PERFORMING ARTS

A (Dummy’s) Guide to Spotting a PA Member

By JASMINE WU & MICHELLE ZHANG

Staff Writers

Band: You might see this kid during class or in front of you in the lunch line, to name a few places. Yes, the one tapping his/her heels up and down (aka “marking time”) to a silent beat. Don’t be surprised if you also see his/her head bobbing to the same beat, or if you notice his/her fi ngers pressing down on invisible instrument keys. It’s a second form of breathing for band kids. On Wednesdays, especially during the band season, it’s easy to spot this PA member donning the oh-so-familiar maroon band shirt—after all, there are only about 300 band kids on campus.

We’ve all heard of Waldo, the kid who seems to be addicted to red-and-white-striped clothing and who loves hiding in large crowds all around the country. But in the end, he’s always found because of his not-so-obscure red and white outfi t. Like Waldo, the ladies and gents of the performing arts department have their distinguishing characteristics as well. Here are a few tips to help you spot them!

Percussion: Tap. Tappity tap. Tappity-taptap-ta-tap. That kid sitting next to you in math might get on your nerves sometimes, with their incessant table tapping and the occasional head-bobbing, but that’s okay— they’re probably in percussion! Need to check? Ask to borrow a calculator or some- thing and if they reach inside their backpack for the calculator and dig up three pairs of drumsticks instead, you’ve got your answer. Orchesis: Stay hydrated. That is advice most gym teachers and nutritionists would give to athletes. Even though many people do not take that suggestion to heart, you may occasionally see people carrying huge water bottles, while walking so gracefully it seems like they are practically fl oating. If the huge water bottles also happen to be beautifully decorated, and their owner is wearing a burgundy v-neck shirt and dark grey hoodie, it probably belongs to a member of Orchesis.

Advanced Drama Department (ADD): On the fi rst day of school, there was that one kid with a thousand-megawatt smile on his/her face. As the days passed, his/her range of facial expressions and moods ranged from sad, to absolutely giddy, or to com- pletely nutty. Don’t worry though, as there’s no need to check for bipolari- ty—these members are just good at what they do! Despite the random mood swings, they’re all really nice people. Just don’t be surprised if they’re a bit wilder than you thought!

Pep Squad: Sometimes in class, a loud, energetic voice might jolt you out of your bored stupor. While looking for the source of that voice, you may see a member of Pep Squad decked out in a cheer uniform, bubbling with enthusiasm. Depending on the members, Pep Squad may carry fl ags or pom-poms in their AHS duffl e bags. With an abundance of school spirit, gymnastic ability, and passion, the members of Pep Squad are ready to cheer people on!

Colorguard: As the school year progresses, there will be more students with torn binders and snapped rulers fi xed with various types of tape. But amidst all the typical, boring types of Scotch tape, some vividly colored electrical tape might also be spotted. This distinctive tape belongs to none other than a Colorguard member. Electrical tape is a staple for members because it is used to fi x all the various pieces of their equipment. Since they have practice from 7:30 a.m. until the end of fi rst period on school days, and from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you may see them with bags under their eyes from lack of sleep.

New Spirit: Since the start of school, many students have lost a little of their spirit, but that one girl wearing a pink polo and occasionally a bejeweled, knee-length dress seems to always be smiling. She’s probably in New Spirit, which is not called New Spirit for nothing! Upon getting to know her better, you’ll fi nd she has a sweet voice and an even sweeter personality.

Orchestra: In PE, did you ever notice that one kid’s strange left hand spasms? Those come from Orchestra members’ amazing ability to quickly shift from note to note, string to string on their instruments. If you’re confused, check out a video on YouTube and watch the speed with which their left hands move. Add this to the fact that many of them practice anywhere from an hour to several hours a day and their seemingly odd left hand spasms will suddenly make sense!

Chanteurs: Though they will not spontaneously burst out into song like the characters from High School Musical, there are other ways to recognize them. Sometimes as you walk by the choir room, you may see people in Chanteurs hoodies. And if they seem to be humming a tune, or making gestures as they mouth words, you have found a member of Chanteurs.

Profi le Portfolio: Ms. Chen

Photo courtesy of

ARCADIAMUSIC.ORG MUSIC MENTOR Ms. Chen

smiles brightly as she prepares to start her new duties as Orchestra director. By CHRIS LEE

Staff Writer As the famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell once said, “When one door closes, another opens.” This saying certainly proved true at AHS’ Music Department: When Mr. Rick England transferred to the Choral Department, Ms. Pin Chen, the new Orchestra director, stepped up to take his place and assist our other Orchestra director, Mr. Tom Forbes. However, in addition to directing Orchestra alongside Mr. Forbes, Ms. Chen will also be helping Band at its morning practices with formations and music in its fi eld show. She will be teaching Music Appreciation in the spring as well.

Growing up in Irvine, Ms. Chen attended Woodridge High School. She was an outstanding violinist and graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Music degree with Honors in Instrumental and General Music Education. Adding even more to her impressive background, Ms. Chen is also fl uent in three different languages: French, Mandarin, and English. With Ms. Chen’s arrival, senior Leslie Chang hopes she will bring a wave of renewal so that Orchestra will “be able to perform more diffi cult pieces and wow our audiences away.” So far, Leslie has found Ms. Chen’s great enthusiasm for music “contagious,” which makes the experience of “playing her instrument so much more enjoyable.” Senior Kaitlyn Zheng agreed with Leslie, confi dently asserting that she believes Ms. Chen truly “has the skills to guide us so that we can expect nothing less than greatness.” Although Ms. Chen may be new to the job, her wide-ranging and remarkable music background implies that she will be a great source of help to many students while they continue to grow as musicians. “Her charismatic personality and approachable demeanor really helps everyone connect with her,” said Kaitlyn. Even Band director Mr. Tom Landes looks forward to Ms. Chen’s contribution to the music program. He stated that her “background as a solid string player will be tremendously benefi cial” to the music program. Whatever Ms. Chen may do, Mr. Landes guaranteed that Band and Orchestra will “successfully fi nish strong this year.”

10 FEATURES

apachepowwow.com September 2010

The Art of Sleeping

By ELLISON CHEN

Staff Writer

As a new year of sleepless nights and listless days began, many teachers asked students to set goals. Predictably, many set one of their goals as “to get more sleep”, “go to bed before 12:00 a.m.”, or some variation of that. Here are a few tips on how to achieve that goal.

Use your agenda. One of the main reasons why people do not get enough sleep is because of procrastination. Students constantly tell themselves, “I’ll do it later. How long could it take anyway?” and lose perspective on the actual time required to complete their daily assignments. This is where your handy-dandy agenda comes into play. When teachers post homework, write it down and beside each assignment put an estimated time on how long you think it will take you to fi nish it. Before you start playing Starcraft, look to see how long you can play and still have enough time left over to fi nish all your homework and get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Avoid all-nighters. Unfortunately, the human body is not a machine that runs on caffeine. At some point, you will have to sleep. Since you were awake the whole night, you are most likely to going to fall asleep during that exam you have been cramming for. More importantly, pulling all-nighters completely wrecks your internal clock. Once you stop sleeping at the appropriate time, your body will start feeling sleepy during the day and active in the night. At that rate, you are getting fewer hours of sleep every night until you adjust your internal clock back to normal.

Take naps. This may seem like something toddlers do but it is a practice that could be extremely benefi cial to students taking multiple AP’s as well. When you feel sleepy, take a short nap that is no longer than 30 minutes and get up reenergized. Sluggishly doing your homework will only make the process more agonizing and painful than it already is. Moreover, your brain works slower when you are tired. So, when you fi nd yourself stuck on a problem for more than 15 minutes, chances are that you need a nap. Napping not only boosts your brain performance, which enables you to fi nish your homework faster, but is also a great way to replenish the hours of sleep you lost on a previous day.

Only go to bed if you’re sleepy. Yes, being able to go to bed at 10:00 p.m. is wonderful but it can also be unrewarding if you are just rolling around in your bed until 11:00 p.m. If you are still wide awake after lying in bed for 15 minutes, it is time to get up and do a quiet activity. Whether it is reviewing your notes or previewing the next chapter in your textbook, it is much more productive and soporifi c than tossing and turning in bed. Instead of wasting an hour trying to get to sleep, fall asleep faster and actually spend that time sleeping.

Set an alarm clock for bed. Sometimes you are so engrossed in your homework or game that you forget what time it is. So, set an alarm to remind yourself that it’s time to go to bed. You may be reluctant to stop what you are doing but I am sure you’ll be glad of it in the morning.

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A Guide to Energy-Boosting Snacks

By LAUREEN MA

Staff Writer

With summer in the past and school blowing full speed up ahead, are you developing bad habits like drifting off into outer space during class or taking afternoon naps before you start on homework? If so, these energyboosting foods will help you solve your problem so you can get a head start on homework and start getting A’s!

When you wake up in the morning, whether it is at 6:00 a.m. or 7:50 a.m., a good morning wake-up call is fresh bananas and apples. Bananas provide Potassium, which is an electrolyte that helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function. Potassium is unlike other nutrients because it is not stored in the body for a long period of time. Potassium levels easily fl uctuates during times of stress and strenuous activity so it is vital to eat bananas in order to maintain a healthy amount healthy amount of Potassium. Fruits are s are usually a great source rce of vitamins and minerals when you need a boost of energy to get through the day. Another great breakfast choice is eating yogurt with cereal. When eating yogurt, a Magnesium-rich food, you will absorb protein as well as carbohydrates and the cereal will help increase your energy. Oatmeal is also an option when choos-

renuminerals

boos th hthd ing what to eat early in the morning. It contains vast amounts of fi ber and stress-lowering Vitamin B, which helps convert carbohydrates into usable energy.

Is your stomach grumbling during class and is lunch still hours away? The perfect snacks to get you through homeroom include an assortment of nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts. They are packed with good fats so they help you stay full and also have Vitamin E and Omega-3. The only downside to munching on this snack during class is that it is hard to control how much you eat in one sitting. A simple solution is to get an empty Altoids container and fi ll it up with as many almonds, cashews, and walnuts as you can and you’ll be good to go for the day.

Right after school, you head on home and

what is the the fi rst thing you do? firstthingyoudo? h Do you start on homework and turn on the computer or plop right in front of the TV with a bag of chips in hand? In order to stop this bad habit of eating a bag of chips a day or eating a second lunch after school, the right snack for you includes crackers with cheese, edamame, or hummus with veggie sticks. Eating wholegrain crackers with just a small amount of cheese will not only satisfy your hunger but also fuel your brain and body so you can power through your homework. The carbohydrates from the crackers as well as the protein from the cheese will give you a boost of energy that actually lasts. The cheese includes nutrients like Calcium, Zinc, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12, Magnesium, and Vitamin D. I recommend using Swiss cheese because it has the biggest amount of Vitamin B12, which is also known as the energy vitamin. Edamame makes a great afternoon snack because it has a high protein and healthy fat content. It is a combination of energy in exchange for only a few calories. Hummus with veggie sticks is also a smart option as a midday snack because it is a nutritious food that is high in fi ber, vitamins, and minerals.

With this quick go-to guide for what to eat, you are set to get a burst of energy before, during, and after school. Also remember to always stay hydrated with water as we transition y yy seasons from summer to fall. seaso

lma@apachepowwow.com lma@apachepo

Photos courtesy of BLOG.WRAPPEDINFOIL.COM, DAJAZ1.COM, FOODSUBS.COM, JENNASHWORTH.CO.UK, JULIAUHR.BLOGSPOT.COM, GLOBALPACKAGEGALLERY.COM, and TRADENOTE.NET E-books: Are They Worth the Price?

By SARAH QUON By SARAH QUON

Staff Writer Staff Writer Recently, a new piece of technology Recently, a new piece of technology called e-book reader has come out. This new called e-book reader has come out. This new reader is much thinner than regular paper reader is much thinner than regular paper books are. E-book readers can store many books are. E-book readers can store many different books in them and, if needed, one different books in them and, if needed, one can annotate and/or highlight the text. Decan annotate and/or highlight the text. Depending on what e-book one gets, it can also pending on what e-book one gets, it can also have internet access, games, and more. Unlike have internet access, games, and more. Unlike regular books, e-book readers do not require regular books, e-book readers do not require paper to be produced. Despite that fact, e-book paper to be produced. Despite that fact, e-book readers do cost a lot of money. Are e-book readers do cost a lot of money. Are e-book readers worth it? readers worth it?

E-book readers use electronic ink (E Ink) E-book readers use electronic ink (E Ink) to display the text. The E Ink is able to look to display the text. The E Ink is able to look like paper, but it is only able to show up in like paper, but it is only able to show up in shades of gray and black. The downside of shades of

E Ink is that there is no backlighting so E Ink is it will be hard to view in the dark. With it will b technology continuing to advance, e-book technolo readers can have a full color LCD screen, readers c so it will be easier to view in the dark. E so it w so it will

Ink also takes a little time to redraw itself k al o tIn so and change the text for the next page someand chang one is reading. Bookworms can spend more one is read time reading because E Ink is able to contime read serve more energy. serve mor E-book readers can be both considered E-bo eco-friendly and non-eco-friendly. They are eco-friend only considered eco-friendly in the sense only cons that they do not use paper and ink. On the that they other hand, when making an e-book reader, other hand toxic substances that are not biodegradable toxic subs are used. Like any other situation, disposal are used. of the e-book batteries can harm the enviof the e-b It is an e-book store or w with an e-bo cause a perso

It is easier to get a book when having an e-book reader. Instead of going to the store or waiting for a book to be shipped, with an e-book reader, there is no delay because a person can purchase the book through the e-book reader or online. Many books are the e-book reader or online. Many books are also free online. However, many different also free online. However, many different formats are not compatible with particular formats are not compatible with particular e-book readers. Therefore, books are limited e-book readers. Therefore, books are limited because of the specific format that is needed.because of the specifi c format that is needed.

Many e-book readers also have different Many e-book readers also have different features in addition to reading books. Some features in addition to reading books. Some of them are able to play music, videos, conof them are able to play music, videos, connect wirelessly to the Internet, and download nect wirelessly to the Internet, and download application. E-book readers can also be able application. E-book readers can also be able to have a LED lighted touch screen for more to have a LED lighted touch screen for more hands on interaction. For students, e-book hands on interaction. For students, e-book readers have buttons you can press to highreaders have buttons you can press to highlight and annotate it. light and annotate it.

The cost of just an e-book reader can The cost of just an e-book reader can range from $150 to over $300. Just like any range from $150 to over $300. Just like any other product, however, the price goes up as other product, however, the price goes up as the product has better and more features. In the product has better and more features. In addition the costs of books are just like reguaddition the costs of books are just like regular books. Therefore, they range from $7.15 lar books. Therefore, they range from $7.15 to $11.40 or more. With e-books there is no to $11.40 or more. With e-books there is no such thing as selling the book over again. such thing as selling the book over again. Rarely, though, some places allow people to Rarely, though, some places allow people to borrow or rent e-books for a couple weeks. borrow or rent e-books for a couple weeks.

E-book readers can be very useful when E-book readers can be very useful when it comes to being a student and as e-book it comes to being a student and as e-book reader technology progresses, the features reader technology progresses, the features will improve. E-book readers are not for will improve. E-book readers are not for everyone, however, with the newest e-book everyone, however, with the newest e-book readers, it is worth taking a serious look at. readers, it is worth taking a serious look at.

September 2010

apachepowwow.com

FEATURES

Health is the Only Wealth

By ELLISON CHEN

Staff Writer

To the average student at AHS, there is nothing paramount to exams and getting into the most prestigious colleges. But truthfully, health is the only wealth. So, for students who have replaced the philosophy of being fi t for life with fat for life, joining a gym is a vital step toward a healthy lifestyle. Here is a breakdown of two gyms in Arcadia: LA Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness.

Amenities

Both LA Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness have three lane pools, a cardio workout area, basketball court, Jacuzzi, mechanical weights, as well as showers and restrooms. The biggest difference is that LA Fitness has more s mechanical weights and waiting for a machine is a rare spectacle. Also, LA Fitness cardio machines have individ- ual television screens that enable you to watch whatever you desire and an iProduct connector that transfers your workout information onto your iProduct for future reference. Both gyms also offer plenty of group classes including but not limited to yoga, pilates, cycling, kickboxing, aqua and step classes.

Experience

LA Fitness is more spacious than 24 Hour Fitness. Since it has only been open for seven months, LA Fitness doesn’t have an overcrowding issue that often occurs at 24 Hour Fitness. Despite an ample amount of machines on the second fl oor, 24 Hour Fitness has an insuffi cient amount of equipment to accommodate its plethora of members. Members are limited to working out during weekends and on Fridays.

Price

In exchange for a healthy body, there is a price to pay for a gym membership. Both gyms offer month-to-month memberships. For LA Fitness, a platinum membership is $69.99 per month and includes: towel service and guest passes for up to two guests. A 24 Hour Fitness membership is $34.99 per person and every additional family member is $10 more.

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Backpack Adjust is a Must

By SARAH QUON

Staff Writer

The backpack that a student has can be more than just a fashion statement; it also can also cause an injury. Some backpacks are not designed to hold a student’s load. However, by simply looking out for the right features in a backpack and wearing it properly, one can prevent such pain related to wearing a backpack. When looking for a backpack, a person should always try it on and add a few books to see if it feels comfortable to them. No matter what, backpacks should always have these features:

Straps: There should always be two straps. Using only one strap puts unnecessary stress on your back and strains your neck because the weight of your backpack is unequally distributed. It is also recommended that the straps be wide and padded. Wide straps will help prevent the strap from digging into your shoulder and causing discomfort. Curved straps will also be more comfortable, rather than straight straps, because they align with the body shape better.

The Back: Like the straps, the back is recommended to be padded. The padding will provide more cushioning and help reduce the feeling of the items inside your backpack from poking you.

Waist Belt: To distribute the weight more evenly, a waist belt can be used. The waist belt helps keep your back “attached” to the back of your backpack. By keeping your back attached to the back of the backpack, it will help prevent your spine or back from curving. When trying on the waist belt, it is supposed to feel snug, padding, and comfortable.

Compartments: Having more than one compartment will allow the items to be evenly distributed throughout the backpack and help a student become more organized.

The Fabric: The fabric of many backpacks is thin and can easily get worn down. While looking for backpacks 630-denier ripstop nylon and Cordura fabric are the toughest and longest lasting fabrics. It would also be benefi cial for the backpack’s cloth to be made of some water-resistant substance to protect your items from water damage.

These simple rules and recommendations can help anybody become more comfortable and satisfi ed. For any type of student, nothing is more important than backpack safety!

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Distraction Subtraction: Learn How to Avoid Them!

By CARRIE QIU

Staff Writer

A frequent complaint of students at AHS is the overload of homework. The school year has just started, and many students, especially those with AP classes, are already pulling allnighters. The average time a student spends on homework every day is approximately three to fi ve hours, and that number may escalate dramatically varying directly with the number of APs that student is taking. Most of us can agree upon the fact that we are burdened with more homework than necessary, and we spend more time studying at home than in class. It certainly feels that way, but we don’t realize that we devote at least one-fourth of our alleged “homework time” on Facebook, AIM, texting, or other forms of multitasking. Most of our distractions come from varied forms of communication devices, but also from the people around us. This will help you pinpoint some major distractions students encounter while doing homework and how you can avoid these distractions to feel more productive.

1. Chatting Programs

Though technology has created fantastic ways to enrich our learning experiences, it also plays a role of time-waster. It is undoubtedly helpful to have friends online who can help you with homework, but usually what starts as an attempt to understand some homework problems gradually digresses into a gossip session. It is important to keep in mind the purpose of your conversation with your friends. If you are asking for some homework help, be sure to talk about homework and IM them back to chat after you’re fi nished. It is also helpful to close all chat programs while doing homework, and only log on when you need assistance. Try this a few times, and soon it will become a habit. Don’t check the box that says, “Automatically Sign Me In”; that’s setting yourself up to waste time.

2. The Internet

The computer’s role as both an educational tool and a means for distraction increases the appeal of doing several things at once. I’m sure many people’s

original intent for turning on the computer is to do some research or to type up an essay, but it is so hard to be on task when YouTube is one click away. The best way to avoid such temptations is to disconnect the internet while typing up essays, or in case of research, give yourself a time limit. Keep your mind focused on your homework, and everything else can be saved for later.

3. Social Networks

Every time we turn on the computer, Facebook is probably one of the fi rst places students check out. It is the perfect place to satisfy our meddlesome nature as human beings: we al-

ways want to know what is going on with the people around us. The truth is that we go on Facebook because we get tired of homework once in a while. Facebook does not relieve your stress. It is important to have a scheduled timeline of your study time at home, and vital to have a break every hour or so from studying. Long periods of studying time may result in unproductiveness and lethargy. So next time when you feel like going on Facebook without a specifi c purpose, it means it is time to stand up and stretch, or to eat some snack to recuperate from exhaustion.

4. Television

Most people are used to multitasking, and watching television doesn’t seem to distract them from doing homework. But the truth is, students are taking longer to complete their assignments while absorbing less information than they would if they were concentrating exclusively on schoolwork. The best way to conquer this temptation is to focus on your homework fi rst and set a specifi c time to watch your favorite show. This way, you can really understand your homework and enjoy the show without stressing. The most prevailing methods to be productive at home are to create a tentative schedule, fi nd the appropriate environment, and be consistent and motivated. Try to develop a habit of focusing and avoiding procrastination. Don’t wait until the last minute to write a ten page essay that your teacher assigned the week before because you were on Facebook or YouTube. We all know it’s not a good feeling. Start to develop that habit today by setting a consistent studying space and schedule, and always keep your schedule and purpose in mind. This way, your homework time will radically reduce, and you will be able to get the sleep that you’ve always wanted.