THE AZTEC
VOLUME LXXVII NUMBER VII
ALHAMBRA, CA 91801
Peter Pan spring musical a success KRISTIN CHINGBURANAKIT Staff Writer This year’s spring musical, Peter Pan, had six shows, with three that took place on the weekend of February 27, and three that took place on the weekend of March 6. Presale tickets were $12, tickets at the door were $15, and tickets for reserved seating in the front rows were $20. Also, on Thursday, February 26, there was a preview of the show where everyone was invited to for $5. Before the shows, a red carpet event took place on February 25 where dignitaries, important figures, and parents are able to watch the actors and actresses perform a few scenes from the musical. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks were provided, along with a silent auction in order to raise enough money for the upcoming Scotland trip . The cast of the show included, junior Kara Chuang as Peter Pan, junior Samir Al-Alami as Captain Hook, senior David Tha as Smee, junior Lauren Estrada as Wendy, junior Bryan Ha as John Darling, junior Joseph Caldera as Michael Darling, senior Geraldine Gloria as Tigerlily, junior Lauren Chin as Mrs. Darling, junior Sammy Chen as Mr. Dar-
Keppel has five National Merit Finalists for the 2015 school year: seniors Annette Cai, Daniel Ho, Esther Law, Chaney Tse, and Yida Wang, who are being considered for the National Merit Scholarship. The National Merit Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who have the nation’s highest scores for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/
March 12, 2015
Keppel hosts annual Math Field Day competition SARAH McCORMICK News Editor
The Peter Pan cast and crew ends their performance with a picture.
ling, ten pirates, eight lost boys, and thirteen indians. The most struggling part for Chuang as Peter Pan is, “Having to be so high in energy all the time since Peter Pan is a little boy and in every scene it is draining to stay in the energetic mood.” However, Chuang said that her best day of the year was when she learned to fly for the musical. Al-Alami’s struggle as Captain Hook was the pressure as being the villain. He mentioned that, “Without a menacing villain, the show would lose its dynamic." In addition, he also struggled with
getting the choreography down, since he dances with “two left feet.” Junior and Tech Theater member Zhuo Zhou says, “We started to build the sets in December, so it took about months to complete.” Fifth and seventh period Tech Theater worked on the set during class and after school. In addition, the tech students would have work calls, which was extended time to finish the set. Tech Theater teacher Mr. Gillette said, “The cost for the sets were about $30,000, and [our]
COURTESY OF PETER PAN MUSICAL
hopes [are that] the show will make at least $34,000.” Sophomore orchestra member Raymond Deng says that a big difference with playing in the musical compared to other events and performances is, “Having to work together with the actors and actresses and responding to them, instead of just playing off a sheet of music.” With all the rehearsals that everyone has to prepare for the show, Deng adds, “It’s impossible to not become really close to each other, including Dr. Bartlett.”
Five Keppel students qualify for National Merit Scholarship LYDIA XIE Co-Copy Editor, Asst. News Editor
NMSQT). Counselors and teachers recommend that juniors to take this test to be considered for this scholarship. Merit scholars are awarded $2,500 for their tuition for their choice of colleges. The PSAT is out of 240 points. About 15,000 senior semifinalists were notified in February whether or not they were finalists. Winners of the prestigious scholarship are selected based on their PSAT score as well as their consistent academic performance. Finalists are also selected by teacher recommendations, leadership, extracurriculars, as
Mark
Your calendar 3/13 End of third quarter 3/14 Math Field Day 3/18 Collaboration Shedule 3/18 MKHS PTSA Meeting in Cafeteria 7-9 pm 3/19 Spring Sports Rally 3/20 Sadie Hawkins Dance 7-11 pm 3/23-3/27 Spring Break 3/25 MKHS Alliance Meeting in Cafeteria 6-7 pm
well as an essay by the finalist. However, the winners are not selected on the basis of financial need, college selection, or major. Senior Chaney Tse, who scored 236 points, said, “I was pretty happy... I expected a lot of me and my peers to get it.” Tse goes on to say that he took practice tests to prepare for the PSAT. The possible award money, he hopes, will go to his college tuition at his number one college choice, Harvard. Senior Yida Wang, who scored 224 points, said, “It was an honor to be recognized for my skill at
taking standardized tests.” She hopes to use the possible scholarship for tuition at her top choice college MIT. The Keppel merit finalists hope to be selected as the National Merit Scholars. Wang says, “I hope to be a merit scholar so that my parents won’t have to pay as much for my college tuition.” About 7,600 finalists who are awarded the scholarship will be notified beginning in March until mid-June.
Mark Keppel will be hosting the annual Math Field Day competition this Saturday, March 14. This competition is for sixth, seventh, eighth graders from different elementary and middle schools to compete in several categories of math, while integrating Common Core Standards. The schools involved in this competition were Brightwood, Highlands, Park Elementary, Huntington Middle School, South Pasadena Middle School, Temple Intermediate, Garfield, Ynez, Baldwin, and Northrup. They will be competing in competitions including March Hare, Approximath, Dramathic, Math Everest, Final Round, Topic of the Day, Chalk Talk, and Gallery Walk. Students from Keppel’s math club will be volunteering during the competition to help guide students around the school, proctor tests, and oversee the event. According to one of the head coordinators of the event, senior Akirah Limthaveemongkol, this year student volunteers were given special training to learn how to administer tests and understand rules. Training was given during lunch in different classrooms by the head coordinators including Limthaveemongkol along with seniors Traci Chan, Kimberly Tang, junior Amy Vuu, and sophomore Tiffany Joa. These coordinators worked alongside math Ms. Ling, Mr. Gualcherani, and Mr. Lien to create questions, make arrangements for the competition with different schools, and plan activities. Chan said, “There’s a lot of blood, sweat, and tears and countless hours put into it, but in the end, everything works out. It’s totally worth the experience.”
IN THIS ISSUE...
News: Peter Pan • National Merit Scholars • Math Field Day • ACADEC state competition • Class Registration • Spring Sports Rally • Sadies Viewpoint: Buzzfeed • Disrespecting Teachers • Editorials: Bonnie Wong and Amber Batchelor • Uninformed Teens Focus: Luck Features: Joggers • Cuong Ta • Pet Peeves • Birthday Balloons • Eyebrows Height Differences • TA's Sports: Athlete's Profile: David Guan • Badminton • Baseball • Softball • Swim • Boys' Tennis • Track and Field • Boys' Volleyball • CIF • Performance competitions