October Issue 2014

Life & Art

Opinions

“Ancient, scary stories haunt San Gabriel High” pg. 8

“Students need more options, access to technology” pg. 4

THE

Features “Homecoming 2014: Our Love Will Go On” pg. 12

Matador

Volume 60, NUMBER 2

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

S a n G a b r i e l H i gh S c h o o l

801 Ramona St., San Gabriel, CA 91776

www.thematadorsghs.com

Graphic by Jennifer Thai. Photos by Alissa So, Jazzmin Perez, Noah Rodriguez, El Camino Real

School campus experiences blackouts E ri n Tru o n g A passing September heat wave in Southern California indirectly caused a string of blackouts at San Gabriel High School.

According to Principal Jim Schofield, when classrooms were forced to keep their air conditioning running, campus usage of electricity exceeded the maximum and caused San Gabriel’s transformer—a machine used to distribute and regulate power—to blow a fuse, resulting in a series of electrical issues that persisted for two weeks.

Because of the disruptions throughout those two weeks, administration was forced to find alternate methods to send out messages and balance San Gabriel’s schedule.

“We do the best we can in these situations,” Schofield said. “We send communications out through our campus supervisors, and deliver it to every class on campus. We send phone messages home so parents know what’s going on.”

Chris Takeshita, Assistant Principal of Business and Activities, hopes that “people will be empathetic and sympathetic to the situation.”

“We will always be happy to relocate classrooms and find alternate places for [students] to continue learning,” Takeshita said. “People will be inconvenienced, but unfortunately, that’s just a part of what happens when the power goes out.”

Takeshita adds that the power outage “was something [San Gabriel] didn’t ask for, but something that had to be dealt with as best as possible.”

During the power outages, San Gabriel twice adopted the minimum day schedule so that Southern California Edison could perform maintenance on San Gabriel’s transformer. “[The dismissals] were great and gave us free time to socialize,” sophomore Michael Lam said.

“But since [San Gabriel] had no power, [students]

California adopts sexual consent bill for college safety Kim Pham

Photo by The Matador Staff

Students stand in a darkened classroom, waiting to be dismissed early due to a power outage that occurred because of the blown transformer. could have just stayed at home.”

Lam also added that during the outages, learning was inhibited because “teachers weren’t expecting the outage.”

However, English teacher Karen Johnston believed that the blackouts were handled well. “[San Gabriel] had to deal with dark rooms, no air conditioning, and what seemed like hourly changes in the bell schedule,” Johnston said. “But throughout I did feel that the administrative team, with the help of campus supervisors, worked hard to keep [students and teachers] informed and to make decisions in [their] best interests.”

Johnston said that students dealt with the blackout in a mature manner.

“I think our students demonstrated their ability to handle a trying, real-world interruption of their learning with flexibility and maturity,” Johnston said.

“Kudos to them!”

After receiving petitions from women’s advocacy groups and college campus sexual assault victims, Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown announced on Sep. 28 that he has signed the loosely termed “yes means yes” bill, which defines sexual consent and provides an outline for college campuses on how to better evaluate sexual assault claims.

The Student Press Law Center reported that college administrators neglect to file sexual assault reports, with heavily populated universities such as Florida State only reporting five sexual assaults over the last two years.

In response to the inaccuracy of crime reports, state lawmakers approved the new bill proposed by Senator Kevin de Leon last month. The legislation is the first in the nation that requires college campuses to adopt a policy concerning sexual assault in order to receive state funds. The bill strives to improve how college campuses handle sexual assault accusations and replace the use of the term “no means no” by defining consent as “an affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.” De Leon hopes the new legislation will spark crucial change in how college campuses in California prevent and examine rape and sexual assault cases.

“Every student deserves a learning environment that is safe and healthy,” De Leon said. “The State of California will not allow schools to sweep rape cases under the rug. We’ve shifted the conversation regarding sexual assault to one of prevention, justice, and healing.”

Investigators are now required to use the standard “yes means yes” when deciding if rape occurred, meaning victims no longer have to give a solid “no” in order to have a valid case, but instead have to provide a firm consent. The bill also requires that university faculty members need to be trained on how to investigate and interpret complaints, along with how to provide access to health care services and counseling.

Junior Yu Lin Ma believes that the new legislation is a good course of action against campus sexual assault crimes... continued on page 2

NEWS

THE MATADOR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

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California adopts ‘yes means yes’ sexual consent bill to protect college students continued from page 1

Photo by Stacy Chau

San Gabriel cafeteria workers serve meals modified to fit the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) food standards to students during lunch.

District cafeteria food policies change according to new nation-wide standards Stacy Chau The Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) implemented new changes within the District’s cafeterias, such as the inclusion of new specialized staff to assemble the food and more nutritious items in the menu. Although the district claims to have changed for the better, there has been a significant reduction in portions as well a 75 cent increase in the regular price, making the current price $3.25.

“I feel like it’s unfair of the school to increase the prices and make the portions smaller,” senior Elton Hong said. “There are students who get little to no food at home due to their families’ low income,” Due to new requirements by the United States Department of Agriculture, the inclusion of an increased amount of fruits and vegetables per serving, control over the amount of calories, proteins, and fats to be consumed a day, and a decrease in sodium level are now components of the menu that the District menu adjusted to.

“I don’t notice a difference in the quality of the food, but the pizza slices, sushi, teriyaki chicken, and orange chicken meals have gotten smaller,” junior Ruby Leal said. “On a positive note, this could be a good thing because it can help us control how much food we eat.”

In addition to new staff members and changes to the food, the process of distribution has also been changed. In the previous years, all of the food had been cooked on-site, at the school the food was to be served at. Presently, the food is

being produced in the District’s central kitchen and shipped to the sites where half the staff members from the previous years are currently working at. “[The changes within the cafeteria] are better overall because they save a lot of money, and you don’t have to have too many ovens running,” school cafeteria manager Leina Cheng said.

The District insists that assembling the food in the central kitchen will leave a positive impact on the schools and allow the district to have more control on how much students are consuming. “ T h e q u a l i t y a n d t h e re c i p e w i l l b e standardized,” William Fong, AUSD Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition Services, said.

“Before, you may go to one school and think the spaghetti tastes different from the other schools.

By making the food in the central kitchen, the food will all taste the same and the quality will definitely be much better. Doing this will give us [more] control on what students are putting into their bodies too.”

According to Fong, the District has an additional method for selecting the items for their menu.

“Another change is [the implementation of] our food fairs. [Every November] we have vendors come out and invite students, parents, administrators, and principals to taste the food from the vendors,” Fong said.

Subsequently, the taste testers take a survey and select their favorite foods from the vendors, and the top three items that have scored the highest in the survey will be included in the menu.

“I’m glad it actually defines what consent means,” Ma said. “Hopefully it establishes a ground where rape is more preventable and victims can have an easier time with gaining justice.”

Silence or lack of resistance does not constitute as consent under the bill, and it specifies that a person who was asleep, drugged, drunk, or unconscious cannot grant consent. Lawmakers outlined that consent can also be nonverbal, using gestures such as nodding or moving closer to the person as an example.

As a future incoming college freshman, senior Justine Pham believes the bill would benefit those who have been taken advantage of on campuses.

“Although they might have chosen to be under the influence of certain substances, I doubt anyone ever intends on being raped or sexually assaulted,” Pham said. “This [bill] would help remind me that I am protected in some way.”

Adviser of the National Coalition for Men Gordon Finley criticized the bill in an editorial, dubbing it the “campus rape crusade bill,” and believes that the new legislation would presume the guilt of the accused. However, advocates of sexual assault victims support the change and believe it will challenge the notion that victims must have resisted sexual assault in order to have a valid case.

UC President Janet Napolitano has announced that the system will establish an independent advocate to support sexual assault victims and that an advocacy office will be arranged on every campus.

Student Congress to meet, represent pupil interests, opinions Hanfrey Deng The first Student Congress will meet next week to represent the students of San Gabriel. The Congress will be comprised of students from each fourth period who come together to hear information regarding events happening on campus.

The Associated Student Body (ASB) will use Student Congress to give announcements and spread information throughout campus.

Additionally, Assistant Principal of Business and Activities Chris Takeshita will be present during the meetings to answer questions and address concerns. “[We also] ask [for] feedback,” ASB President Qi Guo said. “For example, if we had [started Student Congress] earlier, [we could have asked if] the students wanted to have the [Homecoming] dance after the game.”

Student Congress is being continued from the previous year to help circulate more information throughout school. Takeshita says Student Congress was created so that both he and ASB could “get more information out to the people.”

“We can get more kids involved [in school], and ASB can get their message out a little more,” Takeshita said. “[We can] get news spread back to classrooms so more kids hear things.”

Apart from hearing information, students will also be able to ask questions. Takeshita hopes that it will help “more kids [be] informed and knowledgeable of what’s going on around campus.” “[I hope] kids [use] that as a forum to express things they want to see happen at San Gabriel to ASB,” Takeshita said.

Student Congress’s first meeting will be held next week in the Multipurpose room.

STOP Club spreads unity among students S yd ney Tri eu

Photo by Sydney Trieu

Students speak to and accept fliers from STOP Club members during the performance at the Pancake.

Colorful tie-dye shirts, powerful singers, and words of advice resonated throughout the Pancake as the Students Together Organizing Peace (STOP) Club put together a performance to promote peace at San Gabriel High School on Oct. 1-2.

Across the two days, student speakers, such as senior Claire de la Roche and sophomore Kiana Gonzalez, talked about a variety of subjects, ranging from bullying and verbal abuse to the acceptance of fellow classmates.

“We want everyone to understand [these problems] and help [each other],” Gonzalez said.

Their goal was not just to inform the student body of these issues. They also encouraged others to step in and do something.

“We’re all different so it’s understandable that it’s hard to accept one another,” Roche said.

“Everyone is their own person. We can’t change them, but at least we can change how we see [them]. [In a bad situation], if you show [victims] that you have the power [to change things], in turn, they’ll find [the power] in themselves,” Singers also added their voices to their cause, including freshmen Anni Zhong and Leslie Alcon, and senior Sam Suarez, who sang “Counting

Stars” by OneRepublic, “One and Only” by Adele, and “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon, respectively. Alongside the student speakers, performers, and volunteers, PE teacher Carla Fujimoto, adviser Kelly Malone, and Naomi Walters, who runs the girls’ locker room, helped put the event together.

Students who wanted to pledge to speak up against bullying signed a poster, filling it up with swirling names and colorful signatures. Tie-dyed shirts and socks were sold to promote the idea that though people all have different colors and stories, in the end, we are all one.

Through the efforts of the STOP Club, students now know where they can find a place where people care.

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THE MATADOR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

NEWS

Matador Band places second in LA County fair parade competition R ebecca Lei

Photo by Sydney Trieu

Students sign up to donate blood in the quad, where members of the Red Cross cabinet have set up a table for donors. The blood drive will be held on Oct. 21 in the small gym.

Red Cross draws potential blood donors Yi ng C how San Gabriel students, excited to start off the year by donating to a charitable cause, lined up in front of the Red Cross table to sign up for the first blood drive of the year.

The blood drive will take place on Oct. 21, in the small gym. Students will be dismissed from their class to go donate blood.

Before donating blood, students who sign up at the table are required to show their identification. Then, on the day before the blood drive, they are recommended to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. On the actual day of the blood drive, volunteers check the donors’ iron level and blood pressure to make sure it is safe to proceed with drawing out blood.

“We also have a height and weight requirement to ensure everyone’s safety,” Red Cross President junior Kelly Chu said. “The taller the person is, the less he or she needs to weigh.”

The whole process is fast, simple, and safe. It takes about ten minutes for the students to sign in, for volunteers to ask each student about his or her physical and sexual history, and for the blood withdrawal. Each donor will donate one pint of blood.

In order to encourage more students to donate blood, Red Cross Secretary junior Leo Liu decided to “set an example” and take part in the donation of blood.

“Since I am a cabinet member, I feel like I should donate blood so I can help people who need the blood,” Liu said. “ Even though I’m afraid of needles, I think it will still be good for me because I heard it doesn’t really hurt.”

Red Cross is hoping to get at least 150 donors to sign up for the blood drive. Currently, 74 students have signed up.

“Each donor can save up to three lives, so we would like to see as many people sign up as possible,” Chu said. “Every person counts.”

together, so I think all of the sore muscles were worth it.”

The Matador Marching Band took the The band was led on their route by Los Angeles County Fair by storm on Sept. drum major Emily Eng and directed by 18, with all 97 of their members marching band director Tammy Cognetta, who in full force around the parade route inside oversaw the band’s practices while they the fairgrounds in Pomona, Calif. The band tuned up for their competition. participates in the L.A. County Fair High “I was tremendously surprised by our School Band competition annually in hopes performance and our result,” Cognetta of winning the grand prize comprised of said. “We’ve been participating in this two components–$10,000 and a chance competition for longer than I to play in the Tournament can remember, but this is of Roses, an event held the first time that we’ve every year on New Year’s ever placed.”

Day. This year, the band The band competed and Colorguard worked among 41 other together to achieve 2nd contenders with Blink place in Class A bands– 182’s “All The Small resulting in a monetary Things,” adapted reward of $750. for instruments by “It was a really fun Michael Sweeney. parade,” flutist senior The prize money Thao Vi Phan said. will go toward band “Since it was my first necessities, such as parade, I felt nervous buses for the Southern about having to play in California School front of so many people.

Band and Orchestra But once the crowd started Association (SCSBOA) cheering and [the band] festival competition, set to started playing, my doubts occur in the spring. disappeared.”

“It’s great that we have To p r e p a r e f o r t h e a cushion to fall back competition, the band and on,” Cognetta said. “The Colorguard members practiced money will definitely arduously through the blistering help in the future. Now Photo by Rebecca Lei heat of the summer sun week after week. we can purchase more “We would practice first with band instruments [for the kids], which is nice, during zero period and then after school,” since there are so many members in the Colorguard senior Duyen Pham said. “It band.” was tiring practicing the routine over and With the competition now over, band over again, but as they say, practice makes members will now switch gears to perfecting perfect. [It also] brought [Colorguard] closer their field show for football games.

Common Core increases emphasis on use of technology, changes curriculum Kri s t y Du ong With the implementation of Common Core, there has been an increased emphasis on the use of technology in classes in order to prepare students for the 21st century and the new SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) test.

One of Common Core’s College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing includes the “[use of] technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.”

“The kids are submitting work online, producing work online, and] using message boards,” Business and Technology Academy teacher Joan Lee said. “I’m also teaching them to use Google Drive so that they can actually learn to use Google professionally. They’re doing a lot of collaborative work together like they’re working together on a document or Prezi. The idea is a blended classroom, a blending of technology and tradition classroom.”

In addition, the math standards now say that “strategic use of technology is expected in all work” as “mathematically proficient students consider the available tools when solving a mathematical problem, [which] might include pencil and paper, concrete models, a ruler, a protractor, a calculator,

a spreadsheet, a computer algebra system, a statistical package, or dynamic geometry software.”

Math teachers have been incorporating more computer use into their classes with the start of integrated math classes.

According to integrated math teacher Nicholas Nguyen, these classes make weekly trips to the computer labs in order to “get students used to taking tests and doing assignments online because the new Common Core test is going to be online based” and “to prepare students with 21st century skills so they can use current technology to their advantage.”

However, with increased online classwork, there has also been increased online homework.

“99 percent of the time, I assign homework online now, so they are responsible to go online and download the homework on their own,” Nguyen said.

However, with the increased use of technology, students who do not have access to computers or printers at home may find it difficult to complete their work.

Senior Stephen Yu has had issues doing work online for the past few years with a lack of Internet at home.

“I wouldn’t be able to communicate with [my group members] that well,” Yu said. “What my mom said to do

was to get their phone numbers and call them, but then [it makes it harder to work together].

Yu feels that people who have Internet access at home have an advantage because “they can use it to talk to other people,” but he also believes that “it’s sometimes not as convenient because people get distracted.”

Because not all students have access to technology at home, teachers have been trying to help students by providing classtime to do online homework and making online homework assignments short.

“For those who don’t have a computer at home or don’t have access to a printer, I did show them how to do it in the Career Center and the library,” Nguyen said.

However, some students believe that these new internet lectures are beneficial.

“The new online program is helpful as it doesn’t let you move onto the next [math] section until you fully understand the current one and fill up your skill-o-meter, but it’s tedious,” freshman Justin Quach said.

Overall, the transition from traditional to technologybased learning may take some time to get used to, but it appears to be something that everyone just needs to adjust to.

Hong Kong protesters challenge Chinese government, disturb civic peace C h ri s t y De n g An estimated 50,000 citizens are protesting in the streets of Hong Kong for universal suffrage. The Chinese government had granted Hong Kong voters the right to elect their own leader for 2017. However they announced in August that the people of Hong Kong would only be able to vote for specially selected candidates approved by a proBeijing committee.

The protests began on Sept. 26 and started with students boycotting their classes. As days passed, a civil disobedience campaign called Occupy Central with Love and Peace called for more protesters; as numbers grew,

peaceful protests turned violent when police attacked the demonstrators with tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets.

Cell phone reception was shut down and Instagram was blocked to prevent people from sharing any information or images coming out of Hong Kong.

“My hope for Beijing is to give free and fair elections [in Hong Kong], but I doubt that’ll happen,” US History teacher Eric Hendrickson said. “Hong Kong has little experience with violent protests, but using tear gas was the wrong way to go.”

Demonstrators came together and demanded the resignation of Hong Kong Chief Executive Chun-Ying Leung on Oct. 1, the national holiday celebrating the founding of communist China. However,

the chief executive claimed that it was “impossible” for him to step down. Beijing and Hong Kong governments are currently waiting for Occupy Central to run out of steam.

Many residents who are not attending the protests are complaining about the noise and have not been able to continue everyday activities because of the crowded streets.

“My great aunt lives in Hong Kong and she called us saying that she was tired of the yelling on the streets,” junior Michelle Hua said. “She can’t do the things she normally does because there’s so many people outside and it’s really crowded and loud.”

The current Hong Kong protests are

deemed as “repeated history.” In 1989, pro-democracy demonstrators, comprised mostly of students stood in Tiananmen Square in Beijing to protest for freedom of the press and governmental accountability.

This led to the infamous Tiananmen Square Massacre, in which a large, unknown number of protesters died due to police brutality.

“Since the protest in Tiananmen Square didn’t go well, the Hong Kong government will probably react the same way the Chinese government did,” junior Francine Yu said. “I think the protesters should find another way to voice their opinions. They are blocking the roads and a lot of places from opening, and people cannot continue their daily routines.”

Photo by Citobun/CC BY

OPINIONS ‘Roland’ on up

Roland Fang K-pop is LIFE As a junior in high school, I have been through many periods of trauma and stress due to a variety of things including enormous loads of homework, personal emotions, and grief. Despite all these problems that I have faced, a surprising factor played a role in relieving my stress every single time; that one thing is none other than K-pop.

Yes, I’m talking about South Korean pop music. It has drastically altered my life in more ways than I can even imagine.

I still remember the first Korean song I ever heard about seven years ago when I was still a miniature little fourth grader.

Even then, I was already going through some forms of stress thanks to a project.

However, as I was researching for my project, I unintentionally stumbled across a Korean online radio station. At the time, I didn’t know how much a three minute song would impact my life and turn it into what it is today.

From that point on, I began to gain interest in Korean pop music. Eventually, K-pop influenced me even more when I became acquainted with Korean dramas.

They have transformed my life by presenting me with South Korean culture.

In the past few years, that influence has developed dramatically as I taught myself how to read and write in the Korean language. It proved to be arduous since I didn’t understand many Korean words, but today, I understand several common Korean words and phrases. In spite of being of Chinese descent, I might even know more Korean than Mandarin. My tenacious affinity with K-pop and Korean culture allowed me to persevere in my learning.

By the time I became a sophomore in high school, my way of life finally changed. Ever since I was a child, I had an unyielding dream to become a doctor.

Nevertheless, that dream was abandoned as my devotion towards K-pop and Korean culture elevated to heights that I never would have expected it to reach. Because of this, I had a newfound dream of being known by the whole world as a Korean pop star and actor. I commenced in instructing myself how to sing and dance well. As of today, I still am practicing, despite knowing that I will probably never be able to enter the Seoul spotlight.

K-pop has also changed my outlook on life. When my friends ask me for my opinion on a popular Western song, show, or movie, I am usually bewildered by what they are ranting about. It has made me realize that my real enemies are people who dislike Korean music or don’t know anything about it. I was exasperated when some of my friends announced that they listened to K-pop when “Gangnam Style” rose in popularity. Furthermore, it makes me see life differently, like in math class whenever I see an infinity sign or an f(x), which are the name of some K-pop groups.

Ultimately, K-pop is something that I passionately believe in and a method to eat away my stress. It even got me through a period of grief when a loved one passed away, and it also gave me new dreams.

Everyone should find something that gives them hope when something is wrong. It can be anything, even something as meager as listening to a song, because it has the potential to mature into something larger. That one little thing can make a huge difference on our lives; it can provide us with endless dreams and a new attitude towards life.

THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Editorial

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Students need more options, access to technology From the new Smarter Balanced working on a computer. Anyone who has Assessment Consortium (SBAC) tests ever tried to type an essay on their phone to the new standards can attest to typos and eye requiring computer strain. Although 96.7 percent use, Common Core is of students have Internet trying to bring everyone access through mobile up to speed in terms of devices, only 74.6 percent 21st century technology, actually own a computer– but what about all the and only one in three own students without the a printer. requisite digital tools?

While some proponents Over 80 percent of the may argue that schools students at San Gabriel provide resources such come from low income as libraries and career backgrounds. A survey of centers for students to use 425 students conducted computers and printers, Infographic by Kristy Duong

by The Matador showed time and convenience are that 74.6 percent have access to a computer two factors that inhibit students’ utilization and 91.5 percent have Internet access. of said resources, especially with the wide However, with the implementation of array of extracurriculars that much of the Common Core, 100 percent will need to student body participates in. With the use technology to complete assignments operating hours of these facilities constantly in newly-designed courses. The problem in conflict with the numerous practices and is that less than 75 percent have access to meetings held before and after school, many the required technology. students are unable to make the most of Some teachers argue most students their opportunities. Are students supposed have access to the Internet on phones to neglect their extracurriculars just because and tablets, but that is incomparable to they do not own their own computers?

It is true that the school holds events that promote, encourage, and even give away technology for student usage; however, there remains an integral problem–these happenings are rarely publicized on a schoolwide level, and many students in need are not aware of their options. For example, at the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) Information Fair on Oct. 2, several tutoring services offered free tablets simply for signing up and completing a minimum hour requirement. At first glance, the fair seemed like an excellent opportunity, but upon further inspection, lacked student interest and attendance. The reason? Lack of publicity.

While trying to address the lack of available technology on a case-to-case basis may not be the most efficient nor the most cost-efficient, the school could provide additional resources by doing things like extending computer lab and library operation hours or providing devices that students can access the Internet from. If California’s Board of Education is trying to move into the 21st century, students who cannot afford the technology should at least be provided with regular access.

Students should not feel intimidated to express concerns C arol i na Garci a With both new and old policies being enforced this year, San Gabriel students have been left dazed at the new changes.

However, rather than talking to administration, students have adopted the idea that they have no say and that their opinions are insignificant to the school. On the contrary, school administrators are eager to hear students’ concerns and opinions about San Gabriel’s issues and policies, or any other worries students might have. Despite this, students seem to be avoiding the administration offices out of fear of what the administrators will say, wondering if they will even listen.

Despite the fact that the walls of administrators’ offices never hear a thing, the amount of complaints about school issues whispered in the hallways is overwhelming. However, students are talking about the things that are bothering them in all the wrong places. Talking to one’s friend during a bathroom break is not going to solve the problem one has with reduced lunch portions. Talking to an administrator, however, will have a greater effect.

While some students fear talking to administrators, others are using the opportunity to benefit themselves.

“I believe that administrators do listen to me,” junior Kelly Chu said. “Ms. Gutierrez spent an hour talking to me, trying to find a solution to the problem I had with my schedule.”

An event known as Lunch with the Principal, which is organized by the administrators, lets students ask questions and freely voice their concerns to the principal. Because of the blackouts, the date of the event is Oct. 10. San Gabriel students need to start voicing their opinions; administrators are here throughout most of the day if a student is unhappy about certain things. Such as class schedules, problems with other students or personal issues. If students have issues, they should speak to an administrators, who are always willing to listen to students ideas’ and concerns.

Illustration by Emmanuel Maresca

Illustration by Cassandra Chen

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OPINIONS

THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Attractiveness outweighs lawlessness A n n i e Huang There is a fandom for almost everything on the Web; all it takes is a few people to take interest in something and BOOM, it becomes an Internet sensation. Harry Potter fandom? Of course. Supernatural fandom? You bet. Fandom for bathrooms? Strange, but true. But between you and me, the Web really went off the deep end when it gave birth to a fandom for a real-life teenage murderer.

On Feb. 27, 2012, Thomas “T. J.” Lane III shot and killed three male students at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio. If you paid any attention to the news, you would recognize that this piece of news is a little more than two years old. How, then, did Lane’s name resurface on the Web? On Sept. 11, Lane, along with two other inmates, Clifford Opperud and Lindsey Bruce, escaped from Allen Correctional Institution in Lima, Ohio.

Since his escape, the Web has brought his name back to relevancy, unknowingly attracting a plethora of teenage girls to his newfound fandom.

Lane, who pleaded guilty to the killings, was sentenced to life in prison without parole during a hearing, during which he wore a shirt with the word “killer” on it and told his victims’ families, “---- all of you,” along with much more explicit menace.

Similar to Jeremy Meeks, the alleged criminal who obtained a

modeling contract with his mugshot, Lane was reported to have an attractive face. Lane’s face appeared in fan-made pictures, edits, GIFs, and artwork that exploded across Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social networking sites. Users, mostly teenagers, have utilized photosets and collages of Lane’s Facebook photos in order to paint him as a tragic figure. One Tumblr post reads, “He’s a bad boy with a tainted heart,” along with a collage of his photos. Alarmingly, a good number of people are upset that Lane is getting such a severe sentence for killing his fellow classmates.

In addition, many see his belligerent and disturbing behavior during his court case as “heroic” and “bold,” and created an extremely controversial picture of him in the “killer” shirt in front of an American flag. If there is one thing that has been revolutionized within the 21st century, it is that attractiveness has found a way to outweigh lawlessness.

This criminal case is a clear example of how our society’s obsession with beauty clouds our better judgment as human beings.

As a result, we fail to differentiate between wrong and right, crime and justice. Not only is the glorification of a criminal disrespectful to the victims, but also to their friends and families. It is one thing to glorify a group of untalented, yet attractive dreamboats, but it is another to unnecessarily obsess over a brutal, psychotic murderer.

Illustration by Annie Huang

Homework overwhelms the lives of students C h e l s e a H uynh To do or not to do, that is the question.

Depending on the classes and extracurricular activities they have, students can get up to three hours worth of homework and still not have enough time to finish their work. In this case, many may see classwork as a better way of learning. Both have their drawbacks and benefits, but it is crucial for students to have a balance of both, with a greater emphasis on in-class work.

Homework is a great instructional tool for students; it serves many purposes, such as reinforcing what they have learned and allowing them to apply their newly acquired skills to new situations.

It also allows students to work independently and develop time management skills.

However, homework also has its drawbacks. Academic dishonesty is a big problem, and because it is independent study at home, students may have trouble keeping up. Classwork, on the other hand, allows teachers to monitor their students and address any problems or questions.

“Now that we’re going toward Common Core, classwork gives us an opportunity to do more of that collaborative work that is emphasized so much rather than homework because homework relies on them to take initiative and get themselves together, [and] it just puts

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Kristy Duong Rebecca Lei Erin Truong Amy Yee Carolina Garcia Amanda Molina Judy Tang Jennifer Thai Annie Huang Ileana Perez Carolina Loaisiga Justin Toyomitsu Cassandra Chen Chelsey Tran Roland Fang Angela Fong Chelsea Huynh Sydney Trieu Katherine Hoong Emmanuel Maresca Ying Chow Anthony Yang Hanfrey Deng Tran Lam Emmanuel Maresca Anthony Yang Vanessa Huang Jennifer Kim

The Matador Bullring How has the blackout affected you?

“

It was good because I didn’t have to come to school.”

-Aishah Wright , 9th grade

“

It was a waste of time because every single time they told us it was fine, it wasn’t.”

-Genna Lin, 10th grade

“

I felt that it was somewhat interfering with my education; [we] should’ve just gotten the day off instead of being in an environment with no power” -Caleb Molina, 11th grade

Reporters: Alexandra Albarran, Hellgert Almontes, Stacy Chau, Christy Deng, Frank Lieu, Mario Mandujano, Kim Pham, Alondra Valdez, Thomas Wang, Simon Yung The Matador is a public forum for student expression and highly encourages responses in reaction to issues discussed in the paper. Submit comments as a letter to the editor, signed (anonymity is guaranteed if requested), to H-2, or Ms. Kim’s mailbox.

The Matador is published monthly by the journalism staff of San Gabriel High School. 1,600 copies per issue are published at American Foothill Publishing Co., Inc. The opinions and views expressed in The Matador do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the school or the Alhambra School District. The Matador and the Alhambra Unified School District do not endorse the vendors advertised in this paper.

a lot more on the students,” Special Education teacher Erik Miller said.

It is crucial for students to get extra emphasis on classwork because it allows them to interact with the class and learn from one another, giving them an opportunity to ask questions and learn hands-on.

However, the right amount of homework should also be assigned to give students extra practice. Homework should help students review what they have learned in class and study important key concepts.

According to a Duke University study in 2006, homework was proven to have a positive effect on student achievement. However, the study also showed that too much homework can be counterproductive for all students. For upper high school students, after about two hours of homework, homework was no longer associated with higher achievement.

Homework is necessary for students, but there should be a limit to the amount assigned. Excess amounts of homework in one day can put pressure on students, especially if they have other activities as well; therefore, it can defeat the purpose of homework, which is to help students.

“Homework should facilitate classwork,” English teacher Melissa Bishop-Magallanes said. “Homework is essential to make classwork happen, [but] classwork is what I prefer.”

A balance of classwork between homework is key for effective student understanding.

“

I like the blackouts because we got to go home early and sleep.”

-Kent Lin, 12th grade Photos by Sydney Trieu and Stacy Chau

Hot off the ‘Perez’

Ileana Perez “I want to be just like you.”

“When I grow up, I want to be just like you.” I have probably heard this phrase over a thousand times, but each time I hear it, I grow more and more terrified.

I am not afraid of having a group of kids grow up and become like me; I am afraid of failing to be a good role model to such wonderful kids, and I am sure many people would agree.

It is not that I do not like the idea of being a role model to my younger relatives; in fact, I love the idea that I have grown into such an admirable person to them. However, when I hear this phrase, I am reminded of all the pressure I will forever live with.

Being the oldest child and grandchild comes with a lot of responsibility, and pressure. It is not like I have to be an absolute perfect human, but I do live with the idea of having to exceed all expectations. I am sure most people in similar positions would agree that there is always the fear of doing one thing wrong and messing up the image that so many look up to.

Being the idol of six little kids is difficult, to say the least. Every day, I have to make decisions that will teach them right from wrong. These decisions not only reflect on me, but are also deciding factors in the way that my siblings will grow up.

Being seperated from them when I moved to middle school was probably a major turning point in my life. I had always been there for them and made sure everything went as smoothly as possible for them, so when I moved to middle school, I thought I was free from them; however, I soon realized that I was wrong. I realized my decisions impacted them even more because I was now older and went to a new school. They saw me as someone who was practically grown up. Instead of wanting to just do really well in school, they now wanted to participate in choir and National Junior Honors Society (NJHS), which are organizations that I participated in.

Entering high school was no different than going into middle school. I joined lots of extracurricular activities because I simply wanted to get involved in organizations that interested me. Little did I know, the kids would all want to become swimmers and future journalists like me. It did not bother me because that told me that I was still an admirable person to them, even though I had made several mistakes along the way.

Along with being their idol, I became their go-to person whenever they needed any sort of help. I now give them pep talks and advice, and I help them with almost everything. In addition to my motivational words, I continue doing exciting things to show them that I am still awesome.

I do not mind having to show six amazing kids how to choose the right path; to be honest, it is my pleasure. I love helping each and every one of them, answering their questions, and helping them with their problems. I just fear that I will make one simple mistake and everything will go downhill.

However, I am not going to let my fear prevent me from moving forward. I will eventually conquer it, but until then, I have decided to do what makes me happy, what helps me to achieve my goals, and what will make my six wonderful inspirations continue to see me as their idol.

FOCUS

THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

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THE MATADOR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

FOCUS

Am an d a M o lin a

“You can’t do anything right.”

“You’ll never graduate high school at this rate.”

“I regret ever having you.”

I cannot recall a single moment when my parents complimented me on an accomplishment, no matter how large or significant it may have been. Whether it was getting all fours on an elementary school report card, earning my black belt in Taekwondo, or spending countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears on a play, I have never heard anything remotely close to a “good job, you did well” from either of my parents.

However, when it comes to slip-ups, I will never hear the end of it no matter how tiny my mistake may have been. On occasion, something as simple as a misplaced sock will lead into a rant on how I will turn to a life of crime in the immediate future.

When I bring up the topic of abuse with others, the consensus seems to be that it is okay simply because I am Asian, and that I should not be fazed by my situation because it is how parents are; they seem to think that being verbally abused is not as bad as being physically abused, despite the fact that I was on the receiving end of many backhands until it ended in middle school. Being a certain ethnicity does not justify parents who bombard their offspring with insults.

People fail to realize that a verbal slap is just as hurtful as a physical one. The old rhyme “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” comes to mind. Unnecessarily chastising one’s child may not leave any physical scarring, but words used in anger, no matter how seemingly insignificant, will leave a lasting impact on a young, impressionable boy or girl.

Verbal abuse still hurts, even now as a teenager.

I have spent countless hours hammering away at homework or a project, only to be told that I would not graduate high school and that I should be ashamed for not putting enough effort into school.

A bad day at work for my parents would mean a bad day for me as soon as they came home. To voice any form of opposition or ask for a moment of quiet would mean giving up sleep that night due to the sheer intensity and length of my parents’ scoldings. This created a positive feedback loop where my grades suffered because I was being frequently berated, and the scolding would only intensify due to my faltering grades.

My grades were not the only thing affected by the constant cascade of criticisms; I became more withdrawn in social situations. I would be genuinely afraid to speak up in class or socialize with others in fear of being ostracized. There were times when my perspective of the world grew unnervingly dark and I began doubting my own self-worth. I cannot count all of the opportunities that I had missed to connect with other people, or how many times a teacher thought I did not understand the material at hand simply because I was too worried about being wrong in one way or another.

If there is anything that I have gained from the countless episodes of discouragement and grief, it is a thicker skin and a deeper respect for people who were or still are in the same situation as I was.

Throughout the whole ordeal, I managed to stay anchored with the help of some very close friends, an understanding teacher, and the theater. Without them, I would not have regained my confidence or be the person that I am today. Even with such a strong system of support, no child should ever be told that they are worthless or that they are a disappointment to the very people that they should love and look up to. When I was young, I was taught that if I did not have anything nice to say, I should not say it. I now realize that this does not only apply to children, but to parenting as well. No good can come from belittling your children; doing so will only erode the bond between parent and child. *Name withheld by request

Fists, slaps, punches, kicks. But what about words? Verbal abuse uses words that are purely aimed at making mental wounds which often ache for a lifetime, causing emotional assault and battery.

Verbal abuse can make its way through any person’s life without ever being noticed. In some cases, one can cause verbal abuse without knowing.

Healthyplace.com describes verbal abuse as “the use of offensive and abusive language targeted at taking control and power from another person.”

A study performed at Florida State University led by psychology professor Natalie Sachs-Ericsson shows that people who were verbally abused as children grew up to be self-critical adults. In this same study, it has been shown that people who have been verbally abused have 1.6 times as many symptoms of anxiety and depression as opposed to people who have not. They are also twice as likely to have experienced an anxiety or mood related disorder in their lives.

Verbal abuse is often overlooked because it has not been highlighted in the same way that sexual and physical abuse have; the truth is, it is just as damaging. As reported by Harvard University researchers have linked childhood verbal abuse with notably higher risks of acquiring unstable and angry personalities as well as narcissistic behavior and obsessive-compulsive disorders. In 2007, Harvard University’s mental health letter reported that swearing, ridiculing, blaming, and insulting children causes the same damage as physical and sexual abuse. The report indicates that when verbal abuse in minors is persistent and extreme, it can generate a high risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, the same mental disorder that many combat troops suffer from today.

“Exposure to verbal aggression has received little attention as a specific form of abuse, despite the fact that one national study found that 63 percent of American parents reported one or more instances of verbal aggression, such as swearing at and insulting their child.” Martin Teicher said in an interview with The Harvard Gazette. Teicher is an associate professor of psychiatry at McLean Hospital, a Harvard-affiliated psychiatric facility.

K ris ty D u o n g For students who have been victimized by abuse, whether verbal or physical, there are resources on campus and throughout the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) to help.

Gateway to Success is an AUSD program that provides support and services to students dealing with various issues such as mental health, drugs and alcohol, safety, and education.

“We want all students to be able to come to campus and feel safe and feel emotionally okay,” Gateway to Success Intervention Adviser Denise Garcia said.

According to their website, Gateway to Success “links students with counselors or other health and wellness resources that will help them work through the challenges that are interfering with their academic, personal, or social adjustment.”

The organization collaborates with several different groups such as the Alhambra Police Department, Foothill Family Service, and Hathaway-Sycamores to optimize the resources they can provide to students.

“In order to receive assistance from Gateway, students must first have a referral that may be

The dangers of verbal abuse have recently been more closely observed by the Center for Psychological Research in Shenyang, China. They have taken interest in the increased amount of juvenile crime in China. Through their studies, they have related the elevated crime rates back to childhood emotional and verbal abuse. Juvenile inmates who had been arrested for murder were interviewed, and they shared similar stories: all were insulted, belittled, and had someone constantly reminding them of their integrity. The situations they ended up in were results of the constant torment they received from their parents. With this information, it is evident that verbal aggression can lead to extremely violent tendencies such as murder and assault. This led to the launch of an online campaign earlier this year, against verbal abuse, with the organization website wordscanbeweapons.com, featuring an interactive activity in which harmful words can be rearranged to form the shapes of weapons.

San Gabriel High School psychologist, Art Pangilinan, “Dr. Art,” suggests that anyone who is being verbally abused should talk to someone.

“I would advise someone [who is being verbally abused] to communicate their concerns,” Dr. Art said. “I think that a lot of the student body are afraid that the person verbally abusing them will find out, making the situation worse, but sometimes, you have to take that risk because it is dealing with someone’s emotional well being.”

Verbal abuse is a struggle between emotions and the way a person perceives themselves after being abused. It can lead to many mental disorders, lower self confidence and in the most dire situations, violent behavior. It can happen to anyone, at any time, and is not limited to being inflicted by only parents and family figures.

The Center for Psychological Research in China reshaped hurtful Chinese characters such as “moron” into weapons.

Video still courtesy of wordscanbeweapons.com

submitted by a parent, teacher, counselor, nurse, or even themselves. After that, Gateway counselors help to determine which branch of their organization may benefit the student the most,” Garcia explained.

One of the agencies used at San Gabriel High School is Hathaway-Sycamores, which is located on campus in U35.

“We have the advantage of being a really student driven kind of service,” Hathaway-Sycamores Youth Specialist Diego Anaya said. “We let the student kind of take us where therapy should go. We allow them to go and be where they want to be, meaning we have a set of goals we that we discuss with them and [they have] their [own] goals. We don’t develop them. The kids develop them, and they work towards them at the pace and at the motivation they want.”

Gateway to Success works in conjunction with the school guidance counselors and student services as well. They provide support in any way possible, whether it is helping to determine where students should go to get the help they need or checking up on them periodically.

“We’re all a team, and we all collaborate to make sure the student is receiving the best type of support,” Garcia said.

Other student resources for support on campus are the school nurse, the guidance counselors, Student Services, Peer Resources, and school psychologists Art Pangilinan and Leti Salazar. For parents, Gateway to Success holds workshops about effective communication skills for families.

To learn more about Gateway to Success, visit www.ausdgateway.com.

Photo by Sydney Trieu

LIFE &ART

THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Parodies satirize original music

8

Halloween returns with classic horror movies The Shining (1980)

you need to stick with it, because people want to subscribe to a channel they know As new music is consistently released has a certain programming structure. Mine by famous singers and artists, it is in- is parody videos, and people love that.”

Baker uploaded a music video parody evitable that those songs and their reon Sept. 14 of Nicki Minaj’s famous viral spective music videos will receive both song “Anaconda,” which quickly received praise and criticism. When songs rise in a lot of views and many laughs. As many popularity, it is common for their music people already found the original music videos to dramatically increase in views video for “Anaconda” to be ridiculous on YouTube. With that in mind, many and somewhat funny, an actual famous YouTube artists will decide to humorous interpretation of it create parodies of music videos in orclearly brought enjoyment der to gain views as well. to YouTube viewers. Other A parody of a song or music famous artists whom Baker video is a humorous interpreparodies include Lady Gaga, tation produced to imitate Miley Cyrus, One Directhe original. The main point tion, and Taylor Swift. of creating a parody is to Another famous parody make viewers laugh, as they artist, who goes by the stage are usually heavily exaggername “Weird Al” Yankovated in order to generate a coic, also released parodies of medic effect on the audience. popular songs between the A large number of song and later 1980’s and early 1990’s. music video parodies can be found Some of his parodies actuon YouTube. There are several ally became hit songs on immensely popular channels music charts. Yankovic’s and artists that focus mainly most popular parodies on creating parodies of fawere those of Michael mous music. Some of these Jackson’s songs “Beat It” and well-known channels and art“Bad.” ists include Barely Political, Most believe that paroBart Baker, College Humor, dies are made just for Illustration by Emmanuel Maresca and many more. fun and to make people One of the most popular laugh.

However, they may bolster negaaforementioned parody artists is Bart tive comments and criticisms targeted toBaker, a YouTube artist who holds more wards the original artists. than a million subscribers and over 500 “I watched some parodies of popular million total views from his parodies. songs that were actually really fun [to Baker uploads a different parody almost every week solely for his and the view- watch],” junior Eric Thai said. “I think ers’ enjoyment. In an interview with parodies are meant to be made for fun, but New Media Rockstars, he stated that he some parody artists take it to the extreme found making parodies was an easy way and make ones that upset [the original artto make himself known on the Internet ist and their fans].”

Many people upload their parodies of and earn money. music videos on YouTube to have fun and “It was clear that there was much to get people to laugh. When you are feelmore traction with parodies,” Baker said. ing bored, perhaps watching some paro“I think if you find something that works, dies will be an enjoyable experience.

Roland Fang

Photo by Saul Bass CC/BY

Based on a novel by Stephen King, The Shining follows Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, a writer and recovering alcoholic who takes up a job as a winter caretaker for the isolated Overlook Hotel.

During his job interview, Jack is told that the previous caretaker Grady had violently killed himself and his own family. Jack’s young son begins to possess psychic abilities called “the shining,” which enable him to have visions of the past and the future and see ghosts that inhabit the hotel. With writer’s block and the demons of the hotel haunting him, Jack begins to spiral out of control, and the situation takes a turn for the worse as he attempts to follow in Grady’s footsteps. This film has been dubbed one of the greatest films of all time, both in and out of the horror genre.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Photo by Walt Disney Pictures CC/BY

This horror comedy follows the Sanderson Sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, who are convicted of witchcraft in Salem, MA and put to death during the 17th century.

They are brought back to life when a teenager named Max, his sister Dani, and his friend Allison accidentally resurrect the witches on present-day Halloween.

They must stop the sisters’ sinister plan to “drink” away the life force of the children in their town to regain their youth. The funniest moments come from the witches as they struggle to situate themselves in 20th century life. This funny flick was geared toward audiences who prefer the fun, mischievous side of Halloween over the blood and gore.

Carrie (1976)

Photo by Dmon1 CC/BY

Carrie White is a shy high school girl with no friends and an abusive mother who has telekinetic powers. After an embarrassing incident in the showers, a boy feels sorry for Carrie and invites her to prom. However, one of Carrie’s classmates hatches an evil plan that leads to the iconic scene of Carrie in her prom dress, completely covered in blood. The prank turns horribly wrong when Carrie’s mental powers are unleashed and she destroys nearly everything in her path. Carrie is both scary, with its pop up images and screechy violin music, and creepy, with its building tension and vaguely disturbing ideas guaranteed to cause all-nighters.

-Briefs written by Kim Pham

Ancient, scary stories haunt San Gabriel High Auditorium Ghost

“The Haunted Hallway”

Students pile in and out of the auditorium for assemblies without knowing the dark secret that lurks backstage. It cannot be dismissed as a petty rumor because there are people to prove it. It was on Nov. 28, 2000 when he heard the noise. Paul Posada, brother of the drama teacher, Mr. Posada, was alone at night in the auditorium at 1 a.m., painting for the drama set. When he finished, he turned off the lights and as he was getting ready to leave, he heard someone shout “Hey!” as all the lights turned back on. When Paul looked back into the room, no one was there.

A year later, drama actors were rehearsing for a play in the auditorium at 9 p.m. All of a sudden, the actors stopped what they were doing, and they all pointed at the beams where the lights were. “Somebody is up there!” they yelled in unison. The students claimed they saw a shadow running across the light. The two stage managers went up to the beams to find the mysterious person. However, when they reached the top, they did not see anyone.

As told by Patrick Posada, Drama teacher

Photo by Jazzmin Perez/El Camino Real

The Little Girl in the Bathroom Every school has their own little haunted restroom story. SG also has its own story. In the girls’ restroom, there rests a little girl. Whenever anyone goes in there, the little girl is heard making conversation with them.

No one uses that restroom anymore.

The Office Has Its Own Ghosts Working late into the evening, staff members who work in the offices often hear eerie noises. Six years ago, Mr. Castillas was working after school in the attendance office when he heard the sound of little kids giggling coming from the nurse’s office and then the door suddenly slammed shut. Thinking that it was a prank, he went to investigate the noise; however, when he entered the nurses room, no one was there. Likewise, Ms.Beda, who works in the Students’ Services office said she often hears noises as well. Staying as late as 8 p.m., Ms.Beda was alone in her office, but the noises she heard said otherwise. Being the only one in her office, she said that she would hear thumping and creaking noises as if someone were inside the office with her.

As told by Joe Castilla and Beda Ramirez, Data entry control clerk and Guidance tech

As told by Patrick Posada, Drama teacher

Illustrations by Annie Huang

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THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

LIFE &ART

Cha Cha Chili fuses Mexican, Korean cuisines J u d y Ta n g -

Korean barbeque or tacos? Why not just have both? Coming of age food chain “Cha Cha Chili” owner Gavin Cha opened another location in Alhambra, due to the success of at the El Sereno location that started in 2009. The store’s pride is in its fusions of different cultures’ foods and tastes into new, mouthwatering creations.

The Alhambra venue is very cute (retro almost) with its red and black color scheme. The music played can be considered throwback R&B and hip hop, like Rihanna and Beyonce’s older albums.

The decor and furniture feature inappropriate posters, beer promotions, and TVs that show new and sporting events and news channels. The interior is cozy and simple; by the time I left the restaurant, people were barely piling in. Cha Cha Chili is probably most busy at late hours.

Immediately, upon entering customers notice

the resteraunt”s the huge blackboard menu hanging behind the register, listed with a number of entrees and appetizers, such as Cha Cha’s famed chimichangas, tacos, and sliders. What definitely threw me off was how expensive everything was.

A single taco for at least $2.39? A slider for at least $6.75? Overpriced. However, the complimentary chips and fresh pico de gallo make up for the expensive food, as well as free water.

The tacos were all well stuffed with lettuce, red lettuce, onions, cilantro, salsa, and meat, making it almost worth its money, but still not quite. The meat was cooked to perfection though not hard and overdone; not soft and too moist. The Hawaiian bread sliders were delicious as well, and I liked how the sweet and the soft bread complemented the salty meat. There was a continued theme throughout my meal: spices. I have no complaints as a spice-lover, but those who are not would be severely limited in what to order.

If you enjoy spicy food and are content with

spending a little extra money, Cha Cha Chili is the place to go. I rate it 4.5 stars out of 5 and not the full 5 because of the priciness.

Location: 640 W Valley Blvd Alhambra, CA 91803 (626) 458-3446 Hour: Mon-Wed 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Thurs 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Fri-Sun 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Price: under $10 Type: Korean, Mexican, Asian Fusion

Matador Rating: 4.5

Photos by Judy Tang

Halloween maze returns with new features Va n e s s a H u a n g

“It [the maze] was better than I expected,” junior Lynne Ta said. “ I liked how instead The upcoming Halloween maze will of walking, you had to crawl and when you bring students dripping in cold sweat and leave, a guy with a chain saw chases you out. chills as they will walk past the countless I would go [to the maze] again.” killers and monsters, hoping they will get Though San Gabriel High School has a out of the maze and reach to daylight. The tradition of building the Halloween maze maze will be organized and built by Patrick every other year as a way to celebrate the Posada and the spirits of horror technical theater and fright, there class, the Hallowwas no maze last een maze will be year due to the held at the audilack of equipment. torium from Oct. However, the Hal20 to Oct. 24 for loween maze is fian admission of nally back to send $7 per student at shivers and chills lunch. Tickets can to the students be bought from who are brave the student bank. enough to experiThe last Halence the maze. loween maze Similar to the was also held at last Halloween the auditorium, maze, this year ’s where it was maze will include completely dark various kinds of with flashing, lupeople, characminous lights as ters, and items like Illustration by Katherine Hoong the only source of clowns, chainsaws, light. The maze had characters in different and mirrors from notable horror movies and rooms, such as clowns, dead girls tied up on shows such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre. chairs, and a man with a chainsaw.

“The maze contains a little bit of every“The maze was dark and had bedrooms thing so there’s different halls with different and furniture,” junior Lisa Alvarado said. people like clown halls and chainsaws,” “The mirror part in the Halloween maze senior Denise Kha, the stage manager for was like an illusion. It was like a trap so you drama and tech theater, said. “It is one didn’t know where to go.” whole maze so everyone can enter all of The past Halloween maze’s horrifying them.” yet authentic characters and people not Students from technical theater, drama, only made students run for their lives, but and even volunteers are encouraged to paralso made their experience at the maze an ticipate in the Halloween maze as different unforgettable one. characters and monsters to scare students.

SPORTS

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THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

2014-15 Fall Sports Scoreboard BOYS FOOTBALL

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

CO-ED CROSS COUNTRY

GIRLS TENNIS

VARSITY 8/29 vs. Montclair 9/5 vs. Glendale 9/12 vs. San Marino 9/19 vs. Bev. Hills 9/26 vs. Temple City FRESHMEN 8/28 vs. Montclair 9/4 vs. Glendale 9/11 vs. San Marino 9/18 vs Bev. Hills

VARSITY 9/11 @ Arcadia 9/16 vs. John F. Kennedy 10/2 @ Schurr

VARSITY 10/1 @ Legg Lake (G)

(B)

5th 6th

JV 10/1 @ Legg Lake (G)

(B)

no score 5th

VARSITY 9/9 @ Rosemead 9/12 vs. El Monte 9/25 vs. Montebello 9/30 @ Alhambra 10/2 vs. Schurr

9-9 15-3 12-6 11-7 13-5

W W W L W

FRESHMEN 10/1 @ Legg Lake (G)

(B)

4th 5th

JV 9/9 vs. Rosemead 9/12 @ El Monte 9/25 @ Montebello 9/30 vs. Alhambra 10/2 @ Schurr

9-9 10-8 15-3 10-8 12-6

T W L L W

42-0 35-0 65-0 35-0 34-0

L L L L L

40-20 34-08 42-0 44-14

L L L L

3-0 3-0 3-0

JV 2-1 9/11 @ Arcadia 9/16 vs. John F Kennedy 2-1 3-0 10/2 @ Schurr FRESHMEN 9/11 @ Arcadia 10/2 @ Schurr

3-0 2-1

W W W W W W W L

Illustrations by Cassandra Chen

Tennis serves their way into season

Cross Country practices for Almont League, runs toward success

Athletes fighting against heat

K i m P ham

A n g e l a Fong With preseason already over and the official season just beginning, San Gabriel’s junior varsity (JV) and varsity girls tennis teams are already preparing for their upcoming matches against Mark Keppel.

Despite one canceled match against San Marino, two rescheduled matches against La Salle and Maranatha, and a slew of canceled practices due to the passing heat wave, varsity tennis has managed to win two out of the three league matches they have played so far, losing only to Alhambra’s tennis team.

“Our first match against Montebello was difficult since all of our matches the previous week had been canceled, but we managed to win despite some difficulties we had in the first round. When we lost against Alhambra, everyone was really disappointed, because we knew we could have done much better, but it was just an off day for all of us. A few days later, we managed to come back strong and beat Schurr, with all of our doubles players winning all their matches,” varsity captain senior Hui Fu said.

JV tennis, however, has had a more difficult time since the start of league., again, due to the number of canceled matches and practices. Although they have won only against Schurr and lost to Montebello and Alhambra, the JV team continues to work hard during practices in order to better prepare for the remainder of the season.

“So far, we’ve lost two-thirds of the league games we’ve had, but since we play each school two times, and our rank depends on both games, there’s still a chance for a comeback.

I believe we could have definitely done better; we just lacked a little confidence and assertiveness. Our line-up is also a little shaky…[which is] throwing us off. Hopefully, when the time comes, we can give it our best and win league again this year,” JV starter sophomore Diana Kou said.

Despite getting off to a rough start, both San Gabriel’s JV and varsity girls tennis teams remain undeterred and continue to express their optimism for their upcoming matches.

Commentary

Summary: San Gabriel High School’s cross country team are focused and determined for their upcoming races this season, with returning Coach Steve Morales leading the team. With the frosh/soph and junior varsity teams placing top three in the Almont Leagues last year, Morales has raised the bar in terms of practice and mindsets.

Qualities: Key runners include junior Allen Auyeung, sophomore Brandon Lau, and sophomore Nathan Ta. For girls, senior Janette Nguyen, senior Genesis Echeverria, and sophomore Kimberly Wong were highlighted.

Morales explains that there is a healthy combination of seniors and underclassmen this year. “There’s a good balance of learning going on, where the upperclassmen are teaching the underclassmen more about running and the underclassmen are inspiring the upperclassmen to step it up,” Morales said.

Comments: Runners feel excited for the upcoming season, and are ready to see their hard work and training pay off.

“We’ve definitely been more dedicated and serious about winning this year,” Auyeung said. “The expectations are higher, and we have to try to live up to them.”

Ultimately, Morales is seeking to secure all three divisions a spot in the top three places at the league races this season. He believes that this year’s team consists of hard-working individuals who will put out nothing less than their best efforts.

Photo by Tran Lam

Sophomore Brandon Lau leads the varsity team in drills prior to the first official race of their season.

C a ro l i n a G a rc i a

A gigantic burning ball of gas shooting radiation to Earth known as the sun is predicted to raise temperatures into the 100s. Despite the intense heat many San Gabriel athletes are still required to attend outdoor practice.

Cross country, football, and tennis are a few of many athletic programs that endure practice outside. While experts are recommending that civilians should stay out of the heat, cross country members are out running in absurd temperatures.

Not only are students being exposed to high levels of UV rays, but also to other hazards as well. If an athlete does not drink enough water, they are at risk of passing out or falling victim to a heat stroke.

During a San Gabriel girls soccer practice, a few players vomited because they were dehydrated. The coach then decided to have every player carry a gallon of water in order to prevent this from occurring again.

“Bringing a gallon of water benefits us against the heat,” freshman Janelle Cabrera said. “We do a lot during practice; Illustration by Emmanuel Maresca everyone is trying to stay hydrated, and this seems to be a great solution.”

Other athletic programs are limiting the intensity of their practices and encouraging all athletes to drink large amounts of water in order to beat the heat.

Athletes are at constant risk when they are practicing. Coaches and athletes need to take precautions in order to avoid any misfortunes. The main things to focus on are staying hydrated and refraining from over working the players.

Clash of gender rights in co-educational sports Rol and Fang

Photo by Carolina Loaisiga

Junior Anastasia Ramirez sets her sights on an incoming tennis ball as she takes part in a practice drill that works on improving both tennis strategy and technique.

Since the passage of Title IX of the Education Act in 1972, the gender inequality between males and females regarding their participation in high school and college sports has been progressively declining, as more women have been competing in sports. Currently, Title IX still serves as an important federal education policy that has been a major influence in increasing athletic opportunities for girls and women.

Title IX prohibits gender discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including school athletics. Since the establishment of Title IX over 40 years ago, the number of female students who participate in athletics have dramatically increased. According to the Feminist Majority Foundation, the approximate number of female students who participate in high school sports increased from about 300,000 to about 2.7 million in the 40-year time span.

The implementation of Title IX into San Gabriel High School can be seen through co-ed sports such as badminton, cross country, swim, and track and field, as well as all of the girls sports teams that serve as counterparts to the boys sports teams, with the exception

of football. According to Athletic Director Patricia Hill, all sports strive to maintain a gender-friendly team, where everyone receives equal practices for what each sport needs.

“Girls never got what the boys got,” Hill said. “If you do something for the boys, you have to do it for the girls, too. Some teams didn’t think about the girls, so when a brand new stadium was built for the boys baseball team, the girls claimed Title IX [and received equal treatment].”

Although Title IX positively impacts the female sex, it has negatively affected the presence of males in high school sports. Title IX requires that each team have an equal or an almost equal number of boys and girls, making it a problem for teams that have majority of boys.

“Title IX has really limited the amount of boys we could have on the team,” said Head Coach Steve Morales, head of cross country and track and field. “I think this really hinders because some [of the boys] cannot race during cross country.”

Ultimately, Title IX protects against sex discrimination in high school and college athletics programs. In the past four decades, Title IX has seen both achievements and setbacks; however, it has undoubtedly improved gender equality that has never been recognized before.

Photo by Carolina Loaisiga

11

THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

FEATURES

Herrera takes life by the handlebars C a s s a n d ra C h e n Going at his fastest speed of 37 miles per hour, senior Raymond Herrera speeds down the road from Griffith Observatory on his bicycle. Ever since he received his first bike at age four, he became interested in biking. Biking has managed to become a very important part of Herrera’s life.

Herrera started riding bikes when he was young. His father had joined the Pasedena Mountain Bike Club when he was born, and since then, his father has encouraged him to start riding bikes. Herrera currently owns a Raleigh Revenio Bicycle, a Trek T1 Track Bike, and a GT

29er” Mountain Bike. “[What I like about biking is] either you’re pushing yourself or you’re going for a ride,” Herrera said.

When he was nine years old, Herrera took part in his first race, the Bonelli Cross Country Race. Herrera has also participated in multiple underground races, Alleycat Races, and the Wolfpack Hustle Crash Race. He continues to attend races today.

Biking has impacted Herrera’s life drastically. He said that biking has “opened up a lot of opportunities” for him.

“I think biking really made me who I am,” Herrera said. “I gained lots of new friendships and got to travel and go on ad-

ventures. If I didn’t bike, I’d just be a regular high school student.”

In the future, Herrera aspires for a career involving research and development for bikes.

Photos by Sydney Trieu

CicLAvia explores heart of Los Angeles C h ri s t y De n g

rollerblades, skateboards or anything with wheels can ride along it as well.

“I come to CicLAvia for fun,” junior and Thousands of cyclists gathered in the Los Angeles area on Oct. 5 to attend cyclist Alex Liang said. “I’ve been here last CicLAvia, an event with a 10 mile bike year and it was pretty fun. I would do it Gutierrez to prepare physically, emotionC arolina Loaisiga route that stretched out from Echo Park every year, just because I have no reaally, and mentally for the three day trip. to East Los Angeles. It originated 30 years son not to.”

“I would have to wake up early in the Cars zooming past at 45 Liang enjoys riding his bicycle, ago as a response to traffic on the roads morning for several months to prepare miles per hour, honking sounds in Bogotá, Colombia with the name Ciclo- especially with his team from the my mind to know the hours I would be coming left and right, and traffic vías. The purpose was to provide a way to AHMC Rehab Riders who also up biking. My husband and I would ride lights flashing red to green, to green relieve stress from the regular road con- came with him to CicLAvia. around the Rose Bowl to get mileage. Afto red back again. That is what AssisCicLAvia also includes gestion and promote healthy living. ter a month, we started adding the bags tant Principal Jeannie Gutierrez expeThis is the event’s 40th anniversary various activities other than that would be attached to the bike,” Gutirienced for three days when she biked and the tenth time it was held in Los An- riding at different parts of errez said. from San Gabriel geles. It is held quarterly every year. In the route, which began The couple biked to San Diego with 2015, four CicLAvia events will be held at Echo Park, stretched 60 miles on the first her husband. in Pasadena, San Fernando Valley, Culver through Theater District, day.

Gutierrez biked City and Southeast Cities so people could Chinatown, Cinco Pun“At one point I for three days tos, Mariachi Plaza and experience it without having to travel far. thought this was too straight, only to stop “People were interested in bringing ended at East Los Angemuch for me, but at night to rest up for this event from Colombia to LA,” Director les. Other activities were I felt really happy the next day, travelof Production Rachel Burke said. “LA has food trucks, farmers after I finished the ing from city to city to a lot of traffic and people tend to not go markets, and live music. first day.” experience the scenThe next CicLAvia will out because of that. CicLAvia is meant to Although the ery. She describes the be held on Dec. 7 in the change that.” trip was physically experience has someThe route is not only limited to bicycles; south Los Angeles area.

Photo courtesy of Jeannie Gutierrez exhausting, Gutierthing that she would Photo by Christy Deng rez will never forget love to do again in Gutierrez enjoys the ocean breeze on the moment when the near future.

“Yes, I would do one of the stops in her San Diego bike she finally reached San Diego. this again. To me, journey.

Gutierrez sees riding through the Thomas Wang the benefits of biking and encourages evneighborhood and the beach were some the erybody she knows to try and give biking things that kept me going. The scenery motiWhether they are locked away at school or gaththe benefit of the doubt. She relives her vated me to not stop. But I would definitely ering dust, bikes have touched the lives of many experience as “amazing,” “relaxing,” and need somebody to motivate me through,” students. For senior Elvis Ha, a bike is more than even “stress-reliving.” Gutierrez believes Gutierrez said. just a means to the end. From locomotion to racing this bike ride has given her a different The amount of time it took to prepare for in the future, bikes have become an integral part of outlook on life. the biking trip was immense and required his life.

From a young age, Ha began his biking lifestyle. In fact, one of the earliest brushes he had with biking involved almost getting in a car accident. However, this experience did someone randomly on the street, in the river.

Tran Lam not deter him from biking. Ha currently they wouldn’t know what’s going The “Los Angeles River Greenrides a GT Attack 2.0 Road Bike for transStretching for on,” Price said in an interview with way” project aims for controlling portation and recreation.

51 miles through KCET. “I felt that even with all this floods and enhancing aesthetics, “Biking is important to me because Los Angeles and lo- activity, policy, planning, and re- environmental, and recreational it helps me relax, stay healthy, and meet cating approximately engineering, the public knowledge values by renovating the river. new people that enjoy the same hobby as I 10 miles from San Ga- isn’t there.”

So far, seven parks have opened do,” Ha said. “It usually makes the stress I briel High School, the People can obtain the Play the up along the river: River Garden get go away.” rich blue Los Angeles River LA River deck of cards for free at Park, Marsh Park, Elysian ValTaking his passion to the next step, meanders calmly as birds the LA River Center and Gardens ley Gateway Park, Great Heron Ha plans to participate in an official bike chirp and trees sway. Not many and at the UCLA Humanities Gates at Rattlesnake Park, Oso, race in Jan. To prepare, Ha trains daily. A locals are aware that the river exists, Building. Each deck contains four Steelhead Park, and Egret Park. training route he takes on the weekend although it has played an important suits that represent the neighbor- Marsh Park’s purpose is to clean is the Montrose Ride, a biking route role in Los Angeles in the past few hood: the Valley, Glendale Nar- out pollutants of the dirty water from Descanso Gardens in La years, enhancing economic vital- rows, Downtown and South. Every of the river. The other parks also Canada to Sierra Madre, takes ity and creating opportunities for card includes information bubbles serve their own purposes, such as about 45 miles long. to reach the state government to construct about a specific area of the neigh- providing access to the streambed Coupled with Gabe’s Bike trails, bike routes, and parks near borhoods and its sites. The Project portion of the river, and providing the five Shop to meet with other or along the river.

51 co-founder hopes for people to an amphitheater for education. miles it cyclists, Ha travels over 50 River guide Jenny Price created enjoy exploring the river and have The LA River plays a crucial miles for his weekly workout.

“Project 51” in order to bring at- fun while doing so by playing the role in the development of the Beside physical training, Ha plans to tention to the Los Angeles River. LA River cards.

Los Angeles County economic crowdfund over $2,000 for equipment on As a result, Play the LA River was The purpose of the cards is not vitality and creates a sense of gofundme.com in December. created as a community project to only to entertain or educate, but community as well. It can bring “The need for speed is why I want to race, but the spread awareness of and garner also to gather attention towards the people together and just have passion for cycling inspires me even more to race,” Ha interest in the river.

LA River. Hopefully in the years them enjoy the tranquil river, the said.

“Even though there’s a $1 billion to come, more and more people recreational parks, the trails, and Ha envisions that biking will remain a large part of his life. revitalization going on, if you stop will become aware and interested the bike route.

Go, Gutierrez, go!

Elvis Ha races to top

Play LA River landmark card game

Graphics by Stacy Chau, Cassandra Chen. and Christy Deng

Photo by Tran Lam

FEATURES

12

THE MATADOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

Homecoming 2014: Our Love Will Go On

Top Left: Junior Luis Jimenez prepares to hand the ball to a teammate. Bottom Left: Senior Denh Vong, senior Jacqueline Llamas, junior David San, and the rest of Colorguard perform their Homecoming routine. Above: Homecoming Queen Justine Pham is embraced by her parents, Sonny Pham and Honey Ly, after the results are announced that she had won queen during halftime.

Tell Me

what’s the

WORD. Famous Hallway quotes, Volume Sixty-seven

“If I purposely crash into a car, is it still considered an accident?”

- Student wondering about words.

“This is so fun! It’s like a parade!”

- Student sincerely commenting on the earthquake drill.

“I’ll cut you with a band aid!”

- Student angry over stolen pictures.

All quotes overheard

by The Matador Staff.

Above: Homecoming Prince Frankie Zhuang congratulates Homecoming King Matthew Diep when the results are unveiled. Bottom Right: Varsity Cheerleading Captain Julie Truong, junior Anastasia Ramirez, freshman Karey Chan, and freshman Arlyne Rizo perform their routine to cheer up the crowd before the Homecoming football game versus Temple City High School.

Visit thematadorsghs.com for more pictures, court interviews, and a video of the Homecoming pep rally. To purchase Homecoming images, email sghsmatador@gmail.com.

Photos by Peter Thomas/ Sanford Studios