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NEWS
apachepowwow.com
September 2012
Voting Rights Violation One Giant Loss for Man By MICHELLE GU
a copy of their birth certificate. Certain counties even charged extra to archive older birth Staff Writer records. The court also pointed out that the 200 On Aug. 30, a federal court in Texas ruled to 250 mile round trip would be “especially for the first time that the state’s voter ID law daunting for the working poor.” violated the Voting Rights Act. The court stated “Even the most committed citizen, we that the measure discriminated the poor and think, would agree that [this law] constitutes minority groups. This ruling has stopped Texas a substantial burden on the right to vote,” said from enforcing this law at polling places during Judge David Tatel. He added that the “poorer citthe fall elections. izens, especially The law rethose working quired all voters for hourly wagto show some es, will less likeform of identily be able to take fication like a time off work driver’s license to travel to a before entering DPS office.” “A the polls. People law that forces without any phopoorer citizens to to identification choose between could obtain one their wages and from the Departtheir franchise ment of Public unquestionably Safety (DPS) VOTING RIGHTS Texas’ voter ID law is causing denies or abridgafter showing controversy and dissention among its citizens. es the right to the proper documentation. Texas’ lawyers said vote,” Judge Tatel concluded. that this process was a “minor inconvenience” The conflict over the law in Texas is not and that most Texans regularly carried their ID over and will not be resolved anytime soon. with them. The lawyers also argued that voters This decision, now an election issue, clearly diwith birth certificates and Social Security cards vides the Democrats and Republicans. The state could easily attain a free photo ID card at any of is appealing to the Supreme Court to sort out the offices of the Texas DPS. this argument in its next term. The judges countered with the fact that one-third of Texas’ counties did not have a DPS mgu@apachepowwow.com and that people need a minimum of $22 to get Photos courtesy of ABCNEWS.GO.COM
By TERRI SHI
Staff Writer
The man on the moon, Neil Alden Armstrong, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 25, 20 days after he turned 82. His famous words, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” will continue to inspire others to do the impossible. On Aug. 5, 1930, Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio. His father worked for the Ohio government, so the family never stayed in one place for too long. Growing up, Armstrong had a passion for flying and earned his flight certificate when he was 15-years-old. At the age of 17, he went to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana to follow his dream. He earned his bachelor’s degree at age 25 in Aeronautical Engineering and later received his master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Throughout his college years, he also trained with the Navy. Armstrong became a test pilot for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics High-Speed Flight Station at the Edwards Air Force Base,
A GREAT LOSS
The man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 25.
where he nearly crashed during his first try due to a broken engine. Luckily, the plane landed safely after Armstrong and his partner managed to get it to descend. He was always brave during trials and was willing to take risks, for which many people admired him. Armstrong was said to be “the most technically capable of the early X-15 pilots” and to have “a mind that absorbed things like a sponge.” Throughout his experiences at the Edwards Air Force Base, Armstrong was recruited a few times by different programs, and it was then that he discovered the Apollo project after being scouted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He also participated in Gemini 8 and 11 prior to his Apollo 11 flight. He was chosen to be the commander of Apollo 11 because of his previous work with Apollo 8. The flight toward the moon was swift and smooth, but there were landing issues as they neared. The rocket had a fuel shortage, so the landing needed to be quick and concise. Armstrong managed to land the rocket in the shortest amount of time, and after it landed smoothly, broadcasting stations went wild with excitement as 450 million anxious Americans heard about the news. Armstrong stepped onto the moon and spoke his famous words that still reminds us of his greatest accomplishment for not only him, but for the world as well. tshi@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of MSN.COM
Mitt Romney Makes a Pledge to Aid America By ERIC CHO Staff Writer
Republican candidate Governor Mitt Romney left many Democrats skeptical with his latest speech—sparking even greater tension between the two parties. Promising to create 12 million jobs in the next four years, Governor Romney succeeded in swaying a large number of what was certainly the largest audience in his six-year-long campaign for presidency. The tone embodied in Governor Romney’s speech aimed to calm the Democrats tarnishing his presidential campaign and also sought to encourage unsure voters—who saw him only as a wealthy business man from Massachusetts—by divulging a personal story about his life. Speakers at the Grand Old Party (GOP) convention also tried to highlight Governor Romney’s personal side, no doubt recognizing that Governor Romney needed to make bigger inroads with inde-
pendents and former supporters of President Barack Obama in order to seize the majority. Speaking fondly of his wife, Ann, and their five children, Governor Romney portrayed Ann and himself as a modern, middle-class couple. Governor Romney also spoke of his mother, Lenore Romney, and used her to support the rights of women. Claiming to have chosen a “woman Lieutenant Governor, a woman in Chief of Staff, and half of his Cabinet and senior officials as women,” Governor Romney announced that he believed women should have no less rights than men. Governor Romney also reached out to former supporters of President Obama, bitterly accusing him of presiding over an era of disaster and failure. While admitting that he wished that President Obama had succeeded, Governor Romney also stated that “his promises gave way to disappointment and division.” Although President Obama had been a worthy Democrat candidate in 2008, according to Governor Romney, he had done a lousy job as president. President Obama and
his pursuing tax plans supposedly only made the economy worse by discouraging businesses from hiring new employees. Governor Romney, on the other hand, vowed not to “raise taxes on the middle class of America.” He also reminded the audience that while President Obama promised to slow the rise of oceans caused by global warming, he himself promised to help families. Governor Romney also vowed to restore a sense of innovation in America and be a hero to small businesses. He used his business record as support, mentioning the Bain Capital—the private equity firm he found—which helped numerous businesses off their feet. Ironically, thousands of Democrats used this to support their reasoning and went on to spotlight his record at Bain Capital, his offshore accounts and other details to paint him as out of touch with average Americans. Governor Romney and his Mormon religion were also addressed through a brief recall of his childhood. He added that although the Mormon religion is a minority faith, his friends care only about which sport teams he follows. However, Governor Romney’s speech offered no new policy details. Governor Romney’s speech failed to address foreign affairs properly. Foreign policy was merely a side note, mentioned for a mere two minutes, late into Governor Romney’s 37-minute-long speech. Instead, Governor Romney repeated some of his commonly brought up points, which were about how
REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN During his presidential campaign, Republican candidate Governor Mitt Romney promises to aid Americans.
President Obama had “failed to slow Iran’s nuclear threat,” and had instead “thrown allies like Israel under the bus.” Not only that, Governor Romney refused to mention the war in Afghanistan (where over 2,000 U.S. troops had died), the rise of China, and the Arab Awakening. According to the Gallup Poll, Governor Romney’s speech was disliked by a majority of the nation. The Gallup Poll reported that Governor “Romney’s acceptance speech was rated the worst since 1996,” and that only 38% of those surveyed had thought the speech was “excellent” or “good”. Democrats continued to mock Governor Romney Thursday morning, releasing a web video that thoroughly degraded his reputation. Called a “heartless corporate raider, wealthy elitist, tax evader, and policy flip-flopper,” Democrats continue to believe that Governor Romney should not be trusted with the responsibility brought forth as president. As Governor Romney’s ratings refuse to see much of a bounce, the polls continue to lie in President Obama’s favor. With the 2012 election right around the corner, Governor Romney continues to desperately seek the approval of the nation. Despite the terrible reputation that’s been created for him by opponents and comedians alike, Governor Romney is determined to make a heartfelt appeal to the millions of Americans opposing him. As both candidates are intent on earning the title of America’s next president, the entire nation now watches the heated campaign between Governor Romney and President Obama closely. echo@apachepowwow.com
Photo courtesy of ELECTIONMETERS.COM
September 2012
news@apachepowwow.com
A Spike in Soldier Suicides
By VIVIAN WANG
since 2009, but they leveled off in 2010 and 2011 because of new programs that provided mental health, drug and alcohol, and financial counseling services for veterans. The Pentagon has recently said that it is “attempting to eliminate the stigma within the military that any admission of
understanding basis,” said Coalition of Veterans Organizations Chairman Bruce Parry. With recent strides made by the Veteran Shannon P. Meehan emU.S. government to bring back troops phasized the urgent need for intensive from Iraq and Afghanistan, many more counseling and treatment of recent soldiers have had the chance to return veterans in a personal anecdote pubhome. However, the relished in the L.A. Times. turn is not easy for veterHe asserted that “military ans. Despite efforts made service is not simply a job; by the military to provide it is an identity,” and then counseling and treatment stressed that “on returning for returning troops, the to civilian life, that identity suicide rate among acis ripped away.” This loss of tive soldiers and veterans purpose and the subsequent, has spiked this year—the overwhelming depresPentagon reported a starsion are some of the root tling 154 Army suicides causes of veteran suicide. during the first 155 days His failed attempts to reinof 2012, which is nearly tegrate into normal society one suicide per day, the and “forge a new identity” highest rate so far in the led him to consider suicide, war with Iraq and Afbut he was lucky enough to ghanistan. Compared to realize he was not thinking 2010, this year’s number RETURNING SOLDIERS Despite efforts to provide counseling rationally enough to trust of total suicides is 25% and treatment for returning troops, the suicide rate among active himself with his own life. higher, and is 16% higher soldiers and veterans has spiked this year. He checked himself into a when compared to 2009. The numbers psychological or physical problems is a post-traumatic stress disorder rehabiliare sobering when the amount of actual sign of weakness,” in an attempt to relieve tation center in a desperate move for combat-related casualties is considered. the mental burden on troops and encourage hope in his life, proving the necessity In the same period of time, 136 U.S. them to seek help. However, some veter- of mental health intervention for U.S. troops died in combat, fewer than the ans feel that the Pentagon has still not done veterans. number of suicides. enough for them and their fellow troops Prior to this recent spike, military and that the military elite are not addressvwang@apachepowwow.com suicides have already been on the rise ing the issues “on a compassionate and Photo courtesy of USATODAY.COM Staff Writer
Isaac Pummels the Gulf Coast from a CAT 1 hurricane to a tropical storm, managed to cause only minimal Staff Writer damage within the city. The damages included uprooted trees, street floods, Hurricane Isaac made its surprise and partial power outages throughout entrance on Wednesday, Aug. 28, when Louisiana’s biggest city. it brought havoc all over southern LouiFortunately enough, the gulf lesiana and the Gulf Coast. Initially only vees did their job by holding back a Category 1 (CAT 1) hurricane, Isaac the enormous amounts relentlessly pounded the of water that were colcoast with rain and high lected during the storm. speed winds. In certain However, many are still areas, Isaac dumped a concerned about the lefoot to two feet of rain vees’ slow draining capaand caused many to rebilities; many fear that the treat to their rooftops and levee system will collapse attics. Following Hurriand unleash vast amounts cane Katrina’s footsteps, of water, a paranoia many Isaac made a landfall on residents fear since Hurthe coast of Plaquemines ricane Katrina happened. Parish, Louisiana, the In response to such parasmall mass of land that noia, the Louisiana govtrails behind the Missisernment has agreed to sippi River and out topunch holes in the gulf wards the Gulf of Mexilevee system to drain waco. Regardless of flooded ter faster. Such technique streets and homes, many was used in 2008 when residents of Plaquemines Parish have braved such TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR Hurricane Isaac relentlessly Hurricane Gustav struck. disasters before, which pounded the coast with rain and high-speed winds, making landfall But despite the praiseincludes the British Pe- on the coast of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, the Mississippi River, worthy responses both and similar places. the Federal and Louisiana troleum oil spill and several hurricanes. Plaquemines Parish residents off-guard. A. J. Holloway, the government had, the storm, according was greatly affected by Isaac, mainly be- mayor of Biloxi, Mississippi, told report- to Federal Emergency Management cause its residents were mostly walled- ers that he “really didn’t anticipate this.” Agency Administrator W. Craig Fuoff from the federal levee system which In New Orleans, despite the memories gate, “is far from over.” caused major flooding on the east bank of Hurricane Katrina’s past destruction, mlee@apachepowwow.com of Plaquemines. The U.S. Army Corps residents who chose to wait out the storm Photo courtesy of DAILYMAIL.CO.UK of Engineers is currently trying to pump lucked out. Isaac, which was downgraded
By MATTHEW LEE
water out of the east bank of Plaquemines Parish and into the Mississippi River. Hurricane Isaac reportedly continued to drench numerous towns and began moving towards Louisiana’s capital city, Baton Rouge. Although Hurricane Isaac was nothing compared to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the storm caught many Louisiana
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t s a f f Editors
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Stacey Ng and Melissa Song Anna Naran Katrina Chao and Regina Liu Ariana Arzani and Vanessa Yu Courtney Hang and Sarah Quon Christopher Cho and Christine Sun Ashley Chi and Stanley Shaw Edward Chao and Allan Gao Evan Delgado and Amanda Huynh Mya Ho Phoebe Shen Josh Bay Brandon Pang and Rita Wang Wilson Lin Kelly Ching and Helen Lee Jonathan Matsumoto Victoria Nakaganeku and Belle Zheng
Writers
News Staff
Opinion Staff
Performing Arts Staff Student Life Staff Features Staff
Sports Staff
Academics Staff
Center Spread Staff Calendar Staff Campus Focus Staff Advertisement Staff
Photo Staff Copy Editing Staff
Adviser
Eric Cho, Sirej Dua, Michelle Gu, Matthew Lee, Terri Shi, Vivian Wang Ben Geisberg, Mary Guyer, Daniel Jenn, Lily Ling, Tiffany Liu, Goldie Shen, Wilson Tan, Khanh Tran, Victoria Yu, Erika Zheng Michelle Gu, Amelia Jin, Randy Lee, Terri Shi, Kristie Sun, Victoria Yu Ian Chan, Michelle Gu, Michelle Huang, Allesandra Jasso, Elisha Lee, Leanne Peres, Briana Shen, Terri Shi, Kristie Sun Yoko Chan, Elaine Chung, Allesandra Jasso, Amelia Jin, Helen Lee, Rosemary Lee, Jonathan Matsumoto, Briana Shen, Goldie Shen, Belinda Shoung, Kristie Sun, Brendan Tran, Anna Wang, Victoria Yu Rena Chen, Sirej Dua, Amelia Jin, Daniel Jenn, Karina Laigo, Tiffany Liu, Jonathan Lu, Justin Tang, Brendan Tran, Zachary Yee Sirej Dua, Ben Geisberg, Michelle Gu, Daniel Jenn, Helen Lee, Tiffany Liu, Leanne Peres da Silva, Terri Shi, Wilson Tan, Khanh Tran Kelly Ching Rena Chen, Elaine Chung, Dana Jee, Karina Laigo, Randy Lee, Christina Liang, Goldie Shen, Belinda Shoung Kristie Sun Tiffany Chandra, Jacqueline Chu, Deedee Chuang, Megan Hong, Diana Kwok, Randy Lee, Christina Liang, Anna Naran, Belinda Shoung, Khanh Tran, Shawn Xing Deedee Chuang, Ben Geisberg, Dana Jee, Matthew Lee Katrina Chao, Rena Chen, Megan Hong, Daniel Jenn, Elisha Lee, Rosemary Lee, Victoria Nakaganeku, Kristie Sun, Victoria Yu, Erika Zheng 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. 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. Graphics courtesy of MATHSGARDEN.COM, DEVIANTART.COM, and LIBRARY.SFSU.EDU
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NEWS
The Yosemite Hantavirus
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Land Disputes in Asia Cause Tension By VIVIAN WANG Staff Writer
AIRBORNE ILLNESS Thousands of visitors to Yosemite could have been exposed to the dangerous Yosemite Hantavirus. By SIREJ DUA Staff Writer
Yosemite National Park contains many natural beauties, but it also contains dangers such as wild bears. But what about mice and other rodents? They can be just as dangerous. Recently in Yosemite, there has been a deadly hantavirus outbreak that has already killed three people. This disease spreads through rodents across the park, but is not contagious from person to person. If you have been diagnosed with hantavirus, you have a one-third chance of surviving. But the chances of contracting it are low, as eight (and counting) people have been affected by it and three have died. Yosemite Valley contains the “Signature Tent Cabins”, which have been identified as the place where the virus started to spread. Since over 75,000 tourists visit the park every day, international health agencies had to test many of those tourists for hantavirus. A study was done in 2008 to test how many deer mice carry hantavirus; it was one in five. Hantavirus is not new news to the world. It was identified in 1993 and there have been over 600 cases nationwide, but this outbreak is the most recent. There has been another outbreak across the Midwest that has infected a few farmers. Unlike the hantavirus in Yosemite, this version is spread by ticks, but it has been found to create the same effects as the Yosemite hantavirus and is still a mystery even though it has been present for many years. Researchers have been studying hantavirus, a Ribonucleic acid based virus, for over 20 years but still have no idea why or how it kills some people but not others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been working on this case and tested the tissue of the survivors and victims. They found that both tissues contained traces of hantavirus. This still didn’t help the researchers distinguish whether or not the survivors gained immunity and the victims didn’t because the survivors still had hantavirus in their bodies. The symptoms of hantavirus are fever, chills, coughing, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue. Hantavirus can be caught from rodents by inhaling air, so it first infects the lungs and then spreads to the rest of the body. If you are planning a trip to Yosemite anytime soon, you shouldn’t, unless you want to risk being infected. Hantavirus is much worse than the influenza, so don’t visit Yosemite until it has been cured. sdua@apachepowwow.com
Photo courtesy of POLICYMIC.COM
September 2012
Tension over a long-disputed chain of islands has flared to an all-time high in China and Japan with Chinese demonstrations growing increasingly passionate. Ownership of Diaoyu or Senkaku (the Chinese and Japanese names for the islands, respectively) would allow for exclusive control over a potential source of oil, gas, minerals, and commercial fishing. The issue is not only important economically, but also culturally, with the surface conflict concerning the island chain reflecting a deep-rooted grudge held by the Chinese against the Japanese, dating back to the violent Japanese occupation of China in the 1930s and 1940s. At present, it is difficult to determine who currently possesses the islands—according to the Japanese, the Chinese
relinquished control in 1895 following its loss in the Sino-Japanese War, while the Chinese claim a sovereignty over the islands dating back to the 14th century. However, Chinese nationalists had enough of the conflict and began actively protesting on Aug. 15, when a group of Hong Kong activists landed on one of the islets in a symbolic claim of China’s sovereignty. They were arrested by the Japanese coast guard and deported, sparking large anti-Japanese protests across China. In gatherings organized over the Internet, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in 25 major Chinese cities, burning Japanese flags, chanting slogans, and vandalizing Japanese businesses and cars. In one of these demonstrations, a Japanese ambassador was attacked; though he was unharmed, the protesters caused a commotion by stopping the ambassador’s car in the middle of a road and ripping off the vehicle’s Japanese flag. The Japanese have had their fair share of outrage as well, with the Japanese
DISPUTE Tension over a longdisputed chain of islands has flared to an all-time high in China and Japan as rebellions and protests break out.
newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun accusing Beijing of “tacitly encouraging the anti-Japan protests, urging Chinese authorities ‘to do everything they can to secure the safety of Japanese individuals and companies in the country,’” and implying that politicians in Beijing were going to use the demonstrations as a tool in the upcoming Chinese election. Officials in both Tokyo and Beijing have attempted to resolve tensions in their respective countries. The Japanese Embassy has filed a firm complaint with the Chinese Foreign Ministry over the entire fiasco concerning the chaotic anti-Japanese protests, with the Ministry expressing “deep regret.” However, politicians in both China and Japan adamantly reaffirmed that their respective countries possessed genuine sovereignty over the islands. “There shouldn’t be any discussion on Diaoyu Island. It has always been a part of China,” said Chinese analyst Guo Xiangang. The controversy has proven problematic not only in Asia but also in the U.S., resulting in a conflict in interests between Japan and China. The U.S. is bound by treaty to defend Japan, but is economically dependent on the industrial powerhouse of China. The U.S. has not yet taken a position, but tensions have continued to grow as the U.S. and Japan have begun joint war games and exercises. Though a routine annual event, the timing could not have been any worse, and it remains to be seen whether the demonstrations will escalate further. vwang@apachepowwow.com
Photo courtesy of CHINASMACK.COM
Paul Ryan Proposes New Budget Plan By TERRI SHI Staff Writer
lion over the years to come, which limits the benefits and services the government has to offer for those who can’t afford it. In exchange,
With the presidential election soon to come, Americans have many unresolved debates that all seem to revolve around federal spending. Governor Mitt Romney’s vice president, Paul Ryan, stirred up some controversies of his own by giving the U.S. his input on how the funds should be spent. The question is, will Ryan’s ideas really be able to impact the U.S., or will his plans fall through with all the Democrats against him? After President Barack Obama’s notso-popular health care tax was passed, Governor Romney promised Americans that he would abolish it if he was voted president. Ryan it saves billions proposed that inof dollars for stead of a tax, the government Americans under and economy. the age of 65 will Ryan has not adhave their choice dressed his views of a private insuron Social Secuance. rity yet. G o v e r n o r RYAN BUDGET Ryan proposed that instead of a Time magaRomney’s and Ry- tax, Americans under the age of 65 should have their zine said, “Ryan’s an’s new insurance choice of a private insurance. plan envisions a plan will allow Americans to have the option to broadening of the tax base and a lowering of choose how much coverage is needed for each individual income tax rates from a maximum of individual. Ryan also said he would cut Medic- 35% at the moment, to 25%. There would be aid, a health service for the poor, by $750 bil- one lower tax rate of 10% for those filing jointly
with income under $100,000.” They also noted that, “Ryan’s plan would spend $6.8 trillion less over ten years than the current White House budget. Those cuts come primarily from the health care programs; defense spending is untouched.” This means that the White House would be able to save trillions of dollars over the next few years if this plan is carried out. All in all, Governor Romney’s ideas followed by Ryan’s support seem promising to Republican supporters, but to those who suffer from unemployment and poverty, it means having to cut down on services the government has to offer, such as President Obama’s health care tax. But if Governor Romney becomes president and Ryan’s plans follow through, the government is estimated to be able to save trillions of dollars over the next few years. In the following months, Ryan’s budget plans will be highly scrutinized as he gives his opinions on how the government should spend its money. Governor Romney supports Ryan’s decisions and stands behind him as the pair tries to win over Americans for the upcoming presidential election. tshi@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of TELEGRAPH.CO.UK
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OPINION
AHS: A Myth Buster By BEN GEISBERG Staff Writer
Busting stereotypes isn’t easy. Whether it’s divisions between jocks and geeks to rivalries between grade levels, stereotypes are ever-present regarding teenagers in high school. Popular television programs contribute by making it seem as if high school is filled with drama queens, jocks surrounded by even more jocks, geeks who talk in Klingon, and “regular” students who live boring, monotonous lives. Even adults’ memories of high school can make people think that the high school years are the worst in our lives, benefiting few and hurting more. Even as a freshman, however, I had upperclassmen friends who thoroughly enjoyed AHS as opposed to the conflicting reports I had heard. I knew that AHS had a strong reputation of being a great school, but I didn’t really know what to expect. Would there be divisions between students? Grades? Classes? What I found was that there were many beneficial factors that made AHS a great experience during my freshman year. From the beginning, I noticed that the students are thrust into a competitive, but beneficial, environment that is fortified by the students and school. In my mind, having the school act as a driving force towards success is crucial because it feels like you’re working for the common good. Not only is the competitiveness evident in the scores and academic performance of students, but in the everyday conversations of students as well. A chat in the hallway might be about studying, AP’s, finals, or the Homecoming dance. The almost constant competitiveness still motivates me to push myself a little more to get extra points, study a few more minutes, or do a little more work. At AHS, it feels as if everybody pushes themselves and suffers together, making for another advantageous quality of AHS. It’s evident that students band together, without many differences between the “jocks” or “geeks”, and that makes school a better place. When everyone has the same mindset and shares the same experiences, the divisions among students are removed and school is enjoyed more, without having to worry clichéd ideas like freshmen getting dumped into trashcans. It doesn’t even seem as if there are many divisions between the freshmen and everybody else, so freshmen don’t feel like unhappy dung beetles and seniors don’t feel like they can herd underclassmen like sheep. Suffering together also helps the competitiveness, as they go hand-in-hand when it’s time to study and cram. The lack of divisions makes AHS a haven of equality, making everybody a little happier. There are many other things that make AHS an awesome school, but in short, AHS busts many stereotypes high school claims to possess and as a result, helps to form my positive opinions of high school. You can’t possibly enjoy every new experience, but I enjoyed my freshman year of high school— despite the stereotypes I saw (or didn’t see). bgeisberg@apachepowwow.com
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September 2012
Humans Lose Sense!
are simply based off of what we have heard or seen somewhere else, an interpretation of Staff Writer another’s interpretation. Even movies, video games, and television shows all seem to be We do everything we need to do to surrunning out of good ideas. The “don’t fix what vive as dictated by our innate desires to live. isn’t broken” mentality spreads, affecting We eat, sleep, and reproduce with potential more and more people. Similarly in today’s mates to ensure that our beloved quality of life economy, no one ever picks up change from is met and continued on for future genthe ground anymore. Why? The reason beerations. But as we grow accustomed to ing is that they are worth almost nothing in our ordinary lives, we often rely on one today’s economy. With American currency thing: common sense, an aspect of the on the rise, the dollar is becoming less and human psyche that fuels our intention less valuable, with spare change inflating to live, and ironically, deadens our inaccordingly. Change has now become a nermost, childlike sense of adventure. dismissible object we place aside, never to Common sense is the accumulation see the light of day once more. However, of knowledge and experience, varying strength bears in numbers. Although change from individual to individual. In the might not be worth the time, it may be benoff chance that bodily harm may be eficial over the years. inflicted, our inherent instinct is to flee Change is the hero that the world defrom harm’s way. Just walk away, and serves, but not the one it needs right now. nothing bad will happen. When we are So, we will disregard it as insignificant forced into an unfamiliar environment for the time being, because it can take it. or feel threatened, common sense tells Change is not a hero; it’s a guardian, a fius to move. Just walk away and nothing bad will ever happen. True to our Photo courtesy of DESIGNLAND.US nancial protector…the dark dime. Common sense dictates that we avoid change and adevolutionary roots, common sense proALL THAT SENSE Common sense, like here to the status quo, similiar to leaving tects our well-being by walking away. With an ever increasing popula- change fallen into a couch, is becoming lost as change on the ground. Whenever danger is present, safety can tion, the crisis has grown. We’ve spent we fall into routine rather than creativity. always be assured by strictly using common too much time on surviving that we no sense to move aside. It can even be avoided not feeling excitement. Eventually, the way longer live every day to the fullest. Common we think starts to become mechanical, with by completely escaping its presence. But by sense means practicality, thinking in a bee-line doing so, we miss out on the most important creativity and imagination needed at the bare manner, never acknowledging the possibilities thing that we hope to get out of life: experiminimum to complete a task at hand. Acting of taking the scenic route. Every day, we wake ence. After all, what does not kill you slowly as the complete opposite, uncommon sense up and start our morning routine, no different and painfully can only make you stronger. would be the spark to the imagination our genfrom the day before. We continue by going to eration needs. our classes at school until it is time to leave. djenn@apachepowwow.com No idea is ever truly original. Our ideas After arriving home, we study for the remain-
By DANIEL JENN
ing hours of the night. We finally sleep, and then repeat. The consistency is dreadful. What ever happened to living every day to the fullest? Common sense has become the foundation of our living, but our species has become too dependent. In the end, we numb ourselves,
Hollywood’s Take on Racial Segregation By KHANH TRAN Staff Writer
For years, the American entertainment industry has shaped the world’s perspective of Asians. More importantly, this image is often shaped by those with little insight or knowledge of the Asian culture themselves, and thus this view becomes stereotypical and limited. From the recent controversy of the casting in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender, white-washing has arisen again, putting Asian actors in an arduous struggle for roles. Unless society broadens its acceptance, Asian actors will forever be a minority in the American entertainment industry. Although blatant discrimination may have diminished in the industry, various Asian roles still remain white-washed and are portrayed by non-Asian individuals. Many actors today still face struggles and frustration from losing roles due to their heritage. “I’m torn between my race and my American homeland,” said Anna May Wong in 1935, who lost her part due to her Chinese ancestry. With so few roles to choose from, Asian actors continue to
struggle as Hollywood directors choose Caucasian actors to portray Asian characters. Such controversies have arisen in past decades, such as the casting of Justin Chatwin as the Japanese hero, Goku, in the movie Dragonball Evolution. Sadly, these incidents continue to occur because Hollywood continues to prosper without the need for Asian actors, who do not appeal to the majority of the American audience. Hollywood is taking safe steps, rather than taking risks. But it needs to understand that by casting Caucasian actors for Asian roles, it is sending a message that Asian actors are not qualified enough to represent their own heritage. For the few successful Asian actors, their available roles are heavily narrowed and marginalized to fit the stereotypical roles. Try naming famous non-Asian actors and you have a wide selection of choices, from Brad Pitt to Angelina Jolie to Tom Cruise. Now try naming successful Asian actors and you have far fewer options, ranging from Jackie
Chan to Lucy Liu. Why the limited amount? Because the stereotypical portrayal of Asians does not appeal to the majority of the audience. In most of his films, Jackie Chan has only portrayed the cliché role of a goofy but powerful Chinese martial artist. On the other hand, Brad Pitt has donned various archetypes, from the romantic assassin Mr. Smith in Mr. & Mrs. Smith to the sympathetic sports manager in the award-winning Moneyball. Despite how famous Jackie Chan has become, his roles are still restricted and limited compared to a Caucasian actor’s. Rather than moving away from these stereotypes, the media continues to put Asian actors in a definite mold with little creativity because it has tortuously shaped the Asian image that has become definite in the audience’s mind. Every time they see Jackie Chan in a movie, the viewers assume that he is playing a martial artist due to his acting history. It is the sad truth of the Asian image in the industry. Unless a new generation of Asian actors break through the mold, Hollywood will continue to suffer from the sickening discrimination that has plagued its industry for decades. America is the country of equal opportunities and there is no reason why Hollywood should be any different. Graphic courtesy of FANPOP.COM Photos courtesy of LISTAL.COM and WUSHUKICKS.COM
opinion@apachepowwow.com
September 2012
OPINION
The Colors in Our Own School of Fish By VICTORIA YU Staff Writer
Born into a family of four children, I’ve learned from a young age that if you have siblings, things come with a price. And that dreadful price is called sharing. After living with three sisters for my entire life, I’ve become an expert at it, sharing items from Barbies to laptops, food to beds, books to cell phones. When I was younger, I disliked all of this. Sharing made me feel as if I could never have something of my own. I felt as if nothing was individually mine and that everything I had, was part of my sisters’ too. I began to act selfishly and when we had to divide things up, I became overprotective of my share, making sure that everything was divided precisely. Then one day, my parents read a children’s book to me and my whole perspective on sharing changed. As a child, my parents would always read bedtime stories to my sisters and me. Each time, one of us would alternate picking a book to read for that night. One evening, the book
happened to be The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. The picture book was very interesting to me, not only because of the sparkling fins of the fish, but also because it taught me a valuable lesson. The book was about the rainbow fish, the most beautiful fish in the ocean. The rainbow fish had sparkling colorful scales, but was very selfish and refused to give them to the other fish, causing them to avoid him because of his arrogance. The rainbow fish became lonely and distressed, but after following advice from the wise octopus—that he needed to share his shining scales with the other fish—the rainbow fish was filled with joy and was accepted by others. Even though he was left with only one shining scale, the rainbow fish was able to bring joy to others and to himself. After my parents finished reading, I felt something tugging at my heart. That something was regret for being selfish and greedy. After that night, I was more conscious about being generous. In general, people are selfish and greedy. In the past, the human race was able to survive on Earth because people were selfish and only cared about their own survival and safety. Selfishness has become a part of human nature, but that doesn’t mean we can’t change it. Before I read The Rainbow Fish, I was allowing this part of my innate personality to guide me in my actions. I desired to have something all to myself, not caring if I hurt others in the process. After reading The Rainbow Fish, I was able to embrace sharing. I saw that it helped my parents money-wise by allowing them to buy fewer items. Additionally, I saw that sharing helped
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Born to be Wild By MARY GUYER Staff Writer
strengthen the bond between my sisters and I, and it spread happiness to others. Although sharing seems as if it brings happiness only to others, it also brings joy to the giver and makes one feel accomplished. To this day, the story of The Rainbow Fish remains in my mind. It may seem cheesy, but it really has made a huge impact on my life and has guided me to the right decisions. Although sometimes I am still selfish and greedy, this book has made me more passionate about sharing and has taught me to be generous. Sharing and giving is a large part of showing kindness to others. Without both, the world would just be a cruel place overflowing with selfish people. With these acts of kindness, the world is a better place with happiness and generous people. Although it is just a children’s book, The Rainbow Fish teaches us a valuable lesson about sharing and giving that we all should acknowledge and embrace. vicyu@apachepowwow.com
Graphics by BELINDA SHOUNG and courtesy of COLOURBOX.COM
How to Succeed in School Without Really Trying A lasting nostalgia envelops me as I recall the awkward transition from elementary school to middle school. Although we’re all used to it now, the idea of having six teachers instead of one seemed new and frightening. I didn’t welcome the change and was perfectly fine with the old way. We all have to grow up someday, but at that time, I couldn’t accept the change. In my first year of middle school, I struggled to find my niche and role in school. I was simply uncomfortable with the newness of middle school. I didn’t have many friends, and our group was small and awkward. I found myself drifting further and further into reclusiveness. Now you’re probably expecting me to rant on about how that all changed when I went through some life-changing experience. However, that wasn’t the case. What happened was simple. My situation did not change. Instead, I realized how I blew my situation out of proportion and that it wasn’t very bad at all—after reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. I discovered the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series at a school book fair and after reading a few pages, I was intrigued and subsequently purchased the first two books of the series. Sitting at home, I quickly read through the books in a few hours. I found myself stifling a laugh at the ridiculous attitude of the main character Greg Heffley, a middle school student at an American middle school who is essentially the epitome of a “wimpy kid”. I related myself to Greg and his friend Rowley Jefferson in their quest for acceptance in the dangerous world of middle school. Although I didn’t have the same ludicrous attitude and work ethic as Greg, I identified with his struggles to find his niche in school. Despite all the differences I had with Greg, I realized that we shared a few similarities. He hates sports. I hate sports. He plays video games for fun. I play video games for fun. He is insecure. I am insecure. Greg Heffley’s overblown struggles led me to question my own status in middle school. I began to realize that I, too, was overdramatizing my middle school career. Although my friends and I weren’t exactly the most popular of kids, we could still relate to one another. I was fortunate to have my friends, no matter how few of them there were. My six teachers weren’t that bad—actually they were pretty good, but I never admitted that. Now I know better. I never liked reading, and to this day I almost never read for fun, but I make an exception for the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I own all six currently released books of the series, and plan on purchasing the seventh—The Third Wheel— even though my middle school career has been over for a few years. It’s not really about how Diary of a Wimpy Kid changed me; it’s more about how it reaffirmed me. The book series made me realize that being an insecure nerd isn’t bad, as I originally thought. Yes, I am still antisocial. Yes, I am still awkward. But the simplicity of being content with who I am is all that matters. Forever a fan, wtan@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of WIKIPEDIA.COM
When I was little, books were always a place I could escape to. I could share a story with a friend, run in the fields in the afternoon, and solve mysteries and riddles, all inside my books. Books didn’t judge me, nor did they neglect me. Books accepted me, wholly and completely, no matter what. It gave me that connection, allowing me to be myself and discover new things through my books. For me, that book in particular was Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The book centers around Max, a very loud and rebellious child with an attitude and thirst for new adventures. This classic launched in 1963, opening with the actions of a wild child and the “mischief” he causes. After his mother punishes him without supper one night, he runs to his room in his wolf costume. Upon entering, a mysterious, wild forest and sea grows out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the “Wild Things” to get away from his family. As a child with quite a bit of energy myself, Max taught me how to explore my imagination, teaching me that friends and family are sometimes more important than being right. It unearthed some of the darker aspects of the child’s psyche, testing all sorts of emotions such as fear, hatred, guilt, and many more. He taught me how to deal with these emotions, how to be a kid and connect with that side of my personality. Sendak had strikingly unusual abilities to gain access to, and represent in words and pictures, the fantasies that accompany childish rage states. Even though this timeless picture book was unaccepted at first, it soon found its way into the hearts and minds of children nationwide. We were all Max at some point in our childhoods; we all experienced fear, and hatred, and guilt, but we also connected with softer emotions too, such as love and happiness. When Max returns back to his family at the end of the story and happily receives his supper, we kids connected with those feelings of loneliness and homesickness, just as Max feels before he makes the journey home. Through this, we learned how to be kids, while also learning how to grow up and move on as well. I learned that harboring hatred or resentment would get me nowhere. I can now deal with these feelings like an adult, and then learn to move past them. With Max by my side, suddenly this process grew somewhat easier as a child. You figure out what these things mean to you, and how big a difference one storybook can make. My accepting book became me. And with the help of this book, just like Max, I always knew how to find my way back home from places of uncertainty, with a hot meal and my loving family waiting for me. mguyer@apachepowwow.com
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Your Guide to Fall Movies
in his freshman year of high school. He meets seniors Sam and Patrick who help him through Staff Writer his first year of life as a teen. Big Wedding cenAs the temperature finally starts cooling ters around the wedding of a divorced couple’s down and rain looms over the horizon, people son, as they pretend to still be together. Pitch are beginning to look for indoor activities. Why Perfect’s main character, Beca, runs into an not see a movie? This fall brings plenty of films acappella group which she helps bring into the to fill your craving for gore, drama, romance, 21st century. In terms of animation, Frankenweenie hits and animation. For those who enjoy light drama and com- theaters Oct. 5 and Wreck-it-Ralph opens Nov. edy, there is The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2. Frankenweenie is based on Tim Burton’s live just out on Sept. 21, Pitch Perfect out Oct. 5, action short from 1984. It follows the same plot: and The Big Wedding out Oct. 26 in Australia a boy brings his dog back to life with homeand Apr. 26 in the U.S. Based on the New York made science. It will be stop-motion animation Times bestseller, The Perks of Being a Wall- unlike the 1984 version. Like the original, it flower is about a teenage boy, Charlie, who is will be a parody of Frankenstein and in black and white. Wreck-itAN ARRAY OF MOVIES This Ralph is about an anfall, there will be a wide range of tagonist from a video movies for everyone, from indie to game who wishes to be horror to animation. as loved as the game’s hero, Fix-it-Felix. This fall will be an especially exciting movie-going experience for the horror and action lovers. Just to name a few, Sinister and Taken 2 will be coming out Oct. 5 and Silent Hill: Revelation
By ALLESANDRA JASSO
Food Trucks Galore By AMELIA JIN Staff Writer
Want to eat gourmet meals like a celebrity or just get some delicious, cheap food? Well, look no further, for a food truck is coming to a deserted parking lot near you! Chances are, you’ve probably seen a food truck before and didn’t know what it was. Basically, a food truck is a mobile kitchen that sells food. These meals on wheels have become the latest sensation over the past couple of years. Not only do food trucks serve good quality food, but also the uniqueness of the truck and the act of randomly popping up at a different location every night adds to these trucks’ popularity. Keep in mind that some food trucks are permanently located at one spot while others constantly drive around! Because their locations continuously change, many trucks have their own Twitter or Facebook accounts. Just follow their page to be updated regularly on its whereabouts and when it’ll be near you again. Instead of reading a ton of Tweets and status updates, urban gourmands are using their phones to their full advantage. By simply downloading an iPhone app, you can track down the right truck to satisfy your craving. Whether you’re an adventurous foodie or a late-night snacker, food trucks appeal to everyone!
ajin@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
will be coming out Oct. 26. Taken 2 connects back to Taken, but this time, Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of the kidnapper, Mills, killed in the first movie. Sinister is about a reporter who finds a box of disturbing home movies which leads to a series of horrific events happening to both him and his family. Silent Hill: Revelation will be a follow-up to the 2006 movie. Heather Mason and her father run from the supernatural forces that plague them, and on Mason’s 18th birthday, she makes a discovery that threatens to trap her in Silent Hill. No matter what your taste is this fall, there will be a movie for you. Whether you are in for some light-hearted jokes, animation, an action flick, or a movie to send shivers down your spine, there will be something now playing.
Staff Writer
Many American brands are considered luxuries in other countries, but McDonald’s seem hardly upscale in any universe. Nevertheless, in other countries, Mickey D’s have maitre d’s. In different countries, regular U.S. McDonald’s seem like McDiners, the more formal, sit-down version of McDonald’s. People in China sometimes splurge a whole week’s salary to dine on not only Big Macs, but also McHotdogs and McRice burgers. Of course, even the factory production of McDonald’s trumps the abysmal food hygiene in China, but the golden arches impress the rest of the world as well. In Italy, celebrity chef Gualtiero Marchesi designed two gourmet burgers and a dessert for McDonald’s in 2011. These harmonious hamburgers were a hit: the Vivace was packed with Northern Italian spinach, onion, bacon, and mayonnaise, while the Adagio was stuffed with Sicilian eggplant mousse, ricotta cheese, tomatoes, and beef. In the Middle East, McDonald’s serves Veg McPuff Pizzas, which are rectangles of bread stuffed with pizza filling, and Chicken McCurry Pans. Think
Oppa Viral Style By HELEN LEE Executive Copy Editor
You may have seen the strange “horse dance”, or heard some upbeat music playing on your radio but in a foreign language. If so, you have probably heard the song “Gangnam Style”. This song by Psy, a South Korean singer, has been gaining popularity from all over the world, and the song has reached over 200 million views on YouTube for its comedic music style and catchy dance moves. Yet, many people still don’t know what “Gangnam Style” is truly about.
ajasso@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of CARTAZ.COM, MOVIESANDBLOGGING.COM and IMDB.COM
Mc-Deluxe? Not in America By GOLDIE SHEN
September 2012
things are bigger and better in America? In Argentina, McDonald’s stocks not only Big Macs, but Triple Macs, which contain three patties. Tastefully, McDonald’s also diversifies its menu items to accommodate local cuisine. In the Middle East, the McArabias are served on pita bread. Laksewrap fish is sold in Finland and Norway while McLobster rolls are seasonally served in Canada. Costa Rican McDonald’s offer gallo pinto, or rice and beans. McDonald’s food isn’t the only thing that transforms abroad. Instead of having cashiers, McDonald’s throughout Europe provide self-service touch screens. The environment is chic and clean with modern furniture and polished wood walls. It also seems as if there are Happy Meals at Happy Hour. Despite the ever-present crowds of children around, McDonald’s offers beer in various other countries. Though dominant in the U.S., McDonald’s creatively caters abroad. With all its stigma here, perhaps the fast food chain has given up trying to impress America and has brought the fanfare to the rest of the world. gshen@apachepowwow.com
Photos courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM FOODIEWINENET.COM, FOODNEWSTIMES.COM
Throughout the song, Psy repeats the phrase “Oppa Gangnam Style”. This phrase refers to him as an oppa (what a girl calls an older brother) and says that he lives the “Gangnam” lifestyle. In South Korea, Gangnam is a region in Seoul where many wealthy people live and enjoy a high-class lifestyle, similar to Beverly Hills in the U.S. Near the middle of the music video and the end, a man in a red convertible shows up wearing a bright yellow suit. That man is no one other than Yoo Jae Suk, a famous South Korean comedian of various shows such as Infinity Challenge and Running Man. During Psy and Yoo’s dance battle, Yoo shows off his famous “grasshopper dance”, which mocks him for looking like a grasshopper without his glasses. The rising popularity of “Gangnam Style” has also led to people’s interest in the catchy dance moves such as the “horse dance”. The “horse dance” is actually a simple dance: just cross your right hand over your left hand, and lift your right leg, then left leg, then right leg for the next two counts, and repeat. This dance has become so popular that there were multiple flash mobs around the world, including one at Forever 21 in Old Town Pasadena. “Gangnam Style” has become a viral sensation all over the world and parodies ranging from Batman Style to Tom Yum Gong Style show just how widespread “Gangnam Style” has become!
hlee@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of ALLKPOP.COM, KPOPSTARZ.COM, and WYSIJA.COM
September 2012
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Strange Cuisine Around the World
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By ROSEMARY LEE
Staff Writer
From squirrel brains to tarantulas, people from around the world eat just about anything. Because different countries have various cultures, religions, and available ingredients, they have distinct characteristics in its foods. Some foods that are like cheeseburgers to Americans can be terrifying in a foreigner’s eyes because of unfamiliar ingredients and methods of preparation. Casu Marzu: Casu marzu is a traditional cheese made in Sardinia, an island on the Mediterranean Sea. Although it may seem harmless and unfitting to be called one of the most terrifying foods, a typical Casu marzu cheese contains thousands of squirming maggots. Made from sheep’s milk, Casu marzu is made by leaving Percorino cheese outside for flies to lay eggs on it. When the eggs hatch, the larvae eat through the cheese and break down the milk fat, making it soft to eat. This maggot cheese is known to have more than just a strong taste, for it gives a burning sensation in the mouth from the fermentation. Better yet, the maggots have the ability to jump six inches from the cheese, so be prepared to see maggots jumping.
Escamoles: Eaten mainly in Mexico, Escamoles are ant eggs that come from black Liometopum ants. Although the idea of eating eggs from poisonous ants is unfamiliar to Americans, escamoles are sometimes referred to as “insect caviar” because of its rich taste. They have a consistency similar to that of cottage cheese with a nutty and buttery taste. Escamoles are often prepared with butter and eaten like a taco, except the meat is replaced with ant eggs.
Tiết canh: Tiết canh is a traditional Vietnamese dish made from cooked meat and fresh blood. The blood comes from various animals including pigs, ducks, and geese, and is collected into a bowl. Some people like to mix the blood in fish sauce in their dish, add peanuts and herbs, or chill in the fridge to create a stronger texture. The Vietnamese government is actually trying to prevent people from eating this dish because of the possible diseases that animals may carry in their blood. This bloody soup is known to have a metallic taste and a unique texture.
Lutefisk: Lutefisk is a traditional dish of the Nordic countries. Although it is just a white fish dish, its preparation steps set it apart from other fish dishes. To prepare lutefisk, the white fish is first dried so that it will not lose its shape while cooking. Then, the dry fish is soaked in a lye and water solution for days and becomes a jelly-like substance. For those who know chemistry, at the end of the soaking period, the pH level of the lutefisk ranges between 11 and 12. It becomes so basic that it can dissolve silverware at this point. Because the fish is caustic after bathing in lye solution for almost a week, it is made edible by soaking in cold water for days. rolee@apachepowwow.com
Photos courtesy of ANALTERNATIVEEDUCATION.COM, BLOGSPOT.COM, DMDENTERTAINMENT.COM, LOUPIOTE.COM, and THEWONDROUS.COM
The Rotten Apps of Apple By JONATHAN MATSUMOTO Webmaster
Since Apple’s App Store has over 500,000 different items to download, there’s sure to be something to please everyone. Unless, of course, your version of satisfaction involves showing off your money or putting prominent political figures on trampolines. In that case, here are a few apps that aren’t available for purchase: In lieu of the 2008 presidential election, software developing company Juggleware released a simple app called “Freedom Time”. The idea was simple: a clock that counted down the time remaining for the Bush administration. In a controversial move, Apple pulled the app citing defamation. When the developers tried to appeal, Steve Jobs clarified that it would have been “offensive to roughly half our customers.”
New York University graduate student Josh Begley decided to create this app after he saw an interactive map of American drone strikes on the mobile version of The Guardian, a British newspaper. He proceeded to add his own features, such as the ability to create notifications when drone strikes were reported in real time. In the end, Apple stated that it was “excessively objectionable” and presented “crude content.”
The idea behind this app is pretty self-explanatory. You could pick between 18 politicians, including Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and of course, President Barack Obama, and attempt to bounce them off a trampoline in the Oval Office by tilting the iPhone (like Doodle Jump). But since Freedom Time was banned for defamation, Apple had to carry through again.
In the end, developers are always attempting to create something users will want to purchase. Unfortunately, sometimes their creations don’t quite meet the quality standards that Apple set. jmatsumoto@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM, CLIPARTIMAGES.COM, FREEPIK.COM, JUGGLEWARE.COM, and WORDPRESS.COM
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SPORTS
The Mere Beginning for Cross Country By BRENDAN TRAN
Staff Writer
There is no doubt that the AHS Boys Cross Country team is one of the top running programs in the country. After becoming National Champions in 2010, the team also finished last season with a Pacific League Championship, a Division 1 CIF Championship, 2nd place at the state meet, and 4th place at Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) last year. The leader who has kept the motor running for this program is Coach James O’Brien. His high expectations have always kept his team motivated and successful. Despite some “stiff competition from Burbank High School,” Coach O’Brien said he “always starts with the expectation that the team is going to win League.” Beyond that expectation is a goal for the team to win its third consecutive Division 1 CIF Championship. Coach O’Brien and the team would also like “to be invited back to NXN, to see where [the team stands] in the country.” To achieve these lofty goals, the team goes through intense preparation. The members practice twice a day, Monday through Friday, with races on Saturday and optional athlete-driven training on Sundays without Coach O’Brien. The workouts include running 9 to 12 miles a day, with a pool workout on Friday. Although practicing six to seven days a week may seem unbearable, junior Estevan De La Rosa explained that the team “has a coach who knows what he’s doing. Coach O’Brien is a legend!” Led by a great man, Estevan strives to win League, CIF, and NXN. His best mile and 5k times are 4:18 and 15:09, respectively. The team is also inspired by its Cross Country alumni who have paved the way for the program. Junior Thomas Tran looks up to Eric Garibay, an alumnus who “was hit by a car, but worked hard to get back and ended up running at the state meet and being [the team’s] number two man at Nationals.” Thomas’ fastest mile is 4:38 and his fastest 5k time is 17:30. Thomas’ goals for this year are to “win state” as a team “and to be part of the scoring five at the state meet.” Junior Mahmoud Moussa’s goals list includes “winning the State meet and competing for a podium finish at Nationals.” With a 4:27 mile and a 15:28 5k, it is very possible that his goals will be accomplished. Mahmoud also looks up to alumnus and Assistant Coach Andrew Pilavjian who “has helped [him] become a better teammate and athlete.” With great coaches and motivating alumni, it is no wonder that this team is racking up league championships and competing nationally almost every year. Recently, the team took 1st place at the Laguna Hills Invitational, trying to run its way back to NXN and a third consecutive CIF Championship. At this rate, it will be a surprise if the team doesn’t win nationals. btran@apachepowwow.com
apachepowwow.com
September 2012
“Lau”-nching into Action
By TIFFANY LIU
Staff Writer
his or her team to finish strong at the end of the season and Coach Lau hopes to accomplish this by training the girls differently than the coaches of years past have. Goals always benefit people both academically and physically. Athletes always have many goals, whether it be to swim
faster and longer or to form a stronger bond with teammates. A strong form of communication between a coach and his or her athletes is beneficial to the success of the team. With good motivation and a well-thought out training routine that produces positive results, just being a part of a team is more than enough for some. Team members share special bonds that last because of similar obstacles and achievements that they go through together. With Coach Lau as the new coach, a new water polo family can be formed as it strives toward victory. To sum up water polo, it is ultimately an intense sport that requires the stamina for a marathon, the contact of hockey, and the strategy of chess. With Coach Lau’s leadership, expertise, and motivation, the Girls Water Polo team has a chance to do better than ever in order to fulfill its potential. Coach Lau’s passion for water polo shines through as he comes back to AHS to coach the Girls Varsity Water Polo team with goals and ambition to make this year’s water polo season the best one yet.
At AHS, athletic team members are always putting after school hours into their workouts and drills to become the best that they can be. Every team has a goal; whether it’s winning CIF Championships or keeping a good win to loss record. Athletes take into account what they eat, how much they sleep, and how well they balance school work and athletics. Coaches educate and lead a team from the bottom up to achieve a reputation that makes other teams turn their heads in envy. Such a coach has arrived to our very own Girls Water Polo team. A 2005 graduate of AHS, Coach Chris Lau has returned to AHS to take the place of former Girls Water Polo team Coach Ray Mynster. He promises to push his athletes past their limits to win CIF. Coach Lau has seen the team grow since the summer water polo season of training. The girls are training hard every day, working on their drills and offensive and defensive plays so they can achieve their goals. The Girls Water Polo team has A FRESH START Coach Chris Lau is in charge had its fair share of wins and losses as does every team. Every coach wants of the Girls Water Polo team this year.
tliu@apachepowwow.com
Photo by WILSON LIN
Fresh Start for the Boys
By AMELIA JIN
Staff Writer
ing hard over the summer and everyday after school from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Now, the training is what Coach Oganesyan really focuses on. He makes sure every player knows what he is doing and how to improve on his technique during practices. One primary method of training is constructive training. This is really important for Coach Oganesyan since he believes “this
type of training is essential for [team members] to develop their skills individually.” Besides constructive training, there’s also mental focus training. This type of training helps the players overcome problems with concentration, motivation, and confidence. The balance between these two types of training, physical and mental, is what makes up the perfect player. With a new season officially under way, Coach Oganesyan will put his team to the test in the upcoming games. Even though it’s still early in the school year, it seems as if Coach Oganesyan has been with the Boys Water Polo team for some time now. He gives the players advice for their plays and coaches each player thoroughly, while players digest what he has to say and work even harder. Whether it wins or loses, the Boys Water Polo team should definitely be watched out for. With a new head coach, every team member is trying his very best and giving his all to live up to the new, higher standards. With winning CIF Championships as his number one goal, Coach Oganesyan hopes “the team members can learn to believe in their ability to play and in Coach Ara Oganesyan is themselves.”
It seems that every year, there’s always something different about a sports team. New members join, different practice schedules arise, and deeper bonds form between the team members and their coach. The Boys Water Polo team is no exception. However, having gone through three new coaches in the past three years, the Boys Water Polo team is used to change. This year, Coach Ararat Oganesyan will be taking over the team. Having coached water polo at numerous high schools and colleges, Coach Oganesyan has the experience and determination to make the Boys Water Polo team the best that it can be. Aside from the times when he’s compared to the previous coaches, Coach Oganesyan said that he “feels that being the new coach is an advantage because it’s a fresh start for [him] and [his] team.” Having his own game plan and experience, he doesn’t quite care about being compared to other coaches since every coach is different and has different expectations. After the team finished 3-4 last season, Coach Oganesyan wants the NEW IDEAS team to make a successful comeback. That seems to be no problem since the implementing new techniques into the Boys Varsity Boys Water Polo team has been train- Water Polo team training.
ajin@apachepowwow.com
Photo by WILSON LIN
September 2012
SPORTS
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By KARINA LAIGO Staff Writer
The year has begun and the games are afoot! With fall sports teams heading into their season and spring sports teams waiting for their chance to shine, the school is humming with the prospect of victory. Apaches are geared to take down their opponents with their time-tested routines and rituals.
“I prepare for Water Polo by picturing the game in my head and getting myself in the mindset to play.”
“Besides training, the night before, I take a nice salt bath to relax my muscles and stretch out.”
—Bobby McDaniels, 12, Boys Varsity Water Polo team
—Devin Arenas, 12, Boys Varsity Cross Country team
“Before games, I always head over to the weight room; practicing and doing weight training helps me focus on the game ahead.”
“I don’t really do things before or after games, but during them, I just get into the mode that I have to do my best and try my hardest.”
—Cameron Tuck, 12, Boys Varsity Football team
—Cheryl Hsu, 12, Girls Varsity Basketball team
Whether it be mentally or physically, Apaches take their sports seriously and strive to do their best. Each year is different, either with new players, new coaches, or new rituals. But one thing never changes: the Apache spirit. Good luck to all Apaches of the 2012-2013 school year!
klaigo@apachepowwow.com
Photos by DEEDEE CHUANG, MATTHEW LEE, and WILSON LIN
All-Purpose Apache Athletes By RENA CHEN Staff Writer
It’s difficult to imagine athletes participating in any sport other than their professional one. Just think of how awkward it’d be to see Kobe Bryant in football gear, huddling, tackling, and skidding to the touchdown instead of leaping for a basket. It’s like finding logarithms on a test about quadratics, and then graphing a reflected log instead of an arching parabola. But at the same time, it’s perfectly reasonable. Athletes are fit to participate in whatever sport sthey choose. Often, with specialized sports players at AHS, we overlook the seconday athletic interests of such players. And rightly so: seeing their enthusiasm for their sport obliterates any notion that they’d enjoy participating in any other sport half as much. Water polo girls, especially, have a lot
of zeal. “It’s the only sport that I really, really like,” said junior Rosemary Sease. “I’ve thought about joining [swim team], but I don’t really think I will join it.” She also added that she likes hockey, tennis, and football, which was surprising, especially when another team member, sophomore Laura Chun, challenged the “football team to a swim race.” Junior Queena Chung was “into running for awhile, but [she] got bored. Swimming’s [her] only true passion.” As for the JV/Varsity Boys Water Polo team, sophomore Justin Tin quickly mentioned that he liked “to swim and shotput.” Out on the track, the Girls Cross Country team held its tryouts. Some, like freshman Danna Xue, haven’t done any sports before. But Danna helpfully added that she plays the cello. Meanwhile, the Girls Volleyball team practiced in the North Gym, diligently completing its
workouts from right afterschool to 5:00 p.m. Again, the girls are extremely devoted to the sport; consequently, the question of their other sports interests shriveled and plummeted as soon as it was uttered. Despite that, senior Dakota Bundesmann said, “I used to play softball,” and senior Catherine Su “used to do tennis and swimming.” However, their feelings could be expressed through junior Kristen Mueller’s words: “Volleyball is my first priority.” Football players not only have pride for their own sport, but they also seem have passions for many other sports as well. Freshman Nico Hillier informed that he is “the quarterback” before saying he likes basketball. Freshman Ryan Hall is “interested in basketball, so [he’s] trying out for basketball,”
and freshman Damian Flores said, “Baseball— I’m a baseball player.” Which is perfectly all right: the seasons are different and though some might disapprove of hopping teams (evidently, there’s hidden rivalry among AHS sports teams), it’s not bad to expand horizons. Some athletes have found their passion, like the water polo and volleyball players. Not everyone can say the same thing, but the advantage of high school sports is that they’re very accessible and competitive at the same time, allowing you to try out for multiple sports. Middle school sports weren’t nearly as spirited. College sports are more specialized. So if you love sports, don’t let this chance go by; above all the rivalry and, yes, self-proclaimed lack of talent, the experience of being in a team isn’t one you’d find in a P.E. class. It doesn’t matter whether the sports are related or not, as I’d previously assumed; interest is pretty much boundless. And despite what others say, football players can be good swimmers, too. rchen@apachepowwow.com
Photos courtesy of ELLIOTT LEE
18
STUDENT LIFE Cherished Memories
By BRIANA SHEN Staff Writer
Elementary and middle school were places where we made our dorky and lame friends whom we cannot help but love and share many embarrassing moments with. Now looking back on the past, there are so many moments we might want to either relive or change. High school is a place to discover ourselves and to create valuable memories, but it is also difficult to forget our former reminiscences. “In sixth grade, I went to the Haunted House in Dana Middle School, and I got so scared, I almost wet myself!”—Nicole Kwan, 9 “I remember back in elementary school at Holly Avenue, I was running in between the lines of each class before some guy tripped me and I face-planted on the floor! It was so embarrassing!”—Alexia Stepanian, 10 “My friends and I went to the Haunted Hallways at AHS last year, and after that terrifying experience, I had to walk home. I was walking in the dark and all of a sudden I saw something white from the corner of my eyes. I turned around and saw nothing there so I kept walking. Then I saw it again, and got really paranoid since I just came out of the Haunted Hallways. When I finally reached home, I went to wash my face and noticed a piece of rice stuck to my eye from dinner! I felt so brainless!”—Joy Lee, 10 “I have had a lot of memories I will never forget, but the most memorable one was saying goodbye to all my teachers at First Avenue Middle School. They inspired me to be a better person and student. Without them, I wouldn’t be the same person I am today.”—William Li, 10 “The most memorable moment I had in AHS was speaking Japanese hiragana and vocabulary with my classmates. It was fun, but I felt so embarrassed while saying those words because of my unfortunate accent.”—Ashley Zhao, 11 “Back in my junior year, I asked Mr. David Jones to go to Sadies with me in class. I was joking of course! My friends and I held small posters with the word “Sadies?” on them, and he was so shocked and embarrassed by it. It was a really hilarious moment!”—Tiffany Kuo, 12 Whether your memory involves faceplanting or becoming a better person, they are all memories worth recalling. These moments will always be those little “something’s” we hold close to our hearts.
elee@apachepowwow.com
Graphic courtesy of CLKR.COM
September 2012
Goodbye Summer and Hello Fall Fashions!
By ELISHA LEE
Staff Writer
apachepowwow.com
Kiss goodbye to bikinis and flip-flops and bring out the scarves, sweaters, and cardigans because autumn is here. For fashion-savvy students, that means it’s time to stock up on the latest fall trends. As fall rolls around, students are starting to wear more layers to keep cozy during this transition period into winter, replacing their sandals and basketball shorts with warmer articles of clothing like Uggs, jeans, and long-sleeves.
Accessories such as beanies and scarves are colorful additions to students’ fall outfits, but junior Dion Muller said, “I have a hat with a beard that wraps around my face. I would wear it to school, but people will think that I’m weird.” Unlike Dion, sophomore Frank Villegas sticks to the traditional fall accessory and wears “beanies, because they are comfortable.”
Freshman Kasey Mok loves wearing dresses, but she declared that she hated cold weather. “I would wear jeans and sweaters, though I guess I could also wear warm leggings,” she said. Grimacing, she added, “I’m not very fond of leggings, so I don’t usually wear dresses in the fall.” However, junior Valerie Chieng believes that California has mild weather year-round and claimed that she “was not really a fall kind of person.” She said, “I don’t put my summer and spring clothes in the storage because California’s fall temperatures are still a good 60 to 70 degrees.” Valerie also stated that although she’s willing to brave California’s cooler days, her favorite article of clothing to keep warm “would be [her] green plaid flannel pants.” She stated, “I wear them a lot during the colder seasons because they keep me warm and they’re extremely comfortable.” Oddly enough, Valerie confessed with a laugh, “I actually bought them in the boy’s section because the women’s section didn’t have any prints that I liked, so I wear men’s pants!”
A fashionista herself, sophomore Ellen Nagaoka added “scarves, coats, rings, and headbands” to her outfits to “jazz them up.” She keeps in style this autumn by using fashion “websites for tutorials and Seventeen Magazine to keep up with the latest hairstyles, makeup, and fashion.” Ellen continuted, “H&M and Forever 21 are my favorite stores because they have a mix of different styles, but I also like thrift stores to find vintage clothing for less.” Like Ellen, freshman Lynske Phu said that he shops “at Target and Kohl’s, because those stores are cheap!” Lynske usually wears “hoodies during the fall, so if it rains, [he] can just pull the hood over.”
Sophomore Justin Juaton, who doesn’t mind the cold weather stated, “I would still wear shorts during the fall when I play sports.” Although wearing shorts is a great option, students could also bring their sweats to P.E. Justin added that he also wears “thermals, jeans, and jackets” during the fall. He claimed that his “favorite fall clothing includes jackets, sweaters, and hoodies, because if it gets hot, [he] could roll the sleeves up.”
Everyone has his or her own style and unique twist to dressing up during autumn. Some students make sure that they are dressed warmly in the fall, while others believe that California’s sunny weather will continue throughout the autumn season. We can expect that the campus will be filled with both colorful leaves and colorful outfits! bshen@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of 123BLOGSPOT.COM
A Journey in the Making: From Middle to High School By ALLESANDRA JASSO Staff Writer
School is in full swing now and everyone has gotten back into the mold of academic life. Upperclassmen are used to the workload and class sizes, but for the freshmen, it’s a learning period. Transitioning from middle school to high school can be hard for some who go in with a mindset of terror, but for others they have joined right in, looking forward to the fun times to come. In high school, the three middle schools joined together onto one big campus along with people from other districts, states, and even countries. Freshmen have classes with peers they don’t know and cling to their middle school friends for the first weeks. Eventually these freshmen will branch out, open up, and meet other freshmen, although many students noted the awkward tones of their first conversations. For the freshmen, it’s a process of letting go of middle school and moving on to bigger things. Lunch is another big leap into the unknown abyss that is high school. A general complaint from the freshmen is having nowhere to sit. “It’s saddening to think that as soon as we reached our prime in middle school, we’ve fallen to the bottom
of the food chain as fresh meat,” said freshman Selena Chow. Going from a couple hundred students eating together to a couple thousand would be a shock for anyone. The first weeks were spent trying to find any spot in the shade that wasn’t already occupied. During passing period, the freshmen would call their friends to locate each other on the large campus and exchange a few quick words before rushing to
their next class on the other side of the campus. When the day is over, the freshmen anticipate little work for the first week and expect to be able to go home and recover from the long day. But as they peek into their agendas, they realize how much there is to do. There’s the English essay that needs to be written and the math homework that needs to be completed. They end up working until 8:30 p.m. to finish their homework. “I was scared to go to high school, but now it doesn’t seem like much except for the fact that there’s so much homework,” said freshman Taejin Hwang. Also, freshman Austin Che added, “It’s very hard to juggle homework, sports, and after school activities.” Whatever happened to the days of an hour and a half worth of homework? But eventually the freshmen will learn what it takes to survive the tough weeks to start the year. As the first month of school passes, everyone has come out of the “summermode” and back into school life by working long nights, waking up early, and maybe even procrastinating on a project or two. Freshmen are adjusting themselves to high school and the coming months will hold great times. Before the freshmen know it, they will have found a comfortable place on AHS’ vast campus. ajasso@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of CLKR.COM and 123RF.COM
September 2012
studentlife@apachepowwow.com
STUDENT LIFE 19
After School Hotspots
By MICHELLE GU
Staff Writer
During the warm temperatures at the beginning of the school year, traveling from one end of the school to the other can make any student crave a frozen treat. Students love buying frozen yogurt or boba after school to cool off, but which places have the best foods and drinks? Conveniently, a place near AHS sells tasty boba and ice cold drinks: HoneyBoba. There are so many flavors of everything to choose from that I often have trouble deciding. Who knew there were that many different types of pudding? After school, the place is packed with students
waiting to get their HoneyBoba fix. It’s no wonder that everyone loves this place. The drinks are cool and refreshing, the staff is friendly, and the service is fast. HoneyBoba is definitely a place to go after school. Tasty To Go is an- other great spot to get drinks after school. It is also relatively close to AHS. Students love shaved ice because is it perfect for the hot weather. It has been described as “melt in your mouth yummy” and “phenomenal.” There is little wait for orders and the pricing is reasonable. Stop by this place sometime to get a little something to go! How would you like to go some place that serves you a soft frozen dessert of sweetened flavored yogurt? If so, Yogurtland is the place for you! This fantastic place serves the frozen treats in large cups that are easy to fill up and get to go. There are many flavors that you can choose from and even more toppings! So remember to stop by Yogurtland if you’re craving a refreshing snack. mgu@apachepowwow.com
Graphics courtesy of FOOTSPOTTING.COM and THEVILLIAGEATGULFSTREAMPARK. COM
Campus Activities
throughout the year.” In addition to FBLA, the Red Cross Club Staff Writer is a great way to get involved in the school and help others. This club helps students become prepared in case of a disaster. Members particiThroughout the beginning of the school pate in many volunteering events and learn how year, teachers and students have been emphato do CPR and first-aid training. sizing the need to become a “I think most of my leaderpart of a team or club. At ship skills came from Red AHS, there are various Cross, since this will be my clubs, academic teams, third year as an officer and it’s and sports teams availhelped me grow and develop able. as a leader,” stated Co-PresiOn Oct. 3, all the dent senior Alicia Tran. clubs on campus will Another club that is ofset up booths in the rally fered is the Tutor Honor Socourt to advertise themciety. This club consists of selves. At AHS there are a tutors who help out other stuvariety of clubs to choose dents struggling in particular from, ranging from All subjects. The Tutor Honor SoLiving Loving in Eternal ciety meets at the library after Salvation to History Club. school on Mondays through Some of the other clubs ofThursdays. fered at AHS also include With all that said, stuFuture Business Leaders dents should start looking to of America (FBLA), Red Cross Club, and Tutor AN OPEN DOOR AHS be a part of a team or club. Honor Society. This Club’s offers a plethora of clubs where This will allow students to Day is a great way to learn students can explore passions. learn essential skills such as teamwork, leadership, and about what clubs are availsportsmanship. So make sure you make the able and what they involve. most out of your high school experience by FBLA is a club that offers a variety of acjoining a club or team for the 2012-2013 school tivities. There are competitions at the sectional, year. It’ll definitely be something worthwhile in state, and national levels. In FBLA, there are the long run. three subsections: American Enterprise, Partnership with a Business, and Community Service. According to Co-President senior Tricia lperesdasilva@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of 48DAYS.COM Xu, FBLA is “like a family that grows with you
By LEANNE PERES DA SILVA
An All-School Assembly of Grace, Respect, and Admiration
By IAN CHAN
Staff Writer
Welcome back, Apaches! Each year, AHS holds an All-School Assembly meant to motivate students for the upcoming school year. On Sept. 11, the annual assembly kicked off the 2012-2013 school year not with rousing noises, but with a meaningful tribute. On that same day 11 years ago, America was hit with a magnitude of grief comparable to the Pearl Harbor attack nearly 60 years before. Showing respect, AHS held a moment of silence for the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Emphasizing the significance of that date, Assistant Principal John Tung read off the various statistics that listed the number of casualties in the attacks, as well as the number of widows and widowers that were left behind. The bitter statistics reminded the student body of the sacrifices of the American people, both in the past and in the present. It also reminded everyone to look forward to better days. Inspired by that moment of silence, the as-
sembly began on a brighter note with a positive reminder to students of the promising academic road ahead. During the rally, topics such as improving the Academic Performance Index (API) score and realizing the value of productivity were stressed. Dr. Brent Forsee, AHS’ new principal, congratulated the student body on its contribution to the improved API score AHS now holds. He also announced his hopes of AHS rising even higher on that academic scale, and that teamwork will be
necessary for the school to make and break the 900-point mark. Principal Forsee’s vision of teamwork at the rally was one of respect and responsibility. Expanding on his wish for AHS to move forward, he urged students to look out for each other and encourage each other to do well, because it is the responsibility of everyone at the school to elevate the quality of education. Besides API scores, ASB President senior Jonathan Kwok mentioned the importance of
HOPEAMIDST SORROWAs we pass the eleventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, AHS solemnly honors those who lost their lives in a tragedy that will never be forgotten.
time and how every individual student should value even the mere seconds spent at school. AHS knows that principle well, especially with last year’s budget-cut driven Furlough days, which ended up reducing the time students spent in classrooms. When asked how he would be productive this year with the extended time at school, junior Adrian Cheng enthusiastically said, “Friends will motivate me to work hard,” a strong indication of the social strength at AHS that propels students to work harder. Other students emphasized that the motivator to do well this year would be the last school year. Junior James Ahn’s succinct statement, “I’ll do better,” reminds everyone that sometimes, the way to be successful is to look onto oneself as the motivator. As the chants of “We are Apaches!” faded away and Band began playing the closing tunes of the rally, the students began to trek towards their second period classes, a march heralding the start of another school year, one that will not only bring a plethora of busy work,but a plethora of opportunities. ichan@apachepowwow.com Photos by WILSON LIN
ACADEMICS
20 A New Academic Year By LEANNE PERES DA SILVA
Staff Writer
With the new school year underway, the academic teams have started preparing for upcoming competitions, where they will challenge opposing teams and hopefully take home the gold. Speech and Debate (S&D) is preparing for its upcoming competitions by organizing a week of afterschool workshops. For those who have recently joined the team, these workshops are extremely helpful. Mrs. Ashley Novak, the team adviser, asks members to perform speeches in front of their fellow teammates so that they can receive constructive criticism. “We’re also encouraged to go outside during [the] speech period and practice our speeches by talking to trees and [other] inanimate objects,” explained S&D JV member junior Shannon Liao. Destination Imagination (DI) is also preparing by performing unique, creative challenges, ranging from mechanical to theatrical topics. The teams must come up with the most creative solution to the problem within the given boundaries. With all this preparation, DI members’ goals for this new school year consist of making themselves known to the student body as well as placing in this year’s state competition. DI is a special academic team
because it focuses on creative problem solving skills, so if you’re looking to compete in a free environment with very few boundaries, this team is a great fit for you. Quiz Bowl (QB) is an academic team in which members answer questions from a variety of topics. They must learn to react quickly to questions so they can hit the buzzer and give the correct answer before the opposing team has the chance to do so. The team has had many summer practices, and is currently meeting every week to prepare for the upcoming season. To practice, they use tournament packets from previous QB competitions. A QB competition called Atlas 1 will be held at AHS between two different high school teams on Sept. 29. Although QB members will not participate, they will observe the competition and keep score for the game. Teams like S&D, DI, and QB have been striving to ensure that this new competitive year will turn out even greater than the last.
Staff Writer
Many students enter high school dreading the SAT because they know it affects their futures significantly. However, they do not understand that the PSAT also carries importance and should be taken into consideration. The PSAT is primarily intended to help students practice for the SAT, but it also determines the eligibility of the student for scholarships. The PSAT is two hours long and is offered once a year to sophomores, juniors, and interested freshmen. Junior Nicole Lee stated that the PSAT “is a little easier because of the fact that it has half the number of questions [as does] the SAT.” Many students take the PSAT to see what level they are at compared to other high school students and to get some insight on subjects they should study a little in preparation for the SAT. It can also provide an estimate of what your score may be like on the real SAT test. Even if you score poorly on the PSAT, you have a second chance with the SAT, and the results of your exam do not hinder your eligibility of admission to any college. The SAT is a standardized test that assesses a student’s understanding in critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills. High schoolers have the option of taking it their junior or senior year. The test is three hours long: 70 minutes for reading, 70 minutes for math, and 60 minutes for writing. Each of the three sections offers 800 possible points, result-
ing in a total possible score of 2400. Questions are in multiple choice form, like the PSAT. The test scores play a key role in college acceptance decisions, which is why many students prepare for months in advance to get a mark that will make them stand out. “The SAT is a tedious test,” said junior Melody Lin. “It takes a lot of stamina because it is common for people to fall asleep during the test.” Melody raises a common concern, as many students lack the attention span to perform well. Students also stress out about the SAT more than the PSAT. They claim that the PSAT doesn’t require as much time management as the SAT does and that the thought of taking an SAT exam is significantly more frustrating and anxiety-inducing. This was not surprising given that Ivy League Colleges usually accept students with scores ranging approximately from 600 to 800 points on each section. So which is more important? Many students say the SAT is more important, but they must also consider the significance of the PSAT in their educational careers. The PSAT is the first indicator of which areas are your strongest, and working on these areas can gradually improve your SAT score. Getting a good score on both the PSAT and the SAT makes a significant impact on your chances of getting into the perfect college.
mgu@apachepowwow.com
September 2012
A Student’s Perspective By SIREJ DUA
Staff Writer
The new school year is an opportunity to set new goals, improve grades, and focus on something you haven’t done in previous years. Freshman Michelle Huang is in Band and had rehearsals at the beginning of summer, which “was when [she] was actually introduced to the school. So when school started, [she] was already familiar with the campus and some people.” As for the homework, Michelle thinks that it “isn’t that big of a deal because most people just procrastinate,” which is probably true. The only big difference that she thinks she will experience are “harder tests and less sleep.” Sophomore Morven Sharp is used to the endless nights of homework but didn’t want to deal with that in the summer as well, so he didn’t prepare much during the summer for the school year. “The only thing I really did was read Mists of Avalon,” said Morven. This year, he is looking forward to the Speech and Debate competitions he will be participating in, but he won’t enjoy “sleeping three hours a night.” As a precursor to the infamous junior year, junior Melita D’Mello was swamped with AP coursework over the summer. lperesdasilva@apachepowwow.com “Because I had a lot Graphics courtesy of of homework [this] SHUTTERSTOCK.COM and summer, I didn’t want to YCLIP.NET take any other classes. I
The Importance of the PSAT By MICHELLE GU
apachepowwow.com
was a TA in Mr. Tal Jones’ Biology class,” said Melita. “It was a new experience for me, and I had a lot of fun.” She is looking forward to “bonding with [her] fellow juniors [through] AP classes and learning new material.” Melita, like many of the students at AHS, has to study for the SATs as well as AP courses. She is not looking forward to growing up and she is definitely not looking forward to graduating next year. With three years of high school under her belt, senior Rachel Gasparini knows what it takes to make this school year a little more stress-free than previous ones. She made an effort to “organize [her] room, [her] desk, and [her] binder so that [the] year will run a lot smoother.” Rachel is also planning to make an effort to not procrastinate this year. As a senior, she is excited to see where she’s headed and how her extracurricular activities will play a part in those plans. Unlike many seniors, Rachel is planning to make an effort to “avoid [senioritis] at all costs!”
sdua@apachepowwow.com
I.Q. Test Controversies By KHANH TRAN Staff Writer
The human mind is a mysterious thing, brimming with potential and capability. Although such traits are abstract and subjective, psychologists have attempted to measure it by a definite format through intelligence quotient (I.Q.) tests. I.Q. supposedly measures one’s intellectual level and uses the score to measure one’s aptitude. However, I.Q. tests describe only a limited area of the definition of “intelligence”, failing to measure one’s creativity. There is more to a human mind than I.Q., thus judging them by such a superficial aspect is unfair and detrimental. During these tests, participants are given various types of problems from such subjects as mathematics, vocabulary, critical thinking, and puzzle-solving. The test scores are then used to measure one’s intelligence and capacity for success. So in other words, I.Q. tests try to sum up your potential and mental prowess in a number. But how reliable are these tests? To answer this question, we must first examine the area of testing. The test evidently evaluates only the technical aspects of the human experience—the verbal and analytical skills. Many believe that I.Q. tests are biased toward the upper-class society as they have access to a proper educational environment. It is becoming clear in many circles of academia that such tests are not able to measure a human’s hidden potential. Another problem with I.Q. tests is their
discriminatory nature. Studies about the genetic differences between races have always been controversial, and I.Q. tests are no exception. Professor Arthur Jensen of University of California at Berkeley, published The G Factor: The Science of Mental Ability, which demonstrated that there is a genetic factor in the differences in intelligence between people of different ethnicities. Needless to say, he received widespread negative criticism and accusations of being “scientifically racist”. We all know from observations that sometimes there are people who are kinder than others and vice versa. I.Q. tests fail to accommodate such emotional qualities of the human experience—personality and empathic feelings. Those qualities are labeled as emotional intelligence, an aspect that the I.Q. tests cannot measure due to its abstract nature. Many of the inconsistencies concerning the tests raise concerns over their legitimacy. Psychologists are still of the conviction that I.Q. results are an accurate measure of one’s capacity to success in getting jobs and leading a prosperous life. But such beliefs are naturally shrouded with doubts and controversies. And rightfully so, for I.Q. tests will never be able to measure the limitless emotional potential of the human mind.
ktran@apachepowwow.com
September 2012
academics@apachepowwow.com
ACADEMICS
Upgrading AHS: Is It Worth It? to use this new technology for everyday purposes. However, are all these upgrades worth the money, effort, and time put into them? First off, the price: $218 million was granted to AUSD in 2006, after a bond was passed by voters. In addition, as of early 2011, the new
ing off of several major halls, making getting to class a more tedious experience. Construction Staff Writer has caused problems on the roads as well, with With the completion of the new Performtrucks bringing in supplies and tools as well as ing Arts Center (PAC) and the use of the new reduced parking space on Campus Drive for the S-Building and A-Building approaching two construction of the PAC. years, as well as numerous So, even though there technological upgrades to the are downsides to the conschool, it seems enough time struction for a revitalized has passed to show whether AHS, are the changes reor not the new construction is, ally all that bad? A little inand will be, worth it. convenience here and there, There is no doubt that the some closed halls, and the new buildings are spacious, general nuisance of noise comfortable, well-designed, and construction is worth and built with the integration having an almost brand new of technology and aesthetics high school. And since the inside and out. The projecschool is over 50-years-old, tors and computers are incorit is time for some upgrades porated with the overhead, a that enable AHS to move tool much loved by teachers. into the modern age. Senior Thanks to the janitors, the Jason Cheng thinks that the rooms are also very clean and construction has benefiteverything technology-wise ted AHS greatly, since “it’s runs efficiently. In the near nice having new buildings to future, the administration also work in.” He also has posiPERFORMING ARTS CENTER After long months of hard work, the tive views of the technology, promises an absolutely stunning PAC with a huge seat- fruits of the construction workers’ labors are materializing. because if teachers take ading capacity of 1,200 people and space for 150 40,000 square foot PAC alone is estimated to vantage of these new resources, their teaching musicians, along with state-of-the-art acoustics. cost $25 million, with completion and opening can be more dynamic. But although it might be There have also been promises for better tech- coming this fall. But thanks to Measure I, the costly, time-consuming, and sometimes bothernology in every single classroom which mirrors progress of our construction has not been hin- some, the recent upgrades are a sign of general the technology already found in the S-Building dered by the reduced funds from recent educa- progress and good times for AHS. and A-Building. All of these improvements tional budget cuts in Sacremento. make for a better and more advanced school The construction has also caused much bgeisberg@apachepowwow.com Photo by WILSON LIN where it will be easier for teachers and students inconvenience inside the school with the clos-
By BEN GEISBERG
Liberal Arts Colleges vs. Universities
By WILSON TAN
Staff Writer
As we move onto college and beyond, we are faced with some tough choices. “What do I really want to do? After I finish college, where do I want to settle down?” For now, we shouldn’t aimlessly speculate about the distant future; instead, we should focus on the present. Graduation is just around the corner, especially for seniors. Despite what our parents may say, we are the only ones with the power of choice–decisions, decisions, and more decisions! It may even be your choice to not attend college at all. But for those of us who do, we have to make an arduous choice–selecting which type of college to attend. Many of us aspire to attend esteemed universities like University of California schools or even Ivy Leagues, but others are a little more adventurous and liberal–thus choosing to attend liberal art schools. What exactly are the differences between a typical university and a liberal arts college? Here are a few notable differences that may inform your decision. Liberal arts colleges tend to have a smaller student body with a typical 40 or 50 student maximum per class, so if you’re one of those people who need space but still want to interact with teachers, these schools would be ideal for you. The small class sizes offer a smooth transition from high school. These colleges exist primarily to teach undergraduate students, so the focus would be more on you, not as much as on
faculty researchers or graduate students. Also, majors at liberal arts colleges tend to be broader than that of traditional universities. A few notable liberal arts colleges with pristine undergraduate programs include Williams College,
Amherst College, Swarthmore College, and Pomona College. But with a smaller student body, liberal arts colleges offer less academic options and have a lack of professional graduate programs
in comparison to typical universities. Four-year universities offer students a chance to acquire a Ph.D while at liberal arts colleges the highest degree tends to be a master’s degree. There aren’t as many extracurricular activities or clubs either. Of course, if the specific liberal arts college fits your niche and major, this type of college may be the one for you. Be sure to research about the programs and opportunities liberal arts colleges offer as they are all different. You might be thinking, “What gives? Why would I go to a college that offers fewer choices and opportunities? I’d rather just go to a normal four year university!” But the fact of the matter is that some of us can’t afford to pay the huge tuition for top-notch schools. By attending liberal arts colleges, not only would we be able to satisfy the requirements for a college degree, but we would also potentially save thousands of dollars because there is more available financial aid. An education at a liberal arts institution fosters creative exposure, achieved by introducing students to a variety of ideas and subjects while saving money at the same time. Sure, attending a liberal arts college might not seem as “prestigious” as attending an Ivy League for reputation’s sake, but you should at least entertain the possibility of attending one due to the small class sizes, the emphasis on undergraduate students, and the benefits involved. wtan@apachepowwow.com
Photos courtesy of PHOTOSHACK.COM
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Babson College
By HELEN LEE
Executive Copy Editor
Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts (just 15 minutes from Boston), Babson College is a private undergraduate and graduate college for those who want to major in business. Even though Babson College isn’t widely-known, its quality of education in entrepreneurship can’t be denied. Babson has been named number one in the nation for “Best in Entrepreneurship” by U.S. News and World Report for 19 consecutive years. Babson is slightly different from most schools in the sense that the school not only focuses on teaching students about business and financing, but the college also offers something called a “concentration”. In addition to the regular business studies, a student can choose concentrations such as legal studies or real estate which allows the student to have a bigger scope of where business can be used. For the Babson Class of 2016, the middle 50% of admitted student received a SAT score of 1830-2120, and similar to many other private colleges in the U.S., Babson College comes with a high price tag: approximately $55,618. In 2010, 34% of applicants were accepted, and of that percentage, approximately 50% of them received financial aid. Even though the school is expensive, 96% of Babson Class of 2011 graduates had a job or were in graduate school within six months of graduation, and the average starting salary was $50,478. Babson is committed to walking each student step by step in finding a job. The school has career counselors who teach the students important skills that they will need for their future job, and they give comments and suggestions that might help the student get a job. Babson also connects students to the real-life business world by offering employer recruiting sessions, which is a good way for students to find a job and employers to hire new people right on campus. The school offers more than 1,700 on-campus recruiting opportunities in total. This is a great way for students to be reassured that they are finding a reliable job and for employers to know that their employees have had the Babson education. Babson also offers multiple activities for students such as 22 varsity NCAA Division III teams, over 90 student-run clubs and organizations, and more than 90 annual theater productions. If you aren’t too interested in sports, clubs, or theater, you may want to head down to the dining hall which was named a “Dining Hall of Distinction” by University Business Magazine. If you are interested in business and entrepreneurship, Babson College offers a variety of programs, one of which may be the perfect match for you! hlee@apachepowwow.com
Graphic courtesy of ENTREPRENUR.COM
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PERFORMING ARTS
apachepowwow.com
September 2012
The Life and Times of an ADD Cast Member By NICOLE RICHCREEK
Guest Writer
The Advanced Drama Department (ADD) is more than just a class. It is a family that unites through hard work and sacrifices. As members, we dedicate our time and effort to this department for no other reason than for the love we hold for the craft. ADD is an audition-based class in which students can excel in their talents and work. Every year, ADD works on multiple things at once. During class, all the competition magic happens! The cast members audition in front of several different directors, who cast the members for different scenes. Those directors are then required to spend 30 or more hours working on these scenes to help and guide the actors. 30 hours is a long time; we spend up to three hours a day on these scenes. All the hard work pays off though, as seen through our great accomplishment of earning 2nd place in an overall sweepstakes award at the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) Fall Festival last year! In addition to these long rehearsals for DTASC, we work on the Fall play, The Three Musketeers, by Ken Ludwig, at the same time. We have rehearsal every day from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a rehearsal for DTASC from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The show premieres Nov. 13 to 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Little Theatre. We hope that you can all come out and support our hard work! Though it might not sound like fun to an outsider, being in ADD is a rewarding and gratifying experience. The hours are long, but the time is spent with the family we have made here. I usually refer to the department as my second home, sometimes my first. I couldn’t ask for a better way to end my senior year than being in this department with the people I have grown to love and call my family.
performingarts@apachepowwow.com
Graphic courtesy of FREEWEBS.COM Photos courtesy of NICOLE RICHCREEK
Starting the Year Off with a “Pep, Pep, Hurray!” By KRISTIE SUN Staff Writer
starting to learn routines, it was really hard for me to memorize all of the routines since I wasn’t used to the pace, which was rather fast.” Many performers get the jitters or butterflies in their stomach right before a performance, including both new and returning Pep Squad members. JV Cheer Captain freshman
Kristin Escobar said, “Even though we all love to perform, I think it is safe to say that we are all a little nervous, but mostly excited!” While some become rather anxious about their performance, other members can’t wait to perform. JV Cheer member freshman Jennifer Burch said, “I’m very excited to get out there and show ev-
Performing can be very nerve-racking, especially when it is someone’s first time. Many people get stage fright, which prevents the person from performing well in front of large crowds. Pep Squad members all have to go through the first few seconds of fear and nerves before their dance routines begin. All the hard work during the summer and long afterschool practices has finally paid off. All the members of Pep Squad work extremely hard for their upcoming rallies, cheers, and assemblies, and continue to work hard during their practices until every little detail in their routine is absolutely perfect. They have been practicing since the first day of school. Varsity Cheer member junior Alexis Trojanowski said, “To prepare for Cheer, we work hard on our stunts so they become solid, and if we are doing choreography, we practice it until we can do it in our sleep.” Memorizing and learning new dances are not always the easiest things to do, especially when the Pep Squad members are also under pressure to keep up their school grades. Song member CHEERING THE TEAM ON Pep Squad attends each and every football game, sophomore Kelly Li said, “When I was just whether home or away, to pump up the Varsity Football team and the crowds above.
eryone at AHS what Pep Squad is all about and make a fabulous first impression!” Unfortunately, Pep Squad has not yet had a rally for the entire school to see, but they have been cheering at football games in front of many AHS parents. Pep Leader senior Elizabeth Yu said, “I would have definitely freaked out if I was performing at a football game! I think it is pretty nerve-racking because Pep Squad is so close to the audience. Especially when [the members] are doing the cheers facing the crowd, you definitely feel like all the eyes are on you!” Having to cheer and perform in front of your friends and family isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Not only is it more difficult, but it also makes many people more pressured to have to do really well, which often causes anxiety. At the end of the day, after all the worries and excitement, Pep Squad is always able to impress the students of AHS. There will be plenty more performances coming from Pep Squad, including routines at the Homecoming Assembly and several rallies at lunch on the Rally Court! ksun@apachepowwow.com
Photo courtesy of TIFFANY KUO
September 2012
performingarts@apachepowwow.com
PERFORMING ARTS
Pep Band Grooves and Boogies to the Beat By RANDY LEE Staff Writer
be more enthusiastic, and it’s definitely more enjoyable for us to move around!” John added, “It’s fun to see the faces of the freshmen as we pelvic thrust in one of our songs.” The environment in which this group interacts is much more free and dynamic than in a typical Concert Band atmosphere. Members are allowed to play to
It’s another beginning for the Performing Arts program at AHS, and as football games and assemblies begin, Pep Band is ready to hype up the crowd! Throughout the year, Pep Band attends many gigs for AHS, but specifically the Varsity Football game. At every football game, home or away, Pep Band is always there to pump up some school spirit. With senior John Christiansen as Pep Band Leader, this strong and talented group of players is always ready for action! Although Pep Band is comprised of section leaders and Band 3 members of the Marching Band, rehearsals are still necessary and PEP BAND BOOGIES happen on a weekly Pep Band practices to perfect its basis. John leads prac- act for upcoming performances. tices every Thursday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. During that time, the their heart’s group cleans up any messy parts in a specific content, and song and even learns body motions to enhance always with a the song’s performance. For example, in “Turn good tone! the Beat Around”, all the members of Pep What some people don’t know about Pep Band rotate left for one part of the song, and Band is that the group is allowed to play only then turn the opposite way for another portion. during certain parts of each football game. Tr u m p e t Section Leader senior Michael Chu Since the sport requires so much concentration, said, “It’s a great way to get the audience to Pep Band is not always allowed to play. So if
you ever wonder why Pep Band never seems to play enough, it’s because they are not allowed to. Just this past month, on Sept. 11, Pep Band performed at the all-school assembly, showcasing its talents and school spirit. During assemblies like these, Pep Band members must leave class early and head over to the assembly location to set up and prepare. This way, they can begin performing as soon as students and staff walk in. Sophomore Roman Chan said, “Pep Band is always the best part about school assemblies. They hype up the crowd and get all of us pumped!” He believes that Pep B a n d should play even more than they al- r e a d y do. It seems as though this year’s Pep Band will definitely be one of the best AHS has ever had. John said he’s “really confident about Pep Band this year and the most important aspect to [him] is to have fun together.” Choosing upbeat as well as traditional songs that can excite the audience is always something John strives for. Whatever the case may be, it’s certain that this group will always be ready to “Jungle Boogie” for AHS. rlee@apachepowwow.com
Photos by BEN GEISBERG and WILSON LIN
Rehearsing Time Management with PA’s Apaches
By VICTORIA YU
Staff Writer
AHS students know time management best. As Apaches, we laugh in the face of AP and extracurriculars and aren’t afraid of participating in clubs and sports. Although some students pile on class after class, the toughest and bravest students will always be none other than our very own Performing Arts members. These warriors fight against time to fit rehearsals, concerts, and practices into their already-packed schedules. How do they do this? Well, here are a few tricks that they do to manage their time. “In New Spirit, we do the same activities as Chanteurs; we sing and dance when show season starts and continuously work to make our show ready for competition. [As a sophomore last year,] homework was not very difficult, so usually, when I knew I had a rehearsal after school, I would try to finish my homework during class because I realized that I [must] finish all my schoolwork [in order] to stay focused and put all my effort into the rehearsals. After joining New Spirit, my work habits have been more alert because I realized I can’t just lay back and relax when rehearsals are so important. I think after being in New Spirit, I have a clearer understanding of how Chanteurs works because I now know the ropes of the program and am just so excited for show season!” —Caroline Chen, 11, Chanteurs Member “I don’t think it’s much of a stress regarding balancing schoolwork and Orchestra, but it’s definitely mandatory to make sure I stay focused on both, since music is such a big part of being [an AHS] student. I make sure that I maintain good homework habits and keep up with my violin studies, which usually last around an hour or two. Schoolwork and Orchestra may have time conflicts in the future when concerts start pouring in, but just being a part of the music program is worth it. For now, I’m just satisfied and happy to have made the commitment to the music program at AHS.” —Rachaelle Villa, 9, Orchestra Member “During the fall season, [Colorguard] usually rehearses from 7:30 a.m. through first period daily and from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We also always have events on Saturdays, whether it is a rehearsal or competition. I try to get my work done on non-rehearsal days since I have more time. I especially had to stick with [this system] in junior year when I took three AP classes. Colorguard forced me to be disciplined about my studies, but the performances and time I spend with my team makes all the work worthwhile.” —Anna Miyajima, 12, Colorguard Co-Captain viyu@apachepowwow.com
Photos by COURTNEY HANG and DANA JEE
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The Art of Dance By TERRI SHI Staff Writer
From Beginning Dance to Intermediate Dance to Orchesis Dance Company (ODC), AHS’ dance classes are some examples of the many programs the school has to offer. Dance is not only a sport, it’s also a way of expressing oneself in a unique form of art. Ms. Liza Tedford, the dance instructor, trains newcomers and helps the returnees boost their ability to the highest extent. Beginning Dance is offered to all grade levels. Freshmen are allowed to join for only one semester due to the health requirement for P.E., but they are encouraged to take the course again as sophomores. This course teaches the fundamentals and basics of dance more in depth than regular dance classes and prepares dancers for the challenges that lie ahead. Beginning Dance is a good option for those who are interested in dance but never had the opportunity to learn. It’s never too late to start something new, and it’s good to experience new things. Freshman Yue Brewerton said, “Beginning Dance class is pretty fun and hard at the same time, but Ms. Tedford makes it really enjoyable for us. I’ve made new friends and met up with some old ones as well. I look forward to Ms. Tedford’s dance class every day.” Intermediate Dance is for more experienced dancers who have already mastered the foundation of dance and are ready for a challenge. The intermediate level is offered to all grade levels, but an evaluation is taken at the beginning of the year for proper placement. Freshmen who have taken private dance lessons or have had extensive training in the past are also welcome to join the class, but it’s not easy to get in. The number of spaces are limited, so not everyone makes it the first time. The intermediate level pushes eager dancers to a new and exciting level. Each dancer has potential and great abilities, and Intermediate Dance helps them improve both mentally and physically. ODC is the highest level of dance AHS offers. The routines are complex and require more time and dedication than the other classes. Morning and afternoon practices are expected, and the intensity is extreme. The outcome is rewarding though. The dancers are pushed to new levels and have the opportunity to showcase their talents at performances. All dancers who have taken Intermediate Dance are encouraged to try out. The role of the ODC Dance Captain is important. The officers watch new members as they work together for the first time. ODC Dance Captain junior Nicole Wei said, “From working hard and spending time with the entire company, I can say that the new members this year have so much potential for greatness! This upcoming year, I hope that we, as a whole group, push past our limits both physically and mentally!” No matter the grade level, dance is always an option. It’s a different kind of sport that focuses on both expression as well as physical strength. The AHS dance courses help dancers learn the foundation of dance and strengthen the skills that they gain through the course of the year. Dance is a wonderful program that should be taken into consideration. tshi@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of NOVADANCESTUDIO.ORG
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CALENDAR
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September 2012
Café LuMar-Velous By GLUTTON GIRL Staff Writer
Ingredients for a yummy Café LuMar: one generous handful of paninis, two cups of crepes, and a small sprinkling of Croatia. You will find this quaint café on 136 E. Colorado Blvd, Monrovia—otherwise known as Old Town Monrovia. It is open 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, and is closed on Monday. Although it may be a “fun-sized” Croatian café decorated with simple furniture, you will have no problem finding a booth or table and grabbing some food for a reasonable price in a range of $7 to $8. The polite and patient waitress will bring over a tiny, four-page menu, which is just like the café: very small and simple. It consists of a few appetizers, salads and soups, paninis, sweet and savory crepes, a kids menu, desserts, and drinks. I ordered the two specialties, a chicken in cream sauce crepe for $8.75 and a chicken pesto panini for $8.50. Both plates came in about
ten minutes and come with either a potato salad or a green salad with your choice of dressing— including ranch and house dressing (essentially Italian). My salad with balsamic vinaigrette was just an average, plain garden salad with
based sauce. I would recommend that you eat the crepes before anything else as they tend to get soggy fairly quickly. The fillings were quite basic and the crepe itself was not overpowering, but without the simple additive of
CAFÉ LUMAR COMFORT From the panini, to the simple decor, to the crepe, Café Lumar is the perfect place for a filling, affordable meal. julienned carrots, romaine lettuce, and cucumbers—nothing to write home about, but nothing negative either. Alongside the salad were two thin crepes, each decorated with large shavings of parmesan cheese and chopped parsley and filled with— you guessed it—chicken in a savory cream-
fresh parmesan shavings, the crepe would have lacked a great amount of flavor. This crepe gets 3.5 taste buds out of 5. After trying the crepe, I was delightfully surprised by the warm, crunchy, and flavorful chicken pesto panini. Sandwiched between two pesto-sauce-covered slices of bread, sat a per-
fect ratio of fresh tomato, grilled chicken, and gooey cheese. The portion was fairly large and was easy and clean to eat. With every flavorful bite, the gooeyness and richness of the mild cheese went nicely with the contrasting texture of the toasted bread, along with the subtle element of the fresh heirloom tomato. I am happy to give this hearty panini 4.5 taste buds out of 5. With a grand total of $23 for two meals and two iced teas, Café LuMar is a reasonably priced restaurant for any casual occasion—whether it is for a date or a hangout with friends or family. Café LuMar is a delicious place to eat in a small package with speedy service, easily earning 4 taste buds out of 5. Satisfy that craving for a hot sandwich and visit this little eatery—you can thank me later. Until next time! And who am I? That’s a secret I’ll never tell! XOXO, Glutton Girl gluttongirl@apachepowwow.com
Photos by GLUTTON GIRL Graphic courtesy of BRANDONLEONARDO.COM
September 2012
calendar@apachepowwow.com
ParaNorman Activity By GOLDIE SHEN Staff Writer
A boy, believed to be psychologically disturbed, can see ghosts. Sound familiar? It’s not The Sixth Sense, but ParaNorman, an animated horror movie that even nine-year-olds can enjoy—if they can handle the twist. Twilight is not the only movie that features two types of spooky creatures. ParaNorman features both ghosts and zombies, splendidly scary in stop motion clay animation. Despite the resurrection of 80’s horror movie tropes in the forms of thudding synthesized music and the hockey mask from Friday the 13th, this film is never cliché. Though only 11, the timid and bullied Norman must step up and use his abilities to stop his town from descending into madness because of a witch’s curse, which had been dormant since the 1690s. The plot might sound too creepy for a children’s movie, but there is plenty of comedy and no graphic violence. Sorry to disappoint any zombie apocalypse fanatics, but there are only seven zombies, not in tattered bloody clothing, but raggedy pilgrim getup that is hardly menacing. Nevertheless, kids should watch out for disturbing scenes, since ParaNorman does have its chilling moments. Overall, ParaNorman is more of a thriller than a horror movie. The plot begins and speeds up with non-stop antics. Surprisingly, ParaNorman is not only exciting, but deep, for both children and older viewers. Norman’s
posse, which includes his valley girl sister, his equally maladjusted friend, a clueless jock, and an unhygienic bully, seems stereotypical and silly, but they bring out irony later in the film. It is amazing how they break stereotypes later, revealing the humanity of the popular and the bravery of the wimpy. Unlike the bland bad guys of Disney movies, the villain of ParaNorman has surprising character development as well. ParaNorman shows the other side of the sinister, evoking phenomenal senses of sadness, fear, and ultimately, heroism. With its fleshed-out cast and trippy tricks, ParaNorman is surprising and thought-provoking. The visual aspect of ParaNorman is just as charming as its emotional one. With its grimy palette and caricature-like character designs, ParaNorman’s animation is a treat. Computer technology manipulated the clay faces efficiently, providing expressive facial transitions and atmospheric background movement. Far from having the raw repulsiveness of live-action horror movies, ParaNorman has a gritty and gruesome art style that isn’t gory or grotesque. Style never dies in ParaNorman. Armed with its quirky brand of horror, ParaNorman displays chaos, courage, and forgiveness, revealing who the real monsters are and more importantly, how to stop them. Both fun and freaky, ParaNorman deserves 7.5 out of 10 stars.
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Sudoku
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Need advice? Send your questions to askkay@gmail.com
gshen@apachepowwow.com
Graphic courtesy of NYTIMES.COM
Q: I don’t know anyone in any of my classes, and I just feel awkward and lonely. What do I do? A: Everyone feels alone during the beginning of school, and that’s okay! Just remember that humans are social creatures and crave interaction. Start a conversation with the person behind you or offer someone a pencil if he or she needs it. A smile and a kind gesture can become the beginning of a beautiful friendship! Q: I want to try out for a sports team, but I’ve never played for a school team. How do I keep from screwing up? A: Our coaches don’t look for perfection; they look for potential and hard work. Try out for all kinds of sports and, you never know, you could find something you’re amazing at! Plus, making a mistake isn’t bad because it helps you learn and improve at that sport. Practicing small things like the way you kick a soccer ball or the way you flick your wrist when shooting a basketball can help so much more than you think. Q: Everyone is running for ASB or student council; how do I get involved like that too? A: ASB elections are over for now, but if you’re still interested, you can still run in the spring! If politics aren’t really your style, there are loads of clubs or teams that are happy to welcome you. We even have Club’s Day coming up on Oct. 3, so you can find what suits you!
Q: I’m late to my fifth period class almost every day thanks to the construction. Have any traffic tips? A: It may look as if our school has been under construction since the beginning of your high school career, and while you may be right, don’t be so upset about it. Think, you’ll be able to experience all the shiny odds and ends of our new building. And if you feel as if the hallways are perpetually clogged, learn the “fast walk” and try taking lesser known hallways instead of the main ones. They may be longer, but when you factor in how empty they are you’ll find you can probably make up the time. Q: I heard my teacher is one of the hardest ones on campus! Any advice on surviving the year?! A: Take a breath; just because you have a hard teacher doesn’t mean you aren’t going to “survive” the year. Different teachers have different ways of conveying information. They can ramble, forget to answer questions, or make you read your book every night, but it doesn’t mean they’re hard. You just have to find a way to assimilate to their teaching styles. There’s only one teacher per class, and every period they have a brand new set of students. Teachers can’t change their methods to suit you and everyone else at the same time; it’s too difficult. So if you have a teacher you don’t understand, try different techniques that will both help yourself and please your teacher.
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CAMPUS FOCUS
campusfocus@apachepowwow.com
September 2012
By Josh Bay Staff Writer
“Just be yourself. Shine the way you want to shine and let others aim to fit you.” By KRISTIE SUN Staff Writer
Every year, new students come to AHS fearing their new surrounding, but after awhile, they adjust to the new ways of high school. Even though starting a new year at a new school can be terrifying, it can also be one of the best years of high school. Seniors have been through the whole experience, and now they are sharing their secrets to having a good first year!
Don’t be a
procrastinator “Don’t procrastinate because before you know it, you’ll be pulling allnighters [and] trying to cram all the work the night before the due date.” —Michael Chen, 12
“High school may seem intimidating as college is looming in the future, but nothing is as bad as it seems. That seemingly impossible English Honors class? One year from now, you’ll scoff at how easy it was. Dare to be the one who answers questions, too. Don’t be afraid of being wrong—it’s part of the process of learning.” — Elbert Wang, 12 “Stay on top of things! The first year of high school is always the most important. Everything learned that year could be applied to the years following.” —Anne Ying, 12
“Everyone is aiming to fit in, so just be yourself. Shine the way you want to shine and let others aim to fit you.” —Austin Nguyen, 12
Graphics courtesy of COOLTEXT.COM and TAMOGGEMON.COM ksun@apachepowwow.com Photos by JOSH BAY Courtesy of HTTP://HDW.EWEB4.COM/OUT/8791.HTML, HTTP://TIFFANYSINNERTHOUGHTS.