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VOLUME 105 ISSUE 3 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
IN THE NEWS
SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030
Fall Play
Suicide Prevention
Winter sports
The Laramie Project opens tonight, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in the SPHS auditorium.
The South Pas Public Library will host a suicide prevention program on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Boys’ basketball will kick off their season with a game against Glendale on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Elections: ‘No’ on Measure N
STORY ADAM KWOH PHOTO SOPHIE YEUNG
T
he South Pasadena City Council celebrated the overwhelming “no” to the repeal of the Utility Users Tax (UUT), as well as the re-election of the District 4 and 5 councilmembers in their meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7. These results followed the Nov. 6 mid-term elections, where residents voted on issues ranging from city services to local politicians. The review of the preliminary election results released by the Los Angeles County Registrar saw the downfall of Measure N with the South Pasadena community rallying to secure six thousand votes against the proposition. The passage of Measure N would have seen the repeal of the UUT, resulting in $3.4 million being cut from the city’s annual budget. The council developed a financial plan in preparation of the possible passage of Measure N, which would have included the layoffs of 12 public safety employees, a reduction of $1 million a year for street repairs, and increased library closure. The reduction of public safety members, such as police officers, would have set South Pas below the national average of 1.75 officers per one thousand residents.
Both South Pas councilmembers and residents have been combatting the proposition in the coming months before the November ballot, believing that the repeal of the UUT would degrade the quality of the services available to the entire community. The council credited much of the effort in the failed repeal to the Measure N committee and the residents who fought to keep the city’s services intact. “I want to thank the residents for their strong support of the continuation of the Utility Users Tax,” returning District 5 councilmember Diana Mahmud said. “We are going to continue to keep looking for ways to make your precious tax dollars stretch further.” Long time District 4 incumbent Michael Cacciotti retained his position with 72.2 percent of votes, despite being opposed by newcomer Eric Brady. District 5 councilmember Diana Mahmud was also re-elected to serve, while Evelyn Zneimer and Gary Pia ran unopposed for City Clerk and City Treasurer, respectively. Additionally, the council reviewed the election results for the school board. Newcomers Dr. Ruby Kalra and Zahir Robb, as well as returning incumbent Dr. Michele Kipke, secured the three open positions on the school board displacing board member Julie Guilioni. The election results will consider mail-in ballots before being certified and reviewed in the city council’s next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
CIF WATCH
VOTING AGE
@VEGAMELON
Following the events of the mid-term, this issue’s Pro/Con explores the possibility of lowering the voting age to 16.
Elene Wu’s commitment to vegan foods goes beyond her offline ethics, extending to her vibrant Instragram account.
Staff writer Cat Flores unpacks the CIF action for fall sports, including girls’ tennis’ trip to the CIF Southern Section quarterfinals.
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TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM
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TIGER NOVEMBER 9, 2018
NEWS
SOUTH PAS CITY COUNCIL South Pas Districts 4 and 5 voted for their city council representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 6, marking the pioneer year of district-based city council elections. The new system was introduced when attorney Kevin Shenkman accused South Pas’ city-wide elections of violating the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) in July 2017. The CVRA seeks to increase the impact of minority votes, which often become insignificant in large, city-wide elections. In response, the city adopted Ordinance No. 2318 the following October, dividing the city into five districts based on communities of interest. Only those currently residing in the voting districts are eligible to partake in the election. The incumbent councilmembers will maintain their positions and continue to represent the broader South Pas community until 2020, when Districts 1, 2, and 3 will vote for their candidates.
Diana Mahmud Returning District 5 Councilmember Diana Mahmud became the eighth woman to serve on South Pasadena’s city council when she was first elected in 2015. Mahmud has been an advocate for further representation of women in South Pasadena politics through her former position as co-president of Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Action (WISPPA). As a previous public works lawyer for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Mahmud is also an adamant spokesperson for environmental improvement in South Pasadena as Chair of the Water Council and a member of the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission. Mahmud hopes to continue combatting environmental threats, such as climate change, by increasing South Pas’ default energy to a 100 percent renewable option. With her long history of environmental involvement, the councilmember hopes to focus on the rising housing rent rate by looking into an inclusionary housing ordinance; encouraging renters to include low income housing in new residential developments.
Michael Cacciotti Michael Cacciotti’s 16-year-run on the South Pasadena City Council will continue another four years as the returning District 4 councilmember. Cacciotti has continually aimed to improve South Pas’ environment ever since his first term in 2001, when he joined the city council in order to prevent the selling of Arroyo Seco’s four acre land. Through efforts both in and out of council, Cacciotti managed to turn that property into what is now the Arroyo Seco Wildlife and Woodland Park. The councilmember’s initiative in obtaining funding for South Pasadena public parks also allowed him to name Garfield Park as the first municipal park in the United States to be maintained entirely by greenhouse gas-free electric equipment in 2015. Most recently, Cacciotti unveiled the Arroyo Seco Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail and has encouraged all South Pasadena residents to take bike riding classes, as an adamant biker himself. Cacciotti’s passion for environmental preservation continues to motivate him today to encourage purchasing of turf to promote water conservation.
ELECTIONS
STORY ADAM KWOH, NICOLAS LIU, & RAYMOND YEO PHOTOS COURTESY OF COUNCIL AND BOARD MEMBERS ILLUSTRATIONS MADDIE YOO PAGE DESIGN KATE ROGERS & ELAINE YANG
SCHOOL BOARD The close 2018 South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) board election resulted in a victory for two newcomers. The margin between the top four candidates was slim, with fewer than four hundred votes separating all them. Ruby Kalra and Zahir Robb, both first-time school board candidates, won their seats on the school board with the first and second highest voting percentages respectively, joining incumbent Michele Kipke who was re-elected. Julie Giulioni, who missed re-election by 0.45 percent of the vote, will not be returning for a second term. Incumbent Elizabeth Eilers, who has been on the board for 13 years, chose not to pursue another four year term, which opened the third spot. The new board will be tasked with overseeing the five SPUSD California Distinguished schools. In recent years, the progressive mindset of South Pas has prompted the implementation of dual language immersion as well as increased academic pathways in the computer science, engineering, and performing arts.
Michele Kipke Returning board member Dr. Michele Kipke has served on the school board for nearly 10 years and acted as board president from 2010-2011 and 20142015. Kipke served on the PTA before joining the board. She is currently a Professor of Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine and Vice Chair of Research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and continues to work towards the healthy development of individuals with autism and similar developmental disabilities. Kipke plans to use this experience as liaison to the PTA’s special needs committee, and plans to devote her new term to better utilizing district funding and reducing student achievement gaps.
Ruby Kalra Dr. Ruby Kalra brings to the board her numerous years of experience in South Pas. She has served as president of the SPMS Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and SPEF, and her three children are currently attending or have graduated from SPHS. Kalra’s background as a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, gives her the ability to assess not only the mental and academic, but also the medical needs of her young patients, which she promises to apply in her first board term. In the individual schools themselves, Kalra seeks to update school safety drills and expand the availability of mental health resources. Kalra also wishes to improve community communication and involvement, as well as board member collaboration in all board affairs.
Zahir Robb Newcomer Zahir Robb is no stranger to SPUSD and the larger South Pas community. Born and raised in South Pasadena, Robb is an alumnus of Monterey Hills, SPMS, and SPHS, and two of his three children are currently in the district. Robb serves as ViceChair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Neighborhood Watch Block Captain, and a volunteer AYSO coach. He currently works as the Director of Admissions at New Roads School in Santa Monica. His 16 years of experience in schools also extends to his former work as a teacher for grades K-12 and college counselor. The new board member hopes to apply his experience with children and the educational environment to improve student academic achievement and support for art, music, and extracurricular programs.
TIGER NOVEMBER 9, 2018
NEWS
Y&G delegates present at Bill Hearing Night SPASM delegates debate bills proposing the legalization of psychedelics and toplessness STORY AUDREY ERNST PHOTOS JAYDEN EDEN
S
PHS students of the YMCA’s Youth and Government (Y&G) program gathered for the annual Bill Hearing Night Thursday, Nov. 1. The South Pasadena and San Marino (SPASM) delegation debated a variety of bills that confronted issues facing California, ranging from the legalization of psychedelics to assisted suicide. Delegates developed proposals and presented speeches to a panel of judges in order to decide what bills would continue on to the statewide program. A debate quickly grew heated over a bill that proposed to modify the teacher tenure process. A majority of high school participants strongly favored the bill because it enforced stricter and more frequent teacher evaluations. Delegates shared personal stories about their experiences with inadequate teachers, and how the bill would prevent teachers from neglecting responsibilities.
on to be debated at the statewide conferences. This year, SPASM will be sending five of its 12 bills to Sacramento where other students from across the state will discuss each bill. From there, the bills that pass through the program’s mock Senate and Assembly will be signed by the Youth Governor of California. Y&G participants have been working to develop their bill proposals since the beginning of the school year. Each bill was inspired by issues with which delegates identify, and changes they want to see in current legislation. The proposals were passed based on a set of requirements: feasibility, debatability, creativity, and other criteria. Panelists included SPHS Principal Janet Anderson, teachers Maryann Nielsen and Mark Zavidow and former school board member Julie Giulioni. SPASM Parliamentarian senior Elizabeth Bock coordinated Bill Hearing Night and arranged delegates into bill groups, where they developed their bills.
Another bill that sparked an impassioned discussion approached the idea of banning zoos, advocating for all zoos to be turned into wildlife conservation facilities. Speakers in favor of the bill argued that zoos inhumanely treat animals and exploit them for profit. The opposition disputed that disbanding zoos would harm income for the state and tourism.
“I was really proud to see so many delegates take initiative in their bill groups and write bills to solve issues that they are extremely passionate about,” Bock said. “Over the past several weeks, I have seen delegates come out of their shells and work with their bill group to formulate an articulate and well-rounded debate using public speaking skills.”
Delegates also held an engaging debate on whether to modify current legislation involving the option to become an organ donor. SPASM’s bill proposed for citizens to automatically be placed on the organ donors list unless they choose to opt out. Some delegates stated that requiring everyone to become an automatic donor was a more efficient method. Other delegates argued that it was inhumane to automatically place citizens on the donor list.
Y&G participants will be attending their first statewide Model Legislature and Court conference in Fresno this upcoming weekend, from Nov. 9 to 11.
The main purpose of Bill Hearing Night is to determine which bills will continue
Over the past several weeks, I have seen delegates come out of their shells and work with their bill group to formulate an articulate and well-rounded debate using public speaking skills.”
JUNIOR BELLA KAN recites the enacting clause for the bill on psychedelics as she serves as clerk for Bill Hearing Night.
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TIGER NOVEMBER 9, 2018
NEWS
THE REAL COST OF COLLEGE STORY CAT FLORES, KIMBERLY HSUEH, & CHRISTINE MAO
PAGE DESIGN TALULLA CHOW & NICHOLAS FORMAN
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he thought of college weighs on many SPHS students’ minds throughout their high school career, especially in the midst of the November and December college application season. In the past few months, seniors have been mentally calculating tuitions and fees as they add colleges to their application list. However, the fact that the cost of college goes beyond tuition fees is often overlooked. Many students have already spent thousands on paid test prep classes, college readiness exam fees, and college counselors even before starting their applications. Tiger conducted surveys and interviews with current SPHS seniors to examine what the “real cost” of college actually is. Many students who are pressured to meet high South Pasadena standards and have competitive college application are prompted to invest large amounts of money on tutors and college readiness exams
93 Average Application Cost Range
80
66
$25-$90
60 40 23 20
4 1-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
Number of Colleges
W
hen senior Flannery Clark began the application process, her parents told her that they could not afford the majority of her college tuition. To support herself financially, Clark is applying for financial aid based off of merit aid and scholarships. Clark is applying to the colleges she wants, but ultimately she will only be able to attend the college she can afford.
I think that my income is determining where I go to school, which upsets me so much because it shouldn’t. It also seems even more heartbreaking to get in somewhere and not be able to afford it, than to get rejected. ”
$
$ $
$
48
$ $ $ $ $
05
90
40 $
3
203
32 $
2
4
82 $
1
5 0
Many SPHS students also strive to obtain exceptional college applications in addition to high college entrance exam scores. Of the seniors surveyed, 19.4 percent have filled out their college applications with a college counselor while 27.0 percent of students hired someone to edit their application essays. These private college counselors who help with both application and essays are known to be expensive, charging an average of $200 per hour nationwide.
0 Number of Times Taken
Number of People
86
to be more academically well-rounded. Students take numerous AP tests as well as the SAT and ACT in order to be more competitive with their peers. Out of the total 294 students surveyed, 25.2 percent responded that they have paid for academic tutoring while 46.9 percent said they have taken some sort of SAT and ACT paid prep. SAT and ACT preparation courses are pricey, ranging around $100 per hour.
Number of times seniors have taken the SAT or ACT
Number of colleges seniors are planning/applying to 100
GRAPHICS TALULLA CHOW
SAT
65
16
ACT
8 2
Average SAT Cost
$64
Average ACT Cost
$67
2 2
0
100
150
200
Number of Students
S
enior Sarah Uriarte learned early in high school that she would need to utilize numerous financial opportunities for college. Her older sister, Katherine, was accepted into Columbia, where the average tuition is around $70,000, but was able to attend because of financial aid. Uriarte learned from her, and started taking matters into her own hands by pursuing all financial options possible. Because of her family’s low income, she was able to use fee waivers to pay for the numerous AP exams and SAT and ACT tests that she took. Uriarte plans to support herself by submitting scholarships and pursuing financial aid options such as the FAFSA and Cal Grant. Instead of hiring a college counselor, Uriarte has reached out to resources in her own life, such as her school counselor, to cut the costs.
For many SPHS seniors, financial ability has had a major impact on their decisions and attitude throughout the college application process. Of those surveyed, 35.7 percent said that their family’s income and financial standing has influenced the number and type of colleges they applied to. Low income students, especially, have had to compensate for the cost of college. The limit on colleges due to financial status has caused students to take different measures on their own in order to pursue their desired colleges. Limited financial support from their families has driven students, such as Clark, to undergo the process of hunting down scholarships to pay for college tuition and application fees. Several SPHS students have taken on a job in order to pay for these college
A
fter taking the SAT for the first time, senior Rita Mastromatteo was unsatisfied with her score and wanted help raising her grade. She knew that math was not her strong suit — neither was test-taking — and looked for professional tutoring to help her prepare for her next SAT. However, even after spending money on a private tutor, Mastromatteo was still unhappy with her score.
We spent so much money on the tutor. And then I took it again and I didn’t improve. I just ended up wasting hundreds of dollars on the SAT. And it was just so depressing and so unfulfilling.”
expenses. However, working as a student proves a challenge for some students. The responsibility of juggling a job, academics, and college applications adds pressure on students as they invest more time paying for their college fees. Some students, like Uriarte, qualify for fee waivers because of their family’s low income. These waivers make it equitable for students who cannot take the tests with their financial situation to have the same opportunities as those who can afford them. Students attending a competitive high school, such as SPHS, may find that money has been a major factor in choosing colleges. The “real cost” of college proves to involve more than college tuition and application fees, but a culmination of students’ preparation for college in high school.
TIGER NOVEMBER 9, 2018
THE TIGER ESTABLISHED 1913
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2011 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2013 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2014 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2017 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2018
STAF F ED IT OR IA L
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OPINION
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MATT WAKUMOTO MANAGING EDITORS OONA FOLEY, Print RACHEL LU, Online NEWS ISABELLA TSAI, Editor ADAM KWOH, Associate OPINION PETER WANG, Editor AANJI SIN, Associate FEATURE ALEX BETTS, Editor DOMINIC MARZIALI, Associate SPORTS NOAH PARKER, Editor PRESTON SHARKEY, Associate DESIGN KATE ROGERS, ELAINE YANG, Co-Editors TALLULA CHOW, Associate PHOTOGRAPHY ALICIA ALDERETE, Editor OSCAR WALSH, Associate
The importance of a local perspective
COPY LILIAN AZAT MAYA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITERS AUDREY ERNST, CAT FLORES, KIMBERLY HSUEH, CAROLINE KIMBEL, NICOLAS LIU, CHRISTINE MAO, MATTHEW TSAI, RAYMOND YEO, MADDIE YOO, LUYANG ZHANG PHOTOGRAPHERS TONY CHEN, JAYDEN EDEN, ANDRES OYAGA, SOPHIE YEUNG ILLUSTRATORS NICHOLAS FORMAN, DAVID SOHN VIDEOGRAPHER JACOB MILLS BUSINESS & ADS HYUN KIM WEBMASTER ALEX PARRA FACULTY ADVISOR MIKE HOGAN VOL. 105 NO. 3 DISTRIBUTED ON NOV. 9, 2018. DISTRIBUTION: 1436 STUDENTS; 70 COMMUNITY. 1600 COPIES PRINTED. DISTRIBUTED BY TIGER STAFF FREE OF CHARGE.
TIGER IS PRODUCED BY THE ADVANCED JOURNALISM NEWSPAPER CLASS AT SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL, 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030. LAYOUT AND PHOTO IMAGING ARE COMPLETED ON-SITE. PRINTED BY AMERICAN/FOOTHILL PUBLISHING CO., INC., TUJUNGA, CA. SIGNED ARTICLES APPEARING IN TIGER REPRESENT THE WRITER’S OPINIONS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF, STUDENT BODY, FACULTY OR ADMINISTRATION OF SPHS. ORIGINAL STORIES WILL CARRY BYLINES, ALTHOUGH STORIES REWRITTEN BY ANYONE OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL WRITER WILL NOT RECEIVE A BYLINE. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE BYLINES. C O N T ACT THE PUBLICAT ION S OF F ICE A T (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’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 . ALL REMAINING CURRENT TIGER NEWSPAPER POLICIES ARE ONLINE AT TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM INCLUDING: CONFLICT OF INTEREST, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, CORRECTIONS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
Engagement in large-scale politics alone blinds South Pasadena residents to the significance of involvement in local politics
T
he California midterm election on Nov. 6 prompted South Pas citizens and SPHS students to register to vote. The massive scope of the election seemed to draw a crowd, as 364 SPHS students participated in the California Mock Election on Oct. 9, which modeled the real election this week. Engagement in national and global politics in South Pasadena is fairly common, but there is a lacking obligation citizens feel to participate locally. Simply put, people need to have a clearer understanding of local politics. This should include not only awareness of opportunities to vote or otherwise participate, but also an understanding of the notable effects of citywide elections and polls. One considerable issue is the disconnect between City Hall and the community at large, as even residents with unique political views cannot express them whenever there’s a council meeting or public forum because they don’t know these events are happening. In fact, this lack of communication extends to ignorance of basic information about how the city is run. Ask any adult in South Pasadena about the propositions on the midterm ballot and most will probably have a good idea of what the measures entailed. But, if you ask the same residents about the city’s current school board or city council members, many of whom are not included on the local ballot, you will most likely receive a concerning number of blank stares. Legislative disconnect limits the public attendance of many political community events, but there have been a few exceptions. On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the District Board Office was packed with community members attending the Meet the Candidates Forum to introduce candidates for the school board election. Throughout the night, four board nominees answered public questions to reveal qualification for the position for which they were running.
“For those of us in the audience, we get to meet the person behind all the campaign messaging,” school board president Jon Primuth said. “In a small town like ours where it’s possible to meet all the candidates, it’s really important to have these first-hand experiences to form our own opinions.” This was a clear anomaly in the lackluster citizen presence usually associated with such city meetings and events. Just last month, Metro held a public forum to gather input on whether or not to implement bike paths and traffic light improvements on commonly-used city streets including Monterey Road, Huntington Drive, and Fair Oaks Avenue. The sum of money dedicated to these projects totalled over one million dollars, a considerable amount, however, only a handful of residents were present to provide insight. The Metro forum is an example of the wrong way to handle local politics. Changes that will eventually impact the tens of thousands of residents in the city cannot be decided by a mere five attendees. However, these numbers will persist until communication is better integrated into the media. At the very least, the city’s governing boards should be more responsible in involving and informing the populace about issues they will cover at meetings. The changes made by the board are meant to serve the community, so the district should be able to respond to community input accordingly. This is not to say that national elections should be neglected altogether. Nationwide elections give way for larger, more recognizable changes that have the potential to place politicians in office and pass crucial legislation. However, the difference between community and country is blurred when voters get caught up in trying to make only these changes. The responsibility for any individual, as a resident of both a city and country, is to hold both local and national government in the same esteem, acknowledging and participating in both levels without disregarding or undervaluing either.
Boos & Bravos
Tiger ’s cheers and jeers for the month of November. BOOS
BRAVOS
BOO to listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween. What about Thanksgiving music?
BRAVO to November for raising awareness for nut allergies. Remember elementary school, when every month was No Nut November?
BOO to the school for giving us rocks instead of tater tots. Say goodbye to the roof of your mouth. BOO to the new cell phone policy. If we wanted to cyberbully someone, we would do it in the safety of our own rooms and not on campus.
BRAVO to Peter Wang for looking like a snack in that new Tiger windbreaker. Mmmmmmmm. BRAVO to Mr. Papadakis for I L L U M I N A T I N G THE PICKLE.
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TIGER NOVEMBER 9, 2018
OPINION
PRO CON : Voting age The debate over lowering the voting age is intensifying across the nation. Should 16-year-olds be able to vote, or do they need more life experience before going to the polls?
+ Youth engagement STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL ILLUSTRATION MADDIE YOO The Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February rallied thousands of high schoolers across the nation to protest for harsher gun control regulations and challenged the stereotype that American kids are not civically engaged. This present political activism among youth inspired Councilmember Charles Allen of Washington, D.C. to introduce legislation proposing to lower the voting age in all elections from 18 to 16 years old. This would increase voter turnout for the future, and give younger generations a voice in politics on issues that are directly affecting them. A similar debate on lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 was raised in the 1960s at a time when young people were protesting for civil rights and an end to the Vietnam war. Many argued it was unjust for 18-year-olds to be drafted without a say in who was leading the country. Ultimately, the federal voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971. Today’s urgency to lower the voting age derives from similar motives. Teenage students are vulnerable to mass shootings at school, yet they have no say in how the government should be regulating guns. Voting would allow them to make substantial change rather than just being able to protest.
Additionally, it would be productive for voting to become a habit for younger demographics. In Argentina, Austria, Brazil and Nicaragua, 16-yearolds can vote in local and state elections, and have a significantly higher voter turnout than adults. With minimal responsibility and much parental support, high schoolers are at a very stable place in their life in comparison to 18-year-old college students who have to live on their own for the first time. If the voting age is lowered, voter turnout will likely increase as teens venture into adulthood. The prominent argument to oppose lowering the voting age claims 16-year-olds are not emotionally mature enough to decide how the country should run. However, according to the New York Times, 16-year-olds have fully developed abilities to comprehend information and reason logistically when making a decision. This means that teenagers have the same ability to decide which government officials are best fit for office as adults that may be more mature. Tuesday’s events indicate that it is time to give younger individuals the civic voice they deserve. If the voting age had already been lowered to 16, a significant proportion of the SPHS student body would have been able to vote in this crucial midterm election. Adolescents have a voice, care about relevant issues, and are ready to vote on what the government should do to address them.
- Voteless isn’t voiceless STORY & ILLUSTRATION MADDIE YOO I look forward to voting, as I desperately want to voice my opinions. When I was younger, I would go to the voting booth with my mom and proudly press the “I voted” label on myself afterwards. Everyone wants to vote, but the opportunity should not be granted to 16-year-olds. The voting age should not be lowered, as most teens lack the necessary experience and exposure to world problems to be able to hold completely solidified opinions. Sixteen-year-olds simply do not have enough life experience to vote. We may be just as intelligent and decisive as some adults, but most of us never have lived independently, balanced bills, paid taxes or experienced the effects of foreign policy. Instead, we live in a protective bubble of family and friends. That bubble expands with time, as we meet new people and are exposed to different ideas. At 16, we haven’t lived long enough to get a thorough understanding of the world — right now, most of our bubbles don’t stretch far beyond South Pasadena. Our small-town perspective makes our peers’ influence even greater. Although often imperceptible, the people around us sway our views. It’s natural to side with parents or friends before being fully educated on a subject. This lack of independent thinking is a challenge — voting should
reflect individual views, not replicate others’ stances. Social environments naturally mold opinions, but for 16-year-olds, the impact is magnified. Flooded with ads and altered images, social media plays a big part in teenagers’ lives and affects our view of the world. We are influenced by icons and trends. At 16, we haven’t been exposed to enough to entirely isolate fact from fiction and shield ourselves from dominating opinions. Today, many millennials do not exercise their right to vote. A recent poll revealed only 28% of 18 to 29-year-olds were “absolutely certain” to vote in the midterms, compared to 74% of seniors. Youth voting rates are declining — from 1972 to 2016, voting among youth ages 18 to 24 voting decreased from 50% to 39%. There is no point in lowering the voting age if so many young people don’t already exercise their right and turn out to vote. A lack of voting rights doesn’t mean an absence of power. We can still create change and make our voices heard, even if we can’t go to the polls. As demonstrated by the students of Stoneman Douglas High School, who sparked a nationwide movement and spurred legislation for gun control, teenagers are fully capable of making a difference. The inability to vote cannot silence our voices. We don’t need to bubble in a ballot in order to create change.
WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY | OONA FOLEY
Keep your friends’ enemies close My friend group, like so many in South Pas, has an incredibly complicated dating history. Mirroring shows like Friends or Glee — really any sitcom — everyone has dated everyone, leading to some uncomfortable situations. In order to keep our group functional through breakups and infighting, we have adopted the policy that no one is allowed to make enemies with someone simply because their friends do not like that person. We’ve decided that though the enemy of your enemy may be your friend, the enemy of your friend doesn’t necessarily have to be your enemy. Automatically hating on people who have wronged your
friends is a sign of emotional immaturity. It doesn’t do anyone any good. There is nothing more “middle school” than exiling someone from your circle simply because they have issues with another member. Whether it is a friend’s ex or not, there should be a basic understanding that friends can have their own opinions of people. In South Pas, especially, the social scene is simply too small to be cutting people out who haven’t done anything to you in particular. Over the years, you will accumulate too many enemies and become isolated. When my best friend went through a breakup in senior year, I brought her ex his favorite ice cream just to make sure he knew
I was there for him too. If I hadn’t remained close with my friend’s exes, I would have exactly zero friends. Of course, there is always room to cut out abusers and other people who simply don’t deserve your friendship. Certain egregious acts against your friend group are grounds for cutting someone off. But in a broader sense, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone is rude to someone, so making your own judgements about people is important. Sometimes your friends’ experiences are just good information to keep in mind, rather than the deciding factor in discontinuing a relationship.
TIGER NOVEMBER 9, 2018
OPINION
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Building self-reliance to stay informed STORY LUYANG ZHANG ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN INFOGRAPHIC TALULLA CHOW
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s much as people rely on social media for basic interactions and information today, the growth and popularity of social media platforms relies on users themselves to share information with others online. This draws increased dependence and consistent traffic to these websites. Sharing ideas on social media can provide an efficient means to spark meaningful conversation about current events and policies, but it also perpetuates the influence of exaggerated information. To prevent this spread of false news, people must form their opinions based on their own research rather than restricting themselves to the sources that already appear around them. Social media fosters people’s ability to share news by combining the accessibility of hundreds of news sources with an extensive pool of viable contacts with whom to share information. Phrases such as “like, comment, and share” that nearly always conclude videos and stories from feeds in social media push users to share news from the media source. They are prevalent to the point of becoming clichés, but have become unnecessary. In the quest to appear “in the know,” and share information that they find compelling, most people choose to share information regardless of external encouragement. For many people, sharing news through social media has become an everyday practice.
To outcompete rival news sources and publish news quickly enough so that the information is relevant to readers, news sources that are featured on social media often depend on citing information from other news outlets. This presents a problem: as news is repeatedly cited, the majority of the original information and ideas in the article can be distorted. Popular sites such as Buzzfeed use clickbait techniques to catch the attention of readers in a way that further exaggerates information. This technique allows their articles to spread more quickly than accurate and less novel news. For instance, news featuring exaggerated information was found to be 70% more likely to spread on Twitter than articles written with accurate information. Often, by the time that incorrect information can be refuted by factcheckers, large groups of people online have been misinformed. Since it was first created, the intention of social media has been to bring individuals together. The system that it embodies to spread news, however, polarizes information and plays a role in pushing those with differing opinions apart. The readers on the receiving end of this inaccurate information are the only ones that can stop the diffusion of misleading news; but many times, people fail to spot signs of false news in the stories they read. Before clicking the share button, people must consider the validity of information they’re passing on.
Religion isn’t always malicious Institutional religious bigotry should be criticized, but respectful religious individuals shouldn’t be STORY CAT FLORES ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN South Pasadena is full of churches. In fact, within two blocks of the SPHS campus there are three churches: Holy Family Catholic Church, South Pasadena Christian Church, and St. James’ Episcopal Church. For many residents, going to church on Sunday is a weekly tradition to practice their faith, or to discover spirituality within themselves. However, South Pasadena is also full of liberals, and religion is an issue for some in the South Pas community. There is a large presence of community political groups in South Pas and the dynamic between these groups portrays the current political climate around the role of religion. Younger generations, especially, commonly debate the detriments of religion, yet the benefits of religion are often forgotten. Religion is a way for people to explore their own spirituality and is a form of guidance and hope that should not be criticized when religious individuals aren’t doing anything wrong. It is largely liberals who think they are more knowledgeable about religion when they have chosen to only educate themselves on the negative effects of certain religious institutions. Without a good understanding of the intricacies of religion as a whole, inappropriate conclusions are drawn about religious individuals. They also think they don’t need religion to be moral, which gives them a feeling of superiority over religious people.
The criticism that religion receives is often misplaced. Chastising religious institutions is completely valid and important; institutions that promote hateful behavior should be criticized. These issues stem from the corrupt people who use religion as an excuse to discriminate. However, other aspects of religion are unfairly criticized. Individuals or individual groups of people should not be reprimanded for being religious, spiritual, or practicing their faith. Some students at SPHS feel that they are treated harshly when trying to voice their thoughts on religion. “Once I try to voice my opinion, saying religion benefits some and means a lot to people, I am immediately shot down and ignored,” said one student, “This same situation happens almost every time I talk about my faith with kids at school, so I have learned to not talk about my religion and only mention it … around people I trust.” Often, people are peaceful in the way that they practice their faith or look for it, and never try to impose a way of life on anyone. Religion is something that many people value because it inspires them to better themselves, or gives them something to turn to when they are troubled. Making generalizations about how religious people are horrible or brainwashed demonstrates a misunderstanding of how religion benefits the individual. Instead, other people’s choices to be religious should be respected, and if people are going to make judgements, they should at least understand where the other person is coming from.
TIGER
08 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
CHILDREN OF DIVORCE Since the 80s, the statistic that 5o percent of marriages end in divorce has been continuously repeated in every discussion of marriage and household structure. According to one 2016 study, however, divorce rates — as well as marriage rates — are now decreasing. Generation Z kids are growing up with the most diverse range of households in history with the least traditional outlook on marriage and family structure. Tiger shares the unique stories of five children of divorce to provide insight on different household structures and how they affect students.
JAMIE Jamie* comes from a long line of divorce. There are no married couples in her family tree, and when Jamie was born, her parents had already been divorced for three years. When Jamie talks about her parents she means her mother and the father of her two older half-sisters, the primary male figure in her life. Her biological father was “just a fling” her mother had after the split, and he wanted nothing to do with Jamie’s mom when he found out she was pregnant. As a young girl she saw neither her dad or biological father often. Her biological father is “nothing” to her; aside from a few reunions between ages five to 11, she has had no contact with him. As for the man she considers her actual parent, her mother carried a lot of resentment over their short marriage and didn’t wan’t Jamie and her sisters around him too much growing up. Still, she saw plenty of fights between them, and like many children of divorce, she found herself in the middle of it all. Jamie remembers specifically the fights her mom and dad had over her. These fights, she recalls, made her the most uncomfortable because they highlighted the differences between her and her two sisters. By the time she was eight, her parents manufactured a routine that mitigated some of their fights: Jamie and her sisters would live with their mom, but on Wednesdays and every other weekend they would sleep over at their dad’s house. Still though, the girls found themselves playing messenger during a lot of their parents fights. Only recently has the relationship between her parents gotten better. Now that she’s older, she no longer sleeps over at her dad’s house. She still visits him whenever she wants but now her parents have less to fight about. In any case, Jamie has learned to separate herself from her parents’ problems and not to place blame on herself. One of the things Jamie hates most about having divorced parents is the pity she receives from her peers. Jamie is adamant that the somewhat messy relationship between her parents has made her a better person. She’s taught herself how to handle tough situations, and she’s better at understanding people and relationships than most. Jamie is undoubtedly a more resilient person because of it.
For emotional assistance, call the teen helpline at 800-400-0900 *names have been changed for anonymity
TIGER 09 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
CHILDREN OF DIVORCE
CHARLES
ANDREA
Gripping the inside lining of his mom’s blue minivan, Charles* could only yell as his mom swerved between three lanes on Fair Oaks. When Charles entered the vehicle only minutes before, he was unaware that his mother was heavily under the influence. At the time, alcoholism was a major issue between Charles and his mother. Between his two households, Charles had many arguments with his mom over household issues; his fights with his mother continued a trend which ended his parents’ relationships a year before.
Like so many couples, Andrea’s* parents divorced due to addiction. When Andrea was in the third grade, her mom was essentially kicked out of the house because her alcoholism had so greatly interfered with her parenting. She remembers being terrified the first time a fight escalated to threats of divorce, but she has found her parents’ separation to be positive in unexpected ways.
STORY OONA FOLEY, MATT WAKUMOTO, & MAYA WILLIAMSON ILLUSTRATION KATE ROGERS PAGE DESIGN KATE ROGERS & ELAINE YANG
MIA Mia was eight when her parents separated. “Why is this happening to me? I had such a good life” she thought. The “good life” she had consisted of her parents arguing every day. She remembers her dad throwing what he could find at her mom, and the red and blue lights that parked outside her house when they got too loud. At age 12, Mia’s parents forced her to choose with whom she would live. She had a week to decide: would she move from Las Vegas to California with her dad or to Mexico with her mom? Family members on both sides tried to convince her that one parent was better than the other. She felt very manipulated and anxious at the thought of disappointing her family. “I know you love your dad more” her mom said, giving her the freedom to chose to move to California, where she could get a better education and live closer to her extended family. Mia had to grow up fast. By seventh grade, she was telling her dad to clean his room. “The absence of a mother is really eye opening” she says. In her father’s house, Mia isn’t allowed to cry and even hugs are out of the question. Though she misses her mother’s physical presence in this way, she is grateful for her weekly calls to Uruguay to keep up with her. As an only child, Mia turned to journaling to express her feelings. Now, in her senior year, she is working on a memoir detailing her life, from her everyday responsibilities of being the drum major, to the positive and negative aspects of her parents’ divorce. By telling her story, she hopes that people learn not to take their families for granted. She is endlessly grateful for all that her parents have given her.
34% CHILDREN OF DIVORCE
BELIEVE THEIR CHILDHOOD WAS CUT SHORT
Until he was eight, Charles and his brother lived with both parents. When their parents separated, both households calmed down and they were able to live a more comfortable life. Although they had to adjust to the different households of both their parents, Charles’ life became largely easier postdivorce. When he reached middle school and high school, Charles began entering relatively long relationships, some of which spanned years. For Charles, the stability of relationships helped to contrast the instability that he felt between his parents. This instability was exacerbated when his mother decided to move to 40 minutes north with her new husband. In the ensuing months, Charles felt a great level of resentment towards his mother. “I felt like she was leaving an unfair amount of responsibility on my dad, and that she was choosing to forgo her relationship as my parent,” Charles said. After moving away, their relationship was relegated to a weekly visit, which included mostly small talk. In terms of dependability, Charles became accustomed to relying on his father. When his mother would try to discipline him, Charles refused. In his words, the ability to discipline as a parent had been waived when she moved away. Although his relationship with his mom struggled, his independence and adaptability have become key components in his sense of emotional intelligence and self awareness.
OVER
1 MILLION
CHILDREN IN THE U.S. LIVE IN A DIVORCED HOME
The most unique aspect of the divorce is the unusual custody arrangement. Andrea occasionally stays at her mother’s apartment, but her parents usually practice birdnesting, where they move from house to house so that she doesn’t have to. This arrangement works for Andrea’s family because her parents are on good terms and make parenting a top priority. Birdnesting also allows Andrea the freedom to avoid her mom when she inevitably relapses. When her parents first started birdnesting, Andrea’s friends pointed out how unusual it was that her mom and dad technically sleep in the same bed. She was self-conscious about the arrangement for a while, but now appreciates how it has helped keep her parents on good terms and that she doesn’t have to go back and forth between houses. Andrea wishes that people were more accepting of family structures different than their own. The most difficult part of the divorce for Andrea was her dad’s near obsession with dating apps. Desperate for another person in his life, Andrea’s dad entered the dating scene immediately after separating with her mom. Though she doesn’t mind the idea of him dating, Andrea is frustrated by the way it has caused them to drift apart. Andrea is very thankful for the way her parents have handled their separation, and is working on being more open about her experience in an effort to normalize nontraditional family structures.
MIRANDA For children in divorced households, like Miranda*, it is hard to avoid the influence of seemingly perfect families. For Miranda, the discrepancies between her household and those of her friend’s was palpable. Even when her parents were together, her mother and father seemed to lack love and affection. Since elementary school, this idea of affection has played a large role in Mirada’s life. Like other children, her household has had a tremendous impact on her interactions with others. When she was young, this was especially noticeable in her “boy-crazy” attitude. She sought a more picturesque vision of endearment by trying to enter committed elementary school relationships at the age of eight. As she became older and more cognizant of the relationships in her life, this outlook changed. After her parents’ divorce, her desire to date dwindled and her priorities changed. When her parents were together, their contrasting life views made the household contentious. While her mother held a glass-half full mentality, her father preferred to be more realistic and often came off as pessimistic. Even little things like their sense of humor rocked the boat and impacted Miranda’s sense of unity as a family.
Source: emeryondivorce.com
After her parents separated, both her mother and father spent time pursuing their own personal happiness. Miranda’s mother met her first girlfriend five years after the divorce, when she came out. Her mother’s girlfriend spurred many arguments because of the way that she leached the household for resources. Although Miranda’s mom was totally blind to the one-sided relationship, Miranda had to stand her ground and prevent her mother from being taken advantage of. Moments like this eventually became the cornerstone of Miranda’s independence as a child of divorce.
TIGER
10 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
FEATURE
FEATURE
Et Cetera MAYA WILLIAMSON
Condemning onedimensional characters When creating an entertaining narrative, there is a basic formula that filmmakers and storytellers adhere to for simplicity and easy digestion. The first component is the Hero, often the underdog that is terribly wronged by the second component: the Villain. The Villain is usually the most odious, repulsive, and one-dimensionally evil entity — no audience could disagree that they are to be hated. The ensuing drama will vary from story to story but inevitably, the Hero will overcome the Villain. This blueprint is a fun, albeit predictable, outline for superhero tales, but in stories involving real life issues like racism, it can dangerously overlook the nuances of complex experiences.
A WORK OF CONCEPTUAL THEATER, The Laramie Project revolves around hate crimes and tolerance, showcasing the extensive range of the SPHS drama department.
Drama’s culture shift culminates with The Laramie Project The fall play will premiere tonight at 7 p.m. STORY AUDREY ERNST PHOTO ANDRÉS OYAGA
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ct. 12, 2018 marked the twenty-year anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student. His killing — Shepard was robbed, pistol-whipped, and tied to a fence in Laramie, Wyoming — triggered national outrage, symbolizing the deadly violence towards members of the LGBTQ+ community. The potential of desecration prevented his parents from choosing a final resting place for twenty years. Shepard was finally laid to rest on Oct. 26, 2018 at the Washington National Cathedral, but his story lives on through The Laramie Project. The Laramie Project, Mr. Nick Hoffa’s choice for the 2018 fall play, showcases the development of the drama students to portray complex societal issues. It branches out into conceptual theater, an art that focuses on the concept of the show over plot. Centering around hate crimes and tolerance, the play hits home for students who have been exposed to slurs, discrimination, and homophobia. For many students who haven’t faced discrimination, The Laramie Project will provide a window into the lives of marginalized people. “Being gay myself, The Laramie Project means a lot to me. There are points in the show where really ugly language is used to describe gay people, but [the dialogue] needs to be heard because it makes the show [that much more] impactful.” junior Jackson Monical said. The play follows an unusual structure; the plot is revealed over a series of interviews with the citizens of the town. Viewers feel as though they are eavesdropping on real conversations. This style is particularly challenging because
each student plays anywhere from four to six different roles. “[The drama students] were ready to do something that would challenge them, and to do a story that was bigger than some of the stories they’ve done in the past. I felt that they were artistically ready to handle it,” Hoffa said. “For so long they’ve been performing for their parents, the step the high school kids need to take is to start performing for themselves and their peers. Once they start doing that, their work becomes mature.” The Laramie Project is the perfect culmination of the changes Hoffa has made to the drama department. Hoffa has dramatically adapted the class format and restructured the production process, immediately setting a tone of professionalism amongst the actors. In past shows, production was disorganized: the 2017 musical, Peter Pan, wasn’t rehearsed in its entirety — including the challenging wire stunts — until opening night. The 2016 fall play, Company, may have been appropriate for SPHS students, but wasn’t for the elementary students to whom the show was advertised. Since then, the program has presented more contemporary and organized productions. Hoffa has cultivated an environment where actors can grow, and pushed drama students to further explore their acting abilities. “Instead of focusing on the lines and blocking, [Hoffa] focuses on the characters and relating to them,” Monical said. The Laramie Project will be presented this upcoming Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10, as well as the following weekend, Nov. 16 and 17, starting at 7 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.
Many Americans’ belief that racism doesn’t exist anymore because slavery (in its historical definition) has been eradicated and Black people have the right to vote, can sometimes be attributed to our storytelling techniques. The entertaining, feel-good stories of overcoming oppression we consume often revolve around the presence of a one-dimensional antagonist — a trope that rarely occurs in real life because people are complex and multifaceted beings. When we don’t see these indisputably evil characters at the center of off-screen issues, we believe there is no real conflict, but the systemic oppression of minorities isn’t so simple. This storytelling outline isn’t just a cliché in movies, but a technique used in all books, tv shows, and especially news stories. Even in Tiger we are taught to attach faces to our articles to make them more readable. When we rely on an antagonist to reveal a conflict, we ignore the overall issue. So, when a big news story of a corrupt cop shooting an unarmed black teen breaks, it’s easy to dismiss it as just one bad cop. What we often ignore, though, is the system that allows and even empowers that cop to exist. While the classic story of perseverance serves its purpose in entertainment, we need to recognize the ways legitimate issues are perpetuated other than by a one-dimensional antagonist. Recently, films have presented a much more accurate portrayal of the complexities of nationwide issues like racism. The Amandla Stenberg film The Hate U Give, released last month, focuses on systemic racism and police brutality as a whole, not just on the micro scale of a single case. Get Out contained many of the components of the classical structure in question, but its theatrical nature was clearly a commentary on racism and appropriation. As we contemplate the effect media has on our perception of social issues it’s important to realize that harmful tropes like onedimensional characters exist in every genre. Identifying one rudimental storytelling techniques can help us separate idealizations from reality. Writing more complex characters in less romanticized stories can guarantee content portraying relatable experiences in a way that can still be entertaining.
TIGER NOVEMBER 9, 2018
FEATURE
11
INSTAGRAM PROFILES BEHIND THE LENS ELENE WU: ETHICALLY DRIVEN ENTREPRENUER @vegamelon STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL PHOTOS TONY CHEN Elene Wu’s Instagram page stands out among the rest. Rather than using her platform to showcase a highly-edited version of herself, she uses it to spread an important message. As a passionate vegan, Wu has a desire to highlight how simple and appetizing it can be to eat a plant-based diet. The photos on her page are indicative of her humble and intrinsically caring personality. In the summer of 2016, when Wu began contemplating meat consumption, she met a vegetarian teacher on a trip to China who served as her inspiration to maintain loyalty to the movement over the last two years. “I met a teacher who had been vegetarian for her whole life and told me she didn’t want to eat chickens because she didn’t want to murder them. That one sentence shook my world. Then in eighth grade, I went vegetarian for a few weeks.”
POSTING WITH A PURPOSE, senior Elene Wu strives to highlight the simplicity of a vegan lifestyle. In 18 months, her page has amassed 40 thousand followers and several sponsorships.
After watching some documentaries, specifically Cowspiracy, on the horrific practices of the livestock industry and the impact that meat has on the environment, Wu went vegan. With a passion for spreading awareness about the movement and a fledgling interest in photography, she was inspired to develop an Instagram page dedicated to it. Today, just 18 months later, the food page has 40 thousand followers.
44.5k followers Wu has had an impressive impact on the online community, but it has come with immense hard work. About two hours of Wu’s average day is dedicated to cooking and meticulously preparing her shots. Characteristically modest, she considers herself a photography amateur with plenty of room for improvement. Each angled shot provides a vibrant portrait of various vegan foods rarely seen elsewhere, defying the basic, negative vegan stereotype. Even with the stunning quality that comes with owning a page like this, Wu graciously balances her commitment to the page and the stresses of being a high school senior. “I think you have to build a good routine. So you’re not just spontaneously going out to shoot photos,” Wu said, “You just incorporate it into your life.” After a few months of owning the food Instagram, Wu started accepting sponsorships, producing tremendous profit through her fascination with cooking, veganism, and photography. She was first discovered by the company Love Grown when taking pictures of their hearty cereal. Since then, Wu has been sponsored by numerous healthy food companies, and even by many elegant watch companies, in exchange for a feature on her page. Wu wishes to continue to grow her Instagram and pass her dedication to animal and environmental advocacy down to her future children, raising them as vegans.
HENRY BALDING: MINDING HIS OWN BEES’ WAX @baldings_bee_co STORY LILIAN AZAT PHOTOS OSCAR WALSH Each spring, swarms of bumblebees emerge from the trash cans across campus, sending most students scrambling during brunch and lunch. Junior Henry Balding however, does not relate; at eight-years-old, he overlooked the pain they can induce and became hooked on the surprising power of the miniscule creatures. Balding’s love for bees started seven years ago, when he was initially introduced to the bee business by a family friend and beekeeper. After he put on his bee suit and opened up a hive for the first time, he was so intrigued with the process of creating honey that he wanted to be able to do it himself. He invested in the cheapest basic tools and was gifted the most expensive component, his first hive. Balding learned the ins and outs of working with bees before he started removing unwanted hives for his mom’s friends. “I did [hive removals] for free at first, just to help people get rid of their problem. After a while I was like, wait, people will pay me to take their bees away and then I can have them make honey for me. Then I started my entire honey service.” Today, his self-founded company, Balding’s Bees, offers beehive removals, beekeeper classes and consultations, honey, beeswax, and honeycombs. Balding currently has 75 bumblebee hives across the Los Angeles area from Highland Park to the Eaton Canyon waterfall to La Tuna Canyon.
866 followers Balding checks each of his hives every other weekend to ensure that the queen is healthy and that there is enough brood, or baby bees, to sustain honey production. His bees produce honey year-round, which he harvests three times annually, at the beginning of spring, summer, and fall. Balding’s most recent summer harvest produced 30 gallons of honey, using just five of his 75 hives. Balding primarily sells his honey and honeycomb through his Instagram, Facebook page (Balding’s_Bees), and website (baldingsbees.com), but he also brings batches to school to sell to staff and visiting police officers. The main obstacle for Balding’s Bees is time. Balding is the only beekeeper and he doesn’t have sufficient time to harvest honey and conduct all of the hive removal requests that the company receives. Balding hopes to test out of high school next year to start working with his bees full-time and expand his business. “I want to say that removing ‘pest’ hives is my favorite because I like to be able to rehome the bees and sort of give them a second chance. And then I have more bees which just means more honey.” Balding’s Bees has already grown into a stable and profitable company after only seven years of business, and is on its way up. As Balding is only 15, he has many years ahead of him to expand the business as well as improve and evolve its current practices and equipment.
BUZZING WITH INNOVATION, junior Henry Balding’s early forays into beekeeping have enabled him to start his own company devoted to everything honey.
TIGER
12 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
FEATURE
Terroni and Dopolavoro offer authentic Italian cuisine STORY DOMINIC MARZIALI PHOTOS SOPHIE YEUNG For those seeking a traditional Southern Italian culinary experience distinguished from the greasy mold of run-of-the-mill shops, Terroni provides a classic, down-toearth rendition of Neapolitan pizza. Though remarkable for its pies, Terroni also has a diverse menu with a variety of robust Italian flavors and hosts an adjoining market, Dopolavoro. While the restaurant’s refusal to diverge from established customs sets it apart, Terroni’s Los Angeles location follows a model similar to Eataly. Eataly is what could best be described as a sophisticated food mall. Similarly, Dopolavoro (“after work”) comprises multiple specialty food bars. The market carries countless house-made and imported products, most of which are either cured meats, cheeses, or wines. Emblematic of its name, Dopolavoro’s focus on dinner essentials, makes it an effortless one-stop-shop. Everything about the restaurant — such as the cooks’ refusal to alter dishes, serving all olives with pits in, and delivering pizzas uncut — is a nod to Italian traditions. Each aspect of the restaurant, even its location in the building of the former Los Angeles National City Bank headquarters, is a testament to the value Terroni attributes to preserving historical intricacies. A calendar listing quintessential Italian staples is engraved into the wall separating the main dining room from the bar area. Directly above customers hangs a metal chandelier in the figure of the Autodromo Nazionale
Monza, the home of the Formula One Italian Grand Prix. The fixture is adorned with numerous lights you may see at a race track, as well as a single red light marking the track’s starting point. Terroni’s devotion to traditions is particularly unique in the Los Angeles area, and nearly everywhere outside of Italy, aligning perfectly with its unparalleled representation of typical Italian flavors. Terroni uses regional ingredients sourced directly from Italian artisans. These ingredients are significant to the authenticity of the dishes, in everything from its most simple appetizers to complex pasta dishes. The simple Mozzarella al minuto (“made at the last minute”) is prepared in-house and served in a light dressing of olive oil alongside crispy cherry tomatoes roasted on the vine. Likewise, the Marinara Ricotta substitutes ricotta for the conventional basil and garlic marinara. Additionally, the Da Dó a Dá, is an innovative mix of grilled eggplant, red peppers, mozzarella, and goat cheese. Terroni’s varied menu brings a diverse array of tastes to Los Angeles’ pizza market. In combination with Dopolavoro, the restaurant is the perfect spot for a night out or an after work pitstop.
Address: 802 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 Hours: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (Mon.), 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (Tues.-Thurs.), 11 a.m.-12 a.m. (Fri.), 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Sat.), 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Sun.) Price: $$-$$$
ADOPTING EATALY’S MODEL, Terroni hosts a restaurant and an adjoining market. The menu, location, and traditions are a testament to Italian culture and values.
South Pasadena’s homegrown musicians STORY ADAM KWOH & AANJI SIN
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outh Pasadena is commonly regarded as the typical American suburb with its quaint aesthetic and populace of kid-raising, dog-loving families. However, on Friday nights, the small town’s quiet culture is transformed by its underground community of rock. Little Silver Hearts prides itself on being one of the many Americana rock bands in South Pas. Composed of members of Dads Uniting Dads in Education and Service (D.U.D.E.S) and “country refugees” from the roads of Iowa, the six-player band has attracted families and fans of the soulful rock. Little Silver Heart’s origin was a simple beginning. Before record labels and venues, the ensemble formed at the house of guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Sean Lowenthal. Eventually, the group realized that the casual covers and new songs they played had the potential to be something more than a hobby in a garage. Lowenthal formed Little Silver Hearts, titling the band after his favorite song from his idol band — Lucero. Fusing the contrasting styles of six musicians initially proved challenging, but time and practice eventually led to harmony. “[With six players] we make sure to listen intently to what the other players are doing to be sure everyone
PHOTOS COURTESY OF EDWARD DONNELLY & JENNIFER FOGEL
has space in the arrangement,” the band’s keyboard player Edward Donnelly said. “This took a little bit of work at first, but after dozens and dozens of shows it has become second nature.” Although they mainly play South Pas gigs, such as the Griffins of Kinsale, they are unafraid of venturing into the streets of the greater Los Angeles area. The band often jumps around multiple locations, but recently began playing at the Escondite Bar in Los Angeles on Friday nights. With three albums and an online merchandise shop, Little Silver Hearts has found success with its audiences. Nevertheless, the players place the most value in their role as dads. The common love of parenthood, however, has added to the group’s bond and coordination on and off the stage. “Parenthood develops a deep sense of empathy and patience for the feelings of others,” Donnelly said. “Being able to bring an emotional understanding of what is being expressed through the music and lyrics makes you a much more deeply expressive performer. Everyone in the band shares that ability to support the emotional message conveyed by the song as well supporting what the other players are doing.”
LITTLE SILVER HEARTS
LITTLE SILVER LITTLE SILVERHEARTS HEARTS UNIFIED AS PARENTS, Little Silver Hearts has evolved from a garage band into a major feature of the local underground rock community.
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AIL possesses a level of musical maturity and commitment that other student bands lack. Juniors Ben Fogel and Ignacio Quibilan, amidst balancing extracurriculars, sports practices, and rigorous school schedules, explore their creative sides in a band. Every few weeks, Quibilan and Fogel display their musical talents in front of a live audience, the aspect of being in a band that they enjoy the most.
BAIL
“Being in a band is really rewarding for me, especially because I have such a busy schedule and this is my one creative outlet,” said Fogel. “Playing drums is like my escape from the stress of school. I’m really lucky to have something like it.”
BAIL JUNIORS IGNACIO QUIBILAN (LEFT) AND BEN FOGEL (CENTER RIGHT) are the bassist and drummer of BAIL, a band dedicated to bringing lively rock and pop music to the local community.
The band was started by Fogel and the lead singer, Annika Gavlak, a Westridge junior. The intent from the beginning was to simply play music and cultivate their talents, but the band’s mission quickly grew as Quibilan and guitarist Liam Unanue joined. BAIL is an acronym of each band member’s first names, reflecting the unity and cooperation between the band members. BAIL’s music genre of choice is rock with occasional
splashes of pop. Fogel and Quibilan, who prefer genres of country and indie, respectively, agreed that rock and pop were two genres that all audience members enjoyed and were fun for them to perform. Playing classics such as “You Know I’m No Good” and “Loving Is Easy” prove to be perfect crowd pleasers and push band members to explore genres outside of their comfort zones. BAIL is the fourth band Fogel has participated in, each one having been a different and illuminating experience. Although he spends a lot of time outside of school fostering his talent, Fogel admits that he isn’t interested in pursuing a career in music. The opposite can be said for Quibilan, who regards music as a career path he wants to pursue. Quibilan plays bass for BAIL, but his talents extend to guitar, drums, piano, and ukulele. So far, the band has played local venues such as Griffins of Kinsale bar on Mission Street, and even in festivals such as the Pasadena Arts Crawl and Pascapalooza at Polytechnic School. Although they have only played local venues so far, BAIL is looking to expand their horizons and play shows across the greater Los Angeles area.
TIGER 13 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
FEATURE
TAAGLAA: Two Bit Circus TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA STORY MATTHEW TSAI PHOTOS JAYDEN EDEN
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irtual reality’s popularity has skyrocketed since the early 2000s, offering individuals the opportunity to explore aspects of life that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. However, the places providing simulations have been few and far between. In September 2018, the Two Bit Circus Micro-Amusement Park opened its doors to Angelenos, offering services that would appear to exist only in childhood imaginations: the chance to soar like Iron Man, partake in Star Wars galactic battles, and defeat demons like Percy Jackson. To say the least, Jayden Eden and I were pretty hyped to visit. But as we walked through the shiny glass doors and entered the park, I was severely saddened. This “circus” was merely an old warehouse with a few arcade stations and some cheap neon lights. More effort was put into creating a glamorous bar than the attractions. My worries intensified as I took a glimpse at the prices. To purchase 1200 bits, or roughly three VR experiences, we were asked to fork over $30 each. This seemed too steep a cost for a place that appeared to be a poor man’s Chuck E. Cheese. After reluctantly parting with our precious cash, Jayden and I were free to roam around the park, ultimately electing to test our wits in the Minotaur Maze. With a headset and a controller, I entered the labyrinth and all of my previous doubts dissipated. My controller had transformed into a crossbow armed with flaming arrows. The insipid warehouse was now an eerie dungeon hallway. The clanking of chains and blood curdling screams filled my ears. Relieved that maybe my money hadn’t gone to waste, I moved down the narrow corridor. As I turned the first corner, a couple of scrawny skeletons pounced and attacked me. Stunned by the ambush, I blindly fired my crossbow as blood red splotches appeared. The skeletons exploded into dust and the moments of panic were over as quickly as they had materialized. Acclimating to my environment and gaining confidence, I dashed past the fiery turns and snuck around snowy cliffs with ease. Then, I approached a dead end and lowered my crossbow, waiting to be taken out of the simulation. Gears slowly turned behind me and I whipped around to see a creaky metal gate unveil a fourteen-foot beast standing. My mind told me that the minotaur towering above me was fake, but
WITH A PLETHORA OF ATTRACTIONS, Two Bit Circus provides an array of arcade games for thrill seekers pursuing unconventional forms of entertainment. my eyes, muscles, and instincts cried out, instructing me to run. My fingers mashed the trigger, and thankfully, a precise shot to the minotaur’s left eye sent the monster tumbling. The prison escape was only one in a star-studded cast of VR attractions; other immersive experiences varied from tank battles and escape rooms to gunfights and dragon taming. The park also offered alternative forms of entertainment, as various arcade machines and virtual carnival games were scattered around the park. As waging war against faceless armies and domesticating mythical creatures can be tiresome, Two Bit provides a wide selection of high-priced circus treats. A trio of miniscule sliders costs $15, while chocolate dipped bacon will set you back $7. Two Bit Circus’ multitude of VR attractions proved worth the entry fee, delivering thrilling and captivating adventures. The circus promises to take customers on an exhilarating journey and eclipses all expectations.
VIRTUAL REALITY SIMULATIONS provide a multitude of electric experiences.
Beomyoung Sohn (MFA 2012)
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TIGER
14 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
SPORTS
FALL MVP: SHANNON HUANG How the senior propelled her team to CIF quarterfinals
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t first glance, senior Shannon Huang may not seem like the most menacing player, but she demonstrates her expertise with her play as soon as she steps onto the court. She has dominated the competitors of most schools and has proven to be the most valuable player on the girls’ varsity tennis team.
STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE
Throughout the season, Huang has claimed victory in 19 of the 24 games she has played. Prevailing over Temple City and Monrovia earlier in the season, she kept a strong grasp on her sets, winning 6-0 in all of her games. Even against the team’s rival, she showed her determination to win and was able to overcome one of San Marino’s strongest players. In the opening league game against San Marino, Huang persevered in her match against the Titan’s number two singles player, starting the season off with a strong win.
“I’m glad Shannon is our captain because not only does she motivate us to play our best, she also gives the best advice during our toughest matches,” sophomore teammate Carissa Park says. “She has brought the team together. Even though she’s shorter than me, I still look up to her. She’s the greatest role model on Earth.” Despite the team’s struggles to produce strong results since 2015, Huang showed confidence that this year was different and successfully guided the girls to CIF.
“It was frustrating to play against another who was not afraid of my slices, so I had to quickly come up with a strategy and adapt to her playing,” Huang says. “Halfway through the game, I realized that the player was more unfamiliar with deeper lobs and was unable to return several groundstrokes with more topspin. With my change of style, I was able to win 6-4 and it was very satisfying knowing that I outsmarted my opponent. I’m quite thankful that my father taught me how to target my opponent’s weakness and use it to my advantage.” Not only does her father teach her tennis strategies, but he has also been her coach since age 11. From that point on, Huang began playing singles in the United States Tennis Association tournaments, in which she has won Rookie of the Year with an overall record of 16 wins and 4 losses. Her playing style consists of deep groundstrokes with topspin, fast serves, and misleading slices. With her quick footwork, Huang is able to move to the ball quickly and return it with a slice or dropshot, creating a tough return shot for her opponent.
As a role model for all underclassmen in the team, Huang has shown great leadership and support throughout the season. She gathers up the team in a circle before each match and preps her teammates for the upcoming game. During tough matches, she shows her moral support by cheering the girls on and giving them advice, inspiring the team to play their best.
“The last time we made it to CIF was in 2015, my freshmen year,” Huang says. “Our goal for the past two years was to make it to CIF and I am proud to say that this year, we finally did. It is definitely the best way to end my last season with this amazing accomplishment.” Huang led the team to their first ever CIF quarterfinals appearance, with wins over Hemet and Garden Grove. Huang was instrumental in the team’s postseason success, garnering two wins, 6-1 and 6-0, in their opening match against Hemet. Despite her efforts, however, the team couldn’t overcome Huntington Beach in their final CIF game.
A FOUR-YEAR VARSITY PLAYER, fall MVP Shannon Huang boasts an impressive 19-5 regular season record in her senior season. Huang led her team to the CIF quarterfinals, the best mark in team history.
Looking past her high school career, Huang wants to further pursue her interest in tennis, and hopes to play club tennis in college. “I have a great passion for tennis, so it would be wonderful to continue in college and compete in more USTA tournaments,” Huang said.
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TIGER 15 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
SPORTS
What is the future of the football program? STORY RAYMOND YEO PHOTO OSCAR WALSH ILLUSTRATION TALULLA CHOW
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ootball has been engraved into U.S. culture and has earned its named as “America’s Sport.” However, the fiscal costs and long term effects of injuries have been steering increasing numbers of high school athletes away from the sport. The ongoing football exodus has prevented many schools from developing, and in the most extreme cases, even maintaining their program in recent years. Following another injury ridden and unimpressive league season, the looming question many other schools have had to face finds its way into South Pasadena: what is the future of the football program? With just over a million helmets on the field in the 2018 season, football was once again the number one attractor of high school boys athletes. However, the number of football players has fallen by seven percent since its peak in 2009, at a time when participation in all other sports were increasing. This nationwide trend is exhibited in South Pasadena too — although 55 athletes were on the initial varsity team in 2013, only 39 athletes participated this past season.
WITH PARTICPATION DECLINING, the future of the football program is in question. Aside from personal purchases such as cleats and gloves, each player must have a school-provided uniform, helmet, and a full set of pads in order to play ball. Even excluding various other miscellaneous costs, the school’s lofty total comes out to over $500 per player. For many schools, such as Blair High School, the costs outweighed the benefits. The ex-Rio Hondo football league member has been forced to participate in an eight-man football league with a sub-30 man roster.
Football participation has declined in the last five years, according to maxpreps rosters.
However, the most significant reason why more students are not choosing to participate is due to the risk of concussions. Although the recovery time for head injuries may take only a fraction of the time torn ligaments or broken bones may demand, the long-term effects are far more dangerous. A major study regarding brain disease showed that 99 percent of deceased NFL players exhibited traces of chronic brain problems. Athletic director Greg Luna has actively pursued raising concussion awareness alongside Dr. Nancy J. Cohick — with greater awareness about concussions, athletes have been able to diagnose themselves more accurately. The
2018 season showed improvement in diagnosing from previous years: 11 concussions were reported compared to only two the previous season. Still, football has proved that it brings the country together. The sheer number of tailgating events, fantasy football leagues, and even relatively packed high school stadiums provide irrefutable evidence. Furthermore, South Pas runs two of its largest events, Color Day and Homecoming, around football’s schedule. Although South Pas boasts a strong fan base consisting of families and alumni, it is tough to ignore the dilemmas being imposed upon the school’s football team. Nonetheless, the South Pasadena football program has already taken the first and most uncomfortable step by acknowledging the risks of football. Perhaps some development time in an eightman league will provide the momentum the Tigers need to regain prominence in the RHL. However, as long as the South Pasadena school and community continues their ongoing support, the Friday night lights will continue to shine bright on Ray Solari Stadium.
CIF watch: how fall sports fared in the playoffs STORY CAT FLORES PHOTO TONY CHEN After this fall season, in which SPHS sports captured three league titles, five out of seven fall teams qualified for CIF playoffs. Girls’ volleyball finished second in league with a 7-3 record, qualifying for CIF. In their first and only game of CIF, they were defeated by Alta Loma High School in three close sets. They lost 25-22 and 25-12 in the first and second sets. In the third and final set, sophomore labaro Lindsey Hirano made numerous saves, but this wasn’t enough to keep the Tigers in the game, as they lost 2519. Next season the Tigers will be without senior middle blockers Kimi Brown and Christina Taylor leaving the team with big holes to fill.
AFTER FINISHING FIRST IN LEAGUE, boys’ water polo lost in their first CIF game.
After finishing third in league, girls’ golf was able to send two players, junior Victoria Tskvitichvili and freshman Lauren Calderon, to the individual CIF competition. Calderon shot for a score of 82, just missing the 77-stroke cut off, while Tskvitichvili had 88 strokes on the 18 hole course. In the team competition, the Tigers failed to make the cut to advance to the next round of CIF.
Boys’ water polo finished first in league after an undefeated league season, qualifying for the postseason. The Tigers competed against the Redondo Union Seahawks in the first round of CIF, the team to whom they lost last year in the semifinals. Although the Tigers fought hard, by halftime the score was 4-2 in favor of the Seahawks. In the second half, Sophomore Liam Markus made blocks against the Sea Hawk’s offense, preventing some scoring opportunities, but by the end of the third quarter, Redondo Union held a commanding 6-4 lead. After a well-fought match, the Seahawks won by a score of 9-5, ending the Tigers road through CIF. The varsity girls’ tennis team advanced to the CIF quarterfinals, the best mark in team history. In their opening CIF game, the team emerged victorious with a 12-6 win over Hemet. The Tigers won their second CIF game over Garden Grove High School by a score of 14-4, with both the singles and doubles squads only falling in two games. The Tigers journey through CIF ended with a loss in the quarterfinals to Huntington Beach. After both girls and boys placed first in their league, cross country will compete in their opening CIF meet on Saturday, Nov. 10.
TIGER
16 NOVEMBER 9, 2018
SPORTS
Winter sports preview STORY PRESTON SHARKEY After a collectively underwhelming performance from the South Pasadena fall teams, their winter counterparts will hope to find more success in CIF play. Coming off of a subpar 3-7 league record, the boys’ basketball team will look to make a leap into CIF contention behind contributions from an experienced roster. Led by a pair of senior lefty guards — Sebastian Au-Rivera and Louis Jamerson — the Tigers will rely on a more balanced scoring output from its entire rotation to replace the scoring load. While South Pas has plenty of guard depth, the team will be undersized against almost all of their opponents, with the projected starting lineup consisting solely of players of six foot or under. The Tigers will compensate for their lack of size with an up-tempo offense and highpressure, turnover-forcing defense.
Esports: sports or games? STORY PRESTON SHARKEY ILLUSTRATION ELAINE YANG Over the summer, ESPN elected to air the Overwatch League Finals during a primetime slot in place of a conventional sports game, marking the first time a live esports competition was broadcast on primetime national television. Similarly, a professional gamer was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine for the first time recently when Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, a popular Fortnite streamer, was profiled in the magazine’s September edition. While gaming has been a favorite hobby of many for decades, it is only recently capturing more serious attention. With gaming breaking into platforms normally reserved for traditional “sports,” the question beckons: should esports be considered a ‘sport’? Aside from the physical and training aspects of esports, it is important to consider the similarities between broadcasting video games and sports for the purpose for entertainment. While a teenager playing Call of Duty by themselves is not similar to a sport, a professional gaming competition being broadcast for the purpose of entertainment is nearly synonymous with televising sports. Both feature talented professional players who compete in front of in-person and online audiences. Although professional gaming is being considered in the same class as pro sports, there is still a large faction of “traditional sports” fans who believe there is an apparent difference between the two activities. Despite occasionally playing video games in his free time, junior Tianhao Wei, who is one of the top triple jumpers in California, believes that a physical challenge in a game is necessary for it to be considered a sport.
“Besides using your hand to move a mouse, there is nothing that is actively engaging one to perform anything physical [while playing video games],” Wei said. “Concentration is an exertion that stems from the mind, which is a more abstract concept than a physical one. Thus, the ability to concentrate and identify video game playmaking is not a physical exertion but more of a mental struggle.” However, competitive gamer and junior Parker Sedgwick, who grew up playing basketball, baseball, and football, believes gaming is a sport. Sedgwick, who ranks in the top .1% of Fortnite players in duo matches, spends 30 hours a week honing his skills in preparation for competitions. “Esports should be considered a sport because it takes thousands of hours of training and mental conditioning,” Sedgwick said. “People may say that esports are not a sport because they don’t fully grasp the viewership and training that goes into the esports games.” Although the inclusion of gaming into the “sports” category isn’t accepted by all fans, there is no disputing the popularity of gaming broadcasts. In fact, some gaming competitions have recently outperformed typical sports games in terms of viewership. In 2016, the League of Legends World Championship finals attracted 43 million viewers, topping the 13 million people who tuned in to Game One of this year’s World Series. With gaming gaining more coverage on traditional sports platforms, it is opening the door for the inclusion of a broader spectrum of competitions to be publicized. As for esports, it will remain to be seen if the gaming industry can further propel itself into a mainstream audience.
The girls’ basketball team is primed for another postseason run, this year hoping to advance farther in CIF play after being eliminated in the second round last year. Consistently finishing near the top of the Rio Hondo League standings, expectations will be high for this year’s team, who will return nine players from a 2017-2018 team that finished 7-3 in league. The Tigers will aim to knock off the league favorite La Cañada Spartans, who hold a 6-0 record against South Pas in the last three years. Projecting as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, senior Lauren Kafkaloff will lead the team’s offensive attack, along with key contributions from senior guards. Following a season in which they reached CIF quarterfinals, boys’ soccer will have a tough task ahead of them if they hope to once again make a deep postseason run. With the departure of team captain and defender, Hank Rainey, along with leading goalscorer Jack Renken, the Tigers will have to turn to a different group of players to make key contributions. After being sidelined with a torn ACL last year, senior attacking midfielder Raymond Yeo will return to lead a South Pas attack that will be more possession and passing oriented. The girls’ water polo team will hope to rise to the top of the Rio Hondo League this year after consistently finishing in the middle to lower realm of the standings in recent years. Seniors Jael Osborne and Sydney Shettleroe will the lead the experienced group of Tigers with aspirations of claiming the program’s first league title in five years. Shettleroe will be tasked with filling the large role vacated by current division one player Hayden Carlson. For the first time in school history, there will be both a boys’ and girls’ wrestling team. After separating from the co-ed squad, the girls’ team comprised of four wrestlers will look to find success in their first season. As for the boys, the team will be searching for a new top performer after the graduation of former standout Irvin Perez.
Girls’ soccer determined to build a dynasty STORY MATTHEW TSAI PHOTO TONY CHEN
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lmost every sport has a team that induces fear among the league through its consistently superb performances. The New England Patriots have reached the Super Bowl eight times, winning five titles. Real Madrid has been victorious in four of the last five Champions Leagues. Each of these organizations point to elite talent and coaching stability as the reasons for their prolonged success. The girls’ soccer team boasts both of these vital components, and after last year’s deep CIF run, they expect to build a new Tiger dynasty. The senior duo of Uma Hornish (reigning RHL Offensive Player of the Year) and Rainey Tilley (RHL 1st team) return with their complete offensive arsenal. Hornish created numerous chances last season, scoring 13 goals and racking up 12 assists. Tilley, seemingly always in the right position at the right time, bagged 12 goals. Although they are clinical in the box, there may be trouble delivering the ball to them. Isabel Bluml and Emily Dunn (a combined 20 goals and 7 assists) have graduated, leaving a gaping hole in the midfield. Junior midfielder Corey Segal, a crafty playmaker, will miss the entirety of the season with a knee injury. Still, dynasties must forge on, sustaining a high level of play no matter who is on the roster. Of the 24 players, 13 are new
additions who must rise to the occasion to fill the gaps the seniors left behind. Junior midfielder Juanita Diaz will be expected to bear some of the playmaking duties. As so many underclassmen and graduating seniors are shuffled in and out from the roster, the team must rapidly develop chemistry if they are to succeed. “Team chemistry is definitely one of our top priorities,” senior captain defender AJ Bonk said. “I think it’s the same all the way up the field, the midfielders and forwards have to have good chemistry to make plays, feed off of each other, and essentially score goals.” One reason for the Tigers’ strong chemistry is coach Victoria Lathrop, who enters her third year with a 29-10-5 career record. Players have praised Lathrop for creating an atmosphere that focuses on more than just the game. “She brought a lot more unity to our team and is inclusive of everyone and that was definitely different from our last coach,” Bonk said. “I think that her open-mindedness has really helped our team grow technically and personally, which has led us to success on numerous levels.” The Tigers, united by their coach, possess all the talent required for a championship repeat. In order to kick off a dynasty, the team must continue to consistently dominate the opposition and prove they are more than a one-hit wonder.
AFTER A RUN TO THE CIF SEMIFINALS, the team will move from Division V to III.