Senior Issue 2019 by The Paw Print

the

PAW PRINT Seniorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Edi tion 2019

Table of Contents News Editors News Writers

Senior Superlatives

Features Editors Features Writers

Art and STEM Students

Editorials Editors Editorials Writers

Flashback

A&E Editors

A&E Writers Sports Editors Sports Writers

Prom

16 Senior Reflections

Copy Editor Social Media Editors Web Editor Web Editor-in-Chief Design Editor Design Editor-in-Chief Editors-in-Chief Adviser

Ryan Factora Zoey Greenwald Jessica Son Shanzay Hassan Seabrijn Hutson Siena Zarrell Hannah Kim Alyssa Truong Brooke Johnston Katie Luo Alexa Empleo Ashley Park Sophia Kriegel Iman Baber Minjoon Kang Quynn Lubs Chika Ma Sydney Young Mary Waugh Emily Chang Erin Eskoff Jasleen Arora Daniel Lee Jay Singh Noah Neri Zachary Singer Harneet Arora Aerin Choi Christine Joo Timothy Kang Jay Park Allison Alben Skijler Hutson Audrey Kim Mina Jang Ms. Grothe

Lucas Elzer & Lauren Franco

Sophie Bobal & Kenny Cosme Photos by Skijler Hutson

Faith Myszkowski & Peyton Armendariz

Sophia Bruce & Violet Bowen

Rachel Beroth & Anna Sarukian

Weston Eget, Jovan Camacho & Ryan Camacho

Ayden Mckenzie, Max Lin & Natalie Jawher

Mya Davis & Kelsey Bacon

THE PACK Story and Portraits by Daniel Lee Pack Photo provided by Jayden Meister

No matter who your group of friends is at school or what your class rank is, we are all one when it comes to the Pack. “The Pack is somewhere that students can feel connected to other peers no matter what the circumstances are. We can all come together as Wildcats to cheer on our sports teams,” confirmed Goldfisher, one of this year’s Pack leaders. We all have had to work our way from the top of the bleachers to the bottom. It starts off as being nervous freshman who are shy to show off energy, comfortable sophomores who are still reserved, juniors who want to prove they are ready to take on the Pack for the next year and, finally, seniors who give it their all for the memories of “Friday Night Lights.” The Pack Leaders are the face of the Pack; this year, it was led by Joey Goldfisher, Mya Davis, Lucas Elzer and Darryl Evans. They were selected by the seniors who came before them and chosen for their leadership qualities and eccentric personalities. At games, it may seem like they are just the ones who yell a little louder than the rest, but there is a lot that goes with being a Pack Leader. Davis and Elzer cannot stress enough that “communication is key.” Having four students trying to control the atmosphere and energy of hundreds of students every week while abiding to the rules that administration has set is not an easy job. In fact, some of Davis’s favorite memories from this year come from mistakes like when “Joey messed up chants” or having to deal with “the crazy heckles coming from the crowds.” But the leaders all emphasize that the most important thing to remember is that “you can control your attitude.” Davis adds on by commenting that “remaining positive and cracking jokes in the midst of terrible L’s — that’s a life lesson right there.” “The Pack means energy. This year we had a lot of energy in the pack going

towards our sports teams. We would keep our team going in certain games we thought we were going to lose,” stated Evans. School spirit is contagious and strongly depends on who leads the movement. If there is one thing that this year’s Pack leaders want next year’s to do, is to “Keep the energy alive.” Regardless of what happens in the game, every individual is in charge of whether or not they made it an enjoyable time. The rest of the leaders agreed when Elzer said to “just be loud, do chants and make a good playlist. There should be no games off. I want high energy every game — all year.” To the class of 2020: You do you. It will be your year. Try new things, elevate the legacy passed onto you, and create memories for a comforting nostalgia in the future. “It’s your senior year. Make sure to leave your mark on the school,” Goldfisher concluded. Your high school experience is very different from the person who sits next to you in math. But hopefully, everyone has the common experience of some exceptional stories and memories that have come from nights with the Pack. And to those who have never come out to any games or don’t plan on it in the future, please reconsider. The energy of the crowd gives you goosebumps. It may bring out a side of you, a passion, that you never knew you had. Your grades and test scores will only mean so much in the future. Once you get into college, they become irrelevant numbers. But the memories you will make with your friends and classmates will last forever. Just as Evans stated about your senior year, “Don’t let it go to waste.” Don’t regret anything. Do it right and go all out. There is nothing to lose. Work hard and play hard. Cheers to the class of 2019 and here’s to the ever-growing legacy of the Pack.

ONCE ONCE A A WILDCAT... WILDCAT...

military. the

students ready to serve our country

Story by Seabrijn Hutson and Siena Zarrell; Photos by Maya Christensen It’s impressive when students have an idea of what they hope to do after graduation. It’s even more impressive when students know they want to serve their country. A few seniors at West Ranch have made this brave decision and enrolled in a military academy or have even enlisted.

Isaiah Seidman: West Point Q: Why did you decide to join the military? A: I decided to go into the military because it offers a lifestyle I enjoy. The disciplined atmosphere and great influences will teach me skills I can use for the rest of my life. Q: Why choose the military over college? A: Choosing to go to a military academy instead of a normal college was not a hard decision for me. Most people in high school are searching for the “college experience,” and, quite frankly, it’s a path with a very misleading destination. I know that a military academy will push me to reach my full potential unlike a normal college would, and that is the type of college experience I find worthwhile.

Rijker Hutson: Air Force Academy Q: What job do you intend to pursue in the military? A: I am really looking to become a fighter pilot. In recent years, there has been an order for more F-35 joint strike fighters, and of course with these new planes, they will need new pilots to fly them. So, I hope to directly get pushed into that program. Q: What makes you confident in your decision and how does it prepare you for the rest of your life? A: Well, going to a military academy requires five years of active duty service afterwards and in my case, 10 years for pilots. The reasoning for this is that the government is investing in us and thus needs to get a return on that initial expense. But I am so confident, because it essentially prepares me for the rest of my life. Going to an academy means a free education and a guaranteed job after graduating. Furthermore, these graduates have one of, if not, the highest median salary of all college graduates in the first few years.

Jonathan Brinkman: Enlisting in the U.S. Navy Q: What job do you intend to pursue in the military? A: In the Navy, rather than an MOS, all personnel receive “rates,” which are jobs designated by two or three letters. The rate that I have desired is HM, which is also called “corpsman.” A corpsman, pronounced “core-man,” is an enlisted medical technician akin to an EMT or a lower-level nurse. Q: What makes you confident in your decision, and how does it prepare you for the rest of your life? A: I am confident in my decision to become a corpsman, as the my time in the Navy will begin with world-class training and qualification as a civilian-rated EMT. I will also have the opportunity to specialize with options ranging from surgical assistant to flight surgery technician to a battlefield medic serving with a Marine Corps unit. These skill are easily transferable and highly desired, especially in the first responder field/law enforcement as well as in a hospital setting.

Patrick Basore: Enlisting in the Army Q: Why did you decide to join the military? A: I joined the military because it embodies the very patriotism and values I’ve come to love that are so deeply tied to our country. It allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself, where I feel I can most effectively make a difference. From a very young age, I was dead-set on joining, though I hadn’t narrowed it down to a specific branch just yet. I knew all those years ago that in some way, I needed to serve my country, and it didn’t matter how. Q: Why did you decide to join your respective branch? A: When deciding what branch to join, there were many factors I had to consider, such as job availability, pay, benefits, location, scholarship opportunities, and how it would help my future career path. In the end, the Army was the clear choice, because their opportunities for criminal justice careers far outweighed any of the other branches. It will give me the opportunity to work closely with the FBI and even take classes at Quantico.

ISAIAH SEIDMAN

JONATHAN BRINKMAN

RIJKER HUTSON

PATRICK BASORE

? Story and photos by Alexa Empelo

Everyone has a different path that works best for them. Countless students believe in the notion that community college is not the best option — a consolation prize for not attaining their desired university. Of course, going straight into a four-year opens a lot of doors that kids find appealing: moving away sometimes to a whole new state, making better connections and of course, having the credibility as a student of that university. However, people often forget that College of the Canyons (COC) has more benefits than just being cost-efficient. English teacher Allison Hunsaker discusses some of these overlooked benefits: “COC has a sister relationship with UCLA, so you have an excellent chance of being accepted to that university as a transfer student. Not all colleges will necessarily accept AP credits. COC will take them all, so every credit you earn in an AP class by passing the exam, COC will accept. It’s not unusual for a student who took AP courses at West Ranch to go to COC and start as sophomores. They then transfer to the school of their choice, spend another two years, and in three years’ total they have a bachelor’s degree which they’ve only paid half the face value of.” Hunsaker also discusses how COC can make a student even more valuable to their future employers. “You’re also going to have smaller classes and more face time with your professor than a university, and they’re going to give you a lot of opportunities. In addition to that, many students are able to work and build up a work history in addition to having a bachelor’s degree, which makes them much more marketable when they enter the workforce rather than just having a degree alone.” The community college path may be considered a last resort for many incoming freshmen, but it is actually the most practical and sensible path to take for most of the student body. It saves time, money and effort that a lot of students can utilize for other purposes, andlessens one’s chance of accumulating debt throughout their lives. Some people here at West Ranch have realized this opportunity and share why they personally think attending COC is better than the traditional four-year university course.

C O C

“It’s better because it’s the cheaper option. Like, I can live home, live with my mom — she can pay house stuff — and just [get] my general eds for the first two years, and then go transfer to CSUN for another two years, so I can get my actual education. Because it’s cheaper to get your actual education at home, you know?” -Taylr Smaw

“I think COC is better. Well, first off, it’s more costefficient, especially with people who are more kind of pressured to apply to a four-year right away. It’s a really good option, especially if you’re not sure with what you want to do. Like I know that’s why I applied to COC, because I’m not sure if I’m going to want to do the same thing that I’m doing right now in a few years.” -Kenny Cosme

“In Santa Clarita, many kids enjoy the benefits of having their parents pay for their college fees. Some, like me, however, have to pay for most or all of it. COC offers programs like the First Year Promise, which dictates if a student meets the needed requirements for the program, he or she could receive free tuition for a year. Because COC is a community college, it will overall save me a lot of money. I would like to be able to transfer to another school once I finish two years at the college. I’ve also heard from my friends who go there that it’s easy to transfer since the counselors help you meet the credits and classes. Of course, I would love to be able to go to four-year university right out of high school, but those two years are nothing in terms of the rest of my education; and I’m saving so much money at the same time.” -Hannah LeBlanc

Hannah Landon Studying Industrial Design at Pratt Institute

Q: What were your parents’ and peers’ reactions when they heard you wanted to go to an art school? Were they supportive? A: No one was surprised at all. I’ve talked about going to an art school since I was a kid. My family and friends are super supportive. I never felt any judgement for wanting to go to art school. Q: Why did you choose to go to Pratt? A: I applied to a good mix of art schools and normal universities, and I ended up choosing Pratt because they gave me a good chunk of scholarship money and the location is awesome. Q: What is your plan for the future after you graduate? A: I hope to be some sort of creative director. Apart from that, I’m not totally sure. I’m excited to see what I do in the future.

Pursuing the Arts Story by Chika Ma and Ryan Factora

Photos by Chika Ma and Skijler Hutson Every year, a majority of West Ranch Students flock to vocational schools and colleges to pursue a wide variety of majors in areas such as STEM, manufacturing, or political science. However, out of these students, there is always a few who stand out by choosing to pursue the arts. This year, several West Ranch students applied to colleges and universities that focus on the arts rather than standard academics. Choosing majors from theater to industrial and strategic design, these students are branching out from the typical art majors like painting and photography at their schools where they can release their inner creativity to express new and innovative ideas.

Lauren Franco

Studying Musical Theater at Cornish College of the Arts

Q: What were your parents’ and peers’ reactions when they heard you wanted to go to an art school? Were they supportive? A: It was either this school or cosmetology school, and everyone was supportive of both options. But because this school provides me with a degree, my parents were slightly more on board. Q: What was the application process you had to go through? A: There was an in-person audition, which included a live singing and dancing audition, along with an interview and review of personal essays. Q: What is your plan for the future after you graduate? A: I plan on being a theater teacher or an owner of a small theater company along with working in the nightlife scene.

Brian Yoon

Studying Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design

Q: What were your parents’ and peers’ reactions when they heard you wanted to go Parsons? Were they supportive? A: My parents definitely had second thoughts here and there, especially when they heard that their Korean kid wants to go to an “art school” even though I’m going there to acquire a BBA. They soon got supportive of my choices and they accepted the fact that this was a school for me. Q: What was the application process you had to go through? A: I had to submit a common app with the 650 word count and create a visual work based on something I created for the “Parsons Challenge,” which is required for the strategic design and management majors.

Haley Fernandez Q: What field are you planning to major in? A: I’m planning on majoring in bioengineering, which is a combination of engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology, with an emphasis in biology so I can most likely go into medicine. Q: What colleges are you thinking about? A: I’m deciding, right now, between MIT and UCLA. Q: How did you become passionate about the STEM fields?

Tina Hwang Q: What field are you planning to major in? A: I got into a six-year-program, so, in the fall, I will be attending pharmacy school. Q: What colleges are you thinking about? A: I’m going to Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science. It’s over in Massachusetts, in the Boston area, and I really like it because it’s in the city. Q: How did you become passionate about the STEM fields? A: I think my passion to go into the STEM field started early. I knew from ninth grade. I knew pretty early on that I wanted to go into the pharmacy field, so throughout high school I worked toward that goal. When I was applying for colleges, I knew about this one school that I always wanted to attend so my whole focus on high school was towards eventually getting in and being in pharmacy as a career. I think that drive took me through the four years at high school. Q: What aspects were challenging about pursuing your field? A: Because I knew about the pharmaceutical field and that I wanted to get involved in that in the future, I think the challenge is always as technology increases, is my field still going to be relevant? [...] I think that those are the types of challenges that I need to overcome myself.

A: I went to a private elementary middle school, and I did Science Olympiad and Math Olympics there. I also enjoyed doing science fair and everything when I was there. When I got here, I joined FDA, which is Future Doctor’s Association. I’m actually vice president of that now, and I joined ICSTEM this year. My dad’s a doctor, so I kind of got passionate based off of him, but I’ve always just liked science in school and I’ve also always liked math. Q: What are your plans after graduation, and later, after college? A: After graduation I’m planning on going to undergraduate, either MIT or UCLA, get my four year bachelors for science, go past to graduate school, hopefully at an IVY league or some place like Stanford. I actually haven’t really decided if I want to go into medicine or engineering. I just know that I want to go into the STEM field. I’m into medical technology, like designing medical devices, which is a combination of engineering and biology.

STEM SENIORS Photos and story by Jessica Son

Leila Bathke Q: What colleges are you thinking about? A: I committed to MIT. Q: What field are you planning to major in? A: Biology. I want to go to medical school after taking undergraduate, but what’s cool about MIT is that we don’t have to declare our major until sophomore year. Q: How did you become passionate about the STEM fields? A: My parents are both nurses, so I just grew up in that kind of household. But, also, the school has a really good AP Biology class. In freshman year, we dissected a fetal pig, and I think that’s what sparked everything. I want to go into surgery, and also my Honors Anatomy class, Honors Microbiology class with all the labs in it inspired me to pursue that as a job. Q: What aspects were challenging when pursuing your field? A: Biology, especially, is very competitive, and I think I knew that I might have less chance of getting into the major I want at a school that I want to go to. And, so, I think the way that it affected me is at some schools I didn’t apply for biology specifically. I applied for microbiology or stuff like that so I would have a better chance of getting in, and I’m still very passionate about those fields. And some other challenges I faced was trying to get experience in other ways other than just West Ranch classes [...] like volunteering at a hospital. Q: What are your expectations for college? A: It’s definitely going to be very hard. There’s grade inflation so it’s kind of like how in AP classes here a B is actually an A so it’s that level of rigor that B’s are actually A’s and C’s are B’s at MIT, so I’m prepared for that. A positive expectation is that the class sizes aren’t too big, and it’s not difficult to get into a class, unlike how a public school is really competitive to get into a class because there’s so many kids.

The STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) provide many options and careers for aspiring science students. Our graduating seniors, with college on their minds, have worked throughout high school to find their passions and pursue them. However, a few have taken on the challenge of not only majoring in STEM but also going to specific schools for this field. After four years of hard work and dedication, they are ready for the rigor that characterizes some of these prestigious STEM schools.

wxyz

16WR

WEST RANCH

wxyz

16WR

SH BAC

WEST RANCH

LA wxyz

18WR

wxyz

18WR

WEST RANCH

201 9 G

C H S HO

Freshman

18WR

wxyz

Most popular song: “Shape of You” - Ed Sheeran Biggest clothing trend: Flowy bohemian pants Homecoming prince and princess: Megan Taff and Tyler Ney Best memory: “I wouldn’t have met my girlfriend if it weren’t for this school. We met the summer before sophomore year when I tried to branch out and hang out with new friends.” Josh Gundred

Sophomore

WEST RANCH

Most popular song: “Closer” - The Chainsmokers Biggest clothing trend: Pink jackets and leggings Homecoming prince and princess: Calyn Walsh and Mason James Best memory: “My favorite memory would have to be freshman football. All the people on the team were close at the time and we had a lot of fun.” Jeremiah Guzman

Most popular song: “Havana” - Camila Cabello Biggest clothing trend: Gucci belts Homecoming prince and princess: Maysen Tagliaferri and Jared Staub Best memory: “The summer in between junior and senior year when the senior class had the first ever beach bonfire. I remember that day vividly because I became so close with so many different types of people.” Taylar Hollomon

Junior

Senior

16WR

wxyz 19

Story by Sophia Kriegel Photos submitted by student body

WEST RANCH

Most popular song: ”thank u, next” - Ariana Grande Biggest clothing trend: Doc Martens Prom king and queen: Sydney Schauble and Ethan Harpole Best memory: “My favorite memory from this year would be the day I found out I was accepted to TCU, my dream school and found out I will be rooming with my best friend Sam Callan.” Jack McNamara

P R O M 2019

Story by Zoey Greenwald Photos by Jason Mickel and Chika Ma Dresses and twinkling lights glittered as students filed into the Petersen Automotive Museum. Greeted by jazz music in a lush courtyard styled after the famous mansion of Mr. Jay Gatsby, students were transported to an era of absolute luxury. The glamorous setting provided a perfect backdrop for students looking their best — gowns graced the floors all day, from the electric excitement in lockerroom lines to the red carpet promenade; from the buses filled with impassioned laughing and singing to the dance’s venue itself. This was sure to be a night to remember. In a regal procession, the prom court took the floor: Daryl Evans and Sophia Kiegel, in a beautiful floral dress; Skijler Hutson and Sophia Hardy, looking already like royalty; Ethan Harpole and Ella Kriegel, who co-starred in the school musical, took full command of the floor as classmates cheered; Phenix Arce and Jenna Polito, in a bold, dashing red; Matt Phorn and Lauren Franco, who was, of course, in full drag; Robbie Myers and an elegant Sydney Schauble. A nervous silence fell over the crowd. And then… “Ethan Harpole!” Our new king was coronated. Then, finally, “Sydney Schauble!” Our new queen donned her crown. A slew of high-energy dances and tired feet later, the first few buses started to depart. The ride back home was quieter than the one there; a mirror image, bookending the night. What better way to end senior year than with a night as crazy and fun as the 2019 senior class itself — inside jokes from beside a life-sized replica of Pixar’s Lightning McQueen and photo booth strips with teachers Jonathan Welch and Heather Frame were the singular odd momentos saved from the night. As our night came to a warm, happy close, the class of 2019 knew that we had always been a special group of students — Prom was just our chance to prove it.

T HE COLLEGE R E J E C T I O N WA L L Story and photo by Mina Jang

This is a college rejection letter wall. At first glance, you might think of it negatively. You might be reminded of the strike of panic that hit as you chugged down two-liter bottles of Mountain Dew while typing three essays at once and contemplating your life’s purpose on your mom’s stained carpet floor. Maybe, you might look back at the sheer nervousness that filled your chest as you tried to act casual alongside classmates when really, inside, you were shakily counting down the days until decisions were posted. Or perhaps you might imagine that rushing fear once more, as you shooed away family members, breathing heavily while you typed your applicant ID into the portal page, and closed both eyes when your finger clicked that daunting “Status Update.” To many, college rejections mean shocked silence and clenched jaws holding back curses. Eyes blinking tears, hands clenching hair, teeth biting lips, mind shouting, “Why? Why? Why?” It draws back memories of feeling like you’re falling, flailing and having to face one of mankind’s greatest fears — failure. And I won’t lie; yes, those rejections do sting at first. More so, they bite your heart, bruise you blue and break your soul. They hurt you like no other — especially if it is from the school you’ve been dreaming of ever since freshman year. Late at night, you might even begin to agonize, tossing and turning in your sleep while pondering: What did I do wrong? How did this happen? Was I not enough? The blow is tough; it sucks. But in the aftermath of college applications and decisions, I’ve slowly been learning that as the weeks wash by, so does the pain. Rejection will come, no matter what; that’ll never change. Yet if there is anything to know and keep close, it’s that what really matters in the end is not the outcome but the path that took you there. Remember the screams of joy then instant panic when your club members tried setting up a backdrop, thought they’d succeeded, then almost got whacked with flying metal poles. Remember the red rush that pumped through your veins the evening your astronomy class allegedly killed a chicken during the high-altitude balloon launch. Remember the blurred sounds of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” that lit up the room as you sang along with giggling buddies to an electronic orange jukebox at Denny’s. Remember the calmness cradling your jumbled-up mind while you rode shotgun alongside a friend in her white Chevy. Remember the embarrassment that swallowed you whole during a presentation about a biology career before an entire classroom. And then remember one year later after that shuddery incident, the golden pride that took you by

surprise when you volunteered for the first time to read your own original prose before an entire classroom. This wall is for those moments. It is for your undying passions that shall live on beyond those flimsy foursentenced “I regret to inform you ...” statements. It is for your worst fears that you may not have managed to overcome yet, but have gradually managed to acknowledge and recognize. It is for your faraway dreams that you’ve built on, your childish memories that are sweet to look back upon, your first crushes and first losses, your growth from a bracefaced freshman to a changed senior.

“ It’s that what really matters in the end is not the outcome but the path that took you there. “ No matter where your ending might lead, the college rejection wall is meant to congratulate you on finishing your self-journey throughout these four tumultuous years at West Ranch. Look at that sea of letters — all those bland opening statements, the thousands of itsy-bitsy words not worth your time — and reject those who rejected you. Recognize those who do deserve you as you deserve them. Realize you are so much more than anybody could ever imagine. No one — not an admissions officer nor some school — could possibly understand your hopes and dreams, your cries and sorrows, your wild trips and restless ventures, your friendships and break-ups, your loves and despairs. Only you could ever truly delve into the depths of you; so stand tall, my friend. Stay bold, and march onward. You are you. That was how it was meant to be. Do not let a college rejection or anything else dare tear apart your character, your beliefs, your passions, your roads to life.

S E O R I S O N I R O R SEN R SE I O N I O EN R SE S R N O I O EN R SE S O R I N IO SEN OR SE R I O N I N R SE O I N

Story and photos by Seabrijn Hutson and Ashley Park

Sydney & Shelbi

Schauble

The spunky and special twins — Sydney and Shelbi Schauble — have different future endeavors. The pair thinks that separation is needed after being in same house for 18 years. The Schauble twins have viewed their past four years together very differently. While Sydney felt a lot of competition between the two throughout high school, Shelbi saw her twin as a figure to rely on. Luckily for the twins, leaving each other for college won’t be too much of an issue, because they will be able to lead separate lives both socially and academically. Sydney says she is going to miss being able to ask Shelbi for help on homework and say “Hi” to her in the hallways. Shelbi will be going to UCLA in the fall, and Sydney will be attending SDSC. Even though their colleges are in California, the twins both want to spend the last few months at home making most of their time together.

Ethan & Dylan

Brooks

After four years spent at West Ranch, the Brooks twins — Ethan and Dylan — are determined to lead their separate paths from one another. They are both planning to go to College of the Canyons but have different career paths they wish to take. Dylan plans to go to the two-year college then apply to become a deputy sheriff. Ethan will transfer to a medical school, preferably UCLA, and pursue the career of a cardiothoracic surgeon. During high school, the twins hung out in the same friend group and spent time together every day. Their brotherly bond allowed them to always have a friend. With the different schedules that their career plans will give them, Ethan and Dylan will both miss having their closest friend by their side.

Emily & Dylan

Raich

Emily and Dylan Raich have been attending West Ranch for four years. Emily is going to Santa Barbara City College and plans to transfer to a four year college, whereas Dylan is going to Sonoma State University in Northern California. But this decision was not their original plan. At first, Emily and Dylan had decided to go to San Diego State College together. However, because they were both waitlisted, they decided to go on their own paths and attend separate colleges. The pair was not too involved in each other’s daily life, so living apart will not be too diffcult. In terms of their student lives, both were able to befriend new people from connections with the other twin. Dylan is excited to see what he can do on his own but will be sad leaving his sister. Although they now have separate plans for the future, Emily and Dylan are ready for a change.

Senior Reflections

The PawPrintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class of 2019

A large part of me believed that by the end of senior year I would have most, if not all, of life figured out. And while I have just recently started to remember where buildings are on campus and how to squeeze in homework, sleep and a social life, I can confidently say I know nothing. My high school experience has been guided by the idea of gaining knowledge, trudging towards an ultimate goal of complete control over the rest of my life. It was not until now, my final weeks of the last four years of my life, that I have found peace in feeling utterly clueless. The things that shaped me most were the things I did not see coming. The bumps and hills and mountains of unexpected and terrifying terrain that I did not plan on taught me more than I could have learned from a powerpoint and a daily planner. So love it and learn from it and you will turn out fine. I failed tests and I’m going to college. I have friends who never dipped below an A who are venturing down other paths that don’t entail shiny universities. If I have to say some sappy advice in short, do what you want to do, regardless of how other people feel. Embrace childhood and its permission to fail and restart and fail again. Be more than a name on a roster, go beyond school. And do it all with love.

I am writing this sitting in a calm little coffee shop 2,000 miles away from home. Terrified. I am supposed to go tour a college soon -the college I am going to attend -- and I am terrified. Terrified and phony. Terrified because I am about to symbolically start the next stage of my life. Phony because as I sit here, writing this reflection for high school freshmen, I am about to go ask college seniors for their own reflection. So I guess we’re in the same boat, you and I, asking for the advice of those who have weathered through already. My point is, take whatever I say, or whatever any of us phony seniors say, with the acknowledgment that we have the same exact questions as you and that none of us have really figured it out yet. I am sure that the college seniors I will be meeting are just as phony and just as anxious about the next steps to come. That being said, I do have some advice for you freshman, phony or not: Take the train to downtown LA alone, even if you can drive. Tell your friends that you love them, especially Zoey Greenwald (but don’t let it go to her head). STUDY ABROAD (it is much more accessible and affordable than you think; take a look at the State Department’s website for scholarships and free programs). Ask someone for their preferred pronouns when you meet them. Don’t drink coffee until at least your senior year. Give yourself permission to quit that club/class/team you’re only doing for college apps (trust me, your insincerity will show up in your applications). Spend more time browsing Barnes and Noble. Learn the names and faces of famous directors. Go on a hike alone. Learn the history of the local Native American people. Learn to identify local bird calls. Also, go to the rallies and be a stupid high schooler.

I’ve gone through four years of journalism reading the senior reflections in each issue at the end of the year. I’ve read all of them, studied many, and I still don’t know what to write. I guess I should begin where I began: freshman year. I came to school as a shy student with little to no fashion sense knowing only that I needed to show up, get good grades, and get out, preferably to a top college. I found myself encountering a lot more. Over the years, school was still about grades, but I learned to focus on more. Take a break from studying and meet up with some friends. It’s alright to watch a few episodes on Netflix when you have nothing due the next day. Your brain will thank you later. I think about what I would have done differently and there isn’t much. Maybe I would’ve wanted better grades, but I don’t regret the moments I spent with my friends goofing off in a study session or just hanging out. You won’t want to take back the memories that you’ve made as a result of school, not on campus. I came into high school knowing that I had a set path for my life, and four years later, I have no idea what I’m going to do. I might go to community college, I might go to a four year university. I don’t know what my next step is going to be, but I’m okay with that. I had a good time in high school, even if a lot of those memories of struggling through homework and being lost on math notes were unpleasant. I remember the evenings I spent with friends, the conversations during brunch, and the text messages that went back and forth. This isn’t to say to slack off in school, because school is important in the end, but relax. Your grade won’t crash and burn because you could have fun every once in a while. If I had to sum up what I learned in my four years at West Ranch, it wouldn’t be the treaty that ended the Thirty Years’ War or the conservation of momentum (sorry, Mr. Holland and Mr. Gavin). It would be that everything that was supposed to define my high school career didn’t matter nearly as much as I thought it would. Blame it on the senioritis, but after it all, the schoolwork is not what’s most important. It’s all the little moments that stay with us longer than any formula could. Going into high school, I had one clear objective: work hard to get into an amazing university. I’m sure many high school students have or have had a similar approach, but it’s completely wrong. If you’re so focused on setting up the perfect future that you lose focus of everything around you now, you’ll waste several years of your life. I’m not saying that you should completely give up on studying to watch Netflix. Although, believe me, if you take Calc BC, you’ll want to. What I am saying is not to stress over every inconsequential detail. I bet that no matter how many tears you shed while taking a really hard test (not speaking from personal experience), you won’t remember it in a few years. You will remember the song you and your best friend overplayed, the outrageous amount you spent on Chick-Fil-A and the embarrassing dances your friends caught on Snapchat. Cherish these little moments. It may be the last time that you’re together with all your friends before you go your separate ways. And spend time with your family before they become holiday visits. You’re not too cool for them, even if your dad shouts “That girl in the white shirt? You should go say hi,” when you point out someone from school or horribly imitates the theme song of “Game of Thrones” every time you watch it together, like mine does. Above all, just remember that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to, even if that’s different from your original plan. You won’t have it all figured out by the time you graduate. I don’t even know what I want to study in college. But somehow you’ll make it and all the little unplanned moments along the way will make it worth it.

Four years have gone by so fast, it’s finally the end of senior year and I have no idea what to write for this… the Jonas Brothers are back and we’re finally having our “High School Musical 3” moment before we all go off to college. Looking back, the best moments were introducing my friends to the thrill of baseball games (#GoDodgers) and going to LA to get food. From the past four years, I’ve made friends who make me laugh until my rib cage hurts and can have genuine conversations with. Honestly, people say that AP classes are the ride or die, but you’ll be fine without them. Colleges care more about you as a person than how many AP classes you took. Don’t fall for the “you’ll get college credit for this AP test!” Most importantly, you’ll end up where you are meant to be, so don’t get caught up on the name of the school or blame yourself for where you get in because it’s not a reflection of who you are. Also, take a lot of pictures from high school even of a simple lunch with friends so you have something to look back to. Thank you to my friends for laughing at stupid memes with me and for being the reason for who I am today and to my family for always supporting me.

I have been dreading writing this reflection mostly because I am terrible at writing these kinds of things. Even now I’m at a loss for words so I’m making up for it by telling you how difficult this is for me. I have no idea what direction to take this, but I need to submit it in less than 12 hours so I’m just going to roll with whatever my sleep-deprived brain comes up with. (Ok, I literally just googled “How to Write a Senior Reflection” and apparently listing off the lessons that you’ve learned throughout high school is the way to go, so let’s do that). Freshman year, I learned that when you have a solid group of friends, you can get through absolutely anything - even AP Bio. Sophomore year, I discovered the beauty that is taro boba (s/o to Holly Song) and have never looked back. Junior year, I decided that life is so much better when you live spontaneously and proceeded to bungee jump off of a 155-foot arch. Now it’s senior year and I can say with 100% confidence that the most important lesson I’ve learned over the past four years is to take advantage of every single opportunity that you’re given. Yes, I’m aware that that advice is painfully cliché, but if you have the chance to get a head-start on college-prep freshman year? Just listen to your mom and do it. Your favorite band is in town? Take the night off and go see them. Your friends love good food as much as you do? Drive to L.A. together and feast. High school is too short to deprive yourself of the things that enrich your life, so do what makes you happy and hopefully you too will get to write your own senior reflection and look back at all of the fond memories with no regrets.

High school, to me, was supposed to be exactly like “High School Musical.” That’s what we grew up knowing, so how were we supposed to think otherwise? But flashback to freshman year and as I’m sure you’ve heard tons of other high schoolers say -- it was nothing like what I imagined. I genuinely don’t remember much from that year, except for the fact that I was a freshman with a coveted double open. In the end, I think I was waiting for something to happen when I should have been absorbing the moments around me, finding the things that truly made me passionate and the people who I would stick with for the rest of my life. And when I finally started enjoying every moment and not just looking forward to the next holiday break or big event in my life, that’s when those moments started to come flooding in. The more I searched for something in plain sight, the harder it became to find. It’s easy to pass through the week mindlessly until you can “finally” live life on the weekend, and I’ve learned that it takes a lot of work and the right people around you to keep this up. But after the first year, and the second, you’ll be a month away from graduating and not knowing how everything passed by so quickly. I learned so much from the people around me, and I really grew up in high school. I experienced the absolute worst and the absolute best -- but without these experiences I could not truly say I would be better off. These four years have taught me so much, and I am grateful for everything high school has given me, because it really did give me everything I hoped for. To my freshman self, I would say just wait and see, these four years will bring you the best friends you’ve always hoped for and give you some of the best times in the most unexpected places.

To be completely honest, I’ve dreaded writing this since my freshman year. And here I am as a senior, writing this a day after it’s due, still waiting for some super deep realization to hit me. That’s the irony of it all — the biggest lesson I’ve learned from high school is to stop waiting. Good things don’t come to those who wait. Good things come to people that stop waiting for good things to happen to them. Good things come to people that don’t depend on others to give them what they need, that take the initiative to make things happen for themselves, that stop trying to gain everyone’s approval. Throughout all of high school, I wished for nothing but the time to pass. I genuinely could not wait until the day that I’d get into college and be able to move on from high school. And now with my four years here coming to an end, I’ve committed to a college and I realize that my mind was so clouded by this end goal that I failed to cherish what was right in front of me. I’ve experienced the bliss of feeling like everything’s okay one second and the “what if I’m not good enough” feelings of panic the next. I’m here to tell you that at eighteen years old, I can look at my life with a comprehensive clarity no longer clouded by a goal that I thought defined my self-worth. I look around me and I see that my life has ended up exactly the way it’s supposed to. I’m surrounded by people that genuinely appreciate me for who I am, and most importantly, I appreciate who I am. So, my advice? Don’t wait for good things to come to you. Do everything you can to make good things happen starting now — no one else is going to do it for you. Don’t wait for time to pass — appreciate what’s right in front of you.

Here are my tips for senior year and high school in general. Do your job as a student. Try your best so that you don’t regret anything in the future. Make friends with as many people as you can and don’t be mean to anyone. The more connections you have, the easier it will be to get homework. Boys, if you have to go number two, the best time to use the bathroom is during first period and tutorial and the cleanest restroom is in the performing arts building. Everyone says to start your college applications as soon as possible, but it’s honestly more fun leaving it ‘til the last minute, freaking out, and breaking down with your friends who also waited to the end. It builds character. I personally work best under pressure. But the most important thing I learned is to not forget to enjoy yourself. This is the last time in your life you won’t have to worry about real world problems and genuinely just be a kid. Use your second semester of senior year to try new things, stay out late, and have fun. Work hard, but play harder. Yeehaw~

If I could give one piece of advice to make the best out of high school, it would be to realize how unimportant high school is in the grand scheme of things. I was the person who spent pointless hours studying for tests when I could have had fun and enjoyed my weekends. If you find yourself chastising yourself for being “unproductive,” then this advice is for you. Now if you’re the person that thinks the opposite, someone who can’t be bothered to put the smallest efforts in class to learn, then you should get your life together. This is when you find the happy balance between obligations and self-enjoyment -- and it doesn’t get easier from here. I don’t think anyone should ever sit in class and believe that they are there simply to burn time. Time is a precious resource, and high school is where you learn to make the best out of it.

When I first entered the gates of West Ranch High School as a freshman, I was a short, chubby and motivated Korean boy ready to make his impact as an aspiring UN Secretary-General. I firmly believed that I would maintain all As, attain an excellent SAT score, and be admitted to a prestigious Ivy League university. Little did I know that my life as a loving and well-behaved son would change forever as I ventured deeper into my teenage journey. High school, in itself, has been a series of painful slaps in the face. I struggled to maintain good grades, get my assignments in on time, keep a good relationship with my parents and be a good friend to my peers. My mental health was not the best either; I was diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar depression in the 10th grade. However, meditation is how I moved past my internal struggles. Contrary to contemporary understandings, I abide by an alternative definition: “a written or spoken discourse expressing considered thoughts on a subject.” I discovered this form through an unlikely medium: rap. Through writing lyrics, I am able to focus and construct statements that reflect my emotional and intellectual state. In this sense, meditation helps me clearly visualize scenes, interactions, and movements. Often, at the end of these writing sessions, I find myself open to experiences, to others, and to positive expressions of my hopes Music transformed my life. The recognition from my peers and the calming tranquility I found keep me sane and passionate about events in my life. As I exit the gates of West Ranch High School as a senior, I am a relatively tall, still chubby, lazy but a passionate Korean boy ready to make an impact as a global artist.

To any West Ranch student reading this: During high school, I hope you fail. I really do. Because at a time when stress swallows you up whole, when classmates acknowledge each other by grades instead of names, it is important to remember you are an actual human being. You were not meant for walking a straight line or living a black-’n’-white, picturesque life. You were meant for regret and heart-wrenching disappointment, giddy glee and starry-eyed dreams, fear and heavy breaths contemplating risk. It is okay to feel like the stupidest person in your physics class. It is okay to draw Pikachu as a lumpy, yellow blob on your first try. It is okay to not be good at everything. It is okay to fall apart. But even if you fall, even if you grow afraid: Keep going. Take in the unknown; accept your mistakes, and learn along the way about not only yourself but the world around you. Join that astronomy class on a whim and get lost in some mountain with no signal after chasing a high-altitude balloon. Create a literary magazine club inspired by a “Glee” star’s indie film then almost quit because you can’t utter a single sentence without panicking every Thursday meeting. Let yourself be and break down into tears outside the math classrooms after earning an F on an integrals test. Clench tightly onto a flimsy notecard while your mouth stumbles over words in a Spanish 2 presentation even though you practiced in the bathroom ‘til 3 a.m. Beyond failure is not an end but a chance to try anew, so dare. Dare to challenge the new. Dare to lose. From, Mina Jang

Dear Freshman me, So, you’re scared. You don’t know why, exactly, you’re doing any of the things you’re doing. Flying blind, you feel that there are places you ought to be and people you ought to meet. But trust what you’re doing. So much is going to happen over these next four years, and it’s all going to happen simply because of who you are. You don’t have to do anything else. There you are — your hoop skirt is colliding with the end of a black, velvet curtain as you wait for rehearsal to be over. From the wings you can overhear the Seniors — ever cool, ever adult — talk about the parties they’re going to over the weekend. They laugh and joke and have lives sparkling with a certain rebellious camaraderie in this stale place. It’s vibrant. It’s like they’ve cast themselves as leading players. You wonder if the tightness of your corset has gone to your head or if that could really happen to you. Then there’s the three of you sat up by the water tower in Saugus. You don’t know what this will become. Or maybe you do. But you don’t think about it — you don’t think about much because Skijler is dancing and now Mina is dancing and you’re all dancing on top of this hill as the sun sets over repeating rows of red-tile roofing. Ants, you think. Microscopic. You’re out of breath as you push a cart full of streamers and string lights up to Ms. Frame’s room, past the library. The sprinklers go off and you’re in a cocktail dress. Mina starts to laugh. You start to laugh. West Ranch has a literary magazine now. There is only you and art and emotion. Then there’s you and art and emotion and what must be at least fifty other people in this tiny two-car garage in Bridgeport. It’s just like the movies, you think. The music blares and you’re dancing with someone you’ve never met before. There you are — a leading player. There you are, sitting on Austyn’s rooftop watching a lazy summer day melt everything away. There you are, at an AM/PM in the middle of the desert, checking on the status of a Stratosphere balloon. There you are, at your roommate’s art opening with an accordion-wielding old lady. You couldn’t have possibly predicted it, but there you are — wherever you ought to be. Then, suddenly, it’s the second semester of Senior Year and you’re in the back of Ethan’s truck with all the windows rolled down on Pacific Coast Highway. Ella looks like she might cry and also you might cry because everything is just so beautiful. Nobody’s spoken in a few minutes now— you’re all just staring out the windows. You know that this is where you ought to be. You don’t need to try. You don’t even need to speak. And now it’s over. Graduation is a month away and you’re finding it harder not to believe anybody when they tell you that everybody ends up where they’re meant to be. You try to believe yourself when you feel that there are places you ought to be. People you ought to meet. You try not to try and you try to be brave.

THE PAW PRINT Follow us on... @wrpawprint @wrpawprint @wrpawprint wrpawprint.com