THE AZTEC VOLUME LXXXII NUMBER III
nOVEMBER 21, 2019
theaztecnews.com
FEATURES PG. 6
VIEWPOINT PG. 3 Keppel debates over crosswalk safety
SPORTS PG. 7-8 Boys’ soccer wins first preseason game
Apple debuts new airpods pros
NEWS Dance Company hosts Lip Sync Battle IN BRIEF MADDY LEONG Staff Writer
College app cafe The career center will be hosting a college app workshop next week at Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 from 9AM-1PM.
Mark your calendar 11/25-11/29 Thanksgiving Break 12/2 - Pupil Free Day 12/4 - Collaboration Schedule 12/11 - Collaboration Schedule
On Friday, Nov. 15, Mark Keppel High School hosted their first Lip Sync Battle. Performers included Associated Student Body (ASB) clubs, sports teams, and Mark Keppel teachers and staff. The Lip Sync Battle served as Mark Keppel Dance Company’s fall dance showcase and was different from last year’s Dancing With The Keppel Stars. The battle was inspired by a similar competition, “Give A Little Love”, hosted at Keppel a few years ago. Activate Arroyo, arranger of the Lip Sync Battle and director of Keppel’s Dance Company, says, “I wanted to do a different kind of show this year because there’s a lot of people that would like to have fun and just be on stage and do something crazy.” Friday night’s act first showcased multiple groups from Keppel’s Dance Company. Next came the ASB clubs and sports teams in the airband competition and lastly came the staff and teachers division featuring Alvarado who performed to “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars, Heredia performing to “Despacito”, and Alexander who performed to a remix of Meghan Trainor songs “Me Too” and “All About That Bass.” Those who placed top three in the airband competition received cash awards amounting up to $200 and those who placed top three in the lip sync competition received ten ad-
Benney Heredia lipsyncing and dancing to “Despacito.”
ditional volunteer hours and special prizes, including school supplies and gift cards. The airband competition winners were the Aztec Singers and Lip Sync Competition winner was Alexander. Brianna Avila, president of Aztec Singers says, “Our motivation for entering the contest was to...show more people what we are capable of...and I think our hard work paid off.” Alexander also encourages other teachers to participate because, “it’s so much more fun when there’s more competition and it would be great if ev-
THE AZTEC/IZABELLA COFRESSI
erybody came out and did it and we were able to do more for the Dance Company.” With the positive responses of this year’s show, Arroyo hopes to use this momentum for next year’s fall show, Dancing With The Keppel Stars. “My plan is to alternate Lip Sync Battle with Dancing with the Keppel Stars moving forward… I’m hoping because we aren’t doing the same show every year, it’ll always be different to try as opposed to doing the same thing every fall.” says Arroyo.
Mark Keppel Aztec Band will perform at Tri-City Field Show AMY TO Staff Writer
COURTESY OF INSTRUMENTAL BOOSTER MRS. PHAN
Aztec Band rehersing for the annual Tri-City Field Show at San Gabriel High.
Mark Keppel’s Aztec Band and Color Guard will perform at the annual Tri-City Field Show at San Gabriel High School at Dec. 3. The Tri-City Field Show is an opportunity for the high school band programs of the Alhambra Unified School District to join together and showcase their talents they have refined during the marching band season. Aztec Band director Justin Lee believes that the Tri-City Field Show is a rewarding experience for all bands in the district. “Being able to see the final product [after] months of hard work is cool, and it’s great to do it with a bunch of people who understand how difficult and time-consuming [working on field shows] can be,” says Lee. At the Tri-City Field Show, the Aztec Band will perform “DeComposers”. It consists of a mix of familiar classical tunes from composers such as Mozart and Beethoven. However, these melodies are modulated into a minor key, which gives the show a haunted, eerie mood. During the school year, they practice their field
show on Mondays and Thursdays in preparation for field show competitions and Tri-City. According to the Aztec Band’s drum major senior Renee Chung, she believes that partaking in the field show allows her to bond with the band as they spend countless hours working together. Despite the difficulties, she enjoys the overall experience. “It may seem rigorous for some, but the end result is worth it. Spending time with friends who share interests in playing music makes it even better,” says Chung. After Tri-City, Aztec Band anticipates their biggest event of the year: the 2020 Tournament Rose Parade. For about a year, they have been preparing for the five and a half mile parade by building stamina and marching around San Gabriel High School’s track. Chung looks forward to meeting other marching bands around the world and is honored to represent Mark Keppel and the community. “I would like to thank Mr. Lee, the San Gabriel High School and Alhambra High School’s band directors, the school, the AUSD board, and Dr. Farber for their hard work and support for giving us the opportunity to march in the 2020 Tournament Rose Parade,” states Chung.