Tiger Newspaper Vol. XCVIII, No. X

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Nine SPHS faculty members to retire By Sofi Goode Feature Editor Assistant Principal of Instruction Jack Smith, athletic director Ralph Punaro, and seven other SPHS faculty members have announced that they will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2011-12 school year. The staff members are retiring with a special package that the Public Agency Retirement Service is offering this year. District employees who are 55 years of age with 25 years of district employment or are fifty years of age with thirty years of district employment are eligible. The district will purchase an annuity for each retiree, and an insurance company will pay 85% of that faculty member’s final salary over the course of five to Retiring Faculty Jack Smith Assistant Principal Ralph Punaro Athletic Director Marjorie Dam Counselor Patrick Mack Math teacher Edward Smith Math teacher Margaret Fullinwider Math teacher Alice Martinez Technician to Asst. Principal Eileen Phillips Health Clerk Ted Lin Custodian

fifteen months. Those who accepted the offer had to formally declare their retirement by May 8, and were announced at the school board meeting that same night. “I think [the package] was a major incentive because most of these people enjoy what they do,” said assistant principal of instruction Jack Smith, who himself is retiring. “However, it is the end of my goal to be a long-haul worker.” Faculty members are required to resign from district employment, but can go on to work in another district. Some retiring this year will return to work part-time. “Ms Anderson and I might have a couple of people work parttime to plug gaps,” said Smith. “But there is no employment guarantee.” Some students have expressed concern about faculty members that are not returning next year. “As a junior, I’m concerned for the college application process,” said Wendy Tsai. “We need a counselor letter of recommendation, and I’m worried that [Ms Dam’s] could affect our applications.” Punaro began teaching in 1985. His retirement was a sudden decision, but he said that everyone at school has been supportive. “There are so many good memories I have at SPHS,” said Punaro. “From leading the baseball team to playoffs in my third year of coaching to three championships for girls basketball, I enjoyed every moment of it.”

Anderson visits China in principal exchange By Amber Laird Staff Writer Principal Janet Anderson left South Pasadena High School for Shanghai, China on Friday as part of an international principal exchange program. She will be overseas until May 20; she is visiting and observing a performing arts school while on her trip. Anderson’s visit comes after several Shanghai principals visited South Pasadena in September to sit in on classes and learn about the American educational system. SPMS principal David Kubela is also in Shanghai for the exchange program. The California School Boards Association (CSBA) contacted Superintendent Joel Shapiro last year to ask if the South Pasadena Unified School District would be interested in accommodating the Shanghai principals who were visiting the San Gabriel Valley. The CSBA then offered to send a few SPUSD princi-

pals to Shanghai for the May trip. “This is a nice opportunity that I wouldn’t have otherwise,” said Anderson. “I’m anxious to explore and figure out what life is like there.” Anderson and Kubela are traveling with several other principals from the San Gabriel Valley. Anderson brought along an extra suitcase filled with gifts for the school that will be hosting her, including some that represent SPHS and some that are edible treats not available in China. “I’m looking forward to this a lot,” said Anderson. “Being in a totally different environment, stepping out of my routine. Everything except for the heat.” In Anderson’s absence, Assistant Principal of Instruction Jack Smith is in charge of daily operations at SPHS. Anderson will be updating the school throughout her trip with a written journal on tigernewspaper.com.

Prom venue delights Students enjoy night in Secret Garden By Devin Mitchell News Editor

Matt Winkel

Junior Peter Seo and senior Arin Nam dance at the prom, which was held at the L.A. River Center on Saturday night. See pages 8-9.

Boys soccer coach under investigation By Carlton Lew Assoc. Opinion Editor An investigation of South Pasadena boys varsity soccer coach Juan Zurita’s possible violation of CIF steroid use policy began last week. Zurita is alleged to have promoted and/or administered steroids to his players. An anonymous letter of complaint against Zurita was filed with CIF and with the school district, according to players who have asked to remain anonymous. Several members of the community, whose signatures were supposedly included in the letter, denied their involvement.

“I was contacted by SPHS administration seeking information about this letter,” said soccer parent Scott Nelson. “My name was not on this letter, but a name similar to ours was used, so they contacted us and we informed them that we knew nothing about it.” Two attorneys representing the school district were brought to the high school on May 9 to speak with members of the soccer team. According to several of the players who were interviewed, the attorneys asked them if they knew anything about, were provided with, or were ever See “Boys soccer” on Page 2

Almost 400 students attended the SPHS prom on Saturday night at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, spending the evening dancing, gambling, and utilizing the photo booth, which was packed the entire night. “Prom went really well,” said junior class vice president Peter Seo. “The weather was perfect, the decorations were fantastic, and the food was amazing.” Seniors Danny Shapiro and Evelyn Ashleigh were voted Prom King and Queen, and juniors Austin Kahn and Ella Hardy were elected prince and princess. “It was really surprising and flattering,” said Ashleigh. “One of the best parts of it that one of my best friends, Ella Hardy was the junior princess. We got to share the experience together.” “I had a lovely time with my date, and I was pleasantly surprised by the venue,” said Kahn. “The decor was divine.” Attendees began the “Secret Garden” themed night with dinner in the main courtyard. Students had the option to dance in the smaller courtyard or go indoors to use the casino tables and photo booth, which were at opposite ends of the grounds. “I thought the photo booth was the most popular place of the night,” said Seo. “The casino tables went over really well also. I think both activities were great additions to prom this year.” Despite the positive reviews, attendance was down from last year, when 558 students went to prom at Universal Studios.

Oneonta Club honors teachers and students By Josh Roquemore Staff Writer The South Pasadena Oneonta Club honored senior scholarship winners Sara Patterson, Libby Rainey, and Montane Silverman on Monday. SPHS English teacher Mark Afram and SPMS teacher Mary Hylbom were also recognized as the Oneonta Teachers of the Year. “I am really glad to be receiving the award, just because it shows that all of my hard work has paid off,” said Patterson. “It is also great to see that the community supports its graduating students.” Patterson and her fellow

recipients will receive $10,000 scholarship grants from the club, which will go towards their college tuition. “I am honored to have received such a noteworthy scholarship,” said Silverman. “And I’m honored to be placed in the same category as great people like Sara and Libby.” Members of the Oneonta Club selected Afram and Hylbom, who were commended for their excellence in the classroom. They received an inscribed plaque and a small sum of money. “I was very surprised to find I was being honored with this,” said Afram. “However, I am very grateful to receive it.”

Katie Whitworth

Oneonta recipients seniors Libby Rainey, Montane Silverman and Sara Patterson .


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