Oneonta scholarship winners receive awards By David Yang Staff Writer
Rachael Garner
Freshmen Maya Crain and Ashley Jiminez, who are running for sophomore vice president and sophomore secretary, respectively, put up campaign posters. Senior secretary hopeful Katie Donovan passes out buttons.
Class officer elections underway, speeches scheduled for tomorrow By Jason Wang Business Manager Class office candidates kicked off elections on May 13 at 6:00 A.M. when they arrived at school to plaster the campus with vibrant posters. During brunch and lunch, candidates passed out a wide array of handouts ranging from traditional backpack tags and T-shirts to stuffed animals and hand-written, personalized cards. Election speeches will take place in grade-specific assemblies tomorrow. With a total of 39 potential officers, candidates have worked tirelessly to separate themselves from the crowd. Freshmen Jung Su Park is vy-
in this issue:
5
Opinion:
The community college stigma; why saying “no” can avoid potential confusion; teachers should cut students some slack during AP testing.
10 Feature:
A preview of tonight’s dance concert; Gatsby is visually appealing but untrue to the novel; Tiger visits Echo Park.
16 Sports:
Volleyball advances to CIF finals; the baseball coach resigns; Jessica Ng uses her gymnastics skills to excel in the triple jump.
See “Math policy” on Page 2
ing for the position of sophomore class president against six other candidates. “I committed a little time toward making materials such as posters and shirts,” Park said. “But I spent most of my time on the speech, which I believe is the most effective weapon — it’s what voters remember.” Many candidates have already set their sights on what they hope to change or improve if elected next year. “I was motivated to run so that I could make our class and community more close-knit,” said sophomore Julian Lopez, a candidate for junior president. “I want to make school events exciting and open to all types of people.”
Students will cast their votes via an online voting system similar to the one introduced during commissioner elections. Votes can be cast on the ASB website from any internet-capable device. Elections in the future will likely follow this precedent of exclusively online polls established by the leadership class this year. “The candidates have utilized online campaigning more than the traditional face-to-face campaigning,” Commissioner of Internal Affairs Peter Seo said. “It’s about time the twenty-first century came through.” The preliminary round of voting will take place tomorrow following the speeches and last until 3:30 P.M.
The three recipients of the Oneonta Scholarship, seniors Nick O’ Brien, Natalie McLain, and Sofi Goode, were honored at a reception in which they received their scholarships. The honorees were presented with their awards before their families, winners of the Oneonta Teacher of the Year award, and the members of the Oneonta Club on May 13. “I had a great night at the Oneonta foundation dinner,” O’ Brien said. “I’m very appreciative to live in a community with such respectful and giving individuals.” The club honored South Pasadena Middle School teacher Mr. Andrew Adanto and Marengo Elementary School teacher Ms Holly Lang as Oneonta Teachers of the Year. The teachers’ respective principals, Mr. Dave Kubela and Ms Kim Sinclair, presented them with the awards. The head of the Oneonta Club Scholarship Committee then presented the scholarship recipients with plaques and awards. “It was such an honor to be in the presence of so many distinguished figures,” McLain said. “I particularly enjoyed the pleasant surprise of seeing some of my own neighbors and parents of friends outside of the context of everyday life.” Following the awards, South Pasadena High School principal Ms Janet Anderson made a speech about incorporating technology into the SPHS curriculum. The Taylor Plenn Quartet, headed by 2010 Oneonta Scholarship recipient Taylor Plenn, performed several jazz numbers. The Oneonta scholarship is an annual one-time award of $10,000 presented to three college-bound se-
Masquerade Prom: An Evening in Venice By Remeny White News Editor Despite initial complaints about the location, more than 460 upperclassmen congregated at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles for a night of dancing, dining, and taking photos. The masquerade-themed prom ran from 8:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. “It was definitely a stressful process putting together the puzzle pieces of prom, but it truly paid off once we actually saw how people enjoyed the event. I spent all of my lunches at the Student Bank selling prom tickets for four weeks straight, and I’m glad the turnout was good de-
spite a rough start,” said junior treasurer Patricia San Pedro, who was in charge of planning the event. Students began the “Evening in Venice” with a buffet-style dinner. Attendees then had the option to migrate outside to dance, pose for a professional caricature drawing, or utilize the various photo booths. “I was skeptical of the whole prom concept at first, but it was actually super swell,” junior prom prince Spenser Atlas said. “I had a great time eating the glazed chicken and infiltrating dancing circles. Prom 2013, no regrets.” See pages 8 and 9 for additional prom coverage.
Rachael Garner
Seniors Bryan Bednarski and Madeline Chin exchange sentiments after Chin was crowned senior prom queen during the 2013 prom.
niors who have demonstrated excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. In the fall, O’ Brien, McLain, and Goode will be attending the University of Southern California, University of California, San Diego, and Wesleyan University, respectively. The scholarships will be sent directly to the students’ universities. The scholarships will be sent to the recipients’ colleges at the beginning of next year after final confirmation from the students.
Anastasia Velicescu
The Oneonta Scholarship recipients were honored on May 13.
Botball team places first in competition By Shyam Senthilkumar Copy Editor The South Pasadena Botball team, consisting of freshmen Helena Roberts-Mataric, Nastasja Carusetta, and Karen Zhu, took first place in the Los Angeles Regional Botball Competition on May 4. Forty three teams from all across California competed at the tournament in the Shrine Auditorium. Botball engages high school and middle school students in team-based robotics competitions. The SPHS team worked for two months straight on the robotics design prior to the competition and the students stayed up until 3:00 A.M. the night before the competition to perfect the final product. “I have the pleasure of teaching these girls in my math class. They are really ambitious and voracious volunteers. If I let them, they would do every single problem for us,” math teacher Mr. Shane Mills said. “They’re really sharp and just great to have in class because they love to participate.” The South Pasadena team claimed first place in all three See “Botball” on Page 2
News 2 Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
News
Around Campus
Sign-ups for the final blood drive of the school year will run until May 22. Students must be at least 16 years old and must meet specific height and weight requirements to be eligible to donate. Forms may be turned in to the Blood Drive table on the Tiger Patio during lunch or to the “School and Community” box in the SAC Room. /Remeny White
Seniors to embark on Yosemite trip
New science building project postponed By Shine Cho Assoc. News Editor
By Andrés García Staff Writer After months of preparation, 52 seniors will embark on the highly anticipated Yosemite Institute trip on Sunday, May 19. The trip has been a standing tradition at SPHS for more than 30 years, formally founded by science teacher Mr. Greg Ring. Students were required to attend morning and afternoon conditioning workouts in preparation for the trip to ensure that they can handle the rigor of the daily Yosemite hikes. Earlier this month, seniors were separated into five groups during an informational meeting. Each group has a name pertaining to this year’s theme: water. Each group met independently over the course of the last week for the traditional equipment night. The potlucks were held at students’ houses and served as a chance to bond and ensure that all participants had the necessary equipment for the four-day backpacking trip. “My group met at Josh Thomas’s house along with Mr. Whitney last Thursday. We had a potluck and we went through our backpacks to make sure we were all prepared for the trip,” senior Andrew Moreno said. “Our group is psyched for the trip. This should be a great bonding experience.” A final meeting was held today at lunch to distribute t-shirts and make final announcements before the group departs on Sunday morning.
2013 yosemite groups Team Swamp – Mr. Don Wielenga Team Snow – Mr. Shane Mills Team Rain – Ms Audrey Toth Team River – Mr. Joshua Whitney Team Mist – Mr. Casey Shotwell
From “Botball” on Page 1 major categories of the tournament: Overall Winner, Double Elimination, and Seeding. The robots competed a total of ten times under the close inspection of judges; South Pas was the only team to score points in every performance. Despite the overall success of the team, freshman Roberts-Mataric felt the team had to undergo major adversity. In one instance, Roberts-Mataric had to completely reprogram one of the robots during the competition. This feat was even more difficult given the fact that all teams were isolated from mentors and parents throughout the competition. “It felt like we had to endure the worst luck in the world for months before we finally caught a break the day of the competition,” Roberts-Mataric said. “We came close to giving up on multiple occasions, especially when we experienced continued malfunctions in our robots even during the competition, but we persevered and were rewarded greatly for it.”
Rachael Garner
South Pasadena residents gathered on Mission Street and the surrounding area to enjoy art galleries and performances from more than 40 bands on May 4.
Eclectic Music Festival and Art Walk takes over Mission By Andrew Shults Staff Writer The South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce took over Mission Street and the surrounding area for its fifth annual Eclectic Music Festival and Art Walk on May 4. More than forty different bands and musicians performed at five different stages, galleries, and studios from 2:00 to 10:00 P.M. Families and locals strolled the city streets during the event, listening to live music and purchasing dinner at local restaurants and food trucks. The festival hosted several Grammy award-winning acts, including the group Quetzal, artist Dave Alvin, and composer and pianist John Proulx. Several different stages, including an emerging artists stage for up-andcoming musicians, allowed for a variety of performances. Other venues featured genres from jazz to folk to country. Local galleries including Fremont
Gallery, Laurie Hendricks Gallery, and SOPA studios hosted artists during the festival. Book’em Mysteries held papermarbling demonstrations and many local businesses held raffles throughout the afternoon and into the evening. An art mobile was provided free of charge for guests to travel between the different venues. The performances included jazzinfluenced rock band Wilberta as well as the unique sound of the String Theory ensemble. The Los Angeles Children’s orchestra and the Los Angeles Clarinet Choir also performed. “Our band has tons of original songs, but we haven’t played very many shows so this was an awesome and unique learning experience for us,” Wilberta guitarist Brandon Bae said. “The Eclectic Music Festival is a wicked experience. Good food, good people, good music, what more could you ask for?”
A problematic sewage line under the practice soccer field has delayed the construction of the new science building, according to South Pasadena High School Principal Ms Janet Anderson. The original blueprints of the site did not address the sewage line that runs under the field. Due to state laws that uphold earthquake safety, it would be especially difficult to build on top of the sewage line. The unforeseen conflict will prevent the project from reaching completion in its intended timeline. The original timeline estimated that construction would begin during the 2013-2014 school year. A group of specialists and contractors hired by the school will move forward with the project by considering other design options that will not overlap with the underground sewage line. The group is currently evaluating four options for the new design. However, a new plan will most likely raise the cost of the project above its original $3 million budget. “We want [the building] to be available for students as soon as possible,” Anderson said. “I personally would like to stick with the implementation timeline, but I am not sure how realistic that is at the moment.” The administration will soon hold a public hearing to announce the final details of the building. “There is a desperate need for a new building to serve the student population better. We are overcrowded and do not have adequate space,” SPHS science teacher Mr. Ben Ku said. “The setback is disappointing, but I am hopeful that the school and the School Board will make decisions quickly to give us an option that will resolve our science class problems.”
Angela Zhao wins graphic design competition By Emily Markese Staff Writer Junior Angela Zhao took first place in the PIASC/RAISE Foundation’s Graphic Arts Academic Challenge and received a $1000 scholarship. The PIASC/RAISE Foundation is a nonprofit educational foundation designed to foster graphic arts in secondary and postsecondary schools. Zhao also won the “Katie Denne Scholarship Grant,” which awards $5000 to the South Pasadena High School graphic arts program. Ms Susan Kinney of Castle Press donated the grant in honor of her late daughter, Katie Denne, who attended SPHS. “The initial round was relatively painless because I had a month to prepare for it, but I only had two weeks to memorize two hundred terms for the final round, so it was
pretty stressful,” Zhao said. “It was all definitely worth it, though. This money will really benefit the graphic arts program.” The Academic Challenge competition entailed a graphic arts vocabulary quiz qualifying round and a final speed-round. Zhou received a perfect score on the preliminary quiz and spent two months preparing for the final round. “[Zhao] was well-composed throughout the entire competition,” graphic design teacher Ms Sandra Matson-Fennell said. “One of the facilitators told me that they could not believe how she had memorized the graphic design info book word for word.” Sophomore Suki Sekula also competed in the RAISE Foundation’s T-shirt competition and won third place for design and production. Sekula earned a trophy and $300 for the SPHS graphic arts program.
Siria Medina
Junior Angela Zhao received a $1000 scholarship for placing first in a graphic design Academic Challenge.
News
Thursday, May 16, 2013 - Tiger
3
SPHS Small Business class assists LAUSD By Kira Gabriel Assoc. Opinion Editor The South Pasadena High School Small Business class traveled to a transitional school to teach disabled Los Angeles Unified School District students workplace skills on May 9. The class worked with 350 special needs students, breaking them up into nine groups to participate in workshops about safety, teamwork, and salesmanship. LAUSD modeled its student-based enterprise program on SPHS’s on-campus businesses
and has been working with the SPHS programs and students for the last three years. LAUSD uses coffee carts as its primary form of school businesses. “We worked with their transitions services department, or special education department, during the event,” SPHS entrepreneur class teacher Ms Cathy Mason said. “They take the higher functioning special education kids and they try to put them into situations that will help them get a job when they graduate.” The disabled students were given an opportunity to
learn marketable skills through workshops that incorporated a PowerPoint, an interactive activity such as hand washing to serve as a safety demonstration, a puzzle for teamwork, and a lesson on how to effectively sell products. “This was one of my most rewarding small business experiences,” sophomore small business member Will Renken said. “The students seemed really receptive to our lessons, and I felt like I actually made a difference. Hopefully our workshops will help them later in life.”
Paul Messana
Junior Ye-Eun Kong mans the student store during lunchtime for her Small Business class. Small Business visited LAUSD to mentor special education students.
City Council seeks to extend Assembly Bill 1147 to regulate city massage establishments By Madison Amido Staff Writer The South Pasadena City Council discussed Assembly Bill 1147 in relation to massage establishments. City Manager Mr. Sergio Gonzalez discussed efforts to combat issues from some of these establishments on behalf of the city during the May 1 city council meeting. According to Gonzalez, the city has been heavily impacted by the saturation of local massage establishments and has also been impacted by the State legislature’s decisions to take away local control on the establishments. “[We] tried to be creative in having
massage establishments be grouped with other alike businesses like nail salons, hair salons, etc, but then that was also taken away by the State,” Gonzalez said. “Basically what the State has done is that you need to treat massage establishments just like you would do to any other profession, like a doctor, a lawyer, or an accountant.” Assembly Bill 1147 is currently moving up in the legislature to be approved, which Gonzalez says will extend the existing bill that prevents local control laws over businesses and other city establishments, and is set to expire on January 1, 2016. The League of California Cities has been working with Senator Carol Liu
in order to address issues surrounding massage establishments such as prostitution, and human trafficking. The League has presented a list of recommendations in amending the bill to help local jurisdictions. Some of the amendments include adding a member of the Police Chief ’s Association to the California Massage Therapy (CAMTC), which sponsors Assembly Bill 1147, to require an operator or manager of an establishment to be CAMTC certified, and to delete language that prevents jurisdictions from implementing ordinances or requirements made for all other businesses and professional services. “We do not have the resources in
our city to have our police department conduct these decoy operations that are needed to find out if they have prostitution. We’ve had three cases alone here in the city of this happening,” Gonzalez said. “This is a profession, but unfortunately we are being affected by some of the crimes that come from some of these establishments.” The council approved of a motion to support the League of California Cities in bringing local control back to the cities and to authorize the city manager to work with the League. The motion will also only support Assembly Bill 1147 if it is amended to include a section that specifies bringing back local control to the cities.
4 Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Post-AP Testing
Analyzing literature and film in Spanish Throughout the year, AP Spanish students have been watching films in Spanish and reading the works of Spanish-speaking authors like Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel García Márquez. The final exam will be a presentation that brings together the themes of several of these works. “I think this is a fun way to review everything so it doesn’t seem like we’re wasting the rest of the year. In some cases, you just take the AP test and that’s your whole class, but I think it’s more beneficial for the student to not just stop there. ~ Amanda Wen, 11
Applying Calculus to make music
AP Calculus BC students are currently working to use calculus to create musical instruments. This new project has students working in groups of five to make bands from scratch, designing and making the instruments by hand. At the end, the students will perform a piece of music in class and at Open House. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. Since I have many talented students in my classes, I think it will be interesting for them to showcase their talents.” ~ Ms Ruth Moonesinghe, math teacher
“I would personally say that it’s a good use of time rather than continually testing and focusing more on memorization. By doing a project like this, it’s trying to make things more applicable or [teaching students to be] able to interpret things rather than just memorizing Spanish terms. I’m looking forward to it.” ~ Madeline Chin, 12
Spanish Language
There’s a common misconception that after Advanced Placement testing, AP classes come to a screeching halt, but most classes continue to study, albeit not in traditional ways. Now that AP students do not have the pending AP tests hanging over their heads, classes can branch out. The last month of school may be spent working on projects, expanding their knowledge further, or even finishing lessons from earlier in the year.
Environmental Science
Calculus BC
The AP Environmental Science classes take a field trip to the Whole Foods market in Pasadena during finals week to tour the facilities and see the effects of organic eating. The local Metro Gold Line provides an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient mode of transportation between South Pasadena and the market. “We spend all year in here learning so much information about the environment,” science teacher Mr. Donald Wielenga said. “[The mission of Whole Foods] as a corporation is aligned with everything we learn.”
“At the moment I’m leaning towards making a marimba out of PVC pipes and using calculus to calculate the harmonics for how long each tube should be.” ~ Michelle Huang, 11
Life after the AP
Debunking the myth of wasted class time
Understanding healthy eating “I think that the Whole Foods field trip is a valuable experience because it shows much of what we’ve learned in class in a much more tangible manner. It helps a lot of students visualize and see for themselves that what they’ve learned isn’t just concepts in a textbook but actual operations in the real world. ~ Austin Chee, 12 Page by Sofi Goode. Photos by Rachael Garner Illustrations by Evan Davis, Annie Lu, Amanda Stewart Reporting and text by Madison Amido, Amber Laird, Emily Markese, Shyam Senthilkumar, Pooja Vyas, and David Yang.
“We’ve never really had debates before and I think they are the most interesting part of government. It’s enlightening to understand others and their points of view. I’m thinking about doing my debate on euthanasia because it’s really interesting that it is not legal in most states in the U.S.” ~ Jessica Hitchcock, 12
“I think the debates are a really good source of information and now we have a better sense of the history behind all of these topics. Debates are good because they allow people to see different viewpoints on the controversial issues. I think that abortion is a big one because while I’m prochoice, I think it’s difficult to look at abortion outside of its religious context.” ~ Jake Gavenas, 12
Physics
The false physics of science fiction
With the AP test over, physics teacher Ms Judy Sammis has movies, television. shows, and projects in store for her students. Following the test, students are given an assignment in which they can pair up and teach the class about any physics topic of their choice. Before and after the presentations, students get a chance to watch the 1998 science fiction film Armageddon and the futuristic sitcom Futurama to analyze the comically incorrect physics they incorporate. “It’s mostly because we need entertainment. I’ve worked all my students really hard. I figure that what you really need is something where you can actually learn something and also have a little fun at the same time.” ~ Ms Judy Sammis, teacher
Educated political debate After a whole year of preparing for the AP exam, the AP government classes will stray from the curriculum to focus on modern controversial issues. Each class will break into groups and select topics—such as torture, immigration, and the legalization of prostitution—to present. After the each presentation, the class will get a chance to debate the timely issue.
Government
“Sammis’ way of finishing off the year has a really nice balance of leisure and purpose. I feel that the fun physics projects that she has students do broaden the scope of our physics knowledge, and we are always [open] to watching fun things like Armageddon and Futurama in class.” ~ Julius Lam, 11
Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Opinion
Opinion
5
Yeah Boi
B
oo to College Board for making every label just big enough to not fit in the designated boxes. APs are stressful enough without OCDinduced meltdowns, thank you very much.
B
ravo to McDonald’s for finally reopening.
Never before has Instagram looked so delicious and high in saturated fats.
B
oo to whoever closed the prom coat check at 11:30. Nothing makes for a romantic last dance like a jacket thrown over your arm and a purse in your hands.
By Sofi Goode Editor-in-Chief
B
to Yosemite for luring the seniors into the mountains. It’s all part of the underclassman plan to begin a hostile takeover of the Tiger Patio. ravo
B
oo to the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch for claiming his clothes are exclusively for “beautiful” people when he looks like an Orc from Lord of the Rings. Does Sauron not brief his armies on basic diplomacy?
The Tiger Established 1913
CSPA Gold Medalist 2005 CSPA Gold Medalist 2006 CSPA Gold Medalist 2009 CSPA Gold Medalist 2010 CSPA Gold Medalist 2011 Editor-in-Chief Sofi Goode Managing Editor Jessica Moog News Remeny White, Editor Shine Cho, Associate Opinion Natalie McLain, Editor Kira Gabriel, Associate Feature Rhian Moore, Editor Sarah Stukan, Associate Sports Christian Miyamae, Co-editor Clem Witherall, Co-editor Copy Editors Amber Laird, Shyam Senthilkumar, and Heather Vaughan Photography Rachael Garner, Editor Matthew Winkel, Associate Photographers Sophia Arriola, Siria Medina, Anastasia Velicescu Senior Staff Writer Kelsey Hess Staff Writers Madison Amido, Petra Barbu, Matt DeFulgentiis, Andrés García, Kea Hudson, Brandon Kim, Andrew Shults, Pooja Vyas, Jason Wang, Jenny Wang, Jordan Xiao, David Yang Tiger Online Writers Karen Hsueh, Talia Wun-Young Staff Illustrators Evan Davis, Rachael Lee, Annie Lu, Amanda Stewart Managers Marcy Kuo, Ads Jason Wang, Business Webmaster Michael Xu Faculty Advisor Mike Hogan
Vol. XCIX. No. X distributed on May 16, 2013. Distribution: 1528 students; 70 community. 1600 copies printed. Distributed by Tiger staff free of charge. Tiger is produced by the advanced journalism newspaper class at South Pasadena High School, 1401 FremontAve, South Pasadena, CA 91030. Layout and photo imaging are completed on-site. Printed by American/Foothill Publishing Co., Inc., Tujunga, CA. Signed articles appearing in Tiger represent the writer’s opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff, student body, faculty or administration of SPHS. Contact the publications office at (626) 441-5820 ext. 2615 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. for advertising rates and subscriptions. Tiger welcomes articles, letters or rebuttals for publication in the print and online editions. All letters must be signed and verifiable, but names will be withheld upon request. Tiger Newspaper’s mission is to provide a reliable news outlet for SPHS and the local community. Through a variety of coverage, Tiger empowers/enables students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, solve problems, set and reach goals, and work cooperatively and independently as responsible citizens. Tiger is a forum for student free speech, in accordance with California Ed Code 48907. Visit Tiger Online at www.tigernewspaper.com for additional content.
Rachael Lee
Community college: when stigmas become detrimental to learning Staff Editorial Community colleges are rarely regarded as serious educational institutions. Especially in affluent areas such as South Pasadena where many families can afford hefty tuitions costs, they are usually dismissed as a last resort for students who couldn’t get accepted to a four-year university. As a result, community colleges suffer unfair stigmatization and are relegated to the frivolous stereotype of an unwanted alternative for students lacking either money or motivation. South Pasadena High School rarely presents community college as a viable option. The counselors push students to go straight to a fouryear institution, barely mentioning the ability to transfer after two years at a community college. Subsequently, students are drastically undereducated about the benefits of this path. Since the first two years of any college education are primarily spent fulfilling credit requirements, community college students take essentially the same classes as those at a four-year university at a fraction of the cost. Students can both complete their general education and explore majors through the specialized courses not offered at high schools, thus optimizing the latter years
of their undergraduate education and making it easier to transfer to renowned colleges. SPHS students are extremely privileged to live in close proximity to Pasadena City College. PCC has the second highest transfer rate in California and offers benefits such as the newly founded Pathways Program, which guarantees freshmen their first-year classes, summer math classes, and a free tutoring center. The Transfer Admission Guarantee program provides students with a specific course of action for getting accepted to schools with which PCC has an agreement, such as UC San Diego, UC Davis, and UC Santa Barbara. Similarly, the Scholars Program holds students to a higher GPA and course load standard, and feeds directly into prestigious fouryear institutions such as UCLA, Pomona College, and Occidental College. Students must individually choose the path that makes sense for them financially, academically, and futuristically. The level of integrity and merit posed by the degree that they earn is strictly based upon the student’s character and willingness to learn, not upon which year they entered the four-year institution.
Last week, the seniors of the varsity Virtual Enterprise team entered classrooms and delivered letters to a select group of sophomores and juniors. These letters strongly encouraged said students to apply for the 2013-2014 Virtual Business team and gave them tips on how to be successful in their application and interview. These same VB seniors conduct the interviews that decide which students will comprise next year’s varsity team. While it is certainly understandable to want the best talent to apply, singling out individuals as preferred applicants deters other, potentially qualified, candidates from applying. The letters not only imply that some students are more likely to make the Virtual Business team than others, they suggest that the recipients have been already selected for next year’s team. This is tremendously discouraging to students who do not receive letters, making them feel at a disadvantage. Even passionate students may defer, feeling it impossible to compete with a group that has already been carefully selected by the very individuals responsible for choosing the new staff. Worse, those who receive letters may feel obligated to apply even though they are not genuinely interested in Virtual Enterprise. Applying when not truly interested wastes time and may take a slot from someone legitimately passionate about VB. Those preferred candidates who are genuinely interested, may feel burdened with a sense of entitlement. They spend less time on their application and under-prepare for their interview, feeling as if they are guaranteed a spot. Some enter the class with an elitist attitude, undevaluing their opportunity and failing to live up to their potential. In the business world, employees are chosen for their merit through a series of interviews, applications, and résumés. There may be a preferred candidate, but applicants are given an equal chance to succeed without a known bias. By delivering letters to specific students, the seniors of virtual business compromise the integrity of their entire application process. Virtual would find themselves with a more dedicated and passionate team if they let students choose to apply on their own and allowed the process serve as a chance to showcase skills, without unfair advice from the very people who are judging them—and they might just find themselves acting more like a real business in the process.
Waiting for wait-lists is an expensive endeavor By Natalie McLain Opinion Editor A Statement of Intent to Register is $100 at a University of California campus. It is $300 at the University of Colorado at Boulder, $600 at Boston University, $900 at Texas Christian University, and so on. Moral of the story: committing to a college isn’t cheap. These high fees for SIRs are due in early May, only days before students are notified of their admission into colleges where they were placed on the waitlist.
For many students, these colleges are reach schools that they desperately wish to attend. It is unfair and impractical to make students pay to commit to a college they may have “settled” for when there is still a chance that they will be taken off the waiting list at a dream school. To be fair, the admittance of previously wait-listed students must take place after SIRs have been submitted. Only then will a college know how many of the students it admitted will actually be enrolling in the fall and, subsequently, how many open spots
it still has available. However, there must be some sort of middle ground so that a student isn’t paying hundreds of dollars to commit to a school they don’t even end up attending. A possible solution would simply be to limit each student to one SIR, giving colleges a more accurate idea of how many students to expect. If a student chose to attend a wait-listed school instead, the money deposited for the SIR would be returned, and the student could register for their preferred college with no financial penalty. In the end, this works out
better for both college and student, creating a system in which colleges have more steadfast commitment, and students aren’t scrambling to keep up with costs. As per usual, higher education seems to have reached a financial impasse with its constituents. To be fair to both parties, a new system needs to be introduced for committing to universities. There are already plenty of financial boundaries keeping students from attending their dream schools; the conflict of nonrefundable SIR fees with wait-listed student admission dates should not be one of them.
6 Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Opinion
When administration values CSTs above APs By Heather Vaughan Copy Editor
Amanda Stewart
Draining pool party shows lack of communication Why Tiger Links needs a link to the freshman class By Brandon Kim Staff Writer Every graduating class at South Pasadena High School can remember the final day of CST testing as a freshman when everyone packed onto Roosevelt Field for the physical fitness test as required by the state of California. If asked about the experience, a student would most likely recount the physical ardors of the test and the heat, but more importantly, the following pool party celebration coordinated by the freshman Associated Student Body officers. The pool party, though mandatory, used to be a celebration of the end of testing—a simple, fun time for bonding without any sort of pressure. However, the most recent poolside celebration, held for the class of 2016, incorporated a new financial burden. Tiger Links, a group organized to help freshman acclimate to high school, offered activities such as noodle racing, water balloon fights,
and “treasure box” to students who were willing to pay for tickets that cost 50 cents each. The party was still mandatory, alienating students who were forced to come but did not wish to pay to join in the games. The event that the freshman class
It is imperative that Links communicate frequently and efficiently with the officers who represent the freshmen. raises money for all year and that was previously reserved for freshman bonding was transformed into a time for fundraising. But the problem runs deeper than the loss of bonding time; the very integrity and effectiveness of Tiger Links is being brought into question. According to the freshman officers,
Tiger Links did not sufficiently discuss the activities that would take place at the event. They went on to publicize the fundraising activities as a collaboration of the class officers and Links, even though the officers had not been given notice of the plan. As both the class officers and Links exist to serve to integrate the freshman class into the SPHS community, it is imperative that Links communicate frequently and efficiently with the officers so situations such as this can be avoided. Of course, there is nothing inherently bad about fundraising. The members of Tiger Links are dedicated upperclassmen who obviously care for the well being of the freshman class, but the fact that they collected revenue from the class they were supposed to help is counterintuitive. If Tiger Links works with the freshmen officers to host free activities, it will be able to better assist the freshman class and help students assimilate to the SPHS family.
From elementary through high school, students are always encouraged to get a good night’s sleep before California Standardized Testing. This sleep is so valued, in fact, that the administration instructs teachers to drastically lighten the homework load during the week that the tests are administered. Additionally, at the high school, classes are shorter and less frequent, giving students ample time to relax and prepare for the CST. In contrast, the two weeks of May in which Advanced Placement tests take place have a normal class schedule and workload. This causes many students, especially juniors and seniors who may have several AP exams, to miss significant amounts of class time during a crucial part of the semester. These students are then forced to make up the work that they missed while still studying for other AP exams, putting them in the unfavorable situation of having to choose between keeping their grades up or getting the best scores possible on their AP exams. The irony here is that most students consider AP exams to be of much greater importance than standardized tests. Although high CST scores do contribute to the school’s API and increase funding, which is essential, the reality is that students will continue to value the tests that affect them most directly. AP tests have the power to help students get admitted to universities, raise grades, and potentially exempt them from introductory courses once they get to college, saving large sums of money. The administration’s number one priority should be helping students succeed, especially on their AP tests—and if the schedule remains how it is currently, the stress that students face around this time of year will only increase. In an ideal situation, students would not attend class at all during AP testing and would focus only on studying for their exams. In reality, however, this is too bold a change to implement in our district, especially considering the large number of students who do not participate in AP tests. Instead, the administration should shift its focus from CST to AP tests and encourage teachers to lighten the homework load during the crucial two weeks of AP testing. This way, students can dedicate sufficient time to studying for their AP exams without having to compromise their grades. By helping students concentrate on tests that directly benefit their future success, both the school and its students will thrive.
When delivered respectfully, saying “no” spares confusion and feelings Students sound off on the little things that make their skin crawl, give them the heebie jeebies, and just plain drive them insane. Did your pet peeves make the list? “I hate it when you hate somebody and no one agrees that they’re awful.” -Jeremy Reynoso, 11th “I hate that one kid who screams out ‘you forgot to collect the assignment!’ in the last second of class. You know who you are. Just because you’re the only one who did your homework does not give you the right to let the teacher know it was due.” -Aaron Huelsman, 12th “I hate it when I’m walking with two other people and how I always graciously volunteer to be the one walking behind them.” -Patricia San Pedro, 11th “It really bugs me when there are those people that sprint across campus chasing each other. I feel like they’re going to hit me. Or someone else. It’s dangerous. ” -Jenny Luo, 10th “I hate it when you get to school half an hour early for an AP test and end up sitting there for an hour waiting for that one last person to fill out the purple section of the Scantron. Yesterday, there was literally only one person in my class who had to fill it out. Really more than anything, I pitied the poor fellow, because even worse than the annoyance of us having to sit there for 20 minutes, he was on the receiving end of all of those annoyed glances and bored sighs.” -Lily Florin, 12th
By David Yang Staff Writer What ever happened to “just say no”? This phrase has long been the advice of health teachers, but has obviously soared above the heads of many students without making any impact. Being direct and clear in all situations is not only responsible, but the most polite and emotionally considerate course of action. Although communicating with candor was originally popularized by the backlash against rape culture, students stand to benefit from a liberal application of this philosophy—especially around prom season. The choice to say yes or no to anything—be it a pamphlet advertising Scientology or an individual proposing for prom with an ice sculpture and fireworks at the end of a carefully planned scavenger hunt—is a right of every individual. Similarly, the degree of kindness an individual chooses to express is entirely up to them. Simply put, everyone has the right to choose how to behave, and exercising that right
should not be a shameful experience. Yet despite the clear choices of the asked, it seems that a growing number of prom proposals are never given a direct answer. Upon discovering that someone is planning to ask them, students have been
known to retreat from the person, causing their admirer to physically chase after them, which occasionally draws a large crowd. Even after being asked, many refuse to give any sort of answer at all. This is embarrassing
for both parties, throwing them into the spotlight when a simple “no, but thank you” could have resolved the matter in a quarter of the time. A tentative “yes” will occasionally be given, and then retracted later in private. Although the intent is usually to spare the feelings of the person being denied, it often leads to a greater sense of dejection because a second series of hopes has been crushed. Sometimes a white lie will be told for the same purpose, but this option can be painful for the deceived if they later find out the truth. In addition to preventing confusion, being direct can avoid the emotional loop-the-loops as well. At the end of the day, the right to choose lies in the hands of those who have good sense to exercise it. There is nothing wrong with saying Amber Laird no. It is not an insult to the person who asked; it is someone exercising their free will, and he or she should not be shamed for it. The only thing that matters is that his or her response, whatever it is, be respectful and clear.
Opinion
Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
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By Hannah Rips SPHS senior
Annie Lu
When Facebook debates turn sour By Brandon Kim Staff Writer It takes about ten seconds to launch Facebook and post a status. The time between conjugating an idea for a post and having your idea appear on hundreds of newsfeeds is only a matter of moments. This is the brief period of time when people would normally hesitate and ask themselves, “is this really what I want to say?” if communicating face-to-face. After all, most people would choose their words carefully if addressing a group of 784 “friends.” However, when a Facebook user is expecting their post to be read primarily by an audience of inattentive teenagers, it is far easier to post insensitive, unfiltered, or disrespectful ideas under the assumption that no one will care enough to speak up. This presumption, as recent events have brought to light, is false. While some virtual personas are more coherent and articulate than others, everyone is heard equally in the world of social media. No boxes or fonts are bigger than others; respect in these conversations is a matter of how people choose to
use their words. However, this openness turns sour when an individual posts an unpopular opinion. When this happens, the power of many often turns against the author with a rapid aggressiveness. Although it is encouraging to see teenagers feel passionately about various issues, if Facebook is going to be used to debate, it needs to be done respectfully. One person typing a succinct rebuttal that addresses someone else’s argument is much more intellectual and powerful than five people making rude, impulsive insults or attacking irrelevant or weak points. Personally criticizing another Facebook user or a group of people as a whole only serves to alienate them and open both parties up to irrelevant unkindness. The argument becomes a public board for slander and disrespect, and the spirit of the debate is lost in the chaos. It’s crucial to think sensitively when addressing a group of hundreds of readers– regardless of whether you are addressing their face or their profile. In order for Facebook to be a successful medium for discussion, users must think before they post, debate respectfully and intellectually, and courageously stand by their convictions.
body mourned him just as we mourned our own, living classmates this year. He passed away less than a year later due to alcohol I am disappointed in South Pasadena poisoning, which, while involving alcohol, had nothing to do with drinking and driving. High School, and this is why. The main theme of Every 15 MinBesides the fact we “mourned” the lives of several classmates who were very utes seems to be that if we don’t drink much alive, besides the fact we staged a car and drive, we won’t get in drunk drivaccident that was glamorized with pop mu- ing accidents, and will therefore be safe sic, besides the fact that parents actually got from alcohol related fatalities, but this up on stage and faked the eulogies of their is a flawed message. People will always children in front of hundreds of students, drink and drive, even if we as individuthere is something deeply wrong with the als do not. And while it’s good to spread Every 15 Minutes program at SPHS: it tells the message and educate people against students that as long as they do not drink or partaking in such irresponsible activities, it does nothing to negate the fact drive, they are safe. Rather than informing young stu- that each of us could be the victim of a dents about alcohol safety or the laws pro- drunk driver at any moment. Additiontecting them, the program strives to make ally, the dangers that accompany drinking extend far beyond the students cry for those world of automobiles. who had “passed” in hopes that they will make We cannot control There are so many things teens should know about good decisions. However, the actions of com- responsible alcohol contears dry and memories plete strangers. sumption, and yet this fade, and students walk But we can control teaching opportunity is away no more informed ignored year after year by than they were walking what we put into programs such as Every in. How can we attempt our bodies. 15 Minutes. to mourn someone who The message of not is still within our midst? drinking and driving is an Can’t we give those who have lost their loved ones their dignity and important one, but there should be more our respect by not imitating what had hap- to it. A drunk driver could hit any one of us at any time, and we can do nothing pened to them? For 45 minutes, we heard eulogy to prevent that. We cannot control the after eulogy of those who were still with actions of complete strangers. But we us—45 minutes that could have been spent can control what we put into our bodon alcohol education, or perhaps looking at ies. Aydin’s death was preventable. And the life of Aydin Salek. Aydin was one of the in memory of Aydin, I beg the SPHS most beloved members of the SPHS student administration to consider teaching body, a boy with his whole world in front of alcohol safety rather than solely focus him. When he participated in Every Fifteen on drunk driving. It could end up saving Minutes in 2009 as a junior, the student someone’s life.
Tiger Newspaper Asks: SPHS students are generally very driven towards pursuing an education after graduating high school. What are your opinions on/feelings towards attending community college after graduating SPHS, and later transferring into a university? Do you feel that it is a viable, smart option? Or do you think that four year colleges are the better choice? Do you plan on enrolling in a four year college straight out of high school, or do you want to attend a school such as PCC first and perhaps transfer later on? Why? Eliot Kim, Grade 12 Community college is a great option, even a first choice for some, but it is not for everyone and is not a straight ticket into a fantastic/prestigious university. It is all on the part of the student. My brother, for example, did not put in any effort into his studies in high school, but after a few years at community college, he’s starting to become the flourishing student that my parents wanted him to be. But with every success story there are hundreds if not thousands more that lack the drive to further their education following high school graduation. It’s all about the mindset of the student. If you go in thinking it’s going to be a breeze and that the best universities will be begging for your application, you’re going to fail. You have to go in knowing that this is the final countdown. Hanna Crowley, Grade 10 I think it’s a viable option. It’s smart for economic reasons. I think the connotation of a community college is sad, because you can get your B.A. anywhere, and it won’t change the quality of the education. People associate it with not being able to get into the college of their choice.
I personally don’t want to go to a community college because I feel like people will judge me for not being able to get into a four-year, even though I may or may not be able to get into a four-year straight out of high school. Lorenzo Frias, Grade 9 I believe that it’s a privilege to even go to college. Sometimes it’s a great decision to go to a community college such as the great one here locally in Pasadena. It’s a lot cheaper and the classes you take for your first two years at the community college are exactly the same as the university’s if you can’t afford to go to a university. Don’t be ashamed if you go to a community college…as long as you take it seriously, because the percentage of students that transfer is very slim. So, it must be taken seriously. Michael Heberlein, Grade 12 I agree that community college is an excellent way to save money, [but] I also think that going to a community college can hurt you because of the possibility of not getting the classes you need due to state budget cutbacks like we saw recently with PCC.
Greg Kabealo, SPHS parent Community college is a great option. Not only is tuition significantly less, but so is room and board, meals, laundry, books, supplies, travel costs, etc. It is a fantastic way to get one’s pre-req and general ed requirements out of the way. In addition, it gives an 18 yr. old two more years to mentally and emotionally mature and really be ready to respect and decide what they want from a four year institution. Ted Kim, Grade 11 There is nothing wrong with going to community college and transferring to another college. Most of the students nowadays do not know what they exactly want to study in college. Two years in community college can give you time to think about what you truly want to study and possibly think about what you want to do after post-secondary education. Some students believe that it is best to do whatever their friends are doing. Instead of wasting huge sums of money on some university, it is wiser to get an associate’s degree and figure out what you actually want to do. It can be a challenging option. You
might not be able to have the most competitive environment around you. You might not be able to have the same college experiences as others. Well, you can’t have everything all the time. Necessary sacrifices can bring better results. If you are willing to work hard and transfer to a college that is fit for you, it is a choice that should be considered. Emily Shon, Grade 12 It’s time to separate the negative connotation from “community college.” There are many brilliant individuals who have chosen the community college path, and I admire them greatly for it. Although I will be attending a four-year university this coming fall, I believe community college is an excellent option for many students. For those undecided on what they’d like to major in, it’s a very financially smart decision, as shelling out thousands of dollars for general education classes isn’t ideal. It also allows students another opportunity to attend a four-year institution. After two years, you can transfer to and graduate from a great university, and with a significantly smaller debt. There are many roads to success, and the community college route may be the right one for you.
8 Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Prom 2013
Prom 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013 - Tiger
An Evening in Venice
Page and photos by Rachael Garner
Text by Jessica Moog
SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL PROM 2013
South Pasadena High School upperclassmen climbed the steps of the Los Angeles Skirball Cultural Center on May 11, 2013 for an enchanted trip to their own personal Venice.This year’s prom was masquerade themed, and students donned elaborate and ornate masks for the dance.The Skirball Center featured an open patio where a lily pond—complete with the sound of wildlife and lit by candlelight—led to spiraling stairs that overlooked the dance floor.After a delicious meal early in the evening before dancegoers whisked their dates outside for the rest of the night. Some students opted to toss aside their masks and pose for caricatures and photos.The music outside only paused to announce this year’s Royal Court. Spenser Atlas and Marcy Kuo were named Junior Prince and Princess, while the honors of Prom King and Queen were awarded to seniors Nick O’Brien and Madeline Chin.The rest of the school joined them in a slow dance and continued the fun until the clock struck midnight and this year’s soiree came to a blissful end.
Junior Jeremy Reynoso Senior Madeline Brogdon
Sophomore Kate Iio Junior Derek Wang
Senior Jessica Hitchcock Senior Will Payne
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10 Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Feature
Feature
Out and About The Fun Fair is May 18 and 19, in the SPUSD parking lot on Mission Street. Support our elementary schools and enjoy the rides, game booths, and delicious food you remember from your childhood at this annual event. /Rhian Moore
Sang Oh places in Artistic Discovery competition By Brandon Kim Staff Writer
Rachael Garner
This year’s spring dance concert, “Visions,” features dance styles that include hip-hop, jazz, modern, and contemporary. Tickets for the 45-minute long show will be available for purchase tonight at the door and cost $7.00 SAC, $10.00 non-SAC.
Advanced Dance closes season with “Visions” bass that echoed through the studio, eight dancers appeared onstage. They moved to the music so fluidly that they seemed to beThe temperature was creeping to- come a part of it, inseparable from the beat. This complete synergy resonates wards the high nineties and the heat slowed everything down to a sluggish state, but the throughout this year’s spring dance concert, lively atmosphere in the dance room was “Visions: From the Mind to the Stage,” anything but stagnant. As James Blake which opens tonight at 7:00 P.M. in the blasted through the speakers, dropping a South Pasadena High School auditorium. “‘Visions’ is all about how one moment, one feeling, can turn into Sail - Reloaded Doubt a whole piece,” said junior dance vice president Skyfall Toy Soldier Emma Bross. I Want to Make You Feel... No Judgment The dance concert So. Pasadena Breakers Alive is an entirely collaborative Bulletproof Stroke of Luck effort by the Advanced Just Us, Doing Us Hanging On Dance students, from cosI Am Lost Bobblehead tumes to choreography. Dreams Throughout the second seUnnamed Anonanimal mester, dance students have By Petra Barbu Staff Writer
Act 1
Act 2
focused on creativity and self-expression through dance. “The goal of ‘Visions’ is turning an idea, a dream, a vision, into something beautiful in the physical world,” dance instructor Ms Maria Del Bagno said. The group has been working on this show since January, and the dancers’ close attention to detail and continuous strive for perfection is evident in the performance. “My pieces range from hip-hop to modern and I hope all of my styles keep the audience entertained,” junior choreography captain Nailah Jamerson said. “I hope that [the performances] inspire people to want to have dance in their lives.” At the heart of it, these students work through boiling temperatures until their muscles ache for a shared love of dance. “Visions” is an expression of emotion through movement of grace, strength, and passion.
Senior Sang Oh placed third in the fourth annual Artistic Discovery Art Contest. Art students from South Pasadena High School were able to meet Congresswoman Judy Chu in person. Most students do not have the chance to see the representatives of California’s 27th Congressional District, much less receive an award from them. The awards ceremony took place on May 4 at the Pasadena Historical Museum. Oh’s painting, “Confinement,” placed in the top six. He was awarded a $780 scholarship as well as a gift basket containing an assortment of candies. The scholarship, as well as the awards ceremony and all other expenses, was paid for by private donations to the Congresswoman’s Discovery Committee. “It was my first time entering a piece in a bigger scale competition. I had never submitted to a contest hosted by a politician before,” Oh said. Oh’s use of dark colors and thick strokes in “Confinement” emphasizes a feeling of captivity in the abstract work of art. “It is not noticeable at first glance, but the painting portrays a body crammed into a box,” Oh said. “I wanted to express the things that pressure you and put you down.” Congress began the Artistic Discovery program in 1892 as an opportunity for its members to recognize the artistic talent of high school students of all ages. First-place winners, in addition to being awarded a $1,500 scholarship, receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. and have their artwork hung up in the Capitol building. Principal Ms Janet Anderson attended the event to congratulate Oh’s success. The senior’s painting will be hung in the congresswoman’s office in commemoration of the award. High school students from all over the 27th District participated in the art competition.
Personality Profile: Julius Lam By Jordan Xiao Staff Writer Long gone are the days when high school students fit easily into the stereotypes of “jock,” “nerd,” or “prep.” Junior Julius Lam is one of those students who simply defies placement into any one category, with a broad range of interests spanning from environmental science and Latin America to sign language and Nutella. What defines Lam the most and separates him from today’s crowd, however, is his extreme dedication to music and its many manifestations. Having been in love with classical music as a child, Lam began playing the piano and violin at age six. From there, he has gone through phases of pop, Christian gospel, alternative, and even Spanish tango. Throughout the years he has picked up the clarinet, guitar, and a little bit of ukulele, and enjoys learning the physics behind sound and music.
Music is a way for Lam to connect to the world at large, and he hopes to use his eleven years of experience as a violinist to help other people do the same. “I have made it a bit of a personal quest to use my musical abilities and experiences to share with people how beautifully multi-faceted the musical world is, and to encourage them to explore, appreciate, and to maybe even fall in love with the wonderfully human thing that is music,” Lam said. Lam takes advantage of many parts of the world outside of music as well. He is a member of the school’s Virtual Business program and has been a part of the SPHS cross country team since freshman year. Outside of school, Lam has been a longtime fan of Pokémon and Legend of Zelda, and is a nationally ranked Minesweeper player. On a more serious side, he has been a devoted Christian since the middle of sophomore year, and takes great pride in his faith.
“I’ve been very blessed that I haven’t had to work very hard for many of the things in my life. But my faith is perhaps the one true thing for which I had to fight, and it is for this reason that I say that it is my greatest achievement,” Lam said. Lam is well known on campus for his charisma, genuine kindness, and extreme dedication to school, but his personality is much more complex. “Julius is a bit wacky and out of it sometimes, but he’s always really friendly and a great guy to be around,” sophomore David Kim said. “He seems to have an endless supply of energy, especially when it comes to helping people.” With passions in multiple areas of study, Lam defies stereotypes and can only be described as unique—an intelligent, athletic, and compassionate violinist who strives to expose the Sophia Arriola world’s beauty through his devotion Junior Julius Lam’s musical talent ranges from his classito music. cal improvisation skills to his ability to play the mandolin.
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Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Personality Profile: Skylah Garcia By Jenny Wang Staff Writer The last bell of the school day rings at 3:00P.M. Students stream out of classrooms in blissful relief; their school day is over, and they leave for practice or go home. For senior Skylah Garcia, however, three o’clock is only the end of one school day. Garcia continues her education at night school in pursuit of her dream to become a social worker. Serving others as a social worker has not always been part of Garcia’s plan for the future. It was born last year along with her son, Noah, and stems from a desire to better her life, her son’s life, and the
lives of those in need. “I want to help kids [who] don’t have a voice and be the voice for them when they are stuck in unfavorable situations,” Garcia said. “I also want to make sure everything is stable [in the future] for my son and me.” Garcia’s absolute adoration for and devotion to her son, as well as her admirable practicality, selflessness, and responsibility, prove that age has no importance in parenthood. “I don’t get as much time as I would like, but I love spending all my free time with him and just enjoying all the new things he does [and learns] every day. I want to watch my son grow up and make
Siria Medina
Senior Skylah Garcia hopes to have a future career as a social worker to be the voice for teenagers who find themselves in tough situations.
Kubrick featured at LACMA
sure he has the best teenage years [possible],” Garcia said. Although she manages her time well and enjoys being with her son, Garcia admits that there are many challenges she faces as both a student and a mother. “It’s difficult trying to keep up with school and all the work given and [taking care of] a oneyear-old son. The past was so different because I could do whatever I needed to do whenever I wanted to,” Garcia said. “Now I have to base my schedule on my son’s schedule.” With both her son’s and her own interests in mind, Garcia has carefully planned out her future. After receiving her Associate’s degree from Pasadena City College, Garcia plans to transfer to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Though she initially hoped to attend a four-year college immediately after graduation, Garcia has changed her plans in order to be close to her son as he grows up. The level of maturity that Garcia has—her ability to remain optimistic, level-headed, and driven despite not having a textbooktypical high school career—sets her apart from the average teenager Her taste of real life and its difficulties have taught her to overcome adversity and given her motivation to dream big and do whatever it takes to create a stable future for herself and for others.
American film director Stanley Kubrick is well known for his unparalleled ability to captivate moviegoers. Best known for The Shining and 2001: A Space Odyssey, Kubrick is widely considered one of the most respected and innovative directors in the film industry. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art recently debuted the North American exhibition about the director, profiling and honoring forty-five years of Kubrick’s career and life in film. The exhibition begins with a summarization of Kubrick’s early career. Rare photos from Look magazine, along with storyboards and annotated scripts for Spartacus (1960) and Dr. Strangelove (1964), are on display in this section. Miniature models from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) provide a fascinating glance at one of the most groundbreaking films that redefined the science fiction genre. The exhibit progresses with features of Kubrick’s later works and projects. His films are embodied by hundreds of items and relics from his estate, including props, set models, cameras and lenses, and production photography. Additionally, hundreds of photos and archival research reveal production locations for the unfinished projects Napoleon and The Aryan Papers. One of the most impressive highlights of the exhibit is Kubrick’s camera equipment. The collection includes the massive 50mm NASA-designed lens that allowed Kubrick to capture scenes illuminated only by candlelight in Barry Lyndon (1975). The exhibition characterizes Kubrick as an artist who was constantly engaged in his work, from countless personally revised screenplays to handwritten critiques of movie posters found throughout the exhibit. “The exhibit explains a lot of the concepts and motives for his work.” senior Collin Kennedy said. “I really liked seeing it and I’m a big fan.” Fans of Stanley Kubrick and film enthusiasts alike will be impressed by LACMA’s display of the talent of one of the most important and innovative filmmakers of the 21st century.
Iron Man 3 boasts dynamic direction By Andrés García Staff Writer 4/5
It seemed impossible that the Marvel franchise could trump the success of last year’s record-breaking blockbuster, The Avengers. Although Iron Man 3 does not hold The Avengers’s records or rave reviews, it transcends all expectations and surpasses its predecessors, making it the best film in the Marvel series. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) finds himself psychologically distressed after the events in The Avengers—in which he saved New York City from an alien invasion—and is haunted by tormenting flashbacks. The appearance of a terrorist named the Mandarin, the hero’s archenemy in the comics, causes complete turmoil in Stark’s life, as the Mandarin is determined to destroy everything that is dear to Stark. Unlike the previous two installments, which were presented as superhero movies, Iron Man 3 feels more like an action-comedy from the eighties. Much of this can be accredited to new director Shane Black, who wrote the script for Lethal Weapon (1987). With Black at the helm and a different approach to the style of dialogue, the movie is a refreshing improvement from its predecessors. Though the film has strong character development, Iron Man 3 struggles with the portrayal of the villain, the Mandarin. Ben Kingsley’s performance is satisfying but the character does not reach its full comic book potential, leaving fans wanting more. Iron Man 3’s strong point is its cast, which delivers a captivating performance throughout the film. Guy Pearce portrays an engaging Aldrich Killian and his performance is one of the best in the film. Don Cheadle seems increasingly comfortable in his role as James Rhodes, the Iron Patriot. Downey’s portrayal of Stark is his strongest yet, taking on a more serious, yet still charmingly sarcastic tone. He is exciting and captivating throughout the entire film, successfully depicting the struggle of a hero who is combating the effects of post-trauma while trying to figure out who he is. Iron Man 3 is the best Iron Man movie yet. Packed with stunning action sequences and a story that will engage moviegoers, the film takes on a new style that is both refreshing and invigorating.
Gatsby: visually stunning but not the classic novel By Sofi Goode Editor-in-Chief 3.5/5
By Andrés García Staff Writer
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A pulsing green light emerges from the heavy mist, filling the audience with an enigmatic sense of hope. Perhaps the most well known symbol in American literature, the light on the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock serves as the opening for Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. The adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s great American novel features Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) in a mental facility, telling his therapist the story of his summer with his cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and neighbor Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). Although this is an alteration from the book, Nick’s speaking and writing effectively translate his first-person narration and many of Fitzgerald’s famous lines onto the big screen. Though Gatsby stays extremely faithful to the original storyline, altered relationship dynamics change the characters. The relationship between Daisy and her husband Tom (Joel Edgerton) lacks
the cruelty that Fitzgerald intended for it, and Nick’s relationship with Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki) is left out almost entirely. As a result, much of the goodness of Nick’s personality is never revealed, and Gatsby’s actions seem decidedly less kind and charismatic. DiCaprio’s Gatsby also lacks the trademark “extraordinary gift for hope,” and seems far more of a desperate man without his supposed prejudice in your favor. While it is refreshing to see him attempt and succeed in comedic moments, DiCaprio often overacts. It is impossible to forget that he is performing, as he never fully becomes Gatsby. His best scenes are those with Mulligan, who steals the show as the golden girl. She is shy perfection, Gatsby’s unreachable dream. Mulligan also shares an easy charisma with Maguire, who makes a likeable if very confused Nick. All of the performances are accentuated by incredible costume design and makeup. The cast and extras are dressed extravagantly and realistically for the 1920s, with the beautiful pieces indicating social class as well as disposition. The sets
are equally intricate; Gatsby’s house and parties are stunning and showcase the excess of the era. Although the authentic design perfectly immerses the audience in the past, the modern music is considerably less appropriate. It excels as a stand-alone soundtrack and is well worth the listen on its own, but clashes with the time period of the movie. During the first scene of Gatsby’s party, the music emphasizes the extravagance, but throughout the film it serves more to jar the audience out of the jazz age rather then to add to the authenticity. The Great Gatsby is the story of a nation in transition, and the unrealistic dreams within us all. Fitzgerald’s novel is one of the greatest works of American literature, and has not successfully been transferred to the screen. Although Luhrmann’s adaptation comes closer than any before it, it does not quite hit the mark. Though it is not able to fully capture the spirit of the novel that our nation has come to love, The Great Gatsby is visually beautiful and well supported by an excellent cast and an unforgettable story of hope.
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12 Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Feature
Directions to Echo Park: Take the 134 to the 2 South. Take the 2 to Glendale Blvd. Turn left onto Sunset Blvd. By Kira Gabriel Assoc. Opinion Editor We zipped down the Pasadena Freeway to Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, armored in sundresses and prepared to battle hipsters and heat alike. We entered Stories, a used bookstore and café, and the trendiness of the spot made us stand out among the bra-less women and the bearded men in their mid-twenties. We had steeled ourselves for hipsters, not grownups with saltshaker tattoos and Jesus sandals. We browsed through the eclectic mix of everything from Eric Clapton’s autobiography to a graphic novel about Sigmund Freud’s theories. Purchases in hand, we settled down to enjoy our three-dollar coffees and observe the cool young adults around us, all of whom were either reading a book neither of us had ever heard of or tapping away on Apple products.
Stories itself was interesting, and the coffees were good after lots of cream and sugar were added. After about twenty minutes of hushed conversation so as not to draw attention, however, it became very clear that neither of us were doing a good job of blending in, and we set off to find the next adventure that Sunset had to offer. Our next stop was a neat time travel-themed store, the Time Travel Mart. The shop featured donuts from the 1980s (on sale for a mere $8.99, an excellent price when one factors in the cost of time travel fuel nowadays), caveman deodorant, and breath-ruiners with smells such as “Serf ” and “Disused Meat.” Feeling amused, if not entirely at ease, we spent the rest of the day visiting the odd assortment of shops, from a Mexican market where we purchased forty-cent pan dulce and admired a wide range of dead animal parts to a pawn shop filled with broken tools, dirty bikes, and huge coats. We also stopped at a thrift store under the alias “Vintage Clothing.” Here we laughed at racks of flapper dresses, tried on cowboy hats, and struggled into huge, beaded wedding dresses that seemed intent on swallowing
Anastasia Velicescu
us whole. Despite being boiled alive in the pre-summer heat and being recognized early on as the outsiders we were, the day was a success. The native city-dwellers may think they won the battle, but we won the war: we got to explore a bit of downtown where organic, vegan, raw restaurants are swarming with people, any given door can open to an art gallery or café, and eateries are too cool for names.
EOVER heard Illustrations by Amanda Stewart
To see what has happened in the story so far, visit tigernewspaper.com.
Sports
It’s no secret that South Pasadena’s boys volleyball team has made a name for itself over the last two seasons. After several mediocre seasons and a coaching change in 2011 the team has emerged stronger than ever, winning backto-back league titles and holding an undefeated league record in 2013. A strong force behind the squad’s recent success is the determination and leadership of senior captain David Barker. Barker discovered his love for volleyball
Matt Winkel
Senior David Barker has helped lead boys volleyball to consecutive league titles.
in the fourth grade after attending several of his older brother’s matches. He became interested in playing and decided to try out for his middle school volleyball team. Barker’s natural blend of skill and knowledge of the game took him far in the sport, landing him a spot on the A1 select U.S. National team in 2011 as well as earning him a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics the same year. While Barker’s skill and athleticism have never been an issue, he has constantly struggled with a much bigger obstacle—himself. Barker plays the set position, which is widely known as the leadership position. “I was attracted to the position because I get to control everything,” Barker said. “I get to choose who gets the set and how the play is going to turn out. I pretty much direct the entire game.” The setter, however, is also responsible for pumping up the team and maintaining focus throughout a match, which requires incredible discipline and skill. “I used to be really mean with all my teammates—bashing them hard. I had a lot of constant talks with my coaches and I’ve gone through a whole leadership deal, and I’ve really progressed. I’ve gone through a lot of rough patches but I’ve grown a lot as a player and as a person and I’m just really glad of how far I’ve come,” Barker said. As for Barker’s future in volleyball, his plans are uncertain. He intends to explore the possibility of playing at the collegiate level, confident in his ability to both play the game he loves and lead others in pursuit of volleyball perfection.
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Jessica Ng
David Barker By Matthew DeFulgentiis Staff Writer
Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
By Kealia Hudson Staff Writer When she was five years old, senior Jessica Ng attended a friend’s birthday party held at a local gymnasium. Little did she know that when she took a few bounces on the trampoline, she was beginning an athletic journey that would last more than a decade. “After that day, my parents decided to put me in recreational classes so I’d be one less kid to watch,” Ng said. Ng’s enthusiasm blosSiria Medina somed over time, and she soon ventured into competitive gym- Senior Jessica Ng has jumped since her junior year nastics. She grew to enjoy the and placed second in league in the triple jump. thrill and challenge of learning new skills while developing biceps so large requires speed, power, and rhythm—qualithat she still has trouble reaching her shoul- ties that stem from her extensive gymnastics background. This year, she placed second in ders with her fingertips. However, during her sophomore the triple jump at league finals and qualified year, Ng suffered a jolting elbow injury that for CIF prelims. “I think my greatest quality as an forced her to quit the sport. Fortunately, she athlete is my ability to set goals for myself,” had a backup plan. “I’ve always known that if I ever Ng said. “Before every meet, I have a set quit I would go out for track, as many mark that I hope to hit and try to stay fotrack events are a natural progression from cused in order to meet that mark.” Despite joining the team her junior gymnastics,” Ng said. “When I tried out my junior year, everyone was so welcoming year, Ng’s keen understanding of body mechanics, natural grit, and willpower made and friendly.” Ng experimented with several differ- her an integral part of the team dynamic. In ent events, but she eventually chose to focus the fall, Ng plans to compete for the track her efforts on the triple jump. The event team at Claremont McKenna College.
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Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Sports
Baseball fails to qualify for CIF By Jordan Xiao Staff Writer The Tiger baseball team narrowly missed qualifying for CIF last week after a long and hard-fought season. San Marino High School finished tied with South Pas in the third and final playoff spot. The Titans won two out of the three matchups between the rivals, pushing the Tigers out of a CIF berth. Playing an incredible 24 games over a span of two and a half months, South Pas finished with an overall record of 11-13 for the season. South Pas concluded its last game of the year in impressive fashion by clinching a 10-3 win over Temple City on Thursday, May 2. Despite falling behind early, the Tigers made a tremendous recovery from their 5-1 defeat to Rams the day before. “Today we had a must-win attitude. We got behind at first but we kept fighting and eventually took a big lead. Our hitting was on and we had some great individual performances. All together, we played as a team and got the win,” senior Alec Keeling said. Senior pitcher Christian Miyamae threw a dominant complete seven innings on the mound, and sophomore Andrew Shults and senior Nick O’Brien came through with three hits each to help the Tigers clinch the win. This was the Tigers second victory over the Rams this season, and the pair of wins marked the first time South Pasadena defeated Temple City in eight years. Despite securing the key victory over the Rams, the Tigers saw the third place spot slip away after San Marino defeated La Cañada last week on Thursday, May 9. Though they failed to qualify for CIF, the Tigers remarkably rebounded from last year, when their rocky season featured a demoralizing twelve game losing streak. “We made improvements, drastic improvements, from the year before. I hope we will continue building off that and come on next year stronger,” sophomore Paul Amerine said. South Pas will be looking for a new leader next season as head coach Anthony Chevrier announced his resignation to the squad after four years in charge of the baseball program. Despite failing to earn a CIF spot, Chevrier was proud of his team. “All we really want to do is not have any regrets. We want to do what we can on the field to be able to look back and see that we did everything humanly possible to be successful,” Chevrier said. “We just want to get out there and compete; at the end of the day, that’s all you can really ask for in sports.”
Sophia Arriola
Sophomore William Jo comes up for air in the 100 yard breaststroke at Rio Hondo League finals.
Swimming succeeds at finals; competes at CIF By Heather Vaughan Copy Editor The boys and girls swim teams finished their respective seasons on Saturday, May 11, at CIF competition in Riverside; a total of nine varsity swimmers attended. Although no swimmers were able to place in the top 18 in their events, the individuals worked haard to represent South Pas and closed the season with intensity. “It was a great experience to go as a relay team,” said junior Liza Echeverria, who participated in the 400-yard freestyle relay with teammates freshman Laura Mendenhall, sophomore Grace Wakabayashi, and junior Samantha Zavala. “We were racing against incredibly
fast swimmers but we tried our hardest to keep up.” The regulation season wrapped up with two all-league meets at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center on May 1 and May 3. Notable on the boys team, sophomore Garrett Tse took third place in the 100 yard breaststroke with a time of 1:01.83. Additionally, the boys 400-yard freestyle relay team, comprised of Tse, junior Andrew Wright, junior Pierce Deamer, and sophomore William Jo, took second place with a time of 3:23.25. The girls were successful in the meets as well. In the 100-yard butterfly, South Pas claimed three of the top four spots, with Echeverria taking first, freshman Isabelle Edens in second, and junior Devin Grab claiming fourth
place. Echeverria also took first place in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:08.71, while freshman Jocelyn Jo took second with 1:10.32. Sophomore Sabrina Zavala clinched a first place victory in the 200-yard individual medley. The Tigers are proud of their overall success throughout the season. “This year was so much fun,” said sophomore Jasmine Lee. “Not only did we bond as a team, but we excelled in every competition.”
CIF Competitors Liza Echeverria Isabelle Edens Jocelyn Jo Jasmine Lee Garrett Tse
Grace Wakabayashi Griffin Yerian Sabrina Zavala Samantha Zavala
Softball concludes disappointing year By Andrew Shults Staff Writer It has been less than two weeks since South Pasadena softball saw the season come to a disappointing and early end, but the squad is already looking forward with optimism. The Tigers overall record ended at 5-19 and 1-11 in league. Although far from attaining the CIF berth that they had hoped for at the beginning of the season, this year’s record is decidedly misleading. “We had a pretty rough season this year, but I don’t think our record accurately shows how we truly did,” sophomore Cassie Baca said. “Six of our games went into extra innings,
but unfortunately the pressure was too much for us to handle. Overall, I don’t think our season went the way we expected it to.” The Tigers forfeited their last game of the El Segundo Tournament against Banning High School, cutting their season short on May 4. They played San Pedro High School in their previous game, losing 10-0. San Pedro started off quickly, scoring three runs in the first. The Tigers could not bounce back as the Pirates scored four more times in the second inning. San Pedro scored another three runs before the game ended. The Tigers fought hard in their last league game on May 1, agoniz-
ingly losing the match 3-2 to Temple City High School. The Rams scored first in the third inning, taking a 1-0 advantage. South Pasadena regained control when junior Chelsea Hong and Baca reached home in the fifth, taking a 2-1 lead. Temple City would not back down and forced the game into extra innings after tying up the score. With momentum on their side, the Rams ended the game with a winning run in the eighth. Seven starters are graduating this June, so South Pasadena will have a young team next year and hopes to add new talent. The Tigers will look to both Baca and Hong to lead the way as the squad rebuilds and works to earn that elusive CIF spot.
Golf individuals unable to advance in CIF South Pasadena loses two top golfers to graduation
By Andrés García and Marcy Kuo Tiger Staff Boys golf concluded their season with league prelims and finals on May 1 and 2. Seniors Cole Teague and Kenneth Rodriguez-Clisham and juniors Henry Sue and Angus Cheng competed at the Marshall Canyon Golf Course in San Dimas. Teague and Sue led the Tigers in the preliminary round with twin scores of 78. Their performances qualified them to compete at Finals the following day. Although Rodriguez-Clisham gave a strong performance and finished with a solid 88, he did not qualify to proceed in the next round. Cheng finished off the Tiger effort with a 105.
“Although we had a tough season we were able to show off our best at League Prelims at Marshall Canyon. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to perform my best that day but I was proud that Henry and Cole were able to make it to Finals the next day,” said Rodriguez-Clisham. In the final round, Sue shot a 76 and Teague followed with an 81. Teague was ranked Second Team All League; Sue made First Team and finished seventh in the Rio Hondo league. “Personally, I’ve really improved since freshman year,” Teague said, who plans on continuing his golf career at UC Davis. “The nerves were hard to get over but my mental game has become much stronger in addition to the physical aspects.
As a team, the Tigers finished third in league but did not qualify to advance into the first CIF round at Soule Park in Ojai. The team struggled throughout the season, concluding with an overall record of 6-6 and 4-4 in league. Despite their scores, Coach Richard Goto is satisfied with the effort of his team. “Looking back, it was a pleasant experience,” Goto said. “[I] sincerely enjoyed the 2013 boys golf team for their efforts, personal integrities and general all around class. My sincere appreciation to our three captains, Cole, Kenny, and Henry. The other four members of our team—Angus Cheng, Kevin Ryu, Eddy Moon, and Ryan Delucia—I salute you and thank you for your efforts.”
Ken Rodriguez-Clisham
Senior Cole Teague follows through on a putt in the first round. No Tigers made it to the next round.
Sports
Tiger - Thursday May 16, 2013
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Tennis looks to improve for next season By Brandon Kim Staff Writer
Anastasia Velicescu
Freshman Casey Corvino prepares to drive the ball with a forehand down the line in the Tigers’ last home game.
The 2013 boys tennis season ended with 2 wins and 4 losses in league play, and a 4-6 overall record. The Tigers will be saying good-bye to senior captains Scott Richards, Krishna Mocherla, and Shyam Senthilkumar, who have played together since eighth grade. The trio led the Tigers throughout the season and regularly won crucial sets for South Pas. “I enjoyed these past four years. Being competitors with Krishna and Shyam not only made me a better tennis player, but also made us closer friends. I wish the future teams best of luck,” senior Richards said.
Although the Tigers are losing nine seniors to the graduation, they are optimistic about next year’s prospects. “As tennis players we try to play as fluidly and elegantly as possible. While we might’ve not done too well this season, hopefully next year our team will make more of a splash,” senior David Liu said. Throughout the season, upperclassmen experience was complimented with energy from the younger students. Freshmen Casey Corvino and Sagar Raju had impressive rookie seasons and will lead South Pas next season. “We had a good season and although we are losing many seniors from our team, we have many under-
classman and juniors to lead the team for years to come,” Raju said. Despite not qualifying for CIF, the team insists that its season has been successful and a worthwhile experience. “It was a good experience for me playing tennis at SPHS for three years and I hope the underclassmen will do better next year,” senior Corey Young said. The Tigers will begin rebuilding their team next January around junior Jason Wang and sophomores Sagar and Kartik Raju in preparation for the 2014 season. The young but experienced leaders hope to lead an energetic team into a long awaited CIF berth.
Chevrier departs baseball team after four years as coach By Clem Witherall Co-Sports Editor Head coach Anthony Chevrier announced to his players that he is resigning from his position following the end of the 2013 season after four years at the helm of South Pasadena High School’s baseball program. Financial strains resulting from an absence of a teaching position at SPHS coupled with the forced folding of his club team led Chevrier to pursue new options. “It has been a wonderful experience working at South Pasadena,“Chevrier said. “I’m proud of changing the baseball culture and implementing a lot of better things here.” The lack of available teaching posi-
tions in the city was the primary factor that led to his resignation. Chevrier explained to his team that it is “financially impossible” for him to make a living solely by coaching. His daily commute from Aguora Hills, as well his newborn baby, were additional influences that dictated his decision. “It’s tough traveling two hours every day just to coach and not teach,” Chevrier said. “Most coaches in the league teach in addition to coach and it is just really hard to break even as a local coach.” During this past year, Chevrier’s club team was shut down after an alleged dispute about its relationship with the SPHS team according to Chevrier. A few players suggested that not being part of the club team
and professional things in his life and has a lot of options,” Zalin said. “As a former player myself, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the team play.” In his four years at South Pas, Chevrier’s team made CIF playoffs twice and narrowly missed a CIF berth this year. The 2013 season was highlighted by two wins over both Temple City High School and Monrovia High School, the first wins against either school in eight and twelve years, respectively.
led to them being cut from the high school team. Chevrier denied the claims and said that the end of his travel team added more financial pressure and “definitely impacted the decision.” “A few kids were upset that they got cut and unfortunately made a big deal and accused me of doing something I didn’t,” the coach said. “It’s a shame because the players from the club program are funneled into the high school team and now that we are getting rid of the system, the program is falling behind again.” SPHS Athletic Director Mark Zalin reported that resignation papers had not yet been submitted as of May 14. “Coach Chevrier has a lot of personal
Chevrier’s record by year 2009-10:13-13 2010-11:12-16
Pre-Game Rituals Sports teams at SPHS are known for rigorous schedules and massive time commitments required from students. But between practices and games, there’s always some downtime for coaches and players to build team spirit, often with lasting traditions formed years ago. As this school year’s athletic season comes to an end, Tiger takes a look at some of these team rituals. ~ Jordan Xiao
Sophia Arriola
2011-12: 8-17 2012-13:11-13
Volleyball After finishing its warm-ups, the South Pas volleyball team has a unique chant to get its players hyped up. The team gets in a circle and chants “Big kills, right now!” ten times to represent its ten wins in league. The team also does mini-jumps, yelling “Ayyy” for three jumps to the right, and “Ohhh” for three jumps to the left, continuing to alternate while in a circle. ~ Shyam Senthilkumar
Baseball
Paul Messana
Cross Country A large orange flag, embroidered with the names of past cross country members, serves as a source of inspiration for runners and is instantly recognizable during races. Also, immediately before each race the girls and boys have specific rituals. The junior varsity boys scream out “JV-positive” while the varsity girls gather in a circle of prayer to honor the so-called “Running Gods.” ~ Jason Wang
As the sport of baseball is known for its superstition and traditions, its only natural that South Pasadena baseball has a few of their own. They include glove savvy—the practice of lining up the players’ gloves on the pitch to intimidate the opponent — and using a pin drop to break a huddle and pump up the players. ~ Andrew Shults
Rachael Garner
Water Polo
Shoal Hollingsworth
Before significant games, the boys and girls water polo teams participate in a team cheer nicknamed “Icky” to pump them up and get the team energized. Adopted during a team trip to Hungary, the boys acquired the cheer a few years ago and have molded it into a tradition. According to junior Devin Grab, “The cheer helps connect the boys and girls teams; it’s about the bonding.” ~ Heather Vaughan
16 Tiger - Thursday, May 16, 2013
Sports
Sports
South Pas Spring Notables
Hector Fernandez (12) Samantha Zavala (11) Skyler Anselmo (12) Fernandez won both the 110 and 300 m hurdles at the Rio Hondo League finals. The senior then PRed at the CIF prelims
Zavala swam a 1:55.93 in the 500 yard freestyle at the Rio Hondo League finals and placed 2nd allleague.
Anselmo led the baseball team offensively with a .357 overall average and 21 runs batted in.
Speaking of
Sports
Matt DeFulgentiis
Priorities over spirit in athletics
Sophia Arriola
Senior Jason Qiu and sophomore Richard Yu jump over the net to block the ball after an opposing player’s spike.
Boys volleyball headed to CIF finals By Matthew DeFulgentiis Staff Writer The South Pasadena boys varsity volleyball team will see its quest for glory culminate on Saturday in the Divison III Championship. The Tigers have already made history by landing themselves in the finals with yesterday’s 3-1 win over the Crossroads High School Roadrunners. The Tigers started the semi-final match strong, taking the first game 26-24. Crossroads High School then put pressure on the Tigers by tying the match at 1-1 in a close 27-25 set. Dropping the second set motivated the Tigers, who took the next set 25-22 and dominated the final set 25-12 to clinch the semi-final game. The game-winning kill came from senior Robert Adamson. “David [Barker] set me back row and
I could feel it. It went into the block but fell on their side. It was incredible. The team is so pumped about the chance to actually win CIF. We let the second slip, but we didn’t have to say anything. We just got back to work. That’s what we’ll do this week for the finals. Just get back to work,” Adamson said immediately following the victory. Last night’s game marked the Tigers’ fourth CIF victory within the last week and a half. The Tigers picked up three other CIF wins against Gahr High School (3-0), Beverly Hills High School (3-0), and a 3-1 win on Saturday over Heritage Christian in the quarterfinals. South Pas came out looking tough to beat, taking the first game 25-15 over Heritage. However, the Warriors caught the squad off guard and managed to come out of the second game with a 25-20 win. Fortunately, South Pas
was able to pull itself together and take the last two games 25-15 and 25-19. “Overall we played really well,” South Pasadena junior Andrew Rudchenko said. “We had a lot of big blocks and kills, and we played with a lot of energy for the entire match.” The Tigers will play Camarillo High School this Saturday at a neutral location at Santiago Canyon College at 3 P.M. Although the Tigers have consistently played outstanding volleyball, the next game will demand South Pasadena’s best play, as the winner will take the CIF championship title. The Tigers defeated the San Marino Titans for the second time this season on April 29 to earn their CIF berth. The 3-0 made the Tigers the Rio Hondo League champions, and they now hope to close their season with a CIF trophy.
Track performs strongly at CIF prelims Messana and Anuakpado among several to advance to finals
By Clem Witherall and Remeny White Tiger Staff Both the boys and girls track teams performed well at CIF prelims on May 11 and multiple Tigers qualified for this weekend’s CIF finals. A combination of youth and experience led the boys to success. Sophomores Sam Anuakapado and Justin Fernandez ran the open 400-meter and made times of 51.37 and 52.26, respectively. Senior Paul Messana dominated the 800-meter in 1:56, and junior Josh Wilson ran a 9:24 in the 2 mile; all four advanced to CIF finals. The 4x400 team consisting of Messana, Anuakapado, Fernandez, and senior Hector Fernandez finished in 3:28 and will be competing in finals as well. “Our team had a really strong showing at CIF prelims. Although not everyone hit their best marks, it was a great chance for these athletes, to race with such high-level competition,” Messana said. “The competition will be even stronger for finals, but I’m confident we will produce some great times.” The girls also qualified multiple athletes
Rachael Garner
Sophomore Nina Acebo prepares for CIF. Acebo is an alternate for CIF finals. for this weekend’s finals. Sprinting superstar senior Laura Anuakpado will move on to finals after running a personal record of 24.69 in the 200-meter. The senior will also compete in the 400-meter after
finishing with a time of 57.16 at the prelims. The 4x100 meter relay team composed of freshman Rebecca Liston, sophmore Nina Acebo, junior Kamia Willis, and Anuakpado will be racing in finals after their success in the preliminary races. The 4x400 meter relay team composed of Claire Kieffer-Wright, Anika Renken, Willis, and Anuakpado qualified as well. California high jump champion Kieffer-Wright easily earned her spot in the finals with a leap of 5’ 2’’, ten inches lower than her personal best. Acebo will also represent the Tigers in the long jump after leaping into the finals with a jump of 17’ 5’’. “After last year’s CIF win on the girls side, it will always be hard to do better,” head track coach Pierre Hernandez said. “However, with the caliber of athletes that we have this year, we may even have more athletes involved in State this year than last year.” All the athletes who qualified will compete in CIF finals on Saturday, May 18 at Estancia High School in Costa Mesa. Check tigernewspaper.com over the weekend for coverage of the final meet.
There are several sports at South Pasadena High School in which varsity and junior varsity participants play on the road, on the same day, at the same venue. It is generally an expectation, if not a requirement of the athletic department, to have varsity stay after its game and watch the junior varsity team perform. This policy is upheld to demonstrate varsity’s support and show school spirit. However, given the changing nature of high school sports and the evolving attitude of the school—which strives to eliminate unnecessary stress and burden on its students—the administration needs to allow varsity players to leave road venues accompanied by their parents when necessary. Currently, parents have to make a special trip to SPHS to gain individual permission for their student-athlete to leave on each specific competition date. While administration usually grants this, it is made clear to the parents that the school is not particularly fond of doing so. However, with students’ increasingly packed schedules, expecting them to be able to stay hours after their event all the time is unreasonable, and students should be allowed to leave for academic or even personal reasons. The administration is not always aware of personal or family circumstances that might require time and attention from the student-athlete. The administration understands if you have a major academic obligation but undervalues almost all other situations. What if a student has conditions at home that require babysitting, or perhaps having to work a part-time job after school? SPHS should consider allowing parents to sign up at the beginning of the season for blanket permission to remove their child from a sports venue on any given competition day, rather than have them go out of their way to get individual permission for each event. Another key element is the inconsistency among SPHS sports of varsity teams watching junior varsity games. One wonders how varsity football or varsity baseball would react to having to watch junior varsity play after they’ve finished competing. If the main point of the policy is to show spirit, then why is the 30-plus-man roster for varsity football, whose games are played on Fridays, never in the stands when junior varsity competes on Thursday afternoons? A lot of lip service is given to try to reduce the stress and time commitments of overwhelming schedules, but the fact of the matter is that nobody—no organization, no club, no team, even no classroom—takes action to actually accomplish this. Administration continues to take a narrow, as opposed to a holistic, point of view on this issue, which directly results in overwhelmed student-athletes.
Baseball falls short in its bid to earn CIF spot Rachael Garner
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