Senior Issue 2020

Page 1


contents Featuring

Adviser Rachel Grothe Editors-in-Chief Allison Alben, Mary Waugh Design Editors-in-Chief Timothy Kang, Katie Luo A&E Editors Ryan Factora, Emily Chang A&E Gaby Lesmana, Vanessa McLaughlin, Emily Yoon, Minjun Kim Features Editors Brooke Johnston, Ashley Park Features Alyssa Chang, Jasmine Wongphatarakul News Editor Alexa Empleo News Cynthia Rahman, Lauren Guss, Jaeeun Park Sports Editors Harneet Arora, Jasleen Arora Sports Noah Neri, Zach Singer Op-Eds Editors Iman Baber, Quynn Lubs Op-Eds Ricky Rojas, Mia Ouyang, Reya Mehta, Noor Baber Social Media Editor Alyssa Truong Copy Editor-in-Chief Harneet Arora Copy Editors Jessica Son, Zach Singer Web Editor-in-Chief Chika Winston Web Editor Noah Neri

01

Senior Timeline

06

Celebrating Seniors

10

Senior Snap Map

14

Isabella Bayona & Kyra Karatsu

18

Johnny Buchanan & Chase Eisenberg

24 Senior Reflections Cover photo by Kailyn Kennada





THE BIG QUESTION

what is your favorite memory from high school?

Q.


Luke Soule “ ”

Racing to get back from Mega Hot Chicken with the homies while bumping Jack Harlow.

Sian Moon “

Being Homecoming Court partners with Neiko Pittman and doing our handshake on the red carpet during the Homecoming rally.

Aaliyah Cedillo “ ”

Going to CIF with my cheer squad in Temecula.

Bryce Blackwell “ ”

My favorite high school memory is that I got to be with the friends I love, as well as doing the things I love, like theater, Hip Hop and performing at rallies and plays.

Olivia Andrade “ ”

Elizabeth Banescu “

Samantha Serrano “

Austyn Malynn “

My favorite H.S. memory is performing in ‘Illusive Impression.’ I’ll never forget how lucky I was to be in a show with such talented, kind, helpful, loving and fun cast members!

My favorite high school memory was performing at every rally with this amazing, talented group of people. As captain of the Hip Hop team, I am so blessed to have met such wonderful people and share our great gift of dance with the rest of the school. As we seniors take the next big step of our lives, we send our best wishes and cheers to the next generations of Hip Hop. Thank you West Ranch for all of the love and support you have shown us throughout our years in high school.

My favorite memory from high school was competing at WGI World Championships with the colorguard in 2019 and spending time with my best friends and teammates.

I’d say my friend group’s tradition of watching the sunset together, on the last day of school, will always be one of my most treasured memories. Ever since freshman year, we’ve walked together to the top of the hill my neighborhood sits on, and watched the sunset- all while running around, making copious amounts of inside jokes and laughing till our faces physically hurt.


HOW TO

CELEBRATE YOUR

SENIOR YEAR Like every senior class before us, the Class of 2020 was supposed to experience a long goodbye for our final semester of high school. A promise was given to us when we were freshmen: After three years, we would be the kings and queens of West Ranch, completing our final victory lap before we’re thrown into the adult world. Instead, the time of our lives has ended with heartbreak as everything from prom to graduation

1 2

is cancelled. The Class of 2020 will most likely remember their senior year as the year of almostmemories, the year of what could have happened and everything that did not happen. Yet, big or small, there are still ways that you can celebrate your senior year from the safety of your home. It might not be the same thing as what was supposed to happen, but here are some ways to make the best out of a disappointing senior year.

Dance to Your Favorite Music Listening to music and jamming out to some tunes is a great way to release yourself from the world. Many artists are releasing music, so go and support them by streaming their albums! Even expand your musical horizon and listen to music you may have never listened to before.

Many artists are also offering livestreams and virtual concerts, so even though you can’t see them in person, you’ll have a chance to hear them play online. Tune in whenever you hear that an artist you like is playing and have a dance party in your room.

Shop for Clothes Online Treat yourself for finishing high school by going online shopping! Many storefronts are closed but have websites with tons of sales to splurge your graduation money on. Revamp your wardrobe so that when you come out of quarantine, your outfits will be on-point. However, be mindful of the environment and what clothing brands you choose to buy from.

Depop or Poshmark are great places to go shopping while still being mindful of the environment. Both are online marketplaces where people are able to buy and sell pre-owned items, giving clothing a second chance at life. There are some amazing apps and websites to find one-of-a-kind vintage pieces that can’t be found in stores. Take this opportunity to find a style that you love and want to try out.


3 4 5 6

Host a Zoom Party Zoom meetings are a great way to stay connected with your friends even if you can’t physically see them. Communication is important in a time like this, so don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends and set up a meeting.

With features like annotation and screen sharing, users can have movie nights with their friends on Zoom. Everything is so accessible, so be sure to use that to your advantage. Even host a Zoom graduation party with your fellow peers!

Store Memories in a Scrapbook This year has taught us all to cherish the memories that we make and to not take life for granted. With that in mind, make a scrapbook with your favorite memories from high school. That way, when you want to flip back to your high school days

in the future, you will be able to find them in a book, something that will instantly bring a smile to your face. Take the photos you already have in your phone, print them out, and you are ready to start scrapbooking!

Cook a Celebration Feast Lastly, celebrate your senior year with your family. They are your number one supporters and helped get you to where you are now. Take this time to be with your family and be grateful for them in these tough

times. Have family game nights, movie nights, make TikToks with them and make sure you tell them you love them.

Celebrate With Family Bake yourself a cake or cook your favorite meal to celebrate your accomplishments with all the extra time you have on your hands. Hold a graduation feast by baking a graduation cake that you would have had the day of graduation and cooking yourself a senior breakfast

or dinner that no restaurant can compete with. There are unlimited amount of recipes you can find online so find a couple you would like to try out and learn them. This can also be a great way for your family to bond. Gather in the kitchen, crank up the music, and just start baking!


S E N IO R

SUPERL AT IV E S Photos provided by the students featured.


Nathan Hoang Eva Gibson

best handwriting

Ariana Montana

Valentina Hidalgo Joey Green

worst senioritis

Ashley Pagsibigan

most likely to become an influencer

best gamer

most likely to become a famous actor

most likely to be late to graduation


N

Where are our seniors going? Anastasia Roh

Washington State University

Maridian Malynn University of Portland

Kayla Halberstam

W

University of Oregon

Ashley Pagsibigan

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Dallin Borrowman

Brigham Young University

Max Gannon

University of California Los Angeles

Bella Gervasi

University of Colorado Boulder

Ariana Ford

Arizona State University

S

Elle Park

Texas Christian University

Nina Contin

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Bitmojis provided by the students featured.


N

Ryan Kim

Cornell University

Charlie Morici

Olivia Go

Smith College

University of Michigan

E

Chase Eisenberg

College of New Jersey

Hannah Sullivan

Gina Yang

Ohio State University

Mia Salin

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Rachel Howard

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

University of Virginia

Justin Jang

Duke University

Karen Ke

Emory University

S

Warren Zugbaum

Noah Koons

Auburn University

Lousiana State University

Laela Russell

Ringling College of Art and Design


Passion for

Kyra Karatsu

Story by Alyssa Chang, Ashley Park and Jaeeun Park Photos provided by Kyra Karatsu and Isa Bayona Just like any other form of performance art, it takes dedication and practice for dancers to perfect their style. Seniors Isa Bayona and Kyra Karatsu know all about the passion and commitment involved in their art. Like many children who start dancing at a young age, Bayona and Karatsu both took their first class at the age of four and have been dancing for over 13 years. Bayona gained her technique from Star Dance Center where she trained in various styles. Just after two years, she jumped into competitive dance at the age of six. Karatsu began dancing at the Santa Clarita Ballet as a child and has spent her adolescence studying and performing the foundation of dance: ballet. Both Bayona and Karatsu experienced a moment when they decided to take dancing more seriously. For Bayona, it was when she became a part of the West Ranch Dance Team. Throughout her experience on the team, she realized the ability of dance to connect people through the stories it told. Karatsu found her inspiration when she attended a summer intensive at Colorado Ballet. There, she realized that she could push herself to new limits and achieve greatness as a ballerina. Both dancers specialize in different styles: Bayona performs jazz and contemporary while Karatsu dances ballet. They have chased different goals and aspirations during high school. Bayona has been on the dance team since her freshman year. She has performed at countless rallies, football games and basketball games and now takes on the title of West Ranch Dance Team Captain. The sport has required Bayona to put in tremendous amounts of effort and time. Though her last national competition unfortunately has been cancelled, she has accomplished immense success this year and over her last three years on West Ranch Dance Team. “I’m lucky to have been surrounded by a group of dancers that have ambitious goals and a work ethic to achieve those goals. That dynamic has allowed us to win eight Grand Champ wins throughout my time on the team,” Bayona shares proudly. “This year, it was really exciting to go undefeated throughout the whole season; it’s something we


Performing

Isa Bayona

worked extremely hard for. As an individual, I was lucky enough to win the first overall Dancer of the Year at two regional competitions.” Because of the different culture of competition within ballet, much of Karatsu’s competing correlates with auditioning for roles in ballet showcases. Given that the majority of ballet performances are presented as a narrative with lead characters, Karatsu has achieved her dream role of Clara in the annual Nutcracker. “In 2018, I got my dream role of Marie/Clara. It was such a learning experience because it was my first lead role, and I really had to act in it. 2019 was also a really eventful year. I was originally cast for four roles (Russian/ Columbine/Spanish/Flower Queen) but after someone dropped out, I ended up having to cover for Sugar Plum in addition to my four roles. It was extremely exhausting to be at the studio seven days a week for hours at a time, but it really was all worth it in the end,” Karatsu said. Bayona states that she loves the performing part of dance. Once she starts dancing, the world fades away and she forgets every little insecurity and every bad day. Karatsu believes that dance compels people to feel something, whether that be joy, sadness or hope. She found the beauty in dance as a universal language and how beautiful it was to see it bring everyone together. Both of these senior dancers have strong motivations that push them to perform at their best. Bayona has passion for the art and the people she dances with; she feels a sense of responsibility to lead by example and inspire her teammates. For Karatsu, her biggest motivation comes from her dance teachers. Although her teachers may be her biggest critics, Karatsu believes that they are also her biggest supporters. While both have immense love for dance, they are keeping their options open as they move onto college. Karatsu has decided to take a step back from dance and major in journalism, which is another passion of hers. Similarly, Bayona plans to continue growing in both education and dancing, and will see where to go from there. The Paw Print looks forward to seeing Bayona and Karatsu achieve their dreams and succeed in their college careers!


Soaring in film: Brady Jones creates unconventionally and boldly

Students have access to thousands of different career paths, and it can become overwhelming to pick one to pursue in the future. Senior Brady Jones is known throughout campus for his passion for film. When he was in junior high, he found that a career in the film industry was what he truly desired and set his mind to become a film director. “Film has been my safe haven. All throughout elementary school, I never really felt wanted. When I joined the film club in 7th grade, I was looking for friends. I went to the film competition that year, and people actually wanted to hear my ideas. For the first time, my presence was valued instead of tolerated,” reveals Jones. Producing films will always be a big part of Jones’s life as it allowed him to express himself and create inspirational stories. He hopes to help others who wish to take this worthwhile path.

Jones explains, “My endgame goal for film is to own my own production studio that specifically hires recent film school graduates and people trying to break into the industry. I want it to be a stepping stone for people struggling to break into the industry after they have the debt of film school.” Jones knows that choosing film as a career will be difficult; however, he is determined to fulfill his dream. He is planning to go to California State University, Northridge as it is nearby, and the film program has a great reputation. He wants to remind aspiring filmmakers that “the path isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. If you put in the work and trust in yourself, you can tell amazing stories.” Currently, Jones is working on some short films, and The Paw Print is looking forward to watching them in the future! Story by Lauren Guss and Jasmine Wongphatarakul Graphics by Timothy Kang Photo provided by Brady Jones


K d

Fashion is another field that many seniors are looking to take up in the future. Katie Dervin has been exploring this passion through the making of her own brand called U9lyguy. Her business focuses on creating art that breaks common stereotypes. Her brand has increased in popularity over the course of a few months. Through her business’s Instagram, @u9lyguy, and through school, she has grown as a

Katie Dervin finds a future in fashion Story by Lauren Guss and Jasmine Wongphatarakul Photos provided by Katie Dervin

businesswoman with the help of her friends and family and plans for the brand to go far in the future. “I wouldn’t say it was always about the fashion side; it was more of an art side that led to my brand,” she confesses. “I wanted people to feel a connection to what I had drawn. And so it started with me putting my art on shirts, so that people could wear it, and have it close to themselves in hope that it would express something about them, for others to see.” Creating clothing with her art truly allowed for others to see the beauty behind her designs, and people appreciate the messages her creations convey. Her drawings consist of obscure characters that are nothing like what the ordinary fashion world has seen before. She explains that she takes inspiration from different skate brands, artists and street art which she combines to make her own style. She enjoys the laid-back community that comes along with those brands and how they use creative expression in their products. Balancing school, varsity cheer and fashion would prove to be difficult to some, but for Katie, it has been a breeze. “I had never been extremely tight on my academics to be honest because I had always been so focused on creating with my hands or being active with people. I knew I belonged at a hands on, creative school, so that’s what I would find comfort in,” she expresses. She has committed to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. It is one of the top fashion schools in the country and will allow her to hone in on the business aspect of her brand while still exploring her creative side. “It is the best fit school for me to build my skills from the ground up while still using my style and art as statements and expressions. I can gain resources and connections that’ll help me manage my small business and hopefully grow it into something bigger in the future!” she explains. Dervin sees herself creating for other brands as well as her own in the future, such as designing album covers and animated videos for advertisements. “But I most of all just hope that no matter how little or how much my brand will sell or grow, that it can always connect with people, and that they will feel something when looking at the art on the item, because that’s the language of my fashion,” she adds. You can find her shop at www.u9lyguy.com. The Paw Print wishes Katie Dervin the best of luck on her future in the fashion industry!


Q

McKenzie Arnold & Connor Davis

Story by Brooke Johnston Photos provided by Mckenzie Arnold and Connor Davis

For three years, Mckenzie Arnold poured her heart and soul into creating an original play called “Illusive Impression.” With help from her friend and music producer Connor Davis, costume designers Eva Gibson and Maya Waegner and the passionate Period 7 theater class, Arnold’s vision came roaring to life. The dark satire blends romance, cynicism, tragedy and humor into an edge-of-your-seat production. “Illusive Impression” played on campus from Feb. 6 to 8; afterwards, The Paw Print had the privilege of interviewing the hardworking and creative Arnold and Davis.

Mckenzie Arnold Q: How long was the process of creating “Illusive Impression” from start to finish? A: About three years. I started May 2017 and kind of finished November 2019.

Q: Did you personally assign actors and actresses to roles? A: We had auditions with casting and I was told that I’d help cast, but then when it came down to it, I handpicked all of them. Q: Who is your favorite character? A: Prince Park is definitely my favorite character, because he’s the villain the whole time but in the end it’s like wait — I don’t want to hate him anymore. Q: Had you written plays before “Illusive Impression”? Do you write other things like novels or poems? A: This was my first play. But I love to write, so I write a lot of poetry and a lot of short stories. They’re just for myself. This was the first thing I’ve ever presented to everyone. Q: Who do you look up to that inspires you? A: Lin Manuel Miranda because he wrote “In The Heights” and “Hamilton” and all these amazing things, and it wasn’t like he got famous right away. It took years and years for “Hamilton” to get so popular. He never gave up, and I think it’s really inspirational. Don’t give up on your dreams just because no one likes it yet. Q: What do you want to do in the future? Are you pursuing playwriting in college? A: Oh yeah, definitely. I want to be a theater teacher like Mr. Cook, so I’m literally doing what I want to do, so it’s really fun. Q: What advice do you have to people who want to write plays or just write in general? A: This is going to sound so cliché, but just don’t give up. You can’t just have an idea and get it out during that same day. It took me three years to finish this. It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of editing. You have to be super open to criticism, and it’s going to hurt a lot at first, but it’ll help make your work better. So you’ve got to be open to stuff like that.


Connor Davis Q: You composed all the songs in “Illusive Impression.” Can you explain what that means? A: So Mckenzie wrote the lyrics. I took the lyrics and the emotional content of what she was trying to get across and put it into music. We would literally sit down at the piano, go over the song and try to come up with things that would have a melody, have emotional content. Sometimes we would change lyrics to fit the music, but it was Mckenzie’s writing, and I just put music to it. Q: You have an amazing voice; have you taken singing lessons? A: Not really. I just grew up singing with my family and at church and stuff. Q: Who do you look up to? A: To be honest, I look up to Mr. Leff a lot. Q: Do you want to pursue composing, songwriting and singing in college? In your career? In other aspects of life? A: I think so. I think I would like to keep writing music throughout my life, even if it’s just a hobby. Some kind of music — I want to keep it in my life. Q: What advice do you have for people who want to do what you do? A: It’ll never sound perfect to you, so just be creative. It’s your own unique original creation. Similar to Mckenzie, be open to changing things a lot because to make things better, you have to be willing to change things.

Arnold and Davis Q: How did you meet? Arnold: I had the idea of the show and I started writing it out. I got my two friends Eva and Becca to help edit what I’m writing, because sometimes I don’t make sense. And then sophomore year, they introduced me to Connor, because they were friends with him, and I was like

‘wow you’re good.’ And we’ve just stayed together since. Davis: I remember “Once Great Man,” Arnold: Yeah, the jazzy version! Q: Do you have a favorite part of the play? Davis: Mine is the last song. When everyone sings on stage together and when after bows, they come to the front of the stage, and we all sing together out of character… that was my favorite. Arnold: That moment was powerful. It brings the message from the show outside of the characters and to actual society. The show is all about ‘don’t aimlessly follow your emotions because it will lead to destruction,’ so that’s what the lyrics at the end are talking about. I don’t know. It’s just like a really nice moment. It’s a sad moment, but it’s a nice moment. Q: How did you celebrate after the show was over? Davis: We went to In-N-Out, and we had a giant cast party. Arnold: And it was like speech night, so everyone had a turn giving emotional speeches, and it kept going until midnight, and it was super sad but super great. Despite the play’s title, the talent behind West Ranch Theater’s latest production is no illusion. The thrilling, immersive production is the child of hard work and bold creativity. Arnold, Davis and the entire cast have an exciting future in store! Arnold is currently working through copyright laws so that larger theaters can showcase her spectacular creation.



N N NEEEIIIK K KO O O PPPIIITTTTTTM M MA A AN N N Story by Alyssa Troung and Jessica Son Photo provided by Neiko Pittman Whether it’s on WRTV or around campus leading ASB activities, many students have seen the familiar face of Neiko Pittman at West Ranch. Well-known for being kind, outgoing and active, Neiko spends his days meaningfully pursuing his passions. As a senior, he hopes to follow his dream as a “director/producer/ content maker.” Neiko is part of the incredible team behind ASB’s events, such as the rallies and dances. After a term as ASB Vice President in 2019, he has brought many ASB activities to life. His favorite memory was being crowned King at Homecoming his senior year. “That entire week was so fun and so awesome to see how many of my peers really loved, supported and looked up to me to nominate me and then make me king,” Neiko commented. “I was also really honored to be representing people of color and LGBT+ kids at the school.” Not only is Neiko a major part of ASB, he is also a member of WRTV; his video production skills can’t be forgotten. He plans to major in video media arts at Emerson College and is excited to continue his craft. “I enjoy every aspect of film and television production,” he adds. “I want to impact people in the way they think about the world. I plan on making people ride their waves of emotions and proving all my haters wrong by really making it big one day.” Neiko also enjoys volleyball and being a part of school clubs. One of his greatest accomplishments, he says, is “the community of people I’ve been able to

foster and bring together for certain things with the different programs” he is in. As a senior, Neiko will soon be leaving high school behind to move onto bigger things. Looking back on his four years at West Ranch, he states, “I’m going to miss the people the most of course: teachers and staff. It’s everyone that I’ve grown up with my entire life, and they’re the people that have shaped me into who I am today. I’m definitely not going to miss the stress that comes with trying to accomplish everything that you are expected to in high school.” Neiko has advice to offer for underclassmen on how to enjoy their high school life: “GET INVOLVED! In any way you can and as soon as possible. Find what makes you passionate. Find your niche of people. The more involved and dedicated you are to high school things, the way more you’ll enjoy your experience. Clubs have been an awesome part of how I’ve met new people and created my smaller environments of people passionate about and wanting to accomplish some of the same goals as you.” To Neiko, high school has been “The best and worst journey of self-discovery, self-love, stress, adventure, fun, leadership, learning, and friendship.” As he leaves for college, it’s clear that his legacy at West Ranch High School will remain, as well as the positive influence that he left on campus. The Paw Print cheers him on as he accomplishes his goals in film and video production!


CHASE EISENBERG Story by Jasleen Arora Graphic by Timothy Kang Photo provided by Chase Eisenberg Chase Eisenberg’s fun-loving and carefree personality definitely showed throughout her high school experience. Not only did she dominate on the tennis court, but she also kept up with a rigorous school schedule. As a result of her strong tennis skill and passion for medicine, Eisenberg ultimately found the perfect match at The College of New Jersey, where she will be playing NCAA Division III tennis and majoring in nursing. Eisenberg has been playing tennis ever since her dad introduced her to the sport at the age of four. She fell in

love with the game and has always tried to improve her game. “Once I turned ten, I began to play competitively and started playing tournaments and being on teams,” disclosed Eisenberg. “Leading up to high school, I played around 6-8 hours a week. Being on the West Ranch tennis team was one of the best decisions I ever made.” The West Ranch tennis team is one of the most accomplished sports teams on campus, winning the first place CIF title for all four years of Eisenberg’s high school career. However, even with their rigorous practice routine, Eisenberg still kept close with her teammates, often getting lunch or hanging out with them outside of their normal practice schedule. Eisenberg also has her own fair share of individual achievements, being awarded All-League First Team her sophomore and junior year and ending her high school career with the second best singles record in SCV. Even with these awards, Eisenberg says it was a big honor for her to become varsity captain and become a mentor to her younger teammates. “My advice to younger teammates is to enjoy it as much as you can and be as involved as you possibly can because it goes by so quickly,” exclaimed Eisenberg. “I know representing your school and your teammates can be stressful, but never forget to have fun because you will never forget your experiences here.” High school in itself is full of good moments and some moments where students make mistakes and learn from them. Being on the tennis team has allowed her to figure out her own strengths and weaknesses and also make memories she will remember for the rest of her life. “My favorite memories on the team were playing and beating Valencia because they were our biggest rivals, so we always have so much energy and intensity when we played them,” revealed Eisenberg. “I also loved the tournaments where we went to San Diego.” Congratulations on your achievements! The Paw Print wishes you the best of luck in the future!


johnny buchanan Story by Harneet Arora and Noah Neri Graphic by Timothy Kang Photo provided by Johnny Buchanan

Multiple gold medals, All Tournament MVP and Foothill League Player of the Year are just some of the awards earned by Boys Volleyball Senior Captain Johnny Buchanan. Despite having his senior season cut short, Buchanan has accomplished more than many athletes hope to accomplish in a full high school career. Having been a vital part of the team’s current four-year undefeated streak, it is not surprising that Buchanan’s natural talent for volleyball stems from passion at a young age. “I first got into volleyball because my mom coaches my sister’s team, and I would go play at their practices back when I was in 6th grade, and I fell in love with the sport,” remarked Buchanan. “I started in 7th grade for the first time on an actual team, playing for Legacy Volleyball Club. I’ve played there every year since.” In boys’ volleyball, a sport where most players have no prior experience heading into high school, Buchanan’s early start translated into success. He made the varsity team as a sophomore and took over the starting role in his junior year, leading the Wildcats to a 10-0 league record and the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals, the team’s best season in school history. After the season, Buchanan was named 2019 Foothill Player of the Year, as well as being named the All-CIF first team and the Daily News’ All-Area Team. Buchanan spoke fondly about the sport, revealing that “volleyball has always been a love of mine since I started playing. It’s always been something I can look forward to. After a tough day, going to practice and leaving all the drama of life off the court is always relieving. I can’t even begin to describe the bonds and friendships I’ve made over the years with countless teammates, and that will be with me forever.” As such an accomplished athlete, these past four years have been filled with many exciting memories and record breaking moments, but Buchanan has a few in particular that he believes to be the highlight of his high school career. “One of my favorite memories has got to be beating

Punahou, a national ranked team from Hawaii, in Hawaii at the beginning of this season,” said Buchanan. “Last year during playoffs, we got to play two teams we had lost to in preseason play, Thousand Oaks and Alemany, and we beat them both in playoffs to end their seasons.” After numerous years as a competitive athlete and a successful volleyball player, Buchanan plans to attend the University of Hawaii in Manoa. West Ranch is excited to have had the opportunity to witness the passion and dedication of Johnny Buchanan. Good luck in all your future endeavors, and remember: Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!



Societal expectations have created a world in which high school seniors can be perceived as “less than” if they decide that pursuing a college education is not the right path for them. It can be difficult to distance oneself from these constructs, but the first way for a student to understand which path is meant for them, no matter how unconventional it may be, is to see what options are out there. In today’s world, not everyone needs to attend college. A lot of creative individuals choose to drop out of school or not attend college in order to pursue their true passions. Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day didn’t even make it through high school — he dropped out halfway through his senior year because school was getting in the way of music. If you have creative talents, college courses may not be necessary. You can pursue your passions and dreams from forming a band and playing shows, creating a fashion brand, selling art pieces, writing and shooting films, or creating a company. Alternatively, for those who are unsure of what they want to go to college for, taking a gap year can be a significant time and money-saving option that can ultimately help you in the long run. A study done by the University of Sydney reveals that taking a gap year can actually boost a student’s GPA in college by avoiding academic burn-out. If you use that year constructively, whether it’s through travelling, working to earn money for college, or just focusing on your passions to discover what you really want to do, then your grades can be drastically better than those who choose to jump right into college from high school. Taking a year to figure out what you really want to go to college for can also help save money in the long run. Those who go into college as undeclared majors spend more time in college by switching majors around. According to an article by Forbes, “Going to college as an undeclared major often leads to students having to spend extra semesters or years in college to get the classes that

they need for the major that they eventually choose. Often those students take on more debt as a result.” By taking a gap year, one can discover their true passions, avoiding spending more time in college and avoiding extra student loan debt. Going to trade school can also be the perfect option for those who want to explore options outside of college. For someone who has a career or occupation in mind that goes beyond what is taught at a traditional 4-year university, it is critical to find a school that is able to fit your needs and set up a foundation for your future, preparing you for the workforce. Trade programs might include culinary, welding, and hospitality, majors that many colleges do not offer specific courses on. Trade schools are specifically designed on teaching you the skills you will need to have in your future career. As many trade schools are only two years, they provide a person more opportunities for job experience and progress in their career. Some may even go directly into the workforce, skipping trade school and college altogether. There are many highpaying and in-demand jobs that only require a high school diploma, despite beliefs that the only way to enter a highpaying job field is through earning a college degree. Careers such as subway/streetcar operators, media and communication equipment workers and even commercial pilots don’t require anything but a high school diploma to begin training, and no prior work experience is required. Even jobs like detectives and mail superintendents only require about five years of experience and nothing but a high school diploma. In the end, it’s okay not to go to college, and it might not be right for everyone. Keep your options open and understand all the pathways you can take before launching yourself into something you are unsure of. From a gap year to trade school to the workforce, there are unlimited options available, so don’t be afraid to try them out.


Dear reader, Four years ago, we walked in through the gates as anxious freshmen, not knowing what to expect. Now, as seniors, we expected to get the customary, memorable last year of high school that people always reminisce about. From Fire Fridays to the tragedy at Saugus, and now to quarantine, there really doesn’t seem to be much that has gone right. It would be an easy thing to say that this was the worst year imaginable. But for better or for worse, our senior year was definitely memorable. We laughed together when the fire alarm went off during winter finals, we spent hours debating who was behind the West Ranch Memes Instagram account and we cheered when we finally won the games at the rallies. No matter how crazy this year may have seemed, our senior year was full of memories that we’ll cherish for the rest of our lives. These experiences make our class different from those in the past. It makes us special. We’ve suffered through trauma together, we’ve lost half a semester together, we’ve gained a new perspective together. Although we’d never wish these events upon anyone, we couldn’t have imagined going through high school with any other class. But let’s not forget the fact that we’ve finally done it. After four years, thousands of assignments, an abundance of AP tests and plenty of memories, we’ve done it. We’re graduating. Whether you choose to join the virtual graduation, graduate on Animal Crossing or listen to Barack Obama give a commencement speech to the class of 2020, it has no effect on the fact that we finished high school together through it all. Wherever we may end up, remember: Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.

Signing off, Your Editors-in-Chief Allison Alben and Mary Waugh


I’ve been thinking about my senior reflection since my freshman year. So, now that I’m actually writing it, there’s definitely no pressure. There are a lot of ways I could do this: I could say thank-you’s, or give advice, or reminisce about high school. Let’s try all three, shall we? Freshman year: I met my best friend in the world (Cynthia, love you!). I ought to make one of those souvenir t-shirts that says “I survived AP Bio.” I’m sure they’d sell out. Sophomore year feels like a blip, and yet, I still feel like a sophomore. What happened that year? Who’s to say? However, I met some wonderful teachers, including the lovely Mrs. Chang and the wonderful Ms. G. I promise, I’ll come back and visit! Next up: junior year. It was really tough, for a number of reasons. But there were definitely some good things to come from it. In November 2018, I finally started my novel! Mr. O’Brien, I can’t thank you enough for introducing me to NaNoWriMo. One day, if there’s a novel with my name on it, it will be thanks to you for getting

me started. It was a pleasure to be your student service this year, if only for part of a semester. And finally, senior year. I’ll be the first to admit that this was not the senior year I envisioned. In fact, it was kind of a disaster. But hey, it wasn’t all bad! I got to be in class every day (well, mostly) with my favorite teachers, both new and old, especially the magnificent Ms. Frame. Ms. Frame, I’ll miss just being in your class, whether we were talking about Disney or Shakespeare or everything in between. No matter what happened this year, I’m so glad I got to be in your class. I was also Editor-in-Chief of The Paw Print with my amazing co-editor. I’ll miss working with you, Mary! And, I got to spend this year with some of my best friends in the world. Now, I’ve probably far surpassed my given word count at this point, so I should probably end this. To the teachers I’ve had and the friends that I’ve made, I promise we’ll stay in-touch. To my family: Thank you for bearing with me. And to everyone else, thanks for coming along for the ride.

Six years ago, I was just a shy, buff girl who tried out for journalism simply because I didn’t want to copy my older sister and join the yearbook. I also enjoyed writing cliché poems in all of my holiday cards. I still remember preparing for my interview for Hoofbeats in the seventh grade. Whispers were going around that everyone was being asked the same question: “How would you describe yourself in one word?” For some reason, I instinctively decided that answering “responsible” or “hardworking” would be too basic. Instead, I answered with “sarcastic.” The teacher had a good laugh and, somehow, I got accepted into the program. Fast forward six years and somehow I’m a senior, about to go off to college. Now that’s crazy. I’ve never been the most talented writer. I never got an 8 or a 9 on an AP Lang essay. However, being in journalism has given me so many opportunities to not only better my writing, but it’s also taught me how to be a leader, a responsible interviewer, a team player, and so much more. Most importantly, it taught me that every single person has something special about them that’s worth discovering.

If I had known that March 13 would be the last time I’d see my Paw Print family, I would’ve driven at 4:00 am to get Krispy Kreme, Portos, 85 degrees and any other amazing food place to bring in for one last fantastic Fun Friday. Along with that, I’d congratulate Ryan on being only 20 minutes late, I’d high five Alyssa until my hands were numb, and I’d give everyone in the class a huge hug because they’ve all been so hard working despite the crazy year we’ve had. I tear up just thinking about how we were robbed of so many memories and experiences this year. Because of that, I’m extremely grateful for everyone I’ve worked alongside, especially my hardworking co-EIC Allison. I’m going to miss seeing everyone’s (periodically) excited faces every morning at 7:00 a.m. Simply said, high school gives you the chance to fall down, mess up and get frustrated. I met almost all of my closest friends while struggling through AP Biology freshman year. Challenges bring people together. Next fall, I’ll be a college freshman. Again, a freshie. Back on the bottom of the social ladder, stepping into an unknown campus with hundreds of strangers, and I couldn’t be any more excited.


6:00 a.m.: My alarm sounds off, as usual. On any other Friday, this would be a perfectly fine time to wake up, get ready, and come 20 minutes late to The Paw Print. But today was Senior Sunrise, and the sun was going to reach over the horizon in twenty minutes. Am I really going to let my senior year go to waste? I thought as I desperately drove (of course, at exactly 50 miles per hour on the Old Road) to school. But as my friends and I ran to the football field, laughing as we frantically held the breakfast that I rushed to cook, I took a deep breath and smiled. This is it, I thought, this year is still going to be my year. Never did I think I was going to be writing this reflection in the middle of a pandemic. Just like my Senior Sunrise, my senior year didn’t go exactly as planned. Month after month, tragedy after tragedy, culminating in a literal quarantine — it seemed like the universe was playing some kind of cruel, cosmic joke. But if there’s one thing that high school taught me, it’s that even if it seems like everything is falling apart, things are still going to work out somehow, some time. Freshman year, I was suspended

I am so happy I’m a senior because it means I finally get to move on from high school (and the long bathroom lines) and go to college. But I wish I didn’t feel that way. I wish I could associate high school with more pleasant memories, but when I’m older, all I’m going to remember is how hard it was in every way. I think in these past four years, I was too focused on things I thought would dictate my future — so much so that I never got to take time for myself. Now that I realize that some things aren’t worth worrying about, I regret not living it up and making high school the best years of my life. If I could, I would redo my years here, but life doesn’t give you second chances. At least I know now to not let my worries stop me from being happy and living life, especially if they’re going to be insignificant in the long run. I figure that if we’re all going to die one day and we don’t know when that day is, we shouldn’t let a bad grade or some other inconvenience bring us

down. Just live in the moment and appreciate all of the little things in life! I know I basically said earlier that I hated high school, but I did have some good memories with my amazing friends and all of my awesome teachers who are also sweet, understanding humans, aside from being teachers. Finally, I would like to give a message to any girl who uses the bathrooms at school: if there’s a long line for the girls’ bathroom and no one is going into one of the stalls because someone forgot to flush before, just cut everyone in line, go into the stall people are avoiding, flush the toilet, and use the stall. Flushing a toilet is not that bad, and you would know because you do it every time you use the restroom. Also, please don’t hang out with your friends in the bathroom because that’s gross, and there are so many better places you could be. So, basically what I’ve learned in my four years of high school: enjoy life, live it up and just flush that toilet.

for concocting a pyramid scheme to sell AP Bio notes. At the time, I thought that I would never be able to go to college, but here I am four years later, committed to UCLA. Sure, I might have almost gotten a D in ECON 201, maybe I went 0-3 at my first debate tournament, and there’s a chance that I crashed into Mary’s car in the parking lot. But, I still passed the class, I ended up with a positive record at my next tournament, and I’m somehow still friends with Mary. Of course, not every failure will turn around into a success story. I still regret not going to more rallies, more football games, more homecomings. And if I knew that my last day at West Ranch was March 13, I would have done a million things differently. But it’s both the failures that worked out and the ones that didn’t that motivate me to slow down a little: to live life in the moment. To desperately try to light birthday candles in the back of a truck, to get off on the wrong train stop on a spontaneous trip to Koreatown, to pay double the price for concert tickets because we were too slow on our laptops, to deliver burnt chocolate chip cookies at 3 a.m. — to live to fail.


Four years ago I came here from a foreign country, which half the people here aren’t even aware of, with a dream of going to a “good” college. I knew that I wanted to travel for the rest of my life but never knew how. I also didn’t want to be a stereotypical figure in my community with a perfect house and car; I just wanted a life free of material possession. High school was when everything I ever knew changed. The friends I made, the content I learned and the teachers I met changed my life forever. I learned to think in ways that were beyond my imagination. If this sounds like something I’m saying to dramatize my senior reflection, I’m not. Here are some important lessons I’ve learned in the last four years. I left high school as a changed person because I learned the importance of grasping my passion and realized what I really like doing versus what I’m only doing to please others. When your teachers say that the number of APs you take or your SAT scores do not determine your

It took me not four, but six years to come to these important conclusions. First, getting your heart broken is an amazing experience. My heart was broken multiple times not only by a person, but by failed expectations and dreams. It was broken heavily by failed friendships and by unfortunate and unforeseeable circumstances that left me wondering “why me?” out of all people. The countless failures and heartbreaks I’ve experienced over this time has given me incredible resilience and strength for which I am so grateful for. I wouldn’t have realized the flaws that I needed to work on to be better. I will carry on this excitement with me — the excitement to fail and be vulnerable — because that is the only way you grow. I hope you will too. Second, people will always judge you — whether it’s good judgment or not is up to them. You will also judge yourself over and over again, so may as well do the things you want to do. I would have gotten so much more out of life if I stopped comparing myself to other people and caring what they thought of me. Make no mistake, I still do it sometimes. We all do. I have a long way to go, but I’ve engraved in myself now

that life is way too short to put yourself in a box because of others. Third, there are so many bigger things in life that I have yet to understand and experience. You can have the best life, the greatest friends and still have your world turned upside down. You can get straight As, have parents with apt finances — do everything you ought to do and still have the rug pulled out from under you. However, that doesn’t mean it’s the end — that you’re allowed to give up. Always embrace the hope that comes with the hopelessness. If there is anything that moving here from the Philippines three years ago has taught me, it is this. Finally, gratitude will never be overrated. And neither will optimism. Acknowledge the good things in your life. Understand that they can change form but that they will be good nonetheless. Give everyone and everything thanks. I wouldn’t have gone this far if it weren’t for the constant practice of gratitude. So thank you, high school. And, thank you to myself for choosing this path. I am grateful for this journey and the many ones after it.

entire future, THEY ARE RIGHT! Today, nurturing my passion has taken me to a school beyond my wildest dreams. Question things: everything and everyone. Question society, question faith, question traditions and question rules. Questioning doesn’t mean doubting — it’s to stop you from believing things blindly. Make your own rules, and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Sometimes you may be the last one standing by your opinion, but it matters that you stand by yourself when no one else does. Be grateful. Take the time to grab every opportunity you are given, and be thankful for it. Contribute to society. And most importantly, do what makes you happy. Make friends, make plans and make unforgettable memories wherever you are! Mom and dad, this one’s for you! Your little girl will travel and change the whole world — and no one can stop her!


As an eighth grader preparing to enter high school, I remember thinking that high school would be a never-ending, daunting experience that was going to test every aspect of my being. There were AP classes, the SATs, sports and college applications. I remember watching my older brother’s graduation, thinking that my own was an eternity away. But four years later, here I am, and, boy, did it go by fast. From the excitement of playing in my first varsity basketball game to the late night hours of AP Euro notes, high school was a rollercoaster of events that kept me on my feet, forcing me to constantly chase every opportunity to prepare myself for the next chapter of my life: college. But what I came out with was much more than a simple resume or a high school transcript; it was a suitcase full of skills.

When I was six years old, I constantly daydreamed of the idea of being in high school: of driving a car, of having my first kiss, of learning all the knowledge my little brain could fit before bursting at the seams, of getting into college (maybe Harvard or Yale!), of going to parties with my friends, of being crowned prom queen, of doing all of the things I saw the teenagers doing in the movies. God, how I wanted that so badly. 12 years later, I finished it. And it was absolutely nothing like I imagined. Life has a plan for all of us. The plan for me wasn’t to go to Harvard or Yale or to be prom queen or to be cheerleading captain or to do any of the things my six-year-old mind had come up with — but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The one thing I can thank high school for was teaching me that what other people think of you is the absolute last thing that matters. The only thing that matters in this world is that you do the things that make you happy. I spent so much time trying to please others, trying to fit in, trying to be somebody that I was not. And at first, I thought that I was letting my six-yearold self down, that she would look at the mistakes I had made and the way high school went and shake her head. Now, I know that she would be so

proud. I realized that the only person I was going to be with for my entire life was me. And if I didn’t like me, then what was the point? So I stopped pretending. I let the world know who I was, and I turned from this shy little thing to this unstoppable force to be reckoned with. Sure, there were people who didn’t like me. But allowing myself to be who I was let me find the people who actually loved me, and not some version of me that I made up to fit in. And all of a sudden, the world seemed so much less monstrous and lonely and scary. I had my friends by my side through everything. I finally belonged somewhere. If I had kept pretending, I never would have realized what I am meant to do with this life. To think I could have thrown it all away just because I wanted to fit in. I am meant to be exactly who I am. And even though high school sometimes felt suffocating, at the end of these four years I succeeded. Not because I got into the best university, not because I won prom queen and not because I did everything six-year-old me wanted me to do — but because I found my place in the world.

From high school athletics, I learned to surpass my physical limitations to improve my capabilities. From journalism, I was given a voice, the opportunity to interact with and write about talented individuals, and even shed light on controversial issues. From my various clubs, I learned to turn my passions into actions, to instigate change in my surrounding communities, whether that was through blood drives with the American Red Cross or exposure to careers in IC STEM. And, if there is one thing to be said about the year 2020, it is that it has definitely been the most challenging year of my entire life. But with every one of these skills standing with me, I am excited to pursue the next chapter of my life, conquering every challenge along the way in pursuit of my dreams.


I remember when I was a freshman trying to figure out what my future would look like. Let me just say: No matter how I dreamt my future would be, I never would have predicted it would be like this. Here I am, in quarantine, about to go off to college and reflecting on the past four years. Four years ago, I was excited but nervous to start my high school journey. It definitely had its ups and downs. I was put through a lot of things that tested my confidence and mental strength, but, overall, I believe I have come out of high school as a much stronger person. I have learned so much about myself and my own strengths and weaknesses that I know will prepare me for my future in college. I appreciate everyone who helped guide me to this point. Looking back, I cherish the moments spent with my friends.

I have had the privilege of being with amazing role models both in The Paw Print and all throughout my high school experience. But, most importantly, I knew I wasn’t alone. I went through high school with my twin sister — my best friend. We worked well together on the basketball court and always laughed at the times teachers mixed us up. Our future plans were to continue together at the same college, but as we are two different people, our interests grew apart. So, we ultimately made the decision to go to different colleges. To the class of 2020 — we did it! Be proud of all you have achieved so far and know that more amazing achievements are still to come.

High School: The words linger on my lips as I watch the sunset paint the hills in front of me. I spent my whole life trying to get out of here, desperate for something beyond SCV. And now that I’m getting out, I can’t help but think about my past four years. Looking back, I reminisce on everything high school gave me and just think to myself — Tomorrow, you will be a freshman. You remember eavesdropping in an attempt to listen in on the stories your sister and her friends recounted from their latest adventure. Soon, all of that was going to be you. Maybe all those books you grew up on infested your brain, creating a fantasized perception of what high school would be because now the wait was agonizing. You couldn’t stop obsessing over the start of something you had never even experienced before. But no amount of books could have prepared you for the reality of high school. It had moments that made you think, “the audacity!” But in the end, it was those special moments that made high school all the while worth it. The ones when you would sneak into the theater before shows and dance by yourself, arms in the air with your hips swaying. Sometimes you would be joined or someone would DJ from the soundbooth. It was when you and Allen hung out

behind the cafeteria during brunch, munching on frozen muffins, his head in your lap as you fiddled with his hair, talking about how one day you two were going to be the editors for The Los Angeles Times and get sushi for lunch every day. It was when you would sneak out of the house to drive around with Grace, jazz music blasting in the car and tummies filled with Presto Pasta. Or going to the Castaic lookout with Ben to just reminisce on simpler times when complex feelings didn’t exist in your heart. Or running around SCV trying to find a TV with John at 2 a.m. It was when you skipped Friday Night Lights to explore LA museums, drunk on the feeling of being in a city. You were born for that. It was when you fell in love three, maybe four times. Although it didn’t work out, all leading to that familiar feeling of heartbreak, you still have hope for your fifth. This random assortment of imperfect moments are what you will remember in the end. Although they might not have been scenes out of a John Green novel or resembled anything your sister talked for hours on the phone with her friends about, it was these moments that made you think...“Maybe high school was worth it.”


The Paw Print @wrpawprint @wrpawprint @wrpawprint wrpawprint.com

Congratulations, Class of 2020!


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.