the
PAW PRINT Graphic by Mina Jang
Senior Superlatives Photos by Min Ju Kang and Graphics by Siena Zarrell
Chloe Kim
Diego Renteria
Jonathan Yun
Parker Tenney
Most likely to always be happy
Most likely to become the leader of his own religion
Most likely to drop a rap album
Most likely to replace Kellyanne Conway
I’ve been thinking about writing my senior reflection since freshman year. I wanted to talk about how great the past four years were and how I discovered who I really am. Or maybe I was going to talk about how volleyball was the highlight of my high school experience. It could’ve been how excited I was about majoring in biology. But here I am, writing my reflection, and none of those are true. The past four years weren’t bad, but they weren’t great either. I haven’t discovered who I truly am, but I’m getting there. Journalism was the highlight of my high school experience. Now, I realize that I’m not passionate enough about science to major in it. What I am passionate about is language, culture and art. So here is my advice to those of you who feel lost or maybe feel like you aren’t being honest to yourself: Start small. Wear whatever outfit you want and don’t care about what other people think. Realize that time means nothing when that person is a negative influence on your life. Learn from your mistakes. Go to whatever college you want to go to and major what you want to major in. Don’t let your “friends” influence all your decisions. Hang out with your real friends and cherish the times where you laugh so hard you cry. Love who you want to love. Be kind. It took me four years to realize that being the person I actually want to be is perfectly okay. I may have lost and gained some friends in the process, but overall it has made me a better person.
kiana quick
gamin kim
The writing process for developing this reflection was irritably and unexpectedly difficult. During the time I had been a part of this program, I believed a brief collection of thoughts of the past four years, expressed in sentimentality, could be easily done, but perception is wholly different than reality. Knowing fully that my experience in high school could never be described in a half of a page, I want to say firstly that it was an assortment of success, struggle, and inner conflict to find my identity, my sense of self as to whom I am constituted of in and outside of school. Early on, I was solely focused on showing a personal portrayal based upon intelligence and wit, because I believed if everyone stopped to link me with academics, I would fail to be remembered by my peers as an individual. Towards junior and senior year, I wanted to explore other parts of who I was. Perhaps the sense to change the superficiality and hollow facade of years past led me to fling myself further into politics. I began the relish the spontaneity, the refreshing change brought by opportunity in life, and I realized I could be happy by becoming involved. My one rule I set in writing this reflection was to exclude any mention of politics, but I’ve decided to break it anyways. I am reminded constantly by my loving twin sister Garam that I am far too entrenched in government, but I am equally excited to see how college will be visualized through my interests.
erica gillespie *Warning: the content below is not deep nor particularly well written. Because I am such a senior. The best part about getting into college? I don’t have to do things to get into college anymore. And not just the essays and the informational questionnaires. I don’t have to worry about what classes I need to take in order to inflate my GPA. I don’t need to join clubs whose purposes evade me. I can be honest with myself. Do I have regrets? Not really. But there’s a lot of things I did that I convinced myself I was doing for reasons other than college — that I was, really, just doing for college. Those are the things that I look back on and think: my time could’ve been allotted to something I actually enjoyed doing. The things I did because I loved them are the things that I can take with me, no matter where I go, no matter what I do. Dance is something I will always have. Writing is something I will always have. Friends, particularly, are something I will always have. Because going to college means a lot of new and saying goodbye to a lot of familiar, but some things never change. Small things, that stay the same if you want them to stay the same, that you can find comfort in wherever you are.
“ Forever we are young. Even when I fall and hurt myself, I keep running towards my dream.” - BTS, “Young Forever”
It seems like just yesterday I speedily walked into my first day at West Ranch, getting cursed out by the seniors to not block the walkways. But now I’m a senior, and with one month of high school left, I’m left to ponder about what I’ve done, what I’ve learned and what the future holds. Between all the activities I’ve done in high school, I’ve made some amazing memories and I’d like to think I’ve made an impact on people’s lives. But I’ve learned that it’s very important to (beware: incoming cliche) stay true to yourself and to do things because you want to do them. Find your passions and immerse yourself in them. Procrastination and fear will be the killers of dreams. I’m guilty definitely of not doing this, but do everything and do it now. Don’t wait for anything. Or anyone. I’ve learned that above all, even above that perfect GPA and test scores (gasp), finding and pursuing the things you love are more important. And friends are part of those things to pursue. I’ve learned to find those who make me happy and are always there for support and to spend lots of time with them. Those deep, emo, late night talks about life are some of the most important conversations, as they helped me figure out what I valued and more of who I am as a person. I’ve learned that the sleepless, stressful nights and seemingly eternal days will balance out with the insanely fun nights and days that I wish would never end. I’ve learned that people do change and people will change you, but to always remember my core values, no matter what they may be and to make choices authentic to those values. Now, as I begin yet another four-year journey and start anew as a freshman, I see it as a chance to take all that I learned in high school to continue the pursuit of my dreams and happiness. And hopefully this time around, seniors won’t be cursing me out on the first day of school.
raylene factora
Megan Chang
Sarah Ziskind
People have always told me that high school is the best time of your life. So, entering freshmen year, I felt pressure to make my four years live up to these high expectations. I was disappointed when my first year was a complete disaster. But I must remind myself of how far I’ve come. My dad has told me a story at least a dozen times about when I was a toddler. Whenever he would drop me off at daycare, I would start crying and wouldn’t stop until he came and picked me up at the end of the day. It’s insane that in a few months, my dad will get to drop me off one last time, but this time at my dorm room. I have a feeling that we both will be fighting back tears. So, I won’t lie to you like the others and guarantee that high school will be the peak of your life. Because it may not be. But, I’m forever grateful for these years that have allowed me to grow. It took me four years to finally stop caring about what other people think of me. Four years to forget about that one boy from that one class. Four years to understand that the world, unfortunately, does not revolve around me. My advice for those who still have a few years left is this: happiness is a choice that you must make (ew, I’m so cliche). Grades, popularity, bad teachers will all eventually become things of the past. So don’t give them the power to determine your happiness today. I’ve learned that the only thing that matters at the end of the day is this single question: am I a better person today than I was yesterday? A lot of the times the answer is no. That’s okay too. We still have a lot of time ahead of us. But I am encouraged by the fact that these past four years aren’t the peak. This is just a taste of what lies ahead. I am confident that the best is yet to come.
It seems like yesterday I was in the eighth grade sitting at the top row of the bleachers. As I stared down at the football field, watching the ant size figures walk across the stage to receive their diploma, I thought to myself my next four years will go by so fast today is going to feel like just yesterday when the time comes. Now here we are. I am currently counting down to my last few days until I become an ant size figure in some anxious eighth graders view from the top of the bleachers. There are only a few things I am going to miss about my time here. I will miss driving home at night with the windows down, blasting “Southern Nights” by Glen Campbell. As the wind hit my face I stuck my hands out curving them up and down in wave like motions as if I was in some edgy teen movie. I will miss coming home to the love of my life, my best friend, the most beautiful creature known to man, my dog, Murphy McFly Ziskind. Yes he is named after Marty McFly from Back to The Future. I will miss the rush of adrenaline after seeing an action movie with my friends. After each movie we would jump and shout and then instantly download the soundtrack, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a bop fyi. Finally, I will miss venturing through IKEA with my friends. Luckily there is an IKEA in brooklyn not too far from Parsons where I will be studying architecture. Bisous, Sarsh Ziskind
Jared Poblete
“You’re a sad person, and you make other people sad.” I promised myself that I’d never let these words define me, no matter how true they were. Everyone gets those comments - the observations so caustic that they burn years later. That’s the kind of thing that keeps you up at night. I was just far too worried that it would become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I wanted to build a legacy and prove to myself that I could be someone. Former yearbook head of creative design. Former incoming editor-in-chief. Former annoying morning intercom announcer. Last ASB president of the Hart-sanctioned fever dream called Albert Einstein Academy. As soon as my ambitions became a reality, I was stripped bare of my collared uniform and returned to society. It was like “Naked and Afraid,” but instead of the harsh wilderness I was avoiding kids Juuling in the bathroom and traffic on Valencia Boulevard. So, basically the harsh wilderness. This was the year that I had my first panic attack, my first mental breakdown, and my first therapy session. The year that I started from square one. But you don’t need my life story. What you’re likely looking for are my rules of life a la Senior Year. It’s the least I could do as a testament to whatever memoirs and mistakes I’ve made over the years. If you feel like you’re chasing a redemption like I am, do yourself a favor. Drink a tall glass of water. Roll down a grassy hillside. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Ask about people’s weekends. Stop thinking “cutthroat” and start thinking “collaborative.” Lose to improve. Never languish in another’s shadow. Laugh at yourself whenever you get the chance. Give yourself a pep talk. Out loud. Yell. Let the world know your name. Who cares about what you call yourself? No matter how many fancy accolades you can carry on your back, it’s what you do that counts. Start doing. Make it count. I have no more fortune-cookie, horoscope inspirational quotes left in me to impart after all these years. Learn from me - or don’t. Do whatever works for you, you know? From my experience: don’t let anyone define you themself. It’s your job to make them remember you. Make sure they do.
There have been plenty of things about high school that weren’t pretty. I started off freshman year getting rejected from the basketball team, not getting a Spanish class, taking seven classes freshman year. I scored a 50 percent on a mile run, cracked my friend’s glass Tupperware, and nearly quit the very Paw Print I’m currently writing for. The next two weren’t beautiful either. I couldn’t read my own AP Euro notes and failed some quizzes. I quit the stock market club after going bankrupt. I lost a journalist camera for a period of time. I knocked over my AP Calc teacher’s coffee cup on to separate occasions. And senior year, what was supposed to be my “peak year”, hasn’t even been close. I forgot to turn in my mandatory textbook damage form. I couldn’t get the esteemed triple open. I racked up more absences in a single year than the rest of high school combined. In so many ways, high school went in the directions I never planned to. But that was exactly what I needed. I didn’t see it then, but all my mistakes were perfect. Not being on the basketball team freed me up to find other activities. A 50 percent on the mile run motivated me to work on my health. AP Euro notes disciplined my handwriting into being slightly more legible. Quitting my clubs allowed me to find a job I truly enjoyed. Losing that camera made me a lot more responsible with my possessions. No matter how bad I screwed up, those mistakes made me better. And that’s how I think high school should be. Full of mistakes, but wonderful, beautiful mistakes to learn from. You may find yourself in a similar position as I once did, constantly exceeding expectations for how badly you can screw up. That’s alright. Give yourself time. You’ll learn from those mistakes. I know I have. I thought I would get smarter, more mature, and smoother as I progressed from freshman to senior. Absolutely not. Every year brought forth new, awkward problems to deal with. But, those collective experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. A mosaic of little individual mistakes personified into experiences and improvements. And I think that’s what high school should be too, one big beautiful picture created from the imperfections we make along the way.
Andy Song
High school did not turn out how I expected, but I think if you asked most seniors, they would say the same. I don’t exactly know what I was expecting it to be — probably something close to high school movies. Although high school was no fairytale, you have to remember it’s a time you can never relive. If I could give one bit of advice to students, I would say to relax, high school is not that serious. Freshmen are fresh out of junior high, aka the most awkward years of everyone’s lives, and you don’t magically have everything figured out as soon as you walk on a high school campus. Don’t shy away from putting yourself out there and trying something new; the worst that could happen is that it doesn’t work out and you move on. Join a club that you have interest in, tryout for the team even if you are unsure if you will make it, audition for the role even if you think the person sitting next to you is sure to get it, because why not? I have found that I thoroughly enjoyed the activities that I went for and fully submerged myself in. I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I stressed about every aspect of high school, striving to be perfect from the beginning. To put it blankly, you might take some major Ls in high school, but so is everyone else, so don’t sweat it. Trust me: I did, and it’s not the end of the world. That’s the thing with these 4 years: they are so unpredictable. It’s a period of time where you are constantly changing, learning new things, wanting something different, and striving to become someone else. I’m not saying by the end of it you will have life figured out, because that is far from true. After you get handed your diploma, you might think “Okay, but I still have no idea what I’m doing and am in no way an adult now.” That’s probably true. But, you know so much more than you did before. Well, that’s my last bit of advice. All I can say now is Go Aztecs!
Bryce Fenenbock
Sam Hartung
I can’t possibly fit everything I’ve learned through high school in half a page, so I’m just going to talk about a few of the lessons I found most important in making me the person I am today. A big one for me was learning how friends come and go with a precious few that you hold onto. In high school you begin to truly figure out who you are as a person, and set goals for what you want to become. It is natural for friends to drift apart during this stage of your life, and if you truly are friends, you will always find each other again. My biggest advice to underclassmen is to join a sport. It doesn’t matter if you’re a superstar or benchwarmer, you’ll create friendships that will last throughout high school and beyond. I never would have met some of my best friends if I never started running. Sports make you set goals for yourself, and without being cliche, they are proof that the only way to achieve success is through sheer will. I don’t think this would be an official farewell piece if I didn’t do a recap of my favorite memories throughout high school. So if you know, you know. See you next Tuesday! Teja. I hate Mondays. Tahoe Bowling Alley. Tinkerbell. Republic Bricks. Freshman year’s Redondo Invite. Luau. Sunday runs with the boys. Isaiah failing with Brooke. UCLA vs. Texas A&M. Hammerhead Helmets. Becoming two-time fantasy football champion. Dolphin Girl. Ruben Rivera! If you’re a real one, you’ll remember “Press Pass.” You know who you are. And last, but certainly not least, FINALLY going after my high school crush. Gents, it’s never too late to chase down that girl. Go get her. Anyways, thank you West Ranch for the good times, and good luck to my fellow seniors as you head off to college. High school wouldn’t have been the same without you guys.
Alina Truong
High school gave me a better idea of who I am and who I want to be. There were highs and there were lows, and I honestly can’t remember most of them — but here’s what I do remember: AP Biology tests were characterized by sobbing into a textbook. Spanish class was by far the most fun. Ms. McCormick made me fall in love with math, but then calculus made me feel like I was never going to get past junior year. A fat F on one of Mr. O’Brien’s essays had me doubting myself, but after that, I managed to not only enjoy and succeed in that class, but also pull a fat 5 on the AP exam. I also want to thank lacrosse for letting me meet some of my best friends and draining me physically just as much as studying drained me academically — I got the best of both worlds. Needless to say, these past four years were exhausting, but I would compare it to being exhausted at Disneyland. There was always something that fueled me to keep going. Now, even after college acceptances, I look forward to spending moments with my close friends who are soon going to be hours or states away. To those who still have some time left here at West Ranch, I have some advice: initiate. Let people know what they’re in for. First impressions are pretty important, so why waste them on being fake or holding yourself back? In my experience, people tend to remember any unique bits and bobs you have — and they’ll appreciate them more often than not. I’ve met most of my best friends in whacky, unforgettable ways, and those are the memories that I’ve cherished the most throughout this journey. So, just don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and feel out the waters to find out where you belong.
Lauren Lee
I still remember when I was in my freshman year, dreaming about the day I become a senior and write this senior reflection story. Freshman me would never have expected that I would become the person I am today. I’ve grown in confidence and maturity and have a stable group of friends. I definitely think I am satisfied with where I’m at in life right now. But of course, the path I took to get here had its ups and downs. Although I’m so thankful for the happy memories and good vibes I’ve had during my high school years, I have to give a special thank you to the people and events that attempted to constantly bring me down and cause tears to roll down my face. I believe these obstacles accelerated my glo up (in who I am, not how I look) and inspired me to channel my emotions into hobbies I currently am in love with. Although I only invest a small amount of my time in it for now, photography allows me to leave my mind congested with traffic of negative thoughts and enter a peaceful state of mind. In a sense, it acts as therapy for me. Advice I have for you younger people is that if you’re ever stressing out about something or if something seems like a huge deal, just remember that exactly one year from now, you won’t even remember it. The past four years of high school really have gone by in a flash as everyone says and I can’t really tell whether I’m sad or happy about it. All I can say is I’m extremely excited to spend time with the ones I love and become a college student :3
min ju kang
I vividly remember walking out of the gates at 12:15 p.m. everyday, feeling like the coolest freshman with my double opens. It’s absolutely crazy how time flies, and now I’m just counting down the days until I graduate. For me, high school was pretty fun. I’m grateful for having a consistent group of friends since joining the journalism program in the seventh grade. While most people complain about their first periods, I spent my four years waking up, excited to start my day off surrounded by the energy of my friends and happily sipping my essential cup of black coffee. Now, I’m not saying high school was a 100% happy-go-lucky period of my life. Everyone will experience things that do suck, things like continual disappointment and betrayal from the people you considered to be your right-hand men, but what I’ve learned is that through these experiences, you ultimately come out a stronger, better version of yourself. Thank you to the real friends, whether we met as itty-bitty fourth graders at Oak Hills or this semester, for the endless laughs, heartfelt cries and unforgettable memories. I will truly miss you guys and I’m esctatic to catch up during our college breaks. Thank you to my teachers, who have shaped me into an open-minded, eager-to-learn intellectual. And most importantly, thank you to my dad, mom and brother. Thank you for supporting my endeavors, listening to my frustrations, feeding me with wisdom and guidance and rooting me into the proactive and persistent woman I am today. The time has now come to put on a Trojan helmet onto this Wildcat. Farewell, West Ranch, and Fight On!
good luck and farewell, class of 2018
VA L E D I C T O R I A N Story by Jared Poblete Photo by Alina Truoung Maybe it’s the swagger he walks with, as he struts clad head- to-toe in lavish brandwear. Or, maybe it’s his nonchalant attitude in the face of multiple AP classes. Whatever it may be, no one can deny that valedictorian Scott Kim exudes a unique charisma that draws people toward him. Kim is affable and outgoing, and makes sure to maintain healthy relationships with his friends and teachers alike. His success can be attributed to his positive mentality and his fierce dedication. We asked Kim some questions regarding his high school life and role as West Ranch’s newest valedictorian in the class of 2018: Q: What is the difference between you and other students? A: There’s no difference between me and other students. I just simply tried my best and was fortunately able to get good results. Q: How would you describe yourself? Would you call yourself an achiever? A: I would describe myself as someone who was able to balance everything in my life well. I would not call myself an achiever. I’m a simple man who does all of his work. Q: If you were to relive high school, would you do it the same way, or differently? A: I would relive high school the same exact way. Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps? What advice would you give to high schoolers in general?
Scott Kim
A: Advice I would give is to manage your time well, be proactive, and be on top of all your work. Also, I can’t emphasize this enough but it’s extremely important to relax have fun as much as possible, whether it’s hanging out with friends, pursuing a hobby or merely discovering what you enjoy doing in your free time. This essentially helps with school related stress and allows your mind to not feel burned out so easily. In effect, you can study with ease with a clear mind and feel good about yourself. It’s apparent that Scott Kim is confident for a reason: he handles himself well. In the face of a stressful school environment, he has risen above the competition by being calm, collected and hardworking.
S A L U T A T O R I A N Story by Alina Truong and Lauren Lee Photo by Lauren Lee Q: What do you think lead you to such a prestigious title? A: My mom. All the times and effort she put behind every endeavor I ever took on in my life cannot be understated. Ever since I was a kid, she pushed me to be better, to be the best, and to expect nothing less from myself. Yes, her expectations were tough, but expectations alone did not shape who I am today. Q: Did you expect to end up as the salutatorian? A: My end-of-eighth grade self would have scoffed and responded with no words other than “absolutely.” The thing is though, going through the classes I did, meeting the people I did, and struggling with them to maintain the grades I did, I would’ve never expected it. There are so many bright individuals in my class that could have become valedictorian or salutatorian had they simply chosen to prioritize their GPA over their club, sport, or talents that I feel as if I just kind of ended up with the title. Q: How would you describe yourself? Would you call yourself an achiever? A: I feel like my mentality is not really that of a high achiever or go-getter. I care a lot about my hobbies and the people around me, but schoolwork and extracurriculars never gave me much sense of personal accomplishment.? Of course I’m really proud and thankful for where I ended up, but I wouldn’t attribute that to an ambitious personality. Q: If you were to relive high school, would you do it the same way, or differently? A: For the most part, my only regret is that I never got to hang out with friends as much as I might have wanted to. It’s a pretty common answer, but I really feel like I did waste some of my time on other things that ended up not mattering to me as much in the long run. Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to follow in your footsteps? What advice would you give to high schoolers in general? A: If you really want to reach a high rank and have a good GPA and all that stuff, good on you, but ask yourself why you want these things. In my opinion, if your reasoning is that your parents expect it from you or you want to look good for college, I think your energy is best used elsewhere. Spend time with the people you love and do the things you love and I truly believe you’ll be happy with wherever you end up after graduation.
Joshua Kim
KYLE DOROUGH Story and Photo by Gamin Kim
Out of the many high school students who are involved in musical interests, whether that be in an academic setting or an extracurricular one, few are so daring and passionate to continue their journey to college. One of these individuals is Kyle Dorough, who is planning to major in French horn performance. For Kyle Dorough, his love for playing the French horn, the experiences he was able to make with his fellow musically-inclined peers through festivals, camps, honor groups, and the professionals he had the opportunity to work with were the deciding factors that led him to pursue a major in music. “My piano teachers, trumpet, horn teachers all have greatly impacted me in encouraging me to develop my skills to their full potential, and I am very grateful for that. Professionals from various universities and orchestras that I’ve had the opportunity to work with have also inspired me and shown me that music performance is a viable option. Some of my peers are also examples, to me, their hard work in their own lives inspire me to keep working toward what it is that I love to do.” Kyle’s choice of major truly encompasses his past four years at West Ranch. Although he was initially unsure of whether majoring in music would produce happiness or stability, the amount that he put in to his musical studies and the rewards he was able to reap from it expressed in sincerity and dedication towards music. “I love to be able to both create and perform music, and I really find that I can express myself through doing so. My personal experience and who I am is reflected through how I choose to express myself, and music is that creative and expressive outlet for me. Music is my passion, so I decided to major in music so that I can both explore my passion and make a career out of it.”
Kyle said sticking with music as a major was a straightforward pathway with few difficulties, but choosing where to go to express his musical inclinations was a bit more complex. He ultimately chose to attend his undergraduate years at Brigham Young University, to connect both his musical and religious roots. When asked specifically as to why he preferred BYU over perhaps more well-known schools of music, and he stated that there’s several reasons behind the commitment. “The French horn professor from BYU, Professor Laurence Lowe, is an accomplished horn player and a phenomenal teacher who I look forward to studying with. I’ve had a couple opportunities to meet with him already, and expect that we will get along well. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, BYU is also appealing to me in the fact that it is a university that will have students and faculty that support me in my religious beliefs and standards while still studying in a diverse environment.” One more appreciation for a major in music Kyle had is the flexibility it allows students to expect in the future. He hopes to either be part of an orchestra or be involved in the recording industry, but knows that as long he will be granted to continue music, he will be content. For the people who love music, but are unsure if they would major in it, Kyle shares this advice: “If you truly love music, then do something with it. Even if you don’t make it your entire career or livelihood, there’s still a lot of growth that comes from studying music. I believe that if you love music and have a drive for making it work as your major, then you’ll make it work out.”
“ If you truly love music, then do something with it. ”
COSMETOLOGY Juliette Gomez
Story by Mina Jang Photo by Sam Hartung
Q: Can you explain to me the ROP class that you are taking right now? How is the makeup school, and what it’s like? A: So yeah, it’s an ROP class. Basically, it’s cosmetology school, but the only difference is you’re doing it in high school. So, you’ll be able to get your license before you graduate high school, which is really cool. It’s located in Granada Hills; it’s called Newberry School of Beauty. I started last January, and that’s basically it, you know. It’s an opportunity for you to get your license before graduating high school, which most people would get after high school. Q: What major are you planning to do in college, and why? A: So, I’m planning on majoring in business, only for the reason that I can incorporate my license for the business degree and hopefully open up my own makeup line. Because that’s what I think beauty could mix; that’s why I started this ROP program just for that reason, you know, to hopefully mix the two together when I grow up. Q: When did you realize you wanted to open up a makeup line, and why? A: So ever since I was little — I can’t really tell you when exactly — I’ve always been super interested with makeup and anything beauty-related. It’s funny, because no one in my family is like that. So, I couldn’t have gotten it from anyone. I just … I can’t even explain just the passion I have for it. Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? A: In 10 years, hopefully owning my own makeup line next to Kat Von D, hopefully being one of those bigger … I want to be vegan, cruelty-free ... that type of line.
Connecting over Kat Von D, listening to a walking, living, breathing example of passion itself: To interview senior Juliette Gomez was an awe-inspiring experience. Currently in cosmetology school and receiving a license in April, Gomez spoke to me about her upcoming plans (such as college), the evolution of her undying love for makeup, and what she hopes to achieve along the way. As I watched Gomez beam eagerly while discussing her dreams and be so full of spirit, all I felt was pride for our fellow Wildcat. At the end of the conversation, even I — someone who had met her just that day — was rooting for her, and I know that the rest of West Ranch is too.
Story by Mina Jang Photo by Sam Hartung
FASHION DESIGN Luna Lee
Q: What are the aspects of Parsons that you really like?
A: The fact that they’re really big about sustainability of the environment, and they’re really big about how and what we do affects the environment, and they want it to be all healthy, all natural: I think that’s really great. Q: How do you see yourself in 10 years? Describe.
A: Hopefully, I’ll start my own brand and maybe do my own fashion show at Vogue or anything, so… [she laughs]. Q: During your four years in high school, are there any experiences or events that led up to you wanting to become a fashion major? And do you have any fashion inspirations? A: I think just social media in general inspires me. Fashion inspirations? My fashion inspirations are Bella and Gigi Hadid and also Kendall Jenner. I look towards Victoria Beckham, because I think she’s really chic and all. Also, I bring in a little Korean fashion by looking at Jennie from Black Pink because I strongly believe my culture plays a big role in me. My role models are Emma Watson and Zendaya, because they’re big on women’s rights, and I believe that is a beautiful thing. Q: When did you realize you want to be a fashion major? A: I started thinking about doing fashion first semester of senior year. I realized it when I was thinking about the future; it was pretty late, like I decided to do fashion and art really late because I started junior year. I was never sure about my future until I came upon fashion. When I look at designer clothes or clothes in general, I feel like I’m entering another world, and it gives me a feeling that I’ve never felt before with anything else.
Luna Lee is bubbly, bright and bursting with laughter, but above all, she is a senior who will be attending Parsons School of Design at The New School for Fashion Design. I watch Lee in awe, as she enthusiastically speaks of dreaming up own her own brand and to possibly creating a runway collection. At times, I grin, nodding in agreement, when she mentions Zendaya — both a fashion icon and an inspiring woman to all as a role model. What really rouses the spirit, though, is listening to Lee describe how she feels when thinking of fashion. When Lee exclaims, “I feel like I’m entering another world, and it gives me a feeling that I’ve never felt before,” I can so clearly hear her passion seeping through her voice. In my eyes, Luna Lee is not just a senior, but a fashion designer ready to take on the world, and that brings me great hope for not only her future but those of the entire West Ranch student body.
Julia Dunne
Story and Photo by Allison Alben and Mary Waugh Julia Dunne, a senior here at West Ranch, has been dancing ever since she was three. For 14 years now, she has attended the Santa Clarita Ballet Academy, and she will continue dancing at the University of South Carolina next year. Dunne plans to double major in dance and exercise science, and she hopes to work with dancers and other athletes in the department of training or physical therapy. Though Dunne has since found a passion in modern jazz in addition to ballet, ballet still holds a special place in her heart. While performing might be nervewracking for some, Dunne has found a method for controlling any performance anxiety. “I try not to think too hard about it. I think if I get too in my head and think too much about what I’m doing, it just freaks me out. So I just kind of have to go out and do it, and not really concentrate on anything, and just kind of let muscle memory take over,” said Dunne. Dunne specifically enjoys the performance aspect of dance, especially getting in costume and preparing for the show. “I just love everything about being on a stage and performing in front of a live audience. I get to share how I experience the dance with everyone else. And everyone kind of interprets it differently so it’s interesting to see how it is for each person,” said Dunne. Clearly, Dunne has found something she is incredibly passionate about, and we hope that she will continue thriving at the University of South Carolina. Congratulations, Julia, and good luck.
Jonathan Matkin Story and Photo by Jasleen Arora
He may seem very quiet and soft-spoken but when he steps onto the field, his talent is widely noticed in the first minute. As captain of the boys lacrosse team and a veteran in the sport, Jonathan Matkin’s skills have earned him a spot on the lacrosse team at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “I was really excited,” said Matkin. “This was the school that I kind of had on my list for a long time.” Matkin has been there from the start, playing lacrosse ever since it came to Santa Clarita as a new and emerging sport. Before then, none of the schools in the Hart district had a lacrosse team. “2010 was the first year that they ever had it out here and I just kind of went to a tryout and I really liked it,” said Matkin. After being a Wildcat for four years, there are some things Matkin will miss about playing for West Ranch. However, Matkin has gained a lot of leadership experience that will shine through in college. “I have made a lot of friends here,” said Matkin. “There are a lot of underclassmen that I have become friends with and the upperclassmen that were gone before. I also love the coaches here and it will be hard playing for someone else.” But just like every senior, he cannot wait until the time that they are finally free to enjoy the full college experience. “They have a great education and playing a sport in college is always going to be fun and all the other things that go along with it.” Well, this is the end of Jonathan’s high school journey. Good luck Jonathan, and remember, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!
MacKenna Harper Story and Photo by Sydney Young
You can feel the determination and fighting spirit in her voice. You can hear the years of hard work and sweat she’s put in when she speaks. When you talk to Makenna, you can see the passion she has for softball through her enthusiasm for the sport she loves. These characteristics have paved the way for her success as a college-bound athlete with a recruitment by Arizona State University, a Division 1 Pac 12 school. As early as her freshman year she committed to play softball for ASU, but the road to this achievement was not an easy ride. “I wanted to play with the best and so I pretty much just worked my butt off all the way up until now. And the work isn’t over, just because you get a scholarship doesn’t mean the you don’t have to keep working hard,” said Harper. Over the years of dedication to her sport, Harper has developed a determined mentality and solidified her approach towards excelling at her game. Her hard work continues to push her to great heights and give her the ability to play the sport she loves. “I would say be the best you can be and your physical game is 10 percent and 90 percent of it is all mental. So whatever comes your way you just got to be strong. You got to fight through it and if you want to be a D1 athlete you have to work hard,” said Harper. To read the full story, go to www.wrpawprint.com
Will Chambers
Story and Photo by Kathryn Luo and Brooke Johnston Baseball. A beloved, all-American pastime that has stolen the hearts of millions. Those who don’t follow the sport can probably even recall some words to the familiar melody of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” Senior Will Chambers can tell you right off the bat that baseball is not only part of American history, but is also his future. From the moment he slid a mitt over his hands, he realized he was born to play ball. His grandma introduced him to the wiffle ball at age eight, and he discovered his unwavering passion for the sport. This ambition and sheer love of competition drives the first baseman to constantly sharpen his skills, and when he is conditioning, he certainly covers all the bases. “I try to train at least five hours a day,” he explained. “I want to work out for two and practice for three, and then hit for one if possible.” Athletes are often driven by trials and tribulations, and Chambers is no exception. In his sophomore year, he suffered a devastating injury to his knee. Although many were convinced the event marked the end of his career, he remarked that “In the end, it was a huge setback but a huge push forward because it made me work so hard.” His tenacity has not gone unnoticed, especially by his coaches. West Ranch’s Coach Lindgreen watched Chambers mature into the athlete he is today. “Will has tremendous work ethic. When we leave West Ranch, Will is just getting started in his day, and it really shows with his performance on the field,” said Lindgreen. The University of California Santa Barbara invited the athlete to play for their Division 1 team over the next four years. Playing in college is a whole new ball game, but he approaches his opportunities with zeal and eyes set on a fulfilling future. “I was happy, but not overly happy because I always feel like there’s more I can do. College isn’t just the end goal.” Baseball holds not only a sense of national pride, but a personal one for Chambers. The senior has doggedly pursued his goals throughout his high school career, and his diligence will allow him to keep a baseball glove over his hand for many years to come.
“I chose COC because it was the best way to continue my education, location-wise and financially. It’s close to home and I’ll still be able to help out my family while taking classes. Also, the tuition is the most affordable compared to a university, so I can easily pay it off in the future. After earning my degrees at COC, I hope to transfer to UCLA to pursue my Master’s degree in science.”
Josh Campos BIOLOGY “I chose COC for a couple reasons. The main one was to enroll in the Honors program which makes it easier to transfer to UC schools junior year. I really want to attend UCLA in the end. It’s not a guarantee though. I still have to maintain a high GPA to even be considered for admission. The second reason is the money aspect. Why spend tens and thousands on the same two first years of education while I could maybe only spend a couple hundred at COC.”
Alex Garcia NURSING
Photos by Bryce Fenenbock “I chose COC because it is the better option for me financially as I will be able to save money while attending a very good school. Also transferring will be straightforward as most schools will accept me as long as I can maintain a high GPA at COC.”
UNDECIDED
Jason Bradley “COC was the best option for me and my family. There’s no better value option than COC and it’s right next to home, so it was a no-brainer. It gets a bad reputation really for no reason. I still have a lot to consider when the time comes Junior year but I believe I’ll transfer to NAU.”
ELETRICAL ENGINEERING
Enlil Shalamoon
RYAN ARSHONSKY Story by Bryce Fenenbock and Photo Provided by Sara Shier Music floods the house as Ryan Arshonsky fiddles around with the piano, bombarding the keys as he attempts to pick up “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Within a few seconds, he is playing the song flawlessly. As improbable as it sounds, Ryan was never professionally trained, and learned to play simply through breaking down the notes he heard. A talented guitarist, drummer, pianist, and vocalist, Ryan’s unique abilities to comprehend the dynamics of music landed him a spot in the prestigious Berklee University School of Music next fall. “I have developed a pretty good ear when it comes to music because I have always learned songs by ear, instead of reading the music. I think that being able to play something by hearing it is an important skill for a musician,” said Arshonky. In his music career he has been a part of several bands and performed hundreds of shows. “I’ve played a few well-known venues in LA like the Whisky-A-Go-Go and the Kibitz Room. I have also performed at the Pantages Theatre and the Dolby Theatre when I auditioned for America’s Got Talent with my band.” Double majoring in music production and engineering in songwriting, Ryan looks forward to pursuing his future career as an artist and producer. To Ryan, the career would be hardly a job at all. “In my free time, I like to write, perform, record, and produce my songs, so naturally I would love to do those things for other artists as a career. ” The music industry can be very challenging to gain access to, but Ryan’s already decorated music career indicates a bright future ahead. “It helps that I played in an L.A.-based band for about five years. Although my band didn’t ‘make it big,’ I have made a lot of connections with people in the music business throughout the process.” Ryan recently released his first EP as a solo artist “When in Rome” on Spotify, Apple Music, and iTunes. Make sure to congratulate Ryan on his recent commitment and wish him luck as he ventures off to pursue his music career in Boston!
PROM ‘18
Together,
Story by Gamin Kim Photos by Audrey Kim
students gathered at West Ranch on April 28 to celebrate the culmination of the past four years of high school and the end of another memorable academic year. Before travelling to the venue, students dressed in colorful, ornate gowns and wellfitted, dapper suits walked down the promenade at the red carpet. The parents and fellow peers — ecstatic to see their children and friends — were full of smiles and cheers as each couple strolled down the amphitheater walkway. The 2018 West Ranch Prom was certainly a night to remember.
Centered around the theme “The Journey,” this year’s prom was held at the Camarillo Aviation Museum. The adventurous and sentimental feelings that came with travel were well-realized, as students were able to enjoy the photo booths, casino games, and the dance floor with a variety of pop and rap music. The evening simmered down as students celebrated the crowning of this year’s prom king and queen: Monai “Momo” Chanon and Jodie Reyna. As Mrs. Sage and her husband announced the results and Principal Crawford crowned the king and queen, the celebratory roar that followed was deafening. As each student entered back into the buses at the end of prom, the fatigue was unmistakable, but it was evident that they had enjoyed the festivities in each other’s company.
NEVER
AGAIN Photo provided by Phoebe Melikidse On March 14, students across the country spoke loud and clear in their communities. The day was the one-month marking of the Parkland shooting, but rather than a consolidation of prayer and consolation, it was shaped in the form of school walkouts and protests. Students at West Ranch and throughout the Santa Clarita Valley actively participated as well, bringing renewed sense of activism, willingness to change, and solidarity to join together to fix a prevalent issue in society. Read more at www.wrpawprint.com
Oh, the places we Dylan Bodner
Washington University in St. Louis, Biological Sciences “I committed to WashU because it had a reputable program for my major and it has a high rate of students who get accepted into graduate medical school. I also wanted to go to a small college that was out-of-state so that I could experience something new. I’m really interested in a lot of careers that open up from majoring in biology, so I am going to take a bunch of different classes that cover a lot of the field. WashU makes it easy to participate in research projects, so I’m going to be doing that to help me find which branch of biology I am the most passionate about. At WashU, there are a lot of student-run businesses on campus, so I hope that I can get a work-study position that I can manage. By doing this, I can get a head start on saving up money to pay off my student loans.”
Emma Dragsdorf
University of Puget Sound, Psychology “I committed to UPS because it was my favorite school I applied to, something I could feel right off the bat when I first visited the campus. I was in love with how much of an emphasis the school places on liberal arts, how open-minded and tightly knit the student community is, and how the class sizes are small and more discussion-style, as opposed to huge lecture halls where you’ll never get to know the professor. I discovered I had a passion for psychology maybe around my junior high years. I also developed an interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illnesses, because I want to help people and make their lives better, and have them know that they are not alone. The psychology program at UPS is extensive and has a lot of internship opportunities, and most of the students go on to graduate school.”
ll go next year!
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Story and Photos by Gamin Kim
Fernando Bolio Pomona College, Neuroscience
“I applied to college through the Questbridge College Match system, a program for low-income students, typically first-generation students, to get a full ride to colleges that they have listed out of the 38 colleges Questbridge is partnered with. I really wanted to stay in-state so that way I could be near my family, so when I did the College Match rankings, I chose Pomona College as the fourth pick. Now that I know more about Pomona College, I realize that it’s a perfect fit for me, simply because it has so many options that I haven’t looked at before, such as the 8 to 1 student to faculty ratio, a beautiful campus, and all the programs that I could ever want in college. I am currently taking Human Anatomy and Psychology, which are big contributors to why I like Neuroscience.”
Grayson Price
University of Washington, Biology “I committed because I love the school and the pre-med program is amazing. I hope to become a trauma physician. University of Washington’s school of medicine has a program for diversity in ER medicine that I would like to apply to. I would like prepare to go to medical school, but in addition to that, I hope to continue playing lacrosse on their club team and stage managing for the musical theater department.”
from West Ranch
USC trojans
“I was admitted to USC for the spring semester under a Business Administration major. Honestly, I applied to USC as a huge reach - I was well under their average scores and was not expecting to get in at all. That being said I chose USC because it was simply the best of the options I had by a long shot. Regardless of the cost, I know the connections and experiences I will have at USC will be miles ahead of any other school I was admitted to. I’m most excited for the open door policy USC offers for classes, allowing to take anything you want as long as there’s room.” - Tom Mulry “I’ll be majoring in business administration, and planning to study international relations and Chinese as well. I really love USC’s emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and the opportunity to take classes from across all the different schools. I’m excited to attend a school with so much spirit, and super pumped to meet new people and live in the McCarthy Honors College in the Village. Some of the biggest factors for me were the amount of incredible opportunities in the Marshall School of Business, and I’m really looking forward to traveling to China next spring as part of Marshall’s global leadership program!” - Julia Van der Colff “I chose USC because of the opportunities they have in my specific major. I will be majoring in Music Industry at Thornton, the School of Music. I am really excited to begin my college life and finally be away from home.” - Kyu Hun Han
wildcats to...
UCLA bruins
Story and Photos by Min Ju Kang Graphics by Mina Jang
“I was accepted to UCLA as an art major. I chose UCLA primarily because of the amazing art program I experienced in a short summer session and also because of the amazing campus and food. And the school colors just happens to be my favorite two colors, which strangely is important to me. I am looking forward to meeting new friends and starting a new life as a college student in a whole new setting.” - Anna Park “When I was looking into where I wanted to attend in the fall, UCLA stood out because of their generous financial aid; they made sure that money wasn’t the problem when it came to higher education. Academically, the exceptional learning community fostered interdisciplinary learning that produced graduates with the ability to synthesize information with unbelievable creativity. I was also attracted to the large, spirited student body, where I would get to meet thousands of talented people and have an opportunity to expand my social world. At UCLA, I plan on studying computer science and engineering and moving further in my studies at a graduate school.” -Shane Cho
Shreyas Hariharan His Future, His Business Story by Andy Song and Photos by Erica Gillespie
A gentle gust of wind rustles through a few strands of velvety, black hair. With a wistful, yet curious gaze, he scans the horizon, looking for the perfect moment to capture. Camera in hand, he waits for the opportune shot. A striking, yellow tennis bag rests next to a set of filled bleachers. As he grips his Babylon tennis racket, he faces his opponent, a varsity tennis player from Valencia. He waits until the first serve. His impeccable fashion sense stands out among the drab, tired seniors. While the conversation around him erupts, he listens, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash his latest joke. Snarky comment in mind, he waits for his opportunity to send everyone rolling with laughter. This is only part of a typical week in the life of Shreyas Hariharan, a Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) member who has seized plenty of opportunities during his tenure at West Ranch. While his interests are seemingly sporadic and widespread, this is perhaps what has allowed Shreyas to accomplish consistent individual and team success during his time in FBLA. His involvement with the business club started early on, tracing all the way back to junior high. The moment he stepped foot on a high school campus, his passion took full initiative. “I’ve had an officer position since freshman year so I’ve always had a lot of responsibility with managing the club instead of just participating. West Ranch’s FBLA chapter is really small, so my role was to help the younger generation and make the club grow,” said Hariharan. Part of the club’s tremendous growth came through the school’s success in a variety of FBLA competitions, ranging from insurance agent roleplay to simulated market scenarios. In total, there were 60 different FBLA events to participate in, and on top of preparing for these, Shreyas took on the position of President. “Now as president it’s kind of my job to not only look at myself, but now I have to look at others participation. I have to build the leaders for next year, encourage newcomers and really just keep the club going.”
With a loaded course schedule, an undefeated tennis team to practice for, Southern California Orphans Receive Encouragement (SCORE), his own volunteer club aimed at helping orphans, his role as a living meme, and his outside interests, managing his time to prepare for FBLA hasn’t been easy. But Shreyas was able to maintain long-term success by finding fun in each of his activities. “I think that a lot of people mistake success as being something very had to achieve and that requires you to be very focused and determined, but FBLA in particular has been very fun.” Making friends and creating enjoyment is at the core of who Shreyas is. Outside of FBLA, Shreyas dug deep into his passions and found activities where he could express himself. Whether posting through his self-created movie review brand, “Shreyviews,” or taking photography trips to explore new potential shots, he’s become accomplished in planning recreational activities. “My personal greatest accomplishment is probably finding a friend group because I know we are going to say friends throughout college.” And it’s these connections and relationships he’s made that he plans to use for success in the future, where he’ll continue studying business at UC Berkeley. “I think FBLA is more than a competition- it’s taught me a lot of social skills like how to get contacts and stay in touch with people even if your so many miles apart. When people think of high school they think of getting awards and grades but not the abstract skills that will definitely carry into college and the workplace.” And for those looking to emulate some of the success and enjoyment Shreyas has found through FBLA, he has one main piece of advice: “High school is a really small part of your life and if you have some kind of opportunity just do it because you don’t want to miss it. If you end up thinking it’s not for you, just don’t do it. But if you do like it, you’ll find a great friend group and a lot of motivation.”
Giann Espino Story and Photos by Raylene Factora
Supreme. Anti Social Social Club. Yeezy. Bape. What do these all have in common ? Well, they’re brands that all hype beasts crave. Brands that Giann Espino also desires, but for reasons other than just flexing. “Reselling in terms of streetwear is basically looking for a coveted brand or collaborations, purchasing items at retail price, and then selling it for multiple times its original value,” said Giann. “ Reselling is basically looking for value in a product. It stemmed from my passion in investing.” Giann started off investing in stocks, and got into the world of reselling late October last year. “I started off kind of late in the reselling game, so what I had to do to catch up and to be better than everyone else was do tons of research.” He goes on to explain every small nuance and detail he has researched since he started reselling, and from the calculated and confident way, he speaks, one can tell he is an expert in this field, despite the fact that he’s only been in it for a little more than half a year. For every high-demand company, the selling process is a bit different. Giann explained the process behind the ever-popular Supreme, the brand of the black hoodie he has on, famous for its box logo and bright red signature color. Essentially, he researches tons to find the items which will be in high demand and in the colors and sizes that will sell the easiest. “If anyone knows about Supreme, they know items sell out within seconds. About five to fifteen. That’s too fast to put in all your info,” said Giann. Buying these items may seem impossible to the regular person, but through his immense research, he learned about bots. Within seconds, he buys his items with bots, then lists them on different sites, and sells. Though
a seemingly simple process, the research, passion, and hard work put in sets apart Giann from other resellers. “When I first started off, I made lots of mistakes. I didn’t know what I was doing whatsoever. But now I learned from my and others mistakes.” But despite his success in this field, Giann has remained humble. When asked how much money he has made, he chuckles and replies with “quite a lot,” not wanting to give out a number to change people’s persona of the down-to-earth person he is. His eyes light up as he talks about his favorite memory, involving driving down at 3 am to a drop happening on Rodeo Drive. “Basically I passed by the police and cut in front of a thousand people,” he laughs. “I was talking to a lot of celebrities, social media influencers, and hypebeasts. It was just such a cool experience. And the event ended up being cancelled, but I have to call Beverly Hills and see what they’re planning for the rerelease.” In addition to looking into the future for reselling items, Giann wants to take his passion for investing and what he’s learned from reselling to turn into a future career. “Reselling does tie into my future career goals. I want to become a stock broker or mutual fund manager. Basically a stock broker looks for valued companies, while resellers look for valuable items,” said Giann. “What I learned is how to communicate with a broad and vast network of people. Reselling really helped me get out of my bubble, my comfort zone. To talk to strangers. Give them my business card. It just made me comfortable with talking about money and business.” Giann definitely has a successful future in store for him after he graduates. But for now, he’s just enjoying the process, one Supreme drop at a time.
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Reselling really helped me get out of my bubble, my comfort zone.
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