Issue 5

VOL. XXXIX ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 15, 2019

PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL www.pvphsnews.com

FISHING SEASON Social media post sparks tension between PVHS and PVPHS OPINION PAGE 5

FRONT AND CENTER

AIN’T HER FIRST RODEO

PINNING DOWN A WIN

Students showcase their artistic abilities

Sophomore Jessica Krambeer competes in rodeo events

Varisty boys’ wrestling win at Segerstrom Jaguar Invitational

FOCUS PAGE 6-7

STUDENT LIFE PAGE 8

SPORTS PAGE 10

IN MEMORY OF MENDOZA

Baseball team celebrates first annual Brett Mendoza game A wave of jerseys with the number seven were seen on Peninsula’s baseball field on Jan. 5 to honor coach Brett Mendoza, who passed away last year in an automobile accident. The alumni vs. varsity baseball game held at Peninsula was a tribute to Mendoza, who not only coached baseball at Peninsula, but also attended Peninsula as a student 16 years ago. For the many athletes who knew him, he was a cherished friend and mentor. Mendoza coached alongside World History, U.S. History and Advanced Placement Psychology teacher and baseball coach John Hangartner.

“I used to teach [Mendoza] when he was a student,” Hangartner said. “In 2011, he became co-coach with me and bonded well with the players on the team. Brett Mendoza was very well respected and liked among his students and peers.”

Alumni of Peninsula’s baseball team were invited to come back and play a game against this season’s varsity baseball players.

The community was welcome to participate

and watch. In addition to a baseball game, the event had 50/50 raffles and a silent auction that included Dodger tickets and Los Angeles Kings tickets. The event, organized by Mendoza’s sister Lauren Mendoza, was held to support the Brett

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Tiffany Cha

I used to teach [Mendoza] when he was a student. In 2011, he became co-coach with me and bonded well with the players on the team.

Brett Mendoza was very well respected and liked among his students and peers.

-coach john hangartner

Mendoza Memorial Loyola Marymount University Baseball Scholarship Fund. This scholarship, run

by Loyola Marymount University (LMU) senior director and board and donor relations manager Erin Hanson supports the needs of future baseball players who wish to play at LMU. The Brett

Mendoza Memorial Scholarships are given to assist students at LMU in covering the cost of tuition, room and board. According to Hanson, the scholarships that were created this year will be given to students during the 2019-20 academic year.

“Dozer,” as the former baseball coach was fondly called, is remembered as a caring and strong person. His students recall a very understanding and disciplined coach, and some found it hard to concentrate during the game due to the occasion of the event. Many of the players attended the event as a way of honoring Mendoza in addition to playing the baseball game.

Senior and varsity player Dominic Lauro, who attended the game, looked up to Mendoza and remembers him as a supportive coach.

Mendoza worked with Lauro on his catching skills last year, and Lauro still values the lessons he learned from Mendoza today.

“I was so nervous, and I remember looking at the stand and seeing his family,” Lauro said. ”Knowing that he was looking at us from above, we knew we need to make him proud.

Whether we win or lose, we will play for him.” photo courtesy of jakob perez

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Amira Belhedi and Ailun Shi Tension once again sparked between rivals Palos Verdes High School (PVHS) and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (PVPHS) on Jan. 15 when PVPHS won the PVPHS vs. PVHS basketball game on a buzzer-beater shot by junior JD Plough, ending the game with a score of 52-51.

“Beating PVHS was huge for our record and set us up for a possible first place in Bay League,” junior and varsity player Caleb Hall said. “[But there have been] very high tensions between the student bodies.”

Following the basketball game, senior and varsity player Justin Kim uploaded a controversial Instagram post on Jan. 16 with a caption that called out PVHS basketball player Simon Shafiee. Shafiee is a former PVPHS basketball player who had previously played with Kim and later transferred to PVHS. Kim claimed that at the game, Shafiee slandered him with verbal attacks regarding Kim’s personal life.

“The reason I called him out specifically was because during and after the game he was getting really personal with me and my team as well as calling our school and the Zoo names,” Kim said.

“I felt that after all the trash-talking they did, we needed some kind of response, but I did not think it was going to escalate this much.”

The post became a hub for students from both schools to disparage one another, receiving over

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850 likes and 400 comments, many of which were insults and threats. Many students from both schools were reprimanded by their respective associate principals, leading many to delete their comments out of fear of punishment.

“I will step in when it comes to student’s safety, and there were [student comments] that crossed the line [which is why we took extra precautions] for the away PVPHS vs. PVHS game to go well,” associate principal Michael Wanmer said.

Reprimands also affected PVPHS cheerleaders, who received an hour lecture from their coach, Kim Stoneman, about their comments on Kim’s post and their responsibility to represent the school whether they are wearing their uniform or not. Senior and varsity co-captain Mehak Dedmari found it understandable that Stoneman would want the two teams to get along, especially since Stoneman has children who attend PVHS. However, Dedmari believes that standing by the basketball players was the most important thing to do.

“Being a cheerleader is supporting your team through thick and thin even if that means fighting back to vicious comments said about your school and lifelong friends,” Dedmari said. “The truth is that nobody will sit back and listen to others slander their friends. We stick together and pick each other up. I am extremely proud of the way everything was handled in terms of our students.”

Senior and PVHS varsity cheerleader Cheridan Agnew found that the friction between the PVHS and PVPHS

news

PVPHS-PVHS GAME INTENSIFIES RIVALRY

basketball teams also led to tensions between the cheerleading teams.

“At the PVPHS home game, some [PVPHS] cheerleaders [were] trying to come at my team and make rude gestures and comments,” Agnew said. “[My team is] not like that. We decided to ignore those remarks and remain positive.”

The tensions escalated beyond social media and resulted in an altercation outside of school on Jan. 19 at a PVPHS student’s house. PVHS students arrived and proceeded to deface the interior of the house and a car while PVPHS students, including Plough, were assailed in the process.

At the away game on Jan. 30, there was increased security presence as well as teacher volunteers standing in front of the Red Tide, the PVHS student body cheering section, blocking the students from physically engaging with the basketball players on the court due to the previous altercations. However, when the ball went out of bounds in front of the Red Tide, PVHS students interfered with the game by reaching over and surrounding the PVPHS players retrieving the ball.

“Fighting has always been a part of sports,” Kim said.

“This time it is a little different since fights usually take place during the heat of the game, but now it is coming preplanned. Our coach tells us to keep our emotions in check and to treat it as just a game because the first team to calm down will be the one to win.”

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LAUSD REACHES AN AGREEMENT TO END WEEK-LONG TEACHER STRIKE yaseen el-magharbel and Caitlyn Lee On Jan. 14, United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) began a week-long strike in an attempt to raise teacher salaries and to reduce class sizes in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

According to the American Broadcasting Channel Eyewitness News, the strike was in response to the LAUSD’s refusal to decrease the amount of students in each class and to hire more nurses, librarians and counselors in LAUSD schools. District leaders originally claimed that they could not make these

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changes due to a lack of funds. According to National Public Radio (NPR), LAUSD teachers from over 900 schools containing approximately 640,000 students participated in the strike.

Senior Marla Magerko, who attended LAUSD schools from kindergarten through intermediate school, believes that the strike was necessary due to the lack of staff members such as nurses on campus. She recalls an incident at Dodson Middle School in the LAUSD during which the death of a sixth grade student occurred.

“The nurse at the school was only there three days a week,” Magerko said. “Although she was there the day the student died, imagine if a similar incident happened again without a nurse on campus.”

The strike ended on Jan. 22 following negotiations between UTLA and LAUSD. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the agreement between UTLA and LAUSD included smaller class sizes, improved support staff and a six percent salary increase for teachers, according to Eyewitness News. The district plans to hire 150 additional nurses as well as 41 teachers and librarians over the next two years.

Freshman Xander Jo attended school in the LAUSD from elementary through intermediate school. While enrolled in LAUSD schools, Jo noticed the lack of teachers and its effect.

“When I was there, the classes were actually pretty big,” Jo said. “Teachers could not give students the attention they needed.”

According to KCSB Television Los Angeles, LAUSD is

the nation’s second largest school system but remains beset by low academic achievement, financial issues and declining student enrollment. Teachers hope that limitations on charter schools, which have been taking students and money from public schools according to USA Today, will result from the strike. The agreement that ended the strike calls for the LAUSD Board of Education to vote for a resolution calling on the state to establish a cap on charter schools.

The mother of senior Ariel Matsumiya is a prekindergarten teacher in the LAUSD and participated in the strike. According to Matsumiya, her mother decided to protest with her fellow colleagues because she believed that the class sizes were getting too large and that more funds should be allocated towards the education of younger students.

“My mom decided to walk out because she wanted to make her job more about teaching rather than funding district offices,” Matsumiya said.

Advanced Placement English Language teacher and member of the Palos Verdes Faculty Association (PVFA) Tim Coleman participated in last year’s negotiations with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District for higher teacher salaries. Coleman believes that strikes are the main option that should be used if negotiations stagnate.

“As a member of PVFA and our bargaining team, I can relate to the struggle of UTLA teachers,” Coleman said. “Teachers have the right to use a strike as a last resort to resolve contract issues.”

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27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Nina Li Emily McGinn MANAGING EDITOR Alison Kim DESIGN EDITOR Connor Tumelty Alex Yoo NEWS EDITOR: Olin Osborne III WRITERS: Amira Belhedi Tiffany Cha Yaseen El-Magharbel Caitlyn Lee Ailun Shi OPINION EDITOR: Liana Korotzer WRITERS: Fiona Andersons Josh Kim Saffy Laurio Alexandra Perez Imogene Tomicic FOCUS EDITORS: Rianne Aguas Asumi Shuda WRITERS: Keila Bara Brianna Cho Kaitlyn Ho Minji Jeun Osame Osayande Fiona Yang STUDENT LIFE EDITORS: Chris Guanzing Ana Willoughby WRITERS: Jacci Engler Helen Huang Kristen Lu James O’Dea Christine Youn SPORTS EDITOR: Anne Lee WRITERS: Jacey Gibaldi Mitchell Lin Tilly Safavian Aidan Sun Casey Syal GRAPHICS Josh Kim Rachel Liu BUSINESS & ADVERTISING Elana Ho Lina Kugaya 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 Elana Ho 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 © 2019

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Cover Design by Josh Kim

THE PRICE OF LOVE: VALENTINE’S DAY TURNS MATERIALISTIC feel that we must conform to the expectations set by the world around us. In a survey of 300 $19.7 billion. According to USA Today, Peninsula students, 105 felt pressured to spend this is the amount of money people across a significant amount of money on Valentine’s the country spent on Valentine’s Day in Day. In addition, 53 percent reported that they 2016. 55 percent of Americans spend spent or would spend over $25 on Feb. 14 on around $140 on their significant other on their significant others. These numbers reflect Feb. 14. We were taught since we were the shallow values instilled in us as a result of young that Valentine’s Day was a day to the media’s interpretation of this day as well as celebrate love and the appreciation we feel of relationships in general. With popular shows for others. However, even then, the focus such as The Bachelor, Gossip Girl and Love of the day shifted from one of genuine Island, teenagers develop an outlook which emotion to materialistic consumerism. makes them believe that costly gestures are the Elementary school students buy and central aspect of a relationship. Advertisements distribute mainstream candy and cards to such as those created by jewelry stores that their classmates, igniting the idea that in utilize Valentine’s Day as a marketing strategy order to convey appreciation and friendship, also enhance our materialistic culture, forcing we must purchase materialistic goods. This people to feel that they must use objects to concept has only escalated as we grow older properly communicate their emotions. We and develop more serious relationships. To are brainwashed to believe that giving into celebrate Valentine’s Day’s true purpose the pressures around us will ensure a healthy of encapsulating the value of romantic and relationship. platonic relationships, we must attempt Although we are led to think that a thriving to display our affection through more relationship stems from the money we spend, meaningful and thoughtful gestures rather this consumerist mindset can actually harm than automatically turning to materialistic a relationship, especially when we are young. items gifted in an effort to show love.

Of the 300 Peninsula students, 45 stated One of the main contributors to this they would at least consider ending their skewed idea is the societal pressures relationship if their significant other fails to placed on people to spend a large amount display their affection through expensive of money on their relationship on this gifts or activities. Although only 15 percent particular day. Especially in high school, we of students polled displayed this mentality,

editorial staff

there are most likely many more who may not take this extreme approach, but would feel unsatisfied with their significant others. This emphasis we place on commercialized gifts and grand gestures can diminish the value of a relationship if not addressed properly.

In recent years, we have crossed the line between displaying affection and giving in to society’s ideals about love. 72 percent of students polled believed that Valentine’s Day has become too materialistic and if we do not acknowledge and attempt to combat this issue, that number will rise. Rather than buying generic teddy bears, flowers and chocolates on one particular day, we should strive to create more personal and sentimental gifts for the people we love and show our appreciation for them through giving our time throughout the year, a gift that cannot be bought.

alex yoo / the pen

THE PEN PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

ALLEGED ANTI SEMITISM AT WOMEN’S MARCH LOWERS PARTICIPATION FIONA ANDERSONS Following the record-breaking 2017 attendance of the Women’s March, this year, the Women’s March organization has faced backlash due to alleged anti Semitic comments made by its leaders. When the first march took place on the day of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, it was a tremendous success, presenting a unified front of women of all races, backgrounds and religions. However, according to The Washington Post, controversy arose last February when Women’s March co-president Tamika Mallory attended a Nation of Islam event held by Louis Farrakhan, who is known for his anti Semitic comments. Since then, the continuous surfacing of anti Semitic comments made by leadership like Mallory and board member Carmen Perez has resulted in increased outrage, causing organizations such as The National Council of Jewish Women to drop out of the march.

Although Women’s March leadership has been taking steps to denounce anti Semitism and to incorporate more Jewish leadership into its organization, there are still further steps that should be taken. Leaders who have made anti Semitic comments are still affiliated with the organization and refuse to denounce Farrakhan. Until the issue is resolved, people should not continue to support the organization, as doing so would undermine the severity of the claims and allow the Women’s March to continue to act against its own mission statement without change. The organization should learn from the accusations of anti Semitism so it can return to its focus of promoting and fighting for the equality of all women.

According to the New York Times, Women’s March activists often debate whether or not Jewish people should be considered a marginalized minority due to the majority of Jews being white. Regardless of this discussion, the Jewish people have been discriminated against throughout history. Not only are Jewish women’s identities and statuses often questioned, but anti Semitism is also a very extreme and life-threatening reality, as seen with the mass shooting on Oct. 27 that killed 11 people at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. If people continue to support the march after the surfacing of the claims, they will diminish the significance of the effects anti Semitism has on millions.

“There is no doubt that the rights of Jewish people are worth fighting for,” sophomore Mackenzie Peyton, who attended the march this year, said. “Prejudice toward Jewish people should be left in the past and there is no room for that in the movement for women’s rights. [The march] should be advocating for every single woman no matter their faith, race or ethnicity.”

Claims about leaders such as Mallory can unfortunately reflect on the organization as a whole. While the claims were not made on behalf of the march, they were still extremely hurtful and possibly convinced many to not attend, with numbers falling from around three million in 2017 to only 100,000 in 2019 according to the Washington Post. Although the march is an impactful event, anti Semitic comments contradict its original purpose and until they are adequately dismissed, diminish the march’s goals for equality.

“They fight for people to treat women with respect and give them an opportunity to voice their opinions but put down other

people because of their race and religion,” senior Aishani Ramireddy, an attendee of the Women’s Marches, said. “I think this sets back that journey to equality for women and gives us a bad name, especially for those who do not spread hate and discriminate against other people.”

The Women’s March leaders should do everything they can to prevent their original goal from being extinguished by the controversy, as the protests give women the platform to inspire others and unite to fight for what they believe. Those affiliated with the march who have been accused of anti Semitism should separate the claims against them from the organization to show that participants in the protests have the correct intentions. The organization should take steps such as denouncing Farrakhan, changing the march’s leadership and publicly condemning anti Semitism.

It is important for the Women’s March to move forward in their aim to defend women through their intersectionalist, feminist outlook. However, until Women’s March denounces anti Semitism and removes it from the organization, it should continue to be criticized. Even if the organization plays an important role in feminist movements, not properly dealing with the accusations could undermine any of its future work.

“As a Jew myself, I was upset to see an organization that I proudly supported show prejudice, and I think they should be doing more to make their march about equality for [all] women,” senior Rachel Edelstein said.

“While I do think the march has declined in power over the years, I also believe that any chance to share my voice and fight inequality is a valuable opportunity, and I would not want to miss that.”

opinion

RIVALRY GONE TOO FAR

Tensions rise between PVHS and PVPHS after basketball game On Jan. 15, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (PVPHS) competed against Palos Verdes High School (PVHS) in their annual basketball game. At the end of the fourth quarter, junior and PVPHS varsity player JD Plough scored the game-changing shot that secured an unforgettable victory for PVPHS. With that victory came very high tensions between students from both schools. Threats and taunts from those students found their battlefield in the comment section of senior and PVPHS varsity player Justin Kim’s Instagram post. This photo of him on the court was posted shortly after the game with a caption ridiculing PVHS basketball player Simon Shafiee who had been jeering at the PVPHS players before the game started. For the next couple of days, students from both schools began to argue and insult each other by commenting on the post.

However, on Jan. 19, the virtual harassment transformed into a physical confrontation when juniors and varsity PVPHS basketball players Plough, Luke Frasso, Jordan Pineda and Nicholas Anvaripour were attacked by a group of PVHS students at a party.

Initially, one could make the case that the blame for the clash between the two schools is equal since multiple students from each school were involved in stoking the flames of tension. However, in light of the recent assault on PVPHS students at the party, any verbal or online conflict prior pales in comparison to the inexcusable devolution to physical violence.

“I felt [the assault] was very uncalled for and [it was] childish for them to do that, especially because it was over just a basketball game,” Kim said. “None of us were looking for a fight, and I was really angry about the entire situation.”

People may think that Kim’s Instagram post was the root cause of the chaos. However, by all accounts, aside from mocking the openly disrespectful PVHS player, Kim simply cannot be held fully responsible for the dispute between the schools. If PVPHS students had openly incited violence against PVHS students or basketball players, it would be a completely different story. In that case, Kim should definitely be held accountable for catalyzing the incident. However, he was not even remotely confrontational and was quite lighthearted while responding to comments on his post.

Even if one was to suggest that online activity should be accounted for when registering blame for these physical ramifications, Kim could not be held responsible because he was not the first to increase tensions online. Hours before the game, PVHS basketball player Jack Engstrom posted an Instagram photo advertising the game and multiple PVHS students commented, expressing their dislike of PVPHS and jesting at its basketball players such as senior John Skoblar and Pineda. Additionally, Skoblar was sent disturbing direct messages before the game.

With PVHS students stirring the pot hours before the game and illogical arguments that placed blame on Kim for his post, one would find with that flawed argument that PVHS students are still to blame.

“At the first game, I knew that there was tension between some of the players on both teams,” sophomore Marcus Kim said. “However, I did not think a fight would come out of it. I think people have to understand that the difference between physically attacking someone and trash-talk should not and cannot be ignored.”

Arguing that Instagram activity is where people should look to place blame to rationalize and excuse the physical violence on the part of PVHS students is not only asinine, but also counterintuitive. Most of the comments on Kim’s post, aside from a few from both PVPHS and PVHS students, did not call for violence against their respective rival student bodies. Regarding the online clashes, neither Kim nor Engstrom should be held accountable for encouraging the violence at the party because of their posts. Rather, those who were threatening students and goading others into fights should bear some of the responsibility for inciting the violence. However, the true liability lies upon the cowards who decided that a high school sport was important enough to physically attack others.

“I think that any time you have a long standing rivalry emotions are always going to be high,” principal Brent Kuykendall said. “It is one thing to have a fun rivalry, but sometimes they go too far. I think that both games being close added to the emotion. [PVHS principal Allan Tyner and I] are talking about ways that [PVHS and PVPHS] can continue to have a fun rivalry, but not have any concern about any physical altercations.”

CONNOR TUMELTY / the pen

Josh Kim

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It’s Showt i m e !

HIP-HOP TEAM TAKES FIRST PLACE AT CLUB DANCE COMPETITION kaitlyn ho and fiona yang Seniors Kyle Tanimura and Eigo Ebata, along with their dance team VMo, competed in a club dance competition called Showdown on Jan. 20. They contended against three other collegiate-level dance teams: X-Factor, PAC Modern and 909. VMo took first place and received a $1,500 cash prize, securing their reputation as one of Southern California’s topranked collegiate-level dance teams.

Tanimura and Ebata are the only high school students on the 36-person team comprised mainly of high school and college student dancers. However, this age gap does not stop them from pursuing their passion for dance.

“Being with VMo [has been] interesting because [there are] different people from different backgrounds [who are] all brought together to share our passion for dance on stage and for everyone else to see,” Tanimura said.

Tanimura has been on Peninsula’s varsity coed choreo team for two years and joined the VMo team four months ago. He claims that after seeing the VMo dance director’s energy as well as the team’s performances, Tanimura became determined to become a member of VMo. He joined the team after passing a five-hour long audition, where prospective members performed through elimination rounds.

“I enjoy VMo’s energy and vibe the most,” Tanimura said. “It is very different from other teams that I have been a part of before. It is really nice to be able to meet people [through] VMo and be able to make these connections on this team, [as well as] these experiences and memories that we will [carry] throughout our lives.”

Similar to Tanimura, Ebata also dances on Peninsula’s varsity coed choreo team. According to Ebata, dance is not just a hobby for him, but also a way to creatively convey his feelings. “[Dance] is an outlet for me when I cannot express what I feel [by] talking to other people,” Ebata said.

Despite the diversity of the VMo team, all of the members have formed a tight bond. Their shared passion for dance as well as their competitive nature allows them to overcome barriers such as age differences and conflicting schedules, which can sometimes make it difficult for students to clear time for practice. However, since VMo is unaffiliated with the school, Tanimura and Ebata claim that they struggle with balancing school, work and dance. Due to this challenge, preparing for Showdown during the two-month long season was difficult, with many practices extending to 3:00 a.m.

“Twice a week, starting at 8:30 p.m., we would practice until we felt that we had accomplished what we needed to do,” Ebata said. “Many times [the team] would practice until the next day, with our latest practices ending at 4:30 a.m.”

These practices were headed by VMo director and choreographer Danyel Moulton, who is also the Peninsula junior varsity coed choreo dance coach. Although winning is an aspect of what VMo wants to achieve, Moulton believes another important goal for the team is to always perform to the best of their abilities at competitions.

“Whether we place or not [in a competition is not the whole picture],” Moulton said. “What really matters is that the dancers feel they have performed something that they are proud of.”

When the dancers went into Showdown, their confidence levels were high and the team felt comfortable

with their routine.

“We [have talented] people and we [already] established a standard that we [needed] to [uphold],” Ebata said. “We were ready to show off what we had.”

The winning team was announced four hours after all the performances had ended. During the four hours of waiting for the results, the older and newer generations of team members bonded. “[When] we won, they played ‘We Are The Champions’, which brought back a lot of memories from the other times that we were together and able to win,” Tanimura said. “It was nice to be able to hear our name be called for first place.”

The team has competed at many other tournaments like Maxt Out, Bridge and Prelude NorCal. Showdown was the last competition for VMo this season, marking the beginning of a possible new team due to reauditions. Hence the win was a bittersweet experience for the team, as this was the last competition in which the previous generation, or the members from the prior season, would perform together.

“This win gave motivation for the new generation to keep the winning streak going,” Moulton said.

Despite the obstacles of scheduling that came along with the Showdown victory, Tanimura and Ebata’s love for dance and VMo remain consistent. They hope to continue, if not improve, VMo’s legacy through the new generation by giving all their effort.

“If you are passionate about something, you will always find a way to do it,” Tanimura said. “No matter what struggles I may face, I will always have so much love for this team and for dance. I have learned [from this experience] that there are endless possibilities and that what you are capable of is [unlimited] and that you are able to grow as [much] as you want to.”

eigo ebata kyle tanimura rachel liu / the pen

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keila bara and osame osayande

held at Agoura High School. The team competed in the intermediate song-pom division, a category designed for Peninsula’s song team formed a competition song and cheer teams to compete against each other team last year to allow song members to take using a point system that allows for more advanced tricks their skills to the next level and compete against and choreography than the novice level. Through this other teams in addition to performing at school competition, the team also advanced to USA Nationals, events. On Jan. 19, the team won second place which will be held in Anaheim on Feb. 24. In order to at its first competition of the season, the United prepare for the competition season, the team of 10 junior Spirit Association Agoura Regional competition varsity (JV) and varsity song members rehearsed with choreographers for four hours last November to learn the routine for competition and continued to perfect the routine during practices and additional rehearsals leading up to the season.

Song coach Loretta Alvillar has been coaching the song teams for four years. She reintroduced the competitive team last year to give song team members an additional opportunity to showcase their skills and to gain more experience.

“Competition for our team is to go and see what is out there, [as well as] to form relationships with other schools,” Alvillar said. “I think that there is always room to improve, but [they have accomplished] coming together and being a team.”

According to Alvillar, the team still prioritizes academics over intense practices. Although the team worked hard and wanted to do well at the competition, the main goal of attending the competition was to learn from other teams and to help the girls acquire new skills such as determination and teamwork.

Junior Osaze Osayande has talani anetema, sophia kim, Skylar lee, victoria rhodes and amanda roberts participated in the song program for three years and is currently on the varsity Josh kahen

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SONG TEAM TAKES SECOND PLACE AT FIRST COMPETITION

team. She joined the competition team this year, and she believes that her experience on the team is what motivates her to compete. “[I joined this team] to give myself a new experience [so I can] learn from other dance teams,” Osayande said. “Our dance went well and we performed to the best of our abilities. [This experience has] helped me grow as a dancer [and has] also shown me how to be more confident in myself while dancing.”

Freshman and JV song member Claire Robinson is also a member of the competition team. She loves competing and feels that being on the team has helped her gain confidence. “[I decided to join the team] because I competed at Elite Dance Studio before I joined song and missed the competitive environment,” Robinson said. “I liked [the experience] because it had a very positive atmosphere and everyone there had very high energy and was peppy. [Through competing], I have also learned how to better manage the anxiety of going onstage.”

However, the team experienced some challenges during the event. Robinson specifically faced a setback when she injured herself during the routine.

Despite this injury, she managed to finish the routine and stay calm in the moment.

“During the competition I subluxed my knee, which was not the best experience,” Robinson said. “[However], it was fine because [when] I came off, I got ice from the medical doctor and my coach was really supportive and helpful.”

The team is satisfied with their performance and the outcome of the competition and strives to continually improve at future competitions.

“It does not matter if you win,” Robinson said. “[Winning] does not affect how much fun you have and how much you learn in the long run.”

MUSIC SERVICE GROUP PERFORMS AT SENIOR LIVING HOMES brianna cho and Minji jeun The Music Students’ Service League (MSSL) is a volunteer organization for high school musicians that has students throughout California who meet every month with their respective branches to perform music at retirement homes. The South Bay branch visits several retirement homes including Sunrise Living of Palos Verdes, Kei Ai South Bay and Brookdale Senior Living.

MSSL members are able to earn service hours in several different ways. During their performances, they can sign up to be either performers or ushers, who set up the venue and help the audience get seated. MSSL also donates instruments to underprivileged schools. Over the last two years, MSSL has given a trumpet and 25 ukuleles to KingDrew Magnet High School in Carson.

Senior Chenchen Lu is the current vice president of the South Bay branch of MSSL. She was first introduced to the program by a friend in eighth grade.

As a member of the board, Lu attends meetings every two months to plan upcoming events and volunteer opportunities for members and to discuss scholarships.

“I [first joined] MSSL because I wanted to become more involved in the community by sharing my talent and passion [for] music with others,” Lu said. “I have

continued [participating in] MSSL because it is great to see how much joy we can bring the seniors when they hear their favorite piece being played or are reminded of the instrument they used to play.”

Freshman Alexandria Lam is currently the codirector of communications for MSSL. She joined the program when she was in seventh grade by recommendation of her piano teacher.

“I want to be able to spread happiness through music,” Lam said. “I remember [watching] another member begin a performance of Debussy’s Clair de Lune and as soon as the first notes floated into the air, it seemed like every senior [citizen’s] face lit up and transformed into a look of pure happiness and tranquility. Seeing how music could have such an effect across ages left a deep impression on me.”

Lam’s position on the board requires her to reach out to retirement homes in order to arrange recitals.

After each recital, the board sends letters of gratitude to the retirement homes for accommodating their performances. Through these activities, she has developed personal and professional skills that she feels she was not proficient in before.

“My position has taught me to be more open and persistent,” Lam said. “I have grown more comfortable with communicating with others whom I have never met.”

The current adviser for MSSL, Beth Howell, has

held this position for three years. She looks forward to seeing the South Bay branch grow to include more musicians and impact more lives.

“I enjoy listening to the beautiful music performed at the recitals and helping [the board make decisions] at monthly meetings,” Howell said. “Working with the outstanding young MSSL officers and performers is my greatest reward.”

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SADDLE UP

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alex yoo / the pen

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I have learned that it is okay to lose. Once you are on top, there is no guarantee [that] you will stay there very long. Things change very fast.

-SOPHOMORE jessica krambeer

in barrel racing, the rider races through a set of three upright barrels arranged in a cloverleaf pattern in the shortest amount of time possible. Barrels that are knocked over result in a five second penalty.

goat tying involves a participant riding a horse to a goat located at the end of the arena. The rider must dismount and attempt to tie three of the goat’s legs together in the shortest amount of time possible. josh kim / the pen

Sophomore Jessica Krambeer’s passion for rodeoing has led her to rank second in the state and to participate in national competitions.

Her most recent competition was from Jan. 18-20 in Brawley, Calif., where she competed in barrel racing, goat tying and breakaway roping.

Barrel racing, Jessica Krambeer’s primary rodeo event, involves a horse and a rider attempting to wind between barrels as quickly as possible.

Goat tying is also a timed event that requires the competitor to ride a horse, dismount and tie three of a goat’s legs together. In breakaway roping, a rider on a horse must loop a rope around a calf’s neck while it is running until the rope breaks, signifying the end of a timed run.

“My biggest [aspiration] is making the [World Finals] one day,” Jessica Krambeer said.

“Only the top fifteen [riders] in the world make it in each event and it would be super cool to be there one day.”

Jessica Krambeer began horseback riding at the age of four when she moved to Palos Verdes and discovered how popular it was in the area. She learned the sport through her father, who has experience with horseback riding, as well as through professional coaching.

Jessica Krambeer started rodeoing in sixth grade after learning about it through a family friend and has been competing ever since. She practices at a local arena and owns eight horses, four of which she uses for competitions.

In 2017, Jessica Krambeer became a Reserve State Champion Barrel Racer, which is a title given only to the second place winner in the state, while competing in the California Junior High Rodeo Association, a competition designed for junior high participants. Jessica Krambeer earned the same title again in 2018 when she won second place as a freshman in the California High School Rodeo Association (CHSRA), which is exclusively for high school participants. There, she barrel raced four times with her fastest attempt being 17.5 seconds.

Currently, Jessica Krambeer competes in CHSRA as well as in the California Junior Rodeo Association (CJRA), which allows people

from the ages of five to 18 to compete. Jessica Krambeer also raced in the National Finals in Lebanon, Tenn. in June 2017 and the National Finals in Rock Springs, Wyo. in July 2018.

Jessica Krambeer’s father John Krambeer accompanies her to competitions and supports her rodeo endeavors. He has experience in team roping, which is a rodeo event involving two mounted riders trying to rope the horns and legs of a steer. Jessica Krambeer’s parents and siblings all horseback ride and travel with her to rodeo competitions.

“When [our family] travels to the high school rodeo [competitions], we all go and live in a trailer for the weekend,” John Krambeer said. “It is certainly a family atmosphere.”

Jessica Krambeer’s brother, senior Tyler Krambeer, believes that rodeoing has made her an independent and determined individual.

He shows his support by attending her competitions and cheering for her.

“Rodeoing has become such an integral part of Jessica’s life,” Tyler Krambeer said. “It has everything to do with her future.”

Jessica Krambeer describes rodeoing as a sport that requires full commitment.

As a result, she must miss certain days of school to attend competitions.

In addition to conflicts with school, Jessica Krambeer has faced challenges with trying to meet her own expectations while rodeoing.

“Today’s rodeo kids are so competitive,” Jessica Krambeer said. “The points separating you and other competitors is not that much.

Hitting a barrel or missing your calf can easily drop you down in the standings, and it is hard to watch yourself fall.”

Despite the obstacles she faces, Jessica Krambeer plans to continue rodeoing in college and hopes to start a horse training business.

She believes that participating in the sport during high school has given her a head start toward meeting her goals and has taught her lessons that will prepare her for a future in rodeoing.

“I have learned that it is okay to lose,” Jessica Krambeer said. “Once you are on top, there is no guarantee [that] you will stay there very long. Things change very fast.”

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helen huang

rachel liu / the pen

Sophomore Jessica Krambeer participates in competitive rodeoing

Breakaway roping involves a mounted rider attempting to rope a lasso around a calf’s neck. the end of the rope breaking signifies the completion of the run.

rachel liu / the pen

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VARSITY BOYS’ WRESTLING PLACES AT THE SEGERSTROM JAGUAR INVITATIONAL The varsity boys’ wrestling team competed at the Segerstrom Jaguar Invitational on Jan. 20 at Segerstrom High School in Santa Ana. Senior and co-captain Diego Sheng was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament after his first-place finish, and senior Robert Peltekov placed third for his weight class. There are only six wrestlers on the varsity team, but Peltekov does not believe that the small amount of members on the team has had an impact on their performance. He believes that the team members’ faith in themselves is what drove their success at this tournament.

“Even though we had a rough start [to the season], we kept believing in our abilities no matter what the situation was,” Peltekov said. “We all knew that we [had] trained hard during practices.”

Sheng believes that his success is a byproduct of the team that has surrounded him for the past three years.

This team has undergone considerable change in the past year as longtime coach Mike Liebig was replaced

by Phil Trujillo. Sheng believes that the team has adjusted well to Trujillo’s presence and that the change in leadership has added a youthful and fresh aspect to the team. As a co-captain of the team, Sheng believes that a simple approach is the best way to develop a dependable work ethic that can lead to success in competitions.

“Work on what you [develop during] practice,” Sheng said. “Continue to believe in what [you have] been practicing and implement it [during] the match.”

As Trujillo looks to establish a winning culture within

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the Peninsula wrestling program, two symbols he hopes that his team will keep in mind are heart and fire. Heart refers to the love one must have for oneself and for the sport. Fire references the intensity and indomitable will that one must carry through every practice and every match. Trujillo’s goals for the wrestling program extend beyond just teaching the team wrestling technique and finesse. He also hopes that his training reinforces the importance of resiliency and dedication for his wrestlers both inside and outside of the ring. “[I] work with the kids and try to make sure they know how to use each move properly and efficiently against their opponents,” Trujillo said. “I want kids to come in and be able to understand their body movement. When [they are] in [the practice room] giving their very best, [they are] getting better not only in wrestling, but also in life.“ Trujillo believes that mental strength is key to achieving success in wrestling.

His practice routine consists of not only strength and conditioning training, but also preparing the players mentally for matches so that they have no fear when they step onto the mat to compete. Like Trujillo, Peltekov also believes that wrestling is both a mental and physical sport.

“As long as [you are] in the right headspace, [your physical strength] does not matter as much,” Peltekov said. “It is knowing that you understand your technique and trusting in your prior training that matters most.”

Some individuals have applied this mentality and are competing in later rounds of the CIF playoffs as a result. Sheng finished as the runner up at the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) Championship allowing him to qualify for the CIF Masters Championship. Sheng will attempt to advance to the CIF State Championship by competing at the CIF Masters Championship on Feb. 1516. Sophomore Jessica Ho has advanced to the CIF-SS Championship after placing fifth at the CIF-SS Divisional Championship. She will also compete for a spot in the CIF State Championship at Roosevelt High School.

Josh Kim / the pen

mitchell lin and casey syal

Senior Kristin Hanaoka wins SoCal Girls’ Athlete of the Week award

five years old, following in her father and brother’s footsteps, and has committed most of her life to playing the sport. She dedicates her award to all the coaches and teammates that she has met during her time playing basketball. Through years of practices and outside events like team dinners, she has grown close to her teammates and she considers them to be like her second family.

“My coaches are by far the best coaches out there and only a few can truly say that and mean it,” Hanaoka said. “They are not only there for me on the court, but

Josh Kim / the pen

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My friends and I are her die-hard fans and we love seeing Kristin in her element. [She is] the most diligent and hardworking girl and she [carries out everything] with an unforgettable smile.

-senior Allyson yi

also [off the court].”

The Associated Student Body, Principal Brent Kuykendall and friends of Hanaoka supported her throughout the week of online voting by promoting her nomination on various social media outlets urging people to vote for her online. Due to their efforts, Hanaoka secured 19,390 votes toward her winning the award, beating the runner up nominee by 6,000 votes.

“I am so proud of Kristin for winning the SoCal Girls’ Athlete of the Week award because [I have] seen how much energy and dedication she puts into basketball,” senior Allyson Yi said. “My friends and I are her die-hard fans and we love seeing Kristin in her element. [She is] the most diligent and hardworking girl and she [carries out everything] with an unforgettable smile.”

Although Hanaoka believes she has benefited greatly from her four years of being on the team and the 75 games she has played with the Peninsula, she does not wish to pursue the sport professionally in the future. However, she plans to join a recreational team during college so that she will still be able to play in her free time.

“My life has been consumed with basketball, and I am so truly grateful for it, but I think it is time to focus on other things and explore what is ahead of me,” Hanaoka said.

Despite her decision not to pursue the sport in college, Hanaoka is grateful for her teammates and the time she has spent playing basketball with them both on the Peninsula team and other various club teams.

“I have made so many friends through basketball,” Hanaoka said. “A lot of my best friends have come from various basketball teams [I have] played on. The everlasting friendships I have created are because of basketball and I am beyond grateful for the sport.”

kristin hanaoka

Each week, newspapers from across Southern California nominate athletes from their respective areas to have the opportunity to receive the Southern California (SoCal) Girls’ Athlete of the Week award.

After being honored as the most valuable player in the San Diego Classic tournament, senior and captain of the varsity girls’ basketball team Kristin Hanaoka caught the attention of the Daily Breeze. With the newspaper’s nomination, she eventually went on to win the SoCal Girls’ Athlete of the Week award on Jan. 4.

Hanaoka is a four-year varsity athlete, a three-year starter on the varsity team and a member of the 201718 All Bay League Team. Hanaoka also leads her team in scoring, steals and assists. She scores an average of seven points per game and also makes the most threepoint shots out of her whole team.

“With basketball being a physical and contact sport, I am continuously impressed by her resilience and toughness,” varsity girls’ basketball coach Natalie Kelly said. “Kristin is a very talented, skilled and smart basketball player who is versatile and reliable on the court.”

However, Hanaoka’s skills on the court are not the sole reason why Kelly believes she was nominated for the award. Throughout her four years on the varsity team, Kelly claims that Hanaoka has not only learned how to be a great athlete, but also a great captain. Kelly believes that Hanaoka displays great leadership skills and an inspirational attitude both on and off the court.

“As a player, Kristin leads by her great example [which] she sets in her exceptional attitude, work ethic and commitment,” Kelly said. “She is encouraging and supportive of her teammates and her presence provides an important harmony and calmness to our [team’s] chemistry and success. She plays with passion and heart

and is someone the team looks to for leadership.”

Kelly has been by Hanaoka’s side throughout her basketball journey and has mentored Hanaoka throughout the time she had been on the varsity team.

She has watched Hanaoka grow to become a team leader and a top player.

“I am very proud of Kristin and how she has grown as both a person and a player,” Kelly said. “Kristin is very deserving of this award and it is great that she was chosen for her basketball achievements.”

Hanaoka has been playing basketball since she was

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