Senior issue 2015

Graphic by Emmanuel Maresca

NEWS

THE MATADOR THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Schofield leaves lasting legacy at San Gabriel

Photo courtesy of Nana Akahoshi

To reward San Gabriel students for achieving a high API score, Schofield camped out on the A-building roof for a total of 24 hours, only leaving for bathroom breaks and showers.

H a n f re y Deng Remembered for camping on the A-building and shaving his head, Principal Jim Schofield will be leaving San Gabriel to become Director of English Language Development/Educational Services at the Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD). Coordinator of English Language Development Debbie Stone will take Schofield’s position next year. San Gabriel has seen many changes and improvements during Schofield’s tenure.

Under Schofield, students’ academic progress improved; San Gabriel’s Academic Performance Index (API) score, factored from standardized tests, rose from 687 to 812.

Additionally, collaboration days were fully integrated during Schofield’s second year. He believes that collaboration meetings benefit teachers by giving them additional opportunities to connect with each other and possibly learn about how other teachers teach their students. It also allows teachers to work together to form and foster new ideas to benefit students.

“Many of our teachers have also become members of our leadership committees on campus,” Schofield said. “We have a

group that’s helping with the facilitation and growth of Common Core.”

Assistant Principal of Instruction Jeannie Gutierrez has worked with Schofield for the past five years and believes Schofield is a “visionary.“ “It has been a pleasure working with [Schofield],” Gutierrez said. “He has been an amazing principal, and I think he is going to do wonderful things in the district office.”

Schofield is also satisfied with the many Advanced Placement (AP) classes that have been added during his tenure. Some of those additional AP classes include Spanish Language and Culture, Environmental Science, and Art History.

“I’d like to see every student take at least one AP class by the time they graduate,” Schofield said. “If there is a broad offering [of AP classes], then it gives [students] more [opportunities]. I think everybody has a strength in one thing; if there’s a wider offering [of classes], then everyone has a chance to take a strength and develop it.”

Schofield is also proud of the large growth in extracurricular activities such as the Business Technology and Medical Careers Academies, clubs, and sports. He sees the growth as an opportunity for more students to be involved and connected with school. He also believes that the Motivating Matadors (MoMa) program “really reflects a school where students are learning how to be responsible citizens in the world.”

“I’m very proud of our students when I see them giving back to our fellow students,” Schofield said. “And when I see them represent our school so well.”

Senior Alexandra Martinez thanks Schofield for helping the cheer team compete at nationals.

“Thank you for getting [cheer] a bus for nationals,” Martinez said. “Thank you for helping the team build [up] the cheer program.”

At his new position, Schofield will be providing support and services to AUSD schools whose students speak English as a second language. “[Being director will give me] a chance to really make a positive impact across all schools in the district,” Schofield said. “I always said [that] I would only leave San Gabriel if there was an opportunity to make a positive impact on even more students. And with the administrative team and teaching staff [San Gabriel has] now, and with Ms. Stone coming in, [I think] the school will be in great hands.”

Hong takes home state championship for Speech and Debate Ke l l y H o Portraying a victim’s account of a gruesome and chilling hatchet massacre, senior Eric Hong emerged as the Oratorical Interpretation state champion at the Speech and Debate State Tournament in the city of Murrieta on April 21.

Hong played the role of Joshua Ryen, who was eight years old when his family and best friend were murdered by stranger Kevin Cooper. Two years after the incident, Cooper was sentenced to death, but continued to file multiple appeals to the decision over the course of 20 years. In his heart-wrenching speech, Hong delivered Ryen’s testimony in Cooper’s execution case retrial, in which Ryen retold his story and expressed his desire to be free from reliving the horrifying murders.

“Having [performed] a speech by a serial killer the year before, I thought it would be a good experience to be on the other side of the murders,” Hong said. “[In addition], the speech was very easy

to sympathize with. It showed so many different shades of emotions: sadness, desperation, frustration, helplessness, loneliness, gratitude, anger, hate, and [countless] combinations of the above.”

In preparation for the state tournament, Hong dedicated hours week after week practicing with Coach Andrew Nguyen and also spent nights at home working on his interpretation of the harrowing tale.

“Joshua Ryen is such a tragic character, and just trying to be in his shoes was really difficult emotionally,” Hong said.

“I worked to get as deep as I could into the emotion and character. Overall, though, it was sort of cathartic. [I just] let go and [allowed] the passion to flow out.“ Judges were entranced by the intensity of Hong’s interpretation of the speech. Many left comments expressing their astonishment; among them, one emphasized the eerie feelings they felt as they listened to Hong’s performance. “[The performance] gave me goose-

bumps,” an adjudicator noted. “It made my hair stand on end.”

San Gabriel’s last state champion was coached under Doug Campbell 23 years ago in 1992; Hong serves as the team’s first champion since then. This accomplishment was a first for not only Hong, but Nguyen as well.

“I am amazed and humbled that we [fostered] a state champion,” Nguyen said.

“At that level, it really takes a blend of hard work, talent, consistency, and luck.”

In addition to Hong, three other competitors qualified for the state tournament in their respective events: sophomore Joy Portinga in Dramatic Interpretation, and juniors Andy Le in Dramatic Interpretation and Carolina Garcia in Oratorical Interpretation.

The tournament was held over a course of three days in Murrieta, a desert town two hours from San Gabriel, where students were excited to encounter their first dead snake and tumbleweed.

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Teacher of the Year awarded

Photo courtesy of Jesse Chang

BTA and English teacher Joan Lee won the Alhambra Unified School District Teacher of the Year award on May 12. Lee’s teaching style was praised as a model for Common Core education .

For videos, visit our YouTube channel @ SGHSTheMatadorOnline

SNAPCHATS DON’T LAST FOREVER.

YEARBOOKS DO. Buy your yearbook at the Student Bank for $105 and covers/inserts at H2 for $2.

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THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Potential candidates run for presidential primaries

Graphic by Christy Deng

C h ri s t y De n g

As President Barack Obama’s term comes to an end and makes way for the 2016 presidential election, potential candidates from the Democratic Party, Republican Party, and various third-parties have announced their decisions to run for the presidency.

For the Democrats, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders have officially announced they are running for the 2016 presidential election. Sanders, a self-titled democratic-socialist, is the only candidate running against Clinton so far. Sander’s political

campaign advocates for equal pay equity amongst genders, raising minimum wage, climate change, tax reforms, and making college affordable for all.

As for the opposing Republican party, retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, former chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio are running for office in the Grand Old Party (GOP) field.

The majority of the GOP candidates’ political campaigns advocate for issues such as strengthening the military, creating more jobs and opportunities, regulating immigration, tax reforms, healthcare, the Israel-Palestine conflict, abortion, and same-sex marriage.

Third-parties are also running for office, including the Libertarian Party and the Green Party. Libertarians promote liberty and individual freedoms while the Green Party promotes environmentalism and equal rights amongst all people, no matter their race, gender, or sexuality.

Physician Marc Feldman, insurance CEO Steve Kerbel, and radio talk show host Darryl Perry are the declared candidates for the Libertarian Party with platforms advocating for individual liberty and human rights. As for the Green Party, physician Jill Stein filed for the exploratory committee, an organization that helps potential candidates determine whether or not they should run.

As the 2016 presidential election progresses, more potential candidates have been rumored to be running or have declared exploratory committee. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 8, 2016.

Graphic by Kelly Ho

NEWS

Blackout pushes Toga into the dark Chelsey Tr an San Gabriel High School’s Associated Student Body (ASB) will be hosting the last dance of the year on May 15. It will go from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. This year’s dance, Blackout, will be glow-in-the-dark and neon themed. Blackout is a change from the traditional last dance that ASB used to host–Toga.

According to ASB president senior Justine Pham, the dance theme diverged from the traditional Toga theme because the culture is different now with raving and electronic dance music being all the rage. From ASB’s surveys, a conclusion that students would more prefer a different kind of dance from Toga was reached. There were also some complaints about pricing for the Toga dances and the attire because students did not want to spend the time or money to create a toga. There are mixed opinions about the change.

“I prefer Toga because it is our dance and no other school has it,” Pham said. “[Other schools] can always pick a greek theme but [Toga] will always be ours.”

ASB will give out glowsticks at Blackout in addition to highlighters for students to write goodbye messages with on each other’s shirts, so bringing a plain white T-shirt is recommended.

Alternatively, wearing neon colors like neon pink, green, yellow, white, and any other bright-colored attire that is suitable too.

Junior Class Council and ASB will be selling drinks and Sanford Studios will be available to take studio pictures during the dance.

If the varsity boys volleyball team do not make it through play-offs, Blackout will be in the Matador Arena. If they do, the dance will be held in the Big Old Gym. “Do not worry about how you look because it will be dark.

Just bring your friends, come with a positive attitude, and have a good time,” Pham said.

Tickets will be $1 with ASB and $5 without; if students have a date with ASB, it will be $1 for the date with ASB and $3 without.

Cap and gown purchase no longer mandatory R ebecca Lei Is it legal for a school district to require students to purchase a cap and gown as a condition of participating in their graduation ceremony?

The Fiscal Management Advisory 12-02 documents, sent out by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, references a California Supreme Court ruling that the high school graduation ceremony is an “integral part of the education process” in Sands v. Morongo Unified Sch. Dist., 53 Cal. 3d 863, 873-874 (1991), cert. denied, 505 U.S. 1218 (1992). As such, the ceremony itself is an “educational activity” that pupils may not be charged fees for.

The advisory, sent out to all county and district superintendents, as well as charter school administrators, covered the costs of education permissible by law for students. An addendum was later issued to expand on the topic of “Fees Not Allowed”; specifically, the purchase of a cap and gown in order to participate in a high school graduation ceremony.

“The issue came to light [at a district meeting] that there had been a court ruling [regarding the cap and gowns],” Principal Jim Schofield said. “With that in mind, [we asked]: what sort of communication have we had with the students [concerning the purchases] in the past and how does that need to change? Moving forward, what steps should we take? After hearing input from everybody, what’s happening is that each school is purchasing their own sets of gowns [to loan out to students].”

Forms regarding the request for a cap and gown refund have already been sent out to all students; gowns purchased from the student bank and from school supplier Herff Jones will be refunded by the respective bodies. While a cap and gown is required to participate in the ceremony, students have the option of either borrowing a gown or purchasing one from appropriate vendors.

San Gabriel is not alone in its quest to right this wrong. School districts statewide have been since been scrambling to find ways to accommodate the regulations. Students and families of the Pasadena Unified School District have been offered the chance for full reimbursement, should they choose to return the gown to the company.

Senior Juliana Del Rio believes that the district reacted to the situation in a timely and appropriate way.

“I think [offering refunds and alternatives] was the best course of action for [the district] to take,” senior Juliana Del Rio said. “Senior year is already very expensive [with] expenses like college application costs, SATs, and AP exams. Since we only wear [the cap and gown] once, it seems like [an excessive expense for a single use]. By taking action, [they] avoid commotion and chaos with the families [of the students].”

By allowing all students elligible to graduate to borrow gowns from the school, those that were formerly unable to partake in the ceremony perhaps due to the cost now have new options to explore.

“Graduation is an extremely important activity and we want every student who meets the requirements to participate,” Schofield said. “The thought that there’s ever a student who can’t afford [the cap and gown and can’t participate] shouldn’t happen, and in the past, we’ve made sure that it doesn’t happen. Now, we’ll have one for every student [who wants to walk across the stage], and that’s great.”

OPINIONS Simon says...

Simon Yung “Risking it for the biscuit” Over the past four years, I have encountered many a person that balked at the mention of auditioning for one of the many shows here at San Gabriel. The exchange almost always proceeds with the individual in question adamantly stating they cannot act, yet they sheepishly admit that they have never so much as stepped on a stage before. When asked how they know they cannot act when they have never been onstage, I am almost always met with an “I don’t know” and a meek shuffle away or a figurative pike dive into the latest mobile video game.

A wise man once told me, “leap and the net will appear.” In more colloquial terms, “you’ll never know unless you try.” Coincidentally enough, his advice transcends the audition process; his advice has resulted in more than a few unforgettable memories over the past four years; some were good, some were less than stellar, but it always provided me with a sense of closure and satisfaction, that I had taken that step forward rather than stand idly by.

I have seen far too many people in this school sit on their hands and let opportunity after opportunity pass them by, and frankly it pains me. This doesn’t only pertain to auditioning for plays; I have seen people pass up taking an AP course, not submit an application for a lucrative scholarship, not ask that girl to the dance, and even give up on that bonus bag of chips perched precariously on the edge of the shelf in the vending machine, simply because they wanted to “play it safe.” There will come times in life where the question “why should I do this?” can and should be met with “why not?” In retrospect, I would have never met some of my closest friends in the Theatre, nor would I have ever been part of this publication, nor would I have gone to my first and perhaps my only prom if I had not, as my friend Andy Tran would always say, “risked it for the biscuit.”

I cannot deny that if you leap, sometimes the net might not appear. There will always be the possibility that you might not get a role in the play or that she might say no, but no matter how the situation turns out, you will always be able to dust yourself off, learn from the experience, and walk away a little wiser than you were before.

With these anecdotes in mind, I ask that both underclassmen and graduates-to-be heed these words; there will be times where opportunities will arise for you to shine or genuinely enjoy yourself. Should you ever come across these moments, I urge you to throw caution to the wind and leave your dignity at the door.

Sign up for your club’s overnight trip, take that AP class you were on the fence about, maybe even actually dance at a school dance. Just do not let the remainder of your high school years pass you by, otherwise you may be sitting there with no biscuit because you didn’t risk it.

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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Letters from the editors When I first stepped foot onto the campus of San Gabriel, I would have never imagined that I would be where I am today. All I can remember is getting lost in the maze that was high school as I spoke timid hellos to the hundreds of new faces around me, trying to become one of them. Yet as I searched through the darkness of this maze, I found, not a light switch, but fireflies. People who could light up a room and guide me through the unknown. They showed me what it was like to live.

I was always somewhat distant from the student body until I joined journalism and began to tell the stories

of the people. It excited me to hear about their hopes and dreams and watch them accomplish great feats. It intrigued me to learn the reasons behind important decisions and knowing how impactful they were. Being on staff expanded the scope of my world and taught me to be a leader, to give a voice to the voiceless, and to dare to be different.

Journalism has taught me that people can make a difference in this world with the words they write. There is always more than meets the eye whether we are talking about people or policy, and every experience holds some grain of insight and worth.

I am walking out of San Gabriel High School a different person from the one I was four years ago, and I have everyone who I have encountered on this campus to thank for that. The world is a large place full of millions of people with stories waiting to be told, and I am glad to have been able to learn about so many of yours.

Thank you for all of the opportunities you have given me to see the world from a new perspective and for all the unforgettable experiences that made me smile.

As my last year at San Gabriel nears its end, I can’t help but reflect on what I’ve done, who I’ve met, and where I am now. There are a lot of things I can say about high school. Class can become excruciatingly long; assignments may take even longer; the grind we go through to finish our work is definitely the longest, but ironically, the time we spend asleep in bed is practically nonexistent.

And though a second may turn into an hour, a day, a week, a month–if we spend too much time complaining about its passage, it might escape us entirely, which makes it imperative that it is spent in a fulfilling way.

They say that every thousand-mile

journey begins with the first step. High school is definitely a journey; while not a thousand miles, each step we take brings us one step closer to our ultimate conclusions–graduation.

I am glad that my steps led me to H2, where I found my happy times in high school, my passion for writing, and a lesson far more important than anything found in a core curriculum: everyone has a story. There are more than just people in the world–there are artists, athletes, sisters, brothers, friends… every random person that we see is the main character of their life. The most amazing thing is that these little black marks on the page can capture their stories and transform them into some-

thing timeless.

More than anything else, being in Publications taught me that words are powerful, inspired me to create my own, and allowed me to stop time in a world of constant movement; the gratitude I feel for that is something that no amount of words on a page could express.

Thank you, San Gabriel, for giving me the chance to realize who I want the girl in the mirror to be, for the chance to mature, grow, and develop. I didn’t sleep particularly well these four years, but I did learn how to dream.

Kristy Duong 2014-2015 Editor-in-Chief

Rebecca Lei 2014-2015 Editor-in-Chief

Transgender community needs acknowledgement K i m P ham After months of speculation, former Olympian and television personality Bruce Jenner opened up about his gender transition on April 24. Jenner announced that he identifies as a woman on the two-hour long interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer. Jenner stated that he considered himself to be a woman but asked Sawyer to still use “him” and “he” for the time being. Many transgender advocates were alarmed before he spoke for himself, saying the gossip about Jenner’s body and gender identity were disrespectful and demeaned transgender people.

Considering most of his time spent on television was as a track and field star or as the stepdad to the reality television craziness that is the Kardashians, some were apprehensive about the way Jenner would portray the transgender community.

However, Jenner was able to explain himself with passion and vulnerability, highlighting the obstacles between transgender people and how the media portrays them.

“I’m not stuck in anybody’s body; it’s just who I am as a human being,” Jenner said. “My brain is much more female than it is male.” While he showed Sawyer a black cocktail dress he would wear to a private dinner the two had planned, he didn’t allow himself to be filmed in women’s clothes. Jenner explained that his femininity isn’t located in his sexuality or appearance, but in his soul. He also made it clear that transitioning from one gender to another is the “most personal decision a transgender can make,” so asking about whether or not one has had sex reassignment surgery would be intrusive and rude. This was an important point to make since it gets rid of the misconception that gender transitions are comparable to turning a light switch on and off, and rather, portrays it as a lifelong task.

Freshman Andy Huang believes Jenner did a good job on speaking out for the community.

“I never really paid attention to [Bruce Jenner] until he did

the interview, but I’m glad he did because it can inspire people to to be themselves and accept themselves the way they were born,” Huang said. “As a gay person, I personally thought it was very empowering.”

It is important that we hear more stories in the media that are similar to Jenner’s, who mirrored the struggles of discrimination and confusion that transgender individuals have to deal with. Education is the only thing that withstands the fear that is often the root of societal discrimination. Although progress has been made among the LGBT community in gaining acceptance, there is still a long way to go before we can prevent cases such as the disproportional murder rate for transgender women. Jenner, being such a prominent figure in media, was able to use the interview as an important teaching moment on an issue many people know little about.

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OPINIONS

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Los Renombrados shows discrepancy in ethnicities M a ri o M a n d uj ano Not only were a very low number of Hispanic students seen in Advanced Placement (AP) courses this year, but they were almost excluded completely at the Los Renombrados ceremony. A great lack of a balance between the two ethnicities was evident; the ratio of Hispanics to Asians stood at a depressing three to 23.

After interviewing a set of people, it became clear that a large amount of students were not exposed to what it took to receive this award–let alone even apply. This absence of awareness led to an estimate of just ten Hispanic applicants.

The award not only recognizes academic achievement but also commitment to extracurricular activities, community service, as well as contributions to the school as a whole.

There have always existed instances where students with impressive academic records did not reach the requirements to become a Los Renombrados finalist. Had it been known that a person’s grade point average (GPA) was only one of the factors, a lot more students would have been encouraged to apply, which is to say that the number of service hours a student has is the equivalent, if not more, than a perfect GPA. Seeing the same people win awards, get accepted into prestigious colleges, in class councils, and APs, year after year can lead one

Matador

Editors-in-Chief News Editors

Opinions Editors Focus Editors Life and Art Editors Sports Editors Features Editors Copy Editors

Photo Editor Artists Business Managers Website Editors Multimedia Editors Blogs Manager Adviser

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 Simon Yung 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 do you define success after high school?

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Going to the college of your dreams and pursuing what you enjoy doing.”

-Janelle Cabrera, 9th grade

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Being able to be happy with the choices you make and not regretting any of your decisions.”

-Socheata Sun, 10th grade

Reporters: Hellgert Almontes, Stacy Chau, Christy Deng, Kelly Ho, Frank Lieu, Mario Mandujano, Kim Pham, Thomas Wang 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 J.E.J Print 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.

Dear Ms. Kim, We are extremely grateful to have you as our adviser. Thank you for sticking with us throughout all of the stressful late-night deadlines, our incessant chatter, and outright frustration–these nine lovely issues would not have been possible without your support, (endearing) sarcasm, and constant encouragement.

Sincerely (with much love),

The Matador Staff

to lose hope of standing a chance against them in whatever sort of election or competition, effectively preventing one from even trying. This type of attitude must cease to exist. The Hispanic student community is not at odds with the Asian community, but it would certainly not hurt to see them take advantage of more opportunities.

The school administration has made attempts to keep a balance between the ethnicities or at least show some representation on behalf of the usual minority, but questions have been raised about whether they are pressured to do so in fear of severe backlash.

“I wish that rather than select people based on their ethnicity, they would get selected because they truly deserve it,” senior Los Renombrados finalist Paloma Carrillo-Gallegos said. Many would agree with that statement.

Though diversity is crucial, it would not be right to give the less qualified person priority over the more qualified person. Everyone was hopefully judged by their merit, and their merit only.

The obvious solution to this imbalance would be for all groups of students deliver a strong effort.

“There has been this misconception at SG Photo by Chelsey Tran that student involvement is a waste of time and pointless, but that is not true! Every student of any ethnicity at our school is capable of expanding their interests and preparing themselves with experience; it’s just up to them to understand that,” senior Los Renombrados finalist Ashley Rodriguez said.

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Being able to continue with what you want to do and getting a job in something that you enjoy.”

-Brandon Munguia, 11th grade

Going to a good college and getting a job afterwards.“ -Vu Nguy, 12th grade

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Being where you want to be and going where you want to go.”

-Viridiana Gonsalez, 12th grade

Photos by Sydney Trieu and Tran Lam /Border by Katherine Hoong

True “ness”ities

Vanessa Huang Simplicity is happiness One of the things that many people desire is to live an extravagant life where they can travel around the world, shop endlessly, and eat the world’s finest dishes. Spending days like this seems like a very happy and fulfilling life; however, I cannot say the same of myself.

Every time I read books or watch movies, I notice how the majority of the plots are about finding your “soul mate” or how an evil government is trying to make teens kill one another so they must fight back. While engaging myself in books and movies, I always compared my life to the lives of the heroines because compared to my normal life, the lives of heroines were far more interesting.

The more I thought my life was boring and simple, the more I didn’t appreciate the small things in life. Because I was so used to watching movies where the world is about to end and superheroes must unite to save the world, I began to question myself with thinking, “If only I had that kind of life.” I used to think that if only my life was special, it wouldn’t be so boring. I labeled normal and plain as something negative. I began to take for granted the times where I hung out with my friends on the weekend and got A’s on tests because I thought it was just “normal” and not “special.” These simple and positive things that should have brought me joy didn’t because I was always looking for something else. I wanted to have that spark, something different that would finally change my boring life. I wasn’t happy with my life. I thought my life was unfulfilling and that if something were to happen, I would be able to fill that hole.

However, that was not the case. I should cherish and be thankful for my life. Taking things for granted and underappreciating the small moments in life made me ungrateful. Even if you think your life sucks, just doing the things you love and being with the people who understand and accept you makes your life a hundred times better. You don’t need to be rolling in money to live a happy life, nor do you need to win the Nobel Prize. Small and simple things, like going to school, talking to friends about almost anything, and watching my favorite shows, bring satisfaction and happiness. Why do I need something extravagant like traveling the world and buying the world’s best things to achieve happiness? I don’t need an adventurous life, nor do I need my life to be a sappy love story. Instead, I want to appreciate the times where I can drink boba and listen to my favorite songs. These small things bring joy to my life even without me knowing.

Instead of dwelling on what your life isn’t, appreciate the small things that bring you joy. I know my life goal isn’t to make the most money or to find my soul mate; I know it is to be content and happy with my life and to appreciate the days where I can enjoy a cup of coffee or a day’s walk in the park. These things bring me true happiness, and I want to appreciate each and every moment.

LIFE &ART

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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Rodriguez, Hurtado pursue artistic careers after high school I l e a n a P e re z

lege’s beauty program. The program requires participants to attend classes for a number Senior Renee Rodriguez loves making of hours, and once these requirements are things and people beautiful, which led her to fulfilled, a certificate of completion is given want to pursue a career in cosmetology. to the participant.

Rodriguez’s interest in makeup first “I was thinking [after I get my certificate], sparked when she was still in elementary I would put something in the newspaper and school. if someone sees it, they will be like, ‘maybe I “Since I was little, can contact this perI would go through son,’” Rodriguez my mom’s makeup,” said.

Rodriguez said. “I Aside from coswould put it on my metology, Rodriface and pretty much guez is also intertry it out.” ested in studying Even though Rovideo game design. driguez’s interest in If she pursues this cosmetics began at a career, she hopes very young age, she to work on chardid not consider it acter designs. As as a career path until of now, Rodriguez her senior year. She is undecided as to struggled to find a cawhether or not to reer she would enjoy, pursue this career since she could not see as well. herself being a doc“I want to help tor or anything beside people,” Rodricosmetology. guez said, “but I Photo by Sydney Trieu “I just knew I had also want to do to do something with Senior Renee Rodriguez practices makeup everything, so it my hands,” Rodriguez techniques with the everyday cosmetic is kind of hard for said. “Whether it be me to decide.” tools that she carries with her. drawing, typing things Even though into a calculator, or doRodriguez is uning someone’s [makeup]. That’s when I thought sure of whether to go into cosmetology as maybe [cosmetology] is what I want to follow.” well as video game design, one thing is for After Rodriguez graduates from high sure—she will pursue a career that brings school, she plans to attend Pasadena City Col- her happiness.

Em manuel M aresca

for a while, and working with Paula made me think about making one myself,” Hurtado An actor gone full-fledged filmmaker, se- said. nior Jonathan Hurtado has directed his own Post-high school, Hurtado plans to begin life towards making movies that are truly his future as a director and filmmaker. He will striking. After acquiring nifty film equipment be attending Santa Monica Community Coland launching a YouTube channel dedicated to lege. The shift from home to college life will short films, Hurtado prove to be quite is taking his movthe scene change, iemaker dreams to but Hurtado is all college and beyond. but meek in his With the launch of ventures. his independent film Majoring in channel Dry Elbows, film, Hurtado Hurtado has been hopes to one day shooting and producbecome a profesing original films with sional director. his friends since July “I want to major 2014. Since the iniin film, but in a tial release of his first broader sense, film, “Bad Marshmalthat covers all aslow.” Hurtado has pects of filmmakventured further in ing,” Hurtado creating deep, but said. As a director, witty narratives and Hurtado apprePhoto by Sydney Trieu transforming them ciates the depth from script to screen.

Senior Jonathan Hurtado sets up his camera that indie films As a high school can have. and equipment in preparation for a film shooting. student, Hurtado was “Independent an adamant film nut films have subwho watched tons of films a vast range of stance that other movies don’t have,” Hurtado genres, a seasoned actor in the San Gabriel said. Independent filmmakers make movies on High School drama progam, and studied films their own without company fundings. “I want in LuAnn Haslam’s production in film class. to stay independent at first, but in the future, Hurtado participated in the 2013 Xanadu I want to move on to higher-budget producFilm Festival hosted at SGHS acting in senior tions,” Hurtado said. In the future, Hurtado Paula Aguilar’s film Killer Stress. hopes to continue with making visually strik“I had been thinking about making a film ing and memorable films.

BTA, Art Club beautify campus with ceramic tiles S t a c y C hau With the goal of bedazzling the campus, Business and Technology Academy (BTA) and Art Club are currently beautifying the southern area of the school. Not too long ago, San Gabriel’s BTA and Environmental Club made use of the land between the B-building and Student Services by creating a garden. The completion of the garden led to the idea of building ceramic tiles along the pathway.

Art Club adviser Karen Keller and Art Club members had been planning the layout and design of the ceramic stepping stones since late November, starting with planning the layout of the stepping stones. As their hard work persisted, Art Club members were able to design and paint the tiles. Although there are currently a few tiles placed on the pathway, the designers’ direction towards nature, attention to detail, and color makes it apparent that they had put in a lot of work into making the tiles.

“I like the tiles because each one has a different texture and is full of color,” senior Tammy Truong said.

With help from BTA, Art Club members stayed after school to dig holes and put tiles in their place; thus, the beautiful stepping stones are halfway complete.

“The purpose of creating the stones is to participate in the beautification of the garden and to enable more students on campus to participate in the garden function,” Keller said. “We hope the stepping stones will add color and texture to the garden and will provide a first step in continued additions to the garden area.”

Although the pathway is not yet complete, those working on the garden hope to receive positive feedback from peers before continuing on.

Photo by Stacy Chau

With the help of Art Club adviser Karen Keller, BTA and Art Club members laid out colorful ceramic tiles in the garden near the B-building and Student Services.

Illustration by Cassandra Chen

7

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

LIFE &ART

Chinese play review: The Haven K a t h e ri n e H oong

Lights, curtains, action! The Chinese Drama Club’s annual play, The Haven, filled the auditorium with excited students.

Organized by Mandarin teacher Tonson Man and the Chinese Drama Club, the actors presented a unique horror romance about a girl who has the ability to see ghosts and a boy who is haunted by his deceased father.

The heroine Tai Yang, played by Olivia Piao, is a girl who gains the ability to see ghosts after hurting her head in an accident. As she is discharged from the hospital, she sees a ghost who pleads Tai Yang to save her brother, Zhi Fu, who is played by junior Hao Lei. Zhi Fu is in danger because their deceased father is trying to kill him. When Tai Yang meets Zhi Fu, she unravels his tragic past where his father killed both his mom and his sister. Eventually, she also meets his girlfriend, who is followed by the spirits of the girls she has killed. When the girlfriend realizes that Tai Yang is falling in love with him, she comes up with a plan to kill Yang. In the end, the girlfriend is

possessed by the dead father who takes a knife and stabs Zhi Fu. Tai Yang pulled at the heartstrings of the audience as she grieved over his death. The last scene shows a happy ending where Tai Yang and the ghost of Zhi Fu are lovingly embracing each other.

The stage was set up cleverly using a white cloth to transform tables into beds and using the stage crew to create waves with a large blue cloth. The stage crew was quick to move the stage props during the transition of the scenes. However, with only a few cordless microphones available for the main cast, the rest of the characters had to use a normal microphone which caused a few problems as the cord was too short. The microphones were also malfunctioning throughout the play which meant that the volume would be too low. Despite a few technical difficulties and a lack of stage props, the cast still did a great job as they played their roles with emotion and passion.

Though the play was presented completely in Mandarin, the audience still ranged from fluent Chinese speakers to those who could not understand Chinese at all.

Photo by Katherine Hoong

Chinese Drama Club members line up on the stage after their performance as the audience applauds their performance.

SPORTS BOYS VOLLEYBALL VARSITY 4/28 @ Bell Gardens 4/30 vs. Schurr 5/5 @ Mark Keppel JV 4/28 vs. Bell Garde 4/30 vs. Schurr 5/5 @ Mark Keppel

3-0 W 3-0 W 3-0 W

2-0 W 2-0 W 2-0 W

CO-ED TRACK

THE MATADOR

VARSITY VARSITY

5/1 @ Mark Keppel 4/23 @ Montebello (B) 78-49 L 5/5 @ Montebello

(G) 64-63 L 5/8 vs. Montebello 4/30 @ Alhambra (B) 72-55 W JV

(G) 72-55 L 5/1 @ Mark Keppel FROSH. 5/5 @ Montebello 4/23 @ Montebello (B) 64-63 L 5/8 vs. Montebello (G) 97-27 L 4/30 @ Alhambra

SOFTBALL

BASEBALL

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 CO-ED SWIM

VARSITY VARSITY 4/30 @ Schurr 8-4 L 4/30 vs. Gabrielino 5/5 @ Bell Gardens 12-10 W 5/7 vs. Mark Keppel 11-1 W

8-1 L 5-1 L 5-0 L

9-2 L 13-1 L 10-2 L

JV 4/30 @ Schurr 18-3 L 5/5 @ Bell Gardens 20-1 L 5/7 vs. Mark Keppel 15-10 W

JV 4/30 vs. Gabrielino

(B) 69-58 W (G) 50-46 W

(B) 133-37 L (G) 125-45 L

BOYS TENNIS VARSITY 5/7 Prelims @ Whit.Narrows IND. 5/8 Finals @ Mark Keppel 3-15 L JV 5/5 vs. Mark Keppel

(B)166-38 L (G) 92-62 L

8 13-5 L

CO-ED BADMINTON VARSITY 4/29 Finals @ Baldwin Park 17-4 W

Valverde hurdles to higher education Tran Lam Senior Anthony Valverde, a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) qualifier in track and field, will continue to jump over hurdles and succeed as an athlete at the University of California, Riverside. He joined the sport during his junior year and has been competing in his main events, the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles.

“At first, I wanted to meet more people, compete and just have fun. Later, I realized that track attracts a certain type of people.

People in different sports have different attitudes,” Valverde said.

As he continued to train and win races, he discovered his talent for running and soon became passionate about the sport. During this track season, he was the head captain of track and field due to his demonstration of dedication and passion to the sport and the team. In addition, with a mixture of talent, motivation and hard work, he reigned undefeated during this track season, placing first

in all of his hurdle races. In college, Valverde hopes to improve and develop into an even better hurdler.

“In college, track will be more winning-oriented and more competitive than high school, but I will come prepared and ready for the challenge,” he said.

Although he is uncertain about the more competitive and less family-oriented environment, Valverde feels that he will still benefit and have fun by joining his college track team.

“I hope to give the San Gabriel track team a good name and also do well to make my coaches proud,” Valverde said.

After competing in the League Finals on May 8, he placed first in both the 110-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, long jump, and his leg of the 4 by 400 meter relay, which qualified him for the CIF, where top athletes of their high school compete against each other. Although he has finished his last track and field season at San Gabriel High School, he will not forget his roots and will continue to jump higher and faster over every hurdle in his way.

Commentary

Athletes’ last moments as a Matador Ca ro l i n a L o a i s i g a Last kick. Last run. Last hit. Last tackle. Last swim. Last swing. Last throw. Last shot. Last everything. Waves of emotions hit the seniors as they play out their last game and practice. Many seniors do not plan on participating in college sports. They spend four years sweating, panting, bleeding, gasping for air for all one glorious “thank you” and some flowers. Is this really enough? A nice gesture and balloons really amount to all the hours and exercises that each individual senior does? I believe it does not.

Games cannot go on forever, I know this, but I believe each senior needs more recognition. The whole concept of giving accolades to everybody is childish and repetitive; every senior needs at least a medal. Some seniors leave high school without gaining any awards, recognition, or pride.

Medals are a tangible object that symbolize achievement and glory. Now, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is the ultimate goal for all student athletes. Going to CIF ultimately represents being the best in your league and showing other divisions, schools, and teams what you, as an athlete, can do. Most seniors, unfortunately, never get the chance to make it to CIF, despite their

hard work and dedication to their teams.

So, how do we pay back the seniors that have a constant clock on their shoulder?

Do we cease to ignore the clock and enjoy the remaining time we have with them?

I believe we must acknowledge each senior during every game, thanking them for their effort, time and commitment.

But even after the long exchange of gratitude, we fail to stay in touch with seniors. We forget to ask seniors about their life outside of sports, almost as if when season ends, so do the friendships you make. But to avoid losing valuable connections and friends, there are also end of season banquets. Banquets signify the inevitable end that every senior dreads, a ticking clock constantly reminding them of that last whistle, the last call, the last of all their high school years. But banquets are not really always immediate; it takes about a month or even five months to even get the banquet date set and by then, most seniors will be, in a way, forgotten and excluded from next year’s activities that the team has planned. Although there are many negative factors about banquets, there are also positive ones. The feeling of joy and sense of accomplishment reminds seniors about the memorable times that they spent during their prolonged four years that became endless friendships and unforgettable memories they will bring with them in the future.

Photo by Tran Lam

Senior Anthony Valverde hurdles his way to the finish line, qualifying to the first round of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).

Seniors defeated by faculty in basketball game Fr ank Lieu The annual staff vs. senior basketball game concluded in a nail-biter with the staff on top by just one point, with a score of 73-72. Freshman basketball coach Man Nong and campus supervisor Andrew Contreras paved the way, scoring the majority of the points for the staff, while the seniors were led by senior Coco So. The starting lineup for the seniors consisted of Judy Huang, Kevin Yang, Brian Manapat, Kelvin Cao and Steven Lee, while the faculty came out with Nong, alumni Kyle Che, English teacher Jordan Vogel, Contreras, and Principal Jim Schofield.

The game began with a quick trade off with each team grabbing a bucket while trading possession of the ball. Track coach Joben Mutuc and Che also put in a couple of baskets and three-pointers to extend the lead past double digits for the faculty in the first half, with a score of 39-25.

Despite a wardrobe malfunction from Schofield and the trash talk between science teacher Amy Wu and So, the action began to heat up in the last minutes of the match. Seniors Kevin Yang and Jacky Fu contributed some baskets to cut the lead, and senior Davin Vuong came off the bench to pull the game within one possession late in the second half with the score of 73-72. Cao was given a last second heave that just missed the mark letting the staff escape with a one-point thriller.

“It was a close game, but winning is not always an option,” Manapat said. “We all had fun, and that’s all that matters.”

Matador senior and staff basketball team members come together to take one last photo after a thrilling game, in which the faculty prevailed with a final score of 73-72. The game was held in the Matador Arena on May 7.

Photo by Justin Toyomitsu

9

THE MATADOR THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

FEATURES Duran stars for Disney Chelsey Tr an

San Gabriel High School awards, recognizes 26 Los Renombrados finalists Tran Lam Students, teachers, and parents gathered at the Matador Stadium on April 24 to witness the Los Renombrados assembly, where 26 seniors were selected as finalists. Los Renombrados was created in 1954 to celebrate the top four percent of seniors who excelled not only in academics, but also in extracurricular activities, community service, and character. Principal Jim Schofield congratulated the

Photo by Alissa So/El Camino Real

finalists and presented each with a certificate and medal.

Some finalists felt uncertain and less qualified compared to the other contestants, but in the end, they realized that they had underestimated themselves.

“I didn’t think that I was qualified enough compared to other applicants, but I figured it was senior year and that I should give everything a try. I was shocked when I found out that I was a finalist,” finalist Frankie Zhuang said.

On the other hand, other finalists dreamt of being in Los Renombrados since the very beginning, so watching this dream become reality was surreal to them.

“I still remember watching the [Los Renombrados rally during] freshman year, thinking that I’d like to become a finalist one day.

Now that it really happened, I am very honored and thankful,” finalist Lan Truong said.

The finalists included Seleen Chan, Paloma Carrillo-Gallegos, Hanfrey Deng, Kristy Duong, Hui Fu, Shannon Hang, Aydin Hau, An Huynh, Kelsey Ko, Tran Lam, Rebecca Lei, Elim Li, Michelle Lok, Justin Pham, Gloria Quach, Ashley Rodriguez, Judy Tang, Chelsey Tran, Jenny Trang, Lan Truong, Brandon Vazquez, Davin Vuong, Cindi Yu, Henry Zeng, Liya Zhu, and Frankie Zhuang.

Hector Duran is a familiar face among San Gabriel’s students, but not for the reasons that most may expect. Duran was first featured in The Matador his freshman year as an aspiring actor with only commercials and small appearances under his belt. Fast forward three years, and Duran has a starring role in Disney produced sports drama film based on a true story called McFarland, USA. “I had auditioned for McFarland and the very next day, I went back for the director’s callback and the producer’s callback,” Duran said. “I got the phone call after the last audition that night. It was really cool, and I was so excited.”

Duran started acting when he was just eight years old. Since then, he has been in multiple commercials including one for Target. During his sophomore year, Duran opted to take the California High School Proficiency Exam, which is the equivalent of a high school diploma. Passing the exam allowed him to forgo traditional high school to spend more time on his burgeoning career as an actor and attend more auditions.

His dream role is one where he can show his full range as an actor, possibly as an underprivileged kid who gets a wonderful opportunity to be something in life because he feels like he would be able to relate to the role and perform really well. Ultimately, he wants a role that will win him an Academy Award.

“From the very beginning, I [have] love[d] this [and] this is the thing for me so I’m not going to give up until I accomplish my goals and my dreams,” Duran said. “I still love [acting] to this day.”

McFarland, USA will be coming out on DVD on June 2, so Duran will be in Chicago soon to promote it.

“I really enjoyed my time at San Gabriel High School and I loved the staff here,” Duran said. “Shoutout to Ms. Sumi because she’s cool like that, and I am grateful to have [had] the opportunity to come here before I take on the rest of my life.”

**This article is abridged. To read the full article, visit <thematadorsghs.com>.

Illustration by Cassandra Chen. Graphic by Christy Deng. Photo by Chelsey Tran

FEATURES Tell Me

what’s the

WORD. Famous Hallway quotes, Volume Seventy-two

“If there isn’t enough room in my yearbook for people to sign, I’ll just buy another yearbook.”

- Student unaware of the existence of yearbook inserts.

“We’re [going to] get married and have so many kids and they are all going to play League [of Legends].”

- Student planning out her dream life.

“You’re literally worse than Kim Jong-Un.” - Student said to teacher who doesn’t let him charge his phone in class.

All quotes overheard by The Matador Staff.

THE MATADOR THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

10

Teachers retiring from San Gabriel Nadyne Lapi

C assand ra C hen

Replacing a teacher who had to leave in the middle of the year in 1978, math teacher Nadyne Lapi stepped in and took her place for the next 37-and-a-half years until she ultimately decided to retire.

Lapi originally taught Spanish and English as a second language during the summer in 1976 at Jefferson Elementary, which has since been replaced by Gabrielino High School after its relocation. Following that, she proceeded to teach as a substitute for all schools in the district until her arrival at San Gabriel, where she replaced Marilyn Cooper, the previous math teacher.

Throughout her career here, Lapi has taught Basic (Individual) Math, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trig/Precalculus, Trig/Precalculus Honors, Elementary Calculus, Advanced Placement Calculus, and Integrated Math I. After many years, Lapi made the decision to retire due to both personal reasons and the technological advances that are occurring.

“I think it’s time. It just feels right,” Lapi said. “I want to spend more time with [my] family and play golf. On a professional level, there’s just so much going on in technology. I feel very overwhelmed. It’s a good time for the younger teachers to take charge.”

San Gabriel High School is a very special place for Lapi; not only did she teach here for a long duration of time, it was also her alma mater.

“This piece of property [San Gabriel] has been my life,” Lapi said. “[I] stepped on campus on June of 1968 and pretty much never left, except to go to UCLA for four years. It’s just like home.”

During her time at San Gabriel, she has made many fond memories, such as being selected to grade the Advanced Placement Calculus exams. She said that she “choked up” when she realized that it was going to be her last time ever grading when she was checking the students’ calculators before the Advanced Placement Calculus exam.

“The students here are fabulous,” Lapi said. “I’ve enjoyed working with them and the math department. It has been a privilege to work with the students here-from ‘78 until now.”

Riley Mason

Stacy Chau

After 15 years of being able to provide knowledge to children in San Gabriel High School, English and Peer Counseling teacher Riley Mason has finally decided that it is time to draw an end to his teaching career of 27 years.

Throughout his years at San Gabriel, Mason has offered countless amounts of advice and support for students going through tough situations. Not only did Mason have the pleasure of being able to educate children, but he also became a mentor and a friend to the many students he has taught as his experience with these issues grew through the years. “[The best part about my teaching career is] the relationships that I developed with students over the years and when they come back,” Mason said. “That’s the reward for doing something right. Students don’t have a choice as far as what teachers they have, but when they come back to visit or when they decide they want to remain in touch with you, they make a choice.”

Although Mason will no longer be able to counsel students as often as he had during the past 15 years at San Gabriel, he appreciates the students for playing their part in developing closer relationships with each other and themselves. Mason hopes that students will take his words to heart.

“I would like to say thank you to all [of my students],” Mason said. “I hope [my students] remember that somebody cares and that I believe in them. Everybody has something they are destined to do; they just need to find out what it is and use their talents and abilities to do it. It all starts with believing in yourself.”

Following his retirement, Mason plans to travel the world and learn what it is truly like to retire and separate himself from the work world.

Photos by Stacy Chau, Tran Lam, and Sydney Trieu

“ “

Seek out every opportunity to do the things you like, be nice, and the rest should come naturally.”

Eric Hong, 12th Be open minded and spend your time doing what you enjoy. School is not all about the numbers. Embrace everything that happens and learn from those experiences, whether good or bad.”

Kristy Duong, 12th

RENAISSANCE AWARD WINNERS

“ “

Learn to roll with the punches and never forget that no matter what, if you feel like you’re alone, you’re absolutely not. There’s always someone there for you; you just gotta look around and notice it.”

Albert Espitia, 12th To me, [Alexandra] has changed into a better woman. Her grades have changed for the better. Alexandra is such a good person–so caring and nice.”

Samantha Grijalva on Alexandra Franco, 12th

PHOENIX AWARD WINNERS

11

THE MATADOR

JOSEPH ALVARADO Future plans: Continue school at Mt. SAC, and study Culinary Arts. Hopefully become a chef.

Will: I, Joseph Alvarado, catcher for the San Gabriel Baseball Program leave my catching equipment to Cesar Guzman.

Quote: Inside pitch.... I HIT A BOMB! -Domingo Ayala Memories: Four years of playing baseball with my boys such as Charlie McGee, Darian Meave, and Chris Melgar.

Predictions: Cesar Guzman will get trucked next season.

Thanks to: My grandmother, for motivation for anything I possibly need motivating for.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

football games, random bowling days, Naruto marathons, AP Thursdays, bus rides to K-Town.

Predictions: Liya will continue to travel the globe and meet Yixing by “a touch of the hand,” Danny will design the next Naruto game, Thao Vi will encounter Jungkook again, BIGBANG will have a comeback, and our stats rap squad will reunite for a second single.

Thanks to: Liya, Fran, Thao Vi, Cindy, Elaine, Matthew, Lina, Kaleen, Stephanie, Rap Squad (Kelsey, Erik, Maggy), Chanel, Alto Sax section, Yixin, Justine M, Jason, Kaitlyn, Evelyn, Phung T, Vivian G, my MoMa group, Lan, Kevin C, Kevin T, Pisey, Robert, Tinna!

ISABELA CASTILLO AYLEEN ARANDA Future plans: Major in Biology: Biotechnology/Medical Future plans: Major in Journalism and travel.

Technology at Cal State Northridge.

Will: I leave everything to Yelitza Moreno. Ily. Will: I, Isabela Castillo, give my attitude skill to Selena Quote: “In other words, keep your bad vibes out of my Farris, weirdness to Xochitl Flores, my awesomeness to cornflakes. I’m not interested.” -Gerard Way my little Yamile, and all my dance skill to my freshmen in Memories: Seeing my favorite bands play live and hanging choreo. out with my close friends. Thanks to: Ms. Parra, Ms. Kim, Quote: “Who says that my dreams have to stay just Jazzmin and Joanna for always being helpful. Also, to the dreams.” friends that I’ve spent lunch with since we were freshmen, Memories: Choreo events, hanging out with my FDA girls, you’re all amazing. Shout out to Horizons too.

HOSA competition, late night adventure with friends, and go

to concerts.

LOURDES ARRETCHE Predictions: Yvonne getting a trophy at the HOSA National Future plans: Major in kinesiology Competition. Leslie becoming a well known singer. Cassy would Will: I, Lourdes Arretche, leave my little sister Val my love for become a well known dancer in the dancing world. cheer, my pride to Melissa Hernandez, and my spirit to the Thanks to: Ms. O, Ms. Parra, Ms. Bassette, Ms. Wu, Mel, Araceli, underclassmen.

Mariela, Kevin, Cassy, Ruby, Shannon, Ambar, Geymy, Mary, Quote: “In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. Yvonne, Ivy, Anny, Selena, Xochitl, Yamile, Sara, Mandy, and In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

Jessie.

Memories: Cheer camp, football games, 2015 spring break, and cheer nationals.

ELIZABETH CASTRO Predictions: I predict that Jojo Cesena will come back home Future plans: Attend San Francisco State University, travel, from the navy and go back to school, Javier Bobadilla will have finally go to New York and watch my Yankees play, buy my kids by the age of 20, Ralph Gutierrez will have 15 speeding parents their dream home, invest in my brother’s business, tickets in one year and Chantelle Bonilla will keep changing her watch Alex grow, find my passion in life and do everything I major. can to fulfill my dreams.

Will: I, Elizabeth Alexandra Castro, of smiles and class, JAVIER BOBADILLA bequeath my hopefulness to all attending San Gabriel and Future plans: To get married young and not have a divorce those leaving because oh how we need it; my love and luck and become a police officer. to volleyball and basketball to Beast it next year and the years Will: I, Javier Bobadilla, bequeath my dignity to Carolina L., to come. my BTA presidency to Carly B., and my Starbucks addiction Quote: “Stay Gold” -S.E. Hinton to Yolanda N. Memories: Volleyball CIF playoffs, charades at Mammoth, bus Quote: “I don’t have friends, I have family.” rides, freshman basketball banquet skit, having breakfast with Memories: Becoming president of BTA, playing the Mark my girls sharing stories and laughing endlessly, forming the Keppel game under the rain on Halloween, playing basketball “Cliqueo de San Gabriel.” against my cousins, having my voice heard by standing up Predictions: The Fiancés will be #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, for seniors and making as many friendships along my four Alex will make me the proudest sister ever, Jaleen will break years.

Olympic records, Ivy will be incredibly famous, Jessie will be Predictions: David Gonzalez will play volleyball in college crowned Miss Hong Kong, and Margaret will have her own while having a rap career on the side, Ralph G. will be known talk show. as a number, Emily T. will be solving crimes with her personal Thanks to: Mr. Kanow, Mr. Ryan, Coach Chris and Coach detective, Adam, and Lulu A. will be a cheerful mother of Honda for everything, Ambar for singing in Stats, Jazmin, ten.

Justine, Oscar and your taste in music, Lonnie, Julissa, Annahis, Thanks to: Ms. Lee, for being my second mother and helping and Gabby for always being there, Lit Squad, “Cliqueo,” Efrain, me through high school for all four years.

Alex, and Margaret.

PALOMA CARRILLO-GALLEGOS SHERMAN CHAN Future plans: Major in International Studies and History at Future plans: Get a degree in Business Administration, learn UCI, keep attending concerts, hopefully meet BIGBANG and Japanese, study abroad in Japan, and hopefully move there BTS, learn new languages, study on the other side of the world, someday. become more outgoing, get a job, earn my driver’s license, Quote: “It is what it is. Accept it and move on.” -Unknown and be happy!

Author Will: I, Paloma V. Carrillo-Gallegos, of greatness and fangirling, “Your value does not decrease based on someone’s inability to bequeath my love for BIGBANG and Sasuke to Elaine, my see your worth” -Unknown Author sports skills to Emi, my dedication to EXO to Cindy, my math Memories: All the things Angie and Maggie have said to homework to Elvis and Brittany, and my rap swag to Erik make me laugh, the struggle in Mandarin, going to the FBLA (Busta Rhymes). competition for the first and last time, annotating packets that Quote: “Life is like a piano. The white keys represent happiness took 8 hours, running to the bus and lunch line, and seeing my and the black keys represent sadness. But as you go through friends every week. life, remember that the black keys make music too.” -Bang Yongguk, B.A.P STEPHANIE CHAN Memories: Singing along to “Haru Haru” in the yellow Will: I, Stephanie Tyrone Jackson Chan, of greatness, coolness, VIP ocean, seeing GD up close, waiting ten hours and then and weirdness bequeath my greatness to Jenny Gip, coolness meeting B.A.P and crying, high-fiving Bangtan, Friday night to Lisa Nguyen, and weirdness to Kimberly Wong.

WILLS

Memories: Having an “allergic” reaction to bananas, food, getting sprayed with water because I was sleeping freshman year, and meetings with my flamingos!!!!

Thanks to: Conflict Mediation, Emily Lee, Kahana Kai, Victoria Phun, Emily Mu, Diane Chau, Sally Chen, and Halle Trang.

BRANDON CHEUNG Future plans: Make a lot of money so that I can go on a lot of vacations and travel the world with my future wife/ friends.

Will: I, Brandon Cheung, bequeath my freshness and cuteness to Tommy Liung.

Quote: Be ambitious, not thirsty. -Brandon Cheung Memories: Volleyball practice/games/tournaments, hanging out with my friends during lunch, having classes with my friends, hanging out with my friends after school, hanging out with my girlfriend Victoria after school/weekends.

Predictions: Steven will be the new concept creator for Toyota, Nicholas will be a bodybuilder, Andrew will be a racer/drifter, Adrian will be a businessman that sells suits/DJ, Victoria will be a business lady that has created her own fashion brand.

Thanks to: My mom, brother, sister, Steven, Adrian, Andrew, Nicholas, Tommy, volleyball squad, and my girlfriend Victoria Phun.

ANDY CHHOR Will: I, Andy Chhor, show my gratitude and sincerity to two of my most trusted little juniors :p, my appreciation to my spanish buddies D,D,&V :D the many seniors I got to talk to this year & the teacher of the most “tran”scending puns of master, Ty minna!

Quote: “The construction of something in life is not always through the simple routes, but often through similar or smaller nooks and crannies “ Memories: A memory I really cherished this year, to me, was having the privilege to meet the people that really made this senior year memorable. The things they did, the fragments we constructed, were all well worth. I will truly miss everyone. :’) Thanks to: Caren, Elaine, Debbie, Vy, David & many others. But mostly these 5 wonderful people contributed a lot to my life this year & I wish them all a good senior year :)

CHRIS CHUONG Quote: “Life may be hard, Life may be sad, But you need not to worry, since there are people who have your back.”

Memories: The great times I had with friends and super close friends :D

HANFREY DENG Future plans: Major in Human Biology at UC San Diego Will: I, Hanfrey Deng, of peace and solitude, bequeath my 1600m to Carlos Carrillo & William Tsai, my 800m to Brandon Lau & Allen Au Yeung, my 3200m to Aron Duong & Jeffrey Fong, and my 5k to all of the above.

Quote: “Never forget the big picture. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.”

Memories: 4 years of 5ks at Legg Lake, 4 years of the grind from running, and all the connections along the way.

Thanks to: Coach Brock, Coach Morales, Ms. Bishop, and Ms. Kim.

MATTHEW DIEP Future plans: Attend UC Riverside, become a real estate mogul, own a farm, write a book with Terri, own a bookstore, marry Nicki Minaj, build a house with Aida and Tracy, become CEO of Taco Bell, shine bright like a diamond.

Will: I, Matthew Diep, of bootylicious curves, bequeath my Spanglish to Terri, weird phrases to Victoria, book-wormness to Lian, hoodrat traits to Helay, Love for Baby to Judy, shoreness to Trista, activities table space to Ezra and therapy bills to Marc.

Quote: “Are you shore?!” -Me Memories: Hitting Ericka while watching a horror film, Phong Diep, sniffing books w/Laura, Bowling with Jesus, painting random things w/Michele, ridiculously funny phone calls w/Terri, laughing at Iggy(trash) w/Kaleen, shining tires w/

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Kimberly, Jazmin’s PhD. Predictions: Kaleen will write a NY Times Bestseller, Aida will be the BF5ever, Christy will marry a One Direction member, Halle’s food will conquer, Tracy will still turn up to Exo, Victoria will become me, Liya will still tally up men, Paloma will be Taeyang’s.

Thanks to: Yerd Queen Ms. Kim, the best teacher I’ve had Ms. Parra, the yerds, the trumpets, activities committee, my biggest inspiration J.K. Rowling, Kaleen Terri, and Marc for putting up with me everyday, Nicki Minaj no explanation needed.

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Woo, Davin will become the best Yu-Gi-Oh dueler, Angela will have a harem of Tom Hiddlestons, and Eric will become a billionaire.

Thanks to: My family and closest friends for staying by my side and supporting me, Ms. Daniels and Mr. Wong for aiding me through the college application process, and my tennis coaches and girls for making tennis one of the highlights of my high school career.

JACKY FU Future plans: I will most likely try to start my own restaurant KRISTY DUONG business or become a professional rap battler. If both fail, I will Future plans: Major in Engineering Physics apply to become a Kardashian.

Will: I, Kristy Duong, of awkwardness and silence, bequeath Will: I, Jacky Fu, bequeath my lameness and wittiness to my leadership skills and Environmental heirloom to Mason, Joanna Che. I bequeath my humor and comebacks to Valeria my studying skills to future decathletes, my poetic words to Duran. I bequeath the title of King Swagdigglet to Victoria Vu. Justine, my secret plans to Sydney, and my ability to survive Finally, I bequeath my love for Starbucks and my heart to Mia to Kelly, Thomas, and Tom. Rodriguez.

Quote: “Hope is fleeting like rainbows, yet hope is everlasting Quote: The best gift to get is the gift to give back. like the colors of a rainbow.”

Memories: I will miss Ms. Mar being lost during class when I “I think that we are like stars. Something happens to burst us yell random stuff and all the tough love Ms.Tran gave me. The open; but when we burst open and think we are dying; we’re memories I value most are the adventures and rap battles with actually turning into a supernova.” my newfound Temple crew and Kelvin and time spent with Memories: Deadlines in H2, football games with the clarinet my bro Henry Zeng. section, Washington DC adventures, AP life, Get Lit (YAWP), Predictions: Ms. Mar will drop a mixtape by 2020. Adrian will and weekend Skype calls. learn to be a freestyle king. Kelvin Cao will learn back down Predictions: Emily will own ten cats and rule the world. when people say he isn’t down. Henry Zeng will be shorter.

Elim will tell me who her boyfriend is. Sydney will learn to Frankie Zhuang will be a famous designer. Mytien will become shapeshift. Ms. Kim will win the lottery, pay off the newspaper challenger ranked. debt forever, and recover from her yearbook trauma. Academic Thanks to: Ms. Mar and Ms. Tran for being “at school moms,” Decathlon will go to state. Journalism will reclaim its trophy my Swagdigglets for being awesome, Kelvin, Frankie, and at ELAJEA. Adrian for being my best friends, Mytien for being my female Thanks to: My teachers, my friends, and my sisters for best friend, and Henry Zeng for being my brother. supporting me. Special thanks to Emily, Gloria, Elim, Celine, and Sydney for dealing with me and my shadiness, and thanks XING DANNY FU to the Get Lit team for showing me how to feel.

Future plans: I am to become the co-founder of Fu Corporation with Hui Fu, and have a beautiful family and a nice house.

ANGELA FONG Will: I, Xing Danny Fu, bequeath my work ethics, intelligence, Future plans: Major in something useful at UCSB, learn how to and my socializing skills to my beloved sister Xue Fu. do a proper squat, and become Tom Hiddleston and Matthew Quote: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”-Neale Gubler’s trophy wife.

Donald Walsch Will: I, Angela Fong, bequeath my voluptuous posterior to Memories: The many moments of Skyping with the people I Frank Lieu, my superior sense of sarcasm to Richard Yue, my care about, FBLA adventures at LDI and SLC, long talks with scandalous clothing to Amy Yee, my 3-before-2 prowess to my my best friend, pulling an island multiple times, hanging out tennis girls, and my death glare to Mario Mandujano. with the guys, and doing the most random things that brighten Quote: “Nothing is so common as the wish to be remarkable.” my day -William Shakespeare Predictions: Henry will work at Boeing, Justin will start a Memories: The victory match against Keppel with my beloved business, Aydin will work at Intel, Frankie will be an artist, partner Jessica, serving my lord Annie, eating sandwiches at Nathan will pass med school, James will become a surgeon, the beach with Teresa & Judy, wearing jeans to the first day of Jenny will become a doctor, Hui will be the co-founder of Fu summer practice, dancing the night away with Judy, Kelsey, Corp. & Rebecca, and prom with Xing.

Thanks to: Jenny, my best friend who I can tell everything to, Predictions: Annie will become a wealthy New York socialite Hui, my cousin who has supported me throughout these 18 and pay off my college debt, Rebecca will sell her crops at years, Henry, Nathan, Justin, James, Aydin, Jessica, Frankie, farmers’ markets, Jessica will grow to 6’2’’, Teresa will own a Ms. Wu, and Ms. Johnston. You guys have changed my life one sandwich shop, and Judy will become the poster girl for Hot way or another.

Cheetos.

Thanks to: Coach Steve and Coach Marcela for teaching DARLENE FUNG me about both tennis and life, newspaper and tennis for Future plans: Earn money to buy more food. accepting my weirdness, Mr. Nguyen for version C tests, H2 Quote: “FOCUSS!!!” for the microwave, Keita for the infinite hugs and kisses, and Memories: Screaming on Revolution, hanging out with squad, Hui. slam camming Choi, going to band events, falling asleep in the

planetarium, going to L.A. K-Pop Festival, buying chips with HUI FU Yixin and Jose, and eating everywhere with Teresa.

Future plans: Major in Business at UC Berkeley; travel the Predictions: Elim will marry Lee Hyun Woo, Josephine will world on my free time as an adult. Will: I, Hui Fu, bequeath marry the sexiest guy in the world, Kaleen will become my humor, sass, and driving skills to Xue, my no-longer- an author, Teresa will continue to focus, Vanessa will stay existing tennis abilities to my underclassman tennis girls, and oblivious, Tran will continue to spit on people, and Sophia will my love to my wonderful PR committee: Villar, Lian, Cindy, become a party animal. and Justin.

Thanks to: Choi for being so kawaii, Teresa for kicking me Quote: “The only person you are destined to become is the out of her car, Tran for telling me there’s no Alhambra Park, person you decide to be.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Vanessa for listening to me cuss nonstop, Kaleen for giving me Memories: Taking hours-long bus rides and being league Oreo truffles, Sophia for siding with me, and Arthur for being champs with my tennis family, playing cards in 5th period with dabes.

Davin, Darlene, and Lan, crying with Michelle over math tests, and spazzing about Korean guys with the Sharons.

IVAN GARCIA Predictions: I predict that Xing’s dream of co-founding a Future plans: I will create the biggest business in Colorado. corporation with me will come true, Elim will marry Lee Hyun Will: I, Ivan Alexis Garcia-Maldonado, dedicate this to the kid

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who has dwarfism, Ryan “Princess Spock” Lam. Thanks for making me feel tall man. <3 Quote: Do we have to pay back loans, Mr. Nguy? - John Marty Memories: Regretting transferring to this school in my first year, the fun I had in BTA all thanks to Mr. Robb, playing games on my phone in all your classes without getting caught.

Predictions: An Zheng Ma will most likely be the next big rapper under the guidance of Eminem.

Ryan Lam will still be short. I will most likely be cleaning the urinals at your job.

Thanks to: Mr. Robb, Ms. Lee, Ms. Manalang, Ms. GaliazzoArmenta, Ms. Kim, and Mr. Nguy. Shout out to Kornming Lao for reaching Gold Nova 1. Thanks Gabe Newell for your Steam sales and Lina Ou Chen for being my buddy throughout high school. :D >.<

AMY GIANG Future plans: Major in Biology at UCI. Will: My bubbliness shall be bestowed upon my little sophomores that always say hi to me. :) Quote: “I don’t date ugly girls because I don’t believe they exist” - Zhang Yixing Predictions: Chanai (Chanel x Kai) will be real. Phung Tran will be a professional photographer. Jessica Tran will go to a Kpop concert with me. ;) Thanks to: all my wonderful teachers <3

QUANG GIP Future plans: Keep living the “ROYAL” life. See You At The Top! Will: I Quang Gip, Bequeath my money making skills to Jenny Gip. And my silliness to Maggie Gip. Quote: “Thin people are beautiful, but fat people are adorable.”

- Quang Gip Memories: Rocking Michael Jordan’s OG Jersey #45.Pad Thai Tuesday with Alan Phan and the Portable Charger Boyz. Good times Chasing Clouds with the “THREE Dai-Lows”. JUST DO IT! Predictions: Benjamin Yap will become a professional photographer ( percival #2 ) Kelvin Uong will always be a TROLL^. Randy Sy will take over TR as Manager. ROYAL-V will be worth $1m next year.

Thanks to: All the HOMIES for helping me when my tire popped. Kelvin Uong for the gainz^ Randy Sy for the motivational speeches. Thanks for all the cool experiences.

CHRISTOPHER GONZALEZ Will: Life is too short to drive slow cars~//T-KLAN racing®

DAVID GONZALEZ Future plans: University of ELAC Will: I, David Gonzalez, of great height and humor, bequeath my great height to all the volleyball and basketball guys and my humor to all those who need a laugh here and there.

Quote: “I didn’t choose the thug life, the thug life chose me.”

Memories: My volleyball and basketball team bondings. The times I spent with my squad and friends. Becoming Prom King and Athlete of the Year. Going to eat with my girlfriend and all the memories we made together.

Predictions: This is against my religion, but I’m pretty positive that I will marry Jaleen.

Thanks to: Coach Chris, Coach Jay, Ms. Vergo, all the other school’s staff, my squad, my volleyball and basketball teammates, Jarett, Austin and Boris for all the fun in sports, Javier and Phillip for looking out for me, all my other friends, my best friend and girlfriend Jaleen Lujan for being the best.

QI GUO Future plans: Go to a party school and become a big shot actuary and be happy.

Will: I, Qi Guo, of simply amazingness, bequeath my outspokenness to my twin, David, my great stats talent to Lisa, a lifetime supply of pasta to little Sam because she is my wittle baby, my ootd style to Jennifer, and my ASB presidency to Judy Tu. Quote: “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”

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Memories: Almost dying in a box to ask Henry to Sadies, attending every school dance, shushing a baby during a volleyball game, walking down the Homecoming aisle with Mr. Kanow, meeting KevJumba, ranting to Amie, taking the serious ID picture with Emily.

Predictions: Judy will become the ASB President. Elim will make bank and invite me to brunch. Tony and Anthony will stop growing. Emily will never stop eating Chipotle. Marshall will get a 5 on AP Stats. Henry will take me to Disneyland!!!

Thanks to: Mr. Kanow, Ms. Mar, Ms. Revilla for giving me unconditional support, ASB for than just leadership. My friends Emily, Elim, Tony, Marshall, Anthony, Amie and Stephanie for accepting who I am. My bb for loving me.

ELVIS HA Future plans: My future plan is to attend PCC and transfer out and major in mechanical engineering.

Will: I, Elvis Ha, of bad storytelling skills and jumps captain, will pass down my jump skills to Daniel Tran and my bad storytelling skills to no one because no one wants to tell a bad story.

Quote: “I spent way too much money on boba during my four years of high school.”

Memories: Chilling at Factory Tea Bar with friends, not knowing what was the unit for current in physics. Competing in track with my teammates, going to San Francisco with band, and grow taller yet still keep my baby face.

Predictions: Ashley becomes the next Picasso, Kylie eating breakfast in Ms. Parra in the morning, Shurrie smashing records in track, Daniel and Grace go head to head deciding who becomes jump’s captain. Kenji becomes a chicken katsu literally.

Thanks to: Ms. Chung, Mr. Tran, Mr. Vogel, Ms. Vergo, Ms. Cognetta, and The Squad

SHANNON HANG Future plans: Major in Biochemistry at the University of California, Riverside.

Will: I, Shannon Hang, bequeath my facials to Sharon Lee, my weirdness/craziness to Mia Rodriguez, my leader skills to Ivy Ly, my boba cravings to Diana Do, and my social skills to APES group. I pass on my FBLA role to Diana Kou. Quote: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

-Thomas A. Edison Memories: I will remember BP minimum days with Mytien Le. FBLA’s LDI and State Conferences, hanging out with my Choreo babies before football games, and going on Conflict field trips for food.

Predictions: I predict that Mytien Le will come back from Cal Poly SLO with a cute white boy. Macy Nguyen will become the best housewife ever with a rich husband. Bicky Bui will do my taxes in the future. Xing will finally do his workout consistently.

Thanks to: Ms. Burkhart, Mr. Nguy, Ms. Vergo, Mytien Le, Macy Nguyen, Ivy Ly, Andrew, Bicky Bui, F-Bae-LA cabinet, Seleen Chan, Sharon Cao, Samantha Kou, Diana Do, Xing Fu, Brian Choy, Conflict Mediation, and Michelle Hua

AYDIN HAU Future plans: Major in Computer Science at UC Berkeley, live life a quarter-mile at a time, make that money, find happiness, change the world. No biggie.

Will: I, Aydin Hau, bequeath my beloved section to Mason Tran, my pro-driving expertise to Kevin Loc (KLoc), my good looks to Winston Hau, my gas debt to Samson Tran, my Mandarin skills to Alvin Yu, and my precious band to Emily Eng and Erick Velasco.

Quote: “A millionaire doesn’t mind spending a thousand dollars.” - Me Memories: Rapping at APR, improv. singing in Henry Tran’s car, feeding the homeless with Hubert, getting lost in LA with my section, Korean guy at Castle, “pulling an Island’s,” Xing moments, swimming for state w/ Hao, and going to crazy places w/ bae, J-Kou. Predictions: Mason Tran will be almost as good a section leader as I was, Samson Tran will be an inspiring drum major, K-Loc will stop throwing away diamonds, Terri Tang will be a pilgrim, Tommy Vo will beast fly, and the Holy Knights will be brothers

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 for life.

Thanks to: Band for all the weird/fun moments during football games and rallies, Mr. Nguy for showing me how to slick back my hair, Ms. Lapi and Ms. Tran for being my favorite teachers, and Jessica Kou for loving someone like me these past 4 years, ILY babe!

MICHELLE HAU Quote: “Don’t care about what other people think of you. There will always be those people who want to see you fail because they can’t succeed.”

Memories: Having a crazy night after tennis banquet from running out of a car to walking to Oh My Pan, tennis hangouts after school, random boba runs.

Predictions: Hui will become rich and treat me and Elim out, Elim will stop napping in the middle of the night, Kelly will own a dog and go to her dream school, Aileen will marry Eric, Tammy will stop worrying about everything and Wendy will love cheese.

VERONICA HEM Will: I, Veronica Hem, with fairy princess colored hair bestow my cuteness to Sharon Chang in hopes one day she will be able to dye her hair. Pray for Tiffany Giang that one day she will never be late to 1st period. Give my awesome car skills to Edney Van. Quote: “While people are changing, Memories are forever.”

- Unknown “I am so done, someone needs to take me out the oven.” Brandon Phan “Keep talking and I’ll wipe your eyebrows off.” - Kalvin Nguyen” Memories: Sitting at lunch with Brianna Ly everyday. Being able to build a bond with Nurse Karen. Reminding Kaitlyn Chan she will never be as cute as me.

Predictions: Kenny Meng will one day own 5 Star Towing.

Sharon Chang will still not be as great as me. Tiffany Giang will still forever be late to 1st period.

Thanks to: Nurse Karen for dealing with me everyday for 2 years, Kenny Meng for being with me thru everything since we were like 5, and everyone who has been with me since day one.

RAEGAN HESSE Future plans: Sprinkle my sassiness all over this crappy planet.

Will: I, Raegan Hesse, bequeath my undeniably amazing leadership skills to Emma, my love for poptarts to Sydney, my sassiness to Madelyn, my fangirl feels to Georgette, my ugliness to Andrew, and my never ending laziness to Manuel and Esme.

Quote: “Stay Humble” -Jack Johnson Memories: Enduring ASB and all the craziness that comes along with rallies and dances, performing at Walt Disney Concert Hall with choir, letting senioritis control my life, and most importantly making friends whom I know I could never live without.

Predictions: Annie will marry Calum. Georgette will FINALLY meet Jacob. Emma will be president. Madelyn and Calvin will go on tour and I’ll be their groupie.

Thanks to: Mr. Mason, Ms. Blackwood, and Mr. Vogel, for guiding me through my final chapters of high school and to Ms. Revilla, for pushing me to join ASB, for always being there to talk to, but most of all, for believing in me. I couldn’t ask for more.

CHANEL HIN Future plans: Either major in the medical field at University of California Riverside or major in Nursing at Mount Saint Mary’s University. In the future, I also plan to get married to Kai (EXO).

Will: I, Chanel Hin, dedicate this will to my love, Kai (EXO).

Quote: “No matter what happens, I will make my dreams turn into reality.” -Kai (EXO) Memories: Swim competitions, tennis tournaments and hanging out with my friends during lunch fangirling over EXO and kpop at Mr. Nong’s or Mr. Li’s class.

Predictions: Maggie will have faster reactions & get tanner, Jennifer will be married to D.O. & become a medical researcher, Amy will be married to Lay & become the world’s famous

WILLS

cardiologist, Phung will become a photographer, and Liya will find Luhan.

Thanks to: Mrs. Hernandez, Ms. Marilynn, Ms. Lee, Mr. Li, Mr. Nong, Kai (EXO) and my besties Maggie and Jennifer.

TRACY HOANG Future plans: Majoring in Communications at Disneyland Cal State Fullerton.

Will: I, Tracy Hoang, of great sleepiness and laziness, bequeath my amazing tech and ybk knowledge to all the kids of yearbook, my love for cute Korean babies to Judy Tu, and my ability to yell to Ashley Kakazu.

Quote: “Let’s live doing the things we like.” -Oh Sehun Memories: 24 hrs @ SG, IHOP, ramen dinners with Marc + Aida, Fall Rally with Halle + Macy, bustin’ missions in Costa Mesa, almost dying in Ben’s car, ybk camp, KBBQ and BP with Macy, Marc and Matt’s constant bickering, Mimi’s tea party, Disneyland + Souplantation + the driving range + everything with Kelsey Bae Ko. Predictions: Ms. Kim, Aida, Marc, and I will go to South Korea where I will finally meet EXO and marry Chanyeol, Kelsey will become an imagineer with the best rap skills, Matt will be living life as a farmer, Judy will be stress free and not miserable, Marc and Matt will be BFFLs, Marc will marry Macy and she’ll be the world’s best housewife, and Aida will finally get KBBQ and will have a million dollar empire.

Thanks to: Aida + Marc + Kelsey + Judy for always being there, Kaleen for always making me laugh, Brandi + Janet, Mrs. Marilynn for being a second mom, Ms. Beda, Ms. Parra, Mr. Tran, and Ms. Jennifer Kim for everything.

DILLON HONG Future plans: Become an OBGYN and bring lots of babies to this beautiful place we called Earth. Will: I pass my knowledge and wisdom in Conflict Mediation to Stacy Chau, Erica Tan, Raymond Yip, and Jenny Gip. Bring conflict to new heights and watch over the newbies, because some day, you guys will pass your knowledge and wisdom down as well.

Quote: “Love what you have, until life teaches you to love what you’ve lost.”

Memories: First day of school, I wore sunglasses in all my classes because I thought I was cool.

Predictions: Nicholas Huynh will become the boss of the world, Elton Hong will become a successful doctor. Jacky Fu will become a famous rapper. Dillon and Vien will live happily ever after <3.

Thanks to: All the staff in SGHS for teaching us not only about academics, but how we can all achieve great things in life as long as we set our minds to it.

ELTON HONG Future plans: Graduate UCSF as an oncologist, take care of my parents and have a lovely family.

Will: I impart my legacy of Conflict Mediation to Erica Tan, Jenny Gip, Raymond Yip, Stacy Chau. My elegance to Lynne Ta and my chattiness to Eva Wong and Linh Quach. As well as my awesomeness to Cynthia Tu, Shelly Wong, and Lindsey Huynh.

Memories: Conflict Mediation funds and meetings, HOSA competition, hanging outside AU79, having bonfires at the beach, and biking with Nicholas at midnight and hanging out with my twin Dillon.

Predictions: Dillon Hong will marry Vien Lai and live happily ever after, Nicholas will become a businessman and own a nail salon, Shannon Hang will be the princess of the world, Jacky will become famous through rapping, Adrian Jimenez will become an A&F model.

Thanks to: Ms. Burkhart, Mrs. Wu, Ms. Okimura, Ms. Morales, Ms. Castro, Mr. Jung, Ms. Irene, Ms. Beda, Ms. Vergo, Mr. Myers and Mr. Nong.

ANNIE HUANG Future plans: I will go to Boston (sorry, New York) for college & find a trust fund boyfriend from Harvard to finance my expenses. After undergrads, I will be paid to travel the world & talk to inspiring people with great sense of humor & great taste in music.

Will: I, Annie Huang, of wit, charm, brutal comebacks, and poisonous sarcasm, bequeath my throne, Mac, and

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THE MATADOR

Understanding Financial Aid, Loans A nni e H uang With the trouble of enrollment decisions fading into the past and high school graduation slowly looming nearer every day, many seniors thought May would be a stress-free month. Then, reality hit them hard in the face with the terror of student loans and the possibility of a lifetime’s worth of debt the moment after they click the “Accept Admission” button. Lovely.

According to U.S. News, about 70 percent of 2013 college graduates left college with an average of $28,400 in debt. Between a variety of colleges, both private and public, average debt amounts ranged from $2,500 to $71,000.

The reason for that is that not all students are fortunate enough to receive a financial package big enough to allow them to go to college debtfree. As a result, many students take out student loans for reasons such as covering the rest of their tuition or paying for school supplies. However, the process of acquiring loans is not easy, not to mention the difficulty in understanding the many different kinds of loans available.

First of all, students need to distinguish the difference between federal and private loans. Federal loans are funded by the government and therefore, are less expensive and have lower interest rates than those of private loans; certain federal loans have advantages such as fixed interest rates, income-based repayment plans, and loan forgiveness programs. Private loans are non-federal loans that are made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, state agency, or school.

Most students are familiar with subsidized and unsubsidized loans; these two types of loans usually appear as a part of the student’s financial package on his/her student portal. However, students should keep in mind that these two types are loans are not grants, and therefore have to be paid back.

Both subsidized and unsubsidized loans are loans with a fixed interest rate of 4.66 percent. However, in subsidized loans, the federal government pays the interest that accumulates over the years in which the student is enrolled at a university until six months after the student graduates. On the other hand, the federal government does not pay for the interest of unsubsidized loans that accumulates while the student is still in college.

Only colleges can determine the amount of subsidized and unsubsidized loans a student is eligible for.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Another type of loan that typically appears on a student’s financial package is the Perkins Loan; Perkins Loans are federal loans with an interest rate of five percent and are lent by certain colleges that participate in the Federal Perkins Loan Program. Like unsubsidized loans, the federal government does not pay for the interest.

Finally, the Parent PLUS loans are federal loans with a reduced interest rate of 7.21 percent and can only be borrowed by the dependent student’s parent. In addition, PLUS loans can be borrowed up to the student’s tuition that is not covered by financial aid. Unlike other federal loans, PLUS loans are under the parent’s name. As a result, the parent is responsible for making payments. However, he/she has the option to defer the payments of their PLUS Loans until the student drops out or graduates from his/her university. As the federal loan with the highest interest rate, PLUS Loans should be among the last types of federal loans students look into.

To find out if they are eligible for PLUS Loans, students should first call the colleges that they are enrolled in to find out what types of lenders there are and which process of acquiring PLUS Loans their college prefers. In most cases, students can apply for PLUS Loans on federal websites such as <direct.ed.gov>, <studentaid.ed.gov>, or <studentloans.gov>. Before they apply for loans, students should check the payment deadlines set by their colleges. After they receive their tuition bills and are informed of the amount they will be paying minus their financial packages, they should begin the process of applying for PLUS Loans.

The application for PLUS Loans requires a credit check using a parent’s social security number, which will inform the student if their parents are eligible for PLUS Loans. Then, the student will fill out an application and be given a loan servicer; the loan servicer will inform the student of everything they need to know about their loans such as repayment plans.

Lastly, students are not encouraged to take out private loans due to high interest rates. However, if the student is not eligible for any type of federal aid or loans, private loans are still an option.

Students should not wait until the last minute to begin researching for financial aids or loans. Instead, they should ask their counselors or conduct research on the Internet. Maybe it is not fair that students, most at the age of 18 and do not yet have jobs, are forced to think about the unfathomable world of loans and debt. However, one of the many aspects of growing up is having to take responsibility for oneself, even if one is not ready for it.

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

FOCUS Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards Amy Yee Debit cards are essentially digital checkbooks; they are linked to your bank account (usually a checking account), and money is withdrawn from the account as soon as business transactions occur. Any time you use a debit card to buy something, money is deducted from your own personal account. Most debit cards are free with a checking account at a bank or credit union.

Credit cards are different; they offer loans that are interest-free if the monthly credit card bill is paid on time.

Instead of being connected to a personal bank account like debit cards, a credit card is connected to the bank or financial institution that issued the card (e.g., Chase Bank), so when you use a credit card, the issuer pays the merchant and you are now indebted to the card issuer.

This is a loan that you are expected to pay back usually in 30 days. Interest will be charged if you fail to do so; depending on the creditor, interest rates may change.

Both credit and debit cards have a spending limit, or a daily transaction limit in addition to having points and rewards.

Q&A: Creative ways to pay for college Interview with Edgar Perez ‘09

Judy Tang

Steps to buying a home demystified Q ui N guy Buying a home can be a complicated and exhausting process. For those who are well-prepared, it will save a lot of time, headaches, and money. The first step is to get prepared and have your finances in order. Income, debt, amount of down payment for your house, credit history, and credit scores all play major factors in qualifying for a home loan.

If the home down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price, obtaining “PMI” or Private Mortgage Insurance is required (a $300,000 house would need a $60,000 down payment to avoid PMI). PMI is an extra charge of insurance which protects the lender in case you default on your loan. Once you’ve paid the mortgage down 20 percent, the PMI can be removed.

After obtaining a pre-approval from a Mortgage Lender, you are now ready to search for your dream home! Real Estate Agents can assist you in your home search and guide you through the entire process. When your offer on the house does get accepted, the seller will open escrow (escrows are neutral third party companies that assists in holding deposits/signing documents). During this time, you will get the chance to do your due diligence in getting disclosures, home inspection, appraisal, and loan finalized.

Hiring professional home inspectors, termite inspectors, and plumbers for thorough inspections is highly recommended.

As a typical senior year of high school comes to a near end, many college freshmen are faced with the confusing future of “adult life”-for example, navigating aid and loans and paying for college. San Gabriel alumnus from the class of 2009, Edgar Perez, hustled to pay for college and learned many important life skills along the way.

When did you start working in high school and why?

“I [lived in] an unstable household, so I started working [during] my sophomore year of high school. I worked part-time [for] the first month and immediately after, began working full-time at my local Jack-in-the-Box until my senior year. I was [going to] school full time and working full time to help the household since my mother was a single mother of three.”

Where did you decide to go to college and did you work there as well?

“I decided to move to Berkeley for college and that’s when I started living on my own. I managed to get a job at a local fast food restaurant and attended Berkeley City College full-time. I began to network in downtown Berkeley with some of the upscale restaurant workers and managed to get employed by “La Note,” a French restaurant, and its sister chain “Café Clem.” Once I started working at these places, my doors opened and the opportunity to live a little better arose. Since I worked at an upscale restaurant where everything was organic, I stopped spending money on groceries because I could eat for free in any of the venues. After three months of working at La Note, I met a dishwasher who worked at an Italian Restaurant and he referred me to the manager to get another [job]. I had three jobs and was saving a lot of money.

One way I would make some extra money by was trading food from restaurants I worked at, with other businesses. For example, I worked at Chipotle for a while, so I would exchange burrito discounts at retail stores to save money for clothes. This not only saved me money, but also taught me how to network in getting to know the people you work with in business.”

What do you feel you have learned from doing all these jobs and do you have any advice for current students?

“The most important thing I learned from all of these jobs was definitely how to set up a resumé and how to become almost professional at interviewing.

This school has actually helped me a lot because many students are extremely shy in college and they should not be. I currently work at O’Reilly Auto Parts as a closing manager and because of my experience at other jobs, I can say that they have taught me well. I do have a checking account and have one credit card which I only use for gas. It’s an easy way to build credit and banks see that I use it often. Overall, I have learned [many] skills from each job that I can use in other jobs and in my life. The best thing I would advise students to do is network! It will come in handy over time.”

Graphics and illustrations by Jennifer Thai

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microwave in H2 to Ileana Perez, my hate for homophobic heterosexuals to Emmanuel Maresca, and my intolerance for the patriarchy to Justine Salazar.

Quote: “Take a leap if it is worth the fall.” -John O’Callaghan Memories: Freshman year: red hair blue hair orange hair blonde hair nO. Sophomore year: I love everyone omg. Junior year: *hasn’t slept or eaten in 3 centuries*. Senior year: chips and salsa in class lol yoLO what even is a life plan.

Predictions: I will own a Manhattan penthouse and remain very much sunglasses emoji. Angela Fong will drown in debt until I come save her from starving on the streets. Judy Tang will become Nurse Judy in Pokemon version 2025. Chipotle will have free guacamole.

Thanks to: My incredible slam poetry family for helping me find my voice in the world, my wonderful AP Lit group for always bringing me food, and most importantly, H2 simply for its existence.

CELINE HUI Future plans: Major in English at San Diego State University and become an English teacher then live a happy life with a cute dog and my significant other Will: I, Celine Fan Hui, dungeon master of all vampire bears, bequeath my artistic skills to my Tenor Sax section, my love knowledge to Vanessa, my valley girl voice to Jennifer, and my senior year survival tactics to Katherine.

Quote: “While there’s life, there’s hope.” “I don’t want to be anything other than what I’ve been trying to be lately.”

Memories: Football games, basketball games, band camp, pep rallies, Tenor dances, spontaneous boba runs, late night talks, tears, journey to the east, The Groundhog, late night munchies at McDonald’s, and falling asleep while Skyping.

Predictions: Elim will have a Korean husband, Kristy will tell me who her boyfriend is, Brandon will build his own gundam, Michele and Joely’s kids will be best friends, Katherine will conquer the world. Thao Vi will have a corgi, and Chelsey will get taller.

Thanks to: My English teachers, especially Ms. Bishop, those who dealt with my heartbroken stage, Michele and Joely, Ms. Mar, Ms. Cognetta, Ms. Jung, Elim, Kristy, Brandon, Coco, Cindi and Winnie, Thao Vi, Katherine, and anyone that made me smile.

BRANDON HUYNH Future plans: Major in Aerospace Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona.

Will: I, Brandon “Do You Wanna Hear a Joke” Huynh, bequeath my identical personality to Lian, my awkward stares to Kim, my incredible lame jokes to Kylie, my chem skillz to Joanna, my height to Lisa, my insults to Gilbertoe.

Quotes: “I Hate You.” -Mom “I’m coming straight outta Compton.” - Ice Cube “I took way too long to think of something funny, so I ended up quoting Ice Cube.” -Me Memories: Chilling out with my boyz, John literally spaghettiing himself in front of 6th grader, taco nights, Skype calls, hanging out with Jennie and Kim before band events, football games, band camps, and all the other things I forget to remember.

Predictions: Deryn and John will fight for top wizard, Andrew will spill the bean, Anthony will grow an afro, Va will workout some more, the other boys will be men, Kim will become a flower, Jennie will start fights, Lian will never forget her phone.

Thanks to: Everyone I have ever met. Even if we talked for just 5 minutes or several years, I am truly grateful to have met you.

Don’t feel bad if I haven’t mentioned you, I have bad memory!

May our paths cross again in the future!

NICHOLAS HUYNH Future plans: Major in Business Administration at the University of California, Irvine Will: I, Nicholas Van Huynh, of freshness and class, bequeath my confidence and social skills to my friends Adrian, Andrew, Brandon, Steven, Jacky, Dillon, and Elton.

Quote: “Stay trill and enjoy the thrill.” -Nicholas Huynh Memories: Hanging out with friends, hitting on girls, band events, learning how to skate, driving around the canyons, and freestyle battles!

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Predictions: Dillon will be a great doctor, Adrian will be an amazing entrepreneur, Andrew and Steven will be the guys with the sickest cars on the block, Brandon will be a great business man, and Elton will be great at whatever he chooses to do!

Thanks to:The homies Adrian, Andrew, Brandon, Kenny, Steven, Dillon and Elton for being rowdy, honest, and never judging me for who I am and what I do. Without you guys, my life would have never been such a blast throughout high school!

I love you guys!

SOPHIA HUYNH Future plans: Stop being so indecisive about my future and maybe grow a few inches.

Will: I, Sophia Huynh, of hilariously cringe-worthy puns, bequeath my love-hate relationship with puns to Mina Lam, my piccolo playing powers to Lawrance Huynh, my madNESS Smash abilities to Kent Tran, and my awkward conversation starters to Kaitly Zhu. Quote: “Write me a melody composed of fortissimo rests.”

“Assume that your confidence in life choices is high and proceed with caution.” “C’est la vie.”

Memories: Spontaneous Squad hangouts in which not everyone is present, KBBQ adventures and movies with Quocvi, Hy, and Kaitly, Girls’ Tennis Almont League champions in sophomore year, and flute socials.

Predictions: Quocvi and Hy will assume world domination.

Vanessa will marry Suho. Darlene will become the ultimate Holy Cow Master. Jason will preach that “people die when they are killed.” Tran will host Humans of Berkeley. Kaleen will meet her rich white boy.

Thanks to: Darlene, Kaleen, Vanessa, and Tran for being the coolest tromies, Quocvi and Hy for the ab-growing laughs, Rebecca for being the best tennis partner, Mme Rose for the greatest 4 years of French, and all other people who made my life more bearable.

BRIAN IBARRA Future plans: My future plans are to hopefully go to a college and study culinary arts.

Will: I, Brian Ibarra, am leaving my awesome basketball skills to all of my friends. “A successful man is one who makes more money then his wife can spend and a successful woman is one who can find such a man.”

Memories: So much memories in MS-6. One of the memories was having so much fun with friends and teachers in this room. Also, to the friends in Little Theatre playing around and having fun.

Predictions: I think that it will not be the same in MS-6 because all the seniors will be gone and things will be different and quiet. I also predict that I will be a famous chef and that Juan and I will still be hanging out.

Thanks to: All my friends that helped me to have such a great time this year and to teachers in MS-6, you rock!

OSCAR JAUREGUI Future plans: I’m going to go Rio Hondo and study marine biology, then transfer to Cal State Long Beach.

Will: I, Oscar Jauregui, being a top cheer supporter, give to my girlfriend Jezmay all my love and never-ending energy and to Mrs. Nielsen aka “Coach” I leave the spirit stick.

Quote: “Go Big and Go Home” Memories: All my time in MS-6 with the blue eyed devil. Clash of Clans with Rojo.

Predictions: Mrs. Nielsen will finally become President, Cheer will finally become a sport, and SGHS will get more food trucks.

Thanks to: Mrs. Nielsen for always being patient with me and for not getting mad at me for always dropping the spirit stick!!

SAMANTHA KHOU Will: I, Samantha Khou, of smiles and laughter, bequeath my love to Lian Zhang and Amber Huynh, my leadership to the ASB kiddos, my open heart to Courtesy Committee, and my red blood cells to Red Cross (just kidding) Quote: “Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.” -Walt Whitman Memories: Monthly visits to sing at the convalescent home, setting up for Homecoming & APR at 5 AM, school dances,

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blood drives, FBLA conferences, surviving junior year with way more boba than I should’ve had, Prom, hiking adventures, and beach trips Predictions: Kenny Yeung will still be a little boy, Michele Quach will still be gross, Justin Pham will grow to love salads, Frankie Zhuang will become the next Picasso, Jacky Fu and Kelvin Cao will get married, and Coco So will be on American Idol Thanks to: Mytien Le & Chelsey Tran for an unusually wonderful friendship, Sharon Cao for our 6 yrs together, Stanley Ho for simply everything, Ms. Mar for housing us at lunch & just being awesome, & everyone else who has been a part of my high school experience

KELSEY KO Future plans: Major in English at UC Irvine and then fight until I can work for Disney.

Will: I, Kelsey Ko, bequeath my chinese rabbit candy to Daneli Garcia, my love for Hot Cheetos and math (HAHAHA) to Jennifer Trang, my passion for turning posters into large objects to Shirley Huynh, my serious rap skillz to Erick Velasco aka Busta Rhymes, the future Clarinet Clan to the Fantastic Four (CC YOU KNOW!) and my barbaric YAWP to bb Justine Salazar.

Memories: 10 AM — free at last from H2, field show adrenaline, real talks with jerk, laughing about basics with Tracy and really really really liking Aida, slamming hard with YAWP, being trash with Kaleen (nice shirt), and picking places to eat at with Nathan.

Predictions: Nathan will down 2 gallons of milk per day, Rebecca will be famous for her sayings (Just let it happen), Kristy will drop her name at graduation, Eric will be president, and Judy will love Uptown Funk and stay q/desu and love me forever.

Thanks to: Ms. Kim for being hilarious and incredibly hardworking, Ms. Burkhart for inspiring me, Ms. Lee for supporting me, Ms. Parra for motivating me, Ms. C for the music, Mr. Nong for his happiness, and Ms. Malone, Naomi and Ms. Fuji for working with me.

JESSICA KOU Future plans: Major in Business Administration at UCI, travel the world, become fluent in another language, adopt a puppy or two, grow about five more inches, earn six figures, and marry the love of my life.

Will: I, Jessica Kou, of savage sarcasm and petite appetites, bequeath my tennis skills to the varsity team, my love for food to Wendy Yu, my towering height to Winston Hau, my shopping obsession to my sister, and my Soda Crush skills to my brother.

Memories: Winning first place league champs twice with my tennis babies, freaking out every Tuesday because Pretty Little Liars was on, taking necessary 6-hour naps, trying new things with the ER5 gang, going on wonderful dates, and falling in love.

Predictions: Aydin will be CEO of Google, Justin will get financial aid, Hui will take her bar to work, Angela will own lululemon, Eric will become a photographer, Davin will get his biscuit, Xing will be fluent in Spanish, and Henry will play pro basketball.

Thanks to: All of my amazing friends for being there for me and making the past four years pass by so quickly, my daddy for his unconditional love and support, and Aydin Hau for believing in me and never giving up on us.

FRANKY LA Future plans: To become a millionaire by the age of 30.

Will: I, Franky La, will leave everything to Benny Wong. He seems to be the only one that knows what they are doing.

Quote: “Music is a higher revelation that all wisdom and philosophy.” -Ludwig van Beethoven” Thanks to: Mr. Buff Guy Nguy, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ryan Lam, Benny Wong, and Ivan Garcia.

ALVIN LAM Future plans: Double major in Chemistry and Economics, then reenact Breaking Bad. Will: I, Alvin Lam, WHAP GOD, bestow my chill to all my

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underclassmen, 20/20 vision to Christine so she don’t crash while driving, my common sense to Tony, debate skills to Maxwell, Monster drinks to Tammy, and my yolo lifestyle to Diana.

Quote: “SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA TAKE RISKS IN LIFE” - NP Memories: Ditching practice, FTB, drifting, winning the 100m, NYE adventure around the block, seeing Charli XCX, getting lost busing places, debate socials, first rave, and getting addicted to coffee.

Predictions: Christine will make a fortune selling off her pillow pets, Tony will win the lottery but lose the ticket, Stacy will marry an anime character, Tammy will tame a unicorn. Diana will get into a great college.

Thanks to: Mr. Osborne, Ms. Bassette, Coach Brock and Mr. N for motivating me to be my best. Christine, for showing me the best times of my life. Tony, for 4 years of friendship. Diana, for chilling this year. Tammy, for being Tammy. Chelsey, for my first dance.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 a successful charity, Grace Li’s middle name will be “Ful,” Daniel Tran will always be The Prodigy, Nathan Ta will forever praise me, Katherine Hoong and Stacy Chau will still be my restroom squad.

Thanks to: Ms. Mar for being one of the chillest and most incredible teachers. Coach Steve Morales for being an amazing mentor throughout my running career.

JAMES LE Future plans: Be the next Iron Man, without the suit.

Will: I will pass down my knowledge of gaming and athletics to all of those who knew me.

Quote: “Banana, banana.” ~Minion Memories: All those Halloween costumes I came to school with. Oh god why.

Predictions: Be the next professional gamer!

Thanks to: My family at track & field, ASB, SGHS, and my family at home.

ERIC LAM MYTIEN LE Quote: Doing something is better than doing nothing.

Future plans: I plan to become a famous League of Legends Memories: Attending to Project Hope every Wednesday after player and streamer and marry Bjersegn. Jk, I plan to become school. a psychiatrist and settle down with someone who will never

give up on me no matter how tough circumstances get because HAO LAM that’s what love is.

Future plans: To graduate from Cal State Los Angeles with a Will: I, Mytien Le, of everything gr8 in the world, bequeath my civil engineering degree. swag to Brian Diep, my terrible physics skills to Kevin Liang, Will: I leave my some of my interest in board games to my board my sleeping skills to the trumpet section, my faith in myself to game buddies and my bumbling idiocy to any who wants to Alissa So, and my unawkwardness to Wesley Lam. have it for any reason.

Quote: “What’s meant to be, will be.”

Quote: “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, Memories: Late night golfing, football games, junior year all parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.” -Friedrich nighters, sleeping in APUSH and not getting yelled at, late Nietzsche night Skype calls, BP, falling 3 times in one hike, dying at Memories: Being in Drama Club, relaxing in the library, parades, FBLA trips, boba 5 times a week, league probz, and speaking of nonsensical fictional events and laughing at their falling in love. absurdity.

Predictions: Justin will have his own Corp like Christian Grey.

Predictions: Life will go on. New talents will show and nourish Deryn will find himself a cute Asian girl and Anthony will be their abilities at San Gabriel High School. jealous. Brandon Huynh will finally realize League > DOTA. Thanks to: Every single teacher who I have studied under. Also Frankie will work for Pixar. Mr. Gin will stop eating string to friends that haven’t left my side no matter how strange I cheese wrong. may be. Thanks to: Justine, Shannon, Jsun, Sam, Chels, Brianna, Dustin,

Frankie, Anthony, Jacky, Sharon, Marc, Coco, Nathan, Beth, ROBERT LAM Chung, Nelson, Gordz, Mish, ILFD, and Mr. Gin for everything.

Will: I, Robert Lam, bequeath my muscles to Matthew Luu And bubz for an amazing start to senior year that couldn’t last and Britney Huynh, my speech skills to Ricky Le, Joseph San, til the end. and Ryan Lei, my hairstyle to Ernest Tse, and my coolness to Brian Tong. Y’all better make good use of it.

EDWARD LEE Quote: “When bad things happen, I know you want to believe Future plans: In the future I plan to go to a community college they are a joke, but sometimes life is scary and dark. That is and study botany. why we must find the light.” -BMO, Adventure Time Will: I, Edward Lee, would like to leave my great listening

skills and my work ethic to my little sister Elizabeth and to Thanks to: Ms. Mar for making math radical, Mr. Tran for my awesome friends Oscar J, Joseph A, and Cristian R. Also, showing me that physics is life, Mr. Garcia for inspiring me to I would like to leave my love and caring to my family and keep learning Spanish, Ms. Vergo and Ms. Wong for an amazing friends. year as a Peer Assistant, and Mr. Nguyen for the Speech and Quote: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to Debate memories. thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion,

some humor and some style.” - Maya Angelou TRAN LAM Memories: Coming to school at SG and always seeing my Future plans: I will graduate from UC Berkeley with a bachelor awesome friends and teachers! degree in Psychology and then attend graduate school to Predictions: I predict Rojo will finally stop walking around so acquire a PhD, which will fulfill my life-long dream to be much and sit down! Also, that I will become famous botanist called Dr. Lam. and own a nursery with my mom.

Will: I, Tran The Lam, bequeath my big biceps, toughness, and Thanks to: My favorite teachers Ms. Nielsen and Ms. Pierce lame jokes to my little buddy, Kylie Tran. My vaca, Ashley for being caring and helpful to me.

Kakazu, can have my calf muscles, -amazing- athletic abilities, and fetus face.

EMILY LEE Quote: “As you start your journey, the first thing you should Will: I, Emily Lee, bequeath my Boiling Crab cravings to do is throw away that store-bought map and begin to draw Chanelle Truong, my wonton soup, chicken chow mein, and your own.” -Michael Dell 4 egg rolls to Cindy Tran, my caring heart to Alissa So, my Memories: Running mile repeats on the track, hanging out with babiness to Kimberly Wong, and my chill to Kailah Situ because my best buddies, starting my own club, getting into college, she has none. being a part of Los Renombrados, being announced as Cross Memories: Making the best memories with the romie Qi Country captain.

Guo, ignoring Judy Ly on purpose during passing period as Predictions: Darlene Fung will feed ducks at Alhambra Park, she waves excitedly with a big smile at me, getting into 2 car Kaleen Luu will forever be sick of me, Sophia Huynh will accidents in the SGHS parking lot (both which my parents don’t become an exceptional artist, Elim Li will become a track star, know about, thank God) Vanessa Huang will still be oblivious Patrick, Josephine Leung Predictions: Ivy Pham will stop calling me a baby, Emily Trieu will become a motivational speaker, Teresa Truong will create will own Disneyland, Shirley Dang will stop crying at the littlest

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things, Christine Nguyen will live by herself with 10 dogs, and Stephanie Chan will marry a black guy.

Thanks to: Anita Cung, Serena Tran, Vicki Wu, Helen Dang, Casey Lau, Danielle Huynh, Julia Vuong, June Lau, Jacky Chiang, Denh Vong, Ava Chuong, and Kahana Kai for making my four years of high school more bearable, fun, and unforgettable.

REBECCA LEI Future plans: Own a corn farm in Oklahoma. Live amongst cats. Grow to be 5’ tall.

Will: I, Rebecca Lei, of prodigious puns and phrasing, bequeath my shorts with pockets to Sylvia and my wonderful doubles partner Queena, Game of Thrones fangirling to Sydney and Thomas, and all things high school to Vocki and my little punk of a brother.

Quote: “Just let it happen.”

Memories: Living in H2, dying (DEADlines) in H2, Almont League Champions.. twice, all things band w/ Elim and the Flute Flock, FBLA overnight conferences, Journalism nationals, being laughingly serious and seriously laughing w/ jerk, and being awake and asleep at all the wrong times.

Predictions: Kelsey will rule the world with an army of Tsum Tsums. Eric will also become a farmer and send me livestock presents. Judy will join Shoeholics Anonymous. Ying will continue as a friendly neighborhood chipmunk. Brian will create nukos for me. Bicky will continue on as a soccer mom, then grandmother, then great-grandmother. Angela will rave.. about socks.

Thanks to: the faculty for being the best mentors that a student could ask for (special thanks to Ms. Kim, Ms. Daniels, Mr. Nguy, Mr. Kanow, Ms. Mar and Mrs. Vergo!), everyone who put up with my weird sayings and still wanted to be my friend, Lit Squad for keepin’ it real, Psych crew for *psych*ing me out, Ms. Kim again for being my second mother, and SG for showing me who I want to be. And Justin, for the love, laughter, sarcasm, and happiness in general. #trubae

JOSEPHINE LEUNG Future plans: Major in Molecular Environmental Biology (MEB) at UC Berkeley, find out what I want to pursue in life, and be the next Ric O’Barry.

Will: I, Josephine Leung, of terrible math skills and major procrastination, bequeath my love for running to the XC team, my somewhat decent clarinet skills to the CC, and my occasional hardworking attitude to my brother, Alfred Leung.

Quote: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” -Helen Keller Memories: Band parades, football games with the Clarinet Clan, being too nervous to eat anything but bananas before XC/track races, distance runs with Yixin, Tran, and Richie, and all the laughs I’ve had with my favorite little group in World Lit. Kai will fall in love with Cindi, Winnie will find a bf who pays attention to her more than I do, Darlene will be an independent woman bc GIRL POWER!!!, Elim will marry Trevor, Tran will grow taller, and Yixin will be a genius.

Thanks to: my calc BC groups each quarter for helping me so much on math (plus Darlene and Yixin), my teachers and Coach for helping me grow as a person, my friends for making high school bearable, and my family for always supporting me.

ELIM LI Future plans: Fix my very abnormal sleeping schedule.

Will: I, Elim Li, of fat cheeks and charming facial expressions, bequeath my uncontrollable laughter to April Vuong, my selfietaking skills to Kevin Lam, my “”eggcellent”” knowledge of trendy slang to Lawrance Huynh, my long legs for future highkicking experiences to Wendy Luong, and my killer fashion sense to Koby Khauv.

Quote: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” -John F. Kennedy Memories: Bonding at flute socials, filming slo-mo videos, finding a lonely wallet on Celine’s yard, learning how to cook from Chef Qi, dying of laughter with the lit buddies, eating

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THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

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lunch and arguing over stupid things with good friends.

Predictions: Emily and Kristy will create a shelter to tend cats, Sophia and Gabby will become pro flautists, Hui will marry Ji Chang Wook and we will have an annual taco reunion with Michelle H., Winnie will be a loving head nurse, Josey will marry a pretty boy, Cindi and Kim will join dance groups, Jungkook will confess to Thao Vi again, Darlene will be my personal pharmacist, and Tran will be a marathon runner.

Thanks to: Qi and Celine for always putting a smile on my face, Darlene and Winnie for your open ears, Gloria, Sulmie, and Tuyet for the help and comfort, Rebecca and the fluters for the good times in band, and all of the faculty and other friends who have supported me along the way.

STELLA LIANG Future plans: Have a collection of cats from around the world with Nick Timm on our catmobile, major in seducing anything and anyone, and open my own dog massage parlor.

Will: I, Stella Liang, of bronze legs and “cat eye,” bequeath my flawless breaststroke to Terri Tang, my toenail clippings to Mr. Juarez’s room, my love to the varsity girls in swim, and my feistiness to no one.

Quote: “Sorry miss, you can’t put yourself as your emergency contact.” “You can’t take these grapes.” -Cafeteria guy “I picked this bad boy up at Walmart.” -Stuart Memories: Watching Stuart eat an onion with Beth R., being threatened to be reported when given grapes at the lunch line, finding out that buffalo wings were actually chicken, making CIF, and being a prairie dog with the varsity girls 2012.

Predictions: Tony Lay will always be a heartbreaker, Beth Rangel will marry a rich man and earn a degree at the University of Swag, Ambar Stern will find her prince charming with chest hair, Tammy, Beth and I will rule the world.

Thanks to: Mrs. Cognetta for four years of an incredible experience with Swim, Ambar Stern for the unconditional love, Beth Rangel for the unconditional swag, and Varsity Girls Swim for the unforgettable experience.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

WILLS

JENNIE LIM Future plans: Figuring it out at CSULB! Will: To all my underclassmen stuck at SG, Too Bad! I hope to leave my less pickiness of food to Kim Le and to Zachary Puentes the trumpet section is ALL YOU, I’m out of here LOL. Memories: Football games, parades, band tour to San Francisco Predictions: My underclassmen will all be like, “Wahh I miss having the seniors I don’t like the new freshman” and “I’m so done with school” wait...every student says that. Haha.

Thanks to: Ms. C, Ms. Hernandez, Mr. Kanow, and everyone else.

WILSON LIU Future plans: My future plan is to become the world’s greatest glover in space and travel the universe in search of aliens.

Will: I, Wilson Liu, bequeath my gloving skills to the younger heads, Joel Hyun and Henry Ta. Keep melting faces and form the world’s greatest gloving team and keep Christopher Angel Farris in check because the boy loves his cheeeeez.

Quote: “Hit me with them laser beams!” -Geck-o Memories: All those crazy, blurry nights that took us away to escape from the harsh realities of our daily routine.

Predictions: Szeto will be a professional foot model. Hang will run a the biggest cartel in the world. Gip will be the world’s greatest conman. Truong is going to be a philanthropist helping people all over the world.

Thanks to: The RAVE FAM, the FLY squaaad, 45 FAM, and all the gloving homies.

Especially meeting Christian Nunez in Mr. Nguy’s zero period sophomore year.

MICHELLE LOK Future plans: Live the next four fabulous years in a castle, travel the world, and spend the rest of my life with loved ones, especially that loved one.

Will: I, Michelle Lok, bequeath my one and only FBLA to Jared Gao, my maturity, good looks, and strength to the Yeung Kenny, elections’ awesomeness to David.

Quote: “One day, you’ll feel empty while pursuing your goals or your dreams. On those days, just remember the warmth of the people who encouraged you and believed in you. Surely, you’ll be able to keep pushing forward no matter what.”

Memories: Laughing with my 6th period Vogel table, spending my birthdays with friends, having a good time with FBLA, tripping down five rows in Ms. Bassette’s class (don’t laugh, Hui), and planning prom with JCC. Predictions: Hui Fu and I will reunite and get our MBAs together, Justine and Leo will get married, Aydin and Jessica will stay together 4eva, Frank will become a great artist, Eric Thai will get into his 1st choice college, Ms. Tran’s Calc class will all get 5s.

Thanks to: My friends, including Hui, Frankie, Jenny, Jessica, Kim, Justine, Mytien, Davin, Gloria, Nina, Coco, and Eric, for supporting me throughout these four years and ALL my fabulous teachers, you know who you are, for their guidance and support.

JACKIE LLAMAS Will: I leave behind my awesomeness to Madison Kim (Ling Ling), and I leave my glorious softball field to my amazing softball sisters. I love you guys!

Quote: “Keep in mind that people change, but the past doesn’t.”

-Becca Fitzpatrick Memories: I will forever remember the memories I made with my softball family, colorguard family, and my friends.

SINDY YEUNG LU Future Plans Gonna be an animator, if dislike, gonna go to be a game designer.

Will: Hope to bring a smile everywhere I go. Hehehe.

Quote: “Anime for life!!! Never gonna give it up.” -Sindy Yeung Lu Memories: Thanks to Bobby(freshman) and my little bro Timmy Yeung made this year awesome. Gotta shout out for them! And

Opinion: How spoken word poetry builds lasting bonds The San Gabriel High School poetry team slammed its way to semifinals at the Get Lit Classic Slam on May 1 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, coming one point away from going to finals. Poets were judged on the level of difficulty of their classic poems, dramatic appropriateness, voice and articulation, confidence/stage presence, writing quality of their response poems, and the connection between the classic and response poems. Get Lit is a non-profit program based in Los Angeles that aims to promote teenage literacy through spoken word poetry.

Kristy Duong, 12th “To say that my experience with Get Lit was anything but life changing would be doing it a disservice. My team taught me more in a few months what it means to be human than I have learned myself in seventeen years. They showed me what it was to feel. We revealed our hidden scars to the sunlight. We confessed our unspoken truths to the world. We told our stories that we once thought could be buried by time. I discovered how deep the words of our poems ran through our veins, truly coming from somewhere deep within our souls, and how those words have the ability to touch the lives of others. We helped each other find voices we never knew existed and found a home together.”

to find our own voices in the world, and eventually, to become whole again. Get Lit taught me how it feels like to be alive, and poetry made me feel alive.”

Photo by Kristy Duong

Kelsey Ko, 12th “As soon as I attended our first slam team meeting, I knew that my teammates each had a personal story burning in them like a sack of dry ice. I feel like, by being part of the team, it rebounded me forward into a future where I can speak; not only for myself, but for those whose homes don’t feel like homes, for those who constantly ask what’s next, and for those who feel like they are no one special. As a team, every single personal achievement, no matter how little, was a trophy on our shelves. Through my teammates and the Classic Slam competition, I realized our words can crush bones and create mountains. We each have truth within us, and we are pretty incredible.”

Annie Huang, 12th “There is more than just love within my poetry team.

What we have is an invisible bond, one that we are fortu- The San Gabriel poetry team, including Desiree Pacheco, Kristy nate enough to have woven our individual lives together. Duong, Ambar Stern, Justine Salazar, Kelsey Ko, and Annie The journey from joining Get Lit to performing in front of Huang, performed at the Get Lit Classic Slam on May 1.

Justine Salazar, 11th hundreds of people is well, at least for me, life changing in “My experience on the slam team was absolutely extraordinary. I made five new amazing friends who every aspect. From my teammates, I learned that we all, as human beings, have broken things where our hearts should be. But they showed me that that supported me when they heard about my broken past. I was able (and still am able) to let my is okay. In fact, the best thing we can do as human beings, is to dive into our emotions, for it is walls down around them. The classic slam was a mind blowing experience because there’s what makes us most human. By allowing ourselves to be sad, afraid, desperate, angry, happy, so much diversity and different life stories to hear about. You hear poems that range from and everything in between, we are allowing ourselves to live. And as different as we all are, parental issues and racism to an intimate poem about a phone and typical teenage love. what we all have in common is a voice. With just a few simple syllables, we are all capable Get Lit has changed me by helping me get in touch with my feelings and realizing what of changing someone else’s life in way we never imagined, which is exactly what my poetry I need to help myself in life. I learned that poems are a lot more than just words on paper. team did for me. Like broken shards of glass on tear-stained tiled floors, we helped each other It’s a looking glass to someone’s life story which makes the experience even more intimate.”

WILLS

to Mr. Tran, he made Chemistry fun for me!!! I enjoyed all my years in SG, best memories were during Key Club and going out with my friends.

Predictions: Get okay grades, make good friends, have fun during college, read a lot of manga and watch anime, and get a part-time job.

Thanks to: Grateful to everybody I know ( too many names to write, I don’t have space to write them all) ~Sorry people.

JALEEN LUJAN Future plans: Attend SFSU Will: I, Jaleen Lujan, of dedication, perseverance, weirdness, twerkiness & happiness, bequeath my dedication to the volleyball girls, my perseverance to Lily, my weirdness to Mel & Chip, my twerkiness to my dream team, & my happiness to everyone.

Quote: “I’d rather be playing volleyball.”

Memories: Everything that has to do with volleyball #Kanowism, basketball, and track, all the times I shared with my boyfriend and friends, meeting new people, being a daisy, playing Thor at APR, and everything else that I have been blessed with.

Future plans: This is against my religion, but I’m pretty sure I will marry David Gonzalez.

Thanks to: Mr. Kanow, Mr. Ryan, Coach Chris, Coach Honda, all of my other coaches, the rest of the school’s staff, my Cliqueo, my volleyball/basketball/track families, my boyfriend and best friend David Gonzalez, and all my friends.

KIM LUONG Future plans: Major in Computer Science somewhere cool.

Will: I, Kim Luong, bequeath my trust issues and good judgments to Villar Nguyen, my easy-to-laugh ability to April Vuong, my non-existent humor to Cassidy Pham, my procrastination skills to Kent Tran, and my common sense and living legacy to Truc and Tam Luong.

Quote: “Kkaebsong.”

Memories: Three crazy, yet amazing years with Marching Band and ASB, unintentionally dragging a box with my microphone across the stage during Talent Show 2013, Elections Trio, Project Hope Cabby, and fangirling over k-pop shenanigans.

Predictions: Kenny will finally pass his driving test and take Macy and I out, Flute Flock will dominate the entire band, Cindi and Winnie will meet Taeny, SNSD’s bond will be everlasting (#OT9), and Ivy and I will eat patbingsu at Baekhyun’s grandmother’s house.

Thanks to: Justine for making high school bearable, Michelle for random laughs, Teresa for being simply wonderful, Marc for being a good friend, Koby for making band more memorable, Villar for being understanding, all my teachers; and God for everything.

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

KALEEN LUU Future plans: Sell yearbooks LOL Will: I, Kaleen, of sparkly princess backpacks and stale Oreos, bequeath my throne to Megan, corn crops to Victoria, #swag to Ashley (pug), & my love for Avril to Lenh & Ivy Leao.

Quote: “Honestly...” - Me Memories: Fangirling at ybk camp, Pahool & Melissa, Marc “serenading” me, jammin’ to Iggy & Lil Wayne, Bailey Pickett (Terri), Paloma’s tender chicken, Phong & Fun Run, Danny (swaggybird) practicing witchcraft, seeing Wicked with Linh, and escaping at 10 AM after 27 hrs.

Predictions: Tran will work in a cubicle, Darlene will find forty cents while blasting Gas Pedal, Vanessa will still get the wrong drink, Gloria (radiantshine) will save the world and Sophia will finally say “no” to people.

Thanks to: Matthew (Mr. Rochester) for being real even when I say he’s fake, Tracy for never inviting me, Kelsey (fiddy) for being a “supple & cute child” & feeding me maple cookies, Thao Vi for listening, Ivan G. (McMuffin) for putting up with me #homie, Ivan C. & Kevin for being the worst partners <3, and Ivy Ly & Georgette for suffering through math w/ me. Also to Ms. Kim, Ms. Johnston, Ms. Dominguez and Ms. Blackwood for believing in me & cheering me on. Finally, to my own ybk dream team (C2: Jaleen, Truc, Tammy, Angela YB9: Helay, Amy, Victoria YB1: Aida) & publications for being my safe haven yearbook is my life, but newspaper will always be in my heart.

BRIANNA LY Future plans: Attend a four-year university and major in computer science, obtain a career out of college, and travel when I have time.

Will: I, Brianna Ly, bequeath my percussion “skills” to Jeff Wat, Kenneth Bui, Raymond Zhang, Julia Nguyen, and Jarett Tan; my studying skills to Nicholas Ly; and my sarcasm to Derek Lam. Quote: “People are quick to judge but slow to correct themselves.” -Ezio Auditore Memories: Hanging out with friends, getting drumline ready for Halloween, gift shopping with friends, parades, field shows, and food.

Predictions: Chelsey Tran will find a boyfriend, Mytien Le will be great in SLO, Coco So will be fine doing P90X, Kelvin Cao will find a new bae, and Sharon Cao and Samantha Khou will continue being great.

Thanks to: Lawrence Yuen, Chelsey Tran, Mytien Le, Kelvin Cao, Veronica Hem, Samantha Khou, Sharon Cao, Celine Hui, Andrew Ly, Brandon Huynh, Mr. Myers, and Mr. Gin.

AN MA Future plans: Be CEO of Google.

Will: I leave Tyler Luc my collection of 300 unique air guitars.

I leave Marcus Kisler my cotton plantation. I give Carly Bui all my knowledge to pass Spanish.

NELSON LUONG Quote: “His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy.

Future plans: Major in Civil Engineering at California State There’s vomit on his sweater already, mom’s spaghetti.”

University Fullerton.

-Marshall Mathers” Will: I, Nelson Luong, bequeath my collar shirt style to Abel Memories: Do we pay back loans?

Valenzuela, my photography skills to the next year’s YB Thanks to: BTA and Alan Phan’s Car. photographers, my hurdling form to Gene Xiang, my lame jokes to Tom Quach, my handshakes to Vincent Tieu, my beads NATHAN MA to Gilbert Gallegos.

Future plans: Become a singer in Korea, major in Mechanical Quote: “Give a man a fire and he’s warm for a day, but set fire Engineering in Cal Poly Pomona with transfer program, and go to him and he’s warm for the rest of his life.” -Terry Pratchett to Korea with my friends Benjamin Yap, Kevin Trang, Andrew Memories: Playing Yu-Gi-Oh at the Quad, Running a 17.74 sec Ta, Paloma Carrillo-Gallegos, Fran Lam, and other fans to see time in 110m Hurdles, sitting at the Baldwin table every lunch our idol groups period. Shouting with the Marching Band at every football Will: I, Nathan Lam Ma, of gentleness and toughness, game. Saying “Krexel” to Richie Phan.

BEQUEATH my swimming powers of Distance Freestyle and Predictions: I predict that Davin Vuong will be the Duelist eating abilities to Crystal Lam, Alex Woo, Matthew Chau, Champ, Victoria Vu will be the best YBK copy editor, Helay and May Lo, my awesome driving skills to Judy Tu, AND my Liang will excel in designing for the next year’s YBK., Stanley singing voice to Jordan Lee. will become a Olympic Hurdler, Daniel Tran will jump to the Quote: “Just do the best you can. Don’t let people judge you moon with his hops. for who you are. Be yourself. Strive to the fullest.”

Thanks to: Each and every one of y’all who made me smile over Memories: Freshmen year: the football games with band. the course of my 4 years at SGHS, Nancy Lam for being the Sophomore year: 1st year in swim. Junior year: LA K-POP love of my life. Shoutout to my Yearbook members, Trumpet Festival. 2nd year of swim. Senior year: Spring Rally and Section, and my XC/Track team for dealing with me and my Korean Music Festival on May 2nd. Last year of Swim. jokes. #matador4life. Predictions: Benjamin will become the photographer for Girls Day. Paloma will meet her lovely G-Dragon and Taeyang in

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Korea. Kevin Trang, Andrew Ta, and I will get to see APINK, SNSD, and other girl groups in Korea. Elvis will become a pro cyclist.

Thanks to: Homies: Devon Tan, Eddie Pang, Steven Te, Elvis Ha, Aydin Hau, Paloma-Carrillo Gallegos, Kevin Trang, Benjamin Yap, Tammy Truong, Sabina Ma, and close friends. Teachers: Ms. C, Ms. Lee (Math), & Mr. Gin… Swim: Distance Crew, Team, and coaches.

SABINA MA Future plans: Major in biochemistry Quote: “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” -Alice Morse Earle Memories: Fifth period with group 7 and Lan, “Sorry”...”Thank you”, bus rides with Ping, lunch with Sandy and Jennifer, the walk to Yogurtland with Hanh and Van, the small ‘debates’ with Henry, Career Center days, and Annie’s unanswered question :) Predictions: Henry will still suck at checkers. Oso will watch The Walking Dead. Oso will do chores in college. Jennifer will meet a short and chubby white guy during the first year of college ;). Ping will use all her money through online shopping.

Thanks to: All of my teachers (past and present), Ms. Jong for helping me with my personal statements, Señor Garcia, Señora Schecter, Ping for being weird all of the time, my “brother,” little bunny, and oso.

CINDY MAI Future plans: Live in the truth and not fake the truth.

Will: I pass down the will of ascension towards happiness for all who show they care.

Quote: “Reality in its finest hour!” -Cindy Mai Memories: When I saw people for who they were and they saw me as who I was. It was a real moment.

Predictions: Everyone will find home sooner or later after they lived.

Thanks to: My grandma for watching over me when no one had the time or the energy to. And to my friends, though only few, I’m glad you stood true to yourself, thin and thick.

QUOCVI MAI Future plans: Major in I-wish-I-was-an-engineer-cuz-it’s-soooohard World Domination as The Dark Overlord Will: I, Quocvi Luu Mai, of awesomeness and sleepiness, bequeath my awesomeness to no one, my trumpet playing skills to my section divided evenly to whomever needs it. My humor to Hy Ngo, my sleeping skills to Sophia Huynh, and my heart to Kaitly Zhu. Quote: “I’m not running away from things, I am running to them. Before they flare and fade forever.” -The 11th Doctor “Bow ties are cool.” -The 11th Doctor Memories: First day of freshman year looking at the lunch line (it wasn’t good), Band Camp and Band Tour, Getting my first ever “Superior” (YASSSSS) Predictions: I predict that Zachary becomes the world’s best trumpet player and I get free tickets to his shows, Hy finally goes to Jupiter, Sophia becomes a digital artist that is so awesome, people die for her, and Kaitly learns not to procrastinate.

Thanks to: Zachary for putting up with my weirdness, Vanessa for making more weirdness. My besties Hy and Sophia for all the stuff we do together. And a special thanks to my wonderful and loving girlfriend Kaitly without whom I wouldn’t be here now.

ALEXANDRA MARTINEZ Future plans: Become a physical therapist doctor and open my own practice, own a ranch/zoo, travel the world, build my own dream house, own a panda and a koala, and maybe rent out Disneyland for a day.

Will: I, Alexandra Martinez, of awesomeness and amazing strength, bequeath my stunting skills to Dominque Bell, and I’m no flyer but for Analiz to get her one man. Give my Mariah Carey voice to Sarai Gamino. My amazing math skills to Fatima Martinez.

Quote: “Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever” - Walt Disney Memories: Singing Adele with Sarai Gamino, going to nationals with the cheer team, 6 hours of practice, homecoming, football

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THE MATADOR

games, singing on the bus on our way to basketball games, my first time at snow monster, David teaching me how to drive “properly.”

Predictions: Rosa Gamino will have her all star cheer babies. Sarai will have the voice of an angel. Elaine and I will own a Maserati, and a cheer gym. David will get the motorcycle that we always argued about. Dominque will get her one man.

Thanks to: Mr. Mason for always singing ‘Uptown Funk’ with me, and always giving me the best advice. To my coach for dealing with me for 3 years. David for keeping me sane through all my craziness.

Elaine and Sarai for always being there.

KATHERING MONTELON Future plans: Go to college and become either a Police Officer or District Attorney.

Quote: Dr. Seuss once said “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”

Memories: Valerie didn’t know the existence of the Career Center.

When squad prank called people. I was too buff for Sanchez and Martinez in weight training. Kicked it with Jesse and Henry. Danny aka Derny, Augustine, Juan and I had a hella fun time.

Thanks to: My family for always having my back, my Grandma, who is no longer here but will always be in my heart, my besties Lili and Guadalupe, Christine Nolasco, Mrs. Wright, and for always being there when I need them the most, Steve Gaona and Jim Drabos.

BRANDON MORALES Future Plans: Major in either Civil or Mechanical Engineering or possibly both & have my family and own a house.

Will: I, Brandon Morales, am one of the most spontaneous students who attend SG and wish to leave my greatness to all the incoming freshmen because they will need to acknowledge it and praise me.

Quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” –Dr. Seuss Memories: The times I would have during lunch making fun of Stephanie and Samantha and being terrified of Shannon. When the baseball crew would be all loud and spontaneous.

Predictions: Shannon will marry a rich guy and live off of him.

Stephanie will attend college then unfortunately will live with her parents forever. Samantha will keep being Samantha, and Christopher Melgar will marry Viri and live happily ever after.

Thanks to: Everyone who was there for me during rough times in high school because it wasn’t easy. Then the people who would make school fun when it wasn’t the best of days.

ANDY MOTA Future plans: Graduate from a university with the intentions of going into the medical field, and write music as a hobby.

Will: I give my fire lines to Amy ‘cause she be getting cooked.

Quote: “Juxtaposed to the accelerating swell of the musical score, pushes its audience to realize just what is ahead, the characters’ fear and the physical manifestation of their hopes and dreams coming closer and closer.” -The Brave Little Abacus Memories: Health Science competition, hanging out with squad, hanging out at Zamudio’s, bae staring at me arriving in Calculus, band events with Garcia, all my classes, and Medical Careers Academy.

Predictions: Y’all be all right.

Thanks to: Mark Famudio, Garcia-”20 bucks is 20 bucks”-man, Henry “Rarity” Brian, Gary “smug face” Liang, Jose “oops” Santana, Amy the bully, the squad and fams, Ms. Wu, Ms. Okimura, and all my teachers that have taught me well.

YOLANDA NAVARRO Future plans: Do/be something/someone awesome.

Will: I, Yolanda Navarro, leave my school spirit to my sister Sandra Navarro. May she have the spirit I never had.

Quote: “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to fear of how much they love me.” -Michael Scott Memories: Always complaining with Pamela about the music ASB played, walking around freshman and sophomore year thinking school was awesome, and the time cookies and tater tots were no longer served.

Thanks to: My friends for being awesome and making school memorable and Mr. Franco for making realize how annoying I was. (-:

HY NGO Future plans: Major in Physics at UCSB and pursue technology that can make science fiction into science non-fiction.

Will: Move forward towards the world that you desire. Always look straight and head for your goals. Don’t give up when a problem blocks your path but instead challenge it and solve it.

Quote: “Don’t turn your back, don’t look away, and don’t Blink. Good luck.” -The 10th Doctor “Eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable is the truth.” -Sherlock Holmes” Thanks to: Ms. Lapi, Mr. Kanow, Ms. Cognetta, and all my teachers

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 for a wonderful 4 years. To the office staff for their hard work, the counselors for their advice, the nurse for treating me when sick, and my friends who stick by me throughout high school.

VU NGUY Future plans: Get a good job after I graduates from college, get my master’s degree at one of the top universities, and then travel to Japan and work there.

Will: I, Vu Nguy, bequeath my beautiful singing skills to Kevin Lam, and my photogenic to Carolina Loaisiga.

Quote: “Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being.” –Kevin Kruse Memories: Hanging out with my friends during lunch, making fun of our teachers, talk about random stuffs, and Volleyball.

Predictions: My Chac will reject more guys that try to ask her out, Polly’s attitude will get worse, Robert Lam will become a Spanish teacher, Karen will become successful in life, and Jennifer Nguyen will get into a good University.

Thanks to: Ms. Lee, Mrs. Schecter, Mr. Woo, Mr. Vogel, and all my “Boos.”

ANDREW NGUYEN Future plans: I am planning on going to East Los Angeles College.

Will: I, Andrew Nguyen, leave to Jordan Nim my awesome art skills and to Kin Huynh my ability to write great stories.

Quote: “Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest actions, that’s the secret to success.”

Memories: Hanging out in Ms. Nielsen’s room and laughing at all the antics the other seniors would try to pull.

Predictions: I predict that Ms. Nielsen will finally get to take a vacation to Europe and that I will become a graphic artist.

Thanks to: Ms. Nielsen for always helping me and encouraging me to continue my education.

CALVIN NGUYEN Future plans: Major in Computer Science in California State University of Northridge Will: I, Calvin Nguyen, of awesomeness and swag, bequeath my awesomeness to Jasmine Huynh (Baby Jasmine), my amazing looks to Christine Nguyen, and my greatness to Carly Bui. Quote: “Hakuna Matata” - Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba Memories: I’ll always remember my Late-Night Skype Calls, Game Night, and those random hang outs with my friends.

Predictions: I predict that Andy Tram will find the cure to Ebola, Ryan Lam will grow taller, Christine Nguyen will learn to play better in basketball, because she sucks. (Just kidding. She’s great at it.)

Thanks to: Mrs. Lee for everything she’s done of me, Carly Bui for being the best little, Andy Tram for going Ham, and BTA for letting me be part of the family for three years.

CHRISTINE NGUYEN Future plans: Run through the 6 with my woes, have a cool apartment with a gorgeous city view, own like 10 dogs and 2 hedgehogs named Hedgey & Totoro.

Will: I, Christine Nguyen, bequeath my strength to Kimberly Duong so she can overcome any situation with her head held high. My wisdom, cold heart, & amazing driving skills to the naive Ivy Pham because your big heart is already melting enough.

Quote: “The expected is what keeps us steady. It’s the unexpected that changes our lives forever.” - Grey’s Anatomy s03e13 Memories: Hiding from campus supervisors because I yolo’ed and wore slippers to school.

Predictions: Kimberly will become a food critic for fries. Ivy will take over Ono Grill. Alvin will reenact Breaking Bad. Emily Lee and I will continue to carpool in college. Mr. Ramsay will be the next principal & the school will be legendary (3 day weekends) Thanks to: readmit guy for never judging me when I come in once a week #senioritis JENNIFER NGUYEN Future plans: Major in Biology at University of California Riverside. I hope to marry D.O. (EXO).

Will: I, Jennifer Nguyen, would like to dedicate this will to my future husband, D.O.(EXO).

Quote: “No matter how difficult and hard something is, I will always be positive and smile like an idiot.” –Chanyeol Memories: Sleepless nights of annotating, hanging out with my friends in Mr. Nong’s classroom, fangirling over EXO and Korean dramas with my friends during lunch, and worrying about AP exams and the SAT. Predictions: Maggie Seto will become tanner. Chanel Hin will marry Kai from EXO. Sherman Chan will live in Japan. Vu Nguy will become an engineer and work for Bose.

Thanks to: Ms. Beda, Ms. Marilyn, Mr. Li, Mr. Nong, Ms. Dominguez, my best friends for life, Chanel Hin, Maggie Seto, and Sherman Chan, K-pop, and K-drama for always making me smile.

WILLS

MACY NGUYEN Future plans: Major in Business at the University of California Riverside Will: I, Macy Nguyen, of ditziness and hunger, bequeath my masculinity to my little baby Kenny Yeung, my talkativeness to David San, my 4 year ASB legacy to Judy Tu, my paint-mixing skills to Madelyn Areyan, and my constant fatigue to my AP Enviro babies.

Quote: “Too kawaii to live, too sugoi to die.”

Memories: Running to lunch with Aida, making fun of Sharon with Seleen and Vincent, eating lunch in H2 with Halle, Kim, and Kenny, suffocating Shannon during APES, speaking in Viet with Kaylie, ranting to Ms. Marilynn about life and stealing her candy.

Predictions: Liya will marry Yixing, Tracy will marry Chanyeol, Aida will find a nice Cantonese boy, Halle will be a world renowned baker, Seleen will lose her accent, Sharon will use profanity, Va will still drive me home, Vincent will stop being needy, and I will marry Marc Quach.

Thanks to: My best friend, My HOPE cabinet, ASB, Interact, FBLA, my APES group, Ms. Revilla, my BFF Mr. T, Ms. Vicky and Ms. Marilynn for making my years at San Gabriel a little more bearable.

SEAN NGUYEN Future plans: Major in Business Management at The University of Arizona and own my own hotel business.

Will: I, Sean Nguyen, of confidence and hard work, bequeath my confidence to Kaitlyn Chan, Diana Do, Carolina Loaisiga and my hard work to Lan Truong, Cindi Yu, Nathan Phan, and Pollyanna Hang.

Quote: “Don’t let numbers and letters define your success.”

Memories: Dancing flash mobs, hanging with many close friends, joking with friends and teachers, Mrs. Sumi’s lectures and laughter, Mrs. Blackwood’s and Mrs. Bassette’s awesome math skills, and Ms. Chung’s unique English skills.

Predictions: Kaitlyn Chan will become a Dental Hygienist, Shannon Tran will become a Registered Nurse, and Stephanie Gip will become a professional makeup artist.

Thanks to: Mrs. Sumi, Mrs. Blackwood, Ms. Manalang, Ms. Chung, Mrs. Bassette Mr. Schofield, the Office Staff, and all of my close friends.

CHRISTIAN NUNEZ Future plans: All star defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos.

Quote: “I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know who holds my future.”

Memories: Going to war every Friday night with my brothers. Going to CIF in my first year of wrestling. Asking her out.

Thanks to: My football brothers, wrestling brothers and sister, Jackie, Ellice, Baseball guys, BTA fam, my brother, coaches and the person I dont “talk” to anymore for a memorable high school experience.

JESSIE PENG Future plans: I plan to attend UC Chinatown for 4 years in order to officially become Miss Hong Kong. Also, I would like to earn a Bachelor’s of Science degree for Nursing.

Will: I, Jessie Peng, bequeath my ape-ness, humor, and good looks to Vy. My outgoing and flirty attitude to Julianne. My sassy and princess personality to Speedy. My loudness and volleyball skills to Elizabeth.

My intelligence for my bro Johnny.

Quote: “I won’t run away anymore... I won’t go back on my word... that is my Ninja Way!” -Naruto “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” -Jimmy Dean Memories: Fat Fridays with Vy, Julianne, Speedy, Jenn, Sydney. Movie nights, late night adventures, and partying with my girls. Making jokes and messing around with Vicky, Joanna, Chad, and Sam or anyone around. Time spent with everyone.

Predictions: I will meet my Prince Charming, be surrounded by my witty, uncanny, idiotic, and amazing friends, and make it rain $$$. I will become famous worldwide with my own TV show. I predict I will live an elegant and joyous life.

Thanks to: Larry Kanow for always teasing me, educating,and listening to my bizarre stories. Chris Kwan for putting me under pressure to do better. Sheree Mar for always tutoring and listening to my problems.

Ryan Wong for calling me weird.

YESENIA PEREZ Future plans: Major in Radiologic Sciences and become a Radiologist, attend more concerts, and move to Seattle or Portland.

Will: I would love for my cousins Ashley Espinosa, Keiana Gonzalez, & Mark Gonzalez to enjoy their years in high school left and make the most of it and my amazing friend Trista Rios. Make a plan, set a goal and work toward it.

Quote: “We’ll try again and we’ll fail again because that’s what progress looks like. Progress looks like a bunch of failures and you’re going to have feelings about that because it’s sad, but you cannot fall apart.”

-Meredith Grey (Grey’s Anatomy) Memories: My favorite memories are all the concerts I’ve gone to so far. Joining HOSA and going to competition in Sacramento was an amazing experience. Crying during every episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

Thanks to: Ms. Okimura for listening to me and giving me advice. Ms. Wu for the fun times in Physiology and for the exciting dissections.

Ms. Carrillo for being an excellent school nurse and I’m truly thankful

WILLS that I got to be your third period TA.

DUYEN PHAM Future plans: Become a famous rap star.

Will: I, Duyen Pham, bequeath my coolies to Lenh, David Joel, Caren, Laura, Adaball, Senhball, Veeball, Anball, my greatness to Mr. Kathy, Dustin, Michelle, Jennifer, and Manyi. S/o to my favs, Esteban, Denh, Vien, Regina, Diana, Jackie, and Maggy.

Quote: “Started from the bottom now we’re here.” -Drake Memories: Adventures with riceball, all you can eat dates with homegirl Lan, Colorguard ramen.

Predictions: Thaovi Phan will marry the love of her life, Jeon Jungkook.

Thanks to: My riceball for everything, #homegurl101 for our selfies, Lenh for being my favorite underclassman, Denh for being the HOMmie.

IVY PHAM Future plans: Take over Ono Grill with the love of my life, Simon Wu and go to college to get a degree just in case our plan doesn’t work out.

Will: I, the 1 & only ivybb, bequeath my KK presidency to Anita Cung, my intimidating face to Danielle Huynh, my KK leadership to Alissa So, my good looks to Julia Vuong, and all the sisterly love I have in the world to Amy Pham.

Quote: “If somebody ever asks you to do something, do it really bad so you’ll never have to do it again.” -Paris Hilton Memories: Looking for cheaper hot cheetos with Christine Nguyen, ruling the world with my partner in crime, Jaleen Lujan, looking for clean restrooms to poop in before practice with Jessie Peng.

Predictions: Elizabeth Castro will become a billionaire. Alexandra Castro and Fernando will live happily ever after. My baby girl, Emily Lee will learn how to walk in a month or two.

Thanks to: Mr. Kanow, Mr. Wong, & Chris Kwan. My best friend, Julie Truong for being there for me through it all. My Kahana Kai sisters & SGVB for making my hs experience unforgettable. Lastly, thanks to Google because w/o you, I wouldn’t have made it this far.

JUSTIN PHAM Future plans: Major in Pre-Business Economics at UCLA and find love.

I will receive replies from the texts and Snaps I send to others.

Will: I, Justin Pham, bequeath my leadership skills to Victoria Vu, my awkward mingling skills to Amy Huynh, my Facebook stalking skills to Samson Tran, and my easygoing motivational skills to Jared Gao and Jennifer Tran.

Quote: “Just because I don’t get any financial aid?!” -Me Memories: My growth spurt, Xing moments, comparing sob stories, Stats/Calc group hangouts, blurting random things in Woo’s, spontaneous rapping in Henry’s car, anything FBLA-related, sharing life stories with Joely and Duyen in Gin’s, and bomb SAVE food.

Predictions: Jessica will be Sally Kim’s BFF, Frankie will be a banana, Xing will open many Puma factories, Henry will find his life companion, Aydin will be the next Steve Jobs, Nathan will be Nate Cena, Davin will get the biscuit, and James will be as he is.

Thanks to: Ms. Mar for nurturing my weird leadership skills, Mr. Hendrickson/Ms. Tran for giving me love advice, Liya for being the best honeypot/calc partner ever, Lawrence for spazzing over Myers homework with, and Mr. Nguy...for everything.

JUSTINE PHAM Future plans: Major in Biology at UC Davis, become a nurse, grow old with Leo, live in a mansion next to Mytien’s, buy my parents a nice house, travel the world, singing video with Amba, go on a road trip with friends, go to a TSwift concert with Villar Will: I, Justine Ly Pham, Queen of Hot Cheetos, bequeath my SleepAnywhere ability to Will, my charades skills to Jarebear, my signature dance move to Koby, my hugs to Wes & Lawrance, my good looks to Cas, my rants to Eric, & my unconditional love to Kim. Quote: “Excuse me miss, do you know where I can find [insert item here]?” -The 7 people who thought I worked at Walmart because I wore a Navy blue Tshirt & Khakis Memories: Getting superior 2 years in a row, falling down the A building stairs, wearing that itchy red beret, my first kiss, doing my eyebrows for the first time, new year’s karaoke party with friends, wearing a spiderman suit at APR. Predictions: Villar & Koby will get married, Amba will hug me unconsciously, Lawrance will still call us squad when we’re old & wrinkly, Mytien will like chocolate, Edney will dive into a pool of chicken fries & Frankie will still be a banana Thanks to: Koby for 6 years of bestfriendship, Mish for worrying, Jablue for being my ride-or-die, Nelson for bad jokes, HOPE for getting me into college, Gordon for protecting me, Lian for being my other half, Wes for caring too much, Cas for everything else.

THAO VI PHAN Future plans: Marry the bae Jeon Jungkook, adopt 10 corgis together, and live happily ever after in our super fancy penthouse at the top of Seoul.

Will: I, Thao Vi Phan, of royalty and a lot of feels, bequeath my perseverance and appreciation for corgi butts to Lenh Vong, my kawaiiness to Megan Ma, and my super yolo sweg to Hawk Wang.

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

Quote: “No matter if it’s even more tiring, learn to endure it and step over it, like that, more opportunities will come to you.” -Kim Taehyung Memories: Meeting Jeon Jungkook, freshman year talent show with my chocolate, AP Thursdays, and mini heart attacks whenever Mr. Hendrickson does surprise note checks.

Predictions: Duyen will become the next Unpretty Rap Star even more balling than Illionaire, Lenh will become NY #1 Best-Selling Author, Lan will be that super hot blonde doctor with 5 inches high heels, Denh will be the next IU,and Paloma will marry Min Yoongi.

Thanks to: Duyen for being my ride or die, Lan for all your advices and introducing me to Kookie bae, Paloma for always flooring over Bangtan with me, Denh Unni, Lenh my little porcupine, and Kevin Kang my ultimate litto squish for always listening to me.

KEVIN PHU Future plans: Attend a community college and transfer to a more prestigious university.

Will: To all current and future San Gabriel High School students, I wish to leave my current advice for you which is to work hard and have fun as a reward. Do not slack off like I did. Quote: “Sometimes I do need to go to karaoke, sometimes I need to relax.” -Jackie Chan Memories: Messing around in classes, and overall having fun at San Gabriel. I will forever remember the beautiful campus and people!

Predictions: San Gabriel will continue to be an awesome school. Also, Mr. Man will retire eventually. (He says it every year!)

Thanks to: Everyone who has been part of my life. This includes my family, friends, and teachers.

EMILY QUACH Future plans: Graduate, go to college, get rich through dubious means, grow old, and die.

Will: I, Emily Quach, hereby bequeath my mrowing to Ai and Mei, my overconfidence to Kelly, my miracles to Sydney, sleep to Thomas and Andrew, and my intelligence to those who need it.

Quote: “I have killed no one and I have ordered no one to be killed.”

Memories: Trying peppermint milk green tea for the first time, staying up late at night, meeting weird people, avoiding normal people, being unable to stop mrowing.

Predictions: Kristy will quietly take over the world. Gloria will cure cancer and Elim will continue watching dramas. Eric will show his true form as a unicorn.

Thanks to: all of my teachers for making me wiser, the debate team for becoming my family, my children for trying, Leon Chan for being such an incredible influence on my life, Past Me for bringing me this far, and you for reading this.

GLORIA QUACH Future plans: Major in Microbiology at Under Construction Like Always; Embark on a career in the medical field as a physician; Develop an antidote to reverse zombification in preparation for the impending zombie apocalypse Will: I, Gloria Quach, of the illustrious Quach clan, hereby bestow improvisation skills to the cabinet of IC Med and Quach pride to all Quaches. My SG fortune is yours for the taking, but you’ll have to find it first. I left everything I own in One Piece.

Quote: “Life is a serious battle, and you have to use the tools you’re given. It’s more important to master the cards you’re holding than to complain about the ones your opponents were dealt.” – Grimsley of the Unova Elite Four Memories: Sulmie Tran’s confidence; Hui Fu’s winks; Jason Wong’s eccentricity; Fran Lam’s anti-jokes; Kaleen Luu teaching Trash 101, honestly; Mandarin Movies; Supreme Singapore; Shikata Ga Nai; Picturesque; MESA Team Math Quest B with Dang Lam and Kitty Lu Predictions: Stephanie Chea - CEO of a tech company, no noona; Tuyet Phan - legendary gamer; Elim Li - driven around in a green limo fueled by apple cider; Liya Zhu - 80 days around world; Michelle Lok - perfect wedding; Kristy Duong lets loose.

Thanks to: Macy Nguyen for believing in me when I didn’t; Winnie Tran for always cheering me up; Ms. Parra for starting high school off well; Dr. Wang for his help in everything; Ms. Wu (E108) for endless support; Ms. Tran (L209) for pity points; ALL TEACHERS. MARC QUACH Will: I, Marc Quach, bequeath my awesome design skills to Judy Tu, and my “Cool, calm, collected” to Ashley Kakazu.

Memories: Long nights in H2, football games with band, Planning Prom and APR with JCC, Christmas Exchange with SCC, running to the car at night when a Coyote was spotted, Creating the Starter Pack, “Unexpectedly” matching with Qi when Henry and I were twins, Stress levels between Ms. Kim and me at “0”, Talking about our “BFFFFFs” with Judy and Annie, Creating a hopscotch outside of H2, Prom with Macy, Ms. Kim role plays in yearbook interviews.

Predictions: Aida will own her own cupcake store and split her sharings with me, Ben and Alissa will one day get me a California Donut without asking, Aida and I will attend an APINK concert, Tracy and I will crash into each other with our cars (scene from Fast and Furious 7), Matthew

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and I will still be friends after high school, Ms. Kim will get grey hair from yearbook deadlines.

Thanks to: Ms. Johnston for introducing me to Jane Eyre, Ms. Kim for being my Korean mom and helping me with EVERYTHING, Aida, Tracy, and Ms. Kim for the bonding experience, Macy for always feeding me, Cindi for always helping me whenever there was a problem, and my friends and family for supporting me through my 4 years of high school.

MICHELE QUACH Future plans: Travel the world :) Will: I, Michele An Quach, bequeath my sassiness, laziness, and, awesomeness to Cindy Chau.

Quote: “Whenever I feel the need to exercise, I lie down until it goes away.”

Memories: Annual Christmas potlucks, scandaling until 2am, random sleepovers, being at school at 5am for ASB. Thanks to: Mr. Gin, Ms. Mar, Melissa, Celine, Joely, Coco, Sharon, Kelvin, Tony, Halle, Denise, Jacky, Cindy and Hui, Activities, and all my other friends who made my high school experience amazing.

BETH RANGEL Future plans: Graduate from University of Swag and marry a rich man who will take care of me.

Will: I, Pricess Yung Beth, bequeath all the chicken nuggets in the world to Megan Ma, my swag to Diana Do and Amanda Kwong, my love to Phu and my bae Joshua, and all the dead flies to Mr. Gin’s wall.

Quote: “You are a process, a work in progress. KAIZEN!” -Mr. Mason “WHOAAOOW YYYEEEEAAAAAUUUUUUUHHHHHHH.” -Stella Liang Memories: Underwater twerking with Tammy Truong, being Vice President of Vietnamese Club, eating lunch with BD Justin, and Stella Liang’s hair circa freshman year.

Predictions: I predict that Bicky Bui and I will live happily with our dogs and that I will rule the word with Tammy and Stella.

Thanks to: Stella Liang, Tammy Truong, Mytien Le, Megan Ma, Bicky Bui, Theroff, and Mr. Hendrickson for helping me through every problem I’ve faced throughout high school. And to Tony Lay for the beautiful sword.

ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ Future plans: Major in Communications at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Will: I, Ashley Rodriguez, of smiles and optimism, bequeath my social skills and academic advice to junior Betty Zamora and my energy and love for MoMa to junior Joy Portinga.

Quote: “There is a light that never goes out” -The Smiths Memories: Running to and fro around campus, getting close to my best friend in aerobics class, napping in the nurse’s office during pep rallies, playing music in tech theater, and daydreaming in class about how rad my life will be after high school.

Predictions: Joanna will be the next Tyra Banks, Johnny will become a successful male model, Shannon will always be GUCCI, and John will be the ultimate “Master of Reality.”

Thanks to: Ms. Parra, Mr. Franco, Mrs. Jong and everyone in the office, Mr. Scanlan, Mrs. Gutierrez, Mr. Myers, Ms. Deniz, Mrs. Mar, Mr. Brock and my sweet sister of mine, Joanna Sanchez.

CRISTIAN ROJO Future plans: To attend Mt. Sac or Rio Hondo, study Fire Science and eventually be a Fire Fighter or a US Marine.

Will: I, Cristian Rojo, leave to all my boys on the Matador Football team my respect and loyalty.

Quote: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt Memories: Matador Football games, MS-6 adventures Predictions: Mrs. Nielsen will become Teacher of the Year and Ms. Lisa will become Mom of the Year.

Thanks to: Ms. Lisa and Mrs. Nielsen for being very patient with me and for bringing food all the time. Ms. Revilla for being the best guitar teacher ever and to Mrs. Galiazzo and Ms. Krauss for keeping me on my toes!

ALEXANDREA RUIZ Future plans: Major in Radio Technology at PCC Will: I, Alexandrea Ruiz, of ambition and creativity, bequeath my ambition to Alexandrea Ruiz, and my creativity to Alexandrea Ruiz Quote: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” -Aristotle Memories: Going to field trips with Medical Academy, spending lunchtime with the Anime Anonymous club, and taking drama during freshman year.

Predictions: Henry will become a paramedic, Crystal will become a pediatrician, and Regina will become an artist.

Thanks to: Ms. Okimura, Mr. Myers, Mr. Nong, Ms. Beda, Mrs. Wu, Mr. Posada and the entire Medical Careers Academy.

KEVIN SERNA Future plans: I’m going to continue working on my YouTube channel

23

THE MATADOR

and work on becoming an animator.

Will: I leave my legacy to George.

Memories: The time spent with Alexis Zambrano and Andrew Gurrola were what made this school tolerable.

Thanks to: Mr. Whitman, the best teacher ever, Mrs. G, Mr. Nguy, Richard (Administrator), and Andrew (Administrator).

MAGGIE SETO Future plans: I plan to major in the business field and graduate within 4 years. I want to meet more wonderful people in this world everywhere I go. I’m going to keep in touch with my friends, and hopefully have a nice family of my own one day.

Will: I will dedicate this will to my friends, those who have always supported me and made my day. To those who have always been making me smile and laugh when everything else is tough. Quote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go. -Dr. Seuss Memories: I’ll always remember the Mandarin struggles over the years and the Accounting struggles. I’m going to miss being in the same class as my friends who always make my day in class.

Predictions: I predict that Chanel will still be getting most of EXO merchandise and still be head over heels for Kai. Sherman will be able to travel around Japan and Korea. Jennifer will meet D.O. one day up close.

Thanks to: my best friend, Chanel H., and my lunch buddies Sherman C. and Jennifer N. Jiayuan H. for helping me throughout the summer and the rest of the school year, as well as my English and Accounting buddies.

COCO SO Future plans: Major in something lucrative at UC Santa Barbara. Become rich and drink tea with my pinky up. Eventually write a riveting tale about my average life titled “I (H)Ate Everything.”

Will: I, Coco So, of excessive profanity and Egg McMuffins, bequeath my countless cans of hairspray and my enduring love for High School Musical to the basketball girls. Get your heads in the game, fools. Alissa gets nothing. HA! Love ya, sissy poo.

Quote: “You can’t look at a glass half full or empty if it’s overflowing.”

-Yeezy Memories; Blood drives. Getting bitten by a Canadian girl. Animal Farm project with Aida, Joyce, and Minh Nguyen. Beating Schurr.

Ramen runs and bored (board?) meetings with Jacky. CIF games.

Scandal binges. McDonald’s breakfast platters in WHAP. Predictions: Sam will move away from me. Sharon will stumble upon her long-lost inside voice. Mich will watch Sharknado with me - and enjoy it. Kelvin will pay his way through grad school by modeling for Dr. Pepper. Lynh will finally go home.

Thanks to: Mr. Myers and Mr. Wong, for putting up with me. Sharon, Mich, and Kelvin, for existing. Melissa, for being my accomplice in mischief and my consolation in disappointment. Everyone in the basketball program, for keeping my pudge to a minimum.

SAM SUAREZ Future plans: Move to Oregon with my sister and mother in the very near future and attend PCC (Portland Community College).

Will: I, Sam the greatest fam, bequeath my power of being confident and open to the underclassmen who thought that they were never good enough.

Quote: “If you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all.” -John Green Memories: Running events with Ms. Fujimoto and Ellice Tellez.

Performing at graduation every year since I was a freshman. Becoming a part of the Conflict Mediation family.

Thanks to: Ms. Burkhart, for always believing in me. Ms. Revilla for making these 4 past years in choir memorable. To Ellice for being there and making countless memories with me. To Brandon and Elton for everything you’ve helped me through. OH, and squad & fam.

RANDY SY Future plans: My future plans are to become a entrepreneur and dream big but do things bigger.

PCC - UCSD - MBA Will: I, Randy Sy, the king of food (IG:@ssx45), bequeath my ability to eat to Tommy Thai, my greatness in procrastinating to Calvin Truong, and my smart decision making to Franklin Kai Cheung.

Quote: “Keep chasing dreams and live to make not only yourself happy but others as well.”

Memories: Running events with Ms. Fujimoto and Ellice Tellez.

Performing at graduation every year since I was a freshman. Becoming a part of the Conflict Mediation family.

Predictions: Franklin Kai Cheung and Tommy Thai will become great leaders and Calvin Truong will one day see his potential and what he’s capable of in school.

Thanks to: Mrs. Wong, Jasmine Tran, Kelvin Uong, Mrs. Bassette, Mrs. Cruz, Mrs. Hernandez and a tree for providing shade.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 JIN (VINCENT) TAN Future plans: Major in Business Insurance and Financial Services at California State University Northridge. I’ll become a insurance agent and open my own insurance company.

Will: I, Vincent Tan, of generosity and optimism, bequeath all my high school experiences to the junior and sophomore students and my computer skills to Steven Fu. Quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”

-Kevin Durant Memories: As a BTA member, working in the garden every Thursday and Saturday; watering the plants, harvesting the plants, and selling at the farmers’ market.

Predictions: My friends William Wang will become a video game developer. Jing Yang will be a computer engineer. Lastly, Mrs. Lee will open her own nail salon.

Thanks to: All my teachers and close friends who were always there for helping me get through my four years. Especially my BTA teacher Mrs. Lee, encouraging me not to give up easily, made me do the “DO NOW” to pass my CAHSEE in sophomore year.

JUDY TANG Future plans: Go to UCSD, transfer, go to nursing school, volunteer abroad, continue HOBY for the rest of my years, and move to where seasons actually exist.

Will: I, Judy Tang, of an angry resting face and Hot Cheeto breakfasts, bequeath my HOBY passion and spirit to Sam Hardy, Carolina Garcia, and Emily Dong, Hot Cheeto love to Terri Tang, football game dancing to Emily Eng, and FBLA love to Jacob and Alyssa.

Memories: Everything band, journalism, and FBLA related, long talks, beach walks, and sandwiches with Teresa and Angela, trading lunches and shopping with Annie, stuffing my face with Bicky, and every laugh and inside joke, and deep talk shared with my jerk.

Predictions: Kelsey will remain q and love me forever and ever, Rebecca will get a cat and plant her own fruit garden, Eric will continue to be selfish with his candy, Annie will become a rich NY hipster, and Angela will become an Instagram famous cosplayer.

Thanks to: Ms. Wong(s), Mr. Hendrickson, Ms. Daniels, Ms. Parra, Mr. Kanow, Mr. Nguy, my FBLA and HOBY family, and upperclassmen Jenny, Constant, Amy, Kim, Vicki, Hana, Sonny, Megan(s), Pranati, Matthew, Dylan, and Stella for faith and great advice.

JENNIFER THAI Future plans: Live happily and open a cow store sponsored by Kamisama Wills: I, Jennifer Thai, will leave my precious art club babies to the hands of Cuiting and Ashley.

Quote: “You love me.” -Sulmie Tran, the true pal Memories: Late night deadlines, focus page, Mars bars, art club, thumbs up, weekly index card drawings, the giraffe, bunny, and bear, left-hand and right-hand man, scandalous feet, nice necklines, music flashdrive, dyeing sand hair.

Predictions: Sandal will get lost within a week she gets her license.

Kamisama and her left-hand man will go eat dumplings. Nana will use her Spanish skills in China. And I will capture Kamisama’s heart with hot cheetos and dumplings.

Thanks to: Ms. Kim for her sarcasm, Ms. Keller and Ms. Jung for all the love and patience. Mr. Kanow for the words of wisdom. Sulmie for being the tru pal, Sandy for being short, and Sabina for being nana.

DAVIS TO Will: I, Davis To, want to leave my best TA legacy down to BTA students and my one and only bully buddy that brings me happiness, Tracy Truong. Do what is best for yourself don’t listen to others because it’s your life.

Quote: “Real quick. It’s all good.”

Memories: Ms. Lee who taught me college is important and BTA. TA, the thing that change my life.The best adviser Mr. Nguy who gave me the confidence to go up to my crush and ask her to prom even though she didn’t want to, I am glad I tried and failed, but never failed to try.

Thanks to: Ms. Lee, Ms. Maria, Ms. G, Mr. Nguy, Ms. Kim, Ms. Vicky and many of the staffs.

JAZMIN TORRES Will: To my beloved little Vanessa Perea, I will leave all my music in your inheritance because you’re going to need it when I’m gone. I will miss you so much my young Padawan. I love you! I’ll be back *Arnold Schwarzenegger voice* Thanks to: Mrs. C for making my years so memorable with band, I will certainly remember those moments the most throughout my life.

It’s been the highlight of my high school years, and the reason why I don’t want to leave.

ROBERTO TORRES Future plans: Go to LATTC, study construction, and work while going to college.

Will: I, Roberto, Aka Topo LOL, will be hanging out with all my friends still never stop the party’s with my homies!!

WILLS

Quote: A Smile Is The Light In Your Window That Tells Others That There Is A Caring, Sharing Person Inside.

Memories: Soccer games were sick & funny!! I always had fun with all my soccer teammates, just messing around all the time.

Predictions: SG will make sure you have 4 great years!!!

Thanks to: SG, I had 4 good years here. I always loved being here it’s a pretty nice school.

JUSTIN TOYOMITSU Will: I want to leave one important thing to the future generations of San Gabriel High School. As your high school career goes on, you will hit a wall, whether that may be grades or social problems, but it’s up to you and your willpower to overcome it.

Thanks to: Becca who taught me what love was :) ANDY TRAN Future plans: My future plans are to get a driver’s license, go to school in UCR, lose weight, try out for the theatre and choir groups at UCR, get a job/career, and buy a home. I suppose I can also find the love of my life and stay in contact with good friends.

Will: I LEAVE MS. TOM EVERYTHING. Quote: “Leap and a net will appear!” -Someone famous, I think.

Memories: Meeting some of the most beautiful, creative, and talented people in the productions of Hotel Paradiso, The Bad Seed, What the Bellhop Saw, And Then There Were None, Le Dindon, Hide and Seek, Dial M for Murder, and The Odd Couple.

Predictions: Someone will be a great lawyer, someone will be a great filmmaker, someone will be a great comedian, someone will be a great actor, but I will just be Andy Jason Tran.”

Thanks to: Simon, Jonathan, Rigo, Emmanuel, Jesse, Denise, May, Emily, and Manyi. Theatre peeps. The Lunch Group. All of my Teachers.

Patrick, Henry, Art, Eric, and Bruce for all the great advice and putting up with me. The Newspaper crew who printed this!

CHELSEY TRAN Future plans: Figure out what I want to do with my life, live by the beach, spend some time on the east coast, and travel the world.

Will: I, Chelsey Tran, of unicorns and rainbows, bequeath my punctuality to the underclassmen of drumline, my fast talking and coffee addiction to Sonny and Uyen, my socializing skills to Alvin and Calvin, and my passion for newspaper to Cassandra.

Quote: “Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson Memories: Getting my first sunburn ever from band camp, waiting for class council results, the craziness in JCC and my unconditional love for the people I went through the yelling with, participating in plays, and waiting for Sam… Predictions: Brianna will party hard in college, Annie will continue yelling at everybody, the Baldwin boys will stop naming themselves, and a smart person will realize that it is not convenient to let parents into the parking lot on 1,3,5 days.

Thanks to: Mrs. Mar for being the best math teacher ever, Ms. Parra for having books that I actually want to read in her classroom, my friends for being troopers Junior year, my counselors, my teachers, and countless other people.

HENRY TRAN Future plans: Major in Computer Engineering and work for Boeing Will: I, Henry Tran, of awesomeness from Jaina Ramadane Do, quirkiness and randomness, bequeath my awesome selfies to Winston Hau (heir to Oliver Queen), my 4G Data and the legacy of my last name to Mason Tran.

Quote: “Life is locomotion. If you’re not moving, you’re not living. But there is a time when you have to stop running away from things, and start running towards something.” -Barry Allen Memories: The many moments of FBLA at LDI and SLC, improvised rap during road trips, Xing moments, watching the sunrise with Nathan and Frankie, pulling an “islands”, Korean guy from Castle, late walks in the park, and exploring Bath and Body Works.

Predictions: Xing will be CEO of his Puma Factory, Justin finds love, Aydin creates a program that revolutionizes the world, Jessica will be Ms. United States, Frankie will be the next Picasso, Nathan will forever be my Splash Brother, James becomes a surgeon.

Thanks to: Jaina Do, Aydin Hau, Justin Pham, Xing Fu, Nathan Phan, Frankie Zhuang, James Nguyen, Jessica Kou, Liya Zhu, Lawrence Yuen, Mr. Kanow, Mr. Qui Nguy Ms. Wu (Math Teacher) and Mr. Woo. JESSICA TRAN Future plans: Major in Biological Sciences at University of California, Santa Barbara. Invest in real estate. Work hard and retire early.

Will: I, Jessica Tran, of loyalty and ambition, bequeath good luck to all those who haven’t achieve their dreams.

Quote: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” -Eleanor Roosevelt Memories: Meeting Tuyet Phan and Sumi in Tennis, being attacked by ants during lunch freshman year, interesting group conversations in psychology, and “studying” at Lollicup.

Predictions: Amber Bui will meet Kim Soo Hyun, Amy Giang will

WILLS

become a doctor, Helen and Nghi will be together forever, and Stephanie and Ava will live life to the fullest.

Thanks to: All my wonderful teachers and weird, exotic friends who stayed with me to the end.

PHUNG TRAN Future plans: I will attend a 2-year Community College and transfer to a 4-year University to be majoring in Nursing. Apply for a job as an Administrative Medical Assistant (AMA) and also volunteering when i have free time beside catching up with my friends.

Will: I want to dedicate all my greatest efforts to my mom & dad for everything they’ve sacrifice for me. In return for their favor, I WILL (get it) find them the handsomest/awesome/coolest/most kind and best son-in-law.

Quote: “A Friend is like a good bra: Hard to find, comfortable, supportive, always lift you up, makes you look better, never lets you down or leaves you hanging, and is always close to your heart.”

-Anonymous Memories: First HS boyfriend (10/26/2012), summer vacation NJ (07/25/2014), HC game/dance (09/27/2014), HOSA complete, trip to Sacramento (03/26/2015-03/29/2015), MCA funny events @ the Pancake area, senior prom on limo w/ friends and pictures (05/02/2015).

Predictions: Lina Chen will still be with her 2nd boyfriend for a few yrs but go separate way and she’ll move on...Amy Giang, after a few years in college, meet her first and last man...Chanel Hin, working as a Kpop manager.

Thanks to: Mom, Dad, all my friends, Ms. Okimura, Mrs. Wu, Mrs. Dominguez, Mr. Nguyen, Mr. Tran, Ms. Lee and all SGHS staff members.

SHANNON TRAN Future plans: Major in Nursing at CSULA to become a neonatal nurse.

Will: I, Shannon Tran, leave my senior will to the class of 2016. Make the best of your last year here and try to capture every single moment, both good and bad. You’re only in high school once.

Quote: “Graduation is not the end; it’s just a new beginning.”

Memories: All the new friends I’ve made, all the obstacles i had to overcome, the great times at the bench during lunch, filled with laughter, with all my friends, and this once in a lifetime high school experience.

Thanks to: My best friend Stephanie Gip for sticking by my side throughout high school and always being there for me, Brandon Morales for everything and understanding me for who I am, Sean Nguyen for always making me laugh uncontrollably, and many more.

TONY TRAN Future plans: Become a billionaire and CEO of Apple.

Will: I, Tony Tran, of awesomeness and coolness, bequeath my awesomely good looks to Hung Diep, all of my intelligence to Tommy Liung, and my volleyball skills to Chad Nguyen.

Quote: “In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.”

Memories: Volleyball tournaments, volleyball practice for days, hanging out at lunch with friends, school dances, CIF games.

Predictions: Qi Guo will party all day, Sharon Cao will become 6 feet tall, Melissa Quach will be recruited by a D1 basketball college, Jarett Tan will be a famous NBA player, Raymond Yip will stop having cramps at practice, Chad Nguyen will continue being sassy.

Thanks to: Coach Chris for pushing me to become a better person on and off the court, Mr. Kanow for always giving incredible life lessons, Ms. Mar for letting us stay in her room at lunch, and all of those people that made my high school career unforgettable.

WINNIE TRAN Future plans: Attend a Girls’ Generation concert, own three pets (a golden retriever, balinese cat, and shetland pony), and be a cute grandma who can still play basketball, the saxophone, and Just Dance without breaking a bone or two.

Will: I, Winnie Tran, of craziness and happiness, bequeath my obnoxious cheering and awkward dancing to my little ones in the Alto Saxophone Section. Thank you for being a part of my high school career, guys. :) Quote: “Between people who truly care and love each other, there are times where you don’t need to say anything at all. Things like “I love you” and “Thank you”…you don’t really need to say those words.”

-Kim Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation Memories: Late night phone calls with Teresa, laughing and spitting milk on Josey’s duffel, dancing, singing, and laughing endlessly with Cindi in Band, dying in basketball practices, Elim always breaking our signed contracts & wearing cute costumes with Band Predictions: Elim will still dream about Trevor, Cindi will be Kai’s dancing partner and will be fluent in German, Josey will save dolphins and be the protector of the sea, Lan will be happily married to Jaejoong, and Yixin will find a werewolf boyfriend.

Thanks to: Ms. Parra for being my role model, Cindi and Josey for being

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

my fab homegurls, Kim (best sone ever!), Yixin for being Q, Celine’s “poop,” Teresa for all the laughs, Gloria for being gr8, Lan for her love, Judy (best ABC ever!) & Elim (the true homie).

HALLE TRANG Future plans: Open up an awesome bakery in the hopes of becoming like Candace Nelson. I’ll call it “Twinkles.”

Will: I, Halle Trang, of indecisiveness and straight-faced syndrome, bequeath my beautifully decorated gel nails to Lil Judz, my love for chocolate milk and beets to @helayseggs, and my incredible mastery of trig identities to Bby Ash. Quote: “Can we just take a moment to celebrate me?” -Schmidt, New Girl ”They’re not pores! They’re called hair holes!” -Matthew Diep” Memories: Eating spicy spaghetti at ELAJEA, deadlines during junior year, waxing Brandon’s leg, filming with Physio and Film, sending baby Michele off to prom, nightswimming at Coso’s, park-hopping with Steph, Longo, eating lunch with the ASB/YBK crew.

Predictions: Macy will marry rich and have four little Asian babies, Matthew will own a farm, Marc and Tracy will have fun with Tuffy :’(, the world will run out of cheese because of Aidz, and Jules will always be gullible.

Thanks to: Ms. Kim for putting up with us at deadlines, Ms. Haslam for being a great math teacher, Ms. Parra for being awesome, Joelz for being the realest homie ever, and all my other friends (old and new) for simply being a part of my life.

JENNY TRANG Future plans: I will major in Biological Science, make it into CADC, graduate with 3.8-4.0, and become a successful pharmacist.

Will: I, Jenny Trang, will bequeath my pure awesomeness and insult skills to the one and only freshman, Christina Yawn.

Quote: “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” -Thomas A. Edison Memories: The many times late night skype with my best friend, derp snaps, my first/last experience in FBLA , planning APR jr year in 5 days, weird talks with Teresa, Talent Show with Cindi and Kim, mornings in Mr. Gin’s homeless shelter. THANKS MR. GIN! Predictions: Xing Fu will become the CEO of Fu Computers but still remains the same derp. Michelle Lok will become rich and hire me.

Teresa Truong will become a famous actress in her next hit thriller movie.

Thanks to: Xing Fu, my best friend who is always there for me no matter what. Teresa Truong for being a trustworthy, dirty, & AWESOME girl who I can lean and depend on. I can show my true self to you. Without you guys, my senior year would never be the same.

EMILY TRIEU Future plans: Major in criminology and become a behavioral analyst.

Will: I, Emily Trieu, of total awkwardness and benevolence, bequeath my strength and compassion to Amy Pham, my humor to Amy Nguyen and Brizeth Lomeli, and my intelligence to Victoria Vu. Quote: “Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” -William Faulkner Memories: Toga, working on school plays, hanging out with my friends during lunch, being in Tomodachi, BTA six flags trip 2014, and prom 2014.

Predictions: Javier Bobadilla will work for LAPD, Shirley Dang will own a nail salon, and Brian Manapat and Tony Tran will work on the corner.

Thanks to: Mr. Posada for teaching me everything there is to know about life, Shirley Dang, Emily Lee, Kimberly Duong, and Javier Bobadilla for being the greatest friends that anyone could ask for.

KAREN TRINH Quote: “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”

-William Shakespeare Predictions: Vu will marry his hot Korean girlfriend Park Shin Xiong, Tinna will find her chef husband, Polly will live with ten cats, My will have an unlimited supply of chicken wings, Jacky will become a tennis legend, and Kevin will win The Voice.

AMIE TRUONG Future plans: Major in Psychology at CSUF. Will: I, Amie Truong, bequeath my kdrama addiction to Ivy T, hipsterness to Jennifer T, lunch supply during ASB to Sammie O, Roshe Swag to Kenneth B, habit of waking up late for band to Kevin L, love for singing Laura R, and my awesome music to Lawrance H. Quote: “You’ve got to take the good with the bad, smile with the sad, love what you’ve got, and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from mistakes, but never regret.” -Unknown Memories: All the Tpumps and pad thai Tuesday runs, Waking up early to decorate with ASB, performing with show choir, and balancing school with lion dance.

Predictions: Lawrance and Koby will be flute section leaders, Kevin will pursue his dream of being a garbage man with Lawrance, Elvis will become a professional cyclist, Jimmy will be the next Batman, and

24

Alex and Phillip will rule the shadow realm.

Thanks to: Mr. Wong, Mr. Nguyen, Ms. C, Ms. Revilla, Mrs. Wright, my group of friends . Shoutout to my lovely flute section, Show choir, and Athletics committee <3

TAMMY TRUONG Future plans: Beth Rangel, Stella Liang, and I will be queens and rule the world.

Will: I, Tammy Truong, the princess of unicorns, bequeath my swag to Matthew Chau and Jordan Lee, my godliness to all my varsity babies, & my weirdness and unconditional love to my little sister Tracy Truong.

Quote: “The littlest thing can cause a ripple effect that changes your life.” -Ted Mosby - How I Met Your Mother Memories: Swim meets, Ms. Hom’s class, getting dress coded, practices, falling in love, listening to Mr. Tran’s bad puns, free sporks, blowing bubble rings underwater, BD Justin and Juan, late night adventures & my freshman year straight bangs phase.

Predictions: Kenneth-kun & Crystal Lam will become swim captains.

Benjamin Yap will become the next DK in Tokyo. Alvin Lam will get rich & do great things in life. Jason Tran will quit gaming & become a master chef to make me food.

Thanks to: My grandpa, Mr. Ramsay. Ms. Lee, for giving me advice about boys. My close friends, for always pushing me to be the best.

Coffee, for always picking me up after every fall. And lastly thanks to my best friend, Jason Tran for completing me.

TERESA TRUONG Future plans: Major in Political Science at wherever I feel, save trillions of people from stoic death, have appetizers, lunch, and rich chocolate truffles at different foreign countries in a single day (with Annie, Marc, and Judy), and breathe purely.

Will: I, Teresa Truong, of constant wonder and Yogurtland, bequeath my religious truth to SG that “Where there is breath, there is hope.”

Actually, hold on. Let’s include: **And to all breathing homo sapiens not reading this** Quote: “It’s true, a smooth sea has never made a skillful sailor.”

Memories: Squeaking with the Clarinet Clan, maximal music-blasting and scream-singing through neighborhoods during night drives, heart-attacks from my dad’s 6 missed calls, HappinessFoundation, and tearfully laughing with the cast in Dial M for Murder.

Predictions: Someday, we’ll inhabit different planets and watch each other evolve through a telescope. Really.

Thanks to: Staff who altered my outlooks, hours on stage that made me understanding and aware, Spotify for untold guide, John T. for bitter-love, my pals for constant laughs + ridiculous adventures, and Darlene Fung and Jenny Trang for reminding my value here.

LAN TRUONG Future plans: Major in kpop and bae at berkeley.

Will: I, Lan Truong, bequeath my craziness and my title as selfie queen to my one and only little Lenh Vong. HANG IN THERE MY GURLLL!! <3 Quote: “Always Keep the Faith and I’ll See You Again.” -DBSK ft. Wiz Memories: Spending countless hours doing MESA projects, stressing over apcalc & apbio w/ cindiyu, singing See You Again @ daiso, random talks with sean & sabina about life, and snapchat moments.

Shout out to da PSYCH CREW for all the food and crazy memories~ Predictions: #HOMEGURL101 will go blonde, MEW will become even more indecisive, LIYA will work under Lay, DENH will be BEAST’s makeup artist, CINDI will be #1 @ ND, BBB will turn up w/ oppa @ sb, AN will party all day everyday, & WINNIE will find her “the pooh.”

Thanks to: Mr. Kanow for Kanowism, Mr. Wong for calling me weird, Ms. Larsen for being so amazing, Mr. Gin for all the top secret info, and Mr. Nguyen for being a meanie..... imeananawesometeacher [: JOELY TSAN Future plans: Go to vegas with my besties, have the best summer I can before college starts, and hopefully enjoy college life.

Will: I, Joely Tsan, bequeath my carelessness to Jennifer Tran. Well I bequeath everything to Jennifer because she’s my little baby. She’s way too nice for her own good and should start putting herself first more.

Quote: “Do whales scream when they give birth?”- Michele Quach Memories: Laughing till I cry and watching stupid chinese movies with my bestfriends, eating breakfast in Michele’s car every morning, when Celine Hui was Kylie Jenner for a few weeks, when I fell for Alan Phan in soph year, BS. Predictions: Michele will major in SD, Tony will stop getting nasty scabs on his hips, Justin Pham will find love in college, Mr. Gin will realize we actually don’t say “Shut up Mr. Gin, noo wayyyy”, Celine will stop pretending to homewreck my relationship .

Thanks to: BS for irreplaceable memories and voice messages on facebook, Manuel Lemus for making me laugh in ASB, Alan Phan for dealing with my craziness, Justin and Duyen for being there in Gin’s, Jennifer Tran for being her.

25

THE MATADOR

KALVIN TSE Quote: “It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.” -Robert Goddard JENNIFER UNG Will: I, Jennifer Ung, bequeath my humor to Hazel Tun, my cluelessness to Lindsey Huynh, my swaggy llamas to splash sister Deanne Dinh, and my dunking skills to my basketball babies.

Quote: “Huh?” -Me Memories: Basketball practices, basketball games, I don’t know man #ballislife Predictions: Dhanel Andal will be the new member of Fifth Harmony, Hazel Tun will become the queen of Burma, Lindsey Huynh and her dog will be a model on the nuoc mam bottles, the Jonas Brothers will reunite, and I will become Stephen Curry’s wife.

Thanks to: the tromies (you know who y’all are) KELVIN UONG Will: I, Kelvin Uong, master TROLL, pass down my TROLLen skills to ABC Franklin Cheung.

Quote: “If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”

Memories: Sol Oriens, the tree, donuts in the car, exploring in the teggy, SHM, PadThai Tuesdays instead of TinTin, Excalibur Penthouse, Angeles w/ the Bugatti, LEES, LA county fair, Dusk till dawn, Winterball, Signal Hills, and Prom.

Predictions: SO babies all become a TROLL and STAY RISING. Thanks to: SOKEAS for making high school crazy fun and making me who I am today.

ANTHONY VALVERDE Future plans: Major in Electrical Engineering at University of California Riverside. Then meeting up with the boys, and finally opening “Puzzles.”

Will: I, Anthony Valverde, of dankness and swagger, bequeath my dankness to Jimmy, my hurdle skills to Tom and Winston, my jumping skills to Daniel and Nathan, my lady skills to David, my mixtape to Gene, and my roasting skills to Carolina.

Quote: “Trees grow upward because they’re lighter than air.” -Vincent Huynh “I thought I was an atheist, until I realized I’M A GOD.” -Watsky Memories: Chillin’ with the boyz under the tree and late night spaghetting with the boyz, roasting everyone in the track fam, Parler français à Madame’s classe avec Guy, Jean-Luc, et Coilette, the spooky hikes, physio projects, and dunking on Mr. Tran.

Predictions: Vincent will realize trees are heavy, Deryn stays a wizard(master of his staff), Andrew will finish the 10 hour Tututu song, Brandon will lose his bet with John, John will marry the 6th grader, Dustin’s going to LCS, and Va will stop eating Alberto’s.

Thanks to: Ms. Wu, Mr. Tran, my Coaches, Mr. Nguyen, my friends, and all the people who made high school survivable, class of 2015 WE MADE IT YA’LL. TRISHA VASQUEZ Future plans: Major in Journalism at Cal State Channel Islands and marry Matthew Iniguez <3 Will: I, Trisha Vasquez, of cheesy jokes and great sarcasm, bequeath my endurance for running to Trista Rios, my sass to Carolina Loasiga, and my naturally curly hair to Victoria Vu. Quote: “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” -Friedrich Nietzsche Memories: Uncontrollably laughing with Jazzmin when the rest of the class is dead silent, going to FTB with Jaleen, complaining about having to go over the hurdles with Carolina, and always ditching 1st period with Amanda.

Predictions: I predict Jazzmin will be an old hipster grandma, Jaleen will win the Olympics, and I will become a crazy cat lady by the age of 40.

Thanks to: Mrs. Larsen for being the chilliest teacher ever, Ms. Kim for believing in me, Ms. Parra for being a 2nd mom, and Coach Mitchell for teaching me I can be a great runner if I just come to practice... LOL BRANDON VAZQUEZ Future plans: In the future I will be majoring in biology at CSULA and after I will be transferring to medical school to become an OB-GYN. Will: I, Brandon Vazquez, bequeath my class to Christy D., my CM pride to Michelle H., Jenny G., Erica T. & Stacy C. I give my MCA leadership to Megan M., my buddyship to Lily G. & Christina L. & my HOSA knowledge & awesomeness to Shelley W. & Cynthia T. Quote: “Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the world.”

Memories: Coming to school with my friends, Dillon and Elton, wishing it couldn’t end. Through rough classes and stupid mistakes my four years couldn’t have been any better. Meeting my best friends Christy, Christina, Shelley, Cynthia and Lily.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 Predictions: I predict Dillon and I will become partners in a medical office. Christy will be a famous writer and designer. Elton will become a surgeon that wears his dress shirts untucked.

Thanks to: Ms. Burkhart, Ms. Beda, Student Services, Ms. Wong, Mr. Myers, Ms. Okimura, Ms. Wu, Dr. Wang, Mr. R. Romero, Ms. Vergo, Ms. Barbie, Dillon, Elton, Christy, Lily, Christina, Shelley, Cynthia, Annie, Kaylie, AP Lit., HOSA, MCA, and CM. EMILY VO Future plans: Attend CSUF and grab my degree in style then buy a white IS250 to cruise around in.

Will: I, Emily Vo, of laughter and laziness, bequeath my horrible jokes to Gilberto, my amazing co presidency skills to Koby and Trista, my fast yet scary driving skills to Tommy, my outgoingness to Helay, and all the boba in the world to Victoria.

Quote: “Happiness is the key to success”- I don’t even know who said this but I live by these words.

Memories: All the times I decided to get pink eye, cruising around because there was nothing ever to do, night hikes and screaming because we were scared, annual potlucks with ILFD, horrible walking days, dancing jesus.

Predictions: ILFD will never break apart, Jessie will find a guy up to her standards, Denise will grow a third arm, Carol will turn into a marshmallow, Mytien will turn into a potato, Chelsey will grow at least one more inch.

Thanks to: The OG ILFD for being my rock throughout these years, Mr. Hendrickson for allowing me to talk about problems, Brandon for tolerating me, the guys for being like brothers, Ms. Lee for being like a mom to me, and Mr. Scanlan for being the best advisor.

DENH VONG Future plans: To follow my dreams and do what my heart chooses to do. I will major in Arts and minor in Awesome. I will open a hair salon and own a clothing and makeup line. I will move to South Korea and marry the love of my life, Yang Yoseob.

Will: I, Denh Vong, of smiles and styles, bequeath my last name to Lenh, squirrels to Ada, fashion disaster to Sehn, lameness to Vivian, Laura, and An, cuteness to David, Dustin, Jennifer, and Kathy, awesomeness to Michelle, Caren, and Manyi; love to CG. Quote: “Dream and give yourself permission to envision a You that you choose to be. Good things will come naturally if you enjoy what you do.” -Unknown Memories: Late night practices with CG, from writing names with our butt to eating ramen in the gym, dropping flag on nose twice, competitions with MESA, building sets with tech crew, kitchen manager for dinner theater, lunch in Nguyen, and yes, Glen Coco.

Predictions: Lenh and Duyen will become famous rappers. Lan will become a model. Thao Vi will become Jungkook’s wife. Esteban will go bald. Regina and Dustin will marry after college. Vien and her boy will also get married. John will find a new best friend.

Thanks to: Lenh for being my sister; my best friend, Shirley, for being there for me since 2nd grade; Duyen, Thao Vi, and Lan for the memories we had together. An H. for her great existence; Denise for pushing deadlines; Emily L. for making fun of me everyday.

SANDY VONG Future plans: To live long enough to witness the completion of One Piece Quote: “Start living before you start dying.” - Portgas D. Ace Memories: Whining about AP Bio with my best jirafa Sabima, being the greatest right-hand man to Kami-sama, reminding my vertically challenged counterpart of her height, eating with my dearest psych group, and going on food adventures with my food buddy.

Predictions: Jennifer will grow 1 cm taller, Sabima will become fluent en español, and Kami-sama will successfully start her own religion.

Thanks to: Mr. Kanow for the pleasant mornings coated with neverending sarcasm and witty remarks.

DAVIN VUONG Future plans: Major in Accounting at University of California Santa Barbara.

Will: I, Davin Vuong, the master of BS, bequeath my speed to David Au Yeung, my chillness to Winston Hau, my yoloing abilities to all underclassmen taking AP classes, and my gratitude to all teachers and staff at SGHS. Quote: “You gotta risk it to get the biscuit” -Jimmy Fallon Memories: Competing in track meets, APR, and hanging out with Stats Group!!

Predictions: Justin Pham will star in the next Magic Mike movie. Richie Phan will become the next Yu Gi Oh champion. Michelle Lok will own her own business and hire me as her accountant. Anthony Valverde will become an Olympic gold medalist.

Thanks to: All the teachers and friends I have come across with during my high school experience. Special thanks to Stats group and the Bae for making my senior year the best year of my life! (;

WILLS

REGINA WONG Future plans: Major in Nursing, minor in Art in Cal State Long Beach, run 3 miles a day every week with Dad, and maybe do one major good deed a day.

Will: Can’t imagine what I’d bequeath that I won’t need later. But I hate to hold out on a gift, so, girls basketball team, learn to do a handstand in a year. Dex, Melissa Benavides, fellow teammates, let’s meet again for another pick-up game.

Quote: “It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ol’ buddy...Let’s go exploring!”

-Calvin, December 31, 1995 Memories: What, like the time I saved the school from aliens? But to name a few: first time crashing and driving (in basketball), placing in all of my events at the Sacramento HOSA convention, and getting to know Schofield by climbing a building barefoot.

Predictions: I’ll let you guys figure it out. It’s no fun labeling futures for others. Besides, the sky’s the limit, buddy.

Thanks to: Everyone, but especially MCA(Ms. Okimura and Ms. Wu), HOSA, and Girls’ Basketball (Coach Honda, Coach Jessica, Coach Caroline, and Arella and Amaris). It was a blast with you guys around!

AIDA YEUNG Will: I, Aida Yeung, bequeath my seat in the choir room to Kenny Yeung, my knowledge of where the clear tape is hidden to Ezra Banlaoi, my filters to Maggie Cong, my blessings to yearbook underclassmen because they will need it, my luv to my #1, Brian Diep, and my everything to my precious little Judy Tu. Memories: Staying “late” with the dream team (4/7/15 10:00 “free at last”), spending more time talking to Ms. Marilynn than I spent in class, really really really really really really liking Kelsey, every ASB event for the past 3 years, and every sarcastic comment and laugh I shared with the best committee, Activities.

Predictions: Matthew will regret not asking me to Prom xD, Tracy will marry Park Chanyeol, Marc will still be my BFF, Joyce will still be my biffle, Macy will still be waiting outside the engineering building.. searching, and Judy will always make me proud.

Thanks to: My dear 2nd mom, Ms. Kim, for every string cheese and sandwich. I will be forever grateful for you. And to every person who has ever made me laugh in the past four years, tysm ur gr8.

CINDI (XIN YI) YU Future plans: Major in biology at the University of Notre Dame, go to South Korea to see Girls’ Generation (if Winnie is down), study abroad in Europe, hit up more concerts, spend time with the loved ones, travel around the world (no joke), and just have fun!

Will: I bequeath my awesome laughing ability to the beloved Alto Saxophone section (they need to laugh more in zero period), my weirdness to Annie and Wendy (to spice up that PA life), and my awkwardness to the future WTTF College Club cabinet. :D Quote: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt Memories: AP physics, being a PA, laughing a lot in Myers (w/ Winnie, Josey, Elim), PA socials, performing KPop in the talent show, any band event, dying in AP bio w/ Lan & Sean, bonding w/ Jennifer & Sara in AP Art, being a Los Renombrados finalist.

Predictions: Winnie will meet SNSD (w/ me!), Josey will meet the most unexpected bae, Elim will connect w/ Trevor, band will win more awards, WTTF will grow, Third Year PA will become even better, and I will meet all the Avengers. Make it happen, people.

Thanks to: Winnie, Josey, Elim, Lan, Peer Assistants, band, Ms. Bishop, Ms. Schecter, Mr. Mason, Mr. Hendrickson, Ms. Wong, Mrs. Keller, and Ms. Cognetta for making my four years at SG so memorable and special. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

SIMON YUNG Future plans: I’ll figure it out... eventually.

Will: I, Simon Yung, bequeath the act of forcing things open to the present and future thespians of San Gabriel, my moustaches to Emmanuel Maresca, the power of Christ to Christy Deng, and my eternal judgement to Stacy Chau.

Quote: “Protesters protest progress by protesting” -Rebecca Lei Memories: Backstage shenanigans with the cast and crew of the Little Theatre, Gangnam Style with the Lu-ser, managing to retain most of the same lunch group for the past four years, and all the hilariously angry Skype and video game sessions.

Predictions: Andy Tran will become Mayor and eventually Dictator of the World, Jonathan Hurtado will go on to direct seedy films, Angelica Morquecho will become the next Georgia Daniels, and Kristy Duong will have a tree planted in her name at her future college.

Thanks to: Mr. Posada for his insights and advice, Ms. Kim for introducing me to the insanity that is journalism, the residents of the Little Theatre for all the memories, both good and bad, and the Skype group for keeping me sane all these years.

WILLS

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

26

San Gabriel honors seniors for achievements Athlete of the Year

Christine Martinez Award Senior Genesis Echeverria was selected for the Christine Martinez award, an award dedicated to Christine Martinez, a student who tragically passed away due to leukemia. Echeverria’s coach insisted she sign up for the award, owing to her involvement in school.

“When I was applying for [the award], I was just thinking ‘I’ll give it a shot,’” Echeverria said.

“I didn’t think I would get it because [I thought] there [were] other [people] who [would get] it.

I was really proud [when I won], and I was in shock. I just [kept] hearing people saying ‘Yeah, Genesis!’”

Echeverria is committed to playing soccer at Sonoma State University with a full scholarship.

She plans to major in criminal justice and possibly go into forensic science to become a detective.

The Athlete of the Year award is given to a male and female every year to recognize their effectiveness in balancing their time between sports and schoolwork. This year’s recipients were seniors David Gonzalez and Jaleen Lujan.

Gonzalez was a part of the varsity football, basketball, and volleyball teams and kept his grade point average (GPA) above 3.0. “Go hard right now because in the future, it will all pay off,” are the words Gonzalez lives by. He used the fact that he would not be allowed to participate in games if his grades weren’t satisfactory as motivation to put more effort in his schoolwork.

Sports have been Lujan’s escape since a young age, but she realized in high school that sports and school are equally important. By receiving this award, she recognized that hard work truly pays off.

She was a part of varsity track, basketball, and volleyball and often experienced times of stress when wondering whether to stay up to study or to sleep early to rest for a game. In the end, she made the right choices.

Henry Acuna Award

Athletic Scholar Award

The cumulative combination of leadership skills, active school participation, and avid extracurricular involvement has won Eric Hong the San Gabriel-only Henry Acuna award. The award was established in honor of a deceased San Gabriel alumnus, a former scholar-athlete. This award is exclusively for male scholarathletes who have a minimum 3.0 GPA in addition and are involved in various club organizations and extracurricular activities. Hong is currently a captain of the varsity swim team, president of the service club Do Something, a member of Speech and Debate, secretary of Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), and also plays piano.

Senior Frankie Zhuang received the Athletic Scholar Award, an annual award given to seniors who do well both athletically and academically. The coaches of the sports teams nominated students who they thought were qualified for the award. Out of all the nominees, Zhuang was selected.

“I was shocked because I was not aware of the award; nevertheless, I was still happy to be acknowledged for my efforts,” Zhuang said.

As a senior, Zhuang has been in the swim team for a total of four years and was in the varsity swim team for three years. He is also a captain of the team and has participated in CIF. Academically, Zhuang is in the top 10 percent of the class of 2015.

Phoenix Award

As captain of the badminton team, senior Phan Phu also won the annual Athletic Scholar Award. Throughout the four years of her high school career, Phu has been in the badminton team every year and has won the individuals and doubles competition in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).

“I felt surprised and extremely happy when my name was called during the Academic Pep Rally because I didn’t even know that I was nominated for the award,” Phu said.

With a 4.0 GPA, Phu was nominated by Ryan Wong, the badminton coach.

CIF Academic Award

Renaissance Award The Renaissance Award was presented to two top model students during the Academic Pep Rally. Seniors Kristy Duong and Eric Hong were nominated by teachers and administrators for contributing and dedicating their time to San Gabriel.

A Renaissance Award winner is supposed to participate in a variety of school extracurricular activities and excel in both their classes and afterschool activities. Hong is in the swim team, Speech and Debate, Do Something, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). He is also a superior pianist. Duong is part of Academic Decathlon, Environmental Club, Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA), journalism, marching band, and National Honor Society (NHS). Both Duong and Hong have shown leadership and social skills in these activities.

Duong and Hong have experienced many obstacles over their four years at San Gabriel but still managed to overcome their difficulties and come out on top.

Photos on page 10 Briefs written by The Matador Staff/Photos by Sydney Trieu

A pair of exceptional Matadors, seniors Albert Espitia and Alexandra Franco, were the recipients of the prestigious Phoenix Award. To qualify for the Phoenix Award, which is presented to seniors who have overcome incredible trials and positively turned their lives around, students must be nominated by their teachers, counselors, or fellow students and submit an entry detailing their obstacles, how they have overcome them, and how their lives have been positively impacted as a result.

Espitia submitted a poem and advised students in situations similar to his “to learn to roll with the punches, and never forget that no matter what, [they are] never alone.”

Photos on page 10 Franco could not be reached for comment.

Captain of the girl’s varsity tennis team, senior Hui Fu, received the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Academic Award, which recognizes students who excel both academically and athletically. Hui has been a part of the tennis team for four years, with two of them in varsity.

“I was very surprised and happy [to receive the award],” Hui said, “though I think being a part of the [tennis] team and being with the rest of the girls was [the best].”

In addition to being on the tennis team, Fu is also in the Associative Student Body (ASB), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Red Cross, National Honors Society (NHS), Book Club, and Courtesy Committee.

Senior Eric Hong, captain of San Gabriel’s varsity swim team, also received the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Academic Award for outstanding academic performance, in addition to participation in a sport. To qualify for the award, a student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.8 while participating in a sport for four years. Every sports coach can nominate two potential applicants, male and female. Hong has been a part of the swim team for the entirety of his high school career with three years in varsity. This is the first time San Gabriel High School has ever given the CIF award.

27

THE MATADOR

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015

WILLS

Staff stance

Is print journalism still relevant to Matadors?

As a school newspaper, one of our many objectives is to give a voice to the voiceless. But as technology progresses and more people obtain their news online, people begin to question the relevance of print and the need to continue producing actual newspapers. However, to discontinue the production of print newspapers and force all news online is to silence a portion of the voiceless as not every student possesses an electronic device, let alone Internet access at home.

A glaring flaw in the argument for abolishing print is the “digital divide,” or the discrepancy between those who have access to electronic devices and the Internet and those who do not. Some may contend that students without Internet access at home can simply access news and other media at school. However, these individuals severely overestimate the average teenager’s attention span. The time a student spends in school barely allows for time to read up on current events. Even if students had Internet access and spare time at home, it would not be unreasonable to assume that their priorities are not to read the school newspaper online. By printing hard copy newspapers and distributing them to students while they are in school, it is easier to integrate news–both from school and from the world beyond–into the classroom environment and foster discussion and debate.

Not only does this newspaper foster a productive classroom environment, it is one of the things that students at San Gabriel High School can look forward to on a monthly basis. The newspaper is the one item

that all students genuinely enjoy reading as it is directly relatable to students and teachers. Many teachers comprehend the struggle of getting students to enjoy reading; the last thing that schools should do is deprive students of the ability to read and enjoy the endless editions of their school newspaper.

It is a shame that for some, school has simply become nothing but an issue of money and test scores. School is not only there to teach students the rudimentary skills needed to crunch numbers or grasp grammar.

Putting together a newspaper print-out by print-out, article by article, and for some, teardrop by teardrop is an experience that no multiple choice test or worksheet can replicate. Student journalists take pride in bringing the paper into being, in piecing articles together, and presenting their pride and joy passionately to the public in the form of print.

Some might argue that print journalism is not cost-effective, that moving the publication online would both stave off costs while giving student journalists a medium to express themselves with. However, those same people do not realize that being a part of a production class does not only bring benefits to its reader base; the student staff also learns valuable life skills. Where else can we learn how to work as a team, to write about our passions, to actually make a tangible difference in the world? Working for a print production teaches us that the words we say matter; someone will read them; someone will be impacted by them; we matter; we all matter.

Sincerely, The Matador Staff Editors-in-Chief: Kristy Duong, Rebecca Lei News Editors: Erin Truong, Amy Yee Opinions Editors: Carolina Garcia, Amanda Molina Focus Editors: Judy Tang, Jennifer Thai Life & Art Editors: Annie Huang, Ileana Perez Sports Editors: Carolina Loaisiga, Justin Toyomitsu Features Editors: Cassandra Chen, Chelsey Tran Copy Editors: Roland Fang, Angela Fong, Chelsea Huynh, Simon Yung Photo Editor: Sydney Trieu Artists: Katherine Hoong, Emmanuel Maresca Business Managers: Ying Chow, Anthony Yang Website Editors: Hanfrey Deng, Tran Lam Blogs Manager: Vanessa Huang Reporters: Hellgert Almontes, Stacy Chau, Christy Deng, Kelly Ho, Frank Lieu, Mario Mandujano, Kim Pham, Thomas Wang Adviser: Jennifer Kim

MARK ZAMUDIO Future plans: I plan on majoring in Criminal Justice at any University in California in the future. I want to become an officer of the law, and then plan on moving forward to the FBI in the near future when I have a sufficient amount of experience.

Will: I, Mark Jesse Zamudio, leave my amazing drumming skills to drumline keep it real guys.

Quote: “Straight Outta Compton and going to college.” -Mark Jesse Zamudio Memories: Parades, football games with drumline, hanging out with my best friends all the time, all the performances I did, and the talent shows I did as well.

Thanks to: Mrs. Cognetta, Ms. Vicky, and my best friends Andy, Jose, Kevin, and Mark.

HENRY ZENG Future plans: Major in Computer Science at UC Irvine.

Will: I, Henry Zeng, bequeath my hurdle form to the underclassmen, my 3-step to Alissa, and my butt to Gene.

Quote: “If somebody ever asks you to do something, do it really bad so you never have to do it again.”

-Paris Hilton Memories: Track meets, FBLA sections and state, making fun of Anthony’s track shoes, and dances with the bae. :) Predictions: Stanley will become a track star, Gene will continue to be a player, Alissa will eventually get over Michael, Ryan will stop being lazy, and Carolina will stop complaining about not being able to 3-step.

Thanks to: Coach Mitchell and Coach K for teaching me how to hurdle, Jacky for being the OG homie, Jennifer for teaching me stats, and Qi for being my girlfriend.

LIYA ZHU Future plans: Major in Business Administration/ International Business at UC Irvine Will: I, Liya Zhu, of greatness and weirdness, bequeath my alto sax skills to my 4 kiddos, my intelligence to Lisa, Laura, Barry, Bui, and Eric, my cooking skills to Cindy and Elaine, my easygoingness and swag to Brian, and my portable charger to Michelle.

Quote: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible!” -Audrey Hepburn Memories: Macy will be a rich housewife, Paloma will marry Taeyang and drown in a pool of Korean boys, Gloria will always send me Doraemon paintings, Lan will marry her jaejae, Chanel will find Kai, and Maggy will be surrounded by many cute white boys.

Thanks to: Paloma Valentina Carrillo-Gallegos, Macy Nguyen, Gloria Quach, Michelle Hua, Ly Diep, Justin Pham, Henry Tran, Lawrence Yuen, Elaine Hui, Lan Truong, APES Group, Alto Sax Section, Dr. Wang, Ms. Cognetta.

FRANKIE ZHUANG Future plans: Attend UCSB as an art major to discover my aspirations and meet white surfer dudes by the beach, Freshman -15 , do lots of traveling, draw all 721 (and more) Pokemon, get a dog, and lose my swimmer’s appetite.

Will: I bequeath my breaststroke to Jeff Wat, butterfly to Tommy and Ziming, defined muscles to Terri Tang, Kelly Giang to Dennis, Bananas to Anney Lin, Starbucks addiction to Maggie Cong, singing voice to Vivian Ma, and running chick sticker to Stacy Chau Quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Memories: JCC Prom preview, tater tots, videos w/ Jacky Fu, Tommy Brick, FBLA 2014 SLC, Jr. year all nighters, MK &TC Breastroke sweeps , Ms. Mar’s haven, Xing moments, Homecoming Court, Swim CIF, chalking the Quad, Dr. Wang’s jokes, and being banana man.

Predictions: Adrian K. will be Key president, Vivian Ma will go to Yale, Tony Quan will join U.S Masters Swim, cafeteria food will get worse, Justin Pham will get replies, DJ Hauser will rise to fame, Terri Tang will be a ‘googler’, and Eric Hong will join the 1%.

Thanks to: Holy Knights University for a unique experience, JCC for changing my H.S experience, Swim practices, Ms. Keller for guiding me through art, Mr. Nguy for inventing FBLA, Ms. Mar for sheltering me, and Mr. Osborne for creating Stark Enterprises.

Graphic by Emmanuel Maresca