Tiger Newspaper February 2018

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

VOLUME 104 ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Winter Formal: “Reflection of the Night”

he refreshing ocean air breezed throughout the Hotel Maya in Long Beach as students mingled with each other. ASB Commissioners hosted the annual Winter Formal, themed “Reflection of the Night” on Saturday, February 3.

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STORY SAMMY PARK PHOTOS BRANDON YUNG

“Reflection of the Night” was planned by seniors Commissioner of Activities Lauren Sharkey, Commissioner General Nicole Srisutham, Commissioner of Publicity Christy Yu, and junior Commissioner of Correspondence Caleb Waters. Planning for the event began during summer break.

Attendees played games, socialized, and boogied for the duration of the dance. The respective dance and game rooms provided attendees with the chance to experience the energetic aspect of the formal as well as a much-needed break from dancing.

During the dance, the DJ took requests from students: a break from previous dances where DJs would refrain from taking student requests for songs.

“People seemed to really like the location. There were three different well-lit spaces so students weren’t cramped and a good amount of it was outside,” Sharkey said.

“People [liked] how all of the activities were in one room.”

Commission sold 328 tickets before the event, as tickets were not sold at the door.

Even though Long Beach was considered quite a trek for some students, driving was convenient for many students due to the free parking. Many students also enjoyed the ambience of an oceanside view and beach atmosphere.

ON CIVILIZATION

Tiger’s staff editorial explores progress and how common perceptions of ‘uncivilized’ countries compare to social progress in the US. Page 5

IN THE NEWS

Both couples and friend groups alike flocked to the complementary photo booth during the formal. Students also enjoyed conversing with each other on the hotel patio, decorated according to the theme “Reflections of the Night.” As some students danced, others enjoyed the complimentary snacks and candy in the activities room.

“Winter Formal this year was super uncomplicated and fun for me,” senior Ciena Valenzuela-Peterson said. “It’s always fun to come together with friends and see everyone all dressed up and dancing.”

EN ROUTE TO CIF

SIMPLEE BOBA

As the SPHS’ winter sports season comes to a close, several teams –– including soccer, water polo, basketball, and wrestling –– progress to their CIF games.

Page 16

South Pasadena welcomes its first-ever tea bar: Simplee Boba.

Read Dominic Marziali’s review of Simplee’s take on the popular Taiwanese drink.

Page 10

ASB will be showcasing a diverse array of SPHS student talent in Thursday’s annual Talent Show assembly.

Girls’ varsity soccer will be playing its first round of CIF tomorrow, Thursday, February 15, at 5:00 p.m.

TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM

SPHS students will celebrate Valentine’s Day today, receiving Valentine’s Grams and sweets from ASB.

TIGER

02 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

NEWS

NEWS

Challenge Success begins school action STORY PRESTON SHARKEY

& CHRISTINE MAO PHOTO RICHARD GOMEZ Students and teachers are working together to reduce stress at South Pasadena High School through the newly formed Challenge Success Committee. The committee is dedicated to creating a more balanced environment on campus for students by addressing student stressors.

The program was created nine years ago at Stanford University when researchers noticed that high school students were becoming increasingly agitated as well as overwhelmed in academics and extracurriculars.

As a result of this finding, the research team came together to try to find a method that could balance a student’s academic life, leading to the creation of Challenge Success. Challenge Success now collaborates with schools across the nation in hopes of creating a better life for students.

SPHS Principal Janet Anderson noticed similar issues of stress on campus, prompting her to apply to the Challenge Success program. The Challenge Success Committee at SPHS, including Principal Anderson, teachers, and a parent representative, works in conjunction with the student Challenge Success Club, led by junior co-presidents Brandon Lee and Hayley Villapudua.

Currently, Challenge Success is attempting to address problems at SPHS such as sleep deprivation through homework restrictions and a possible later start to the school day. Additionally, the committee has been noticing students becoming more stressed due to the overwhelming amount of AP classes students have signed up for. Thus, the committee has been debating whether or not to place a cap on the number of AP classes students can take yearly.

The committee has created a schedule conflict calendar where teachers fill out assignments and assessments that students are given throughout the month. With this, teachers can try to avoid overwhelming students with too many tests or projects due on the same day. Shadow day is another project that is currently underway. During shadow days, teachers will “shadow” the schedules of selected students to gain an experience about student life, from homework to athletics to even having dinner with the students’ families.

Despite this seemingly packed agenda, SPHS has already resolved many issues that other school districts are still struggling with. This includes homework-free vacations, block schedules, student planners, and the recent switch to finals before winter holidays policy.

SPHS will send a team of eight representatives to Stanford University in order to further efforts in alleviating academic stress this coming April.

IN GARFIELD PARK, Piqui’s memorial bench overlooks the South Pasadena playground.

South Pasadena memorializes Aramazd “Piqui” Andressian Jr. STORY SOFIE DRESKIN PHOTO THOMAS FORMAN

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earing the one year anniversary of Aramazd “Piqui” Andressian Jr.’s disappearance, South Pasadena continues to remember the impact he had on the community.

A bench commemorating the late Andressian Jr. now overlooks the Garfield Park playground. South Pasadena residents will receive an everlasting reminder of Andressian Jr.’s life as they observe his memory.

Ana Estevez, Andressian Jr.’s mother, is grateful that her son will be remembered at a location that holds importance to her.

Andressian Jr. was first reported missing in April, prompting a two-month search involving numerous police departments––including the South Pasadena Police Department (SPPD). Following the police investigation, Andressian Sr. was arrested as a suspect and later received a life sentence for the murder of his son.

The bench is located above the playground and reads, “In Loving Memory of Piqui / You are my sunshine / My only

City-based non-profit South Pasadena Beautiful collected donations to fund the procurement, installation of the bench, the plaque, and site preparation of the concrete bench pad.

“The Andressian case rocked our city to its core. The bench will always be a reminder of a life taken too soon,” South Pasadena Police Chief Art Miller said. “Its placement was in one of Piqui’s favorite spots overlooking the play area that many children enjoy everyday.”

Estevez expresses her push for the safety of children through support of House Concurrent Resolution 72, which emphasizes child safety as an utmost priority in custody battles.

PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION ENABLES CONGRESS TO TAKE A STAND. CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR AND ABUSE.”

TEDx Stereotypes: Event Preview Mediators host their final salon, “Embracing and Breaking Stereotypes” STORY ISABELLA TSAI The SPHS Mediators will be holding their final TEDx Salon, titled “Embracing and Breaking Stereotypes,” on Saturday, February 24.

Speakers at the salon will include seniors Sammy Park and Jake Pullano and juniors Elizabeth Bock and Rachel Lu. The Mediators will also include videos from other TED conferences as part of the talks.

TEDx Salons are smaller, more discussion-based versions of the widely acclaimed TED Talk conferences. Typically centered around one main theme, these salons aim to facilitate thought and dialogue on important current topics. This upcoming salon’s conversation will revolve around the issue of stereotypes in society. In between the student speakers and videos, participants will be guided in small group discussions with each other.

PRINCIPAL JANET ANDERSON began Challenge Success at SPHS this year.

sunshine.” Donations from individuals along with local fundraisers and significant assistance from South Pasadena Beautiful paid for the construction of the bench. Additionally, an engraved stone was added to South Pasadena’s Healing Garden, which commemorates the lives of local children.

“I originally thought there would be a challenge in offering enough variety in the speaker selection with our theme of ‘Breaking Stereotypes,’” English teacher and salon coordinator Diane Shires said. “I was happily wrong.

Our speakers touch on ideas regarding feminism, AsianAmerican identity, educational stereotypes, and defining activism. This batch of TEDx speakers are honest and powerful. After the speakers, the audience breaks into groups to discuss. You get opinions and ideas from all different generations and background. You walk away with new perspectives every time.”

The Mediators’ two preceding TEDx Salons were themed “Expecting and Accepting” and “Connection and Communication.”

“Since the Mediators are focused on relationships, the first salon was about your own personal relationships, and the second salon was about the relationships we have with our peers, family, and friends,” senior Peer Mediator Candace Louie said. “This salon is branching out to a worldwide view and relationships we have in a more broad, global sense. Our goal was to expand the topics as we progress through each salon.”

Throughout the year the Mediators have served as an advocating force for student-well-being, hosting biweekly stress-relief workshops such as “Meditation with Mr. Whitney” and “Yoga with Ms Jaroch.” They also launched monthly zines entitled “Wellness” and “Self-Care.”

The Mediators’ efforts were recognized last October by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Team Manager senior Will Hoadley-Brill and counselor and Mediator advisor Ms Tracy Ishimaru accepted a proclamation scroll on behalf of the mediation program.

The Mediators also received an education grant from the Southern California Mediation Association.

The salon will be taking place at the high school library starting at nine a.m. Tickets are now available on the SPHS Peer Mediators’ website or at the student bank for three dollars SAC, five dollars non-SAC.

TIGER 03 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

NEWS

AcaDeca quashes LA County competition After months of diligent training, the award-winning team claimed first place in LA once again STORY LUKE QUEZADA PHOTO COURTESY OF SPHS ACADEMIC DECATHLON SPHS’ Academic Decathlon team placed first in Los Angeles County for the fourth consecutive year. A total of 94 medals were awarded to the team for their cumulative total of 57,353.70 points, shattering their own record for highest point total in the county, and securing a spot in the state division.

The first day of competition was Saturday, January 27 at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, which included the speech, interview, and essay component of the competition. The speech components consists of a prepared three- to fourminute speech on a chosen topic as well as an impromptu speech on a randomly selected topic. South Pas swept the competition in this division with seniors Allison Ou and Adam Hamden and junior Steven Chin claiming a gold medal for the Honors team. Seniors Thomas Sawano and Dexter Hawes also claimed silver and bronze for the Scholastic team, respectively.

The same was true for the essay portion, in which Decathletes must complete an essay on a given science, literature, or social science prompt in 50 minutes.

Hamden and Sawano claimed gold while Hawes secured silver, and junior Zane Atkinson received bronze.

In the seven-minute interview section, all three main teams claimed a gold medal while scholastic and varsity secured silver.

Part two of the competition was held on Saturday, February 3, where Decathletes participated in exams on the objective events as well as the super quiz: a cumulative exam which tests the extent of the participants’ knowledge on the chosen topic of Africa. Each objective test requires both a wide breadth and depth of knowledge on the key topics to ensure success. Again, South Pas fared extremely well, claiming gold in every division except for language. The team received all three places in the art,

economics, mathematics, and music divisions as well as at least two places in each of the language, social science, and science sections.

The Tigers also claimed first place in the super quiz relay, a test on the entire team’s knowledge on all aspects of the theme: Africa.

In addition to overall victory, South Pas won the Triple Crown distinction: first place in the Super Quiz, first place in the JV Division, and first place overall.

Sawano, Chin, and Ou were the three highest scoring decathletes in LA County with scores of 9,267.40, 9,182.80, and 9,176.40 points respectively.

“There’s a lot to say about this year’s contest because it was a very big win for our school,” Academic Decathlon advisor Oliver Valcorza said. “Not only did we defend our LA County championship title for the fourth consecutive year by winning a total of 94 medals, but we also won the triple crown.”

The state competition will be held on March 22-25 where the team hopes to score high enough to advance to nationals. Until then, the team will continue to diligently train in preparation for the event.

I OWE [MY] SUCCESS TO THE HARD WORK MY TEAM HAS PUT IN THESE PAST THREE YEARS. I’M SO HAPPY WE’VE BEEN DOING SO WELL MY SENIOR YEAR, AND I HOPE THAT I’LL BE LEAVING A PROGRAM THAT CONTINUES THIS SAME LEGACY OF GROWTH AND SUCCESS.” – SAWANO

THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM swept multiple categories, setting Los Angeles County records and their own.

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TIGER FEBRUARY 14, 2018

NEWS

predicting the

OSCARS STORY RACHEL LU, DASHIEL BOVE, & BEN CLARK

With Oscar season on the horizon, Tiger shares its predictions for the 90th Academy Awards

ILLUSTRATIONS ELAINE YANG

PAGE TRUMAN LESAK

NOMINEES FOR BEST PICTURE

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE OF EBBING, MISSOURI

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his year’s Best Picture category is incredibly contentious. With such excellent and hard-hitting pieces as Get Out and The Shape of Water and the emergence of first-time director/writer Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, this year’s Best Picture selection is a cutthroat race for the title. Yet in a year full of great movies, one has stood out head and shoulder above the rest. Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri, directed by Martin McDonagh (previous works including In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths), is about grief, a mother who lost her child, and the outrage she feels towards local law enforcement for failing to find her daughter’s killer. The film is a commentary on America, the conflict between the respect and authority of the law, and freedom of speech. In a town caught between the old and the new, it only takes three billboards on a back road out of town to throw it all into chaos.

ROGER DEAKINS

GUILLERMO DEL TORO

The sequel to the classic cyberpunk film Blade Runner proved itself to be a worthy continuation of its groundbreaking predecessor, in part because of Roger Deakins’ awe-inspiring cinematography. Deakins’ marvelous use of contrasing light sets a perfect tone for Denis Villeneuve’s film, utilizing film locations to bring out a much larger scale to the dystopian world of Blade Runner 2049. This is Deakins’ 14th nomination, and with a filmography that includes the likes of Fargo and Skyfall, there is no doubt that he deserves this Oscar.

While this year was filled with excellent work from first time directors such as Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig, the year’s best director should be, without a doubt, veteran Guillermo Del Toro. Del Toro’s unique and beautiful blend of magical realism, romance, and horror is what makes The Shape of Water such a memorable experience. The film is frightening when it needs to be without losing that special allure that seamlessly captivates audiences, transporting them into the sometimes dark and sometimes joyous imagination of its creator.

FRANCES MCDORMAND This year’s Best Actress award will be presented amongst a cloud of controversy, with the barring of 2017 Best Actor Casey Affleck due to sexual assault allegations.

Such an issue is prevalent and consistently explored in stand-alone film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Frances McDormand––leading the film’s plot and premise as a grieving mother––prevails in her portrayal of extreme anger, grief, and the power of maternal retribution in American justice. McDormand’s performance is nearshocking in its consistent quality throughout the film, producing an astounding resonance with audiences.

LESLEY MANVILLE Phantom Thread is full of incredible performances. Yet among the cast stands out one particular character: Cyril Woodcock, played by Lesley Manville. Cyril, the lead’s sister, is a woman absolutely devoted to her family and her business. Manville brings Cyril forward as a strong, silent character, who understands the value of family, but does not aim to dominate those she cares about , however cold she may seem. Truly, she tries her best to help others understand her tempestuous brother and protect them from his emotional cruelty.

DANIEL KALUUYA

SAM ROCKWELL

White suburbia can be a bit terrifying. Daniel Kaluuya’s character, Chris, learns this all too well in Get Out, as he plays a young AfricanAmerican who finds himself the would-be victim of a horrific experiment by his white girlfriend and her family. Kaluuya excels as a young man suddenly surrounded by a group of people who can only be described as Stepfordian. Kaluuya beats out a fantastic performance by retiring Hollywood heavyweight Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread) among others.

Part of what made Three Billboards so enticing was its fantastic cast, and one of the most memorable performances in the film was that of Sam Rockwell. Rockwell portrays a violent, racist cop with constant palpable rage while maintaining a softer, albeit strained, human side. The audience will never truly forgive the character of Officer Dixon for his brutal actions, but thanks to Rockwell, this potentially one-sided character is more than just a villainous archetype.

TIGER 05 FEBRUARY 14, 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

ST A F F ED IT OR IA L

OPINION

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RILEY SEGAL MANAGING EDITORS COLE CAHILL, Print BRANDON YUNG, Online NEWS RACHEL LU, Editor ISABELLA TSAI, Associate OPINION OONA FOLEY, Editor PETER WANG, Associate FEATURE MAYA WILLIAMSON, Editor NOAH PARKER, Associate SPORTS MATT WAKUMOTO, Editor ALEX BETTS, Associate DESIGN ASHTON CARLESS, TRUMAN LESAK, Editors KATE ROGERS, ELAINE YANG, Associates

FINLEY MULLEN

PHOTOGRAPHY THOMAS FORMAN, Editor ALICIA ALDERETE, Associate

Redefining civilization and American superiority

COPY AMELIA ANTHONY ALINA MEHDI, Editors SENIOR STAFF WRITER SAMMY PARK STAFF WRITERS LILIAN AZAT, DASHIEL BOVE, BENJAMIN CLARK, SOFIE DRESKIN, CHRISTINE MAO, DOMINIC MARZIALI, LUKE QUEZADA, DAVID SEO, PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTOGRAPHERS HELENA FU, LUKE QUEZADA, RICHARD GOMEZ ILLUSTRATORS ISABELLA FRESCURA GRAPHIC DESIGNER FINLEY MULLEN VIDEOGRAPHER ISAAC MARZIALI MANAGERS SAMANTHA ABELSON, Ads LAUREN TAN, Business WEBMASTER OLIVER CHANG FACULTY ADVISOR MIKE HOGAN VOL. 104 NO. 5 DISTRIBUTED ON FEB 14, 2018.

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Why American notions of societal and cultural superiority to other countries are both unjustified and ignorant

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fter President Trump’s remarks about reducing immigration from Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries, which he described as “s***hole countries,” public discussion erupted around both the vulgarity and validity of his claims. Some agreed that although the President’s comment was inappropriate, the sentiment was an accurate depiction of developing nations. However, America exhibits traits that other nations are shamed for, despite the idea of American superiority reflected by President Trump’s generalizations and stereotypes.

The notion that America is especially “civilized” while other countries are “uncivilized” is misguided; it is the result of a gross oversimplification of advantages and issues in each society. We must recognize the inadequacies of our society before we can improve it.

Civilization is defined as the most advanced stage of human development. Although the United States has achieved great progress in technology, infrastructure, and defense, many unmet standards such as education, healthcare, and social equality have been overlooked in order to cut costs.

Common characteristics assigned to developing nations include pollution and political corruption, yet both of these symptoms are visible in Flint, Michigan. Here, a switch to a cheaper water source caused over 100,000 people to be exposed to dangerous lead and bacteria. The state’s Chief Medical Executive was charged with obstruction of justice and lying to officials for misreporting water tests. Government systems did not complete the replacement of lead-tainted water pipes after four years of contamination, and residents still have to rely on

bottled water. The failure of government in Flint illustrates a disparity between Americans’ perception of their supposed superiority and the grave reality that there are American citizens, especially those in racial minority groups, living without access to basic necessities.

In contrast to the disheartening relapse from progress in the United States, many Latin American countries, often generalized as undeveloped, are taking great strides in social advancement.

The Social Progress Index, an international ranking system, ranks nations by their coverage of human needs, access to opportunities, and by a citizen’s ability to feel comfortable in their nation. Costa Rica (81 points) is comparable to the US (86 points), and the United States underperforms in more than half of criteria, especially in “tolerance and inclusion.”

For all its material innovations, the US has many under addressed social problems. The resurgence of white nationalism in the US has prompted citizens to question how civilized our nation really is. Among other notable shortcomings, the South has a stark proportional difference in white to minority lawmakers, while violent neo-Nazi rallies are gaining visibility in the region.

The US has never had a female president and lacks both female and minority politicians in Congress. In contrast, Americans are shocked to learn that Haiti, Bolivia, Brazil, and many other Latin American countries have elected female presidents.

Although the US is glorified beyond reality in the eyes of many of its citizens, the quantification of societal progress goes beyond past achievements or perceived potential. To advance further as a society, we must recognize our faults and learn from the efforts of other nations rather than shaming them.

Boos & Bravos

Tiger ’s cheers and jeers for the month of February.

BOOS

BRAVOS

BOO to Snapchat for RUINING our perfected muscle memory.

BRAVO to the three-minute resurgence of the Harlem Shake at winter formal for creating the most awkward dance circle of all time.

BOO to the price increase for AP exams. Next year each exam will require a vial of your own blood to order to feed CollegeBoard’s insatiable hunger.

BOO to the latest calc test. If we wanted to feel inadequate, we would have just turned on the Winter Olympics and calculated how close in age we are to Chloe Kim.

BRAVO to the DJ at winter formal for taking requests.

And for letting us indulge in “God’s Plan” twice.

BRAVO to the Oscars. Can’t wait to see white people clapping for an even longer time than at the State of the Union.

06

TIGER FEBRUARY 14, 2018

OPINION

PRO CON :

Tech in Public

As modern technology continues to expand, the use of electronics in public spaces has become somewhat of an ethical dilemma. Even teenagers fall on either side of the spectrum.

+ Stop resisting change STORY ALINA MEHDI ILLUSTRATION KATE ROGERS According to my mom, all my problems can be attributed to my phone. My five foot stature or the flu I caught over winter break can only be explained by my excessive phone usage. While I understand the older generation’s desperation to cut back on technology, the anti-tech movement is ultimately an unproductive movement based on resistance to change.

Public spaces have been infiltrated by handheld electronic devices. A ride on the Metro is usually silent, most people are fixated on their screens, earbuds in. Older generations are outraged by this, claiming that, in their time, a train ride meant either conversing with strangers or suffering silently with your own thoughts.

But it seems that every few decades there’s a different phenomenon that older generations resist. Even before modern technology, there were still ways that people kept to themselves in public—a newspaper, magazine, book, or even a walkman. Keeping to yourself in a public setting is not a new or concerning concept; the issue is that people just don’t like change. It worries some that we are growing up with more ease, more information, and more resources. They react the only way they know how­­—to pull us back to a time more comfortable to them.

This desperation to go back to “a simpler time” has sparked a culture of technology shaming.

Teenagers who are simply listening to music or reading an article are deemed technologymongers with short attention spans and no social skills. However, there is nothing shameful about using technology. It is a tool for communication, fostering local and global relationships and a tool for information, keeping people informed about vital issues—much more than what awkward small talk with a stranger could provide.

Parents are especially vulnerable to technology shaming. The most common argument in my household is my four year-old brother’s technology usage. Most dinner outings are accompanied by cartoons blaring from my mom’s phone in my brother’s hands. To some extent, I get it. Ideally, parents should be able to engage and discipline their children without using a screen as a pacifier. But most proponents of this notion have never sat in a restaurant with a screaming toddler. Nor do they think of the busy single parents who have to rely on TV shows to teach their children. These parents are shamed by people who were raised differently and can’t seem to comprehend that times are changing and new parenting methods are appearing.

I will admit that I can’t live without my phone and that it has become somewhat of a crutch.

But it hasn’t hindered my social abilities in any way. Sometimes, I just prefer to keep to myself.

- Stop and smell the roses STORY LILY AZAT & OONA FOLEY ILLUSTRATION ELAINE YANG When my mom was 23, she flew solo to Europe to complete the classic white American pilgrimage. In the three months she spent abroad, she ate a total of two meals alone because she made so many friends along the way. Throughout my childhood I credited this tale to fictitious cultural differences and my mom’s colorful character. As I have grown older and clocked many hours on public transportation, I have realized the absurdity of my mom’s experience. Making friends with strangers simply does not happen anymore. Today, every train ride, waiting room, and lunch outing is dominated by technology.

Technology has a necessary presence in the frantic pace of our 21st century world, but there is a time and place for laptops and smartphones.

Buried in their devices, people are quickly losing the ability to make conversation in public.

Teenagers, especially, have been conditioned to pull out their phones rather than sit with their own thoughts or endure more than ten seconds of silence.

Without technology in public spaces, people would be forced to learn how to either create comfortable silences, or break awkward ones.

These basic social skills have carried generations through job interviews, business meetings, and even uncomfortable family gatherings.

Silence is not inherently bad, and is often a refreshing break from constant media bombardment. According to Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher, “silence is a source of great strength.” The smartphone crutch has rendered us incapable of handling gaps in conversation, or even the simple yet crucial act of listening.

Parents and teachers often tell us that we are the lost generation, without civility or moral behavior. These claims have merit. We have no way of learning how to be polite and courteous if we are never forced to interact with other people and experience what it is like to be treated with respect by others. Knocking on a friend’s front door has been replaced with a one word text.

Coffee shop orders are disrupted by phone conversations and a lack of eye contact. Relationships suffer when arguments and apologies happen over text, and the respect and consideration afforded by face to face conversation is lost.

People today believe that talking face to face is the same as over a screen, and that device usage needs no restriction. But as more people swap authentic interaction with digital preoccupation, the very foundations of a polite society crumble away. As cheesy as it sounds, sometimes we have to stop and smell the flowers.

Take a step away from the computer screen, put down the phone and try and experience life as it goes by.

ON BEING DRAMELIA | AMELIA ANTHONY

A lesson from my grandfather My grandfather Bob Tusquellas is now ⅔ retired. He recently sold two of the three family businesses in the Farmers’ Market at Third and Fairfax, ending a fifty-two year legacy in the Los Angeles food industry as a fishmonger. We celebrated the close of the era at a recent family dinner. Throughout the night, we recalled dozens of stories about the cast of characters they employed, the different celebrities spotted in the Market, and plans for the future.

After dinner, my grandfather answered a question for us: where did he learn the skills it took to successfully run a business for so long? The obvious answer was

education: good K-12 schooling, which led to both a BA and MBA in business from UC Berkeley.

However, he offered us a contrasting idea. He began working for his father as a young boy. My greatgrandfather was a butcher and owned a meat market.

In the forties, post-WWII, he employed a lot of veterans. My grandfather, at the young age of eleven, worked alongside these veterans––who “acted as if he wasn’t there.” He listened to them talk to each other about work, their lives, and the war.

After fifty-two years of work, my grandfather couldn’t

decide if he learned more from all his education, or from listening to these conversations of the men who had lived so much more than he had.

I have always trusted in the academic process, mostly because I have attended schools that push me to do well. As I make the transition from one academic institution to another, I will keep my grandfather’s story in mind. Formal education can only do so much.

This truth is often obscured when grades and college acceptances are made out to seem like the apex of success. One can gain just as much knowledge from a job, trade school, or listening to older, wiser people.

TIGER 07 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

OPINION

Save room for Jesus, please A lonely teenage girl’s exploration of the dark underbelly of “cuffing season” STORY SAMMY PARK ILLUSTRATION ISABELLA FRESCURA Picture this: you’re walking down the hall of the 400s building. You’re late to Spanish class. Suddenly, you are bombarded with the animalistic growls that could only possibly come from the mauling of a small animal or the sound of two fish being slapped together. It takes you a few seconds to locate the offenders: one very young couple. This is a product of cuffing season, the long period of time between Thanksgiving and spring break where new couples spring up as if our campus was the newest set of Jersey Shore. As the sounds of adolescent ‘love’ echo through the hallway, an innocent bystander is faced with immediate discomfort.

In 1951, the TV show I Love Lucy was the first televised occurance of a couple sharing a bed. Since that momentous, controversial moment on American television, displays of affection—everything from kissing to sex—has been broadcasted. Due to the overwhelming presence of romantic affection in our media, public displays of affection (PDA) have been normalized. But the burden of discomfort placed on the bystander means that PDA simply should not be practiced.

However, outright bans on holding hands or hugging are not practical or effective. But school is supposed to be a place devoid of distractions; and kissing, at least in our society, is inherently distracting. Instead of policing body contact, it should lie with the couple

or couples to realize that what they are doing is making others uncomfortable.

But the problems with PDA go beyond distracting bystanders. One of the reasons why PDA is problematic is because the ‘public’ did not consent to the display of affection. From one’s religious or cultural background to a recent breakup, there are many reasons why one might object or feel uncomfortable with displays of physical affection.

The awkward situation is magnified by the widelyheld sentiment that asking a couple to stop kissing or lap-sitting is considered rude.

The issues that arise because of PDA will not be fixed by rules or regulations, they will be remedied by educating students about why it is inappropriate.

Just as one would refrain from arguing in public with a significant other, one should also avoid the prospect of making bystanders uncomfortable in the face of PDA. To be blunt, no one needs PDA. For young couples kissing in high school hallways, it’s not as if a train is waiting to send one of them to a warzone should they stop.

PDA isn’t a problem because young couples need to “save room for Jesus” or be coy with tangible representations of their relationship, but because respect for others should outweigh the compulsions to announce their partnership to the world.

SPUSD needs clearer student-teacher boundaries STORY AMELIA ANTHONY ILLUSTRATION KATE ROGERS life—a space for peers to socialize with one another.

The neighboring Los Angeles Unified School District handles staff and student relationships very differently by removing ambiguity in school policy.

As the second-largest school district in the country, they’ve had their fair share of scandal involving teachers abusing students. The district has implemented strict rules about what teachers can and cannot do. The “Code of Conduct with Students” document accessible online from the LAUSD Ethics Office specifically outlines situations teachers should avoid putting themselves and students in. For example, teachers are advised against “communicating with students, in writing, by phone/email/electronically, via the Internet, or in person, at any time, for purposes that are not specifically school related.” Strict rules like these provided by the district are a preventative measure to protect students. They eliminate the grey area and need for judgment calls.

O

ur high school thrives on the relationship between community and school. School is integrated into so much of students’ lives: we run into teachers at the grocery store, we go to school with our teacher’s kids, and spend hours in after school tutoring sessions.

Naturally, relationships form between students and teachers or other school staff that operate in close proximity.

Student-teacher relationships can often be a positive force; a big part of feeling safe on a school campus means having a modicum of trust with adults on campus.

Principal Janet Anderson has encouraged students to identify three trusted adults on campus. Confiding in teachers can make students feel at ease, especially when a student doesn’t have other adult figures in their life. Besides, in a purely practical sense, it is important for students to maintain good relationships with teachers in order to score letters of recommendation and citizenship grades.

Student-teacher interactions at South

Pas often feel as if they are operating in a grey area. Some teachers invite students to their homes, offer advice, or give out their personal phone numbers. Teachers aren’t parents, or therapists, or friends, but regular adults who are operating on their best judgment. Furthermore, it is important to remember the power dynamic ever-present in a school setting: a teacher is in a position of power, and a student is not. A close student-teacher relationship should be one-sided. In a game of he-said, she-said, a teacher automatically has more credibility.

Thus, it is especially important for both students and teachers to be aware of what is considered inappropriate behavior.

Social media blurs these lines even further. On platforms like Facebook, adults and young people often commingle. It makes sense to be friends with your teacher so they can post to the class’s Facebook group, but social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram are less acceptable. These platforms are a more personal reflection of a student’s

South Pasadena High School isn’t clean of the type of scandal that these rules result from. A former track coach was sentenced in 2016 for molesting and sexually harassing a minor, and the administration was sued for negligence following. Rumors of sexual contact between certain students and teachers are widely accepted among students.

Nearly all teachers can be trusted to rely on their own good judgment. To most, it is easy to differentiate between what is appropriate and what is not in the school setting. Like any attempts at abuse

prevention, we can’t weed out the “bad apples” only. There needs to be policy available to, and discussed with, students and staff alike. It may be assumed that standards for student-teacher relationships are “common knowledge,” but in reality, many will not understand nor assume the same standards. For example, different teachers have different ideas about how to handle interactions with students on social media: some friend their students only after graduation, some are accessible 24/7 through Messenger, and some avoid social media altogether.

Our district needs to decide which types of interactions are appropriate for teachers and students, and which are not.

I FEEL LIKE [MY TEACHER] GOT A SNAPCHAT FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, BUT HE HAD VIEWED MY SNAPCHAT STORY. I BLOCKED HIM FROM LOOKING AT IT. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS CROSSING A LINE. I DON’T REALLY KNOW WHERE THE LINE STANDS, BECAUSE HE HAD GOOD INTENTIONS.” -ANONYMOUS SOPHOMORE Most SPHS students can recite the A-G requirements, but don’t know how to address the uneasiness they feel when a teacher views their Snapchat story.

We need to hold our school to ethical standards as high as the academic standards we pride ourselves in.

TIGER

08 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

TIGER 09 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

A DIFFERENT KIND OF DISCIPLINE

Finding alternatives to suspension through restorative justice

STORY ASHTON CARLESS, COLE CAHILL, PETER WANG ILLUSTRATIONS ASHTON CARLESS PAGE TRUMAN LESAK, ASHTON CARLESS

Current policies of suspension are harsh and ineffective, but new methods of handling discipline can improve infraction rates on campus. Administrators are looking into the promising policies of restorative justice, which can build character, improve social climate, and prevent future violations.

P

aul* was suspended this school year for possessing a marijuana wax pen during school hours. His backpack was alerted by a routine drug dog search of his classroom, and after a search of his bag and body, two lighters and a marijuana wax pen were found and confiscated. He ultimately received a three-day-long suspension from school and was issued a citation by South Pasadena Police Department — the typical disciplinary action for an offense like this. The punishment was intended to teach him that bringing substances to school is unacceptable and to prevent him from doing it again. In reality, the discipline Paul* received did alter his behavior, but not in the way the administration intended.

South Pasadena Unified School District continues to utilize suspension and expulsion as disciplinary actions despite data showing the practice’s futility. The district reserves the right to suspend students for any violation of California Education Code Section 48900, and certain offenses including possessing or selling controlled substances mandate a suspension of at least three days.

“I still don’t know what rules I broke,” Kim said. “[Administration] said defiance of authority, but I feel it is within my rights to complain if I feel [they aren’t] doing a good job. There were no threats made, I was just complaining.”

“My suspension has changed the way I think about bringing drugs to school.

It has made me more careful,” Paul* said. “It would be a lie to say that I haven’t brought anything to school since [the suspension]. It would also be a lie to say that I have cut down on my drug usage outside of school because of the suspension.”

This incident would have been a perfect candidate for restorative justice techniques. Instead, Kim felt the punishment was punitive and harsh.

Restorative justice revolves around proactive and constructive methods of discipline that are intended to educate the perpetrator about why their actions are wrong and to prevent future infractions. Rather than using mandatory disciplinary actions, such as suspensions or detentions, restorative methods are adapted to individual needs. For example, an administrator may prescribe peer mediations, formal apologies, rehab, meaningful community service, or educational programs depending on the type and severity of the infraction.

NOW BECAUSE OF THE SUSPENSION I’M 100% CAREFUL TO NOT GET CAUGHT, ALL I’M WORRIED ABOUT IS GETTING CAUGHT, I DON’T FEEL BAD ABOUT BRINGING WEED TO SCHOOL, ALL IT IS IS GETTING CAUGHT.” - PAUL*

The Peer Mediators, a prominent student group on campus, were founded for the purpose of implementing restorative justice practices in the South Pasadena High School community. The group mediates a few interpersonal conflicts each week, but state law prevents the Peer Mediators from getting involved in any other type of disciplinary actions like bullying or drug possession. The group is developing a program for peer support that aims to help individual students overcome harmful behaviors in a peerto-peer environment, but the prospect of the program being used in direct connection with school discipline is still up in the air—privacy rules prevent administration from communicating the details of an infraction to other students. Peer Mediators manager senior Will Hoadley-Brill believes that our school has a long way to go to fully implement restorative justice.

Student discipline is a necessary part of an education system, and in order for schools to be productive, their disciplinary policies must be productive as well. When the majority of punishments are equivalent to “getting caught”— being yelled at, suspended, or given detention—the processes that are meant to help students better themselves become a condition of their behavior.

Worse yet, punishments can result in the opposite of the school’s intention; suspended students are more likely to participate in illicit activities— drug use, petty theft, or vandalism, for instance—than if they were at school. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “suspension and expulsion may exacerbate academic deterioration, and when students are provided with no immediate educational alternative, student alienation, delinquency, crime, and substance abuse may ensue.”

It is widely accepted that most traditional school disciplinary actions do not effectively improve students’ behavior. Suspensions, one of the most common methods of school punishment, are especially ineffective. Studies from the US Department of Education support that suspensions “are associated with negative student outcomes such as lower academic performance, higher rates of dropout, failures to graduate on time, decreased academic engagement, and future disciplinary exclusion.”

Evidence is also overwhelmingly clear that marginalized students are at significantly higher risk of being suspended than their white or neurotypical peers. According to the Department of Education, black students from preschool to 12th grade are more than three times as likely to be suspended than white students, and students with learning disabilities are twice as likely to be suspended than neurotypical students. These same trends are present with after-school detentions and “Saturday School.”

At a high-performing school like South Pasadena High School, one might not expect a suspension rate as high as 2.6%. Last year, 49 SPHS students received a suspension for violating school policy. Although SPUSD aims to shift toward a more restorative discipline model, certain actions this year point toward a punitive approach still being present at SPHS. Senior Phoebe Kim was given eight hours of detention this year after she used a derogatory name to describe an administrator in a private online group message.

“The idea that SPHS is a restorative justice school is very far from the truth.

However, it would be true to say that we are using some restorative practices,” Hoadley-Brill said.

Assistant Principal of Student Services Mr. David Speck, who began overseeing student discipline this year, expresses interest in reforming the school’s attitude toward suspending students.

“Suspensions are for sure not always the best choice,” Speck said. “I always try to go the restorative route first, and I’m trying to look into alternatives to suspensions rather than that being my first go-to. You want a consequence to be a learning experience, like a restorative piece, so that they can reflect upon that behavior and take steps to change that behavior.”

SUSPENSION IS INHERENTLY AGAINST THE CONCEPT OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INTENDS TO STOP THE BASE OF THE BEHAVIOR, NOT NECESSARILY THE BEHAVIOR ITSELF.” - WILL HOADLEY-BRILL As long as mandatory minimum suspensions are enforced by state law, SPHS is obligated to suspend students for drug-related offenses. In order to curb the behavior that prevents kids from succeeding, schools—including South Pasadena—need to abandon the tactics like suspension and detention and start addressing the problems head-on.

reduction A

California Department of Education

Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth

Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth

* Student’s names have been changed to protect their anonymity.

TIGER

10 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

FEATURE

FEATURE

PARKS AND WRECKED SAMMY PARK

Twilight and my life 2008 was probably one of the most influential years in my life. Barack Obama was elected as the first black President, I learned how to do long division without the help of my teacher, and (much to the horror of everyone around me) I started to read the Twilight series.

To third grade me, there was no setting more conducive to romance and magic than the fictional town of Forks, Washington. Every aspect from the love triangle to the long romantic monologues made the Twilight novels more than my favorite series of the moment, but my favorite books of all time.

SERVING UP FRESH BOBA, Simplee Boba joins a slew of new restaurants including Poke Salad Bar and Blaze Pizza that took up residence on South Pasadena streets last year.

Simplee brings a fresh take on tea to South Pas A local tea bar with an emphasis on organic ingredients STORY DOMINIC MARZIALI PHOTO RICHARD GOMEZ

F

irst it was a Blaze Pizza logo on the facade of a former Blockbuster on Fair Oaks. Next, signs for upcoming boba spots appeared on opposite sides of the intersection of Mission and Meridian. Simplee Boba has become the latest addition of new restaurants to South Pasadena. Similar to most boba shops, Simplee offers a variety of milk tea-based boba drinks, teas, and coffees. However, unlike most spots that stick strictly to boba, Simplee also sells affogatos (ice cream topped with coffee or espresso), and bubble waffles.

Simplee also strives to use organic and locally-sourced ingredients in each of their drinks and foods.

The restaurant replaced My Sweet Cupcake, which closed in late 2017. Simplee is seemingly always open, as it opens at 10am daily and usually closes at 10pm, except for Fridays and Saturdays when the restaurant closes at 12am for anyone seeking a late snack.

Simplee uses organic ingredients in a mission to “free your drinks from fake and artificial ingredients.” Some of the organic ingredients Simplee takes pride in are natural sweeteners and real milk, cream, or half-and-half in place of powders that some competing shops use. Outside of additions to its drinks, the restaurant utilizes freshly brewed tea leaves instead of the cheaper syrup commonly used as an alternative.

The small restaurant advocates for using locally sourced ingredients. The main local ingredient Simplee uses is

Out & About

Fosselman’s ice cream, atop its bubble waffles and in the affogatos. The airy, sweet waffles are cooked “from scratch every morning” and the ingredients are “nothing [one] won’t find in a grocery store.” The tea bar prices most of its drinks between $4 and $5.

With such broad hours and variety in menu items, Simplee appeals to a diverse clientele. Located near Bluefin Sushi and Roll, it is perfect for a sit-down dessert after dinner, a quick coffee before catching the Gold Line, or a bite to eat on a Saturday afternoon; and if in a rush, each element of Simplee’s menu is optimized for takeout.

Although Simplee takes pride in using real tea leaves, the shop fails to add enough tea to their drinks. Without balance from the strong flavor of the tea, some drinks, such as the Milk-Tea Boba, become a messy, sweet concoction with awkward jolts of honey. However, affogatos such as the Black Matcha or the Hulk, which are less dependent on a robust tea flavor, construct a newer take on the traditionally coffee-based drink.

Despite shortcomings in Simplee’s use of tea in their Milk-Tea Boba, the shop makes up for the disparity with a wholesome use of natural ingredients. Each menu item is filled with flavor, whether a bubble waffle or affogato topped with ice cream, or a specialty drink crafted from organic components.

954 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA Hours: Sun-Thurs 11AM-10PM Fri-Sat 11AM-12AM

Twilight reminds me of where I come from.

When I turn the pages of my worn, tattered, barely-bound novels it brings me back to the Marengo playground. While my peers were reading Charlotte’s Web, I discussed the merits of the respective teams (Edward or Jacob) with my third grade teacher. At eight, I wanted to be the Asian Bella Swan. I remember telling all of my friends during recess about how I wanted to get married in the summer between my high school graduation and freshman year of college. I aspired to go to Dartmouth with a 100 year old man who was perpetually 17 on my arm. Obviously, that’s not happening.

While my aspirations at eight are a little embarrassing, I stand firm in my belief that Twilight—and all of its sequels—are my favorite books. Recently, my go-to meaningless activity has been re-reading the series and the biggest thing that I have learned is the gift of being unapologetic in the consumption of content.

It is no more sophisticated to pretend to enjoy the so-called classics than it is to say you enjoy “Plain Jane” by rapper A$AP Rocky more the Beatles’ entire discography. After all, your favorite art is not supposed to be determined by who has the most Grammys or what The New York Times said: it is meant to be what you actually enjoy. I am well-aware that if I read Twilight for the first time today, I’d immediately turn my nose up at the entire series. From the sparkling, stone-hard vampires to the sometimes paralyzingly awkward dialogue, a Twi-hard needs to have a particular child-like approach when reading the series.

But there’s a certain nostalgia when consuming the bad art that you used to love. I don’t necessarily think that Twilight is the best book of all time, but I enjoy remembering the time in my life when I was a child who thought that the vampire romance series was the next Magna Carta.

It is only when an art consumer has a carefree nature when approaching music, books, or movies that art can truly be enjoyed. In fact, considering Rotten Tomatoes reviews or what Pitchfork had to say about the art you consume is inherently constricting.

So, blast “He Said She Said” by Ashley Tisdale when you’re driving to Blaze Pizza with all of your friends. Be unapologetic in your love for movies that have Razzies: because art is made to be enjoyed without reservations.

Tiger’s take on local eats and acitivities. Take one of our suggestions for a weekend adventure.

STORY BEN CLARK

FOOD Not far from Union Station, Philippe’s claims to be the home of the original French-dipped sandwich. This iconic Los Angeles deli is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat that is both quick and delicious.

FUN Hikers and adventurers can head to the San Gabriel Mountains to complete the rigorous 10-mile hike to the Bridge to Nowhere, the remains of an attempt to build a road into the wilderness. The road was washed away in a flood in 1938, but the bridge across a nearby ravine still stands.

ART The Broad in Los Angeles is hosting an exhibit of work from renowned artist Jasper Johns which will remain in the museum until March 13. The exhibit includes some of Johns’ most famous works, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, and prints.

TIGER FEBRUARY 14, 2018

FEATURE

11

PERSONALITY PROFILES TATE JOHNSON STORY BRANDON YUNG PHOTO ISAAC MARZIALI When he was born, Tate Johnson was given his name because it sounded presidential, a mold with which he would be formed around. There are very few people named Tate, as he often proudly states. Seventeen years (and countless buzzcuts) later, it is safe to say there is nobody else quite like Tate Johnson, now a senior at SPHS. Johnson is the kind of guy you might be lucky to sit next to in class: reserved, observant, and curiously eccentric. He is the kind of guy who wears his collars buttoned up and keeps his glasses clean.

Johnson is also the kind of guy who takes the path less followed, a phrase he took to heart from the cover of the old middle school binder reminder. If disorganization went hand-in-hand with creativity, Tate Johnson would be an artist. And as evidenced by the busy covers and margins of his notes and papers, no one could deny that claim. He’ll often carry a stack of printer paper and a sharpie around to channel his restless energy into.

If he has his headphones in, ask Johnson what he’s listening to. At a given moment, it might be anything from OutKast to 80s Japanese “jazztronica.” As long as it is good, he’ll listen to it, even play it.

Starting off with a regimen of classes and practice, Johnson became adept at playing the piano at a young age. But instead of practicing the prescribed classics, Johnson found himself improvising, shedding the constraints of structured composition. Jazz, swing, and a little bit of minimalism are now among the sounds

Dancing to the beat of his own drum

in his self-curated repertoire. He explains that the best times at the piano are when he is home alone, sitting in complete darkness. Moments like this are when Johnson truly conforms to the shape of his own mold.

“I regard art that is fleeting as most fulfilling,” Johnson explains. “The finished product is a finely tuned performance or piece that expresses me in [my] most genuine form.”

Johnson’s brand of creativity is very personal, and often times more about the process than the product. As a member of the Academic Decathlon team, Johnson’s passion for history reaches far outside the classroom. Recently Johnson finished his first draft of Almanac of America in 1994, an 80 page compilation of his own writing describing a post apocalyptic nation divided into warring factions. His book is a combination of science and historical fiction, and even touches upon the current state of real cultural tribalism. To sit down, escape, and imagine his alternate world is what really matters to Johnson.

The book happened to be a convenient byproduct.

Sitting down to write 1994 America is an ongoing process at his desk, one with an idyllic view overlooking Diamond Avenue.

On the three computer monitors viewable from the street is likely his almanac in the works. If the door to his balcony happens to be open, you might be lucky enough to hear him playing away. Somehow, that scene, seems to capture the essence of Tate Johnson. Transfixed somewhere between his world and ours. ♦

IMPROVISATION is a major part of Tate Johnson’s creative process.

The senior enjoys composing his own music and is currently writing a historical fiction novel titled Almanac of America in 1994.

CLARA FOUSER

STORY ALEX BETTS PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE

Creating lines of communication For junior Clara Fouser, roll call traditionally involves a mispronunciation of her first name. Though the regular mispronunciation would elicit a reaction from most teenagers, the poised, respectful upperclassman simply replies, “Here.” Later on, Fouser may casually inform the teacher of the correct pronunciation (cl-AH-ruh vs. cl-AIR-a), laughing as she recalls how it’s like “the ‘a’ in apple.”

It’s everyday interactions like these that has sparked Fouser’s interest in sociolinguistics, the study of language in relation to other social factors. In college, the insightful teenager plans on examining how certain circumstances impact society’s conversation, like whether a statement from a woman would generate the same reaction as if a man said it. Her passion for linguistics is not only evidenced by her daily talkativeness, but her headfirst dive into how dissimilar cultures communicate.

Fouser began her initial studies of German at Pasadena City College this past summer.

Rather than being frustrated with the complexity of the language, Fouser became fully immersed in the challenge, partaking in the most strenuous classes. Upon mastering German, Fouser will complete an impressive trio of languages—along with French and her native English—and looks to expand her multilingual abilities in the future.

LINGUISTICS MAJOR: junior Clara Fouser hopes to study how different circumstances impact society’s conversation. She’s currently studying German and French on top of her high school English classes.

The junior’s pursuit into German is inspired by her last name, in addition to her family’s love for language. Family has played a major role in Fouser’s life, as her Irish heritage is something she holds near and dear to her heart.

Subtle nuances of Irish culture compose Fouser’s daily life, whether it be the small interactions with her Irish-born mother or the food on the dinner table. However, it’s safe to say Fouser easily fits into the flow of American life, as her presence can be found in a medley of notable South Pasadena activities. Her input in the sessions of Youth & Government and her commitment to her work as an SPHS TASSEL Teacher is significant. Unrivaled, though, is Fouser’s dedication to the Peer Mediators crew, which the sole junior mediator happily proclaims as a big family.

“I’ve always felt like [Peer Mediators] filled something in me, because it exists to bring out my empathy and care for people,” quipped Fouser.

Fouser is a chief organizer of the series of original TEDx events at SPHS, which was first introduced in March 2017.The talks revolve around discovering acceptance within oneself, connecting with others, and shattering stereotypes. Her devotion to helping others is widely acclaimed by her fellow peers, and will manifest on February 23, the date of the third event, Embracing and Breaking Stereotypes.

“Clara has a wonderful way of making people feel comfortable around her,” senior and fellow mediator Ciena Valenzuela-Peterson said. “She’s super down to earth and genuinely cares about the well-being of people around her.”

Fouser’s kindness, confidence, and dedication is a rarity. As she progresses toward higher education, her unique capabilities will provide the perfect foundation for understanding what makes society tick.

TIGER

12 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

FEATURE

A “Wonderful!” perspective on life STORY CHRISTINE MAO ILLUSTRATION ISABELLA FRESCURA

M

ost popular podcasts today revolve around government and politics, often broadcasting the bleak aspects of the world. These somber topics can be especially stressful for high schoolers, as many of us are already worried about how we fit into the world, let alone the state of it. The podcast Wonderful! takes a revitalizing break away from this trend. Created by the husband and wife team, Rachel and Griffin McElroy, Wonderful! offers refreshing and optimistic content for people of all ages.

The McElroys discuss and joke about their likes and passions on an extensive range of topics; from their favorite aromas to recreation activities. Each episode is launched with a broad question and listeners are introduced to many unique and intriguing responses. Through Rachel and Griffin’s charm, listeners grow attached to the obvious flirting and romance present in episodes. As the series develops, it is rewarding for listeners to hear how the couple’s chemistry develops.

In episode six, “Book Stink,” the couple starts off discussing Rachel’s favorite smell, which she immediately responds with “old books.” Although this isn’t an unusual response, the appealing attribute of this podcast is that not only do Rachel and Griffin tell listeners what they like, but often accompany their opinions with research. In this episode, Rachel explains

the chemistry responsible for her liking to this sweet fragrance in-depth. She explains that books collect different scents over time, which compresses into an “old musty” smell. Rachel reasons that it is the variety of mixed fragrances that makes the scent pleasant to her.

The appeal of Wonderful! lies in its ability to dig a layer deeper; the reasoning behind people’s preferences is too often glossed over. While listening to this podcast, listeners rediscover the things that people have taken for granted and are inspired to see things from a different perspective. When the flirty conversations combine with intriguing responses, Wonderful! taps into both humor and a passion for intellectual exploration.

As of now, Wonderful! consists of 21 episodes, with an average duration of 50 minutes and episodes being released every Wednesday. The latest episode will be released today, Valentine’s Day, the perfect day for a new episode from this cheery podcast.

Though Wonderful! presents nothing phenomenal or extraordinary, this heartwarming podcast brings humor and enthusiasm to listeners who enjoy hearing about others sharing their passions. Even after listening to just one of Wonderful!’s episodes, listeners can find themselves starting to notice and appreciate the small things in life and wonder: what makes them so great?

TIGER’S GUIDE TO NETFLIX ORIGINALS STORY NOAH PARKER & DAVID SEO ILLUSTRATIONS KATE RODGERS

Black Mirror

Devilman Crybaby

One of the most popular and innovative original series is back to its chilling ways in its newest season. Each episode features different actors, directors, and a unique plot, but all connect to consequences of technology in our society.

“USS Callister” stands out for its eerie concept: capturing another’s consciousness and using it for personal gain. Without access to the outside world, prisoners must escape the neverending nightmare of their coworker’s sick fantasy.

Netflix strikes gold with its second venture into anime with Devilman Crybaby. Its premise mirrors that of many animes: the viewer follows Akira, a half-human half-demon determined to save humankind from the workings of dormant demons. The first half of the season is rife with hilariously gory and sexual content. Yet, the series takes a dramatic, show-defining turn halfway through the season with an ending sure to leave viewers in tears.

Mindhunter

End of the F***ing World

An intriguing concept is reinforced by excellent acting and an uncanningly accurate depiction of real characters in season one of Netflix’s Mindhunter. Based on a true story, the series explores the FBI task force that coined the term “serial killer” in the 70s. Jonathan Groff delivers an outstanding performance that perfectly captures his character’s personality. The series builds itself up through its ten episodes, and leaves off on a cliffhanger that sets up for a second season.

EotFW begins with a shaky premise: 17 year-old James­ —convinced that he is a psychopath— decides to kill Alyssa, a defiant classmate with baggage of her own. Together, they decide to run away. With deadpan humor, the first few episodes of James’ and Alyssa’s teenage woes are bland— borderline irritating. But as their getaway spirals out of control, the pace of the show quickens into an exciting and anxious plotline that keeps the viewers eager to finish to series.

Dear White People

Mudbound

Set in a hypothetical, predominantly white Ivy League university, Dear White People explores different shades of blackness in 2018. Centering around student activist Sam White, the series blasts with a bombastic start as a campus satire magazine hosts a provocative blackface party.

Examining issues surrounding colorism, whitepassing privilege, and police brutality, Dear White People tackles each with tact and delicious humor.

Mudbound explores the issue of race relations in the deep south during the late 1940s. Set on a rundown farm in Mississippi, Mudbound follows the lives of two families—one white, one black— and the commonality between their everyday struggles. The plot intensifies as the movie rolls on, and leaves the viewer with a lasting message on both the horrors of racism and the power of love. This Netflix orginal took four Oscar nominations including best adapted screenplay.

TIGER 13 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

FEATURE

TAAGLAA: Galentine’s Day TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA STORY LILY AZAT PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE

A

s February rolled around the corner, the inevitable pressures to find a date and write a cheesy card on Valentine’s Day loomed in my mind. So instead of a quiet night in, Alicia and I decided to go on some Valentine’sesque “dates” spanning over a couple of nights, to spend some much needed friend time together and forget about all of the romantic expectations surrounding the 14th.

We drove to Eagle Rock for an alternative to the classic, romantic moonlit dinner date. As we drove up the block, Spitz’s watercolor walls plastered in individual murals immediately stood out on the wide street. We pulled into the tiny lot and walked up to the doors to see more bold and contrasted images scattered along the walls in and outside.

The restaurant was small and there wasn’t much space inside, only allowing for an ordering counter and a couple of tables. However, a large outside seating area with wood tables and (thankfully) standalone heaters was an option. Alicia, being the art fanatic she is, insisted that we look around at the collaged walls as we scanned the menu. As I walked into the restaurant the large elaborate image of a bear greeted me with a warm fuzzy feeling. The huge bear and the rest of the contrasting images were intensely bold but at the same time they all flowed together as some patterns were repeated, making the entire restaurant seem like one huge mural. The menu offered several Middle Eastern food choices such as falafel wraps, döner kebabs, and fries topped with tzatziki, but the enjoyment of Spitz came from the beauty of the street art surrounding the restaurant—more so than the quality of the food.

For a different, more active evening we headed to the roller-rink in Glendale a few days later. As we pulled up, we first approached the bright neon strips of light illuminating the retro window ticket counter and iconic “Moonlight Rollerway” sign.

Stepping inside, we were met with roller skate-clad workers asking for our shoe size. As Alicia and I moved around on foot––in fear of exploring on roller skates––we felt as though we were jumping around the second half

“RAINBOW SKATE” is Moonlight Rollerway’s LGBTQ night open to all ages. The iconic roller rink devotes its disco-decorated space to raise money for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation once a week. of the 20th century. The venue had a structural build of a 50s rink, a 70s disco ball, a black glo-striped carpet of the 80s, and 90s neon lights and signs surrounding the skating floor.

Alicia and I skated around as we listened to the throwback tunes and the place filled up pretty quickly, but the large space allowed for all of the business. We attended on a Wednesday, the weekly “Rainbow Skate,” a LGBTQ night open to all ages. Over the course of the night we encountered several drag queens, dressed to raise money for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, making the adventure all the more worthwhile.

I had the opportunity to enjoy my favorite fake holiday with my favorite person, and it became so much better with tasty food and skating. After finishing off our Valentine’s adventures, the last thing, Alicia and I thought about was being alone on Valentines Day.

COLORFUL MURALS covered the exterior of Spitz, a Middle Eastern restaurant on Colorado.

TIGER

14 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

SPORTS

WINTER MVP: UMA HORNISH How girls’ soccer’s leading scorer led South Pasadena’s championship conquest

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here is only one girl you would see on the soccer field effortlessly handling a four-versus-one attacking situation. Juking out and breaking through defenders, this forward has been a major factor behind the Tigers’ recent success.

These are only a few of the multitude of qualities that make junior Uma Hornish Tiger Newspaper’s most valuable player of SPHS’ winter season sports. Although there were many talented SPHS athletes, Hornish’s immense contributions to the historic success of the varsity girls’ soccer team make her undoubtedly worthy of this title.

To contextualize, the ’17-’18 varsity girls’ soccer team has been nothing short of an anomaly. For the first time in six years, the team has secured a Rio Hondo league title. With only one early loss and one tie in league—and seven shutout victories— there is no denying the talent of the team as a whole. The single goal conceded during Rio Hondo play also alludes to the capability of its defense.

Of course, no team can triumph with defensive prowess alone. Yet the girls’ biggest weakness is in their offense. Herein lies the sensation of Hornish as a striker.

While the Tigers have multiple standout players in their backline, Hornish herself has been the indisputable powerhouse of the frontline. Many of the Tigers’ victories can be credited to Hornish’s attacking expertise.

Watching Hornish play is an absolutely delightful experience.

While her typical opponent plays with a panic that betrays their high school status, Hornish moves with the easy grace of a professional that demonstrates her obvious technical superiority. She has dominance over the ball, showing off fancy footwork as she jukes out the competition. She is also unstoppable in the striking zone, evident by her ten goals seized this season– the most made by any South Pas player.

But, Hornish is much more than a lone scorer, constantly supplying her fellow teammates with opportunities on

STORY DAVID SEO PHOTO HELENA FU

goal—a behind-the-scenes queen with her accumulated ten assists. To top it all off, her endurance is unparalleled; Hornish regularly makes extensive runs across the field to capitalize on airborne through balls, yet is rarely subbed out in any of the matches. These characteristics make her a keystone player of the team.

Hornish’s ascent to soccer distinction began in kindergarten on AYSO, like many of her peers. Her budding brilliance during her time in AYSO led her to AYSO All-Stars, and then to the Crescenta Valley Soccer Club. Since joining in 7th grade, she has attained tremendous feats with the club, competing in the prestigious Champions Division and traveling to high profile showcases in New York and Las Vegas.

This summer, her club will be traveling to Germany to train with the professional football team Bayern Münich. Funnily enough, her comprehensive list of achievements would not give away the type of player Hornish is, with a rather relaxed outlook on soccer.

“I’ve never been a player to take a match too seriously,” Hornish commented. “Of course, I’m always doing my best to help the team win. But ultimately, I play soccer to have fun. [Winning] a match with all of my friends is the reason I love playing soccer.”

Hornish’s shining attitude towards soccer certainly radiates outwards to her team. Each teammate can attest to the joy, laughter, and unity Hornish kindles in the group— another crucial element behind their success.

“Beyond being a great teammate, she is friends with everyone,” longtime club and school teammate Rainey Tilley said. “People want to be around her—she’s always making everyone laugh, lightening the mood especially when we’re feeling down.”

PREPARING TO KICK, junior MVP Uma Hornish takes a shot on the goal.

She leads the team with ten goals, while This undeniable MVP still has much of her exciting career serving as the finisher in South Pas’ ahead of her. As the girls dive into CIF play Thursday, February championship offense.

15, she will have more moments to shine as a standout on the team.

TIGER 15 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

SPORTS

How the sports budget works STORY ISABELLA TSAI PHOTO THOMAS FORMAN

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wo years ago, fans packed the stands at Roosevelt Field to watch a key football matchup between longtime rivals South Pas and San Marino. By the end of the night, the ticket booths stationed by the field’s entrances had collected over $11,000 in admission fees.

Despite this record breaking amount, the money did not go back to the football team itself. Instead, the Associated Student Body (ASB) received the check. The complexity of sports’ finances begs the question: how do funds work in the SPHS athletic department?

There are essentially two ways that sports teams receive funding: through the Booster Club or through the South Pasadena School District. The SPHS Tiger Booster Club is a non-profit organization that facilitates fundings for not only sports teams, but many other activities such as Academic Decathlon and Virtual Business. Through this program, teams are able to raise money for their own sport through various events like the weekly Bingo nights and the Tiger Run. Teams can sell discount cards or set up snack stands to raise money for new uniforms, equipment, tournaments, and end-of-the-year banquets.

Any personal donations go through the Boosters.

The school district has a non-team-specific sports budget. Every year, the district allocates a dollar-perstudent amount, which becomes the high school’s sports budget. SPHS Athletic Director Greg Luna oversees these funds, setting them aside for necessary sports equipment such as hurdles, balls, and nets. Projects like the reconstruction of the baseball and softball fields, however, come straight from the school district’s pocket, separate from the athletes’ funds.

In terms of the district’s sports allocation, different teams

ON DIAMOND AVENUE, Roosevelt Field houses football, one of SPHS’ most expensive sports. have different expenditures. Football, for example, is the school’s most expensive sport because of all the safety equipment required. Luna estimates that the school has spent around $5,000 to recondition the football helmets in this year alone. However, while it is the most costly, football gains the highest revenue in terms of entrance fees. All funds made at the gate of sporting events are paid to ASB, who in turn, hire the referees and officials that oversee the regular season games. And even though sports like water polo do not charge a spectator fee, ASB

still pays for its referees.

In previous years, the Booster Club has committed to granting funds to cover traveling costs for teams who go beyond regular league play. With the fall sports’ CIF playoffs coming up, Luna is currently reaching out to the Booster Club to see if grants can be made available to fund the teams’ traveling expenses. Without programs like the Booster Club, teams would not be able to perform at the higher level that they are now.

Spring sports near bloom STORY PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTO THOMAS FORMAN With Southern California’s mild winter coming to a close, athletes are making their preparations for its final period of sports play: the spring season.

On the diamond, second-year head coach Chris Cortinez seeks to improve the varsity baseball team after falling short in numerous close games last year. Returning seniors Matthew Walker, Isaac Luevano, Zach Howorth, and Jackson Totleben aim to produce more runs this year after posting the lowest run total in the Rio Hondo League last year.

Similarly, the varsity softball team hopes to move up the RHL standings this year after finishing with a disappointing 1-11 league record last year.

The junior duo of pitcher Anna Riffle and catcher Catherine Connolly this season will be crucial in keeping opposing bats quiet.

CHECKING HIS SWING, senior Edwin Espinal eyes the ball, while working the count full in a league game.

Coach C.B. Richards’ boys and girls track team, on the other hand, will once again hope to conquer the Rio Hondo League after winning its 4th

consecutive league title last year. Following a year in which 22 athletes qualified for CIF prelims and six advanced to CIF finals, junior sprinter Christina Taylor and the girls’ 4x400 team have aspirations of reaching CIF Masters.

Boys’ varsity volleyball also aims to repeat as the RHL champions, despite falling to Santa Monica in the second round of the CIF playoffs last year. After losing team leaders Matt Scholtz and Gunther Vaden to graduation, seniors Cole Schroeder and Kanak Belgaum will try to fill their roles with the help of junior Addison Hsiao.

Following a swim season in which standout swimmer Jacob Mullin broke both school records and RHL records, juniors Jaden Mullin and Kyra Angkasa both have their sights set on qualifying for CIF in their individual events.

The boys’ golf team will strive to recover after struggling to lower its stroke count last season.

The team will be lead by junior Josh Ramos this year after only managing to win a total of three games last year.

Ryan Lee’s journey from student to coach How the alumus has shifted boys’ basketball’s culture STORY ALEX BETTS PHOTO RICHARD GOMEZ From the time he was five years old, basketball has surrounded Ryan Lee’s life. Prior to high school, Lee’s talents on the court brought him and his team to play in Japan. In 11th grade, Lee’s passion for the game manifested on the sideline, as the SPHS alumni held a youth coaching job. Lee recently founded a non-profit, Not Your Average Basketball Camp, to provide a safe basketball space for children with special needs. This year, after six years as the SPHS JV basketball coach, he embarked on his newest adventure: SPHS varsity basketball coach.

Lee’s ascension marked the end of former coach David Lutzeier’s tenure, and the new coach radically adapted the mentality of South Pas’ varsity program. He brings a new light to the game, stressing that fun comes first and results come second. Lee proclaims that “success is not defined by wins or losses, but by the amount of individual and team growth that takes place.”

To ensure the process occurs correctly, Lee places an emphasis on both team unity and individual perspective. Players participate in weekly city runs and practice yoga to bond with teammates and build physical and mental stamina. Lee believes that this culture change, which focuses on a “high character, teamwork, and work ethic,” stresses the intangibles of both the game of basketball and life.

“I continuously remind my players that there are things in life that are bigger than basketball,” Lee stated. “I expect them to carry themselves this way on and off the court, as they are not only representing themselves, but their families, the basketball program, and the South Pasadena community when we compete.”

While his mindset is geared toward the present, Lee also looks forward to the future, as he hopes to start a youth development league for children.

He signifies the importance of giving back to the community, picturing his varsity players as coaches, scorekeepers, and referees for the league. These adaptations are just a taste of the all-encompassing approach Lee has to the game he loves.

ON THE SIDELINE, coach Ryan Lee instructs junior Ryan Chung. Under his instruction, South Pas finished 11-17 overall.

TIGER

16 FEBRUARY 14, 2018

WAKUMOTO’S WORDS MATT WAKUMOTO

Sports & immigants

SPORTS

For many Asian immigrants, coming to the U.S. from a different country is highlighted by the opportunity to grow up as an American adolescent. These aspirations, however, are usually met by an impenetrable wall of cultural discrepancies. Alongside these struggles, many migrants are confronted by a personalitydefining ultimatum: stay isolated within your home culture or sacrifice your identity to adapt.

As a second-generation American, I am able to reflect on assimilation from a more objective perspective than my parents. My mother, who came to the U.S. from Hong Kong at eight years old, described her struggle to integrate like a discouraging game of guess-and-check.

In my father’s generation, my dad and his pals describe the need to “prove their citizenship” and the resentment that these prerequisites can breed. The need to become more complex and American on a surface level manifests from an unspoken fear amongst Asian-Americans: becoming a “nondescript Asian.”

Take for example senior Hank Rainey, who, from a distance, looks like the manifestation of a pure-bred ,All-American athlete. For my uncle, the constant comparison to well-integrated white guys was a source of inferiority and alienation from American culture.

Faced with these issues, learning to talk and play sports served as a tool to escape the cultural deficit of immigration for my family.

The ability to speak in stats shrouded any kind of linguistic differences that my uncle had, while the ability to compete on a level playing field was liberating for my father.

To my dad, being able to play against the Hank Raineys, in addition to working with them in games, fostered a sense of inclusivity and respect beyond cultural barriers.

Working on a team, teammates are forced to see their peers in more depth than they would otherwise. The remedial tasks of practices and exercising give repetition and normalization of different cultures in the clubhouse. The integration that happens within the confines of high school sports typically preserves the individual cultures of teammates, due to their mutual focus on athletics.

PRESSED AGAINST A DEFENDER, junior Jenna Noueihed chases the ball into the 18-yard box.

CIF: five sports advance

STORY NOAH PARKER & PRESTON SHARKEY GIRLS WATER POLO: Girls’ water polo posted another successful campaign this winter, finishing 20-6 overall PHOTO HELENA FU BOYS SOCCER: Boys’ soccer will be competing in the CIF playoffs for its second straight year, as it just squeaked into the postseason with a 4-4-2 league record. The Tigers are led by senior offensive standout Jack Renken, who boasts a team-best of 19 goals, and senior Hank Rainey, who leads South Pas’ tenacious defense. The team’s third place finish in the Rio Hondo League met qualifications for the CIF playoffs, but the boys will have to play in a wildcard game to advance to the opening round of the Division VI bracket. The game will be held on Wednesday, February 14 at Valley Christian in Cerritos.

GIRLS SOCCER: Girls’ soccer will head into CIF playoffs with a 17-3-2 overall record and a RHL championship under its belt. The team played lights out this year, boasting an insane 71-5 goal differential, while notching a shutout in all of its wins. This superior defense allowed the Tigers to run away with the league title, as a 7-1-1 league record put them well ahead of the competition.

The girls’ first CIF game will come against the winner of the wild card match between Summit and Glendale. The contest will be held on Thursday, February 15.

and earning a CIF playoff bid. The Tigers’ 5-3 record was good enough for third in league behind La Cañada and Temple City, respectively. However, due to that third place standing, the girls will have to play in a wild card game against Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, February 14 to advance into the 16 team bracket. If the Tigers win, their season will continue versus Canyon on Thursday, February 15 in the first round of CIF. GIRLS BASKETBALL: For the eighth consecutive year, girls’ basketball will compete in the CIF playoffs. Under the guidance of second-year head coach Cody Masden, the Tigers were able to tie with Temple City for second place in the RHL. Despite an overall record of 13-15, South Pas was able to earn a CIF berth with a strong league record of 7-3. Senior TIffany Holmes will lead the Tigers into their CIF opening game at home against Chino on Tuesday, February 15.

WRESTLING: Wrestling qualified five players for CIF; seniors Nate Martinez, Sebastian Chinen, Irvin Perez, and Michael Blanco, alongside junior Seung Ham will all compete for a bid at CIF Masters. They will compete in Temecula on February 16 and 17.

Irvin Perez’s wrestling career STORY & PHOTO LUKE QUEZADA Any skilled fisherman will tell you that patience is the first key to success. Gently reeling in a big catch requires a delicate balance of give and take between the hunter and the prey, surrendering short amounts of line to keep his bounty on the line.

Irvin Perez applies this same strategy when he is on the mat. The 120-lb senior relies on a carefully calculated style to take opponents down and dominate competition.

Once he pinpoints a weak opponent, he plays with them, trying out new moves and techniques as he pursues the man across from him like any apex predator might track their next meal. He surrenders small points here and there, focusing only on getting a pin. Four years of wrestling for South Pas has provided the opportunity for Perez to developed this signature touch through years of hard work.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE REF, senior Irvin Perez holds down his struggling opponent.

When Perez came to SPHS as a freshman, he did not know a word of English. The El Salvadoran was introduced to martial arts at a Judo gym he began going to. He soon started wrestling on the junior varsity team and worked

his way onto the varsity roster and into CIF competition.

“As a freshman, I walked in not knowing anything, without speaking any English. Then, it was my first time at CIF, and I saw people that had been wrestling since they were five.” Perez recalled. “My coach kept telling me ‘You’re gonna be alright, you got this, you can do it.’ Even though I could hear his voice, I was still nervous.”

Despite developing tendonitis in his knees, Perez saw great development during the course of his junior year. He became a captain and as his style developed further, the already dominant athlete became an unstoppable force.

That year at CIF, Perez placed seventh and solidified his reputation as one of the best wrestlers around.

Now in his senior year, Perez has showed no signs of slowing down. Dominant performances in every single league match of the year have displayed Perez’s flawless technique and unrelenting dedication to the sport. Rio Hondo League finals ended with Perez taking first place in the 120-lb class. As Perez heads into CIF competition, he has the chance to see if four years of fishing will finally pay off.

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