West Ranch High School
The Paw Print senior issue 2022
Staff Page Editors in-Chief Ashley Park Ricky Rojas
Lead Design Editors Gaby Lesmana Emily Yoon
Media Manager Sabrina Ho
Business Manager Jessica Son
Lead Copy Writers Reya Mehta Jessica Son
Copy Writers Alice Xie Noor Baber
News Editors Alyssa Chang Haley Choe Lauren Guss
News Writers Camille Ayson Raina Bae Andrew Kang Krish Singh
Features Editors Jasmine Wongphatarakul Gillian Bui
Features Writers Kimberly Ayson Claire Chang Alana Desai Sabrina Ho Julia Kremenetsky Vaneeza Lalani Lucia Lehmann Ashley Park Jessica Son Alice Xie
A & E Editors Minjun Kim Isabella Truong
A & E Writers Andrew Hezel Gaby Lesmana Desiree Perez Anika Sachdeva Emily Yoon
Opinions Editors Jaeeun Park
Opinions Writers Noor Baber Reya Mehta Ricky Rojas
Sports Editors Zach Singer
Sports Writers Colin Park Clarissa Zuo
NEWS
04 College Infographic 06 Prom
FEATURES
08 Senior Shoutouts 10 Advice
A&E
12 Music School 18 Club PET Projects
OPINIONS
College Insecurity 20 Leaving Friend Groups 22
SPORTS
Once A Wildcat 24 Sports Commitments 26
Senior Reflections 29 & 30
Table of Contents
college numbers by the
Graphics by Andrew Kang, Desiree Perez and Emily Yoon
“nothing comes close to the Golden Coast” Out of the 107 students polled, 76% are opting to stay in California. Here are their most popular options for college.
“I am attending school out of state because I wanted to experience actual seasons.” -Derrick Borden Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Computer Science
“[I wanted to attend a UC school ] for internship opportunities and job prospects in the future.” -Imogen Yang UC San Diego San Diego, California Interdisciplinary Computing of the Arts
The Paw Print surveyed the West Ranch class of 2022 and received 107 responses about their future plans.
the most popular majors for the class of 2022
leaving their other half identical twins on attending separate universities
1 in 3
West Ranch students surveyed are attending community college
why COC?
Ashley Sullivan
Lexi Sullivan
“We’ll be three hours away from each other. So it’s not so vast of a separation, but it’s enough where we can grow in our identities separately.”
Mechanical Engineering “We have very different ambitions, so I think it’ll be nice to explore our careers on our own.”
Lipscomb University Finance
University of Tennessee
“I knew I wouldn’t be ready to leave home just yet... and I know it’ll let me figure out what I want to do, for sure.” - Annabel Brinkley College of the Canyons Psychology
94% of West Ranch students surveyed are attending college
5
2022
Story by Alyssa Chang, Lauren Guss and Jessica Son Photos by Alyssa Chang, Duc Dang, Lauren Guss and Ian Kim
PROM.2022
FROM THE DESK OF WEST RANCH HIGH SCHOOL
40 Presidential Dr, Simi Valley, CA 93065
April 30, 2022
Dear Mr. Bond, This will be the last time I will be sending this message. Here’s the mission briefing of everything you need to know about Prom 2022. This letter will self destruct in ten minutes. On April 30, colorful lights of blue and purple gleamed onto anticipating students’ faces, who dreamed of their exhilarating night ahead. A red carpet lined the path as couples and friends strolled into Air Force One at the Ronald Reagan Library. Food, drinks and dessert were offered by employees in tuxedos, and excited yells, as well as disappointed remarks, rang out from the poker table. Prom had begun. The theme of this year’s dance was Skyfall 007, the codename for the famous British secret service agent James Bond. The character is portrayed in spy movies and is notorious for his glamorous lifestyle and gadgets. Junior ASB member Ella Shin said, “ASB decided on the Skyfall 007 theme because we thought that it best fit the venue. The Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Library is blue-toned and a very elegant space. So, we thought that a James Bond related theme would look great at the venue.” Before heading up to the Reagan Library, a preview event at West Ranch launched the evening plans. The Promenade, or the introductory parade of the attendees, began at 5:30 p.m. and included each pair’s names introduced by Mr. Gimber, signaling them to walk around the amphitheater stage on a red carpet. Sparkling dresses and stylish tuxedos filed through as family and friends took advantage of this photo opportunity, as it would be the last time they would see the students until after 11 p.m. After a 45 minute ride, the bus came to a stop in front of the venue, and students crowded the exit– their magical night was now closer than ever. Attendees blended into the casino-like setting filled with plentiful tables, a DJ booth,
casino games, a photo booth, a dance floor, an outside, heated patio with couches and a dance floor. As the purple and blue lights filled the venue with class and glamor, students gathered with their friends and danced the night away. As one of the last school events for seniors, the event held a special place in their hearts. Senior Sean Kim commented, “Three words to describe prom: lit, crazy, movie…I went with a beautiful date, which definitely made me appreciate and like prom more. But taking pictures, walking on the red carpet, and moshing with my date made prom an unforgettable experience.” Finally, the agents of Prom Court received their top-secret invitations to the top of a cascading staircase, as they were to be notified, along with the rest of the attendees, who would be crowned Prom Royalty. The top 12 prom court nominees, announced on WRTV earlier in the month, were Matt Abrahamian, Lexi Fernandez, Derek Miranda, Ricky Rojas, Jack Stewart, Pratika Prasad, Carol Wahba, Kelsey Schauble, Kendall Schauble, Avery Salin, Chris Taguba and Mira Mehra. ASB members and staff introduced each nominee with their favorite high school memory, which James Bond movie they would imagine starring in and who they would like to thank for their nomination. As anticipation grew among the crowd below, cheers roared as Pratika Prasad and Ricky Rojas were announced as Prom Royalty 2022. The two received their dazzling crowns and capes and posed for a picture with their fellow nominees. But like all good things, prom too came to an end. Students swapped their glittering gowns for comfortable sweatpants and traded their heels for worn out sneakers as the night closed off. After a magical time of dancing, mingling and laughing, everyone who attended prom left the venue with memories to last a lifetime.
Best,
7
Senior
SHOUTOUTS
One of my best friends of almost 4 years and probably one of my soulmates for life. Charles you’ve been my ride or die since our freshman year. I might have turned out to be a completely different person if you hadn’t come up to me in our 9th grade biology class. Since that day you’ve seen the best and worst sides of me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to you. I just want to say thank you for sticking with the weird new girl for this long. You’re one of my biggest motivations and inspirations in life and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you by my side. -Leah Pastorio Charles, you make every class 10 times more interesting with your constant jokes and contagious laugh. Having you in my classes makes my day so much better and im sure you make everyone else’s so much more entertaining too! -Evyn Warren
Hailey Intal To myself: you have come so far and I am so proud of you because I would have never seen you be so successful. -Hailey Intal
Nick Majsa Thanks for making senior year swag. -Keira Banks
Rane Kita
Charles Campos
Graphics by Gaby Lesmana
We have been friends since we were born and you’ve always been there for me. Since the day we met, we always had a strong and wonderful connection between us. You are my best friend and I really treasure our friendship bond. Thank you for touching my life in ways you may never know. my riches do not lie in material wealth but in having friends like you. One quote that you have said that has stuck with me is ‘I only love my bed and my momma I’m sorry.’ -Matthew Abrahamian
Hope all goes well after high school! -Tanner Littleford Can I get a ride? -Ryan Butts
Sean Hansen
Rhys Holloway I’m so proud of you Rhys! I’m going to miss you screaming and yelling in the middle of the night when you’re gone. And telling me what I’m doing wrong just because. And since I’m going to miss you so much when you’re gone I’m going to make sure that Lucky sneezes all over your room, especially your pillow. Also please visit often, I don’t want to be alone with Frankie for too long. -Lauren Holloway
Ryan Cambria Thank you for being the most amazing person in my life the past 2 years, I can’t wait for the next chapter in our lives. -Jayda Garcia
Rodrigo Torres Holly Hewes
-Aaron Swan
Have fun in the air force Gilbert! -Eli Christensen
Gilbert Reoyo
Thanks for being an amazing big sister, my best friend and helping me through my first year at West Ranch. Congratulations on committing to SAC State University! I know these past 4 years will pay off and get you into an Ivy League school later on. It’s been fun watching you grow and being your cheerleader at school, at track and at home. I wish I could follow you to college too…love you and I’m going to miss you so much. Good luck! -Aimee Johnson
Deborah Johnson
Holly, you have been such a great friend for this year and during freshman year while we were in the marching band together. Thank you so much for being one of the friends that has been a bright light during this time of difficulty.
Rodrigo Torres carried our english class in terms of fun and laughs. Although extremely obnoxious at times, Rodrigo made the class way more entertaining than it ever could have been without him. -Andrew Knowles
9
You’re doing just fine. Advice from WR Staff to Graduates Story by Opinions Team Graphics by Noor Baber Senior year. It’s the final year of high school— a busy, sometimes-overwhelming era— marked by piles of homework, reflecting on the previous four years of high school and celebrating graduation. Since senior year is the stepping stone from high school, taking the first steps into adulthood can be stressful for many students. Even with the stress that adulthood brings, it is important to maintain a flexible lifestyle, a healthy work-life balance, social connections and more beyond high school. For this, it is invaluable to glean helpful tips from people who have already experienced this transition. Fortunately, West Ranch teachers are happy to help by providing advice they wished they knew as college students. Mr. O’Brien, AP Language and Composition teacher, emphasized setting boundaries with others, especially roommates and other students. He explained, “...[It’s sometimes hard to] get along with your roommate...If you find yourself in a living arrangement with someone and it’s unsatisfactory, confront them. Don’t just stay out of the room. Just say, ‘We’ve got to set up some rules about how we’re going to live with each other, because this is not working.’” Throughout college, teachers also highlighted the importance of utilizing the resources and opportunities given to students. “Understand that this time is precious,” West Ranch counselor Ms. Ferry added, “and you have such a source of vast knowledge literally at your fingertips. Sign up for internships, and network. Take advantage of the many once in a lifetime [opportunities]. When in class, actively listen, take notes and engage to get the full benefit. Going to college is the first really big life change that you’re expected to handle largely on your own. Don’t be surprised if you experience some
doubt and difficulty. Know you are capable of working incredibly hard.” Despite the heavy workload that may make college a stressful time, students should also enjoy the experience, and have fun. AP World History and Modern Civilizations teacher Mr. Holland noted, “Students are going into college, and thinking about majors [and] thinking about work, but [it’s important to] enjoy it. I look back fondly at the friends that I had and the things that we did… And I’ll say this: make good decisions. You know, you’re an adult, and some of the things you may choose to do that probably aren’t the best could have lifelong consequences. So, make good choices, be smart, think about life—you’ve got eighty, ninety years ahead. The choices you make will impact the rest of your life.” Another important thing to remember is that the journey through college can often be unpredictable, and that nothing is set in stone, and can be changed. Ms. Ferry explained this major misconception about college, saying, “Your major will determine your career prospects. That may happen, but oftentimes you will take a class that you are passionate about and pivot in a new direction. Feeling totally unsure of your career path and future is okay. The key is to work one day at a time and you’ll get there before you know it.” There is no need to confine yourself to a set standard so early. “We incredibly overemphasize having a life plan when you are barely able to know who you are,” Mr. O’Brien added. “That is a bad idea. You should embrace the fact that you are a growing, developing human, and you are not a fixed entity… Be proud of that, embrace it and don’t be scared of ‘I guess I’m not the same thing I was yesterday.’”
He said, “Believe it or not, I didn’t set out to be a teacher, but my pathway to it was not direct. You know what my major was before English? Biochemistry. Wouldn’t you say that’s a strange pathway for an English teacher? But I was biochem for two years. So, you don’t know the pathway that’s going to take you to where-I hate to say, ‘where you’re supposed to be,’ but you get what I mean. The thing you’re becoming may take a twisty path.” Within the classroom, it is crucial to find helpful resources for learning and ask for help from professors and teaching assistants whenever struggling. “Especially for tests, if your school does it, seek out previous tests that have been published by your professor,” Mr. O’Brien elaborated. “That is an enormous help, and it’s transparent, it’s not cheating if they let you know ‘I have lecture notes online.’ If they tell you resources exist, find them, because it’s a way to get into the professor’s head that might be opaque in their lecture, and know what they are likely to ask and how they think.”
“Every day is a chance to change and make things right, a chance to take action steps toward the person who you want to be and know you can become. Never underestimate your ability to keep the best pieces of you and to change anything that does not serve you or others.” - Ms. Ferry Ms. Ferry advised, “If you ever feel like your classes are too difficult to handle, don’t worry, there is always help out there. Most schools offer a free tutoring service. Also, most professors are more than happy to help you during office hours. Talking with professors helps you feel more comfortable in college and more connected to the campus. It can give you a chance to learn at a more comfortable pace.” In addition to focusing on academics in college, it is also important to try out non-academic opportunities. “Get involved and take advantage of what campus life has to offer - try new experiences,” Ms. Ferry expressed. “Don’t be a bystander. There are so many groups and organizations, so do some digging and join a few that make you happy. Align yourself with people who inspire you, drive you and motivate you. Create a community of people who you feel safe, happy and yourself with. Don’t compare yourself to other students. Remember that everyone has unique talents, and you have four years to cultivate yours.”
Mr. O’Brien described, “Eat the fruit of every orchard. Now, you say that and there’s obviously an asterisk behind it…There’s some things that, if you experiment with them, will damage you irreparably. So, I think I’m safe in saying try everything with the knowledge that some things are out of bounds. Other than the obvious red-lines, try things.” While hardwork and dedication is necessary to succeed in college, it is also absolutely essential to maintain a positive work-life balance and to focus on physical and mental health. Failing to take time to rest and relax will inevitably lead to a student burning out and falling behind, both in academics and social life. “Make a schedule that works around when you are the most productive and creative,” Ms. Ferry said. “Schedule regular breaks, days off, catch a football game, go out with friends for a walk. Don’t obsess about social media. Accept that you will have bad days. Set boundaries and optimize within them.” Ms. Ferry left the senior class with this advice: “Every day is a chance to change and make things right, a chance to take action steps toward the person who you want to be and know you can become. Never underestimate your ability to keep the best pieces of you and to change anything that does not serve you or others. Keep a healthy lifestyle, eat enough fruits and veggies, drink enough water, sleep well and exercise often. Your health is the foundation for everything else, so don’t neglect it. Finally, make the most of each day – the years will fly by.” The single most important tip, however, according to Mr. Holland, is to do something you love. “Find something that you’re passionate about,” he advised. “Pursue that, and work is not going to be work. It’s going to be something enjoyable; it’s going to be something that you are going to look forward to every single day.” He continued, “I have met people who are making great money, but their lives are absolutely miserable. They have the house, they have the big family, they’ve got all the toys and the cars, but there is no life in them, and they are miserable. Money is not going to fulfill every part of your life. It’s not going to make you happy. So, find something you love, whether it is in college or trade school. Find something that you can do, something that you can pursue, something that you are willing to spend thirty to forty years doing, and make the most of it. I mean, no job is going to be perfect, but something you love—that’s going to be pretty good.” “Seniors, I just wish you all the best,” Mr. Holland concluded. “And just remember, your teachers are here. We want the best for you, and as long as we’re alive, we’re always rooting for you and we’re on your side. So feel free to come back, ask questions, and get help. We’re here.” Seniors, good luck in continuing your journey after high school!
11
Story by Sabrina Ho and Ashley Park Photo and graphics by Reya Mehta
As seniors begin to announce their majors along with their schools of intended attendance, familiar academic majors arise and are easily recognizable. However, some graduating seniors are deciding to pursue their interests aside from core subjects as they embark on their next steps into their future. With the melodies and notes too strong to let go, West Ranch students Daniel Lobker and Matthew Swanson have decided to consider carrying their musical legacy from West Ranch to their next school of higher education. Lobker teeters between “pursuing Music and Music Industry Studies at Cal State Northridge and pursuing Music and Business in the Netherlands” while Swanson considers Master’s University where he is “planning on double majoring in Music and Engineering.” As their experiences gained in high school have shaped their talent and path ahead of them, Swanson and Lobker focus on the potential opportunities awaiting them. Though Swanson is determined to study music, in addition to engineering, he hopes to integrate his musical ambitions throughout college, advancing his performance career. “I would really like to be in an orchestra or maybe if I could record music for movies and tv shows or what-not,” Swanson expressed. He reiterated his interest in “traveling orchestra” or “any recording opportunities for movies and all,” but is truly focused on gaining experience. Both students’ decision to major in Music was fueled by their passion and creative opportunity in music. Lobker found the artistic outlet to be a medium for self-initiated music-based projects, later even starting and leading his own jazz band, Hart District Combo. All of which allowed his interest in music to root and flourish. Lobker reflected on his project experiences and said, “I got to learn how to compose and arrange music for an ensemble, as well as learn how to articulate my vision for the music to my bandmates. I have been in contact with different directors from across the district in order to find performance dates and venues. These kinds of activities and opportunities have only been given to me through my passion for music. I am very grateful for the way that music has impacted my life.” Matthew’s decision to pursue a musical career was
motivated by two things. “One scholarship money, and two I’ve always had a passion for music; I’ve always liked the sound I’ve got to create.” While both are excited to see what the future holds, they appreciate the time they have spent apart from the West Ranch music program. Both individuals thanked their directors and fellow musicians for shaping their experience at West Ranch. “The directors, Brian Leff and Stephen Hufford (and previously Jason Marshall), do an amazing job at building a creative and friendly environment for aspiring musicians to thrive,” Lobker shared. “Every band conducts themself with utmost professionalism that when West Ranch takes the stage at any festival or competition, the whole audience immediately gravitates to our performances. West Ranch has the best music program in the valley.” Swanson got the chance to participate in the Concert Orchestra before moving into the more advanced Chamber Orchestra. When reminiscing on his time as a
“Find the right music program that fits you--big school vs. small school, finding the right professor you want to study with, geographic location of the school, etc.” - Mr. Leff, Director of Jazz Studies part of these orchestras, he shared how much fun he has had. West Ranch’s Director of Instrumental Music, Mr. Hufford, reflected on his time spent with both Lobker and Swanson. When describing the individuals he shared how “both students are hard working, passionate about music, and always push themselves to improve.” As both head off to college, it may seem scary trying to adjust to the new environment. Mr. Leff, Director of Jazz Studies at West Ranch, offers his advice to both students as they embark on this next step in their musical careers. He advises “to find the right music program that fits you. Big school vs. small school, finding the right professor you want to study with, geographic location of the school, etc.” The Paw Print looks forward to seeing Lobker and Swanson succeed in their musical careers!
13
Artists & Designers For most seniors, finding a college to continue their education at is a must for the last couple of months of their high school career. At West Ranch, students go into a variety of majors, such as business, biology and engineering. However, there are a select few in the 2022 senior class planning to go into fashion, art and animation. The Paw Print decided to highlight these select students, here they are:
Suhwan Cho Suhwan Cho is going to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, following in her mother’s footsteps to become a stylist for high-end clientele. She discovered her love for fashion for its ability to allow anyone to freely express themselves in the manner they wish.
“I became interested in fashion after realizing how much creative space and joy it gave me. ”
Kiley Gustin Kiley Gustin will be attending California Polytechnic State University to further pursue her interest in graphic design. During her time at West Ranch, taking the graphic design course sparked her interest in attending an online class at ArtCenter College of Design. By pursuing this field of study she hopes to become a designer in a corporate setting and later freelance.
“A designer’s goal is to find ways to communicate to consumers and attempt to achieve visual solutions that are appropriate.”
college bound Story by Isabella Truong & Anika Sachdeva Photos by Minjun Kim & Desiree Perez Graphics by Andrew Kang
Hannah Zeringue Hannah Zeringue is going to California Lutheran University to further her education in the field of animation. Her goal is to learn more about the skills needed in storytelling and animating as a whole. She gained her interest in the major from watching cartoons such as Pink Panther and Tom and Jerry at a young age, finding their art styles appealing and inspiring. In the future, she hopes to work for a talented crew at Disney Studios and contribute to making new films. “Some of my favorite things about animation are the hard work and effort you get to see when the films come together.”
Mia Ouyang Mia Ouyang plans to attend California State University, Northridge in order to study animation. By pursuing this major she hopes to become an animator for television shows or video games. She has been doing art her entire life and is motivated by the idea of doing something artistic with her life. Her interest in animation began through her passion for art. Since her early childhood, Ouyang has been doing art and wants to dedicate her career to it.
“I find the major fascinating because it’s really the only film/ television medium that canisbeto anything— it canto imitate reality, “A designer’s goal find ways communicate itto canconsumers distort it, it can be completely unrealistic. It takes and attempt to achieve visual everything that life is and exaggerates it,”
solutions that are appropriate and functional.”
15
T
EN
AA W W AA RRDD SS
d”
ig e c dy rie tre The ize h s t n s Aw ce s, Pa he ch ar . G mu w P co ool ds ra si ri m e ! ds ca nt ing xp , t l a cu -o er he rti ra f ie se st te -ag nce aw and d a e i fr ar a su mp om ds lb rv a t ar um ey ct i he e , w as t h ar vo h ki a tis te ich ng s h ts d a w by the We d o e s yo y b t R n u adm u. el an s Th ie c be ire e ve h s fo to Pa b en re th w est io w e rs e
M
ST G O RA R Y P Po H BY p m cul IC A ov tu r RT m ies e h S ov w a B s Y SA to e o e re pl vo nt la ay A N de te o th te t ed N D a fin fo e o. k r I n Pr es a e t i ey D RE EN in t fil xt s i r t p he m c m ol e h re ir h , T ap po in W T se ig V r nt h se ter tan sha KA ER s: sc rie in t w p i Th h s, o e ng e oo ac ur re o N TAI “G l e to liv co u G N ra xp r, a es gn r h .
GG RRAA DD DD YY
17
PET projects, projects that are inspired by personal interests, are driven by the passions of many West Ranch students. Class of 2022 seniors Charlotte Kim, Shazaib Lalani and Avery Salin are each founders of their own club PET projects here at West Ranch, dedicating three to four years into their clubs: Kim for
ICSTEM, Lalani for SalaamShalom and Salin for Girl Up. Starting from the beginning of their freshman and sophomore years, all three devoted seniors have grown with their clubs and are now passing them down for other high school students to continue their legacy.
After learning that females make up less than 30% of people in STEM fields, senior Charlotte Kim knew she had to make a change. Inspired by Tech Trek, a STEM-based summer camp for women, she founded Inspired and Connected by STEM— ICSTEM—a club that aims to close the gender gap in the male-dominated industry. ICSTEM encourages female students to pursue STEM fields by bringing in guest speakers and providing further insight into the various STEM careers. Each speaker visits West Ranch to explain their career, their experiences working in their respective fields and the importance of women in STEM. “We want to prove that STEM is not just for men, since it is a male-dominated field. There is space for women too,” Kim emphasized. Leading the club since freshman year, Kim has contacted numerous universities such as UCLA and UC Berkeley to partner with ICSTEM. Kim explained, “We collaborated with UC Berkeley Big Data over distance-learning to introduce Python and Data Science and with UCLA City Lab this spring where our ICSTEM members worked with STEM majors at UCLA.” After she graduates, Kim hopes the club continues to expand so that more female students can join the STEM field. She expressed, “I feel confident that the new officers will do amazing things with this club and will continue to carry on the legacy of ICSTEM. I have high hopes for them all.” Her strong passion for gender equality in STEM continues to inspire many members to pursue jobs in these fields, and her legacy will continue to live on for many years through her lasting impact here at West Ranch.
Senior Shazaib Lalani’s idea of founding his own club— SalaamShalom—started the summer before his sophomore year, with his participation in the Muslims and Jews Inspiring Change program. Motivated by the connectivity between people of these two faiths from all backgrounds within the program, Lalani said he “realized there was a need for a unified safe space for students on campus.” This inspired him to create SalaamShalom, an interfaith club for students of Muslim and Jewish faith at West Ranch. “Our goal is to not only encourage students of both communities to come together, but it is also to offer a space for all students on campus to learn and share more, regardless of their background,” Lalani explained. SalaamShalom’s monthly meetings focus on the various holidays and traditions of people of Muslim and Jewish faith, building the connection between the two religions and encouraging West Ranch students to learn about a variety of cultures. As Lalani passes down his club after three years as president, he recalls his most memorable moment when the organization hosted their first food drive to support those struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an opportunity for SalaamShalom members to bond while helping out the Santa Clarita community. After he graduates, he hopes that SalaamShalom will continue to reach out to those at West Ranch, inviting students to learn more about their peers’ religious backgrounds. As his high school journey comes to an end, it is still only the beginning for SalaamShalom. As Lalani expressed, “I am extremely excited to see the progress that our club will carry out in the years to come. It’s been a fun and fulfilling time leading such a group, but I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
By dedicating all four years of her high school career, senior Avery Salin was able to found Girl Up, a club that advocates for global gender equality and empowers women to change the world, inspired by her passion for education. “Growing up, my family has always instilled in me the importance of education,” Salin explained. “My grandmother, a Jewish woman in the Soviet Union, had to fight for her education. She graduated valedictorian of her class and had an impressive application yet was rejected from every university on the basis of her religion. She appealed and, with tenacity, became a biochemical engineer. Knowing this, I have always valued my access to education and sought to ensure that all girls have the same opportunity.” Girl Up comes from a larger campaign for global gender equality by the United Nations that Salin wanted to bring to West Ranch. Members are given the opportunity to listen to guest speakers advocating for the cause, with meetings held to collaborate and fundraise. As president of Girl Up for four years, Salin has learned valuable skills in leadership, admitting that “during freshman year, [she] did not have any idea about how to lead a club.” However, with the support of her sister and friends, she was able to ensure her goal of successfully establishing the West Ranch Girl Up Club. Salin hopes that the club continues to grow and reach more passionate women at West Ranch after she graduates. She expressed, “I feel confident that other grade levels will continue the club in a new and unique way that will only make it better. Having a fresh perspective is very valuable, and I am excited to see what the members will do in the future.”
19
Story by Ricky Rojas and Clarissa Zuo Graphics by Jaeeun Park How do you obtain the “American Dream”— a dream for a better future for you and your family? For many West Ranch students, it’s through college, which is considered by many to be the path to a higher paying career and brighter future. But for a good deal of people, it’s not enough to just go to college; it needs to be the right college— the college of your dreams— and most of the time, that college is extremely selective. The obsession with elite postsecondary institutions has completely permeated our society. Popular culture icons from Gabriella Montez to Serena Van Der Woodsen are seemingly effortlessly admitted to Ivy League universities, almost as if it’s a prerequisite to being the main character. Successful figures like John F. Kennedy and Mark Zuckerberg appear to always graduate from or drop out of elite institutions, adding to the feeling that attending such a school is necessary for success. There are dozens of lists that rank colleges on cryptic metrics that supposedly culminate in a measurement of a quality education, but are actually more reflective of arbitrary factors. All of this fanfare built around the college admissions process encourages students to aim for the country’s most prestigious institutions. This lofty goal may have been more obtainable back in Zuckerberg’s time— when Harvard had a 11.1% acceptance rate— back when one could feasibly take certain steps during high school that would give them a reliable chance of being accepted by at least one member of the Ivy League. However, things have changed. Harvard’s acceptance rate has dropped to a record-low 4.0% in recent years, marking a clear increase in difficulty. But it’s not just the world’s top private institutions that struggle with this issue; it’s begun to leak into the UC and Cal State system as well. UCLA’s admission rate has dropped by almost two-thirds and UC Berkeley’s by almost half since the year 2000. Students with their sights set on schools which have less than a twenty percent acceptance rate can no longer just be a top student with perfect grades and extracurriculars. Nowadays, students need to have a “spike”—something to make them stand out— but as more students than ever are setting their sights to the top, it inevitably leads to disappointment, especially when it’s impossible to truly know what colleges want. West Ranch guidance counselor Mr. Gimber has had students return to his office after the college admissions cycle is over and ask what went wrong for them. “That’s not really a question that I, or any of us as counselors have an answer for, because it’s not so much that you did anything wrong, as much as it’s just the college wasn’t able to take you in,” Gimber said. “Unfortunate as it is, they don’t have enough space to take everybody. They get so many qualified candidates and how they have to sift through who they feel they want at the college is kind of a trade secret. They never really let us counselors know, they give us sort of this kind of general idea of what students can do to help themselves, give themselves that competitive advantage when they’re trying to apply to a college. And then ultimately, we don’t really understand all of the reasons behind why someone got in versus another student. It
really sort of runs the gamut. We’ve seen students from all backgrounds both get in and get rejected.” The stress that comes from the admissions process can understandably morph into jealousy and insecurity. It’s hard not to compare yourself to or feel a bit resentful towards your classmates or friends who receive coveted spots at toptier universities. Mr. Gimber said, “It’s common. I think that probably comes from, if we’re talking psychological here, that ‘who am I, to myself versus who I who am I to the group?’ I think that’s an easy thing for us to fall into. That ‘how did I do compared to everybody else?’” The way the college admissions process is set up makes it easy for students to be compared with each other by distilling all the factors that make them unique into a handful of essays and statistics. However, this means that the process inherently encourages students to compare themselves with their peers. This is helpful when it allows students to find schools that are a good fit for their academic prowess, but can also be incredibly toxic when students start comparing each and every little detail about themselves with others. Mohamed El Fouly, a senior at West Ranch, recently had to deal with this phenomenon. He says, “I personally feel rather happy with my [accomplishments], but then when I compare [myself] to other people, I do feel a bit more disappointed at times.” Unfortunately, the issue doesn’t stop with just El Fouly. Personally, I’ve seen these comparisons really hurt people as university decisions have rolled out these past few months. For some, the decisions validated all the effort they put into high school, both academically and through extracurriculars, but others began to question if they made the right choices. After all, what was the point of all that hard work and tedious classes only for them to be rejected? This system of comparison especially hurts those who did activities just to be good college applicants. These students put themselves in a much more precarious and emotionally damaging position if it doesn’t work out. Then, because it’s so easy to compare themselves with others, regret can quickly take over and it becomes easy to overanalyze what they could have done differently to get a “better” outcome. The whole system is set up in a way that fosters comparison and jealousy where it can feel like nothing is ever enough. Nearly everyone I know has fallen into this trap in some capacity, including myself, and the only way out of it is to realign your goals with what you actually want. Feelings of college insecurity are easy to develop and difficult to overcome but many are able to do it by recontextualizing their goals. As El Fouly puts it, “[The] reasoning that led me to overcome that feeling of jealousy was this: it doesn’t matter what other people do, it doesn’t matter what other people get, as at the end of the day you just have to be the best you that you can be. If you just [put] yourself down, the only person you’re going to hurt is yourself. There’s no reason to keep pestering yourself about what could be. Just think about what is and do the best for the future.”
21
I am a part of an eighteen-member group chat, consisting of upper and underclassmen, where we talk about anything and everything, from our songs of the day to whether there are more doors or wheels in the world. Although our conversations are often like the punch line to a good joke, I find myself experiencing melancholy. As I near the end of high school, I have realized how our friends become such a valuable element of our identity. Although seemingly obvious, it is often overlooked. I spend five out of the seven days of the week with friends, whether it is during our school breaks ranting about the class we had before or during open periods where we impulsively go out for Ding Tea. The other two days can be filled with spontaneous FaceTime calls and planned gatherings. My friend group has become an integral part of my everyday life; they are an integral part of who I am. Hannah Chung, a West Ranch senior, expressed how her friend group has also influenced her high school experience. “Friends have made the past four years so much more fun, and the memories I have made with them are ones I will keep forever. Being surrounded by people who genuinely care for you is so important, and I have realized that your friends are the people who are always by your side.” Another West Ranch senior, Chris Taguba explained, “Throughout the tough moments of school and life in general, my friends and I have always made sure that we offered each other support and guidance in the right direction.” With graduation approaching, the bittersweet reality of high school and friendships has begun to set in. Eventually, we will have our last brunch quizzing each other on the entire textbook for our following exams, our last lunch trying to eat through our obnoxious laughter at the corniest jokes and our last after-school hangout, squeezing into a car not meant to fit seven people. We will soon walk across the stage and just like that—high school is over. Despite these events yet to happen, my heart grows heavy with them in thought. It is easy to become the world’s biggest pessimist when the word “last” precedes such
meaningful moments and there is a set date that marks the end. Throughout these past four years, we have experienced tremendous growth and emotion. We have loved and lost people as they come and go in our lives. As that notion comes to fruition, so does the fear that these friends may one day be mere posts we come across on our social media feed or ghosts that haunt our adolescent mementos. Leaving high school can feel like we are saying goodbye to the person we are now and within that, we feel like we are saying goodbye to our friends. We are left to question: is this the end? To simply answer—no. This is not the end. Although high school will come to an end, that does not mean our friendships have to go with it. A plethora of these intimate bonds were formed within the past four years and others have stuck together since their days on the playground. But, like us, these relationships will inevitably go through changes. We all carry a longing to keep these friends forever, but the actuality of where these relationships will go is unpredictable. As West Ranch senior Pratika Prasad said, “I think it’s really important to understand that your friends will start a new chapter in their lives, and sometimes you may not be in that chapter. I plan on being there for my friends no matter how much time has passed and whatever space there is between us. The memories and time we’ve spent when we were younger will always be cherished and I know I would want my friends to succeed and have a fruitful life ahead of them.” For some, everyone is going to the same college or are within convenient visiting distance. For others, they are factoring in time zone differences and when the semester ends for possible reunions. Yet, the battle to save these relationships will have varying outcomes. Regardless, we will try our best to maintain these friendships. Even so, things may still not go according to plan and we will have to painfully accept that it is okay. But from now until then, and many more years after that, what these friendships meant to us will always remain.
23 23
Once a Wildcat, Story by Clarissa Zuo Graphics by Andrew Kang
There is a moment from the TV show “Riverdale’’ that became popular online in early 2019. It comes as a response to another character saying they had to drop out of school in 4th grade, to which Archie Andrews, the jock male lead, responds with the now-famous line, “That means you haven’t known the triumphs and defeats, the epic highs and lows of high school football.” This cheesy line has become a popular meme online. Despite being a bit melodramatic, there is a grain of truth to the statement. Through the countless hours spent on practice and games, athletes learn the lessons that continue to help them in college. Even if they choose to stop playing after graduation, all the life lessons they’ve learned through sports will stay with them. Jonathan Fisher, a West Ranch senior on the varsity boys basketball and volleyball teams, said, “‘Communication is always important’ is a very good life lesson I’ve learned throughout my time in sports at West Ranch.” In college, students have to take more responsibility for their own education. Professors expect students to come in for help during office hours when they are struggling. Athletes, like Fisher, may be more prepared for this after years of communicating with their coaches about scheduling than the average student.
“You are not defined by how many times you fail, but instead by how you bounce back from each of those failures.” - Jason Drees
Although he is still undecided on which college he will attend, Fisher has the opportunity to play basketball at one of his choices. He states that the lessons he learned in sports can still benefit him in his future, even if he chooses not to play. “As I said before, communication is really important, but so is time management,” Fisher explained. “That’s going to be the most important factor in college in being able to do everything you want to do.” Coach Lindgreen, a West Ranch teacher and head varsity baseball coach, has been coaching for 13 years and has similar ideas about the benefits of learning how to distribute your time. He’s mentored dozens of players throughout their high school years and has seen firsthand how these values can help them. “I would say that the two biggest values for student athletes are really work ethic and time management,” Lindgreen said. “Managing time is tough for almost all teenagers, and they’re growing up and learning how to balance a lot of responsibilities. Student athletes are forced to do that. They have practice, a lot of buses and a lot of travel on weekends. They’re forced to figure out how to manage their time.” When students enter college, they will have more things competing for their attention. In most universities, professors don’t assign homework day to day like a high school teacher. Instead, students are told when the dates for a few major assignments are when the course starts and have to manage their own time in order to prepare for them. “The second one, work ethic, is knowing that even if you’re not feeling good that day, you push forward,” Lindgreen continued. “You have to get back up and get to practice the next day. So hopefully the work ethic part and managing their time are two things they can bring to the rest of their life in college and when they get to the workforce, things they’ll have to rely on.”
Jason Drees is an alumni of the West Ranch baseball program and a former student of Mr. Lindgreen’s that graduated in 2016. “I have failed so much in life because of baseball, and in a way, it has made me who I am today,” Drees explained. “Today, I am not afraid to fail, in fact, I welcome it with open arms knowing that I can learn something that could be so much more beneficial to my future than if I succeeded the first time. Like Rocky said, ‘It’s not about how hard you hit, but about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward’. I think that is a great way to look at life. You are not defined by how many times you fail, but instead by how you bounce back from each of those failures.” Drees now works in a management program for an electrical distribution company. He plans to be running his own location by the end of 2022 and says the lessons he learned as a baseball player continue to benefit his career. “I have also taken the work ethic and consistency that I learned from baseball straight into the workforce with me,” Drees continued. “Sports have taught me that you have to work hard every day to get to where you want to be and knowing that fuels my drive everyday to get better at my job.” As these Wildcat athletes prepare to move past high school, Coach Lindgreen looks forward to seeing them one last time. “Maybe my favorite memory, year after year, is really graduation. Every year at graduation, there’s kind of a line of coaches that stand where the procession is walking in,” Lindgreen said. “To see various student athletes, especially the ones that we’ve coached as they’re graduating high school, to give them the high-five, to give them that hug and see them come through holding hands. Every year, we have this really cool culminating moment.” In mere days, seniors across the nation will leave their high school sports career behind. The soccer jerseys will be returned, the athletic clearances will expire and the trophies are already gathering dust. West Ranch seniors won’t call themselves Wildcats forever. As they enter college they will become Stags, Banana Slugs or Aggies. But in the lessons they learned, the values they hold and the memories they carry, they will always be Wildcats.
“I have failed so much in life because of baseball, and in a way, it has made me who I am today." - Jason Drees
Always a Wildcat 25
WILDCAT SPORTS COMMITMENTS COMMITMENTS Story by Colin Park Photos by Haley Choe, Ian Kim and Clarissa Zuo
HAYDEN WASHINGTON Loyola Marymount University
As one of the top athletes coming out of the West Ranch cross country and track teams, Hayden Washington grew up around this sport almost all her life. With a loving family and dedication to the sport, Washington was able to receive an offer from Loyola Marymount University. Through countless talks with the coach and an official visit to the campus, Washington believed this was the school for her. “I chose LMU because it truly had everything that I was looking for in a college and it just fit my personality and work style the best. It also was about five minutes away from the beach, which is something that I really wanted because the beach makes me feel at peace.” Even with all these advantages, Washington still struggled to commit, as she had to commit before getting responses from other schools she had applied for. Once she did decide, however, she was happy with her decision Madonna University and excited about the college experience. Beginning at age four, Carter Borsos was inspired to play lacrosse after his dad gave him a stick and played catch with him all day. However, lacrosse wasn’t just a sport for Borsos: “What I enjoy most about lacrosse is the way it takes me away from my issues, so when I play lacrosse my mind is empty and I’m only focused on the game,” Borsos said. With the ability to see the field and create opportunities for his teammates to score, Borsos was given a chance to play at Madonna University. Although he had gotten offers from other coaches previously, what set Madonna apart from the rest was the great coaching staff and team-bonding when he visited. With the conclusion of his high school career, Borsos hopes that his success will carry on as a Crusader.
CARTER BORSOS
CASSIDY IMPERIAL-PHAM CSU Northridge Known for her skills on the field, Cassidy Imperial-Pham has been a big reason for West Ranch soccer’s success. Inspired by her parents and teammates, ImperialPham believes her biggest motivation to work hard was that her club teammates were all committing to college while she still hadn’t received an offer yet. With her final season approaching, Imperial-Pham received news from her coaches that a coach from CSUN would be coming to watch one of their games. After exchanging emails, Imperial-Pham was invited for a campus tour of CSUN where she also received an offer from the coaches. “When I was offered a spot, I was definitely happy and excited that someone wanted me on their team, but I was also super scared thinking about how much work I’m going to have to put in to be successful.” Through much debate between CSUN and Cal Lutheran, Imperial-Pham decided to commit to CSUN because both of her parents had graduated from CSUN and because of their great kinesiology program.
27
Addie Ferguson’s first memory as a softball player was winning the Foothill League championship back in 2017. Since then, Ferguson’s leadership on University the field has led her to countless out-of-state tournaments in order to help with the recruitment process. However, many athletes like Ferguson were not given the same opportunity because of COVID-19. Instead, she relied on email, Zoom meetings, Twitter and Youtube during the last couple of years. Despite this, after watching her games and giving her an unofficial visit in August, Coach Lisa Costello, head coach of Towson College, gave Ferguson an offer. “After I committed, a huge weight was lifted and it felt like all my hours on the field and in the cages were paying off towards my future.” Ferguson Claremont McKenna College said. Now as a Townson Tiger, she hopes to carry the same hard work and talent into her collegiate as she Representing did at West Ranch. number eight on the West Ranch football field, Dylan Cotti became Claremont McKenna’s newest wide receiver on Jan. 10, 2022. Accumulating a total of 672 yards and eight touchdowns his senior year, Cotti was able to lead West Ranch to a 4-1 season in the Foothill League. With his growing success, Cotti was eventually invited to Claremont’s summer football camp where he ran drills and got a tour of the school from the coaches. At the end of the camp, Cotti was pulled aside with his family and given an offer. When asked about his commitment process, Cotti stated, “Especially after seeing the campus it was a school that I fell in love with. It was relieving to commit. It felt like all the hard work had paid off and I knew my dream of playing college football was coming true.” From playing flag football at a young age to Cotti graduating in only a month, the Paw Print wishes him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
ADDIE FERGUSON Towson
DYLAN COTTI
ASHLYN WALTERS Chapman University
Starting her swim career in junior high school, Ashlyn Walters fell in love with the sport after recalling the memories she had made with all her friends on the team. Unlike the normal recruitment process, Walters was not contacted by Chapman University at first. Instead, while she was applying for colleges, she reached out to the coaches, telling them her times for her sprint backstrokes. As a surprise, after placing third in the SCIAC Championships this year, she was offered a place immediately as they thought she would be a major asset in their team’s success. Even though she was on the fence about committing, as she still had other offers, she decided to commit to Chapman after visiting the campus and enjoying the atmosphere others gave. With her season coming to an end, Walters said, “Swimming is a big part of my life and I am going to continue to do what I love for another four years.”
Reflection
from the...
When we were new to the Paw Print the Editors-In-Chief seemed almost superhuman. They always knew what to do, what looked good and what didn’t, and had incredibly helpful advice. But as it turns out, when you become EIC the knowledge doesn’t magically come to you. We felt intimidated that we wouldn’t be able to fill the shoes of the Editors before us, but we did it. There were trials and tribulations along the way but in the end we wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The fundamentals of journalism are relatively simple: attend, report and publish. As someone who compulsively compartmentalizes and organizes, I naturally appreciated the strong framework of journalism offered and called for. I am grateful to have had the class throughout my high school career, taking the form of a constant outlet of creativity and structure. I stuck to Features, a section that I would come to love, writing stories with my fellow editors and witnessing unity and friendship come to fruition. My own voice emerged as my experience grew and stepping into the role of the Features Section Editor my sophomore year built my confidence as a writer but also as a student. The possibility of being Editorin-Chief was a distant thought, striking me when it became a reality my senior year. While being an EIC has invited new challenges and responsibility, it was my journey through The Paw Print where I learned resilience in the midst of struggle, created unforgettable friendships and memories and allowed leadership and responsibility to become a defining part of my identity. The Paw Print, both the class and the people, taught me the beauty in struggle and the light in unity. So, thank you to Ricky for staying alongside me through our ventures as Editors-in-Chief, thank you to the entire class for being the best team I could ask for and thank you to the readers for making our job worth it.
Journalism: a time to write stories and design layouts, to work with friends and interview fun, inspiring people. Throughout my time in The Paw Print I’ve had many different roles and responsibilities— from staff writer to section editor to Editor-In-Chief— and they all have had a huge impact on me. Not only has my writing ability flourished, but I’ve learned so much about working with people and helping them improve and mature alongside me. I can definitely say that I’ve grown a lot during high school, both academically and socially. I would have never have thought I would get into such an amazing school or achieve such a diverse set of accomplishments. However, the most memorable parts of my high school experience are because of the friends I’ve made along the way. I’ve met people with such a varying range of talents and interests, who are witty and funny, or always willing to make me laugh. Even things like being nominated as prom royalty wouldn’t have happened without them and this environment is perfectly reflected in Journalism. Every morning we write together and talk about our day or laugh. They jokingly clap when we speak to the class or draw fun doodles on the board, and they make it worth waking up early every morning. So thank you to all my friends for making my Senior as memorable as it is, I’ll miss you all next year.
So we’ve made it through high school. Or, as we like to call it, the process of transforming from a prepubescent tween to an adult capable of filing their own taxes. Along the way, we formed close friendships that made starting our school days in the early morning worth it. It’s been a crazy four years, or 1461 days. Many of those 1461 days were spent wondering why we’ve never had a “High School Musical” flash mob on campus despite being the West Ranch “Wildcats.” 1461 days of messing up and trying again. 1461 days of exploring new horizons, soaring towards the future while embracing the memories of the past. Freshman year. A year filled with being booed at rallies, the unmatched “Avengers: Endgame” hype and joyful echoes of music floating around the amphitheater from the people who brought their ukuleles to school. Ten months of getting your sky-high expectations for yourself knocked down a few notches, dealing with being the lowest social class of the high school hierarchy and learning that upperclassmen with beards aren’t that scary after all. Sophomore year. Slowly branching out into new clubs and getting more involved on campus. Maybe you learned to drive as your mom held tightly to her armrest or taught yourself to slow down and take deep breaths in the event of a fire-caused school day cancellation. All of us mourned the passings of Gracie Muehlberger and Dominic Blackwell, hugged our families and friends tighter than ever before and experienced the strength of a community coming together as one. We entered lockdown and learned to live in boxes, while also
reflecting on our own identities on a deeper level. A year of self-exploration, new baking recipes and most of all, gratitude. Junior year. We like to joke that it didn’t happen, but some of the brightest moments of high school occurred in our own homes or in Zoom rooms. The time your sibling came in when you weren’t on mute, or when you started a ranting session in the Zoom chat. Or maybe you finally learned to do eyeliner, practicing every day because nobody was there to witness you messing up. The breakout groups that contained the people who’d become your best friends for the rest of high school. It feels like a brief electronic blip that we’d often rather forget, yet junior year took our ability to adapt even further. In spite of it all, we somehow survived and came back to campus stronger. Senior year. Supercharged with a revamped wardrobe and cool new music taste, we arrived ready to make the final year of high school our era. Too many memories to count. Standing arm in arm with your favorite people during the Senior Sunrise and trying your hardest not to think about the inevitable Senior Sunset. Pulling all-nighters to work on college application essays until the words made alphabet soup on the computer screen and wondering if it’s all worth it. Screaming along to music on the road to lunch during your open period because you all finally have open periods, loving life yet terrified of how fast everything’s passing by. The year of making up for lost time, making it count and making our mark. These are the memories that bond us together, whether we’ll know each other through Instagram photos or as roomies for the next four. This is us, Class of 2022.
