OPINION The Man Under the Chimney: A

Trump’s Plans for America

By MARUKO MYINT

Staff Writer

On Nov. 9, the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, was officially announced as the 45th Presidentelect. Since then, a significant portion of the media has been centered around his future plans and decisions as the next Commander-in-Chief. Over the course of these past weeks, Trump has released strategies for what he wishes to achieve in office. One of his plans is what he plans to do in the first 100 days of office, focusing mainly on his quest of “putting America first”. His main goals are withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, cancelling environmental restrictions, cutting regulations on businesses, increasing security against cyber attacks, examining visa programs to end illegal immigration, and enacting rules to ban certain officials for using government positions to benefit themselves. By targeting certain systems and regulations, the President-elect hopes to create job openings, increase national security, and promote the integrity of the government. Trump has also begun assembling his cabinet, a group of important individuals that each represent a department of the government while also advising and working with the president on issues. His top choices for the various positions are Jeff Sessions for Attorney General, Mike Pompeo for CIA Director, Nikki Haley for Ambassador to the UN, Betsy DeVos for Education Secretary, Wilbur Ross for Commerce Secretary, Todd Ricketts for Deputy Commerce Secretary, James Mattis for Defense Secretary, Ben Carson for Housing and Urban Development, and Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State. From these choices, some were former rivals during his campaign trail and others were dedicated GOP donors and loyalists. So the question that remains is, “How does all of this affect us?” Although all of these policies and actions are occurring on the other side of the country and concern larger topics like economics and immigration, they still definitely affect our daily lives. Trump’s decisions that most directly affect Americans are his choices for cabinet. Betsy DeVos, his primary nominee for Education Secretary, is an education activist who is passionate believer of school choice and school vouchers. Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, will control how current civil rights laws are enforced. With this position, he will have the power to make decisions on social issues including immigration, police misconduct, voting rights, LGBT rights, antitrust enforcement, and marijuana. President-elect Trump’s decisions will affect every American, but with his upcoming inauguration, only time will tell what will happen.

mmyint@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of FLICKR.COM

Obama’s Last Medals of Freedom

By BRANDON CHEN

Staff Writer

On Nov. 21, President Barack Obama awarded a Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, to 21 artists, sports figures, scientists, and philanthropists. President Obama has given out 123 medals, the most Medals of Freedom given by any President. He awarded many whom he thought would not receive one from his successor. Recipients were chiefly Democrats and people critical of President-elect Donald Trump. Among the winners were the Gates family, Tom Hanks, Robert de Niro, Ellen DeGeneres, and Michael Jordan. Despite the differences between these honorees, they all have one thing in common. These Americans make our country a better place. President Obama stated, “It’s useful, when you think about this incredible collection of people, to realize this is what makes us the greatest nation on earth. Not because of our differences, but because in our differences we find something in common to share.” All honorees of the Medal of Freedom have contributed to the national interests of the U.S., world peace, American culture, or other significant public or private endeavors. Every one of the honorees has impacted the world and shaped it into what we know today. As always, the Presidential Medals of Freedom, unlike most other honors and medals, were presented in a quirky and haphazard fashion. President Obama was especially eccentric when presenting Michael Jordan with his medal. Being an avid basketball fan, President Obama beamed like a 10-year-old, calling him “the guy from Space Jam,” a 1996 film that starred Jordan with Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny. In the case of Bill and Melinda Gates, President Obama started off by mentioning the time Bill asked Melinda out, stating, “apparently Bill’s opening line was, ‘Do you want to go out two weeks from this coming Saturday?’ Fortunately, Melinda believes in second chances, and the world is better for it.” President Obama went on distributing awards to many others in a similar manner. During President Obama’s final presentation of medals, he was able to bring laughs, cheers, and whoops of appreciation. At the end of the ceremony, President Obama closed with, “Everyone on this stage has touched me in a powerful, personal way; these are folks who have helped make me who I am.” As President Obama’s term comes to a close, we can only wonder, who will be awarded next?

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Publication Information: The Apache Pow Wow is a student publication distributed monthly throughout the school year. The paper has been continuously published since Arcadia High School opened in 1952. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinion page reflect the opinion of The Apache Pow Wow editorial board. A student’s work does not represent the views of Arcadia High School or the Arcadia Unified School District. Address letters to the editor to: The Apache Pow Wow, 180 W. Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. To place an advertisement in the newspaper, email ads.powwow@gmail.com. Advertisement rates vary from $30 for a business card advertisement to $250 for a full-page black and white advertisement, with quarter-page, half-page, and advertisement insert options available.

4 OPINION

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December 2016

By REIKO INOUE

Staff Writer

A Word document terminated my faith in Santa.

I was in the sixth grade the winter morning I found the suspicious document on my family’s shared computer. I opened it to find a letter with blue borders that faded in, clip art of snowmen and snowflakes, and text in Comic Sans. But most disturbing was the fact that it was addressed to me and signed “From, Santa” at the bottom. This was the kind of letter I received each year along with my Christmas gifts. This was the letter I found in my stocking just a few weeks ago on Christmas Day.

I’d wondered why Santa typed with so many typos, and his words sounded almost uncannily like my mom’s. It dawned on me that the reason Santa wrote in the slightly awkward English that my mother spoke in was because she wrote his letters. My parents must have gotten me all those presents I got from Santa Claus. Maybe there wasn’t even a Santa Claus to believe in. For all these years, I had believed in a lie! I miserably exited out of the computer window and started to go through a mini existential crisis, wondering what else in my life was false. Christmastime felt a little less wondrous. I still asked for gifts from Santa but could not imagine elves making them for me in their workshops anymore. That Word document officially ended the jolly era in which I did not question the existence of Christmas magic.

I grew bitter and disillusioned. One winter day, my younger sister was talking with my mom about her Christmas wish list. I began to tell her not to expect much, because Santa was not real. Thankfully, my mom cut me off. She took me aside and asked for me to help keep Santa real for my sister. I begrudgingly agreed. I reasoned that I was doing the right thing by opening up my sister’s eyes to reality. But really, I just wanted to make someone else feel the painful confusion that I had gone through. Looking back on this, I’m glad that I didn’t selfishly ruin Christmas for a young believer.

Recently, I’ve been wistful about my years of holiday innocence. The delight I got from asking for presents and actually getting them was enough to last me through a whole year of waiting. I thought back to the time I specifically requested for a stuffed elephant 45cm long to match with my stuffed turtle, which was also 45cm long. When Christmas came, I measured the elephant under the tree. To my surprise, it was the exact length that I asked for. Another year, my sisters and I left a bowl of cereal out for Santa’s reindeer and found crumbs strewn all over our backyard in the morning. There were even some hoofprints on the dirt and grass. I remember standing in my backyard that frosty December morning, marvelling at how close I was to Santa’s magic. Something I never considered before came to mind: my parents did all of these things for us kids so we could believe in magic for a little while longer. I always assumed that Santa Claus took care of the cookies we left in front of the Christmas tree and brought gifts that were exactly as we asked, down to the picky, minute details. But now, I saw behind the illusion of Santa and his magnificent powers with moments such as my Mom and Dad staying up to make our house seem like Saint Nick had arrived.

The immensity of the situation hit me. All around the world in places where Santa Claus is believed in, parents must be doing the same things as my Mom and Dad. They must be searching for the perfect gifts, hiding them in the house, eating the cookies in the wee hours of the morning, and stuffing stockings, all without recognition from their kids. Parents are the real heroes of Christmas, not Santa. They are the true makers of Christmas magic. I was able to believe for so long because of my parents’ efforts. They protected me from the real world so I could stay in a fantastical make-believe one, and I could not be more thankful.

rinoue@apachepowwow.com

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Under These Masks

By CAMILLA LEONARD

Staff Writer

Narrated by Camilla Leonard (myself), who recently played the White Witch in “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”.

The lights dim. The stage clears. The murmurs of the theatre fade as actors enter their dressing rooms. Congratulations are made; laughs joined; hugs exchanged. I stare at the mirror, a white face gazing back at me. The White Witch. The familiarity of her face, that face, my face. I take off her crown. I pull off her wig, tussling the hair bristled with sweat, worn for weeks upon weeks, and now, never to be worn again. Grabbing a makeup wipe, I softly brush, sweeping the white creams off my cheeks, until pieces of my own skin show again. There’s something sad about a show ending. You can never return to a show once it’s done—the moment’s over.

I’m no longer the Queen. I’m back to just Camilla again, a little teenager who enjoys morning gardening and watching The Office on the weekends. I’m just me. No embellishments. No white makeup drowning my skin, no dramatic eye creases accentuating my face.

Sometimes I think I lose a piece of myself whenever I play a character for too long. It’s the uncanny feeling of a loss of self.

Who am I, really, without this mask on? Without this character, a front put up, to cover my own feelings and self? Aren’t we all like this? Putting up walls to mask our true selves? Attention constantly deflected from the entirety of ourselves. Putting up words, falsities collected around ourselves, like blankets warding against the cold. What are we so scared of, I wonder. Being judged? Being embarrassed? I feel like it’s something more than that. It can’t just be a universal collective insecurity. More than just merely caring about other people’s opinions.

I walk through the set, disassembly already taking place. The roars of applause live in these walls. I brush against the set, sanded wood towering above me in stairs.

The set is taken down in a matter of minutes. A bursting cloud of sawdust litters the stage. And, almost as abruptly, a fleet of brooms cleanse the stage once more. It’s blank again. A blank canvas for something new. Maybe we’re all just blank canvases, ready to be saturated with something new, something unique and profound, even.

cleonard@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of CREATIVECOW.NET

By NOELLE NATIVIDAD

Staff Writer

By ANABELL XU

Staff Writer

MAHAL KO DIN YUNG

KULTURA KO To describe my cultural upbringing, I give you one word: life. In the Filipino culture, this has come to mean much more than the simple idea of living, but it has Mabuhay. come to be used as a greeting, as an iconic phrase to denote the friendliness of the Filipino community, and TADHANAfor me, it has come to symbolize my heritage. It’s there, written in block letters on the airport wall, welcoming me home after so long away. I am surrounded by the language as I walk along the cramped corridors. People pass and fragments of conversations reach my ears, and I understand. Outside, the air is stifling in its humidity, but there’s something comforting about listening to the traffic and loud Filipino accents calling to arriving loved ones.

A piece of me will always understand Tagalog better than any language I learned after, but it truly makes my heart swell to hear words that I cannot translate into English, words that I only understand but cannot explain. There is depth and sincerity in those words, as I imagine where they must have come from. Nakilig, for instance, is a word that loosely translates to an extreme feeling of elation. It comes from other people, when people make you smile and laugh until you feel whole. Its

beauty is that it covers a feeling that the English language has yet to put a name to, so it’s a word that comes from the heart.

Tagalog is very different from English and from many Asian languages as well. I grew up listening to my family, speaking along with them when I lived in the Philippines, but I never thought to imagine a world without it. When I was younger, I

hoped and wished with everything in me that I wouldn’t be so different. I wanted to be like everyone else around me. I wanted to eat pizza for dinner, and I wanted my mom to make me chicken noodle soup for lunch. Only now do I realize what a waste those years were. I was given my culture so that there was something na kakaiba about me, something

NA KAKAIBAMABUHAYthat made me different, but good just the same. I wasn’t any less for my culture and for knowing a language, but I was more of who I was meant to be. Tadhana, it’s a word meaning meant to be, something along the lines of destiny but with a hint of something deeper that I can’t fully explain in English. That same day, I sat around my family and there wasn’t anything more I wanted. Suddenly, Tagalog had become more than mere words, but one of my only remaining ties to my culture. Even

na nabuhay ako nasa

NAGPAPASALAMAT AKO tadhana

When I stepped into the halls of AHS for the first time, I was absolutely floored. Long gone were the days when I could identify the faces of everyone who passed by me in the hallways. There were too many hallways to walk through, and too many people to know. With these new students came the realization that among 3,800 faces, I was no longer noticeable. Maybe I was before, but now I’m just another annoying freshman. I had always been told to “be outstanding so that your parents won’t think of you as a disgrace.” It’s a high standard. Amidst thousands of other people all trying to stand out, it’s hard to get noticed. Everywhere I look, there are geniuses who win full scholarships to the most prestigious colleges in the world. We have athletes who will go on to compete in the Olympics, musicians that will play in the Los Angeles Philharmonic. And as always, there are people who are 6’2”, and I’m literally standing in their shadows. That wasn’t as troubling to me. I’m no good at sports and smarts and music, so I decided to focus on one thing: debate. As it turns out, that’s pretty hard to get noticed in as well. Not only are there 130 people on the team, but some of them are absolute beasts. And that’s when I started stressing out. Sure, I was okay at debate, but what was “okay” compared to the greatness that these beasts radiated? I knew that their talent ensured that I would never be able to stand out. I hated it. A storm of emotions was brewing—I was salty, bitter, and jealous. I was so insanely jealous of these amazing, brilliant people, who would be able to stand on that pedestal and be proud of themselves. But is that really what I wanted to strive for? Standing on that pedestal? Having people admire me—just because I craved validation? Was my inner turmoil worth my time? Let me tell you, it wasn’t. Even if you’re the next Usain Bolt, think when I was away from my family, from the food and people, I still had something. of it this way. Bolt’s almost superhuman when

I had something to hold onto. Just the same as I love my family, mahal it comes to running. He wants to play soccer, though. After his sprinting career is over, he ko din yung kultura ko. I also love who my culture has plans to train and play for Manchester United. Bolt shows that whenever you reach your peak, made me to be. there’s a higher standard to achieve. There’s alSo nagpapasalamat ako, I am giving ways something else, something unattainable, no matter how good we are right now. thanks, na nabuhay ako nasa Society has raised us to think that our efbuhay nito, that I was forts are only worthwhile if we make it to the top. But we need to know that it’s okay not to given this life. be the best if it means that we’re still happy in the end. It’s hard to accept that. But if you just focus on the best that YOU can be, life will get a lot easier and become much more meaningful.

Mabuhay It all comes down to this: are you becoming who you want to become? In ten years, will you look back on your dedication and be proud of yourself no matter where you end up?

NAKILIGnnatividad@apachepowwow.com We may not need to stand out among the halls of AHS. But if we can take a step back and accept that we’ve done our best, the masterpiece that is life will become much more meaningful and beautiful. axu@apachepowwow.com

By ALYSSA RAVE

Staff Writer

December is a month that many look upon with glee, as it often means a holiday celebration for most students. Although many citizens around the globe follow the tradition of giving presents to each other during December, different countries have their own unique Santa Claus tale that children are raised listening to.

A popular tale widely followed is that of Father Christmas, first a jolly spirit who then evolved into a man who bears many similarities to modern day American Santa. Father Christmas is known for his role in the Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol, which depicted the original version of the spirit who traditionally brought happiness. Father Christmas later became a character of physical gift giving, and is believed in within the UK, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, and other countries around the planet.

When December rolls around in countries such as Bosnia, Poland, Russia, Macedonia, Ukraine, and Serbia, residents find themselves reciting the legend of Ded Moroz. The legendary figure is often found with his Snow Maiden granddaughter and sports a look similar to that of Mr. Claus, a red robe and long white beard. Ded Moroz is told to travel by a traditional horse sled and arrives on New Year’s, handing gifts out to children to make up for the ones he had wronged in his wizarding days.

A less jovial Christmas myth is popular in Italy, telling the story of La Befana. La Befana rides atop a broomstick with a bag of gifts, but dislikes being witnessed by others and will strike anyone who peeks at her. Her past describes her as the woman who welcomed and sheltered the Three Wise Men while they were on the way to visit baby Jesus. The character is said to come down the chimney and leave presents or coal depending on the behavior of children, much like Santa Claus in the U.S., but tidies up the floor before heading on her way.

A popular tale for kids within Dutch communities in U.S. Pennsylvania, Germany, Austria, and Argentina, is that of Belsnickel. Belsnickel is a disciplinary figure that is usually described as a cautionary and feared man who scares naughty children into behaving well. He accompanies the classic tale of Santa Claus but does not travel with him, instead lurking about the mountains decked in fur and an occasional mask with a long nasty tongue. No stranger to unfriendly legends, the Krampus is an additional figure who sticks with a version of Santa to punish the bad kids. Krampus is a devilish creature that beats and tortures sinful youth and is believed among Hungary, Austria, and Germany.

The globe is home to a plentiful array of stories for Christmas time that demonstrate the similarities within the heart of the human race. No matter the holiday students find themselves celebrating. In December, the back stories being spoken around the world during this time create interesting legends for all to enjoy.

arave@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of CACHE4.NET and WPCLIPART.COM

By CAMILLE MARQUEZ

Staff Writer

The artist Banksy needs no introduction. The identity of Banksy remains anonymous, even after 20 years of being involved with the street art scene. Thus, it is easy for him to strike at any location to create another marvelous, introspective piece. His often political-themed graffiti sparks conversation, curiosity, and controversy. But who is the man behind the art?

Banksy was born in Bristol, England around 1974 and started his art career in the 1990’s. After being involved in a graffiti crew named DryBreadZ in Bristol, he partnered up with Inkie, another no- table street artist. At 18, Banksy was caught vandal izing public spaces; he hid beneath a garbage truck to avoid police while his crew fled. In this moment, he had discovered sten- cil letters on the truck. Banksy was then inspired to switch from freehanding his work to using this new medium, after looking for a faster way to paint.

In the early 2000’s, Banksy relocated to London, the place where he owes his acquired fame and the popularity of his international exhibits. He traveled to Palestine and the West Bank where he gained major internet attention from nine images he stenciled on the Bethlehem wall. His street art pieces are created not only with spray paint, but he also takes into account the whole scenery and background of where his stencil will be shown. He utilizes the objects near him, such as street signs or fire hydrants, to add to his creations.

Around this time, Banksy broke into commercial business, which immediately turned the status of his graffiti from acts of vandalism to highly sought-out paintings. In 2010, Banksy had gained enormous success and interest after the release of the documentary he had written and produced, called Exit through the Gift Shop. The film was nominated for an Academy Award after being premiered in the Sundance Film Festival. Many theories have been made regarding Banksy’s identity, one including an idea that Banksy may actually be several artists. Banksy’s anonymity is so closely maintained that even his family is unaware of his true identity. There is not much information known about Banksy, due to his refusal of being interviewed or photographed. The curiosity around who the person behind these masterpieces may be put off for a while. This may be because Banksy’s anonymity allows his audience to focus on the messages his art portrays rather than the person who made them.

By CINDY TSE

camarquez@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of QUORA.COM

Staff Writer

Toys are meant to be creative. Whether it be because of a functional and unique design, or a visual appeal, toys have a lot more thought put into them than we’d think. However, some of the most popular playthings were created solely by accident. In fact, their inventor’s original intent was often for something far more mundane and commercial.

1. Slinky

The Slinky is a long compressed spring that can perform many tricks due to its light weight and the effects of physics on its structure. Richard James, the inventor, was an engineer who was doing research on how to create the ideal spring for navy ships, as the rough seas often made it difficult to calibrate and maintain sensitive instruments. Though the military was not quite receptive to the spring, James and his wife realized that marketing the product as a toy could be more worthwhile. They officially unveiled the Slinky in 1945 with their company selling more than 300 million units in the span of 60 years. It continues to be a bestselling toy worldwide.

2. Play-Doh

Play-Doh is a colorful dough that is fun to squish and safe for kids. In the 1930s, the soap company Kutol Products came out with a new wallpaper cleaner created by Noah McVicker. Simple and easy to use, it was soon discovered that the soft substance could also be handy as a non-toxic modeling clay children could use for arts and crafts. McVicker’s nephew, Joseph, realized the marketing potential in this wallpaper cleaner and decided to rename it Play-Doh, to be sold to educators and department stores. While the Play-Doh formula has changed over time, it remains a favorite of millions.

3. Silly Putty

Stretchy, bouncy, and strangely sticky, Silly Putty sure lives up to its name. James Wright was an engineer tasked with finding a cheap replacement for synthetic rubber. Instead, what he got was a bizarre material that was ultimately not useful for its intended purpose. A businessman, Peter Hodgson, noted the putty’s popularity as a novelty item, inspiring him to sell it as a toy. Packed in bright Easter eggs, they were valued at a dollar each. Today, Silly Putty has found both practical uses, such as being used to remove dirt and lint, in addition to being an entertaining toy that anyone can enjoy.

By RACHEL LEE

2016, another spectacular, momentous year, is rapidly coming to a close. Take a moment to refresh your memory on this year’s highlights.

Jan. 6: Star Wars: The Force Awakens became the highest-grossing movie in domestic box-office records. Jan. 10: Leonardo DiCaprio won his first Oscar for Best Actor for his role in The Revenant.

Feb. 3: President Barack Obama visited his first U.S. mosque to chastise the unforgivable prejudice against Muslim-Americans. Feb. 17: Apple CEO Tim Cook objected to the FBI’s orders to unlock the phone belonging to a San Bernardino gunman.

Mar. 2: NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian Cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko returned back to Earth after spending 340 days in outer space. Mar. 22: ISIS claimed responsibility for Brussels terror attacks that left at least 34 dead and 190 injured.

Apr. 6: A baby boy was born with DNA from three parents, revolutionizing modern science and causing controversy.

May 21: EgyptAir MS804 flight from Paris to Cairo mysteriously crashed in the Mediterranean, killing all 66 people on board. May 28: Harambe, Cincinnati Zoo’s gorilla, was shot after hauling a little boy around who fell into the enclosure. This sparked public backlash and uproar, with many criticizing the parental lack of responsibility and awareness.

June 7: J.K. Rowling and Jack Thorne’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child premiered in London’s West End. June 9: President Barack Obama publicly endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. June 12: In Orlando, at the gay nightclub, Pulse a gunman pledged allegiance to ISIS and opened fire, leaving 49 dead and 53 injured. This horrific event has been recognized as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. June 23: In the impactful Brexit referendum, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. The value of the pound decreased immediately thereafter. June 28: A deadly terrorist attack involving suicide bombs and gun attacks at Istanbul Atatürk Airport left 41 dead and 239 injured.

July 5: FBI released an investigative report concerning Hillary Clinton’s private email server, causing conflicts to shadow Clinton throughout the presidential campaign. July 6: Niantic released a real-world interactive mobile game named Pokémon Go. July 12: In New Hampshire, Bernie Sanders endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in his speech. July 31: The long-awaited Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne and J.K. Rowling was officially released worldwide on midnight.

Aug. 5: The 2016 Summer Olympics had its opening ceremony in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Aug. 13: U.S. swimmer and 28-time Olympic Medalist Michael Phelps announced the end of his career at 2016 Rio Olympics and continues to hold the record as the world’s most decorated Olympian.

Sept. 7: The 2016 Paralympics officially started in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sept. 28: Hurricane Matthew left a path of destruction from the Caribbean to Southeast U.S.

Oct. 7: Controversial videotape released by Washington Post of Donald Trump’s inappropriate boasts of sexually assaulting women went viral and sparked major debate.

Nov. 8: In the most shocking, unpredictable election yet, Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States, beating Hillary Clinton by 74 electoral votes. This is the fifth time a presidential candidate has won the election while losing the popular vote. Nov. 25: Fidel Castro, a Cuban revolutionary leader, died at 90-years-old.

With the New Year advancing, we can embark on a fresh journey to discover what 2017 has in store for us.

By TIFFANY LUO

Staff Writer

I believe everyone should be confident and think positively of themselves. However, there is an extent. What’s the limit? There are words to describe individuals who go beyond this line: “egotistical”, “narcissistic”, “boastful”, and so on. Every person has most likely come across someone who fits this description. They boast about how multi-talented they are, yet they are not as capable as they claim to be. These individuals suffer from illusory superiority.

This is commonly referred to as the Dunning Kruger effect. Although the effect may apply to a wide range of people, it typically refers to those who are of low intelligence—this is based off of their IQ. They tend to show the largest miscalibration of their logical abilities. A study was done to determine what the reason was for their overestimation. Those who were tested into the 12th percentile were asked to guess where they might be placed relative to their peers without any prior information about their ranking. Their averaged estimation was in the 58th percentile. For those who are uninformed ofhow percentily works, the number correlates to the percent of people taken from a group that have scored the same or below. Therefore the higher the number, the higher in ranking. When applied to the results, the study indicates their estimations had far exceeded their true placement. After careful consideration and numerous experiments, the study concluded that whether the task itself is difficult or the person lacked the ability to understand the task, the individual tended to be overconfident about their abilities in comparison to others. Due to their incompetence, they have an inflated self-assessment.

However, the effect works vice versa. People who are proven to be above average through multiple tests, tend to be modest. The researchers determined that those who were well-prepared or knowledgeable about the task typically questioned their ability to properly execute it. However this concept does not apply to every person who fits the criteria. Some may be overly confident, but would be considered highly capable; or there may be people who have lower IQ’s that believe they are far worse than they actually are. Either way, it is interesting how the majority of low-skilled individuals believe they are better than most others while those who deserve the title view themselves as inferior.

We should take into consideration that the study focused mostly on people’s assessment of their logical abilities. Therefore, although an individual may lack in one aspect, they can excel in another. It is imperative for people to be confident in themselves, but with reservations. tluo@apachepowwow.com