THE AZTEC
VOLUME LXXVII NUMBER III
ALHAMBRA, CA 91801
November 14, 2014
San Gabriel hosts the 32 annual Tri-City Band Field Show Tournament SARAH McCORMICK News Editor Keppel's band will be participating in the annual Tri-City Band Field Show on November 19 at San Gabriel High School at 7:00 pm. According to band director Dr. Bartlett, this performance is a tradition that began around 1982 when the three band directors from Keppel, Alhambra, and San Gabriel came together to create a "friendly tournament" in which the three school bands could participate to perform their field shows for each other. The show's location originally rotated between the three schools each year; however, it has been at San Gabriel the past five years. Although the show is not an official competition, the schools often try to show off their performance skills to the others. Dr. Bartlett said, "Keppel's band is smaller than the other schools. Outside we're not as loud as the other bands, but I
think in terms of rhythmic precision and musical expression and techinical ability, we're quite good. Our students are very good marchers." To prepare for this performance, Keppel had band camp beginning in August, and members learned their field show over a period of a few months. Each week, the band adds more sets, or positions, to their show making it about 50 sets total when they are done. Each set is about 16 beats, and the band will be performing three songs from James Bond movies, including the James Bond Theme, "For Your Eyes Only/ Goldfinger," and "Live and Let Die." San Gabriel and Alhambra also have themes for the songs they will be performing. During the performance, the bands begin with a parade pass by as each band plays their march. Before the field show, however, all bands will go onto the field to play the Star Spangled Banner. Two of the bands leave the stage after they are
Keppel, Alhambra, and San Gabriel's bands play together in last year's tri-city band performance at San Gabriel High School.
done with the anthem, and the last band to walk in the parade pass is left to be the first band to perform their field show. After each band has finished with their field show, the bands all join back together to perform three songs as a whole, all-city band. Also, the bands will be joined by eighth graders who will accompany the three bands in another song. Color Guard is also a part of Keppel's field show, and they will be performing a routine choreographed by Color Guard
seniors Shanni Chen and Leanne Deng. In preparation for the field show, Color Guard has been practicing for at least two hours each week day, and also have three to four hour practices on some weekends. Color Guard junior Melinda Av said, "Most of our time is dedicated to preparing for it [the field show] because we want to impress the other schools and show we are really good and worked really hard for this." One of Color Guard's captains, junior Keila Osugi said that
COURTESY OF MARK SHIMICOCHI
Color Guard's purpose is to add extra visual appeal to the band and give the field show more life. Osugi also added, "Keppel's guard is unique in the way that we don't have a coach, yet we have come so far. Color Guard is not easy to learn and it is evn harder to perfect. Despite this, the team works well together and we do our best to improve with each performance." The field show is a free performance for those who would like to attend.
ASB holds canned food drive in collaboration with Pasadena Food Bank Students prepare to send in college apps TAMMY LEE
ALEX DEA Staff Writer
The college application process for UC's and CSU's officially started on October 1st. The CSU application consists of personal information, grades and GPA, as well as SAT and/or ACT scores. UC applications are almost exactly the same, except they also include the mandatory personal statement. CSU apps can be submitted online at csumentor.edu, or sent in by mail. UC apps can also be submitted online at admission. universityofcalifornia.edu, or by mail. UC personal statements typically consist of two prompts, this year including: to describe the world you come from and to tell a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, or experience. Both CSU and UC applications are due on November 30. For private colleges, students
apply through the Common App. Deadlines for private college applications vary depending on the status of the application. Senior Tiara Daniels prefers the Common App and said, "The Common App is more condensed than the CSU app. Also, the CSU app is more time-consuming compared to the Common App." Some students apply to colleges with early action, meaning they send in applications earlier than regular decision, but recieve a non-committal acceptance letter by January or February. Early decision applicants send in one application to their first choice school by November, and receive results usually by December. An early decision application means a committment to attend the college if accepted. Due to the stress caused by the application process, students are excited to have the application process come to an end.
Mark
Your calendar 11/14 Choreo Show 7-9 pm in Auditorium 11/17-11/21 Canned Food Drive 11/18 English Learners Advisory Council (ELAC) Meeting 6:30-7:30 pm in Cafeteria 11/19 Collaboration Schedule 11/19 Informational Meeting Regarding Drought 7-8:15 pm in Auditorium 11/19 MKHS PTSA Meeting 7-9 pm in Cafeteria 11/24-11/28 Thanksgiving Holiday- No School
Staff Writer
ASB is hosting their annual food drive from November 2 to 19 at Mark Keppel to help out those who cannot afford food. The main goal for the food drive is to exceed the number of cans that were donated last year. ASB members senior Allyson Luong and junior Sydnee Law are in charge of this event and comment, “We hope to get as much participants to help people in need of food.” This year’s food drive will be directed towards the Pasadena Food Bank. The Pasadena Food Bank has continued its service by extending opportunities for the community to pitch in. Junior Emily Castelazo said, “The food drive is an excellent way for Mark Keppel Aztecs to reach out and help members of the community as well as gaining awareness for the underprivileged. Nowadays, people often forget about homeless people,
THE AZTEC/CORY MAK ASB members senior Allyson Luong and junior Sydnee Law show their support for the canned food drive.
so the best thing to do is to take each opportunity and contribute as much as possible.” Unlike previous years, ASB will not be giving a reward to the class who donates the most because of a new district rule that has banned rewards or prizes. Sophomore Celeste Mendez states, “It’s really cool that people are giving food especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving which are seasons of giving and generosity. It’s good that we’re giving [food] and it makes you think how lucky you are for
having food on the table.” Canned foods are encouraged, as well as any non-perishable foods, such as Cup of Noodles, which were the highlight of last year’s food drive. ASB announced the start of the collection on Wednesday, November 12 and will collect and count all of the food on Friday, November 14, and Wednesday, November 19 for the Food Bank. Classes are encouraged to collect as much food as they can. Students can go to their homeroom or the ASB classroom, A132, to drop off donations.
IN THIS ISSUE... News: College Apps • Tri-City Band Field Show • Canned Food Drive • Computer Gaming Class • Talent Show • IBA Field Trip • New Technician
Viewpoint: Realist vs. Pessimist • Double Standards • Making Time for Yourself • Instant Food Practicality
Focus: Stress Features: Twins • Mispronouncing Names • Fundraising • Health Trends Sports: Athlete's Profile: Danny Moreno • Cross Country • Girls' Tennis • Girls' Volleyball • Boys' Water Polo • Football