Los Angeles Athletic Club unveiled as 2014 Winter Formal site By Shine Cho News Editor The Los Angeles Athletic Club was revealed as the 2014 Winter Formal site during a one-minute video that was played at the Winter Assembly this morning. The February 1 event will be held from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on the third floor of the historic building located in Downtown Los Angeles. “We chose the site because we thought it was different from last year’s venue, Jillian’s at CityWalk,” Commissioner General senior Michael Chang said. “The L.A. Athletic Club has a very elegant vibe.” The “By Invitation Only” themed dance will feature engaging activities, which will be determined by the Associated Student Body in the coming weeks, to entertain attendees throughout the night. “The atmosphere of the club lends itself to a Gatsby-esque mood, so we wanted to focus on
its sophistication with the title, ‘By Invitation Only,’” Commissioner of Activities senior Rachael Garner said. A committee composed of Leadership members will assist Garner in planning and hosting the event. The venue overlooks a view of Downtown LA and features a bar, ballroom, and snacking and lounging areas. “We hope to provide a little something for every student to come and enjoy the night,” Chang said. Tickets will start at $40 SAC, $45 non-SAC, and $50 OOTER the week of January 6 in the Student Bank during lunch upon returning from Winter Break. Ticket prices will increase incrementally at the start of each following week. The West 7th Street location has hosted the national television series Mad Men for filming and has been critically acclaimed for its late 1800s historical architecture.
Courtesy of The Event Group
“By Invitation Only” This year’s Winter Formal will be held on the third floor of the Los Angeles Athletic Club on February 1 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tickets will go on sale January 6 in the bank.
Fundraiser raises $3000 for Typhoon Haiyan relief
Blood drive ASB distributes 800 candy canes collects 70 pints By Jenna Giulioni Sales started Thursday, DeStaff Writer By Asa Silverman Staff Writer The Associated Student Body hosted its first blood drive of the school year in coordination with the American Red Cross, collecting an outstanding 70 pints of blood from 96 students. The blood drive was held in the gym from 8:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. “While the amount of blood collected was average, the process went really smoothly,” Commissioner of School and Community Jeffrey Xiong said. In order to donate, students were required to submit a signed permission slip and be at least 16 years old. Around 12 Red Cross certified nurses aided students in the gym, checking blood levels and iron count. All blood drive participants received a Red Cross t-shirt or an ice cream coupon for their generous contribution. Participants were also provided with snacks and beverages following their donation. Although the drive went fairly smoothly, one student fainted from the body’s temporary loss of blood. “[The blood drive] is a great way to give back and do something good for others,” junior Camryn Bukowski said.
All fourth period classes enjoyed a well-deserved break on Thursday, December 19 as members of the Associated Student Body burst through classroom doors to deliver candy cane grams in celebration of the holiday season. ASB was able to sell over 820 candy canes, raising $850 in sales. “The candy cane gram sales went extremely well, we are delighted that this years turnout has been so good,” sophomore class treasurer Claire Chong said. “We worked really hard to assemble them all. The money we raised will be split between the sophomore and junior classes.”
cember 5 during lunchtime on the Tiger Patio and lasted two weeks until Tuesday, December 16. Prices ranged from $1 for regular candy canes to $3 for ones decorated as reindeers, complete with antlers and a nose. “A lot of time and effort has been put into making these candy canes and I’m so excited that the new reindeer ones have been a hit,” junior class treasurer Kendall Chang said. Class of 2016 and 2015 officers began to assemble and organize the grams a week in advance of the December 19 distribution date. The funds will be allocated for future class expenditures.
By Stanley Wu Assoc. News Editor South Pasadena High School clubs teamed up with the Associated Student Body during the month of December to raise funds to support the Typhoon Haiyan disaster relief. The Tattoo Tigers and the DECA club created separate fundraising proposals at the beginning of the month and began their efforts starting on the 9th and the 16th, respectively. The Tattoo Tigers drew henna tattoos, while DECA offered a gingerbread house making station on the Tiger Patio. The money raised by the fundraiser will help provide food and water to the areas affected by the hurricane in November, which includes the Philippines, Vietnam, and southern China. “We usually hold a canned
food drive around this time,” Commissioner of Internal Affairs senior Jason Wang said. “But this year, we decided to expand the scope of the fundraiser and expand outside of the community.” The fundraising effort raised over $3000 during the three week period. Mr. Groves’ fourth period class raised $548, followed by Ms Huynh with $252 and Mr. Gray with $208. The money will be given to the USA chapter of the World Food Programme, the food assistance branch of the United Nations. 99% of the proceeds will directly go to the Philippines relief effort. “We’re glad to help those who are unable to celebrate their holidays otherwise,” Commissioner of Clubs Jake Sim said. “It’s great that we’re able to indirectly assist the less fortunate in the Philippines and in other affected areas.”
Fundraising Results 1st: Mr. Groves $547.88 2nd: Ms Huynh $251.71 3rd: Mr. Gray $208.02 Stephanie Kim
Sophomore Naomi Low accepts her candy cane gram deliveries during her fourth period chemistry class on December 19.
Sex, drugs, and gender equality: Emphasizing early education for alcohol, sex education, and gender equality.
5 PAG E
Looney tunes to The Nutcracker Suite: Band successfully transitions from marching on the field to energizing the concert hall.
Total raised (as of December 19): $2906.24
11 PAG E
Girls basketball ends 2013 on a high note: Girls basketball looks ahead to the new year after earning back-to-back third place trophies in a pair of tournaments.
14 PAG E
News
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Tiger - Friday, December 20, 2013
News
Around Campus
The high school’s wellness committee is looking for student members to help review and update the school wellness policy. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Director of Child Nutrition Ms Michelle Curry at mcurry@fc.spusd.net. /Stanley Wu
Virtual Enterprise excels in state competition
By Jason Wang Staff Writer Three Virtual Enterprise teams claimed awards at the California State Virtual Enterprise Competition and Trade Fair, which was held at the Rabobank Center in Bakersfield on December 3-4. The varsity firm Oasis provides sustainable rooftop gardens for homeowners, public institutions, and businesses. Employees of Oasis won first place in Best Salesmanship over students from roughly 95 other high schools. Seniors Jeffrey Xiong and Jennifer Orr took first place in Advanced Website and third place in Company Catalog, respectively. Xiong coded an elaborate website entirely from scratch, a feat that required knowledge of computer language.
“I taught myself programming through online tutorials and books,” Xiong said. “Virtual Business gave me the opportunity to put those self-learned skills to use.” In sales and marketing, Oasis earned first place in the California State Business Plan, third place in Sales Presentation, and third place in Perfect Pitch. The triad of seniors Annie Lu and Jenny Wang and junior Amy Choi sealed the deal with a first place award in the Marketing Plan Competition. The annual Business Plan Competition is traditionally regarded as the most competitive, and ultimately determines whether a virtual firm can qualify for the National Business Plan Competition, which will be held in NYC in April. Oasis’s six-person team of seniors Chelsea Hong, Michael Ruan, Rachel Newhall, and Jason Wang and
juniors Abby Shulman and Timothy Wong seized first place, solidifying their status as state champions for the second year in a row. Both junior varsity firms, Level 2 and ZenPow, left lasting marks as well. Level 2, which incorporates insect meat in gourmet cuisine, took first place in Basic Website, second place in Marketing Plan, second place in Perfect Pitch, and second place in Sales Presentation. ZenPow continued the victorious trend with a second place win in Creative Booth. ZenPow also captured a third place award in the Video Commercial category. “All three firms have been working nonstop since the beginning of the year,” Oasis CEO Michael Ruan said. “We’ve cooperated to ensure that every individual was given the resources to do the best they possibly could.”
Sophia Arriola
Sales specialist junior Amy Choi makes a sales pitch to another competitor at the Bakersfield competition on December 3.
Christmas event in Garfield Park spreads holiday spirit By Kira Gabriel Staff Writer
Stephanie Kim
Senior Ruby Muller, sophomore Jake Levy, and junior Andrew Zableckis share a warm moment on stage in the Little Theatre.
Fall play “Yellow” impresses sold-out audiences in Little Theatre By Clem Witherall Sports Editor The South Pasadena High School drama department concluded its successful production of “Yellow” on Saturday, December 14 in front of a sold-out audience. Although there were questions surrounding the controversial “coming out” theme of the play and how it might affect attendance, Drama Director Mr. Daniel Enright was pleased with the overall turnout. “We had two full houses and almost sold-out attendance for the other three productions,” Enright said. “Yellow definitely met all expectations and I’m proud of the kids for their work.” The drama department hosted a total of five performances lasting two weekends during December 6-8 and December13-14. In total, over 400 tickets were sold. “I thought that the play was fantastic and it had the cast did a great job,” sophomore Mijin Kim said. “By the end, the whole audience was crying.” Enright repeatedly said that
“Yellow” was an attempt to move away from “traditional” shows and stated that it “was a nice change for the program.” Although nervous at first, Enright was very pleased with his decision. “I was sort of scared out of my mind when I first chose ‘Yellow,’ but I thought it was very relevant to high school students,” Enright said. “It was great working with the playwright Del Shores and Ms Janet Anderson to put on this show. “Yellow” marked the last time seniors Sophie Negrini, Diana Spiegel and Ruby Muller would act on the stage of the Little Theatre and Enright celebrated their final performance by handing out roses to the seniors after the play’s conclusion. Enright also recognized his assistant director, senior Charlotte Foley, and his costume manager, senior Tatiana Joyet. “All of them have been fantastic for our program,” Enright said. “I’m very grateful for their contributions and we’ll miss them next year.”
Hope Fellowship hosted a Christmas community outreach in Garfield Park on December 7. The local church offered a variety of foods, drinks, and activities, including a raffle and a puppet show. “This is a Christmas event, and we want to invite everyone to come out. Hope Fellowship is a small Christian church here in South Pasadena. We’re new to the area, non-denominational, and we just want to leave a good impact to the community,” Hope Fellowship pastor Mel Venegas said. Despite the rain, the gathering was not canceled or postponed.
“We’re having a great time; we’re having fun in the rain and throwing this out to the community and spreading the love,” event organizer Ronnie Shake said. “It’s a nice thing that they’re doing this for the kids,” Annie Malagon said. Malagon is a mother who attended the event with her children. “Think this is a really positive event for the community to have. Giving to others is what the holidays should be about, so it’s good that an organization is willing to do that. And they had free food, so that’s a bonus,” junior Sloan Bergstresser said. Hope Fellowship’s services are located at the War Memo-
rial Building, 435 Fair Oaks, South Pasadena, on Sundays at 8:30AM.
Raj Jain
Hope Fellowship hosted a community outreach event on December 7 at Garfield Park.
Booster Club hosts annual Tiger Run By Madison Amido Staff Writer Nearly six hundred runners participated in the annual Tiger Run, hosted by the Booster Club as a fundraising event for the athletic program. The event began on an early rainy morning on December 7, with three different races for participants. Registered runners of all ages had the chance to participate in a 5K race on flat roads and sidewalks throughout town, a 10K race with challenging hills, or a Tiger Cub Run for children under 10. Commissioner of Athletics Tyler Halley began organizing and planning the Tiger Run since September, and commended volunteers for their assistance in making the annual run possible. “This event is crucial to helping our school, and is one of the few community events where everyone is included,” Halley said. “I had to organize volunteers, and in spite of freezing weather and torrents of water, they showed
up to help.” Student and parent volunteers, including members of ASB, dedicated their time to prepare for the races. According to Halley, volunteers helped place no parking signs, cones, barricades, and made sure runners stayed on course. Halley credits this year’s turnout of 500-600 runners to the publicity efforts he made in distributing post-
ers throughout the city. The South Pasadena Tiger Run website lists the 5K and 10K results, including every racer’s name, age group, and time of completion. “It’s a great run, I definitely encourage future participation,” Halley said. “I was really concerned about the rain, however it was still very successful.”
Rachael Garner
Participants under ten years of age began the race on the morning of the Tiger Run on December 7 at Roosevelt Field.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 - Tiger
News
3
Board of Education discusses construction plans TAG Day recognizes student success By Jason Wang Staff Writer The SPUSD Board of Education’s annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday, December 10 honored outgoing Board President David Adelstein and publicly welcomed newly elected member Julie Giulioni and returning incumbents Elizabeth Eilers and Michelle Kipke from the November 5 city election. Adelstein was given a plaque among other parting gifts to honor his last four years of service on the board, as well as his long-time dedication to the district’s schools and to the community. Following the ceremonial swearing in of all three elected board members, Eilers was unani-
mously voted as the new Board President with Giulioni selected as the Clerk. Previous years’ district policies and procedures were then adopted and liaisons were chosen for various organizations, including the South Pasadena Youth Commission and Council PTA Special Needs Committee. The highlight of the meeting centered around a presentation by Legacy Partners Residential on the potential redevelopment of the district parking lot into a residential and retail plaza. Tim O’ Brien, a representative from the real-estate firm, described the Mission Place Project as an idea ten years in the planning. Legacy Partners’ construction project ultimately seeks to provide supplemental cash flow for
the district, potentially adding revenue of up to $2 million per year from rent and leasing expenses, all while integrating with existing office structures at the district office. Furthermore, the redevelopment may even provide broader community benefits by connecting El Centro with a much busier Mission Street to create a tighter-knit commercial center for local businesses. The blueprint features a total of 91 units with two 7500 square feet retail spaces, a threelevel residential complex, and underground parking, including 60 spots reserved specifically for district use. The grounds lease is set to be approved at a future meeting, and will allow the construction process to begin in January of 2016.
Band and orchestra’s 14th annual holiday caroling entertains local businesses and community By Karen Hsueh Staff Writer Bright holiday music lit up Fair Oaks and Mission on Saturday, December 14, as the SPHS band and orchestra maneuvered around South Pasadena for their annual caroling fundraiser. “It is so rewarding when pedestrians, drivers, and business owners stop to see what’s going on,” band president senior Amanda Wen said. “It is a fourteen year tradition in South Pasadena, yet people are still entertained and thrilled, which is the most fulfilling part of the experience.” The main goal of the fundraiser is to play holiday music
in front of local businesses to help them attract more customers. The businesses allowed each group to play music in front of their respective shops for about twenty minutes. The band split into two groups, with one group on Fair Oaks and one on Mission, while the orchestra played in one group. “This year, we shouldered a lot of responsibility together, and we have all gotten closer because of that,” orchestra president senior Samuel Chen said. “I have really high hopes for the rest of the year, because we have a great group of musicians, and everybody is willing to work hard towards a common goal.”
Altogether, the band and orchestra visited about 20 local businesses and raised over $1000 for the music program. All of these proceeds will go to the Music Boosters in preparation for the annual Spaghetti Dinner night and to purchase more instrumental necessities. “Caroling fills the streets with holiday spirit and hypes people up for Christmas,” head drum major sophomore Nolan Pokpongkiat said. “These days, it gets harder and harder to find time to fully enjoy the holiday season, so caroling is not only a great interactive community event, but also a great way for the music program to fundraise.”
By Julian Prime Staff Writer The Associated Student Body passed out pins to students during fourth period in recognition of their academic success during the second semester of the 2012-2013 school year on Wednesday, December 11. Commissioner of Academics Kea Hudson coordinated this year’s Tigers Achieving Greatness Day, or TAG Day. “We were hoping to help promote academic excellence by rewarding those who have good grades with pins,” Hudson said. TAG Day, or Tigers Achieving Greatness Day, was complete with different pins commemorating achievements of a 4.0 GPA, 3.5 GPA, or a 0.5 GPA increase. ASB officers gathered classrooms’ attention and read off the names of those who were to be awarded.
The students were then handed one or two pins based on their academic accomplishments. The pins included different designs on them, each with an illustrated baby animal. This design was a radical change from last year’s “urban colloquialism” themed pins, in which high GPAs and GPA increases were highlighted with popular slang terms. Students were then encouraged to wear their pins on their clothes, backpack, or any other article for the rest of the day. This gave students an opportunity to show off their hard work and dedication to academics to other students. TAG Day supports student intellect by rewarding those who have realized greatness in school as well as helping students recognize their academic prowess and achievement.
Stephanie Kim
Sophomore Kyle Oda receives his TAG pin during 4th period on December 11 from freshman class president Olivia Nouriani.
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Tiger - Friday, December 20, 2013
Life hacks
CUPCAKES are best eaten with the base split in
fill an ice cube tray with cof-
half and made
fee to keep your
COFFEE cold
without watering it down
into a sandwich
FINE DINING
use a FROZEN SPONGE in a ziploc bag as a drip-free ice
make your own
TACO SHELLS by bakcrunchy
pack
ing on an upsidedown muffin tin
heat food in the
CUT CAKE mess-free
bending/breaking
PANCAKES
the center of your meal
floss
phones from
a mess-free way to design
EVENLY by pressing a circle in
with unscented dental
PEN SPRINGS can keep head-
reuse ketchup bottles for
MICROWAVE
AT HOME CHILL A DRINK in just 15 min-
stay on track by downloading
SELFCONTROL to limit time
utes by wrapping with a wet paper towel and putting in the freezer
spent distracting websites
make light from your phone quickly iron clothes with a
HAIR STRAIGHTENER keep your fingers out of
danger; hold a nail with a
CLOTHESPIN while you are hammering
cover up dings in your wooden
BRIGHTER by putting it under a
furniture by rubbing them
water bottle
with a
WALNUT
ON THE ROAD if you forget/lose your charger, many hotel
keep jewelry from tangling during travel by
TVs have USB PLUG-INS keep valuable items like your keys or wallet in an empty
SUNSCREEN BOTTLE to pre-
sorting in a
got lost and
use a car’s
can’t find a gas
SEAT
station to ask
WARMER to
for directions?
keep pizza hot on the drive
PIZZA DELIVERY PLACES are great
home
vent theft
LIFE HACKS:
MEDICINE ORGANIZER
alternatives
any tips or tricks that help you complete tasks more efficiently Time is of the essence in today’s society, and just as important to us is its conservation. Life hacks are low-budget ways to optimize efficiency on daily tasks both in and out of the house. With a little bit of imagination, you can easily come up with creative and cost-effective solutions to common problems. Perhaps you will have some left over time to enjoy the bigger moments by saving it on the little things.
page:
Rachael Garner, Stephanie Kim, &
Rhian Moore
illustrations: Dylan Anselmo & Annie Lu
Opinion
Friday, December 20, 2013 - Tiger
Opinion
5
Yeah Boi
B
r avo to Beyoncé for dropping a surprise album. We haven’t seen such understated advertisement since Blake Benavides was Commissioner of Publicity.
B
to China for landing on the moon the same week they experienced record pollution levels. We’ve all seen Wall-E. We know what’s coming.
B
ravo
By Heather Vaughan Senior Staff Writer
to the interpreter at the Nelson Mandela funeral, who turned out to be an alleged rapist and murderer with schizophrenia. Charles Manson wants his job back. oo
Let’s talk about sex
B
oo to Victoria’s Secret for incorporating 3-D printed clothing in their show. Wasn’t double D enough?
The Tiger Established 1913
CSPA Gold Medalist 2005 CSPA Gold Medalist 2006 CSPA Gold Medalist 2009 CSPA Gold Medalist 2010 CSPA Gold Medalist 2011 CSPA Gold Medalist 2013 Editor-in-Chief Rachael Garner Managing Editors Rhian Moore, Print Remeny White, Online News Shine Cho, Editor Stanley Wu, Associate Editor Opinion David Yang, Editor Petra Barbu, Associate Editor Feature Sarah Stukan, Editor Somi Jun, Associate Editor Sports Clem Witherall, Editor Andrew Shults, Associate Editor Copy Editors Leo Parker IV Jenny Wang Photography Matthew Winkel, Editor Siria Medina, Associate Editor Photographers Sophia Arriola, Raj Jain, Stephanie Kim Senior Staff Writer Heather Vaughan Staff Writers Madison Amido, Kira Gabriel, Jenna Giulioni, Madeline Hellwig, Karen Hsueh, Kea Hudson, Brandon Kim, Ross Lelieur, Julian Prime, Joey Shapiro, Asa Silverman, Jason Wang, Jordan Xiao Staff Illustrators Dylan Anselmo, Spenser Atlas, Annie Lu Managers Marcy Kuo, Ads Emily Markese, Business Webmaster Michael Xu Faculty Advisor Mike Hogan
Vol. C. No. IV distributed on December 20, 2013. Distribution: 1519 students; 70 community. 1700 copies printed. Distributed by Tiger staff free of charge.
Annie Lu
Putting test prep to the test
C
Staff Editorial
o nve r s i o n r a t e s d o n o t ex i s t between dollars and test points. Spending huge sums of money on students ultimately benefits nobody because it leaves students feeling pressured to perform to an elusive standard of excellence and it leaves parents unsure of what to expect. It’s understandable that high school is frustrating for parents because it deprives them of a sense of control over their children, but parents need to understand that they cannot help their children in a meaningful capacity through prep classes. Prep classes can be helpful if they are used as a supplement to independent work, but the services that cost thousands of dollars seem to suggest that parents are buying the success of their children for them. Although test prep is designed to increase scores and lower stress, research has shown that it can have a distorted effect on students. When parents invest significant amounts of money in test prep, students inherit an understandable amount of stress. According to the New York Times, in one study centered on students anxious about math, the more stress hormone they produced the worse they performed on a test. Although dramatic increases in scores are expected after
Is Hollywood running out of ideas?
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.
By Joey Shapiro Staff Writer
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.
In the last few decades, sequels and remakes have begun to overshadow and outnumber movies that have original premises. Original movies are being given the short end of the stick as studios continue to value profit over quality. There’s a reason that studios prefer sequels: they’re simply more profitable than other movies. The average box-office gross for sequels released between 2006 and 2010 was
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.
expensive classes, according to the National Association of College Admittance, SAT test prep classes only increase scores by an average of 30 points, leaving students feeling as though they failed and wasted their parents’ money. This mentality of trying to “beat the system” starts at an early age in South Pasadena. The notion that anything can be prepped for influences even elementary school children. The GATE IQ tests performed on the inherent intelligence quotas of young children now have a matching test preparation agency to help students “best the test” as well. A better way of preparing for tests is to do as the College Board suggests and begin studying for the test years in advance. While this may seem less professional and less effective than paying to be barraged by weeks of questions in a windowless room, the takeaway is actually of greater value if done properly. Working through the numerous inexpensive prep books not only teaches students to answer the test questions, it also teaches them how to study and persevere through difficult content. To students who choose to prepare over a longer period of time and not opt for test prep services, the victory will belong entirely to them.
The elementary schools’ “Just Around the Corner” sex education videos are perhaps the most climactic point of the year for fifth graders in the South Pasadena school district. However, the videos themselves avoid the topic of sex, shielding children and causing them to draw conclusions about intercourse from outside sources. This ultimately leads to an immature view of sex that causes shaming amongst young people who are sexually active in high school, especially young women. To stop this judgment before it occurs, schools need to approach the idea of sex in a more candid fashion when educating children. The videos are very effective in teaching children about the changes their bodies undergo during puberty. However, the biological aspect of sex is overlooked throughout this process, presumably because of the belief that exposing children to sex at a young age will cause them to be more sexually active. This logic is flawed, because children are exposed to sexual messages within our society from a very young age, and avoiding the topic at school only perpetuates the stigmas surrounding sex. This leads them to believe that sex is something that cannot be discussed openly because of its allegedly “bad” nature, and therefore that those who are sexually active deserve judgment. The solution is not to transform sex education completely but to approach the same subjects in a new manner. Instead of skirting around the subject of sex when educating students about their bodies at a young age, teachers can approach it calmly without stigmatizing the activity. Safety and consent are explained and emphasized, and discussions about sex focus on these important aspects rather than on discouraging sexual activity. Separating the biological and emotional aspects of sex teaches children about the activity without attaching any particular connotation to it. This approach can help younger students understand sex more completely by learning in a classroom setting, rather than drawing conclusions from their peers’ misinformation or mass media. Although parents might protest the school openly teaching children about sex, waivers could easily be implemented to ensure parental consent. In an age where safe and consensual sex is of growing importance, it is imperative that our school district helps children properly learn about it before the students enter high school. By modifying the way that sex education is approached, we can begin to shake the stigmas that perpetuate shaming within our society.
$123 million, while original movies made only $49 million on average. Of course there are exceptions to this, as many original movies are wildly lucrative. The highest grossing movie of all-time is 2011’s Avatar, a critically and financially successful original movie. The quality of these movies is a different story. Sequels are rarely superior to their predecessors, and more often than not they’re made solely for profit rather than for artistic merit. A great sequel is able to improve upon the previous movie through innovation and stand on its own as a memorable movie.
Sequels borrow too heavily from the movie they follow, leaving them seeming like blatant imitations that aren’t nearly as enjoyable. The issue is not the abundance of lackluster sequels, but rather the decline of original movies. Studios seem to be more concerned with profiting off superhero franchises and young adult novel adaptations than in producing unique and inventive movies. There is a place for movies like this year’s Fast & Furious 6 and the upcoming Robocop remake, but they should not be taking the place of original movies.
6
Tiger - Friday, December 20, 2013
Opinion
Relief for the long-term By Brandon Kim Staff Writer Disasters strike in no particular pattern, but disaster relief follows certain trends. Disaster relief at South Pasadena High School too often begets nothing but empty cardboard boxes silently waiting for students to give for faceless causes. As time distances disasters from students, these programs rapidly lose momentum and no continued support is given apart from the initial collection. One exception to this trend is the annual Pennies for Patients fundraiser. Every year, Tyler, a leukemia patient, comes to visit students to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, giving students a chance to celebrate his progress and comfort his struggles. The fact that this fundraiser puts a narrative to the cause is what has made the
Pennies fundraiser so effective and longlasting, becoming an annual tradition at SPHS. More fundraisers should take after Pennies for Patients in hopes of generating consistent relief efforts that do not dwindle after a short amount of time. On the opposite side of the fundraising spectrum, a prime example of relief gone wrong is that of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. As the news of the aftermath reached a wide audience, several fundraisers and drives sprang up to support the victims. Individual classrooms were given change boxes to gather small amounts of money. The middle school even went as far as to organize a shoe drive to aid the impoverished Haitian children. However, time was cruel to the Haitians. As the media lost interest in the ruins of Haiti, interest in supporting the cause dwindled until the event faded into obscurity. This failure was
caused mainly by the fact that organizers were not able to connect the relief efforts to the progress of a personal story. If coordinators could have shown students specific families or individuals that would be the beneficiaries of their philanthropy, students would have been more inclined to contribute their limited funds towards the relief efforts. With all of this in mind, relief groups for the Typhoon Haiyan will find themselves more successful if they can create drives that incorporate tangible entities to the cause and cater to the donation ability of students. Unfortunately, although the Associated Student Body has raised more than $1000 through donation boxes in classrooms, students have shown a general lack of interest. This is not to mention that much of the donations came from a few classes that consistently donated large sums of money. One encouraging factor
Butting heads
Saving to save the middle class By Ross Lelieur Staff Writer Some SPHS students, despite previously feeling secure in their family’s finances, have now realized that they cannot afford to attend top universities. Colleges offer needbased scholarships to lower-income students to promote diversity of incomes on campus. While this covers the need of poorer citizens, middle class students are left without the ability to pay through high tuitions. Though this may be unfair to the middle class, the real root of the problem lies in a lack of adequate saving. Colleges aren’t going to change their ways, which means it is the students and their families who must. This means cutting costs all around: avoiding renovations, doing with an old car longer, anything that can make a contribution to college. As with all sacrifices, these will be difficult to make, but ultimately will result in a wider range of college choices and a better future for the student. This translates to a more educated and hap-
By Petra Barbu Assoc. Opinion Editor
pier populace, which is beneficial for all. The middle class is locking itself out of more expensive colleges by not saving more. The inability to pay for college may convince middle-class members to forgo it entirely, leaving America will with fewer skilled workers and less innovation, as well as increasing the gap between the rich and poor. This will hurt the economy, damage the nation’s stature, and lead to a generation with non-college educated parents, perpetuating a chain of skipping college. Some would say that this could be solved if colleges were to extend their financial aid to include the middle class. However colleges have limited funding, and so would have to cut benefits from Spenser Atlas poorer students. Colleges aren’t going to accommodate the middle class, so the middle class must act. As opposed to complaining about the price of college, middle class citizens could take action and save more now so that they will be able to pay later. This would do more than benefit the life of the student, but also their families and society in general.
is that several clubs have held creative drives to aid the unloved donation boxes. There are simple solutions to this problem of transient surge in charity. Relief activity coordinators should opt for more sustained relief efforts tied to relatable stories over ephemeral bursts of aid. Even if each deposit may be smaller, continual donation of these smaller packages will benefit victims more than a large package given only once. In fact, this smaller sustained effort would be optimal to the financial situation of students, as they tend to have a fixed amount they can afford to spend on a worthwhile cause. With all of this in mind, relief groups for the Typhoon Haiyan will find themselves more successful if creating drives that incorporate tangible entities to the cause and encourage longterm support.
By Stanley Wu Assoc. News Editor Football has a reputation as the most dangerous sport presented to high school students due to its nature as a high contact activity. Concerned parents and researchers often cite the high amount of head injuries that are a result of the sport, and some even call for the sport’s elimination in public schools. However, the critics of football present the sport in a purely negative light, ignoring the dangers of other sports and disregarding the benefits that are developed on the field. It is an indisputable fact that football is the sport with the highest number of concussions, with 5.4 concussions out of every tenthousand players. Scientific research also shows that the culmination of any head injury over time can damage mental performance, possibly affecting performance in school. But these wounds are matched by those found in soccer, where torn ACLs can result in multiple surgeries that cost thousands of dollars. These can have more damaging effects on school, as these recovery processes take much longer than concussions. The benefits of football also outweigh the apparent costs. Leadership, teamwork, and a solid work ethic are among the many skills gained on the field, and translate to home and the classroom. Talented players can use football as an opportunity to get into college, helping those who are not as academically strong. Even schools themselves use football games as major social events and base traditions such as homecoming around the sport. Football may have a reputation for brutality, but the sport’s benefits far outweigh the costs. Requests to ban football on the basis of the number of injuries incurred fail to acknowledge the dangers of other sports, and would only nullify a powerful source of character development and culture, and unfairly affect those who rely on the sport as a passage to a college education.
Emphasizing gender equality
Students spend their high school lives building values like integrity, respect, and, perhaps, even sexism. Gender participation is far from equal in American government and research indicates that this stems from a lack of gender equality in the educational system. Gender equality needs to be encouraged at an early age if students hope to see any changes in the “real world,” and this starts with perspectives in high school. Though many claim that a distinct emphasis on gender equality has entered a politically correct extreme, there’s a marked difference. Countries that put emphasis on gender equality in their education have a dramatically smaller gender gap. In Sweden, education centers on gender neutrality from an early age, a step above gender equality in that it offers students the opportunity to define themselves as neither male nor female. Efforts to try to remove societal differences between the sexes range anywhere
from encouraging boys to play with dolls if they want to and girls to play with trucks to removing gender pronouns completely by inventing a new genderneutral pronoun that bypasses the he/ she separation. The Swedish government has invested over $16.3 million on the effort to promote equality in schools and requiring that teachers must actively counteract gender stereotypes and promote equality. Their investment seems to have had successful returns—45% of Sweden’s Parliament is female, as opposed to 17% of American Congress, and 13 out of 24 of the country’s ministers are women while America has yet to elect a female president. Although 60% of Youth and Government is female, 80% of the elected body is male, and out of 66 youth governors, only 3 have been female. Though it can be argued that as an adult, a woman has more societal factors that keep her from high-ranking positions, in high school the playing field is, theoretically, equal. Nothing should keep a girl from being elected for a position, but the real-
ity is far from a girl-power environment. When senior Rachel Newhall ran for Secretary of State in Youth and Government against another girl, the polls asked, “Who’s hotter?” while when their male counterparts ran for Youth Governor, polls asked, “Whose platform is stronger?” It’s easy to pin this discrepancy on the media or “society,” but in a few years the students of 2013 will be those who make up Congress and those who vote—ultimately, those who dictate what “society” is. It’s time for a major, if slightly late, attitude change. Embrace the nitpicky and welcome the seemingly over-politically correct changes. It’s a small sacrifice to make for a more equal world. High school is meant to prepare students for the real world—and in a way, it does. It prepares students for a world of inequality between the sexes. There needs to be a shift in attitude in clubs, classes, and in students themselves, because what we learn today will literally shape our futures.
Dylan Anselmo
Opinion
Friday, December 20, 2013 - Tiger
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Memorials: a grave problem By Somi Jun Assoc. Feature Editor Hollywood has learned to Photoshop wrinkles, cellulite, and, most recently, lives. When deceased celebrities are honored, they’re often not remembered realistically. After his death, Nelson Mandela’s biog raphy was recounted by news agencies. Both the New York Times and CNN featured a tribute to Mandela on their home pages, describing him as “a freedom fighter,” “the embodiment of forgiveness and reconciliation,” and “a beacon of hope.” Nowhere on these tributes, however, is mention of Mandela’s status as a terrorist, which was revoked only five years ago. Mandela deserves all of the New York Times’ and CNN’s praise, but his hand in the African National Congress’ ends-beforemeans mentality must also be considered as part of his legacy: Mandela was part of the ANC’s militant department, whose car bombings caused civilian casualties and destroyed the intended government facilities. A key part of South Africa’s revolution,
these activities earned the ANC the status of terrorist organization. Yet, despite their historical significance, Mandela’s militant actions are left out of most tributes. These edits are a timely example of postmortem airbrushing, but the practice is far from rare. The death and praise of Fast and Furious star Paul Walker has gone viral, while the sudden deaths of historical figures tend to be portrayed as either tragic or long overdue. The dead are remembered as icons, not as people, robbing future generations of historical truths. For Mandela, who fought for racial equality before it was an accepted virtue, this ignorance is especially ironic. Mandela was controversial because Spenser Atlas his ideology was before its time, yet his memory is stripped of controversy because it upsets the standards of the current day. Honoring the memory of the dead requires one of Mandela’s ideals: truth. Both heroism and controversy should be remembered post-mortem because the dead deserve the honor of accuracy.
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 beautiful people. Being yourself is overrated: just be ugly, it’ll make me feel better.” -Rebecca Daley, 9th
“My pet peeve is when Tiger bothers me for pet peeves and then never puts my answer in.” -Abby Shulman, 11th “It’s so annoying when guys insist on wearing bro tanks or unbuttoning their shirts down to the bellybutton. I’d never do that, I have class.” -Tim Wong, 11th “When people touch my hair, face, or phone when I say, don’t touch my hair, face, or phone. Like, I’m a museum: look, don’t touch” -Lily Round, 10th “Amy Choi’s ‘cyberbullying’ and when people call me Prince Ali.” -Nayad Salim, 11th
Cheers to alcohol education By Kira Gabriel Staff Writer Those who have taken health class will vividly recall when a representative from Planned Parenthood visited with a wooden sexual aid named “Woody” to teach students how to use a condom. However, few will be able to remember the unit about alcohol safety, which was much less handson and included none of the props that were provided for sexual education. Alcohol education should frankly address the fact that students drink and focus on teaching safe alcohol consumption, mirroring the candid approach to sexual education. Much like abstinence is the surest way to stay safe sexually, avoiding alcohol is the first and best way to evade the very real dangers that alcohol can pose, but it isn’t a realistic way to educate students about alcohol. Studies have shown
that 72% of high school students will drink alcohol at some point in their high school career. Therefore, it is imperative to provide students with a comprehensive explanation of both the dangers of drinking and how they can be prevented. Under the current alcohol education system, however, alcohol is completely polarized and only the negative extremes are presented to students at school. Meanwhile, away from campus, the media presents drinking as a means for socializing and having fun. The school’s presentation markets to those who are already planning on avoiding alcohol, while the media’s demonstration advertises best to teens who are prone to drinking. Both of these views exclude the middle and largest group of teens: kids who might drink a little at a party, but won’t shun alcohol consumption or binge drink every weekend. Alcohol education needs to be targeted towards this middle majority and offer an accurate and equitable
assessment of drinking, which would prove to be more effective in protecting teens in the long run than the current scare tactics used when teaching about alcohol. Additionally, new alcohol education should place a heavy emphasis on safety. Reenacting extreme scenarios like car crashes simply is not conducive to preventing drinking as it doesn’t provide students a holistic alcohol education. When left to discover the dangers of drinking on their own, teenagers risk getting hurt in their process of discovery. Teenagers deserve a direct approach to alcohol education to ensure their safety. The unfortunate truth is that high schoolers drink alcohol. It’s illegal and dangerous, but it happens. What’s more dangerous, though, is naïvely pretending that they don’t drink. Thus, we must move away from the archaic idea that alcohol abstinence is an effective way to keep teens safe and transition towards comprehensive alcohol education.
Tiger Newspaper Asks: Have you paid for preparatory services in your high school career (prep books, tutors, classes, etc...)? How has this financial burden changed what your parents expect from your test scores? Pearl Lai, Grade 11 Because my parents pay a lot of money for prep classes, I obviously feel pressured to do well, but I want to do well for myself and not for them. For example, I currently go to Elite [Educational Institute] but I asked my parents to pay for me to go because I want to do well in school. Of course they raise their expectations because I go to Elite but I chose to do this. Blair Newman, Grade 12 I think that attaching a value on a test score is not fair. I know many parents who expect more from their kids if they are willing to pay more, my parents included. But I strongly believe that ACT/SAT scores do not reflect intelligence. Not only do you have to pay for a tutor or prep book, but you have to pay for the test. Then you have to pay to report scores to schools. I can see how parents want their kids to realize that it can be a financial burden and students need to make the most of
the money their parents pay. I took a class for the ACT and bought a prep book the size of a dictionary. I think it helped my score but not that much for the amount we paid. Ai Maguire, Grade 11 It definitely did bring me a lot of pressure when my parents paid lots of money for my SAT prep class. It also continues to stress me out even more when my parents consistently ask me if I want to take more classes, since I didn’t get a score that either my parents or I wanted. But if I do take more classes, I would have to think about the prep classes as well as my busy schedule and the overload of homework that I get, leaving me completely stressed out. Looking back, I realized that even if you are pressured by parents to do well, just because your parents’ money is involved, it won’t really benefit you and your score if you only think about what your parents want. If you really think that taking the class will benefit your score...
take it. It can help. But, if you have the slightest doubt that it will stress you out a lot and put all your parents’ money down the drain, don’t take it. You can learn the material yourself by buying a book. There are so many options as to how to study for these tests that all high school students dread. The only thing we all need to worry about is if you were relaxed and confident when you sit down to take the test. Kathy Lui, Grade 12 I’ve heard a lot of talk about how one can buy an SAT/ACT/AP test score so I really felt the need to answer. Personally, I have not taken any test prep courses, although my parents did initially strongly pressure me to take them. However, I have used test prep books, often ones I inherited from my older brother. My parents bought us books hoping they would help, but not expecting that they would be magical guarantees. For me, per-
sonally, I felt that not taking prep classes or hiring tutors helped my performance because that way, my parents’ expectations were not inflated by advertising and I felt I had greater control of my grade or score. I was afraid that if I took a class, I would feel obligated to achieve a certain score or all the money and time spent would not have been “worth it.” Besides, as inconvenient as tests can feel sometimes, they certainly weren’t designed to cause people financial burdens! Selfstudying can be just as effective as structured classes! Aaron Ogita, Grade 10 Yes, my parents have paid for tutors and preparation classes before. I think that this new addition of preparation changed my parents’ viewpoint on what grades I should be getting on tests and quizzes. They now believe that, because I have more time to prepare..., I should be receiving A’s and B’s.
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Tiger - Friday, December 20, 2013
Defining Holidays
Defining Holidays
Friday, December 20, 2013 - Tiger
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What is the ball drop?
What is Thanksgivukkah?
The annual ball drop has marked the beginning of the new year since 1907, when the New York Times owner at the time, Alfred Ochs, wanted to celebrate the opening of the newspaper’s new headquarters. The ball, which includes a computerized LED lighting system, starts its 141 feet descent at 11:59 for 60 seconds, reaching the bottom exactly at midnight on New Year’s.
The first full day of Hanukkah corresponded to the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving. Hanukkah is observed starting on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which is determined by the lunar calendar. Because of the inconsistency in the calendar, this overlap isn’t expected to happen for another 79,000 years.
Why don’t Christians celebrate Hanukkah?
What are the Rose Parade floats? Evolved from horse carriages, the Rose Parade floats are the main attraction for the annual Tournament of Roses parade. One of the rules of the floats is that the entire surface of the float must be covered with natural material with no artificial coloring. All floats are either volunteer made or commercially designed.
Although the story of Hanukkah is in the Bible (the Old Testament also known as the Torah), Christians do not celebrate it because it is thought to be a prefiguring of Christ. In contrast to Christmas, Hanukkah has no relation to Jesus.
What is Hanukkah?
Why do people kiss on New Year’s?
During a revolution against their oppressive ruler, the Jews had a low supply of oil. There was only enough oil to keep lamps lit for one day, yet it burned for eight. To celebrate this miracle, the Jews established the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah.
Kissing someone at the stroke of midnight on January 1st is deeply rooted in superstition. While some say that kissing is to strengthen relationships with those close to you, others believe that the lack of a kiss will set the tone for the year, giving you bad luck in terms of romance.
hanukkah
DefininG holIdays
What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African heritage all over the world. It was created in the United States by pan-African activist Maulani Karenga in 1966 during the black power movement. Its name comes from the phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means “first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili.
What are the main philosophies of Kwanzaa? The holiday lasts seven days, from Dec 26 to Jan 1 every year. Each day is devoted one of seven principles of Kwanzaa: umoga (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective responsibility), ujamaa (collective economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). These ideals form the core of Kwanzaa celebrations.
a guide to everything you thought you knew
What are some additional traditions of Kwanzaa? Gift-giving, wearing traditional African clothing, music and dancing, and feasting are typical Kwanzaa activities. Other proceedings include sharing a libation cup, reflection on the colors of pan-Africanism and black history, and a reading of the African Pledge and Principles of Blackness. Kwanzaa emphasizes respect to both younger and older generations.
TEXT BY MADISON AMIDO, JENNA GIULIONI, KAREN HSUEH, HEATHER VAUGHAN & JORDAN XIAO PAGE & ILLUSTRATIONS BY SOPHIA ARRIOLA
What is a kinara? Perhaps the best known Kwanzaa tradition is the lighting of the kinara, which means “candle holder” in Swahili. Seven candles symbolizing the seven principles are placed in the kinara: three red, one black, and three green to represent African blood, the African race, and African land, respectively.
kwanzaa
new year’s eve
What’s the history of candy canes?
Candy canes originated in Germany around 250 years ago and initially were straight peppermint sticks. According to an old story, a choirmaster worried that children would become restless during church and gave them candy canes in the shape of a “J” similar to a shepherd’s crook.
Why do people kiss under mistletoe? In the 18th century around Christmastime, it was believed that if a young, unmarried woman remained un-kissed beneath mistletoe, she would not get married the next year. Mistletoe also symbolizes peace and joy, and Celtic Druids once believed that they had mystical powers in warding off evil spirits.
Why do we hang stockings? A story says that Saint Nicholas once helped women that couldn’t afford a dowry, the money that brides give grooms on their wedding day. These girls left their stockings to dry near their fireplace overnight and Saint Nicholas tossed gold coins down the chimney into the stockings for them.
Why do we decorate Christmas trees? Evergreen trees have always been a symbol of life continuing throughout winter. The tradition of decorating pine trees around Christmastime began in Germany in the sixteenth century. Merchants would decorate the trees to encourage people to attend Christmas fairs and buy goods. Soon, devout Christians brought the trees inside.
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Feature Tiger - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013
Feature
Out and About Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will be performed at A Noise Within Theatre in Pasadena through Sunday, December 22. Tickets begin at $59. Support local art and enjoy a special start to winter break. /Sarah Stukan
Student Reflection entries advance By Somi Jun Assoc. Feature Editor
Both paintbrushes and camera lenses worked to illustrate this year’s PTA Reflections theme, “Believe, Dream, Inspire.” Five of thirty-two South Pasadena High School students who submitted works to the contest were selected for their exceptional interpretation of this theme and have progressed to the district level for evaluations. The Reflections Arts Recognition Program, an annual national arts achievement contest, accepts submissions from students in preschool to twelfth grade in the categories of film production, dance choreography, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. Each artist approached the theme differently. Senior Hannah Gray’s visual art depicts an emergency kit full of magical knick-knacks, while senior Leah Zeiger’s dance choreography explores the spirStephanie Kim itual and physical hardships of recovering from an Seniors Alyssa Reyes and Leah Zeiger execute intricate choreography in Thursday night’s dance perabusive relationship. formance held in the auditorium. “Spectrum” was Tiger Dance Company’s first recital of the season. “My piece represents [the journey of my body and soul] by splitting into two – a video of myself playing behind me as I myself dance live on stage. My choreography is specific while overflowing with emotion,” Zeiger said. from start to finish. Sophomore Hugh Shin (music composition), cuted their moves. The display of meBy Kea Hudson “I think [the show] came togethjunior Andrew Shults (photography), and junior ticulous technique and perfected choStaff Writer Hannah Crowley (literature) will also advance to the reography set up the rest of the show er in a creative, artistic, personal, and innovative way, which is just how it district level. Sophomore Joshua Sunga received an for success. The dance program’s first rehonorable mention for visual art, and will be recogThe first half of the show fea- should be,” Zeiger said. “We showed cital of the year, “Spectrum,” featured nized at the March 2014 PTSA ceremony alongside a colorful variety of music genres, tured several technique-based rou- the transition from a colorless world the other winners. tines, allowing the dancers to show- to one full of breath and color.” dance styles, and costumes. The dancers had been preparing Nationally recognized students stand to win The performers included mem- case their individual talents through one of three awards: the Outstanding Interpretation bers of the advanced Tiger Dance basic ballet, jazz, and hip hop pieces. for the recital since the beginning of Award, which includes an $800 prize for one recipiCompany and program newcomers After a brief intermission, the per- the school year, and the performance ent in each category and $200 for the recipient’s PTA; from the Dance 1 team, who collabo- formers returned to the stage to put showcased the amount of hard work Awards of Excellence, which include $200 for the rerated to produce a creative and cohe- the basics to work. The second act that went into each piece. “The show was fun. I loved how cipient and are given to three students in each categoof the show consisted of various insive show yesterday at 7 p.m. ry; and Awards of Merit, which include a certificate The recital opened with the en- novative and original pieces the there were a bunch of different dance styles,” sophomore Gigi Dennis said. and medal for five students in each category. tire cast performing an ethereal ballet students choreographed. Notice of national recognition is typically disTiger Dance Company presi- “I like being on the dance team. We’re piece entitled “Arrival of the Birds.” tributed by the end of May, while Excellence and As rays of angelic light illuminated dent senior Leah Zeiger was a major all one big family and we’re all there Merit certificates are mailed at the end of July. the stage, the dancers skillfully exe- force behind putting the show together for each other.”
“Spectrum” is both technical and expressive
Personality Profile: Ruby Muller By Kea Hudson Staff Writer Senior Ruby Muller interrupted the first assembly of this school year by walking onstage, stealing the microphone, and proclaiming herself the “Captain of Girls’ Sports.” She bragged about the accomplishments of her fictitious team until the stage crew cut her microphone. “You should really be giving me a ‘player profile,’” Muller said. “You know me. I’ve always been a sports fanatic. I know a lot about athletics. Three strikes, you’re in the outfield. What’s your RBI? Mine’s 100%.” Despite nearly being a legal adult, Muller is practically a five-year-old—she refuses to say anything serious. When asked about her talents, she described her ability to swallow baby carrots whole. When asked about her favorite school subject, she mimicked vomiting noises.
Muller’s hilariously immature mannerisms reflect her passion for comedy. She has been an actress since first grade and been a part of every production that the drama department has produced since entering high school, including this year’s highly praised performance of Yellow. However, she sees this activity as more of a hobby than a potential career path. In addition to being a part of the elementary education program during the school year, Muller volunteered in a first grade classroom at Arroyo Vista Elementary School over the summer. She has plans to attend Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and eventually become an elementary school teacher. “One of the kids told me we were going to get married,” Muller said. “Then he bit me, kissed it, and told me, ‘I kissed your butt!’” If Muller’s greatest love
in the world is her fondness for children, her endearment for animals is a close second. She has been a devoted vegetarian for seven years and her household has been a habitat for an exotic collection of animals, including dogs, cats, beta fish, several tortoises, and a giant rabbit. On the surface, Muller is silly and childlike; she loves Kidz Bop and leprechauns, and tends to spill chocolate all over her chin when eating an ice cream cone. But underneath, she is a confident and independent student with a clear plan for her future. “Ruby’s easily the most interesting person I’ve ever met,” senior Devin Grab said. “She never fails to make anyone laugh, and she’s very comfortable in her own skin. She knows exactly who she is, which makes it very easy to be her friend. We’re as close as Hanna and Aria on Pretty Little Liars.”
Sophia Arriola
Senior Ruby Muller can sometimes be seen pushing a red wagon loaded with her two pet tortoises through Garfield Park.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 - Tiger
Feature
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Personality Profile: Nikolas Cachu By Kira Gabriel Staff Writer
Siria Medina
A slow shutter speed captures Nikolas Cachu focused on one of his creations. The senior has been recognized for his artistic feats.
Strangers might dismiss senior Nikolas Cachu as a solitary introvert. Close friends, however, would beg to differ, and describe him instead as both an altruist and sarcastic comic. Many would define him as a conundrum; he still believes he is unnoteworthy. “Isn’t being uninteresting interesting at the same time? Because you’re so uninteresting that you become interesting ‘cause you’re so bland,” Cachu said. Beneath a reserved and welldressed exterior, Cachu is one of the most down-to-earth and eclectic students at South Pasadena High School. Although he initially comes across as an unassuming, softspoken artist, Cachu has much more to his persona than is outwardly visible. Cachu’s most widely known trait is his talent in painting. He has completed three semesters at
Ryman Arts, a selective art program that teaches classical drawing to high school students based in Los Angeles. Last year, Cachu won the SPHS juried exhibition at the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Gallery. His winning submission was a selection from his A.P. Art concentration, themed around people and objects. Cachu has a unique approach to his art, just as he has a unique approach to viewing the world around him. “I’ll draw the negative shapes. I think about shadows, or negative space. In between the chairs, I see little shapes, like the spaces in between the desk or someone’s legs,” Cachu said. However, even though his interest and his future lie with art, Cachu refuses to identify with the title “artist.” “I hate the term artist because it’s so pretentious. I don’t take myself too seriously, but I’m still serious about being successful
To get to the Balian House:
1. Take the I-210 Freeway east. 2. Exit on Hill Ave. 3. Turn left onto Allen Ave. 4. Turn right onto Mendocino Lane. By Rhian Moore, Heather Vaughan, and Jenny Wang Tiger Staff Having conversations at Cha for Tea are a typical activity for teenagers in need of reasonably priced food and drinks. The convenient location, delicious boba milk teas, and comfortable atmosphere make it well-suited for social outings. However, this past weekend, something separated this trip from our traditional Cha runs: 100,000 twinkling lights, four spontaneous carolers, and one huge mansion. We drove to the city of Altadena in search of one of the most impressive displays of Christmas spirit. Everyone has heard of Christmas Tree Lane, but we sought a more unique location: the Balian House. The mansion belongs
to ice cream magnate George Balian, whose family has been decorating the home with Christmas lights since 1955. Although there were many cars and passersby milling about on the streets and sidewalks, we were able to find parking easily and make our way to the mansion. A remark we had heard previously — “it’s like Christmas threw up on this house” — proved itself extremely accurate. The entire exterior of the house, as well as the lawn surrounding it, was decked out in lights and displays. Strings of Christmas lights stretched from the roof to the ground below. The front lawn featured brightly lit depictions of Santa with his reindeer and the Nativity scene, while the lion statues guarding the front walkway sported evergreen wreaths for manes. Balian House has become such a well-known scene that it has attracted both business and entertainment. Past years have seen photo opportunities with Santa Claus, free hot chocolate, and cheerful Christmas carolers. While we were there, we listened to a group of women who spontaneously broke into song and filled the air with the melodies of “Feliz Navidad” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” while encouraging other passersby to carol along. Vendors stood on sidewalks near the mansion, selling glow-in-the-dark sticks to eager
in my artistic career,” Cachu said. Cachu plans to attend art school after graduation, but beyond that, he is just as undecided as a typical senior. “I don’t need to figure it out yet; I’ll figure it out eventually. [I want to do] something I like doing. Something that doesn’t feel like a job,” Cachu said. Aside from his artistic ability, Cachu refuses to be pigeonholed into one category of person. He is a paradox of sorts: Cachu doesn’t fake who he is, yet certainly isn’t outspoken about his accomplishments or traits. More kind in his actions than his words, Cachu would never ostentatiously compliment someone, but is the first to offer his jacket if someone is shivering. “What’s so interesting about [Cachu] is his mysteriousness,” senior Paige Valentine said. “He makes everything about him seem effortless. Who rolls out of bed and looks that cool and nonchalant?”
The Wolf of Wall Street is memorable and outrageous By Joey Shapiro Staff Writer 4.5/5
Rachael Garner
children and excited tourists. Our search for Christmas lights left us satisfied unexpectedly early, and we had an hour or two to spare. It was just one house, after all, and even walking slowly down a block didn’t take us more than fifteen or twenty minutes. Thus we concluded our evening at Cha for Tea, where we settled into our familiar booth and ordered a variety of drinks. Cha may not be the fanciest place around, but it is the closest shop with quality boba and caters to high school students by offering a free upgrade to a large drink to those with their student I.D. cards. It was something old to complement our something new, and certainly symbolic of the traditions and novelties that come with each holiday season.
The Wolf of Wall Street is essentially a loud, flashy, and unfathomably vulgar film populated by a wide variety of repulsive and narcissistic characters. In the hands of a lesser director, it could have easily ended up unpleasant and unwatchable. However, thanks to acclaimed director Martin Scorsese’s clever satirical touch and a witty script that surprises at every turn, Wall Street is a wild, uninhibited thrill ride of a movie that’s difficult to forget. The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), a man who went from struggling to pay his bills to one of the most wealthy, immoral, and corrupt stockbrokers in the country. As he leads an increasingly reckless and dishonest life, Belfort quickly transforms from a law-abiding citizen into an uncaring white-collar criminal. Leonardo DiCaprio may have finally clinched an Oscar-winning performance in his role as Jordan Belfort. Although his character is far too selfish to be likeable, DiCaprio’s spirited performance makes Jordan endlessly fascinating in his depravity. Jonah Hill gives an equally impressive performance as Donnie, Belfort’s best friend and the co-founder of his firm. Hill’s loud-mouthed and often inconsiderate behavior as Donnie makes for some of the funniest scenes in the film. Although the majority of the storyline is far from light-hearted, the characters’ wildly irresponsible actions are often played for laughs. Bawdy and politically incorrect humor pervades the movie, with countless outlandish situations ranging from a dwarf-throwing contest at an office party to Belfort trying to land a helicopter under the influence of drugs. Clocking in at over two and a half hours, Wall Street is enthralling, but far from concise, and borders on being too lengthy. Several scenes could have been cut to shorten the running time, including one that involves Belfort getting into a dispute with a butler over a missing sum of $50,000 This event is entertaining, but irrelevant to the story as a whole. For all of its political incorrectness and vulgarity, The Wolf of Wall Street is just as much a sharp and intelligent satire as it is a raunchy comedy, and the movie’s daunting length is more than made up for by its boundless energy and hilarity.
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TIGER - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013
Feature
Illustrations by Annie Lu
Saving Mr. Banks is an enchanting Disney production By Brandon Kim Staff Writer 4/5
While the original 1964 film Mary Poppins was met with great critical acclaim, the story of its production had been left untold until now. Saving Mr. Banks follows the behind-the-scenes story of the tug of war between an author who wanted an accurate representation of her book and an animation mogul whose dream was to create a film overflowing with imagination and whimsy. The movie is presented through two intertwined storylines. The first is set in Queensland, Australia and documents the childhood of Helen
Goff (Emma Thompson), who wrote Mary Poppins under the pen name P.L. Travers. Helen develops a loving relationship with her father (Colin Farrell), but her family is torn apart as he succumbs to alcoholism and becomes increasingly distant. A simultaneous storyline takes place in Los Angeles as Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) attempts to create a movie adaptation of the book with Travers’s blessing. To achieve this goal, Disney has to meet her many demands. His crew is faced with much unexpected resistance from Travers, who does not want any singing, animation, or flashy backdrops, but tries to mollify the author so that it can persuade her to sign off the rights to her characters. As time passes, Disney goes to greater lengths to
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Saving Mr. Banks, starring Tom Hanks, recounts Walt Disney’s ambition to bring Mary Poppins to the silver screen.
convince the author of the merits of his film adaptation methods. The chemistry between Thompson and Hanks is spellbinding as the personality of the high-strung author contrasts with that of the energetic filmmaker. As the film progresses, these two seemingly polar opposite characters find more in common with each other than either one first realized. Thompson does a remarkable job portraying the idealistic author, who transforms from mulish and disagreeable to friendly and warm. Meanwhile, Hanks is excellent at masking his character’s struggling past with a boundlessly optimistic demeanor. The parallel relationship between Farrell and Annie Rose Buckley, who plays young Travers, is just as significant. Farrell portrays a character who conceals painful poverty and alcoholism under the guise of happiness, while Buckley dutifully plays the faithful daughter who idolizes her father but is painfully aware of his vices. Perhaps the film’s only fault is its connection with a relatively narrow audience. Younger moviegoers may find the film dry due to its lack of action scenes or visual effects. Even with this in mind, Saving Mr. Banks’s pleasant tone and satisfying storyline creates a heartfelt piece of entertainment. Saving Mr. Banks manages to weave two seemingly unrelated stories into one fluid film filled with dynamic characters. The moving story of a pair of passionate creators has the same magical and heartwarming effect as a trip to Disneyland itself.
Instrumental music concert features diverse repertorie By Jordan Xiao Staff Writer Marching band traded in its wellworn field gear for concert attire to perform in the instrumental music department’s annual Winter Concert. Friends, family, and alumni of South Pasadena High School gathered in the main auditorium on Thursday, December 12 for an evening of music spanning genres from holiday to jazz. The event began promptly at 7 p.m. with “Sound of Bells” performed by concert band. The stage was turned over to symphonic band after a brief marching piece, which started off with “March of the Toys” from Victor Herbert’s 1903 operetta Babes in Toyland. Larry Clark’s Cartoon Symphony then flooded the auditorium with familiar and whimsical tunes from famous television cartoons, including themes from The Pink Panther, The Simpsons, and Looney Tunes. Audience members then diverted their attention to the front of the stage as jazz band took over the concert. The energy of the musicians was clearly felt in the music as the ensemble played its pieces, which included a spirited rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Harlem Airshaft.” After a brief intermission, the or-
chestra settled onto stage for the remainder of the evening. Easily recognizable selections from Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic The Nutcracker Suite were executed spectacularly by the string instrumentalists, who were conducted by band director Mr. Howard Crawford. The most interesting piece of the evening was undoubtedly Robert Smith’s “In a Gentle Rain,” which featured a solo from senior Samuel Chen. Finger-snapping and rainmakers simulated the sounds of a light spring shower to complement the soothing melodies from the violins. The one-and-a-half hour concert concluded with orchestra’s performance of “Jupiter: Bringer of Jollity,” a grand piece to round off the night’s varied musical selections. “The kids have done a great job tonight, especially the band members who put this concert together so quickly after a long marching season,” Crawford said. Band’s competition season ended immediately before Thanksgiving, leaving it only a few weeks to prepare for the concert. “Last minute rehearsing is typical this time of year, but in the end our concerts always turn out well,” sophomore Matthew Cheung said.
Additional Pieces Performed Block M Concert March of Band (Jerry H. Bilik) Get Out and Stay Out! (Ian McDougall) Freddie Freeloader (arranged by Frank Mantooth) Don’t Git Sassy (Thad Jones) Hadyn’s Symphony No. 88 Finale - Abridged (arranged by Merle J. Isaac)
Feature
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bEEdEEgEE Sum/One 3/5 Genre: Electronic Best Track: “Flowers ft. Lovefoxx” A concise nine tracks, the album is mainly electronic with a good amount of vocal music and synthesizer sounds. Additionally, bEEdEEgEE skillfully incorporates unique pop elements.
Holiday Releases
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Leona Lewis - Christmas, With Love 3.5/5 Best Track: “Mr. Right” This retro Christmas album features Leona Lewis’ signature falsetto and soulful renditions of yuletide favorites. Lewis co-wrote three tracks, including jubilant album opener “One More Sleep.”
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 - Tiger
Sounds of December Text by Karen Hsueh & Sarah Stukan
Albums Unveiled this Month
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Kelly Clarkson - Wrapped in Red 4/5 Best Track: “Underneath the Tree” Kelly Clarkson combines her powerful voice with bright, traditional holiday melodies. The lineup of music is a diverse mix of genres, pleasing fans of pop, jazz, country, and soul.
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Beyoncé – Beyoncé 4.5/5 Genre: R&B, Soul, Pop Best Track: “XO” Released free of advanced warning or promotion, this self-titled album is Beyoncé’s most experimental and cohesive work to date. The “visual album” contains 17 corresponding music videos and features guest vocals and raps from Pharrell Williams, Frank Ocean, Jay Z, and Drake.
Daughtry - Baptized 4/5 Genre: Alternative Rock Best Track: “Waiting for Superman” After two years, Daughtry’s overall sound is significantly more mainstream than that of his previous three albums. Fans may be used to lead vocalist Chris Daughtry’s regretful and nostalgic ballads; however, listening to a more upbeat Daughtry is a refreshing change.
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Sports
Tiger - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013
Logan Wong By Remeny White Online Managing Editor
Stephanie Kim
Wong is the Tigers’ main offensive threat.
Senior Logan Wong’s infectious smile and 5’6” frame do not suggest his competitive nature on the basketball court. His unparalleled speed and agility, however, have made him a powerhouse since he drained his first bucket in kindergarten. “I was always considered the underdog in games because of my height,” Wong said. “I had to consistently use my skills
to prove to the other players that I had game.” Wong’s older brother, Tyler, served as his inspiration to pick up the sport ten years ago. He has since honed his skills as a point guard and learned to be aggressive on the defensive end, making him a vital addition to the Tiger squad. “I’ve played with [Wong] for two years now, and he’s a great teammate on and off the court,” sophomore Alex Nakagawa said. “His style of play is ‘quietly aggressive,’ kind of like a ninja.”
This year’s South Pas squad, boasting a new coach and a talented batch of varsity players, looks to win the Rio Hondo League title and make a run in CIF playoffs. As one of only three remaining seniors, Wong has assumed a leadership role on the team and guides the players through 5:30 a.m. basketball training and conditioning. “Bank Street is the worst street ever,” Wong said of the infamous hill. When he isn’t playing bas-
ketball, Wong dedicates his time to the SPHS Elementary Education program and has volunteered multiple times as a counselor for Outdoor Science School. Although Wong does not plan to pursue basketball in college, he is grateful for all the time he has spent on the court. “I love the connections and friendships I make playing the game,” Wong said. “I still talk with people I played with when I first started out in kindergarten. That’s what I’ll miss the most.”
Kelly Brady By Andrew Shults Associate Sports Editor At the age of eight, a young Kelly Brady traded in her pointe shoes for a pair of soccer cleats in hope of finding the competition and camaraderie lacking in ballet. Though her dance days may be over, her soccer career has just blossomed as the senior has committed to Division I Pepperdine University on a 40% scholarship. “No one in my family had played soccer before, yet they decided to sign me up. I guess they made the right decision,” Brady said. Brady dominated as a forward since she first entered high school, playing as a striker on varsity for three
years. She quickly attracted the attention of college scouts by earning the title of lead scorer of the Rio Hondo League her sophomore and junior seasons, tallying 18 and 15 goals, respectively. Her excellence on the field has earned her a spot on the Division I girls’ soccer team roster at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She also received offers from Amherst College and other small schools, but ultimately decided to become a Pepperdine Wave. “I decided to choose Pepperdine over my other college offers because the campus is beautiful,” Brady said. “It is a private school and it is closer to home.” Brady balances her time be-
tween practices on the soccer pitch and shifts as a bagger at Ralphs to earn extra money on the side. She also enjoys music, movies and spending time with friends. “I think the job gives me more responsibility and improved time management skills seeing as I have to juggle employment, school, and soccer,” Brady said. Although the girls have had a rough beginning to the 2013-14 season, Brady is lead scorer once again and continues to spearhead the Tigers’ attack. “I have played soccer for almost ten years,” Kelly said. “I want to go to a college where I get a good education and continue playing the sport I love.”
Theo Mandin-Lee
Siria Medina
Brady has led the South Pasadena soccer squad offense for four years. The senior has committed to Pepperdine University.
McGrail leaving after nine years at helm of XC program By Andrew Shults Associate Sports Editor After nine years at the helm of the South Pasadena High School cross country squad, head coach Patrick McGrail has decided to end his career with the Tigers. McGrail cited an increasingly busy schedule as the main reason for his resignation. “It has gotten harder for me to devote enough time to the team,” McGrail said. “It was a full time job.” McGrail’s notoriously trying practices were held at 5:45 a.m. every weekday and 7 a.m. on Saturdays throughout the summer, and 3 to 5 p.m. during the school year. McGrail stated that he would like to remain involved with South Pas cross country and has talked to various coaches who are interested in the head coach position. He also said that he would be happy to take on the role of assistant coach. Arguably the most successful coach at SPHS, McGrail has led the program to 24 Rio Hondo League titles across all divisions during his nine years in charge. McGrail believed that everyone should be given a chance and refused to cut anyone as long as they showed commitment to the team. He attributed this gesture, not found in many of the school’s sports programs, to his high school experience as a cross country runner, during which he was the one of the slowest athletes on the team but was still allowed to participate. McGrail’s proudest moment as head coach was in 2010, when the program earned a sweep of all divisions for league title. He felt
that this achievement was the embodiment of his coaching philosophy. “It didn’t matter whether you were varsity or JV, boy or girl, fast or slow, everyone was a part of a league champion team,” McGrail said. His decision to leave the program surprised many of his cross country runners but they were grateful for his contributions over the past few years. “He didn’t just build us to be athletes; he taught us to be the best people we could be,” senior Victor Hidalgo said. “There’s not much more you can say about the man who created the South Pas XC dynasty and maintained the program’s title of league champ for years.”
Siria Medina
Patrick McGrail has decided to step down as the cross country coach after nine years in charge.
Sports
Friday, December 20, 2013 - Tiger
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Wrestling demonstrates impressive growth in final tourney of 2013 By Jordan Xiao Staff Writer The hard work that the South Pasadena’s wrestling squad had invested these past months paid off last weekend at the Edison Beach Bash Tournament despite the team having only ten representatives total. South Pasadena High School made huge improvements from its first tournament the previous weekend, placing four wrestlers in the top eight per weight bracket and earning 21st place out of 42 competing schools. “We still have lots of bugs to work out; some things were doing right, but we’re also making errors in places we shouldn’t,” head coach Al Shuton said. “This weekend will give us a better look at how we’re progressing.” Sophomore Emiliano Sornoso was knocked out of the main rounds early, but fought his way past numerous competitors in the runoff rounds to take seventh place.
Junior Harry Yun and senior Charlie Barrone fared the best of the Tigers at the tournament, earning sixth and fifth place respectively. Yun was defeated in the semifinals round by his class’ eventual first place winner, while Barrone took fifth right under the Woodbridge wrestler who defeated him in the main round. The Edison HS tournament marked significant improvement from last week’s competition at Newbury Park, where SPHS placed second-to-last out of 28. Though they suffered the same handicaps this weekend, the Tigers pulled through to earn almost five times as many team points at the Edison tournament. League season for the wrestling squad does not begin until January, with the first dual meet against Monrovia on January 9. To prepare, the Tigers will attend a tournament every weekend until then. The Viking Invitational is next for South Pas as the Tigers will compete at Downey HS from December 20 to 21.
Matt Winkel
Junior Samuel Benzoni practices for Saturday’s tournament at Downey High School. The Tigers are expected to be strong challengers for the Rio Hondo title.
Boys’ soccer undefeated; eyes set on league By Jason Wang By Asa Silverman Staff Writer There appears to be no stopping the South Pasadena boys’ varisty soccer squad as the Tigers extended their win streak to six games after a 3-1 victory over Polytechnic yesterday afternoon. With the start of the Rio Hondo League a month away, the Tigers have sent a clear message to their opponents by conceding a mere six goals in 2013 while finding the back of the net an impressive 25 times. The Tigers were without seven players due to injury and sickness and knew they would have a tough game against a traditionally competitive Panther squad. Additionally, the Tigers were unable to start sweeper Oscar Jaime III, due to a red card the junior picked up in the squad’s previous game against Alhambra. Despite the lack of numbers in the squad, the Tigers ran rampant in the first half and senior striker Heven Gomez slotted past the keeper in the first five minutes to give South Pas the lead. “We started off really strong, but need to work on not shutting off in the second half,” sophomore Andrew Gregory said. “Overall we had a great game and
handed out to both teams. can’t wait for the season to begin.” The Panthers’ offensive pressure Gomez wasn’t finished as the senior scored his second goal of the night off an finally paid off and Polytechnic pulled a outstanding through ball from Gregory goal back late in the game from a closewhich Gomez proceeded to chip over the range shot just outside the six-yard box. “Despite injuries and suspendefenseless Panther goalkeeper. The Tigers held a 2-0 lead throughout most of sions, we fought hard and secured the the first half and South Pasadena keeper result, with the help of an outstandMiguel Nila was tested once from a weak ing performance from Heven Gomez,” Dunn said. shot from outside the eighteen-yard box. The Tigers added a third goal after senior captain Zach Dunn played a quality ball across the penalty box which Gomez easily tapped into the back of the net. After the second half began, the Tigers’ level of play noticeably dropped. The Tigers were unable to pass with their usual flair and the Panthers attacked the Tigers’ defense. Midway through the second half, juniors Ramon Guiterez and Jordan Jackmon both had threatening shots which flew just wide of the goal. As the game progressed, both sides began to get frustrated which led to a Polytechnic player losing his composure, threatening Dunn and almost beginning a fight. Matt Winkel From then on, the game spiraled out of Senior Heven Gomez scores his second control as multiple yellow cards were goal of the game against Polytechnic.
Girls basketball off to flying start cember 9-14, placing third overall. The momentum garnered from the tournament carried the Tigers through their first nonThe South Pasadena High School tournament preseason win on December girls’ basketball team demonstrated its 17 against Flintridge Prep. The Rebels could not match South strengths as well as its weaknesses during the Pasadena Poly Tournament on De- Pasadena’s dominance as the Tigers captured a 59-51 win on Tuesday. The Tigers maintained a solid 30-22 lead at the half and though the Rebels battled well in the second half, the South Pas was able to match their score; both teams scored 29 points to give South Pas the victory. “I think the girls have been working and playing hard,” head coach Tammy Lai said. “Even though we have four returning starters, it’s still early so we are trying to find our rhythm as a team. Our focus for the next couple of weeks is to work on being more consistent on both ends of the court.” The Tigers maintained the same pattern of consistency in the Pasadena Matt Winkel Poly tournament as they did in the Junior Lexie Scholtz gets off a shot past two defenders late in the third quarter. San Marino tournament two weeks earlier, winning the first two games beBy Andrew Shults Staff Writer
fore dropping their third and settling with a third place finish. For the third-place game against Holy Martyrs Armenian High School, South Pasadena earned a 13-10 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers quickly found their rhythm and dominated the rest of the game, scoring 44 points to the Armens’ 10, and ending the game with an impressive score of 57-21. Pasadena Poly got revenge for last year’s championship loss against South Pasadena by defeating South Pas 42-36 on the December 17. The girls squeezed out a two-point lead after the first half, but could not stop a late game surge by the Panthers, who managed to take a six-point lead, and steal the win away from South Pasadena. The Tigers were victorious their first two games against Marshall and Highland with scores of 50-23, and 68-55 respectively. Standout players included juniors Lexie Scholtz, who scored 56 points over the course of the tournament, and Elise Takahama, who had 43 points. “There is a lot of raw talent,” senior Caitlin Chan said. “We have big goals for this year.”
Girls’ soccer still searching for a win By Leo Parker IV Copy Editor The South Pasadena girls’ varsity soccer team is still trying to find its feet as the Tigers enter the two-week winter break. With a record of 0-8, the girls’ team is still adjusting to new head coach Rob Gallo’s system of coaching and searching for that elusive first victory. The Tigers played the Schurr Spartans on Thursday, December 19 at home. At game time, a light drizzle of rain forced both teams to adjust to the slippery pitch. Early in the first half, the Spartan left winger broke past the Tigers’ defense and sent a ball across the goal, slipping past the South Pas center backs to a wide open Schurr player. The Spartan striker easily tapped the ball into the net to give Schurr a 1-0 advantage. The second half proved to be more productive for the Tigers as junior Jazmin Jackson and senior Kelly Brady whipped in multiple good crosses into the Spartan box, but the equalizer couldn’t be found. After 80 minutes of play, the ref blew the final whistle to frustrate the Tigers’ squad who ended 2013 without a win. “We owned the game, but just couldn’t get the goal we wanted,” senior captain Emily Figueroa said. “I believe in these girls and especially after today, I know we can do it.” The squad traveled to face off against a tough Pasadena Polytechnic force on December 13. The Panthers came out strong, utilizing clever wing play and overwhelmed the Tigers’ defense. South Pas had difficulties pushing the ball up from its midfield to the strikers, and were limited in front of the Poly goal. The Panthers continued to attack and clinched a 4-0 victory. “We definitely could’ve beaten them, but we weren’t focused,” senior Alexis Velasco said. “But we’re playing better now and forging chemistry as a team.” After the holiday break, the girls’ squad resumes preseason versus San Gabriel on January 7, and then enters Rio Hondo League play with a match against Temple City on January 17. “I believe we are going to continue to get better,” Figueroa said. “The whole thing is a process.”
12/19 SPHS v. Schurr 1-0 L
12/10 12/13 SPHS v. SPHS v. Flintridge Poly 3-1 L 4-0 L
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Tiger - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013
Sports
Sports
Upcoming sports events Today: Boys’ Basketball @ Polytechnic @ 7:00 P.M. Tomorrow: Wrestling @ Downey High School Tuesday 1/14: Water polo vs. La Cañada @ 3:30 P.M.
Winless and Worried By Clem Witherall and Leo Parker Tiger Staff
Sophia Arriola
Senior Hannah Gray looks to score against Burbank High School on December 10. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 17-6.
Water polo looks for league champs repeat By Heather Vaughan Senior Staff Writer The South Pasadena girls’ water polo team is consistently one of the most successful teams on campus, and this year is no exception. With an experienced team and a 2-0 preseason record, the squad is confident that the 2013-14 season will exceed expectations. The team placed ninth in the Ayala Tournament last weekend from December 12-14, emerging victorious in four out of its five games. Although an early 13-5 loss against Upland High School put South Pas at a disadvantage, the Tigers quickly rebounded to crush their next opponent, Walnut High, in a steep 13-4 victory. The girls claimed their second victory over Rancho Cucamonga High School, beating the Cougars 16-3 while displaying consistently strong defense; seniors Grace Algeo and Liza Echeverria each collected four steals in the game.
The Tigers’ matchup against Vista Murrietta was possibly the most impressive, but also the largest indicator of the team’s weaknesses. Senior Hannah Gray led the 14-2 victory with five points for the Tigers, while seniors Devin Grab and Echeverria put away five and four, respectively. Although the defense amongst the experienced players was impressive, other team members struggled. The Tigers lacked composure at times and accumulated a total of thirteen ejections. South Pasadena exacted revenge in their final match against Sunny Hills High School as the Tigers won 14-6 after losing to the Lancers in a tournament last season. The Tigers other preseason games have been as impressive as their tournament play. The team’s 13-11 victory against St. Lucy’s Priory on Monday, November 25 marked the first time that the Tigers have ever beaten the Regents. Consistent energy and a standout performance from senior goalkeeper Tabitha
Genato ensured the win. The Tigers also emerged victorious from their matchup against Burbank High School on December 10, capturing an impressive 17-6 ovictory over the Bulldogs. Echeverria carried the team throughout the first half, scoring six goals with contributions from seniors Danielle Krieger and Gray. “We still need to work on communication, but that game was an improvement,” Echeverria said. The Tigers will continue to train during the winter break and will open league with a home game against La Cañada on January 14.
12/14 SPHS v. Vista Murrietta HS 14-2 W
12/14 SPHS v. Sunny Hills HS 14-6 W
Basketball inconsistent in pre-season By Julian Prime Staff Writer The South Pasadena High School boys’ varsity basketball team traveled to Glendora High School to participate in another tourna-
Stephanie Kim
Sophomore Alex Nakagawa hits a three-pointer during practice.
ment last weekend and split their four games 2-2. Although there were many bright moments for the Tigers in their early games, the boys failed to maintain consistent play as the tourney progressed. The Tigers opened the tournament with a dominant 55-25 victory over the Charter Oak Chargers. The boys then pulled a major upset by defeating the host Glendora Tartans 54-45 to earn their second win of the tournament. The Tigers were led by junior Joey Toyama on offense and the squad maintained relentless defense to force the Tartans to perimeter shooting. “I think we have had a pretty good season so far,” Toyama said. “We’re only getting better and we’re really young so our chemistry will only improve.” However, the Tigers failed to earn their spot in the championship game after suffering a brutal semi-final defeat against Burbank High School. The Bulldogs shut down South Pas’ offense, forcing them to accept a 54-42 loss. South Pasadena rounded out the tournament with a blowout defeat to Walnut High School by a score of 81-38. The nine-man
South Pas squad lacked energy and quickly lost a foothold in the game. The Tigers have rested the past week and look forward to upcoming games against Polytechnic and La Salle High School. The first game against a powerful Polytechnic squad will prove to be a challenge for the Tigers, but the players are confidient that it will not be an insurmountable one. “The game will be a great test for our team,” senior Logan Wong said. “We are coming off of two straight losses and are looking to bounce back and get a win tonight. We are a young team with only three seniors but we are prepared for anything that Polytechnic has for us on the defensive and offensive ends of the court.” After the break, the Tigers open league season on January 15 at La Cañada High School.
12/11 SPHS v. Glendora 54-45 W
12/14 12/12 SPHS v. SPHS v. Burbank Burbank 54-42 W 81-38 L
One of the school’s flagship sports programs appears to be sinking fast. The girls’ soccer squad is off to the program’s worst start in recent years and frustration is mounting among the players. So who is to blame for the team’s 0-8 record? Probably not the athletes as many were part of last season’s successful squad and several Tigers are headed to NCAA Division I collegiate soccer programs. New coach Rob Gallo has been on the job for barely a month and can’t be blamed for the slow start. The turmoil can be traced to Gallo’s late appointment to his role. Former head coach Eva Dixon notified Athletic Director Mark Zalin two months before the 2013-14 season that she would leave her position as she prepared to become an attorney. Dixon volunteered her time during the early part of the school year to hold pre-season training for the girls. A month before the season officially opened, the girls remained without a coach. Some senior girls organized informal practices for a couple of weeks, knowing that their competition was putting the final touches on a structured pre-season program. The confusion was halted two weeks before the squad’s first game, when it was announced that Gallo would take over the program. Questions have come up on why Gallo was given only 14 days to hold tryouts, learn his players’ names and prepare for the first game. Imagine the backlash if the school’s football team was without a head coach two weeks before its first game. Zalin insists the process was performed as quickly as possible. He noted that there are formal district procedures to follow for posting a position and interviewing before a hire could be made. “I’m sorry for the rough transition,” Zalin said. “It’s just the time of the year and I wish I could have made it easier if I had the power to do so.” Zalin also says he’s hopeful for the team despite its record. “I know many people just look at the wins and losses, but I look for the subtle things and so far I am very pleased,” Zalin said. “You have to be patient and give the transition some time.” Rio Hondo League play doesn’t begin until January, but the losses have piled up and some of the players, particularly the seniors, know that their high school careers are quickly coming to an end. Girls soccer has built a proud tradition of winning at SPHS and the team will eventually return to its victorious ways. Whether it will happen in time to salvage this season remains to be seen.
[inside] Read about boys’ soccer and the squad’s sixgame win streak. Matt Winkel
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