September 2009

Volume 58, Issue 1

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

September 2009

Enamored by the Glamour

In this issue:

Photo courtesy of JANICE MA

NEWS pg. 2 Candlelight Vigil: Loved ones of AHS alumni Clement Tsai gathered at AHS to honor him.

Photos courtesy of JOHN PAUL KARAS and CALIFORNIASCIENCECENTER.ORG FOR ARCADIA’S FINEST Executive Council members snatched up the stunning Wallis Annenberg Building for Home-

coming at a moment’s notice after learning that safety regulations at Gotham Night Club were not up to par.

By DEBBIE JONG & ESTHER LIN Executive Copy Editor & Staff Writer Graphic by LAUREN WONG

CENTER SPREAD pgs. 12-13 Monopoly’s ASB Edition: Meet the students planning this year’s Homecoming and Spirit Week.

Photo by JENNIFER HANG

STUDENT LIFE pg. 18 Arcadia’s Got Talent: Students displayed their talents and took home the top three prizes.

On Thursday, Sept. 10, ASB Executive Council members revealed sneak previews of the Homecoming Dance location at the House of Representatives meeting in the cafeteria. After displaying posters of the gothic venue, ASB President Leah Wong announced that the theme for this year’s Homecoming will be “Steel and Glamour.” Contrary to popular belief, students do not have to dress according to the theme.

During the Sept. 11 all-school assembly, AHS students breathlessly waited for Leah to announce the Homecoming venue. However, there had been an unexpected turn of events. Gotham Night Club of San Bernandino, the original dance venue, “experienced an act of violence in recent weeks,” said Mr. John Tung. ASB members immediately decided to move the dance to a different facility to ensure the safety of dance attendees.

After numerous discussions with the event company, ASB finally announced during lunch on Sept. 18 that the new Homecoming venue will be the Wal-

lis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center. The California Science Center boasts that the Wallis Annenberg Building, with its reflecting pool, bamboo garden, and lily pond, “combines traditional beauty with contemporary fun” and is “both handsome and intimate.”

“It has a beautiful wall composed entirely of sequins that will appear to be moving the night of our dance,” Leah described, “It’s under the moonlight with the roof comprised of open-ended metal bars, criss-crossing and leaving the night sky to our view.” Delighted with the new venue, Leah believes that it is even more promising than Gotham Night Club and takes the “Steel and Glamour” theme to a “whole new level.”

Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Unlike previous years, this year’s Homecoming Game will be held on Friday, Oct. 23—one week after the dance.

The football season schedule was set well in advance. The dance could have been on Oct. 24, but there will be an important Band competition that same day.

Not wanting Band members to miss out on Homecoming, ASB Executive Council moved the dance one week earlier to accommodate the Band students. Senior

Ailsa Chiu noted that it’s similar to “celebrating your birthday early.” Junior Celeste Cheung thinks that the Homecoming theme is like juxtaposition because usually when people think of steel, “[they] think of construction and labor rather than glamour.”

This year, the Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at the dance instead of at the football game. The royalty students, elected by their peers, will be paraded around the track at the game, with the king and queen riding in the limo. This will be the final time this tradition can be carried out for years to come because soon the track area will be consumed by construction.

ASB Vice President Julie Chung assured everyone that ASB is doing its best to make this year’s Homecoming “unforgettable and fun.”

Junior President Jonathan Ma added, “Homecoming’s going to be great, just like it was last year, the year before that, and so and so forth. The people we work with always make it happen, so my expectation is that it’s going to rock just like it always does.” djong@apachepowwow.com elin@apachepowwow.com

2

NEWS

News

BRIEFS

September 29

- Freshman Parent Meeting

30

- UC Application Workshop

October 1

- PTSA Meeting

7

- Pigskin Rally

10

- SAT Reasoning & Subject Test Date

17

- PSAT/NMSQT Test Date - Homecoming Dance

19-23

- Spirit Week - Red Ribbon Week

23

- Homecoming Day & Game - Pep Squad Haunted House

24

- ACT Test Date

27-29

- 1st Quarter Finals

30

- End of 1st Quarter

apachepowwow.com

September 2009

Station Fire Sets Los Angeles County Ablaze

However, not all were compliant with evacuation orders. Half the residents of Acton, Staff Writer a community near the fire, dug in and decided to stay, while residents of La Crescenta formed Should investigators confirm that the deadneighborhood watch groups called “ember ly Station Fire was indeed manshifts,” designed to spot and remade, the arsonist could face the spond to embers that may wander death penalty. Though not much into town. Of course, officials exhas been released concerning the pressed dismay, particularly Govdetails of what officials have disernor Schwarzenegger, who cited covered, it has been established that three people were injured that pool-like burn patterns and a in Big Tujunga Canyon because foreign substance, both indications they refused to evacuate as reaof the presence of an accelerant sons to follow regulations. such as gasoline, were found at

By Aug. 31, the fire had the suspected origin of the Station roughly reached the height of its Fire. devastation, with firefighters havWhether the arsonist gets two Photo courtesy of JOHN PAUL KARAS ing only been able to contain 5% years in prison or the death penalty CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES The Southern California wildfires have of the fire. Seventy-four strucall depends on one thing: intent. burned through nearly 336,000 acres of land since August. tures were destroyed and the eastBecause two firefighters died in ern flank was advancing towards their effort to halt the inferno, the case is be- Marker 29 along the Angeles Crest Highway the historic Mount Wilson Observatory and all ing treated as a homicide. Should the blaze have up in the mountains north of La Canada Flin- its neighboring radio communications facilities. been an accident, the result of, say, a smolder- tridge, which is twenty minutes north and west Once they were over this hump, however, the ing cigarette, then the arsonist could be charged of Arcadia, the Station Fire advanced into the firefighters managed to stomp back the wall that with involuntary manslaughter, for which the densely-populated neighborhoods to the south. threatened Mount Wilson in an epic three-day minimum sentence is two years. However, as On Aug. 27 and 28, the first evacuations in battle, which ended Sept. 3. By Sept. 25, the fire authorities admit, the possibility that the fire Palos Verdes Peninsula and La Canada Flin- was 98% contained. was an accident is highly unlikely. One anon- tridge were called, and evacuation centers were The strongest of the arid winds that have ymous source said, “There was material that erected at various places in the area, including been responsible for the fire’s delayed containdidn’t belong there. It was clear evidence that at Crescenta Valley High School. As orders for ment have since passed, and the blaze is expectthe fire was intentionally set.” Thus, it could be evacuation exceeded 6,000—by Aug. 31, to be ed to reach full containment by Sept. 26. a contest between whether the person should be exact—reports poured in of frantic families carcharged with first or second-degree murder or rying nothing but a few belongings and their alin@apachepowwow.com voluntary manslaughter, which carries with it a pets underarm into emergency shelters.

Graphic courtesy of VECTORART.COM

By ANDREW LIN

20-year sentence. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger initially set the reward for finding the arsonist at $100,000. The number is now at $150,000.

Intentional or not, however, the damage has been wrought. First spotted Aug. 26 at Mile

Candlelight Vigil Lights Up AHS Arcadia’s Rising STARs Raise API “My family and I just wanted to thank everyone who showed up. It really means a lot.”

News Editor The vigil ended with a reading of one of “What would you feel about someone if Clement’s random musings from a recent trip they died? What would others feel about you if to Taiwan found in his room, hoping to spread you died?” For most, these thoughts never cross his hopes and dreams and to inspire many oththeir minds; however, these were the words of ers as well.

Clement Tsai, written while “What is my life puron a recent trip to Taiwan. pose?” he wrote, “To give Clement, who graduated love to the world. To accept from AHS two short years everyone for who they are and ago with the class of 2008, love them unconditionally. To was met with an unexpected die for those I care about. To fate when he was hit by a car have the courage to die for on Sept. 10 while crossing my mission. To bring music the street in Long Beach. He to the world. To inspire others was rushed to the ER and to heights mentally, morally passed away the next mornor socially. To liberate society ing. from its illusions and claims Crammed with people imposed by society itself. To from all walks of life—from write a book. To document the relatives to high school story of my life, and have othfriends to former teachers learn from it. To be able to ers to college friends to the move thousands of people to random acquaintances—the tears. To remind people that Photo courtesy of JANICE MA life is good, and to keep livAHS football stadium was home to a lot more than the C A N D L E L I G H T V I G I L ing. To help others find themtypical football game Sat- Attendees sign a memorial selves. To find myself. To urday night, Sept. 12. As poster for Clement. educate people less fortunate hundreds of people gathered on the field for a than I am. To show love to the people that care candlelight vigil to celebrate the life of Clement the most about me. To love my family uncondiTsai, it was evident what sort of an impact he tionally, for I mean the world to them and they had on such a diverse group of people. Family, to me. To show unconditional love, first starting friends from high school and friends from his with my family, then to my friends, then to socicollege fraternity all came out to speak on his ety. To create a world where people would judge behalf, sharing funny and enlightening stories others not by their appearance, but the content of Clement’s life. Senior Kevin Liu said, “It was of their character. To make others smile.” amazing to see that he was still bringing people Rest in Peace, Clement. Thank you for evtogether even after his passing. The whole night erything you have shared with the world. was just so inspirational and positive.”

Clement’s sister, senior Rowena Tsai said, mchien@apachepowwow.com

By MICHELLE CHIEN

By ANDREW CHANG Staff Writer

California’s standardized test results have never been stunningly impressive—but they’re getting better. In the context of improvement, whether schoolwide or statewide, we’ve always reached our goals. And our AHS is simply no exception to this standard of achievement; if anything, we’re above and beyond it.

The 2009 STAR testing results, released as a whole on Aug. 20, indicated a continuation of the upward trend that California test scores have seen in the last seven years. “I am pleased and encouraged to see that for the seventh year in a row, California public school students continue to improve,” remarked State Superintendent Jack O’Connell. In 2003, state proficiency scores in the language arts and mathematics peaked at a lowly 35%. Given this clear problem, the state decided to change its standardized testing apparatus, aligning it to meet specific state academic standards.

Since then, the number has been on a steady incline—and we can only hope for the continuation of this trend.

On the contextual level of AHS, we aren’t doing too badly either. Since 2007, our school’s API, or Academic Performance Index, has risen from 859 to 876—a 17-point improvement propelling the high school to a rank of 43rd out of 987 schools in the state.

And the STAR testing results in 2009 have established AHS to be one of the highest-scoring schools in the San Gabriel Valley. In other words, the statewide API performance target is a number which we’ve already reached.

But as junior Justine Lee put it best: “Our API may be good now, but it’s not rising. A score of 400 is proficient, but we have to re-

member that it’s out of 600 total points.” The relatively slow speed with which our scores are rising, indeed, draws a slew of legitimate questioning. “It seems like many people just don’t care about the STAR test,” explained senior Andrew Taylor, delineating a possible reason to the slow growth. And the lack of incentive for students to do well on STAR testing may very well be the reason for our school’s slow progress as a whole; as the only test not affecting one’s individual success as a college applicant, the STAR test ends up commonly taking a backseat to higher priorities in students’ lives.

But District Superintendent Dr. Joel Shawn thinks differently. “California schools have a belief that everyone is entitled to a public education,” he said, “and to apply the same academic standard to such a wide group of people is an incredibly challenging job.” And Dr. Shawn, too, has his point—that growth in and of itself is a remarkable thing because of the wide variety of factors that AHS must take into account. In our school alone, we take care of ten different subgroups of students, each with their own strengths and weaknesses and each requiring a vast amount of attention.

Given this fact, it is imperative to realize that growth, perhaps, cannot possibly occur rapidly because of the very academic nature of California schools in general.

In the end, the answer to another step in vast improvement cannot be said for certain.

But even at its current rate, our school’s test score improvements leave little room for complaint. “It’s truly hard to believe how good our school is,” remarked Dr. Shawn—and it’s true.

We can only hope that Arcadia’s STARs will continue to shine. achang@apachepwowwow.com

September 2009

NEWS

apachepowwow.com

3

Healthcare Reform Sparks Debate Across Nation

By ANDREW LIN & RAPHAEL LU Staff Writers

It is hard to make sense of health care reform. We hear of angry folk shouting down congressmen in town hall meetings, comparing Obama’s presidency to a dictatorship and comparing the health care bill to an act of extreme socialism—and for a while, it can all be pretty confusing for anyone to understand what exactly is being argued.

Nonetheless, it is important to understand some basics: for one, the rationale behind the health care overhaul. In reformers’ minds, three issues must be addressed: uneven quality of care, inadequate coverage and finally, cost.

Some argue that for a nation that spends on health care almost twice the average of rich, developed nations, survival rates for heart attacks, infant mortality, and life-expectancy in America are all worse than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development average. Simply put, Americans are not getting their money’s worth. Proponents of reform also point to statistics concerning Americans’ budget: health care costs consume 16% of the economic output, and on top of that, Medicare, the government-run insurance plan for the elderly, could be exhausted by 2017.

Critics of the health care system bring up several key wasteful practices.

To begin, most American doctors work on a fee-for-service basis: the more pills and tests they order, the more resources they consume, the more they get paid.

All this encourages exorbitant spending and waste. The insurance system also promotes over-consumption: employers buy expensive insurance plans for their employees, who in turn may abuse the coverage by ordering nonessential care.

Thus, insurance companies make money and so have all the more reason to feed the aforementioned reckless spending.

Meanwhile, the population of the uninsured grows, and is currently at 46 million—up 13% from 2 years ago.

Then there is the less publicized population of the underinsured, numbering at 25 million, whose insurance plans cover little: in 2007, an American family filed for medical bankruptcy every 90 seconds—three quarters were “insured.”

On the other hand, defenders of the existing system argue that a free-spending attitude promotes medical advancement and they cite the number of innovations America’s health care system has made over its European counterparts.

However, the majority of politicians, Democrats and Republicans alike, agree that reform ought to occur—the question now is to what degree. Liberal Democrats urge for a “public option,” or government-offered insurance plan.

Supporters of the public option argue

that insurance ought to be available to everyone and that the most effective way of accomplishing this is by creating a government-backed insurance plan. This plan would be affordable for the uninsured because the government needs not to make a profit, and so the price of this government-back insurance plan would be comparably lower than that of privately run insurance companies, who do need to make a profit. The cheaper public option would also, in turn, force insurance companies to compete by lowering their prices.

Opponents believe that because the government does not need to make a profit, prices will be so low that it would undercut private insurance companies.

Another fear is that a public option might create a messy, complicated bureaucracy to administer insurance. Given that a public option would create a complex, compartmentalized government agency, such a fear is not unfounded.

In his Sept. 9 speech to Congress, President Barack Obama set forth that though he was in favor of a public option, he would also be willing to compromise in favor of a workable and passable bill. Borrowing from both sides, the President gave what he believed to be a plan that was both. alin@theapachepwowwow.com rlu@theapachepowwow.com

Arcadia Malls: Rumble in the Concrete Jungle

By ANDREW CHANG & ASHLEY CHI

before Caruso’s project could move forward. The purpose of an EIR is to allow city officials to make an informed decision regarding the impact of construction on the biophysical makeup of a city—and so given these issues, Caruso’s project may be either stymied temporarily or halted completely. The city, however, maintained that the expansion

cannot continue without a passable Environmental Impact Report. So much is certain. But on the contextual level of Staff Writers the local residents, it’s an entirely difRick Caruso, developer of The ferent story. While some advocate the Grove in Anaheim, has had his eye on expansion of Westfield and others the the Santa Anita racetrack for quite some virtue in Caruso’s qualms, the prevailing time—since 2005 to be exact. But with disposition of AHS students seems to be Westfield’s new plans to expand into one of disinterest regarding corporate 13,500 feet of restaurant space expansion as a whole. “Arat its outdoor Promenade, Cacadia was supposed to be a ruso Affiliated, the company community of homes,” reresponsible for the upscale marked junior Ray Chao, The Grove and The Ameri“not a tourist attraction.” cana at Brand, may now see a “Our mall already brings in bit of a roadblock in its newest enough revenue,” agreed entrepreneurial venture. On sophomore Farihah ChowAug. 20, Caruso sued both the dhury, “and I’ve so far been city and Westfield, demanddisappointed with the level ing an Environmental Impact of congestion which has Report (EIR) for the converoccurred in these past few sion of such a large area into years.” Although residents restaurant space. may share different viewCaruso Affiliated is not points on this fight, there totally unfamiliar with Westis no question that the outPhotos courtesy of SHOPSATSANTAANITA.COM & field. The battle began when GILLESMIONE.COM come will affect Arcadia Caruso proposed an upscale as a whole.

SHOPPING CENTER LAWSUIT The two major retail mall to be named “The Shops corporations vie for commercial dominance in Arcadia.

The conflict remains at Santa Anita” at the Santa a poignant topic, subject Anita racetrack. Caruso hosted festivals of restaurant space by Westfield would to contention by both sides; the Caruso and meet-and-greets, gaining approval not require another EIR. Caruso Affililawsuits have seemingly become Arcafrom most, but rejection from one: Westated stepped in here, citing “significant dia’s newest hot-button issue. With all field Santa Anita, the company that built air quality, sewage, waste, water, poputhe confusion, however, the verisimilia 1.3 million square foot shopping mall a lation, land use and parking impact” tude in this lawsuit is entirely unclear. mere hundred yards away from Caruso’s and forcing Westfield to play on what But one thing is apparent: that one of proposed retail space.

Caruso officials called a “level playing Arcadia’s main sources of revenue could Back in 2008, Caruso’s project filed ground.” very well become a primary source of its mandatory EIR—which was judged With regards to corporate growth controversy in the coming months. to be problematic in 11 areas. Westfield and general profitability, the impacts of appealed on an additional 18 points, crethis controversy could be detrimental to achang@apachepwowwow.com ating a total of 29 necessary revisions both Caruso and Westfield; construction achi@apachepowwow.com

s t a f f Editors Editors-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editors Opinion Editors Performing Arts Editors Student Life Editors Features Editors Sports Editors Academics Editors Center Spread Editor Calendar Editor Campus Focus Editor Advertisement Editors Executive Copy Editors Photography Editor Webmaster Fundraising Chairs

Jennifer Hang and Kayla Pang Joanna Chuang Michelle Chien and Christine Xu Eleana Chiang and Cora Ormseth Melissa Ma and Sammi Wong Velinda Liao and Kate Trinh Elaine Tsui and Emily Yang Kristie Tom and Victoria Tran Jenny Lin and Joe Tian Lauren Wong Melanie Yuen Alwyna Lau Michelle Mak and Bonnie Tam Debbie Jong and Joanna Shen Elliott Lee Carl Trigilio Emily Litvack and Laureen Ma

Writers News Staff Andrew Chang, Ashley Chi, Evan Delgado, Andrew Lin, Raphael Lu, Justin Park, Jasmine Wu Opinion Staff Andrew Chang, Tiffany Gu, Derek Ha, Kaitlyn Jeong, Nuria Mathog Performing Arts Staff Katherine Bay, Eileen Chow, Pamela Huynh, Hana Rudolph, Christina Zhou Student Life Staff Debbie Jong, Lena Kalemkiarian, Esther Lin, Anna Naran, Jade Shao, Rhiannon Yee Features Staff Theresa Lee, Amy Leong, Jenny Li, Ryan Liu, Joanna Shen Sports Staff Katherine Bay, Alex Ethridge, Andrew Lin, Regina Liu, Rhiannon Yee Academics Staff Christopher Chen, Sally Chung, Derek Ha, Joanna Liao, Oishee Shemontee, Nancy Xiao Center Spread Staff Emily Litvack Calendar Staff Beverly Chen, Eileen Chow, Theresa Lee, Cherry Mo Campus Focus Staff Emily Litvack Advertisement Staff Theresa Lee, Kevin Liu, Shannon Ng, Kevin Yuan Photo Staff Maurice Ip Copy Editing Staff Ashley Chi, Lena Kalemkiarian, Regina Liu, Hana Rudolph, Oishee Shemontee, Nancy Xiao Fundraising Staff Katherine Bay, Beverly Chen, Sally Chung, Maurice Ip, Kaitlyn Jeong, Theresa Lee, Jenny Li, Regina Liu, Ryan Liu, Raphael Lu, Michelle Mak, Anna Naran, Shannon Ng, Oishee Shemontee, Nancy Xiao Web Staff Sally Chung, Alex Ethridge, Elliott Lee, Andrew Lin, Ryan Liu, Emily Litvack, Nuria Mathog, Sammi Wong Adviser Mr. Johnny Lee

Publication Information: The Apache Pow Wow is a student publication distributed monthly throughout the school year. The paper has been continuously published since Arcadia High School opened in 1952. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinion page reflect the opinion of the Apache Pow Wow editorial board. Student’s work does not represent the views of Arcadia High School or the Arcadia Unified School District. Address letters to the editor to: AHS Apache Pow Wow, 180 W. Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. To place an advertisement in the newspaper, call (626) 821-8370. Advertisement rates vary from $30 for a business card advertisement to $300 for a full-page black and white advertisement, with quarter-page, half-page, and advertisement insert options available.

Graphic Courtesy of DREAMSTIME.COM

4

OPINION

Every Day is Judgment Day

By DEREK HA Staff Writer

In August, students once again partook in a timeless annual tradition: comparing class schedules. Student registration had barely gotten underway when the Internet buzzed with whispers of, “So who do you have for [insert subject here]? Oh, him/her?

I heard he/she is horrible/fantastic. You’re definitely going to learn nothing/a lot.”

By the time school started, we knew exactly what to expect from our teachers, even though we’ve never set foot in any of their classrooms. After all, we heard about them from friends who heard from other friends.

How could we possibly be mistaken?

We have grown so accustomed to having information spoon-fed directly to us that we no longer try to seek out the truth independently. It’s not that we’re stupid; we just cannot seem to find the motivation to pursue intellectual growth on our own anymore.

Rather than trying to expand our knowledge, we wait for teachers or the media to feed us knowledge. Rather than challenging what we hear, we accept it without asking any questions. Rather than formulating opinions based on concrete facts, we rely on vague prejudices and unsubstantiated rumors.

This wave of intellectual apathy in young adults didn’t come about by accident.

It is the result of a teenage culture which tells us that our age is an excuse for laziness, and that education is a burden rather than a blessing. It leads us to believe that we are wise and well-informed when in fact, the sum of our knowledge comes from less than 20 years of life experience. By not recognizing our own ignorance, we become content with how limited the scope of our knowledge is. We make little effort to challenge ourselves, and we almost never consider the notion that our views may be wrong.

When it comes to students blindly believing what they have been told about their teachers, there are negligible consequences.

When applied to more important matters, however, this attitude can be disastrous.

Take what happened during the 2008 election. Students developed their own arbitrary criteria to judge candidates when they clearly hadn’t done any research. Many hoped Barack Obama would win the election simply because he is “so cool.” These were usually the same people who thought Hilary Clinton was not fit for the job because she’s “kind of scary.” Then there were those who adamantly refused to support the Republican ticket because Sarah Palin “just pisses [them] off.”

Keep in mind that this was an election to determine who would hold the two most powerful political positions on this planet. If that doesn’t scare you, it should.

If we are to be trusted with our own fates, then it is imperative that we make decisions of sound knowledge and proper judgment. Neglecting to do so makes us prone to foolish and dangerous choices which, inevitably, puts society itself in peril. The signs of apathy are everywhere, and the stench of ignorance and complacence is getting harder to ignore. dha@apachepowwow.com

apachepowwow.com

September 2009

Clique Here to Meet Friends

body in the entire world is privy to. You know, the kind that promotes the quick, the imperStaff Writer sonal, and widespread. This sort of technology, Let me tell you about this one day. It was this use of the Internet has taken the blame as just an ordinary morning in March, really. what has devalued the intricate workings of inClear skies, crisp breeze, fresh air, nothing terpersonal contact, of the sort of stuff that real out of the ordinary. Unless you count half of a relationships are founded upon. Although the girl’s body leaning out of a school bus window, world now knows about your doings in halfwaving frantically, teetering in danger of fallminute intervals, it’s a bit intriguing to woning out, it so seemed. And yes, it just so hapder, to ask, “Where has the substance gone?” pened that it was my name she was screaming.

Enter the overlooked, thoughtful sites.

And I happened to be the reason why she was The ones less focused on the quantity of asking all the random passers-by, “Are you friends, the quantity of posts, ones not focused Tiffany?! Are YOU Tiffany!??” Ah, yes. This on the numbers. Sites like Xanga and Tumblr was my new friend, Talia. I had just met her combine both the ease and accessibility of the over the Internet. mass social networking sites with the insightIn this new post-modern age, it’s easy ful and more real legitimate blogging circles. to be swept up in the hype that is Twitter Combining both heart and audience, these sites and Facebook, quick, are on the rise for popularity. It’s blogging for breezy, and imperthe hoi polloi, a chance for the everyman, sonal social netthe average Joe to be heard by the masses. working sites It’s that ever-moving spotlight that just that just might land on you for 15 seconds. It’s that about funnel that connects our hearts to everyour fingertips to the rest of the population of this sad, green planet of ours.

But it’s different, so very different from anything else. No longer just blithely and arbitrarily labeling Graphic by BEVERLY CHEN oneself by favorite celebrity or FACE TO FACEBOOK Friends online, strang- color or anything so shallow.

Utilizing Tumblr and Xanga in ers in life.

By TIFFANY GU

the correct way can lead to finding someone who is just as avid about platypi as you are.

Or that fellow member of humankind who just happened to have an unquenchable lust and fixation on the semi-colon. The thing is, there’s so much more to technology than the vapid side that seems to be so commonly harped on. There’s the deeper side, the side in which we connect through our quirks and feel just a little less alone in this huge world. And when you meet someone who is genuinely opening up their hearts to the Internet, someone who pours themselves out through writing, you just know that something’s different. The basis of friendship through these kinds of sites are not the superficial ones that plague Myspace and Facebook. Here, intelligence and coherence reign supreme over appearances, a feat rare even in face to face interaction.

No matter how you look at it, technology and the Internet have permanently changed our lives and the way we interact with one another for good. And the ones who insist that the internet has downgraded society to a bunch of tweeting chumps are the ones who’ve never made a friend over the Internet. The ones who have never felt the immense welling of joy upon finding someone who lives across the ocean, but is exactly like you on the inside.

These are the kinds of people who have never, ever had a girl lean halfway outside a school bus window just to meet you. tgu@apachepowwow.com

Byte Me: The Changing Face of Hate

By NURIA MATHOG Staff Writer

It must have been aggravating to send a hate letter in the eighteenth century. It was bad enough if you lived in a separate colony, for the postal carriage was subject to any number of delays: foul weather, exhausted horses, even attacks by highway robbers. If you lived overseas, you had to wait weeks, even months, for the ship to pull into the appropriate port, and then an additional few days for the letter to reach its intended destination. You were stuck impatiently twiddling your thumbs and hoping that the scoundrel received your latest correspondence, which would inform him, in the most courteous manner possible, “With all due respect, sir, you are most abhorrent,” or some equally polite insult. But while you couldn’t guarantee that your letters would arrive in a timely manner, you could be certain that your private feud would remain just that—private.

Two hundred years later, it’s an entirely different story. In this modern era of technology, it takes a mere fraction of a second to click “send” and share your innermost thoughts with the rest of the world. The Internet is at your disposal, enabling you to instantly connect and communicate with anyone you choose—granting you an astounding amount of influence.

Upload a well-timed YouTube video, gain a few million hits, and you’re well on your way to starting a new political movement. Post a few outrageous, strategically-worded Tweets, and you’re the catalyst of a national uproar. It may seem a harmless enough practice…until you’re on the receiving end.

One day, you innocently log onto your

TCID:

Gmail account and discover an urgent message exchange for the opportunity to reinvest large from your buddy, informing you that someone quantities of our time, we forfeit many aspects wrote a very detailed note about you on Faceof our privacy. Contrary to popular belief, there book and you should probably go check it out. is no digital safeguard to your online posts, a Intrigued, you sign on to the website, already semipermeable membrane able to magically envisioning a heartfelt essay about what an filter out worthy readers from the billions of inspirational and life-changing individual you people browsing the Web. If it’s online, someare (after all, what else could it be about?). one can download it, cut and paste it into a You’re flattered—at least, until you read the word processor, or send the link to the FBI. title: “God, I hate this person!”

If you have access to it, so will anyone else Well, that seems a bit harsh. with a keyboard and a brain. If you don’t want Your name isn’t mentioned anywhere certain people reading it, don’t post it. in the note, which would indicate that you weren’t actually supposed to read it, but how nmathog@apachepowwow.com this anonymity could possibly be maintained is anyone’s guess. The poster might have gotten away with it if she’d neglected to tag everyone within a 50 mile radius, but thanks to the thousand million ensuing comments of “LOL so true,” the entire network now knows that you are a worthless loser, you have the most irritating laugh ever, and you are destined to die friendless and alone. Oh, and you apparently smell bad. At least, that’s what you’re able to decipher by reading between the profanity-laden, grammatically incorrect lines—typical for a rant, the note has an unnaturally high percentage of words beginning with “f.” If you read it out loud over the radio, ninety percent of the content would have to be bleeped out.

Graphic by BEVERLY CHEN In many ways, the Internet has made our lives YOU’VE GOT (HATE) MAIL! In this world of a little more convenient, a modern technology, revenge is just a “send” button little more efficient. But in away.

September 2009

OPINION

apachepowwow.com

Loss

By CORA ORMSETH Opinion Editor

When someone you love dies, everything in life seems to lose value. Your world jolts suddenly into perspective—everything that mattered before now looks utterly frivolous and inconsequential. The past becomes a movie reel of memories with a character who is eerily misplaced, and the future, which had previously beckoned with plans of family vacations, birthdays, graduations, and weddings, now looms emptily and purposeless. You realize that all you looked forward to will now be faced alone.

Trivial matters that you overlooked before become painful reminders of the person who once was. When you go to a restaurant, the hostess asks how many in your party and you automatically reply seven and then have to recalculate—six. When you call their house, their voice asks you to please leave a message on the answering machine. When you see the sweater they always wore, eat their favorite foods, and remember their little idiosyncrasies, you are plunged back into your misery.

Cruelly, the world goes on despite this gaping void as all around you people go along happily with their lives. Some will wake up and lie, cheat, deceive, steal, and inflict pain on others. Why are they still alive? you question. Why are they here occupying space when someone so beloved, so kind, so innocent, so

worthy is not? Suddenly you see the world through a critical, acerbic lens that magnifies all of life’s injustices.

Being alone with your thoughts sinks you into depression, so you keep yourself surrounded with people and occupied with errands, books, homework—anything to not think of the death that lurks nonetheless in the back of your mind. And then there comes a lull in your day, and you can run from it no longer—the pain inevitably catches up to you.

The terrible truth that they are gone and will never come back sets in.

sympathy cards, flowers, and care packages that arrive in the mail, so full of compassion for you and the one you lost, trigger the waterworks yet again.

The messages inside those Hallmark sympathy cards you receive may at first sound cliché. They may make you angry as you demand how those self-proclaimed prophets can tell you that “your loved one is alive in spirit” when they obviously have never experienced the sheer devastation you feel. But with time, you will come to see that they are true. Death can cruelly cheat you of time but it cannot take away what has already happened.

You will never forget the memories you shared. This is small solace, but it means that the person you loved will never really leave you. They have, in some way, influenced who you are, and so as long as you live, so will they.

There is no cure for the sadness that comes with death. Time will lessen it, but it will never completely go away.

You will always miss them, and in the future, as you take that family vacation, receive your diploma, or go off to college, you will wish that they could be there to see you.

But know this: your sadness comes from a love that is profound and everlasting. In the words of Kahlil Gibran, “When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”

“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”

-Kahlil Gibran If you had loved them less, it would not hurt so much now. But you know you would not, if given the chance to change the past, sacrifice one iota of that love to ease your suffering in the present. The reason you cry is not because they are dead, but because they made your life so beautiful, because you are so thankful that they were born and you were born and somehow your lives intersected. You realize that you are bloated with tears because you are swelling with love, which is why the

Staff Writer

Once upon a time, we couldn’t have cared less about the news. The media merely existed to bombard us with an endless stream of depressing information, none of which we found particularly engaging. Occasionally, we might have glanced at the headlines about international conflict, political corruption, and global destruction—meaningless events happening in locations miles and miles away. The goings-on in the rest of the world just weren’t applicable to us. Here in our cozy Arcadia bubble, we felt safe and secure, protected from all of the hardships of Elsewhere, and we were content. Nothing could possibly go wrong, we assured ourselves.

Then the economy abruptly took a nosedive, and all hell broke loose. We had always known that the country had its share of financial problems, but to witness them compounding in such a sudden and in-yourface way was genuinely shocking. Housing prices plummeted, unemployment soared, and national panic ensued. And our beloved California, holder of the worst credit rating in the nation, received the brunt of the fiscal blow.

Last year, our eyes were truly opened to the severity of our economic troubles. In the spring, we faced the frightening possibility of mandated teacher layoffs, a highly stressful situation for students and faculty alike. Fortunately, that crisis was later averted with an across-the-board salary cut, but we could no longer dismiss the state budget deficit as an extraneous issue. Tension mounted, and a tangible anxiety permeated the halls of AHS. Our

TCID:

teachers expressed concern over larger class sizes and poor classroom equipment, factors that seemed inevitable in the years to come.

Education is typically one of the last areas to receive cuts, which only underscores the seriousness of our financial woes. Billions of dollars that should have gone toward school funding have been redirected to address the budget shortfall. The Cal Grant program, which so many students rely upon, is in

FINDING THE SILVER LINING Don’t let the budget cuts cramp your style.

Graphic by CHERRY MO

danger of elimination. Public universities can no longer afford to admit as many applicants as they have in prior years. And with the recently issued IOUs in place, we will have a difficult time paying off student grants when it’s our turn to apply to college.

With so many discouraging reports in the papers, throwing in the towel may seem like a pretty tempting option. Why bother trying anymore? The next few years certainly look rather bleak. But there’s more than one way to assess the situation. On one side, we can argue that the outlook seems grim for many of us in high school—certainly a greater percentage of

Drop and Give Me 2400!

By ANDREW CHANG Staff Writer

Graphic by BEVERLY CHEN

SAT BOOT CAMP I want YOU to enlist in a prep class today!

Americans than five or ten years ago. On the other side, we can reason that such an obstacle should only encourage us to try harder, to step up to the plate and aggressively push ourselves for the future we want.

If there were ever a time to foster legitimate academic motivation, it is now. Perhaps we once believed that school was something to blow off, little more than 12 mandatory years of incarceration, but the economic crisis should serve as a wake-up call for all of us.

Now, more than ever, our effort in school matters.

At AHS, we are by default no strangers to competition. We’re already engaged in our own battles for the top grade, the top leadership position, and ultimately the top college.

This new competition is merely an extension of our existing rivalries—now that major auto and insurance companies have no choice but to lay off employees, the competition for jobs will increase as well. And statistically speaking, the best way to ensure that is to perform well in school, acquire a decent education in college, and then pursue a career.

Will we ever achieve the happy ending that we seek? The final outcome may be impossible to predict, but ultimately we have the choice to make it happen. We can shrug, cross our fingers, and hope that everything somehow works out for us—or we can fight for a future no less than we deserve. We can begin our journey forward with our head lowered in helpless defeat or with the torch of human dignity held proudly in our hand. The decision is ours. The moment is now.

No, I am not going to Elite. Nor am I going to SMA, Success, ACI, Princeton Review, or Kaplan. I’m not spending over $2,000 to receive a pack of vocabulary cards and photocopies taken straight from College Board’s $20 SAT book, and I’m not going to sit through a six-hour day and fall asleep for half of it. I’m not going to pay an arm and a leg to dull my senses. I can do that to myself for free.

The Arcadian disposition towards SATs is a phenomenon in and of itself. It’s the test which students (parents) most desperately want (their kids) to do well on—and the pressure is enormous. As a factory for good grades and test scores and thus a slaughterhouse for imagination and creativity, the latent conformist within the quintessential Arcadian simply will not let exist a bad score on the one test that matters most. And because of that, the Arcadian tends to look towards a panacea, a cureall for testing anxiety. Welcome to the world of SAT preparation.

Important ethical qualms and disgusting moral degeneration aside, the business of SAT prep centers is admittedly pretty sweet. They perpetuate a vicious cycle of bad scores from demoralized students and thus more returning members. But if you’re into the brutal capitalism of the SAT prep industry, you’ll know that this vicious cycle is a necessary complement to your gratuitous paycheck. Your students all want to be X.X. on the flier with the 2400, and even though there isn’t a Xavier Xandhu from San Marino High School, it’s okay that you made up those initials. Your “diagnostic” tests are designed to corrupt confidence. That way, your students need you. Your advertisements boast acceptance to schools in the top10 range—names whose very mention cause parents to salivate. That way, mothers and fathers need you, too. “If you don’t go to school X, you’re going to get score Y and attend college Z,” you exclaim, “and you do not want to go to school Z.” But in what way could this blatant duplicity possibly be okay? Because that’s how you get customers. And you like customers.

As they say, all’s well that ends well, right? It’s capitalist America, and this is just business. Sometimes it’s the most disgusting exploitation that brings home the dough.

nmathog@apachepowwow.com

achang@apachepowwow.com

cormseth@apachepowwow.com

Education Is Our Pot of Gold

By NURIA MATHOG

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PERFORMING ARTS

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September 2009

A Glimpse Into the World of Arcadia Arts Pep Squad

By EILEEN CHOW Staff Writer

Pep Squad consists of three different groups: pep flags, song, and cheer. Performing proudly, the members of pep squad embody the very definition of school spirit. They perform in many school assemblies.

Noteworthy Past Performance: Winter Assembly

Of the 3,600 or so students who attend AHS, many are divided into groups that share the same passion—performing arts. From Orchestra to Drama to Colorguard, our school is home to numerous different performing arts groups.

A.D.D. Advanced Drama Department (ADD) is a class composed of students highly knowledgeable in the field of theater arts. ADD students perform in a total of two to four full productions a year and dedicate much of their time to after school rehearsals.

Noteworthy Past Performance: Little Shop of Horrors

New Spirit New Spirit is an all-girls choral group that performs and choreographs popular music in performances and competitions. This group also participates in a concert tour.

Noteworthy Past Performance: Choral Carousel

Percussion Orchestra Orchestra members learn and improve their technique with their individual instruments and perform in several assemblies throughout the year.

Noteworthy Past Performance: Orchestra Benefit Dinner

Band The students of Band are taught different movements while playing props (instruments).

Students learn and perfect routines for public exhibitions as well as competitions.

Noteworthy Past Performance: Arcadia Festival of Bands (AFOB)

Chanteurs

Orchesis

This class features advanced dancers who devote much of their time to strenuous practices and choreography. Orchesis members showcase a number of performances throughout the year.

Noteworthy Past Performance: Orchesis Charity Show

Marching to the beat of their drums, Percussion members strive to perfect their routines for performances and competitions. They act as a part of the Band for fall season before breaking off onto their own during spring.

Noteworthy Past Performance: WGI at Ohio (Nationals)

There are various distinct performing arts groups on our campus grounds. Next time you take a stroll around the school and see students practicing their instruments, perfecting routines, or singing their hearts out, remember that these students are driven by their love and passion for performing. echow@apachepowwow.com

Photos courtesy of PETER HUANG, ELLIOTT LEE, SAMMI WONG, GREGORY ZAJAC

Leandro Alcantara: A Drum Major Hit This group of singing and dancing performers is made up of both males and females. Chanteurs showcases several performances throughout the year as well as competes against other schools during their competition season.

Noteworthy Past Performances: Aztec Sing Competition, May Show

Colorguard The members of Colorguard are seen spinning colored flags and throwing rifles and sabers with precision. Colorguard members compose and perform different performances throughout the year, as well as compete in many competitions.

Noteworthy Past Performances: Winter Guard International (WGI) at Ohio (Nationals)

By HANA RUDOLPH Staff Writer

The upcoming school year has only just begun, but many of the performing arts groups had already chosen their leaders for the ‘09-’10 year in June. Marching Band is one of them, and their new drum major, Leandro Alcantara, is ready for duty.

For those unfamiliar with marching band terminology, the “drum major” is like the Marching Band captain. He is the conductor and representative figure, as well as the leader. His responsibilities include taking care of everyone, being a head figure, and, most of all, being a “motivational, inspirational force” within the group. When it comes down to parades and field competitions, a lot of the stress and responsibility goes to Leandro; the beginning of any parade lies entirely on the drum major’s shoulders because “he’s the guy that the judges initially look at, because he has to signal the start of the routine.” And these signals tend to be elaborate.

Leandro is no stranger to the pressure of marching band activities though. Ever since his initial interest back in elementary school, Leandro has been an active figure in band.

His transition into marching band in middle school as well as his constant dedication since has only been a “natural progression.” When questioned about his high school marching

band experience, Leandro said, “It’s taught Even still, competition for the position was me a lot of life skills. Like discipline, responfierce—there were two other competitors besibility…in freshman year, it’s kind of crazy sides Leandro that engaged in a solo competibecause you have all this stuff to learn and it’s tion to determine this year’s drum major. really stressful…” But, Leandro went on to say And no one can say that Leandro does that despite the harsh rigor of the activity, the not justly deserve his new position. He has fun comradery and exhilarating also competed within the Military Masters competitions are worth it.

Division of the California State ChampionLeandro has previships, which is “the highest division in the ously served as drum competition circuit [for drum majors],” and major for his midnot surprisingly, he was victorious. Leandle school marchdro is not only the drum major of Marching band in eighth ing Band, but he has also earned the title grade. Perhaps that of 2009 California State Drum Major was why becomChampion in the Military Masters Diviing drum major sion, a high honor for himself, Marchthis year seemed ing Band, and AHS. so natural to him .

When asked about his inspiration, His experience and Leandro replied that he was originally talent though, did interested in becoming drum major benot come without cause of his wish to “lead others to sucdiligence and percess” and help uplift others. As for his severance; Leandro goals, Leandro stated that his ambition is trained at a specialized to retain the high score that this past year’s camp where he learned marching band received: a 199/200. While the spinning techniques a smaller band size may make this difficult, and leadership Leandro is confident, determined, Photo courtesy of LEANDRO ALCANTARA skills necesand overall excited for the upcomsary for the AT-TENT-TION Drum Major ing year. position of Leandro acts as an inspiration rephrudolph@apachepowwow.com drum major. resentative of Marching Band.

September 2009

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PERFORMING ARTS

Orchesis: It’s a Top Idol World

By HANA RUDOLPH Staff Writer

After their debut into the world of TV broadcasting last year, Arcadia’s own Orchesis Dance Company once again showcased their skills on ETTV. On Saturday, Sept. 5, Orchesis performed to both a live and TV audience on a show called “Top Idol,” an Asian talent competition for singing and dancing. The routine they performed was the opening number for the show and Orchesis was very proud to be the only group invited to perform at the event.

Out of the 25 members of Orchesis, only a select 9 of the company performed as decided through auditions. These nine had to devote two weeks of their summer to practice for the September event: four grueling two-hour rehearsals for their single routine. Undeterred by the hard work, the dancers were all extremely “motivated and excited,” described Ms. Liza Tedford, so that by the time the performance date rolled around, the routine had been perfected. Despite the difficulties involved with performing on a TV stage, with the camera crews rolling around and countless markings, the nine Orchesis members performed brilliantly.

For this performance, Orchesis pulled out all the stops, boasting purple overalls, matching hats, and choreography by Orchesis director Ms. Tedford. The choreography involved pop elements with a quirky twist, inspired by the program’s nature as well as the dancers themselves. The whole thing was a “really slam, kinda fun deal,” according to

the event: Katreina Layfield, the Orchesis dance captain, added that it was “nice getting to know the newer members,” some of whom joined in that first performance of the year. Other Orchesis members participating in the ETTV performance were seniors Sophia Chung, Meghan Lim, Tiffany Liu, Ashley Kim and juniors Heidy Lam, Erin O’Mara, and Wendy Wu. T h i s event is only the start of Photos courtesy of LIZA TEDFORD what seems to be a ODC ON ETTV Orchesis poses its way p r o m i s i n g through the world of publicity and television. year for OrMs. Tedford, who chesis. Mrs. Tedford described their enthusiasm described the ex- to be “bubbling up,” their thirst for dancing to perience as having be “inspiring”—so watch out for Orchesis and been “a really cha- start getting excited for the upcoming year! otic event, but I think Have a passion for dancing? Wish you because we were could be a part of Orchesis? The ‘09-’10 Orchefocused on being a sis has already been determined, but auditions team…it went really well.” The crowd response for the next year will occur in late May/early was accordingly ecstatic.

June for rising juniors and seniors. When the Upon interview, Orchesis pesident Kristin year starts rolling to an end, make sure to keep Kimura described the entire experience as “real- an eye out for those posters advertising audily fun and enjoyable,” in unison with the similar tions! responses of her fellow officers. But the opportunity to perform on stage was not the only plus of hrudolph@apachepowwow.com

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Orchestra SCSBOA Conference

By PAMELA HUYNH & CHRISTINA ZHOU Staff Writers

On Saturday, Sept. 12, Arcadia’s Orchestra 3 performed at Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association’s (SCSBOA) fall conference. Our advanced Orchestra 3 was proudly chosen out of thousands of Southern California high school orchestras to make an appearance and perform at the fall conference.

At the conference, Orchestra reenacted what a basic music period is like at AHS. One of the main purposes of the fall conference was to let other conductors learn different teaching methods through our advanced orchestra’s performance. According to senior Julia Namkoong, the orchestra president, students “[demonstrated] and taught future music conductors different teaching methods” used by AHS musicians. As an advanced orchestra class, musicans were able to master a majority of basic techniques, such as tuning methods. Future conductors and music teachers can learn the most effective ways to teach their future orchestral classes from Orchestra 3’s performance. Orchestra 3 wanted “to help improve [future instructors of music with] their orchestral

Egypt, Eyes, and Embellishments

By KATHERINE BAY Staff Writer

When thinking of a football field, what first comes to mind is a football team who plays on the field. Similarly, when thinking of a marching band, a common supposition would be that the band would be marching on a street to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” One would assume that the respective team or group would perform in their respective area.

However, the football field isn’t used solely for winning touchdowns or kickoffs, but also for presenting choreographed performances by the marching band, varsity percussion, and colorguard. This competitive field show consists of four songs complete with intense foot work, variation in tempo, and different types of equipment colorguard integrates into their routine. Halftime during any varsity football home game consists of the band, percussion, and colorguard unleashing their intriguing field show.

The theme of this spectacular

show varies with every year. For instance, this spinning the usual flag with a colorful silk atseason’s theme revolves around Egypt and is tached, colorguard members perform with only titled “Spices, Perfumes, and Toxins.” The mu- a single 7-foot pole. Impressive saber work is sic is composed by Sam Cardon and was tran- also displayed and the team performs difficult scribed, adapted, and arranged by Bill Hoehne routines, making it look simply incredulous. to resemble Persian and Egyptian music. Soph- After that, rifle work will be introduced to build omore Bryan Mak describes the music as “very up the impact for a awe-inspiring ending. For flowy in some parts, and really loud and cool- the freshmen on the team still trying to get used sounding in others.” While embellishing such to such heart-pumping work, some, like freshman Anna Miyajima, intricate music, find it “hard learning the band, percusnew work, but really sion, and colorcool to be part of such guard manage to an amazing show.” present all of this Of course, no one while marching. can visualize such a So far, the colperformance just by orguard, band, reading an article, no and percussion’s matter how descriptive drill has led them it may be. With that to create many said, to observe such Egyptian-themed fantasia in the making shapes, such as isn’t just any ordinary eyes and pyramids. For another Photos courtesy of ELLIOTT LEE show, it is a journey takes the audience slow-paced song, FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION A that through Egypt with the music turns twists and turns all into a ballad filled hardworking start to a glittering season. with body movements from the band and per- around. Although the band, colorguard, and percussion. Such coordination blends in perfectly cussion aren’t quite finished choreographing the entire show, this would give one an even bigger with the pace of their songs.

Colorguard is responsible for most of the reason to come and watch them at each and evvisual entertainment shown throughout the en- ery home football game. Such dedication from tire performance. The beginning of the show them is so unique and pure that their devotion starts off mystically with very detailed dance alone is already an immense accomplishment. movements such as walk overs and back bends, kbay@apachepowwow.com as well as partner work. Soon after, instead of

Photos courtesy of ALAN ZHU

VIOLINS AND VIOLAS Students unload their instruments, awaiting the chance to perform. techniques.” Not only did Orchestra 3 have a chance to teach, they were also given a chance to “develop a greater appreciation for music.”

Orchestra 3 not only demonstrated tuning techniques, but also performed four songs including “Trauer”, “Union Train from Sweet First Dreams”, “Song Without Words”, and “Chorale”. Senior Julie Chung said that the performance went “really really well…especially since we found out about [SCSBOA] at orchestra camp. We sounded really professional.”

Reflecting upon the learning event, senior Danny Lin thought the experience “was very helpful for us, as an orchestra.” The SCSBOA fall conference was the first time this year Orchestra 3 performed as a whole, and they played together in harmony with only two weeks of practice. “The feeling of helping other people is one of a kind,” said Danny, “And [I’m glad that] we were able to experience it while helping future conductors.” phuynh@apachepowwow.com czhou@apachepowwow.com

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FEATURES

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September 2009

Appeal of the Surreal World’s Weirdest Work

By JOANNA SHEN

perfection, possessing the precious qualities of eternal life and beauty. We adore their ability Executive Copy Editor to defy the natural boundaries of life that we as dull humans are subject to.

They’re plastered on the sides of public It is an inherent characteristic of human buses. Their fashion style has pervaded the nature to enjoy seeing reflections of ourselves. boundaries of accepted clothing. Borders has As much as we admire all powerful gods and even gone as far as to create miniature action the destruction they are capable of, they are figures of them so teenage girls can whip them not characters we can relate to. In other words, out at the drop of a hat and pledge their love we can nitpick the flaws of vampires. Their apto plastic. Society has run amuck with fanged peal lies not in their perfection, but their abilcreatures of the night, otherwise known as ity to smother their faults and fight temptation. vampires. Girls wreak vengeance on those Even their blemishes are who dare deny the easily mistaken for atpossible existence tributes. Just like fashof these immorion morphs, the vampire tal beings, insistent has suffered years of on maintaining the ridicule and disgust to quixotic dream that become the adored creasomeday, they will ture it is today. In the era meet a blood-sucking of Dracula, the vampire hormonal male to call was feared and scoffed their own. Could it at, forced to hide within be a characteristic of the confines of dungeons human nature that atand foreboding castles. tracts us to vampires?

The vampire of today is Because, of course, a portrayed as a lover with person with deathly a tormented soul, seeking pale skin and slightly to break the stereotype of yellow teeth who blood-sucking killer set could potentially suck upon them, which gives you lifeless is very atthem an even greater aptractive to the average peal to the public eye. teenager.

The propaganda and Though we may not all readily admit Photo courtesy of TVFANATIC.COM media has done much to the fact, the immor- BLOODLUST Shows like Vampire fuel the vampire craze.

CW’s newest investment, tality of vampires Vampire Diaries, details appeals to us. In our Diaries are sweeping the country. the life of a mortal and demure teenage girl current stage of anxiety with what the future torn between two vampires. An already hit seholds, it is not unnatural to want time to fulries, True Blood on HBO follows a similar plot fill all the worldly needs we could possibly line. Aside from television series, the world of have. It is the inability of vampires to die vampires has also pervaded the world of video that makes them more than human, elevating games, like Vampire Rain. From the looks of themselves on the glorious pedestal of eternal it, vampires are going to be hanging around for youth. In addition, the media continues to exa while. Let’s just hope we don’t start having alt these creatures by making sure that vamEclipse-themed proms and creating blood inpires are only the better-looking half of the spired jewelry. Oh wait, too late. public, complete with shampoo-commercial hair and model-like physiques. Vampires are jshen@apachepowwow.com the modern day equivalent to our definition of

those cookies that contain witty pieces of wisdom within them. Interestingly enough, Staff Writer you can actually major in Linguistics, which Now that we’re in high school, the next includes writing messages for these fortune step for many of us is to choose our cookies. About three years ago, Chinamajor, or in other words, what we town featured a contest for the best would like to do for the rest messages for fortune cookies. of our lives. I’m sure Winning phrases includeveryone knows ed, “Give me liberty about the usual or give me death…. occupations like Wouldn’t it be betdoctors, teachers, ter to just give and lawyers, me food?” and but have you “The person ever wonnext to you dered who was secretly writes those Photo courtesy of FOODMAG.COM.AU eyeing your messages in food.”

Do fortune cook- TASTY JOB Delicious isn’t it? One unusual you think you ies or the ad- job involves test tasting pet food. have what it vertisements takes to be the on cereal boxes? Believe it or not, there are next best fortune cookie message writer? actually hundreds of bizarre and unusual ocFurthermore, to all gum chewers, there cupations that you can make a living with. are people who earn money by scraping One of the most distinctive jobs that your sticky gum residues off the park bench deals with pets involves their food, but as well as the rotten blotches off the ground. the following occupation is not about the Luckily for them, they have a special mamaking of their food but rather something chine to help remove these germ capsules stranger. Most of us know that some aniinstantly. In addition, there is also an occumals are tested to develop cures for diseaspation called a ring tone recorder. This peres, but did you know that there are people son comes up with those irritating chimes who taste pet food? Surprisingly, some and ring styles for your phone, recording people actually enjoy it, and they even dethe latest sounds from a computer. The protermine the best brands. It’s hard to believe, cess takes an astonishingly long time, so but there really are pet food taste testers. give credit to those hard working recording If you thought that job was weird, artists. Maybe you could bring the “Hello wait until you read about the next one. This Moto” ring tone to a whole new level. one involves the box of breakfast cereal, Now that you’ve learned about some which most of us may only take a quick of the most unusual and bizarre occupaglance at for the nutrition facts. Neverthetions, share these out-of-the-ordinary ways less, there is so much more to a cereal box of earning a living with your family and than you realize, since there is actually an friends. Maybe they’ll be interested, too, author of the advertisements that advoand want to learn more about our world and cates the cereal with eye-catching phrases. the people in it. After all, it’s not everyday So, the next time you eat cereal for breakthat you come across someone who writes fast, think of all those creative minds the lucky messages for a fortune cookie that influenced you to buy their product. or the advertisements on the cereal box.

Another out-of-this world job has to do with the Chinese takeout menu, specifically aleong@apachepowwow.com

By AMY LEONG

YouTube’s Funniest Spoofs, Collisions, Moves, and Giggles

By AMY LEONG Staff Writer

While we tend to our usual pile of homework and skim the pages of our textbooks, our instincts compel us to a highly engaging device, the computer. Since communicating with friends is only a click away, addictions such as YouTube, Facebook, and AIM seem to drag us away so easily from our homework, diverting about 99.99% of us students today. Because there are times when a break is required, I have compiled a list of the funniest YouTube videos. So while you take a breather from your assignments, just log on to one of these sites and begin the excitement.

For most, Twilight and The Dark Knight were the popular movie picks of the year. But after parodies of these movies appeared on YouTube, Edward Cullen and Batman got a whole new comedic twist. From their intense atmospheres to their on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense, spoofs created by “EvilIguanaProduction” and “MonkeyandApple” cater to a wide range of audiences.

Just type in “Twilight Trailer Spoof” to watch a hilarious video consisting of a brief

storyline to the movie with countless gags of Edward’s vampire characteristics. It also brings the phrase “You’ve brought a snack” to a whole new level. Moreover, “The Dark Knight—Joker Interrogation Scene Spoof” will have you laughing all the way through. The creator, Raul, plays both Batman and Joker in this hilarious investigation clip.

Another amusing collection of videos is known as FAILBlog, a channel in which a group of people features tons of collisions and crack-ups.

Just type in FAILBlog on YouTube, Photo courtesy of IMAGESHACK.COM.US and you’ll discover some of the most hilarious clips, including “Wedding SAY SMILE This giggles in “Laughing Ring Exchange Fail,” “Soccer Fail,” Baby” will surely put a grin on your face. and “News Reporter Fail.” “Wedding called “Auto-tunes the News.” It highlights Ring Exchange Fail” displays the significant debates and speeches made by best man’s clumsiness when he trips into the famous politicians and presidents. The only bride, causing her to fall into the pool. Another difference is that instead of talking in their one of the videos depicts a reporter walking regular voices, the speakers are rejoicing and into a pole. In a matter of seconds, these clips talking to the enhanced music of T-pain. This will have you bursting with laughter, so make genre of music has a techno sound to it, so the sure you don’t miss FAILBlog. music video will definitely leave you amused.

Next is another exhilarating comedy

If you’re more into different styles of dancing than singing, you should watch “Evolution of Dance.” This six minute video documents the progression of dance through a continuous string of various dances including the chicken dance, the robot, disco, and many other struts, steps, and trots. One dancer’s wild movements and intense energy create a humorous atmosphere. So, if you’re ready to laugh, this off-the-top performance will not disappoint you in the slightest.

Still not impressed by these funny videos? The peculiar sounds of “Laughing Baby” are sure to deliver. A father’s constant noises make the baby laugh. The baby’s cute smile and constant giggles are adorable additions to the humor in the video. Pretty soon, you’ll be laughing along as you watch this strange yet humorous episode take place.

So, while you procrastinate on your homework or take a leisure break from your studies, you can watch some of these hilarious videos on YouTube to relieve your stress.

Share these humorous clips with all of your friends, and let the laughter begin! aleong@apachepowwow.com

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September 2009

Cosmic Addiction to Science Fiction

By JOANNA SHEN

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Time to Play, Scribble Away!

By THERESA LEE

Executive Copy Editor

Staff Writer

A curious race, we always wonder what life amongst aliens or scientific phenomena would be like. If the world suddenly collapsed and chaos consumed our lives, how would each day pass by? With constant rumors of the apocalypse amidst conversation about topics such as the highly anticipated movie 2012, television networks have taken a turn in show selection as well, straying from medical dramas to science fiction thrillers.

If you were given a taste of what’s to come, a mere glimpse of the future ahead of you, would you embrace fate and let life pass by as you know it or attempt to change it? ABC’s FlashForward, which premiered on Sept. 24, documents the lives of an entire population of people who black out at the same time. Within those few moments, they are given the chance to flash forward six months into the future and observe what is to become of them. What they do with their memories is up to them to decide for themselves. Junior Michelle Huang said, “I would definitely want to change [the future] because if something bad happens, I would ask why. Why did that have to happen? I would continuously question everything and live in regret.”

Would you believe a horde of aliens if they arrived on planet Earth promoting an agenda of peace and hope? They call themselves the Vs in the science fiction thriller V, which premieres Nov. 3 on ABC, and by their outward appearance and actions, seem bent on helping mankind in their most desperate time of need. With their healing powers and unexplainable forces, the Vs position themselves as saviors in the eyes of the people. However, when gratitude morphs into worship, it becomes unclear whether the Vs’ advocacy of peace is genuine or just a mask hiding their real motives of human extermination.

What would happen to your soul if you failed to seek justice on Earth before leaving it? Fox’s thriller-drama Past Life, set to air sometime in 2010, explores the possibility of reincarnation to solve the unexplainable question of people suffering present-day traumas from past life horrors. When a teenage boy begins seeing images of his own murder, psychologist Dr. Kate McGinn works to unravel the mystery of memories that have never occurred, that is, in this life. Senior Jacqueline Huang said excitedly, “It really makes you question your beliefs and life in general. The possibility of a spirit inhabiting a new body is bizarre but interesting as well.” Is déjà vu really déjà vu, or do your memories, in actuality, belong to someone else?

As Arcadians, we may be stripped of our ability to spend quality time with our televisions due to the pressures of school and homework. But, for those of us who are fascinated with thrillers and suspense, we should sit down to at least one episode this fall and watch the mysteries of life and the future unravel themselves before us. That is, if we even live to see it....

jshen@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of BRUCEMHOOD.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM and photo courtesy of HP.COM

Six Cool Tips and Tricks for Your iPod

By JENNY LI Staff Writer

For many, the iPod is an essential and personal gadget in their lives. It relieves stress and boredom and helps drown out the hectic melody of daily life. Because the iPod is an item of such personal expression, devout users have developed tips and tricks to customize their iPods to their own needs.

I have collected a few particularly interesting ones to share so that you may try to customize your iPod as well. These tidbits of information range from trivial instructions such as how to extend battery life to useful hacks; hopefully, you can utilize at least one of them to o mak make your life easier.

Hacks: To gain access to H Ha these nifty modifications, go to hese nif iPodwizard.net. After signing up, go to the forums and download iPod Wizard’s small-sized application. With this application, you can edit the text and the graphics themes on your iPod! These themes are all user-made and thus,, if you do not like the available themes, you y can always find someone on the he forum and request a custom design.

Radio: This is a slightly more compliRad

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cated process, and you will find all the directions here: http://shufflehacks.blogspot. com/2005/12/build-your-own-imouse-fmtransmitter.html. This hack will turn your iPod portable radio station! into nto a por port YouTube Videos: Admit it; tons of peoYou YouT addicted to YouTube, and no one can ple are ad them because there are many “enterblame th the taining” clips on it. Now, if you’ve found one you’re particularly fond of, type in vixy.net and have the clip transferred into your iPod! All you have to do is copy and paste the YouTube URL, specify the format you desire, and download it and place it on iTunes! iPod as Po Pod a Storage St Sto Device: If e: you have an ha old or maybe just an extra iPod lying around, why not make use of it?

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Waste not, want not. Simply open iTunes and under the properties of your iPod, select “Enable Disk Usage.” Once you plug in your iPod, go to “My Computer” (for PC) or “Find” (for Mac) and click on your iPod. Like a USB drive, rive, you yo can now store videos, documents, and nd images! imag image Wikipedia: This is a site that everyone Wik loves; it contains all the world’s knowledge in c one place, place just like your own Einstein! Now plac you can get it on your iPod and carry Wikipedia with you wherever you go. Just log on to this website, http://encyclopodia.sourceforge. net/en/index.html, and follow the instructions; net/en/inde en/in itt will guide guid you step by step.

Battery Life: The brightness of the Batte screen creen and the volume at which you play your songs ngs are two t factors that affect how long your iPod battery lasts. The louder you pump your volume, the more battery life you consume, not to mention the hearing problems it could cause in the long run. The brightness of your iPod’s screen can also be easily adjusted in your iPod’s settings.

With that, I give you some pretty spiffy tools for you to start customizing your iPod. Just remember not to use them in class or you’ll find yourself in the dean’s office!

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jli@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of STATIC.HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM

Imagine yourself stranded on an island surrounded by sharks. What do you do? Call a helicopter for rescue? Harpoon the sharks to swim safely to land? Fly away on the back of a pterodactyl? Or create your own escape in Scribblenauts!

Critics are suggesting that this new game developed by 5th Cell could be one of the greatest games ever released on Nintendo’s handheld, the DS. Claiming the titles of Best of Show, Best Handheld Game, and many others during the annual game conference, E3, Scribblenauts has caught the attention of many gamers. However, unlike the majority of highly praised games, Scribblenauts is a puzzle action game that requires gamers to challenge their imagination by solving puzzles in their own way, calling out almost any existing item to use!

The goal of this game is to help Maxwell, the protagonist, collect Starites, starlike objects that trigger the completion of a level when touched. The game contains two game modes: puzzle and action. In puzzle mode, certain events, such as reuniting a family of penguins, activate the appearance of a Starite. In action mode, Starites need to be obtained after overcoming several obstacles. Players can use the in-game keyboard to type in whatever item they wish to create. Each level has multiple ways to reach the objective so the replay value is immense! A level could require the return of a stranded cat to its rightful owner. One may type in a magic carpet to physically retrieve the poor animal, but another possible way is to lure the cat down by summoning a rat. At the end of each level, players will receive “ollars” as a reward for finishing; calculated factors include time spent, items used, and style.

Featuring over 200 levels of mind-boggling fun, Scribblenauts challenges its audience to conjure up creative approaches, especially since some levels offer more points for innovative thinking and extra credit for unusual items.

You might be thinking, is it even humanly possible for the game to have every possible word? Well, ponder no more!

During the past six months, members of 5th Cell have been gathering information from dictionaries and other databases, including Wikipedia, and compiling them into the game engine. With the help of artificial intelligence, every item in Scribblenauts is programmed to react a certain way when in contact with other objects.

The database contains tens of thousands of possible words, excluding copyrighted terms and vulgar language, so the possibilities are endless! The variety of terms ranges from animals to weapons to famous people to regular household items. Even God (depicted as an old man with a white mustache) wielding a potato gun can be summoned to defeat the evil Cthulhu and hordes of zombies in outer space!

So whether you decide to transport a frozen Bigfoot with a UFO or clear a house full of ants with a bulldozer, boredom will never strike again. Scribblenauts hit the shelves of your local game shop on Sept. 15, so be sure to check out this multiaward winning game! tlee@apachepowwow.com

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ACADEMICS

The Ice Broken

By NANCY XIAO

“How much does a polar bear weigh?

Enough to break the ice!” Luckily, this year’s novice Speech and Debate members did not need this pick-up line to acquaint themselves with others; they had the Ice Breaker Invitational! This tournament, hosted by Gabrielino High School on Sept. 19, allowed novices to get use to competing. Novices are paired up to compete in four events: impromptu duo, spontaneous argument (SPAR), radio interview, and character debate. The team was accompanied by the new coach, Ms. Josepia Casey, who said, “I’m looking forward to bringing home some trophies!”

In impromptu duo, each pair is assigned a scenario that they must act out. This was sophomore Mina Zomorod’s favorite event “because [she was] able to use [her] imagination and creativity.”

SPAR is a “serious” debate on issues such as “Barbies are prettier than Bratz” or “sandals should not be worn to meet Barack Obama.”

In radio interview, sophomore Greg Chang put on a Borat accent to interview sophomore Caroline Young, the Miss America runner-up. Caroline stated, “It turned out spectacularly…loud at the end.”

Sophomore Farihah Chowdhury and senior Andrew Chang were chefs arguing that “McDonalds is better than Taco Bell” in character debate. Chowdhury recounted the event with detail, “By the time we were done stating our points, our opponents were speechless.”

Indeed, Farihah and Andrew wowed competitors with their performance, earning 1st place out of over 200 duos in the tournament. Arcadia also placed three other duos in the top fourteen, more than any other school except for Gabrielino.

Good luck to members on their upcoming tournaments. And hey, it’s a good thing that pick-up line was never needed; otherwise, they would’ve sunk right through the ice! nxiao@apachepowwow.com

September 2009

The 2010 National Merit Semifinalists

By DEREK HA Staff Writer

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two colleges of their choices.

For semifinalists, the path towards a scholarship is far from over, and that means more work. In order to keep advancing in either competition, semifinalists must earn an SAT score which corresponds with their success on the PSAT, maintain a high level of academic performance, and procure letters of recommendation

scholarship. A number of Special Scholarships are available for students who received recognition from the NMSC but did not qualify as finalists.

For more information on both scholarship programs, visit http://nationalmerit.org.

Earlier this month, the semifinalists for the 2010 National Merit Scholarship program were announced, and a remarkable 32 seniors from Arcadia High School made the cut. They will now have the chance to advance in a nationwide How you can win a scholarship! competition for scholarOnly juniors are eligible for ships given by the National scholarships, but freshmen and Merit Scholarship Corporasophomores are welcome to take tion (NMSC). The NMSC the PSAT’s. also sponsors the National This year’s PSAT is on Oct. Achievement Scholarship 17 (you can unwind at the Homeprogram, which rewards coming Dance later that same high-achieving Black Amerday!). Sign-ups are in front of the ican students. Our school Music Building during lunch only boasts of one semifinalist and will take place from Sept. 21 for this competition: Wesley to Oct. 2. Remember to bring a Tyner. photo ID and $30 (checks should The semifinalists for be made out to “Arcadia Music both programs are selected Club”). Late sign-ups and walkbased on their performance ins will be charged an additional on the PSAT. Administered Photo by ELLIOT LEE $10. every October, the PSAT NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS The Semifinalists pose togethis basically a condensed dha@apachepowwow.com er, celebrating their success in the NMSQT. “warm-up” version of the much-feared SAT Reasoning Test. Don’t be from their high school counselors. They also Semifinalists in the 2009 National Merit fooled by the length of the PSAT though. Semi- need to fill out an application which includes Scholarship Competition finalist Stanley Yuan explained, “Even though an essay and information about extracurricular (In alphabetical order by last name) the PSAT is shorter than the SAT, it’s actually activities, honors or awards received, or other harder because you can’t make mistakes. If you notable achievements. Semifinalist Ruodi Duan Casey Mak Alex An do, you get docked heavily.” expressed surprise at the amount of work rePallavi Bugga Cora Ormseth For those who don’t commit such errors, quired, saying, “I didn’t know there was a huge Timofey Semenov Andrew Chang however, the PSAT offers the chance to win a process involved. It’s basically a repeat of colWinston Chang Steven Shieh scholarship for college. Those who score at or lege applications.”

Abel Chiao Thomas Tang above the minimum cutoff in their state will After completing all this paperwork (with Wesley Tyner* Michelle Chien achieve semifinalist status, making them eligi- ample assistance from the ever-hardworking Shen Wang Carrie Chow ble to win up to $2,500 to go towards their col- counselors, the unsung heroes within this whole Julie Chung Angela Wang lege tuition. process), the semifinalists will wait for another Lily Dai Sam Wang As one may imagine, National Merit four to five months. In January and February, Edward Xue Ruodi Duan Scholar hopefuls face stiff competition. Over the names of the 15,000 National Merit finalists Tiffany Gu Emily Yang 1.4 million students take the PSAT each year, and 1,300 National Achievement finalists will Kevin Yu Derek Ha but only 34,000 receive Letters of Commenda- be announced. Over the months that follow, Alex Hu Stanley Yuan tion in late September while 16,000 become scholarship recipients will be notified by mail.

Rosaline Zhang Daniel Li semifinalists. The National Achievement Schol- Typically, the NMSC names 8,200 National Andrew Lin Tom Zhao arship Program recognizes 3,100 Outstanding Merit Scholars and 800 National Achievement Bryan Lu Participants and 1,600 semifinalists. Students in Scholars each year.

Jessica Ma *National Acheivement all four categories will be allowed to send the Not being selected, however, doesn’t necSemifinalist news of their excellent testing performance to essarily disqualify a candidate from receiving a

10 Words You’ll Need To Know To Survive At AHS

By JOANNA LIAO Staff Writer

when I was slowly walking to class, a glart almost ran me over.”

We are certain that everyone has been diligently “studying” their vocabulary over the summer, so here are a mere ten extra words we think are essential for you to know as you reenter AHS.

3. Vicdents: Poor victims of the law, forced to sit through the joyous (not really) process of being enlightened.

“When I saw all the nerdy vicdents in the school, I immediately decided not to apply there.”

1. Clomework: Agonizing and time-consuming labor given by teachers in an attempt to further educate your already fried and overused brain.

Usually supposed to be done at home, but often finished during class time.

“The teacher caught Mary doing her clomework when she was supposed to be working on a project.”

4. Sassroom: A beautiful sanctuary for the underprivileged and uneducated. This is the wonderful place where all tests, quizzes, sass, and homework are given. (Typically contains an air conditioner on full blast).

“When the bell rang, I went to my first period sassroom to get a good seat but all the good seats were taken and people were sassing each other in protest.”

2. Glart: Death vehicle, usually driven by an extremely overworked and exhausted dean. Just like a golf cart but never seen used for golf.

Often, this automobile carries tardy studentvictims who spent the night before frantically cramming for an exam.

“I was on crutches due to my leg injury and

5. D-Hell: A densely populated route that is notorious for being the epicenter of the invasion of personal space. This hallway is generally a serene, open walkway during class hours. At lunch and between classes, however, D-Hall turns into D-Hell, an overcrowded corridor

made hazardous by violent collisions and doors opening into students’ faces.

“After walking through D-Hell, I realized my wallet was missing.”

the fact that teachers have hearts. Also known as extra credit.

“That is the most big-hearted teacher on campus because he gives so much credextra.”

6. Rollpacks: An endangered backpack species, rarely seen used at AHS. A highly misunderstood baggage, its wheels on the bottom make rolling heavy books a simple task. Unfortunately, due to (irrational) trends, students prefer stunting their growth by carrying all their weighty belongings on their back.

“Mother! I don’t want a rollpack for school; no one uses them anymore.”

9. Gack: A gummy substance chewed secretively by students in an attempt to avoid disciplinary (overre)action from teachers, found typically under the desks or on the floors in many classrooms.

“I accidentally put my hand under the desk and when I got my hand out of the mess it was full of gack.”

7. PTOJ: (pee-toh-juh) P to J commute. A harsh and difficult test of agility, challenging all students blessed with this classroom combination in their daring schedule. (Hint: Try to avoid D-Hell; speed walking or jogging is recommended).

“My PTOJ often involves stealing a golf cart and running over a few slow students.”

8. Credextra: A small reminder that confirms

10. Plastoturf: Small, black pieces of plastic that quietly slip into your shoes and socks by the hundreds. Usually this process goes on without notice, but students later find them infuriatingly scattered around their houses.

“Our lawn is flooded with plastoturf to the point where it looks like the football field.” jliao@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of LOGOSPORTSWEAR.COM

September 2009

ACADEMICS

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Hello, My Name is (Insert Team)

By CHRISTOPHER CHEN & SALLY CHUNG Staff Writers

Arcadia High’s academic teams never cease to study with a fierce determination to surpass the prominent rankings from preceding years. As the school year begins, the teams set out to add more honors to Arcadia’s already prestigious name. cchen@apachepowwow.com & schung@apachepowwow.com

Academic Decathlon

Constitution Team

Destination Imagination

Academic Decathlon is a team that focuses on ten different subjects. The team requires time, a willingness to commit, and a high score.

Competitions cover art, music, science, economics, speech, language arts and literature, math, essay, interview, and social science. The theme this year is the French Revolution. After first semester finals, the team will attend a regional competition. Senior Alison Hsieh, captain, stated that she enjoyed “being able to be so well-rounded.” Tryouts for Academic Decathlon will last until November.

The Constitution Team is a year-long AP Government class advised by Mr. Kevin Fox that focuses on the US Constitution and government. This class is for seniors with substantial qualifications in regular, honors or AP US History. Selection consists of an application and two rounds of interview. The Constitution Team spends time preparing for weekly chambers and regionals competition in December.

The team requires dedication—as competition nears, studying can take up to 20 hours a week.

Destination Imagination (DI) is comprised of groups of seven imaginative students with a knack for creative thinking. The time commitment for DI fluctuates with each team’s dedication, but group meetings are usually scheduled after school and during lunch to prepare for the regional competition in spring. To place in regional competitions, the team must perform challenges through different means of creativity, which revolve around subjects such as construction, art, music, drama, modern social issues, science, and improvising.

Math Team

Ocean Science Bowl

Quiz Bowl

Math Team is the only academic team on campus that allows students come together to share their interest and talent in math. Members attend mandatory practice sessions every Wednesday afterschool in P-2 to prepare for their first meet in the Bay Math League in November. Their busy schedule doesn’t stop after the four competitions in the Bay Math League but continues with Math Day at the Beach at Cal State Long Beach. Tryouts were held on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Congratulations to the students who made Math Team.

Ocean Science Bowl (OSB) is based on a jeopardy- style competition where the focus is solely on oceanography such as ocean biography, chemistry, and geography. Members meet every Friday in E-8 to study for the regional competition in March. Senior Jason Jong, captain of OSB, proudly stated, “OSB consists of members who are willing to sail the high seas in search of ocean knowledge.” The team has already been determined for this year and is preparing for regionals; however, tryout will be available in June of the next school year.

Quiz Bowl is now set for the school year.

The team goes over practice questions and holds subject meetings where members focus on specific topics. The team enters tournaments hosted by high schools and colleges such as the High School National Championship Tournament and the National Scholastics Championship. When asked what makes Quiz Bowl unique, senior Alex Wang proudly stated, “Our team unity. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses which makes us stronger.”

Science Bowl

Science Olympiad

Speech and Debate

Science Bowl consists of quick-thinkers who participate in group competitions in various subjects of science. The team has begun its weekly meetings in E-8. Members study scientific concepts from textbooks and other resources, as well as by compose their own questions and test each other in practice rounds at the weekly meeting on Fridays. Tryouts for the A-team within the team will come before winter vacation; these tryouts will determine the members competing later on in the year.

Science Olympiad (SO) allows its members to explore a wide variety of science ranging from herpetology to forensics and put their knowledge to the test in written tests, labs, and projects. Members meet to discuss topics and complete practice tests in E-8 on Thursdays and Saturdays. SO consists of 25 to 30 disciplined and studious members all striving to be one of the 18 that go to competitions.

Tryouts will be held during the week of Oct. 5 for anyone interested in science.

Speech and Debate just recently participated in the Ice Breaker competition on Saturday Sept. 19. Just as the name suggests, the purpose of the competition was to help “break the ice” and unify the members. The novice members were able to participate in competitions such as impromptu, radio interviews, and character debates to explore their interests in Speech and Debate. From here, members start to specialize in specific areas such as Original Advocacy or Team Debate.

Climbing the Ladder One Step At A Time

By SALLY CHUNG & NANCY XIAO Staff Writers

Every year, AHS earns a profitable amount of money selling yearbooks to nerds, but an obvious question comes to mind: why do nerds even buy yearbooks? It seems as though yearbooks serve no other purpose than to sit on a nerd’s bookshelf collecting dust, and when finally opened, to embarrass nerds by the pages of their past. While the lively, glossy pages honor the sports teams and performing arts groups, the academic teams consisting of nerds are neglected in “black and white.” As you flip through the yearbook, do you remember sitting in the hallways all alone at lunch last year, breaking a sweat because the feeling of rejection was too much for you to handle? Well, do you also remember how you resolved to reinvent yourself for the next school year? Before you fall back into the same pattern of loneliness and alienation, keep in mind the promise you made to yourself. And hey, if you can easily formulate blueprints of the human transcriptome, ruling the social hierarchy should be as easy as Pi. That’s why this guide is designed so you can understand. Here’s how: Goths—Speech Class The fear of speaking in public prevents nerds from realizing that they might actually

enjoy it if they loosen up. Likewise, the fear of talking to goths prevents nerds from realizing that they actually share many common interests. Their isolation from popular social groups acts as a unifying factor, allowing them to bask in the sorrow of social rejection together. Additionally, their interests in Twilight and anime will undoubtedly overcome any social restrictions that once prevented them from interacting.

So the next time a Goth offers you a piercing, offer them someone to read Naruto with.

Bullies—AP Physics Without question, you are the underdog in your AP Physics class, but fret not—you can easily outsmart your intimidating classmates with a few simple calculations and your handy dandy Casio fx-115 ES scientific calculator.

Treat wedgie-pullers with the same approach by outsmarting them with your intellect. Instead of providing them a head to flush in the toilet, give them your mind. If homework help does not sway them, remind them that you’re associated with the goths and their toughness has rubbed off on you. This new ferocity of yours will make bullies actually think (twice!) before feeding you a knuckle sandwich.

Jocks—Art Class A course in which academic skill cannot compete with imaginative expression is definitely one to be apprehensive about. Picasso,

Monet and Van Gogh brush genius on a canvas while you and your scientific calculator fingerpaint. Of course, you admire what you believe is beyond your capabilities, but don’t underestimate yourself. Many great artists rose from obscurity and you can join the ranks by taking the knowledge you have gained in AP Physics and utilizing it to create game plans for the coach.

In turn, this will earn you the respect of jocks when they score the winning touchdown. You can be the Phil Jackson of the Apaches!

Teacher’s Pet—TA Now that you’ve conquered the Goths, bullies, jocks and cheerleaders, your next step is to replace those kiss-ups who rely on their deviously pleasant ways to make the grade. Instead of laughing along with the class at their adorably stupid remarks, make corrections to what they say. Soon enough, their true ignorance will be exposed. This transition from a shy nerd to the teacher’s favorite may be one small step for you, but one giant leap for nerdkind.

Armed with this new information and confidence to match, you are ready to take the high school world by storm. Don’t be let down if you’re not an overnight superstar. After all, you can’t make the A-list glossy pages in a day! nxiao@apachepowwow.com schung@apachepowwow.com

17

College Profile: Carleton College

By DEREK HA

Staff Writer

Many believe that attending one of America’s top colleges means living in California or on the East Coast. Carleton College, a private liberal arts institute in Northfield, Minnesota, shatters this assumption by proudly making its home in the city of “cows, colleges and contentment.”

Located in a quaint, charming town, Carleton still attracts some of the country’s brightest minds with top-notch departments in a remarkably wide spectrum of academic fields. The strongest majors range from mathematics and computer science to english and history. The school also offers two or three engineering programs with Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis, as well as unique programs like a concentration in cross-cultural studies.

Students are also drawn to Carleton by its intimate and intense academic setting. The majority of classes have fewer than 20 students, something that is made possible by an overall enrollment of only 2,000. Classes are typically filled with spirited intellectual discussions led by exalted professors. Because Carleton is an exclusively undergraduate institution, the entire faculty is completely dedicated to teaching.

Carleton operates on the trimester system, so the workload is notoriously heavy.

Luckily, students can unwind by baking cookies at the Dacie Moses House or by participating in a number of traditions. The annual Winter Carnival includes activities such as human bowling, and seniors in their final term attend weekly barbeques (these are held on Mai Fete, an island on a lake on campus).

Admission to Carleton is highly selective, with only 27.5% of applicants being accepted in the fall of 2008. The most important criteria in determining admission are grade point average and rigor of secondary school courses.

Carleton’s annual tuition is hefty, but over half of the student population receive some sort of financial aid. In addition to need-based aid, Carleton also sponsors the National Merit and National Achievement scholarships.

Admission Statistics: SAT Scores Critical Reading 650-750 Math 660-740 Writing 650-730 ACT Composite 29-33 In-state tuition: $39,777 Out-of-state tuition $39,777 Acceptance rate: 27.5% dha@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of FORBES.COM

ENVIRONMENTALLY GOOD Carleton is one of the leading “green” colleges.

STUDENT LIFE

18 The Votes Are In: Freshman Council PROFILE ALICE YANG

By ESTHER LIN

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

IN FLORIDA Alice Yang gave a speech to an audience of 1,500 people.

Alice Yang, a freshman at AHS, is the new Picasso on campus. Alice’s love for learning and passion for art inspired her to create the winning piece in her category for the 2008-2009 Reflections National PTA Art Contest. Out of 500,000 contestants, Alice came out on top.

Inspired by the theme of the contest, “WOW,” Alice’s piece titled “Knowledge is Power” incorporated various middle school topics she learned into an incredible piece of artwork depicting students learning. When asked what she wanted her piece to express, she replied, “I hope my art will convey a certain relationship towards learning; I want to show that knowledge is power.” Alice explained that great things can come from learning and that she wanted her piece to illustrate that learning can take people places beyond their imagination.

When she discovered that she had won the contest, Alice “was in awe.” She traveled to Florida where she accepted a scholarship and award before an audience of 1,500. The scholarship contributed $800 towards her college education.

In addition, she received the Principal’s Recognition for the National Reflections “Outstanding” Award for Visual Arts from First Avenue Middle School.

Alice Yang began taking art classes at the age of five in San Gabriel at Lei Wang’s W. California Art Academy. Alice focuses mainly on drawing, but she keeps an open mind about different forms of art.

She does not know exactly what she wants to pursue when she is older but mentioned that she may major in art in college. We hope to see more of Alice Yang’s artwork in the future. anaran@apachepowwow.com

Photos courtesy of ALICE YANG

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Alice Yang’s winning artwork of the 2008-2009 Reflections Contest.

As the freshmen gradually adapt to AHS, certain individuals rise up above the rest to become student leaders. In order to ensure a successful first year at high school, freshmen elected the winners based on both merit and popularity during campaigning, in which candidates eagerly shouted out campaign slogans and offered candy as an incentive to vote. During lunch on Sept. 25, the results of their hard-earned work finally came in to the great excitement of some and disappointment of others. So cheers to those freshmen who have won, and good luck next time to those who fell short. Here are some questions to help the student body familiarize themselves with the new freshman council.

PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

3) You just wrote a memoir about the story of your life. What is the title?

4) What was the best part of the process in running for ASB office?

SENATOR

Sarah Cho

1. I wanted to be a teacher.

2. I would want to teleport to different parts of the world.

3. On the Waves 4. The best part of the process in running for ASB office was making campaigning materials and meeting new people.

1. I wanted to be a policeman. That is the closest job to being a hero.

2. To teleport so I can save people from their impending doom.

3. My Walk with God 4. Coming up with my speech. My friends and I came up with a speech and rap together.

TREASURER 1. I really wanted to be an astronaut.

I thought it looked fun.

2. To fly 3. Alex Ye: The Book? I don’t really think about this, so I really wouldn’t know.

4. Meeting more people.

1. I wanted to become an artist.

2. If I had any superpower, I wish I could know what people were thinking.

3. The Story of My Life.

4. Anything but campaigning.

2) If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

elin@apachepowwow.com

Willy Liang

Tricia Xu

September 2009

VICE PRESIDENT

1) I wanted to be a doctor.

2) If I could have any superpower I would choose to fly.

3) A Journey That Never Ends 4) The best part of the process is campaigning because you meet a lot of new friends.

1) What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

Photos courtesy of ASB

By ANNA NARAN

apachepowwow.com

Alex Ye

Nicole Kim

BOYS’ RELATIONS GIRLS’ RELATIONS

Andrew Sun

1. I wanted to be a United States Senator.

2. To turn back time.

3. A Nerd’s Life 4. Definitely meeting all the new people and the new friends I have made. It was a truly rewarding and lasting experience.

1. I wanted to be a pediatrician.

2. The power to freeze time!

3. The Story of my Ritard-ed Life 4. The best part about running was meeting new people throughout the process.

Rita Wang

Green Plants and Sam the Man

By JADE SHAO

Staff Writer

While many AHS students may have been having fun and exploring exotic lands abroad, our very own Sam Wang was hard at work this past summer making discoveries about plant oxylipins by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (technology used in drug testing). Now, for those who are not fluent in the language of Plant Biology, senior Sam Wang completed six weeks of research at UC Davis in the Young Scholars Program (YSP) as one of the only 40 students admitted out of the 200 applicants. According to J. Richard Pomeroy, the director of YSP, “a major emphasis of the program is giving students the opportunity to gain an understanding of biological science research and its interdisciplinary impact on other fields via an in-depth research experience in state-ofthe-art laboratories.”

Working alongside his fellow scientific scholars, whose projects ranged from artificial RNA to how aerosol particles at ground level are suspended in the atmosphere, Sam Wang eagerly acquired the lab experience he had sought from the very beginning. In addition, Sam was

able to do individual research under the guidance of UC Davis post-doctoral researcher Tatyana Savchenko on plant responses to environmental

Photo by JADE SHAO

SAM THE SCIENTIST Move over Professor Sprout, Sam Zhengzhong Wang is in the greenhouse.

stress by measuring the level of aldehydes (the chemicals that give grass that freshly-cut smell) in genetically-engineered plants and the level of jasmonic acid (a plant hormone) in wounded plant tissue. Discoveries in this field of science may be crucial to future generations because, as Sam reported, “If we’re able to generate transgenic plants with modified oxylipin profile, then we can modify crops and decrease the need for pesticides…and save the environment, of course.” Current concerns about climate change and global environment are especially hot topics—being one of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals—and Sam hopes that the valuable methods he learned will benefit him in his future pursuits.

Throughout his six weeks at UC Davis, Sam dutifully and meticulously kept his research notebooks and wrote articles describing his research project for his presentation of the project’s conclusions at a research symposium.

However, Sam doesn’t finish there; he will also be giving a presentation of his research to students on at AHS next month in Mr. Monden’s classroom, J30. jshao@apachepowwow.com

September 2009

STUDENT LIFE 19

apachepowwow.com

Shooting Hoops for the Win

By RHIANNON YEE

Staff Writer

the shade. Luckily, Key Club was armed and ready with pizza and plenty of ice-cold water.

During lunch, Key Club held a raffle and a free

The Key Club’s 13th Annual Basketball Tournament dawned bright and early on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 22 at Dana Middle School. Teams from all around Arcadia registered with a $10 fee, while spectators paid $5.

To intensify the competition, Key Club provided a wide array of amazing prizes for the top three teams, many of which were donated by prominent businesses around Arcadia that sponsored the event. Each team battled for the first place prize of a $50 gift card to Ichima Sushi, a $25 Islands gift card, and two gift certificates to In-N-Out. Key Club President Carpus Tin oversaw the games while volunteers from the local YMCA refereed the event. Although a high school club hosted the tournament, the RHIANNON YEE majority of the participat- otos by h P ing teams were college students or adults. One of the teams, the Porta-Potties, throw contest. “practice[d] For the contest, playtogether all ers received one minute the time to shoot as many free during the throws as possible. After summer and few minutes of frenzied [are] close tossing, Bob Alvarado friends,” emerged as the winner, a said Arcadia spectator who just wanted alumna Nina to try his luck.

Nurena. Though Once lunch drew to a the day was blisterclose, the players geared up ingly hot with scarcely for the quarterfinals. According any shade, a relaxed and to Carpus Tin, “there were only eight jovial atmosphere was mainteams this year, which is a lot less than the tained throughout the tournament with the play- twenty-one teams last year,” so the eight teams ers good-naturedly teasing each other. quickly dwindled to four in the semifinals and By noon, all preliminary games were over the final game culminated in a face-off between and the players hungrily rushed to eat lunch in Drano, three-time champion, and the Porta-Pot-

ties. The final game lasted a bit longer than the rest, going on for a total of 20 minutes.

Both teams stood out since the Porta-Potties had the only two girls in the whole tournament and Drano was the only team with uniforms. Although Drano scored first, the Porta-Potties quickly retaliated and the game was well underway.

Lots of teamwork and many assists on both sides kept the game interesting and lively. While the girls were much shorter than the opposing team members, they held their own. The whistle signaled the end of the exhausting first half with the score tied at 7-7.

After taking a quick breather and getting some water, both teams charged back on the court to start off the second half. Porta-Potties team member Kimberly Wong quickly got hold of the ball and dribbled into Drano territory. Family members and friends cheered for their teams and the cry of “Air ball!” rang out from the defeated players on the sidelines every time the ball missed the hoop. Finally, after a very close competitive game, Drano took the title, beating the Porta-Potties 20-11.

The Porta-Potties did not feel too upset, however—they had put up a good fight and went home with a 2nd place trophy, a $20 gift card to BJ’s restaurant, a $20 Ralph’s gift card and a gift certificate to the Hat. To everyone else, Drano’s win might have come as a surprise, but according to them, it was a done deal right from the start. Drano player G.A.M.E. spoke for his team when he said, “The first time we won we were ecstatic.

The second time we were happy and the third time we felt it, but this time we knew it. And next year, it’s a wrap!” ryee@apachepowwow.com

Got Talent? Arcadia Students Do! Photo courtesy of CARRIE QIU

Carrie Qiu, Sophomore Talent: Sang “At Last”

by Etta James Prize: $300

I came to LA about a month ago on Aug. 14 from Vancouver. I’ve been to a few singing competitions in Vancouver, so the experience wasn’t completely new to me. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been on stage; the few moments before my performance are always the most anxious moments throughout the whole experience. But once I’m on stage, the tense feeling fades and I am completely absorbed into the song and forget everything else. The best part about the experience is after the performance because it’s the recognition of what I need to improve on and the feeling of accomplishment that make the experience worthwhile.

This is the first time I’ve gotten first place singing at a competition and hopefully it won’t be the last.

2

Mary Guyer, Freshman Talent: Sang “I Feel the Earth Move”

by Carole King Prize: $200

It was nerve-racking standing in the crowd watching the other performers do a splendid job, and as the build up to the finale kept rising, the more worried I was about closing the show.

I performed a song titled, “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King, where I revealed my vocal and dancing talent on the stage. At the end of the show, Mayor John Wuo declared me the 2nd place winner. He called me up to the stage with him and presented me with a certificate and a plaque that displayed my achievement in the competition. Later on in the week, I received a check worth $200 as my prize. My experience at Arcadia’s Got Talent was very exciting, and even though my doubts about winning anything were high, it turned out to be an enjoyable ride from start to finish.

Photo by ELLIOTT LEE

1

Student Life Editors

Arcadia’s Got Talent, held on Sept. 12, has become a city-wide event searching for the best of the best in the city. It has a Youth Division and a Teen and Above Division and anyone is welcome to join. Congratulations to the winners!

Photo courtesy of MARY GUYER

Compiled by VELINDA LIAO & KATE TRINH

3

Carl Trigilio, Senior & Jeff Black, Alumnus Talent: Magic tricks Prize: $100

Arcadia has definitely “got talent,” there is no doubt about that. Jeff Black, a former student of AHS, and I had the privilege of performing and competing at the city-wide talent show on Sept. 12. We showcased a comedy duo magic act and we thought it brought a certain uniqueness to the competition. I witnessed several amazing performers, including singers Carrie Qiu and Mary Guyer, who placed first and second respectively. Many others came absolutely prepared, as I watched them one by one, setting the bar higher and higher for the competition.

Kudos to everybody who participated—it was a show I’ll never forget. vliao@apachepowwow.com ktrinh@apachepowwow.com

Trivial Pursuit: Summer Movies

By RHIANNON YEE

Staff Writer

Too busy with summer school to get out to watch movies much? Well, here’s your chance to catch up on your summer movie trivia and impress your friends with your newfound summer blockbuster knowledge!

1. Name two summer blockbusters that started out as a line of toys.

Transformers 2: Rise of the Fallen, G.I. Joe 2. What are two movies that Christian Bale starred in this summer?

Public Enemies, Terminator Salvation 3. What is the title of the sixth Harry Potter installment that came out in theaters this summer?

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ryee@apachepowwow.com Mr. Panza, History and AP Comparative Politics teacher X1. G. I. Joe... I don’t know the other one.

X2. No clue.

X3. I don’t know...

Azkaban?

0/3 Lauren Pulciano, Freshman C1. Transformers, G.I. Joe X2. Christian Bale? I don’t know.

C3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 2/3 Fannie Chiang, Sophomore X1. Um...G.I. Joe? I’m not sure about the other one.

X2. Batman? Inglourious Basterds?

C3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

1/3 Tyler Reeves, Junior X1. G.I. Joe. I don’t know the other one.

C2. Public Enemy and Terminator C3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 2/3 Hannah Oh, Senior X1. I don’t know what the heck you’re talking about.

X2. Public Enemies C3. Half-Blood Prince.

1/3 Photos by RHIANNON YEE

20

SPORTS Boys Cross Country: Off to the Races apachepowwow.com

Girls Golf

By REGINA LIU

By ANDREW LIN Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Unlike some other athletic teams, Girls Varsity Golf has successfully prevented the poor air quality from interfering significantly with their preparation for the upcoming season. The dedicated team players have sacrificed their time for individual practice in order to maintain and improve their abilities.

Not to mention, the team has been practicing ever since their last season ended. It seems lack of practice will not be an issue for them.

However, the air quality has found other ways to raise problems for the team. The cancellation of a number of matches has forced them to compete in their first league match with only a single warm-up match to prepare them.

“I was really mad when I heard about our canceled match,” voiced junior Mya Maw, a member of the team.

Though some may fear for the team due to their lack of practice matches, Girls Varsity Golf coach Robert Greep said, “I’m very confident in the girls this season. I know they want to be successful and so far they have been.” It’s hard to doubt a team when their coach can express his confidence in them so easily and freely.

Likewise, Mya refused to let the canceled matches waver her optimism. She stated the night before the match of Sept. 10, “I feel that we are totally prepared for Thursday, only one warm-up match or not.”

Perhaps some of this certainty comes from the outstanding play during the warmup match. Arcadia dominated San Marino 193-226 at their own home course.

Mya has high expectations for this team.

“Last year all we shot for was winning league, this year we hope to also do well in CIF, team and individual.”

Mya has raised her goals for the upcoming year with good reason as she observed, “Usually only our top three or four [starters] are solid but this year all six of us are pretty consistent.”

Coach Greep acknowledged this strength as well when he said, “Several of my girls truly put forth the effort that was needed in the off season. Fortunately, most of those girls are the ones who are currently in the top portion of the line up.”

The deep line up will also prove to be an asset, as there is a large selection of strong players he can use to build an unbeatable team. And luckily for them, “most teams [they’ll] compete against won’t have that luxury” the way that they do. As stated by Coach Greep, “this makes a big difference in golf competition where 5 scores are kept out of 6.”

More than anything, Coach Greep believes that their high level of confidence— “the area of weakness that truly cost them last year at CIF team play”—will bring them to victory this season.

Whether it’s because of an increased level of skill, a stronger level of confidence, or a mixture of the two, there is hardly any question that this year the team will excel beyond those prior. Especially considering that by the first match of the year, the team of ‘09‘10 had already scored better than any single match of ‘08-‘09. rliu@apachepowwow.com

It is not enough to say that our Boys Cross Country team has a tradition of excellence. To simply list their many awards and accomplishments would be to do them an injustice; however, as an overview, and because we have to start somewhere: they’ve made it to state in the last four consecutive years, participated in nationals in the last three, and, while at Nike Team Nationals, placed in the open race second—behind the team from Kenya.

And that was all from the last few years I’ve gone to school here, never mind previous seasons.

But these achievements aren’t all that surprising when taken in context of the training, sheer amount of miles and sprints and conditioning they do. To begin, the team never stops training—except for the two two-week intervals of rest they get after the cross country and track seasons. And because CIF rules prohibit cross country coaches to meet with their teams on Sundays and between the end of school and the beginning of the summer program, the responsibility to organize practices during these times falls to the team captains: seniors Bryant Chan, Yufei Fu, Charlie Johansen, Christos McClain, and Nick Shar.

But once the summer program started, the team’s schedule started to look a little like this: Monday, six miles in the morning and eight in the afternoon; Tuesday, six in the morning and

And when there’s nobody else to race, the Apaches race against themselves: while the rest of the city slept on Sept. 7, 2009, the Arcadia Boys Cross Country team held their annual Labor Day 5K. There were three teams, each consisting of the alumni of the three feeder middle schools: Dana, Foothills, and First Avenue. The event began Labor Day morning and drew to a close with the disclosing of the results of the race (apparently Dana is faster than both First Ave. and Foothills) and an annual tradition, the announcement of the year’s Varsity 14. It was hot. They were caked in mud and sweat, but the fourteen of them pulled on their varsity sweatshirts, proud nonetheless.

On Sept. 12, the team traveled to their first race, the Laguna Hills Invite. Though not a league meet, it nonetheless served the important purpose of setting the mood for the beginning of the year.

And because it was an invite, the team raced by grade, as opposed to the usual varsity, junior varsity, and sophfrosh categories.

Though frosh placed 3rd and seniors, 2nd, the rest of the two grade levels dominated and swept 1st place, which is great by all accounts, considering most teams have only a handful of talented runners, scattered through the grades, they like to stuff into varsity. “The results were really a testament to how solid our team is this year. Go through the results and you’ll see that we’re strong on every level,” boasted senior Gabriel Weil. And he may have been onto something, especially since the only other team to come close to Arcadia in terms of depth was El Toro, whose seniors came in 3rd, juniors, 4th, sophomores, 3rd, and

September 2009

pect.” However, Fogle was not the only freshman prospect—to be a freshman on Arcadia’s cross country is to be a prospect. “This is my fourth year running, and I wasn’t anywhere nearly as dedicated as these incoming kids are now…they have the ability to quickly adapt, and these incoming 9th and 10th graders will take this team to places it hasn’t been able to reach before,” agreed Patrick.

Unfortunately, on Sept. 19 in the Woodbridge Invitational, Arcadia’s varsity team came in third to previous state champion Royal High School and St. John Bosco. Though the meet’s results have no bearing on the team’s future, it was an injury nonetheless. But according to sophomore Juan De La Rosa, “In a way I’m glad we lost Woodbridge, because it was an eye-opener.”

And with that smarting lesson the Apaches doubled their efforts and swept League Meet #1, crushing the 7 other schools in attendance. At the junior varsity level, opponents had virtually no hope, with Arcadia seizing the first 6 spots and 9 out of the first 12.

The varsity team placed 4 runners in the top 5, which was impressive, again considering that there were 7 other schools in attendance.

However, even then the full brunt of Apache force was held back, as two varsity members were pulled out of the race to rest up for the following w e e k e n d ’s infinitely more important—and competitive— Stanford Invitational.

But it is still early, and as Woodbridge evinced, Arcadia is not above mistake or flaw.

It’s only been a month into the season, and State Cham-

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY The senior captains of Boys Cross Country hope to continue their success this year, and contribute to the team their leadership and athletic skills. Pictured above (from left to right): Christos McClain, Charlie Johansen, Bryant Chan, Nick Shar, and Yufei Fu. six speed-conditioning miles in the afternoon; Wednesday, 18 miles in total; this pattern repeated itself through the week and into Saturday and Sunday. “The summer training we just completed was second to none before in terms of both volume and intensity,” said Coach O’Brien. “Many of our athletes ran between 900 and 1000 miles during the 13 week summer vacation period alone.”

All this they do so that when the time comes they can rock their opponents.

Photos by ELLIOTT LEE

freshman, 8th.

But the Laguna Hills Invite wasn’t important just because it set the tone for victory early in the season—it also acted as a gauge of sorts, a monitor and indicator of progress.

For some on the team, especially the freshmen, improvement was more dramatic: according to senior Patrick Wrobel, “there’s this kid, Mitchell Pratt—we call him Fogle—he got 5th in the frosh race, and it’s crazy ‘cause he’s so skinny, like just a skeletal system propelled by pure mechanical motion. He’s definitely a pros-

pionships won’t be till winter break. And so for that reason, I say the following proudly but with caution: Arcadia is ranked first in state and second nationally. As Coach O’Brien put it, “WHO KNEW!!??” That said, the Apache Boys Cross Country still have a long road ahead, months of training, and people should not get ahead of themselves. After all, ranks have meaning only if we deliver come race time. alin@apachepowwow.com

SPORTS

apachepowwow.com

September 2009

21

Girls Tennis Volleyball Dominates the Court PROFILE However, on average they usually have two games a week, which would make it six hours Staff Writer a week.

One unique aspect of this team is their sense Glancing inside the North Gym, the aver- of bonding. For example, at a Queens tournaage student can catch a peek at the varsity vol- ment in Lake Forest, they made a team decision leyball team practicing diligently. From aces to to all buy gold spandex there. It was a fun team digs, these girls perform in a flawless manner, thing, and they decided that they would try and not only as a team, but as a family. This past blind the other team and distract them with their summer, instead of surfing the internet or hang- brightness. Although that didn’t exactly happen, ing out at the mall, these girls have par“it was fun and you’ll definitely be ticipated in intense workouts utilizing seeing the gold later this season,” their strengths and improving their said senior Courtney Woo. weaknesses individually and as Two tournaments the a team. The bond that was progirls varsity volleyball duced will definitely help them team attended were Preps excel throughout the season. and Watts. At Preps, The team had a summer the team won first in program from 6:00 a.m- 8:00 the silver bracket, and a.m. every morning, in which swept the competition they would practice. away at Watts, winning Although the team sufthe championship by fered many losses during their beating two or three of summer league, and probably the toughest teams in the could have done a lot better durleague, which was defiing their summer league “those nitely one of the highlights losses helped make us stronger for of that tournament. When the the incoming difficult games during team travelled to Photo by ELLIOTT LEE their first game league and CIF,” said senior Mady- GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Juniors Ashleigh of the season son Cassidy. On Debarge and Hailie Johnson soar into the air, creating against La Canthe positive side, a barrier against the hit of a La Canada opponent. ada, they ended they achieved a disappointing their goals of uniting as a team and improving game with one win and three losses. Soon after, their own individual expertise as well. Good they played La Serna and won with a score of team chemistry is a very important aspect and 3-1. Likewise, the team beat San Gabriel with 3is frankly quite hard to achieve. Moreover, to 0, and then shut out Burbank, 3-0. They continprepare for the season, their practices included ued their winning streak in their match against a variety of agility training, such as lunges, leg Hoover, winning 3-0. kicks, knee holds and back twists. The team practices about ten hours a week without games. kbay@apachepowwow.com

By KATHERINE BAY

By KATHERINE BAY

Staff Writer

Growing in size from 11 to 13 players, the Girls Varsity Tennis team proves this unlucky number actually has its perks, which shows that bigger really is better. Usually, all of the other potential Girls Varsity Tennis players are knocked back down to Junior Varsity upon not making the team; however this expansion gave the Varsity team a chance to include more promising players. Senior Sneha Chintamaneni said, “our team is very strong this year because we have 3 incoming freshmen, all very good players, and one incoming junior, and the rest are all returning varsity members, so it makes a stronger team than the past couple years.”

Although the team had a minor setback during the summer, considering that they held tryouts in late summer and were not able to practice as a whole until then, many, if not all, players perfected their skills through individual practice. Sophomore Caroline Young expects to “do very well in Pacific League.”

Their first game of the season against Pasadena Polytechnic came to be such a stupendous start when Arcadia crushed them, ending with a score of 16-2. On Sept. 14, Girls Varsity Tennis played against Claremont and absolutely demolished them by winning 15-3. The next day, the team had Crescenta Valley as their opponent and once again beat them with a score of 13-5. Their winning streak continued as they beat Pasadena 17-1, Temple City 15-3, and Burbank 13-5. The tennis team has proved unbeatable so far this season. kbay@apachepowwow.com

Boys Water Polo Splashes into a New Season

By REGINA LIU Staff Writer

With the raging fires tainting the delicate air surrounding Arcadia, many athletic teams have suffered. Arcadia Boys Varsity Water Polo is one such team that was greatly affected by the poor air quality.

Barely having finished recruitment by the end of August, coach Janice Clark had hardly started working with her team before their first game was upon them.

Senior co-captain Andrew Byrne said, “Almost everyone on the team that won league two years ago participated in club polo.” If this is any indication, their club water polo participation should prove to be a valuable asset.

According to coach Clark, a few days prior to the match on Sept. 14, the team was still “drastically behind where [they should‘ve been] due to the lack of practice time.”

New to varsity this year, but a former junior varsity member as well as a participant of club water polo in the summer, sophomore Anthony Kuo stated, “We have to squeeze in what we missed into our regular practices, so it’s a lot more work.”

It’s hardly the time to lose faith in the team,

however, as coach Clark carefully chooses her scored 13 points against San Marino’s 20. Howevteam based on their amount of “focus, willingness er, it was a close game against Brentwood, 9-12. to work hard, and…strong team attitude.”

Of course, that the team will have an easy Coach Clark certainly does not intend on season this year. Any matches against Arcadia’s underestimating the ability of her team. “My ex- main competitors in water polo, CV (#1 in the CIF pectations for the team are that we compete well Division 6 pre-season) and Glendale (#7) are not in league as well as in our Division VI to be taken lightly. of CIF and qualify for the CIF playoffs,” “The CV kids swim laps around other playshe said. The team has proved through ers and the Glendale kids run their plays perfectthe few practices they have held that they ly,” Andrew said. are indeed not to be underestimated.

As stated by Coach Clark, this year’s team Andrew stated, “When we started “will have [their] work cut out for [them].” practices, I expected a bunch of lazy bums to hit the water and start complaining rliu@apachepowwow.com about cramps. But so far none of that has happened. We started workouts on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and people are already swimming faster than I expected...If the team can learn to take something from every game and put it to use, then I expect our year to turn out well.”

Unfortunately Arcadia lost to Temple City 5-20 on Sept. 14.

The water polo team suffered a worse defeat in their match Photo by ELLIOTT LEE against Pasadena Polytechnic 1-19 on Sept.18. Things didn’t BOYS WATER POLO Freshman Clifford Ly improve for Arcadia at the launches the ball towards a teammate for an assist during match of Sept. 21 as they only Arcadia’s match against Temple City High School.

NAOMI WILCOX

By ALEX ETHRIDGE Staff Writer

Photo by ELLIOTT LEE

If you were to walk by Naomi Wilcox in a crowded hallway, you would never guess how many miles she runs each week. If you were to pass by Naomi Wilcox in a lunch line, it’d never cross your mind that she can run a 1600-meter race in under 6 minutes.

The truth is that behind that blonde hair, those sparkling blue eyes, and handful of freckles is a determined athlete who is not afraid of the words “hard work” and “mile repeats.”

Sophomore Naomi Wilcox is a second year member of Girls Cross Country and an exceptional one at that. After a year of running for the frosh-soph team and a summer of intense training, Naomi will be competing in varsity races this season. But what’s it like to be the girl running several miles a day while others are hanging out at the mall?

Let’s find out.

In addition to running cross country, Naomi is an esteemed member of the AHS orchestra, varsity water polo, and varsity track team. She said about her variety of activities, “Track and cross country usually come as a pair, and I love water polo because it allows me to be in the water and on a team at the same time.”

In addition to all of these extracurriculars, Naomi balances a full load of schoolwork including taking honors classes and learning a foreign language. Juggling school and cross country, two very time-consuming activities, can be difficult at times, but Naomi remains undaunted, “Balancing school and cross country is sometimes a struggle. After a hard workout I feel like just going home, eating, and sleeping. Managing the two may be difficult, but it can be done!” In her free time, when she isn’t busy setting personal records and running through the sprinklers with the team, Naomi likes to go to the beach to “both run and relax.” She also enjoys traveling, and hopes to travel out of the country more often.

Naomi said she is excited for the upcoming season and “is anxious to see how far [the] team will go.” As for her goals this year, they are very straightforward. “My goals as a team are to make it all the way to CIF Finals. Although we haven’t made it in a while, I feel like our team is strong enough this year to go all the way,” Naomi exclaimed.

That will be a difficult goal to achieve, but for Naomi, it’s just another finish line. aethridge@apachepowwow.com

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CALENDAR

Philly’s Best I’ve Ever Had

apachepowwow.com

Pache’mon Adventures

By BEVERLY CHEN

By GLUTTON GIRL Staff Writer Welcome back Lower West Siders, Glutton Girl here. Hear those bells? It’s the start of a new year. And accompanying the ever-alarming buzz are the familiar engines of the seniors puttering off during our favorite class of the day, lunchtime! While our friends are searching under every nook and cranny for new food locations, Spotted! T ventures into a familiar plaza’s brand new restaurant, Philly’s Best, located at 939 West Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016, right next to Baja Fresh and Robeks. Although in Monrovia, this bustling plaza is one common to many Arcadians, so no worries about driving too far into foreign territory!

My first step into the restaurant was an experience for the senses. The store interior is a simple yet suitable atmosphere for serving the famous sandwich. The walls are graced with the presence of two large images of Philadelphia, two flat screen TVs and historical references to the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. The relaxing environment is a definite plus for social hangouts. The scent of the steak and cheese immediately made me crave their sandwich. All the ingredients are openly cooked on the grills to provide nose-gasmic aromas that greet each customer personally.

Ranging from Pizza Steak sandwiches to American Hoagies to Chicken sandwiches, from Pizza fries to cheesesteak fries, Philly’s Best offers much more than the traditional sandwich. Prices range from a mere $5 to $7 for most sandwiches, similar to the price of footlongs from Subway.

I ordered a simple cheesesteak (compliments of the manager) from the variety of sandwiches presented on the menu.

The presentation of the food is casual; the sandwich rests on a white sheet snuggled within a plastic crimson basket. But don’t let the appearance fool you. My first bite into the twelve-inch sub treated my taste buds to a trip to the east side. The freshlygrilled shredded steak and oven-melted white American cheese combination evenly balanced out the soft genuine Amoroso® Rolls imported from, you guessed it, Philadelphia itself. The fried onions that glazed the inside are cooked to the tee, providing a sweet and juicy tang to the salty meat. Other condiments such as pickles and hot peppers are available to suit personal preferences but for my first sandwich, I decided to keep it plain.

Since the store is newly opened, I imagined that publicity would be pretty low, but surprisingly the influx of customers was constant throughout. I barely had to wait in line and I was greeted with friendly smiles and extremely fast service. They call themselves “Southern California’s truly authentic Philadelphia Cheesesteak and Hoagie Shop” and indeed can give you “everything you need to get a satisfying bite of REAL Philly.” The cultural aspect of Philly’s Best brings innovative taste and style to the usual flavor among Arcadia’s elite. Philly is in, and well, I’m out. Happy lunch hunting!

XOXO, Glutton Girl gluttongirl@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of MYLIFEASAFOODIE.COM

HEAVEN IN A MEAL A hot Philadelphia Cheeseteak sandwich paired with thick cut steak fries create the perfect lunchtime meal.

Ay Yo, I’mma Let You Finish

By CHERRY MO

September 2009

September 2009

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24

CAMPUS FOCUS

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September 2009

School Night

By EMILY LITVACK Fundraising Co-Chair

On Thursday, Sept. 10, the hallways on campus were abuzz with the sound of parents in good spirits, ready to hear their childrens’ teachers discuss the year’s curriculum—that is, if they could navigate through J Building and find classrooms amongst the rubble and green fencing. With the help and guidance of our own Senior Men and Women, most parents managed to make it to class before the bell marked them tardy after a seven-minute passing period. Kris Mathison, parent of freshman Trent Mathison, said the night was “crazy” and “like a zoo.” Clearly, the night resembled any weekday at Arcadia High School, as far as the contained chaos is concerned.

After receiving a copy of their student’s schedule in the North Gym, parents were dismissed to first period. When they sat down in class— stealthily lingering in the back until told to come to the front—they were welcomed warmly. Math teacher Ms. Kim Sobieck, who teaches Algebra I fourth period introduced herself to the parents, “I’m the crazed Algebra teacher. Have your kids told you about me yet? Well, I’m sort of silly but it helps keep them awake!” The parents laughed. Her charisma and clarity while discussing the syllabus and class rules seemed to comfort parents, who asked questions such as, “Do you review the homework in class?” and “Where can we purchase a copy of the textbook?” When nine of the ten minutes of fourth period passed, Ms. Sobieck reminded parents, “Encourage them to help me help them. You know, that’s what I’m here for.” The verdict? A winning presentation in Ms. Sobieck’s G11 classroom.

But what would Back to School Night be without students? The Apache Pow Wow was an ubiquitous group on campus that night. In fact, Pow Wow staff members were selling refreshments, collecting donations and distributing the paper across campus. Leaders of Pep Squad were in attendance as well. Senior Hannah Warner came to talk to parents about the pep squad program along with advisor Ms. Erickson. So, in essence, the night was a veritable collision of parents, teachers and students, and definitely a strong start to the school year. elitvack@apachepowwow.com

OLD SK OOL

Photos by ELLIOTT LEE and courtesy of DUDUDU.NET