Issue 2 by The Pen Newspaper

the

PEN

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School www.pvphsnews.com Vol. XXXVI

Issue 2

October 23, 2015

Embodying Leadership Leadership Department is awarded for its successes NEWS PAGE 3

...but is there still room for improvement? EDITORIAL PAGE 4

BENCHED

UNCOMMON application

INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES

Football season ends early due to small roster and safety concerns

A new alternative to the Common Application aims to make the college application process easier

Panthers travel to Japan and France for sports

NEWS PAGE 3

OPINION PAGE 5

SPORTS PAGES 10-11

NEWS

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Joseph foard and nile minn

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On Oct. 5, astronaut Michael Massimino visited Peninsula and spoke to over 500 science and engineering students. Massimino, who has a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from broken again during his 2009 spaceflight. MIT and is currently a professor of mechanical There has been a strong push for students to focus on STEMengineering at Columbia University, talked about his related classes and fields in recent years across the country, and excursions into space, the struggles he overcame to Pen is no exception. Though some of these subjects in school become an astronaut and the strengths and values that may seem tedious, even jobs such as being an astronaut lead he learned throughout his time as an astronaut. Massimino back to the basics of math and science, as Massimino well knows. also discussed his enthusiasm for the sciences and STEM “A lot of students think that STEM related fields are education. interesting,” Massimino said. “But math and science aren’t “It wasn’t really until I got out of Columbia [University] and so easy. It’s rough and people tend to get discouraged. The I was working as an engineer that I important thing is to not let that stop you. started thinking what my big passion Just keep trying and you’ll find your own by persistently working hard to be niche.” was, what I wanted to do,” Massimino said. “I couldn’t get that little kid dream accepted, he was able to do what he Students at the Oct. 5 session were able out of my head, so I decided I had to do to gain life lessons from Massimino’s story. loved. something about it.” “By persistently working hard to be During his career as an engineer and accepted, he was able to do what he - junior sabrina lee an assistant professor at Georgia Institute loved,” junior Sabrina Lee, who attended of Technology, Massimino also went Massimino’s presentation, said. through interviews to become an astronaut. Finally, after four fruitless Massimino emphasized during his presentation that never applications, Massimino was finally accepted into the astronaut program giving up on one’s dreams is the key to success. Massimino went in 1996. Since choosing its first group of astronauts in 1959, the space from being rejected from the astronaut program four times to program has received tens of thousands of applicants but has only setting world records in space, all because he refused to give up selected 339. on himself and his childhood dream. Massimino entered space twice – once in March 2002, and again in “You can control the effort, but you can’t control the May 2009. Both spaceflights were launched in order to service the Hubble outcome,” Massimino said. “So don’t give up on stuff, and be Space Telescope. During Massimino’s spaceflight in 2002, his crew set true to what you really like. And don’t worry if it seems like a a record for spacewalk time with 35 hours and 55 minutes during five stupid idea. If that’s what you like doing and that’s what your spacewalks, two of which Massimino performed. This record was idea is, stick with it.”

Courtesy of mitzi cress Temishi Onnekikami And Jackie Uy/ The Pen

Former astronaut Dr. Michael Massimino spoke to a group of over 500 science and engineering students in a dual-period session on Monday, October 5, 2015.

Gino Abrajano/ The Pen

3 Football season

canceled Annie Benedict

Tech-savvy SMERT Building opens doors to smart Panthers Nile Minn Though often confused for “Technology” or even “Twiet,” the “T” in “T Building” stands for neither. Instead, the newest building on campus is named after the mascot of Peninsula’s predecessor, the Rolling Hills High Titans. May 2012 saw the beginning of construction for a new set of buildings at school. The buildings accommodate a weight room as well as classrooms that focus on SMERT (Science, Math, Engineering, Robotics and Technology). The new Titan Building, also called the SMERT Building, officially opened on Oct. 1 and focuses on scientific jobs of the future. “We have a brand new building, six classes [with] working air conditioning and brand new floors— everything is great,” Computer Science and Engineering teacher Hassan Twiet said. Twiet worked all summer with colleagues to ensure that the new building would be ready for students for

the 2015-2016 school year. Students are excited to see what the building will bring to their classes and activities. “It’s amazing. Compared to the old building and room that we had, it’s great. The other one was dingy and dark and the computers weren’t as good as they are in the new SMERT building,” Cyber Patriots member and junior Amy Ross said. The SMERT building is now the home of many of Peninsula’s award-winning teams such as Cyber Patriots, Solar Power Club, Robotics Club, Science Olympiad and Technology Student Association (TSA). With upgraded computers, new facilities and a new setting, students and faculty are excited about the building. “I still want to pinch myself sometimes when I realize that we actually have an engineering building here at Peninsula High School,” Mitzi Cress said at the opening ceremony of the Titan Building. “This was a dream, and now we have it right here and it is an absolutely incredible facility.”

Leadership Department chimes with honor of CBSA Golden Bell Award William maltz Peninsula’s five-pillar Leadership Department was awarded the California School Board Association (CBSA) Golden Bell Award for its exceptional leadership program on Oct. 19. The CBSA Golden Bell Award “promotes excellence in education and school board governance by recognizing outstanding programs and governance,” according to the Golden Bell Award’s website. Principal Mitzi Cress submitted an application to receive the award this past year, which included explanations of programs at Peninsula, the goals of each of the programs and their results. Peninsula is the first school in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District (PVPUSD) to ever have won a Golden Bell. The award ceremony will be held on Dec. 5 in San Diego. “We have created our own original program,” Cress said, “and to win this award is incredible. I’m very proud of the Leadership Department.” The Leadership Department consists of the

Associated Student Body (ASB), Link Crew, Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS), Service Learning Leadership (SLL) and the Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC). Each pillar is responsible for serving a distinct and key role in improvement within school life. This five-pillar approach to school leadership is unique to Peninsula, and, though it has no duplicate at other schools, Cress believes the program is completely replicable. “This program is sort of out-of-thebox,” Cress said. “It’s very exciting. We’ve been asked to present this program at the CBSA conference in San Diego where we’re receiving the award, and I’m bursting with pride. School spirit, school transition, school environment, school improvements, community outreach…it’s a package deal. It’s completely replicable. Another school could do it and I think it would be good for one to try.”

Courtesy of mitzi cress

(Left to right): SMERT teacher Hassan Twiet, Principal Mitzi Cress, PVPUSD School Board President Larry Vanden Bos and PVPUSD School Board Vice President Malcolm Sharp cut the ribbon to the newlyopened Titan building.

On Oct. 20, students, faculty and parents were shocked to learn that the remainder of the school’s varsity football season was canceled. The administration reasoned that the small team roster would threaten the health of the active players. The varsity team began with 27 players in August; however, only 20 players remain due to injuries. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) quota for the number of active players on a football team stands at 22. According to a consensus between CIF officials, sports trainers and medical professionals, the state of the school’s current football team creates an 80 percent chance of a “catastrophic injury” on the team. Though the initial reaction was to transfer players from the junior-varsity team to varsity, this proposal presented numerous safety issues due to differences in player experience and size. “I understand the decision they made about safety,” football team member Tobi Ibraheem said. “But at the same time it is sad because the players and the coaches put in so much work this summer and throughout the beginning of the season.” The recent conversation began after the school’s loss against Mira Costa 54-13, when Principal Mitzi Cress, Athletic Director Wendell Yoshida and the Peninsula football coaches deliberated over the team’s health for the remaining games this year. They decided that regardless of the team’s prior or future score in games, safety remains a top priority. “As the principal, I had to make a really tough decision,” Cress said. “Our team is amazing; they have worked really hard and they have grit. I want there to be a football team, and I don’t want to cancel games. But when I am told it is imminent that we will have catastrophic injuries on the team, safety becomes my first concern. I’m committed to doing whatever I can to get the football program back on the road, but this means ultimately recruiting more players.”

Opinion

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Lauren Lee Tunika Onnekikami Noah Werksman DESIGN EDITOR Jackie Uy NEWS EDITOR: Annie Benedict WRITERS: Joseph Foard Nile Minn William Maltz OPINION EDITORS: Marine Fujisawa Zoe Willoughby WRITERS: Alison Kim Chris Chien FOCUS EDITORS: Phoebe Borsum Esther Chu WRITERS: Anne Lee Nina Li STUDENT LIFE EDITORS: Amani Jalota Stella Yoo WRITERS: Kaitlin Bates Saffy Laurio Emily McGinn SPORTS EDITOR: Chris Kong WRITERS: Jordan Chang Trisha Valukonis GRAPHICS Jessica Nye Temishi Onnekikami BUSINESS & ADVERTISING Isabelle Wang ADVISER Jaymee Johnson “The Pen” is the student newspaper produced by the advanced journalism students of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. It is published eight times per year. Advertising inquiries may be directed to Advertising Manager Isabelle Wang at (310) 377- 4888 ext. 652. The Pen editors appreciate Letters to the Editor, which are accepted up to one week before publication. You may submit them to H52 or to Jaymee Johnson’s mailbox. Copyright © 2015

Design by Jackie Uy

award prompts leaders to chime in Editorial staff Peninsula was recently awarded the Golden Bell, an honor given to fewer than 50 high schools and districts across California that demonstrate an outstanding capability for school leadership. Peninsula’s leadership programs do an outstanding service to the school. Unfortunately, according to school officials, this year there have been increased reports of fighting, littering and behavioral misconduct, especially among underclassmen. Although the Golden Bell testifies to the school’s overall excellence, leadership groups need to be more proactive in setting a better example for the underclassmen. It is considered a privilege to attend a high school with a strong emphasis on leadership; however, student representatives must make more of a commitment to build a healthier environment at Peninsula. For example, on Oct. 20, Principal Mitzi Cress released

a statement regarding the disbandment of Peninsula’s varsity football team; the announcement resulted in an immediate uproar among community members. Many students placed the blame solely on Cress, claiming that her reasons were unsubstantiated and even misleading. Regardless of the reason, as leaders, it is our duty to make a positive example for underclassmen— making slanderous and degrading statements on social media and skipping class in protest will only corrode the school’s overall health. Peninsula’s culture and social atmosphere need to drastically change, and it is only through student leadership that we can achieve this goal. Developing peer mentoring sessions, creating frequent and active participation among class levels and breaking the barriers between various groups of students are some enterprising ways we can bring decorum back to our campus.

Many teachers, including National Honors Society adviser Betsy Okamoto, have cited multiple acts of unruliness and apathy among underclassmen. However, if these underclassmen are exposed to the positive culture that has previously existed on campus, they will be inclined to bring it back. Once freshmen, we were all welcomed into a community where school spirit brought comradery among class levels and a level of respect was expected by the administration, faculty and school. Whether we hold the captainship of a varsity team or serve as president of the class, upperclassmen are still seen as leaders; it is important that we all realize that our classmates are heavily influenced by our words and by our actions. As the senior class prepares to leave Peninsula in June, it is our duty to leave a legacy of innovation, spirit and respect. We hope that this year’s Golden Bell is not our last.

Temishi Onnekikami/The Pen

27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274

Editorial

Test prep agencies charge biased rates Chris chien

During a time when acceptance rates for cram schools, where they supplement not charge more in predominantly prestigious colleges such as Stanford have their course load. Asian areas than in other communities. fallen to as low as five percent, students “[College-prep courses] help students According to one company, residents of across the nation are looking for ways to who have potential to achieve academic Westminster, California, where Asians boost their chances of getting into their success,” senior Colin Xiang said. “I think make up half of the population and the dream schools. An important factor that SAT and essay tutoring have brought out median income is $52,633, have to pay universities consider in a college application the best in me.” $7,200 for a premier test prep course. is high standardized test scores. To prepare Due to cultural beliefs, Asians value In Rancho Santa Fe, California, where 90 for these tests, many students enroll in tutoring services greater than other percent of the population is white and test prep classes. However, a study by the the median income is $172,697, the non-profit organization ProPublica, which cost for the same course is $6,600. investigates matters of public interest, Asians are willing to spend more It seems discriminatory for tutoring found that prices offered from companies companies to charge people in than most other groups on education areas with a lower median income a like Princeton Review differ among zip codes. According to The Atlantic, citizens higher price for the same course. living in areas with high Asian populations because it is still valued very Whatever the economic were being charged almost twice as much highly as a mean to success. rationale for charging more in some as areas with a lesser concentration of communities, the practice should -parent sang kim Asian people, regardless of the mean be avoided if it creates real or household income. It does not seem fair perceived discrimination. that some people should have to pay more races. Parents of Asian students at “Culturally, [Asians] are willing to than others, let alone twice as much, for Peninsula echo their cultural sentiments. spend more than most other groups on the exact same product or service. “Asian parents believe [in] and value education because it is still valued very Most Asian-Americans come from education and are willing to pay for the highly as a means to success,” Sang Kim, families that strongly emphasize education. costs to get the education for their father of sophomore Nathan Kim said. In some Asian countries, students not children,” former Peninsula mother Customers should not spend more only attend their primary school, but also Cindy Seo said. for the same services, no matter the attend either early-morning or late-night Despite this, tutoring services should circumstances.

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THE PEN PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org

application transformed New college application option enables interactive engagement

profile

Colleges

Alison kim The Coalition Application, an online alternative throughout a six-year period. Financially, private to the Common App, will be available starting schools must pledge to meet the demonstrated July 2016. Also known as Coalition for Access, financial needs of all U.S. students who are Affordability and Success, its purpose is to help accepted, and public schools must promise students create interactive college applications, affordable tuition for in-state students and while trying to be more user friendly. While the appropriate financial aid. class of 2017 will be the first class to use the The Coalition discovered that many students Coalition Application to apply to colleges, next with low-income backgrounds do not effectively year’s freshmen will have the opportunity to build participate in the application process. Students on the application throughout their four years in end up struggling with financial aid and often do high school. One of the goals of the new application not receive all the financial aid to which they are is to open up more scholarship opportunities to entitled. The Coalition’s increased clarity and students with limited financial resources by raising free online tools, which include a college locker, a awareness of the college application process earlier collaboration platform and an application portal, in students’ high school careers. will help students apply for financial aid. “[The Coalition Application] gives you a place “I believe that the Coalition Application is to upload any papers, [beneficial] because they only documents, statements choose schools that have or videos until you apply solid financial aid for students [The Coalition’s]goal is in your senior year,” [who] come from low income [for students]to have more counselor Adam Wolven families,” freshman Jocelyn Ma said. “[The Coalition’s] time in the process of figuring said. goal is [for students] to In 2013, the Common out who they are... and what have more time in the Application encountered process of figuring out several technical glitches. Right they care about. who they are, what they before the early application are passionate about and -Counselor Adam Wolven deadline, the Common what they care about.” Application system crashed, A key feature of the which troubled students trying application is that students can access it as early as to submit applications. According to NBC News, freshman year. They will be able to create a digital students were also charged multiple times to fill portfolio, compile records of their high school out the application. These types of problems, in documents and even communicate with admissions addition to the crunched time, can increase stress offices. Thus, students will be able to give colleges a on the students. Due to these technical difficulties, more holistic view of their high school career. the Coalition Application was formed as a more Currently, 83 colleges around the nation have effective online alternative. adopted the Coalition Application, either in addition “[The Common App] is very formulaic and very to the Common Application or as a substitute. mechanical, ” AP physics teacher Mike Spalding said. These schools include all the Ivy League universities “I think it is a good idea that [the Coalition is very as well as other prestigious universities such as interactive].” Stanford, University of Chicago and the California With the Coalition Application, students can Institute of Technology. By adopting the Coalition now adapt to the college application process Application, these colleges aim to minimize the quicker and easier. The application will provide stress of the application process by answering and effective tools that many students now lack clarifying misconceptions about the application throughout the intense process. The Coalition process. Application should benefit high school students According to the Coalition Application website, by providing increased support throughout the the schools that are a part of the Coalition must confusing and often frustrating college application have stable graduation rates of at least 70 percent process.

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83 Colleges

have adopted the Coalition Application

2017

The Class of will be the first class to use the Application

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faQ

the coalition application will open July

2016

jessica nye/The Pen

home

Focus

unseen, unheard, unspoken Candice Shim/Anna Chang/The Pen

Parents and students work behind the scenes to better the academic environment

(left to right): Gabrielle Allen, Emily Wu, Arman RAmenzani

Leadership groups work to turn dreams into reality Nina Li As campus leadership groups work to make the school community a more cohesive and better place for students and staff, few who benefit from their contributions reflect on the work involved. Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS) is a leadership group whose goal is to connect the campus, faculty and students to each other. By listening to student suggestions and creating solutions to issues on campus, PLUS manages to connect students each month. “I like being on PLUS because I can help change our school,” senior PLUS member Alyssa Ishimoto said. “I have the ability to come up with ideas and watch [them] be implemented. The first step to bettering our campus is improving our school connectedness.” Most of the ideas that PLUS uses come from the students. Relevant issues such as bullying or academic stress are discussed during monthly forums to resolve these issues. PLUS members discuss suggested solutions, whether or not they can be implemented.

They also work to create a better and being a good volunteer. campus by hosting activities such as Red The Associated Student Body (ASB) Ribbon week, Yellow Ribbon week and is another organization that promotes Teacher Appreciation week. school-wide activities such as chartering Service Learning, another leadership clubs, organizing class competitions and program, creates projects that benefit planning dances. not only the “I wish campus, but more people also people could be .Even though some people are not outside of a part of school. but aware of the impact we have on our [ASB], Behind all I am glad the events that we have school’s culture, I can say that we Service so many absolutely do make a difference. Learning leadership hosts, there groups - Link crew adviser Rebecka dibble is a lot of involved in planning and the school,” preparation. senior Starting this year, the club is launching a and Commissioner of Clubs Shannon blog to archive everything the members Nakamura said. do and to recap events. In addition to Link Crew’s goal is to create a their work on events throughout the welcoming environment to introduce school, Service Learning Leadership freshmen to the school. students engage in a specific curriculum “[Link Crew leaders] mentor that teaches members about leadership freshmen and make sure they are development, nonprofit organizations included and informed about everything

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that happens at Peninsula,” senior Link Crew leader Gabrielle Allen said. “We also make sure everyone on campus feels welcomed and supported by upperclassmen.” Before all the activities take place, Link Crew often teams up with fellow school leadership groups to combine efforts in promoting the well-being of students. “Link Crew is about creating a positive school environment [for the next generation of students],” Link Crew Advisor Rebecka Dibble said. “Even though some people are not aware of the impact we have on our school’s culture, I can say that we absolutely do make a difference in Peninsula.” Behind the scenes of each school event, Peninsula’s leadership programs offer many activities and projects to help bring all students, teachers and faculty on campus together. “As long as we know the students are ecstatic to be part of Peninsula, that is all we can ask for,” senior Link Crew leader Kayleen Hino said.

Parent groups sponsor sports teams and classes Nina Li Various parent associations help support Peninsula’s academic and athletic programs. Some choose to work in classrooms or for clubs, while many others are involved in fundraising for extracurricular activities. The parents of the Athletic Booster Club (ABC) play a big role in raising money and in supporting all the athletic programs on campus. “Budget cutbacks by the state and Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District have been significant, so we must continue to support and raise funds for the athletic program,” Co-President of ABC Ceci Watts said. All the money collected at ABC’s annual membership drive is donated

to purchase sports equipment for the school. This school year, ABC’s main goal is to raise enough money to repair the track surrounding the field. In the past, the club has supported sports teams by helping to pay for coaches, athletic trainers, field and turf, batting cages, court maintenance and more. Funding for these projects comes from popular ABC fundraisers such as the Holiday Boutique, the Black and Gold Affaire and the Sports Kick-Off Party, which welcomes new and current Peninsula families to promote the cause of ABC. “The old saying, ‘the more you give, the more you receive,’ is true,” Watts said. “No matter what organization you feel compelled to join and give to the

school—you will not regret it.” Another parent group that fundraises for the campus is the Korean Language Advisory Committee (KLAC). It successfully introduced a Korean language class on campus through a petition, and now helps support the class financially through various fundraisers such as garage sales and parent donations. In addition to the KLAC, the Korean Parent Association (KPA), contributes their own support for Korean classes and raises money for student activities. ABC, KPA and KLAC are only three of many parent associations that support the school. All parent groups impact the ommunity in a positive way.

THREE major Peninsula Parent organizations 1 Athletic Booster Club

Korean 2 Parent Association

3 korean

lANGUAGE adVISORY committee Jessica Nye/The Pen

Student groups individualize efforts to Fundraise Anne Lee Every year, students are asked for a financial donation for each of their own extracurricular activities, such as sports, arts, music, speech and debate, and science research and engineering. These donations are used mainly for entry fees, substitute teachers, transportation, equipment, officials, California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) league dues and playoffs. To help offset the cost of extracurricular programs and lower Participation Donation fees, which are voluntary, principal Mitzi Cress will use a $100,000 discretionary funding award from the district. The money will be applied to the stipends teachers receive for their work in extracurricular activities. Now that the Participation Donation amounts have been lowered, it decreases the pressure on extracurricular programs to raise money. The donations

play a large role in these programs because they pay for all of their nonfunded necessities. In Oct. 2012, the state passed legislation which outlawed mandatory participation fees. This was in response to a lawsuit brought by the ACLU on behalf of two California students. Since the passage of the bill, extracurricular programs have experienced funding crunches, putting pressure on the programs to fundraise. “If say, one of the sports team decides that they want to go on a trip and add another tournament, then they are going to have to go to parents and see if parents want to do it and it is going to have to be funded by their parents, through the Participation Donation or they may have to raise money,” Principal Mitzi Cress said. Past fundraisers in support of

extracurricular programs include gift wrapping at the Christmas Holiday Boutique, compassionate bracelet sales, catalog sales and volunteer training with the South Bay Volunteer Center, where students brought their volunteer training to the campus. Trips to conferences and competitions, which could cost as much as a few hundred dollars, encourage sports teams and clubs to sponsor fundraisers. “An example of this is our girls’ tennis team; they really wanted to go to the Stanford tennis tournament at the beginning of the year, so they decided to sell banners,” Cress said. “They went this direction because they knew that it was outside of their transportation from last year’s, so they did a fundraiser [with] banners and they were able to pay for [their transportation fee].”

Fundraisers in the past have played an important role in helping Peninsula keep the extracurricular programs going and they have also helped students learn what it is like to adopt a leadership role by efficiently raising money for a particular organization or group. “[Fundraisers] are an interesting experience for [the students] to oversee something, organize it and ultimately mobilize a group of people to help you with something,” Service Learning Leadership adviser Heather Myrick said. The Participation Donation provides the majority of the funds needed in extracurricular activities. Although not mandatory, they are necessary for extracurricular activities to continue. “The team could not have a snack shack and frequent team dinners without the parents,” water polo captain and senior Brandon Nelsen said.

Participation donation change from 2014 to 2015 science research 2014 2015

$100 $0 $300

Pep squad drama football

$250 $225 $150

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from last year, Participation donations have decreased on average by $131 for the displayed extracurricular activities.

$700 $400

IT’S ALL ABOUT EOP Crossword By alumni DAVID STEINBERG Across 1. Place to get a haircut 6. Mother, to a baby 10. Unwanted e-mail 14. Major 2011 hurricane 15. “Woe is me!” 16. Apple center 17. Emerge: 4 wds. 20. Australian bird that can run up to 30 mph 21. Canines or molars 22. ___ code (dance protocol) 23. Like a swamp 25. 18, for some seniors 26. Social butterfly: 2 wds. 33. Word before bear or vortex 36. Jumps 37. Day before a holiday 38. Smartphone ride-request service 39. Bikers shift them 40. Lobster’s pincer 41. Campfire seat 42. Signified 43. Bridge-crossing costs 44. Spotted Pacific predator: 2 wds. 47. Common tattoo site 48. Roman general Julius 52. Raw meat bacteria: 2 wds. 55. Biblical song 58. Bake sale organizer, for short 59. Class that appropriately contains the letter sequence suggested by this puzzle’s title: 2 wds. 62. Senior’s end?

63. Valuable metal 64. Sports stadium 65. Pre-Easter season 66. Famous ___ cookies 67. Put back to zero

Down 1. “Attack, Rover!”: 2 wds. 2. Pleasant smell 3. “Madagascar” primate 4. 2015 ÷ 2015 5. Sassy response to “Which do you like better?” 6. Triumphant chess cry 7. Oodles and oodles: 2 wds. 8. Mr. Kim’s subject 9. Campfire residue 10. Official who keeps track of points 11. Francis, as of 2013 12. Greek god of war 13. Clothing department 18. Singer featured in “Give Me Everything”: Hyph. 19. A cube has 12 of them 24. Practice boxing 25. Crossy Road and others 27. Beg 28. Isn’t quite upright 29. Google ___ (virtual globe) 30. Put on the market 31. Shape of Peninsula’s track 32. Evening broadcast

33. Play tug-of-war 34. High-pitched woodwind 35. Plastic toy brick 39. Hand sanitizer target 40. Pepsi alternative 42. Bowser’s enemy 43. Mine vehicle: 2 wds. 45. Most washed-out 46. Individual rights organization: Abbr. 49. Undercover agents 50. Perform penance

51. Charged toward: 2 wds. 52. Like Sauron 53. Use EasyBib 54. Thor’s father 55. Dance for which some students dream up elaborate schemes (like making a crossword puzzle?) 56. “Star Wars” character Han 57. Sends a friend request 60. Bubba Watson’s group, briefly 61. Three, to an Italian

Student Life 9

The Dancing Queen: Emily Mcginn

HOPE GOLIDA DANCES HER WAY TO THE TOP

Emily McGinn

“There is usually a lot of people there – CEOs, directors and managers of different companies working At the age of 15, sophomore Hope Golida has at the set. It is really cool getting to meet all of them,” already made strides in the dance industry. Focusing Golida said. on video production, Golida stars in the Just Dance Golida has also performed in a music video for My Disney Party 2016 Video Game released on Oct. 22. Little Pony Equestrian Girls, a Hasbro commercial, She was able to bypass the audition process altogether two Mattel commercials as well as a music video called by receiving a direct booking for this job at the “Run” for Marsha Ambrosius. She has also danced on choreographer’s request. Golida is one of only 12 girls the sidelines at the Staples Center during halftime for a and eight boys given a job offer for the video game. Los Angeles Sparks basketball game. “Just Dance was probably my favorite job that I have Golida finds her gigs through the Go 2 Talent done because all the other ones Agency, an organization that that I have done have not been helps dancers find auditions as big as this, and it is really cool for commercials, music videos nothing makes me happier that I get featured on a video and more. At the auditions, the than being on stage doing game. People from around the dancers dance, take pictures world will see me,” Golida said. what i love and being able to and read scripts. In the video game, she is Golida reached her featured in two songs: “Take on inspire people and make them professional status after years the World” from a Disney show, of dedicated practice and hard Girl Meets World, and “Be Our happy. work. When she was 9 years Guest” from the Disney movie, old, two friends asked her to Descendants. A unique quality accompany them to a dance of this game is that a user can class. After enjoying the class, see the faces of the dancers on the screen, while in Golida realized her passions and continued regularly other Just Dance video games, the user can only see the dancing at Elevation Studios, a studio in Long Beach, silhouettes of the dancers. five days each week. She is experienced in many styles During the filming process, Golida often had to be of dancing, including jazz, tap, contemporary, ballet, at the studio to film before sunrise. A teacher is always hip-hop and lyrical. Golida is part of the Choreo present on set to help Golida with required school Company at school, where she continues to develop work before and between shots. Workers prepared more skills in a variety of dancing styles through Golida for filming by applying make-up and by prepping instruction from Choreo Company teacher Heather her outfit. Golida performed in front of a green screen, Myrick. and backgrounds suited for the video game were “Nothing really makes me happier than being on inserted later. She repeated the shot several times, stage doing what I love and being able to inspire people improving the routine based on feedback after every and make them happy,” Golida said. “It is just a really take. fun way to express myself.”

courtesy of hope golida

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-Sophomore hope golida

Cool for the summit Brothers Huws and Rei Landsberger present science research projects at China Climate Leaders Summit in Los Angeles

saffy laurio With a father as an engineer, the Landsberger brothers have been exposed to the science field since childhood, and have now begun their own work. On Sept. 15, senior Huws Landsberger and junior Rei Landsberger attended the China Climate Leaders Summit concerning greenhouse gas effects. This summit was established by President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Landsbergers debuted their scientific findings at this summit. Huws Landsberger’s research focused on the effects of the temperature on salt marsh plant growth. He studied how fluctuation in temperature changed plant growth at the Cabrillo salt marsh. Huws estimates he spent six months planning and researching his project. For the creative portion of his project, Huws used what

he learned from his Environmental Science Advanced Placement class from last year. To conduct his research, Huws went to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. There, he met mentors who encouraged and helped him with his work. Science Research teacher Peter Starodub advised Huws on the deadlines and direction of his project. “[Science research] is interesting because it involves knowledge outside of what you learn in school, and you get to focus on something you are actually interested in,” Huws said. “It’s pretty fun to do your own thing.” Rei Landsberger was interested in a different aspect of environmental research. Rei’s project focused on creating a solar tracking device that helped direct solar panels at the sun during the day. Rei decided to work with solar panels because he has always been interested in renewable energy and in the versatility of a solar

temishi onnekikami/The Pen

panel. Rei approximates the total work time for his project to be around five months. “I hope to pursue [work on solar panels], or the science of engineering or maybe go into something more theoretical like physics,” Rei said. Several high profile people attended the summit, including California Governor Jerry Brown, other politicians from around the U.S. and China and executives from companies that promote green energy. In addition to presenting their projects, the brothers were able to join a delegation and listen to speeches about the Chinese climate policies being passed to help China become a cleaner country. They previously had no knowledge of Chinese energy policies. “There were few people invited and very few representing high schools,” Huws said. “It was nice to have two of us from Peninsula.”

Sports

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The Pen

E L I M A R T X E E H T G GOIN

year, t s a p e h In t rs have al e h t n a P many ernation t in in d compete s in a variety ion competit s. of sport

Ice Theater competition takes Kim sisters to France Jordan Chang Peninsula athletes are given numerous opportunities to travel and compete throughout the United States, from tennis tournaments at Stanford University to softball exhibitions in Colorado. This past April, sophomore Catherine Kim and freshman Elleen Kim traveled to an international ice theater competition, the Nation’s Cup France. The sisters are members of the Los Angeles Ice Theater, a group of skaters that compete in both national and international ice theater competitions. Not to be mistaken for figure skating, ice theater integrates not only technique, but also dancing, acting and artistry. Ice theater is also more group-oriented. “This definitely taught me about

teamwork. I can’t just think about myself when I’m competing,” Elleen Kim said. “I always have to keep other people in mind. It’s about competing, but it’s also about team bonding.” Catherine and Elleen have been members of the novice team for four years; they practice every Friday at Pickwick Ice in Burbank, Calif. for nearly four hours. “We practice often in general, but even more so before competitions and special events,” Catherine Kim said. To qualify for the Nation’s Cup France, which took place in Colombes, FR the team had to first compete and place in three national competitions. They received third place in Ohio, second place in Michigan and second place in Massachusetts. They were one of three

US teams in the novice level chosen to compete internationally. In France, the team performed a program based on El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. “It wasn’t about the skating, but the energy that they brought to the performance and the love they have for each other that shows in their skating,” Coach Danelle Cole said. The Los Angeles Ice Theater novice team ended up placing seventh out of nine teams at the Nation’s Cup France. “The Kiss and Cry was my favorite memory. It’s a moment in skating where a team stands together to get their score, in front of a camera that shows you on a big screen,” Catherine Kim said. “We were all hugging and crying together because of happiness,”

Panthers travel to Japan to play basketball

Jordan Chang

Peninsula events such as Cultural Week help bring the world to the campus. But sophomores Jenna Yamada and Cami Arai, junior Kristin Sakoda and senior Patty Hori have found a more direct way to learn about their own ethnic culture through the Yonsei Basketball Association. Yonsei is an exchange program between JapaneseAmericans and native Japanese basketball players, in which each team travels to either Japan or America for a summer and forms connections by playing basketball. “Many people don’t realize that fourth or fifth generation Japanese-Americans actually do not know much about their cultural heritage, and most do not speak the language,” Yonsei 21 coach Jessie Ishigo said.

To become members of Yonsei, students must apply in the eighth-grade. 12 boys and 12 girls are chosen from the South Bay each year to form one team, known as a generation. Applicants are selected based on academic performance and basketball skills; they must also be interviewed, have a basketball tryout and write an essay about topics such as what community service means to them. Though being Japanese is not a requirement, most interested players are. The American teams usually practice one Saturday a month, but have a week of intense practice before traveling to Japan in the summer. In addition to playing basketball together, Yonsei teams also participate in a variety of community service and team bonding events. “My team ran a golf tournament,

volunteered at Tanaka Farms and supported the Go For Broke National Education Center,” Yonsei 21 member Jenna Yamada said. A key part of Yonsei is the homestay aspect; American players live with Japanese players and their families, and vice versa. Despite the language barrier, Yonsei players at Peninsula said that spending time with the other team was their favorite part of Yonsei. In Japan, the teams visited tourist destinations, watched baseball games and enjoyed eating full meals from a vending machine. In America, players went to destinations like In-N-Out Burger, Disneyland and Universal City Walk. “It’s definitely more about fun than trying to win,” Yonsei 19 member Patty Hori said. “You form a family with your team and keep in touch with new friends from Japan.”

Sophomore Maansi Murty adopts jiu-jitsu as a lifestyle Trisha Valokunis Sophomore Maansi Murty was only seven years old when she started practicing jiu-jitsu, after her cousin, sophomore Melia Ewing, asked her to join her studio. As the years passed, Murty’s love for jiu-jitsu steadily grew, eventually leading her to adopt the sport as a lifestyle. “I love the control I have in a fight and the friendships I create,” Murty said. “I even love the injuries—they are a reminder of my accomplishments.” Murty practices at John Barrett American Martial Arts in Lomita and has earned a red belt. In the studio, she

JIU-JITSU: AN UNCONVENTIONAL SPORT

participates in what is known as “Black Belt Boot Camp,” which is an advanced program of cardiovascular training, fighting drills and obstacle courses that test agility and fitness. “When Maansi started [jiu-jitsu] in elementary school, she was an amateur fighter,” Ewing said. “Now, she is holding gold medals [earned from her tournaments] because she never gave up.” She placed third in the Los Angeles International Tournament, second in the All-Americas and first at the Sports Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) Worlds Tournament, which is held annually in December. Fighters of all ages

come from around the world to compete at this event held in Long Beach, Calif. Murty feels excited and jittery at tournaments, but she never lets fear get to her when she steps on the mat. “When I fight, my surroundings become a white background and my focus is only on my opponent and on my next move,” Murty said. “I feel energized, yet calm.” Murty hopes to continue the sport in college and beyond. “It has become a lifestyle I can’t let go of,” Murty said. “It is shaping me into a better, stronger and more confident person—I can’t imagine my life without it.”

In June 1973, jiu-jitsu, which originated from Brazil, was finally legally recognized as a sport in Brazil. Sports Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) held its first international event, the SJJIF Worlds tournament, on Dec. 14, 2013 in Long Beach. Over 50 jiu-jitsu fighters competed at the SJJIF Worlds Tournament in 2014.

*Data acquired from the Sports Jiu-Jitsu International Federation