November 2014

2

NEWS

arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

Well Played, Nintendo

By ERIC CHEN AND ANDREW LIM

Staff Writers

released. Having received an average score of 9.5/10, “Bayonetta 2” is a Wii U exclusive that may also increase sales.

Long-term survival of the Wii U seems improbable. However, with the sudden spike of Wii U sales, the console seems to be well off into 2015.

The long-awaited sequels to old favorites “Pokemon Ruby” and “Pokemon Sapphire,” are finally here as well.

“Pokemon Omega Ruby” and “Pokemon Alpha Sapphire” will release in the U.S. starting Nov. 21. The game features the same gameplay and similar storyline as the original Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire; however, it features newer pokemon, revamped graphics and Hoenn region, and, best of all, mega evolutions. Get ready to be engulfed in another superb Pokemon remake that is sure to be as successful as always.

Thanks to these latest surges in sales, the company that helped define our techaddicted generation may yet stay afloat.

Nintendo fans rejoiced as the new “Mario Kart 8” and “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS” were released. Nintendo was also saved from the poor sales of the Wii U. According to Nintendo, they have made a net income of 14.3 billion yen ($132 million) for the six-month fiscal period that ended in September.

The Wii U has been a huge disappointment to Nintendo, as it is the slowest selling console in Nintendo’s history. Its selling rate is even lower than the GameCube during the time when home console sales were starting to grow. Within two years of the Wii U’s release, it has only sold 7.3 million units.

That number is nothing compared to the Wii’s selling rate, which was 44 million units within a 2-year span.

However, Wii U sales are getting considerably better than before as it has sold 1.1 million units between April and September. Nintendo cites the release of “Mario Kart 8” and “Hyrule warriors” as key drivers for the increase of Wii U’s sales. The Wii U is now sitting relatively healthy at around 7 million shipped worldwide, behind Sony’s more than 10 million Playstation 4s.

The “Mario Kart 8” phenomenon greatly increased the Wii U’s sales as the game received great reviews from many critics, such as its 9/10 from IGN. Being a Wii U exclusive and having a high rating, “Mario Kart 8” definitely increased the sales of the Wii U. Statistics even show that alim@apachepowwow.com almost half of all Wii U owners have purchased a copy of echen@apachepowwow.com “Mario Kart 8,” which is roughly around 3.4 million copies.

“Bayonetta 2” also received shining reviews before it was Graphic courtesy of FORBES.COM and SLASHGEAR.COM

By JESSIE HUI

November 2014

Paid Subscriptions?

By VERONICA YU Staff Writer

YouTube, the 3rd most used website globally, has a major decision to make. The creators are considering giving users the option of paying for a subscription that will allow them to have an ad-free experience. YouTube has generally been run by ads, which many people have complained about. “YouTube right now is adsupported, which is great because it has enabled us to scale to a billion users; but there’s going to be a point where people don’t want to see the ads,” said YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki at a conference. “It’s near term,” Ms. Wojcicki said. “There are going to be cases where people are going to say, ‘I don’t want to see the ads.’”

The company has also been looking for a new way to create more revenue, so it makes sense that a paid subscription and existing support from ads will generate even more profit for the company.

Many of YouTube’s competitors, such as Netflix and Hulu, have already given their users the option of a paid subscription that gives them an ad-free experience and access to more movies and TV shows.

Those companies were able to gain more viewers. “We rolled out the ability for an individual channel to do a subscription,” Wojcicki said.

“We’ve also been thinking about other ways that it might make sense for us. If you look at media over time most of them have both ads and subscriptions.” This paid subscription for an ad-free experience will allow users to have the choice of paying to remove ads from videos.

Online companies like Netflix have had huge success with just the option of paid subscriptions to users without the reliance on ads. But other online companies have also had huge success with giving their users the option of getting a paid subscription or to watch videos for free with ads. Hulu, for example, offers the subscription-based HuluPlus to customers who don’t want ads.

YouTube is also anticipating a music subscription in the near future, which has faced multiple delays. The subscription will most likely be ad-free and include additional special features, but also require a paid fee. The company still has not figured out the pricing for the paid subscriptions overall but is working on it. YouTube’s decision will greatly impact users. The company, should it release the feature, will establish the first ad-free subscription it has ever offered. vyu@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of TWITTER.COM

Featured Apps: Taco Bell & Shuddle

By ROY ZHANG

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Whether it be at a fast food restaurant or a dining restaurant, waiting in line has always been a customer’s nemesis. Realizing this, Taco Bell, as well as other restaurants, has made revolutionary changes—they’ve created new apps or online tools.

On Oct. 28, all of Taco Bell’s platforms— Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr—erased all data except a link to the new app. This app is now the gateway to ordering food online. A customer can simply order and purchase from the app and then pick up immediately, either through drive-thru or regular pick-up, without needing to wait in line. In order to promote this new ordering method, Taco Bell has provided exclusive food items only accessible to app users.

Other restaurants are also attempting to participate in the race of technology services. McDonald’s, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, and Domino’s, and Chili’s are investing more money into incorporating technology to their services. Jerry McVety, founder of McVety & Associates, said, “Everyone is trying to stay ahead of everyone else in terms of connectivity…[to get] customers and provide technology and services to keep them.”

We all know that classic saying, “Never take candy from strangers!” But what about car rides? Shuddle is a new app that provides rides exclusively for kids. The risks are blatantly obvious, but CEO Nick Allen is attempting to reassure the masses that there is no risk in letting your kids use Shuddle.

The idea is simple. The app provides your children with a chauffeur of sorts who can be booked up to a week in advance. After booking a ride, the parent receives an email with the name and photo of the driver along with information about the car their child will ride in. As a further precaution, parents can choose a password that the driver must repeat in order to verify that he or she is indeed the Shuddle driver.

While Shuddle currently only services San Francisco, Allen plans on expanding this business very soon. With already $2.6 million sponsored by various outside investors, his dreams may soon come to fruition. However, kidnapping stories are engraved into the intuitions of mothers and fathers nationwide, and Shuddle’s concept sets off numerous red alerts. Allen claimed that “all drivers are subjected to checks on their criminal histories, DMV records and two former employers. Drivers must either have kids of their own or have the experience of having worked with kids at some point.” He hopes that parents will see Shuddle drivers not as strangers, but rather as “neighbor[s] who you can count on.”

jhui@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of ITUNES.APPLE.COM

rzhang@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of ABCNEWS.GO.COM

November 2014

powwownews@gmail.com

Black Friday Approaches

By AMBER CHONG

Staff Writer

Among the ranks of holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, Black Friday has become a highly anticipated date. When sales are at their apex and gifts are to be purchased, shopaholics hustle to their favorite stores, ready to whip out their credit cards and score some killer deals.

Black Friday traditionally occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but has evolved to include events like Cyber Monday, with some department stores even making their sales available to the public earlier in November. Excited already? Start writing your wish list. Here are some spectacular sales to look forward to!

For the studious people looking for deals, Staples has got everything covered! Set to launch between Nov. 23 to 28, the office supply shop has unveiled laptops with prices as low as $100 and tablets as cheap as $40!

With the recent release

of the iPhone 6 and the new iPad Air, Apple’s Black Friday sale is sure to be a hit with technology consumers everywhere. Although its sales are usually between the ranges of a 5% to 10% discount, Apple has also been known to keep the regular price and dole out $75 gift cards with every purchase instead. The cost of the iPhone 6 is predicted to be slashed in half at local retailers such as Sam’s Club.

Not up for driving to multiple places? The majority of the Santa Anita Mall’s shops participate in Black Friday sales, providing a safe and convenient way to buy a variety of items.

From Forever 21 to Brookstone, you can save on essentials like clothes, electronics, furniture, toys, and accessories. While students take Black Fri-

Editors

day as an opportunity to buy affordable things and meet up with friends, it is important for everyone to be prepared for the ensuing pandemonium.

The wheeling and dealing of Black Friday can also be accessed from the comfort of your own home on Cyber Monday. For those who aren’t keen on spending a caffeinated night in crowded places, online businesses extend their bargains and more often than not give free or discounted shipping.

Whether you’re scavenging the racks for yourself or for your family and friends, it’s safe to say that Black Friday is marked on everyone’s calendars. achong@apachepowwow.com

A New Cure for Cancer Staff Writer

Even with scientists all around the world working to find a cure, cancer has been an ongoing issue and has affected millions of lives. After years of research, Harvard Medical School’s scientists have found a method to kill cancer cells.

By using engineered stem cells, they may be able to cure brain cancer.

Dr. Khalid Shah, the Director of the Molecular Neurotherapy and Imaging Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, noted that “Cancer-killing toxins have been used with great success in a variety of blood cancers, but they don’t work as well in solid tumors because the cancers aren’t as accessible and the toxins have a short half-life.” The biggest problem with the

tested on mice, the genetically engineered stem cells were able to kill tumors. These stem cells were engineered to create and release poison that would only affect the cancer cells, without harming normal cells. The stem cells functioned successfully in mice, but have yet to be tested on humans.

Chris Mason, professor at University College London added that “cells can do so much. This is the way the future is going to be.” This type of therapy could aid patients and boost survival rates.

Currently, Dr. Shah is carrying out experimentation with stem STEM CELL RESEARCH Harvard researchers cells. He hopes have recently discovered an engineered stem cell that these stem method to kill cancer cells. cells will be able to help human cancer patients in the less, Dr. Shah found a way. He future. Although there has been a great and his team discovered that, deal of progress, there is still much testby engineering toxin-resistant ing to be done with these cancer-killing stem cells, they could create stem cells. With the new cells, a cure for cancer-killing stem cells that brain cancer just might be on the way. targeted only tumor cells.

While the stem cells were developing, it was crucial to klo@apachepowwow.com make sure that the stem cells Photos courtesy of themselves would not be affected COSMOSMAGAZINE.COM and WESTCHASESMILES.COM by the toxins they created. When

cancer-killing toxins was their failure to successfully carry out the elimination of cancer cells in past trials. This challenge caused scientists to turn to stem cells as an alternate solution instead. Neverthe-

3

s t a f f

Graphics courtesy of VERSACART.COM and VOLKSWAGONOFDOWNTOWNLA.COM Photo courtesy of AMCTHEATRES.COM

By KIMBERLY LO

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

Katrina Chao and Stanley Shaw Belle Zheng Simone Chu and Terri Shi Victoria Yu and Erika Zheng Amelia Jin and Briana Shen Daniel Jenn and Justin Tang Elaine Chung and Lily Ling Allan Gao and Charles Xu Helen Lee and Tiffany Liu Josh Bay Rose Li Flora Ung Derek Lee and Belle Zheng Ben Geisberg and Millie Wong Michelle Gu and Hafsah Umerani Yoko Chan and Chelsea Cheng

Writers

News Staff Eric Chen, Amber Chong, Jessie Hui, Katie Huang, Michelle Huang, Eileen Lee, Kaitlyn Liao, Andrew Lim, Julia Lin, Kimberly Lo, Sukanya Mukherjee, Emily Quach, Kristen Tran, Michael Tseng, Shawn Xing, Veronica Yu, Roy Zhang Opinion Staff Niki Chi, Amber Chong, Teddy Chu, Ben Geisberg, Madeline Lee, Julia Lin, Andrew Muliadi, Sukanya Mukherjee, Lauren Trajano, Millie Wong, Titus Wu, Veronica Yu Performing Arts Staff Jacqueline Chang, Eric Chen, William Hsu, Katie Huang, Celine Lee, Eileen Lee, Ellie Lee, Erin Li, Kyle Wang, Roy Zhang Student Life Staff Eric Chen, Tiffany Chen, Peter Ju, Eileen Lee, Ellie Lee, Andrew Lim, Andrea Liu, Emily Schube, Kristie Sun, Tiffany Tsui, Emily Wu, Sunny Wu, Shawn Xing, Gary Zhu Features Staff Tiffany Chen, Amber Chong, Katie Huang, Michelle Huang, Celine Lee, Julia Lin, Cristian Nalbandian, Emily Schube, Cathleen Shen, Jessica Wang, Sunny Wu, Pearl Yang, Elyse Yao, Veronica Yu, Gary Zhu Sports Staff Ryan Fann, William Hsu, Peter Ju, Ellie Lee, Erin Li, Andrew Lim, Andrew Muliadi, Christina Read, Lauren Trajano, Brendan Tran, Kyle Wang, Titus Wu, Shawn Xing, Pearl Yang Academics Staff Tiffany Chen, Brittanie Gaja, Katie Huang, Sukanya Mukherjee, Derek Lee, Andrea Liu, Kimberly Lo, Andrew Wang, Sunny Wu, Elyse Yao Calendar Staff Jacqueline Chang, Brittanie Gaja, Jessie Hui, Peter Ju, Kaitlyn Liao, Andrew Lim, Kimberly Lo, Debbie Moon, Emily Quach, Cathleen Shen, Kristen Tran, Andrew Wang, Kyle Wang, Emily Wu, Sunny Wu, Pearl Yang, Elyse Yao Campus Focus Staff Emily Quach Center Spread Staff Madeline Lee Advertisement Staff Jacqueline Chang, Teddy Chu, William Hsu, Michelle Huang, Andrea Liu, Andrew Muliadi, Tiffany Tsui, Kyle Wang, Emily Wu, Elyse Yao Photo Staff Teddy Chu, Ryan Fann, Brittanie Gaja, Derek Lee, Debbie Moon, Stanley Shaw, Cathleen Shen, Kristen Tran, Titus Wu Copy Editing Staff Ryan Fann, Jessie Hui, Madeline Lee, Kaitlyn Liao, Debbie Moon, Christina Read, Emily Schube, Briana Shen, Andrew Wang, Kyle Wang, Elyse Yao, Veronica Yu, Gary Zhu Adviser Mr. Johnny Lee

Publication Information: The Apache Pow Wow is a student publication distributed monthly throughout the school year. The paper has been continuously published since Arcadia High School opened in 1952. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinion page reflect the opinion of The Apache Pow Wow editorial board. 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.

Graphic courtesy of FREEVECTOR.COM

4

OPINION

By ANDREW MULIADI Staff Writer

All of us can imagine! Forming a picture or a word in our minds is something even first graders can do. Imagination is something that can’t be defined or limited; It is spontaneous and random. And if you just look, you will see its influence throughout the world, impacting society both positively and negatively.

When you look around your house, do you see any traces of imagination? If you thought “no” for a second, think again. Household items such as electronic equipment and furniture can all be traced back to this psychological trait. Take a cell phone, for instance.

Approximately 140 years ago, a man named Alexander Graham Bell decided to create a more practical way of communicating. His imagination led him to invent a form of communication we still constantly use today.

When you look at all the things that are invented throughout history, you’ll realize that imagination has shaped society in vast ways.

Buildings, parks, television sets, and cars were first imagined before they were made into reality. With people constantly having new ideas, the world continues to grow.

So, looking back now, do you see the numerous threads of imagination coming from items not just in your house, but also from around the world? Imagination has not only constructed society, but it has also influenced people. Look at Steve Jobs. Back when no one even considered something called a smart phone or a touch screen, Jobs dared to think outside the box. Did his imagination suddenly

arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

Truly Knowing Thanksgiving

cross the line to the point of madness? What about Charles Babbage, the father of the computer? Did anyone believe he could create a mechanism that displayed mathematical functions on a screen? What I’m saying is there is an endless supply of imagination. Once it is used, it can make the irrational rational.

It forces you to be the 1% out of the 100%.

Imagination is only limited if you make it so.

Yet, imagination doesn’t always thrive in a positive direction. Even though it may potentially lead to a cure for Ebola or cancer, it can also lead to destruction. Take the nuclear bomb for instance. When Albert Einstein created his Theory of Relativity, a theory stating that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter, he had never intended it to be applied to a bomb. However, by using this theory, the U.S. was able to create nuclear bombs that, although they led to American victory during World War II, cost millions of dollars and devastated Japan. The country was in ruins and many Japanese people perished due to the radiation or the impact of the bomb.

Overall, imagination has both its pros and cons. It can change the world, for better or for worst, and it holds the future of society and humanity. It simply depends on how this psychological trait is utilized. Like SpongeBob says, anything is possible with “imagination.” amuliadi@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of FONTSPACE.COM and JAWHAR9.COM

Working Hard or Hardly Working?

By BEN GEISBERG

Photography Editor

Almost everyday, AHS students complain about the excessive homework load.

They have to do it, and need to put in hours for that after school; any way they look at it, there’s simply no time to successfully complete homework assignments. When students begin doing homework, they believe the illusion that they are doing it efficiently while, in reality, they spend most of the time on Facebook, Instagram, and other websites, getting distracted and not getting anything done. This begs the question of how productive a student would actually be if they just sat down and only did their homework without any distractions. But, instead of answering that question, students beg for less homework, giving a supposed result of less stress and more productivity. However, less homework isn’t the solution, less time is. Students simply need to restrict how much time they spend on homework.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, spending less time on homework is actually better. When you spend less time on it, you’re forced to focus, be efficient, and not mess around. Most students spend their “homework” time while on Facebook, Insta-

November 2014

gram, and other websites, complaining about the workload while doing absolutely nothing.

The irony is real. Restricting the time spent is a simple solution, not removing distractions or canceling events. Granted, huge assignments or tasks (studying for finals, having several tests on one day, etc.) do validate spending more time but, in the end, students should be able to complete their homework in a short amount of time. Although a struggle at first, restricting the time spent on homework will pay off in the long run. Students will eventually become more efficient, be hard working, and have more of a social life outside school.

Students need to be honest with themselves: is all of their homework time really spent on doing work? As an unproductive student myself, I can answer no. But why remove all of the fun little pleasures in life, such as Facebook, YouTube, TV, and other distractions, to increase productivity, when restricting the amount of time spent doing homework is just as effective? By keeping everything on your schedule and spending less time on homework daily, students will learn (or be forced to learn) how to be more resourceful, have a social life, and get all of their homework done. bgeisberg@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of TAYLOR.COM

THANKSGIVING IS A TIME FOR REFLECTION With school and other activities always keeping us busy, sometimes we tend to forget the most important part of Thanksgiving, giving thanks to the many benefits that we usually take for granted.

By TITUS WU Staff Writer

Every time I come home from school, I walk through the front door, set my backpack aside, grab a quick snack, open my laptop, and then browse through the web watching shows or listening to music. There is nothing exceptional about this; this isn’t an once-in-a-lifetime gift. So why should I be thankful for all of that? Even when it comes to Thanksgiving, many of us will probably not even give a second thought about it. Indeed, for many AHS students, this is nothing out of the ordinary.

In fact, to many of us students, it is a must. The fact our parents can take away our laptops and phones at their whim seems to us an abominable infringement of our rights. Being fed everyday is something to be expected; parents who do not provide food are surely horrible. Everything we normally do should continue to happen on a daily basis.

Now, every time a teenager in Nairobi comes home from school…oh wait. He does not have a school to go to; according to the United Nations, around half of the school-age population in Africa has never set foot in a classroom. Even for those who do, the lack of trained teachers and proper equipment make learning difficult. And what about the question of a home? For the millions of African orphans, the concept of home is foreign. Let alone modern technology like laptops and phones?

I am not trying to raise awareness here; the majority of our high school population already knows about the hunger, suffering, and lack of basic commodities of those in Africa and in many other parts of the world. Yet, even with this knowledge, AHS students, including me, still react to this plight with only temporary pity and sadness—and then go on with our own lives, yelling at parents for taking away the Internet, complaining about bad grades, and whatnot.

To worry about all the underprivileged people in the world every single waking moment, is, of course, ridiculous. Rather, what

is more ridiculous is how students don’t appreciate their lives even with this knowledge.

I have seen many students and myself rage about having an unfavorable teacher, just because the teacher happens to give out harder tests than most. Yet, is it not true that many other children in other nations don’t even have a teacher and would be extremely grateful to have that same teacher? Many of my friends get visibly very upset and grouchy once they lose their iPhones. But wouldn’t a poor orphan in India be fascinated enough already with an old-school phone?

In reality, our supposed “rights” are actually privileges. We should be grateful that we have the food, education, home, and family that many other teenagers don’t. We should be grateful that most of us live in an environment supportive of what we pursue and attentative to our welfare. Our parents, who we routinely complain and rage about, work hard as well just to bring food to the table every day, something I’m sure many students and myself don’t usually pay heed to. Then there are those teachers that continue to push us and make us learn, no matter what we think of them.

Yes, our parents may be imperfect. The life we live in Arcadia definitely has many flaws that could be fixed. Our grades may not be on par, and our relationships may be unstable. But imperfect parents are better than no parents. Bad grades are better than no education at all. And unstable relationships are better than a lack of them. All of the latter is what many other teenagers outside of Arcadia have to endure. The fact most of us don’t have to endure those hardships while many others are forced to should be a good enough reason to be thankful of our everyday life.

This is what Thanksgiving is for—to remind us to be thankful for the many benefits that we take for granted too often. Perhaps one day, Thanksgiving or not, we will all be able to truly appreciate everything that we have. twu@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of JOYFULHEART.COM and WORDPRESS.COM

November 2014

theopinionsection@gmail.com

OPINION

5

An Insight into a Butterfly’s Wings

By JULIA LIN Staff Writer

but·ter·fly ef·fect (noun) (with reference to chaos theory) the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere.

At first glance, the butterfly effect seems to be a puzzling enigma; however, it simply means that in mathematical and scientific theory, even a small action can lead to a huge event. A common theory is, as the name suggests, that the beat of a butterfly’s wing could contribute to the rage of a typhoon, hurricane, or other natural disasters relating to weather.

If this idea were true, we would potentially create a change in wind patterns with every breath we took and every breath we released. What if we applied this concept to the study of the mind? Can a single sentence change a person’s fate? psy·cho·a·nal·y·sis (noun) a system of psychological theory and therapy that aims to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind by techniques such as dream interpretation and free association.

Now tie the butterfly effect to psychoanalysis. Once again, this definition seems confusing, at the very least, but it is rather

easy to understand. First popularized by Sigmund Freud, an Austrian physician, this concept states that early events in an individual’s childhood can remain suppressed in his or her mind until later life, yet still influence his or her decisions vastly. The butterfly

emotional tendencies, while choosing to bottle up their own feelings. Someday, an outburst or a meltdown will happen, causing rifts and an overwhelming sense of unhappiness As a result, this snowballs into a societal epidemic.

Psycho-

effect and psychoanalysis both theorize that “insignificant” actions affect the future. For example, most boys are told from a young age that boys don’t cry. Indirectly, they may find themselves mocking other boys with more

analysis doesn’t just apply to the aforementioned example, but for many other issues in our community. Have you ever been teased for the way you dress? The way you talk? Maybe even something as superficially innocent as the way you laugh?

Speaking figuratively, we are all butterflies, our wing beats contributing to more than what meets the surface. Our distinct personalities are stifled with these small blows of winds, or comments. We can no longer convey our true thoughts without the fear of being judged, and we feel pressure to act the same as those around us to avoid scorn.

Soon, we’ll all be shells of outward personas that never speak out, for we have preconceived notions that send messages to our brains, whether they be negative or not.

Worse, we’ve already become puppets. It’s a vicious cycle of puppets entangled in each other’s strings, trapping more into their web unconsciously. It’s crucial that we snip the strings off to express ourselves in a healthy way.

For this reason, we should implement a positive attitude. As high school students, it’s not too late to instill a positive mindset into our peers, and ourselves as well. Just one person can stop his or her vicious cycle, like the way a butterfly could stop the typhoon that is jointly caused with every beat of its wings.

We can break free from the norms holding us back from our individuality, while still sticking together in support of one another.

Individuality doesn’t have to mean isolation.

Puzzle pieces may come in different shapes and sizes, but still mold together perfectly to form a bigger picture. jlin@apachepowwow.com Graphics by SUNNY WU Graphic courtesy of HUBPAGES.COM

What do you think? Chromebook Style

Recently at AHS, classes have had the opportunity to provide Chromebooks for student use. In other districts, such as the Los Angeles Unified School District, iPads were also provided to students.

These new exposures to technology in the school environment give rise to new questions on this topic. Is new investment in technology in the classroom making a substantial change in learning?

“I think it’s “I defin : putting techlearning it changing ely tation] of Chro support the [ m encourages use classroo the in nology im m I like ebooks p to into ou lementhings like Quizlet through Internet the of Process take advanta r d istrict. ge of u or and Drive for working Google s, flashcard sing W for online Google other p ord la C on projects, and of course Google itself for clearing pro lassroom to as tforms such mp as sign inc ing up any questions students have while learning. electron ts. My favor ite aspe lass writics at s ct of us chool is For Comparative Government classes especially, immed ing iate m enjoy th feedback, an y ability to giv having Chromebooks means having an array of news d stude e on-th nts seem e e-s sources at students’ fingertips. But there’s also the poto —Mr. C pot teaching as well tential to distract, because not everything on the hris Vil .” lalobos in internet is productive. It would be difficult and “Investment m oo probably counter-intuitive to control how ssr cla technology in the stuto ge everyone’s using his or her Chromean ch nt ca does make a signifi n de wi it es books.” —Kaiwen Zhou, 12 . Not only do students’ experiences es tat ili le fac tt o als li it a the world, the s took students’ views of ited resources from mebook eginning, no lim ro un h the C as ch su , b ew dents’ work Generally, I be “The n sed to. In the ht click, the ed in the classroom. hoolt u sc e g ing to rig us web that can be us in to ion cis you to out how while make the best de ll re wi u a nts if g transfer de en fi stu ev d ve ly an lie ld on , m rk u o wo o ir d c the n one turning , ld ra gy to finish s ifi kept provided technolo nal purposes, ad wou m rso p w pe le er e h b oth c r th u ro fo it p to use these e, and peg Ho d a n ol. p to student attempts to ho u sc r p ro e the lapto got a anoth cked down by ving a nce we class a in tit can be easily tra O h ct e . era b e ff int d o n ic an , n pla d, learn and tty fully, the way we rea it’s pre ecause teachers to write essence s in , s gy e olo u hn g tec e b by I s av will all be boosted ng clas longer h len Gu, 9 m where tech is ev use duri s, and we no e H — making a classroo .” ie ments activit Feng, 11 n y r Ja ig — te s .” s ere a wh ery of our out all

ts’ studen g easing r in c s in u h as nitely c fi u e s d in s y la p log “It’ techno er than e on rite rath also things w relianc to Docs ere are can help Google d paper. Th that e; n a ssroom acher mor la pencil C le te n g o o d ti o n c G a a ter ts like studen decreases in t done t c e n s ju con also can be Duan, 10 er, it howev everything y c a —J e becaus rnet.” e Inte th r e ov

Graphics by SUNNY WU Graphic courtesy of QMARK.NET and WIKIA.COM

6

FEATURES

arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

Earn $$$ Using Apps

mixin’ it up

By PEARL YANG Staff Writer

In the hectic life of a high schooler, music is one of the few outlets students can unwind with after a busy day. But in this modern age, multiple high-functioning, prominent music platforms have risen up to compete for the title of the Best Music Application. Various factors, all equally crucial, affect a music application’s rating. For a music app to “make it big” in the 21st century, it had better be more well-rounded than a vintage vinyl record. Let’s embark on our quest to discover the best music platform of them all!

1. Pandora Internet Radio The first contender is none other than the popular radio service, Pandora Internet Radio. Commonly known as “Pandora”, this application is downloadable on Apple, Android, Windows, and Blackberry phones. Pandora boasts a modern, easy-to-navigate interface that complements the app’s claim to fame, the Music Genome Project. The Music Genome Project is how Pandora makes musical suggestions for you, scanning its entire music library to find songs that have similar qualities with the music you like.

However, annoying audio advertisements will pop up about every five songs or so unless you upgrade to Pandora One, the premium subscription to this radio service. This application is best for people looking for a refreshing change in their traditional playlists.

2. Rdio forms. iOS, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Rdio exhibits music streaming services Android, Windows and Mac OS—you name with millions of songs, free accounts with no it, Spotify has it covered. ads, and a mobile app, which might make it the 4. 8Tracks best cloud-based music platform yet.

8Tracks, accessible through browsers The Rdio desktop app adds functionality and available for free on Apple devices, is to Rdio with its “Collection Matching” feature a music streaming platform that features uswhich scans your existing muer-submitted mixes consisting of at least sic library to see if there is eight tracks. 8Tracks’ mixes offer a match in Rdio’s muvariety, but it is often difficult to sic cloud. Each song figure out which genre of music that is successfully you are getting from a mix, beON THE GO matched gets autocause the mix titles are often Many of the music matically added to more puzzling than inforyour Rdio music mative; however, this platplatforms out library, no downform facilitates browsing there are load necessary. by genre or artist. available as apps However, a In conclusion, Panfor your phone. downside to Rdio dora, Rdio, Spotify, and is that it lacks ad8Tracks are all great vanced search opapplications for listentions like year and ing to music, but they genre, which makes it each have their own difficult to filter search quirks. Pandora boasts results. Overall, Rdio its celebrated Music Geis most definitely a munome Project that personalizes sic service you should what you hear, Rdio has advertisement-free download on your phone or listening at no cost, Spotify is available evcomputer for free music streaming with no ad- erywhere with all your favorite songs, and vertisement interruptions.

8Tracks hosts one-of-a-kind playlists. So 3. Spotify which music platform wins the honor of Is there anyone who hasn’t used this well- Best Music Application? Well, that depends known music platform? With its black and on what sort of features you prefer. green-themed design and vast music assemblage, Spotify rules the music app world.

Logging into Spotify either on your phone or on your computer via the Spotify Web Player will allow you to listen to an unlimited number of songs from playlists provided by the music platform or utilize Spotify’s radio feature.

Unfortunately, Spotify also tosses in both pyang@apachepowwow.com audio and visual advertisements. One major Graphics courtesy of ICONARCHIVE.COM plus to Spotify is that it is available on all platPhoto courtesy of CLIPARTPANDA.COM

By CATHLEEN SHEN Staff Writer

With everyone using their phones almost every second of their lives, why not make some money while doing it? Here are some apps that can help you earn some money.

1. Perk There are five ways you can earn points and redeem gift cards on Perk: play trivia games on Perk Pop Quiz, make purchases at over 3,000 stores on Perk Shopping, search the web on Perk Search, unlock your phone with Perk Screen, access a more rewarding web with the customized browser Perk Browser, or watch movies, trailers, and other entertaining videos on Perk TV. 2. Pact For those people who want to make money and get healthy, Pact is the app for you! It is broken down into three options: Veggie Pact, Gym Pact, and Food Log Pact. As long as you commit to a specific goal and track your progress for three days, you will earn about $1.50, but if you fail to commit there will be a $5 minimum penalty.

3. Viggle Viggle is an app that rewards you for watching TV or listening to music. Just simply select the in-app feature that detects the show you are watching or music you are listening to and it will issue you points. These points can be redeemed for gift cards.

4. Ibotta If you want some coupons to save on groceries, Ibotta is the app for you! Before shopping, unlock rebate offers by completing tasks like sharing the offer via social media, reading nutritional information about products, or answering trivia questions. Then, just buy the product and upload the receipt to claim your cash!

Staff Writer

A new generation of students has enrolled at AHS, which happens every year.

The difference? They aren’t “90s” kids anymore. Shocking, right? Children who grew up in this past era were lucky enough to experience TV shows, video games, and accessories that became classics later on.

1. TV Shows: Looking back at the 1990s, TV had low definition, but high comedy. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, the television program Friends was a smash hit. It left a lasting legacy with its quirky dialogue (“Something is wrong with the left phalange!”) and wacky antics (remember Ross’ leather pants?).

Aside from live-action TV shows, cartoons were all the rage in the 90s. Rugrats, a popular animation, aired on Nickelodeon from 1991 to 2004. This show spanned 9 seasons, ending at 172 episodes as a result of its high ratings and enticing premise. A group of toddlers go on what they believe to

be adventures, which are really just everyday tasks. During its run, Rugrats won over 20 awards and even received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

2. Video Games The 1990s revolutionized gaming and paved the pathway to modern, state-of-theart graphics. “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time”, released in 1998, renders a heavy dose of nostalgia. Metacritic and IGN both scored the game as a flawless 100%. Developed for the Nintendo 64 game console, this installation has the player control Link in a quest to defeat Ganondorf. It was so widely acclaimed that it was re-released four times in different formats to appease the diversity of consumers.

One of the most famous of handheld systems, the Game Boy, is arguably the grandfather of video gaming consoles.

Manufactured by Nintendo, Game Boys popularized gaming on the go, and also gaming for girls. The demographic of video game consumers changed over time, and its start can be attributed to the Game Boy. To this day, the Game Boy remains an icon for video gamers, often as the inspiration for

cshen@apachepowwow.com

Photos courtesy of PHOTOBUCKET.COM

The 90s Kids Era is Coming to an End

By JULIA LIN

November 2014

new platforms such as the Nintendo DS. 3. Accessories: Although fun, the slap bracelet, alternatively called the snap wrap, was banned in some schools in the 90s and early 2000s for its possible danger factor.

When straightened, the user could “slap” his or her forearm with it and the mechanism would curve around the user’s wrist, securing itself. Injuries stemmed from this fad, as children could expose the edges of the metal slat inside or lacerate their wrists. In addition to novelties such as mood rings, stick-on earrings, and scrunchies, butterfly clips were also must-have’s. Iridescent, shimmering, and colorful, they came in every shade of the rainbow.

Even though the 90s have passed, the memories of the good ol’ days are still present. These legends may be carried from a decade over, but still set the bar high for the future generations, including the younger students here at AHS. jlin@apachepowwow.com

Photos courtesy of IMGUR.COM

November 2014

ads.powwow@gmail.com

ADVERTISEMENTS 7

10

GIVING THANKS

arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

November 2014

By CRISTIAN NALBANDIAN Freelance Writer

Mrs. Naughtin

By ELAINE CHUNG

Features Editor

As a sophomore, I had the privilege of having Mrs. Naughtin as my English Honors teacher. I still remember the day when I walked into her class, where her welcoming smile and demeanor immediately assuaged my initial fears about the course.

As I learned throughout the year, she was warm, funny, relatable, and above all, approachable. The way she connected and carried the class as more than a teacher was beyond reassuring for a student who was still at the bottom of the high school hierarchy, and I owe my appreciation to Mrs. Naughtin, who is not only a capable teacher, but also a friend and guide to all of her students.

Every day wasn’t so much a “work day” as it was an opportunity to unwind after braving through five other classes. That is not to say however that we never got any work done (which we did, of course).

She simply established an atmosphere that didn’t make the class seem like the drudgery that “Sophomore English Honors” initially connoted. Everyone had an equal chance to voice their thoughts and there was a true sense of community in the classroom that was always welcoming.

Class discussions were engaging and soon became routine in our schedule. Eventually, even the quieter students soon began to contribute, not from obligation, but from genuine interest in the topic at hand.

As strange as it may seem, it was also through Mrs. Naughtin’s class that I actually began to look forward to projects.

Whether it was acting out Shakespeare, or partaking in a rap battle, I broke out of my comfort zone in many such assignments and I owe it to Mrs. Naughtin for helping me develop more confidence as a student.

I only recall fond memories in her class, and I don’t believe that I have ever had as much fun working on projects than in her class. I not only had the blessing of working with my friends, but also the opportunity of working in an easy-going environment under her guidance. Her class provided an opportunity for me to strengthen my friendships with people that I otherwise would not have been as close to, which I am truly grateful for.

Sophomore English Honors was honestly echung@apachepowwow.com

Mrs. Goto. Hmmm... where do I begin? A chemistry teacher made only from the purest and most kind elements. Like the warm, caring sun, she lights up my morning after running in P.E first period. Every little frustration or stress in me melts away like gallium, because she is a teacher that cares about how you feel every day. I come in to say good morning before the bell and somehow she beats me to it. She understands every concern and question you can imagine, and she answers back, maybe not giving you the straight answer but guiding you on the path to find it. People who care this much about others are gifted, and Mrs. Goto radiates an aura of happiness, knowledge and curiosity. One day, while learning about wavelengths and their relation to energy, Mrs. Goto started to dance, talk in a very high pitch and wave her arms very fast to show us the higher energy level associated with shorter wavelengths; it was quite hilarious.

Coming back to her caring personality; one morning after dealing with the pain of a runny nose that constantly kept making me sneeze as if I was having a heart attack, Mrs. Goto routinely asked me if I was okay as if she was my personal doctor. Others might have gotten annoyed since I was disturbing the class, but not Mrs Goto. She was too caring to let me suffer sneeze after sneeze.

I can’t imagine all the students whose lives she touched and changed, year after year. But I can bet the kindness she creates in her class reflects on how her students go off to care for others and to be better members at AHS and Society. You will meet many smart, wise, and friendly people but, very few are as unselfish, kind, and energetic as Mrs. Goto. She must be radioactive due to the fact that she emits so much energy during class, so far 52 class days in I have never seen Mrs. Goto in a sad, depressed or rotten mood. This radioactive element she posses never decays since the she emits will always stay constant. The way Mrs. Goto says everything is bright and full of happiness, and learning chemistry, a subject some people despise her atmospheric not only makes it bearable but so much fun. I can only hope that my future teachers will compare close to Mrs. Goto.Thank You Mrs Goto for making learning fun and for caring so much about my problems and comforting me like a mother. I hope everyone who has and will have Mrs. Goto will appreciate her personality, because it is as rare and precious as gold. cnalbandian@apachepowwow.com

Mrs. Goto

Mr. Panza

By MILLIE WONG

Mr. Panza is a true democratic leader. When the class groans and moans for a hint in a test, or if we’d like to take a break from a PowerPoint, which is often decided by a clas “Yes”: the class becomes animated. Mr. Panza is paces the aisle in the middle of the terms on the whiteboard, the class furiously scribbles down his definitions; at this point, Panza tells a wry joke, or shares one of his experiences in Britain. Whenever we “vote” ye notes at the same time.

If you’re in Panza’s class, you’d probably know his “secret”, those things he typically p Mr. Panza pauses at the helm of the classroom, head slightly tilted, hands clasped toget something like: “Feels like a Friday doesn’t it?” whilst strolling to his laptop.

But here’s another secret: Mr. Panza is an awesome teacher. What? You already knew There’s a specific incident I know that characterizes Mr. Panza’s compassion toward we would be having a simple comparative government term quiz the following day. Well, t more like a tough multiple choice test. Not surprisingly, the class was so startled, that t However, instead of scolding the class, Mr. Panza apologized. Wow! Not only that, but choice and matching. WOW! This is a perfect, textbook example of how the teacher was on it allowed us to know the terms better and raise our grades. Here is a man who thinks o I’ve only been in Mr. Panza’s class for a few months, but I am excited to see what h his happiness to discuss politics and current events with us. I am not exaggerating when

November 2014

TO OUR TEACHERS

centerspread.powwow@gmail.com

11

By KYLE WANG Staff Writer

As I walked to my third period class on the first day of school, I had many questions and concerns swarming in my head. My palms were sweaty; I was nervous that I had went to the wrong classroom. However, the thing that concerned me the most was: “Was picking French as my foreign language the right choice for me?”

Since Apache Days, I had already noticed that many freshmen chose to take a science course instead of a foreign language course. Even if they did take a foreign language, it would be either Spanish or Chinese, as they were the most useful languages in Los Angeles. That led me to believe that I had made a mistake picking French.

What if I got a C in this class because I was horrible at pronouncing French words? If I do manage to get an A, will I have any real French skills to show for it? I don’t want to be one of those people that take AP French, yet can’t even compare to a toddler in terms of speaking. Before I knew it, I was already at the entrance of B-102; Madame Krikorian’s classroom.

Right away, I could tell that not only was I going to have fun in the class, but I was also going to learn. Unlike other classes, we got time to introduce ourselves to our seat partners. What made this class very comfortable was that no one was shy. Since we all got to know each other so well, we were not scared of humiliation due to mispronunciation. From what we learned, making mistakes is the key to becoming perfect in anything.

A perk of being in Madame Krikorian’s class was that she was French! Because we listen to her Parisian accent everyday, we can easily get a feel for how to slur and pronounce words in French. At least once a week, she would share her lifestyle in France. Over the past two months, we learned the typical life of a high school teenager in France, the long lunch times in France, and the godly combination of wine and cheese. Don’t worry; we didn’t actually try wine and cheese in class!

We can only thank Madame Krikorian for how far we have progressed in her French 1 class. We have only been in her class for one quarter, yet we have already learned how to tell time, conjugate verbs, use articles, and describe people, and use simple expressions. Not many people can get this far in language learning in just twelve weeks! I guess what I’m trying to say is: “Vous êtes mon professeur de français favori.” Merci, Madame Krikorian.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week off!

kwang@apachepowwow.com

Madame Krikorian

Photography Editor

one of his quizzes, he obliges. He’ll often ask us whether or not we’d like to review before ss referendum: a simple “yes” or “no” vote. room, wildly gesturing with his hands how British parliament is organized. As he scrawls we all know those key terms will be on the quiz/test. The PowerPoint is ignored while Mr. es, the class leans forward in their seats, ready to giggle at one of his anecdotes and take

projects on to his whiteboard for the last few minutes of class. You know it’s coming when ther or crossed or on his chin, eyes thoughtfully scanning the room… before suddenly saying

w? Well then let me explain it to the students who are not in his class. ds students. It was still the first month of school, and Mr. Panza had told the class that the next day in sixth period, we were greeted by a growling three page “quiz”, which looked the average ended up being pretty low. he offered the class a second chance: several days to study and a test with both multiple n the students’ side. Mr. Panza knew that a second test was beneficial to the class because of his people, a democratic leader worthy of the leaders he teaches in AP Comp Gov. he has in store for us next semester. I love the banter Mr. Panza has with the class, and n I say that his class is what I look forward to at the end of the day!

Mrs. Grubbs

By WILLIAM HSU

Staff Writer

For the past four years, Mrs. Claudia Grubbs has been the one constant in my constantly changing life. She has been so much more than just a teacher to me; calling her just that would be doing her a grave disservice. . She has been a mentor, guiding me as I transition into the world of adulthood. She has been – perhaps most importantly – a friend, always ready to listen, always waiting with an open door. For all of this and so much more, I am thankful.

I will always appreciate Mrs. Grubbs for the books she recommended to me. There must have been close to a hundred in the four years we’ve known each other, but the one that stands out in my memory is The Perks of Being A Wallflower.

I had been going through a particularly tough time my sophomore year and I think that Mrs. Grubbs wanted to find a way to help. However, rather than asking to see me after school or offering a handful of benign platitudes, she asked only that I read the book. I remember crying when I finished it in her classroom, curled up in her office chair while she graded papers; I saw so much of myself in its characters and their tragedies, and I think that Mrs. Grubbs saw that too. She understood that there were some lessons that only stories could teach. Through the words of the Stephen Chbosky, Mrs. Grubbs reassured me that everything would be all right.

I can never forget the conversations that we shared at lunch. Mrs. Grubbs was always so genuinely interested in me: she cared about the movies I liked, the books I read, and the friends I spent my time with. We would always find something to talk about, and there was never a dull moment. She laughed at all of my stupid stories and listened to my gripes and complaints; she would impart little tidbits of fortune-cookie wisdom that sounded so profound when coming from her lips: simple things like “sleep on it, you’ll feel better tomorrow,” or “you know that can do better than that.” No matter what was going on in my life, Mrs. Grubbs would always find the time to talk to me and help me with whatever I was going through, and I am thankful for that.

High school has not been easy for me by any stretch of the imagination, but Mrs. Grubbs has made my experience at Arcadia High a little brighter. I am thankful that I can call her my teacher, but more than that, I am thankful that I can call her my friend.

whsu@apachepowwow.com

mwong@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of BEN GEISBERGand MILLIE WONG Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM

12

STUDENT LIFE

By SHAWN XING

apachepowwow.wordpress.com

November 2014

Hello Ello, Bye Facebook!

Staff Writer

This past August, a new social network, Ello, was launched by a group of designers and artists. Ello, or the new “anti-Facebook”, is currently invite-only. It is known for its stylish, black and white interface and is becoming increasingly popular. Despite its rebellious and stylish nature, this new social network has one major selling point: it doesn’t have any ads.

Ello’s developers have agreed to make Ello a Public Benefit Corporation, which means the site cannot, for monetary gain, use advertisements and sell users’ personal information. This is the exact opposite of Facebook, which is flooded with advertisements and uses users’ information for data and ad targeting. Thus, Ello already has more than $3.4 million from investors.

But are AHS students as excited as investors are about this “new Facebook”?

According to senior Emily Chang, this new social network is a “good idea and can definitely appeal to a lot of people because many people have issues with their personal information being sold for profit.” Emily would even “consider abandoning Facebook to use Ello because” she doesn’t appreciate her personal information being sold for advertisement purposes. Although Ello doesn’t sell users’ information, Emily does acknowledge that Facebook is currently used by many people and the transition from Facebook to Ello may take time.

Similarly, junior Danna Xue believes that it is certainly possible for students to eventually abandon Facebook for Ello, but it will take a while. Danna explained that “Ello seems to provide a much more friendly user interface,” where the website seems SOUNDS OF THE STUDENTS to be a fusion of Tumblr and Facebook, except more simplistic in nature and easier to SOUNDS OF THE STUDENTS Junior Danna Xue thinks that Ello could be the navigate. Ello seems to embrace the “hipster” style and respects users’ privacy. Yet, Junior David Wei thinks it will be hard for students future of social media at the same time, Danna thinks that “the older generation has just begun to catch onto to transition from Facebook to Ello.

Facebook through business groups, class pages, and club events as a way to maintain contact amongst members.” However, junior David Wei does not view the transition from Facebook to Ello as positively. David explained that “AHS students are not very motivated to migrate from a popular social site like Facebook to a new social site,” even though Ello might offer new benefits. David explains that he does not believe students are currently using Ello because it is still underground and not widely discussed. Although Facebook is popular and most students use it, David also thinks that Ello would be better in that it will not use private user information for monetary benefits. Whether Ello is the “new Facebook” is definitely still in debate.

Ello is still in beta and just starting to become more popular with time, and AHS students are slowly getting exposed to this new social medium. Ello is definitely a stylish new social media network users can explore, and for users who have problems with Facebook selling their personal data, Ello could be the best alternative. sxing@apachepowwow.com

Handle ‘Em Books

By EMILY SCHUBE Staff Writer

Why do high schools have to be so big?

Doesn’t anyone understand our struggle of carrying textbooks? Do any of these questions pop into your head? If yes, then keep reading! The difficulty of carrying textbooks while marching around school can make many students frustrated. Well worry no more, because there is a simple solution: ClassFit Training! ClassFit Training is a series of workouts that transforms tired arms and sore legs, into strong and tough machines Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson style. You can now survive hiking around AHS after following these workout routines.

The Turn and Flip. If you are holding a book, it obviously means that you have to read it. This workout will help you get over the exhausting movements of flipping pages. Starting with an Algebra 2 textbook, swing the book in your left hand to your right shoulder for about 50 reps, switching hands and shoulders. Soon your shoulders will be feeling durable enough to last through the Odyssey.

The Paso-a-Paso Lifts. Seven minutes is not enough to socialize and get to class! However, with this workout you will even have time to go to the bathroom before class starts. First, sit on the ground with your legs about six inches in the air. Then, place one Spanish textbook on top of your legs and move them up and down.

Keep on increasing the number of Spanish textbooks, but for a real challenge add a Japanese book to the mix. After this exercise, you can outrun any tardy sweep.

Scholar Shuffle. Hallways are a student’s worst nightmare. The flood of students going in different directions leads to disastrous traffic jams. Start practicing maneuvering around other classmen by placing dummies in a line.

Lifting five backpacks, sprint around the dummies in an inside-outside motion. For an even harder workout, carry not one, but two AP Biology textbooks!

The AP Hurl. Many AP students carry the burden of bringing heavy textbooks back and forth to class from home.

To the untrained eye, these books are nothing but weights that drag down students physically and academically.

Defend yourself against opponents with the iron rigidity of an AP course.

School can be a hassle, even when class is not in session. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger probably couldn’t handle the draining walk from class to class with mammothheavy textbooks. But now after completing these workouts you can survive any high school condition! Just remember that before you return the books to the library, make sure they are in good condition. Remember your training, and stay ClassFit! eschube@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of CBUONLINE.NET and CLIPARTPANDA.COM and FANPOP.COM

Photos courtesy of RYAN FANN and TITUS WU; Graphic Courtesy of TRENDBOLG.NET

Instasurfing Through Instagram

By SUNNY WU Staff Writer

Instagram, an online mobile photo and video sharing social media, is, no—not life, but a lie. The creation of Instagram has elevated all of our statuses to photographers. We began to see beauty in the simplicity of life, just kidding. It made us all huge liars.

While it’s a magnificent outlet for all of us to share the way we see the world. Instagram is mostly a gigantic contest to see who’s the world’s best photo-shopper. If you can make a dog look like Chloe, a millionaire pup from Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and if you can make a sunset look like one of Picasso’s masterpieces, all of a sudden, you’re a professional photographer.

There are accounts that make you wonder how they have such perfect pictures and such wonderful lives.

“My strawberries don’t look that color. My desk is never that clean. My room is never that bright. I’m never that photogenic.” The list can go on and on. Truth is, people literally take hours to post an image. Some use different apps.

Many take 50 pictures to get the right shot or take a whole day

to stage an image. The “instant” part of Instagram is no longer there.

Apaches usually take one hour to take the perfect selfie and one more hour to edit it. Freshman Joyce Htet said, “The amount of time it takes for me to post a selfie really depends on the lighting, but I would say about 45 minutes.” Freshman Billy Yu said, “It takes a long long time for me to take a selfie, edit it, and post it on Instagram. Probably a couple of hours since I use Photo Wonder to enhance my photos.” Senior Judy Wang said, “To be honest, it takes me longer than you think.

Maybe about 1 to 2 hours.

I want to make photos as perfect as possible before posting. I use apps like Aviary, Mextures, and Facetune.”

Instagram started out with a simple platform and user interface. Yet, the current trend indicates that more and more users take the time to use thirdparty applications in order to perfect their image. The result? A photo bombarded with filters and needless crops.

A feed that celebrated the lives of our Instagram peers is now a contest of who can make the best looking image. swu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of PHILLYPHOTOSTUDIO.COM

November 2014

studentlife.powwow@gmail.com

STUDENT LIFE

What Are You Thankful For?

13

Student Spotlight

t

By ERIC CHEN

Jasmine Clarke

Staff Writer

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, students are gathering up letters of gratitude expressing their personal “thank yous”. As we all know, it is traditional to reminisce on what we are grateful for during Thanksgiving. So what are the some of our fellow Apaches thankful for?

“I am thankful for my friends and family because they discipline me and ground me for making stupid mistakes. Without them, I wouldn’t be who I am now.”

—Tammi Tang, 11 “I am thankful for my friends and family because they always have my back no matter what I do and what decisions I make!”

—Vivian Huang, 10 “I am thankful for my friends, family, and food. These three, I find, are the necessities of life.”

—Amy Lien, 12 “I am thankful for sparkling water, because it keeps me alive and well.”

—Tiger Sun, 10 “I am thankful for my teammates on the basketball team and for being able to support one another. I am also thankful for God for always being by my side.”

—William Wang, 9 “I am thankful for my wonderful friends and family. Even though they may sometimes get on my nerves, in the end, we are all happy and grateful to be with each other.”

—Jessica Wong, 11 echen@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of CLIPARTPANDA.COM, FREE INTERNETPICTURES.COM, and WAYNESBOROYMCA.COM

By ELLIE LEE Staff Writer

Did you know that the YouTube star, Jason Chen, attended AHS? Are you sad that you missed out on attending school with a YouTube celebrity? There’s no need to fear, since we have a new YouTube star on our campus! Freshman Jasmine Clarke is our new YouTube celebrity with over 53,000 subscribers on YouTube. She recently transferred to AHS from Australia, which is about 8,128 miles away from California.

Jasmine has been singing since she was 4 years old and decided to share her talent to the world via YouTube when she was 9 years old.

Jasmine stated that her passion for singing started “ever since [she] was a child.

Music was constantly played in the house and [she] enjoyed singing right when [she] first attempted to. Jasmine starting her singing career from vocal lessons from professional instructors, but she currently just take lessons from her dad.” She said she started posting videos on YouTube after she gained inspiration from other YouTube musicians: “I saw other singers posting covers on YouTube, so I asked my parents if I could do the same. Luckily, they allowed me to share my voice with the world.”

Jasmine also reflected on who her initial inspirations were. She stated, “Definitely the great female singers. I like music from Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Emeli Sande.” Like those artists, Jasmine also has strong and moving vocals.

Jasmine and her family moved to California for her to get more singing opportunities. When asked about how she felt about moving to another country, she said, “I’m very thankful and lucky to have my family supporting and believing in my dream!” Jasmine has been meeting with professional songwriters and producers, as well as performing gigs. Her first gig in America was performing at the 626 Night Market.

With her amazing vocals and ability to play the piano and guitar, Jasmine has started to compose original songs. Some of her original songs are “Crush” and “Shadow”, all of which are sold on iTunes for $0.99. They are definitely something worth checking out and listening to! Jasmine also wishes to be a professional singer one day like her role models: “ I am very thankful for all my fans! I would like to thank everyone for supporting me.” Give her a listen sometime; her amazing voice will stun you. elee@apachepowwow.com Photo by KRISTEN TRAN Graphics courtesy of YOUTUBE.COM

Star Students Striving for Super Sales on Saturday

By EMILY WU Staff Writer

It’s that time of year again, when swarms of hungry shoppers line up outside stores on the busiest shopping day of the year.

On Black Friday, consumers are constantly vying for the limited supply of merchandise on sale. From great electronic steals to store recommendations, AHS students share their purchases on previous Black Fridays and their favorite places to shop.

The Santa Anita Mall is a popular place for students because it is convenient and

familiar. According to junior Gina Groesbeck, she went to the Santa Anita Mall last year and managed to buy everyone’s Christmas presents. However, she revealed that she “sat in line for hours” because of the massive crowds of shoppers. Despite the long lines, Gina encourages others to shop at the Santa Anita Mall. She believes that “there are long lines anywhere you go, so why not save some gas money and use that to buy more clothes?”

Best Buy is the place to go if you’re looking for a technology steal. Last year, freshman Ryan Wang went to Best Buy for Black Friday, and plans to go again this year. He happily shared that he “bought a laptop for $300 last year, and [is] looking forward to buying an iPod touch this year at a great price.

Similarly, freshman Andrea Fang marks Best Buy

as the best store for technology purchases. According to Andrea, her family bought a Sony TV for $600, when the original price was around $800.

She thinks Best Buy is the best store to go on Black Friday because “there are a variety of electronics you can buy at Best Buy, and many of them are on sale,” Are you busy on Black Friday or just too much of a couch potato to physically shop in stores and wait in line? If so, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on amazing shopping deals. Cyber Monday is the way to go! Sophomore Tiger Sun claimed that he’s “too busy to shop on Black Friday, but [is] looking forward to finding great deals

on Cyber Monday.” Senior Alvin Neo stated that he’s “planning to shop on Amazon on Cyber Monday because it’s the only store that [he] can trust knowing that [he has] a lot of options.”

Start making a list of the things you would like to buy on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, and plan accordingly on which stores you would like to hit. Be careful of the crazy swarms of shoppers, and try to survive the ridiculously long lines. Good luck, and happy shopping! ewu@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of AMCTHEATRES.COM and BLOGCDN.COM

14

ACADEMICS

CSUF College of Arts

By LAUREN TRAJANO Staff Writer

California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a public comprehensive university located in Fullerton, CA. With a total enrollment of 38,325, it has the largest student body out of the 23 campuses offered by the California State University (CSU).

One of its colleges is the College of the Arts, where students can major in music, theater, and dance.

Music major students will feel at home while studying at the CSUF School of Music. CSUF’s music program allows students to share their passion for music freely and has been training students for professions in music for over 50 years.

The School of Music’s faculty members are some of the finest performers in the world, and others’ work is centered in the vibrant Los Angeles arts and entertainment scene just miles from the campus.

Furthermore, the CSUF School of Music has been fully and continuously accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1966; its students, faculty, and invited guest artists from all over the world perform in the Meng Concert Hall.

Meanwhile, the CSUF theater and dance program is among the top 16 most highly recommended undergraduate programs in the nation. The school’s theater program is ranked with such prestigious schools like Juilliard, New York University, Boston University, and Northwestern University.

The dance program has been fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance since 1982, ensuring that each dance major is taught, directed, and mentored by a qualified dance professional.

The theater and dance faculty work closely with students to take advantage of the myriad of opportunities available to them. Located just 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood, CSUF is in close proximity to major regional theaters, major film and television studios, and the nation’s premier entertainment parks such as Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios.

The CSUF School of Theater and Dance also sponsors internships with such prestigious industry leaders as the Mark Taper Forum, NBC, CBS, Paramount Studios, and a host of other companies.

CSUF College of the Arts offers many opportunities to its music, theater, and dance students. Its superb faculty members and alumni depict the excellence of programs available and showcase the talent present at the university.

ltrajano@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of FLICKR.COM

arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

November 2014

Buzzing through the Year

By SUKANYA MUKHERJEE Staff Writer

Question: “One president of this country took office after its Orange Revolution and suffered dioxin poisoning in an assassination attempt in 2004. 25% of this country’s population died due to a famine known as the Holodomor, exacerbated by the policies of Joseph Stalin.

This country’s port of Sevastopol was besieged during a mid 19th century war that took place on a peninsula.

For ten points, identify this country that controls the Crimea and has a capital of Kiev.”

ANSWER: Ukraine Did you read the whole thing? You should have known the answer right after the question mentioned the Orange Revolution. Okay, well… maybe most of us wouldn’t know it right off the bat, but Quiz Bowl (QB) members would.

QB started off the season on Sept.

27 by winning a local competition at Torrey Pines High School. On Oct. 18, QB swept a tournament at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and recently on Nov. 8, QB snatched 2nd place at ACF Fall, a college level tournament, beating UCSD and CalTech.

QB has definitely been doing a lot of winning lately, but everyone’s main focus lies on the upcoming national tournament in March 2015.

Last year, QB won 5th place at the National Competition, a feat that, according to Cocaptain senior Yuqiao Zhao, “wasn’t expected and is by far the best Arcadia, or any team in Southern California for that matter, has done in QB history.”

The team members

meet every Thursday, teaching novices new information and preparing each other for the many upcoming tournaments.

For QB, tournaments are crucial. Junior Hanah Lee explained “that [they] provide us with extra practice. After tournaments we see what we can work on so our performance continuously improves.” By meeting as a group every week, the team is able to learn about more

topics and also practice their buzzing skills.

Although the team is working hard toward its goal, QB has offered a home for its members throughout the years.

Yuqaio said that “everyone needs a sort of niche in high school where they can fit in and be comfortable. I’m thankful that QB has been that kind of a home for me.”

Even for the younger members such as sophomore Briana Sun, “Quiz Bowl is a fun place to have fun and nerd out with very interesting people.”

Since the members are trying to achieve a common goal, they are able to understand and support each other. This academic team provides a learning environment for members to enjoy.

While everyone would love to replicate the results of year, QB will be a home for members regardless of the team’s wins or losses. Their weekly meetings and hard work contribute to their future successes. As our fellow peers continue to prepare for later tournaments, let’s wish them the best of luck! smukherjee@apachepowwow.com Photos courtesy of HANAH LEE

Regional Occupation Program

By KATIE HUANG Staff Writer

Remember that yellow flyer you always get with your curriculum guide towards the end of the school year? That piece of paper advertises Career Technical Program (CTP), also known as Regional Occupational Program (ROP) classes, and while most students disregard it, there are many benefits to taking a ROP class.

They are designed to be educational courses, providing training and internship opportunities to students. By doing so, students gain life skills that can be applied to school and their future career. Self-confidence, self-awareness, good work habits, practical problem solving, teamwork, punctuality, reliability, cooperation and personal responsibility are all promoted.

Most of the courses are available as a normal, one-period class, but a few of them extend to afterschool hours or even over the weekend. For example, Law Enforcement is a semester class only available on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Instead of books and tests, this class features all topics taught in the police academy. Another class extending over the normal school hours is Retail Marketing, which takes place on Tues-

days and Thursdays from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Students taking retail marketing usually apply for a job as well, so their schedule may also change. Cross Age Teaching/Literacy, or Cross Age PE calls for the students to commute to elementary schools twice a week to teach the children their lesson plan. Although

time consuming, most students in their ROP classes are passionate about what they do and express an interest to pursue the subject in a career, which is the main goal of ROP. Senior Cynthia Wong said that “taking Cross Age was

probably one of the best choices I have made.

The kids I work with are like seeing my second family, and seeing how ecstatic they are makes my day. Who knows, I might become an elementary school teacher after this!”

Another popular program that is part of ROP is video production. Starting from Beginning Video Production, students can move up to Intermediate Video Production, and eventually to Advanced Video Production.

There, students take part in the weekly news productions shown on Friday in 4th period, popularly known as Apache News.

Intermediate Video Production student junior Cass Tao said that he admires “the enthusiasm and the creativeness of the skits and how they transform news into more fun.” These characteristics are valuable attributes that will help you in the future, regardless of your career choice.

Now that you have a better understanding of ROP classes and what they offer, be sure to sign up for one next year! With classes ranging from Computer Programming Java to Sports Medicine, there is sure to be one that is in your interest. khuang@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of POTOONS.COM Photo by TEDDY CHU

November 2014

ads.powwow@gmail.com

ADVERTISEMENTS 15

16

apachepowwow.wordpress.com

Girls Volleyball : Road to Victory

their individual abilities and their cohesion as a team. Kelly looks forward to the first game and enerWith Girls Varsity Volleyball getically explained, “The team is curnearing the end of a spectacular searently ranked number five, which is son, we take a glimpse into the team the highest it’s been since I’ve been as it heads into the postseason. Closat Arcadia. I know if we play our ing out the regular season having best we will have a great CIF run.” gone 18-5, 13-0 in League, and havRoanne stressed the importance of ing won the first three games of CIF, maintaining a positive attitude no these girls have their sights set on the matter how difficult the competition.

CIF title.

“There are a lot of tough teams Girls Varsity Volleyball is playing in CIF and it’s imporfamous for being one of the most tant that we maintain the confisuccessful teams on campus, but dence that we’ve had this entire what exactly is the team’s secret season. As long as we stay foto success? Junior Roanne Pacused I have no doubt that we guyo named the team’s “cohecan be very successful.” sive spirit” as the driving force, With an ethic of teamestablishing that “we work so work, focus, and an unbreakwell together both on and off the able spirit, our girls have powcourt. Because of that, we trust ered through the first three each other completely when matches of CIF. The team we’re actually in the action of handily trounced Apple Valley, a game.” Senior Kelly Dopke Claremont, and Viewpoint in agrees with her teammate, atthe first three rounds of competributing the team’s success to tition, conquering each of them “a great work ethic. Even though 3-1. They now move forward to we’re a very young team with the semifinals bracket, against only three seniors, our team ONE HARD-HITTING UNIT The girls’ Palm Springs High School. chemistry is really strong. Our celebrations after a score has become a After last year’s heartteam motto is ‘play for each oth- common sight with the way they have been breaking second-round loss in er,’ and I think that our success playing recently.

CIF, our girls are proud of makcan be attributed to the tremendous skills in volleyball—have improved ing CIF’s Final Four, and has their amount of talent and spirit we have greatly.” However, even in the light eyes locked on the championship. on our team; no matter how tough of all this progress, she still under- With the combination of hundred our competition is, we play our very stands that “there’s always something of hours of practice, a strong work best.” to improve on.” Roanne energetically ethic, and an unbreakable sense of When asked about the team’s summarized the team’s progress in a camaraderie, Girls Varsity Volleyball strengths, most of these athletes single word: “Persistence! We play is looking forward to a very promisnamed the close bonds between them, every point like it’s our last.” ing post-season. extending both on and off the court.

In contemplating their upcomJunior Amanda Pickering thinks “our ing games in CIF competition, the whsu@apachepowwow.com strengths lie in being such close knit girls are excited to show off both Photo by WESLEY CHU

By WILLIAM HSU

Staff Writer

team where everyone gets along so well together. We all work hard, and if someone makes a mistake we never get upset; we just encourage one another so we can move forward and improve.” Other team members like Kelly believe that their strengths lie in the team’s improvement in playing ability; Kelly notes that since the beginning of the season “our serving and passing—the two most important

Crossing Into Nationals

By BRENDAN TRAN Staff Writer

The season of fall is upon us.

Cold weather, darker days, and the return of the most prestigious sports programs at AHS. Once again, Boys Cross Country is back at it. After finishing 9th last year at Nike Cross Nationals, Boys Cross Country hopes to repeat the same level of success.

Our runners are currently preparing for League Championships as they just finished their last two meets of the season.

They finished 2nd place in the Mt. Sac Invitational. For the last meet of the season, the team rested its top four runners to prepare for League Finals. Even w i t h o u t its best runners, it still finished in 3rd place. Rest is crucial for

the boys’ performances since competitions are so strenuous. As a result, Coach Michael Feraco has decided to rest three of the team’s top seven runners to get ready for CIF Preliminaries and Finals.

Senior Shady Makar is uncertain of how they will perform without its top three runners. He is “hopeful that [they] can secure 2nd place,” but they will qualify for CIF regardless because they are among the top four teams in the Pacific League.

Right now, the team is only focused on qualifying for State Championships rather than Nationals. btran@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of CLKER.COM

November 2014

BALLIN’ OUT

By SHAWN XING Staff Writer

The NBA season officially kicked off on Oct. 28 with the defending NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs, hosting the first game of the season against the Dallas Mavericks. For the past month, there has been a lot of talk between basketball fans at AHS about possible contenders for the NBA championship, predictions for MVP, and the future of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“I think the Spurs will be able to win the championship again. Even though their core players, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker, are getting older, they still have the ability to win games under Gregg Popovich. Also, Kawhi Leonard is improving every year and the Spurs still have multiple key players like Boris Diaw and Dan-

ny Green. The Cleveland Cavaliers could be considered for the championship too, but they lack the team chemistry the Spurs have.”

—Ryan Chu, 11, Boys JV Basketball “I predict that this year’s MVP will be Chandler Parsons, because he will be a key factor in the Mavericks making the playoffs.”

—Eric Chen, 11, Boys JV Basketball “If Derrick Rose stays healthy and performs like he did two years ago, he will be the MVP because of the amount he contributes to his team.”

—Kade Cheung, 12, Boys Varsity Basketball “I think the Lakers have a chance at getting into the playoffs with a perfectly healthy roster. Kobe is pulling a lot of dead weight, especially with his injuries and age holding him back. I am expecting the rest of the Lakers to step up and give a helping hand to Kobe.”

—Yves Shen, 9, Boys Frosh Basketball The start of the NBA season is marked by a lot of anticipation, and predictions by basketball fans everywhere. It’s clear that fans at AHS have many different opinions, so the only thing left to do is to wait. sxing@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of NBA.COM

It’s All in the Numbers

By LAUREN TRAJANO Staff Writer

In team sports, the purpose of a number on a uniform is obvious: to identify and distinguish each player.

But does an athlete’s number carry some importance or hidden meaning?

Here’s what some AHS athletes have to say about the numbers they wear.

“I choose the number four because, in swimming, the fastest person swims in lane four, and I strive to be the fastest in all of the water polo games.”

—Laura Chun, 12, Girls Water Polo “I wear the number two because it’s always been the number that I’ve been wearing since I started playing.”

—Hannah Kim, 11, Girls Soccer “When I was younger, my lucky number was seven and I thought if I doubled it, I’d be luckier, hence 77.”

—Erica Kono, 11, Girls Softball and Volleyball

“I currently wear the number 23 for volleyball and soccer competitions because it represents the day I was born, Feb. 23, and I’ve worn the number 23 ever since I started playing both sports.”

—Kaylin Pascasio, 10, Girls Soccer and Volleyball “I wear the number 33 because most of the kids like the number three.

Then, as a joke, I would say I’m number 33 because I’m twice as good as you.”

—Joseph Leonard, 12, Boys Basketball and Baseball “Growing up playing sports my whole life, I always chose numbers that had meaning to me whether it was my birthday or a number my mom or dad wore in their lifetime, but today I wear three different numbers. I am number 18 in volleyball, number 22 in high school soccer, and number 2 in club soccer. I do this because now, to me, a number is just a

number. It no longer has any significance other than differentiating you from your teammates.”

—Kelly Dopke, 12, Girls Soccer, Track, and Volleyball To some athletes, the number they wear represents an important day in their life. To others, their number provides luck and serves as a reminder for them to strive for their best performance. However, it is important to remember that although an athlete’s number may carry some significance, it is the athlete who is even more valuable. Senior Kelly Dopke said it best when she concluded, “The number is not the one that performs, wins, or loses, but is a mere representation. It is the athlete that makes something of the number, something to be remembered for. I do not let my number define me. Instead, I create the legacy of my number.” ltrajano@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of CDM.ME

November 2014

17

sports.powwow@gmail.com

End Zone of the Season

By PETER JU Staff Writer

The football team’s recent games weren’t its best efforts, losing to Burroughs 23-70 and to Burbank 14-56. We were up against some pretty tough competition. The Apaches put up a fight but couldn’t to come out on top. According to senior Brendan Brink, they “weren’t able to stop our opponents’ running game on defense. On offense, we missed many opportunities.”

We all know the team was hoping for a better record. Senior Ryan Pugh stated, “We didn’t play as well as we hoped. We could have played much better.” Another reason

for the team’s disappointing season is, according

RUNNING UNTILTHE END

Junior Bradley Mills sprints to the end zone.

By TITUS WU

to player Alex Chang, “several of our players got injured or sick during the season.” Unfortunately, injuries and sicknesses are uncontrollable.

To prepare for their final game, player Noah Munoz-Case says the team will “play as a team, never give up, and play 100% for the whole game.” He and several other seniors will play in their last football game in high school. Brendan Brink said that it “will be the seniors’ last game, so we hope everyone will be able to perform on their best level.”

The football’s team final game was played here against Crescenta Valley (CV). Although we lost 30 to 61, the players didn’t quit. Senior player Alex Chang commentd, “This game was a hard fought game until the end. The seniors played with incredible effort. Playing football here at AHS has been a great ride.

If the players next year stick together, train hard, and listen to the coaches, they will perform well.” When asked what the team needs to improve on for next year, sophomore player Clayton Barnett said, “We need to clean up our mental mistakes and work harder in the off-season.” pju@apachepowwow.com

Photos courtesy of SARAH REINGEWIRTZ Graphic courtesy of FLICKR.COM

Athletic Profile: Laura Guidolin

By CHRISTINA READ Staff Writer

Girls Cross Country is currently ranked 3rd in the state, and 2nd in our Southern Section league. Because AHS is ranked higher now than in previous years, this may be the first time in a while that it has the opportunity to qualify for the state meet, and the chance to win medals while there. So who’s been leading the team to victory?

None other than senior Laura Guidolin.

Laura, who has been running since she was a toddler, doesn’t remember a time when she didn’t love to run. She recalls a story from when she was just three years old, on a family trip to the beach. Apparently, she just started running, and when her uncle and grandpa joined her, “kept going and going and going, and [she] ended up running three miles that day.” And since then, that’s been her race—three miles as a toddler on the beach, and three miles as a senior in cross country.

After her early start, Laura began racing when she was just eight years old. She trained by running beside her mother in the early mornings before school, and then entered competitions individually. Joining AHS cross country was her first time

SuperstitIous Staff Writer

—Aubrie Weissbuch, 9, Girls Varsity Tennis

PICTURE PERFECT Laura ‘s hard work and determination have made her one of the top runners in the Pacific League. very personal, but once you start running with a team, you have all these people to support you, and all these people that are excited about it too.

You’re like, ‘These people know me!

I’m not weird!’ And it’s really excit-

“Before a golf tournament, I always wear a marker on my hat of either the Patriots or a marker of the PGA tour depending if it is either football season or golf season.

I don’t know why I do it; I just know that if I don’t do it, I’ll feel vulnerable.”

—Jesse Narkmanee, 12, Boys Varsity Golf

Throughout all the grade levels and sports, there seems to be at least some idiosyncrasies of one type of another. Regardless of whether it be a ritual, penchant, or omen, though, our Apache athletes continue to train and win hard. No matter what peculiar beliefs they may have, they will all in the end believe in the Apache spirit. Go Arcadia!

By PEARL YANG The athletics program at AHS is not one to fall behind to our rivals in competition; each team has its own ways to pull ahead of its opposition.

Let’s get to some Apache athletes to find out how they come out on top!

“I have an arsenal of shot techniques that I will use against the other team’s goalie. One is when I come up and the man guarding me comes up with me, then I flick my wrist to get a hard lob shot to a high corner.”

—Samuel Norconk, 12, Boys Varsity Water Polo “Whenever we get a point, we scream. We’re a really supportive team so whenever someone makes a mistake, everyone encourages them and tells them to shake it off.”

—Ava Liu, 11, Girls Varsity Volleyball

twu@apachepowwow.com

Photos by DEREK LEE and KRISTEN TRAN Graphics courtesy of SPORTS.COM

ing to me.”

But Laura feels this was the first year that she was able to truly let go of her fears and run her best race. “I conquered my fear,” she said, “because in previous years, I’ve been fearful, and I wasn’t able to do my best...but I think this year, I was able to relax, and just focus and go run and have fun.” She thinks that having her team with her on the starting line helped to get rid of that fear.

Now, in her senior year, Laura holds the Pacific League seasonal record for her 3-mile race. Her time of 17:03 also ranks her as the 13th fastest in California, only one minute behind 1st place. And her alltime 3-mile record of 16:50, from her sophomore year, ties for the 2nd fastest time our Pacific league has ever seen.

So what is Laura planning to do after graduation? Although she says she’s more concerned with academics than cross country when thinking about colleges, she does definitely plan to continue running—whether with her school, or individually, as when she started. Her attitude is perhaps best reflected in this quote: “I don’t want to lose it, I don’t want to not run. I don’t know how to do that... what would I do if I didn’t run?” cread@apachepowwow.com Photo by CATHLEEN SHEN

An Advantageous Edge Staff Writer

At least once in our lives we have all believed that there is something beyond reason. A string of bad tests must mean that there is an unexplainable phenomenon preventing one from scoring high. A fire alarm during a test surely is a godsend from heaven. With all this supernatural thinking, our Apache athletes are no exceptions, having their own quirks as well.

“On my serve, no matter how hard I try, I can’t correct the fact that I spin the ball really fast before I hit it to the other side.

Everyone on my team... can toss a perfect ball that doesn’t spin...but I just can’t do it. It’s weird.”

running as a part of a team, and she agrees that the two experiences are very different. She explained, “I used to love running by myself, because running is so much about you; it’s

“What we work on as a team is pack running and moving up in the race.

The closer that your teammates come in to each other at the end of a race

give you an advantage over the other teams.”

—Sara Colton, 12, Girls Varsity Cross Country “When we warm up, I first like to find the weaker player so that during the match, I can aim my focus towards her more. Also, I like to find her weakness so that I can hit more shots to that.”

—Allison Limfat, 12, Girls Varsity Tennis “I like to work on my flip turns and my dives so that I can shave precious seconds off of my overall time.

Speed is key in swimming, so I have to make sure that I start and transition quickly so I won’t add extra seconds to my time.”

—Janelle Tse, 10, Girls Varsity Swim Our fellow Apaches show dominance in sports. But whichever method they use, their tried-and-true techniques doubtlessly help them trump their opponents in competition! pyang@apachepowwow.com

November 2014

ads.powwow@gmail.com

ADVERTISEMENTS 19

November 2014

CALENDAR

calendareditor.powwow@gmail.com

By ANDREW LIM

Big Laughs, Big Feels: Big Hero 6

19

Staff Writer

November featured a highly anticipated movie from the producers of Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph: Big Hero 6. It is directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams and stars Scott Adsit (Baymax), Ryan Potter (Hiro Hamada), Daniel Henney (Tadashi Hamada), T.J. Miller (Fred), Jamie Chung (Go Go Tomago), Genesis Rodriguez (Honey Lemon), Damon Wayans Jr. (Wasabi), and James Cromwell (Robert Callaghan). Big Hero 6 is an action-packed comedy-adventure that explores the relationship between Baymax, a plus-sized inflatable robot, and Hiro Hamada, a 14-year-old robotics prodigy.

When a traumatic event befalls him, Hiro is dragged into a dangerous adventure where he must turn to Baymax and his close friends to uncover the mystery behind the deaths of his older brother, Tadashi, and his mentor, Robert Callaghan. Determined to find the truth, Hiro forms the crime-fighting team known as Big Hero 6.

The story starts off with Hiro as an illegal bot fight participant in the San Fransokyo underground. He earns money through these fights; however, Ta-dashi wants Hiro to apply to the college that Tadashi is in. There, Hiro meets Baymax for the first time and instantly becomes motivated to oblige. Just when things are going well, one of the school buildings bursts into flames, killing Tadashi and Robert. Hiro undergoes serious depression and loses the will to go to school. However, when Baymax is left to Hiro’s care, he suddenly becomes tangled in a mystery involving his loved ones’ deaths and a new villain.

The story of Big Hero 6 was incredible to say the least. The story instantly lures the audience in and keeps it hooked. The film contained many plot twists that filled the room with gasps and sniffs. Baymax and his role as comic relief made him a beloved and invaluable part of the film.

The animation contained stunning aesthetics inspired by the cities of San Francisco and Tokyo (hence “San Fransokyo”). The animators paid a ridiculous amount of attention to detail and it is evident in every scene of the movie. To get straight to the point, Big Hero 6 offers a unique and vibrant atmosphere that can easily set the mood of every scene.

Just as vibrant as its animation, the soundtrack creates the majority of the mood in Big Hero 6. The producers made the score tie in with each scene perfectly.

Using songs from well-known and popular bands and artists, the producers were able to conceive a beautiful score that made the film even more memorable, adding to the enjoyment of the experience.

Overall, Big Hero 6 is a masterpiece. With visually pleasing animation and a great soundtrack, it is a treat for both the eyes and ears. For those who scoff at the cliche progressions of typical superhero cartoons, fear not: this piece offers significant plot twists and a compelling storyline propelled by a lovable cast. I give Big Hero 6 a solid 9/10 and recommend this film to people of all ages.

alim@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of INSIDETHEMAGIC.COM, SHSTHETRIBE.COM, and WIKIA.COM

Horoscope Highlights: Sagittarius

By KYLE WANG Staff Writer

Whether you are truly superstitious or just curious about future predictions, look no further!

Firstly, what a horoscope? It is an assigned symbol according to one’s birth year.

Theoretically, everything from your personality traits to the way your life plays out all depends on the position of the sun when you were born. For example, if you were born between Nov. 22 and Dec. 21, then you are a Sagittarian. This month, we will be looking into the prospects of Sagittarius so that Sagittarians will know what to expect.

Social Life: If you need a reason to smile, here it is: there will be many good things happening to you the coming month. Many opportunities will open up to you, both at school and outside. Because of this, you will be the center of attention, excitement, and admiration.

You will have great intuition for future trends, and combining that knowledge with technology will make you more successful in life. However, don’t let it get too your head; remember to set realistic goals so that you don’t over-commit yourself this month.

Work: Get a job if you don’t already have one, preferably one as a salesperson because you’ll kick butt at it. However, be sure that you are

working with honest and trustworthy people, as pulling strings and cheating will definitely ruin you for life.

If being a salesperson is not for you, then consider starting an online business. You can sell anything from shoes, paintings, and even handmade soap. Your economic prospects are auspicious next month, and you will gain useful life experience from doing this, so there’s nothing to lose!

Relationships: When forming relations this month, be cautious in your judgment and make sure your new friends are genuine. Do not rush into new relationships, whether romantic or platonic. You may make your “friend” uncomfortable around you if you rush into things. However, if you are pursuing romance, don’t go too slow either or else you may remain just friends. Granted, there’s still a chance that you won’t find your soulmate, but even if you don’t, do not stress too much! Things will happen as they are meant to happen, and the stars definitely have a good plan for your life.

So there you have it, Sagittarians! Go out, have fun, and make the most out of this coming month! kwang@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of BLOGSPOT.COM and TEOTRANDAFIR.COM

THANKSGIVING Turkey Maze

cshen@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of Cathleen Shen