March 2018

Volume 65, Issue 7

March 2018

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

THE APACHE

The World Is Our Campus

Letter from the Editors: We hope that the eventful month of March has been an insightful experience for you. Regardless of college acceptances or rejections, W’s or L’s, treat yourself this coming spring break. You deserve it!

Amber, Kaitlyn, and Julia

the Arcadia invitational

ARCADIA INVITATIONAL THROUGH THE YEARS What started as a small meet in 1968 rocketed into an annual event on a national scale. Track and field athletes from all over the country showcase their passion.

By JUSTIN CUN AND NATHAN GUO Staff Writers

When legendary AHS coaches Doug Smith and Bob Jackson first came up with the idea of the Arcadia Invitational in 1968, they envisioned a small, local meet for high schools and track clubs in the area. There was no indication that, within the next 50 years, the Arcadia Invitational would evolve into the most-attended high school track meet in the U.S., resulting in 25 national high school records and 152 U.S. Olympians.

With over 4,000 athletes competing

Photo courtesy of PASADENANOW.COM

NEWS pg. 3 Pasadena Crisis: Significant budget cuts could lead to the closure of five schools in the district.

from hundreds of high schools and a handful of foreign countries, the meet is regarded as one of the most competitive track meets in the nation. Top runners, hurdlers, pole vaulters, jumpers, throwers, and sprinters gather once a year in Arcadia’s Dick Salter Stadium to prove themselves in front of close to 10,000 spectators.

Qualifying for the Arcadia Invitational is no easy task. Because the meet draws in only the best of the best in high school track and field, most of the competitors are seniors and juniors, experienced athletes who have trained for years

OPINION pg. 4 Fitting these genes: Could cultural perception change with just a simple DNA test?

“It was as if, within the span of a couple of hours, everything had changed. We weren’t just an ordinary Chinese family. No, we were much more. We were... different kinds of Asian (and a miniscule amount of European, whatever that’s worth)!”

to climb to the top of the high school rankings.

Junior Anthony Carranza, a wellknown sprinter on our Boys Varsity Track and Field team, has qualified to represent AHS for the 400m dash. What is even more impressive, however, is that this will be Anthony’s second year competing at the meet. “Each year that I have competed at the Invite, I’ve become more driven to improve on my sprints and place higher than before. Over the course of this year, I was able to modify my technique and find great improvements, so I’m really excited to see where I’ll place this year,” said Anthony.

Senior Stephanie Yen, better known as Chip Yen, is embarking on a journey quite different than any other Arcadia athlete participating in the Arcadia Invitational. A notable long jumper and triple jumper, Chip is heading out of her comfort zone in favor of the heptathlon, a seven-stage multi-event consisting of the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m dash, long jump, javelin throw, and 800m dash. As an athlete who loves to push her limits, Chip stated, “I had to have a lot of weekend practices and I needed to learn some new events, and nothing is perfect, but I think I’m ready.”

Along with the competing athletes, opening on day one, there will be a Nike pop-up shop full of exclusive Arcadia Invitational gear and memorabilia, including shirts, windbreakers, and racing batons.

There will also be opportunities to take pictures with U.S. Olympians as well as notable high school participants of the meet.

The meet is a two-day affair. The first day, exclusively held at night, comprises of only relay races and 3200m runs. The second day lasts the entire day and almost entirely consists of solo races. This year’s Arcadia Invitational will be held on Friday, Apr. 6 and Saturday, Apr. 7. Tickets on Friday will be $5 for children and $10 for everyone else. Tickets on Saturday will be $20 for adults, $15 for students with ID, and $5 for children. A two-day pass will also be available for purchase for $25. Tickets can be purchased online or on the day of the meet, provided they do not run out. jcun@apachepowwow.net nguo@apachepowwow.net Photos courtesy of ARCADIAINVITATIONAL.ORG Graphic by KAITLYN LIAO

Also in this issue:

Photo courtesy of YELP.COM

CALENDAR pg. 21 Spilling the Tea: Located right next to AHS, Sharetea provides a convenient hangout spot for boba-loving students.

FEATURES pg. 6-7 LA Spring Break: With a multitude of events and hot spots in Los Angeles, spring break doesn’t have to be boring.

PERFORMING ARTS pg. 14-15 Oh Lord(e): New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde performed in Los Angeles on her Melodrama Tour.

ACADEMICS pg. 16-17 AP Comp Sci Wiz: Senior Ryan Leung earned a perfect score on the 2017 AP Computer Science Exam.

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China Ends Term Limits

March 2018

By CINDY TSE Staff Writer

The political scene in China is undergoing some dramatic shifts as Chinese President Xi Jinping prepares to push legislation that will allow him unlimited rule past the original two five-year terms limit previously imposed under China’s Constitution. The announcement was made a week before the meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s main legislative body, whose 3,000 members voted for the change. The speed of President Jinping Xi’s power move has caught many off guard, showing the level of secrecy also maintained in making this decision. This not only silenced dissenters, but the sudden introduction also keeps the general population unlikely to complain, as the bill has already been passed. Thus, people would be less likely to bother disputing it.

The move came only five months after it was initially proposed at a Politburo meeting. After the announcement, U.S. President Trump praised the decision, though it’s difficult to tell if it was in humor or serious consideration.

Under President Xi, the position of president in China had already become extraordinarily powerful. He is currently the leader of national security, finance, economic reform, and other legislative powers. Thus, he essentially holds all the important decisions and can negate any opposition.

The term limits introduced in the original Chinese Constitution were meant to prevent the rise of another dictator on par with Mao Zedong and his Cultural Revolution. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader who enacted the law, Deng Xiaoping, had in fact stepped down from his position in 1989, although he continued to remain active in politics until his death.

According to one of the spokespeople for China’s Congress, the removal of term limits was for the sake of allowing President Xi to keep his other positions, none of which have said limits.

Government propaganda has kept the Internet free from criticism of the change, and little media has commented either. However, the CCP’s official newspaper, The People’s Daily, attempted to soothe the public with reassurances that an end to term limits doesn’t necessarily mean a return to lifelong rule under a single figure. Despite the government’s best effort to create the image of President Xi being a perfect leader responsible enough to govern without term limits, critics still attempt to make their voice heard. The main concern is that this development will allow for a callback to the Mao era, a time of upheaval and insecurity throughout the nation.

It’s too early to determine the path that President Xi will take from here. Some worry that the blanket propaganda being spread will create a cult of personality that will make it difficult to oppose him. Others are more optimistic, claiming that he does not have all the advantages necessary to gain such power. Either way, it is something worth keeping an eye on as power dynamics around the world shift. ctse@apachepowwow.net

Graphic courtesy of INDIATODAY.IN

By CHRISTINE LAW

claw@apachepowwow.net

Graphics courtesy of OPENHAND.ORG and UBER-DEVELOPER.NEWS

Staff Writer

Uber, known by customers for their transportation network company, offers a multitude of services, from delivering food to their doorsteps to bringing them to their desired destinations. The company operates in over 633 cities worldwide, allowing customers to order rides at any time through the Uber app and its website. About 40 million people use this convenient service per month, indicating the many benefits of the company. To extend its services to even more people, Uber recently announced its launch of a new service called Uber Health. As its name indicates, this new service will work to aid customers with their health by sending them to and picking them up from their doctor appointments or hospital visits.

The company, in an effort to make Uber Health more successful, is working with healthcare providers. Medical personnel will be able to schedule rides for their patients by using Uber Health’s special digi-

tal platform. The advantage of Uber Health over normal Uber rides includes allowing doctors to notify their patients of details of their Uber service through writing. From this, patients can identify their car’s color, license plate, driver’s name, and find the correct car sent by Uber. For those who prefer more digitally-advanced methods, doctors or healthcare providers can use text messages to notify their patients. These different options allow Uber Health users to choose the method that suits them best, in case people do not have smartphones or even regular phones.

Uber started testing their service in July 2017 with 100 hospitals and clinics. Medical staff were able to call an Uber to drive patients, who were injured and not able to drive, back to their house or from their houses, up to one month prior to their appointment.

The patients would not be billed, even though Uber Health is not covered by insurance. Instead, medical service providers pay for the rides. Millions of Americans miss their doctors’ appointments each year, costing the healthcare system $150 billion annually. As a

result, many hospitals find that paying for their patients’ Uber rides cost less than the amount lost when they miss appointments.

With its many advantages, Uber Health seems like a useful service to many older, less technologically-savvy people. This service will allow Uber to gain more customers as health care is a crucial part of everyone’s lives. However, some have pointed out possible liabilities for this service. For instance, Arun Sundararajan, a business professor at New York University, noted that the “burden on the platform and the health-care provider to ensure against something going wrong with the patient is a lot higher than if the patient is calling the car themselves.” If anything were to happen to the patient while taking an Uber, the company and health-care provider would be held liable. Thus, medical personnel must assess whether their patient is fit to take an Uber before using the service. Nevertheless, this service may be a breakthrough in assisting millions of people who previously had no transportation, as it provides an accessible and effortless way to attend their appointments.

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March 2018

Pasadena Schools at Risk of Closing

By KAITLIN LEE Staff Writer

“YOU FAILED US,” roared the words written on yellow signs of Pasadena residents as they stormed Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD)’s school board meeting in late February. They had gathered to voice their worries about PUSD’s budget crisis.

On Feb. 8, the PUSD school board voted to make significant budget cuts that would lay off around 139 full-time employees in the district, including 87 teachers, 4 security officers, and 2 assistant principals. The school board made this decision due to pressure from the Los Angeles County of Education to submit a plan to cut $15-16 million from its budget by the end of the month.

And now, the budget cuts may lead to five schools closing, as a report from PUSD’s School Consolidation and Boundary Committee recommended the school board to close schools in the 2019-2020 school year to save money.

The school board has stated that this decision has not been made yet, and that there have not been any steps to close any schools. “There haven’t been any other board conversations” about the report, board member Kim Keene said. “It has not come to the full board. It has not come to an official board meeting.” However, if this does happen, some of the recommended schools to close are Wilson Middle School, Blair High School, Jefferson Elementary, Cleveland Elementary, and Franklin Elementary.

The School Consolidation and Boundary Committee’s report also stated that the members had already voiced their support for the closure of schools, and the closure of Wilson Middle School and Jefferson Elementary had won unanimous support from the committee. Yet, the committee did not consider how many students would be affected by this at all.

This budget crisis has brought outrage from parents and teachers alike. Esperanza Martinez, a parent at Jefferson Elementary, stated that closing the school would have a great impact on the many families who attend it. Gretchen Elm, a teacher from Franklin Elementary, is worried about how the school’s closing would impact her students.

Jocelyn Selter, a teacher from McKinley School, said she didn’t understand how the district is so close to closing so many schools. “The simple fact is that I’m angry,” she said exasperatedly. “I’m angry on behalf of the teachers who are here. I’m angry on their behalf because we put so much time and effort into our students.” klee@apachepowwow.net

Graphic courtesy of PASADENANOW.COM

s t a f f Editors

Editors-in-Chief News Editors Opinion Editors Performing Arts Editors Student Life Editors Features Editors Sports Editors Academics Editors Center Spread Editor Calendar Editor Campus Focus Editor Photography Editor Webmaster Design Editors Advertisement Editor

Writers

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Student Life Staff

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Sports Staff Academics Staff

By NOELLE NATIVIDAD In 2017, Californians were optimistic about their drought conditions. Rain definitely was not prevalent, but it was not such a rarity as it had been before. The 2010s seemed like an uphill battle, and in 2017, we thought we had finally seen the end.

But as it turns out, Mother Nature had a different plan in mind, one with less rain and a continuation of the rollercoaster that has been dry California. Three months into 2018, scientists reported that more than 44% of California has dropped back into drought conditions, jumping from 13% to 44% in just one week.

The U.S. Drought Monitor, a collective of federally funded programs and agencies, reported, “California is rapidly plunging back into drought.”

While we have had some rain in the last couple of weeks or so, it is definitely not enough to cover a year’s worth of little rain. Just last year, Californians thought they had seen the brunt of the rain shortage.

Northern California is faring considerably better, given its rainy winter, but Southern Cali-

Calendar Staff

Staff Writer

fornia lingers in a state of seemingly perpetual sunshine. State officials are concerned, mulling over the fact, with a certain degree of worry, that the Los Angeles area only had one significant rainstorm within 365 days. And to top it off, California’s much-needed rain brought water damage and mudslides after a year’s worth of record-breaking heat waves. It was conditions like these that gave the Santa Barbara county wildfires dry vegetation to burn.

The upside is that California is continually seeing improving conditions. We are not submerged in times of 99.9% droughtafflicted areas in the Sunshine State. Spokesperson for the state’s Department of Water Resources Doug Carlson was happy to report that California has definitely hit “a bright spot” in drought conditions and that “reservoirs remain far fuller than usual thanks to last year’s rain in the state’s north.” nnatividad@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of PINTEREST.COM

Amber Chong, Kaitlyn Liao, and Julia Lin Vivian Kwang and Kristen Tran Reiko Inoue and Maggie Wong Frances Cheung and Jocelyn Liao Brandon Chen and Paul Lee Camille Marquez and Veronica Yu Collin Gaja and Andrew Muliadi Tiffany Liang and Sarah Wang Andrea Liu Trinity Chhay and Maruko Myint Andrew Wang Kristen Chan Elyse Yao Sandi Khine and Christy Qiu Tiffany Chen

Campus Focus Staff Center Spread Staff Photo Staff

Design Staff

Adviser

Aaron Chan, Emily Chen, Crystal Chin, Jeremy Du, Michelle Lee, Moriah Chang, Nathan Guo, Jocelyn Hu, Conner Hua, Martha Kelly, Christine Law, Kaitlin Lee, Michelle Lee, Justin Liao, Cynthia Lin, Noelle Natividad, Alyssa Rave, Kaitlyn Tran, Cindy Tse, Rachel Lee, Anabell Xu, Roselind Zeng Jocelyn Chin, Conner Hua, Sage Guzman, Martha Kelley, Kaitlin Lee, Michelle Lee, Tanya Lee, Margaret Lin, Kayli Mak, Noelle Natividad, Natalie Samadi, Cammie Wei, Braden Wong, Anabell Xu Sage Guzman, Ashley Lee, Tanya Lee, Margaret Lin, Jasmine Oang, Rukan Saif, Kali Tam, Tracy Xia Justin Chen, Cassidy Chhay, Jeremy Du, Ashley Lee, Michelle Lee, Cynthia Lin, Ariana Parizadeh, Ian Sutliff, Braden Wong Moriah Chang, Nathan Guo, Grace Hong, Jocelyn Hu, Kaitlin Lee, Ashley Lee, Justin Liao, Noelle Natividad, Ganga Prasanth, Alyssa Rave, Natalie Samadi, Nicole Soong, Cindy Tse, Elaine Vuong, Christie Wang, Caitlin Wang, Bradford Yau, Kobe Yu Justin Chen, Justin Cun, Martha Kelley, Jasmine Oang, Ian Sutliff, Christie Wang, Bradford Yau, Ben Yeh Josie Chen, Jolene Huey, Kayli Mak, Ariana Parizadeh, Ganga Prasanth, Ian Sutliff, Roselind Zeng Justin Chen, Josie Chen, Emily Chen, Shu Min Chen, Cassidy Chhay, Jocelyn Chin, Crystal Chin, Jeremy Du, Ryan Fann, Grace Hong, Jolene Huey, Christine Law, Rachel Lee, Tanya Lee, Margaret Lin, Cynthia Lin, Jasmine Oang, Jenny Qiu, Alyssa Rave, Natalie Samadi, Nicole Soong, Kali Tam, Jocelyn Thao, Kaitlyn Tran, Caitlin Wang, Christie Wang, Tracy Xia, Roselind Zeng Justin Cun Conner Hua Shu Min Chen, Josie Chen, Tiffany Chen, Crystal Chin, Ryan Fann, Grace Hong, Jocelyn Hu, Conner Hua, Kaitlyn Tran, Christine Law, Martha Kelley, Ariana Parizadeh, Kali Tam, Caitlin Wang Aaron Chan, Emily Chen, Justin Chen, Cassidy Chhay, Jocelyn Chin, Ganga Prasanth, Jenny Qiu, Natalie Samadi, Nicole Soong, Kali Tam, Jocelyn Thao, Elaine Vuong, Cammie Wei, Tracy Xia, Kobe Yu 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, popup, and advertisement insert options available.

Photo courtesy of TOKKORO.COM

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By NATALIE SAMADI

March 2018

17 Lessons By 17 Staff Writer

As another year passes by and I turn 17-years-old, I realize that I am almost considered an adult. I definitely don’t think I’m as wise or mature as I should be. However, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t learned anything, of importance or not, during the years that I’ve been alive.

10. It’s not fun to be with people who are constantly on their 1. There’s a difference between being mean and firm with others; just because phones. This perhaps is one of my biggest pet peeves, simply beyou’re being firm with someone doesn’t mean you’re being mean. To be mean is to cause it defeats the true purpose of hanging out with friends, and I hurt someone, while being firm is to refuse to waver from what you believe in. really can’t see the endlessly exciting things our phones have to offer.

2. Washington is the best state. Everything about it is so amazing: the places, the scenery, and the weather. I am absolutely moving to Seattle as soon as I can.

11. You are your dog’s world. Whenever I’m at a low point, my dog is the last to judge me and will continue to love me unconditionally. Regardless of how flawed I am to others, I am perfect in my dog’s eyes.

3. Don’t limit yourself for other people. In other words, don’t stop doing what you want to do just because other people deem it “uncool”. It’s really not worth it, and you’ll end up losing a shot at something you want to do.

12. Getting over your fear of toes was the biggest milestone in your life. No lie, I used to have an irrational fear of toes. I’m so glad that I’m over it, though, because now I love open-toed shoes and sandals.

4. Looking at homes on Zillow.com is the greatest motivational boost. I genuinely encourage everyone to try this out sometime. Just search for a city and browse through your dream homes. I guarantee this will make you want to work harder towards your future.

13. You should spend time with yourself. Doing your favorite hobbies such as sewing, or simply unwinding to another show on Netflix is a great feeling of peace. Being by yourself allows you to reflect and provides time for you to know yourself better.

5. Moms are always right. Don’t argue with me on this.

Moms are always right, whether we want to admit it or not. Even when we are in a disagreement with them, we will all realize that they were correct all along.

6. Unfortunately, you can’t always eat as much as you want to and expect to not gain weight. I know this sounds so obvious, but I used to eat two dinners in freshman year and didn’t gain a single pound (questionably, I was losing weight). I assume that as my body “matures”, it can’t do wonders for me anymore.

7. Think before you speak. Even I still have trouble with doing this, but I’ve come to realize that this cliched saying is brutally true. I’ve said tons of offensive and ignorant things before, just because I didn’t think things through.

14. It’s fine to lie. Well, under certain circumstances. If someone asks if you’ve finished your homework, with the intention of copying, it’s okay to tell a white lie.

15. A lot of things aren’t in our control, so don’t bother fussing over them. Things such as our physical appearance, height, and natural level of intelligence are all things we don’t have power over. If you’re unable to change something about yourself, embrace it instead.

9. Love is the best and worst feeling. Love can give you that warm and fuzzy feeling inside, but so many other emotions such as heartbreak and disappointment branch off of love.

8. It’s okay to have a bad day. Everyone has bad days because no one has a perfect life where nothing unfortunate happens.

Isn’t it the bad things in life that define the good, anyway?

16. Always wear something stretchy to a buffet. Not only is this a crucial step in buffet prepping, but it also allows you to get the most out of your money. Wearing jeans or something stiff restricts the amount of delicious food you can consume.

17. Most of the things people worry about are often unimportant.

Worrying oftentimes creates more problems, and what you’re worrying about most likely won’t matter in a year. If you know you won’t be thinking about something in a week or two, it’s not worth worrying over it.

Of course, I am only a mere 17-year-old and still have a life full of learning and growing ahead of me. Life has its twists and turns, ups and downs, and lefts and rights, so we should enjoy what we have and live in the moment. No matter the number of life lessons we’ve been taught, cheesy quotes we’ve seen online, or advice we’ve been given, we can only hold on tight and wait to see what our lives have in store for us. nsamadi@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of VECTEEZY.COM

OUR

D N A

By KAYLI MAK

Staff Writer

A couple of months ago, my aunt took a DNA test. She was wildly disappointed after learning that she was 100% Han Chinese, having spent nearly $100 to find that out. After that, my brother became fascinated with the idea of spitting into a vial and sending it off for scientists to scrutinize. He craved an origin story, even though the rest of the family was positive that he too would wind up disappointingly pureblooded. He just really wanted to be diverse.

The holidays rolled around, and my brother was gifted a $60 present: his very own DNA testing kit. Like an eager toddler with overactive salivary glands, he dribbled into the vial and shipped it away, making a bet with my mother that he was not going to be 100% Chinese.

No one believed him, but he had hope. Weeks passed, and my sibling grew impatient with anticipation. Now, I wasn’t home when he made his great discovery, but upon being picked up

from school by my father, I learned that my brother is 0.01% European, 10% Vietnamese, 2% Indian, a lot of Han Chinese, and a whole bunch of other things in very small percentages.

My father, being a little culturally biased, had a minor identity crisis over being even the slightest bit Vietnamese, bemoaning his ancestors’ impure relations.

“I’m not genetically boring!”, exclaimed my brother.

“Vietnamese? How could this be possible?”, groaned my father, leaning dramatically against the doorframe in our house.

Nevertheless, he tagged along on my brother’s epic journey to, and I quote, “taste all the foods of [his] people.” It was as if, within the span of a couple of hours, everything had changed. We weren’t just an ordinary Chinese family. No, we were much more. We were...different kinds of Asian (and a minuscule amount of European, whatever that’s worth)! Now, my brother won’t stop eating curry (even though it really doesn’t agree with him), and my father

spends his spare time pondering what strange shift in the cosmic order of the universe could possibly have occurred to make him Vietnamese. What about me?

Well, I can’t say much. I don’t think that a simple thing like where my great-great-greatgreat-great-great-great grandmother came from could severely impact my entire outlook on life.

Culture has evolved past that. It’s come to the point where your culture adapts to what suits you best. Sure, it’s interesting to think that once upon a time, someone in my bloodline wouldn’t be called, “completely Chinese”. My genetic makeup is a part of me that will always be there, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to act excessively Indian, or Vietnamese, or European. I’m just me; my brother is just my brother, and while our origin story may have been tweaked a little in our minds, things don’t have to change very much from here. kmak@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of VECTEEZY.COM

March 2018

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Realizing My Dreams

By KAITLIN LEE

Staff Writer

“So, what do you want to do when you grow up?” The oh-so-dreaded question that adults always ask and that you never have an actual answer for. I never liked when I was asked this. It put too much pressure on me to immediately decide what I wanted to do once I became an adult.

That’s not to say I have no plans for the future. When I was little, I wanted to be a teacher. Around middle school, the plan was becoming an actress. But now, the plan seems more writer or lyricist. I like to look at how much my dreams have changed, as I’m often shocked at how they have shifted. And as I have, I’ve realized that dreams are based on reality or what society dictates I can do.

When I was in middle school, I joined drama production. At first, it really wasn’t because I was interested in it—it was just to avoid orchestra or band. But as I kept on doing it, I enjoyed acting more and more. It was a revelation to me, that even this shy, bookwormish girl could feel so confident in front of others. Drama was such a great courage and self-esteem boost, and I loved it.

However, I was suddenly turned off by it.

The reason I stopped acting was because of the lack of Asian actors I saw on TV or in movies. As I was considering acting, I felt hopeless, as there were very few actors who looked like me. It didn’t help that white actors were hired to play Asian characters, like Emma Stone in Aloha, and Asian characters played by actual Asian actors were stereotypes and jokes. So, I started to believe that I couldn’t make it in Hol-

lywood as an actress. However, I reasoned with myself that if I couldn’t act, I could probably make it as a writer.

So, my dream changed to becoming a writer—playwright, screenwriter, even lyricist. Yet, my dream of acting remained. That’s not to say I didn’t love writing, but acting was a passion I could not let go. Even though I relegated that dream as impossible and delusional, there was still this attraction and hope.

That was when I realized that my dream to act was a fire that I couldn’t extinguish, and it still motivated and drove me, even when I put it aside as crazy. Thus, I decided to try Speech and Debate to continue acting and performing, and so far, it’s not a decision I’ve regretted.

Perhaps dreams are altered by reality. After all, I was pushed to stop acting at first, because of the reality that there were very few Asian ac-

tors in Hollywood. However, perhaps also the dreams that you continue to have and wish to pursue are the ones that are truly meant for you. In the Disney movie Cinderella, the title character sings, “A dream is a wish your heart makes,” which continues to be truthful to this day. Although life often has harsh realities and truths, it should not put you off from your dreams and the goals you want so much. If you find you can’t push away that dream, then you should continue to pursue it. If you keep working at Plan B, it should be your Plan A. Now, I’ve started to see the realities of the world as an encouragement. And now if anyone else asks what I want to do, I’m just going to say, “Follow my dream.” klee@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of PINTEREST.COM

On Mar. 14, exactly one month after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, student walkouts took place in schools all across the nation. Students rallied for stronger gun control to put an end to mass school shootings, echoing the same sentiment across the board: enough is enough. However, these student-led protests brought up important questions: Do the voices of student activists hold weight? Should these social protests be allowed to make their way into the school day?

By CONNER HUA

PRO Staff Writer

“March For Our Lives”. This is one of the first times that I have witnessed such prominent political activity from the youth of America.

Since I was a child, talks about change, matters affecting our nation, and prevalent issues in our society today, were always addressed by middle-aged politicians who often did not relate to the issue at hand. Elderly politicians telling the new generation of America what they “needed” to succeed in the future made no sense, as it was the youth who would be living in the aftermath of change.

Young voters make up 30% of the U.S. electorate, yet voter apathy among them is extraordinarily high. Why? Much of the older generation likes to call us lazy. However, this explanation doesn’t make sense. Young people today volunteer more and are often more civically educated. The answer lies in the fact that younger generations don’t feel as if they have a reason to vote, whether because issues do not reflect their needs or because none of the candidates seem worthy of a vote.

However, the days after the Parkland shooting showed hope for the future. After the horrific event left the world reeling, the youth of America stepped up. Immediately, student activists began organizing marches, walkouts, and public demonstrations of their discontent with the current status quo. From large events such as the National School Walk-Out and March For Our Lives all the way to small acts of civic activism such as carrying protest signs around and lying on the floor, America’s youth is on the way

to finally showing that we will no longer stand by as we let older politicians decide our future for us. Lives of our peers, of kids, who had no idea what was going to happen, were stripped away from us at rates we couldn’t comprehend.

It prompted us to ask, “When are we next?”

We followed this question with an increasing awareness of our surroundings, passion for change, and, finally, a will to do something about it. From speaking out to marching to contacting our legislators, we, as a young generation, are finally having our voice heard.

Thus, you see the importance of youth civic activism. A message to those of generations before us, who tell us that we’re “too young to know what’s best”: we do know what’s best.

Too often, we have let others decide our history without having a single say in the matter. This Earth is ours too, and we deserve a right to express our opinions and affect change on a planet that will eventually be ours to lead.

A message to us, the youth of America and the world: Never let your flame die. Often, people will try to starve our flame, stamp out our voices, and you may lose hope. You may think that being active in political discussions is too much labor to take on alone, that our efforts are in vain. But you are not alone. Through determination, all of our voices will be heard. Advocate for solutions you support. Speak out what you disagree with. The time for civic activism is now. The time to begin speaking out and screaming chants and demanding our equality is now. The time for change is now. chua@apachepowwow.net

By MICHELLE LEE

CON Staff Writer

As the tragedy of the Parkland shooting is still fresh on our minds, student activism has risen by leaps and bounds. Students all across the country, from elementary schools to universities, have been calling for safer schools and gun control to prevent these tragedies from happening again. A prominent example of this was the student walkout that happened on Mar. 14. As a progressive society, student activism plays a major role in raising awareness about the various issues present in our society. It’s inspiring to see students take a role in their society and attempt to better the future that they will eventually be running.

However, the negative aspects of student activism are often overshadowed by the positive. Many claim that students should not protest on school grounds, as it disrupts those who choose not to protest. This reflects a few major problems of activism collective in high schools.

In high school settings, students usually associate with like-minded groups. It is easier to communicate with others who have the same opinions rather than exposing oneself to the opposite side. Because of the large divide between the two sides, there is often a disparity between students who act without knowing all the facts and students who attempt to understand all sides before taking action. When calling for change on a large scale, there are numerous circumstances that can go unaddressed.

A change in policy that appears beneficial at first glance may actually worsen the situation

for many others, and students may not always have to capacity to understand the implications of the actions they call for. When striving for change, it is essential that both sides of the situation are taken into account, and given the environment of high schools, there are simply not enough opportunities for students to branch out and experience both sides of the debate.

Most high schools students are not old enough to vote. In the U.S., the voting age is set at what is perceived to be the age when most people reach maturity. Adolescents are impulsive by nature, as the brain is still developing, and allowing them to have an overweighed say in politics can cause problems. While the opinions of adolescents can change in a heartbeat, the change in policy that they are striving for is long term. What’s more is that adolescents are easily persuaded. The opinions of adolescents are too unpredictable to be relied on solely when making a longterm legislative decision.

Although there are problems that are inherent in student activism, that’s not to say that their opinions do not hold weight. Opinions from all facets of society should be regarded and respected, but placing too much weight on one side is not an accurate representation of the entire situation, and should not be held as such. As for the walkout, it is important that students are making a stand for a cause that is important to them; however, in regards to an actual change in legislation, careful consideration must be used before reaching a final decision. mlee@apachepowwow.net Pictures courtesy of LATIMES.COM

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From a more cultural perspective, the rising popularity of digital photography captured the world during the early 2000’s, although it seems inconsequential in this Instagram-mad era. The dominance of film photograSince the emergence of the digital self-portrait, many phy in the entertainment industry had just ended a few years earlier. The have claimed credit for pioneering the trend. However, credit for the first documented use of the term ‘selfie’ goes to an Australian man who used it in an ABC Science Online forum in 2002 to describe a picture of the bloody lip he had sustained from a drunken face-plant. The term was still unfamiliar on these shores even four years later. According to Time Magazine, it was not till 2013 that the term “really hit the big time,” reaching its top buzzwords of the year.

It starts with a specific angle: smartphone tilted at 45 degrees just above the eyes. Then, the light source and the pose must also be considered. Afterward, filters, color corrections, and edits are applied. With a single tap, the picture is ready to be posted on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

Even President Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, took selfies at his second inauguration. The trend has certainly reached outer space: in December 2017, Japanese astronaut Aki Hoshide took what might be the most memorable selfie of all time at the International Space Station. The resulting image encompassed the sun, the Earth, two portions of a robotic arm, a spacesuit, and the deep darkness of the infinite beyond.

By CHRISTIE WANG

Staff Writer

By KAITLIN LEE Teenage girls have always been subjected to mockery, often stereotyped as ditzy, brainless, and only interested in shopping and boys. And although these qualities are not bad per se, these traits cannot be attributed to every single girl. Therefore, instead of only seeing girls as naive and airheaded, we should appreciate all of the teenage girls who, between the ages of 13 and 19, changed the world through their inventiveness, skill, and leadership, such as these girls below.

Ann Makosinski lived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, where she grew up inventing. However, her house didn’t have electricity, and she couldn’t study when it was dark. After being inspired by transistors, devices that control the flow of electric currents, Makosinski decided to work on a new flashlight that was powered by body heat. She was only 15-years-old when she presented her invention, the Hollow Flashlight, to the Google Science Fair and won 1st place. Now, she is one of the youngest scientists on the Forbes list in the energy section and is hoping to get more Hollow Flashlights produced to help others who can’t afford electricity.

Another skillful teenage girl is Yusra Mardini, but instead of being an inventor, Mardini is an Olympian swimmer from Syria. Currently living in Germany, Mardini grew up in Damascus, Syria, where she and her sister trained with their father at their local swimming pool. Unfortunately, the swimming pool and her home were destroyed during the Syrian Civil War. With her family, she fled to Greece, then traveled to Germany. Once she arrived in Germany, she immediately began training again and qualified for the Refugee Olympics Athletes Team. Mardini won a 100m butterfly heat against four other swimmers at the Rio Summer Olympics and is now a Goodwill ambassador.

March 2018

rise of cheap digital point-and-shoot cameras, webcamenabled laptops, and camera-enabled flip phones meant that, for the first time in history, people could carry a camera anywhere and take pictures of anything for free.

Because this technological shift happened as members of the millennial generation, famous for broadcasting their lives online, were taking center stage, it is hardly surprising that the camera turned around to show them.

In addition, “The selfie is revolutionizing how we gather autobiographical information about ourselves and our friends,” said Dr. Mariann Hardey, a lecturer in marketing at Durham University who specializes in digital social networks. It just wasn’t till the compact digital camera was invented that the selfie truly exploded in popularity.

These digital self-portraits soon to be known as selfies just represented nothing less than a “new genre of photography.” By 2006, selfies could be found by scrolling through a few dozen MySpace pages. Today, the term “selfie” has become a ubiquitous word on both the Internet and in everyday language. cwang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of DRAWINGLICS.COM, EMOJIPEDIA.COM, and MOZIRU.COM

Staff Writer

Finally, a teenage girl icon who rose up to lead a movement is Emma González. Raised in Parkland, Florida, González was in the school auditorium with dozens of other students when a shooter attacked her school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and killed 17 people, including her friend Carmen Schentrup. Driven by grief and anger, González rose up to speak at a gun-control rally. During that speech, she pledged to work with her peers and pressure lawmakers to create more gun-control laws to make sure there wasn’t another school shooting. After her speech went viral, González gained more than one million Twitter followers and is now the face of the Never Again MSD movement. Since the shooting, González and 18 fellow students have been working to push for a change in national laws against gun violence, and González is positive that she will stay with the movement until some definite changes have been made.

As you can see, teenage girls are powerful beings who shouldn’t be messed with. They are individuals who will rise up to help others with their intellect, like Ann Makosinski, individuals who rise up from their trauma to do great things, like Yusra Mardini, and rise up to fight for a cause they believe in, like Emma González. These and many other teenage girls throughout history have and continue to inspire thousands of women and girls. So the next time you are tempted to make a joke about teenage girls, think twice. There’s a possibility that those girls will become historical icons.

klee@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM, DOMINIONPARSH.ORG, and SPANNYSUNKOJACK.COM

March 2018

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WHlCH

HOBBlES

By CAITLIN WANG

Drink water, not soda. Obviously, a fresh green tea or lemonade at a restaurant tastes better than a regular ice water. But, you should limit yourself when it comes to the drinks you order. Four dollars here and there can become hundreds in a short amount of time. The cost of drinks from vending machines can also become very expensive over time.

Stop using credit cards. Credit cards are not wise when it comes to saving money. This is because they are so easy to use, and it’s easy for people to lose track or forget how much they have spent using the card. Debit cards are a better alternative because it gives you more control of your money. A set amount is more practical because you will have a limit on the amount you can spend.

Carpool. This is probably the easiest way to save money. It doesn’t waste gas, which saves a lot of gas money. It can also help you build closer relationships with those you carpool with as well.

These are just a few small ways to help you save money in the long run. Apply them to your life now and get amazing results!

Staff Writer

People often have weaknesses when it comes to money. However, there are simple tips you can follow to save and gain extra cash.

The money can be helpful in the future, like saving up for college or even a new phone!

Sell; stop collecting! This is a great way to make extra cash. Even if your items have been used, fully worn out, or nonfunctioning, you will be surprised how many people are willing to pay for just about anything. eBay and Poshmark are two good websites to use when re-selling clothes or any other items. You probably have a bunch of extra items lying around in your bedroom that you didn’t think you could make money off of. Might as well sell them rather than keep something of no use!

Have friends come over! It’s so much easier to not have to worry about cooking or finding things to do when your friends come over. However, it can actually save you a lot of money. With the right people, it doesn’t matter where you are, because they know how to make any situation fun. Once in a while, it’s nice to have a candlelight gourmet dinner at a 5-star restaurant, but it isn’t always the most practical way to enjoy your company.

cwang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FONTMEME.COM, FREEPIK.COM, and SMOKEWITHTHIS.COM

By CINDY TSE

LA SPRING BREAK

Staff Writer

Spring break is coming up, but for many of us high schoolers, it’s still too busy for us to have a proper getaway. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try! LA is a huge city and home to many activities and places to explore. Even places that you might have been to already may have undergone changes, making them refreshing to revisit.

1. Smorgasburg Every Sunday in Downtown LA, hundreds of vendors gather at ROW DTLA to set up for a day of food and fun. Smorgasburg is part of a larger project dedicated to revitalizing what is currently known as the 7th Street Produce Market, a historic area noted for its impressive architecture and flexible use as mixed-purpose property. The aim to blend the past and the present is realized with Smorgasburg, bringing together all sorts of businesses that seek to create a new and thriving location in Downtown LA. The eclectic mix of sellers include stalls with unique foods from around the world and purveyors of products ranging from furniture to clothes.

2. Old Zoo If you’re feeling up to a little exercise, take the chance to satisfy your inner explorer by making a trip to the Old LA Zoo in Griffith Park. A relic from 1912, visitors are able to picnic in the remaining cages that once housed lions and bears. It is one of the most popular urban exploration locations in LA, offering a glimpse into the past in a unique and unnerving way. The walls of the enclosures are scrawled with graffiti, making it perfect for photoshoots. And if you’re in the mood for a longer walk, you can always extend your hike up Bee Rock nearby, which offers an amazing view of the city below.

3. Grand Central Market Operating since 1917, Grand Central Market has always been a shopping hub. Once a place for fresh produce, today it has added a variety of other offerings to its repertoire. The market is now home to a number of upstart restaurants, working to be a place where people from the community can gather and support other locals. Included on the list are PBJ.LA and McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream. After having a nice meal, you can browse a selection of organic, locally-produced groceries for fair prices. It’s a great way to spend the day and come out feeling satisfied. There’s almost always a crowd of interesting people from all over, making this also a fantastic peoplewatching spot.

LA is a glittering town of commerce on the surface, and this booming metropolis would not be complete without its nooks and crannies that lay hidden from even the locals’ eyes. Take some time this spring break to really look into the city we live in. ctse@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of BACONANDSOUFFLE.COM, LAMAG.COM, MOZIRU.COM, and YOUTUBE.COM

SHOULD YOU TRY?

By ALYSSA RAVE

Staff Writer

With so much focus on academic and volunteer work, it’s hard to reserve time for yourself. What else is there to do besides studying? Well, it might be time to get a hobby! Biking, ceramics, stargazing—there are many activities that you can try out.

Too much of an academic toil can leave the creative side unquenched. The perfect place to learn to draw is at KidsArt. Located across the street from Souplantation, the art classes are perfect for any level of artist. The instructions available are so effective that KidsArt won the Walt Disney Motif Award! If drawing or painting don’t excite you, jewelry-making or sculpting might pique your interest. Furthermore, the classes and optional competitions offered at The Fine Art Center in Monrovia are great for beginners looking to further their skills in ceramics as well. Fine art isn’t for everyone, but there are other ways to express yourself and create. The Sauté Culinary Academy just off of Myrtle is praised for being accessible, easy, and providing doable recipes. Mediterranean food, Spanish food—learning recipes would certainly be a useful and delicious hobby!

Creating things can be exhausting, though. Sometimes there isn’t an urge to draw or clean up after cooking when you have just completed an assignment. The desire to not do anything is often overwhelming. The Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area is an unknown spot that’s perfect for just about anything you could want to do.

The activities are endless! You can read in the grass, take a long walk, kayak, fish, swim, and more. Considering the area is only 20 minutes away from AHS, this secret spot could quickly become your favorite place. However, hiking might seem to be a better pastime for you than plain walking. The Peck Road Water Conservation Park located here in Arcadia is one of the most conveniently located trails to hike because of how local it is. Drive up to the mountains for trickier ones!

Hobbies are things you love to do, but perhaps only having time for a small break from a draining routine is more sensible.

Movies at the AMC at the Santa Anita Mall are great for a day trip, and the 626 Night Market is extremely popular. But in Irwindale, The Original Renaissance Pleasure Fair awaits! Turkey legs, shows, and homemade snacks craft a unique experience.

Everybody has different hobbies because everybody is different. It’s no secret that with a demanding schedule, having a hobby might be difficult and unrealistic.

Hopefully, you’ll find an activity fit for yourself soon! arave@apachepowwow.net

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March 2018

By CASSIDY CHHAY Staff Writer

When a teacher assigns a group project to the class, there are two types of reactions: groans and cheers. However, group work has many pros and cons.

The Pros

The Cons

A Common Direction Teams are typically put together to reach a common goal or manage a certain task.

Although there will be some arguments and clashes, because everyone will have different ideas and beliefs, everyone has the same end product.

Two Heads are Better than One A team of people can achieve many things if they are all sharing ideas or looking for solutions. The ability to share ideas can lead to a successful project, where everyone can view ideas in different perspectives.

Increased Efficiency With more people working, things are more likely to get done faster. The team can divide the work equally among members and have it put together once everyone is finished.

The amount of time it takes for one person to do part of the whole would be less than if someone did the whole project by themselves. When coming up with ideas, everyone will have a greater and better understanding of what needs to be done. This helps to eliminate mistakes that an individual may overlook when working alone.

Meeting New People By doing group projects, you are able to meet new people whom you might have never talked to otherwise. It also helps to have someone to talk to if no one else is there or to ask about what happened in class.

Reliable If someone isn’t present when working due to a scheduling conflict, the team can still efficiently do the job.

Learn New Things People in a group can learn new things from each other. All the people in a group have their own ideas from which another person can learn so many things. However, when someone works individually, they have to do everything on their own and don’t have time to learn anything new from anyone else.

Weak Areas Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. By working in a group, a person’s weaknesses can be offset by someone else’s strengths. Each member if the team can contribute to the work on an individual level.

A Freeloader In any type of team, there is often a member who barely does anything but still gets the benefits and accomplishments of the entire group. And trust me, no one likes a freeloader; they cause conflict and arguments within the group.

Conflict No matter what, there will always be some kind of disagreement. A group project is essentially a group of different personalities coming together to get a common thing done.

Sometimes the personalities clash and cause arguments because some people just can’t work together. To keep this from happening, all the members of the team should respect each other’s ideas. If you disagree with someone, you tell them politely and respectfully.

Procrastinators Getting everyone to have their work done on time can be difficult, especially because everyone has different schedules and works at different paces. There are also times when you are way ahead of the game, but your team does everything late. It can be very frustrating. To remedy this, set early deadlines so that if work does get done late, it won’t have as large of an impact.

Conflicting Schedules Conflicting schedules can be a huge impact on the group’s work. It may be difficult to compromise on everyone’s busy schedules to meet up and complete the project.

Time Commitments Working in a group can be time-consuming, as it requires the agreement and coordination of all members of the group.

Decisions When it comes to group effort, suggestions and ideas from everyone in the group have to be taken into account. All aspects have to be discussed and considered, which takes up a lot of energy and time.

Communication Troubles Having group chats are helpful for communication, but when people don’t respond, it feels impossible to contact them.

Senior Nadine Kong sees both the pros and cons in group projects saying that she thinks “group projects are a good way of learning collaborative and communication skills. However, there are people who don’t do any of the work, and everyone else has to do extra to make up for losses.”

Freshmen Sophia Chan and Fiona King have a similar idea on group projects. Sophia says that she likes group projects because the “work is split up and ideas can be contributed... to make the project better.” But if it’s a bad group, she says she doesn’t like it because she is “always doing all the work and they won’t do a single thing.” Fiona says that “it really depends on who [she is] assigned with.”

Sophomore Jeffrey Lee says that he likes group projects most of the time. He talks about how group members help pitch ideas and make brainstorming and workloads easier and more efficient. He says that the end product of a group project is better than an individual one. He also says that “being in a group encourages [him] to stay on task, because if [he procrastinates] on an individual project, [he is] letting only [himself] down.” However, in a group project, he would be letting himself and his team members down. But it also has some negatives. Sometimes “group members decide not to work on the project or only put in the minimal amount of effort. This inconvenience sours the experience of working together.”

However, he says, “the positives clearly outweigh the negatives.”

No matter what, you have no decision when it comes to group projects. You are assigned a group, and you have to work with them, no matter what. Despite all the pros and cons of group projects, it overall helps us with working with others, a thing we need in adult life. cchhay@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FREEPIX.COM and VECTORSTOCK.COM

March 2018

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Sophomore Slump

By JEREMY DU

Staff Writer

Some sophomores experience something called the “sophomore slump”. This refers to the decreased motivation and lower grades sophomores in school may experience. Usually, this is because they are not as eager or excited to be in high school as freshmen are; however, they have not entered their extremely rigorous and difficult junior and senior years. Although this term is more commonly used when referring to sophomores in college or a university, it is also applicable to sophomores in high school. With AHS being such an academically focused and strong high school, do AHS students experience this?

Junior Audrey Do recalled that “last year I started off strong, but...my grades and motivation fell quickly. After getting overconfident with my schoolwork early on, I slowly stopped trying in school and soon my grades looked...sad.” She said that although her grades were not ideal, she still “didn’t want to do anything that could fix them.” To compensate for her lack of effort during first semester, during second semester, she turned her grade around by “attending some tutoring sessions and studying much harder.”

Sophomore Reign Morales shared, “At the beginning of sophomore year, I found myself unmotivated to work and do my best. I didn’t even want to do my homework. I felt like I was in a slump. In contrast, back when I was a freshman, I was extremely excited to start fresh and have fun at a new school. It was a new experience.” She feels that “juniors and seniors can already see the finish line so their motivation is to finish strong.” In sophomore year, some can get overwhelmed with the internal pressure of wanting to find out what they want to do with their time, whether it’s joining sports or clubs, especially when the others around them are doing so. Students get it into their heads that they are no longer new to their school. It takes a lot of self-motivation to renew their interest in school.

Sophomore Elizabeth Yeh said that in her opinion, “most sophomores have a bit of that ‘sophomore slump’ mentality, even if their grades or behavior don’t reflect that.”

Senior Jessica Lee described the situation of someone she knows who experienced the “sophomore slump”. She recalled that the person “didn’t know she was in a slump till she talked to someone...She remembers feeling lonely even though she knew people were there for her, so she distanced herself from her friends. She lost a lot of genuine motivation and energy...Her grades plummeted, but she didn’t seem to care enough to do anything about it...everything everyone said went in one ear and out the other. She got her first C and didn’t see any reason to try to raise it, feeling sad and lethargic most of the time.”

Thus, the sophomore slump may be more common than you may think; however, there are many tips that these four students shared to combat it.

Audrey said that you should “eat well, sleep well, and [not] be afraid to ask for help with schoolwork. Sometimes you really need an external push to drive you to the next letter grade. Also, don’t be like me and live on the edge of borderline grades…[it’s] not fun around the end of the semester when finals roll around. Stay outta the slump.”

“To those going through this, I would want to tell them to remember that high school will end in just a few years and to make these years count. If they continue to work hard now, they can reap the rewards later and have better chances at living happy lives,” shared Elizabeth.

To Reign, just joining more activities can really help one push oneself out of a slump. After joining choir, she said, “it has helped me realize that school can bring out the best in me. Luckily, I found myself wanting to try harder in school to be able to stay in choir. It was one step closer to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.” She wants to say to anyone who is going through this “to just keep swimming because you’ll get there! You have to find a reason to be excited about school.

Try out for anything you’re interested in and don’t be afraid to be rejected. You’re only in high school once...so make the most of it.”

If you are experiencing decreased motivation, grades, or know of someone who is, finding others to talk to and following the steps that these individuals shared are key to getting out of the slump mindset. There are many people, such as friends, family members, teachers, counselors, and more who are willing to help! Stay positive and motivated, Apaches, and most importantly, stay out of the slump. jdu@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of FIVECLIPART.COM

Spring Break

By MICHELLE LEE

9 Staff Writer

Spring break is just around the corner, and students are gearing up for a well-deserved rest amidst all the work and stress of the second semester. Spring break is often a time for students to just take a step back from the hectic school life and relax with their friends. It is a time to travel, catch up with others, and enjoy the weather.

Planning on making the most of the brief respite, many students’ schedules are packed with fun activities, from visiting relatives to traveling abroad.

“I’m going to South Korea over spring break with my family. We’ll be spending a week there,” said freshman Charisse Liu. It is common for those who missed the opportunity to travel over winter break to do so during spring break, and it is the perfect time of the year to travel without worrying about the chilly weather. “We’re also planning on getting reservations to a meerkat cafe and a raccoon cafe.” While students like Charisse have busy schedules to maximize the short week, others are the exact opposite, with nothing on their schedules except relaxation and recovery.

“I’m doing literally nothing,” said freshman Sofia Mediana. “I’m going to stay in bed all day except for when I need to eat.” After waking up every day at 7:00 a.m., a week to sleep in as late as they want is what students like Sofia need to recuperate after the crushing weight of school work and commitments. Similarly, others are taking the chance to catch up on TV shows that have been put off for far too long. “I just plan on withering away in my room and watching Netflix,” said freshman Evelyn Lo. “I haven’t had the time to watch the shows I usually watch so I’m taking spring break as an opportunity to catch up.” Unfortunately, while many are enjoying a school-free break week, some just cannot escape the clutches of school.

“I’m just going to be running track,” said sophomore Olivia Chen. “The biggest track invitational in the nation is in the middle of the season, so we have workouts every morning of the week.” While classes can afford to have a gap between lesson, the same cannot be said for sports and extracurriculars as well.

“I have to compete in Destination Imagination for two days because the state competition is during the week, so I’ll just be preparing the other few days,” said freshman Wendy Wang.

Although there are still plenty of commitments that students still have to uphold while on break, the general consensus is that spring is a welcomed lull in school life.

Whether it is packed schedules and work, or relaxation and fun, spring break allows students to gather themselves and take a breather before immersing themselves back into school life. As spring break quickly approaches, students are ready for a week of rest and relaxation.

mlee@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FIVECLIPART.COM and FWREALESTATE.COM

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GOOD LUCK

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March 2018

By CONNER HUA Staff Writer

His hands trembled as he typed in the username and password for the college’s portal. Never had I seen such focus present in his eyes as they rapidly scanned the screen for words. The computer’s glare reflected on his face as his facial muscles relaxed. The fire in his eyes died immediately as the air surrounding us began thickening. Suddenly, it was molasses and the few people with us could sense it. His face showed no emotion, a blank state. His eyes darted across the corners of the screen. They begged for understanding, closure, and explanation, yet his mouth remained silent. It was at this moment the few around him realized that it had not happened. As he closed the laptop screen with a solemn click, we knew that he had been rejected from the college.

Why do we center our lives around acceptance? Why do we spend the majority of our waking moments at high school pushing, just for the momentary relief that comes with a college acceptance? How has the construct of acceptance and rejection begun playing such a tremendous role in our society today?

Firstly, conformity plays a tremendous role in our perpetual fight for acceptance. Although a majority of us would be quick to deny it, every single one of us conforms in one way or another. Our society’s underlying message to conform to standards leads us to subconsciously attempt to continually seek acceptance. In fact, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a psychological theory, proposed that we crave social belonging before we can achieve self-esteem. This social belonging, this feeling of acceptance, can stem from many places. Whether it be a notification that your crush has liked your post, a compliment received from a stranger, or simply walking into a crowded room and being able to find that one friend you will cling onto for the remainder of the event, our desire for acceptance, and joy that stems from it, is hard-wired into our systems. Now, acceptance, however, has been evolutionarily bred into our human race since the beginning of time. As social creatures, to be accepted during primal times, meant survival.

Acceptance into a group meant the safety and comfort of others, companionship, and possible mates. Acceptance during those times was the difference between life and death. Thus, stemmed our tendency to conform. In modern society, acceptance is still sought by many. Now, obviously acceptance will never be a bad thing. Everyone wants to be accepted. However, revolving your life around acceptance is toxic and ultimately harmful to your lifestyle—acceptance and rejection come in pairs.

March 2018

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SENIORS!

Rejection. Rejection is a bitter pill to swallow. Being shot down by your crush, being ostracized from a group of people you wanted to befriend, or being rejected from one of your dream colleges. Rejection is something everyone struggles with. However, rejection isn’t everything we build it up to be. While in the moment, being rejected from something you wished desperately to be accepted into seems like the end of the world. Realize that in the grand scheme of things, a momentary falter won’t forever ruin your life. Rejection is an opportunity to bounce back. As the saying goes, “Everything happens for a reason.” Instead of being hung up over a minor rejection, recognize this situation as an opportunity to either improve or seek new opportunities. If being rejected from whatever it was, was a grave mistake and loss of talent on their part, recognize your self-worth! They were probably never worth your time and effort anyway. Take the time to recognize areas to improve. Maybe the rejection served as a reminder to never let yourself settle and to consistently push yourself.

College acceptance/rejection season has come upon us. As colleges have begun sending out their acceptances and rejections to overly joyous and saddened teenagers simultaneously, remember that acceptance and rejection don’t dictate your life. It may not be college; it may just be a minor thing in life. Realize that acceptance and rejection are never an opportunity to beat yourself up and allow yourself to lose drive and motivation. After all, acceptance is sometimes great; however, sometimes the lack of acceptance and rejection, leads you to bigger and better opportunities you could’ve never even expected. To be rejected, does not mean that you aren’t accepted. chua@theapachepowwow.net Graphic by ANDREA LIU

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March 2018

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By TANYA LEE

Staff Writer

When people think of Broadway, they often think of one of the most famous musicals, The Phantom of the Opera. However, did you know that there’s a sequel to this Broadway favorite?

From Apr. 4 to 22, Love Never Dies will be performing at the Hollywood Pantages as part of the musical’s North American tour.

The musical was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber as a sequel to the fan-favorite The Phantom of the Opera, often casually referred to as Phantom. The original musical was loosely based on the book The Phantom of Manhattan

by Frederick Forsyth, which was written in a way that leaves no room for a sequel. However, Webber has stated that he feels Love Never Dies is more of a stand-alone piece than a sequel and believes that it is not necessary to have watched Phantom first.

Phantom premiered in 1986. The music was written by Webber, with lyrics by Charles

By MARGARET LIN

Staff Writer

A Chorus Line was on tour, and it swung

by Southern California from Mar. 20 to 27. It first premiered in the 1970s, but has withstood the test of time and has been reproduced several times on four separate continents. This musical follows the story of 17 Broadway dancers as they audition for spots in a chorus line, providing audiences a glimpse of their personalities and the experiences that have shaped them as dancers.

The characters are a hodgepodge of diverse backgrounds, personalities, and personal histories. From a 4’ 10” Chinese-American auditionee named Connie Wong to the imperious director Zach, the characters cover all ends of the spectrum. After a final round of cuts, 17 dancers remain; 4 women and 4 men will make it into the chorus line. Despite their differences, all the dancers have one thing in common:

Hart and Richard Stilgoe. The musical revolves around a beautiful soprano singer, Christine Daaé. After the manager of the Opera Populaire leaves, his successors throw a gala to celebrate, but the leading singer refuses to perform due to the mysterious “Opera Ghost” who seems determined to get her to leave. They replace her with Christine, and the managers’ patron, Raoul, recognizes her as his childhood sweetheart and falls in love with her. Christine’s mysterious music tutor, who was formerly only known to her as the “Angel of Music”, reveals himself as the Phantom, a disfigured musical genius who lives in the labyrinth under the Opera Populaire, and becomes obsessed with her. He ends up kidnapping her and imprisoning her in his lair. In the end, Raoul is the only one who can stop him.

Phantom has won multiple awards, including a Tony Award in 1988 for Best Musical. It is also the longest-running show in Broadway history. In fact, it celebrated its 10,000th performance in February 2012, the first production to do so.

Love Never Dies is said to take place

they’re all desperate for work. Some are mere fledglings to Broadway; for others, this audition is their last chance on the stage. The director Zach, wanting to learn more about them, asks them to introduce themselves. With reluctance, they do, retelling events from childhood to their current point in time.

Some recollections are funny, others are serious and otherwise unexpected. Connie Wong laments her short stature, and the underestimated Diana Morales tells of a horrible high school acting class. The streetwise Sheila, who Zach initially believed wasn’t taking the audition seriously, reveals her troubled relationship with her parents and the relief that ballet provides her. Many of the characters discovered a passion for dance almost on accident; others arrived after many twists and turns. High school dropout Paul San Marco had a career in drag, while Richie Walters nearly became a kindergarten teacher.

The audience feels every up and down

March 2018

roughly ten years after the events of Phantom.

In the musical, Christine is invited by an anonymous concert organizer to perform at a new attraction on Coney Island. She brings her husband, Raoul, and her son, Gustave, along with her. However, she is unaware that the person who organized her appearance is the Phantom.

During this tour, The Phantom is played

by Gardar Thor Cortes, who has also starred in West Side Story, Phantom, and Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). Christine is played by Meghan Picerno, who has performed in concert alongside the San Francisco Symphony, as well as in prestigious venues like the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall.

The musical is certainly worth checking out. It’s an amazing spin-off of The Phantom of the Opera and will surely be an enjoyable experience. Tickets can be purchased at hollywoodpantages.com, with prices starting at $35. tlee@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of MOZIRU.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM

of the characters, full of mirth one minute and sorrowful the next. Viewers also see the formidable director butt heads with Cassie Ferguson, a once-successful solo dancer with whom he has a complicated history. Above all, we see the 17 dancers’ passion and love for dance, as well as the devotion they put in their work. When asked what they would do if they could no longer dance, they all expressed that they would feel no regret, having done all they could “for love.” In an ironic twist, the characters, once starkly contrasting individuals, come together in the finale as almost anonymous members of an unending ensemble.

The music for A Chorus Line was composed by Marvin Hamlisch, who had the distinction of being one of only twelve people to win Emmy, Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Awards.

He, along with Richard Rodgers, are the only two people to have won all four awards and a Pulitzer Prize. The book was co-written by playwright James Kirkwood Jr. and dancer/

writer Nicholas Dante. When the musical opened at the Shubert Theatre on July 25, 1975, it was directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett. If they weren’t already big names before, A Chorus Line certainly shot them into the limelight, winning nine Tony Awards and receiving a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976. The original Broadway production ran for 6,137 performances, making it the sixth longest-running Broadway show ever.

A Chorus Line is definitely a must-watch.

The sheer degree of diversity makes watching this musical at a time like now rather fitting.

Hopefully, the musical will be on tour next year, giving interested viewers the opportunity to experience the story live! If not, also consider checking the 1985 film as well! This story will truly take you on an adventure through the struggles of becoming big in Broadway. mlin@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of AMAZON.COM

March 2018

By JASMINE OANG

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arcadiaperformingarts@gmail.com

Staff Writer

At the mention of Romeo and Juliet, many of us cringe at the sudden memory of our freshman year struggles. An amazing tragedy originally written by William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet has been continuously readapted to showcase unique visions through similar plots.

Similar to others, the Joffrey Ballet Company has adapted this timeless classic and this particular spin may change your opinion and further draw your interest.

Joffrey Ballet, a well known prestigious ballet company established in Chicago, is well known for its artistic abilities and innovative work. Throughout March, it will be showcasing the talents of its many gifted dancers at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at The Music Center Los Angeles.

Throwing it back to freshman year again, Krzysztof Pastor retells Romeo and Juliet through a wider perspective, building on to the feuding family strife and setting the play in the 1930s, Benito Mussolini’s era. As a result, Pastor provides an artistic explanation to the previously beginningless feud.

Based on politics and war, the play is reimagined with more recent events in mind. For those who can’t remember, Mussolini, a fascist dictator, partnered with Adolf Hitler in an attempt to turn Italy into a modern day Roman Empire and conquer Europe. However, Hitler wasn’t all that interested in helping Italy and launched a war years before Mussolini’s Italy was prepared, forcing them to be inactive.

Even the music, Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo And Juliet score from 1935, fits the chronology of the setting. Prokofiev originally wrote the

piece to coincide with a debut performance in the Soviet Union. However, it never made its intended debut due to claims that his compositions were impossible to dance to.

For Joffrey Ballet, that is obviously not the case. As written in an article by the Chicago Sun-Times, this show “renders words unnecessary” as a result of the intricate yet recognizable reenactment where not even a single word is spoken. The newspaper even claims it “might just be the most eloquent, rapturous, and emotionally searing ‘translation’ of the story you will ever see.” Debuted in 2014, the piece has had a memorable effect on its audiences, even with it’s continuously updated cast.

In addition to Pastor’s impeccable choreography, Tatyana Van Walsum’s modern costume designs and dynamic set choices have created a fully breathtaking experience. Weaving in black-and-white films from Italian history, the production provides the audience with a visually and historically accurate outlook. The plot is spread between three decades of politics, demonstrating Italy’s fascist beginning, and follows through to the end in a uniquely masked history lesson.

Aside from relaying a serious historical topic, Pastor also cleverly adds in bits of humor. Using Mercutio, Romeo’s close friend, and Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin who later is killed

by Romeo, Pastor choreographs, “some of ballet’s most difficult duets” while demonstrating their opposing nature. Mixing in comedy and tragedy, Pastor provides the audience with full catharsis. joang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of FLICKR.COM, PINTEREST.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM

By TRACY XIA

Staff Writer

On Mar. 14, internationally renowned artist Lorde visited Staples Center and brought her Melodrama World Tour to Los Angeles (LA).

Along with visiting LA, Lorde will continue to perform in many cities across the globe.

The tour started off in Manchester on Sep. 26 of last year and will continue to run until July 20 in Jakarta, with a total of 69 shows. Prior to her Melodrama Tour, she presented one other world tour titled Pure Heroine which occurred during 2013-2014. Unsurprisingly, her hit song “Royals” was included in the set list, but she also brings an element of unpredictability to her concerts such as when she performed an unreleased song in the Milwaukee show on Mar. 1.

Lorde was born as Ella Marija Lani YelichO’Connor and is currently only 21-years-old.

Her stage name is inspired by royalty, and since she found “Lord” too masculine, the ‘e’ was added to make her name more feminine. A New Zealand native, Lorde entered the performance world at a young age. She first caught the attention of Universal Music Group while performing with her friend, Louis McDonald, as a teenager. Her famous work, “Royals”, was released in 2013, when Lorde was only 16-years-old, making her the youngest solo artist to gain a number one single in the U.S. since 1987. That same year in September, Lorde released her first

album, Pure Heroine. Two months later, Lorde signed a publishing deal with Songs Music Publishing that was reported to be worth $2.5 million. In the time after that, Lorde released several singles and even recorded a soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay. Then, her second album Melodrama was finally released in June 2017, almost four years after her debut album.

Lorde’s style is mainly influenced by the American jazz and soul music of her childhood years. She also admires and is inspired by renowned artists such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Prince, Lana Del Rey, and Kanye West. She is especially influenced by unique and interesting vocals. Furthermore, the singer-songwriter credits her mother’s encouragement for her to read works of various famous authors from an early age as a prominent influence on her songwriting style. Her mother was a poet and encouraged Lorde to read a cast genre of works and thus influencing her lyrical style.

After her Mar. 14 performance, Lorde moved onto more American cities, diving into a packed schedule of numerous consecutive shows. The talented artist will definitely be able to bring about more impressive shows and even more hit songs in the future. txia@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of CHASINGMYDRAGONS.COM and 1001FONTS.COM

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ACADEMICS

theapachepowwow.net

March 2018

PERFECT SCORE FOR

By GANGA PRASANTH

Staff Writer

Anyone who’s taken AP classes knows the stress of AP tests. It takes a lot of time, effort and dedication to pass with your best effort. This is just what senior Ryan Leung did, and his hard work got him a perfect score on the AP Computer Science test, making him one out of only 500 people in the world to do so this year.

AP Computer Science is a rigorous college-based course that focuses mainly on programming. It consists of coding fluently in the Java language, and using algorithms and data structures in order to solve computerbased problems. Ryan knew and accepted these terms, and decided to join the class. “I mainly prepared myself for the exam through practice and repetition. I did a lot of coding during my free time and utilized several online resources to help sharpen my skills until I was able to solve sample problems quickly and with ease,” Ryan commented. “It was pretty exhilarating to get my test results back. I definitely had not been expecting to get a perfect score on the exam, and I never imagined that I’d be able to pull off something like this. For a while, I couldn’t believe that I was even capable of accomplishing such a feat, and the fact that I had done so was overwhelming.”

Ryan’s teacher, Mr. Brent Reiske, felt that he’d seen potential in Ryan ever since he’d joined the class. “In our class, Ryan was a good kid with a great smile,” said Mr. Reiske. “Certainly, he has a good mind for math and logic, but he also worked well in class and students wanted to sit by him and work with him.” The ability to work with others is especially important when applying for jobs and colleges.

One frequently asked question from those about to take AP Computer Science is, “How can I prepare for the AP exam?” Ryan said, “In my opinion, frequently practicing coding is one of the best ways to study for the exam, as it allows you to train your problem-solving skills, which is a big help, particularly for the free response portion of the exam.” Mr. Reiske also commented, “The national pass rate is about 68%. The pass rate at AHS was over 90% last year.”

As for anyone wondering about taking AP Computer Science, Ryan said, “It’s a very interesting subject that I’m sure a lot of people will have no trouble getting into. I’m certain that anyone who is willing to put in the effort will be able to easily excel in the class.”

Take Ryan’s advice, and go and never stop working until you reach your potential goals! Congratulations to Ryan for getting a perfect score on the AP Computer Science exam! It’s a rare feat, and yet our fellow Apache has accomplished this great success.

gprasanth@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of RYAN FORAN

By JOLENE HUEY Staff Writer

Have you ever sat through a boring presentation that just seemed to go on and on? These poorly planned presentations are typically the result of the inadequacy of the presenter’s behind-the-scenes planning. With these professional tips and the ability to identify your presentational problems, you can be engaging to your audience and become a pro on presentations!

The prevalent problem with unappealing presentations is the presenter. He or she is often disorganized, dwells too long on trivial matters, and gives long-winded explanations that seem to go nowhere. Sometimes the speaker will even write speeches on his or her slides and read them off word-for-word. As a result of this, the presentation starts off slow and people stop paying attention altogether. Too many of these presentations are associated with poor planning and ineffective visuals.

To turn this situation around and make your presentations eye-catching, here are several tips for creating effective presentations. Tell the audience what your main presentational points are. Inform them about what’s relevant without giving them a long slide description that’s almost impossible to read. Do this by using big text to highlight your main points. An important rule of presentational design is to use at least a 20-point font. The fewer words there are and the bigger they are, the better. This way, audience members are more likely to pay attention and your information will make a bigger impact on them.

When it comes to presentations, the old cliche that “a picture is worth a thousand words” rings true. Adding visuals can make your slides more memorable and works best to help clarify your message. Using professional images (not clipart!) that are directly related to your most important points will make them much more impactful. Your presentation template is also an important aspect of the visuals. The small investment of time in the beginning to pick a good template pays off with the consistency in font sizes, colors, alignments, etc.

More importantly, remember that your slides should enhance what you say. They should be the “supporting cast” rather than the main focus of your presentation. With this in mind, imagine a GPS when planning your presentation. The slides should appear in a logical order while following what you say. That way, the audience can follow you through what you want them to know by the end of the presentation.

With all of these tips, including using large text, utilizing appealing visuals, and being logical, your future presentations will be more engaging. Remember that by just relaxing and being confident during your presentation, your audience will be interested in what you have to say. jhuey@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of DAFONT.COM and VECTOR.COM

March 2018

ACADEMICS

academics.powwow@gmail.net

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By IAN SUTLIFF Staff Writer

Having a job in high school can be beneficial for many students. It teaches students responsibility, money management, and time management. Furthermore, it allows kids to use their own money to buy things and get a feel for money sense and budgeting.

Tutor - Tutoring is a fun and easy way to make money. It only takes a couple of hours, and the tutor is usually interested in the subject matter.

Food Delivery - Kids love to drive their cars around, and there’s no better way to do it than delivering pizza to people’s houses and getting paid for it.

Intern - Getting an internship is a great way to find out which career you may want to go into. Though you might not make any money doing it, you learn the value of working a job and getting to know what a work day is like.

Retail Salesperson - Working as a retail salesperson is a valuable experience because it helps teens get a feel for what it can be like to do business. Usually retail jobs earn more than minimum wage, which is good pay for a high school student.

House Sitter - This job is more like a vacation because you get paid to live in someone’s house, and there may be a way to make extra money if the owners have pets. You make money just for living somewhere which is fun and needs few qualifications.

Waiter - Being a waiter is a good place to start for many people. You learn how to interact with people and strengthen your personality. It is also a good way to learn the basics of the restaurant business and make extra money from tips on the side.

Camp Counselor - Being a camp counselor is a great job that allows teens to work over summer and without interference from school. It is also a great experience for working with children, and you can have fun while you work as well.

Barista - Usually, making drinks for people isn’t too difficult, and the hours aren’t too bad. You can make tips, and places that are larger chain coffee shops sometimes make tuition assistance offers.

Cashier - To do this job, all you need is a friendly personality and the ability to do math. It is straightforward and one of the most common jobs for teenagers. isutliff@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of DAFONT.COM and GRAPHICMANIA.COM

By JOSIE CHEN Staff Writer

Too often, we get caught up in the endless hustle of our daily lifestyle, causing us to lose sight of relaxation and self-care. Luckily, reading is one of the best ways to de-stress and immerse ourselves in the world of others, allowing us to have a mental break from our life and focus on someone else’s story. In fact, there are some books that have the ability to change the way we view the world and everything around us: Harry Potter (PG): Arguably one of the most popular and well-known book series today, Harry Potter was written by author J.K. Rowling who formed a world of magic filled with opposing forces of good and evil, surprise, mystery, and curiosity. The series follows a young boy named Harry as he grows as a wizard at Hogwarts. If you haven’t read this series yet, pick up any of the seven books and become mesmerized by the magical world of Harry Potter.

The Glass Castle (PG-13): Recently made into a movie, The Glass Castle

by Jeannette Walls is a memoir that tells of her childhood surrounded by her dysfunctional family. While the Walls family travel from place to place, the emotions of sadness, happiness, confusion, fear, and love arise as the family faces internal and external obstacles that they must overcome together. This story is definitely one that will stay with you forever.

The Way I Used Be (PG-13): Author Amber Smith tells of the high-schoolto-college transition in the eyes of an adolescent named Eden. As Eden faces a number of obstacles throughout the years, such as getting raped, you will find yourself so caught up in the story that you are unable to avoid a rollercoaster of emotions. Over time, Eden’s character changes as she becomes affected by her trauma, allowing readers to become more aware of sexual violence and its consequences.

The Catcher in the Rye (PG-13): This novel portrays a realistic view of coming-of-age for many adolescents, through the eyes of Holden Caulfield.

As Holden ventures throughout the New York city and rethinks everything he has ever known, readers find themselves strongly relating to Holden and identifying their troubled feelings with him. After reading this story, you will feel much more optimistic knowing that you are not alone with your difficulties.

Marley and Me (PG): In this autobiography of John Grogan, Marley and Me tells of John’s precious years spent with his Labrador Retriever named Marley. Although Marley appears to be a rambunctious and wild dog, John and his family eventually grow to love and accept him for all he is. The ups and downs, moments of sadness anger and pain, and overwhelming happiness will teach you and others the importance of kindness, patience, and compassion. jchen@apachepowwow.net

Graphic courtesy of DAFONT.COM

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sports.powwow@gmail.com

March 2018

By JASMINE OANG Staff Writer

Senior Jasmine He has been running since she was in eighth grade. As she heads into college, she’ll continue to run at UC Berkeley, a Division 1(D1) college—which according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), is “the highest level of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the NCAA in the United States.”

Throughout her high school experience, Jasmine has trained continuously to get to her position today. She alleges she was “one of

the slower kids on the team” when she joined during the summer before her freshman year.

Luckily, speed didn’t discourage her because it was her memorable experience during practices that motivated her to continue. She said, “It was a long and difficult journey getting to where I am now, but it was so rewarding and has opened up so many doors for me,” adding, “I’ve learned

that hard work trumps all. I didn’t need natural talent to succeed, just the discipline to achieve what I wanted to.” Her biggest inspiration, Assistant Coach Kevin Kua, has also been her “biggest supporter since day one.”

In addition to strong connections with coaches, she’s also made numerous friends, forming bonds with people she “never would have met” without cross-country and track & field. Further strengthening these bonds, she and her teammates have traveled all over the country for meets, bonding over their time together and during meals.

One of the people Jasmine has formed a special connection with is

sophomore Nikki Wong, whom she constantly gives advice to. Nikki noted, “Jasmine has been a role model to me,” elaborating, “I’ve looked up to her work ethic and how she goes into a race with no fear, powering through tough obstacles and [how she] doesn’t shrug away from hard opponents.”

When asked about her favorite memory with Jasmine, Nikki recalled a humorous moment during their trip to Idaho for the Bob Firman Invite where Jasmine ordered “a giant salad the size of her face.”

When asked about her decision to attend UC Berkeley, Jasmine reflected on the most influential factor―her official campus visit.

Taking note of the warm, welcoming personalities, she easily connected with others through a mutual passion for running. Jasmine noted how Berkeley is “definitely not going to be easy, but I’m excited to be surrounded by so many other driven and goal-oriented athletes.” joang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of BERKELEY.EDU and 1001FONTS.COM Photos courtesy of JOCELYN CHIN

By JUSTIN CHEN Staff Writer

The time has come. AHS’ Co-ed Badminton team has begun their season. With birdies being hit and points being scored, the team is working hard to prepare.

As the Apaches begin to practice for their upcoming matches, sophomore Kevin Yoo commented that they “practiced footwork, which the first thing [they] do during practice.”

When asked about what they primarily work on, Kevin stated, “we practiced our shots the most. We worked on smash drops, net drops, and much more. We also used drills to help train our accuracy.” Kevin later mentioned that “accuracy was the key to winning the point, and so [they] prioritized [their] time on it.” The team also conditions by running every day and working on their stamina. The players are also really good friends on and off the court.

Another member of the team, junior Alan Wu, mentioned that the team’s overall weaknesses were that “the team needs to work on

stamina. We tend to slow down and be less explosive when the games drag on.” When asked about what his personal weaknesses were, Alan stated, “I sometimes get too angry during matches and I lose my cool.”

On the other hand, Alan commented that “everyone’s technique on the team is pretty good, and I feel like our bond as a team is definitely one of our strengths.” As sophomore Michelle Nguyen says, “one strength that we have is that we trained hard and strive to do our best.”

Michelle also notes that “our goal is to win CIF this season and to play to the best of our abilities.” Although the road to success will be hard for the team, the practice that the boys and girls are putting in every day will prove to be worth it.

Overall, Co-ed Badminton has set its sights on winning league, as well as achieving success at CIF. Good luck, Apaches! jchen@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Photo by KRISTEN CHAN

SOFT SERVE Junior Crystal Li prepares to serve a hit against Mayfield/Loyola with a smile for victory.

March 2018

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theapachepowwow.net

By BRADFORD YAU Staff Writer

Boys Varsity Tennis has shown complete dominance throughout the month of February and now March. From the start, the boys have had a great beginning to the season and pose an undefeated record, and look to continue that throughout the tough month of March, which was highlighted by the match away against Mira Costa and the All-American tournament.

However, the team needs to come together cohesively and gain more chemistry if it wants to make a deep run into the CIF tournament.

Upon reflection, the boys agree that a lacking aspect of their game that they need to improve on is their footwork. Senior Jonathan Figueira describes footwork as “key in setting up your shot and being able to hit a solid groundstroke.” At every practice before hitting, the team makes sure to warm up with about 20 minutes of conditioning with exercises varying from agility ladders to suicides. Not only do these exercises get their blood flowing for practice, it also makes sure that the players are fit enough for the upcoming season.

The coaches’ particular emphasis on warming up this year is different compared to

last season, and this new aspect of training may pay off in CIF. Another main factor is fatigue.

Early in the season, many of the players got very tired by playing two or three rounds per match, so the help of “conditioning and core exercises have really helped improve, “according to Co-captain senior Nicholas Figueira. Ultimately, it is the small things that will help win games, and the members fully understand.

Though Arcadia is in a good position right now in terms of seeding, one of the main teams that stand in the way of their first-ever Division 1 is University High School. As one of the topranked schools, the top and bottom of University are stacked with players, including 5-Star junior and University of Pennsylvania commit Aditya Gupta and 3-Star senior and Caltech commit Patryk Koslowski. However, Arcadia’s Coach Damon Lieu does feel that if Boys Tennis improve on the doubles player, “we will have a chance against all teams in CIF, including University.” Overall, if the boys improve and continue to win the big matches, they will be able to play all the way to Division One.

A PERFECT ACE Junior Jun Nakamine smashes the ball against his opponent in an intense bout, winning his match against Pasadena.

byau@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM Photos courtesy of AUSD

A HEATED BATTLE As these two teams face off against each other in the quarterfinals, the annual Basketball Intramurals draws to an end.

THE PERFECT DRIBBLE Junior Wallace Fang faces off against his opponent and prepares to dribble past him; in an attempt to score.

A SWIFT VICTORY Arcadia plays against Pasadena sweeping the match 18-0. In the pink uniform (Left to Right): Senior Nick Figueira and junior Jun Nakamine pose for a photo after their victory.

By JUSTIN CUN Staff Writer

On Mar. 13, AHS hosted its yearly three on three basketball tournament. Similar to the previous years, this tournament had been open for anyone to join regardless of skill and experience. Junior Kyle Araki, an avid cross country runner, participated in the tournament, commenting, “Although I don’t play much basketball, I joined to have fun and compete with and against my friends.”

Another participant, junior Saisaran Kidambi, who plays on the Boys JV Basketball team, is a returning competitor in the tournament, and he noted,“Playing in this tournament is definitely one of the events I look forward to, especially since our [the team’s] season is usually so competitive.”

16 teams played on Tuesday, Mar. 13, battling it out on best of one, single elimination games. The first team to score 12 points (with each basket counting as one point) took the win.

Ultimately, eight teams moved up the bracket for Friday’s games on Mar 16. From the Friday’s game, four teams came out on top, moving on to play again on Tuesday, Mar. 20. The last took place on Friday, Mar. 23, and the four

teams, two will move on and will immediately play each other for 1st in the overall tournament.

After winning his game on Tuesday, Mar. 13, Saisaran noted that the game was “fun and laid back” and is “really looking forward” to Friday’s game. “Although the score was about 12-5, I think both teams had fun playing; there was a lot of laughing and happy faces from all sides,” said senior Brian Yang, one of Saisaran’s teammates. Winning wasn’t the entire focus of the tournament for many players, especially for Kyle who noted, after his loss, “The game was all around enjoyable and not as competitive as I had initially thought.”

Whether players joined this tournament to compete hard for first place, or to run up-anddown the court hurling three’s and trick shots, this event was a fun experience for all the participants. Junior Wallace Fang finally added, “I really encourage more people to join this tournament in the future, because it’ll just make the whole experience that much more fun and exciting.” jcun@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM Photos by CAITLIN WANG

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CALENDAR

theapachepowwow.net

March 2018

By RACHEL LEE Staff Writer

This year on Thanksgiving (Nov. 21), Walt Disney Animation Studios will release the longawaited sequel to Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. Classified as a 3D computer-animated fantasy comedy film, this movie is expected to “break the internet” due to the high anticipation and success its previous movie garnered back in 2012. Grossing over $471.2 million worldwide, Wreck-It Ralph effectively set the precedent for winning Pixar films such as Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Frozen. Wreck-It Ralph 2 is directed by Rich Moore and Phil Johnston and features John C. Reily as Ralph, Sarah Silverman as Vanellope von Schweetz, and voice actors Mandy Moore, Auli’i Cravalho, Kristen Bell, and Idina Menzel to name a few!

Wreck-It Ralph tells the story of an arcade game villain, Ralph from “Fix-it Felix

Jr.”, who desires to represent something more than solely the “bad guy”.

Following his dreams of becoming a hero, he rebels against his game, placing the entire video game and its characters at peril, and meeting Vanellope from “Sugar Rush” along the way!

Through trials and tribulations, the duo becomes inseparable and ultimately work together as a team to resolve and banish the evil.

Following six years after its first movie, WreckIt Ralph 2 explores Ralph and Vanellope’s adventure of the never-before-seen world of the Internet.

Mr. Litwak, the owner of the arcade that Ralph and

By CYNTHIA LIN

to get a glimpse of their seemingly perfect life.

As they gain followers, marketers gain interest and have begun to use these Instagram famous people to become living advertisements and sponsors.

According to Buzzfeed’s website, these “brands have found a new method of direct yet subtle marketing to young, impressionable consumers” through these social media influencers, and they get a good sum of money as well. As reported, these “sponsored posts have made maintaining an Instagram feed a very lucrative job, with some high-profile influencers being paid in the range of $150,000 per post.” Even if they do not have a million followers on the social media app, these micro-influencers can also rack up some money as well. From Forbes’

Staff Writer

There are many Instagram social media influencers. Most of them get sponsors and advertise for products on a decorated Instagram feed. Their seemingly perfect; flawless lifestyle leaves the public in awe. However, how much does it cost to be big on Instagram exactly?

The rapidly growing amount of these social media influencers have probably shown up in your feed. You’ll see them posing with designer handbags against a background of white sand beaches, their hair perfectly curled, their skin sunkissed and glowing. And don’t forget tons of shots of them drinking beautifully decorated lattes! It’s no wonder people follow them

Vanellope reside in, connects a wi-fi router to the arcade games, fundamentally altering the lives of the video game characters as they know it. The purpose of the dynamic duo’s exploration of the World Wide Web is especially treacherous, as the fate of Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush, depends on a replacement part that was lost in the perilous Web. Along the way, Ralph and Vanellope encounter entirely new worlds and characters, such as the trendy algorithm Yesss and C-3PO, R2-D2, and Yoda from Star Wars. The Disney princess lineup will also make an appearance, includ-

ing Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Anna, Queen Elsa, and Moana, all voiced by their original voice actresses. Iron Man and Gamora from Marvel Comics are also set to have a cameo as well.

Director Rich Moore had previously announced his big plans for Wreck-It Ralph back in 2012, stating that a sequel was inevitable since Disney has “barely scratched the surface of the video game world [they had] envisioned.” Coming to theaters in 2D, 3D, and IMAX, Wreck-It Ralph 2 is definitely a movie that you will not want to miss!

website, “An Instagram user with 100,000 followers can command $5,000 for a post made in partnership with a company or brand”.

However, being a social media influencer on Instagram isn’t all sunshine and rainbows either. According to influencer Mary Gui, a 28-year-old fashion blogger with 50,000 followers, it takes almost two hours to edit one photo to post. It also takes her another hour to write the blog post. Gui states that she looks through anywhere from 300 to 400 photos taken for one outfit and edits them using her computer and then her phone to add filters and more. According to her, she did not make much money at all in the beginning. In fact, she states that she “was using $2,000–$3,000 of [her] savings per month, and was only making $50 to $100

per post.” Furthermore, she believes that this influential job doesn’t cover her living expenses or bills either. However, she believes that times have gotten much better as the amount of money she charges per post increases with each follower she gains. Yet Gui states that “it’s hard because it’s not consistent. One month you get a couple of high-paying brand collaborations, and the next month, none. And you might not receive the payment until 30 days later.” From the accounts of a real-life “Insta-famous” fashion blogger, we can see that although it seems to be a good job, there are struggles as well.

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CALENDAR

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March 2018

By CRYSTAL CHIN

Staff Writer

On Mar. 20, the world celebrated the International Day of Happiness. This day reinforces the importance of being happy and spreading happiness through one’s surroundings. The International Day of Happiness website shares many projects that people from all over the globe have participated in annually during the occasion. In 2013, people recognized those who made their communities happier places. The year after, people displayed pictures of themselves being genuinely happy. Then in 2015, everyone focused on their personal relationships. Thanks to these projects, the world is slowly becoming a happier place. The website also has a tab to advocate 10 different essentials to become a happier person. With the acronym G.R.E.A.T.D.R.E.A.M, the International Day of Happiness website promotes giving, relating, exercising, awareness, trying out, direction, resilience, emotions, acceptance, and meaning.

REVIEW

By CAITLIN WANG

21

Staff Writer

There’s officially a new hangout place in town! ShareTea is a boba shop that has just opened another location about a block away from AHS. Here’s my take on the much-hyped boba shop.

Vividly, I remember walking into the crowded shop and being greeted by a few friendly voices. I immediately felt more welcomed. That day, they were having their pre-opening promotion where all drinks were free, but tips were allowed. I browsed through the menu and didn’t see the drink I was looking for: peach green tea. So, I opted for the regular milk tea with boba and a passion fruit green tea. I was disappointed that they didn’t have a few popular flavors, but I figured the drinks I ordered would still be delicious. Expecting to wait for 30 minutes at least, I ended up getting my drinks within 15 minutes. I was surprised, considering the number of people crowded in the shop. I was also surprised because many of my friends from school had complained about how long they had to wait for their drinks, ranging from an hour and 25 minutes to more.

Overall, my drink was everything I expected it to be, and I had high expectations. The classic milk tea wasn’t watery like some I’ve tasted in the past. The boba in both the drinks I ordered was very chewy, but not too hard. Overall, the boba wasn’t as good as Tpumps, another popular boba shop, but not far behind. Also, the passion fruit green tea was a lot better than the milk tea. The aftertaste was like the classic sweet green tea which I really loved.

Even after the promotion ended, I went back to ShareTea. I couldn’t resist. Besides, it was so close to practically everywhere I went on the weekdays. This time around, I decided to try the Strawberry Black tea with boba. Originally, I wanted to get something Passion Fruit related, but it turns out, they ran out of the syrup for the flavor. Although I was a bit disappointed, I couldn’t blame them because of the number of customers they had over the past week. My friends from school also said they run out of boba when they get extra busy.

But, it was fine because the drink was still delicious, but a little too sweet. I was still glad I tried a new flavor, though.

Share Tea has become one of my favorite boba spots in Arcadia. I can see it becoming a new hangout spot for high school students. The few times I’ve gone, I’ve always seen many familiar faces which is quite reassuring. With everything about the place being considered, so far, I’m giving it a four out of five stars.

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G - Giving: Something as small as giving advice and reaching out to others can make a person feel much happier.

R - Relating: Much like the G in “GREAT DREAM”, relating by connecting with the people in one’s surroundings can make one feel happier knowing that he/she belongs in a comforting environment.

E - Exercising: Just getting out for an hour a day can make one feel lighter and joyful as one carries on with their day.

A - Awareness: Paying attention to not just one’s self but to the world, nature, and people around them, can make someone feel more in touch with everything around them.

T - Trying out: Beginning something new and possibly enjoying it can lead to overwhelming happiness as one finds a new hobby or activity that one likes to do.

D - Direction: Setting goals to look forward to and to work hard for causes anyone to become more determined and excited to see through to their goals.

R - Resilience: Life can get people down, but knowing how to bounce back and seize the day can cause more satisfaction and happiness knowing that they can stand independently.

E - Emotions: Maintaining positive emotions throughout the day can lead to a happier life A - Acceptance: Not everything goes the way one wants it to go, but accepting what comes one’s way can lead to higher levels of understanding and bliss.

M - Meaning: By taking part of something huge such as donating or volunteering, people can feel more fulfilled with their lives and become more content.

By making the effort to achieve most, if not all, of these keys to happiness, one can achieve satisfaction easier in life, the main purpose behind March 20. In essence, celebrating International Day of Happiness can bring meaning into everyone’s lives by reinforcing positive messages and advice resulting in happier people.

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22

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March 2018

By JUSTIN CUN Staff Writer

Traditionally held on Mar. 2, Read Across America is a celebration of the treasures of reading. It is no coincidence that Mar. 2 is also the birthday of the beloved children’s author, Dr. Seuss. The purpose of Read Across America is to motivate children, students, and adults to become lifelong readers. Here in Arcadia, elementary schools, including Holly Avenue and Hugo Reid, held a Read Across America Week from Mar. 5 to Mar. 9 with some members of AHS’ Senior Men and Women.

However, whether you’re a senior or a freshman, reading is a timeless pastime for all of us. As Dr. Seuss once put it, “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go!”

“My favorite book is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, because it dives into the dynamics surrounding a group of people and the labels we put on each other.”

—Nicole Cao, 11

“I would have to say my favorite book is The Comprehensive ENFP Survival Guide because I myself am classified as an ENFP personality type and helps me understand myself.”

—Darius Jing, 12 Graphic courtesy of IMAGES.TEMPLATE.NET Photos by KRISTEN CHAN