OPINIONS
FOCUS
LIFE & ART
“New Year’s resolutions
“LGBTQ+ : Out and Proud” pg. 6-7
SLOs themes” pg. 9
require dedication, resolve” pg. 5
“SA-building mirrors
THE MATADOR
SAN GABRIEL HIGH/JANUARY 19, 2017/ VOLUME 62 / ISSUE 5
WWW.THEMATADORSGHS.US/801 S. RAMONA ST., SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776
AUSD commits to “Safe Haven” resolution Joanne Chau As Donald Trump’s inauguration day approaches on Jan. 20, concerns regarding Trump’s proposed policies have escalated, resulting in protest. Igniting disapproval is his proposal of the deportation of unauthorized immigrants who have been convicted of crimes. In response, the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) passed a new resolution. At a recent board meeting on Jan. 10, the AUSD officially signed Resolution No. 16-17-16, committing that schools of the AUSD will “create safe and caring environments” and “foster a culture of trust and respect among all stakeholders.” Since the walkout of San Gabriel High School students last November, board members have acknowledged the distress and unease of students who belong to immigrant families. Resolution 16-17-16’s purpose is to ensure a safe school environment where students can receive a proper education, regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or immigration status. “I think it’s a great thing that the school board took that big step for the sake of all undocumented students,” junior Abigail Garcia, one of the organizers of the student walkout, said. “The presidential election affected a lot of teenagers, including myself. Although I’m not undocumented, [Trump’s proposed policies make me feel] hurt
Photo by Sydney Trieu
San Gabriel students showed their opposition against Trump’s policies with a walkout on Nov. 10, 2016 and heartbroken because I know some undocumented people came here for better opportunities for themselves and their children.” This reassurance to make school campuses “safe havens” will work to take the worry off of students’ backs and allow them to learn freely. “I feel safer within the walls of my high school, knowing that they took our voices seriously and that our walk-
Classified staff receives grant to earn teaching credentials
out wasn’t a wasted protest,” senior Angela Rodriguez, another one of the leaders in the student walkout, said. “It benefits my senior class because we no longer have to worry about the last few months of our schooling being jeopardized. And for future generations, they don’t have to worry about being able to finish their high school career. With one less thing to worry about, we can focus on our future beyond high school.” In the resolution, the AUSD commits that they will “take any and all actions authorized by law and our policies to provide equal opportunities and safe learning spaces for all of our students.” In addition to implementing a safe environment, they will protect students by “not [collaborating] with immigration enforcement agencies or share information that could put a student’s security at risk.” “As the fear of these vulnerable communities does not disappear by merely ignoring its causes, I will continue to look for ways to incorporate into class content a perspective on and context for some of the upheaval our democracy and society are facing,” English teacher Melissa Bishop-Magallanes said. “What will not change in my classroom is the space of safety and community and my indefatigable commitment to defend human dignity and rights.” As for changes to the school, none have been proposed yet, but as Principal Debbie Stone said, ”[San Gabriel] will follow whatever guidelines given by the District” to comply with the resolution.
Rose Parade band trains, sleeps over at San Gabriel
Nathan Ta About one-third to half of the staff of the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) are projected to retire within the next five years. In order to combat the possibility of a teacher shortage, AUSD will be aiding classified staff, such as custodians, campus supervisors, and secretaries, in getting their college degrees and/or teaching credentials. The grant, given by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), will provide classified employees with financial aid of $4,000 a year. Candidates must meet minimum qualifications of having an associate degree or successful completion of two years of college to participate in the program. “I think that’s one of the things that I value. I think that something our district values is really building capacity from within,” Director of Human Resources Janet Lees said. “The challenge is that I had written the grant for 100 slots but received 40, which I am really grateful for.” Lees is currently working with the California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) to ensure the candidates meet the teaching requirements as any other teacher would. “[CSULA], like any other university, [has] to go through an accreditation process to be able to provide credentials,” Lees said. “This isn’t something new and different; this is just a pathway for the classified staff to earn their credential through an accredited university. [CSULA] is already accredited to be able to provide preliminary teaching credentials.” In exchange for using the grant to get their teaching credentials, the classified staff are required to work for AUSD for the amount of time they used the grant. “But it’s pending provided that [the] position is open because people can go for a multiple-subjects credential which allows you to teach elementary [school]. They could go for a single-subject credential which allows them to teach at high school. [Or] they may go for special education, so it’s pending an available position so it’s not necessarily a guarantee,” Lees said. Although the grant helps with the teacher shortage, AUSD will still hire teachers through the regular process of advertising and interviewing. Interested classified staff were invited to informational meetings that were held in October while the grant was being written. They were asked to complete a Google form if they were interested in becoming a teacher. “Almost 100 classified staff completed the interest forms,” Lees said. “In addition, over 60 classified staff also completed commitment forms.” Meetings are in the process of being scheduled in collaboration with CSULA to determine the final candidates for the grant. AUSD received 40 slots from the CTC grant. Each slot gives $4,000 per year to an employee, for a total $160,000 per year, and $800,000 for five years.
Photo courtesy of the Santa Clara Vanguard
The Santa Clara Vanguard practices its routine for the annual Pasadena Rose Parade for 2017. Carlos Carillo While San Gabriel closed its doors for winter break, the Santa Clara Vanguard, a world-class drum corps and colorguard, used the school’s large campus as a training ground and temporary residence in preparation for their performance at the 128th Annual Rose Parade in Pasadena. The six-time Drum Corps International World Champions ended up at San Gabriel after a disastrous course of events in the weeks prior to the parade which left them with no location to practice or sleep. According to Denise Jaramillo, assistant superintendent of Business Services of the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD), the Tournament of Roses reached out to the District to arrange accommodations for the band. “The Tournament of Roses had done us a favor when the AUSD band played in the parade in 2009, so we returned the favor,” Jaramillo said. The Vanguard’s presence even attracted a few visitors interested in seeing them practice, including San Gabriel alumnus Clint Menk, a member of AUSD’s 2009 Rose Parade band. “I was drawn to the group by their sound, which
I heard loud and clear from the South Parking Lot,” Menk said. “It reminded me of the time eight years prior when my peers and I spent winter break rehearsing for the Rose Parade and sleeping over at the gym as well.” The band and colorguard, consisting of 241 members that made the trip to San Gabriel, were present on campus from Dec. 28 to Jan. 1, putting in crucial rehearsal hours before their performance on Jan. 2. The band slept in the Matador Arena and showered in the boys locker room while their advisers slept in MS-4. They also had a food truck ready to serve the hundreds of high school and college performers. In their performance, the unit made Rose Parade history, becoming the first marching band and colorguard to both open and close the parade, headlining the 19 bands that performed that day. During the parade, the band performed classic and modern hits, ranging from “God Bless America” to “Uptown Funk” before closing out the festivities with a rendition of “America The Beautiful.” The Vanguard left San Gabriel the night prior to the parade to prepare at a local Pasadena high school. They will return to Pasadena this July as part of their summer tour before taking part in the World Championships in August.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
Red Cross hosts blood drive
NEWS
Prankster changes Hollywood sign in support of marijuana
Photo by Sunny Chen
Junior Britney Huynh, secretary of Red Cross, helps potential donors sign up for the upcoming blood drive. N at han Ta Red Cross will be hosting its second blood drive of the year on Jan. 27 in the Multi-Purpose Room. Although most students see donating blood as a small act to help those in need, it actually goes a long way. According to the American Red Cross, “almost 20 percent of the millions of donations made each year come from high school and college blood drives.” On the day of the blood drive, students will be summoned during a class period they chose when signing up. Before donating blood, students are privately interviewed by the medical staff to gather information about their medical history. Those who have anemia, HIV, low blood pressure, or any other complications with their blood will be denied the opportunity to donate. Even if ineligible to donate blood, there are other means of helping Red Cross. “Red Cross isn’t only about blood drives and donating,” senior Vicki Lei, vice president of Red Cross, said. “Our general mission is to simply help people in need, and you can get involved in other ways [such as] disaster preparedness, CPR, first-aid, or service events.” Junior Britney Huynh, secretary of Red Cross, commented on her feelings towards the blood drives. “Personally, every time there is a blood drive, [I think] an ecstatic atmosphere surrounds the school. Especially with new 16-year-old teens ready to help someone in need,” Huynh said. For those who are interested in donating blood, sign ups and details will be announced the day before the blood drive at the quad. Walk-ins are welcome; however, 16-year-olds need a parental consent form if they wish to donate.
Winter Pep Rally kicks off new sports season
Photo by Sunny Chen
A l l M a l e p e r f o r m s t h e i r c h o re o g r a p h e d ro u t i n e a t t h e p e p r a l l y. Eva Hernandez Minutes before the bell rang for students to start filling the seats of the Matador Arena on Jan. 13, performers and band members warmed up their muscles and musical instruments. Between each performance, the winter sports’ teams were introduced by their senior captains: Andres Huerta for boys soccer; Cristal Alvarez and Angela Rodriguez for girls soccer; Jarett Tan for boys basketball; Deanne Dinh, Kitty Lu, and Jennifer Yan for girls basketball. “I feel really good [about the rally],” ASB member junior Fabiola Vega said. “As a team, we don’t want to mess up, and it’s [an overall] great experience.” The most memorable performances of the rally included those by Colorguard and drill. Drill, normally known for sharp and precise formations, added in segments that were reminiscent of hip-hop performances, rather than the traditional drill style. “We have been trying different types of dance that aren’t drill-related, just to see how the audience would react,” senior Huong Phu said. “Students would say that drill isn’t quite entertaining, and we wanted to do something
different.” Colorguard also stole the show with some new tricks that had not been seen by the student body before. The crowd roared as the team performed new spins with the flags displaying the school colors and exchanged flags between team members as the staves twirled in midair. The overall performance was exhilarating and satisfying to watch, as no flags were dropped in the process. “I feel really happy about [the routine] because we worked hard over winter break, during school, and [the weekends] in order to perfect this routine,” senior Kathy Bach said. “I also had a part in [creating] the routine as well.” Other performing teams were not without praise during the rally, however. Both Choreo and All Male were well-received by the crowds and were commended by members of other performing teams for the renewed energy and “sassy” vibe that was present during their performances. Junior varsity and varsity cheer also presented amazing performances that energized the crowd, with fliers and supports alike bringing the pep that the student body has come to know and love.
Photo courtesy of CNN
Car los Car illo When the Hollywood sign was altered to read “Hollyweed” on New Year ’s Day, it was actually not the first time a prankster had edited the sign in support of marijuana. On the same day in 1976, Danny Finegood, who was then an art student, reworded the sign in the same way to support the new marijuana legislation that had passed. Over 40 years later, this event proved to be the inspiration for its modern day reiteration. Zachary Fernandez, also a southern California artist, claimed responsibility for the Hollyweed alteration after turning himself into the authorities. Fernandez, known as Jesus Hands on Instagram, said in an interview with ABC that he did it in order to get a conversation started. The prankster did manage to raise awareness about marijuana in California with the incident, taking the internet by storm soon after people discovered the change. The stunt, despite being illegal, could actually prove beneficial for California in the wake of the passing of Proposition 64, which legalized the drug in the state. Despite the law passing, many people
have misinterpreted just exactly what it legalizes. As of the bill’s passing, adults over the age of 21 are allowed to grow and possess limited amounts of marijuana, but the recreational sale of the drug is still illegal, as the state will not provide business licenses until 2018. Regardless, many medical marijuana businesses have begun selling recreationally, which could result in harsh consequences for dispensaries that may be unaware of the specifics of the law. In the midst of all the confusion, the increased coverage of marijuana due to one artist’s stunt could raise more awareness about what is legal and what is not. Regardless of possible benefits, some still want Fernandez punished. In an interview with The Los Angeles Independent, City Councilman David Ryu said that Fernandez should be charged, citing the wasteful use of public personnel in dealing with these types of issues. Fernandez is set for a Feb. 15 court date if charges are pressed. For now, though, the prankster is using the attention to sell “Hollyweed” merchandise on his online store.
NEWS THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
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THE MATADOR
G i l b e r t , Te l l e z - G a g l i a n o r e t i r e s
Talent show theme revealed
Marsha Gilbert portrayed on the left, Laura Tellez-Gagliano on the right. T h o m a s Wa n g Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) Superintendent Laura TellezGagliano and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Marsha Gilbert, announced their retirement after the end of this school year after serving 12 and 42 years in the District, respectively. According to the Pasadena Star News, before becoming superintendent, Tellez-Gagliano was the assistant superintendent of Human Resources for the AUSD and worked in
both the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Garvey School District. Gilbert held various positions in the AUSD--including principal at San Gabriel High School and assistant superintendent of Student Services. “It’s time [for me to retire], and lots of good people are coming up,” Gilbert said. “I’ve been thankful for every working day in Alhambra. It’s a wonderful community that supports its schools, and I’m proud to say I worked in the AUSD, and I’m particularly proud to say I was principal for San Gabriel High School.” Photos courtesy of AUSD
President Obama bids farewell
Photo by Sunny Chen
Senior Sydney Nomura and junior Fabiola Vega reveal this years talent show theme. Virgina Situ Secrets. Maybe even hidden talents. Many students in high school are involved in extracurricular activities such as singing and dancing. Though some students may be afraid of the limelight, others may be inspired to share their talents with the audience. Some people perform in front of a large audience to show that they are the best in a particular category. However, freshman Hanson Pham wants to perform a song that means something to him. “I will be singing solo [this year],” Pham said. “I chose this year because I [have] always wanted to sing live in front of many people.” Hiding their talents for the past three years of their high school career, seniors Diana Kou, Anney Lin, and Katie Wong are also preparing to perform in their last year of high school. “This is my first time performing in the talent show because it’s our last year [in high school] so my friend Anney and I decided to just go for it,” Kou said. “We’ll be accompanied by our friend Katie on the piano [while we sing].” The Lilo and Stitch themed talent show will be held in the auditorium on Friday, Jan. 27 with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 6 p.m. Talent show tickets will be $5.
Get Lit Poetry announces top poets Chelsea Li
Photo courtesy of CNN
S yd ney Tri eu “You made me a better President, and you made me a better man,” President Barack Obama declared, his voice reverberating through the convention hall amongst scores of applauds and cheers. From his hometown of Chicago, President Obama delivered his farewell address on Jan. 10. Much like his initial campaign in 2008 amid the Great Recession, his speech was driven by hope, optimism, and faith in change. A few minutes into the speech, the audience interrupted with chants of “Four more years!” to which President Obama replied, “I can’t do that.” “I committed to President-elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me,” President Obama said. “Because it’s up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face.” Of these challenges, he criticized the “naked partisanship” in the country—the divisive social atmosphere both racially and politically—that “[increases] economic and regional stratification [and] the splintering of our media into a channel for every taste.” “Increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we start accepting only information, whether it’s true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that is out there,” President Obama said. AP Government teacher Raymond Gin, who watched the farewell address said that the President did not seem to be ending his political career with the speech; rather, “he’s staying in the fight, and in a way, [seems] like he’s willing to step up and say he will lead the Democratic Party.” “[The Democratic Party] is like a boat without a rudder,” Gin said. “There’s no direction to it. Right now, it seems dead in the water. And Obama feels that he has to do something to at least keep them going until someone else steps up; at least, that’s how I felt about it.” Toward the end of his speech, President Obama teared up as the thanked his wife, daughters, Vice President Joe Biden, and his staff. With his term’s end in several days, President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated come Jan. 20.
Young and valiant students showed a hidden side of themselves to the judges and audience through poetry during the 2017 Get Lit! Poetry competition. The objective was to empower them to be vulnerable and speak their own version of truth, hoping the crowd would do the same. On the first day, finalists sophomores Monica Chen, Katherine Huang, and Derek Lew presented a classic poem with their own response poem. The second day concluded with junior Erika Duran, senior Eva Hernandez, and senior Tabatha Perez becoming finalists. Chen presented “The Price Of Doing Business” by Mark Lipman, a poem that mocks greedy businessmen neglecting human rights and no empathy. Her response poem “We, She, They” exposes the corrupted side of consumers being able to buy inexpensive clothes made by enslaved workers. Huang performed “A Dream Within A Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe, written based on his personal experience. Her response poem “Silent War” was developed off the concepts of life and how real it was. Lew chose “Nobody But You” by Charles Bukowski, a poem that defied going with the flow and pursued a more unique sense of oneself. His response poem “You” structured to a relatable setting like social media. “I don’t follow social trends and rather not. The idea of blending into one and
everything is the same is pointless,” Lew said. Hernandez performed “Abecedarian Requiring Further Examination of Anglikan Seraphym Subjugation Of A Wild Indian Reservation” by Natalie Diaz, a poem about how a daughter shapes her values based on others’ expectation. Her response poem “The Perfect Daughter” was written in a childish language to build a connection. “I used some of my personal experience [in the poem]. Initially I started [composing the poem] in middle school and developed it from there,” Hernandez said. Perez presented “Downhearted” by Ada Limón. Limón initially inspired Perez to write poetry in the Young Americans Writers Project in her freshman year. Her response poem “Nine Lives” was dedicated her mother who has congenital heart failure. “[My poem] was for her in a way,” Perez said. The classic poem was personal to her because it directly related to her purpose of the poem. Duran recited “I Remember The Carrots” by Ada Limón, a poem about girl that would hunt carrots and her father would be furious. Her response “Erikita” showed how far Duran has grown as a person since the loss of her mother. Being branded as the “top poets of the night” does not determine whether or not they are part of the Get Lit team. If interested, any student can join the team and learn self-expression, the power of literature, and become an influential individual.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
A modern “Vin” Gogh Vincent Maresca The what-ifs
What if a watermelon had bazooka arms? What if a demon constantly blew into a megaphone to make your ears bleed? What if a stitch-lipped orb of hate began attacking? That’s what I wanted to know. So what better way than to draw it? As a little child, I’ve always wondered: why does reality only have this or that? Where are the “what ifs”? I decided to doodle up some little creatures during my middle school days called “Helpers.” They were basically little demons who put my notes into place. But eventually, their design grew stale to me. Fast forward to my 7th and 8th grade years where I completely abandoned the names of “Helpers” and gave them real lives and names. It felt so good to give a purpose to my once mindless scribbles. Fast forward to finally showing people these little guys. They liked them. But I always want to somehow improve their current world with some landscape and fauna. My Math notebook became a flimsy sketchbook, and then became my train of thought for about three years now. Everyday I think of what ifs and doodle them. I even ask some friends what what ifs they have. I never wish to impersonate and take credit for another’s work. I try to be 100% original all the time, but even I can’t help myself and draw fanart of another’s work. To be honest, I always see an idea for some kind of scribble wherever I look and listen, even if it is a reimagining of ancient creatures stuck in legend. What I’m trying to say is that drawing is just plain fun. You can easily answer all your what ifs and see what it would like if it breathed, towered in front of you or even just existed to be seen. I draw to see my personal questions manifest into a person or place or object so others can see what I think about. It can be simple or abstract, but just seeing the thought is enough.
OPINIONS
Editorial
Training of classified staff is beneficial to teacher shortage For everyone who has been raised on American soil, the cornerstone of everyone’s early development occurred within school walls. From the playground to the classroom, teachers are there to guide every student from childhood to adolescence to contributing members of society. Despite the impact and importance of educators, every state in the country has declared a shortage of teachers, according to the Washington Post. In response, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing created the California Classified School Employee Te a c h e r C re d e n t i a l i n g P ro g r a m (CCSETCP), a grant that allows schools to train classified employees to become certified teachers. The Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) applied for this program and received grants for 40 positions. This grant opens many beneficial opportunities to the employees of San Gabriel High School and other schools across the District. From custodians to campus supervisors, this grant allows classified
employees to be trained as teachers, providing a new option to explore. It opens the doors for these employees if they desire to be in the classroom setting. For some, this is the perfect avenue to advance in their career, and by offering this program, the District is effectively giving their employees a more accessible opportunity, as a portion of their education fees will be covered by the CCSETCP according to the grant’s text. Thus, they are able to transition smoothly. However, critics argue that this grant allows the District to hire the people District employees want—the yes-men and the sycophants born and raised in their system. According to AUSD Director of Human Resources Janet Lees, this is not the case. Even though the District trains the classified employees, they will still have to go through the normal hiring process. Their position is not guaranteed, as they are put in the regular pool of applicants. Yes, there is still room for foul play, but procedurally, this is a
transparent and effective method to ensure that the most qualified teachers earn their positions. All the District and schools have to do is follow through. Even if these homegrown teachers do not find a teaching position in the AUSD, they have the opportunity to expand outwards. With all the tools necessary, they only need to hunt for a job, and given this teacher shortage, this should not be terribly difficult. Overall, this grant allows the AUSD to offer new opportunities for their classified employees, which is beneficial not only to the District but to the state of California. In order to replenish educators, this alternative pathway is needed. The innate teaching abilities and knowledge base may be put to question, but if these employees are truly passionate about taking this position, there is no doubt that they will acclimate well into the current education system and do well in leading the new generation of students.
Media distorts 2016, presents year in negative light K i m P ham The year it all went to hell. The year nothing made sense. The year we lost track of reality. The year Merriam-Webster made “surreal” its word of the year. For many, 2016 hasn’t just been awful and strange; it’s become its own catchphrase. 2016 itself has become its own meme. Where were you when you decided this would be how we remembered the year? When you decided 2016 was pure trash and utter filth? Was it when David Bowie died? Or when Prince ended his purple reign? Or when you realized that, whoever won, the election was going to be a hot mess? Was it Brexit? Which terror attack did it for you? Or maybe it was Harambe. As last year came to a close, many are memorializing it online by pointing out how much it sucked, how much it aged them, how much they regret it. But by many measures, 2016 wasn’t nearly as bad as certain portions of the Internet have made it out to be. For the nearly 63 million voters who supported Donald Trump, maybe this wasn’t a bad year at all; their candidate won. For millions of Americans whose wages went up, maybe their year was good too. The vast majority of Americans lived lives free from any direct personal effects from incidences of global terror or wars. The markets have gone up and more people have health insurance. So, why then, is 2016 the worst? Some of the “2016 is awful” rhetoric might be about the way we all consumed the headlines this year. Every five minutes, another sad headline, another Twitter mention or fight, another
shared link on Facebook, another push notification. Another hit. But culture always reflects the time. There must be something deeper, a certain logic that would lead thousands to deem this year so awful, so publicly and consistently online for months. Robert Hernandez, professor of journalism at the University of Southern California, says using social media to declare 2016 “the worst ever” is the latest example of how we use the Internet: ironically, with hyperbole, and usually, with a wink and a nod. “It is the latest meme of the day. It’s the next flavor of #ThanksObama. ‘Oh, I just dropped my coffee. Thanks Obama!’“ Hernandez said. “It’s how we cope. If you’re on Twitter, you’re on a mobile device, probably one of the newest ones, one of the new phones. [And] you’re one of the few people on Twitter [relatively].” He’s right. For most of us, tweeting that 2016 is the worst, or even tweeting at all, is an exercise of privilege. The air in which one offers cultural criticism, memes, and GIF-able 140-character bursts is rarefied. If your year was really the worst, you probably wouldn’t be tweeting about it. We weren’t in this spot a few years ago. Those glory days of tweeting about being bored in meetings, what you had for lunch, or being so numbingly comfortable in your own world that you put your home address on Facebook—that seems to be all over now. Now it’s all irony or sarcasm. Social media isn’t nice anymore. So, 2016. Sure. Let’s call it the worst. But let’s also acknowledge that saying 2016 is the worst on Twitter says more about the tweeter and the medium than perhaps about the year itself.
No love for “President Trump,” only disgust for “Donald Trump” Lucas J orgensen When America elected its first black president, performers of all shapes and sizes lined up to welcome the new American leader. Soon, on inauguration day, America will have a president like no other, an orange president who many Americans feared to have roam the White House. Naturally, those who lined up to perform for Obama refused to come out and show support for Trump. Not everyone refused—some agreed to usher in the new president, but those that denied: why? What good will it do if you don’t go and put on a show for President-elect Trump? Nothing, you just voice your already loud opinion that you wanted Hillary (or Bernie, maybe) to be up there instead. Those who are performing aren’t too excited about it themselves—look at the Rockettes; several of them aren’t ecstatic to perform, and it’s chaos down there. But as the head of the Rockettes said, “We are celebrating a new president, not necessarily this president.” I’m sure if these people were asked to do another welcome show for Obama, they’d come running, but Trump sends them
to Twitter to express discontent. Trump’s advisory team also doesn’t care. Trump himself said on Twitter that these A-list actors and performers would totally perform if Hillary had won, and he is right. Those people have decided to support their candidate and not the president. It says something— maybe loyalty, maybe brattiness—but it all comes down to free speech. There’s nothing wrong with not performing for him; they didn’t do anything wrong nor did they do anything right. Those performing aren’t doing anything wrong or right either; they’re just welcoming the electoral-winning Republican, President Trump—not exactly Donald Trump. There are two different people I see in him, the new and game-changing president and the racist idiot the A-list celebrities continue to see him as. Illustration by Jennifer Cheung In these next four years, we will have a President like no other in the White House, but we will also have a man like no other in the White House. It’s up to us, the American people, to see who is really going to lead the United States of America from here on out.
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OPINIONS THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017 THE MATADOR
New Year’s resolutions require dedication, resolve S u n n y C hen
2016 royally sucked; it really did. While there was a learning curve, the rest of the year was subpar. No matter what part of 2016 left you feeling jaded and drained and battered, the idea of selfimprovement has never been more enticing. We can’t heal the divides in the country, can’t stop violence, can’t keep death from taking the artists and actors who defined our youth. We can’t magically extend the term of a president who does not hypocracize himself with each new tweet and neither can we get Michelle to take his place, but perhaps we can drink more water and spend more time with our dogs. It has already been three weeks into 2017, and for many of us, the term “New Year’s resolutions” isn’t heard quite as often as during the first few days of the brand new year. The New Year is synonymous with fresh starts and beginnings for the year ahead, the cliche of a “clean slate,” and for some people, it’s the perfect excuse to make a change in their lives. Traditionally, a New Year ’s resolution is a commitment one makes to change something, to start something new or to improve an element of their lives and surroundings. Resolutions are all about hope—hope that things can get better, hope that you are actually going to make use of that gym
membership, declutter that junk drawer, go to bed earlier. The reality is, hope doesn’t change things; persistence and habits do, and this is why less than 10 percent of New Year’s resolutions ever work out. Jan. 1 doesn’t mark a magical day where everything bad in one’s life will disappear and that person will suddenly become the best version of himself or herself; it is just another day. The societal expectation for one to change his or her life simply because it is once again a new year is a huge reason why these resolutions never work out. They are meaningless, set only because of the date on the calendar and not because one is truly motivated to work towards those goals. That’s not to say that this is the case for every single person, however. New Year’s resolutions are great for reaching a paradigm of self-responsibility and self-capability. If the New Year is what you need to take that first step towards where you want to be, then by all means, make use of the opportunity, just do not fool yourself into believing that there is a “right” time to make a change in your life. The right time is not when you have to replace your old calendar, but whenever you feel motivated.
Illustration by Jennifer Cheung
Bullying, toxic behavior manifests through internet memes
Photo Courtesy of TIME Magazine
T h o m a s Wang Heidi Yeh once had a promising modeling career for advertisements of large corporations until she became a meme. One of her ads was fallaciously paired with an urban legend claiming that she had undergone drastic plastic surgery and produced “ugly” babies leading to a divorce. Yeh is now relegated to minor modeling positions, and according to the BBC, the meme destroyed her life. As witty or funny a meme can be, unnecessary casualties occur along the way for the amusement of many. Coined by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, a meme is a concept or idea that disseminates from one person to another within a culture. The interconnectivity of the Internet provides a breeding ground for
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Sydney Trieu Thomas Wang Joanne Chau Nathan Ta Sunny Chen Eileen Ong Karina Matias Kim Pham Lu Yue Wang Jennifer Cheung Jessica Tran Uyen Sy Kim Ta Michele Thai Selina Han Kelly Ho Shirley Dinh Eva Hernandez Andy Yung Sunny Chen Michelle Ho Vincent Maresca Anny Li Wu Christina Lov Tom Cheah Kathy Quach Kevin Contreras Michelle Ho Vivian Wong Carlos Carillo Virginia Situ Jennifer Kim
Reporters: Nian Capilli, Lucas Jorgensen, Chelsea Li, Vincent Maresca, Kayla Tang The Matador is published monthly by the journalism class of San Gabriel High School. 1,600 copies per issue are published at J. E. J Print Inc. The Matador is a public forum for student expression and highly encourages responses in reaction to issues discussed in the paper. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, not the faculty or administration. Articles without bylines are the opinion of the staff. Submit comments as a letter to the editor, signed (anonymity is guaranteed if requested), to H-2, or Ms. Kim’s mailbox.
memes along with all the worst aspect of the internet: trolls and griefers. Memes are inevitable, and being an unwanted subject of one is random at best. Memes are harmless by themselves. They are merely a viral phenomenon, but when they reach the internet and into the private lives of these individuals, it become caustic. The “Star Wars Kid” was bullied out of high school and so was Rebecca Black. Who would have thought telling someone to kill themselves or that they are “literally crap” would actually have an impact on these people? Because they are being exposed in such a accessible medium, the toxicity comes easier. Mix it with the relative anonymity of the internet, and people are unnecessarily put under the rifle sights of internet communities. Now, memes can be harmless even if it centers around an unwilling party. The solution is as simple as being a decent human being. Because that’s the solution. Being a decent human. There is no need to incite witch hunts. Yes, “Friday” was not a good song, and the Star Wars Kid embarrassed himself in the cringiest way, but they are still human. There is no point in giving them hell in and outside of the internet. Besides being a cesspool waiting for trolling, memes can be dangerous because it puts a person’s private life on display. From Bad Luck Brian to Overly Attached Girlfriend, the people in their respective meme became celebrities. They became a source of attention, wanted or not. The best way to avoid being a meme is to keep life as private as possible online. Avoid posting incriminating photos. Still, it is impossible to fully avoid having a million shares on Facebook. Memes are a byproduct of this vastly connected world. All that can be done is to respect them despite the laughter or intrigue.
The Matador Bullring What are you looking forward to in 2017?
“ “
I’m looking forward to having better luck, doing better in school and in my personal life.” -Jocelyn Garcia, 10th grade
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For 2017, I’m hoping to make new friends and new memories.” -Tina Chuong, 9th grade
I’m looking forward to 2018.” -Dominic Vega, 11th grade
I’m looking forward to trying exotic foods from different places other than the 626.“ -John Peng, 12th grade
Photos by Sunny Chen
“Sy”-rendipitious friendships
Uyen Sy
My four quarters Before I attended middle school, my older brother once advised me, “Keep your circle of friends small. Having four quarters is better than one hundred pennies right?” I nodded as if I understood what he meant, but instead, my ignorant 13-year-old self went directly against his words. Throughout the school year, I attempted to hold friendly conversations and keep close friendships with everyone around me. A desire for popularity gradually seized me; being well-liked by my classmates became one of my main concerns. Without being cognizant, I misplaced myself in a vulnerable state where others took advantage of my kindness. I didn’t know how to reply “No” as an answer when someone asked me to copy a problem on my homework or to hang out when I had a big test to study for the next day. I was truly miserable chasing after an admired reputation. With such a self-conscious personality, I feared being disliked or judged but soon realized I couldn’t please everyone, leading me to conclude that popularity held no significant meaning in my life. High school came around, and I began to shift focus on my studies rather than on my friends. Homework and extracurriculars occupied a majority of my time, and socializing diminished as a priority. Naturally, people separated from their old group of friends to form new groups, and so I grew quite distant from and lost connections with many friends left and right. People that I once called my close friends or even best friends slowly became unfamiliar faces that I would occasionally make awkward eye contact with in the hallways. One of the most valuable things that I have learned in school is that people will come and go. Of course, it is difficult to grasp the thought that the person you once shared so many memorable moments with is not a part of your life anymore; however, over time you will realize you can be better off on your own. Friendships are fragile, far from permanent, but it is the effort invested from both sides that keeps the communication strong and healthy. After four years of feeling lost, inconsistently wandering from one group of friends to another, it is safe to admit that I am happily content with my social life, even with my four quarters. To my sources of sincere friendships: I acknowledge the fact that I’m not the easiest person to deal with when I’m upset or angry because you’d have to ask me a hundred times “What’s the matter?” until I stop replying with “I’m okay.” I’m also not the most exciting person to hang out with; modesty will hold me back from jamming to radio music or dancing to trendy songs in the car. Regardless of my flaws, thank you for providing me with unconditional love and molding me into the ecstatic person that I am today. Thank you for the spontaneous boba runs that are much needed when I stress over a class, and for uncontrollable laughter until I start tearing up when I’m having an off day. Thank you for reassuring me of my potential and motivating me to strive for greatness. Without you, I am empty; with you, I am filled with happiness and blessings.
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The Matador Muse Untitled Your name brings back memories good or bad I don’t know It all starts with green and green goes from emerald to Esmeralda You were my Es-me You never made me feel at home or safe but I was comfortable and happy I lived near your shade not quite under I lived in fear that one day your branches would grow too big and I would be trapped under it, shrinking away never growing to my full extent Maybe leaving wasn’t so bad maybe those tears I shed weren’t exactly for you or Brian or Tony or even Juice but rather for me I was finally in the light and in need of more water to grow Those tears weren’t of pain but rather tears of survival. Sometimes I sit and ponder what would have happened if I stayed In the end I thank you for the memories I thank my new Friends for planting me near them and never growing over me -Antonette Buenrostro, 12
Lunar New Year Festival offers free admission, food, fun Virginia Situ Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is an Asian holiday defined by the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar. The coming Chinese New Year is the Year of the Rooster and will start on Jan. 28. The Chinese celebrate this day with their family and friends. The city of San Gabriel will welcome the Lunar New Year by holding a Spring Festival for the residents of San Gabriel Valley. The festival is sponsored by the City of San Gabriel, along
with Hilton San Gabriel and LA18 KSCI-TV. Live entertainment, food trucks, competitions, dance tournaments, beer and wine, and more—the Spring Festival has it all. Young children have their their own section where they can enjoy face painting and other activities. On the other hand, adults can relieve their stress by visiting the beer and wine garden. The festival is free to attend and has something for everyone in the family. It will take place in San Gabriel Mission District from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Address: 320 S Mission Dr, San Gabriel, California 91776
LIFE & ART
Streep throws political jabs toward Trump
Photo courtesy of KABC
Streep dresses as Trump at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Kevin Contreras It was a night filled with applause, laughs, and many of Hollywood’s stars at the 74th annual Golden Globe awards. Held on Jan. 8, it was hosted by none other than comedian Jimmy Fallon himself; but awards were not the only things handed out throughout the night. Upon her acceptance of the Cecil B. DeMille Award for a lifetime of great and notable work, Meryl Streep takes advantage of the opportunity to call out Donald Trump on live television. Earlier last year, during his campaign, Trump had imitated a reporter with a chronic disease that impairs the movement of his arms. Streep sieged the opportunity to exclaim his offensive behavior. “There was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hooks in my heart, not because it was good; there was nothing good about it,” Streep said. “It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter, someone he outranked in privilege and power and capacity to fight back.” Streep said that Trumps “performance” was an effective one. She said it did its job, but even so, behavior like
this is like a real-life nightmare. Spanish Teacher Victor Garcia said that Streep’s speech was the best part of the show. “I just found it moving, and I think that what she said was true and important,” Garcia said. “It’s a sad situation we are living in. It’s tragic. It’s like waking up from a bad dream but it’s not a dream, it’s reality.” Streep also spoke to other celebrities to try and protect journalism saying that they are “going to need the press going forward.” “We need the principal press to hold power to account to call him to the carpet for every outrage,” Streep said. Trump did not stay quiet for long. In an interview with the New York Times, he said that Meryl Streep is “an angry Hillary supporter” who does not know him. “I was never mocking anyone. I was calling into question a reporter who had gotten nervous because he had changed his story,” Trump said. “People keep saying I intended to mock the reporter’s disability, as if Meryl Streep and others could read my mind, and I did no such thing.” Streep also called for the actors to support the committee to protect journalists. “When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose,” Streep said.
Fans disappointed over Disney’s Tower of Terror’s closing Eileen Ong Disney’s California Adventure Park officially closed their Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride on Jan. 2. In its place, a “Guardians of the Galaxy”themed drop tower will debut as Marvel’s first ride in the park. Many Disney fans, including senior Huong Phu, did not understand why such an iconic attraction was closed down, even when over 35,000 people signed a petition against the renovation. “I’m honestly very disappointed about it, even though I’m not a very big fan of the ride,” Phu said.
Illustration by Kim Ta
“[Guardians of the Galaxy] doesn’t really sound appealing compared to how [the] Hollywood Tower of Terror is.” Despite the negative reactions, sophomore Max Mora remains open to the change that is characteristic of Disneyland. “People complain like ‘oh, it’s gone forever.’ [But] you can travel and find a better version and even the same version in Paris,” Mora said. “Guardians of Galaxy is cool. There’s going to be lots of new tech, like new ride systems.” “Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!” is scheduled to open in summer of 2017, coinciding with the release of the film’s sequel.
Photo courtesy of Studios Central
The Tower of Terror, built in July 1994, exhilarated its riders.
LIFE & ART
THE MATADOR
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Huynh, Thong exhibit artistic passion in sculpting, watercolor, drawing
Photo by Michelle Ho
Junior Victoria Huynh works on sculpting and adding details on a ball of wet clay. Jennifer Cheung Silently molding and shaping a ball of wet clay, junior Victoria Huynh focuses on sculpting a figure that resembles a goat. Huynh decided to take Ceramics 1/2 this school year because she has always been fascinated by tactile art. “[Tactile art medias are] so malleable; you can make anything,” Huynh said. “There were things I always wanted to make, and then I just figured I could make it with clay, so I took ceramics.” Some items Huynh plans to make are piggy banks, cups, and a goat figure. Her favorite piece she has completed so far is her cup. She describes her art style as girly, simplistic, and not over-the-top. “[The cup] looked like a candle,” Huynh said. “I thought it was pretty neat because I liked the pattern on the outside, the little flame, and how I glazed it.” The entire process of crafting the cup took
approximately three months. She planned on giving the cup to her sister as a Christmas gift, but unfortunately, the cup was accidently broken in one of her classes. However, Huynh plans to remake the cup this semester. Broken pieces aside, Huynh also struggles with the texture of clay when creating something. “Sometimes I make the clay too soft,” Huynh said. “Everything falls apart.” Besides clay, Huynh’s materials include wooden and metal tools, pottery wheels, cutouts, and silicone. Although Huynh does not plan to continue the course in her senior year or pursue a career related to art, she would like to keep making ceramic pieces as her main hobby. She intends to take classes in the future in order to learn how to work with pottery wheels and other materials. Huynh hopes that throughout taking the course, she will learn techniques that opens many doors of artistic abilities.
Photo by Michelle Ho
Senior Ivy Thong sketches out a drawing as a base for her watercolor art. Shirley Dinh While scrolling through Instagram and looking at her feed filled with Korean pop (K-pop) stars and aesthetics, senior Ivy Thong found that the model who inspired her fan art actually liked her post. Two years ago, she began her journey as a fan artist and posted many of her pieces on Instagram. Connecting her love for K-pop with her love for art, she used K-pop stars as models for her work. Her fan art on Instagram also caught the attention of K-pop boy group GOT7’s BamBam and Korean rapper Kisum. “I got inspired by K-pop stars and wanted to somehow incorporate them into my drawings,” Thong said. “It was pretty cool that my work got noticed by the actual stars themselves.” Thong mainly uses watercolor as a base for her drawings and paintings. She also has many pen and pencil drawings in a self-made notebook filled with her pieces.
SA building lockers mirror SLOs themes
“I’m still trying to find my own style of art, so it would be hard to say that I have a unique style right now,” Thong said. In order to further develop her skills and venture away from just fan art, she is currently taking AP Studio Art and AP Art History. “A lot of times I want to get rid of my work in AP Studio Art, because I think it looks bad, but overall I think the class forced me to explore my own skills,” Thong said. Although she is not sure what she wants to major in when she enters college, Thong expresses the desire to continue thriving as an artist no matter what. “I don’t believe that you have to major in art if you want to have a career as an artist; you can major in science or math and still be an artist if you want to,” Thong said. “But I can see myself majoring in graphic design or animation in the future.” Even if she does not continue creating fan art, Thong wants to continue on doing what she loves most--expressing herself through her work.
Museum Day branches with Metro Chelsea Li Free admission to museums featuring photography, architecture, historical events, and diverse art will be offered by the Southern California Museums Organization on Jan. 29, Museum-Free-For-All Day. The Southern California Museums Organization and Metro transportation is collaborating so visitors will be able to travel and attend. Metro riders can receive special offers or discounts if their TAP cards are present on that day. Individuals will be able to attend museums within their opening hours. Free family activities, long walks in peaceful gardens, and distinctive buildings designed by famous architects are all available. For more information, go to <http://www.socalmuseums. org/free-for-all/>. Some free SoCal Museums include:
Photo by Michelle Ho
SA building lockers are painted with pieces that reflect San Gabriel’s SLOs themes. Eileen Ong As a work in progress, San Gabriel High School students see the emergence of a painting depicting three individuals surrounded by a sea of blue. For the past two months, junior Livia Duong has worked on the second set of SA building locker paintings. Last year, student artists of art teacher Francesca Jung’s and ceramic and art teacher Karen Keller’s art classes, as well as Art Club, decorated the first set of hallway lockers with pieces that reflected the themes of the Schoolwide Learner Outcomes (SLOs). The student artists this year, like Duong, set to complete the project. Duong shares her artistic vision with the rest of the school through her piece and is nearly finished with it. “It’s pretty much about how people want to express their emotions [in] different types of ways,” Duong said. “The first one is music, the second [one] is writing, and the third one is with drawing.” She created the artwork with the idea that people
could vent their feelings through healthy means, rather than by engaging in harmful activities. The piece suggests the arts as a viable outlet that provide people the opportunity to articulate their creativity. It exemplifies the healthy and self-aware individuals aspect of the SLOs. “I haven’t really planned the color first, so coloring choices [are difficult],” Duong said. Every part of an art piece contributes to its meaning, so Duong puts a great deal of effort into all the intricate details of her work. “I just really enjoy doing [art],” Duong said. “I’m decent at it, so I want to do it.” Duong has been into art for as long as she can remember. As a child, she started out by drawing on walls as opposed to using the traditional coloring books. “I don’t really know [what kind] yet, but I really do want an art career,” Duong said. Though Duong may not have any specific goals in mind right now, she plans to continue her passion for the foreseeable future because, to her, art is her form of expression.
Annenberg Space for Photography The Annenberg Space for Photography displays both digital and print photography that features technological and traditional pieces by famous photographers. Armory Center for the Arts The Armory Center for the Arts displays educational, visual, and contemporary art to the community. Autry Museum of the American West The Autry Museum of the American West displays assortative art originating from American Indians. The Broad The Broad displays post-war and contemporary worldwide artworks. It was built by Eli and Edythe Broad, designed by Diller Scofidio and Renfo.
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SPORTS
2016-17 Winter Sports Scoreboard BOYS BASKETBALL
GIRLS BASKETBALL
BOYS SOCCER
VARSITY 12/28 vs Culver City 12/28 vs Blair 1/10 vs Montebello 1/13 @ Alhambra
56-55 68-60 69-37 54-48
VARSITY 12/29 @ Segerstrom 1/10 vs Montebello 1/13 @ Alhambra
67-64 33-20 48-29
W L W
JV 1/10 vs Montebello 1/13 @ Alhambra
47-35 46-44
W W
2-1 3-0 3-0 2-2 4-1
W L L T L
N/A N/A
JV 1/10 @ Montebello 1/13 vs Alhambra
VARSITY 12/22 @ Don Bosco Tech 12/23 @ Smidt Tech 12/24 @ Smidt Tech 1/10 vs Alhambra 1/12 @ Schurr
FRESHMAN 1/13 vs Alhambra
JV 12/26 vs Verbum Dei 1/10 vs Alhambra 1/12 @ Schurr
3-1 1-0 3-0
W W L
N/A
W L W W
FROSH/SOPH 1/10 @ Montebello 1/13 vs Alhambra
N/A N/A
GIRLS SOCCER VARSITY 12/10 vs Norwalk 12/10 vs Bell Gardens 12/17 vs Gahr 1/10 @ Alhambra 1/12 vs Schurr
4-0 7-0 5-0 3-0 4-0
JV 12/10 vs Montebello 12/10 vs Gahr 1/10 @ Alhambra 1/12 vs Schurr
N/A N/A 2-0 L 11-0 L
L L L L L
Varsity boys basketball triumphs against Montebello Nian Capili “Overall, they played [excellently], as far as their intensity. They played very good team defense. That’s what got them the big lead,” Assistant Coach Alex Canizal said as the varsity boys basketball team blew out the Montebello Oilers with a superb score of 6937 on Jan.10. Performing groups such as cheer, drill, and Marching Band, along with a fired up crowd of students, supported the team for their first league game. The game commenced with Montebello winning the tip-off for control of the first possession. Both teams scored back and forth, with San Gabriel finishing the first quarter leading by eight points, 16-8. During the second quarter, the Matadors began to find their rhythm and went on an offensive mayhem increasing their lead to double digits. San Gabriel aggressively shut down Montebello’s defense by attacking the basket and looking for open shots. The Matadors arose with an immense amount of intensity, energy, and confidence as the second half begun. Throughout the third quarter, San Gabriel played strong on both offensive and defensive ends. The Oilers were able to score a few points but still made careless turnovers and struggled to set up their offensive plays against the Matadors impenetrable defense. The quarter came to an end as senior Jarrett Tan launched a pass to junior Andrew Canizal across the court for an easy layup, adding to the the Matador’s lead of 61-26.
With a 35-point lead, San Gabriel still had more gas in the tank to increase their lead as the fourth quarter began. The Matadors were able to score eight points along with their ferocious hustling on the defensive end. Despite Montebello scoring 11 points, they were just no match against San Gabriel, as the Matadors triumphed with the score of 69-37. Defensively, San Gabriel had an impressive 18 steals throughout the game. Senior Preston Sayavong believed that they played really well as a team but had some weak points, such as not communicating enough. “We just hustled a lot because we wanted to make a statement since it was our first game,” Sayavong said. In order to consistently play with a high intensity throughout the season, Sayavong said that their team should not be intimidated because they have played most other schools already and know how they play. Another player, junior Miguel Quintana, who was ineligible to play, and Coach Canizal both discussed their expectations and goals for this season. “We just need to have the same mentality each game night [and] kind of hype each other up,” Quintana said. “Honestly, we want to go undefeated because we think we can beat every team, so we’re going to take it one game at a time.” Coach Canizal believes that before the game, the players should prepare themselves mentally and that they have to come out ready to fight—whether it is during practice or a game. “We have high expectations for this team,” Coach Canizal said.
Photo by Michelle Ho
S e n i o r A ro n Tr a n , n u m b e r 2 5 , s e t s a s c re e n f o r s e n i o r J a re t t Ta n t o d r i b b l e p a s t t h e d e f e n d e r s .
Matador girls engage, fight until end against Spartans The game continued back and forth with more offense from the Spartans, but no goals were made. There was an instance where SHS was sent to do a corner kick but was embarrassed when the ball bounced off the football goal post. That embarrassment To start off the first week of season, San Gabriel High School’s girls varsity soccer did not last long because the Spartans soon launched a ball that bounced off Gardea and faced the Schurr High School (SHS) Spartans was punted back into the net, making the score 3-0. in a rainy soccer game held at San Gabriel. The goal not only set the Matadors back score-wise, Despite the loss of 4-0, the Matadors never but it also resulted in Gardea subbing out due to a gave up and kept fighting. The field was back injury. The game soon ended after the Spartans mostly filled with the visiting team’s friends scored one last goal with a ball that ricocheted off the and family, but that did not stop the constant post and into the opponent’s feet, who propelled the motivation exchanged between teammates to ball back into the net and made the final score 4-0. encourage each other throughout the game. Despite the loss, the team was very satisfied with The first half was mostly spent on defense their performance, knowing that they gave it their all. as the Spartans were persistent with scoring “What we did well is that we pressured a lot, goals. It was not long before the Spartans communicated, connected passes sometimes, and scored a goal off of a cross, making the score worked well as a team,” junior Alondra Lopez said. 1-0. The Matadors did not see that as a sign of After the game, the Matadors huddled once more defeat, but rather, a sign of motivation to try to reflect on the game as a whole and talk about what and tie the game. The Spartans were still on they could improve on for the next match. offense but had not made another goal since. “For next game, I feel like if [the opposing team] Senior Lizette Gardea repeatedly stopped scores, we shouldn’t feel so bad about it and come three shots, but it was not enough. Shortly back stronger. [That way], we could score and catch after, the same Spartan took advantage of them off guard because their pride is so high,” junior Gardea’s loss of sight and scored another goal, Kelly Rodriguez-Aragon said. upping the score to 2-0. Coach Correll was very pleased with her team’s During halftime, the Matadors reconvened performance and is looking forward to the rest of the Photo by Michelle Ho to reflect on what they did well and what they season with her girls. could improve on in the second half. After “Out of all the games, I think this was probably an inspiring talk, the team came back harder Senior Stephanie Reyes attempts to interfere a kick from the their best performance. We’ve been working a lot on than ever. The Matadors had more offensive opponent as senior Cristal Alvarez comes up from behind. defending and shifting well in practice. I think they opportunities and were actually able to take just really implemented what we’ve been working a couple of shots. However, senior captain on in practice for the most part,” Coach Correll said. “Right now our biggest issue is Cristal Alvarez had to walk off the field due to an injury that occurred in a previous not taking shots. It’s just about the accuracy and getting them on frame. It’s a work game. In place of Alvarez, junior Shannon Reyes came in with fresh legs and new energy. in progress and [the girls] have been putting good work ethic in, so we’ll get there.” Mi chel e Thai
FEATURES Tell Me
what’s the
WORD.
Famous Hallway quotes
“Old people just want something to talk about at McDonald’s.” - Government teacher describing politics “I slept the whole day and I had a dream.” - Teacher talking about MLK weekend “You should book it, man.” - Student talking about going to the book room “Water you up to?” - Student teasing friend drinking water “Drip drop, let our grades flop.” - Student joking about grades
All quotes overheard by The Matador Staff.
THE MATADOR
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017
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Thiha pledges allegiance to country daily C hel sea Li Senior Bhone Myat Thiha stands stiffly at San Gabriel’s flagpole, places his right hand over his heart, and recites the Pledge of Allegiance. As part of his morning routine, Thiha then gives a quick salute to the flag and heads off to class. Some students pass by and think he is talking to himself. His father disapproves because he does not want people to think his son is crazy. “I started doing it about a year and a half ago with my friend. He was the original owner. We feel proud of our country despite the problems and flaws that the country [has],” Thiha said. Onlooker junior Lexie Tang said, “The Pledge of Allegiance is not something you usually see people doing
anymore, especially after that Colin Kaepernick controversy.” To Thiha, the pledge is not considered to be a chore or task but a fulfillment of his patriotic duty. “[I] love our country and [I am] trying to be nationalistic. That’s why we do that in a way. I have noticed that not many people are doing it either. They just come in [the school, and] walk like they don’t care that the American flag is [there],” Thiha said. Although the reasons behind Thiha’s actions may seem eccentric to some, his adherence does not fail. He will continue reciting the pledge every morning despite what people think. Thiha appreciates that Americans are liberated compared to those in other countries. “People are being oppressed everyday and cannot even go to school without [being endangered],” Thiha said. He believes that controversial topics arise for citizens to take part in, and for the government to settle with such as medical marijuana, gun control, illegal immigration, and the 2016 presidential election. “I disagree with a lot of things about our government, but I still feel that the country has given [us] success. I am thankful for Photo by Michelle Ho our country,” Thiha said.
Rivera dances through personal tragedy K at hy Q uach Junior Edward Rivera found himself in a state of despondency two years ago. He was devastated after news of his father ’s death and had little motivation to enjoy life. Until he discovered dancing. It started as a search on YouTube and turned into a full-time hobby. Through dance, Rivera was able to express his emotions and release the oppressive feelings, without having to take it out on his family. “I’ve always been interested in dance,” Rivera said. “My sister took dance classes that summer, and she showed me some stuff and I’d be interested in it, but I never got up from the couch, because I was just too depressed.” Once he’d discovered the Les Twins, a selftaught dance duo recognized for their talent in hip-hop choreography, Rivera felt inspired to learn how to dance himself. From there, he branched off and watched several other popular dance groups, such as the Kinjaz, another huge inspiration to him. Every day, he would spend two hours after school, improving his skills and practicing new techniques. In order to manage his time, Rivera keeps a balance between school and dance.
“Balance is key,” Rivera said. “Balance is the key to anything, that’s what my dad used to tell me when I was young. You can’t really enjoy play time if you know you have work to do.” However, for a long time, Rivera felt conflicted about balancing between work and play. He had a hard time deciding whether to follow his newfound passion in dancing or to fulfill his lifelong goal of becoming an astrophysicist. “When I found dance,” Rivera said, “I fell in love with it a lot. It’s kind of hard to realize that I loved more than one thing.” Although Rivera has found great relief in dancing, it is not likely that he will pursue it as a career. “I didn’t want to stray away from that career path,” Rivera said, “because I know that the arts in general don’t provide a substantial living. I don’t want to jeopardize my education.” Now, Rivera has found a balance between his two passions. He plans to compromise by continuing to dance as a hobby. “You can’t work nonstop, 24/7,” Rivera said. “You have to have some thought in order to facilitate your brain. You have to transition between peaks of activity, and during those times, I dance.”
Chan steps up his game, joins club sports team
Photo by Michelle Ho
Chan leaps into the air, preparing to strike an incoming volleyball. A n n y L i Wu As a basketball and volleyball player at San Gabriel High School (SGHS), junior Ethan Chan decided to join the San Gabriel Elite Volleyball Club on Aug. 18. It did not seem to be enough for him to put all of his efforts at school sports, otherwise, he would not have joined Elite.
In 2015-16, Chan’s second year of playing volleyball, the team lost in the second round of CIF. “I [had] never felt so devastated and disappointed in performance [in] my whole entire athletic career,” Chan said. Feeling that he lacked leadership and skills because was unable to pick up the score after a mistake by other teammates, he realized he lost focus in important situations. Nonetheless, he made a promise to himself. “I promised to myself that I will improve my volleyball skills and leadership out onto the court,” Chan said. With good vibes from his teammates at the Elite Club, Chan cannot contain his smile throughout his practices and games. Chan is also performing as a better player in the court. One unforgettable moment was when Chan played against Pepperdine Scout. “I did so well during [the] game. Since I’m a 5 foot, 10 inch hitter playing against other players that are 6 [feet] and above and can jump to get their chests over a 8 foot, 4 inch net, I got a lot of props from the opponent’s head coach and the players,” Chan said. With late practices at the club in Glendale after practices at SGHS, Chan does not have any regrets about joining the club. “My motivation is [from] the love [I have] for the sport as well as wanting to reach my promise that I made last year,” Chan said.
Photo by Michelle Ho
Rivera demonstrates one of the dance moves he learned online.
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Layout graphic by Kelly Ho
Photo by Michelle Ho
Sophomore Henry Mucha had an interest in making and posting videos on YouTube around mid-October last year. “I always enjoyed watching certain youtubers like KianAndJC, because they are funny and their videos are always of them doing crazy things,” Mucha said. Mucha’s videos are mainly of his adventures with friends, which are referred to in the internet world as “vlogs.” Aside from vlogs, Mucha also posts videos of him participating in new social media challenges, such as the “Egg Roulette Challenge,” a game based entirely on chance and is normally played by two people. Mucha originally got into YouTube because of his passion for making others laugh. “As a little kid I remember pulling pranks on my brothers and friends to the point where it became expected of me,” Mucha said. “At any family gathering, everyone would be super alert and cautious. Knowing this, I would let them think I had a prank planned when I actually had nothing.” Pulling pranks was just one component to Mucha’s humorous childhood; he also once attempted eating a whole jalepeño pepper to see what the outcome would be and, til this day, he claims this feat as one of the most horrific
The cue to start the routine echoed in her ears. The silence from the audience became deafening. Expectations from her parents and team added to her doubts and fears. A drop of sweat trickled down her forehead. Junior Caitlin Kho began the routine and flipped her entire body as if she was flying. Starting gymnastics at the young age of four, Kho was only six years old when she won her first competition in San Francisco. Practicing for more than five hours a day and six days a week, she endured this rough schedule for 12 years. Now, as a high school junior with over 275 awards, Kho does not have to stress over senior year and college applications—she was accepted to Southern Utah University on a full athletic scholarship. “[I was] surprised and happy [when I found out],” Kho expressed. “[I could feel] the stress off my shoulders because my parents [kept saying] I had to get a scholarship for doing [gymnastics] so long.” However, the whole endeavor was full of challenges and obstacles. She felt the need “to quit one year [because] it got really tiring [to balance] school and gymnastics at the same time.” But she found the solution to her problems: better time management. “I usually like to finish [the homework assignments] early so I don’t stress out last minute,” Kho said. “I get [them] done right after [gymnastics] at night.”
Photo by Michelle Ho
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experiences from his childhood. “I honestly don’t know what I was thinking then, I went to such great lengths just to get a laugh out of people, even if it meant risking heartburn at seven years old,” Mucha said. “Some family members still make fun of me for it, I guess you could say they can occasionally get JAL-EPEÑO business.” Although Mucha does not aspire to pursue videomaking as a career, he looks forward to continuing his channel and gaining more subscribers with this hobby. “I hope to improve on certain components in my videos as well as saving up to get a better camera for my viewers’ convenience,” Mucha said. With over 40 subscribers, mainly composed of supportive friends and family members, Mucha strives to gain at least 3,000 subscribers by the end of 2017. With the understanding and mindset that “we all have to start small before we get big,” Mucha will continue to make more videos and build up his current YouTube channel to achieve his goal of being a successful and well-known Youtuber. Students can find Mucha’s channel at < https://www. youtube.com/channel/UCKhvG4Bajr_zBnOqC4nLcXw>.
Despite the struggles of simultaneously balancing school and gymnastics, Kho enjoys “the thrill of competing and the excitement when everyone’s eyes are on [her].” “I think the best feeling is sticking a routine, and your whole team goes wild and cheers for you,” Kho said. In addition, gymnastics acted as a catalyst for growth, as it not only “[shaped] who [she is] today and [helped] build character” but also “[taught] discipline and respect towards others.” “It [illuminated] the importance of teamwork and hard work,” Kho said. “[Having] a really close friendship with all my teammates and [hanging] out with them outside the gym are so much fun. I do not know what I would do without them.” Although Kho was accepted into a college based on gymnastics, she said it would be a far stretch for her to continue the sport in the future due to limited career options. “I could be a coach, nutritionist, or a sports therapist, but that’s about it,” Kho said. “It takes a lot of work to get into [the Olympics] and the people who [get there] are usually homeschooled. You would have to go through a whole series of qualifications to just it make it to the trials.” Although “it would have been fun to compete in the Olympics,” Kho believes she will be done with gymnastics after college. Still, the journey was well worth it.
Aspiring writer Kelly Lac has been standing at a crossroads between her passion for writing and her family’s plans for her to go into the medical field. Since the seventh grade, Lac has written numerous fictional stories based solely off of her imagination and creativity. In a span of a few months, Lac realized she admired the writing process and considered pursuing journalism. “I thought to myself, wow. If I can do this for a living, I’d have a lot of fun doing it,” Lac said. Lac said that she wanted to be a novelist because she loves to fantasize about dreams she has had along with random thoughts that occur during her daily life. “If I want to remember a certain dream, I start writing about it,” Lac said. “Then the dream expands, slowly creating a small world with characters with distinct personalities and motives.” Although her parents do not support the idea of Lac going into writing as a career, they encourage her to follow her dreams on the side as a hobby. Lac also said that she is proud of the stories she has written; however, she “doesn’t find herself to be as good as a writer [she] wants [herself] to be.” “I am currently trying to learn new vocabulary and improve my grammar,” Lac said. “I want to improve more on how to write better and how to create a good plot that is unique, so
Photo courtesy of Caitlin Kho
hopefully one day I will become a good writer.” Lac is currently working on a new novel entitled In a Parallel Universe depicting characters trapped within a video game and their struggle to escape. The story jumps between different worlds: virtual and reality. “It’s inspired by my own experiences of video games and having to face and accept reality as it is. I am also writing a couple of short stories for individual characters in case I ever encounter writer’s block,” Lac said. If all else fails, Lac plans to major in fine art to improve as an artist.