Tiger Newspaper April 2019

Empowering students to think critically and creatively since 1913

VOLUME 105 ISSUE 8 APRIL 30, 2019

IN THE NEWS

SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030

Class elections

Choir concert

Prom tickets

Candidates for next year’s class officers will be campaigning this week. Elections will be Friday, May 3.

The annual end-of-year choir concert will take place Thursday, May 2 at 7p.m. in the SPHS auditorium.

Tickets for prom, which will be held Saturday, May 11, are now on sale in the Student Bank at lunch.

Students shine in Legally Blonde

STORY LUYANG ZHANG PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE

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enior Lindsey Calva thrives on performing. After four years in South Pasadena’s drama department, she has participated in numerous productions, covering roles in The Addams Family, Peter Pan, and Hairspray. However, even as a veteran actor, the demanding and high-energy role as Elle Woods in SPHS’ spring musical, Legally Blonde, has pushed Calva out of her comfort zone in both rehearsal and onstage.

“I [was] really nervous about doing this musical. I’ve never had a part this big in my life and I’ve never had a part so girly and young; I always play someone older or ‘the mother’ in the show,” Calva said. “I [was] also stressing about the vocals, I went from playing Morticia Addams to playing Elle Woods, who sings about an octave higher.”

The pressure of preparing for the show was no easier on the rest of the cast, who started rehearsals in early February each day after school. Director Mr. Nick Hoffa, Musical Director Ms Lia Jones, and Choreographer Ms Courtney Cheyne invested countless hours into practices to blend the acting, vocals, and choreography of each cast member together into a seamless narrative.

“It takes a lot of concentration and focus to pull it off,” Hoffa said. “For example, we have over 200 costume changes and some of them are extremely fast— it require[s] coordination from everyone to pull off.”

The stage crew was especially critical in SPHS’ Legally Blonde, where the limited number of sets available for the cast to use made it essential for the crew to make the most of lighting to bring more excitement into the musical. The high school’s sound equipment presented another challenge; the school’s poor set of microphones and lastminute technical errors caused the audio from the microphones to be unresponsive and crackly.

Meanwhile, the musical’s producers were challenged to find costumes and props for the show, which had to reflect the quirks and flair in each character, and be appropriate to the scene. Running on the musical’s tighter budget, the musical’s five producers were forced to be creative and resourceful with their materials. Many costumes came straight from the actors’ closets, while others were purchased on online stores after careful financial consideration.

The shows were the culmination of months of hard work. Despite the difficulties during their performances and earlier rehearsals, the students involved, whether first timers and veterans, were able to gain insight about their love for working on and around the stage.

“I learned about being myself on stage, there’s this quote ‘you are more interesting than the best actor you could ever be.’ I was authentically me while being Elle Woods on stage,” Calva said after her weekend performances. “Also, the efforts of everyone were astonishing: everything really came together in the end in ways we didn’t think would happen, it was a very surprising and magical experience.”

MEAT IS BAD

ENDGAME

Read Copy Editor Caroline Kimbel’s take on why reducing meat consumption is a necessary step for environmental progress

Marvel’s highly anticipated conclusion brings together excellent character moments and is the pinnacle of the best film franchise in history.

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TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL The Tigers take on Arcadia in their first round CIF mathcup, a team they defeated earlier in the year.

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TIGER APRIL 30, 2019

NEWS

Tiger talks with Joe Ortiz STORY ADAM KWOH, NICOLAS LIU, & DOMINIC MARZIALI

PHOTO TONY CHEN

PAGE TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO GRAPHICS TALULLA CHOW

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ollowing South Pasadena Police Chief Art Miller’s resignation, Joe Ortiz, formerly the police chief of Sierra Madre, was selected by the City of South Pasadena to take over as chief. As the incoming leader of the South Pasadena Police Department, Ortiz will face numerous challenges within South Pasadena to support community projects and South Pasadena’s schools, and to address the problems surrounding the death of ER actress Vanessa Marquez during an officer-involved shooting. Ortiz was sworn in during a private ceremony on Apr. 1 and the city held a ceremonial swearing-in on Monday, Apr. 29.

TIGER: It’s been almost a month since you’ve stepped into your role as police chief. What has your experience in South Pas been like so far?

What do you enjoy most about the South Pas community and SPPD? ORTIZ: It’s been amazing, absolutely amazing. The community, the residents, my colleagues and staff have been very welcoming and have been happy to have me on board. The staff and personnel and their skill sets have been amazing, they are all key players. This is only week four and I enjoy coming to work. It’s extremely satisfying to come and work collectively with a bunch of folks who share the same vision and who have the same want and desire provide a full service community to its residents. We’re all on the same page and we share the vision of the city council and manager. We have the tools and resources to execute this vision.

How is South Pas different from Sierra Madre, and how do you plan to adjust to cater to South Pas’ needs?

The demographics are the same [but] the population is double, almost triple in South Pas. Here in South Pas we have commercial business and industrial business. We have a bigger and more robust downtown area. We work with traffic signals, which we don’t have in Sierra Madre. There is much more staff to do the things needed and get the job done. Some important things are recruitment and retention — the ability to build relationships with the community members. You need to be transparent in the things that you do. I am a big advocate of training and sending employees to training to keep up on the contemporary training styles so that they have the skill sets to do their job. It’s all about being a part of a team.

You have a police department, fire department, and public works with their own ideas. The focus here is that we share a vision together in a safe city and provide full service opportunities to our residents.

You’re stepping in at a time where the spotlight seems to be on SPPD, especially following the officer-involved shooting of Vanessa Marquez in August 2018, which is currently under investigation by the L.A. Sheriff Department. Do you have a role in this investigation or any thoughts?

I don’t really have any thoughts or opinions, this is only week four. I don’t have any opinions on something that happened in August 2018. I heard just like everyone else heard in the paper, I haven’t looked into the investigation yet. I am aware of it and I am aware that we are waiting for some findings to come back from the sheriff department. But I don’t have a personal comment.

Art Miller was well-respected as police chief here for the last five years. Have you gotten the chance to talk to him and did he give you any pieces of advice?

[The city] wants to be able to look to the police department to not only fight crime, but fight the fear of crime.”

I have. Chief Art Miller was really engaged in the community. He made it a point to be really transparent on how he operated.

He was a very outgoing person, I know Art Miller on a personal side of things. I had a long conversation with him as soon as I got sworn in so he could give me an update on some things that were still needing attention. He left the department in good hands when he left. I’ll push forward with his vision and his ability to provide an energetic type of relationship with the community.

I hope to continue to push forward with his same energy and enthusiasm.

What are your own personal goals for the community and SPPD? I think my personal goals mirror the goals of the city manager and the council.

I think they want to provide a safe city. They want to be able to look to the police department to not only fight crime, but fight the fear of crime. We want to make this a working environment and culture that people, like myself, want to come to work. This is a good place. This is a department that has the ability to promote growth within. I am all about giving our folks on the inside an opportunity to develop. I use the example of our robust cadet program and parking control officer program. What we’re fortunate enough to do here is to take from that pool of applicants and they become our future officers and dispatchers.

Are you planning open community outreach/ are you planning to allow South Pasadena’s citizens to be more involved in promoting city security and being informed about current events?

We can always do better with communication. The city, under the direction of the city manager, is to put communication at the top of what we’re doing. Not only within the staff, but to communicate our vision and ideas. We want to update our community and residents on a weekly basis. Since we’re so engaged with our council and residents of the community, we do a pretty good job on updating them on what’s going on and where we plan to go. The South Pas community is very engaged, they have a lot of interest in how things work and we invite those ideas and we invite the creativity to work with city staff to solve problems. I will tell you whether you are a police chief or fire chief, quality of life issues can be difficult at times.

We as a team address those quality of life issues immediately.

We are very fortunate to have the staff to treat both quality of life issues and real emergencies.

What do you plan to do as chief to address any community concerns with the Marquez shooting?

I think my vision and the city manager’s vision is to at the end of the investigation and the findings to have some type of town hall meeting and invite the public to attend.

We want to provide the facts on the case. In a transparent world that we live in there are no secrets. I think my job and the department is to provide the public and residents with the facts. We can’t change your mind on things, but my job isn’t to change your mind, my job is to provide the facts. Maybe after this investigation is done, I’ll work with the city manager to put on some type of presentation at a meeting. I think that would be a step towards better communication and addressing community concerns.

In terms of South Pas schools, there have been several threats of violence in the recent years. How do you plan on working with the schools to ensure student safety?

The focus is to improve our community outreach, that is also our schools, not just residents. We’re very involved in our schools. We provide lots of different training to school supervision and we work hand in hand with the folks on campus to provide training for an incident at the school. It’s a very good working relationship that the police department and fire department have with our school district. Recently I met with the superintendent of [SPUSD] and we had a long conversation. He drove me around the schools and shared concerns with traffic, concerns with different parts of buildings, and provided me with insight into new upgrades coming to the schools. We communicate as often as possible.

What are some long term plans that you have for the city right now?

The big focus right now is on recruitment and retention. We’re looking to rebuild and actively hire and train personnel. It’s not my vision, it’s our vision. I see some very exciting things coming our way. I have the opportunity to work with a forward thinking city manager who has a lot of great ideas that have evolved. I understand they are looking into some upgrades into the downtown area. We have a strategic plan that we have all agreed on. We work towards it as a team, I think it’s going to be very good here in the city.

TIGER APRIL 30, 2019

NEWS

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Eclectic Music Festival takes over Mission Street Musical performances and artisan booths added to the celebration of local art and artists STORY NICOLAS LIU PHOTOS TONY CHEN

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he City of South Pasadena held its 11th annual Eclectic Music Festival and Arts Crawl, hosting artists and producers from many diverse backgrounds Saturday, Apr. 27. The family-friendly event entertained residents with musical performances, food, and activities from both local and outside organizations in celebration of the rich artistic roots of the South Pasadena community.

Attendees entering the venue from the MissionMeridian intersection were greeted by Artisans’ Alley, a section of the festival where consumers could purchase a variety of artistic and culturally inspired products.

The booths set up along Mission Street featured many diverse products from both businesses and independent sellers, ranging from miniature felted animals to threedimensional paintings.

Adjacent to Artisans’ Alley, attendees enjoyed food and drinks from a variety of food trucks and vendors.

Several familiar vendors from the South Pasadena Farmers’ Market as well as locally run organizations and clubs were present to provide refreshments. Crowd favorites from the selection included vegan Filipino ice cream, kettle corn, and barbeque. The Eastern and Western Eclectic Stages, which dominated the dining areas at the Mission and Fairview, and Mission and Fair

Oaks intersections respectively, each hosted several band performances throughout the day.

Grammy-winner Luciana Souza rounded out the lineup of the Carnegie Stage Concert in the library community room. Born in Brazil and raised in a family of musicians, Souza recalled her upbringing’s influence on her music. The singer’s performance, which blended percussion, vocals, and piano, included songs that transitioned from upbeat pieces to more mellow, reflective compositions inspired by her own poetry. Venezuelan pianist Otmaro Ruiz joined Souza, leading several solos throughout the performance.

Julia Vari, an international recording artist, and the David Plenn Band, a local group specializing in jazz, rock, and blues took the stage before Souza’s set.

Stores within the festival grounds hosted their own events as part of the celebration. Restaurants and pubs including Simplee Boba and Griffins of Kinsale on Mission Street repurposed their facilities to host musical events, while other groups such as the South Pasadena Arts Council (SPARC) and the Young Stars Theatre Company gave live performances and hosted arts exhibits for audiences.

SPARC will continue showcasing its three Spring galleries, Here and Somewhere Else, A Day in the Life, and Childhood 101 until June 30 and May 3 and 5, respectively.

DRUMMER ISAAC GRIFFIN performs with his band, “The Drive,” during its second act at the Eclectic East Stage.

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TIGER APRIL 30, 2019

NEWS

South Pas’ Box Art Project STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH & CHRISTINE MAO

PAGE TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO GRAPHIC MADDIE YOO

PHOTOS ANDRÉS OYAGA & COURTESY OF HOWARD SPECTOR & MARY-LINN HUGHES

riving down the streets of South Pas, passersby take note of the colorfully designed utility boxes stationed near the corners of every street. Initiated D in 2017 by the South Pasadena Arts Council, the Box Art Project aimed to beautify South Pas by transforming the plain, gray boxes into works of art. Tiger takes a look at four of the artists behind these boxes and explores the messages behind each of their respective pieces.

In the Evening of All Things, or Have Been Stationed across from Radhika Modern Indian restaurant and adjacent to the Metro station ticket boxes, Timothy Smith’s “In the Evening of All Things to be, or Have Been” electrical box mural complements its location through its colorful portrayal of the Metro station’s lively ambience.

Prior to working on the box, Smith was first inspired to create a panoramic landscape of the area.

In his illustration, he experimented with characters in motion as well as space and

multiple dimensions.

When he was asked to turn his work into an electrical box mural that would be in the exact area that inspired the painting, Smith agreed and aimed to make the box look like an extension of the actual train station.

Cakes and Birds The “Cakes and Birds” utility box illustration is an eye-catching piece located directly across from South Pasadena Middle School, with a message often that is often overlooked. Though unassuming, South Pas local Mary-Linn Hughes’ comical illustration embodies pressing issues such as wealth inequality.

Hughes’ illustration depicts an unevenly divided cake served up to a flock of birds. A single bird grabs hold of the largest slice, while the other birds are left to share smaller pieces of the cake or stare at an empty plate. Hughes hopes to convey the “not-so-sweet lesson” about the reality of wealth distribution across the United States.

“The design addresses a national issue [relevant] to our community as well. My preference was to paint the design on a box located with high pedestrian traffic near the city’s middle school,” Hughes said. “As a South Pasadena parent I particularly want to engage young people in our community about this issue. I wanted to find a way to visually represent the inequality and help people of all ages to better understand this key economic, political and moral issue.”

As an oil painter, muralist, and multimedia artist, Smith specializes in fusing multiple perspectives into a kaleidoscopic vision, playing with the concept of time and blurring the line between personal and collective experience. In doing so, Smith sends his audience a unique message.

“My message in all of my work is to take a second look at the world around you and think about what it looks like through other people’s eyes,” Smith said. “That’s why I paint strange perspectives. I want people to imagine seeing outside of their normal perspective, and hopefully find new answers that they weren’t expecting.”

Coyote, Ostrich, Parrot South Pasadena’s diverse wildlife, ranging from parrots to coyotes, is a common sight in the community. While some simply disregard its presence, artist Yuki Toy included South Pas’ animals at the center of her artwork. Located on a busy intersection of Mission and Fair Oaks, the box’s mint green background makes the mural stand out from the crowd.

Toy shows her creativity prominently through her combination of the odd objects, conveying the message of everlasting youth, hope, and peace in the community. She specifically designed each side of the box to depict a special relationship between each animal or object in the city. Reaching out towards the sky, the rainbow-gloved hands portray the act of releasing green parrots into the sky. On the other sides of the box are images of a baby ostrich smiling and peeking its head out, and the last one of a coyote riding a motorcycle.

“I designed the ostrich as a happy baby ostrich to wish the kids in South Pas to be always playful and healthy,” Toy said. “You also see the rainbow hands underneath the parrots in the sky, and this represents the hope and peace in our community. The parrots are the green birds we see and hear everyday. They are like our cheerleaders. Sometimes I see the wild coyotes cruising around by the library in the middle of the night.”

Toy successfully captures the uniqueness of South Pas and shows the growth among the locals, through the encouraging messages presented from each side of the utility box. With her artwork, she has helped emphasize the importance of community in the city.

Art in the Park Valerie Trimarchi’s “Art in the Park” is located in one of the busiest parts of the city. Standing on the side of Blaze Pizza, students and locals are often drawn to this eccentrically designed utility box. Trimarchi has magically transformed a typical utility box into one that has perfectly portrayed the strong bond of community.

In hopes of displaying South Pas as one special chapter and memory in locals’ lives, Trimarchi painted her box based on her time in South Pas. She wanted to ensure that her experiences of the small town would be highlighted on this box and would prompt the community to think about each special characteristic and meaningful memory of the city.

The utility box features numerous scenes of people, of all generations, bonding and celebrating their time in South Pas. Scenes showcased children working together on a mural and others dancing to the music at the Farmers’ Market.

Along with these illustrations, she also included the famous Gold Line train and food stalls of the Farmers’ Market.

Children constantly approached Trimarchi during the time she was painting, and she would invite them to paint a small ball on her box, which she left untouched.

“My message to the community would be to appreciate this great town,” said Trimarchi. “The utility box was my ‘love song’ to South Pas, where we raised our family and enjoyed having our kids live in a family neighborhood.”

TIGER APRIL 30, 2019

THE TIGER ESTABLISHED 1913

CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2019 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2018 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2017 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2014 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2013

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 TALULLA CHOW, Associate PHOTOGRAPHY ALICIA ALDERETE, Editor OSCAR WALSH, Associate

Poverty appropriation: making being poor ‘trendy’

COPY CAROLINE KIMBEL, MAYA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITERS AUDREY ERNST, CAT FLORES, KIMBERLY HSUEH, NICOLAS LIU, CHRISTINE MAO, MATTHEW TSAI, RAYMOND YEO, MADDIE YOO, LUYANG ZHANG PHOTOGRAPHERS TONY CHEN, JAYDEN EDEN, ANDRÉS OYAGA, SOPHIE YEUNG ILLUSTRATORS NICHOLAS FORMAN, DAVID SOHN BUSINESS & ADS HYUN KIM WEBMASTER ALEX PARRA FACULTY ADVISOR MIKE HOGAN VOL. 105 NO. 7 DISTRIBUTED ON APR. 30, 2019.

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 L.A. WEB OFFSET PRINTING, INC., EL MONTE, 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. CONTACT THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE AT (626) 441-5820 EXT. 2615 BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. TIGER WELCOMES ARTICLES, LETTERS OR REBUTTALS FOR PUBLICATION IN THE PRINT AND ONLINE EDITIONS. ALL LETTERS MUST BE SIGNED AND VERIFIABLE, BUT NAMES WILL BE WITHHELD UPON REQUEST.

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ALL REMAINING CURRENT TIGER NEWSPAPER POLICIES ARE ONLINE AT TIGERNEWSPAPER. COM INCLUDING: CONFLICT OF INTEREST, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, CORRECTIONS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

Many SPHS students take part in thrifting as a form of sustainable shopping, but does this behavior take advantage of a market meant for the low-income?

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hrift stores have become an essential part of mainstream shopping culture in the recent decade, spurring songs and shows about this hip and economically feasible way to shop nostalgia fashion. Hipsters everywhere have popularized thrifting to a point that what was once a shopping method strictly for necessity (and oftentimes an embarrassing one for those who couldn’t afford anything else) is now widely seen as a trendy activity for people of all income levels — especially wealthy teens who make a game out of finding cool and funky pieces among the old and tacky. This popularization creates problems as upper-middle class people adopt behaviors of the impoverished to bolster their self image, essentially taking over markets so that they can no longer benefit the communities they are meant to serve in their full capacity.

Students at South Pasadena High School play into this trend as well. Most take immense pride in their personal styles, and as a student body, many like to believe SPHS contains a particularly well dressed population of teens. This pride is galvanized by thrifting culture. With a more common pressure in this small community to appear non-”basic” and the impressive L.A. thrifting scene so close by, South Pas kids seek out thrift shops of all kinds for a more edgy and eclectic look, often bragging about and flaunting the price tags of their cheap finds.

There is nothing inherently wrong about feeling happy or even proud about finding a great deal on clothes. However, the language and attitude surrounding thrifting that is so prevalent in our upper-middle class suburb savors strongly of unchecked privilege. This entire culture is a form of poverty appropriation.

Unlike kids from most teen movies since the 80s, South Pas students do not lie to their friends to make themselves appear

more rich. Instead, SPHS students and teens in upper middle class communities like ours, adopt certain behaviors to appear poor or less privileged. The root of this issue boils down to one word: choice.

Donation shops like Goodwill and Salvation Army were started as a way to create jobs and provide low-income and other marginalized groups with an affordable option for clothing.

Though impoverished people still use thrift shops because they have no other option, they often find these spaces are taken over by wealthy shoppers who see this way of living as fun and drive up prices. Worse still, this culture has also lead to the rise of higher end thrift shops like American Vintage, Picky Jane, or a local favorite, the Bearded Beagle, that take in old and used clothes for cheap, and hike up the prices for profit, marketing them towards the upper class — effectively gentrifying clothing.

This does not mean that those who can afford to shop retail should only buy new. In fact, shopping second hand is a great way to help mitigate the harmful effects of fast fashion on the environment. The reality is, everyone should shop secondhand and learn to recycle clothing, as there is already more than enough stuff in circulation to clothe all people. However, when shoppers do so, it is important to recognize the social implications of their actions. Upper middle class teenagers frequenting donation shops created for low income and marginalized groups should be cognizant of the space they take up in the store and most importantly keep in mind their purchase-to-donation ratio. If one frequents thrift stores and makes a lot of purchases, but don’t give back — or worse, resells the items they find for cheap at drastically inflated prices, they’re taking advantage of something that wasn’t created to benefit them.

Boos & Bravos Tiger ’s cheers and jeers for the month of April.

BOOS

BRAVOS

BOO to Good Friday and Passover. We missed you, Seniors!

BRAVO to Festivus for reminding us that the AP tests are only in the mind.

BOO to all the boys who came back from Spring Break with bleached buzz cuts. Sorry, but Barry B. Benson is not a look.

BRAVO to Copa for giving Tiger an extra page in the yearbook. You really do care!

BOO to the jet engine in the STEM building bathroom.

BOO to whoever activated the “Snap, Crackle, and Pop” feature on the mics for Legally Blonde.

BRAVO to softball for their one league win.

BRAVO to the people who spoiled Endgame for saving us $14.

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TIGER APRIL 30, 2019

OPINION

PRO CON : College app limits Considering the rising trend of applying to as many schools as possible, would restricting the college application system bring benefit to students?

+ The dilemma of too many schools STORY AANJI SIN ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN SPHS is an incredibly competitive academic environment. For many of the high-achieving students, applying to a large number of prestigious schools seems perfectly reasonable. However, South Pasadena is an affluent community filled with citizens who possess privileges that many students across the U.S. do not share. To compensate for these drawbacks, there needs to be a system of restrictions to limit how many schools students can apply to.

Applying to schools is extremely expensive. The cost of standardized, AP, and SAT subject tests adds up quickly. If students apply to 20 schools, application fees alone can build as high as $2,000. This is hardly a reasonable amount for those with financial issues, who often end up sacrificing key schools on their lists in order to afford an education at all.

In a highly competitive environment like SPHS, it is easy to get caught up in the trend of only applying to “name brand” colleges. Schools like UCLA and the Ivies receive hundreds of thousands applications per year because of this pervasive misconception that only well known schools are worth applying to. Many of the applications that popular schools receive are from highly qualified candidates, but these candidates

are accepted at every other well known school to which they apply. The flood of applications takes away spots from people who were genuinely interested in attending that school.

College applications are also extremely stressful.

Senior year is supposed to be one of the most stressful years academically, and college apps add a major strain.

Applying to 20 schools also makes it harder to make applications their best quality. Students need to worry about spreading themselves too thin. They should write applications that reflect their best quality work, instead of worrying about the quantity of applications.

With this year’s college decision season drawing to a close, next year’s seniors should keep these reasons in mind for when they start their own applications.

It is important to keep options open, but also not to sacrifice quality for quantity. In order to further implement these restrictions, a system should be put in place by applications organisations such as the Common Application to limit students from sending out too many. Restricting students to 10 or 15 schools maximum will somewhat even the college application playing field. But until such a system is created, students applying to college must keep in mind that applying to too many schools has its impediments.

Limiting themselves may help their chances instead of hurting them.

- More choice, more opportunity STORY RAYMOND YEO ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN College applications have become wildly unpredictable.

It’s come to a point of desensitization; often times we don’t even raise an eyebrow when an overachiever is rejected from their safety school. Since the adoption of online-based applications, applying to colleges has never been easier. Joint application organizations such as the Common Application and the Coalition Application have enabled students to apply to colleges with greater efficiency, ultimately increasing the number of applicants per school and consequently lowering acceptance rates.

However, there should not be a limit to the number of colleges a student can apply to. It doesn’t matter whether you apply to twenty colleges or to 8; with the right mentality and approach, one can find success in the admissions process. Students must begin to decide on schools based not on prestige, but on the quality of resources for what they want to pursue. Students should apply to all of the schools that can offer them the resources they need for their education.

Additionally, lower acceptance rates are not a bad thing from a utilitarian perspective. Internet access has granted a broader diversity of individuals — such as international students, minorities, and first generation

students — opportunities to easily apply to a broad spectrum of colleges. Revoking this right of choice is counterproductive and would go against the American ideal of freedom to opportunities.

Additionally, colleges have begun to more frequently utilize the process of deferring and waitlisting students in order to weed out the nonchalant from the passionate. According to NACAC, colleges admitted about 23 percent of their waitlisted students in 2016.

These statistics do not take into account that those who truly want to attend the institution write to their college letters of continued interest, boosting their chances drastically over those “overqualified candidates” who may completely disregard the university’s acceptance.

The only valid reason for limiting the number of applications is to create a level playing field for all economic backgrounds. Application fees are admittedly grossly overpriced. However, programs such as Questbridge and numerous opportunities for fee waivers make the financial situation more bearable.

Prospective students may also contact institutions and request to participate in fly-in or diversity programs, in which the majority of costs are covered by the school.

Ultimately, it should be up to students, parents, and their counselors to decide how many colleges to apply to — not outside bureaucracy.

WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY | OONA FOLEY

A case for never taking physics As much as we all despise Skills Mastery forms, I genuinely love class scheduling. The sight of a four year plan excites me just as much now as it did in Mrs. Horridge’s room the first time I filled one out. At the time, I was grateful to have any say in my schedule, though it soon became apparent that I had fallen victim to the deceptive illusion of control.

Between the A-G requirements for UC schools and the SPHS graduation requirements, there appears to be very little room for college-bound kids to choose their classes if they want to stay on track. In order to avoid having seven periods each year, I got stuck taking summer school classes for three out of the four years of my high school career. I am also taking six year long classes as a

senior which can only be described as tragic. Though the requirements feel very restrictive, I firmly believe that you can work the system more than the counselors are letting on. Taking advantage of the little choice you are given is necessary to surviving the pre-college years.

Physics was never going to happen for me. Neither was an honors math class or a fourth year of math. These classes would have filled me with a dangerous type of dread, so I made the executive decision to disregard these UC recommendations and fill my schedule with classes I would enjoy. I have always hated school so my strategic scheduling was necessary to keeping my life and workload bearable. It was completely worth it and I will be attending a UC school in the fall.

Studying for an easy class you don’t care about is 10 times harder than studying for a difficult class that you love.

Taking heinous yet impressive classes in high school also reduces the learning experience to nothing more than college prep. I think we all deserve more than that. This notion is probably why so many people who thrive in college detested their high school years. Pushing yourself way too hard in high school can also set you up for failure in college when you realize you’re in way over your head.

As long as you challenge yourself in the subjects you want to be challenged in, no one should worry too much about meeting every suggestion. Your college essays will be much more valuable if you have taken advantage of opportunities that you genuinely enjoy, so it all evens out in the end.

TIGER APRIL 30, 2019

OPINION

7

Do more than just use a metal straw Many South Pas residents identify with the environmentalist movement, but refuse to make sacrifices that count STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN

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PHS has begun cultivating an easily identifiable group of self-proclaimed “environmentalists,” consistently found with a metal straw in hand, always discussing the validity of climate change, and trying their best to only ever carry reusable water bottles. Although these day to day simple actions certainly have an impact, many of these “environmentalists” lack willingness to reduce their carbon footprint in the most effective way possible: eating less meat. However, the individuals themselves are not fully to blame, the stigma around meat-free diets ultimately halts environmental progress. In any effort to limit the ramifications of climate change, those who can should be consuming less meat.

Industrial farming is modern civilization’s most unsustainable practice. According to the UN, livestock is responsible for emitting 18 percent of global greenhouse gases — more than those produced by cars, trucks, ships, and planes, combined. Additionally, animal agriculture uses 55 percent of water in the U.S., while American homes only use 5 percent. Environmental advocates have campaigned for shorter showers, yet the majority of California’s water waste has come from the livestock industry. Factory farming’s effects are so extensive that apparent progress in other areas will not counter its destruction.

Regardless of the unsustainability of industrial farming, the vegan movement is heavily stigmatized. Climate

change and meat consumption are seen as elitist issues.

Yet, marginalized groups will face the consequences of climate change far prior to it harming the upper classes, and reduced meat consumption is the most that individuals can do to limit its consequences. Much of the anger and resentment towards the vegan movement comes from underprivileged and indigenous groups that are unable to participate. Indigenous people traditionally eat the entire animal when they consume meat, and are often ridiculed by vegans for doing so. However, this is not the group that the movement should be targeting.

Wealthier groups that have the privilege to go vegetarian claim that they are environmentalists, yet they consume more meat and unsustainable products than any other group. This should be the group called out for continuing to heavily fund an industry that is single-handedly destroying the planet, not the disadvantaged.

The stigma around meat-free diet halts environmental progress. But, one does not necessarily have to go fully vegan to make a difference. In order to make sufficient change, meat needs to at least become a luxury within the American diet rather than a daily commodity. In 1920, the average American consumed 100 pounds of meat every year. Today, the average is almost 300. Americans are eating more meat than ever before, while simultaneously claiming that climate change is today’s crisis. Talking about environmental issues doesn’t do anything, but eating less meat makes a difference. People must hold each other accountable to put real effort into limiting the repercussions of climate change, and many people have the ability to do more than just use metal straws.

Healthy relationships are a vital part of high school STORY CAT FLORES ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN Unhealthy relationships are very common in high school, but they are often not addressed. In high school, toxic relationships are seen as an adolescent lapse of judgement, as if they don’t matter nearly as much as the harmful experiences of the “real world.” But going to high school is just a micro version of the real world, at least in terms of interpersonal interactions. It is important to teach students useful skills now — such as communication, honesty, and respect — in order to prevent possible toxic relationships that could cause long-term damages to the students’ mental health.

Schools must teach teens how to maintain healthy relationships and be more aware of their impact. Lack of education in this area is detrimental to teens’ ability to have healthy relationships in the future.

Being in an unhealthy relationship can range from improper between partners to physical or emotional abuse between partners. Anything and everything in between is problematic, even if unhealthy relationships in high school rarely reach the latter. These issues should be addressed early on so that a healthy relationship can be achieved. The most simple way for a relationship to be fixed is through the couple talking through problems and being honest with each other. If

this is not possible, the relationship should end.

Like drugs, an unhealthy relationship can take over a teenager’s life. Whether both partners are miserable in a relationship, or one partner is suffering from a one-sided relationship, these situations can have harmful implications on those involved. This is often because one or both people in the relationship are clueless as to what should be done to maintain a healthy relationship. The experiences that high school students are having with relationships build a foundation for the way they will interact with people in the future, the partners they will have, and the other relationships they’ll cultivate. Young adulthood is the time when teens figure out how to guide their lives properly before they enter a world that is much bigger and scarier than high school.

SPHS needs to pay more attention to students’ well beings when it comes to relationships. Going forward, SPHS must incorporate the topic of healthy relationships into programs that already discuss mental health on campus. The life skills classes implemented in freshman study halls, which mainly cover issues like social media and drugs, should also add the topic of healthy relationships to their curriculum. This would have a much greater impact on student’s lives and the improvement of their health than current mental health initiatives.

Bisexuality is more complex than labels STORY AUDREY ERNST ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN

harms progress towards acceptance because it invalidates the sexual orientation.

For people who identify as queer, sexual orientation tends to not only serve as their label, but also their definition. LGBTQ+ people are constantly branded by their sexual orientation, placed in a box. That is why bisexuality unjustifiably frustrates people: bisexual people cannot be put neatly into a box. This is prime bisexual erasure — the refusal to acknowledge bisexuality as a legitimate sexual orientation, which typically stems from ignorance. This stigma is harmful to the bisexual community and ultimate acceptance of bisexual people into society. Sexuality is a diverse spectrum, rather than a polarized binary, and it must be established as such in society through education and awareness programs.

“In my experience, people judged me and my sexuality based on what they saw. So when people saw me with a guy, they thought I was ‘more’ straight. But when they saw me with a girl they thought that I was lesbian, which isn’t true, because they can’t feel what I’m feeling,” said sophomore Katya Hansen.

The idea that someone has to decide on what “box” they fit into is a key factor of erasure. It questions the legitimacy of bisexual people, which is detrimental to their inclusivity and social standing. People who identify as bisexual are often faced with the assumption that they aren’t “straight enough” or “gay enough” to fit in with any one group. This form of erasure also also plays into the assumption that a bisexual person is gay or straight depending on the relationship. This

The only solution to erasure is to understand that sexuality is a spectrum, as sexuality is much more complex than stereotypes or labels. Bisexual people must be taken seriously not only when coming out, but also on a day to day basis. The issue of LGBTQ+ erasure needs to be addressed at the root, and should be incorporated into school curriculum to promote acceptance. This can help prevent assumptions about one’s sexuality and value every identity.

Another contributor to bisexual erasure is the fetishization of bisexual people, specifically women. Bisexual women are often reduced to sexual objects, not people with a genuine identity, which contributes to the idea that bisexual people are just experimenting, gay and in denial, or straight and attention-seeking.

TIGER

10 APRIL 30, 2019

FEATURE

FEATURE

Et Cetera MAYA WILLIAMSON

My senior year pensieve The magical wizarding world of Harry Potter has been my safe haven since first grade. When I first experienced the series, I read each installation on an entirely different plane of existence, imagining tricky jinxes, travel by floo powder, and Great Hall feasts. So, amidst the realization that I am truly in the homestretch of my childhood, I decided to pick up The Sorcerer’s Stone once again, thinking that a large dose of nostalgia might bring me the fulfillment I seem to have lost in the second semester of senior year. I didn’t get exactly what I wanted.

This round of reading Harry Potter was my first as an “adult.” I am older now than the characters ever grew to be, and with this perspective, it was hard not to notice all the flaws in the popular series. I found tons of plot holes, couldn’t relate to the characters as well, and found the writing to be simplistic (I mean, it’s a children’s book).

The story is still a great one, but overall, I was disappointed — I lost the childhood magic.

CAST MEMBERS senior Lindsey Calva, senior Wressey Baugham, and senior Andrés Oyaga produced noteworthy performances, giving much needed spirit to the high-intensity musical.

Legally Blonde puts forth a dynamic performance

The cast delivers with an energetic portrayal, offsetting technical difficulties STORY AANJI SIN PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE

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PHS’ spring musical Legally Blonde opened on Friday, Apr. 26. It follows the story of sunny UCLA sorority girl Elle Woods and her journey to get into Harvard Law School to chase her snobby, lawyer-hopeful ex-boyfriend. Along the way, she realizes that she actually has a knack for law and wins her first major legal case, abandoning her ex-boyfriend and graduating as valedictorian.

Naturally, Broadway’s Legally Blonde has superior production quality, but when it comes to the heart and soul of the musical — an unrelenting cheerfulness from start to finish — the SPHS production did not falter in the slightest. The SPHS production did not offer a single dull performance or halfhearted dance number. The singers were especially energetic, complete with a lively Greek chorus that encouraged Elle to stay optimistic throughout her jouney and the challenges she faced. The dance choreography was inspired and quite spirited, with notable numbers such as “What You Want” and “Whipped Into Shape.”

Similarly, the performances were charismatic; junior Cole

Fox delivered as Elle’s friend Paulette, a spunky beautician with all the right advice to give. Senior Andrés Oyaga charmed the audience as lovable law-teaching assistant Emmett Forrest. Senior Lindsey Calva shined in her role as Elle Woods, as the performance of the evening. Calva’s superb voice and unwavering vivacity made her a stellar choice for the title character. As her four years of participation in the SPHS drama program draw to a close, landing such a major role in a terrific show served as the perfect conclusion.

Still, the play was marred with technical and musical difficulties. The microphones on stage failed to pick up the speakers’ voices on several occasions, making it difficult for the audience to hear integral dialogue. The live orchestra was not on beat or in tune with the actors singing. At its roots, Legally Blonde is a highly intensive, engaging show, and these technical malfunctions took away from its appeal.

Despite its setbacks, Legally Blonde proved to be a thoroughly entertaining show. Its excellent cast, with Calva leading the charge, made up for the technical errors with passionate vocal and acting performances. The SPHS drama program once again delivered with an enjoyable production for all genders and ages; Legally Blonde was another success.

Like rereading a beloved childhood story book, senior year didn’t meet expectations.

This year started in a pretty high place, but as the year wore on my vision of a perfectly harmonious final year never really came to fruition. Instead, I experienced some interrelationship lows and broken connections.

As I moved lazily through these past couple months, trying to replicate the fun hangouts of junior year or my sense of purpose from first semester, I felt lost.

Truthfully, I feel more disconnected now from the people I have always considered to be my best friends than ever before. I don’t mean to be dramatic. Most of my closest friends probably don’t even know I have been feeling this way, and that’s because in all honesty, it’s not a big deal. There are simply aspects about my life in South Pas that I have outgrown.

I am very guilty of rewatching, rereading, and redoing the same things continuously to replicate a certain experience or emotion.

I would consider myself a pretty nostalgic person, I like tradition, reflection, and generally, when I decide to connect with someone or something, I’m in it for the long haul. I’m starting to realize though, that this can lead to an unhappy existence, especially when everything around me is moving forward. For me, the root cause of senioritis in its most depressive state was that I wasn’t accepting of the inevitable changes that were coming onto me and and my peers.

With this realization, in my last five weeks here, I’m rejecting graduation goggles.

Though it certainly makes me sad that I no longer connect with aspects of South Pas life or even Harry Potter in the way that I always have, my overwhelming emotion is now excitement for what is yet to come.

TIGER APRIL 30, 2019

FEATURE

11

PERSONALITY PROFILES ALEKZANDER GRIJALVA: GOING THE DISTANCE STORY ALEX BETTS PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE

didn’t have a secure living situation, switching between his aunts’ houses.

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“Distributing socks to those on Skid Row [with the Sock Drive] carries special recognition for me, because I remember how it felt to live with my aunt when she took care of me.”

PHS relies upon a few upperclassmen each year to carry the torch in certain activities that compose the collective school identity. In a multitude of ways, senior Alekzander Grijalva has undeniably established himself as one of these core individuals.

Literally and figuratively following in the footsteps of legendary cross country captains Amador Lagunas, Jaehyung Choi, and Oliver Chang, Grijalva led boy’s cross country to another Rio Hondo League title and a topeight finish at CIF State Finals — the first in over two decades. The long-distance running phenomenon has frequently found peace in the art of covering double-digit miles six days every week. However, this year signaled a change of perspective, as he focuses less on individual growth and more on being a role model for aspiring younger athletes.

“Alekz was a very caring and supportive leader, more so than previous captains. He would always allow other voices to be heard,” said fellow senior and four-year runner Nicolo Porcu. “He was very good at getting to know other people on the team, and spending time with them. Often times there tends to be a social gap between [the varsity and freshman-sophomore teams], but Alekz reached out to everyone.”

Grijalva’s leadership extends far beyond athletics. As a junior, he served as the main student administrator of both Calculus for a Cause and the Sock Drive. For the senior, giving back to the community hits home; for a couple of years as a young child, Grijalva and his mother

His altruistic nature also comes to light with his work at the City of Hope. For the past three years, the future biology major has interned alongside medical researchers, analyzing gene sequences from birds for correlation with diseases that may affect humans. Grijalva’s research — which was recently credited in a published paper — primarily has gene-therapy implications. Genotype mapping is a cuttingedge medical treatment with massive potential for treating ailments like cancer. Cancer took his grandfather’s life in Grijalva’s sophomore year, which initially pushed Grijalva to work at the City of Hope.

There is perhaps no other upperclassmen who is more well-regarded; Grijalva’s dedication to campus organizations, his own individual passions (like Physics C or Multivariable Calculus, both of which he has completely self-studied), and his lighthearted, caring disposition are admirable to say the least. His comedy and optimism allow him to span several different friend groups and his perseverance and intellect are clearly apparent in his coursework discussion. Heading to Harvey Mudd College in the fall to study biology and theoretical physics as well as compete in cross country and track, Grijalva has done much more than follow the pre-established cross country trails of Full Debs or Devil’s Gate — he has trailblazed his own, unique path.

THE DEFINITION OF A LEADER: senior Alekzander Grijalva’s hard work and friendliness is always on full display, whether it be on the track or in the community. Foremost, the cross country captain spearheaded the team’s incredible run to its first top-eight finish at state CIF Finals in over two decades.

JOSHUA RAMOS: KING OF SAMARITANS STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH PHOTOS TONY CHEN Senior Josh Ramos never thought meeting a person in need would influence his life drastically for the better. On a trip to Original Tommy’s, a restaurant in Eagle Rock, Ramos and his uncle were unexpectedly approached by a homeless man. The man requested money to buy food, and with a hesitant response, Ramos’ uncle declined. Feeling uneasy about the man surviving the night with no food, Ramos and his uncle bought the man a burger. But as they wandered outside, the man had disappeared.

“I knew from that moment, I was put on earth to help those in need. It really hurt rejecting his request for money, because he was hungry and there was nobody for him. So we were in the drive through and we got a hamburger for him. But [when we came back] he was just gone. Then, I began Project Sapo-King.”

PROACTIVE AND COMPASSIONATE, senior Joshua Ramos With his supportive golf team, Ramos translates his admirable mindset of optimism to his self-founded began creating products, such as posters, charity, his photography (see below), and his nationally ranked golfing. clothing, keychains, and a children’s book

called The Adventures of the Amazing Sapo-King. The team mass-produced the book, selling it to close friends and distributing the proceeds to different charities such as National Center on Deafness, a center that provides food and clothing to homeless families and those who are hard of hearing. To raise awareness, Ramos incorporated his love of photography and film production into his business. He began to make short films and captured photographs highlighting the essence of life and finding the benefits in any negative situation.

“I want to create change and show the world what I can do. Nobody is going to make things happen unless you do it yourself. I always see people pass by

homeless and try to ignore them. But why? Why would you not help them by donating? It makes me feel bad when people ignore them. I want to help and expand on that. I want to establish change.”

Ramos first started putting at age 2; his uncle saw that he had taken an early liking for the sport and encouraged him to continue playing. His grandma suggested the name of Sapo-King for his professional name when he played — “sapo” in Spanish means “frog” and his grandma believed that frogs were good luck.

However, his father felt that golf was unacceptable for boys. Instead of seeing golf as a prestigious sport, he saw it as an activity for wimpy children. Despite this, he presented his hardworking attitude and work ethic, and progressively succeeded in this sport. Ramos and his father’s relationship grew distant and the two incessantly knocked heads. At the age of five, when he gained the title of US Kids Player of the Year, and the age of six, when he was named the Callaway Junior Champion, his father unexpectedly told Ramos that he loved him and was proud of his accomplishments. Still, he knew he could not trust the words of his father, who habitually belittled him with harsh and disparaging words.

Disregarding the negativity of misfortunate events happening in his life and the world, he constantly finds the positive aspects. Ramos always understands that people like him are needed to help out their situation. Instead of downgrading himself, Ramos always makes sure that everyone portrays selflove and understands that the things that happen in life are inevitable. He believes that whatever bad or good experience one may have, it happens for a reason, to create a better person and with a more successful life.

TIGER

12 APRIL 30, 2019

FEATURE

Avengers: Endgame perfectly balances character arcs with action Avengers: Endgame directors genre

Anthony Russo & Joe Russo Fantasy/Science Fiction

run time

3 hrs 2 mins

STORY MATTHEW TSAI ILLUSTRATION MADDIE YOO

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vengers: Endgame shouldn’t even exist. Superhero blockbusters were few and far between and wildly inconsistent in quality just 11 years ago. Marvel was on the brink of the bankruptcy and their most popular heroes had been sold away. In desperation, they turned to a snarky billionaire in a metal suit.

Today, after earning 18.6 billion dollars, not only has the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) redefined and mainstreamed comic book films, but it has created a new subset of films: the shared universe. Shared universe movies cannot be judged by traditional standards and many Endgame reviews are misleading.

Critics are quick to say that the story is confusing and it is just three hours of fan service. But the MCU has evolved into a television series and Endgame is the season finale. It cannot stand without the 21 films and that’s the MCU curse. This is not a perfect film, but for the dedicated fans who remember when Thanos was blue, Thor had bleached eyebrows, and Terrence Howard shapeshifted into Don Cheadle, Avengers: Endgame is the best superhero experience of all time.

After Thanos (Josh Brolin) obtained all six Infinity Stones, the most powerful objects in existence, the Mad Titan decimated half of all living creatures. Unable to live with their failure, the remaining heroes will do whatever it takes to avenge the universe.

Endgame epitomizes one of the MCU’s major strengths as it is filled with phenomenal character interactions and moments. Screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely fully understand their characters and create excellent dialogue. The first half of the film is nothing too special. It is exposition-packed and drags its feet in some scenes and rushes in others, while directors Anthony and Joe Russo struggle to balance tonal differences. The duo undercut too many dramatic

moments with comedy and dwell on jokes for too long. However, the Russos overcome the early pacing and comedic flaws, intertwining emotion, action, and excellent acting to create a perfect third act.

Overall, the experienced cast continues to display terrific acting. Robert Downey Jr. shines as Tony Stark and Chris Evans’ nonverbal acting fully captures Steve Rogers’ character. Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner impeccably portray two emotionally broken heroes, while Karen Gillan’s Nebula is a pleasant surprise. Brolin returns with another fantastic Thanos depiction. His thundering voice brings a terrifying intensity and he dominates every scene he is in.

But, a couple of screenwriting decisions ruins some characters’ overarching storylines. While he once was a complex character with an interesting inner conflict, Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner has now become a goofy shell of his former self and feels out of place.

Additionally, Chris Hemsworth does his best to combat a boring arc. His comedic timing is marvelous and he still nails the emotional beats, but diehard Thor fanatics will be disappointed in the direction that the character was written.

Just like its predecessor, Endgame is a visually stunning film. There are countless beautiful long takes and even more screensaver-worthy shots. From Rocket to CGI armies to massive explosions, the visual effects are believable, aside from the PS2 Hulk rendering.

Composer Alan Silvestri ties the story and visuals together with fantastic, emotional score, bringing back the iconic Avengers theme.

The Russos have mastered fight choreography, be it hand-to-hand combat or a massive army battle, and use the characters’ powers in creative ways that go beyond mere punches and lasers. Endgame’s final set piece is what sets its action apart from any other film. Ripped straight out of a comic book, it is the best superhero sequence in history, making Captain America: Civil War’s epic airport scene seem as bland as Thor: The Dark World.

Avengers: Endgame is a love letter and a bittersweet goodbye to millions of fans. Littered with callbacks, Easter eggs, and references, it pays homage to all MCU canon. It builds upon the universe, reinforces previous movies, and most importantly, it completes the shared universe’s puzzle. As shown in the DCEU and the Dark Universe, interconnectivity can be a difficult task. But it’s the MCU’s greatest strength and with Avengers: Endgame, it has become the best film franchise of all time.

Sadly, Hot Cheetos aren’t always good — look at Chips N’ Chicks STORY AUDREY ERNST PHOTOS SOPHIE YEUNG Hot Cheetos seem to maintain a continuous popularity, with space for an ever-growing market. Chips N’ Chicks hopped on that bandwagon, taking regular fried chicken and fries and combining them with Hot Cheetos to create a uniquely crafted fast food dish. Based in Pittsburg, Chips N’ Chicks began creating their different dishes last October. The restaurant gained popularity on Instagram with their alluring posts promoting Hot Cheeto covered chicken dishes.

Located at the Tujunga car wash, the Chips N’ Chicks restaurant had an informal setup, with foldable tables and no real storefront. It was a casual stop-in restaurant, rather than a place to sit down. On a good night, the restaurant receives about 120 orders, the majority takeout, making it more of a stop-by place.

In addition, Chips N’ Chicks is only open late, making the restaurant inaccessible for lunch. Due to the obscure hours and location, it was clear that the stand served as a novelty type restaurant, and less of a staple. Chips N’ Chicks caters more to one’s Instagram feed, rather than a real meal.

The menu stayed true to the name “Chips n’ Chicks,” and provided options solely consisting of fried chicken dishes coated in Hot Cheeto dust. The most popular items are the Chick n’ Plate and Chick n’ Fries, probably best to share as the portions were large.

The Chick n’ Fries were made up of breaded popcorn chicken covered in characteristically red Hot Cheeto dust. The initial bites were pleasing, and the fries were crunchy and covered in Thousand Island Dressing, which

contributed to the queasy feeling. Initially, the Hot Cheetos in the chicken breading were unusual but intriguing. However, after the first few bites, the rest seemed sickening, as the Hot Cheetos were too much with the already heavy sauce, breading, and fries.

Chips N’ Chicks also specialized in esquite bowls: a mexican style dish with elote corn, combined with cheese and a thick coating of Hot Cheeto dust on top. The menu had two variations on the standard esquite dish; served on fries or on its own. Although it was a unique idea, the dish was made from frozen corn, and felt cheaply made. The bowl was too rich, and the cheese overpowered the elote corn. To top it off, the Hot Cheetos made the entire bowl almost inedible with its artificial flavoring. On its own, the esquite bowl and Chick n’ Plate were already overly rich, as the food was greasy and fried. The Hot Cheetos on top added an element that was initially intriguing, but it left a queasy feeling.

Although the Hot Cheetos left a repugnant feeling, the restaurant took advantage of the allure of Hot Cheetos to cater to people looking for trendy food. There were definitely the right intentions, but the execution was less than desirable. A favorable option would be to see Hot Cheetos incorporated more into the dishes rather than sprinkled on top.

Although flawed, Chips N’ Chicks established a market for Hot Cheetos, and catered to LA’s Hot Cheetos obsession.

Address: 5553 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood Hours: 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Sunday Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday Saturday Price: $$

OFFERING CREATIVE CHEETO-THEMED DISHES, North Hollywood’s Chips N’ Chicks fails to achieve balance in their overly greasy food.

TIGER 13 APRIL 30, 2019

FEATURE

TAAGLAA: Ernest E. Debs Park TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA STORY ADAM KWOH PHOTOS SOPHIE YEUNG

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owntown Los Angeles stands atop a sea of rundown buildings and honking cars, only leaving room for California’s natural greenery in the San Gabriel valley. Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is tucked away behind its modest wooden sign, holding a surreal experience with an abundance of fishing lakes, extensive fields of beautiful flowers, and a five mile trail through the San Gabriel Valley.

Just a 15 minute drive away from South Pas, staff photographer Sophie Yeung and I made a quick and painless journey to the Ernest E. Debs Regional Park.

The park’s unassuming entrance is difficult to spot on the narrow Monterey Road, although once we went through the gate we were surprised to find fields of yellow flowers welcoming us as we drove up the hill.

We made our way to a parking lot next to a large grass playground filled with picnic tables and grills. An ice cream truck drew a large line of soccer players from a nearby field, creating a family friendly atmosphere that put a smile on our faces from our first steps out of the car.

We were greeted by three trails at the back of the park, each offering unknown possibilities. With no sign or map to direct us, we went with our instincts and took the stairs upwards to a rocky trail. We soon regretted our decision as we came across a wide and steep path, testing our endurance under the overbearing California sun. Fortunately, an impressive view of downtown L.A.’s skyscrapers helped ease our pain.

As we made it to the top of the trail, a small shaded lake allowed us to relax and admire the sun glistening on the water. The chirps of blue jays convinced us that we were no longer in the City of L.A., but in Mother Nature’s garden. Once we were ready to move on, a group of dog walkers led us to a continuing path, where the tall yellow flowers that we saw when we entered reappeared, becoming more and more abundant as we worked our way up the path. Our eyes darted to a tiny off-trail that led to an Instagram-worthy field of more flowers. We made our way onto the tapering trail we spotted, soon walking through fairytale-like fields of

blooming flowers and large trees. As we made it to the end of the flower tunnel, to our left we could still see the city skyscrapers of LA, while on our right South Pasadena’s water tower blended into San Gabriel Valley’s purple mountains. Though we were only 400 feet above ground, the view made us feel as if we were directly in the middle of Los Angeles’ diverse community. We traveled less than a mile in the five mile reserve, but we were more than satisfied with our sights and made our entire round trip in only 50 minutes.

What made the experience even more special was that the whole time the park was surprisingly empty, despite us leaving on a Sunday weekend, meaning that weekend visits should be a pleasurable experience. It is best to visit in the spring, because the yellow flowers only bloom at this time of year. Without flowers, the park is still sprawling with activities, including an Audubon Center and wildlife. Located surprisingly close to South Pasadena, the park provides an underappreciated, beautiful refuge.

Address: 4235 Monterey Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90032

LOCATED JUST FIVE MILES AWAY, Debs Park offers running trails, scenic outlooks, and a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of living in Los Angeles.

TIGER

14 APRIL 30, 2019

STORY NOAH PARKER, PRESTON SHARKEY, & MATTHEW TSAI

SPORTS

Burning questions for 2019-2020

PHOTOS TONY CHEN & JAYDEN EDEN

How will boys’ basketball respond to its coaching and venue changes?

What changes will need to be made to accomodate the planned gym construction?

The boys’ basketball program is currently in a state of flux. Already without a gym or athletic director, the team will now enter the 2019-2020 school year without a coaching staff. Coach Ryan Lee recently decided to take a full time job elsewhere after two seasons, and with his exit, the varsity assistants and freshman coach will also be resigning. The 2018-2019 team that posted a 4-6 league record consisted solely of seniors, leaving next year’s team without a single returning varsity player. Junior Alan Quan will lead next year’s team with his all around game, and juniors Preston Sharkey and Rodney Ortega will play a big role with their shooting and defense Next year’s team will have to rebuild on the fly with a young roster, and without a strong home court advantage.

Beginning in November in 2019, the construction of the new gymnasium and athletic facilities will present difficulties to many winter and spring sports.

Although fall sports will not be affected, the basketball and boys’ volleyball teams will be forced to make the short trek down Oak Street to their prepubescent days to play in the SPMS gym. Wrestling will also be forced to relocate their home matches to either the SPHS or SPMS cafeteria. The renovations will force the boys’ tennis team to practice at the Arroyo Seco Tennis courts next year. In response to this inconvenience, the school district will purchase a small fleet of vans for transportation to practices. Construction is scheduled to be completed prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year and will be followed by a short opening ceremony.

Which J.V. players will surprise on varsity next year?

First year varsity players typically spend matches cheering on their teammates and warming the benches. However, every year, a few talented athletes arise to provide a positive boost for the varsity teams. With a sweet shooting stroke, junior forward Alan Quan will lead an inexperienced boys’ basketball team next season.

Already acclimated to the speed and physicality from his sophomore varsity year, Quan is primed for a senior season breakout. Baseball freshman Mikey Ebner is also another prospect with varsity experience; he has played in five preseason and four varsity league games. His teammates and coaches have raved about his strong arm and ability to hit the ball to all sides of the field. Sophomore J.V soccer captain Ella Hoadley-Brill is set to contribute next year, as the girls’ soccer team will be rebuilding after losing seven starting seniors. Hoadley-Brill is a versatile player with strong fundamentals who will excel as an utility player.

How long will baseball’s losing streak continue?

Following their 5-2 loss to the rival San Marino Titans last Thursday, baseball’s league losing streak now spans over two years. The Tigers have lost 33 straight league games, with their last win coming against Monrovia on Mar. 28, 2017. Unfortunately for the team, next year’s outlook is bleak.

The Tigers graduate 11 seniors and will only return three starters for next year’s team. This will force rising juniors such as Pablo Guerrero, Manny Chavez, and Noah Beutler to fill the gaps, giving them valuable experience for what could be a deep 2021 run. The team may also benefit from coaching stability. Head coach Jaime Garcia is eager to turn the program around and focus on developing the younger talent in the program. This is a much needed paradigm shift, as the program has seen seven different head coaches over the last eight seasons.

TIGER 15 APRIL 30, 2019

SPORTS

Role Players: Big Impact in a Small Position A look at the players who help the team from behind the scenes

KARLY ROBERTS

ANTHONY VASQUEZ

of a “cheering game.” From catchy jingles to borderline disrespectful chatter, the sport relies on vocalizing to make up for a slower moving game.

“I’m generally a quiet person, but I’m much more outgoing on the field,” said Roberts. “Softball gives me an opportunity to destress by letting my emotions out.”

WHETHER MANNING FIRST OR ON THE BENCH, junior Karly Roberts puts her team in the best position to win.

STORY RAYMOND YEO PHOTO OSCAR WALSH Junior Karly Roberts is softball’s energizer bunny. Always joking, cheering, and giving her all at games and practices, Roberts’ lively and infectious energy never fails to lift her team’s spirits.

Roberts developed softball and soccer as her passions as early as the second grade. However, it wouldn’t be until eighth grade that Roberts would decide to drop soccer in order to pursue softball more intensively.

In contrast to soccer, softball is more

“Whether it’s buying seeds for the team, base running, or providing comic relief, you got to be versatile.”

STORY NOAH PARKER PHOTO TONY CHEN A role player doesn’t crave the spotlight or seek the glorious title of stardom.

They rather embrace their small, yet allimportant role on the team. For senior Anthony Vasquez, this is not only the type of athlete he became, but the player he strived to be.

South Pas’ game against Monrovia showed just how valuable Roberts is to her team. Although the Tigers trailed for the majority of the game, Roberts continued to pump up the dugout with her unending support. In the seventh inning, Roberts finally got her turn at the plate, one that she didn’t let go to waste. Her leadoff hit would be the catalyst to a five run outpour by the Tigers, propelling the girls’ to their first league win in two years.

“Being a role takes a sense of pride that very few people can manage,” Vasquez said. “You have to put your ego aside for the betterment of the team.”

Roberts will have the opportunity to earn more playing time in her second campaign on the varsity roster next year. Apart from elevating her game to the next level, the junior first baseman hopes the next season will continue the momentum this past season has generated. Robert’s encouragement and loyalty to her team will continue to be the driving force behind her and SPHS softball’s future accomplishments.

His on-field antics are a different story, however. His role on the team doesn’t come with any perks, nor is he often recognized for his efforts, but his influence on his team and the game are undeniable.

Vasquez is often stationed in left field as a defensive plug for the Tiger’s designated hitter. Although the lefty senior isn’t able to display his offensive abilities at the plate, Vasquez relishes in his defensive role. And if not in the game, Vasquez is always perched up along the dugout fence, offering up support to his teammates, and even more popular among his team, his cracked-pepper sunflower seeds.

“Karly is one of the best teammates I’ve had in all the sports I’ve played” said junior Jewel Nguyen. “Winning begins with the mindset, and Karly’s cheerful, optimistic personality shows

A goofy personality on the baseball team, Vasquez is known for his unconventional antics. Whether it be his refusal to partake in any stretching activities or his seemingly endless supply of college merch, Vasquez is always expressing his unique personality on the field.

A large part of Vasquez’s style of play results from his own self-awareness. Recognizing his own strengths and weaknesses, Vasquez plays to the beat of his own drum.

Vasquez is recognized around the team by the nickname “Slappy” for his unique ability to poke the ball the other way.

Although the senior’s high school career came to a close last week, Vasquez is looking forward to taking his team-first, eccentric habits to Syracuse University, where he hopes to play outfield for the club baseball team.

A LEFTY SLAP HITTER, Vasquez “In order to be a role player, you’ve got to finds success by staying within his pick a role that day or game,” Vasquez said. own abilities.

Boys’ volleyball set to rematch Arcadia in CIF STORY NOAH PARKER PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE

A

new rivalry is brewing between two non-league volleyball powerhouses. South Pasadena and Arcadia, both of which finished with superb league records, are slated to face each other in the first round of the Division II CIF playoffs. However, this isn’t the first time the teams have played one another. In fact, Arcadia is well remembered, and almost feared, by the Tigers for their toughness and skill.

It took the Tigers five hard-fought sets to defeat the Apaches in late March. The Tigers took the first two sets easily enough, but Arcadia stormed back to tie the match after four sets. It took one of South Pas’ best performances to eek past Arcadia in the final set 15-11.

NEWLY PROMOTED TO DIVISION II, boys’ volleyball has a tough first matchup.

“Arcadia is a very strong team and they’ll be a tough test for us,” senior Jonathan Zhu said. “We have to play our best game to get a win.”

Both South Pasadena and Arcadia enjoyed stellar 2019

seasons, as each posted a league winning percentage over .800. South Pasadena (22-9-2, 7-1) won seven straight league games to place first in the Rio Hondo League.

Meanwhile, Arcadia lost only four games all season and finished one game back in the competitive Pacific League. This is all behind the two teams, however, who will have to win Tuesday to keep their seasons alive.

“It was our first year competing in the new division and we’ve had a good run,” Zhu said. “We have a strong foundation to succeed in CIF.” The Tigers will look to use their height advantage to down the Apaches. The front line trio of seniors Paul Pan and Jason Barrientos, and junior Dylan Schriebfeder, all of whom tower over six feet, will play a pivotal role in determining whether the Tigers advance to the next round.

South Pasadena will host the first round matchup on Tuesday, Apr. 30 at 6 p.m. The team that successfully advances will face the winner of Alemany and Simi Valley in the second round on May 2.

Sports Boos & Bravos Tiger ’s sports cheers and jeers for the 2018-19 athletic season.

BOOS

BRAVOS

BOO to softball to ruining the perfect season. 1-11 in league is bad. 0-12 would’ve been special.

BRAVO to all the junior athletes who will have Senior Night at the -Staples Center, aka the middle school gym.

BOO to volleyball for lying that they were in D1. We knew it was too good to be true.

BRAVO to the SPHS athletics program. No athletic director and no gym and our best sport is badminton.

BOO to Senior Night snapchat posts. We know it’s your senior night and we don’t care.

BRAVO to the return of J.V. scoreboard. I want to know how Frosh/soph badminton is doing.

TIGER

16 APRIL 30, 2019

SPORTS

J.V. Scoreboard STORY NICOLAS LIU

Baseball J.V. baseball ended league play on a high note with its third consecutive win in a game against San Marino on Thursday, Apr. 25. The team recovered from a series of early season losses to establish a formidable presence by league’s end, boasting a respectable 6-5-1 record.

Softball

A COMPLETE PERFORMANCE, the track team dominated in both girls’ and boys’ events.

Track sends dozens to CIF after successful league finals STORY PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTO SOPHIE YEUNG GRAPHIC TALULLA CHOW

stay committed to the process and get help from Coach Parkinson, I’ll be able to fully commit to jumping farther in CIF.”

T

The Tigers showcased the depth of talent on the team on Roosevelt Field on Friday night, sending a large proportion of their varsity team to the first round of CIF. Below is a full list of the SPHS athletes that won their respective events at RHL finals and will prepare for CIF-SS Division 3 Prelims at Estancia High School next Saturday, May 4.

he SPHS track and field team maintained its standing atop the Rio Hondo League at league finals on Friday, Apr. 26, sending 24 athletes to CIF Prelims to complete their undefeated league season. The boys’ varsity team was able to earn a top three finish in every single event, and the girls’ team placed top three in all but five events.

The domination of league meets have become routine under head coach C.B Richards. The Tigers have yet to drop a league dual meet since 2011, and have separated themselves in a tier of their own above the rest of the RHL. After shining at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational, standout athletes junior Tianhao Wei and senior Kai Dettman took care of business at league finals to return to CIF competition. Wei placed first in the 100m and triple jump, and Dettman won the 800m and 1600m races.

Seniors Ashley Hugasian and Christina Taylor are also poised to make another deep CIF run, with Hugasian winning the girls’ 200m and triple jump, and Taylor outrunning the competition in the 400m race. Despite leaping four feet less than his personal record in the triple jump at RHL finals, Wei is confident in his prospects of another trip to CIF State Finals.

J.V. softball was unable to turn around its lackluster preseason performance in league, suffering numerous mercies and defeats by significant margins before the conclusion of play. The team secured a handful of impressive victories against Duarte and Alhambra early on, but its overall performance in both preseason and league left much to be desired.

Boys’ Volleyball Boys’ J.V. volleyball took preseason by storm with several decisive victories in its first three matches, but could not maintain its overwhelming momentum as preseason ended and league began.

Boys’ Tennis Boys’ J.V. tennis ended league play with mixed results. While the team did have redeemable moments and matches, even its players felt that games against talented schools such as San Marino and La Cañada were not met with optimal effort. This lack of optimism and professionalism kept the team from achieving a more admirable league performance.

Swimming Boys’ J.V. swim secured a moderate performance in league, placing third in the Rio Hondo. Still, junior league recordbreaker Hyun Kim contributed to the dominant presence of the Tigers at meets throughout the season. Girls’ J.V. swim was a force to be reckoned with during league play, ending undefeated thanks in part to freshmen upstarts Evelyn Dowd and Laurien Lien.

“I’ve been worried recently about my ankle injury that has been bothering me during jumps,” Wei said. “If I

Teatime with Tearay: inspiring greatness STORY & PHOTO JAYDEN EDEN Many people joke about giving their children a combination of their names. Few actually follow up. Junior Tearay Taylor, however, inherited his name from his uncle Ray and aunt Teresa. His quirky name, combined with his towering 6’3’’ stature, makes the future commissioner of athletics stand out. However, it is his grit and perseverance that truly defines Taylor.

Taylor is a standout hurdler for the track team and played as a defensive end for the football team this past fall. However, Taylor’s life wasn’t always centered around sports. Shortly after a fall when he was 6, X-rays revealed he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer is a nightmare for any child, but it struck Taylor especially hard because of his strong likeness and affinity for physical activity.

Over the next four years of his life, Taylor was forced to spend more time at the hospital receiving chemotherapy than on the field. By age 10, Taylor finally beat cancer.

However, he would soon be met with misfortune once again.

Devastation hit when Taylor’s mother passed away during his freshman year of high school. Faced with extreme adversity, Tearay refused to be defined by his mother’s death.

This past fall, Taylor decided to transfer from Alhambra High School to South Pas in order to escape a hostile environment. At Alhambra, there was no sense of camaraderie; teammates were ruthless and unfriendly instead of supportive.

“The tipping point for me was the racial slurs,” Taylor said.

“It was like, ‘Look at you, you’re so different from the rest of us...You have to be good at this certain sport because you are Black.’”

In South Pas, Taylor has found a family that could propel him to success. Taylor has quickly asserted himself as a beloved teammate and a dominant force on the track and field team, placing second in 300m hurdles at the Rio Hondo League Finals. However, he wants to be more than just an athlete. Taylor strives to be one who shows his peers that any negative circumstance can be overcome.

DEFYING ALL THE ODDS, Tearay Taylor is a track star and the future commissioner of athletics.

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