December 2017

Volume 65, Issue 4

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

THE APACHE

The World Is Our Campus

Letter from the Editors The holiday season is fast approaching, and we want to wish you all a holly jolly good time this winter break! Hopefully, you can recharge with not just a blissful cup of hot cocoa (or PSL, should you choose to pick your poison), but our December issue as well.

Amber, Kaitlyn, and Julia

AHS OPENS DOORS TO HOPE: Organizations such as SMW, Orchesis, and Students Promoting Literacy exemplify the giving spirit of Arcadians.

By NATALIE SAMADI AND CHRISTIE WANG Staff Writers

Although holiday festive cheer is certainly in the air, some time should be taken to recognize how fortunate we are. From a book drive to an annual blood drive, students all over the campus are doing just that by giving back to their community and providing for those in need.

For several years, SMW has been hosting its annual canned food drive. Senior Jennifer Wang explains that “giving back to

the community is important because even if we may not realize it, the community has shaped who we are,” and “there are many less fortunate people in our community and we must show our gratitude by giving back.”

One of AHS’ clubs, Girl Up, has been influencing greater change through their recent school supplies drive as well. Junior Sarah Street reveals that they were able to

“supply about 300 girls in third world countries with pencil pouches” while senior Erin Wong believes that “with the school supplies, they [girls] can be better equipped to succeed in school.” With countries that lack gender equality and female empowerment, Girl Up helps girls from all over the world stay confident as they take another step forward into their promising futures.

The Ed Schreiner Memorial Toy and Jacket Drive, hosted by SCAC, helped the White Mountain Apaches in Arizona. Junior Estelle Hooper also explains that the organization “advertised the drive to all AUSD

“It might not mean a whole lot to my

Photo courtesy of OSXDAILY.COM

NEWS pg. 3 A Bug in the Apple: MacOS High Sierra’s bug allows users to gain restricted access to computers.

schools whose families have thankfully donated several toys, kitchen appliances, books, and clothes.” Thanks to SCAC’s efforts, the White Mountain Apaches “will be able to enjoy the holiday season a little more extravagantly.”

For the first time ever, the Students Promoting Literacy club hosted a book drive, collecting books for the Violence Intervention Program in Los Angeles, whose goal is to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Junior Matthew Lu says the club “donated to this organization hoping that the victims would enjoy some new books to read and to do some good in the community.”

Orchesis Dance Company also made its contribution through its annual Charity Show. Junior Kanchan Kaur explains that the company “believes that the ALS Association is a great cause to donate to because they intend on raising awareness while also finding a cure to help patients who are diagnosed.” Senior Allison Hart says Orchesis “prepared five dances for the show, including two intermediate classes and three beginning levels.” Local dance teams were also involved, including Junior Hit List and Evoke Dance Company.

Blood may be a fear to many, but SMW members aren’t hesitant to donate their blood. Senior Grace Kim states that “every donation can save up to three people” and donors “are able to help many people who are in need of blood such as leukemia victims, surgery patients, or people with blood deficiencies.”

Instead of wishing for that new gadget to appear under your tree this Christmas, inspire to help and donate to someone in need.

Take it from our fellow Arcadians: one small action can impact the lives of many in wonderful ways. nsamadi@apachepowwow.net cwang@apachepowwow.net Photos courtesy of AUSD FACEBOOK Graphic by KAITLYN LIAO

Also in this issue:

OPINION pg. 4 Christmas Memories: Holidays bring families together—even those separated by oceans. cousins, because they live much closer to our grandparents and have more opportunities to taste our grandmother’s cooking, or my brother, who will eat anything and everything containing a substantial amount of salt, but to me, my grandmother’s cooking has the distinct taste of home.”

December 2017

Photo courtesy of SKYSCRAPERCITY.COM

FEATURES pg. 7 Reach For the Skies: The development of a new skyscraper in Vietnam brings opportunities for social and environmental change.

STUDENT LIFE pg. 8-9 Library Etiquette: Shhh! In the library, follow these rules for respectful behavior.

PERFORMING ARTS pg. 14-15 Music Makes Miracles: The AHS club held a successful concert on Dec. 1, sharing its musical passion with all.

SPORTS pg. 16-17 Derek Jing: Arcadia’s own Derek Jing juggles academics, athletics, and even business, catching Yale’s attention.

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NEWS

theapachepowwow.net

December 2017

By MICHELLE LEE Staff Writer

Like many other things, the speed of Earth’s rotation follows a cycle that repeats every few decades, constantly speeding up and slowing down. Although we will never feel the difference in these fluctuations, each only affecting the length of a day by a few milliseconds, we will definitely see in the results of these changes in the form of severe earthquakes. Scientists predict that the cyclical decrease in Earth’s rotation speed could lead to an increased amount of intense earthquakes, especially around densely populated areas near the equator.

“The correlation between Earth’s rotation and earthquake activity is strong and suggests there is going to be an increase in numbers of intense earthquakes next year,” said Robert Bilham of the University of Colorado.

Looking at earthquakes over the magnitude of 7.0 since 1900, there was a significantly higher number of large earthquakes in five periods compared to other times. “In these periods, there were between 25 to 30 intense earthquakes a year,” said Bilham. “The rest of the time the average figure was around 15 major earthquakes a year.”Researchers have found a correlation between the breakout of intense periods of earthquakes and the periodic slowing of Earth’s rotations. The technology present today was able to help scientists discover the precise measurements. “The rotation of the Earth does change slightly – by a millisecond a day sometimes – and that can be measured very accurately by atomic clocks,” said Bilham.

Over the past hundred years, scientists have found several five-year periods when Earth’s rotation slowed down. Earth began one of its periodic slowdowns more than four years ago. Scientists have concluded that the period is drawing to its end, which will be followed by intense seismic activity. “Next year we should see a significant increase in numbers of severe earthquakes. We have had it easy this year. So far we have only had about six severe earthquakes. We could easily have 20 a year starting in 2018,” said Bilham.

It is often difficult to determine where exactly these earthquakes will hit. Although trends in the past have shown that they usually gather around the equator, there are anomalies that make it difficult to reach a precise conclusion. One thing for sure is that there will mostly be a significant increase in severe earthquakes starting next year.

There plenty of ways to prepare yourself for earthquakes. First and foremost, make sure to secure all items that could fall or cause injuries for example, book shelves, light fixtures, and computers. Minimizing the risks of getting injured by falling items is crucial to protecting yourself during an earthquake. Next, be sure to gather and store emergency supplies and documents. In an event of an earthquake, there is a chance that supplies, such as food, water, and medicine, will be cut off from your immediate vicinity. Storing supplies will keep you prepared until help arrives. Finally, make sure that there is a way for you to stay in contact with your friends and family. Earthquakes can separate you from the people around you. Work out an emergency plan so you can regroup once it is safe. The increase of earthquakes will not be a problem as long as we are prepared for what is to come. mlee@apachepowwow.net

Photo courtesy of THECONVERSATIONALITY.COM

By CHRISTINE LAW

Staff Writer

On Nov. 26, Meredith Corporation closed a deal to acquire Time Inc., a company that publishes amagazines such as Time, Sports Illustrated, People, InStyle, Fortune, and more. This unexpected sale agreement is valued at almost $3 billion, and Meredith Corporation will pay $18.50 per share for Time Inc.’s shares, which amounts to almost $100 million. In order to finalize this deal, Meredith Corporation, a publishing company that produces many well-known magazines such as Allrecipes, Better Homes and Gardens, Shape, and more, combined efforts with billionaire brothers Charles G. Koch and David H. Koch, who contributed about $650 million. The Koch brothers are reputable for using their fortunes to promote their own political causes as they have funded many conservative and libertarian political organizations in the past. With this new transfer of ownership, Time Inc.’s future is unclear to many.

Founded by Edwin Thomas Meredith in 1902, Meredith Corporation published its first magazine called Successful Farming. This launched the corporation, and 20 years later, it produced a magazine called Fruit, Garden and Home, which was later renamed into what it is better known as now: Better Homes and Gardens. As many decades passed, Meredith Corporation mainly published magazines directed toward Middle America. Its audience of suburban families and women differs from Time Inc.’s more diverse audience. The expansion of Meredith Corporation’s audience through the Time Inc. acquisition is a main factor from the deal that works to benefit it.

Time Inc. garnered its audience through the publications of over 100 magazines ranging from topics like sports to entertainment to travel. Founded on Nov. 28, 1922 by Henry Luce and Briton Hadden, this New York City-based corporation gained millions of consumers with its print and, later, digital magazine issues. However, the switch from one media method to the other attributed to the gradual decline and accumulation of debt for Time Inc. As a result of its debt of about $960 million, Time Inc.’s revenue and net income has been declining ever since.

In 2013, Meredith Corporation attempted to purchase Time Inc., but the transaction did not finalize because of its unwillingness to acquire several of Time Inc.’s magazines. It also attempted to buy Time Inc. earlier this year, but it did not have enough funds to do so. However, with the help of the Koch brothers, it finalized the acquisition in November, which was “a transformative transaction for Meredith Corporation,” as noted by Meredith Corporation’s President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Harty. Meredith Corporation’s chief executive Stephen Lacy also noted, “We are creating a premier media company serving nearly 200 million American consumers across industry-leading digital, television, print, video, mobile and social platforms positioned for growth,” explaining the possible direction that the corporation will be heading toward. The acquisition of Time Inc. also marks an uncertainty in the future of Time Inc.’s magazines and its content. As of now, audiences of both media companies can only speculate over possible changes to come. claw@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of TIMESMAGAZINE.COM

December 2017

NEWS

powwownews@gmail.com

By KAITLYN TRAN Staff Writer

The MacOS High Sierra is the 14th operating system for Macintosh computers, made by Apple. It was released on Sept. 25, and had a good three months of no major problems until just recently. A bug was discovered by Lemi Ergin, a Turkish developer, who found a way to get into computers with MacOS High Sierra without a password.

Ergin had figured out that if you put in the word “root” into the username, and hit “enter” a few times, you would be able to gain restricted access to the computer. After exposing this terrible secret to the world, Ergin was criticized. He was supposed to abide by dis-

closure guidelines that security professionals follow.

Guidelines state that companies must be notified about the flaw that they have inside of their products so that they can fix the problem. The British Broadcasting Corportaion had tried to contact Ergin about it, but he has not responded to them. When Apple was questioned, it would not confirm or deny whether it had known the flaw before it became public.

When you hack into the computers, there is so much more that one can do compared to a regular user, such as “read and write the files of other accounts on the same machine.” Another is that you could delete crucial system files, which in turn would make the computer useless. Lastly, you could install malware that regular security software cannot detect. Luckily though, the bug cannot be accessed unless there is a person who is physically using the computer. Other than that, it is safe and cannot be exploited remotely.

But if remote access has been granted to the computer when offering tech support, the flaw can be used with the connection.

Now that the bug has been made aware to the world, Apple is having a major issue. They must find a fix before the bug is used by criminals. “‘They will need to be careful the path doesn’t introduce some other problems as they’ve not had time to properly test it,’” said Professor Alan Woodward from the University of Surrey. While Apple is working on a fix for the bug, they have given alternate protection. One example is to give a password to the root username. This is said to prevent unauthorized access to those with a Mac. “To enable the Root User and set a password, please follow the instructions here: https://support. apple.com/en-us/HT204012. If a Root User is already enabled, to ensure a blank password is not set, please follow the instructions from the ‘Change the root password’ section,” said Apple. In the end, everyone is advising that Mac owners keep their Mac always in sight and quickly update the system when Apple releases it. ktran@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of APPLE.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 Editors Webmaster Design Editors

Opinion Staff

Performing Arts Staff

Student Life Staff

Features Staff

Academics Staff

Staff Writer

Last June, the world was shocked when Britain decided to withdraw from the European Union (EU), a move dubbed “Brexit.” Newspapers across England either rejoiced or proclaimed the fall of the kingdom.

Since then, Britain and the remaining EU nations continue to negotiate the “divorce”, focusing on border issues and citizens’ rights. However, Ireland has some extra problems to deal with as it favors remaining in the EU, yet is reliant on the United Kingdom (UK); the region known as Northern Ireland is ruled by the UK. Thus, this forces Britain to not only broker a deal with the rest of Europe, but also contend with the Irish demands as well.

One of the main points of contention is that of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Should Britain leave the EU, they would adopt a hard border, which would be guarded more heavily and have more requirements to pass through. Since Britain is Ireland’s closest neighbor, the Irish are strongly opposed to a hard border, at least on their end. They claim it would hinder trade between the two areas. Furthermore, tourism would be made much more difficult, as a hard border would likely require stricter customs rules and more documentation.

In addition, many services are split between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Some have referred to joint initiatives, one of the most prominent being healthcare. Currently, medication and health services can be accessed on both sides of the border regardless of which side the patient is actually from. A hard border would not allow this, and will almost certainly make it more difficult for some to get much-needed help or meds. In addition, the Republic and Northern Ireland have better communication not only in politics, but culturally and socially as well, with an open border. The creation of a hard border would likely split this cohesion as well as make it more difficult for the two sides to cooperate when it comes to issues affecting the entire Irish island as a whole, such as when it comes to disease and trade. Britain leaving the EU would also withdraw them from Europe’s shared market, which would mean European goods moving into Britain would carry customs tax, something that a NPR article claims the Irish would be tasked with collecting.

As of now, Ireland is not budging from their demands and Britain has its hands full juggling the needs of themselves and two other entities. With such disputes cropping up so early, it’s difficult to say how successful future Brexit talks will be. ctse@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of SIMBI.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 and Ellie Lee Elyse Yao Sandi Khine and Christy Qiu

Writers News Staff

Sports Staff

By CINDY TSE

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Calendar Staff

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 Sage Guzman, Martha Kelley, Kaitlin Lee, Michelle Lee, Tanya Lee, Margaret Lin, Kayli Mak, Noelle Natividad, Rukan Saif, Natalie Samadi, Nicole Soong, 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, 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 PINTEREST.COM

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OPINION

theapachepowwow.net

Christmas Memories

By MARGARET LIN

Staff Writer

Family bonding is difficult when 95% of your family lives overseas and the few relatives who do live in the U.S. are scattered across California and are almost always busy, which is why most of my memories of family bonding take place during winter break, or more specifically, Christmas.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, my grandparents would fly across the Pacific Ocean with my aunts, uncles, and younger cousins in tow because the children would also be on their winter break.

As most offices are closed on Christmas Day, my parents, my brother, and I had no places to go to or any pressing matters to take care of. Seeing as everyone was gathered in one place, there really was no excuse for our family not to gather together on Christmas.

Hands down, my favorite memories of Christmas are of my grandmother’s cooking. It might not mean a whole lot to my cousins, because they live much closer to our grandparents and have more opportunities to taste our grandmother’s cooking, or my brother, who will eat anything and everything containing a substantial amount of salt, but to me, my grandmother’s cooking has the distinct taste of home. It evokes memories of the loud, unruly meals with much chatter and laughter we would have whenever we visited Taiwan. Our normal meals, somber and silent, save for the clinking of chopsticks against bowls, pale in comparison. It would not be an exaggeration to say that my grandmother’s cooking is the glue that holds our family together.

Oddly enough, some of my Christmas memories include trips to beaches and piers, despite it being the middle of winter. One year, we all drove out to Redondo Beach Pier and just strolled along the pier, stopping where there was something interesting and continuing on when there wasn’t. My uncles fished out their wallets and paid two dollars for a vendor to crack open an oyster with a pearl inside for the amusement of the children. My grandfather, on the other hand, watched in fascination as amateur fishermen pulled up fish after fish from the ocean. My grandmother and my aunts disappeared to the opposite side of the pier, choosing crabs for dinner. My cousins, being overly energetic little boys, romped along the sandy beach and made a gritty mess of their clothes and shoes.

Despite the tradition of exchanging gifts with friends and family on Christmas, gift giving isn’t big in our family. Simply being gathered in one place and having fun together is enough for all of us. No gift could be of more value than the memories that we make together and share as a family.

Now that my cousins are older and have less time to visit us and vice versa, we don’t have as much opportunity to come together for Christmas. However, the memories we’ve made together will be remembered and cherished forever. Thus, even if we’re separated by land and sea, the Christmas memories we’ve made will continue to bind us together as a family. mlin@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of VECTEEZY.COM

By KAYLI MAK Staff Writer

Hiss. The metro doors opened, the female voice greeted the new passengers, and the doors hissed closed again. I looked around. The seats around me were mostly empty, excluding the three classmates who were accompanying me on my class-required journey to Little Tokyo. I don’t remember much about the train itself, except that I could see Arcadia sort of whoosh by in the part of the window that wasn’t blocked by my seat partner’s head. Also, it smelled slightly of human sweat.

Every couple of minutes, the doors would make their signature hissing sound, and a few people would crowd in, often fighting against the people trying to escape. They were all strangers.

I didn’t know them, and I didn’t know their stories. They were just people whom I’d randomly crossed paths with. It’s a very common situation outside the little community of AHS. Yet, I found myself fascinated while observing their actions. A couple of women sitting in the back of the car were plotting revenge on some poor soul named Monte. Two men held hands and philosophically discussed the beauty and importance of Snapchat filters. One man spent the entirety of his ten minute trip watching a YouTube video and laughing so hard that he looked as if he were sobbing. At one particularly strange stop, I watched in delighted horror as one man Naruto-ran out of the train.

December 2017

By NOELLE NATIVIDAD Staff Writer

There is pen and page, Ink and letters, Soul interlaces itself between the lined pages of an old leatherbound journal.

Immortalized.

It is, In and of itself, A creation, A pillar of self-expression that dips into infinity.

You take the pen in hand, And begin your metamorphic stage, Of greatness and transformation.

You become an author, Of the limitless numeration of stories that human hearts were made to tell.

Because it was determined before, You were destined, To be heard.

As something unfurled within your chest, A voice unable to be silenced, Someone longed for its comfort.

For what your lips could not tell,

Your hands, ten fingers, Spill every lingering message out onto page.

You do not bear the weight of 1,000 words, They are safely kept.

There is little toil in writing without restraint, Unadultered emotion and fearless possibility stir Only freedom.

In fracturing your consciousness, You find who lays beneath.

A human skin encased in the armor of language, Of identity, And soulful presence.

That is why I write.

To free my soul.

nnatividad@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of DAFONT.COM and VECTEEZY.COM

My group and I were on the metro for a while, so we ended up seeing quite a few faces. The doors would open with their customary dramatic whoosh, letting new people in and releasing a few others into the wild, never to be seen again. Of course, there was one exception. On our return trip, we happened to reunite with a family that had also been on our first ride. Unfortunately, that was a bit of an anomaly. When seen as part of the big picture, that’s life. The metro, really, is a microcosm of life.

A person’s life moves along at a surprisingly fast pace. That’s what keeps it exciting. However, along the way, other people come into the picture. You meet them, you see what they do, and then, before you realize what’s happening, they’re gone. Your lives may cross paths again, but more likely than not, they won’t. In fact, the most likely scenario is that you’ll never see each other again.

Experiences are the same way: you encounter something, feel whatever it is that you feel, and the moment disappears, leaving only the memory. Life is a sum of the experiences and the people.

When both parts are added together, the whole is fleeting. Everything has the potential to be gone in the blink of an eye, so enjoy it, before the doors hiss open and it Naruto-runs away. kmak@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of DAFONT.COM and VECTEEZY.COM

December 2017

theopinionsection@gmail.com

Race: A Social Construct

OPINION

By KAITLIN LEE

5 Staff Writer

If you were to ask me who is the best comedian today, I would say...Kate McKinnon. However, if you asked me who the most interesting comedian was, I would say Trevor Noah. I was first introduced to Noah when he took over The Daily Show from Jon Stewart. I was charmed by his quirky humor and his adorable South African accent. When I picked up his autobiography Born a Crime, my appreciation for him grew.

Born a Crime is, firstly, really funny—I busted a gut laughing from the first chapter. But it’s also insightful on Noah’s beliefs regarding race. You see, Noah grew up in post-apartheid South Africa, where he didn’t really fit in because he was a light-skinned child with a black mother and a white father. Because of his childhood, he formed a strong opinion on race. Throughout the book, Noah affirms that “race is a social construct.”

At first, I did not agree with him at all. Race is undeniable. Every child learns that you cannot change the color of your skin, and you cannot change who you are. So, how could race be a “social construct” when you truly can’t manipulate it in any different way?

However, to Noah, race isn’t a concept based on the color of your skin. It’s a concept based on categorizing people in a way so it’s easier to control them. As Noah says, “One of the easiest ways to control human beings is to convince them that they are different... and separate them into groups that now spend more time trying to fight each other than realizing that they all share a common goal.”

When he said it this way, I began to understand his point. I grew up in an environment where I couldn’t understand race like he did—I was an East Asian American in a city where that was the majority. To me, the struggle for racial equality ended when Martin Luther King, Jr. ended segregation. Racism was a thing of the distant past, since I never personally experienced any prejudice for my race.

However, the struggle hasn’t ended at all. With our current political environment, racial minorities are being blamed for issues that they can’t control nor fix on their own. African Americans are blamed for crime and gang violence in cities like Brooklyn or Compton.

Middle Eastern Americans, especially those of the Islamic faith, are blamed for terrorism. Latinos are blamed for drugs entering the country. However, these issues are much more complex than race, as anyone is capable of doing horrendous acts. Racial discrimination is just a way to find a scapegoat and to avoid finding an actual answer to these issues.

But this blows up in our faces when innocent minority Americans are mistreated because of stereotypes they cannot control. On the extreme end of this spectrum, they are murdered for crimes they did not commit. For instance, two Indian Americans were shot dead based on the color of their skin in Kansas earlier this year. On a less extreme end, they are persecuted and must work harder in order to be on the same level as white people when it comes to job opportunities and higher incomes. For instance, African Americans are often discriminated against in the workforce because their names sound “black”. This causes more conflict, as the divide between minorities and white people grows beyond their skin color. Their economical and cultural background plays a part as well, and people become more comfortable just sticking to their group, creating a further divide. Because of this, there’s a lesser chance for an actual conversation.

These racial divides among the American people are going to become wider if we do not realize that the promotion of the concept of race is just a way to control society. Because of race, people are thrown under the bus when horrendous actions and misconceptions caused by race lead to fear, thus making it easier to convince Americans that a certain race or ethnic group are dangerous, and easier to justify horrendous acts, like the Japanese internment camps and the Holocaust. This social construct is a cage, trapping people by fear or prejudice.

So, is there any hope? I think so. We need more conversation between races. We need people of different backgrounds to meet and discuss and befriend each other. There should be more diverse voices to speak and to knock down the ideas we have about race and skin color. And it can start at AHS. We students can befriend people of different races, encourage more education about racial prejudice, and make sure that we don’t continue prejudice. Yes, race is undeniable and we can’t change the color of skin, but we sure can change how we interact with each other. Like Trevor Noah once said, “My color didn’t change. But I could change your perception of my color.” klee@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of GREENWALDLLP.COM

freed by Forgiveness

By NATALIE SAMADI

Staff Writer

One major life lesson I’ve learned over the years is the importance of forgiveness. Although it may be hard to do, forgiveness is crucial and should be something that everyone does. From disagreements between friends to beating yourself up over a bad test grade, forgiveness helps us cope with harsh realities and relieves us from those pesky thoughts that keep us awake at night.

I cannot remember the last time forgiveness failed me. A few years ago, I was angry—practically livid— at a friend for spilling a secret of mine. Things became uncomfortably tense because I felt incredibly betrayed by my friend. Soon after, I realized how exhausting it was to have grudges against others and how it took a toll on my mood each day to be frustrated over petty things. As a result, my friend and I worked things out, and I let go of the hard feelings against her. I definitely did not condone her behavior, but by forgiving her, I was able to free myself from the trap of negativity that held me back and could now focus on better thoughts.

In addition to forgiving others, we should remember to forgive ourselves as well. Whenever I know that I did poorly on a test, even before receiving it back, there’s always a clump of disappointment that settles in my stomach. Each time we scold ourselves over a poor test grade, not winning a basketball game, or making careless mistakes, we are endlessly tiring ourselves out by keeping that resentment bottled up inside. Instead of drowning in negativity and dissatisfaction, forgiving yourself is the better route to happiness.

As time progresses, we eventually forget about those tumultuous situations we once took to heart, so why bother holding onto those situations all? Everyone makes mistakes and has regrets, but forgiveness is an active choice that we can all make. It is always easier to hold a grudge against someone and harder to forgive.

Nonetheless, letting go of something that has troubled you results in peace and satisfaction. nsamadi@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of TUMBLR.COM

6

FEATURES

theapachepowwow.net

By NATALIE SAMADI

Staff Writer

Your eyes may be the window to your soul, but did you know that our palms tell us many interesting about ourselves? Of course, not everyone believes in palmistry, but some believe that our palms reveal a lot of valuable information about us; from how many children we may have in the future to how long you may live, this article will help you read your palm.

First, look at the palm of your dominant hand. The top fold that sits closest between your index finger and thumb, or the head line, determines the length of your life. The closer it is to your wrist, the longer your life will be. If your line is steep and straight, it represents a smooth sailing life and if your line is curved, then it represents hardships that you will overcome. Other information it may provide is a person’s love for consciousness and knowledge, and organization.

The next significant line on your palm is your fate line. It sits vertically in the middle of your palm and may be relatively lighter than the rest of the lines. The longer your fate line is, the more fate has played a role in your life. If it is shorter, it shows the unimportance of fate in your life. Your fate line can also indicate how much luck has played a factor in your life and if you will pursue your dream job in the future.

Your children lines are located on the side of your palm. Clench your hand into a fist and count the amount of folds located near your pinky. The number of folds there represent the number of children you may have in the future. Additionally, the depth of the lines give the gender of your future children. Deeper lines represent sons while

lighter lines represent daughters.

Your heart line, or the top line that begins on the other side of your thumb, represents your love life. The longer it is, the more compatible you are with others in relationships and at certain times—friendships. If your heart line is curved, it means that you are good at rousing up a conversation and are a very sociable person. If it is straight, it means that you are more introverted and enjoy keeping to yourself.

Other miscellaneous lines on your hand represent other topics, such as how successful you may be in the future, how often you may travel, and how your health will change throughout the years. For instance, the longer your health line is, you may encounter less health related problems in the future and if it is shorter, you may have some complications down the road. Hopefully, you learned something about yourself from your palms!

nsamadi@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM and 1001FONTS.COM

By KOBE YU

Staff Writer

Gasoline-powered vehicles have dominated transportation for the past century. However, driving an electric-powered car may be beneficial for the environment and your wallet. The first electric car was invented in the early 17th century, but since then, electric cars have been improving and may soon dominate the car market.

Electric cars are no-emission vehicles, meaning that they do not emit toxic chemicals into the atmosphere because they run on a clean energy source. Equally as important is the way you get the electricity to charge your car. It is crucial that the electricity is produced by renewable energy technologies like solar panels and windmills to get the most environmentally impactful effect of having an electric vehicle. Most of the U.S.’s electricity is made by coal power plants, which emit carbon dioxide (a significant greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming). Electric cars may seem favorable to an environmentalist, but they are equally as useful to people with low salaries.

The biggest economic benefit of having an electric car is, of course, the unnecessary need for gas. On average, driving an electric car can save the driver up to $2,135 annually, which is a significant amount, considering Americans spend up to $4,000 on gas annually. In addition, electric cars also save money regarding car maintenance. Because electric vehicles are fully electric, they do not use oil to lubricate their engines. As a result, oil changes and other engine repairs are past problems. In the 21st century, electric cars are highly accessible and packed with advanced technology.

Today, many car companies like Toyota and Ford produce electric cars. However, the most popular brand is Tesla. These past few years, Tesla has manufactured many sleek cars with highly advanced technology such as self-driving capabilities. To further expand its reaches, Tesla will soon release an electric race car and an electric truck with never-before-seen features. Since it is so advantageous and accessible, without a doubt, an electric car should be the #1 choice on your list of cars.

kyu@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of AMAZON.COM, BLOGKAADIKEY.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM

December 2017

2017’S HOTTEST TRENDS

By ASHLEY LEE

Staff Writer

As the year comes to a close, we take a look back at all that has made 2017 unique. Old traditions were reintroduced, and new trends were set. According to BuzzFeed, here are some of the most popular trends of 2017!

1. Fidget spinners It’s been quite a year for these spinny figures. These small, ball-bearing devices have been framed as a toy but also serves as a stress-relief tool and helps with attention disorders. They’ve grown immensely in popularity, causing teachers to confiscate them as well as dominating the Amazon markets.

2. Shapeless clothing These have hit the stores, and you find apparel without waistlines in just about any clothing store. They serve to be comfortable outfits and are loose, allowing you to be flexible.

3. Everything marble, rose gold, and millennial pink.

From phone cases to public spaces, clothing to laptop cases, these colors have become the “color of now”. They are widely used, and people find these colors especially attractive, posing next to walls of millennial pink and using marble shaded everything. Maybe we’ll discover new colors in the future and expand on our color spectrum.

4. Oversized glasses These oversized frames come in all shapes and sizes, with an unlimited selection of styles. They have become one of the most popular fashion trends, with many wearing them even if their prescriptions don’t match. Most are recognized as hipster and are essentials to topping off an outfit.

5. Activated charcoal Just when the latest food trend was rainbow, a new color arrived, overriding all colors and darkening the mood. Black colored foods have taken over the Internet, from ice cream cones to hot dogs, hamburger buns to beverages. The activated charcoal, which is the byproduct of burning plant materials such as coconut shells, gives foods a dark color. But don’t worry, the charcoal from coconut is harmless, and it is nothing like consuming burnt or charred food.

alee@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of REDBUBBLE. NET

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December 2017

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SKY FORESTS

By MORIAH CHANG

Staff Writer

The architect behind many of Asia’s most recognizable buildings, Ole Scheeren, has unveiled big plans for a new skyscraper, one he hopes will change the face of Vietnam's largest city, Ho Chi Minh. Featuring an observation deck and an urban garden hundreds of feet from the ground, Scheeren’s latest project will be established in central Ho Chi Minh City.

Having worked in Asia for the past two decades on Asia’s best-known buildings, Scheeren is a well-known architecture. When he was a partner and director of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, he designed landmarks such as Beijing's CCTV Headquarters before choosing to launch his own firm. Upon founding the Büro Ole Scheeren in 2010, the 46-year-old has also completed the MahaNakhon, which is now known as Thailand’s tallest building upon its opening last year. In addition to that, the Interlace in Singapore was named World Building of the Year in 2015.

Named “Empire City”, this skyscraper is part of a new development that could transform the once impoverished District 2, and will mark Schreeren’s first project in Vietnam, a country which he claims to have “incredible energy.” At 333 meters, the Empire 88 Tower, the largest of the three towers will become one of Vietnam’s tallest buildings. While the complex is likely to stand out from its urban surroundings, it was inspired by Vietnam’s geography and is intended to blend in with its tropical environment.

In an interview, Scheeren stated that “We want to make the earth touch the sky and vice versa—to mirror the nature on the ground into the sky and create a very lyrical moment for the moment. We’re looking at developing a very intense network of public spaces—on the ground, via the podium, but also lifting part of this urban energy up in the sky.” Located on a peninsula in the Saigon River, Empire City will accommodate residential, commercial, and public spaces. Current plans also consist of a hotel and working spaces, as well as outdoor areas for socialization and exercise.

One of the design’s most eye-catching features is the so-called “Sky Forest”, which consists of an urban garden protruding from the building’s upper reaches.

The building’s podium, which serves as a base from which its three towers emerge, is expected to host water features and an abundance of plant life. The building also joins a growing list of high-profile “green” projects being announces in Asia. Among these projects is the Italian architect Stefano Boeri’s pollution-eating “Forest City” in southern China. While accepting that the trend is growing, Scheeren said that it's not just a matter of fashion; he looks to create new meaning in Vietnam’s own context.

mchang@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of WALLPAPER.COM

By KAITLIN LEE

DISABLED HEROES

Staff Writer

We all wish to be heroes—like Hercules with his amazing strength or the Flash with his superspeed. But physically, sometimes we can’t keep up with them. Instead of putting ourselves down for not being physically strong, we can look to historical figures who were strong—despite any disabilities they had. Like the Chainsmokers and Coldplay once sang, sometimes you don’t need to be “somebody with some superhuman gifts.” These heroes prove it.

For instance, let’s look at some of the most creative people of all time. Frida Kahlo was an influential Spanish painter, whose life was filled with misfortune. She walked with a limp after she almost died from polio at age eight, and constantly had pain and medical problems after a train accident. Yet, she still painted beautiful and colorful self-portraits and is still praised as a feminist icon. Another artist who is disabled is Stevie Wonder. Shortly after his premature birth, he went blind.

Yet, Wonder became a child prodigy, eventually grew up to make masterpieces like “Superstition”, and still performs to this day. Finally, there’s Marlee Matlin, who has been deaf ever since she was 18-months-old. Despite not being able to hear, she won the 1986 Academy Award for Best Leading Actress for Children of a Lesser God, has won a Golden Globe award, and has been nominated for several Emmys. She’s still acting today on shows like Quantico and Switched at Birth.

Now, let’s learn about heroes who revolutionized how we think and observe the world. One is Stephen Hawking, one of the most well-known theoretical physicists and professors in the world. He has a rare early-onset, slow-progressing form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that paralyzes him. However, he still communicates through a device attached to his wheelchair, and continues to advance what we know about space and the universe itself. Another revolutionizing thinker was John Forbes Nash. He was a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician who made fundamental contributions to game theory, differential geometry, and the study of partial differential equations. He also suffered from schizophrenia, which manifested itself as paranoia, so he needed to be hospitalized. However, he is still remembered as one of the most influential math geniuses in the world, and his work is still used in economics. There is also Bill Gates, who helped revolutionize technology and is one of the richest men in the world. He has suffered from ADHD for his entire life, but continues to help others, even making a foundation to help those with Alzheimer's.

Finally, let’s learn about leaders who led their countries with wisdom and grace, while also having disabilities that didn’t stop them at all. One such leader is the 16th president of the U.S., Abraham Lincoln. It is well-known that Lincoln had an impressive stature, which could be accounted to his Marfan syndrome, a condition that affects the connective tissues in the body and can lead to disproportionate limbs, feet, and hands. However, it’s less known that Lincoln suffered from depression, as he was frequently seen being melancholic, even writing a suicidal poem. Despite his disabilities and mental illness, Lincoln is still seen as one of the greatest and most important presidents in U.S. history. Another leader with a disability is Lenín Moreno, the current president of Ecuador. After a robbery attempt, he was confined to a wheelchair, but continued to become vice president and eventually president of Ecuador, and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his service to people with disabilities. Finally, there’s arguably the most famous leader with a disability: Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The president directed the government through the majority of the Great Depression and also helped lead the country during World War II. During his first term, he contracted polio, which disabled him from the waist down, but that did not stop him from leading his country through its most difficult times.

As you can see, heroes don’t always have superhuman abilities. Sometimes, they are plagued with disabilities that often can affect them greatly. Yet, as these heroes show, strength doesn’t always manifest physically, but from the inside. So, keep your head up, because nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.

klee@apachepowwow.net Photos courtesy of CONTENT.TIME.COM, FRIDAKAHLO.ORG, PINTEREST.COM, and SLASHGEAR.COM

STUDENT LIFE Holiday Snow Sports Destinations

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By BRADEN WONG Staff Writer

While the holiday season’s fun and festivities are just around the corner, with them comes an even greater prospect for those who may be finding California’s relaxing weather a tad too boring: snow sports. Whether it be skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating, there is definitely much excitement to be enjoyed from a wild, enthralling ride as you carve your own path down a mountain slope or ice rink. As always, those who are looking for somewhere to have plenty of fun will not be disappointed as this winter season begins.

For those looking for local destinations to go skiing or snowboarding, the options are plentiful. There are several resorts within a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, including Snow Valley, Big Bear Mountain Resort, and Southern California’s closest resort, Mountain High. All three are great options for those who are looking for single-day snow sporting experiences with plenty of fun and convenience. However, it should be noted that the weather has not been favorable lately, and several of these resorts are projected to have no snow until halfway through December.

If a truly awesome snow sporting experience is desired, slightly farther and more “exotic” destinations can provide truly jaw-dropping snow quality and life-changing experiences. The legendary resort Mammoth Mountain is largely considered California’s best and is located on an enormous lava dome complex with plenty of trails for all types. However, prices are equally as enormous when compared to other resorts. Nevertheless, on the other side of the spectrum, out-of-state options often yield greatly reduced ticket prices (some less than half of comparable California resorts) with insane snow quality. Utah is home to many different destinations, including the popular Brian Head Resort, the quiet and family-friendly Eagle Point, and seven world-class winter resorts within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City! No matter which one you pick, however, there is surely a wonderful experience to be had.

If a more refined experience is desired, ice skating is a perfect blend of the speed and technical difficulty of snow sports, combined with convenience of a 15-minute drive. The local Pasadena Ice Skating Center offers a simple and easy way to rent skates and have a blast on the ice skating rink with little cost and almost no planning required!

With these options for the winter season, there is definitely something for everyone. If you are looking for a wonderful experience this holiday season, give these options a shot! bwong@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of COASTMOUNTAINS.WORDPRESS.COM

Library Etiquette

By CASSIDY CHHAY

Staff Writer

There aren’t many quiet places to work in; that’s why a library is so important. A library is meant to be a quiet place to study, learn, and read. Showing proper manners in libraries can allow everyone to have a pleasant experience. Here are six general rules everyone should follow: Obey the rules. This might seem simple, but some people don’t do it. Usually, there is a sign that is posted to inform everyone what the rules are. For example, at AHS, one rule is that there is no eating and drinking in the library. This rule is repeatedly posted everywhere: on the walls and on the tables. Read the rules and follow them!

Keep the noise down. The library is meant to be a quiet place, so please don’t ruin that. You don’t have to whisper, but please don’t yell; just use your indoor voice. This also means that you shouldn’t blast your music or videos. Get a pair of headphones or earbuds and listen to them so you won’t be disturbing the people around you.

Especially after the implementation of the Study Zone at AHS’ own library, be sure to be quiet!

Don’t hog the equipment. If it is a slow time in the library and there is more equipment than people who need it, use it as long as you need. However, if there is someone who needs it, please finish up what you are doing and let the other person use it. This goes for printers, computers, etc.

Don’t go where you are not supposed to go. This applies to multiple things such as the internet or restricted areas. These are off limits for a reason.

Respect the staff. Many librarians and the library staff will be happy to help you with whatever you need. However, if you are rude or mean, you are just spreading negativity, which is a horrible thing

to do.

Respect the materials. The library’s materials don’t belong to you. You are allowed to use these materials without a cost, so you should treat them kindly. This includes the books, movies, the computers, and DVDs. You should handle them carefully and treat them as your own.

Librarian Ms. Susana Lewis said, “Library etiquette is to be respectful of people working in the library, following the rules, like not eating, not drinking, and being respectful to one another.”

Freshman Fiona King agreed, saying that people should “always be quiet and do what you need to do” and that the people who don’t follow the rules are “very annoying and [that it’s] hard to concentrate” when doing work.

Sophomore Jeffrey Lee said that he “doesn’t think people should play games inside the library” and that “playing video games hampers those who go into the library seeking a quiet place to focus and study. It’s always so distracting.” However, Jeffrey is also “conflicted about who plays games inside the library because [he is] one of those people.”

Freshman Calista Guo thinks that the general library etiquette is “to be respectful [to] others that are working and not be super loud.” When people don’t follow the etiquette she feels “bothered because they aren’t respecting others in a public space [that is] made for people to be productive.” All in all, follow these tips and you’ll have library etiquette! cchhay@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of CLIPARTING.COM and RENEALMANZA.NET

December 2017

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STUDENT LIFE

Depressed? Let’s Talk...

By CYNTHIA

By IAN SUTLIFF LIN Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Often there is stigma around mental health issues, particularly depression. Mental illnesses affect 20% of the population, depression being one of the most common. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It can affect how one may think and behave and can lead to serious consequences. High school is a particular hot spot of depresssion. Therefore, it is essential to look past the stigma of depression and help our peers by raising awareness about it.

Depression is not just “the blues”, and isn’t a sign of personal weakness. Looking for early signs of depression is crucial.

Often times, when people are depressed, they may be isolated from friends and activities that they normally do. Also, they will express a lack of enthusiasm, energy, patience, or motivation. Early signs also include indecision, lack of concentration, and abnormal eating or sleeping patterns. Noticing these warning signs are key to helping and supporting others.

How can you help? To start off, try talking to the person and ask if he or she is okay. This shows that you care about the person, which allows him/her to feel company during his or her time of sorrow. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should “talk to the person about what you’ve noticed and why you’re concerned.” Often times, this will help the person let loose as they talk about their problems. You can also suggest to them to seek help from a professional such as a doctor, counselor, or a therapist.

Another way would be to call a Lifeline for support or an outlet to just release the burden. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

To raise awareness and decrease the stigma around depression, students can explain to others that depression is a medical condition and not a personal flaw or weakness. The stigma of depression is due to the failure of understanding a behavior, appearance, or anything in a way that leads to stereotyping or prejudice. It is often the result when someone is perceived as not being “normal”. According to the National Alliance on Illness, to fight the stigma, you can talk openly on mental health and show compassion for those who suffer from it. Also, you can educate yourself and others on mental health to bring the issue to light.

So if you recognize someone expressing symptoms of depression, please offer your support! clin@apachepowwow.net Graphic courtesy of HARVARDHEALTH.COM

Drink Water to Improve Scores

By JEREMY DU How do you improve test scores? Test taking strategiesfor school and standardized tests are extremely important to students of all ages, teachers, and parents. Many times, people turn to test prep institutions and private tutors, often paying tens, hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars to achieve a high score. But would you believe there is an extremely simple way to improve test scores by an average of nearly 5% and grades by 10% that may cost you only a few cents to a few dollars? Well, according to a 2012 study from the universities of East London and Westminster, the answer lies in staying hydrated.

For the young and old, staying hydrated by drinking enough water is extremely crucial, as water is the most important resource our bodies and brains need in order to function well. Yes, that’s right, staying hydrated can help one’s brain and improve test performance. The 2012 study specified that students who drank water could expect to see grades improved by up to 10% and a score improvement of 4.8% for water-drinking exam candidates. The study also specified that in its testing of 447 psychology students at the University of East London, older students were more likely to bring water into the testing room than younger students were. Dr. Chris Pawson from the University of East London explained that drinking water may have a scientific benefit on students’

Staff Writer

ability to think, which would in turn lead to improved test performance and decreased anxiety, which is important as anxiety is often detrimental to many students’ test-taking skills.

This isn’t the only study that has proved hydration is key. In the May 2011 issue of Nutrients, an article published described four small studies that found that properly hydrated children from 7 to 9-years-old were able to remember better and had longer attention spans. Although these studies based on very young children, the results can apply to all students, including high schoolers. Staying focused and being able to remember things you have studied, such as formulas and concepts, are arguably two of the most important aspects of doing well on tests. Thus, drinking enough water is extremely important.

Students should stay hydrated, not only to improve academic performance and test scores, but also to live safer and healthier lives. Remember to bring water with you whenever you can and to always stay hydrated, especially when taking tests! jdu@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of AMAZON.COM and FREEICONPNG.COM

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CHRISTMAS

By CONNER HUA Staff Writer It’s 9:00 a.m. I rise to a sitting position as I rub the grogginess from my eyes. As my senses slowly fade back in, I realize what day it is: Christmas.

The sound of my family talking intermixes with the crackling of the pan and the sound of cartoons on the TV. I drape a blanket around my shoulder like a king and I walk out to the living room. My little brother has somehow awoken before me and rests on his chair, looking as cozy as ever. At his feet lies a graveyard of wrapping paper and ribbons, a clear indicator that he was eager to uncover his presents. The sound of my mom yelling, “Breakfast’s ready!” echoes through our hallways as my brothers and I prepare to sit down for a Christmas breakfast of bacon, eggs, pancakes, and sausages.

My Christmas traditions for the morning stay pretty much the same year by year: wake up way too late, realize that it’s Christmas, put on my Christmas pants (which are missing its top button for… strategic purposes), and eat breakfast until I realize that I’m slowly becoming overweight.

Christmas is quickly approaching and for the families that celebrate it, so are their Christmas traditions. Most families most likely have their own sets of Christmas traditions, a schedule, a decoration plan, a certain something that comes back each Christmas, making you truly feel that it’s the most wonderful time of the year. A few AHS students share their Christmas traditions. chua@apachepowwow.net

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TRADITIONS

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“Every Christmas, my family and I all get together for a party with a lot of our family friends and celebrate! It always takes a while to prepare enough food for so many people but that’s part of the fun! We also set up a tree and garlands for decoration in the living room with a CD player to blast music throughout the month.” - Tiffany Zhu, 11

“Before Christmas begins, my family and I set up lights in front of our house. We go as a family to Home Depot to pick out a tree and head home to set up the tree. We blast Christmas music and decorate it as a family. We make things such as popcorn strings, and we put up the lights on the tree. On Christmas Eve, we get together with friends and family to prepare dinner for that night. Upon our return home, my family and I bake cookies and pour milk for Santa and prepare sugar and carrots for Rudolph. Before we go to bed, we check Santa tracker on Google Maps and open one present. On Christmas Day, we open the rest.” - Destiny Radle, 9

“Every year, my family and I go to my uncle’s house. We all watch Christmas movies and sing along to the songs while we eat. My grandmother gives us our Christmas presents in stockings. When we are done, she gathers the stockings so that every year she gives them to us again. Christmas morning, my immediate family open presents at 8:00 a.m. sharp. We make hot cocoa with marshmallows and record all the openings.” - Padachalyn Durongdej, 11

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PERFORMING ARTS

By KALI TAM

Staff Writer

Disney On Ice is an ice skating group composed of professional skaters who work hard to bring all of your favorite Disney stories and characters to life in their global performances. The company presents a new production every year, and this year, it will be presenting its featured show, Follow Your Heart.

Follow Your Heart will give audience members a chance to experience the same magical adventures that their beloved princesses, princes, and heroes have all gone through. Dive underwater and join Dory and Hank from Finding Dory as they go on a heartwarming journey to reunite with their family members, travel through the snowy

By MARGARET LIN

Staff Writer

Cirque du Soleil is currently on tour performing its 38th original production, Luzia.

Named after the Spanish words for light (luz) and rain (lluvia), this shimmery show won’t fail to dazzle its audiences. Fun fact: the specially designed white and yellow Big Top is based on the solar system to reflect the importance of space, especially the moon, in the Mexican culture that inspired the show. The main tent depicts the paths of the planets around the moon, while the yellow artistic tent represents the sun.

It even features a newly designed Tapis Rouge tent with glass walls and decorated to fit the Mexican theme.

Under the guidance of founder Guy Laliberté and Creative Guide Jean François Bouchard, the creative team is comprised of 16

mountains with Elsa, Anna, and Olaf from Frozen as they go on a mission to try and retain power over their kingdom, jump inside Riley’s mind and join her emotions—Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Sadness—from Inside Out, as they attempt to lead her through her hardships, and relive the memories of the original Disney Princesses and the rest of their Disney friends as they honor the importance of true friendships, hope, and happy endings.

The theme of Follow Your Heart may not be something that appeals to all audience members though, so if that is the case for you, you can choose to watch one of the other productions that Disney will also be playing!

In Reach for the Stars, one of the five additional productions, spectators will be allowed to venture under the

members and the show has a cast of 44 artists from 15 different countries. Co-written by Julie Hamelin Finzi and director Daniele Finzi Pasca, Luzia is described as a waking dream, where “light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul.” A blend of the traditional and the modern, Luzia cleverly brings the places, faces, and sounds of Mexico to the stage.

Inspired by water and rain, the company’s acrobats, clowns, and gymnasts roll and spin as rain pours down from above and trapeze artists fly and twirl through the sheets of water. The sets are also designed to transition smoothly from an urban setting to the natural world, the past to the present, reinforcing the idea of being in a waking dream. Fascination for the animal world is also evident as the imaginary world of Luzia is populated by a myriad of surrealistic animals. This unique production, featuring larger-than-life props and daring, jaw-dropping

sea with Ariel, sing alongside Mickey Mouse and his clubhouse friends, and join Rapunzel and Belle as they open themselves up to dazzling adventures.

Dare to Dream is based on the dreams of five Disney heroines and displays how their bravery allowed them to reach their ambitions. In this production, you’ll be given the chance to watch Moana as she takes on a mission to save her island, learn about the importance of hope and positivity with Cinderella, and go through adventures with Belle, Anna, and Rapunzel as they learn to discover and define their destinies.

Or, you can journey through the snowy mountains of Arendelle in Disney’s production of Frozen and watch as the story is brought to life by spectacular skating and special effects! This chilly production will guide you to

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be a part of Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven’s magnificent expedition to save their kingdom from the wintery curse that Elsa has accidentally created. This breathtaking show will definitely melt your heart.

Disney On Ice will be traveling around the world to let everyone to experience nights filled with magic and entertainment, and its performances will last up until April! Make sure you don’t let this opportunity skate away from you. Tickets are currently avaliable online, so don’t forget to create some cheerful memorable moments with your friends and family during this holiday season! ktam@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of ETSY.COM and 1001FONTS.COM

acts, is a show unlike any you’ve seen before.

Cirque du Soleil was founded in July 1984 by two street performers, Guy Laliberte and Gilles Ste-Croix. Initially a performing troupe, it gradually redefined itself as a contemporary circus (“nouveau cirque”). Despite its humble beginnings, it expanded rapidly in the 1990s and 2000s, performing in over 271 cities on every single continent except for Antarctica.

The shows generally employ 4000 people from 40 different countries and generates an annual revenue exceeding $810 million. Today, Cirque du Soleil is the largest theatrical producer in the world.

Each show revolves around its own theme and storyline, while blending circus styles from around the world to create an original Cirque du Soleil show. Cirque du Soleil currently has 22 active shows, the oldest being Mystere at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas,

which has been performed since 1993. Other notable shows include Saltimbanco, which ran from 1992 to 2012 and was performed 6,000 times, and Alegria, which has been seen by over 10 million people in the 19 years it has been performed. The company’s creations have received numerous awards and distinctions, including four Primetime Emmy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was also inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame and awarded the National Arts Centre Award, a companion award of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.

Be sure to check out Luzia anytime from Dec. 8 to Jan. 21 at Dodgers Stadium! It’s definitely a show that you don’t want to miss. mlin@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM Graphic courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM

December 2017

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PERFORMING ARTS

By TANYA LEE Staff Writer

When you think of local December concerts, you might think of the Pasadena Symphony’s Holiday Candlelight concert, or even their Holiday Look In Home tour. However, did you know that one of their educational branches also had a concert recently?

Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO) is a music program designed for students ages 11 to 18. It is comprised of four ensembles: String Orchestra, conducted by AHS’ very own Ms. Pin Chen, Wind Ensemble, conducted by Mr. Gary Yearick, Symphony, conducted by Mr. Jack Taylor, and Philharmonic, conducted by Mr. David Cubek. The Philharmonic ensemble performed their Winter Concert on Dec. 3 at Pasadena High School.

The concert’s repertoire consisted of the overture of “La Forza Del Destino” by Giuseppe Verdi, “Romeo and Juliet” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and the Olympia medley by American composer Nathan Wang. The concert also happened to be the first of three that the ensemble will be performing this year. In general, the performers were pretty happy with the performance.

By JASMINE OANG

Staff Writer

On Dec. 1, Music Makes Miracles (MMM) held its Winter Concert at the Lutheran Church of the Cross across the street from AHS. MMM is a music-based charity club that gives back to the community in numerous ways, from hosting concerts raising money for various charity organizations. Not only is it continuously growing, but it is also improving. In the past, it has held its concerts in the Black Box Theatre and donated to the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, and the Sierra Club.

This year, with about 22 of its members performing, the club raised $225, all of which will be donated to Toys for Tots just in time for the holiday season. Toys for Tots is an organization that donates toys to children whose families cannot afford to buy them for the holidays, ensuring that no child ever feels left out. But now, with its growing numbers and support, MMM hopes to move to performing at larger venues, starting with the Lutheran Church of the Cross.

Before the concert, Co-President junior Charlotte Han expressed her fond experiences with the club and said, ¨Our officer team works together to organize the details of upcoming events and find content that is entertaining and teaches the value of music in our lives.” Charlotte, who joined in her freshman year, decided to join because “it was one of the only musicbased clubs on campus,” and she shares a deep connection with music, whom she jokes is her

“I think the overall concert was great,” stated freshman Sydnee Chang. In regards to her personal performance, she added that it “could have been improved if [she] had practiced a bit more throughout the months of rehearsal.”

“The performance went really well. I think the most memorable moment was seeing all the audience members who came to support their students; that was really encouraging. Because there was a larger crowd, we all felt the need to perform really well, and it was this moment when things fell into place because everyone wanted to make beautiful music,” Jireh Deng said. She also stated that her section’s performance “wasn’t perfect, but it was the most in tune [they] had played the whole season.” She added that she thinks “what matters most at the end [is]...that [they] do [their] best and hope for the best because it’s a live performance and things can always go wrong.”

“I think the concert went pretty well because we all worked so hard in order to reach this point. All of the musicians played to the best of their abilities,” Danae Chow stated. In addition she commented that the performance was incredibly cohesive and that in addition to playing well, all of the musicians “had an amazing, fun time creating and playing music

“boyfriend”. She also added, “The idea of combining my favorite passion with such a great cause really excited me, and I’m so glad that I” joined!

Currently, the club has about 30 members who participate in “bi-weekly presentations regarding various aspects of music,” and so far, the club has covered topics like music therapy, music education, and music as a whole, in hopes of spreading the knowledge of music throughout AHS and giving “those who are not in the performing arts an opportunity to share their talents and do good for the community at the same time.” This year is junior Danielle Cipriano’s first year in the club; Danielle, who is also in Chanteurs, sang “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles at the concert. She shared, “I joined the club because I am super passionate about music. This club gives me the opportunity to be surrounded by people who feel the same way, and through MMM, I am able to share my own music with the community.”

The Winter Concert was MMM’s first event this year, but it has a couple of spring charity concerts coming up, so be sure to keep an eye out. If you’re interested in being a part of the magic, you can drop by the Orchestra Room on Thursdays. The club is always welcoming new members! joang@apachepowwow.net Photo courtesy of RONALD LEE Graphic courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM

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together.”

Patill Daghlian stated that, “During the concert, it was pretty stressful trying to balance playing the music perfectly, staying precisely with the baton, and living the music. Nevertheless, the entire concert experience was amazing!”

This performance also gave the ensemble, and conductor, hope for the future. “I’m extremely proud of the PYSO Philharmonic Winter Concert. The young musicians delivered highly convincing and moving performances of very challenging symphonic repertoire. It is very gratifying to see the ensemble grow and actualize its potential over time and I already look forward to our next concert,” Mr. Cubek commented.

If you missed this performance, make sure you check out the ensemble’s upcoming concert in January. You won’t want to miss this opportunity! Congratulations to the PYSO Philharmonic on its spectacular performance, and good luck in all of its future concerts! tlee@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of, ALLACCESS.COM, WINCHESTER.COM, and 1001FONTS.COM

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December Scores

Girls Varsity Basketball Arcadia v. Monrovia (77-16) Arcadia v. Eagle Rock (59-46) Arcadia v. Mira Costa (53-42) Arcadia v. El Rancho (50-44) Arcadia v. Corona Centiennal (49-61) Arcadia v. Charter Oak (70-31) Arcadia v. Bonita (57-38 Arcadia v. Upland (28-46)

By JASMINE OANG Staff Writer

Although the team has only had a few games, Girls Varsity Water Polo is already starting off to a great season this year. Sophomore Yumin Ha mentioned how players have been learning from their mistakes and improving after each game and how the team performed well in its first tournament at Burbank High School on Dec. 2, placing 3rd overall with a record of 2-2 and beating Calabasas High School 7-6 in one of its “most intense” games so far.

On an average day, the team conditions throughout sixth period and works on its offense and defense skills afterwards. To target its weaker points and strengthen its overall technique, the team tries to hold productive practices by going over ball-handling skills, doing shooting drills, and holding scrimmages after school. Through all its hard work, the team focuses on “making switches when needed, making good passes, and being aware of what is going on during the game.” states Yumin. More importantly, all the effort and shared struggle amongst players allow the team to bond over its experiences as a whole, helping strengthen its communication skills as well.

By JUSTIN CHEN Staff Writer

Girls Varsity Soccer Arcadia v. La Salle (2-3) Arcadia v. Glendale (3-2) Arcadia v. La Mirada (0-1) Arcadia v. La Quinta (0-2) Arcadia v. La Canada (2-0) Arcadia v. Hart (0-2)

Graphics courtesy of ALL-FREE-DOWNLOAD.COM and CLIPARTING.COM

Soccer is the true definition of a team sport, as each and every player has a role that is essential for victory. It is a sport that takes immense teamwork, precise accuracy, determination, and hard work. Girls Varsity Soccer fully embodies all of these traits and with new blood on the team, it is looking to reach for greater heights this season.

With the start of the season, the girls have been constantly practicing to prepare for their games.

Senior Stephanie “Chip” Yen said, “We have been practicing a lot of possession, set plays, and shooting drills in practice to prepare for our upcoming games.”

By “possession”, Chip means that the girls have been working hard on their dribbling and passing with the ball. On the other hand, a “set play” is a play that occurs when the soccer ball returns into play after initially being stopped.

An example of a set play would be corner kicks.

Utilizing set plays is key for the team to gain an advantage over other teams as it can mean

December 2017

Even though it did well in its recent tournament, the team has also had its fair share of losses; during its first game against Monrovia

However, this didn’t bring the players’ spirits down because Yumin mentioned how her favorite memories with her team are always the first games of the season since it represents not only the beginning of another year, but also the beginning of more fun adventures with her teammates. This coheasive bond allows the team to work together as one cell and execute maneuvers more effectively.

But, on Nov. 30, the girls played against Hoover High School and Palisades High School (PHS), taking a disappointing defeat from PHS after struggling to regain the lead in another “intense game”, ending with a score of 6-7. Yet, this served as a learning opportunity for everyone, leading the team to realize it needed to “slow things down and make sure everyone is in their position before making passes,” as stated by Yumin. As an effect of both of their losses, players are learning quickly and have incorporated new drills into their daily practice routine with hopes of reaching CIF this year.

Overall, everyone is improving constantly and becoming more attentive towards correcting their mistakes. Good luck Apaches!

High School on Nov. 21, players attempted to put up a fight, but ended up losing 4-11 due to a lack of communication and trouble passing.

joang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

the difference between winning or losing the match.

When asked about the new recruits for the team, Chip noted, “We have a lot of new members on our varsity team this year and that just means that we have to play more and get more game-like experiences working as a team because we need to learn how each other plays.”

If the team is able to synchronize its moves with the new members, then winning the Pacific League should be a piece of cake for Arcadia.

Chip also mentioned that the team’s main strength lies in the fact that the members “are a really tightly bonded team— [they] are all friends on and off the field.”

This strength is essential for any team sport, because the more familiar the players are with one another, the easier it is to play.

Overall, Girls Varsity Soccer is looking stronger than ever, and as Chip said, “Our team goal is to win Pacific League and advance far into CIF.” The girls have been practicing, improving, and giving it their all. We wish you all the best of luck Apaches! jchen@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and LIMIITLESSWALLS.COM

December 2017

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By BRADFORD YAU

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Faculty

Staff Writer

The time for early decision announcements has arrived. Many people are lucky to know that they have been accepted into the college of their choice. However, senior Derek Jing knows that he is going to a place where he is going to run track. That place is Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut and more importantly, a part of the Ivy League. Derek knows that he will be a part of its class of 2022. However, the journey to get to this stage has not been an easy one.

Looking back on these experiences, it’s no surprise that Derek is now a Yale Bulldog.

Looking at some of his accomplishments at AHS, he has been on the Varsity Track team ever since his freshman year, something that few people are able to achieve. His skills have grown so much that he is now the record holder in the long jump department, which is a tremendous feat. He has become an Arcadian legend, and he hasn’t even started his senior season yet.

Though he is an exceptional athlete, his ability to balance his academic studies with his busy schedule is probably his most impressive trait. Bombarded with a heavy workload that has consisted of 9 AP’s throughout his entire high school career, it is astounding to know that Derek is a 4.0 student. More impressively, he has received all fives in his AP exams. One tip

December Scores

Major: Economics Aspirations: Entrepreneur In Social Enterprise Current Projects: THEM Los Angeles The Faculty Hobbies: Cinematography Photography Track that he says when asked about how he is able to balance this is “to always make sure you are doing something productive whenever you can.”

In terms of all events that Derek has ever partook in, his most impressive event is the Arcadia Invitational Event. It is known as the most competitive track event in the entire country, as athletes from every state come to the San Gabriel Valley and compete. Being able to even compete as an athlete in this event is a very big accomplishment, and to finish 19th overall in

the nation is very honorable, is a memory that he will chrish for the rest of his life.

Derek Jing is one of the few in our school who can call themselves student-athletes. We wish him the best of luck at Yale. byau@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and WIKIPEDIA.COM Photo courtesy of DEREK JING

Boys Varsity Soccer Arcadia V. Monrovia (2-0) Arcadia v. St. Francis (1-2) Arcadia v. Diamond Bar (1-0) Arcadia v. John Muir (2-1) Arcadia v. Glendale (1-1) Arcadia v. Long Beach Polytech (0-4) Arcadia v. Pioneer (2-1)

By CHRISTIE WANG Staff Writer

“We did pretty well this season and were super close to winning CIF state and two of our teammates won CIF individuals for doubles. Next season, I hope we can win CIF and CIF state!” — Grace Hong, 10, Girls Varsity Tennis

“This year’s season for me personally could’ve gone better, but I had such an amazing time with my team. There was never a dull moment and it was definitely a great way to end high school golf. I recently committed to play golf for Sonoma State University! I’m really excited to compete at the college level.”

— Gabrielle Lewis, 12, Girls Varsity Golf

“I think that this season could have gone a little better, but I am still very proud of my team, my coaches, and myself for what we have achieved this season. We have already started training for next season and are hoping and expecting to go further than this season.” Football lost at the second round of CIFs against Katella High School. — Jake Medders, 11, Boys Varsity Football

cwang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS. COM and VECTEEZY.COM

Girls Varsity Water Polo Arcadia v. Calabasas (7-6) Arcadia v. San Marino (5-11) Arcadia v. La Salle (14-6) Arcadia v. Alhambra (12-6) Arcadia v. Mark Keppel (9-6)

Graphics courtesy of ISTOCK.COM, CLKER.COM, and CLIPARTING.COM

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CALENDAR

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By JOCELYN CHIN Staff Writer

Coco, Disney’s new movie, made its debut on Nov. 22. The movie celebrates the traditions of Latin America, music, and family. The protagonist in the story, a young boy named Miguel, loves music but his family’s ongoing grudge with music stops him from playing it.

Spoilers ahead, so read with caution! Miguel isn’t allowed to play music and has no instruments, but he desperately wants to show off his skills at the talent show on the Day of the Dead so he steals one from his supposed great-great grandfather, Ernesto Del la Cruz. Miguel is sent into the Land of the Dead as punishment for stealing from the dead. Luckily, his ancestors are there and provide the blessing he needs to return to the living world on one condition: he never plays music again. Miguel goes back, plays music, and is sent back to the Land of the Dead. He is unable to return unless he gives up music so he runs away from his ancestors on a search for Ernesto Del la Cruz’s blessing.

I really liked the sets in this movie. I almost burst into tears in the scene where Miguel entered the Land of the Dead because of how breathtaking it was. The people that worked on the sets in the movies did a really good job. I could see all of the details put into the houses.

All of the animation was amazing. The plot line was also very different from the other Disney movies, as it had no love story and it was about tradition rather than princesses. I enjoyed this break from typical Disney cliches.

The plot also surprised me. I expected Del la Cruz to be a good guy and for Hector to be the bad guy. I couldn’t sense any foreshadowing so it was a big surprise when I found out that Hec-

symbolizes how the most random thing can count as modern art while also mocking modern art. I’m not much of a musical person, but the songs were very powerful and they delivered a good message.

Although Disney didn’t include the love and princess cliches, there was one that I noticed. Miguel got really angry at his family when they smashed his guitar and he ran away from home.

This part was one of the scenes that

tor was actually Miguel’s relative and not Del la Cruz. It was incredibly beautiful when Coco and Miguel sang Hector’s song “Remember Me”.

The musical parts of Coco were also very interesting. I found it funny when Miguel met this Frida who opened up for Del la Cruz’s Sunlight Spectacular with a cantalope. It

By JEREMY DU Staff Writer

The gift of giving is one of the most meaningful and important during the holiday season.

One way to do so is through Operation Christmas Child, which is an annual project from Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization.

The purpose of this project each year is to provide children around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and more. The website states that these gift-filled shoeboxes are aimed at children “affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine... disease” and those “living on Native American reservations in the US.” To donate, one should first research Operation Christmas Child on the Samaritan’s Purse website to read the all regulations in detail, fully understand how the donation works, and to find out when collection week is (Samaritan’s Purse only collects the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes during this specified week). At this time, one should also print out the label for the shoebox that labels it as an Operation Christmas Child box and that labels

December 2017

weren’t as good as the rest of the movie because of the common cliche it utilizes. The young teenager gets angry at his family and runs away from home which leads to trouble. It’s a very basic and overused plot line that always happens to kickstart the rising action of the story. I think it was useless for Miguel’s family to continually hold a grudge.

One thing that confused me was the fact that the family let a decision made by an ancestor years ago, run their current lives. If the family truly hated the great-great grandfather, Hector, then they should have still liked music to signfiy that he was dead to the family and they didn’t care about what he liked.

One thing that really bothered me about the movie screening in general was the very long short film that came before actual movie. I was absolutely pumped to watch Coco, but I spent a whole hour in the theater watching the Frozen short film and the theater ads.

The short film was very good, but I felt like I was wasting my money since the majority of the time I wasn’t even watching the movie I came to see. Also, I think that the movie should have come out a month earlier around the Day of the Dead to seem more relevant.

Overall, the movie was very good. It conveyed a powerful message about family and how it is important to people and to follow our dreams. The animation and music is amazing-definitely one of the key characteristics of the movie that made it unique. The only downfalls to this film would be the occaisional scenes that were a bit cliche. I would recommend Coco to anyone that wants to see a good movie with some really good design landscapes.

jchin@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of PLAYBUZZ.COM and 1001FONTS.COM the age and gender of the child the box is suited for. After that, one can wrap an empty shoebox in wrapping paper and then fill it with whatever small items they wish to gift to a child. Only some items are allowed, however, so it is important to consult the website for all the details.

When one has their wrapped shoebox filled with items, one should now attach the printed label on top. After this is all complete, one may drop off the box to a donation center that is for Operation Christmas Child.

Once Samaritan’s Purse collects all the shoeboxes during Collection Week, they have their local ministry partners come to communities to hand children their boxes. Thus, by donating to Operation Christmas Child, one is not only giving material gifts to an underprivileged child but is also sharing your compassion and holiday spirit.

Students at AHS can participate in Operation Christmas Child on their own or through Kare4Kids, which holds an annual “Target Event” each year where club members travel to Target and work in groups to fill up shoeboxes.

Remember to get into the spirit of gift giving this holiday season! Whether it may be gifting something small to a friend you like, a parent or parental figure you look up to, a teacher, a grandparent, or gifting an entire box of items to an underprivileged child through Operation Christmas Child, gift-giving is still important as it can show appreciation for those close to you!

jdu@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of SAMARITAN’SPURSE.COM and 1001FONTS.COM

December 2017

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CALENDAR

By CAITLIN WANG Staff Writer

By ROSELIND ZENG Staff Writer

Every Dec. 31, we stay up late to watch the ball drop in Times Square and ring in the new year. And, to celebrate the arrival of a fresh start, many of us create a list of New Year’s resolutions to guide ourselves into a better mindset and achieve many of the goals we had on our minds (even if we happen to break these promises later on).

But where did this trademark tradition come from? Why do we have New Year’s resolutions?

Though it’s most prominent in the West, planning out the year has happened around the globe for millenia. The ancient Babylonians, one of the first recorded civilizations in human history, were the first to celebrate the prominence of a new year roughly 4000 years ago. However, the agricultural society based their calendar around their crops, and so their year began around mid-March. To celebrate, they held a 12-day religious festival called Akitu, where new kings were crowned and old kings were praised. During this time, the people made promises to the gods to repay their debts and return anything they had borrowed. If they kept their word, their gods would treat them favorably in the coming year.

Later on, when Julius Caesar reigned as emperor in Rome, he shifted the official beginning of the year to Jan. 1. Janus, the namesake of the first month of the year and the patron god of arches and doorways, held an important

place in the hearts of all Romans.

They believed that Janus symbolically looked both backwards into the past year, as well as ahead towards the future.

Therefore, they made sure to give offerings to the deity and reaffirm their goodness to him, in hopes of receiving a prosperous year in return.

For early Christians, the first day of the year became a day of self-reflection, where one gathers their resolve to become a better person. In 1740, English clergyman John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, started the Covenant Renewal Service, which was commonly held on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Now popular in evangelical Protestant churches, watch night services are often spent praying and making resolutions for the next 364 days.

Though we see that most of what we know as New Year’s resolutions has resulted from religious practices, today, we observe this tradition as a secular practice. We make a pact with ourselves, whether it’s to go on a diet, spend less time on our phones, or to take a trip to somewhere we always wanted to go. Having resolutions is an integral part of the holiday season, and we won’t be stopping with this habit anytime soon.

Happy New Year, everyone!

rzeng@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of ETSY.COM, FREEPIK.COM, and PINTEREST.COM

The average teenager most likely does not have the extra cash to spend on fashion. However, most often dream of having a pricey item from an expensive brand. Here are a few alternative stores that sell similar items for a more reasonable price.

Zara. This brand has become quite popular for both women and men recently. The style of clothing they sell is very modern and chic, and definitely out of many people’s comfort zone.

This store is more towards people who are bold with their style choices and want to look classy. The clothes are quite similar to designer items and the fabric is good quality. However, like any other clothing store on the cheap, Zara does sell some items that are poor quality and don’t last long. For the most part, it is a great alternative to designer brands like YSL, Gucci or Chanel.

H&M. Most malls have an H&M store.

The stores are large, yet most people walk right by, uninterested.

It’s actually quite a practical store to visit, since it has something for nearly everyone. H&M has many basic tee shirts and graphics that are sold for prices on the low side. Cute purses and shoes lay around the entire store. Stylish suits

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and tees can be found for males, as long as you are determined and look around thoroughly.

Most people who stop by H&M find good deals and pieces of clothing they never thought they could find in such a store.

ASOS. The online selection for ASOS is amazing and has a wide range of clothing. Again, they have a great variety, especially in formal items. For prom or homecoming, this online site is the website to visit. Not many people think to look on ASOS because they are well-known to have cheaplooking clothing that look nothing like they do online. However, it may be surprising how many clothing items from the website have been found to fitwell and come at a good price. Do not underestimate this brand.

These are just a few brands are the cheaper side for those looking for new clothes on a budget. A few last recommendations are Forever 21, Pacsun, Target. Believe it or not, Target actually has an great shoe selection with a lot of variety. Especially with Christmas coming, these stores can be a treat in finding your friends and family generous gifts that they will be sure to love.

cwang@apachepowwow.net Graphics courtesy of iSTOCK.COM and VECTOR-LOGO.NET

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December 2017

By JUSTIN CUN Staff Writer

Christmas is a long-anticipated holiday for many students, not only because of the gift-giving and receiving, but also because Christmas is during the longest break of the school year. After a hectic week of finals, students look forward to this time to relax, eat, and spend time with friends and family; it’s a perfect time to finally catch up on sleep that was lost before and during finals week. More particularly, from nostalgic Christmas tree decorating to warm family gatherings, Christmas is when students can truly appreciate the forgotten sentimentalities of their lives. Christmas is also a time to embrace universal goodness and hospitality, thanking and cherishing even the smallest subtleties in life. When opening presents around any Christmas tree, think not only about the gifts, but also about the presence of a happily gathered family. Happy holidays!

Graphics courtesy of PINTEREST.COM Photos by ELLIE LEE