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volume 66 issue 4 december 2018
ahs holiday assembly
...AND APACHES IN THE PAC! Hosted by Mr. Green and Mr. Freese, the Holiday Assembly was a festive way to commemorate all of the hard work the various performing arts groups have done throughout the year as well as get the Apaches in the holiday spirit! By CINDY TSE
dents were treated to songs from Tom Hanks’ nior Filbert Aung in “This Is My Wish” that cult...[but] we all did our individual part and
Staff Writer Polar Express, and a series of movements wowed the audience. Sophomore Chynna pulled together as one unit, which made the
To spark holiday cheer in students, AHS has organized yet another amazing holiday assembly. With a wide variety of performances, it was both a festive occasion for the audience and an opportunity for the performing arts students to show off the skills that they have been developing over the year. Hosting this year was Mr. Green and Mr. Freese, who livened up the audience and kept them laughing with their witty banter. Especially noteworthy was when Mr. Freese proudly showed off his beautiful set of pipes in his rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, where he changed the lyrics to be more fitting for an audience of AHS students. Starting off the show was Orchestra 3, directed by Mr. Forbes and Ms. Chen. Stu-
featuring a variety of Christmas carols. Fourth chair cellist junior Joceline Nguyen was especially pleased, commenting, “I thought the holiday assembly was an awesome way to take a breather right before finals! One of the main factors of bringing everyone’s spirit up was through the medley [from] Polar Express, which helped incite childhood memories and overall a bright holiday spirit!” It was a great effort on Orchestra 3’s part, as they put in plenty of practice to create, as Joceline described it, “something that was both memorable and enjoyable because [they] were able to produce such wonderful music and bond with each other.” Next up was Chanteurs, directed by Dr. Pu, who gave us their rendition of “Carol of the Bells”, followed by a solo from ju-
STUDENT LIFE
NEWS
pg. 2-3
Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House: Following their takeback of the House of Rep, the Democrats are backing Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House.
“To Nancy, this project sits close to home not only because of her immigrant experience, but also because the characters represent Nancy herself. ‘I see Arnie as the little girl I was when I first moved here...and now I hope to be the Hana to all the Arnies of the world and lend a compassionate hand.’”
performance successful.” The dancers were definitely a sight to behold. This year’s holiday assembly was truly spectacular, with the festive decorations and enthusiastic performers, but the best part of the show was the sense of togetherness that came with the lightheartedness of the season. While finals may be upon us soon, the show was a great and fun way to end the first semester! As the end of the year nears, remember to show gratitude towards the people in your life who make it better. The feeling of the holidays comes not from the songs we sing or the gifts we give, but from the love and appreciation we give and receive from those most important to us. ctse@apachepowwow.net Photos by CONNER HUA
Also in this issue:
pg. 8-9
Hana and Arnie—A Story on the Power in Diversity and Friendship: Nancy Xu, a senior at AHS, decided to channel her frustration at current immigration politics into a beautiful children’s book on the importance of diversity, Hana & Arnie.
Photo courtesy of USATODAY.COM
Ober was amazed, remarking, “I think the soloist was phenomenal and did a fantastic job. He came out and sang like a hidden angel.” Chanteurs later appeared again to perform “Carol Medley” and “White Winter Hymnal”. Dr. Pu’s passionate direction and the singers’ skill combined to make a lovely chorus sure to echo in the minds of the audience. The assembly rounded out with Orchesis, who was accompanied by Orchestra as they played a live version of “Carol of the Bells”. Their grand showstopper was a jazz performance set to “Queen Bee” by Rochelle Diamante. The dynamic dancing made the performance riveting and the crowd loved it. Orchesis member junior Talia Yip noted, “I remember the process of collaborating with Percussion and Orchestra was a little diffi-
“Instead of disincentivizing illegal immigration, it is time to start incentivizing legal immigration.”
CALENDAR pg. 14-15 Illuminate the Holidays: The holidays bring lots of festivities; here are a few local places boasting beautiful light decorations. SPORTS pg. 18-19
CIF Victors Michelle Deng and Lauren Ko: Seniors Lauren Ko and Michelle Deng won the Photo courtesy of THEHILL.COM CIF Tennis Southern Section Individual Championships for the third year in a row, becoming OPINION pg. 4-5 the second team in all of history to achieve such With Liberty and Justice for All?: Sopho- a feat. more Michelle Lee questions the humanity of CAMPUS FOCUS pg. 22 President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immi- Apache Holiday Traditions: With winter gration, and proposes alternative solutions to break coming up, Apaches share how they the issue. plan on spending celebrating the holidays.
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December 2018
FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
By SARAH WANG
Staff Writer
In the recent midterm elections, the Democrats overturned the Republicans to gain a majority in the House of Representatives. Now the House majority party, Democrats need to select a leader as Speaker of the House. In a highly-debated move, the Democrats backed then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi for the position. On Nov. 28, Pelosi secured 203 votes out of 239, or 85% of the total votes, all from Democratic House representatives. Of the opposing electors, thirty-two voted no, three abstained, and one was absent. Regardless, the strong majority support was an important victory for Pelosi and signified that she would most likely reclaim the position she lost 7 years prior. With her many years in politics and previous experience in the exact same position, some would argue that Pelosi is the obvious choice for House Speaker. However, critics argue that a fresh face is needed to represent the Democratic party. The San Francisco congresswoman is 78 years old, has a history of moderate Democratic stances, and is reminiscent of a past era of Democratic politics—facts that caused the public and some of her colleagues to hesitate in their support of her. Defiant of her critics, Pelosi campaigned hard to prove otherwise. First of all, the anti-Pelosi movement was unable to propose a candidate to challenge Pelosi, giving her an additional advantage of not having to worry about beating an opponent. Second, Pelosi struck a deal with members of the Problem Solvers caucus to promise greater ease in bringing bipartisan legislation to the House floor. Additionally, Pelosi secured endorsements from dozens of Democratic congresspeople and their constituents. Finally, she eliminated the possibility of opposition by convincing possible-challenger Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge to support her by offering her an important subcommittee chair position. In the melee of the selection process, Pelosi’s fellow representatives have been very vocal about their thoughts. On one hand, her opponents “remain united behind [their] goal of new leadership and intend to vote against leader Pelosi in caucus and on the floor of the House,” as pledged by Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.). Still, others who had previously opposed Pelosi admitted defeat after the vote. The idea behind the opposition movement was to “foster a real process for someone to come forward, a consensus candidate,” explained Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), “And so if Mrs. Pelosi is the consensus candidate, then that process has been served. Pelosi’s supporters themselves denounced the efforts of her opposition, calling them a “phantom campaign that’s being run and not very successful,” said Rep. Jackie Speier (D-C.A.). If Pelosi does indeed secure the position of Speaker of the House, she will face a monumental task ahead of her: keeping 235 House Democrats unified, efficient, and in-line while working with a Republican-controlled Senate and investigating President Trump. But as Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-C.A.) shared, “one of the things Nancy is so skilled at is helping people themselves find where their common ground is,” making the most qualified candidate. swang@apachepowwow.net Photos courtesy of HISTORY.COM and TALKINGPOINTSMEMO.COM
JAMES COMEY TESTIFIES TO HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE By ROBINSON LEE
Staff Writer
Last year in May 2017, then-FBI Director James Comey was fired by President Donald Trump. The firing itself is a controversy as Trump said that then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein advised him to fire him, contrary to statements made by himself later saying that he “was going to fire [Comey] regardless of recommendation.” Regardless, Comey ended up testifying to Congress in June later that year and informed Congress about his activities during his term as director, and more importantly, his interactions with the President. James Comey’s more recent testimony will cover his decisions made as Director of the FBI. More specifically, the main contentions for this discussion are his actions taken regarding Hillary Clinton’s emails and the Trump and Russia investigation. Comey was previously subpoenaed, before the House lost its Republican majority, to testify privately in front of the House, but he resisted the attempt as he desired a public testimony instead. Thus, Comey filed a legal challenge to force a public testimony which resulted in the compromise where Comey will testify privately to Congress, but a transcript of
what as spoken during the closed session will be released. Comey was afraid of Republicans and other groups of selectively releasing quotes during the private session to mislead the American public towards a certain narrative. Uncovering Comey’s actions is a certain political move with implications for both sides as both the handling of Clinton’s emails and the Russia Collusion investigation carry weight with the handling of Clinton’s emails a focus for Republicans and the Russia Investigation a focus for Democrats. Both sides are wary and are using this testimony as maneuvering, possibly for affecting the Muller probe which seems to be in its final stages. After the initial testimony on Dec. 7, Republicans cited Comey as being uncooperative as one of his lawyers, provided by the Department of Justice told him to not answer some of the questions posed which resulted in not much progress. On the flipside Democrats found that Comey was cooperative, but they agreed with the GOP in the lack of progress made during the session. However, key notes from the perspec-
tive of Comey were taken. Comey was very concerned about the personal comment made to him from Trump as he asked Comey to “go easy” when referring to handling Michael Flynn’s indictment as he considered it a directed use of executive power to interfere in a criminal investigation. Comey has been criticized for mishandling the Clinton investigation and during the testimony, he did acknowledge that the conditions surrounding the investigation were unusual during the Obama presidency as Bill Clinton met with Loretta Lynch to discuss topics unrelated to the Clinton email investigation. Additionally when asked about the bias of one FBI official who worked on the Clinton investigation, Peter Strzok, Comey defended Strzok’s anti-Trump views and said that he viewed him highly and never saw bias ever affect his work on the investigation. On an unrelated note, he also spouted praise for the Attorney General Nominee, William Barr as he said, “I think he’s certainly fit to be attorney general.” Comey has also been criticized as being best friends with Robert Mueller by his critics and Trump
as he refuted those statements by describing that his relationship was very impersonal and only work related. He also described his belief that the Mueller Probe “will do things the right way... the way Americans should want.” He saved his criticism for the President and his many statements concerning unfavorable bias against him in the Department of Justice as he stated, “Those kind of lies hurt the ability of the FBI to be believed at a doorway or in a courtroom. That makes all of us less safe.” Without any doubt, James Comey will serve as another key factor in one of the many controversies concerning the Trump Administration. He is an interesting figure as he has previously been a lifelong supporter of the GOP until recently when said the party was pressuring and accusing him. Now he doesn’t identify with any party directly but has been found to not be favorable to Trump. Comey is a prime example of the results of the President’s mass firing of his staff. However, his actions taken should serve as an example of how key collaborators can affect a nation and administration months or years after their removal. It remains to see what Congress and the American public will make of his testimony. rlee@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of USATODAY.COM
December 2018
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US and CHINA
s t a f f Editors
By KAYLI MAK
Staff Writer the world’s two largest economies. Unfortunately, the two countries are continuing to negotiate another issue. The On Dec. 1, President Donald Trump made a tem- U.S. wants concessions on five issues: cyber intrusions, porary deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to have non-tariff barriers, intellectual property policies, forced a truce in the trade war between the U.S. and China. Of technology transfer, and cyber theft. This impacts the trade their meeting, Trump said, “This was an amazing and agreement in the sense that if the U.S. and China can not productive meeting with unlimited possibilities for both come to an agreement on these areas, American tariffs will the United States and China.” increase to 25% as previously scheduled. This truce involves China increasing its purchase The hold on the trade war was even further compliof certain American goods, such as farm produce (like cated on the same day the agreement was made. On Dec. pork and soybeans), energy, and industrial merchandise. 1, the chief financial officer of Huawei, a Chinese technolThe size of the increase is not yet agreed upon, though ogy giant, was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the the Chinese maintain that it is “very substantial”. This is U.S. Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren supposedly going to decrease America’s bilateral trade Zhengfei, was arrested for reasons that police and prosdeficit with China. (A bilateral trade deficit is when a ecutors have not released. However, the working theory is country’s imports exceed its exports, specifically be- that this is due to the Justice Department investigation of tween two nations promoting trade with each other.) Huawei on charges of violating sanctions on Iran and supIn return, the U.S. will delay an increase in tariffs posedly posing a national security threat to the U.S. Oththat was scheduled to be applied on Jan. 1, 2019. The ers have hypothesized that this is a Trump administration growth of the tariff would be from 10% to 25%, affecting “warning shot” in an attempt to stifle the global spread of $200 billion of Chinese imports. This delays what would technology from China. have been a dramatic increase in the prices of Chinese The Chinese executive currently faces extradition to goods. However, this postponement is not permanent; the U.S. on her charges. the delay lasts only until Mar. 1, 2019. kmak@apachepowwow.net The truce, while not an actual permanent trade deal, Photos courtesy of VECTORSTOCK.COM provides a 90-day period of economic peace between
MIchael Cohen Pleads Guilty to Congress
By ANABELL XU
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Another month, another update on Robert Mueller and his special counsel’s investigation into the White House. In 2017, President Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, testified before Congress, where he denied that he knew of any commercial or political ties between “Individual 1”, which Cohen identified as President Trump, and Russia. Cohen was a crucial actor in the Trump Organization’s deal for a Moscow project, and claimed that President Trump had little to no involvement in the negotiations and that the negotiations were very short and ended in January 2016, just before the Iowa caucuses. One year later, and Cohen has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. “There’s a reason people shouldn’t lie when they’re in front of a congressional investigation,” Senator Richard M. Burr, the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, said. Lying to Congress is a federal crime, and the special counsel identified Cohen’s false statements to Congress and House Intelligence organizations, which had already been conducting their own investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. “I was aware of Individual 1’s repeated disavowals of commercial and political ties between himself and Russia, his repeated statements that investigations of such ties were politically motivated and without evidence, and that any contact with Russian nationals by Individual 1’s campaign or the Trump Organization had all terminated before the Iowa Caucus, which was on February 1 of 2016,” Cohen told the judge during his trial. He also admitted to knowingly giving false answers in 2017 to Senate and House intelligence committees. “I made these misstatements to be consistent with Individual 1’s political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual 1,” he said. President Trump responded to Cohen’s guilty plea by stating that “Michael Cohen is lying and he’s trying to get a reduced sentence for things that have nothing to do with me. This was a project that we didn’t do, I didn’t do… There would be nothing wrong if I did do it.” This isn’t going to be the last that Americans will hear about witnesses in the Mueller investigation lying before Congress. California Representative Adam B. Schiff, senior Democrat of the House Intelligence committee, stated, “We believe other witnesses were untruthful before our committee,” Schiff said. “We want to share those transcripts with Mr. Mueller.” Many believe that Cohen and various other witnesses, like Paul Manafort, were convicted in the investigation to gain information about people in higher up positions. Many speculate that the investigation’s primary target is President Trump himself, though nothing has been confirmed yet. What’s strange, though, is that the most exciting report dropped not from Cohen’s guilty plea, but from Mueller’s sentencing memo of Michael Flynn. The document is completely redacted, except for one line:“The defendant has provided substantial assistance in a criminal investigation”Cohen has not yet been sentenced, but when his sentencing memo is released to the public, many believe that a similar line will be in it. After all, Cohen seems to have discarded all loyalty to the Trump administration, urging voters in the Midterms to vote Democrat. It’s difficult to predict where the investigation will go next, but it’s going somewhere. Until we know, the American public will have to wait for the next step. axu@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of THEATLANTIC.COM
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Oishika Chattopadhya, Emily Chen, Shumin Chen, Justin Chen, Kylie Ha, Alex Kim, Robinson Lee, Iris Lim, Kayli Mak, Samantha Rivera, Kaitlyn Tran, Sarah Wang, Anabell Xu, Anya Yang, Roselind Zeng Ailin Atasoy, Manasvi Chandra, Becky Chen, Jocelyn Chin, Abby Choy, Phillip Gan, Conner Hua, Alexis Kim, Michelle Lee, Robinson Lee, Kaitlin Lee, Anncine Lin, Kayli Mak, Arina Miyadi, Katie Wen, Anabell Xu Oishika Chattopadhyay, Leslie Chen, Emma Chen, Jocelyn Chin, Kylie Ha, Alexis Kim, Samantha Rivera, Kali Tam, Chuanchun Tang, Cindy Tse, Anya Yang, Nancy Zhang, Ashley Zhao Tanvi Batra, Becky Chen, Jeslyn Chou, Gavin Do, Ally Fung, Phillip Gan, Kylie Ha, Parisa Haq, Jessilin Lee, Michelle Lee, Jenny Qiu, Cindy Tse, Sarah Wang, Rebecca Xu, Anya Yang, Kobe Yu, Nancy Zhang Ailin Atasoy, Moriah Chang, Oishika Chattopadhyay, Becky Chen, Emma Chen, Jocelyn Chin, Collin Gaja, Kaitlin Lee, Michelle Lee, Robinson Lee, Lisza Lo, Rebecca Tao, Cindy Tse, Christie Wang, Caitlin Wang Tanvi Batra, Manasvi Chandra, Justin Chen, Collin Gaja, Arina Miyadi, Jasmine Oang, Kali Tam, Christie Wang, Melody Yang, Nancy Zhang Emma Chen, Leslie Chen, Jeslyn Chou, Abby Choy, Ally Fung, Phillip Gan, Jolene Huey, Noel Shil, Ella Tang, Rebecca Tao, Kaitlyn Tran, Rebecca Xu, Melody Yang Ailin Atasoy, Tanvi Batra, Jocelyn Chin, Emily Chen, Cadence Chen, Jennifer Fuerte, Yoko Inoue, Alex Kim, Iris Lim, Anncine Lin, Lisza Lo, Jasmine Oang, Caitlin Wang, Melody Yang, Kobe Yu, Ashley Zhao Anncine Lin Iris Lim Shumin Chen, Gavin Do, Jennifer Fuerte, Ally Fung, Parisa Haq, Jessilin Lee, Iris Lim, Anncine Lin, Lisza Lo, Kali Tam, Kaitlyn Tran, Caitlin Wang, Christie Wang, Sarah Wang, Kobe Yu Abby Choy, Arina Miyadi, Ashley Zhao, Cadence Chen, Ella Tang, Emily Chen, Gavin Do, Jenny Qiu, Jessilin Lee, Leslie Chen, Moriah Chang, Roselind Zeng, Samantha Rivera, Yoko Inoue Manasvi Chandra, Moriah Chang, Shumin Chen, Justin Chen, Cadence Chen, Leslie Chen, Becky Chen, Jeslyn Chou, Collin Gaja, Parisa Haq, Yoko Inoue, Kaitlin Lee, Kayli Mak, Jasmine Oang, Jenny Qiu, Charles Su, Anabell Xu, Rebecca Xu, Roselind Zeng
Mrs. 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 $25 for a side strip advertisement to $100 for a full-page advertisement, with square and popup advertisement options available.
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December 2018
Part-TimeWork, Life-Long Lessons By ALEX KIM Staff Writer
Wiping tables, scooping rice, working the cash register, and taking orders. It’s been more than five months since I started working part-time at Mix-a-Bowl at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall. Through that time, I’ve found that working a job in food service is much more difficult than performing basic tasks than I had anticipated, but it is also surprisingly eye-opening and rewarding. Being adaptable: When working in a team, communication is key. However, when the chef speaks Spanish and the manager speaks Korean, sometimes even asking for simple things is a difficult process. But when I’m running low on fried eggs and soda cups or when there is a sudden influx of customers, I always need to call for help. Language barriers are not as high as one may think, and I’ve learned to communicate with people who don’t speak English or people who are deaf/hard of hearing by using universal gestures and numbers. In addition, different customers may have specific requests for their food or unexpected circumstances in the store may occur, such as when the ice machine broke or the air conditioner failed in the summer. Since most of the time, I work behind the counter with just our chef, we need to be flexible and find solutions to the problems. Balance, patience, and attitude: I’ll say it honestly. Working in food service can be frustrating. No matter what I do, there will be customers leering over the counter demanding for more of broccoli in their salad bowl. There will be people who scrutinize my every tong full of bulgogi beef. Sometimes it’s difficult to deal with unsatisfied customers when I’m just doing my job. However, I’ve learned that I cannot please everyone, and no matter what, I need to keep a good attitude and move on. Mistakes will be made occasionally, and things may go wrong that are out of my control. But criticism is necessary and will help make me better. Plus, there are lots of things to look forward to like seeing your favorite regulars, having short but pleasant conversations with friendly customers, and, of course, receiving your paycheck or tip. Value of work: Between serving tables, working the counter, and helping in the kitchen, food service is exhausting. Once, the kitchen was running out of chicken as a family of five walked through the door. Someone left a big mess on one of the outdoor tables. The trash always overflows in the can and the chef needs help making more tofu. All of these things occur at the same time, and I cannot afford to lose control of the small restaurant. Often after my shift is over, my lower back and knees ache from not being able to sit down or rest for hours. Because of this, I’ve become more aware of how I spend my money. Sometimes when I use my card to pay $12.00, I think to myself, “that was one hour of work that I just spent in an instant.” I find myself asking whether the things that I buy are worth the hours of work. In the end, though, working part-time is very rewarding. I’ve become more satisfied with myself because when I want to buy something, I can use the money that I earned and saved myself. I think that everyone should have this kind of experience. You’ll understand what it’s like for people who work in customer service and also become a much more resilient, thick-skinned, and kinder person. akim@apachepowwow.net
Graphic courtesy of VECTEEZY.COM
who is a citizen? By MICHELLE LEE Staff Writer
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” For the past 200 years, the 14th Amendment has provided an indisputable mandate of citizenship: all persons born in the United States are thereby citizens of the United States. Now, for the first time, Section I of the 14th Amendment is being challenged by President Trump and his Administration and the country has responded in an uproar. Is President Trump’s pending executive order a violation of the 14th Amendment? The source of ambiguity stems from the phrase “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” with the key word being “and”, which implies that to be considered a citizen, the person has to satisfy both requirements of the amendment. If the exact wording of the section had been “All persons born or naturalized in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction thereof,” there would be no ambiguity: all persons born in the United States would be citizens. In the context of the half-million illegal immigrants that enter U.S. borders each year and have children, the uncertainty lies in whether these children are subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. As a general practice, children adopt the legal status of their parents, and if their parents are illegal immigrants,
the children themselves are technically not under the jurisdiction of the U.S., but on the other hand, they are born in the U.S. so it is uncertain whether they qualify as citizens under birthright. From the beginning of President Trump’s candidacy in 2016 until now, immigration has been a primary issue that he promised to address, and this new order is just one of the many policies he plans to pass as part of his solution. From a moral standpoint, the policy is obviously flawed. Millions of people flock to the U.S. each year, seeking sanctuary from poverty and oppression, hoping to secure opportunities and a better future of their children. The U.S. immigration system is severely inefficient and competitive, with prospective citizens often waiting years for a temporary visa. Thus, many immigrants are often driven to extremes and forced to immigrate illegally. To deny these hopefuls an opportunity to better their lives because of a flawed system is obviously cruel and immoral. However, from a pragmatic standpoint, illegal immigration can threaten security and place pressure on present citizens in the U.S. Although the majority of immigrants are not criminals and do not pose a threat to security, they are a testament to how open the U.S.’s borders are and the millions of undocumented immigrants can possibly provide cover for the small percentage of criminals who manage to get in. Additionally, without the legal identification to qualify for proper employment, many illegal immigrants are either driven underground or forced to fake iden-
tification to qualify for government welfare programs, placing a burden on the other taxpaying citizens in America. As for solving the problem of illegal immigration, tightening security and enforcing deportations only solves a few facets of the issue, but more resources should be targeted toward improving the immigration system and helping illegal immigrants already in the United States become citizens and help them find employment. A possible solution is to allow states to pilot their own immigration policies and guest worker visa programs instead of a one-size-fits-all federal mandate. States often enact their own laws and systems and it is time for the government to allow states to try their hand at expediting the immigration process and helping these immigrants contribute to the U.S. Although President Trump has the right intentions in trying to repair the U.S.’s broken immigration system, his methodology leaves plenty of room for disagreement. Restricting paths to citizenship, such as birthright citizenship and tightening borders, are simply not strong enough deterrents and a new approach be taken. Instead of disincentivizing illegal immigration, it is time to start incentivizing legal immigration. mlee@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of LATIMES.COM
December 2018
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By ABBY CHOY
5 Staff Writer
Organic, it’s a term often thrown around to represent food that’s been grown without the help of chemicals. However, it’s more often used as a marketing tactic for companies to help sell their products to those who don’t completely understand what organic really means or misunderstand the application of chemicals. For a product to be labeled “organic” it must fulfill the following requirements: produced without using genetic modifications, created with the allowed non-synthetic substances, and overseen by a United States Department of Agriculture certifying agent following the regulations. Honestly, it sounds like a solid list of requirements, and there’s nothing I have against it. However, I believe that the majority of people buy organic produce in fear of the first or second requirement, not understanding how your body responds to them. These natural foods aren’t completely devoid of artificial fertilizers and pesticides; instead, the chemicals are produced from natural sources. Because of this, organics are viewed as a “natural” alternative and thus, safer or even purer than those ominous man-made chemicals. Actually, organics have gained so much of a positive image that scientists won’t conduct research on the fertilizers and pesticides used on them. According to an article written by UC Berkeley, half of all these organic boosters were found to be carcinogenic, which means to be able to cause cancer. We put too much faith and trust into the word “organic” and should be more wary of what’s within it. Contrary to popular belief, organics aren’t a safer alternative for the environment either. A lot of natural fertilizers and pesticides are “soft”, meaning that they’re less impactful than their synthetic counterparts. This means that farmers must use more of it in order to utilize their effect, which is dangerous when the rain falls and drains all those chemicals into nearby bodies of water which can create a depletion of oxygen through fertilizing the algae in the waters. These fertilizers could be killing all the life within the bodies of water. Agriculture also takes up a huge amount of space on its own, and genetic modification has been working towards getting more out of a single crop. Because organics don’t have access to this, they must use huge fields that destroy the environment and therefore require more water to be used. The public shouldn’t fear these unnatural foods and should rejoice in the fact that technology has come such a long way. Food is regulated heavily, and the recent years have been the pinnacle of food safety, at least in comparison to previous decades. Don’t feel the need to spend an extra dollar or two just so you can feel healthy when you can achieve the same effect or better with regular food. Food is food. achoy@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of CORNUCOPIA.ORG and FONTSPACE.COM
By AILIN ATASOY
Staff Writer
“I am simply a fairly typical product of a movable sensibility, living and working in a world that is itself increasingly small and increasingly mongrel. I am a multinational soul on a multinational globe on which more and more countries are as polyglot and restless as airports.” — Pico Iyer. Time Magazine once reported on what the world would look like by the next century. It predicted that by the next century, most people will have mixed ethnicities and cultures as gaps between countries shrink due to increasing globalization. As the world becomes more diverse, lines separating cultures will become blurred and it will become increasingly hard to label people and things. It seems that the instinct to do so is a product of mankind trying to make things more simple to understand. I personally have experienced the complications that arise from this. For example, someone in my physics class asked me if I identified as a nerd. My instinct was to say yes—I grew up playing the cello and with Pokemon cards; my unrelenting passion for reading has caused
me to read under the covers for hours every day; I have very strong feelings about what is happening to my favorite Marvel characters (Loki and Bucky Barnes). However, that “nerdy” stereotype conflicts with other parts of myself, like the side that enjoys talking and connecting with others, plays intense physical sports and jams out to rock music. Still, at least in progressive Los Angeles, society has done a lot better in disregarding labels and stereotypes and accepting individuals who are a unique mix and don’t have a word that encompasses all that they are. It’s like that line from Dorian Gray: “to define is to limit.” Nonetheless, it is difficult for individuals to resist using labels and accept themselves. In my case, I believe the search for finding something concrete to identify with comes from a very human place that searches for a place to belong, a community that shares that very characteristic. I imagine not many people would understand what I struggle with—maybe it is just a “multi-ethnic” thing. But I could never relate when someone claimed a label for themselves. Despite my parents’ origins, I never felt comfortable identifying myself with their ethnicity. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely proud of where I come from and of my parents’ and
their immigration stories. But for both of their countries, I feel like I have only one foot in their worlds and that no matter how hard I try, I will never be fully included. I don’t look fully like either side, I don’t have a full grasp of either language, and I don’t completely understand or know either culture. It seems like a very first-world problem to complain about since my biggest struggle seems to be having a community to identify with. But there is something comforting in finding a place where you feel like you belong or people who can understand and relate with you. Outside of my immediate family of three, it feels like I will always be held at arms-length by whoever I interact with. I’m still a little scared that this is what I will feel for the rest of my life. This is also related to nationality. I love America and everything it stands for—a beacon of hope and hard work towards a better future. I get emotional witnessing the patriotism of people from all walks of life joined together by their shared empathy and love for others. Still, I’ve considered myself more “transnational” than American. I honestly think my mother is more American than I am (she agrees). Growing up, I dreamed of living a few years in a multitude of countries, not because of the glamor, but
because I couldn’t see myself identifying as a citizen of any certain society. But I think now, especially after maturing, this gray area of identity perfectly reflects who I am and what I want to do. My deep and equal connection and empathy with people of all colors and creed will aid me when I’m in various countries, where I wish to help our fellow man in the worst places around the world. While I still struggle a little bit with , my goal is to become as comfortable as Pico Iyer, a journalist who has lived in Japan as a “foreigner” who said “Japan is an ideal place because I never will be a true citizen, and will always be an outsider...and the society around me is as comfortable with that as I am. I am not rooted in place so much as in certain values and affiliations and friendships...my home is both invisible and portable.” Finding human connections through shared values is far stronger than those built on anything else. And for people who ask, I’m perfectly happy labeling my ethnicity as human and nationality as global. aatasoy@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of ABC-FONTS. COM and NEVASPORT.COM
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December 2018
subtle asian traits By LISZA LO 5 hrs ago
Staff Writer
In recent months, a Facebook group by the name of “subtle asian traits” has taken over the platform. With over 876,000 members, this group is home to a community of Asians from all around the world. Most of the posts that users make depict life as children of Asian immigrants, with posts about family, food, traditions, and education. Memes from the group often fill up one’s Facebook feed, with posts being uploaded by the minute. How did the group “subtle asian traits” come to be? It was the brainchild of a group of Australian students and was created in September of this year. From that point on, it has grown from a small page to a sensation within the Asian community. A lot of the posts joke about the lifestyle of growing up in an Asian household. Users share memes about being forced to go to Chinese school, music classes, and tutoring sessions instead of hanging out with students their age. Often times, the posts poke fun of how stressful their lives were as children compared to their non-Asian counterparts. Junior Ethan Vuong has “found closure within this page knowing that most of the members grew up the same way” he did. Non-native Asians grow up with a lot of pressure from their parents, and “subtle asian traits” has given many the chance to share their experiences in a safe place with similar people. Aside from serious things, a good number of the posts are lighthearted memes meant to be shared with fellow Asian friends. For example, one can scroll through the Facebook group and find that the ironic Pikachu face and Drake pictures make up a lot of the
text memes. In addition, there are interactive “tag yourself” posts involving Asian foods, such as variations of boba milk tea and dim sum. These “tag yourself” posts list different types of food and what their characteristics would be if they were a person. Members would then tag their friends, informing them of which food they are most similar to. Unfortunately, not all Asian members are able to understand every post. Some of the posts are exclusively meant to be understood by certain ethnicities, like when someone writes a post using Chinese or Korean characters. A problem that has popped up often within “subtle asian traits” would be the inclusivity of the page and how Southeast and South Asians are not as represented as East Asians within posts. This is a reflection of modern-day Asian representation within the media and how Asians are typically depicted as being from China, Korea, or Japan, when there are plenty of other countries within the continent. As a result, a separate group named “Subtle Curry Traits” was created and now has over 186,000 members. It focuses specifically on the second-generation South Asian community and features relatable posts that would have been looked over if they were to be in the East Asian-dominated “subtle asian traits”. Overall, “subtle asian traits” has definitely made an impact on second-generation Asians. Junior Markis Cheng has found himself “using Facebook more often just to see posts on the group page.” Although it has some controversies, it has brought a large community of Asians from around the world together into one platform. Want to know what all the hype is about? Join the group yourself today!
llo@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of MEDIUM.COM
By MORIAH CHANG
Staff Writer
Michelle Obama’s and memoir of her life Becoming has sold more 1.4 million e-copies since it was first released on Nov. 13. As the former First Lady, Obama’s book details a memoir about her Chicago origins, as well as her time in the White House during the presidency of her husband, Barack Obama. Her new book has ultimately become a bestseller in Europe, and even holds the number one Adult Nonfiction title in the United Kingdom. Because of this, Obama’s book has reached many milestones already! After five printings of the hardcover edition of the book, it is estimated that there will be 3 million more copies to be printed in the United States and Canada. Obama’s book, Becoming, has reached another big milestone recently, as the bookseller company Barnes and Noble recently announced that Becoming gave its company the biggest first-week sales than any other book this year. Becoming has accomplished strong sales within its first week since hitting the shelves, marking an incredible feat in the publication of this book. The book focuses on Obama’s life growing up with the Jim Crow laws on Chicago’s South Side and her journey from there to the White House. Another essential part of novel also talks about personal topics such as Obama’s first kiss and her experience with illegal drugs as a teenager. Although it has almost been two years since the Obama family left the White House, an intense interest still presides over the lives of the beloved former President and the First Lady. Because of this, Becoming has topped the charts on
sites such as Amazon. Obama’s book has placed itself upon Amazon’s number one placeholder since Nov. 9, and has not moved anywhere or otherwise since its big release. It is believed that multiple and ongoing television interviews, as well as networking shows, have helped the sale and success of this book. It is also believed that Becoming is certain to place number one on the New York Times Best Selling Books list which will be announced before the new year. In addition, several factors have attributed to the success of Obama’s book, such as the interest in the book’s title, her nationwide arena tour, and the speculation surrounding her possible future in the political world. Despite America’s high hopes for Obama to possibly run for a political position or even presidency, her advisor Valerie Jarrett firmly stated, “Let me be very clear, it will never happen.” In regards to Obama’s husband, former President Barack Obama is also planning and working on finishing his personal memoir. Obama is eager to share her book with the world. “I am proud of what I’ve created. I’m proud because it is candid, it’s honest, it is totally and utterly me. So I’m also a little frightened because it is so candid and honest and open,” she said. The next time you find yourself in a bookstore, consider picking up Michelle Obama’s new and highly anticipated book Becoming. She reflected,“These conversations have been so meaningful for me, and I hope they’ve been meaningful for you all, too.”
mchang@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of TIME.COM
December 2018
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By AILIN ATASOY Traveling is often romanticized: constantly moving from one iconic location to another, eating exotic food, picking out souvenirs—all in your cutest outfits. However, 95% of the time, this isn’t what actually occurs. Here are two real struggles of what it’s actually like to travel overseas. Going to Bathrooms Is Hard: Unlike the United States, public bathrooms in other countries are hard to come across and often require you to buy something from a store or pay money to use them. One time, I was in Italy, a country rich in history and food. The latter of which included gelato, a creamy type of ice cream. Of course, as a tourist, one must eat a cone every day, which is what I did. So, every day, I had to find a public bathroom to use. One of these days included a trip to Verona, where after a particularly decadent cone of mulberry gelato, I could not find a restroom, but did come across a hotel with open doors and no receptionists. I went in, did my business, and came out to find the manager and two security guards waiting to apprehend me. They said something in Italian and upon hearing my reply in a very Californian accent, rolled their eyes in a typical European “filthy American” look, and said I had to wait in a certain room. Of course, at this point, my family was waiting somewhere, so I ran.
Staff Writer
After chasing me for a while, they eventually gave up but I did not stop until a good ten minutes later when I finally found my family. Airport Struggles: One of the rudest wake-up calls from the dreams of fabulous jetsetting is the grueling process of going through an airport. The Transportation Security Administration has taken my makeup removers, expensive olive oils, and passion fruits. Dragging luggage while running to catch the plane has resulted in war flashbacks of cut ankles and bruised shins. Long layovers and red-eye flights are among the worst limbo-like feelings I’ve ever had. One time, a Taiwanese security officer stopped my brother, and we were detained for hours until they could confirm that he did indeed not have a transmittable illness, but rather simply severe acne, but no matter how frustrating travel can get sometimes, it is the odd moments that make the experience unique. Looking back, those anecdotes are comedic gold and something I’m likely to remember for the rest of my life. aatasoy@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of ISTOCKPHOTO.COM and PICSART.COM
Taking a Break
By EMMA CHEN
Staff Writer
Students work so incredibly hard, chasing their GPA and trying to please the societal standards imposed upon them. While being self-motivated is certainly a quality we should all strive for, this mindset and lifestyle, when taken to an extreme as it so often is, is unhealthy and damaging to our physical and mental health. We truly all deserve a big break! The occasional 4 a.m. night is acceptable; some days are just busier than others, and that’s completely understandable. However, sleeping at 4 a.m. every night is a different story. Such an unhealthy sleeping schedule is detrimental to your health in the long-term, so don’t let yourself reach that point where you start to regret it all because your poor health is so obviously reflecting that lack of sleep. As urgent as that homework assignment seems to be, remember that your well-being is infinitely more important than that A+. Take care of yourself before you take care of raising those B’s. As cheesy as this sounds, your high school memories are made up of your fun times with friends and some crazy things you did together. You’re not going to appreciate remembering all those times you sat at your desk, taking notes until you fell asleep on top of your textbook. Yes, work hard in high school to be set for a bright future. Still, once in a while, it’s okay to treat yourself to a Friday night out instead of staying home and studying your life away. Remember that friends are important to your well-being too, and you’re going to need them when times get tough. I don’t mean to advocate dropping your studies and living it up in high school. This period of time is generally supposed to be centered around academics and school life. Be motivated and go for that 4.0 GPA. Try your hardest to reach your goals, but what’s important to remember is to not beat yourself up if you don’t achieve it. There’s no point in throwing all that anger on to yourself; reflect, learn, and move on. Realize that you did your best, but it wasn’t enough, and that’s perfectly fine. Finally, be proud of yourself for all the hard work that you do. Give yourself a break by taking that nap you know you so desperately need or hanging out with your friends. Being a student is not easy!
echen@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of PINTEREST.COM
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By PHILLIP GAN Staff Writer
The high school period is a roller coaster of emotions. We make new friends with stronger bonds than ever before, try new and exciting experiences, and get a step closer to understanding the adult social life. However, there is also the other side we all know very well of. With the increasing stress and workload of high school and adolescence, there is only so much we can do. There are different types of negative emotions for multiple occasion; here are a few. Depressed - This feeling is mostly characterized by emptiness. One may experience the heavy feeling as if nothing is the perfect fuel for existential crisis, leaving one lethargic and unmotivated. One of the few quiet negative emotions, this effect often occurs in the darkest times and can be triggered after something fun or important ends or leaves. Often, the only method to escape this is by waiting it out, as
By SARAH WANG Staff Writer
It’s safe to say that these past couple years have been a whirlwind of political furor on hot topic issues. One issue in particular resonated deeply with one of AHS’ very own students: immigration. Senior Nancy Xu is an immigrant herself. “I immigrated from China in the fifth grade and felt so grateful to have found a welcoming community,” she reminisced, “but I know I was one of the lucky few.” As news broke about the border wall and migrant children being caged in detainment centers, Nancy decided to channel her feelings of frustration and powerlessness into something that combined her artistic skills and her own backstory: a children’s book. That children’s book came in the form of Hana & Arnie, a tale of how a girl and an armadillo taught their village to embrace diversity. The tale is a stunning parallel to America’s current immigration dilemma. Arnie the baby armadillo is snatched from his family, the mayor blames the dying crops on his kind, and the village builds a wall to keep the “monsters” out. The only difference is that by the end of the story, Arnie is rescued from his cage by Hana, and together, they show their village that the pest-eating armadillos had long been bringing prosperity and wealth to the land. As of today, Nancy said, America has not reached that hap-
you will lose interests in hobbies. Anguish - Like feeling depressed, this emotion can also occur when something important goes away. However, they are polar opposites: while depression turns you silent, anguish makes you just do more than cry. Bawling and sobbing are common traits; anguish is like filling up a balloon with despair and popping it with a sharp, painful needle. The best method of dealing with this
py ending quite yet. To Nancy, this project sits close to home not only because of her immigrant experience, but also because the characters represent Nancy herself. “I see Arnie as the little girl I was when I first moved here: feeling lost, scared, and like an outsider,” she shared. “And now I hope to be the Hana to all the Arnies of the world and lend a compassionate hand.” Because Nancy describes herself as “more on the quiet and shy side,” Hana & Arnie truly served its purpose as a platform to share her strong beliefs and moral ideologies in a beautiful way that’s true to herself. For now, Nancy is focusing on her Kickstarter campaign, which launched on Nov. 26. Because Kickstarter projects are an all-or-nothing campaign, the funds will only be collected if the project is 100% funded. By its policy, 100% of the funds collected will go toward production of the book. Like many other projects, Hana & Arnie offers various reward levels, including a hand-painted Hana & Arnie bookmark, handdrawn pencil portraits, first copies of the book, and name inclusion on the Hana & Arnie Family Page acknowledgements. The campaign also includes a 1:1 library donation option in which supporters can choose to donate a copy of Hana & Arnie to their local library. As for the future, Nancy plans on taking Hana & Arnie to other commercial platforms but one thing will remain the same: all profits
tearing feeling is by letting it out the loud emotions; this can even help and leave you more refreshed than before! Frustration - Similar, yet different from anguish, this feeling is one we all know too well as high school students. While anguish is popping a balloon, frustration is a boiling pot overflowing, leaning towards more of the anger side. When things don’t go your way,
will go toward charities for immigrant families and DACA children. Plus, supporters of Hana & Arnie should “keep an eye out for future colorful books with similar social justice sentiments,” Nancy teased. Though the campaign is now fully funded, she hopes that it will continue to gain support and influence around the community to spread the positive message. You can support Hana & Arnie on Kick-
December 2018
and nothing is going right, this emotion begins to show. Rash, flaring behavior and decisions are common characteristics, and the more effective ways are to calm down and think rationally (with help of noting the pros instead of the cons) or to wait until the rampage is over. Panic - Last but not least, this emotion, to say the least, packs a punch. Panic strikes quickly and thoroughly rattles its prey, leaving them in a “hyperactive” state, afraid and senses disorganized. Dizziness, fear, cold sweat, blurred thinking, scrambled movements; these symptoms are well known among students in a tight situation: from an unprepared test to pincer deadlines to even frightening social circumstances. The only cure for these panic attacks is time. pgan@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM and LIVEHAPPY.COM
starter (kck.st/2TO4OcU) and follow Nancy and the Hana & Arnie Twitter blog (@NancySarahHA) on Twitter (@nancy_yinuo) and Instagram (@owo_nancy). swang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM, NANCY XU, and 10001FONTS.COM
December 2018
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studentlife.powwow@gmail.com
By REBECCA XU Staff Writer
It is difficult, especially for kids and teens, to become vegetarian when their households aren’t. Most people try to start off going full-on vegetarian right away, and as a result, they can’t keep their vegetarian diet longer than a week. However, there are many ways for students who care for the well-being of animals to become vegetarian and stay vegetarian. Sophomore Tiffany Wong stopped eating meat last year in June, and she said, “At first, it was a bet between me and a friend of who could last the longest, but later I just didn’t want to support how the animals we eat are treated.” Like most vegetarians, she cares deeply about animals and dislikes the harsh treatment forced upon them. Also, many restaurants won’t always have a vegetarian option open unless you go to a vegetarian restaurant, but don’t be afraid to ask! You can always ask a waiter to see if the
chef can make you a dish without meat. At first it’s hard to stick to the diet, but Tiffany says, “If it’s hard to stick to the diet, don’t entirely cut out meat; start cutting it out slowly, and don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake.” Another way to continue the diet is to not stress out about it, and to take gradual steps! Start by incorporating more whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and tofu into your diet. It’s easier in the future if
you familiarize yourself with new ingredients. These ingredients will replace most of the foods you eat before the diet., such as tofu; which usually replaces meat. There are many plantbased protein sources that can replace your daily protein from meat. Take small steps to gradually get used to the vegetarian diet, and you’ll be fine! Make sure to set a goal, and a reason as to why you are starting the vegetarian lifestyle. Without a clear goal in mind, it will be hard to
motivate yourself to continue, and to not give up. It’s easy to be tempted into straying away from the plan, which is why it’s important to find and remember your motivation to become vegetarian. Also, stay positive! Think more about the new foods you can try, rather than the foods you’re leaving behind. You might surprise yourself with these healthy foods! Becoming vegetarian isn’t easy, but as long as you put an effort into it, you will succeed. There will be many obstacles that you will face such as temptations or cravings, but as long as you have a strong motivation, you will do well.
rxu@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of BRANDEPS.COM, CLIPARTLOGO.COM, DAFONT.COM, VECTEEZY.COM, ZIBBET.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM
By KYLIE HA Staff Writer
2018 is coming to an end and a new year filled with adventure, laughter, and happiness is ahead of us! Our fondest memories are what make our every year so memorable, and it’s also what provides inspiration, room for improvement, self-recognition, and being the best versions of “ourselves.” This year not only marked the end of three years of middle school for freshmen, but also the final, last stretch of high school for seniors. For nearly all sports alike, whether it be football, cross country, water polo, or volleyball, freshman Joyce Pang stated, “My favorite memories from 2018 are the eighth-grade promo party, cross country season, and going on vacation to Oregon and Washington with my family.” As the new year approaches rapidly, it represents a new academic and extracurricular start, and Joyce is ready to take advantage of that. “My goals for 2019 are to do well in my sports, keep my GPA above a 3.7, and have a better balance of friends and work. I’m also looking forward to next summer and the next cross country season!” Similar to Joyce, freshman Victoria Cheng said, “2018 has been a very eventful year, one of my favorite memories was making the Arcadia Badminton team! Another memory was meeting a lot of people from other schools ever since the beginning of high school.” Although the transition to high school could be stressful and overwhelming, freshmen can depend on those who’ve had experience - like upperclassmen, teachers, and older friends! “In 2019, I want to improve in badminton and become as good as the varsity players. Also, I want to set goals for my studying skills because it’s essential to having good grades in school. By the end of next year, I’d like to see myself as an officer of a school club.” 2019 - a brand new start, a time for meeting more people, a time for trying something that’s out of your comfort zone, and finally, a way to get your New Year’s resolutions in check! According to sophomore Dylan Chang, “My fondest memory of 2018 was band season because I met new people that have now become my closest friends. I enjoyed the countless nights of no sleep. For 2019, I hope that I can take a nap.” For many students throughout AHS, a specific class, sport, or club is what brings out the best in everyone — and for a majority, it’s band! Not only does band offer valuable lessons about responsibility, but it underlines the importance of time management and putting out everything that’s been worked on to perform the best - nearly every single time. Although the most common New Year’s resolution includes: exercise more, eat more healthily, learn a new hobby or skill, spend more time on personal wellbeing, it all varies from person to person.
kha@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of ARTANDDESIGNSTUDIO.COM and DAFONT.COM
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December 2018
December 2018
centerspread.powwow@gmail.com
By IRIS LIM
HOLIDAYS!
Staff Writer
‘Tis the season to be jolly, happy, and ready for the holidays. To do so, it really only takes a couple of classic Christmas songs. That being the case, this article will be all about the wonderful Christmas songs to get you extremely enthusiastic for the holidays. The first song that is absolutely perfect for Christmas is, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” sung by Judy Garland. This classic song has an upbeat, happy, and nostalgic feel; almost as if you were stuck in Home Alone. Listening to this song drowns out all your stress and just brings a giant smile to your face. For the next song, I have chosen one of the most popular Christmas songs to date—Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”. This song will not only get you happy and dancing to its beat, but you will also definitely be singing this till New Year’s. At last, my final song is a more modernized recreation of a classic song. This underrated remake is sung by Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies called “Santa Baby”. They sang this with passion and kept the much needed raspy voice. Plus, the lyrics always keep you nostalgic and rewatching Love Actually all in your mind. Ultimately, most Christmas songs will do, but these, I personally believe will definitely be perfect. Have a great break and Happy Holidays! ilim@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of DAFONT.COM, FANPOP.COM, and ICON100.COM
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The science of FOOD
By ELLA TANG
December 2018
Staff Writer
Food science, sound interesting doesn’t it? Most people look at the word “food science” and relate to food right the way. Food is something that everyone likes while science is not. After combining something that people all like with something that is not so welcomes, the result turned out to be a class taught by Ms. Estes. Just like most teachers in AHS, Ms. Estas is a very nice teacher who is willing to answer any questions from her students and reach out when help is needed. Just as it is described on the curriculum of AHS, Food science is a course that is designed to provide students with an understanding or kitchen safety, food sanitation, nutrition, meal planning, and equipment use. This class is going to teach students about things that they will be able to apply to their daily life. For instance, meal planning is very important for people’s health. Also, kitchen safety is needed in order for students to learn more about food science. The students that are in this course will learn the basic skills of knife handling, food preparation, and menu planning. These skills may seem simple and not hard to learn; yet, they are still very important. This class teaches all throughout the course and the academic and CTE standards, which include safety, communication, technology, career planning, and employability skills. As this is counted as a science class, experiences are required. However, unlike other science classes, the experiments in this class may be more dangerous for the fact that it will require the use of different tools including knives. While this class can be widely applied in daily life, it is only limited to juniors and seniors, which means that those who want to take it in freshman or sophomore year will have to wait. The reason for why this class is limited to juniors and seniors is because this class will have to do with knife-holing. It is set to have this limit for the safeness of the students. Last but not least, this class is recommended because it can be very useful in the future. Although not everyone will want to learn how to cook, this class is also needed in order to learn the safety issues about a kitchen. At the same time, food science is more fun than people think. So why not think of this as a class to take in junior or senior year? etang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM
By LESLIE CHEN Staff Writer
AHS has many respected academic teams on campus, but one stands out among the rest. History Bowl (HB) is a buzzer-based, Jeopardy-style competition, in which teams of four compete with one another to answer questions relating to all areas of history, from imperial to modern times. There are also an array of questions ranging from literature, art, and science history that are asked during the competition. Players traditionally choose specific areas of history to specialize in, leading to a team of diverse knowledge. The rounds are structured into four quarters, each with its own unique scoring system. At tournaments, teams are expected to play around ten rounds. At nationals, usually around April, players can expect to play at least 12 rounds, and more if they’re successful in the competition. Each HB meeting is dedicated to preparing for upcoming competitions. According to freshman Ryan Sun, “Every week at meetings, we read multiple packets of questions from past [tournaments], so that helps us prepare for a competition.” Members scrimmage and quiz
each other during these practices to get into the mindset of what it’s like in competition. As expected from any member on an academic team, each member is required
to put a large chunk of time aside to study. Ryan agreed, saying “preparing for competitions is a long and progressive process, so you can’t exactly cram for
them.” But as competition days near, sometimes they’ll have to study even more. Lieutenant junior Spencer Cheng said, “I personally
study around one hour or more per day at the beginning of the school year, but as the second half of the year comes around, I study
more as the competition gets increasingly difficult until it peaks at nationals.” But for many of its members, HB is more than just an academic team—it’s a group of close-knit friends who share the same passion for history. “My favorite part of History Bowl is being able to hang out with my friends during practices and competition,” Spencer said. “Also, it’s pretty great for history classes and really gives you an edge on the tests.” Similarly, Ryan joined HB because of his fascination with history. “History has been one of my favorite subjects since the beginning of middle school. Learning about the legendary exploits of rulers, generals, and even ordinary people really captivates me,” he said. With hours of grueling study and great dedication, HB members are guaranteed to go very far in tournaments. We wish them luck on upcoming competitions and nationals! lchen@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FREEPIK.COM and 1001FONTSCOM Photo courtesy of YEARBOOK
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academics.powwow@gmail.com
By ABBY CHOY
Staff Writer
Artificial intelligence (A.I.) today can be commonly found in machines and devices everywhere. From your mobile phone to automated cars, it’s undeniable that we’ve surrounded ourselves with these nonorganic brains that deal with menial tasks that no human worker would ever want to do. It’s great that they efficiently manage these small jobs so we don’t have to. But what if we starting using them in more personal situations? For example: college applications. These resumes compile a single person’s achievements, character traits, and life story demonstrated within several handwritten paragraphs. Would you trust A.I. to decide on whether or not you get in? Several colleges have considered adding them into their judging process, but have been wary for obvious reasons. With a robot, it’s a lot more impersonal. Within short answers and essays, a robot can miss details that only a human could catch, such as a sense of humor hidden in a sarcastic sentence. There’s also the evident mistrust and backlash that can come from parents and students from the initial inputting of A.I. that the colleges will have to hurdle over. After all, why choose a robot over a person to find out if they’re fit for a specific college. Although there are shortcomings that can come from the addition of robots, positives are present. With nearly hundreds of thousands of applications being sent into a single committee, it’s a wonder that they all get reviewed. With the addition of a combination of an algorithm that a bot follows, colleges can quickly file each application in a yes, maybe, and no pile depending on a student’s GPA, SAT score, and other factors. This saves time and thus allows more time for counselors to carry out more personal judgments, such as an interview, which can look deeper into a favorable candidate for their college. Usually, the committees oversee 5 applications an hour, which means that each paper gets about 12 minutes to be quickly read through and noted. The extra time can allow for a longer review period for each paper, increasing the chances of getting into that school. Robots can also view applications without any type of bias since they don’t have personalities of their own or get tired, allowing a fairer judgment. Although technology currently can’t create A.I. advanced enough to carry out these actions without any problems arising, there is the possibility that they can be used in order to help with speeding up application processes. It’s not completely out of the box to think that one day, a machine could be the one deciding whether or not you get into your future dream college or university. achoy@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of BECOMINGHUMAN.AI and 1001FONTS.COM
By ALLY FUNG
Staff Writer
AHS offers a plethora of extracurriculars for its students ranging from lunchtime clubs to academic teams. Each of these groups are required to have an AHS Inter-Club Council (ICC) Representative, but what exactly is an ICC? The main purpose of the ICC is to charter and overlook the clubs on campus, making sure all groups are following the necessary rules in order to keep their charters. 2018-2019 Clubs Commissioner Matthew Chen describes ICC as “a committee of people wherein the Clubs Commissioner communicates events and guidelines to each club.” With over 63 existing clubs on campus, determining if a potential club receives a charter may be challenging. Club Advisor Guidelines, Charter Forms, Constitution Guidelines, Financial Guidelines, and 15 Club Petition signatures are required in order for a potential clubs char-
ter to be considered. After that, the ICC determines whether the club receives a charter for the upcoming school year. All chartered academic teams and clubs have an ICC
as well as with other ICC Representatives. Important information is delivered by the Clubs Commissioner to the ICC Representatives, who then deliver the news to their respective
The ICC Commissioner, previously titled ICC President, is a part of ASB and is elected by AHS students. Their main job is to present important information and upcoming events to clubs and act as a link between ASB and these clubs. ASB is also able to advertise for spirit days or school activities by introducing it to these groups. The ICC helps the over 63 organizations on campus run smoothly and effectively. Through the work of the Clubs Commissioner and the cooperation of all the ICC Representatives, AHS is able to keep a close-knit, wellinformed group of students in their clubs and academic teams that will help to educate and serve their community.
Representative that attends after school ICC meetings according to a schedule set by the Clubs Commissioner. Through these meetings, ICC Representatives are able to keep relations with the Clubs Commissioner,
club officers or members. ICC Representatives also have the ability to ask questions or make announcements in these meetings, ensuring that all groups are up-to-date with the newest information.
afung@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FACEBOOK.COM, LIBRARIESHAWAII.ORG, THEGNAINSIDER.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM
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By EMMA CHEN Staff Writer
With the holidays finally rolling in, there are many ways that people look to incorporate more festivity in their lives. From baking cookies to decorating trees, there are many fun activities that can easily get anyone into the holiday spirit. An especially popular activity is the timeless act of caroling, which dates back to the fifteenth century. There is nothing more festive than a group of people singing holiday classics and bringing joy to everybody they come across. One caroler, sophomore Anna Niu, praises caroling as “a really fun experience”. She recalled that her “girl scout troop went to the retirement home” to sing Christmas carols. By bellowing iconic songs like “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer” and “Frosty the Snowman”, they were able to bring some cheer into the lives of the elderly. “They were really sweet to us and sang along with us,” Anna reminisced. Usually, caroling is received by spectators as
By ELLA TANG
Staff Writer
First introduced 37 years ago, Disney on Ice is an exciting series of ice skating shows where figure skaters perform as Disney characters from new and old films. Ever since Feld Entertainment—which owned the ice shows Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice—asked Disney to license the rights to their material, it has been putting out new shows every year. This year, Disney on Ice presents five unique and vibrant shows touring different areas of the country. Starting with those that perform only in the East, Frozen and Mickey’s Search Party feature familiar storylines and characters in dazzling performances. As the show begins, you’ll see Mickey Mouse accompanied by Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck Goofy, and Buzz Lightyear, who help him host. According to the website, the shows have also recently “featured segments about the Disney Prin-
something fun and joyous, and their audience obviously receives them accordingly, as Anna describes the experience as “really heartwarming”. Like many carolers, they were able to “bring smiles to [many] faces”. This cheerful act is one of the most common reasons as to why people decide to carol. Another caroler is sophomore Calista Guo—who also happens to be a member of the amazing Chanteurs. There are many different locations where people might carol at, from hospitals to churches, or maybe just “in the street”, which is where Calista and her friends decided to do it at. Similar to Anna, the
people who heard them enjoyed the experience. “Most people walked by us and smiled while [others] stayed to watch us sing,” she explained, expressing how the response they got was very positive. Sometimes caroling can be awkward at first, and Calista was “a bit uncomfortable and cold, but got through it.” This proved to be worth it, they were able to sing many songs such as “‘Jingle Bells,’ ‘White Winter Hymnal,’ ‘Mary Did You Know,’ and many other songs” that pleased unsuspecting onlookers. Calista decided to carol because she “wanted to try it out,” and concluded that she is “glad [she] did”. To people who have never tried
December 2018
caroling before, it is truly an unforgettable experience, involving some slightly nervous or awkward laughing, yes, but it is overall a fun activity. There is an upcoming event hosted by AHS’ Hope Can Cure Cancer club for anyone who wants to try caroling and at the same time, bring some Christmas cheer to hospital patients and visitors. This will be hosted on Saturday, Dec. 22, at Methodist Hospital and is open for anyone to join on Facebook for more details! Caroling is a chance to celebrate the end of a year and personally give back to the community through music. Although it might be a small gesture, it is one that leaves a large impact. echen@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of CLIPART.COM, DAFONT.COM, REAMANGELS.NET, VECTORSTOCK.COM. VECTEEZY.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM
cesses,” as well. In Frozen, a very fitting theme for an ice show, Anna goes on a search to find her sister, Elsa, while talented ice dancers perform. Audiences also see Olaf and Christoph singing and skating with other characters—Disney Princesses, Woody, Buzz, and Dor, to name a few. Looking for a new adventure? Watch Mickey’s Search Party to enjoy seeing Mickey Mouse and friends “follow Captain Hook’s treasure map and look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell in immersive, fantastic worlds.” Filled with
“world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts”, the skaters stay honest to their stories and it has been confirmed that besides Mickey, there will be other performers such as Coco, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid characters, For more shows in the West, find some time to go and watch World of Enchantment, Dare to Dream, and 100 years of Magic. In Worlds of Enchantment, see Lightning McQueen,
Ariel, Buzz, Woody, and staple Frozen characters ice skate in different styles. For Dare to Dream, the audience will see five incredible Disney heroines. Moana goes on a quest with Maui, Anna journeys toward Elsa to stop the winter, Belle finds that the Beast isn’t so scary after all, and Cinderella makes her wishes come true. Finally, with 100 years of Magic, the audience can see over 50 iconic characters, featuring acts for The Lion King. Shows last from one and a half to two hours. Either going with family or friends, prices are the same for children and adults and it is highly recommended to dress warmly, as it will be nearly ten degrees colder in the arenas. If you’re interested, Dare to Dream will be at the Staples Center this holiday—go check it out! etang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of FREEVECTOR.COM, KISSPN.COM, VECTEEZY.COM, AND 1001FONTS.COM
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By ANYA YANG
Staff Writer
The Cher Show, the new Broadway musical that charts the life and career of award-winning entertainer and pop-culture icon Cher, officially opened on Broadway on Dec. 3 at the Neil Simon Theater. Based on the book written by Tony Award recipient Rick Elice, the musical incorporates 35 of Cher’s most iconic songs. “I Got You Babe,” a chart-topping duet with Sonny Bono, revived itself from the original 1965 edition and was revamped in the musical. The stark contrast between her career-launching tunes and more modern hits, such as the 2013 dance album Closer to the Truth, blend together to showcase Cher’s talent. Tony Award nominee Stephanie J. Block, who’s well-known for her roles in Falsettos and Wicked, stars with Teal Wicks and Micaela Diamond to play different incarnations of Cher. Wicks starred in Wicked and Finding Neverland, while Diamond recently took part in NBC’s live show Jesus Christ Superstar. Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore manages the musical, and his experience with previous award-winning works manifested itself throughout his expert guidance of the show. Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli helped choreograph the production, featuring orchestrations, arrangements, and musical supervision by award-winning composer Daryl Waters. Emmy Award-winning fashion designer Bob Mackie also used his prior knowledge of Cher’s wardrobe to his advantage, recreating some of her most iconic music video looks. Mackie had collaborated with Cher in 1967 when she appeared on The Carol Burnett Show in a stunning outfit, and he continued working closely with her after. Mackie’s designs were incorporated with exact detail from the original garments worn in interviews, concerts, award shows, TV specials, and music videos. Jesse Green for New York Times described Mackie’s costumes saying, “There’s a fine line between tacky and spectacular. In creating costumes for Cher over the years—costumes that often tell the story of a shy woman emerging triumphant from a chrysalis—the designer Bob Mackie has kept on the right side of the line by making sure the level of craft supports the extravagance of the gesture.” According to Playbill, “An entire number in the show is dedicated to Mackie’s dazzling collection!” After its release, the play received mixed reviews. Adam Feldman for Time Out New York wrote, “Like Cher herself, the musical has the virtue of never seeming to take itself too seriously: It’s a delivery system for fabulousness, right up to its Mamma Mia!–like finale, and as such it succeeds. It falls a bit shy, but it’s strong enough.” The Cher Show’s beautiful costumes, iconic songs, and foot-tapping choreography are sure to get you excited! You can read reviews for the production on Playbill and watch exciting scenes online. ayang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of THECHERBROADWAYSHOW.COM, VECTORSTOCK.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM
By CINDY TSE
Staff Writer
The classic outfit of a barbershop quartet—a red striped vest, bowtie, and skimmer hat. It is quite the vintage look, and one would think that the barbershop quartet itself would have been left in the past. But today, it holds its own niche in a music world that is increasingly swarmed with autotune and electronic instruments. The Barbershop Harmony Society, in particular, has been at the forefront of keeping the “uniquely American close harmony musical art form” alive. They described the style as having been descended from a combination of “African-American improvisation and European harmony traditions.” As the name implies, a barbershop quartet is composed of four singers, generally of the same gender. Each one has their own role as a tenor, lead, baritone, or bass. Generally, songs are sung without accompaniment, relying solely on the singers’ talents. Together, they must complement voices with one another and harmonize. In 19th and 20th century America, the barbershop was considered a social center for men to gather. With immigrants from so many different countries, the musical styles hybridized and led to the formation of groups who would sing a capella, not only in the barbershops, but on street corners as well. AfricanAmerican influence can be found in the genre’s improvisational nature, and its beginnings ac-
tually started with quartets made up of AfricanAmerican singers. The A Cappella Foundation notes that groups “cracking a chord” were commonplace at places like Joe Sarpy’s Cut Rate Shaving Parlor in St. Louis, or in Jacksonville, Florida, where, as African-American historian James Weldon Johnson writes, “every barbershop seemed to have its own quartet.” Today the barbershop quartet is certainly rarer, but they are still considered novelties worth keeping around. One of the most famous modern barbershop quartet groups is the Dapper Dans on Disney’s Main Street. Not only do they sing, but Disney boasts that they can also “play the chimes, tap dance and regale audiences with vaudeville humor.” Additionally, The Chordettes were a female group, most notable for their rendition of “Mr. Sandman,” which is still being sampled by performers now. Though some may find the barbershop quartet dated, their continued existence provesthat there is still a space in America for oldschool comedy and traditional singing. Many who are a part of these groups do it for the passion of performing, and they must practice tirelessly so that they can have a flawlessly blended performance. It is an amazing display of skill and, combined with its long-reaching history, the barbershop quartet is definitely an oldie, but a goodie. ctse@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of PINTEREST.COM and 1001FONTS.COM
By KYLIE HA
of the ankle, which serves mainly as the sup-
Staff Writer port system for the pylon rod mounted onto the
In 2014, Melina Reis’ leg was amputated below the knee due to a car accident, after having more than 30 operations to save her leg. An amateur ballerina in Brazil, she has spoken about her unconditional joy after becoming one of the first people to receive a pointe foot prosthesis—allowing her to dance again for the first time in 13 years! The breakthrough design opens up numerous possibilities for other amputees across the world who may have enjoyed amateur ballet dancing before losing a limb. Manufactured for Melina Reis by São Paulo prosthetic specialist Dr. José André Carvalho, director of the Campinas Institute of Prosthesis and Orthosis, the carbon fiber and gypsum was based off the main concepts of biomechanics and mathematical calculations. Not only did the prosthesis need to capture the posture and beauty of the ballerina while carrying her weight, but it only had one-centimeter square area of support. After a 13 year absence, Reis exclaimed, “It has always been my dream to go back to using pointe shoes. To be able to dance again is an inexplicable feeling of joy and deep satisfaction.” The base of the foot is made from the back
knee. A plaster cast was made of her right foot and the mould, which weighed around 250 kg, took nearly four weeks to produce. Amazingly, the artificial limb was made without charge as a case-study experiment. The carbon fiber calf absorbs shock while the stainless steel toe and rubber platform allows the dancer to turn and grip the floor to maintain balance; however, it doesn’t roll down to demi-pointe or flat. Gravitational forces typically mean that a dancer eventually needs to come off of pointe to relieve pressure on the foot and ankle, though the ability to come off of pointe limits a dancer’s movement. Due to the experimental nature of the prosthesis, Dr. Carvalho’s developed model’s success was pleasantly surprising. Melina Reis, who works as a multimedia designer, tested the foot in a series of sessions and said the tip-toed limb is now “near perfect.” Although the prosthesis hurts, it’s progressed to get better as she gets accustomed dancing with it. She hopes to be able to perform in front of an audience in two years. kha@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of TUMBLR.COM CLIPART.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM
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December Scores
By JASMINE OANG
Staff Writer
Boys Varsity Soccer started off its season on a good note with a win against La Salle 1-0.
Girls Varsity Soccer Arcadia v. Burbank (6-0) Arcadia v. Hoover (2-0) Arcadia v. Muir (9-0)
Arcadia v. Burbank (1-2) Arcadia v. Hoover (0-1) Arcadia v. Muir (2-2) Arcadia v. Pasadena (2-7)
Graphics courtesy of FREEPIK.COM and KISSPNG.COM
run this season.” Adding on, junior Gabriel Yang reflected, “It was a statement game for the Arcadia team. I really wish, however, that we were able to capitalize on the confidence that we obtained to capture two more wins against Burbank and Hoover, but there are many more games left, and we’re hungry after suffering two disappointing losses.” Alex admitted, “We really haven’t been practicing much due to the weather and Thanksgiving break,” but noted, “when we practice, we make them count.” Gabriel continued, “We’ve been training hard since preseason was shortened. However, our losses have been results of missed shots within the 18-yard box.” But as Ben noted, Alex revealed that the team has been focusing on “finishing and playing the ball quicker in the midfield” with drills and productive practices while utilizing these early games as “chances for improvement and reflection”. Certainly, Alex shows that the team knows what it needs to accomplish to improve for its future games. Good luck this season Apaches, keep up the hard work! joang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of VECTORFREE.COM and 1001FONTS.COM
Famous AHS ATHLETES By MELODY YANG
Boys Varsity Soccer
With 12 seniors on the team this year, the players are eager to make this season memorable. However, the team is currently 0-2 in the Pacific League after two losses to Burbank High School and Hoover High School, making its overall record 1-2-0. Despite these minor setbacks, the boys are working hard and keeping optimistic with their eyes set on making CIF. One reason is new Assistant Coach Chris Ferrer, who is also a coach at Pasadena City College. Describing the game against La Salle, senior Ben Liu reflected, “The game against La Salle really put our potential on display. We dominated possession overall and created chances throughout the game, but relaxed our expectations going into the season. As a team, we need to work on positioning, finishing, and communication. Hopefully, we’ll be able to learn from our previous mistakes and give a good
December 2018
Staff Writer
Little known to many AHS students, AHS is home to many famous athletes. Known athletes from sports like football and even figure skating have attended AHS during their teenage years. Here are a few of them. Mirai Nagasu: Mirai Nagasu, a successful American figure skater, is a three-time Four Continents medalist, obtaining silver in 2016 and bronze medals in 2011 and 2017. She was also the 2007 champion of the Junior Grand Prix Final, or JGP Final for short. In the World Junior Figure Skating Championships, Nagasu won silver in 2007 and bronze in 2008. In addition to being a seven-time U.S. national medalist, Nagasu became the youngest woman since Tara Lipinski in 1997 to win the U.S. senior ladies’ title. Most recently in the 2018 Winter Olympics, she became the first American figure skater to land a triple axel at the Olympics. John Speraw: John Speraw is the head
coach of the U.S. national men’s volleyball team. He was once the head coach for UC Irvine, leading them to three national titles in a total of six years. He was also able to lead UCLA to many NCAA titles, both as a player and as an assistant coach. He is the only person in men’s volleyball to win a NCAA Championship as a head coach, assistant coach, and player. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, the U.S. national indoor volleyball team was able to win bronze under Speraw’s guidance as the head coach. Iris Wang: Iris Wang is an American badminton player as well as an AHS alumnus. She competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, playing women’s singles. Some of her achievements include winning a bronze medal in women’s singles at the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games and winning a silver medal at the 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games in women’s doubles with her older sister, Rena Wang. Bruce Matthews: Last but definitely not least, Bruce Matthews, a former professional
football player, is also an AHS alumni. In fact, he even earned a spot in the AHS Athletic Hall of Fame! He is considered one of the most versatile offensive linemen in NFL history, playing every position in the offensive line throughout his career. In the 1983 NFL draft, Matthews was selected in the first round by the Oilers and was a 14-time Pro Bowl selection. Along with all these achievements, Matthews was even elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, his first year of eligibility. With all these famous AHS alumni playing at such competitive levels, being an Apache should be a pride! It is evident that AHS is able to prepare its students for all kinds of future careers and you never know, you may become a famous AHS alumni as well! myang@apachepowwow.net Photos courtesy of HOUSTAN.CBSLOCAL.COM, FANSIDED. COM, VOLLEYMOB.COM, and TIME.COM
LEAVING A LEGACY From left to right: alumni Mirai Nagasu, John Speraw, Iris Wang, and Bruce Matthews. These AHS graduates continue to represent AHS as the home to successful and notable athletes.
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VICTORY AT CIF DOUBLES By JUSTIN CHEN
Staff Writer
Recently, our senior Apaches Lauren Ko and Michelle Deng won the CIF Tennis Southern Section Individual Championships for the third year in a row. With a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Marlborough’s Arianna Stavropoulos and Jordan Hickey, our girls are only the second team in the history of the CIF-SS Girls Tennis to three-peat as champions. When asked about the match itself, Lauren told us that “although [their] opponents were tough, [she and Michelle] both knew that [their] practice and hard work were gonna pay off. With solid serves and good plays, the game slowly swayed in our direction.” Despite the challenges that Lauren and Michelle experienced, they were able to dominate their opponents. By staying confident and relying on their game for the rest, the girls easily outmatched Marlborough.
Lauren and Michelle both practiced for endless hours to get to where they are today. Lauren said, “Michelle and I both practice at least two hours a day, but during the summer, that number shot up to six for me. With so much conditioning from summer, I felt even more prepared coming into the fall season. And my hard work paid off.” From drills to laps to just rallies, Lauren works on all aspects of her game to ensure the greatest chance for success. Similar to Lauren, Michelle also shared with us her daily rigorous practice routine. She mentioned, “I usually start practicing right after school. Starting off with a few light laps to warm up my legs, I then move on to full-body stretches and finally rallying and drills.” Michelle also puts in a significant amount of effort and practice in sharpening her game. However, it is their teamwork that has really paid off, as these two have been on the team together since freshman year. From being inexperienced double’s partners to becoming one of the very best in California, Lauren and Michelle have not only developed as teammates, but also as individual players as well. With so much constant exercise and practice, our Apache girls must be superhuman if they never took breaks. But luckily, they do. Lauren noted, “Sometimes, to get our minds off school and tennis, [the team] may go out to a quick dinner together or just boba. Whatever it is, these days are the days I remember best. The
laughter, fun, and bonds we all have made make our strenuous and tiring work all worth it in the end.” It is truly these moments that make Girls Varsity Tennis shine—not because of its formidable abilities, but rather because of its teamwork. Like any team, the moments where our Apache girls can bond and become a family define what it means to be on a team. “I would never trade anything for my teammates and family,” added Michelle. Now that the girls’ tennis season is over, Lauren and Michelle both set their sights on college and their future. “I will be playing for UC Davis next fall, and I cannot be more excited for all that is to come,” stated Lauren. No matter where our girls go, we Apaches will always be there supporting you two in all future endeavors. Your success is well deserved; congratulations and good luck! jchen@apachepowwow.net Photos by LISZA LO
December Scores
Girls Varsity Basketball Arcadia v. Burbank (51-39) Arcadia v. Hoover (82-12) Arcadia v. Muir (84-39)
WATER POLO RECAP By KALI TAM
Staff Writer
Although there are still plenty of days left until winter officially begins, our winter sports teams are already several weeks into their season. Like most of the other teams, Girls Water Polo has competed in a few games and are now off to a good start—Girls Varsity’s record is currently at 5-4 while Girls Junior Varsity’s is at 6-2. Girls Varsity began their season with an impressive 14-5 win against Mark Keppel High School on Nov. 13 and by competing in the Burbank Tournament, which consisted of four games. This tournament lasted from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. The girls lost 4-9 against Alemany High School but bounced back with a 5-4 overtime win against San Marino High School on the first day of the tournament. On the second day of the tournament, they lost their first game 5-10 to Alemany again, but like the previous day, they came back stronger in the second round and managed to overcome Calabasas High School with a score of 11-8. Christine Chua, who is a sophomore on the team, expresses that the team’s “chemistry and communication has been exceptional both in and out of the water,” which has allowed them to “defeat multiple teams who were not only in higher divisions but also on higher power rankings.” She adds that she believes this will help them “reach their goal of making it to CIF and going as far” as they can.
Girls Varsity Water Polo
DEDICATED DAILY PRACTICE AHS’ Girls Water Polo practices for the current Ayala Tournament. Girls JV started out the year strong as well. Sophomore Lauren Kai states that the girls “have been practicing extremely hard by learning new drills to prepare for more challenging games and swimming to improve on speed,” and the outcome from all their games has shown that their hard work definitely paid off. The girls prevented their opponents from Mark Keppel from scoring during their first game, which resulted in a 5-0 win, and their following games played out in similar ways with the exception of two losses against CV and Torrance. Although she believes that each of their games went well, one particular game that stuck
out to Lauren was the game against Hoover High School. She elaborates on this by revealing that “Hoover was the type of team that played ‘dirty’ and rough,” which was something that the girls from Arcadia were not used to competing against, but that the team worked together to “power through and fight against them.” Both Girls JV and Varsity Water Polo have done exceptionally well so far and are definitely going to kill it for the rest of their season. We wish both teams the best of luck! ktam@apachepowwow.net Photo by VIVIAN KWANG
Arcadia v. Alemany (5-10) Arcadia v. Calabasas (11-8) Arcadia v. San Marino (8-6) Arcadia v. Temple City (6-14) Arcadia v. Burbank (11-7) Arcadia v. Hoover (15-4)
Graphics courtesy of KISSPNG.COM
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By CADENCE CHEN Staff Writer
Minimalism: being or offering no more than what is required or essential. Many people accumulate a lot of junk over the years, and let’s be honest, most of that stuff is not necessary. Minimalism is not just a trend, but also a positive step for both individuals and the planet. Minimalists share the belief that objects are not as important as people and experiences in life. They believe that, sometimes, having too many things can weigh you down, both physically and mentally. For example, do you really need that new T-shirt? Another notebook? Chances are, the answer is no. If you realize now that you have bought too many unnecessary items and are hoarding them, keep reading to find out how to begin a minimalist lifestyle. Set the rules: Minimalism has different meanings for different people. For some people, being a minimalist means only owning a certain amount of items, like having a limited wardrobe. For others, it might mean
By ASHLEY ZHAO Staff Writer
Whether you’re designing a website or painting a new watercolor piece, the colors you choose to work with will decide whether your illustration is a discolored mess or a stunning work of art. But how would you know the right colors to use in the first place? Well, the method that many artists use in choosing the right colors for their artwork is called color theory. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at color theory and how to correctly apply it to any design you plan on creating. The first step in having a solid knowhow of color theory is establishing colors that make up the color wheel, a circle-shaped diagram that helps display different color hues and their relationships. All colors can be created from a mix of the primary colors, which are red, yellow, and blue. What differs this trio from other color varieties is the fact that they cannot be created by mixing other colors, as they come from nature. The next set of colors are secondary colors—orange, green, and purple—which come from mixing two primary colors together. For instance, from red and yellow we get orange, yellow and blue we get green, and mixing red and blue together we get purple. For creating tertiary colors, there
minimizing the actual space they take up in the world. The latter might choose to live in smaller accommodations, like in a tiny house or a studio apartment. That’s the beauty of minimalism. You set the rules for yourself. You decide what it looks like. Asha, a personal growth and lifestyle blogger, thinks that there is “no need to cannonball into the minimalism pool.” She believes that “it’s okay to dip a toe in first.” Start with a clean slate: Even though no one likes to admit it, there are just some things in our houses that are just…junk. They’re not useful, hold no sentimental value, and generally just end up collecting dust in some corner they were shoved into. For example, that Amazon box your package came in or some broken object you never got around to fixing have no value. In reality, these items are what is considered “wasted space”. Throw them out. You don’t need them. This is one of the most important steps toward becoming a minimalist. Use it or lose it: A big part of minimal-
needs to be a mix of a primary color and the secondary color directly adjacent to it on the color wheel. As a result, there are six tertiary colors that are created. The tertiary colors are: amber/marigold (yellow-orange), vermilion/ cinnabar (red-orange), magenta (red-purple), violet/indigo (blue-purple), teal/aqua (bluegreen), and chartreuse/lime green (yellowgreen). Now that we have a basic idea of the colors on the color wheel, knowing which colors go with each other is the next step. There are a variety of methods to get a harmonious color scheme, but I’ll only be discussing the most basic ones. Let’s start with a monochromatic color scheme, which contains a single color and the variations of its value. For example, if you wanted a monochromatic color scheme with the color purple, you would include lighter or darker values of purple by adding white or black to it. This kind of color combination is best for designs in need of an elegant, simple, and soothing feel to them. Analogous color schemes are ones that involve about three to five colors that are similar and placed next to each other on the color wheel. If you wanted to create an illustration with an analogous color scheme, you would use colors like red, vermillion, orange, amber, and yellow. One color should be used
December 2018
ism is only living with what you really need. But you might say, “Well, I really need this extra (insert item).” That’s fine if you really need a spare; however, if it’s something that you know you’ll come across it in the future and think, “Wow, I remember this! I forgot I had it,” it most likely isn’t essential. If you haven’t used it and barely remember buying it, it’s probably not as important as an item you use daily, which means it’s time to toss it. While it might be hard taking steps toward being a minimalist, you won’t regret it. Most of the things you’re getting rid of are probably items you never use or even look at. Remember, when disposing of objects, recycle them or donate them. “I think minimalism is really cool. It sounds very enlightening, and I definitely think people should try it out!” said freshman Natalie Li.
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as the basic one, while the second is used as comfort. The tones of red are considered to an accompaniment, and the third used as an be hot, as they are associated with fire. On the accent for creating contrast (black or white). other hand, tones of blue are considered to be This kind of color scheme is mostly used for cold colors, as they remind us of ice and snow. designs that feel peaceful and comfortable. Light colors are those that have been tinted A complementary color scheme is one greatly with white and are also called pastels. that uses colors that are opposite to each When used, they are “open” and give off the other in a color wheel. These colors are also feeling of reconciliation and quietness. Dark known as complementary colors, and they colors are colors that have been shaded with include red and green, blue and orange, and black and are often associated with “dark” purple and yellow. For designs that require a seasons like autumn and winter. By combining high level of contrast and need to highlight light and dark colors, drama is created. Bright a particular object, choosing a complemen- colors are measured by the amount of pure tary color scheme is a good idea. However, color in them, without any shading or tinting. complementary colors aren’t the best pick for Because they are so attention-catching, they coloring text. A split complementary color can be found on packaging and signs. scheme includes a single color and the two Now, imagine a world where colors were colors besides its opposite, like red, char- put together without rhyme nor reason. Tertreuse, and teal. These colors will provide rible, right? As said by South African painthigh contrast in a piece without the strong er Kiff Holland, “Color creates, enhances, tension of a complementary piece. Usually, changes, reveals and establishes the mood of a single warm (red, orange, and yellow) col- the painting.” Without color, our world would or will be used with two cool colors (blue, be plain and unexciting. But because we do green, purple). have color, we should use it to the best of our Your color choice can dictate the mood abilities and create things worth looking at. an illustration will give off. Warm colors, like Keep these tips in mind, and happy illustratred, orange, and yellow, give off a comfort- ing! able, inviting, and friendly vibe. Cool colors, azhao@apachepowwow.net like green, blue, and purple, are good at re- Graphics courtesy of PINTEREST.COM and 1001FONTS.COM laxing, refreshing, and giving off depth and
December 2018
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By ALEXIS KIM Staff Writer
Pine trees, hot chocolate, gifts, and stockings. All of these are sure signs that the holidays are here, but it cannot be complete without cheerful and warm Christmas lights! If you’re looking for places to go with your family, friends, or that special someone, keep reading for some of the best light displays in and around Los Angeles. Light Forests: In the botanical gardens of La Canada lies the Enchanted Forest of Lights. From now to Jan 6, Descanso Gardens presents an interactive “onemile walk through ten distinct lighting displays.” Manipulate colors of the beautiful Lightwave Lake. Skip across the giant Luminous Lawn. Make music with lit up pads in the Symphony of Oaks. This magical experience is offered for $28 for adults and $24 for kids. Don’t forget your walking shoes and a warm jacket! While not a Christmas-specific display, the Arboretum garden is filled with giant arches and creatures made of lanterns in the Moonlight Forest also available until Jan 6. Crafted by Chinese artisans of the Sichuan Province, these parade-float sized struc-
tures line the grounds with “three themes: nature, children’s garden, and Chinese culture.” Prices vary according to time and age. Amusement Parks: If you’re an avid park goer, check out three of the most famous places to see the holiday changes. Disneyland is full of beautiful lights and shows from Nov 6 to Jan 6. You’ll see lots of makeovers of various rides as well as the Sleeping Beauty Castle. For Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Holiday in the Park, be ready to see “more than two million lights, special holiday shows, and seven uniquely-themed areas.” Enjoy synchronized light tunnels, giant ornaments, and seasonal treats! At Knott’s Merry Farm, watch the Calico tree lighting, listen to carolers, see the Peanuts shows, and the nightly “Snow and Glow” decorations. Roads and Houses: Are you looking for a free but mesmerizing experience? Check out some of these street displays near you. In Altadena, Christmas Tree Lane is covered with lit up trees and houses. While you’re there, be sure to visit the Balian House, a mansion with over 10,000 lights and decorations. If you find yourself in Pasadena, make some time to go to Upper Hastings Ranch where each block “has its own
By CAITLIN WANG Staff Writer
It’s the 21st century, who doesn’t have access to a technological device? A lot of people are addicted to their phones, TVs, or computers, and it’s becoming hard to stay away from them. However, being on these devices constantly damages your eyes, especially since today’s electronic devices give off “high-energy, short-wavelength, blue and violet light, which may affect vision and even prematurely age the eyes” according to the American Optometric Association. Here are some signs that your eyesight is decreasing. Frequent headaches: Believe it or not, headaches and eyesight can go together. If you put too much pressure on your eyes, it can lead to headaches. For example, if you stare at the same thing for a long time, you may feel your eyes beginning to tire. This is a sign that you should stop what you’re doing, so you don’t further damage not only your eyesight, but also your brain.
theme, from Santa’s Toy Shop to a snowy Winter Wonderland” reports RedTri.com. It’s a large neighborhood, so driving is recommended. Park your car on Saint Albans Road in San Marino to walk amongst giant trees and sip on a hot beverage. While it is smaller than some other displays, it is worth your time if you’re passing by. Others that may be a little farther include Sleepy Hollow in Torrance and Mission Inn in Riverside. Other: It doesn’t just end there. Several other areas in and around LA have been decorated with lots of Christmas spirit. These include popular places such as the LA Zoo and Griffith Park Railroad. If you’re looking to shop while enjoying lights, you’ll find that Rodeo Dr. and The Grove have filled their streets with gorgeous lights. On the beach, there are events such as the Newport Boat Parade and lightings at Naples Island in Long Beach. No matter where you decide to go, have a great time and don’t forget to stay warm!
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Occasional squinting: If you find that you can’t see something clearly, the first thing you might think to do is squint. This is a sign that your eyesight is decreasing because people who have problems with their eyesight have different eyeball shapes, corneas, or lenses. This way, it’s hard for light to go into their eyes the right way. As a result, everything is not clear in their eyes. By squinting, the curve of light is smaller and less harsh, therefore, those with bad eyesight can see everything better. Even feeling the need to close your eyes after long hours of screen time is a sign. If you are in the habit of squinting or you constantly have to blink your tired eyes, chances are that you might need glasses soon. Night blindness: If you find yourself scrambling around in the dark, this is a clear sign you should start taking care of your eyes. If you go from being in a very bright place to out into the darkness, you probably won’t be able to see as well as you normally would in the dark. However, if you feel that your eyesight is significantly worse
than it usually is at night, your eyesight has definitely worsened. Double vision: If you see two of the same object, you need to take your eyes off screens. It may be a serious problem if you have double vision just by squinting. This is understandable if you have a weirdly shaped cornea, but other than that, this condition is built over time. Most people have double vision after they stare at a screen for too long, along with everything being blurry. It’s tough to protect your eyesight in this day in age, but it’s not impossible. Changing habits that worsen your eyes little by little every day will be better for you in the long run. Instead of watching another Netflix show episode, read a book similar to that same show! Protect your eyes because “the eye is the mirror of the soul”.
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December 2018
By ANNCINE LIN Staff Writer
Christmas season is here, which means that Christmas songs, Santa Claus, and Christmas trees are coming back. As Christmas is approaching, there are many traditions that people uphold to prepare themselves for the holiday season. I’m sure that when you were a kid, you were told to leave out cookies for Santa to eat when he came down the chimney with gifts. Although this is the most widely known tradition, there are many more traditions out there. For example, the advent calendar is a way of counting down to Christmas. Starting on Dec. 1, you would open a little gift every day until Christmas day. In addition, Christians celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Despite the existence of all these traditions, it seems like people nowadays don’t do as much for Christmas. Junior Difei Li stated that for Christmas, she just spends some quality time with her family, watching TV and eating dinner. To add on to this, sophomore Joel Lee spends Christmas opening gifts from friends and family. Lastly, freshman Sanya Sheth and her family drive to Sierra Madre to look at the houses participating in the Christmas Light Competition. She stated that her family has been doing it every year since she was three-years-old. No matter how you celebrate Christmas, spend this holiday season catching up on rest and having fun with family and friends!
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