had eyes for a long, long time.

Juho turns around to leer at him. Eirik still hasn’t figured out if that’s the man’s actual smile, or if he just really doesn’t like Eirik. Or maybe it’s a little bit of both.

He wishes that he had his friends with him. Following Juho alone through the catacombs is probably one of the worst decisions he’s ever made, and that’s saying something.

“Fascinating, aren’t they?” Juho bursts out, those beady eyes of his glinting in the torchlight.

Eirik starts at the boom of his voice. It bounces down the tunnel. There’s a vague fear in the back of mind that the skeletons will wake up if they make too much noise. “Beg your pardon?” he stammers.

Juho gestures grandly around them—like a king proudly showing off his gilded throne room. “The tunnels, of course!” That awful smile of his stretches wider, and Eirik is suddenly struck by the terrible mental image of the man’s face tearing apart at the seams...

Day 9 So I took out my archetypes packet from sophomore English and I’ve started to work the Journey of the Hero into my story. It’s a lot more fun being on this side of things.

Day 10 I’m told that re-reading is the worst thing you can possibly do during NaNoWriMo, because re-reading leads to editing, and editing leads to

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There was a girl in my fourth grade class. She was part of my table group, and while I knew of her, I didn’t know her. I’m not sure what her first impression of me was, but I was definitely scared to talk to her; I wasn’t big on making new friends or being the first to speak when I was younger.

The teacher assigned the class a science project, and we were in the same group. It could’ve been so easy to just finish the project, and never talk to her again.

She could’ve been just another kid in my class. Sure, I’d most likely get closer to her throughout the year, but she would’ve been a class friend at most, someone that I’d talk to once in a while about homework. If I really wanted to become her friend-friend, I’d have to reach out and talk to her, which is exactly what I did. We started out by bonding over our mutual love for Taylor Swift, and five years later, we’re best friends.

Even now, I still reach out to strangers if I know that we have the same interests. I’ll see someone wearing a shirt with a band that I love on it, and I’ll go up to them, tell them that I love their shirt, and try to start a conversation about it.

More often than not, they’ll just say thank you and our days would go on.

It doesn’t bother me that my compliments don’t always lead to a meaningful friendship. That’s never my goal when I compliment people I don’t know.

Whenever someone compliments me on my outfit or test score, it’s on my mind the whole day. There’s just something about a complete stranger going out of their way to say something nice to me that makes me so happy. If I can bring a stranger just a little bit of extra happiness, that’s just as great as becoming friends with them.

In this day and age, it seems like everyone is insecure about something, especially in a competitive community like Arcadia. Everyone seems to be getting straight A’s, running five minute miles, and getting perfect SAT scores. It’s hard to feel like your existence is significant when everyone seems to be overshadowing you.

But when someone notices the little things you do, like the band on your shirt or the drawing you did in the margin of your homework, it makes you feel important, if just for a little bit. It reassures you that you do matter, that all of your actions, no matter how small, are contributions to something meaningful.

It’s not always easy talking to people. It’s even harder talking to strangers. Believe me, I get it. I’m intimidated by pretty much everyone I don’t know. There are people that seem to be perfect, and, forget talking to them, I don’t feel like I’m worthy of even being in their presence. That fear of being judged is something that has to be forgotten.

Everywhere you go, there’s always going to be someone judging your actions. There’s going to be good judgment and bad judgment.

If you don’t mind turning in homework and having the teacher judge your work, then why should you be worried about what people think when you reach out to strangers?

And if people do think you’re weird for talking to people you don’t know, then that’s all the more reason to do it more!

I mean, teenagers are known for rebellion, right?

I’m not saying you should go out and become friends with everyone you see. I’m saying that sometimes, you should be the one to reach out to people.

And who knows, maybe that really intimidating girl in your math class will turn out to be the best friend you’ve always wished for. mwong@apachepowwow.com

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6

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November 2015

Black Friday

By CINDY TSE

Staff Writer

Shopping for the holidays is stressful, there’s no doubt about it! Between picking out presents and balancing a budget, most people have turned to discount opportunities to make seasons a little easier. Among these promotions and sales is Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that is generally characterized by long lines at five or six in the morning and crowds that have ten times the power of a stampede. If there is anything that even remotely resembles The Purge, this would probably be it. Where did this phenomenon begin?

Retailers have long held the tradition of holiday sales. However, the term “Black Friday” began in Philadelphia around the 1960s. In Philly, every weekend after Thanksgiving brought the Army-Navy football game. Crowds flooded the stadiums and squished through traffic. They added to the already dense herds of shoppers, and Philadelphia cops began to refer to the two days after Thanksgiving as “Black Friday”: a reference to the mayhem and madness. A decade before that, it had been a way to refer to employees who would call in sick the Friday after Thanksgiving to get a four day weekend. Another origin of the name was that the shopping season was the one time of the year when stores began gaining profit and moved from writing in red ink (denoting negative earnings) to black ink (denoting profit). Over the years, Black Friday has managed to spread from the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and various other countries.

There has been much controversy surrounding Black Friday. Some speculate that it took away the importance of Thanksgiving, as more shoppers began to go to stores earlier and earlier. Some businesses even began holding “Gray Thursday”, where they would open with deals on Thanksgiving; “Cyber Monday” was created for online stores and held the Monday after Thanksgiving. Others felt it was unfair to make working employees have to go through long, tiring shifts over the holidays. Concern was also raised over the health hazards of having so few employees try to maintain control over the large number of crowds.

Whether an avid shopper or not, if one were attempt to battle the masses, there are some safety tips to ensure the least number of trampled fingers and toes. The National Crime Prevention Council recommends that consumers do not buy more than they can carry. If one must purchase a large item, it is advisable to bring a friend. Receipts should be saved in case there is a problem or damage to the product. Wallets and cards should be kept close to the body; large hordes of people mean a higher risk of pickpockets. But most important of all, enjoy the holidays and don’t push too far. That new game console or computer can wait for a bit! ctse@apachepowwow.com

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COMIKRAZE

By DANIELLE SANTOYO Staff Writer

This year’s Comikaze, held at the convention center in Downtown Los Angeles from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, hosted some of the biggest stars of the year, including Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia from the original cinematic release of Star Wars) and Stan Lee, the founder of Marvel and creator of most of the superheroes known today. Comikaze was the staple of comic conventions this year. Rising to fame after only five years, the convention has expanded into two halls of the convention center this year.

Rows and rows of the halls were filled with vendors at booths selling collectible comic books, as well as new series, action figures, and anything remotely along the lines of “geeky”. There was even a booth dedicated to selling Harry Potter wands, robes, and books. The prices of some of these items were extremely high, with hardcore collectors paying about $5,000 for one vintage comic book. Cheaper collectors items were sold too, such as Stan Lee bobbleheads that went for $25 each and came in four different designs and colors. Even though they’re still quite pricey, the overall experience wouldn’t be complete without getting a souvenir.

Panels at the conventions included discussions about upcoming comic books with the writers and artists, fandom debates between

By YANHUI LI Staff Writer

As the weather cools and autumn rolls in, we begin to see more and more pumpkins and pumpkin themed snacks and desserts in the supermarkets. To fans of pumpkins, it’s a beautiful sight‒‒the aisles of orange leads to giddiness and excitement. The chilly autumn air brings so many possibilities: pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice cakes and lattes, pumpkin carving, and pumpkin decorating.

The first pumpkin pie appeared around 5,500 BC in Central America, and when Columbus discovered the New World in the 1400s, the pumpkin pie was one of the first foods that Europeans brought back with them. Hundreds of years later, the pumpkin pie still receives a warm welcome at the table.

It is believed that the idea of pumpkin carving originated in Ireland, although the original jacko-lanterns were carved from turnips and potatoes. The name “jack-o-lantern” comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stringy Jack. Irish immigrants to the Americas brought the idea of carving vegetables over, and the tradition of pumpkin carving was born.

While pumpkins are native to the North and South Americas, they are now grown on six different continents. Over time, various countries have developed their own pumpkin traditions.

Australians cook pumpkin as part of an entrée, but rarely use it in desserts. Roasted pumpkin is by far the most popular dish in Australia; when roasting meat, a piece of skinned pumpkin would be placed in the broth, along with potatoes and carrots.

Pumpkins are commonly used in Southern China, especially Canton. They are used to make congee and soup. Roasted pumpkin seeds are also popular. The pumpkin is usually cooked and prepared like a vegetable, and is not used in desserts. Occasionally, it is also used as medicine.

Pumpkins in Germany are traditionally eaten as soup or compote, pumpkin pieces with vinegar, cinnamon, and sugar. However, pumpkins are usually considered “poor man’s food”, and they tend to gain popularity in years of hunger. Some regions place more importance in pumpkins than others. Generally, pumpkins are also used as decoration, placed alongside corn cobs and other vegetables.

Besides using pumpkin in pie and soup, Europeans also use pumpkin in salads and a dish called gnocchi, a small ball of pumpkin and flour which is cooked in boiling water. The Swiss make chocolate with pumpkin seeds, and certain regions infuse meat products with pumpkin seeds. Some salad oils are also derived from pumpkin seeds.

Although Halloween has come and gone, Thanksgiving is approaching, bringing with it plenty of opportunities to incorporate pumpkin. Around every turn, pumpkins bring the spirit of autumn to life. yli@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of AZFONTS.COM and POLYVORE.COM

Marvel and DC, and panels that taught writing comics, drawing the illustrations, and making animations. Stan Lee was also signing autographs at a price of $80 and pictures taken with him cost $100. Although too pricey for me, it was well worth it after I got to meet him at the signing for one of my comic books. Carrie Fisher was also signing autographs for all of her fans at the convention. Even though the line was long, attendees were steadfast in their devotion, waiting hours for her autograph. At the main Hot Topic stage, the annual cosplay contest was held, where countless hours of hard work and dedication paid off, as large sums of money were the prizes, totaling $10,000. One of the first place winners was a “Hulkbuster” costume (as seen in the newest Avengers film), and another winner was a group of people dressed up as the Justice League. It’s important to note that these are not average, Party City purchased costumes; people spent money and long hours putting these together themselves, and the final products are full blown, movie quality cosplays. Seeing all the costumes on stage inspired me to think about dressing up for next year.

Although this year’s Comikaze convention has passed, it’s a great time to start getting a costume ready for next year’s cosplay! dsantoyo@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of NERDREACTOR.COM

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November 2015

FEATURES

7

By ELYSE YAO Webmaster

One by one, students drag themselves into S-104. Especially after lunch, most of us seem about to collapse at any moment, sleep-deprived and exhausted as we are. When we leave the room, however, it’s with renewed energy and fresh knowledge. Students’ energy levels and stress rise and fall throughout the week, but one thing always remains the same: each day, Ms. Kuso greets students with the same eager smile and contagious enthusiasm.

The first time I walked into her class, I thought she was a student, perhaps a TA. Unlike the teachers I’m accustomed to, with their laid-back, calm, and almost distant attitudes, Ms. Kuso is approachable and energetic. As she talks to any of her students, there’s always a bright smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. I’ve never heard her speak slowly. Instead, she launches into lectures, discussions, and labs with a speed that almost rivals her zeal. Although her pace can be strange to adjust to at first, her rapid-fire way of talking brings energy back to the tired class and catches students’ attention.

I can’t claim to be a model student. Especially on days when all I really want to do is go home and sleep for 20 hours, it’s difficult to concentrate in class. When it comes to fifth period in Ms. Kuso’s class, however, it’s impossible to not be drawn along into her breakneck pace, to not be affected by her boundless enthusiasm. When she talks about chemistry, there’s an excited light in her eyes. The passion she holds toward the subject, toward the class, and toward her students shines through with every word she speaks.

She is kind, patient, and empathetic. On a good day, I can’t go more than a few minutes before my hand shoots up for a question. Some are out of genuine confusion, some for the sake of clarity, and some purely for satisfying my own curiosity. No matter how many questions I throw out, however, she always answers them in an easy-to-understand, concise manner. It’s not restricted to questions, either: no matter the problem, instead of simply summarizing, she patiently explains new concepts, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

The dedication she shows to her art—what she does can’t be described by as mundane a term as “job”—is nothing normal, either. While other teachers may teach by-the-book, relying on online tests, resources from others, and textbooks, the majority of Ms. Kuso’s papers are her own original material. Lectures are taught, not from textbook lessons, but from her own set of lecture notes and explanations. She uses her own stamp sheet system for homework, and drafts tests from scratch. Test review is creative and immersive, incorporating games of Jeopardy, Grab-the-Mole, and worksheet competitions to motivate students into diligently studying. It’s difficult to imagine how much work she must do for all this, but it only goes to show her diligence in helping her students truly understand the material.

The passion, enthusiasm, dedication, and kindness Ms. Kuso shows make it easy to connect with her, and my admiration of her only grows with each day. She brings life to the classroom, filling the dreary bleakness with her vibrant personality and eagerness to teach. She’s not just a teacher. Instead, she provides guidance and support, and is one of my role models: if the world were full of people like Ms. Kuso, it’d be a much better place. Though school is still, as always, a harrowing, stressful experience, chemistry in Ms. Kuso’s class is always a breath of fresh air. eyao@apachepowwow.com

Photo by DEBBIE MOON Graphics courtesy of PINTREST.COM and SCIENCENOTES.ORG

OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD MOVIES

By MAGGIE WONG Staff Writer

Every year, there’s a huge, highly-anticipated movie about astronauts traveling to space, and inevitably, something goes horribly wrong. They’re probably the most stressful movies to watch, but also the most entertaining. These are just a few movies that, after watching, might have you rethinking a career with NASA. The Martian: This movie was released in October of this year, and is based off of Andy Weir’s novel of the same name. The main character, Mark Watney (played by Matt Damon), is part of the Ares III crew, a group of astronauts who are part of a manned mission to Mars. The crew is hit with an unexpected wind storm, and forced to evacuate the planet. Watney is hit with debris while heading back to the space vehicle, and is presumed dead. However, he survives, and finds himself alone on an unknown planet, with a limited food supply and no way to contact anyone back on Earth.

He must find a way to survive until another mission can bring him home.

Interstellar: Interstellar was released in 2014, and stars Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain, and Anne Hathaway. Earth has begun to fail as a habitable planet. It’s nearly impossible for crops to grow, and frequent dust storms threaten the existence of humanity. Joe Cooper (McConaughey), a former NASA pilot, finds patterns in the dust on the floor of his daughter’s room. He realizes that they’re coordinates, and he and his daughter, Murphy, follow them to a secret NASA base. There, they learn that missions are being sent through a newly found wormhole in hopes of discovering a new habitable planet. Dr. Brand, one of Cooper’s college professors, assigns him to be the head of the spacecraft Endurance, which is in charge of checking out as many planets through the wormhole as possible. Cooper is faced with the choice between staying with his family on Earth, and saving the human race.

Gravity: This movie, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, was released in 2013. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (Clooney) are working together to fix the Hubble Space Telescope when they receive instructions to return to the space shuttle. Debris from a nearby missile strike is coming towards them, and the shuttle is hit, sending both astronauts, untethered, spinning wildly into space. Kowalski, wearing a thruster pack, attaches himself to Stone and flies them back to the shuttle, where they find the shuttle damaged and the rest of the crew dead. He then uses his thruster pack to fly them to the International Space Station, which Stone barely manages to grab ahold of. Kowalski, realizing that he’s pulling her back, unattaches his tether.

While he floats through space, he radios her with directions on how to get to China’s Tiangong Space Station, where she will be able to use their shuttle to get back to Earth. With him gone, whether or not Stone survives i s entirely up to her.

These movies should all be taken with a grain of salt, seeing that not all astronauts end up stranded on Mars or thrown into a fifth dimension. While they may not capture space travel all that accurately, they’re definitely entertaining movies that some argue are so good, they’re out of this world. mwong@apachepowwow.com

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November 2015

November 2015

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PERFORMING ARTS MUSIC MAKES MIRACLES

THE SECRET IN THE WINGS

By EILEEN LEE Staff Writer

It is that time of the year again! AHS’ Advanced Drama Department (ADD) has brought yet another masterpiece to present this fall at the Performing Arts Center. This season, the students are performing a show titled The Secret in the Wings, directed by Whitney LaBarge. This is ADD’s first fall production, so many are excited to see what the show has to offer due to its successful performances in the past. The first showing of the play is on the Nov. 19, and showings continue for three days until Nov. 21. ADD has led the students to expect “fantastic music and spectacular sets” in the show , as these effects help the audience focus and indulge in the play better. The Secret in the Wings is not just any other fairy tale, as it contains a darker aspect of these enchanted stories and highlights its unsolved mysteries.

The plot of the play is similar to Beauty and the Beast. It is about a little girl who is left home with a babysitter who has a tail; this babysitter attempts to make the little girl like him by telling her these fairy tales that come to life on stage. The encompassing theme of the play is true beauty and inner beauty.

When asked about the practice routine, senior Annika Lile said, “We have been working since August to make this play what it is today. The week before the show, we have rehearsals from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It is a lot of work but we are all here because we love it and we want to share our art with the community.”

Annika plays Heidi, an 8-year-old girl. She explained that her role was “initially difficult to grasp” because as an 18-year-old teenager, she had to “think back to [her] mentality in elementary school. It was very interesting for [her] to explore the mind of this character because [she has] never been tasked with a challenge like this before. [She is] enjoying [her] character and hopes the audience will too.”

Annika believes that The Secret in the Wings will bring new elements to Arcadia Stage’s repertoire. “Our play has hilariously comedic moments in addition to intense dramatic moments. There are also songs infused. Some of our blocking even incorporates the large cloths that create gorgeous stage pictures. This show is all about the magic. In a basement, in-

By TRINITY CHHAY

By ERIC CHEN

credibly unique stories come to life with vibrancy and light. I am hoping the audience has a great journey with us throughout these stories,’ she explained.

When asked to explain what the play is about, senior Luis Garcia said, “It is different from Beauty and the Beast in the way that it is about an ugly babysitter with a tail who babysits a little girl. The girl is afraid and resentful of him initially, but Mr. Fitzpatrick, the ogre, tries to show Heidi that people can be beautiful in the inside.”

Luis mentioned that the practice routine was long and rigorous, having to take care of their health and strengths as well. “Everyone in the cast has [his or her] own unique character or characters; therefore we have to do research depending on our parts,” Luis mentioned.

Luis plays Mr. Fitzpatrick in the play, who is the intimidating neighbor with a tail. Mr. Fitzpatrick is in every scene with Heidi. Luis mentioned that because they work together in so many scenes, they have the opportunity to work efficiently and creatively with great team work. “One of the greatest elements that can’t be overlooked is the chemistry I have with Annika, who plays Heidi,” Luis said, adding on that “it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to put on great performances especially when the scenes are a lot more intimate and tender. We have a great understanding of who we are and I know that shines on the stage magically.”

When asked how this play is different from the others, Luis mentioned that he thinks the show is “special but also different” because the audience will “witness great dramatic acting, an amazing set, and dedicated performers who love theater. The [play] is special to me because I’m dedicating this performance to my mother and it is my first lead role in an Arcadia stage production. I’m also a Latino actor that has has been able to accomplish great things in this art form such as winning first place at the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California competition.”

As expected, AHS’ Drama Department once again has an amazing story to perform. Good luck to every member of the cast and stage craft who worked behind the scenes! elee@apachepowwow.com

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AHS DETERMINATE

9

Staff Writer

One of the greatest aspects of AHS is the amazingly diverse range of clubs provided on campus. Clubs range from volunteer clubs such as Leo Club to religious service clubs such as A.L.L.I.E.S. With all of these clubs, students can freely explore their interests and find a family that suits them perfectly. One of these clubs — Music Makes Miracles — is specifically designed to support charity through music. This unique organization blends the volunteer aspect seen in many clubs with a dash of music to assist local hospitals and patients.

Club co-president senior Danna Xue stated that the purpose of the club is to “connect music with charity by encouraging students to use their musical skills to benefit the community.” When asked what events the organization hosts, she replied, “We usually hold two main charity concerts per year. We are also trying to get connected with local hospitals so that students can perform for patients.” Clearly, giving back to the community is a major priority the club. However, Danna plans on having other goals as well such as creating “ music documentaries of the club members.” She plans on sharing these documentaries with the community as well as the school, using music to promote samaritan views. Through those musical activities, the club “hopes to inspire students to use their musical talents to reach out to the community in different ways.” It also hopes to “share and stress the importance of the arts in society.”

When asked about the concerts held by the club, Danna replied, “our performancers generally perform arrangements of popular music and different genres.” Regarding the concerts, cohistorian senior William Kyi, stated that “the revenue is donated to a variety of charity organizations. That is what makes this club so special.”

Music Makes Miracles remains one of the most unique clubs on campus, providing members a twist of both music and community service. Treasurer senior Christina Wang believes the club “is a perfect mixture of Performing Arts and a student-run organization on campus.” It blends the musical aspect of Performing Arts groups into a smaller, more student-centralized setting where anyone can join. Its next concert is going to be in December so be sure to check it out! echen@apachepowwow.com

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Staff Writer

Band and Colorguard have been practicing constantly, and achieved many awards during the last few parades. The members continue to work extremely hard every day to ensure more achievements in the future.

Band members start practice at 7:40 a.m. and play through the first period of the day with another period for Concert Band, as well as after school practices until 9:00 p.m. To get prepared for competitions, they all must arrive on time and do the visual and music parts of their warm-ups. After all the warm-ups, the drum major dismisses each section to go onto the field to perform. Although the rigorous practices take up many hours, at the end of the day, the results are worth it. Each band member works hard and gives 110% when they perform. Freshman Julia Ma commented, “I think it pays off. All the hours we’ve spent during rehearsals, it’s torture at times but it’s all worth it when you perform.” Sophomore Dana Cho added in, “Band members know that once they signed up for band, they signed up for not only total commitment, but their endurance will be put to the test as well. Monday sectionals for two hours, and Wednesday night rehearsals for three and a half hours force people to put their concentration at the highest level. There are times when we are stressed from school, or just life in general, but in rehearsal, we have to be completely focused on what we’re doing: learning new drills, marching at fast tempos, and playing music with emotion. However, all of the rehearsals pay off in the end. Trophies and titles of achievement are good, but what is even more rewarding is the fact that we were able to offer our best in competition and leave the field feeling proud of what we performed. Together.”

Members of Colorguard have been working as hard as those of Band. With practices ranging from four to five hours a day, members put all of their energy into their choreography. “Usually two to three hours before we compete, we have a quick rehearsal to have everything fresh in our mind. The team then splits into half, so one half can spin saber while the others practice flags. We spend about an hour and a half then move on to swing flag,” stated sophomore Jessy He when asked about how they prep for competition. Due to the long practices, the members are usually exhausted, but proud of each other and how hard they have worked. “I feel like everyone can definitely improve, but in the end every practice is worth going to,” commented Jessy. “All the adrenaline we build up from practices goes into competitions so it’s worth it in the end,” added sophomore Coco Fang.

With both Colorguard and Band focusing hard, there is nothing that can stop them from succeeding in future competitions. Good luck at the Festival of Bands and at the field show Championships SCSBOA! tchhay@apachepowwow.com

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10 THANK

YOU

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By CINDY TSE

By CHRISTINA READ

l ive n o S s.

November 2015

By SUNNY WU

Staff Writer

My first small-group practice with Coach Chris Schultz took place during my second week of track in my freshman year. Understandably, I was nervous—I didn’t know what to expect. In smaller groups, I wondered, would Coach Schultz be nicer, more approachable? I discovered the answer a few minutes later when he threw a roll of tape at me. (Don’t worry, no children are actually hurt in the making of the relay team.)

I’d like to say that since then, our relationship has drastically changed. But that wouldn’t be true. This year, I actually signed up for a semester elective just to avoid taking a full year of track. A cross country member in my class told me she recognized my name because of hearing Coach Schultz yell it so often. And my favorite days of the week will always be jump-practice days, not just because I love my events, but because those are the days we get to skip running bleachers. Despite this, I’ve stayed in track for two years and plan on staying for another two, in no small part thanks to Coach Schultz’s coaching.

An important part of Coach Schultz’s coaching philosophy: we almost never practice what we can already do—every practice has the time goal set a little too low, the high jump bar just a little too high, and the long jump distance a little too far. No, he doesn’t do that because he hates us (well, maybe a little). He does it because he knows we can do it. So what if the bar is—literally—way too high?

Coach Schultz believes all of us can step up to the challenge.

And although everyone in track—or Quiz Bowl, or his English classes, or really anything he’s involved in—loves to complain about how tough he is, or how much he expects, we also all appreciate how much he believes in us. Coach Schultz is tough because he knows we can do it, and he’s not afraid to make us prove that—even if we’re proving it to ourselves.

He’s the kind of coach who says you can do something until even you believe it, and he’s the kind of coach who’ll always encourage you to do just a little bit better than last time.

I know that I don’t say this enough, but I really do appreciate all he’s done for me. Whenever I’m unsure, I know Coach Schultz will be the first to remind me that I can do it. It means a lot to me that, even if I don’t do well, Coach Schultz will always encourage me to try harder and insist that I am good enough.

Now, I’m no longer that scared freshman he threw a roll of tape at—I’m a scared junior, but at least track isn’t scary anymore. I know I have a coach that believes in me and will always have my back—even if I’m at the back of the race.

History is often seen as dull, dusty, and allaround boring. And yet, despite its less than stellar reputation, it remains as one of my favorite subjects, thanks to the fantastic teacher known as Mrs. Laura Galloway. She’s spunky, charismatic, and ready for the barrage of questions. Fifth period is lively and loud, a break from the other stressful classes that fill most of my day. I can take a break and settle in for an hour of the narrative of former times.

With her, history is a journey through time between places of eras past. As we embark through various interconnected timelines, the lines start drawing together, and the lessons I had almost forgotten from the last few grades are slowly put into their places. I always notice how no question goes unnoticed or completely unanswered. Sometimes the queries are bizarre, sometimes they are discerning, and Mrs. Galloway can take each one in stride. Each one can elicit some sort of reaction or new topic and ensures that there is never a dull moment. Best of all, she has information and stories that expand beyond the rigid walls of a textbook or video. What seem like insignificant happenings get much more attention and deserved recognition. Characters such as Nikola Tesla and Ivan Pavlov would probably only be mentioned offhandedly in a standard study book, but here, their work is explained in better detail and with a sense of admiration.

It is a great experience to be able to understand and appreciate what has happened before to see how it shapes and connects to our society now. Instead of just reading off a PowerPoint or sending us to through the book on our own, she also gives insightful examples and can capture attention. It is an active class that can bring events to life and introduce interesting people and events that might otherwise go unnoticed. Instead of just being happenings that go in order, it becomes a story of the world, with numerous problems and consequences.

Mrs. Galloway’s willingness to help makes even the most complex concepts seem learnable.

From the turmoil of the French Revolution to the age of imperialism and beyond, she is there every step of the way. Few teachers can claim to be able to make any of their students carry on their knowledge for longer than a couple weeks, and it is through her, I am always able to learn something new.

How can I possibly d on me, like no other tea I would much rather p gently encouraging th day. A prominent oa abandoning its place. tree house that welco there would be a de Sunrise: From th I could ever ask for. her. While complainin way too hard, my 64% As soon as I had said that is a test to see who is worthy a gratitude when she said that; I felt like I had failed yet she grade up to two grade levels after two months. I would’ve g Oak Tree: I’ve learned that in high school, everything and ever there for me, sweet as ever, and I know she will always be whether I a of Love.” After picking out a seat and sitting down, a figure appeare I was alone, then swung my backpack across her back and sighed, I feel like she is truly interested in me: she cares abo crushes on, my progress in school, my confusions about th She laughs at the stupid stories I tell her but she also sole the stories that trouble me. Full with wisdom, she has al problems I was stuck in, enlightening me with things like, “ or “don’t quit the road to self-discovery; it’s how you’ll life-long happiness.” I value her guidance that sound so p Treehouse: Ms. Soliven’s classroom, S-111, is my second she created to help us become more confident, the room wou side, whether she had her morning coffee, or not. Her class w even possessed leadership qualities that I never thought was in that she is with me in my other classrooms. Because whene Pond: I’m not sure if everyone can relate to this fee finally understood by someone. When I read her emails o head. Even though we barely spend a fraction of our day alike that our brains reflect one another. It’s strange, for so If I ever get the chance, I will absolutely paint her t and I am truly thankful for her, for brightening a than a teacher or a mentor. He blessed m

ctse@apachepowwow.com

To our t

cread@apachepowwow.com

M

Staff Writer

Thank you for ma Mr. Schultz

Mrs. Galloway

November 2015

AHS TEACHERS

centerspread.powwow@gmail.com

Staff Writer

describe Ms. Nicole Soliven and the impact she continues to have acher, with just 26 letters? Believing that I draw better than I write, paint out my appreciation for her. The painting would be a sunrise, he earthlings to awake, informing that it would be another hopeful ak tree would stand in the center, its roots digging deep, never Between the thick branches of the tree would support an enormous omes and grants confidence to all that would enter. In the distance, eep pond with water so clear that it reflects everything it sees. he beginning, Ms. Soliven has given me all the encouragement Two weeks after school started, I began my usual rant to ng about AP Biology, I grew increasingly despairing. “It’s is killing my GPA!” I wailed. “I’m dropping this class.” t, she smiled and reassured, “The first couple of months and who is not. Don’t give up.” My heart was filled with still believed in me. Grasping onto her words, I brought my given up if it wasn’t for the hope Ms. Soliven provided me. ryone are constantly changing, except Ms. Soliven. She was always ask her to or not. I remember I was by myself for the show, “Museum ed from the corner of my eyes; it was Ms. Soliven. She asked me why , “come with me then, ya lil’ lame-o, the view’s better where I sit.” out the friends I hang out with, my family, the boys I had he future, and most importantly, my thoughts and feelings. emnly listens to the stories I don’t quite have an ending to, lways been there to mentor and help me pull through the “no matter how you label yourself, you are a human being,” l determine your purpose for existence and your ultimate profound when coming from her lips. She really does care. d home. However, without her and the welcoming environment uldn’t be significant at all. She would always be on the chill was the only class that I broke free out of my comfort zone. I n me. Although I’m not in her class anymore, I often imagine ever I do, the room gets brighter and I get more confident. eling, but whenever I talk to Ms. Soliven, I feel like I’m or listen to her speak, I am constantly saying “yes” in my y together, we know each other so well and we think so omeone so much older than me, to understand me so well. the painting I’ve described. Ms. Soliven is phenomenal and enriching my life. God has given me more me with a friend I can never part with. swu@apachepowwow.com

teachers,

11

By SIMONE CHU

By VICTORIA TOVMASYAN Staff Writer

Academics Editor

Most Arcadia students are given the infamous warning as they enter sophomore, junior, and senior year: do not take AP Biology. If you get Mr. Craig Monden, may only death do you and your textbook part. In retrospect, it is obvious what kind of students pass on such tales. They are the kids who show no interest in the very classes they themselves chose, the kids who slack off and have no idea how to manage their time.

In reality, Mr. Monden is a master of working with stressed high school students. He has done so for a plentitude of years, helping anyone who is willing to put in effort and take their future seriously. This devoted teacher stays after school for hours, aiding in labs and studying for tests. Sometimes, he hosts lecture days over the weekend, in which he discusses important chapters to kids interested in not only learning, but also applying their knowledge and succeeding.

In the moment, it may only seem like his devotion is just what all teachers do. But when counting the hours spent in parent meetings to ensure your grade safety, the fun lunchtime discussions, all his study sessions, and more, his intentions become clear. Mr. Monden’s goal is to help the dedicated, respectful, worthy students continue on their path to a positive future.

So, despite his incredibly difficult role of preparing students for the AP Test, Mr. Monden isn’t actually as scary as he is made out to be. He may be severely stressed, attempting to balance the needs of kids to have fun with what the College Board needs them to knows, but he always has his students’ happiness in mind. Most students never think to talk to their teacher about things outside their realm of teaching, but upon arrival, kids realize what a mistake it would be not to befriend such a well-rounded teacher.

During class, Mr. Monden knows how to get work done. Kids work near the speed of light, keying their focus on what’s important and putting aside what isn’t, such as phones and other electronic devices.

Even classroom chit chat is abridged, because the students realize in his presence that to get the results they want, they need to put in an equal amount of work.

Overall, Mr. Monden’s classroom is one that breeds organization, respect, and maturity. It’s very reflective of the title it is given, AP, a college course. Under his wing, students don’t feel pressured by the teacher to work hard, but rather by themselves. That’s an incredibly hard thing to bring out in teenagers, but magical Mr. Monden knows just how to do it. Thank you, Mr. Monden, for showing us all that we have an amazing side, motivated to work and ready to take on the world.

“Rest in pieces,” was what a friend of mine told me last year, when I told him that I planned to take AP U.S. History during my junior year. I’d heard mixed things about the course. For some, it was the best thing that had ever happened to them; for others, the course was something to be feared, a beast to be vanquished.

But now, in November, I’m leaning more toward the “best thing that’s ever happened to me” side. Ms. Justina Spencer’s AP U.S. History class is fun and exciting and new. With refreshing activities like a highly competitive game of Headbands—well, not really Headbands, technically, but more like “Which prominent 1700s figure is taped to my back?”—and a rapid-fire speed-dating round where we assume the personas of 1800s social reformers (“So tell me, Ms. Grimké, what is the most important problem facing the nation and how would you fix it?”), APUSH has become a class that I look forward to every day.

Ms. Spencer’s enthusiasm about everything is contagious—from her love of Abraham Lincoln to her vehement dislike of pirates—and her sense of humor adds a little bit of light to the day. At the start of class, there’s always a meme projected on the board next to the day’s agenda, usually a disgruntled-looking portrait of one of the Founding Fathers with some sort of ridiculous caption. It never fails to make me smile.

The AP exam looms off in the distance (though closer than we students might think!), but I’m not worried. Not when Ms. Spencer is there to help us bring the pages of our textbooks to life in the class, and pointing out how there are connections everywhere to be made. “Synthesis!” she always proclaims triumphantly. “Everything is synthesis!” And it’s true: when Donald Trump accuses Mexican immigrants of stealing American jobs, I think back to nativist New Yorkers panicking over the influx of Irish immigrants in the 1840s. North Korea’s efforts to put up a false front of normalcy are the same as Southern efforts to pull the wool over Northern abolitionists’ eyes.

I’m always excited to see what we’re going to learn next with Ms. Spencer, and how we’re going to tackle it. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next centuries of American history holds. schu@apachepowwow.com

vtovmasyan@apachepowwow.com

making a difference.

Mr. Monden

Ms. Spencer

Photos by VIVIAN KWANG, ANDREA LIU, and JOSHUA MA Graphics courtesy of BESTWALLPAPERHD.COM

studentlife.powwow@gmail.com

November 2015

STUDENT LIFE 13

10 Things We’ re Thankful For

By CHLOE O’CONNOR

Staff Writer

Sometimes we take simple things for granted: the pancakes Mom makes on Saturday, the guy who opened the door for you when your arms were full, or maybe even your sister who turned off your alarm on Saturday morning after you attempted an all-nighter and failed. Thanksgiving is a time to think back to all the things we are thankful for. These ten people are thankful for things that have affected them in some way. No matter how big or small these things may be, it’s important to be thankful this Thanksgiving season!

Student Feature: Alexander Chen

By TITUS WU Staff Writer

1. Freshman Audrey Abbot is thankful for “sweater weather” because she loves to wear big jackets and dislikes sunny, warm weather. She also enjoys snuggling under a warm blanket in front of a warm fire while reading a good book.

Many people at some points in their lives feel certain degrees of high emotion or passion. However, as a scholar and a man of science, senior Alexander Chen is quite literally, objective.

He is, in one aspect, objective in terms of his academics.

Leadership positions in many clubs. High GPA. Striving for science, an objective field. Aiming to be a molecular pathologist.

“Biology fascinates me,” said Alexander, “because it interests me how such small molecules like DNA can determine the type of people we are and even shape our lives.”

He’s taken an internship at University of Southern California researching Tylenol’s overdosing effects on the liver and how to prevent them. He tells he found his passion for biology upon “reading a book called The Double Helix” which simply wowed him.

Essentially, he told me his whole college essay.

2. Freshman Lawrence Chen thanks his Geometry teacher for “giving [the class] so many proofs.” Lawrence loves learning math with his favorite Geometry teacher, Mr. Barry Lisbin every day.

3. Junior Rachel Fuller loves her dog, Trigger, a German Shepherd, and would like to thank him for “keeping [her] warm on these cold winter nights.” Every night, Trigger lays his 90-pound body on top of her as if he were “a small puppy.”

4. Mrs. Laura Galloway said,”I am thankful that I get to work with such amazing students, who inspire me on a daily basis.”

5. Junior Kelvin Guang is thankful for Fallout Four. He said “it’s the most EPIC thing ever!”

6. Sophomore Haley Harvey is thankful for “plain tart ice cream from Yogurtland.” Although it is a basic yogurt, she still enjoys it and wishes that others would follow her example and fall in love with it, since most people do not like it.

7. Freshman Inga Huang thanks all her favorite pizza places for all of the “different pizza toppings” that they provide, since they “make the world a better place.” Pizza is probably her favorite food, and she loves to eat it as much as possible.

8. Senior Kevin Huang is thankful for AHS’ new pool. “I really enjoy swimming in it,” he explained, “it is so much better than the old one.”

9. Junior Shreya Sighn thanks her jackets and sweatshirts for “keeping her warm 24/7” since she’s “literally cold 24/7.” They are her best friends, and she depends on them on a daily basis.

10. Senior Leo Yang loves to give hugs. He loves to “give hugs” since they “make any person’s day better.”

11. Junior Mikey Yang is thankful for his friends since they “always know how to cheer [him] up when he’s down.” He depends on them all the time and “doesn’t know what [he] would do without them.” coconnor@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of CLIPARTBEST.COM, DOGCHANNEL.COM, DREAMSTINE.COM, HOWTODRAWFUNNYCARTOONS.COM, IMAGE4WORLD.COM, and THEGVVILLAGEEATGULFSTREAMPARK.COM

By ELLIE LEE

SECRET MENU HACKS Staff Writer

Fast food is a staple icon of American culture. The Big Mac is a famous classic, and is only offered at McDonalds. Every place has some unique item to order; however, not many are aware of the ability to enhance the fast food restaurants’ food even further. Every fast food restaurant has some sort of “secret menu” that customers can order from. The secret menu is open to everyone; it’s just up to you to discover it. Let’s hack the menu with some items you can order that aren’t on the menu.

1. McDonalds McGangbang: The name may sound slightly odd, but the McGangbang burger is one of McDonald’s most famous “secret menu” items. This is just a combination of a McDouble and a McChicken for just $2. This beautiful sandwich is a McChicken placed inside a McDouble for a tasty sandwich. One sandwich isn’t enough to eat, so try this wonderful and cheap combination.

2. Starbucks Arnold Palmer: Have you ever heard the classic Arnold Palmer? It is a beverage with both ice and lemonade. Enjoy this combination by ordering half iced black tea and half lemonade for a refreshing and classic drink.

Starbucks Neapolitan Frappuccino: Don’t you just love the delicious combination of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate ice cream?

Try Starbuck’s awesome spin of the Neapolitan through a frappuccino. Order a strawberries and creme frappuccino with two pumps mocha syrup, vanilla bean powder, and top it off with chocolate drizzle for a sweet drink.

3. In-N-Out Fries: Who doesn’t love fries? Well you can just order those mouth watering fries but you can take it to another level. There are three other options to try: Well Done Fries, Animal Style Fries, and Cheese fries. The Well Done fries can be described as potato chips, so order that if you’re currently craving a more healthy version of potato chips. Almost everyone knows about the Animal Style Fries. But, if you don’t know about the most popular item on In-N-Out’s secret menu, it is just fries with the secret spread, grilled onions, and cheese. However, if you don’t like grilled onions and the secret spread, just order cheese fries.

Don’t you just feel hungry now? Check out all of these three places and try something that isn’t on the menu. Add a new spin to what you order at these fast food places. Stick to the boring classic food, or look up yummier menu secrets online! Chances are, you can create your own secret menu item, since most places already allow you to customize your order. The possibilities are endless. elee@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of PIXABAY.COM and WHSTATIC.COM

Yet, Alexander’s objectivity expands beyond that. Since he was young, he has moved between seven schools, five cities, multiple states, and countless homes. From all this “it’s made [him] less susceptible to the environment and made [him] more… objective.” Of course, it gets interesting.

He admits that when he first came to AHS, he felt lonely and did not talk to anybody his first year. “I only talked when other people came up to talk to me,” he said. And he was fine with it.

All that changed upon his membership in Interact Club, where he was forced to communicate with other people. “I had to talk to other people many times and initiate all the conversations, and over time, I gradually became more comfortable with talking to other people.” It was only after achieving this ability he realized “that [he] did not want to become lonely again.”

Now, when you see him in the hallway, yes, he will talk to you. Although seemingly mundane, for Alexander and for many other people who struggle to communicate, it was a big change.

But he is still objective, claiming he has experienced no drastic feeling or change of emotions. “I tend to keep my emotions in control,” said Alexander, “because things get complicated if you don’t.” In fact, his saddest moment was a bad test score. “I just prefer emotional stability. That’s all.”

He understands why people get emotional, viewing the world as “an overly complicated system with a lot of unnecessary” bureaucracy. Is he going to change it?

His answer was quite objective—“Just leave it the way it is.” twu@apachepowwow.com Photo by TITUS WU

14

ACADEMICS

Perks of Studying Abroad

By KIMBERLY LO

Staff Writer

Programs for studying abroad are offered to U.S. students in locations all over the world. Going to another country to experience a different system of education and life brings many pros and cons. One will definitely have the chance to make many new friends, perhaps it could be students also studying abroad or the people in the community one resides in. Moreover, a different education system can offer different study options, which might appeal to one’s interests more. Of course, having to adapt to a new environment may be challenging, but it surely comes with new cultural knowledge from experiencing daily life in another country. Having to live in a new place for a long-term period, one might feel a tug of longing for the U.S. Not only is loneliness a possibility, but money may also be a concern because of living costs and such necessities.

Nonetheless, studying abroad can be a rewarding experience!

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program was formed to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Germany. With over 24,000 participants in this

program thus far, it is an opportunity for students to study abroad in Germany for a period of ten months, from late summer one year to early summer the next year. In this program, students learn to be more independent individuals and learn about German life in terms of economic, political, and social culture. Throughout the year, students will strengthen German language skills, go to school at a German high school, and live with a German host family. In addition, they will learn about German culture through trips to German cities and the German Bundestag, the national parliament, and meet with German government officials. Students actually don’t need any prior experience with German in order to apply, so it’s an opportunity open to everyone regardless of how much German knowledge one has. The basic requirements are that the student must be a U.S. citizen, be between 15 to 18½ years old, and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad) Started by the Congress in 2002, the YES Abroad program has sent students to

apachepowwow.tumblr.com

a variety of countries. For the 2016-2017 year, the current list of countries is Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Thailand, and Turkey. Each country has a unique situation and can offer a special experience. For instance, Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia, and the major religion is Buddhism.

Its cuisine upholds f o u r t a s t e s , which are bitterness, saltiness, sourness, and sweetness. Students attend school where they must wear uniforms and can participate in activities like Thai art and boxing.

For students interested in going to Morocco or Senegal, French skills are required. To apply, one must be a U.S. citizen, between 15 to 18½ years old, and be in high school or home school.

If either of these programs are of interest, check out their websites for more information about application requirements and program details. Studying abroad is a very interesting opportunity to learn about another country, and it certainly adds to one’s own global experiences. klo@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG

Overcoming college apps

By TITUS WU

Staff Writer

For seniors everywhere, the first half of senior year is always dominated by one thing— college apps. Never has college been nearer for a high school student, and the past few months of college application season have been a hassle for many.

The college process for many starts in the summer; for some, already in junior year. “I started mine in my AP Language class for a College Search project,” said senior Andrew Ortegaray, noting how it gave him a significant early boost.

However, the most important part of junior year in the process, said Andrew, “is making sure you ask the teachers you need for recs.”

However, for people like senior Tina Yueh, many do not en-

joy the advantage of a class and have to start the process themselves. “I decided I want to pursue a business major,” said Tina, “so I searched the top colleges in that major and saw if it matched my stats.” Beyond that, the most important question for her was, “Could I imagine myself living there for the next four years?”

Although seemingly simple, searching for the right college list can be hard. “The most difficult part was deciding if that college would be right for me like major and environment wise,” said Tina, adding on that it was always on her mind whether she was making the right choice.

The biggest advice many gave was to start during the summer. “I knew that I would have no time to even write [the essays]

once the school year started and I had to balance tennis with homework...so I just forced myself to finish it,” said Tina.

Yet the common scenario is often many students struggle to balance college apps with school. Initially “the work load for the year was light,” said Andrew, “but as the weeks passed, I found myself with less and less time and making less and less development on the essay.” The result—procrastination.

Indeed, the prompts for college essays are complained by many seniors as vague and difficult. Essays often require multiple drafts and multiple peer edits; some go even as far as hiring private essay editors.

To deal with all the time management, “it’s best to set aside some days for just college essays and cut down on all the unnecessary activities,” advised senior Rohan Garg, noting that, however, it is still hard to keep up with that alone.

Despite college application season’s notorious stress, there are still perks. The essays have allowed Rohan to “connect with friends and to realize there is a lot more to [him] than [he] realized.” College apps are a defining moment of the high school experience as well.

As for Rohan, who has submitted his applications already for Early Decision, “it’s the uncertainty,” he said, “because you don’t know if you did something wrong or right.”

And of course, there is the wait. twu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of PINTEREST.COM

November 2015

Math Masters

By NADINE TEMPLETON

Staff Writer

If you’re fond of solving math problems, Math Team may be the team for you!

The AHS Math Team, also known as Snack Team, is one of our ten prestigious academic teams on campus. Math Team is an award winning team that competes several times throughout the year.

To earn a spot on the team, Math Team members had to try out by taking a test with questions varied in difficulty. All test-takers were given one hour and thirty minutes to complete the test. Only the top scorers were selected. They practice regularly, meeting every Wednesday. Led by Captains seniors Taejin Hwang and Victor Li, practices always include a lot of snacks to fuel their brains. The team usually practices for upcoming competitions, except on special occasions, according to Math Team member freshman Ryan Wang. To practice, members are put into randomly assigned groups to create math problems for other team members to solve.

On Oct. 21, Math Team participated in a competition for the Bay Math League (BML) at West High School. There were many other students from many other schools also participating. Each person on the team took three individual tests. The tests covered either 9th, 10th, 11th, 12thgrade material. Each test had a time limit of ten minutes. There was also a team round, where team members worked together on a test to solve more difficult problems. For the team round, the whole team was split into four smaller teams. In the end, all the regular tests and team round tests were graded and the team came home with a 3rd place trophy. Competitions throughout the year include the BML (a series of 4 after-school competitions) and Math Day at the Beach at Cal State Long Beach. Members also participate in several “write-in” competitions as individuals and as a team. They also have the opportunity to participate in several national contests including the American Mathematics Competition and American Regions Mathematics League.

Even though it’s a quite challenging to get onto math team, “being on the team is a lot of fun,” according to Math Team member freshman Ryan Wang. He said that “once [he] saw the math team [he] knew [he] wanted to join” and he “really enjoys the challenges math provides.” Junior Samuel Cui, who has been a Math Team member since his freshman year, said, “I’ve always loved math, ever since I was young! That’s not to say that I really enjoy sitting down at home with a ton of math homework though.

The two don’t necessarily coincide.” Math Team may require a lot of time and commitment but in the end, it’s all worth it.

ntempleton@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of MSD.K12.CA.US

November 2015

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16

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Apache Fans: Dedicated and Spirited

By ELLIE LEE Staff Writer

Where would our fellow Apache athletes be without the support of their friends and family? The crowds and spectators give the boost of adrenaline and confidence players need to give it their all. While the game is going on, there are always people on the bleachers who are cheering them on and giving the team moral support.

Without fans attending games, players would lose an essential aspect of the competitive atmosphere. Thus, we delve into the minds of Arcadia spectators and hear their feedback regarding AHS sporting events.

“I love watching the Girls Varsity Volleyball team play because of all the suspense during the games. I like watching volleyball because it is one of my favorite sports. In addition, I love watching the Girls Varsity Volleyball team gain a point after a long rally. It’s amazing to see [the girls] quickly change from serious to screaming with joy. Another favorite moment is when someone does a miraculous save out of nowhere. That usually makes the audience go wild and it’s just very exciting to watch when someone does that. I think cheering is one of the most impor-

tant parts in a volleyball game. Since volleyball does not have cheerleaders cheering them on like football, all the [enthusiasm comes from] the team members on the bench and the spectators. Cheering honestly helps the team play better and makes the opposing team feel intimidated while your team feels more encouraged and spirited.”

—Rachel Yin, 9 “I also love to attend volleyball games because it is such an exciting sport. It’s exciting due to its fast pace and aggressiveness. I cheer on the team with cheers such as the “I believe” chant. The most interesting part of the game for me is when the rallies are long because it’s so nerve racking and loud. These are the moments where “cheer wars” between the fans of the opposing teams occur.

I can get pretty loud during games and sometimes I lose my voice, but it’s totally worth it since I get to motivate the players.”

—Erin Fong, 10

some of their techniques [to build on my own performance]. For me, I really like to watch soccer games when the players don’t flop and there’s a lot of passing involved.”

—Stephanie Yen, 10 “I like to watch [AHS sports games] because I enjoy seeing how well people can join together and bond while performing [skilled] tasks as a team.

I love it when a team accomplishes its goals. It just feels really good to see that all the players’ hard work and practice have paid off.”

—Oscar Lau, 11

and to see their hard work [amount to success]. When I cheer, I usually just follow the Pep Squad’s chants. I find it very interesting when the team interacts with the spectators. I enjoy seeing our team score and achieve its goals!”

—Tyler Wong, 12

Staff Writers

With the NBA season beginning, the NFL season in action, and the MLB season just ending, students have been conversing with their friends on professional sports. Our fellow Varsity athletes give their take

on various in-season professional sports.

Boys Varsity Basketball player sophomore Jay Yoon indicated that the NBA season has had “a great start. All the players engaging in what they’re supposed to do really brings out the competition within the league.” Jay proclaimed, “I really hope to see teams step up to take

Staff Writer

Photos courtesy of CNN.COM, FATHEAD.COM, and FLICKR.COM

dsantoyo@apachepowwow.com

elee@apachepowwow.com

Photo by RYAN FANN

their roles in the association. I strongly believe it’s going to be an eventful season. This year, I’m going to take pride in LA, so I believe the Clippers will take [the championship] home this season.”

Boys Varsity Football athlete sophomore Greg Zhang said that the NFL season “has been great to watch.

Because of Tom Brady’s great perfor-

By DANIELLE SANTOYO

jcun@apachepowwow.com tyen@apachepowwow.com

Win or loss, it is clear that all Apache players have wonderful spectators cheering them all on, wishing the best for them. These games are enjoyable for both the players and the people on the bleachers. Keep on supporting Arcadia sports teams!

Following Professional Sports

By JUSTIN CUN & TIMOTHY YEN

Girls Warm Up For State The Girls Varsity Cross Country team is aiming to make the State championships this upcoming year.

Its season has been amazing so far, starting off the school year taking first place at the Laguna Hills Invitational and moving up to Pacific League, where the girls took first in both meets. Recently at the Mt. San Antonio College (SAC) Invitational, our Apaches took 3rd place and junior Holly Lung took an individual honor after having broken school records by running a time of 17:17 at the Mt. SAC course, which is approximately three miles long. Holly modestly stated, “I’m really surprised and really happy. It gives me a lot of confidence.”

The girls have just recently competed in the Apache Invitational at Arcadia County Park. The Invitational began with runners at the starting line, each division looking fierce and ready to run. It was an amazing event in which all of our Lady Apache runners finished with a bang.

Arcadia was determined to beat out the competing teams, and our own Lady Apaches finished in 5th place, paced by sophomore Eryca Yamane’s 19th place finish!

Junior Cindy Hoang stated, “Our times as a team are closer and faster than last year. Last year, our times were more spread out and the team as a whole was less experienced. This season, we’ve all improved as a team through learning how to better pace ourselves in a race and how to pace ourselves according to the amount of miles we’re set to run.” Working together, the girls are heading on a good path towards CIFs and have set a bright future to competing at State.

Cindy further commented, “Our team feels like a family. Whereas unlike other teams where boys and girls are separated, Cross Country is co-ed, and there is 100% support from all the teammates.” According to Cindy, each and every team member needs the team for support and motivation, which are two large keys needed to improve. “Based off our latest performance at the Invitational,” stated Cindy, “all of us raced as fast as we could, and I know that our best is good enough; it’s just a matter of pushing the boundaries of what our ‘best’ is.”

The Apache Invitational hosted many teams this season, and our Lady Apaches really pulled through, each division running a total of approximately three miles, with all runners doing their best in trying to make it to State. Great job Apaches!

“I attend AHS sporting events because I love to support our Apaches

“I attend AHS games because I love to support my fellow Apaches and cheer them on. I especially love to watch games to observe people better than me. From watching the people better than me [perform], I can learn

November 2015

mances this year, [he] will be rooting for the New England Patriots.”

Boys Varsity Baseball player junior Steven Wong thought that the “World Series was a great experience for everyone to see that [playing as a] team can win games. [He] was rooting for the Kansas City Royals because they teach the younger generation that no individual needs to be the hero, as a team effort wins games.”

Young athletes look up to the pros for motivation to achieve their own aspirations. Many even strive to be at the highest level with their favorite athletes when they grow up.

However, athletes need to understand that the process to success is far from being easy. Those who made it to the professional league had more than just guts and strength. They also required perseverance, character, ethics, and respect for the game they play. Watching these pros at play is certainly an excellent pastime, not to mention a wonderful learning experience. As the famous baseball player Yogi Berra once said, “You can observe a lot by just watching.”

November 2015

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Football Caps Off Bounceback Season

By CHRISTINA READ Staff Writer

Varsity Football started its season slowly, beginning with two home losses against Bell Gardens High School and Monrovia High School.

But this bad luck didn’t last long— its next four games were all solid wins, solidifying its position as 4th in league. This relatively high rank is all the more impressive considering that last year, the team finished in 7th place out of eight teams.

This month, Varsity Football lost another two games, but came back to dominate Hoover with a final score of 40-0.

The players finished their victory over Hoover High School with just 76 yards of defense surrendered and an impressive 27-0 halftime score. As Hoover Coach Matt Anderson observed, “They looked like a completely different team.” Clearly, Arcadia’s improvements have not gone unnoticed within the league.

Arcadia’s newfound success faltered slightly, however, in its latest game against last year’s CIF Champions Crescenta Valley High. Beyond

being rival schools, each team had another huge pressure to win: only a victory would secure 3rd place in League, meaning a guaranteed playoff spot. The losing team would instead be forced to hope for at-large CIF entry. The rivalry game on Nov. 5 was extremely close, ultimately

IRON CURTAIN The Apaches’ blend of stellar defense and potent offense has resulted in them gaining respect around the League. depending on a single point that resulted in AHS’ defeat with a final score of 27-28. Despite this loss, the team remains hopeful for next season when the players will try again to make the playoffs for the first time

since 2012.

In addition to its impressive record, a few more statistics stand out about Boys Varsity Football: While the team may not be 1st in League, it boasts the League’s leading players for both passing and receiving yards—senior Nico Hillier and junior Raeshawn Roland, respectively.

These impressive players were able to work together to lead the team to victory, according to Coach Andrew Policky, who explained, “With [Raeshawn] and [Nico], we’re a threat to score at anytime.”

With these League leaders, as well as the efforts of all the players, Arcadia has managed to significantly improve its game and is reclaiming a place at the top of the Pacific League.

Overall, Varsity Football has had a great season, made all the better by its huge amount of improvement since last year. While losing out on a playoff spot, the team has great potential and is set to continue its amazing turnaround for years to come. cread@apachepowwow.com

Photo by RYAN FANN

Athlete Profile: Nico Hillier tion. “I love all of my teammates and coaches. There is something about this year that is different than the rest of the years I’ve been here. The team Varsity Football has had a tough is a lot closer, and there is a different second half of the season after enjoyattitude in the way we play. We are ing a four game winning streak early a lot more physically aggressive and on in the season. Senior quarterback also talented this year [compared] to Nico Hillier has led the Varsity Footthe previous years. I would not want ball team to many wins with his to spend my senior year with any othteam-leading passing yards and rusher squad,” Nico explained. ing yards. Nico’s love and passion for The Varsity Football team has the game has contributed to the skill had many goals this season, so when and performance he has developed. asked about his season accolades, Ever since the beginning, Nico has Nico replied, “My season [aspirabeen dedicated in his path to becomtions] are to make it to the playoffs ing a key contributor to the Apache and to make a name for not only myfootball program. self, but for the school and the rest of Football has been a part of the team. Although we have lost some Nico’s life since elementary school.

Nico started playing football in sec- LEADERBOARD Senior Nico tough games that we should have ond grade at the Kare Youth League Hillier led Varsity Football in passing won, the season has actually been pretty good. But that is how football because he “loved the game,” and and rushing yards this year. he “loved to [tackle] people.” As he “My motivation is to be able to get is, so we just move on to the next opcontinued to play throughout middle through college free in order pay my ponent and see what happens.”

Nico is confident of the journey school and high school, his passion parents back for all that they have ahead. “I am excited to see what my for football grew even more. done for me over the years.” future holds and what scholNow as the starting “I would not want to spend my arships I am able to receive.” quarterback of the VarWith a passion for football sity Football team, Nico’s goals and aspirations have senior year with any other squad.” and many goals to achieve, Nico has a promising playing only grown. “My goal is to be able to attend a Division 1 college Sports teams are known for be- career ahead of him. Best of luck to to continue playing the game I love,” ing a close, tight-knit group. The Var- Nico and his future endeavors!

Nico commented. “I want to continue sity Football team is no exception, playing football throughout the rest since it has developed great team tchhay@apachepowwow.com Photo by AARON CHAN of my life. Pretty much everyday, I’m chemistry and player communica-

By TRINITY CHHAY

Staff Writer

doing something for football whether it’s working out or watching film.”

Although his love for football is one of his motivations, Nico also stated,

Setting Up for Success

By ELLIE LEE Staff Writer

Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Volleyball team for yet another successful season this fall. The ladies played 20 games this season and came out with 11 wins and 9 losses.

This season, these Apache athletes demonstrated their amazing teamwork and athletic skills. These volleyball players made AHS proud and positively represented our school.

The girls started their season on the wrong foot with a loss to both Village Christian High School and San Gabriel High School with the scores of 0-3 for both games. However, the ladies quickly recovered from their brief losing streak by sparking a winning streak by winning against John Muir High School, Pasadena High School, and Burbank High School with the scores of 3-0, 3-1, and 3-0, respectively. The Apaches then joined the Royal Tournament against Louisville High School but unfortunately lost with a score of 0-2. They then defeated Herbert Hoover High with the score of 3-0, yet lost to both Glendale High School and John Burroughs High School (JBHS) with the close scores of 2-3. Despite the two loses in a row, the ladies quickly jumped back by defeating our rival Crescenta Valley High School (CV) with 3-0 sweep.

After the outstanding win against CV, the ladies competed in the Ayala Tournament but unfortunately lost all three games with the scores of 1-2, 0-2, and 0-2, respectively. Nevertheless, the girls quickly bounced back from their loss and went on another winning streak by defeating five other high schools and dropping only 2 sets in total during the victorious stretch. The streak ended with a loss against JBHS with a score of 2-3.

However, the ladies ended their season on a high note by defeating CV yet again with the score of 3-0.

Senior Roanne Paguyo stated that it was “unfortunate that we didn’t

IN FOR THE KILL Sophomore Rachel Reedy rises up above the net to deliver a stunning spike. place 1st in League.” However, she is proud of how her team battled for gold in her last year of the program “considering how almost half of [the players] were injured at some point.”

Roanne knew that there were strong teams that the team would face in CIF playoffs, but she is “confident that [the girls] can go far in the postseason.” Although Girls Varsity Volleyball could not advance into the second round of playoffs, freshman Haley Kennedy felt that “it’s been a privilege to play with such an amazing team.” This is Haley’s first year in the program and she felt “accepted from the beginning” and was thankful for everyone’s support to help her become a better volleyball player.

Haley enjoyed “the time on the bus [when the girls] were heading to and from [their] away games.” She hopes to “improve confidence during games and rid [herself of the nervousness] she gets during games.”

Girls Varsity Volleyball made AHS proud yet again. Through the season’s ups and downs, the girls pushed through and placed 2nd place in the ultra competitive Pacific League and earned a playoff berth.

Congratulations, Apaches!

TOGETHER AS ONE Exceptional team chemistry and camraderie has been key to the Girls Varsity Volleyball team’s successful season, bright future, and tradition of excellence in League play.

elee@apachepowwow.com

Photos by TITUS WU

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November 2015

November 2015

CALENDAR

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Spectre Synopsis

Vic’s Tricks

By VICTORIA TOVMASYAN

Staff Writer

Riddles: 1. What has a foot, but no legs?

A ruler.

2. Poor people have it. Richer folk need it, but if you eat it, you die. What am I? Nothing.

Emoji Mysteries (transcribe the pictures into common phrases):

By CHRISTINE LAW Thanksgiving―the word that brings up thoughts of Black Friday, pumpkin pie, turkey, and celebration. However, Thanksgiving isn’t all about having a feast or getting the best holiday deals, it is a day of giving thanks and being grateful.

During the 1700s, people celebrated Thanksgiving to give thanks for their harvest and the food that it brought them. On the First Thanksgiving, pilgrims gathered around to celebrate their first harvest in the New World.

Thanksgiving was also loosely connected to religion. It was a day for praying and thanking God with blessings. Pilgrims prayed that the following year would be filled with a full harvest. In 1789, President George Washington first proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday, and President Abraham Lincoln followed after, declaring it to be on the last Thursday of November. In 1941, Congress officially set it to be on the fourth Thursday of November. It then became widely celebrated in the U.S. and Canada.

Although most people don’t harvest crops anymore, giving thanks is still necessary.

Thanksgiving shouldn’t be about materialistic things; it should be about being thankful for family and friends, having the bare necessities in life, and most

1. Fireman 2. Corndog 3. Burger King 4. Headlight

ctse@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of FORBES.COM

4. What can you catch, but not throw?

A sickness.

Staff Writer

It seems that the most famous spy of all time is back; Daniel Craig is again leading in the highly-anticipated James Bond 007 movie, Spectre. Then new film is conducted by Sam Mendes, the same director of the previous film, Skyfall. Performers reprising their roles include Ben Whishaw as Q and Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny.

The movie is complemented with a stunning soundtrack featuring Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall”. With such credits, expectations are high.

The first scene, a festive scene of Mexico City during a Day of the Dead parade, where Bond demolishes a building while taking down a target, is breathtaking.

However, his interference causes chaos, and he is grounded by his new boss (Ralph Fiennes). It is revealed that the “00” program is in danger of being disbanded by another intelligence program called “Nine Eyes”, run by C (Andrew Scott). Meanwhile, Bond is determined to take down Spectre, a global criminal organization that may be closer than he thought.

Spectre is certainly praiseworthy.

Impressive cinematography lends to atmosphere, especially in combination with Thomas Newman’s evocative score.

Craig’s acting exceeds expectations, giving stoic James Bond a shade of humanity. The film presents old fans a dose of nostalgia by referencing previous Bond flicks while simultaneously drawing in new viewers with fast-paced action. Classic tropes include: car chases, fiery demolitions, impeccable shooting, and old-fashioned fistfights. My favorite line is when Oberhauser explains his focus on Bond. To quote, “It was me, James. The author of all your pain.”

However, every film has its flaws. The sets and shots are beautiful, but the jumping between locations doesn’t allow the audience time to appreciate them. They also throw in an orphan’s backstory as a way to connect the Craig-Bond films; the result was a sloppy and slowed plot. This time’s leading lady is the uninspired Dr. Madeline Swann (Lea Seydoux). There is little onscreen chemistry between her and Bond, and her character in general is as interesting as a cardboard cutout of a model; pretty, but nothing of note behind it.

If you have an affinity for espionage and intrigue, this is the film to see. Despite the ham-fisted romance, it holds up well and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. On a scale of 10, Spectre lands at 8.5.

3. If I drink, I will die, but if I eat, I will grow.

What am I? A fire.

By CINDY TSE

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vtovmasyan@apachepowwow.com

By ANDREW LIM In the shadows, a somewhat forgotten beloved comic strip sulks in its corner, reminiscing about its former glory days. Hope is still alive, as the movie industry lends its helping hand and takes the comic strip into the spotlight once more. Tidied up with a suit and tie, Peanuts, Charles M. Schulz’s famous comic strip, returns to the glory field with its new film, The Peanuts Movie. The film was directed by Steve Martino and written by Schulz. Personally, I feel the movie kept to its roots while spread ing out from its usual formula of the classic Charlie Brown plot. Overall, the film is a solid movie.

Charlie Brown is pushed into a new endeavor, a massive crush on a new girl in town.

Determined to win the Little Red Haired Girl’s heart, Charlie begins his quest to succeed his goal. Meanwhile, Snoopy embarks on an adventure to take down his arch-nemesis of the skies, the infamous Red Baron. Along the way, he tries to redefine his personality and achieve a near perfect image to impress his crush. It is a simple and classic tale of Charlie Brown.

Staff Writer

importantly, being able to recognize the good in life, instead of always focusing on the negatives. In a way, Thanksgiving in the 1700s is similar to present-day Thanksgiving. People still work hard to support their families, which is what pilgrims had to do in the past in order to survive. The pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving with their families to show appreciation for them and the food they were able to gain after harvest season, which was very tough sometimes. Family and food should be cherished on Thanksgiving.

Some Thanksgiving traditions in the U.S. include eating a turkey for dinner, having a big feast with extended family, and helping others.

Turkeys are a symbol of Thanksgiving because colonists used to hunt turkeys, and they were a unique bird in America. The bird did not serve any purpose; it couldn’t provide eggs or milk, so it was a suitable choice for the holiday.

Many people also help the less fortunate during Thanksgiving by volunteering at food banks, donating old clothes, or donating canned foods.

It is a good way to give back to the community, while making the day more memorable.

Overall, Thanksgiving is more than the holiday before Christmas that no one really pays attention to. It is a day to celebrate with family and be appreciative of everything positive in life.

The story easily stuck to its previous foundation and then some. The story contained wellknown tropes from the original Peanuts comic strip. Short and simple, the story still manages to deliver though it does fall at times through its rushed pacing and predictable storyline.

The soundtrack. The memories it can give with its famous piece of The Peanuts Theme continually playing in the background.

Meghan Trainor’s song, “Better When I’m Dancing”, seems a bit out of place in a Peanuts movie. Surprisingly, it fit really well into the background, especially at times where Charlie Brown succeeds or gains one step towards his goal.

The animation of the film immediately kept the original characters and only modifying their look if necessary. It shined the most when it involved Snoopy’s encounter with the Red Baron, delivering the audience with stunning visuals of plains, night skies, and cityscapes.

The Peanuts Movie delivers with its simple yet plain story, decent soundtrack, and

Staff Writer

great animation. Though the story does fall at times, it’s not completely mediocre, in fact it kept to its roots as a Charlie Brown classic. The soundtrack lacks variety; however, the main pieces do manage to lift this detriment. The animation holds the nostalgic Peanuts look and shines in Snoopy’s imagination with the Red Baron. I give this movie a solid 8 out of 10.

alim@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of EONLINE.COM, SNOOPYANDCHARLIEBROWN.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM

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CAMPUS FOCUS

“Ms. Jong ’s and eng cheerfulness agin style had g teaching h looking f er students orw class every ard to her day —Victori .” a Yu, 12

“Mr. Beckwith’s love for history fuels his great teaching, which helped me appreciate history.”

—Nadine Templeton, 9

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“Ms. Leahy is a superhero during the school day. She has so much passion for her job.”

—Chelsea Cheng, 11

November 2015

isano class P . s M to g in o “G s mood. ’ e n o y r e v e s n te ligh e From her class, w how experience daily e fun.” d a m e b n a c g in learn —Jocelyn Hu, 9

ccheng@apachepowwow.com, jhu@apachepowwow.com, ntempleton@apachepowwow.com, and vyu@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of WORDPRESS.COM Photos by VIVIAN KWANG, ANDREA LIU, AND EDWARD ZENG