Free Press 2018

Paw Print Volume 8 • Issue 1

We are students.

We are journalists.

We are meant to be heard.

6 News

10 Features

18 Editorials

22 A&E

26 Sports

CONTENTS News Editors

Ryan Factora Zoey Greenwald Jessica Son News Writers Shanzay Hassan Siena Zarrell Features Editors Hannah Kim Alyssa Truong Features Writers Brooke Johnston Katie Luo Alexa Empleo Ashley Park Sophia Kriegel Editorials Editors Iman Baber Minjoon Kang Editorials Writers Quynn Lubs Chika Ma Sydney Young A&E Editors Mary Waugh Emily Chang A&E Writers Erin Eskoff Jasleen Arora Sports Editors Daniel Lee Jay Singh Sports Writers Noah Neri Zach Singer Harneet Arora Copy Editor Social Media Editors Aerin Choi Christine Joo Timothy Kang Web Editor Jay Park Web Editor-In-Chief Allison Alben Design Editor Design Editor-in-Chief Skijler Hutson Audrey Kim Editors-In-Chief Mina Jang Ms. Grothe Advisor

Journalism in Jeopardy Story by Skijler Hutson, Zoey Greenwald, Mina Jang, and Sophia Kriegel Photos by Skijler Hutson Graphics by Mina Jang

I step into my first day of Journalism class. It is junior year, and I am late to the writing game, but still I’m here. I’ve got a shiny, new notebook in one hand and a ballpoint in the other. Here, I am going to be a real writer. The kind of writer who says what needs to be heard -- who writes about politics and social issues and sexism and racism and flawed institutions.

The teacher tells us that our writing means something. That our voices need to be heard. That our words are important. She pats us on the back and sends us to the computers.

I decide to write about spirit days. I write about the school dress code. I write about all the pretty things at West Ranch High School.

I get a gold star.

Then, I see my fellow journalists write about the not-so-pretty things at West Ranch High School.

They observe, and they reveal. They write with a freedom which they believe they have. They write what needs to be heard.

They both get called to the principal’s office.

Their words are taken down. They are censored.

High school is the first real taste of freedom that a student feels; its endless hallways hold promises of parties and late nights, football games and 4 a.m. drives. This treat, sugar-coated and shiny, is artificially sweetened with smoke and mirrors.

There is a false freedom that comes when you enter those gates.

It is the encouraging posters that hang on pasty

white walls.

It is the administration, saying to write what needs to be heard, but only when they agree. Only when West Ranch is depicted as a shining beacon of beauty.

It is all which glimmers with an idealistic promise of autonomy, cradled in a contradiction.

There is no truth where there is no freedom.

What Happened

Skijler Hutson’s story on the rivalry between West Ranch and Golden Valley was pulled from publication by administration in the Fall of 2017.

Mina Jang’s critique of the Associated Student Body was asked to be taken off The Paw Print’s website in the Spring of 2018. Sophia Kriegel’s light-hearted satire on restroom vaping was deemed an inappropriate subject for publication.

We believe that such prohibitions have not been enacted on terms of irresponsible reporting, but rather because the content of the articles was found to be distasteful or controversial by administration.

None of the articles were meant to cause harm or be outrightly rebellious. They simply were meant to start a conversation, and hopefully effect some change. That is the point of all investigative articles. The articles are opinion pieces. As long as the content of the article is true and doesn’t pose a clear and imminent threat, opinion writers are free

to write whatever they choose.

After the first incident, we thought about the nature of the content we were writing and what might have triggered the censorship, but after the third instance, we began to ask ourselves if the administration even had the right to censor us. That is an interesting question, and it took some digging to figure out.

The landmark court case Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) is familiar to many. After students were suspended for wearing black armbands to school in protest of the Vietnam war, the Supreme Court ruled that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” This case has protected student journalists for the better part of 20 years, but its overarching protection of students was challenged in 1988.

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier was brought to the Supreme Court in 1988 after the principal of Hazelwood East High School censored a special edition of the school newspaper covering divorce and teen pregnancy. The court decided that “educators do not offend the First Amendment by exercising editorial control over the style and content of student speech in school-sponsored expressive activities so long as their actions are reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns.”

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier felt like a dead end, but then we thought to check California state laws. In 1977, California passed Education Code 48907, which states that “pupils of the public schools, including charter schools, shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press including [...] the right of expression in official publications, whether or not the publications or other means of expression are supported financially by the school or by use of school facilities.”

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier simply enables schools to censor school-sponsored publications if they so choose.

California, by passing Education Code 48907, decided to counter this in an effort to provide more freedoms to student journalists. California Education Code effectively supersedes Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. Educators and staff in public schools are required to follow Education Code 48907.

In short, school administration cannot censor The Paw Print, unless what is printed is obscene, libelous, slanderous or incites violence. What we wrote was not.

Why This Matters

Excluding works that are outrightly obscene, libelous, slanderous or incite violence, the administration does not have the right to censor The Paw Print. But the whole situation has brought up questions far beyond a few articles. Say, hypothetically, the administration could indeed legally censor the school’s newspaper, as they can in most states. Then what? The students would have virtually no way of appealing, stuck in a loop of censorship and demoralization.

The point of this all is not so that a few high school articles can be published. If the administration had let The Paw Print publish them in the first place, the controversy would have probably passed within a week. The question instead becomes a moral one -- one that directly relates to the state of free speech in America and how we teach kids to exercise their First Amendment right.

In America, at large, the free press is under attack. Since the last presidential election, the press’ reputation has been called into question at every turn. In July at the VFW National Convention, the President even said, “Stick with us. Don’t believe the crap you see from these people, the fake news. What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.”

We understand that sometimes it can be hard to trust what you are reading. There are so many opposing views and opinions being thrown around that it can feel like all information sources are the enemy. But that is by no means a warrant to discount the press altogether. Most established newspapers, including The Paw Print, now more than ever make it a point to uphold the highest of journalistic standards.

Free speech and consequently, a free press, is a cornerstone of American democracy. If a populace is denied such rights, then they become an intellectually repressed society, incapable of progress. We do not ask for these rights for the sake of our own persons; we ask for them because we recognize their importance in the larger scheme of American politics, and how they are currently in jeopardy.

The Paw Print is an extension of the student body. As students ourselves, we know what issues ebb and flow through the halls of this campus. When we write opinion pieces about these problems, it often means we have seen the problem permeate through many facets of life at school, most of the time in areas that administrators and staff are blind to. When we are censored, we are effectively being told that we are not to be taken seriously as a resource of correspondence between administrators and the student body.

If our school paper does not serve as an outlet for the problems we see on our campus, then what is our school paper but bulletins and announcements?

Furthermore, we have to consider what exactly is communicated to our youth when they are censored.

Since elementary school, the First Amendment of our Constitution has been repeated to us over and over again.

Growing up, we are told that the right to free speech is guaranteed to us. In our social science classes we learn what our rights are, in our English classes we are taught the rhetoric to defend those rights, and in every classroom we are reminded of those rights by an American flag hanging on the wall and a pledge of allegiance.

Not only is censorship of The Paw Print against Education Code -- it fundamentally counters all that our education system has taught us since the first grade. Students are taught neat lessons about free and open discourse which often hold true within the walls of a classroom. But, when removed from this curated reality and placed in the real

We ask for the freedom to run The Paw Print as an accurate reflection of the student body.

world, these teachings fall apart, even and especially under the watchful eye of the very people who taught them.

This contradiction ultimately results in confusion within the student and a hesitation to share their true opinions or beliefs. This is how you break a society. Censorship is not a concentrated issue -- its national reach has had an impact on a multitude of schools and students alike.

On Feb. 1, 2018, at Herriman High in Utah, two students investigated the removal of a teacher. After publishing an article with their findings, the school’s administration almost immediately removed it from the website. On March 2, 2018, in Pennsylvania at Elizabethtown Area High School, students published a quote from a teacher about homosexuality and Darwinism. The principal attempted to censor these words as well, even go as far as to threaten the removal of the publication program all together. On April 5, 2015, Fauquier High School in Virginia suffered from censorship when a student journalist wrote a piece on a new drug trend that she saw sweeping her school. Although it was written to inform and protect students from the harms on the new fad, the principal deemed it “too mature” and censored her words.

The idea that students’ words are malleable and subject to the ideas of those with authority over them plagues school papers across the country. Not only do we recognize that this issue is present in our school, but we would also like to bring attention to the rampant censorship that occurs in schools everywhere and across the United States.

Dear Administration, With the best interests of the student body in mind, we ask for the freedom to run The Paw Print as an accurate reflection of the student body.

We ask that our paper may no longer be censored, and we promise that we shall not publish anything obscene, libelous, or slanderous as prohibited by California Education Code.

We ask for the liberty to better the community through productive discourse and free speech.

Most importantly, we ask for your trust, so that we may continue to uphold the highest of journalistic standards.

There is no truth where there is no freedom.

Signed, The Paw Print

A Response from the Administration: Being an administrator for a comprehensive public high school can be a daunting job. The safety and betterment of 2,500 students and 165 staff members are among the numerous tasks we deal with everyday. Our obvious goal is to provide the best academic programs we can to ready our students for whatever it is they want to do after high school. But we know that high school is more than that, and should be. We want to provide a wide variety of extracurricular activities, performing arts, clubs, athletics, and classes that go beyond the everyday English, Math, Science, and History.

One of the important aspects to a high school campus is the student newspaper, the Paw Print here at West Ranch. It gives students that are interested in journalism the opportunity to experience what it is like to work on a newspaper.

Getting a chance to investigate, write, edit, work within a deadline, and working as a team are all part of the experience. The other aspect that is learned is the responsibility that comes along with writing for a newspaper. The freedom of the press is an important part of our way of life. With this freedom comes a responsibility.

The administration of West Ranch takes this freedom and responsibility very seriously. Based on court cases there are justifications when administration can limit the pieces that are published in a school publication. When the expression will/can create a disruption of school activities or becomes an invasion of the rights of others (Tinker v.

Des Moines). When the expression is vulgar, lewd, or indecent (Bethel School District v. Fraser). When the expression advocates illegal drug use (Morse v. Frederick). When the expression is in a school-sponsored, non-public forum, school officials can censor based on a reasonable educational justification (Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier).

As administrators we have the responsibility to think about the safety and welfare of all 2,500 students and 165 staff members. The decisions we make have to take into account the entire campus.

Ultimately, the West Ranch administration wants to work with the Paw Print to make sure that we have freedom of the press, while understanding the responsibility that goes with it. In the cases where changes were made in stories, West Ranch administration worked with journalists from the Paw Print to avoid items that fell within the legal parameters, while still making sure the story those journalists were trying to tell was evident. We felt the changes were minimal. We did not want the stories to be pulled entirely. We are not trying to hide these items, but in these isolated cases, we wanted to make sure it went beyond finger pointing to problem solving.

We know West Ranch is not perfect. We know there are aspects of our school we want to improve. The goal should be to look at these items and discuss how we can improve. What we don’t want is to divide students and create an atmosphere of “us and them.� I think we would all agree that there is enough of that all around us in the current climate.

To the student journalists of the Paw Print, We believe in the freedom of the press. We want to empower you to use this freedom for the betterment of the entire student body.

We also feel strongly about the responsibility bestowed on us to oversee the safety and welfare of our student body and staff. We ask you to understand that this is part of our job.

We ask you to work with us to examine what we can do better, and to investigate solutions to make those changes a reality.

Signed, West Ranch Administration

There’s no place like...

HOMECOMING Story by Alexa Empleo // Photos by Quynn Lubs

“It was so nice to see everyone having such an awesome time. What an amazing night!”

“I got to cherish memories with my friends that will last forever! We had so much fun dancing!”

On the night of Sept. 22, West Ranch High School students filed into the Hyatt Regency Valencia ballroom dressed to the nines and ready for a night on the other side of the rainbow. The theme of the evening was “The Wizard of Oz,” a classic film enjoyed by most people at some point in their lives.

As students waited in line, members of the West Ranch Theater walked around, dressed as Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West, Glinda, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion, all repeating the saying, “Follow the yellow brick road!”

Students did just that as a yellow rug was laid out, leading into the dance.

The talented West Ranch Jazz Band serenaded those within earshot with improv pieces performed using their drums, stand-up bass and two saxophones. Everyone was dancing to this music before they even entered the venue.

Once inside, students saw a giant rainbow balloon arch, which they walked under in order to begin their trip to the Emerald City. The dance was divided into three areas: the dance room, the karaoke room and an outdoor set-up perfect for photo opportunities. Dessert tables were laid out in the hall for students who felt

like grabbing a bite, and water dispensers were stationed throughout the whole venue.

Outside, trees were decorated with dangling apples that were definitely an Instagram-worthy location. People also crowded around a foosball table, waiting for their turn to play.

Guests constantly filled the karaoke room. One wall had a projection of a yellow brick road and a professional photographer to take pictures of friend groups or couples who wanted to remember the night forever. The room was filled with tables and chairs so that students could take a break from dancing and enjoy the singing of their peers from the karaoke machine. The room also included arcade games and an air hockey table that was popular among the guests as it was constantly being used throughout the duration of the dance. Homecoming truly had a place for everyone so that anyone could enjoy their night.

Those in the dance room could be caught standing on podiums and jumping around to songs like “Single Ladies,” “Party in the U.S.A.,” “Gasolina,” and “Yeah!” The room was filled to the brim with energy, and anyone who entered was welcomed with laughter and shouts. The

liveliness was absolutely infectious which was why no guest could have avoided dancing at least once.

“I got to cherish memories with my friends that will last forever and it was just an exciting time. We had so much fun dancing and it was just a great place to spend time with people you’re always with at school,” affirmed freshmen Lauren Cho. Towards the end of the night, the dancing ceased for a short while to give way to the homecoming court. After some deliberate suspense, Lucas Elzer and Hope Jin were crowned Homecoming King and Queen of 2018. After taking some photos, the floor cleared for the royal couple’s first dance. The partying resumed shortly after that as everyone wanted to get their groove back on as soon as possible.

The night had to end by 11 p.m., but it was concluded by the final song “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey, to which all students eagerly danced to. This event was a firm success, truly enjoyed by the students who, no doubt, went home with the thought that there’s no place like homecoming.

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LU LU LU

Story and photos by Jessica Son

West Ranch’s clubs and organizations are a great way to be involved and feel like a part of something. On Sept. 5, students were able to explore the diverse choices of clubs on campus during lunch. Informational booths and signs were spread across campus for people to gain interest and be engaged. Everywhere, colorful booths and stands were set up to help students find their path and be engaged in clubs with interests similar to theirs.

Many clubs were started in recent years, such as the K-Pop club to show appreciation for Korean culture music, and BSU, which stands for Black Student Union. These clubs were started to give attention to spreading diversity and promoting racial acceptance. They strive to gain attention from people who were also struggling with that same problem while reaching for their own goals.

There are also clubs that function as teams and organizations, such as the Speech and Debate Team and Academic Decathlon. The Speech and Debate team compete in tournaments every couple of months, and prepare hard to be able to gain leadership skills and become a better public speaker. Academic Decathlon also competes and is a great outlet for students to showcase their talents.

There are also many different clubs for community service. Key Club is one such one club, and they help students gain leadership and give back to the community. Another is NHS, or National Honor Society, which also emphasizes helping out in the community.

Students who have a hard time socializing will

B B B

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find their place at the variety of clubs, and find friends with welcoming arms. People who are passionate about their interests and want to meet with people who think likewise or even differently are a great asset for developing a better environment for students to learn and have fun.

West Ranch Clubs are a great way to have engaging experiences with people of similar interests and to open up to new ideas and points of view.

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Students who have a hard time socializing will find their place at the variety of clubs, and find friends with welcoming arms.

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G

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exuality

Story by Siena Zarrell and Hannah Kim Photo by Alexa Empleo It’s another day at West Ranch and you walk through the gates, but you don’t stop until you meet that familiar smile or place that lets you release that breath you didn’t know you were holding. It’s your safe place.

For many students worldwide who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s hard to find a safe place, whether it feels as though they have to keep a part of themselves secret or they are openly out and face judgement.

The West Ranch Gender Sexuality Association, more commonly referred to as GSA, strives to provide a source of comfort for all, as well as education on important topics related to the LGBTQ+ community.

Our campus’ GSA club is not new, but its name has taken on a new meaning since its founding. While it used to stand for Gay-Straight Alliance, the purpose of the name change was to make the club more inclusive to those who identify with a different gender or sexual orientation previously left out of the acronym. Albeit, the name is not the only change this year’s leadership has in mind for the direction of GSA. “There wasn’t a whole lot of meeting structure last year; it was just a good environment for LGBTQ+ and nonLGBTQ+ to come in and have a safe place, and I’ve definitely kept the same outline of that structure. But now we have more defined meetings where we say, ‘Hey these are the topics we’re going to cover, let’s talk about it and let’s educate everyone.’ We’ve had a really good turnout because of that, so something’s working,” explained Club President, Alana Pelaez.

The color of Alana’s hair and eyeshadow is always changing, but what’s constant is her cheerful disposition and the warmth that she radiates.

“I always say to someone ‘If your parents don’t support you, come sit next to me at lunch. I’ll be here for you. I’ll be your ally. I can be your support.’ It’s amazing for the club to have certain people to stand up and say ‘I need someone in my life,’ so I say, ‘I’m right here, here’s my number.’”

GSA’s mission statement is “to protect and educate everyone,” whether you are part of the LGBTQ+ community or not. Pelaez aims to end the stigma that prevents nonLGBTQ+ members from attending meetings, however, she understands that taking that first step may seem daunting at first.

“I know it can be a lot, but you can also walk in and be like ‘Hi, I’m an ally’ and that’s fully okay. You can come in with one mindset and leave with another. I want it to be a safe environment where people can just walk in and feel welcome instantly,” said Pelaez.

To raise awareness for GSA, Pelaez hopes to hold fundraisers for the club including bake sales and a benefit concert. She also plans to host a swap meet where people can come in and make items or donate their old belongings. And to benefit the LGBTQ+ population outside of West Ranch, Pelaez intends to donate a portion of these earnings to different organizations such as the Trevor Project or to anywhere that would benefit the community in its entirety.

Together with Vice President Isabella Kludjian, Secretary Ayden McKenzie and Treasurer Quynn Lubs, Pelaez and other members of GSA have taken strides to help students feel comfortable with their sexuality, even if their loved ones don’t see common ground.

“I sit them down and say ‘Hey, these are the steps you can take talking to your parents.’ And just showing them and having the conversation of ‘This is who I am, you have to deal with this now.’” In the LGBTQ+ community specifically, you have your chosen family which is your friends who can support you,’” explained Pelaez.

One moment that stands out to Pelaez during her time as president of GSA is a club meeting that covered how to be an ally or friend to someone in the community. Despite their religious backgrounds and parents’ beliefs, some students revealed to GSA members that it would not stop them from supporting the LGBTQ+ and being a good friend.

“It was such a good moment to see. The community had expanded much farther than I thought it actually would, so it was real heartwarming,” said Pelaez.

Through their efforts to protect and educate students on the LGBTQ+, GSA has lent a helping hand to those struggling with their identities. GSA’s influence on West Ranch and beyond is sure to be impactful for all students in the future, whether they are part of the community or not.

Recent events have successfully opened the conversation on gender and sexual orientation and our GSA club is a part of it. Even a small change on our campus, is progress for the entire LGBTQ+ community. You can join their meetings in room 540 on Wednesdays at lunch.

“I will be here for you.

I will be your ally.

I can be your support.�

CO MING Q: How did you come out?

A: My mom was making the bed and I walked into her room and was like “Hi, you know how girls like boys?” and she said “yeah.”

And I said “I think I like girls.” She said “Okay, I’m bi.” I was like “Oh my god, mom.” A few days later, all seven members of my family were at Chronic Tacos and we were eating dinner. We were playing this game about our personalities so someone would be like “I’m 50 percent charming and 20 percent pretty,” and you would kind of add up your personality. I thought, “This is a good opportunity.” So I said “I’m 100 percent gay,” and my whole family went “Yeah, we know.” I was like, “Thanks guys for spoiling my big moment.” So I always love telling people that I came out in a Chronic Tacos. I had a really good experience. I hosted an LGBTQ+ prom at my house last year when prom was happening because kids felt that they didn’t feel comfortable going with their date. It’s been quite a journey. My parents have just always supported me and i’ve just been so so thankful, which is why I want to offer that support to anyone who doesn’t have it.

Q: From the moment you knew to the moment you came out, was it hard to keep that part of you a secret?

A: I used to make jokes all the time about me being gay, I guess. I’ve always had really supportive friends and we were all very educated on the community so it wasn’t very difficult for me. I didn’t have to be like “I have to hide this thing, it’s such a secret.”

It was just a conversation we would have all throughout middle school and the beginning of high school. I think I came out in around 8th or 9th grade. It wasn’t a very long time that I was keeping this “secret.” It was never this big reveal. It was just kind of like, you all know who I am. I don’t know how I got here, but you know.

ALANA PELAEZ

Photos by Alexa Empleo

O UT Q: How did you come out?

A: I came out as a gay person. But I didn’t necessarily “come out” because my mom found out I was gay when I was a little boy when I was just trying to pick out flowers that I thought were pretty.

Q: How old were you when you realized your identity?

A: I was 12 years old, just starting sixth grade when I realized my identity.

Q: Did coming out affect any of your relationships in a positive or negative way?

A: It affected my relationships positively over the years realizing that I didn’t expect so many people to love me for who I am and care about me so much.

Q: What does it mean to be part of the LGBTQ+ community during this time?

A: Being in the LGBTQ+ community means a whole lot to me. It means a lot to me because I want to help people who are struggling with their sexuality and people who aren’t able to come out due to the fact that I haven’t been able to come out to my dad.

There are people that don’t understand what it’s like to have to be worried that the people you love can stop loving just because you are in love with the same gender. Even though there are people that don’t like gay people, but I’m just thankful for all of the people that have supported me for my sexuality and accepting me for who I am. If it wasn’t for everyone accepting my sexuality I wouldn’t have been the person I am today.

BRYCE BLACKWELL

YounG

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tatted

Story by Siena Zarrell and Skijler Hutson Photos by Skijler Hutson Graphics by Siena Zarrell The monotone drill of a tattoo gun immediately greets me as I walk into Santa Clarita Tattoo. Looking around, a plethora of different designs cover the walls; there is, of course, the classical American, Polynesian and Japanese tattoo styles to choose from, but there are also dozens of unique, genreless motifs waiting for a taker. The shop is inconspicuous -- having lived in Santa Clarita for years, I only just noticed it a few weeks ago driving down Railroad Avenue -- but that doesn’t mean other people my age have not noticed it. In the center of the parlor’s waiting room is a sign reading: “Sorry kids. You must be 18 years old to get tattooed.” “[Minors come in] all the time. All the time,” said tattoo artist Julian Chavez. “They even come in with their parents, thinking they can, but you’re not allowed to tattoo people underage, not even with parental consent.

Different states have different laws, but in California, you have to be 18 no matter what. It’s considered mutilation of a minor. It would be a misdemeanor if parents agreed to it.”

Chavez has been tattooing for 15 years, and he has witnessed the change in tattoo culture first-hand.

Today, tattoos are more popular than ever before, and they overwhelmingly belong to young people. In fact, millenials make up the highest percentage of people with tattoos according to the Pew Research Center, and it is likely that Generation Z will get inked in higher numbers.

“Even in the last 10 years, even five years, it’s changed,” said Chavez. “When I first started, the TV shows were starting to get really popular at that time, but it was still really frowned upon. But, I notice a lot of professional people come in to get tattoos now. They either cover it up anyways, or they don’t mind. It’s definitely changed, especially with social media. It’s gotten really popular.”

Decades prior, when our parents were growing up, there was a prevalent association between tattoos and drugs, alcohol and violence. That reputation has not been completely erased, but tattoos have gone from a mark of rebellion to mainstream all within the last decade. What once was a taboo topic in society has become a booming business with the help of entertainment channels and social media. When shows about tattoos like “Miami Ink” and its spinoffs hit the airwaves in the early 2000s, the conversation started to open up. With the help of tattooed musicians, actors, athletes and celebrities, tattoos have marked themselves as a prevalent part of modern pop culture.

Social media has also contributed to the fervor by expanding the source of tattoo ideas. Instead of waltzing into a parlor in hopes of finding a desirable tattoo, people can scroll through hashtags and Pinterest boards with millions of tattoos. The use of social media networks to share designs is one of the big reasons tech-

savvy millennials are getting tattooed more than other generations. It also has led to the creation of a whole new type of tattoo artist.

Celebrity tattoo artists often curate impeccable social media accounts and go on tours across the country. Their clients include big name celebrities flaunting their work, and in turn their designs become popular among those celebrities’ fans.

The trend is reaching West Ranch as well. Walking around campus, it is easy to point out a few staff members and students with tattoos. Although not completely ubiquitous, it’s not a stretch to say that in a decade or two, tattoos may become a more common sight amongst the student body. With less social stigma surrounding tattoos, many students’ parents are even supportive of their children getting one.

“I’ve been wanting to get one for like a year,” said junior Justin Carver, “but it’s illegal in California so [my mom and I] went to Vegas.” Unlike California, Nevada, like many other states, allows minors to get tattooed with parental consent. “It’s two hummingbirds and they represent me and my mom, because it’s her favorite bird and my favorite color is red.”

I definitely feel they should wait. I waited until I was 18. You change your mind so often, especially being younger.

-Julian Chavez, tattoo artist

Senior Chase Neelley has a similar story. When he was 17, his dad took him to get his first tattoo. “Both my parents have tattoos,” said Neelley. “I explained to them what I wanted to get, and they were cool with it. They didn’t have a problem with it.”

Regardless of changing views, a stigma still exists, and it is usually the exception, not the rule, that parents are so supportive of their children getting tattoos. Still, teenagers have found ways of getting tattoos without their parents’ consent.

At 17, senior Lauren Bensmiller got her tattoo -- the Hindu “Om” symbol -- on a summer volunteering trip in Bali, Indonesia. Her parents don’t yet know, but she says “that they would laugh eventually. I don’t think they would get mad at me at all.”

Sometimes students even go as far as breaking the law.

“Not knowingly. A guy came in with his older brother’s ID and he looked just like him,” explained Chavez. “I tattooed him when he was 15. When his parents found out, they knew what he had done and they made him come in to apologize. But yeah, you do get people that come in with really bad California IDs or their siblings’ IDs.” Perhaps though, the most interesting trend to come out of this teenage rebellion is the stick and poke. Stick and pokes tattoos are simply made by dipping a sharp point into some ink and then poking it repeatedly into the skin.

Originally used to create tribal markings, prisoners have used the method for decades where supplies are limited.

Today, stick and pokes are popular among alternative groups and teenagers who don’t have the money nor legal ability to go to a proper tattoo parlor. The designs are typically crude and fade sooner than conventional tattoos, but among many circles, the DIY technique is viewed with more respect.

“I thought it would be a fun thing to do as a teenager,” said senior Hannah Landon who has a stick and poke tattoo of an arrow. “My friend did it on me, and I was really scared. It really didn’t hurt, but I think anticipating each time [made it bad]. The needle would individually poke a different point on my skin, and I would tense up.”

Students getting tattoos without parental consent are forced to put them in hidden places. Both Lauren’s tattoo of the Hindu “Om” symbol and Hannah’s arrow sit on their hips well hidden from their parents. But wanting to hide a tattoo isn’t exclusive to those without parental consent.

“My mom wanted me to get it above my shirt just because of job interviews,” said Carver.

Furthermore, the Pew Research Center found that 72 percent of adults with tattoos have tattoos that are not usually visible. Perhaps in a few years, the stigma

surrounding tattoos will be even less severe than it is now, and people will no longer have to hide their body art. But in the meantime, it is likely that tattoos will for the most part remain hidden.

For those who have visible tattoos, though, they are constantly subject to criticism from the world. Neelley said, “A lot of people do think they’re cool but I definitely do get looks like ‘you look 10 years old and you have tattoos.’”

Yet this criticism doesn’t seem to be stopping teenagers from getting tattoos. Even if students wait, it is likely the moment they turn eighteen they are already in the tattoo parlor chair. Like any forbidden thing, the ban only increases the allure, and it may be wiser for parent to talk to their kids about getting tattoos before they lose all their authority.

Justin Carver (junior) pictured above

just girly things I was 14 years old. My two best friends and I were walking across the street in a tiny beach town one Saturday afternoon in August. We were laughing, enjoying our time together, and forgetting that we had to go to school on Monday morning.

All of a sudden, our exchanging of inside jokes was interrupted by sounds from the pickup truck stopped at the red light next to us. They honked their horn, rolled down their windows, and whistled at us, continuing to shout obscene things that I didn’t understand the meaning of until a few years later.

Our minds hadn’t registered what had happened, but we knew that we were afraid.

So we ran inside the small antique shop at the corner of the street and hid amongst the vintage furniture and porcelain dolls for around an hour.

Since this day, I have been told things like “Boys like girls who wear more makeup,” and even “You should become a prostitute when you’re older.” Once I heard these comments enough, I became almost numb. I felt nothing anymore.

How is it fair that 15-year-old girls have dealt with so much harrassment throughout their lives that it has become a part of their daily routine? When were we first taught that we are simply objects?

In elementary school, any time a boy would push a girl on the playground or make fun of her in any way, it would be swept under the rug. The teachers would pick the girl up off of the ground, dry her tears, and tell her, “He is only being mean to you because he likes you.”

Allowing a young girl to believe that abusive behaviors are the same as love can lead to adult women being trapped in relationships with abusive partners, but because they have been taught that hatefulness only means they care, they have no desire to leave the relationship.

This can also create a rather terrifying idea in the minds of men: “If I am mean to someone, it will be taken as love.” If they have been told their entire lives that being malicious towards somebody equals loving and caring for that person, then they will not be able to grasp that what they are doing is not an aspect of love.

This creates a toxic relationship with no way out.

by

I learned what objectification was at a young age. In middle school, boys got away with sexual assault constantly, and a lot of the time, girls were blamed for the actions of boys.

In an interview with Alana Pelaez, she shared this story with me; “I was sexually harassed all throughout middle school and I finally gained the courage to tell my 8th grade counselor.

I walked in and through tears told the story of what happened. She said to me, ‘Well were you wearing a low-cut top?’ Those words play through my head every time I wear anything slightly revealing. Because my counselor said that to me and assigned the blame to me, that boy who harassed me and ruined my life never got in trouble.”

How is it fair that boys get to walk away un harmed, while girls receive ridicule and blame? This is only teaching young girls that they mean nothing compared to men; they are simply objects that can be used whenever they please.

We are supposed to be preparing for the “real world,” while we are in high school, or at least that’s what all of my teachers say. However, all I am learning is that I am afraid.

I have had boys call me a “whore,” a “slut,” and I have been ridiculed for saying “no.” Each and every time I ask an adult for help, I receive the same answer: “Boys will be boys.” If “boys will be boys,” is an excuse for their behavior, then they can get away with absolutely everything.

When harassed on school property, it is extremely difficult to ask for help. Girls are worried that school officials will do nothing but repeat, “Boys will be boys,” over and over until we begin to believe that it is a valid excuse. Boys will get away with this behavior while those who have been assaulted have to live with that experience forever. There is no way to forget how we felt in that moment. The boys who harrassed us live on, forgetting that they even did anything wrong.

I am a person; not a belonging. I want to be treated like a human being, living and breathing on this planet, creating new things and changing the world. No girl is simply a “thing.” We are people, and it is time we start fighting against harassment and sexual assault. It is time for schools to start helping us in that fight. It is time to end objectification, once and for all.

quynn lubs

I forgot what age I was when I learned that I matter less than the boys in my class.

It might have been elementary school.

Fifth grade to be exact. All the girls were rounded up and shuffled into a neatly decorated classroom. A shimmering lady welcomed us into the space. She oozed a scent of thick strawberry jam and had teeth that were too white: the kind you only see in Crest commercials where the actress drinks red wine and it somehow leaves no hint of its presence on her lips.

Today we’re learning about the female body.

When she says this, we all make the same face.

We scrunch up our noses, let our lips curl to one side and release a faint groan. I don’t know who taught us this. Maybe it was learned from the boys who cringe at anything womanly. Their mother’s worn torso, how they beg her not to wear tank tops. She always listens. After all, they are their father’s sons.

Maybe we were just born like this. We started young, realized we were not supposed to love our bodies early. We were always good listeners.

The boys got the afternoon off. They received an extra long recess and popsicles.

So when we emerged from our informational session even more confused than before, the boys, with sweet grape summertime surrounding their mouths, hollered in our directions.

Too bad you’re girls! Only boys get to have this much fun.

In elementary school, we played handball. While the boys took turns scraping their calloused knuckles against the concrete, the girls waited in line. We gossiped and giggled, marveled at the small men in front of us, already.

The yard duty asked us if we had boyfriends yet. The same question spills from the lips of the waiter at Johnny Rockets. The coach of my soccer team. The aunt who I’ve never met.

I nodded and pointed to the blonde one.

I’m his. I smiled.

Or maybe it was middle school. I remember being so excited to be a real teenager. To go to three different classes in one day. To have a real cafeteria where they served good cookies. Not like the ones at elementary school. The good kind.

by sophia kriegel

In middle school, I was allowed to go out on Friday evenings to the ice rink, where each night two new people would hold hands. On Saturday morning, everyone would be talking about who they were, how far it went, if they were dating already. Or if they left each other at that cold, Cupid nightclub at 10 o’clock when their moms arrived in their minivans, oblivious to the flirty smiles.

In middle school, I wasn’t allowed to show my shoulders. They said the boys would get too distracted. Stare too long. They might miss something valuable.The girl who sat next to me in English got called to the office. She came back with a new stare, the kind that says sorry for itself, and a P.E. shirt. She missed 20 minutes of class. In that 20 minutes, we finished the notes. We were on to the classwork now and the teacher stared at his computer, unfazed by her re-entrance.

The boys all got it. The lesson, I mean. Or the privilege of not have to apologize for their bodies. Either way, they always passed the tests.

It could have been in high school. The fantasy of Friday nights and all of their green turf glory. The kind grown men still talk about, even after years of working behind a stiff desk in a stiff cubicle at a stiff office where they do accounting or something just as glorious. How I wanted so badly to wear somebody’s jersey. Not because they won or anything, but because that meant you were special enough for somebody to brand you their own. To give you a number and make you pretty again.

The girl’s tennis team won another championship. That makes three straight years.

They get a pat on the back.

The girl’s golf team won another championship. That makes four straight years.

They got a small poster by the lunch tables.

The boy’s football team successfully threw an incomplete pass. That makes five this game. They get a banner at the front of school.

They get new jerseys and a plaque with their name on it. They get respect.

There are some things you learn just by watching, listening to the world around you.

Nobody sits you down on the foot of a pinktrimmed bed, warns you that you are worth a little less. A shiny silver dollar, scuffed and worn with use. You learn to let yourself be currency.

Unapolegetically Unapolegetically Asian Asian

Story by Chika Ma

“You’re such a bad driver. It’s because you’re Asian.”

I heard that sentence a week ago. But I won’t let it escape my mind.

Throughout my lifetime, I have had many Asian stereotypes and assumptions thrown at me, but I just took them with a laugh. I just assumed they were joking around, so I didn’t let it affect me as it should have. If I felt hurt, I didn’t worry too much. In my eyes, I was just as human as everyone else.

But I realized last week that not everyone thought the same as me.

My sister and I were at Walmart, ready to go home, when she backed out of her parking spot. A white car came rushing past us and both of our cars accidentally hit each other. It was a small bump, so my sister continued driving. Later, the white car pulled up next to us, where white man rolled down the windows, furious that we hadn’t pulled over to check the damage. He started yelling that the bump happened because we were Asian. Why he said that, I didn’t know. If we had been another white person, would he have just laughed it off?

“I’m sorry, I’m Asian,” my sister said sarcastically, furious. She was strongly against racism, and going home from Walmart, there was a slight tension in

the air. I had dealt with these stereotypes all my life. Because I was Asian, I was expected to get straight A’s, not speak English fluently, play the piano, be bad at driving, be unorganized, and have greasy hair. If I didn’t have one of these traits, people would just laugh at me.

Because that was what was expected of me as an Asian. I felt guilty that I wasn’t living up to their standards. So my whole life, I tried being the “Asian” people were used to.

And I shouldn’t have. It was their fault that they didn’t understand what it meant to be human.

90 percent of the population in Stevenson Ranch is white. None of these people had ever experienced racism or stereotypes, at least not in the way we the minorities were treated. So to most of them, making fun of the minorities was nothing.

But to us, it was everything.

I was hanging out with my “friends” at a plaza after the incident. When I told them what happened to me, they either laughed at it or didn’t even bother listen to what I was saying. I let the topic slide, which was a big mistake. If I had really cared about the topic, I should’ve said something and not just simply have ignored it.

To make matters worse, I had been joking around, pushing a shopping cart when I accidentally bumped into a wall.

One of those friends -- who I knew had listened to my story earlier and laughed at it -- decided to make a snarky comment that made me feel ten times worse.

“You’re so bad at driving. Is it because you’re Asian?”

Hearing this, I felt the same emotion I had the other day: rage, so angry that I wanted to scream at his face and wake him up.

I’m sorry I’m Asian. I’m sorry I’m bad at driving. I’m sorry I’m not a straight-A student and I enjoy other things besides the piano. I’m sorry I can speak English well. I’m sorry for not being born here.

But, you know what I’m not sorry about?

For being me.

I’m not sorry that when I see someone being yelled at for being a minority, I will stand up for them. I’m not sorry I have the guts to call you out and make you feel bad for what you said. I’m not sorry I care about the people who are treated badly. And I am certainly not sorry that I am not your Asian.

So let me leave you with this: To the minorities who just take it in: Stop sitting, and start standing up for yourselves. We cannot take this intolerance anymore.

To the white racists in Santa Clarita: I am calling you out. This article is for you.

To the “friends” who did not listen: You now exactly know the reason why I can’t look or speak to you anymore.

And to the man in the white SUV: Maybe I am a bad driver. I wish people like you did not exist, as you do nothing but bring people down. I know I am Asian; thank you for pointing that out.

But I will never apologize for anything I do because I am Asian.

I am human. I am real. I deserve a chance to live and thrive, and I am unapologetically Asian.

IIknow knowIIam amAsian; Asian; thank thankyou youfor for pointing pointingthat thatout. out.But But IIwill willnever neverapologize apologize for foranything anythingIIdo do because becauseIIam amAsian.

Asian.

Story and Graphics

by Iman Baber

Amreeki Larki

Where do I belong? It’s a very stereotypical teenager question. Who am I? What is my place in life?

All questions that I’ve been asking myself for years.

Everyone has at least one big struggle in their life. For me, it’s trying to figure out where I stand in the spectrum between the two cultures I am torn between.

Pakistan, where my family is from, and America, my home today. I guess you could describe me as a black sheep in a herd of black sheep. I’m too American for Pakistan, and too Pakistani for America.

Pakistani culture has been a part of my life since day one. I grew up surrounded by people from my family’s culture. It gave me a sense of belonging, a way for me to relate to the person next to me. But as time went on, it became evident that we were too different, too open, and we drifted away from the group. I suddenly found myself as the only Pakistani in an ocean of ethnic groupings. I’ve always taken pride in being different, but soon, being different became lonely.

The years passed, and soon, the American culture became dominant in my life. Pakistan was now a side conversation, a fun fact about me. I instead grew accustomed to the open American society. Pakistan simmered in the background of my head.

Then, two summers ago, I visited Pakistan after an eight-year gap. I remembered nothing from my previous trip, and was anxious and nervous not only to see my

family again, but to witness the country where my family was from.

I’ll never forget the feeling of the utter, gutting shock I had upon walking off the plane. It was nothing like I had ever expected. It was so different. The roads.

The cities. The way people would stare at us. The way we were questioned. It was just so different. This was my culture?

I didn’t like it. I remember the pain, the confusion and the anger. Anger for everything I was seeing. Anger for how I was judged. It festered, and it burned inside of me.

Tensions were no better here in America. I always thought that things were better here, that I was somehow more moral living here, not realizing how wrong I was. The same dilemmas I had faced in Pakistan I was now facing here in America. Questions that I hadn’t asked myself for years suddenly resurfaced in my head. Who am I in a world where both sides hate the other? I had suddenly been made somehow lower in a country where I had felt cushioned and pampered for all my life. Where do I go?

Where do I belong?

My first approach to this article was to totally trash Pakistan, and talk about how I would never survive there. But seeing the hurt in my parents’ eyes, made me realize how hypocritical I was being. I was biting the very hand that fed me, the very platform which helped me stand taller in life. I had never thought, until then, how much I had really been influenced

I’m I'm too too American American for for Pakistan, Pakistan, and and too too Pakistani Pakistani for for America America

by Pakistan. I, who firmly believes in acceptance and tolerance, was going to disrespect and insult an entire country of people, hiding behind a shield of superior moral values I had because I lived in America. I was blind to the fact that the same discrimination I faced there, I faced here as well. I somehow upheld my false and arrogant sense of superiority and used it to project my misinterpreted hate.

No. That’s not okay. There’s already enough hate in the world.

Traveling to the other side of the globe made me realize how small the world really is. It’s futile to classify and divide us between the so-called races. Because, hey, we’re all human, and we’re all sharing this beautiful and chaotic world together. And we have only one life, one body, one mind, and one soul, so we might as well be proud of it.

So yeah, I guess I’m proud of me.

I’m proud of my imperfect and beautiful self. I’m proud that I’m a Pakistani, and I’m proud that I’m an American. So I will hold a Pakistani flag in one hand, and an American flag in the other. I’ll laugh at the way I speak Urdu with an overbearingly horrible American accent. I’ll wear my kurta with jeans and ripped Converse, binge watch “Agents of Shield” and dance to Bollywood songs in my head.

Because I’m a proud “amreeki larki” -- a proud American girl.

Represent- Asian Story by Emily Chang Graphics by Timothy Kang

I was born in 2003. That meant endless summer afternoons watching “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” “Zoey 101” and “Good Luck Charlie.” Shows like these were a part of my life, whether I realized it or not.

Something I never truly noticed, though, was how little Asian representation there was. Besides Brenda Song and the occasional “walking calculator” type role, lead roles or love interests never seemed to be Asian. Of course, as a naive six-year-old, I couldn’t be bothered by this. All I cared about was whether Miley chose Jake or Jesse on “Hannah Montana.” But looking back on it now, growing up without having many Asian figures in the media influenced me in a number of ways.

It’s not easy growing up and not seeing anyone that looks like you in TV or movies. After all, actors and actresses were considered the standard of beauty, and it seemed as if I never met that standard. Not to mention, whenever there were Asian roles it seemed that the only thing that characterized them was their ethnicity and the stereotypes that followed. I was only around ten when I began hating the fact that I looked nothing like the beautiful blue-eyed actresses in all my favorite movies.

You’re probably wondering why I’m choosing to write this now. Surely there has been way more Asian representation these past ten years. And you’re right, there has. The recent release of “Crazy Rich Asians” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” for example, stirred up a lot of support from the Asian community.

As TIME Magazine puts it, “Crazy Rich Asians” was like a breath a fresh air for “Asian audiences the world over who have waited decades to see themselves represented on screen in all their diversity.” And believe me, I felt it. I felt the wave of pride washing over me as I sat down on the plush movie theater chair. I loved how for the first time in a while, having an Asian love interest didn’t feel out of place or strange in any way. I loved how I was surrounded by so many non-Asians in the theater that loved the film just the same. I felt as if I had won some sort of battle, and that I could finally relax.

Rachel Chu and Nick Young were a representation of the type of inclusion that my five-year-old self needed while growing up. The sad thing, though, is that it shouldn’t be this way. It shouldn’t be that every time an ethnicity gets included it is a rare occurrence that causes a whirlwind of celebration. It shouldn’t be that the Asian community had to wait decades for proper representation; it’s been 25 years since the last film with an all-Asian cast, “The Joy Luck Club.” It shouldn’t

be that of the 174 major 2016 films, only 3.1 percent of the top roles were played by Asians.

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” on Netflix is another film recently released with an Asian lead.

Something that stood out to me about this film was that the ethnicity of the main character, Lara Jean, was not made the focal point of the movie, unlike “Crazy Rich Asians.” Lara Jean was Korean, and that was that. The filmmakers didn’t make it seem like a polarizing characteristic that made Lara Jean different from everybody else, yet they still highlighted every beautiful aspect of Korean culture. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” completely changes the standard of Asian representation in the media for the better. We need more of this. More integration, more inclusion, more diversity in films that doesn’t feel out of place or like it’s a “special occasion.” It’s time for us to take back Hollywood and receive the representation that is rightfully ours. It shouldn’t be something that we have to fight for.

For too long Asians have been in films primarily for martial art roles, as if there is nothing more to Asian culture besides that. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Bruce Lee film just as much as anyone else, but for a long time I have wished that people could see how much more Asians have to offer. I’m tired of acting as if the occasional film with proper representation is enough to satisfy me and minorities all over. No. As a society we have to come to a place where this is what is considered normal, not a victory.

But I end this on a hopeful note. Hope that one day every film will have a diverse and inclusive cast, and it’s just another everyday thing. Hope that in the future, little kids can watch TV and see equal representation for every minority and someone that looks like them.

(Also, hope that “Zoey 101” has a rerun).

“Besides Brenda Song and the occasional ‘walking calculator’ type role, lead roles or love interests never seemed to be Asian.”

6

Story and Photos by Chika Ma

Days Until

“Celestial” Under the sweltering heat, a metronome began to play, ringing across the mountains. The marching band stood -- stone-faced and backs straight -- atop the football field, while color guard surrounded them from behind. Hushed whispers of “one, two, three” trickled out of their mouths, eyes focused on what lied ahead. Now, it was time to take the first step.

On Aug. 25, West Ranch Marching Band, Color Guard and Percussion held one of their many Saturday practices. Already, an array of overfilled, blue water jugs lined the side of the track, glistening instruments nearby.

This would be the last 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. rehearsal for the marching band before their very first performance at Valencia High School on Aug. 31. There, the members would be showcasing their production for this school year, “Celestial,” to the public during the upcoming football game halftime show.

Songs included in the show are, a combination of “Mars” and “Jupiter” in composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite, “The Planets,” to a choral piece titled “Ballad to the Moon.” Band instructor Jason Marshall made sure that the selected pieces would match their spacethemed performance. For instance, one popular combination that immediately drew attention was “Rewrite the Stars” from “The Greatest Showman” mixed in with “When you Wish Upon a Star.”

The students were so excited for the new season, as it meant new competitions to attend, new people to befriend and new music to play.

Many dove into the various works right away, several even taking time during their breaks to look through all the music sheets.

Drum major Elizabeth Gamerrillo said, “This is one of my favorite shows I have ever done, so

expect a lot because it gets crazy.”

As the morning faded into the afternoon, the color guard members spun their bright orange flags, reviewing the choreography that had been given to them two nights ago. The marching band ran back and forth -- taking a quick sip of water then quickly getting back to their positions -- under the guidance of their instructors. Percussion students moved fast from the band room to the field, rolling away heavy equipment safely and putting the separate pieces together.

Because coaches and directors expected practice to be precise as it is crucial for their upcoming competitions’ success, each student performer did not waste any time during the sessions. Instructor Jay Kamp walked around and yelled, “Focus! Stay mentally engaged!” to the performers standing still. Even when standing still, they have to stand as if they are performing. This a task that will help the kids listen and take direction better even after doing their part.

Section leaders had to prepare their group of students for the long, arduous hours to come.

Lucas Davis -- assistant section leader of the baritones -- said, “We come together and yell ‘hype, hype, hype’ to each other as loud as we can.”

Encouraging each other to keep pushing through any struggles, the persevering students worked day to night, sweating but playing their instruments proudly.

“Marching band isn’t what I expected, because it’s a lot more intense than I thought,” said Ryan Yahnker, a freshman percussionist, “but it’s worth it to be with such an amazing group.”

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“People don’t really understand how hard marching band is and the amount of time we put in to perform just a 10minute show.”

SHOWTIME Story by Daniel Lee Graphics by Timothy Kang Disclaimer: This is a very biased story. If you are not a Lakers fan, you may get frustrated.

Lebron James has arrived in Los Angeles to play some Showtime basketball. As a die-hard fan who has stuck with the Lakers even during the 2015-16 season (the worst in franchise history), there isn’t a greater feeling than right now. You are not a true fan if you are unhappy with L.A.bron becoming a reality.

No, he is not replacing Kobe’s legacy. Kobe Bryant will always be a Lakers G.O.A.T., but it’s time to move on to the future and proceed with what’s best for the team. Along with Lebron James, the Purple and Gold have added Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, and Shaqtin’ Fool MVP Javale McGee to their roster. A mixture of these four veteran players and the Lakers young core made up of Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart has created a guaranteed playoff making team.

I believe that the Los Angeles Lakers will be playing the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals of the 2018-19 NBA season. I stand firm on my statement. Haters say that the Lakers, at best, are only the third best team in the West under the Houston Rockets, but I disagree.

James Harden and Chris Paul can only do so much for their team and adding Carmelo Anthony is a waste of space. Look at how the Oklahoma City Thunder turned out with Carmelo Anthony. He played along two superstar players, Russell Westbrook and Paul George, yet they still lost to the Utah Jazz.

Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of the Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, but they just barely scraped by with luck on their side. As for the Eastern Conference, those will simply be some practice games. The Toronto Raptors have been unable to win a playoff game against Lebron for the past two years and the Philadelphia 76ers won’t make it past the Boston Celtics.

Ah, the Boston Celtics. Many fans say that the Lakers and Celtics rivalry has been renewed. It really hasn’t. Only the Lebron James and Kyrie Irving rivalry has been extended. The Boston Celtics can’t manage to stay healthy and are nowhere near the same level as the Los Angeles Lakers.

Of course it would be great to win a championship in this next coming season, but as a realist, I’m not saying it will be impossible, but it will be very hard to beat the Golden State Warriors with added superstar Demarcus Cousins. If not this year, then soon.

A championship is on it’s way back to Los Angeles once again. Kawhi Leonard will hopefully be making his way over to the West Coast in the 2019-20 season and with hopes of other 2019-20 free agents like Klay Thompson. Paul George, however, is not welcomed.

There are many expectations that the Lakers have to meet this season, but I do not doubt the ability of this new Showtime team at all. It is a great time to be a Lakers fan and this will be a very exciting and fun season to watch. We have waited many long years and now it is our time to shine in Purple and Gold.

“It’s a new Ball Era.” - Tristin Clint (12)

“The #LakeShow is back and better than ever.”

- Alex Granados (12)

I AM WESTON EGET

& I AM A QUARTERBACK

“

Playing with my best friends every Friday night, the bus rides, and my team.

Everything about football at West Ranch has been a blessing

“

W

eston Eget, now a senior and key player for the West Ranch football team, has just recently been gaining the interest of many top colleges in the country.

“The recruiting game has a lot of weird twists and turns, you can be high on somebody’s list, but then they end up recruiting somebody else and you just move on,” said Eget. “A lot of schools want to see senior film if you only had minimal playing time as a junior.”

Because Eget did receive limited playing time as a junior, he has been labelled a late bloomer as he is just now turning the heads of college coaches. He has received multiple offers from different colleges all over the U.S. including big names like UCLA, Stanford, Wyoming, Hawaii and Oregon State.

“Oregon State, Wyoming, and Hawaii are probably my top three, I’ve had contact with their coaches the most and they like the film I’ve put out so far,” said Eget.

The journey to playing college football has been full of hard work and determination.

Every week consists of a series of practices, camps and personal training sessions to keep himself in shape as well as visiting college campuses to help narrow down his final decision.

“The fact that all of my schooling is paid for is a huge portion of why this is so important to me,” said Eget. “But also being able to pick a college with the major of my choice and the environment that best fits me.

But, like always, playing sports also teaches athletes valuable lessons that not only turn them into very talented athletes, but into mature adults as well.

“Coach Varner, our head coach, instills life lessons almost daily that I try to apply to my life as much as possible, not only to become good football players or students, but good humans, husbands, and men in general,” said Eget. “When talking from a student standpoint, being able to make relationships with friends, teachers, and staff is a great quality that is crucial in my future.”

Congratulations Weston!

Story by Jasleen Arora Photo by Skijler Hutson

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