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SPEECH STATE QUALS TOURNAMENT

By SOPHIA LI

Staff Writer

The Arcadia Speech and Debate competition team recently competed in their first of two State Qualifier Tournaments. Competitors in these two tournaments are all vying for a spot to compete in the State Championship Tournament, held on Apr. 30 in Culver City, California.

The first tournament was a two-day tournament on Feb. 25 and Feb. 26. Overall, the competition was a success, as Arcadia placed 2nd overall and gave their longtime competitor, Gabrielino High School, a run for their money.

The Arcadia High School Speech and Debate Team is a part of the Southern California Debate League (SCDL), with their head coach, Ms. Ashley Novak being the SCDL president. On the first day, Arcadia competed at Arroyo High School in the events of Lincoln Douglas (LD) and Policy. The following day, on Feb. 26, competitors competed at Montebello High School for all speech events.

In each event, only the very top performances advance to state, as the competition is very tough. However, several Arcadia students were able to achieve this task. Let’s congratulate those who moved on to qualify for state!

In US Extemp, Evelyn Tsoi placed 5th place. For Original Prose and Poetry, Arcadia had Swarit Srivastava in 7th, Amanda Le in 6th, and Oishika Chattopadhyay in 4th place. In Original Oratory, Rebecca Tao placed 4th, and Rachel Wang came away with 1st in Original Advocacy. As for Oratorical Interpretation, Arcadia had Zachary Sakti in 6th, Yana Verma in 3rd, Minnoli Shukla in 2nd, and Rachel Wang in 1st. In the event of Expository, Michelle Fan placed 2nd and Anvitha Marlapati received 3rd place. Then, in Impromptu, Tao was 7th, Chattopadhyay in 5th, Verma in 3rd, and Michelle Fan won 1st. There was only one representative for Humorous Interpretation (HI), and Andy Li won 1st. In the event of Dramatic Interpretation, Arcadia had a 1-2 sweep with Kaylee Wong in 1st and Sarah Chao in 2nd. Lastly, in Lincoln Douglas Debate (also known as L.D.), Arcadia had Ariana Hernandez representing, placing 6th.

“It felt really cool to represent Arcadia and take first place in HI. The community and people are Arcadia, es- pecially the Speech and Debate Team, is really fun. We have a lot of great freshmen, sophomores, and JV people who are going to take care of Arcadia next year, so it’s really exciting to be able to compete with them and compete alongside them. Overall, the experience of the competition was pretty fun, and I love the food place that we usually get every single time we go there. I particularly like HI because I like making people laugh, as it’s been a part of who I am for the past 5 years, and I’ve always enjoyed doing the event,” senior Andy Li said.

Sophomore Euan Kelsey Laru-An was another competitor at the state quals tournament but unfortunately wasn’t able to break and qualify for state. However, he has some insight into his experience and how he will come back stronger next year!

“This is my second time competing at State Quals, but my first time competing at it in person, and my experience this year was certainly lively! Although the tournament was a competition, State Quals also felt like a celebration, because it was really nice seeing people appreciate everyone’s hard work throughout the year on their respective events. I competed in Oratorical Interpretation (OI), and it’s basically where you re-perform an already given speech with your own interpretation of the piece, so the performances can be very creative! Overall, I feel like everyone on the team did a good job this year, seeing that we did really really well, winning second in sweepstakes for Division 1. I personally can’t wait for next year’s State Qualifiers for speech!” Laru-An said.

Freshman Ellie Gladson-Pang was also one of the competitors who was still getting the jist of competing, and was able to watch the speeches and debates given by her fellow competitors! Even though GladsonPang didn’t compete, it was refreshing to be able to see her competitors and see specific skills and techniques that she can improve on. She is trying out Congress, a form of debate, and hopes that she can qualify next year!

However, it is all thanks to the support from parents and volunteers that the tournament was able to run smoothly. In Speech and Debate competitions, many volunteers devote their time and effort to be trained as a judge, to be able to judge events other than the one their child is competing in. Without volunteer judges, the process for selecting a winner would become very complicated! This past weekend, Yilin Ma, the mother of Li, who won 1st in HI, was one of the many parent volunteers. Ma judged in speech events like Informative Speaking, International Extemporaneous Speaking, US Extemp, and Oratorical Interpretation. “Ever since Andy started competing in speech and debate competitions, I’ve dedicated myself to support him and his team through judging for competitions. I have been actively serving as a judge for local and online high school speech and debate tournaments, and I really enjoy doing it, as I get to expose myself to different ideas and views,” Ma said. Overall, in this first tournament, Arcadia had a total of 15 students advancing to the state competition, but that number is expected to increase. On Mar. 5, there is a debate tournament that allows for students to qualify for state, at Schurr High School in Montebello, California. The events include public forum, Parli, and/or Congress events. Congratulations to the Speech and Debate team for an outstanding performance!

sli@arcadiaquill.com Graphics courtesy of PIXABAY.COM

LINK CREW PI DAY

By MARYAM SADEGHIFARD Staff Writer

The long-awaited date that students and math teachers had all been waiting for, Mar. 14 finally arrived. In honor of this special day, Link Crew decided to commemorate it by hosting a “Happy Pi Day” event in which students were able to share their excitement for the day, along with releasing a little bit of the stress they’ve had all the way through Quarter 3. This event held on Mar. 10 at lunch was a perfect opportunity to spend time with friends at the rally court and teachers, too. By paying $2, any student could throw a pie respectfully at their teacher’s face.

“We wanted to have some fun and celebrate! There were a handful of teachers who were there, and anyone who bought a pie threw it at whichever teacher they wanted, who was participating! It was super exciting because there were some teachers who I knew were there, and I was so looking forward to pieing them. Also seeing other people pieing their teachers was super crazy. Overall, it was a super exciting event,” said Link Crew member junior Dakota Lee. Because of the unfortunate situation we all have been put in for the past two years, this event wasn’t able to happen in the last years due to safety concerns. As we return to normalcy, this prompted the revival of the event once again.

“The Pi day event has been a big Link Crew tradition for years. I guess it’s been able to live on because of how much everyone enjoys it, students and staff alike. The whole concept of the event really embodies the fun, energetic high school atmosphere that so many people look forward to, and Link Crew really takes pride in the ability to bring that to life at AHS,” said Link Crew member Anabelle El Khoury.

Though, a lot of the time we don’t understand the amount of effort that goes into planning these occasions and the process it takes to get the event actually going.

“To plan this event, it took about a month ago to make sure everything went smoothly. On the actual day, we had to make sure to set up before the actual event during 4th period with a group of around 6 Link Crew leaders. We set up the chairs, barricades, the piemaking station, and the tables for check-in during 4th period. After the actual event, the highlights were that most of the teachers who got pied were happy after getting pied and that a lot of students had fun. The main highlight after the event was that after a student threw a pie at a teacher, as he was coming off the rally court stage he said, ‘Best two dollars I’ve ever spent!’” said Link Crew member junior Carlos Figueroa

This excitement followed through, as the other Link Crew members remarked on their excitement for the event too, as well as the behind-the-scenes that we don’t see with Link Crew’s efforts in setting it up by lunch to be perfect for participants.

“Personally, I was super excited to be getting back to traditions like the Pi day event that were put on hold by the pandemic. With all the stress going on, this event allows students and teachers to have fun outside of the classroom, helps lift school spirits, and is honestly just a great way for everyone to let loose,” said ElKhoury

These traditions are held dear to all Arcadia students. Being able to participate in this event brought together not only the numerous students who paid to participate in the event, and those watching but also humanized the teachers who participated with their students.

This Pi day event not only was an incredibly fun experience for the students, but this was also the first time for more than half of the students at Arcadia High School has ever heard of the event, so this was a big step forward toward the forthcoming normalcy after the pandemic for about two years. Thank you to Link Crew for hosting this event and reviving a long-lost tradition.

Tweaking the build Tweaking the build back better bill back better bill

By ANNA ODELL

Staff Writer

A climate emergency is upon us, and the U.S. federal government has been working to find solutions to the issue at hand. Unfortunately, they have made very little progress regarding the issue due to its complexity.

However, Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has opened up negotiations regarding a new bill. He took President Joe Biden’s climate and economic bill and changed it to something more practical.

“Confirming that climate and clean energy provisions will be some of the few original pieces of Biden’s original Build Back Better bill he wants to pass through a Democrat-only bill,” stated Ella Nilson and Lauren Fox on CNN.

One of Manchin’s points is to increase the amount of taxes on wealthier citizens and large

companies and use that money towards climate solutions. He wants to address issues that are not “social problems.”

Although people do agree with many of his ideas, some disagree with his views on issues such as affordable childcare since he believes that it is a “social problem” and doesn’t think it should be included in the bill.

“Democrats spent over half a year in back-and-forth negotiations on the centerpiece of their domestic agenda. They may be ready to take what Manchin hands them on climate-related tax credits and whatever doesn’t register as a “social issue” with him,” said Joseph Zeballos on Business Insider.

His ideas formed when he expressed his distaste for the Build Back Better program that Biden wanted to initiate. This distaste stems from the $29 trillion debt that he believes should be addressed immediately. Taxing large corporations and wealthy individuals, as previously mentioned, Manchin believes will put an end to the debt.

“Half of that money should be dedicated to fighting inflation and reducing the deficit,” Manchin said on CNN. Other senators are optimistic about his ideas as it does address important issues. “I think that is very good news, and my view of it is we need to find a way to get specific about what that means and do it,” Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota stated on CNN. It is controversial in the sense that he doesn’t necessarily want to get rid of fossil fuels.

This could “hamper the President’s goal to cut US emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030.”

As the climate emergency continues to escalate, the government is working hard to come up with a plan which addresses the issue. Although Biden’s Build Back Better program has faced opposition from Manchin, his potential bill has gained cautious support from many senators.

Some believe that it needs tweaking but depending on how the midterms go, the public will know if the Build Back Better program or Manchin’s ideas will be initiated.

aodell@arcadiaquill.com Graphic by OPENCLIPART.ORG

05 PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

By VRITTI GODANI

Staff Writer

A State of the Union Address is a speech given by Congress each January and gives Congress a view of the state of the nation and how the President plans to move forward. On Mar. 1,

President Joe Biden delivered the State of the Union address, although a few weeks late due to the pandemic and stalled legislative agenda, to Congress. He addressed a multitude of topics, but some topics stood out more than others. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from President Biden’s State of the Union Address.

Firstly, President Biden called out Russian President, Vladimir Putin, by name. Not only did President Biden denounce all that Putin is doing with Ukraine, but he also showcased his support for the Ukrainian people and stated that he will be employing further sanctions on

Russia and banning all Russian airlines from American Airspace, following in the footsteps of Europe and Canada. President Biden focused on Ukraine for a significant amount of time during the duration of his speech and received cheers and audible bipartisan support, which is rare during a State of the Union address.

President Biden also focused heavily on combating inflation, especially after his low approval ratings. He began by empathizing with the American people and the economic struggles they are currently facing, and he stated that he aims to fight inflation by lowering prices and getting them under control. President Biden highlighted the need to increase domestic manufacturing and also discussed aspects of his “Build Back Better” Plan. He praised the nation’s ability to economically recover while still acknowledging the disruption of supply chains and the closing of factories. Although the President stated that he aims to help the American people, attempting to stabilize prices will be difficult with a Supreme Court that has been hesitant to pass many of his social spending proposals.

“I think recent gas prices tell us a lot about inflation today, and I wanted to see how the president would address it. I think he could’ve done a better job addressing it, but I hope he takes steps to tackle inflation”, stated Junior Grace Titizian.

The President touched on the COVID-19 pandemic and acknowledged that America was entering a new phase of the pandemic. He announced a new “test to treat” program where

Americans who have tested positive for the virus at drugstores could receive free antiviral pills to treat the virus. He urged the American people to beware of new variants but stated that he is glad that the country is not in a state where COVID controls our lives.

The last thing the President emphasized was his desire to unite the nation and he will be striving for bipartisanship during his presidency. While he mentioned the “Build Back Better” Plan during his speech, he also mentioned and called for legislation for cancer research, to support veterans, and to tackle domestic violence.

Overall, President Biden touched on many important issues and topics during his State of the

Union address while focusing on one overarching topic, unity of the nation. vgodani@arcadiaquill.com

Photo by COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA. ORG and PXHERE.COM

Current Volunteer Opportunities Current Volunteer Opportunities

By AINSLEY NAJAFZADEH Staff Writer

With Summer break quickly approaching, many Arcadia High School (AHS) students are seeking volunteer opportunities within our community to gain experience and volunteer hours.

Arcadia’s Volunteen Program offers a variety of volunteer options tailored to students’ strengths and interests, enabling students to develop leadership skills and gain work experience. It is applicable to people between the ages of 13 and 17. Volunteers must be able to contribute at least 10 hours per week for the duration of the summer program and applications will be available beginning Monday, Mar. 14. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 15.

Volunteers are always welcome at Arcadia Library, as they are needed to help with various tasks. Volunteer programs at the library provide opportunities to fulfill community service requirements. People of all ages and skill sets can apply to be a volunteer. The library asks that volunteers commit to volunteering at least two hours per week for a period of at least six months for the majority of volunteer jobs. To volunteer, you must be at least 13-yearsold. 7 to 11, would be some of the responsibilities of a volunteeringsession. Volunteers do not need to have any prior gymnastics experience, as they will provide you with the necessary training.

AHS has a number of clubs that allow students to learn about volunteering and supporting their communities, one of which is Interact Club, a club where you can participate in numerous community events as a volunteer. If you’re still having problems discovering volunteer opportunities, TeensVolunteer offers a wide range of options for teens who wish to help out in their communities.

skill sets and let you practice your hobbies. Volunteering will allow you to break out of your comfort zone and try new things.” In addition to Arcadia’s volunteer options, Sierra Madre and Monrovia both have upcoming volunteer opportunities. The “Carnival in the Park” at Sierra Vista Park is now asking for volunteers for 2-hour shifts during the event. The Stars Athletic Foundation is also looking for volunteers to assist with gymnastics sessions on Friday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Monrovia. Helping with equipment set up and with one class of children aged