Tiger Newspaper March 2019

Empowering students to think critically and creatively since 1913

VOLUME 105 ISSUE 6 MARCH 12, 2019

IN THE NEWS

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

Spring Sports

SPHS Health Fair

SPEF Color Festival

Varsity boys’ volleyball will be taking on San Marino in its first league matchup Thursday, Mar. 14.

The Tiger Medicine Club will host its second annual Health Fair Friday and Saturday, Mar. 15-16 in the gym.

The organization will host their annual Holi-inspired fundraiser Saturday, Mar. 16

Seniors dominate in a 60-0 Powerpuff win

“This year we came prepared with plays that would work to our strengths,” said Hornish. “We were able to exploit the juniors’ weaknesses and capitalize on all our opportunities.”

STORY RAYMOND YEO PHOTOS TONY CHEN

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he seniors outclassed the juniors 60-0 in the annual Powerpuff game on Friday, Mar. 8. A six touchdown effort from senior Uma Hornish propelled the class of 2019 to avenge its blowout loss in last year’s game.

The opening minutes showed a combination of tenacious defense and early offensive butterflies, leading to a series of short possessions from both teams. However, the seniors scored their first of many touchdowns on a reception by Hornish from senior quarterback Noemi Howland. Senior Jackie Takarabe and junior Sydney Sakamoto traded off making agile runs, but Takarabe would ultimately find the endzone. Another Hornish touchdown catch ended the first half score 20-0 in favor of the seniors, who sought to expand on their lead in the following half.

Senior Stephanie Botros relieved Howland of her quarterbacking duties and picked up right where the senior offense had left off in the second half. A pair of connections to senior Grace Kim and runs from senior AJ Bonk expanded the lead to 36 by the end of the third period. Hornish would also find the endzone twice more, as the class of 2019 claimed the victory. The seniors exhibited greater composure on the field in comparison to their junior counterparts. Instead of relying on trickery and deep throws, the seniors opted to focus more on the running game and short passes.

This year’s event marked the first year of the name change from “Powderpuff ” to “Powerpuff ”. “Powder puffs” are also known as soft pads used to apply makeup, which downplays the aggressive nature of the football game and reinforces gender stereotypes.

“SPHS staff have been wanting to change [the name] for a long time,” said senior class secretary Kelly Mirhan. “With the word ‘power’ inside the new name, the school is taking another step to empower women.”

The game was preceded by an assembly led by Commissioner of Assemblies senior Flannery Clark, which pit classes against one another in spirit competitions.

Commissioner of Noontime Nico Salazar entertained the crowd with the witty “Wheel of Trivia Feud,” while Commissioner of Internal Affairs Caleb Waters and Commissioner of Correspondence Kyra Angkasa pioneered “Meme Pictionary.” Waters and Angkasa also interviewed Powerpuff captains, who answered questions about their team’s strategies and strengths while bearing the heat from increasingly spicy chicken nuggets.

Proceeds from the game are planned to fund graduation, baccalaureate, and senior breakfast, all of which are less than three months away.

TRAPS ARE GAY

BRANDON MIN

Tiger explores the causes and ramifications of “traps are gay,” a common and deeply problematic “joke” on internet forums like 4Chan.

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Tiger profiles the multitalented, self-made producer, singer, and songwriter, who has repeatedly demonstrated his skills across the musical spectrum.

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TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM

TEACHERS GOT GAME Tiger highlights teachers’ athletic careers and how sports have impacted their teaching lives.

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TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

NEWS

CONDOMS ON CAMPUS STORY AUDREY ERNST, CAT FLORES, & CAROLINE KIMBEL

PAGE DESIGN TALULLA CHOW & ELAINE YANG

GRAPHICS TALULLA CHOW

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he Planned Parenthood of Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley Peer Advocates, a group that champions sexual health and education, has been advocating for schools in the local area such as Eagle Rock, Marshall, Gabrielino, La Cañada, and South Pasadena to make condoms available to their students. The purpose of the project is to prevent the spread of STIs as well as prioritize student health and bodily autonomy. At the SPUSD School Site Council Meeting on Mar. 19, the group will be speaking directly to the council to propose this change. LAUSD approved of a similar policy in 1992, and has been providing contraceptives on its senior high campuses ever since. In February, Tiger distributed a survey to 304 students to gain perspective on how the student body would benefit from condom availability at school, and to investigate where students would feel comfortable obtaining condoms..

Do you think students at our school have unprotected sex due to lack of condom accessibility?

No 42.4%

1 in 4 teens

Yes 57.6%

contract an Over half of students believe that students partake in unprotected sex due to the lack of accessibility to condoms. Although around forty percent of students think that students are having protected sex, the majority does not agree.

Would you feel safe and comfortable taking free condoms if they were readily avaliable to you on campus?

STD every year Source: dosomething.org

Would you be able to obtain condoms right now if you wanted to?

I don’t know 29.9% Yes 56.9%

No 33.2% Yes 66.8%

No 13.2% A significant number of SPHS students would feel comfortable taking free condoms if they were readily available on school campus. However, about a third of students would feel uncomfortable accepting condoms from school.

Locations Where Students Are Most Comfortable Accessing Free Condoms in the Local Area

Of all the students surveyed, 29.9 percent of students don’t know if they could obtain condoms. More than that, over 13 percent don’t have any access to condoms. Although over 50 percent of students do have access to contraceptives, there is still a significant number that don’t.

Locations Where Students Are Most Comfortable Accessing Free Condoms in School

300 200

250 200

150

150

100

100

50

50

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A majority of students at SPHS feel comfortable going to get free condoms from Planned Parenthood. Second and third to Planned Parenthood are health centers and drug stores, respectively.

If condoms were provided at school, most students would prefer accessing them from the health office without having to ask the nurse.

The bathroom is a close second to the health office, and the locker rooms come in third.

*from a random survey of 304 SPHS students

TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

NEWS

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Speech and Debate sends students to state

The program sends two members to the state tournament after only three years of competition experience STORY CHRISTINE MAO PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALEXANDRA CHAN

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he South Pasadena Speech and Debate team will be sending juniors Kenneth Schultz and Matthew Hamilton to compete in the annual California High School Speech Association (CHSSA) State Championship after their exceptional performances at the Southern California Debate League (SCDL) State Qualifications Mar. 2 and 9. The team hopes to surpass its performance in the tournament last year and aims to qualify for nationals.

Schultz and Hamilton placed third and sixth, respectively, among approximately 80 other Southern California competitors in their events at the SCDL State Qualification, in which the top two scoring individuals advance to the state tournament in May. As a team, Speech and Debate secured both first and second place sweepstakes in Division III at the debate and speech qualifications, respectively.

“As a graduating senior and two year leader of this program, I am exceedingly proud,” Speech and Debate Chair of Logistics and senior Alexandra Chan said. “The team has killed it at competitions against schools who think a 100 person team is small and have resources like buses, multiple coaches, and the foundation to support it as an after-school only thing.

I’m glad we can repeat our success so far in qualifying for state, and I hope with the next [competition] that we are even more successful than last year.”

The Speech and Debate program at SPHS was developed in 2009, but was not solidly established due to a lack of teachers. The program slowly started to scale back up when history teacher Mr. Oliver Valcorza worked with the team from 2015 to 2016, taking the group to participate in a few

invitationals. Later, when civics teacher Ms Alisia Engelhard was hired as a social studies teacher at SPHS in 2016, she was also asked to develop a Speech and Debate team, having three years of S&D experience at her previous school.

“When I was brought in, the program was rebuilding so my goal was to start slow and really develop speaking skills and student interest in order to build it up over time,” Engelhard said. “My intention was to support and empower the students so that over time the program could be mainly run by the students and facilitated by the teacher.”

Under Engelhard, the program entered the SCDL and participated in a couple of league novice speech competitions.

The program was handed over to English teacher Mr. Mark Zavidow a year after, as Engelhard needed to shift her priorities to raise her newborn son. With a background in both public speaking and law, Zavidow took the team under his wing expanded the program to incorporate debate as well.

The relatively small 35 person team has maintained an exceptional record since it began competing three years ago. The prior year, Speech and Debate built an impressive reputation of advancing to semifinals or finals in each of their competitions. The team continues to hold steadfast to its record this year and has come away with awards in 11 out of their 12 competitions.

Speech and Debate will continue to prepare for upcoming competitions, such as the April Spartan Aloha Classic and the Novice Championships in May. Those who have advanced to state will also be preparing for the California High School Speech Association Tournament at California State University, Long Beach this coming May.

THE SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM claimed first and second place sweepstakes at state qualifications in Division III.

Powerpuff 2019: Seniors sweep PHOTOS TONY CHEN

The seniors shut-out the juniors 60-0 in the annual match-up in Ray Solari Stadium on Mar. 8. See tigernewspaper.com for more coverage.

TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

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NEWS

TIGER ’S PIZZA PICKS STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL, PRESTON SHARKEY, MATTHEW TSAI, & LUYANG ZHANG

PAGE DESIGN ELAINE YANG ILLUSTRATION KATE ROGERS

PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE, JAYDEN EDEN, OSCAR WALSH, & SOPHIE YEUNG

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hether it’s a quick meal during a party, an impromptu snack on a lazy weekend afternoon, or a cozy dinner with family and friends, pizza has become synonymous with classic American comfort food since it was introduced to America in the 19th century. Even today, the popularity of pizza speaks for itself in South Pasadena’s numerous pizzerias. With Pi Day on Thursday, Mar. 14, Tiger looks into the best spots to grab a slice around the South Pas area.

Most Authentic: Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta

Most Creative: Tomato Pie

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rom flavorful thin crust to excellent customer service, New York-style Mamma’s Brick Oven Pizza & Pasta offers a comforting yet fast-paced experience to its customers. With red checkered print tables and a Statue of Liberty logo, the pizza shop screams New York City. Their authentic brick oven-cooked slices come at only around $3-4 and range from more traditional pies to weekend specials such as their infamous Cheesy Mac Pizza special. In the next few months, the small business will be relocating slightly further down Fair Oaks Avenue, where it will have more available seating space than it does at its current location.

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omato Pie has established itself as a top destination in South Pasadena for a traditional New York style pizza, but wins over customers with its innovative gourmet slices. Located at 1130 Mission St., the restaurant’s creativity is displayed all over the menu, as many options combine pizza with various popular dishes. The “Mac & Cheese Pie” seamlessly incorporates al dente elbow pasta onto the pie and adds breadcrumb dust as a finishing touch; chopped bacon adds an excellent burst of flavor, but doesn’t overshadow the rest of the pizza. The “Syracuse-Style Hot Wing” perfectly blends the spice and flavor from a chicken wing with the chewy mozzarella. Tomato Pie also creates vibrant pies, adding visual flair. The “Miss Green” explodes with natural colors, featuring spinach and artichoke, while the “Joe P.” is a splash of purple, green, and red from a mix of bell peppers and basil. Tomato Pie creates visually appealing and inventive fusions that bring a refreshing twist to the classic pizza.

Best Frozen: Trader Joe’s

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lthough frozen pizzas normally pale in comparison to a freshly made pie, the four cheese “Pizza Formaggi” from Trader Joes is the perfect frozen option for couch potatoes and people in a time crunch. At only $3.99, this frozen pizza features a crispy thin crust and flavorful blend of pecorino and asiago cheeses. With a quick nine minute cooking time, it delivers for only a fraction of the cost and time it would take to get a pizza from one of South Pasadena’s pizza restaurants. Trader Joe’s also offers other varieties of thin crust pizzas aimed at a more neapolitan style, compared to the thick and doughy frozen pizzas sold at Vons or Pavillions.

Student’s Choice: Blaze Pizza

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laze Pizza combines proximity with value to make the perfect hangout spot for students to grab some pizza, socialize, and work after school. The pizzeria is located less than half a mile from SPHS and offers its pies for around $8. Blaze also leaves the pie’s flavors up to its customers’ discretion, providing each consumer with the option to build a customizable pizza by selecting toppings or order from their menu of signature pies. Despite having joined South Pasadena’s cluster of pizzerias relatively recently, Blaze’s versatile, contrasting flavors and their customizable approach to making pizzas has allowed it to become an instant favorite amongst South Pasadena’s young pizza lovers as well as a regular location for SPHS fundraisers.

Best Experience: Charlie’s Trio Charlie’s Trio offers a complete dining experience, with a classy atmosphere and a variety of pizza, pasta, and calzones. In this restaurant, customers can enjoy a large social gathering or a casual meal, while watching a sports game on one of the multiple flatscreen TVs.

Hidden Gem: Whole Foods Whole Foods may not specialize in pizza, but its large and inexpensive slices are nevertheless a delicacy as far as pizzas are concerned. A variety of fresh $3 slices can be found on the top floor of the Pasadena location.

Best Throwback: Round Table A trip to Round Table brings back memories of team parties after Little League games. The comfortable setting offers arcade games and a party room to help entertain young guests to heighten the experience beyond just the pizza.

TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

THE TIGER ESTABLISHED 1913

CSPA CROWN AWARD 2018 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2017 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2014 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2013 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2011

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

Minimum wage: raising pay for a rising economy

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. 6 DISTRIBUTED ON MAR. 12, 2019.

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Communities around South Pasadena have recently increased their minimum wages. This city’s economic condition demands that similar action be taken.

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outh Pasadena has a reputation for its large number of locally run businesses; from the Dinosaur Farm to Radhika, the small town differentiates itself from its surrounding communities with a strong commitment to its own companies. Recent developments within the Los Angeles area, however, may force South Pasadena to stray from this condition and adapt to its own commercial and economic growth. The introduction of nonlocal organizations to the city has gradually forced smaller, local businesses to close or relocate. This emergence of a more corporate South Pas has also left its mark on the city economy, stimulating various economic factors such as minimum wage that affect the livelihoods of all residents. Community members proposed an increase to South Pas’ minimum wage in February, addressing these concerns and advocating that a low wage generates unprecedented social issues that make it more challenging for the city to grow.

Changes to minimum wage do not occur arbitrarily, and considering the number of communities increasing their wages and the magnitude of the change, South Pas must consider adjusting its own wage. The city should follow suit with its neighbors and set a higher minimum wage in order to accommodate its expanding commercialization and economy.

South Pasadena residents recognize the immense cost of living in the community, with housing prices rivalling those of San Marino and La Cañada. The national median property value in 2016 totalled $205,000, while the value for homes in South Pas rests more than four times higher at $876,900. A higher minimum wage allows residents to more easily afford city housing. Lowering the cost of living in the community will allow for an increase in city population, bolstering the workforce and both local and nonlocal businesses as a result.

Local income equality is a significant merit of a higher minimum wage. South Pasadena has taken significant strides to close the financial gap between its citizens in recent years, decreasing income inequality by 1.43 percent in 2015 and 2016 alone. Even so, the community’s Gini coefficient, which measures income inequality, still rests slightly higher than the national value, meaning that more work needs to be done to allow the city to achieve a financially balanced state.

Many who oppose raising wages fear that it would jeopardize small businesses for the benefit of larger corporations. An increase in minimum pay for employees often causes smaller businesses to increase prices for products or working hours, causing citizens to favor similar products from cheaper corporations. The raise would aid in the expansion of larger chains, but with minimal drawbacks at the expense of those locally run. Only five of the community’s locally-based organizations that have 25 or more employees and pay minimum wage face changes from the increase.

Pasadena, Malibu, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles increased their minimum wages for businesses with fewer than 25 workers from $10.50 to $12.00 in July of last year. Businesses with 26 or more employees also saw increases, from $12 to $13.50. These same communities are also slated to increase the wage to $14.25 in July and $15 in 2020. South Pasadena’s minimum wage should mirror these rates and match their future increases, ensuring that the smaller city is able to stay afloat in the current atmosphere of rising commercialization.

Minimum wage dictates many different aspects of a community, ranging from healthcare to crime reductions. Growth of South Pas’ minimum wage would allow for its citizens, members of both families and businesses, to benefit in a variety of ways and spur the economy to match its Los Angeles neighbors.

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

BOOS

BRAVOS

BOO to the I-Ready Diagnostic. Throw another balloon breath at us, and we’re gonna pop.

BRAVO to fifth grade night for giving the little fetuses a glorified impression of SPHS that does not include drugs or the importance of GPAs they don’t have yet.

BOO to Yosemite workouts. If seniors could wake up at 5:30 AM to run, they’d be showing up to their fourth periods.

BOO to Friday’s assembly...wait, what was Friday’s assembly about?

BRAVO to Ms. Wichman and Mr. Speck for watching a JV baseball game. That’s twice as many fans as baseball usually gets.

BRAVO to Speck for making the classroom a safer place to use phones than outside.

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TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

OPINION

PRO CON : Bernie Sanders To many people, the 2016 and upcoming 2020 presidentialcampaign of Senator Bernie Sanders represent the next step forward for social progress. But is America ready to take that step?

+ Sanders can defeat Trump STORY AUDREY ERNST ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN Bernie Sanders sparks excitement for a better future.

More than that, he inspires passion in his supporters that motivates them to get out to vote. When Sanders ran in 2016, he proposed progressive legislation that gained much support, such as universal healthcare and free public university education. Sander’s popularity is enormous; when he announced his 2020 presidential campaign, he raised a record $6 million within the first 24 hours from small donations. This support demonstrates that Sanders, over any other presidential candidate, can defeat Donald Trump in 2020.

The 2016 election demonstrated to American voters that a candidate who pandered to get votes couldn’t win. Hillary Clinton’s beliefs were too centrist in an effort to please as many voters as she could. Clinton was a typical politician, where Sanders wasn’t; he refused to sell himself out for votes. That alone set him apart from other politicians.

Democrats need a candidate and president who doesn’t try to cater to everyone, but is fearless in their viewpoints regardless of the outcome.

Although Sanders failed to get the democratic nomination in 2016, he influenced the party’s political viewpoint.

He pushed Democrats further to the left by proving there was an audience that demanded his progressive

agenda, including single payer healthcare and a more progressive tax system. This shift is important because it allows Democrats to counter the increasingly right leaning Republicans.

Sander’s influence sets him apart from typical politicians as he is honest with his supporters and uses his campaign to tackle difficult issues. The cost of college tuition has been an important subject that politicians have had trouble addressing. Sanders faced the issue head on and proposed free public college tuition. He stands by his claim that no student should be denied from a university based on their financial situation.

Besides coming in second to Clinton, Sanders served as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont for three terms and won against a popular candidate in the election process. This was not the only time that Sanders ran against a more connected opponent; during his election for senator, he ran against a powerful Republican candidate with a heavily funded campaign. Sanders, despite the odds, won both elections.

Ultimately, Sanders is the Democratic Party’s hope for victory. His successful past shows voters how even a senator from a small state has been able to widely influence the nation. For Democrats who want to put one of their own in the White House, Bernie Sanders is the obvious choice.

- The fallacy of idealism STORY PETER WANG ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN During the 2016 presidential election, Bernie Sanders capitalized on a wave of fervor that carried him farther than many expected. Despite being seen as an “impossible” candidate, he managed to capture 43 percent of the primary vote. The astounding success of his grassroots movement, combined with the increasing polarization of the Democratic party, seem to point to Sanders as the prophet of America’s future. However, it is simply unrealistic to put so much faith in Sanders. When considering the bitter ravines that divide the current political landscape, a firebrand socialist is not the person to bridge the gap.

In an era of demagogues, Sanders stands apart as an idealist. However, our fractured nation does not need an idealist — it needs a realist. Sanders’ proposed changes are not the most problematic part of his campaign. The issue is that, realistically, there is little chance for them to be passed.

Sanders’ views on economic and healthcare policy are typically at odds with the views of centrists, and sometimes “core” Democrats, in congress. The difficulty of his policy is worsened by the Republican-dominated Senate. Republicans have repeatedly shown an unwillingness to compromise, and most key policy votes

are decided on party lines. Without adequate support from Republicans or even his own party, it will be nearly impossible for Sanders to carry out his desired reforms.

In addition to facing a sizeable opposition in Congress, Sanders’ ideas are also opposed by a majority of American citizens. A 2018 Gallup poll found that while 51 percent of those aged 18-29 have a positive view of socialism, only 37 percent of total respondents favor socialism. While it is true that socialism has become more accepted in the nation as a whole, especially with younger Democrats, it is wrong to assume that Sanders’ overtly socialist policies will sit well with a majority of the voter base.

Not only is Sanders’ platform incompatible with the nation’s “mean ideology,” it is also in conflict when it comes to specific policy, such as single-payer health care.

As reported in a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 60 percent of Americans oppose universal governmentfunded health care when linked to a tax raise. Thus, the “sweeping consensus” assumed by some Sanders supporters is false. The nation is still too divided for free college and universal health care to become reality.

Idealism in a world of pessimism and hypocrisy is an admirable trait. The values and policies that Sanders stands for are just and necessary in the long run. But as of right now, the Fractured States of America are not ready for Sanders’ grassroots insurgency.

WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY | OONA FOLEY

Senioritis: straight up not having a good time I am writing this column at an afterschool Tiger deadline, over a week after it was due to my editor, and less than a week away from its publishing. I didn’t forget about it. I didn’t ignore it. I have simply been incapable of generating an original thought for the better part of the past two months. I blame senioritis.

In my mind, the prospect of Senior Year has always been an idyllic, picturesque, larger-than-life sort of fantasy. From Dazed and Confused to High School Musical 3, the culmination of any young American’s secondary education is depicted as nothing less than profoundly legendary. Consequently, I expected full spiritual liberation when I finally kicked off my grand retirement, clicking “submit” on the morning of Dec.

31st. I could not have been more disappointed.

I’ve come to find out that senioritis actually comes from a dark and very scary place. The symptoms aren’t being care-free to a reckless degree or skipping school to go to the beach. For me, at least, the symptoms are writer’s block of the mind and soul, a crippling dread of getting out of bed in the morning, and uncontrollable scrolling. Senioritis is essentially burnout, a crash resulting from three gruelling years of work, and that final, soul-sucking first semester. It isn’t that I don’t care about my slipping grades, it is more that I feel powerless to keep them up. It is important to address this misconception because when teachers and parents pass off declining work habits as teen

rebellion, they invalidate how depressive this decline often is for many students.

That being said, juniors shouldn’t live in fear of the debilitating lethargy to come. They should just understand that when it comes, it is okay if it doesn’t feel good. To combat this generalized dissatisfaction, one can always bump up after-school activities and focus energy on developing their relationships outside of school.

After having dissected the cause of my troubles and blaming them all on the college apps, I have reconciled taking the semester one day at a time. Even so, I will continue to resent the misbelief that second semester seniors are trying to be difficult.

TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

OPINION

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SPHS needs condoms to keep kids safe

SPHS must provide free condoms to the student to encourage safe sex and prevent unwanted pregnancies STORY CAT FLORES ILLUSTRATION OSCAR WALSH

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ondoms are a basic necessity for safe sex. Since many high schoolers are sexually active, condom accessibility is extremely vital. Currently, SPHS does not provide students with free condoms, meaning that students lack access to basic birth control that could save them from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. SPHS needs to start supplying condoms to its students in order to promote safe sex and ensure that the student body is protected.

By not supplying their students with condoms, SPHS is failing to keep them safe. Many students do not have access to birth control for a number of reasons, whether

it be strict parents or prohibitive cost. As shown in the survey results on page 2, which 304 SPHS students filled out in February, 40 percent of students said that they could not or did not know if they could get condoms right now if they wanted to. Along with this, over half of those surveyed agreed that students at South Pas have unprotected sex due to a lack of condom accessibility.

At the end of the day, teenagers will have sex if they want to, whether or not they have access to birth control. By not using protection, students can transmit numerous diseases and infections that could threaten their lives.

Along with STIs, students are at risk of becoming pregnant. No one should have to carry the burden of unwanted pregnancy because they could not afford or did not have access to birth control.

Please stop saying “traps are gay”

STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL & PETER WANG ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN If you’ve spent any time in the degenerate cesspools of 4Chan and Reddit, you’ve likely heard the phrase “traps are gay” thrown around casually. Those who use it typically have a poor understanding of its far-reaching implications, or even what it means. While the phrase may seem like a harmless joke, it is in fact a reflection and perpetuation of longstanding societal prejudice against trans women. The phrase is not a form of direct discrimination, but its mere existence and use is deceptively problematic.

The derogatory term “trap” offensively refers to transgender people as “crossdressers” guilty of deceiving those around them by presenting themselves as a different gender. As it is usually directed at trans women, it implies that it is deceptive to express a gender identity that doesn’t conform to the cisgender status quo, and that trans women are predatory. Since it is used as a blanket term for male to female transitioners, the term denies the legitimacy of transitions, generally stating that trans women are just men playing dress up, that they are not women.

The second part of the phrase, “gay,” also contributes to transgender erasure.

It indicates that men who use the phrase feel that their masculinity and heterosexuality is threatened by their attraction to trans women. Immature

masculine banter often involves the use of “gay” as an insult, which forces ridicule upon anyone who deviates from the cishet norm. In stating “traps are gay,” they seek to affirm these horribly toxic norms by degrading trans women instead of trying to realize the inadequacies of their insecurity. Thus, the phrase invalidates transitions and insinuates that trans women are simply gay men.

When the two words are used together, the phrase is representative of the greater societal issue of hate and violence often perpetrated against the transgender community. Men who have issues with fragile masculinity often feel that they have been deceived by trans women.

To men controlled by toxic societal norms, trans women are just deceitful crossdressers. In extreme cases, these thoughts eventually escalate to violence or murder. Thoughts like this stem from derogatory phrases such as “trap,” as well as from insecurity.

Ultimately, the phrase has legitimate repercussions, such as reinforcing feelings of disgust or repulsion regarding interactions with trans people. It is not a comical term, but rather institutes false beliefs about trans people. It also justifies violence that stems from insecurity. In order to create a safer world for the trans community, work needs to be done from the ground up. A good start can be calling out those who use toxic phrases such as “traps are gay” because phrases like this only serve to perpetuate violence and transphobia.

The administration should not pick and choose which issues they want to address. If they can put a lunch monitor in front of the boys’ bathroom to prevent vaping, then they should be able to provide condoms to their students in order to promote safe sex. This does not mean that the school would be encouraging its students to be sexually active, it just means that because students at SPHS do have sex, the faculty needs to encourage that they do so safely.

According to the survey, 64.5 percent of students agreed that students would benefit from access to free condoms.

In order to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies, SPHS needs to provide condoms on campus, preferably in the nurse’s office or bathroom where students could grab them if needed, without having to ask.

The damaging effects of internalized oppression

STORY AANJI SIN ILLUSTRATION MADDIE YOO I grew up with no Chinese or Asian American role models to look up to.

Movies I watched and books I read were completely devoid of representation. It was bothersome when I brainstormed Halloween costumes, but even at a young age I remember accepting this about my ethnicity: we simply were not good enough to be on American television.

for their right to be truly “American.”

They may even refuse to associate themselves with people of their same race, in fear of not being accepted by their white peers. People of color build up this psychological barrier in response to internalized racism, a permanent fixture that keeps them from realizing the discrepancy in this reasoning.

Internalized white supremacy is the subconscious belief that people of color will always be inferior to the white man.

The long term effects of this oppressive concept are greatly damaging. Many people of color grow up and live their lives weighed down by the notion that they are not worthy in comparison to white people because of something out of their control. Some never even realize that what they were engineered to believe is not true. White supremacy is harmful to society and people of color should not have to submit to the idea that they are less than their white counterparts.

White supremacy is not the only kind of psychological superiority that exists among ethnic groups. While Caucasian groups may spread the idea that they are physically and culturally greater, Asians may counter this with the belief that they are intellectually and morally superior.

The ideas behind Asian supremacy are just as severely flawed as the ones behind white dominance. It reaches a point where people of color, including Asians, start discriminating against other ethnic groups while continuously complaining about being victims of white supremacy.

The result is a feedback loop of increasing hatred and self-deprecation between groups that have should not be judging each other at all.

Across the world, the United States is seen as a country that accepts all cultures and provides equal treatment for all. People immigrate to the United States for this reason, but soon become hypersensitive to the superiority of white people and their status of inferiority. First and second generation immigrants often feel as though they must work harder to fit in with their white peers, almost like they are fighting

People of color should never feel ashamed of their ethnicity. All people should be aware of other types of internalized supremacies among ethnic groups and the dangerous feelings of inferiority and superiority they create. White people in particular must start educating themselves on the effects of internalized racism and begin examining their own actions. Those who refuse to look are most likely the ones spreading it.

8

TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

SOUTH PAS’ CHANGING LANDSCAPE

Family shop to photo-op Mix n’ Munch, established in 2010, holds to its reputation as one of South Pas’ family-friendly, local restaurants. With its old-fashioned, brick-walled exterior design, snug interior setting, and long-time South Pas residents dining in the eatery, the restaurant emits the small-town vibe South Pas is known for. Sophomore Lexi Schroeder was a frequent visitor at Mix n’ Munch, walking there with her brother for a weekend brunch.

The Rialto Theatre is considered one of South Pasadena’s most well-known landmarks, attracting attention from its vaudeville days in the 1930s to its most recent appearance in the Oscar-winning film La La Land. The Rialto Theatre serves not only a nationally recognized location, but as a reminder of South Pasadena’s old fashioned architecture and charming atmosphere. However in recent years, the theater saw a growing change in license and vision, prompting debate on the best use for the Rialto.

However, Mix n’ Munch was prompted to go out of business after just seven years due to a decline in customers. Local townspeople made less and less visits to Mix n’ Munch as more “modern” restaurants were established around South Pas. “Eventually we just started going less [to Mix n’ Munch] as new restaurants came,” Schroeder continued. “We wanted to mix up our meals and visit all of the new places and try out their new foods.”

Mission Street and Fair Oaks Avenue have become a breeding ground for new opportunities, serving as South Pasadena’s hub of startups and local businesses. Linda Davis found her opportunity on the southwest corner of El Centro and Fair Oaks, where she opened a women’s boutique named Little KOI. The store held business for nearly a decade on Fair Oaks, attracting relatively good business. Yet in 2018, Davis sold the 6000 square foot property. New businesses like Domino’s Pizza moved onto her block, and Mosaic Church took over the Rialto next door. Realizing her property’s value would dramatically decrease with so much foot traffic going to the new establishments and limiting parking for her own customers, Davis realized it was time to move.

“I don’t feel like it’s anyone’s place to change something so important to South Pasadena,” sophomore Thea McCallie said. “We should be trying to preserve it, not change it for the good of people now inhabiting [the city].”

The Friends of Rialto now hope to balance the Rialto’s schedule with Mosaic’s gatherings on the weekends and events such as movie screenings, live theatre acts, film shoots, and fundraisers on weekdays.

“Our vision is to see the Rialto open all week with a variety of programming that will appeal to everyone in South Pasadena and surrounding communities.” Norton said. “The Rialto Theatre has sat dark for way too long, and we firmly believe that the time is right to reactivate the Rialto.”

S

outh Pasadena has long upheld its quaint charm since it was established in 1888. From its local businesses to its long-standing landmarks, the city’s small town vibe has become integral to South Pas’ reputation. Mission Street’s “Main Street U.S.A.” feel and the city’s many craftsman homes attract the attention of numerous film companies, whose cameras and film equipment are frequently seen in the streets of South Pas. Recently, however, South Pasadena’s small town image seems to be shifting, instead giving way to a more modern look. Local restaurants — like Buster’s and Crossings — and their family-friendly atmospheres are slowly fading away as a result of the rising tide of more modern establishments taking over the South Pas business landscape. Even iconic landmarks that have been in South Pas since the early 20th century are now also being changed to line up with more contemporary standards. Tiger takes a closer look into what aspects have fueled the evolution of South Pasadena’s landscape over the past few years.

“It was just time for a change. As a small business sometimes you have to make tough choices,” Davis said. “South Pasadena is a really cute town, but with a 25 percent property value decrease that can be detrimental to a business.”

New businesses have faced more and more difficulty despite South Pasadena’s avid community of local consumers. The large amount of interest in business, especially by large corporations, has made it more problematic for both current and upcoming businesses to keep their properties. Many local business owners, including local toy store owner and manager of Dinosaur Farm David Plenn, hope that South Pasadena’s incoming larger corporate businesses will not overshadow the city’s small town feel that comes along with smaller businesses.

“I think the ‘small town’ atmosphere is part of South Pasadena’s charm,” Plenn said. “It’s a short drive to Pasadena or Alhambra if we need to shop at a ‘big box’ store.”

South Pasadena’s entrepreneurial businesses have not only been an important component to the city’s ambience, but the city’s economic landscape. According to South Pasadena Mayor Marina Khubesrian, South Pasadena’s local businesses are some of the biggest contributors to the city’s commerce.

U S T E R S

No major changes have been made to the building’s condition since the Mosaic’s arrival, although the church has announced plans to develop sections of the theater. Developments include new retail spaces like a restaurant bar that would compliment new screenings and live entertainment hoped to emulate the modern feel of cinemas such as iPic Theaters. Community members unanimously agreed that the old theater was in need of repairs, but the church’s development plans began a contentious talk about the future of the Rialto.

STORY ADAM KWOH, NICOLAS LIU, CHRISTINE MAO, & LUYANG ZHANG PAGE DESIGN TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO

Little KOI

B

The Rialto remained without use for years after its last screening in 2007, only opening to the public for occasional fundraisers and private events. Resident Escott Norton founded the Friends of Rialto non-profit startup, wanting to repair and preserve the building. The city ordered for the official close of the Rialto due to safety codes in 2010, leaving the historic building without purpose and in a state of neglect for more than five years. Los Angeles real estate developer, Izak Shomof, purchased the property in 2016 and had hopes of reopening it as an entertainment venue. Shomof signed a 15-year lease with Mosaic Church who now uses the site as a place to worship and host its band’s Sunday concerts.

South Pas’ changing landscape

“Mix n’ Munch was a great homey restaurant and it was the perfect place for family and friend outings,” Schroeder said. “We would order the tater tots which were really good, and then get grilled cheeses for ourselves and our parents.

Also they had this wall design of cereal box characters all together at the metro station which was a fun way to incorporate South Pas and all of the children’s “icons” of the time — like the Lucky Charm guy and Frosted Flakes tiger — it connected their product with the family life of South Pas.”

The restaurant was later succeeded by boba café Teamorrow.

Businesses, like Teamorrow, now target the younger demographic in South Pas by serving trendy and popular foods. As a result, more townspeople in South Pas are beginning to gravitate towards these newer established restaurants, instead of the city’s small town restaurants.

The Rialto’s new audience

“People come because they love the vintage, video movies,” Khubesrian said in reference to indie video store Videotheque. “[Local] businesses that do well have become a destination where they are known in the region and people come from other regions to get their goods.”

On the horizon A proposal to significantly remodel Hi-Life Burgers was introduced during a city Design Review Board meeting on Thursday, Mar. 7. Hi-Life’s leading architect, Steven Dahl, laid out plans to shift the interior square footage of the restaurant, add new signage, and construct a second-story dining pavilion and complementary stairwell adjacent to the building.

The public section accompanying this project was packed with concerned citizens who argued against the project. Complaints related to the new design ranged from poor material choice to the excess noise that would result from outside dining. One resident noted that the design of the pavilion’s roof, labeled a “party hat” by the group, was inconsistent with South Pas’ small town environment.

The proposal is one of several large-scale modernization attempts that have been pushed for in South Pasadena over the past ten years.

Construction of these projects has been the center of much debate among South Pas residents and board members alike, and no one is quite sure where to draw the line on the extent to which the city should be modernized.

The $50 million Downtown Revitalization project was meant to result in the construction of housing, restaurants, parking lots, and a bowling alley in a 5.5 acre radius from Hope Street in the north to Oxley Street in the south. It faced opposition from city legislation, and business owners in the affected area were concerned over the scale of changes and the sustainability of the project itself. Meetings overseeing the potential project were cancelled after 2013 and have not seen the political spotlight since, but the designs remain available to the city in the case communication is ever reopened.

A remodeling of Pavilions was first proposed in 2014, and after meetings with community members and architects last year, the supermarket is expecting to expand to more than double its original area beginning in 2019. Additions to the space include an outdoor seating area, parking spaces, and a new second floor that will act as the main shopping area. Attendees of a meeting outlining the changes expressed approval of the new facility’s aesthetics, but were concerned over the potential noise pollution that would come from passing vehicles.

The leading architect at the meeting stated that plans for construction were in their early stages, leaving room for improvements per citizens’ requests.

The board was unable to arrive at a consensus on whether or not to approve the Hi-Life remodeling, and the issue is scheduled to be readdressed in April.

9

TIGER

10 MARCH 12, 2019

FEATURE

FEATURE

Et Cetera MAYA WILLIAMSON

The new wave of entertainment Traditional television is slowly dying as a platform for entertainment. In the past decade, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube have become increasingly popular as weeknight cable loses viewers. In my own home, the television has become pretty much obsolete to everyone but my dad, who watches college football with gross fervor.

As we drift further into the on-demand age of entertainment, analyzing viewership trends can help us predict the future of video entertainment.

Currently, the appeal of the aforementioned streaming sites is in the freedom they give viewers to watch a variety of shows and movies whenever, wherever, for any amount of time. Netflix single handedly popularized the term “binge-watching” and revolutionized the way we watch when they went online in 2007, going on to create their own award-winning originals. In the era of smartphones and convenience, entertainment distributors have to be more creative with how they deliver content to stay competitive.

AMATEUR SERVICE AND FOOD outweigh the convenience of dining at KJ Tofu N’ BBQ, which replaced Papa Johns’ last month at 800 Fair Oaks Ave.

KJ Korean Tofu N’ BBQ: anything but sophisticated

KJ Tofu N’ BBQ fails to offer an adequate, local Korean choice STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH & AANJI SIN PHOTOS SOPHIE YEUNG

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t doesn’t take much for a new restaurant in South Pasadena to get noticed. With the convenience of a location adjacent to Gus’ Barbeque and the representation of Asians in South Pas, the opening of KJ Korean Tofu and BBQ should have attracted many more customers than it did (at least more than its predecessor, Papa Johns). The reasons why are clear, as KJ disappoints on a number of levels: the unsatisfying dishes, its lack of pleasant ambience, and amateur service.

the portions were nowhere near large enough to match the gargantuan price tag. The Bi-Bim-Bop ($13.99) lacked the sauce necessary to match the rest of its ingredients.

Most notably, KJ lacks the distinctly cozy, desired ambience that characterizes most Asian restaurants.

The restaurant misses the essence of a traditional Korean tofu house. The absence of music during early dinner hours did nothing to liven the noiseless atmosphere, with only a sports game playing in the background.

While the open windows brightened the interior, the restaurant does little to make for an enjoyable time.

The restaurant offers a large variety of Korean food, from rice bowls to meat dishes. The BBQ Beef Rib & Tofu, a popular order, was a special combination of the customer’s choice of tofu soup, made with chewy bulgogi beef, clam, shrimp, and Galbi — Korean style braised short ribs paired with sauteed onions.

The waiting staff could benefit from a few lessons in etiquette; they gave their customers quizzical looks when asked for additional bowls and the check was brought out almost 15 minutes after the meal concluded. Dishes came fairly quickly, but the waiters executed the distribution of the meals poorly.

While the restaurant managed to put together some decent, tasty plates, many others, such as the Bi-BimBop, lacked in assortments and flavor. The dish, with its supposedly “assorted individually prepared sauteed vegetables, soft poached egg and marinated beef with Korean chili paste,” was a misleading description. It lacked punch: the egg was cooked all the way through, the chili paste was completely absent, and there was an underwhelming amount of meat. In addition, the rice and various meats in the Bi-Bim-Bop were served nearly 10 minutes apart. Although the BBQ Beef Rib & Tofu ($23.99) was savory with a mild amount of spice and meat,

KJ Korean Tofu and BBQ is not — and should never be — the first restaurant that comes to mind when asked for Korean food recommendations. It provides a decent meal at a convenient location, but the new restaurant still lacks basic organization and presentation. The experience begs a concern for when restaurants stopped being places to truly experience food, and when they simply became places to eat.

Address: 800 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena, CA Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Mon.-Sun.) Price: $$

Netflix opened the door for social media sites like Instagram and even Facebook to play larger roles in creating interactive entertainment. This Friday, Skam Austen will premiere it’s second season on Facebook Watch, and I believe the show’s format is a prototype for the next wave of creative media consumption.

Skam Austen is an American teen drama based off of the original Norwegian web series, Skam (meaning “shame” in English). The four-season show, which ended in 2017, was praised for its honest and diverse portrayal of teen life in Oslo, Norway. It began with a target audience of just 30,000 people — Norwegian-speaking, 16 year-old girls — but expanded to a global audience with remakes in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States. What made Skam especially captivating, though, was the way the show released content to its viewers.

Skam and all its remakes release clips from each episode in real-time — if the plot calls for characters to attend a party on a friday night, show runners might release screenshots of text-conversations between characters planning the night throughout the day, with the clip of the party dropping at 9 p.m. when the party begins. In addition, fans can follow individual characters on Instagram. It’s an immersive way to consume entertainment that can happen at any time of the day. This streaming format more aggressively captures audiences attention, creating a community of viewers that live alongside fictional characters.

By the way, I’ve seen the first season of Skam Austen and a couple episodes from some of the other remakes and the American version is definitely the worst. With very simple changes in dialog and character backstory, the Americanized drama doesn’t hold a candle to the innovation of the original. Yet, Skam Austen is one of Facebook Watch’s most popular series, giving the platform new life. Skam is signaling the beginning of more interactive, multi-platform entertainment that melds media with reality.

TIGER MARCH 12, 2019

FEATURE

11

PERSONALITY PROFILES SERENDA CAMARILLO: EMBRACING INNER BEAUTY STORY & PHOTOS ANDRÉS OYAGA

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unior Serenda Camarillo may sometimes be seen in her large gold van, along with her loving family of six brothers, two sisters, and two parents.

In her own words, with a family this large, “every day is a crazy party, and it’s a lot of work.” To find her niche, Camarillo turned to music, belting songs with her father and his guitar in their living room. Her father saw Camarillo’s love for music at a young age and even purchased a Hannah Montana themed guitar to motivate her. She credits her father with being a catalyst for her passion, and her mother, who has never doubted her talent, for being her biggest supporters.

Camarillo’s love for music and unapologetic, admirable confidence has developed and manifested alongside the transformation of the music industry. As an entertainer with a big personality, the novice performer sees herself in the rise of powerful Black and Latina artists such as Cardi B. “[Cardi B is an] amazing person that doesn’t care what people think about her,” Camarillo said. “She has this selfconfidence, self-love, and body positivity that girls like me struggle with, but [that is] what makes her so influential.”

Through the music and personality of her idol, Camarillo has realized the power behind being comfortable in her own skin and cherishing her own body. By dressing freely, Camarillo

feels that she is able to emulate Cardi B’s emboldened aura. Knowing there are successful Black and Latinx artists at the top of the charts has encouraged her to challenge herself vocally. She hopes to be at the center of attention and surpass Cardi B in fame, talent, and powerful character.

Regardless of the self-confidence she has gained, Camarillo is often criticized for her clothing choices. Camarillo has frequently been dress-coded and told she shows too much skin and is a distraction, putting her in an uncomfortable middle ground that contrasts her admirable willpower and confident personality.

Nevertheless, Camarillo is determined to live a life where she can love herself completely, and if that means she gets in trouble at times, she is willing to deal with it.

Camarillo has found purpose in conveying the importance of attitude and self-love in her songwriting. She began to sporadically write lyrics and melodies in her notebook last year.

Today, she has countless original songs in her repertoire about ex-boyfriends, failed friendships, and body positivity.

Camarillo is a product of a large, warm family that raised her to love music and disregard outward appearances. The music that composes her playlists have shaped her into the body-confident and passionate person she is today. Camarillo is forever grateful for her talent and is ecstatic about graduating next year to pursue a performing arts education in the future.

HARMONIZING WITH SPIRIT, junior Serenda Camarillo’s early exposure to music has immersed her in the competitive world of singing and songwriting, where she promotes self-love.

BRANDON MIN: A MUSICAL RENAISSANCE MAN STORY RAYMOND YEO PHOTOS JAYDEN EDEN & TONY CHEN

T

he feature that most distinguishes senior Brandon Min from other high school artists is his attention to production quality. Through countless hours of work, Min produces songs exhibiting crisp vocals, precise transitions, and accurate rhythm, which all closely resemble the professionalism of a mainstream artist.

“What separates world class artists from mediocre ones is attention to detail,” Min said.

“It’s about prioritizing your art over anything.”

‘BLAME ME’ is senior Brandon Min’s latest release and is linked to the QR Code below.

Combining multiple genres and rhythms, Min serves as his own producer, writer, and mixer, ultimately generating a beat akin to that of a professional.

Surprisingly, Min currently records all his music in his room rather than a professional studio, resourcefully utilizing a rather minimalistic setup of his MacBook, a couple speakers, a mic, and the music program Logic Pro X. Min attributes his introduction to music to his father, who used to be in a band, as he gifted Min an old speaker and mic set to get started on his musical endeavors.

Although the senior artist acknowledges that the lyrics behind his releases do not mirror his personality, Min’s attention to detail and the positive vibes found in his songs capture his conscientious and optimistic nature. Min’s versatile vocal range combined with layering harmonies generate flashy and catchy “sing along” music; the result being an inviting song created by an equally amiable person.

“I think of music as emotion and story made into something anyone can feel. Everything you hear in my music is genuinely me.”

Though it may be easy to categorize Min as a vocalist, he is a musical renaissance man. Growing up, Min freely pursued instruments such as the guitar, piano,

bass, ukulele, trumpet, and drums. His diverse knowledge of musical sounds and artistic elements has enabled Min to efficiently compose his own music; in fact, for all three of his official singles, “What’s Up, Hello,” “Dappa,” and his latest release, “Blame Me,” Min has served as his own producer, writer, and mixer. Of all of his songs, however, Min is the proudest of his most recent single, which describes the hypothetical relationship between two recently separated couples. “‘Blame Me’ is a song I’m the most proud of because I believe it shows that I can leak into different genres. I love trying out different styles of music and plan on making more types of music in the future as well.”

Min maintains an active Instagram presence on @brdn.music, where he posts snippets of beats he is working on and short covers of songs such as “Best Friend” by Rex Orange County. In contrast to his polished releases, Min opts to keep his music raw on his social media, providing an inside look into his music creating process. Min plans on creating more in-depth videos for the page, and perhaps integrating an IGTV feature that would break down his production, writing, and recording process, much like the Genius series “Deconstructed.”

Additionally, the senior artist has delved into photography and fashion, finding an additional creative outlet in snapping shots of his friends and family. Although Min does not currently plan on pursuing a musical or even arts degree in college, he remains open to any possibilities that could arise.

“In the future I look forward to just keep creating music, reaching out to all sorts of genres, collaborating with a ton of great artists. As of now I just consider my music a hobby, but who knows what the future might bring.”

TIGER

12 MARCH 12, 2019

FEATURE

In Captain Marvel, the MCU adds another gem to its gauntlet STORY MATTHEW TSAI ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN

Captain Marvel directors

Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck

genre run time

Fantasy/Science Fiction 2 hrs 5 mins

T

he Captain Marvel character not only has the power of flight, superhuman strength, and energy manipulation, but also the power to spark controversy across the globe. The cliffhanger of Infinity War, a cinematic gargantuan, left enormous pressure on Captain Marvel to be a pivotal character in defeating Thanos. This intensity, centered around a character yet to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), provided easy fuel for critics. Many consider the superhero’s original costume to be too revealing, her personality unlikeable, and her storylines poorly written.

Following the film’s announcement, fans outlandishly erupted with negativity, attacking casting decisions and its feminist marketing. Undeservingly, comic book enthusiasts deemed the movie too controversial to succeed. Captain Marvel defies emotionally charged, nonfactual expectations and yet another MCU produced quality superhero film.

Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) is an elite force operative for the alien Kree Empire, fighting in a galactic war against the shape-shifting Skrulls. During an undercover infiltration, Danvers is separated from her team and commander Yon-Rogg (Jude Law). Stranded on Earth, Danvers unites with S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to protect the world from an imminent Skrull invasion.

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, the brilliant directing duo, impeccably weave Captain Marvel’s origin into the Skrull plot line, using flashbacks to give background as well as progress the story. A creative and logical plot allows the movie to seamlessly jump to different time periods, locations, and worlds, flowing smoothly from scene to scene. Boden and Fleck make good use of misdirects, keeping the audience engaged and further developing the characters; however, some twists don’t add up, leaving questions and plot holes in their wake.

The cast offers solid performances all around, but not one stands out. Although Danvers is never given clear character development, Larson creates a witty character, in spite of semi-dubious line delivery.

Jackson, as per usual, brings most of the comedic elements, but he plays the same character as he does in every other film. Law brings a strong presence to the screen, but seems a bit flat and one dimensional. Ben Mendelsohn, who plays Talos — a Skrull leader — has the film’s best performance, expertly conveying a wide range of emotion through his heavy alien cosmetics.

The action sequences are decent, but the visuals and special effects truly steal the show, blowing other comparatively unremarkable MCU films out of the water. A mix of practical effects and CGI makes Skrulls look lifelike, as the lighting works perfectly with the green screen to denote tone and plot shifts. Samuel L. Jackson’s de-aging technology is unnoticeable and the production design creates unique and visually appealing worlds.

However, Captain Marvel provides nothing more than a good superhero flick. It turns down the chance to address issues like war or gender inequality. There is no semblance of a theme and no moral for the audience to learn from. Nonetheless, Captain Marvel’s charm, enjoyable story, and stunning visuals outweigh these deficiencies in a thoroughly entertaining film.

TIGER ’S GUIDE TO PODCASTS STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL, ADAM KWOH, & DOMINIC MARZIALI ILLUSTRATIONS KATE ROGERS

Dirty John

Pillow Talk

Dirty John unveils the dark complexities of love and deceit through the narration of veteran Los Angeles Times writer Christopher Goffard. Based on a true crime story set in Newport Beach, the six-episode audio series focuses on swindler John Meehan. Meehan preys on the successful interior designer Debra Newall, eventually forging a marriage based on lies, false hopes, and ultimately abuse.

As Meehan’s true intentions become clearer, the seemingly happy couple is flung into a conflict that leads to a suspenseful climax that spotlights the truly disgusting and devious nature of criminals in today’s world. Goffard’s reporting mesmerizes listeners through his cinematic writing, which captures each individual moment with exceptional accuracy.

Pillow Talk, hosted by Eileen Kelly and Jacob Seferian, normalizes sexual experiences by examining different types of relationships. They spend time discussing nonmonogamy, legitimizing asexuality and talking about surrogate partner therapy. In a recent episode titled “New American Family,” the hosts bring on Dr. Lauren Brim, a mother in a platonic relationship with the father of her baby, to discuss the benefits and challenges of coparenting without romance. The biggest problem Brim faces is constant backlash from her family and friends for bringing a child into the world in a non-traditional form.

The conflict draws parallels with the stigma still prevalent in today’s society around unconventional families. The one drawback of the show is its heterocentric focus and slight lack of intersectionality.

Serial Serial, from the creators of the quintessential podcast This American Life, examines various unique true stories throughout the course of a season. Produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago, the show has been awarded every major prize for broadcasting, including the first Peabody award for a podcast. The show’s third season, which has received widespread critical acclaim, analyzes ordinary criminal cases from the Cleveland, Ohio, courthouse. Sarah Koenig, the show’s host, uses these criminal cases to deconstruct America’s criminal justice system and reveal commonplace injustices that most Americans would consider outrageous.

The first season of Serial served as the inspiration for the HBO documentary series The Case Against Adnan Syed, which premiered Mar. 10, 2019.

The Weeds The Weeds brands itself as a “policy podcast,” digging deeper into the broader implications of politics and reform. In biweekly episodes from Vox employees Ezra Klein, Matthew Yglesias and Sarah Kliff, the podcast interprets current events to provide listeners with a holistic view of legislation. In a running special, “Weeds in the Wild,” the hosts talk about how issues such as universal basic income and contraceptive availability affect real people. “Day care for all!,” a recent February episode, discusses Elizabeth Warren’s universal day care plan and the necessity of affordable child care as more and more women enter the workforce while also examining the issues regarding the mechanics of the policy.

99% Invisible

Reveal

99% Invisible serves as not just an intriguing title, but a fitting insight into how much the naked eye ignores. With a continuously developing world, designers have become unsung heroes in shaping a society driven by inventive beauty. Roman Mars’ weekly podcast spotlights both the power and genius of designs and architecture in our lives that is often overlooked. The podcast strays away from the typical research documentary vibe associated with informative pieces, instead aiming to feel inclusive through inviting music and Mars’ warm tone.

Ranging from the engineering of fortune cookies to the innovation of city sound design, the more than 340 episodes produced offer a unique 10 to 40 minute experience that sparks curiosity in all listeners.

Reveal, hosted by Al Letson, dives headfirst into the most pressing racial and social issues, serving as a nonprofit investigative journalism organization. In the podcast’s most recent episode “The Red Line: Racial Disparities in Lending,” the podcast examines the lasting effects of red lines, regions of a city or area that the government deemed “overrun” by African Americans or immigrants. As a result, major real estate companies and banks denied services or loans in those specific areas. Letson digs deeper into the records of TD Bank (notorious for refusing to provide loans to African Americans or Latinx, even if they are better prepared than their white counterparts), displaying the underlying discrimination that goes unseen and unheard.

TIGER 13 MARCH 12, 2019

FEATURE

TAAGLAA: Geocaching TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA STORY DOMINIC MARZIALI PHOTOS TONY CHEN

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A DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE, Geocaching, an app that facilitates real-world scavenger hunts, leaves everything to be desired.

eocaching, a real-world scavenger hunt run through an app of the same name, uses a combination of GPS and satellite images with specific location markers that lead people seeking out a cache to its supposed location.

Caches are advertised to contain anything small enough to fit in a very small box or cannister, though most of the caches are clearly identifiable items on which to sign one’s name. Tiger design editors, Kate Rogers and Elaine Yang had used the app in the past, and gave rave reviews. To see if the real-world scavenger hunt would live up to our expectations, Tony Chen, Peter Wang, and I set out on what quickly turned out to be a wild goose chase.

Starting at SPHS, our trio headed up a couple of blocks to Monterey Road, then walked over to Fairview Avenue. Following a confusing and outdated set of hints, our group sought out a Halloween themed cache at 1115 Oxley St. The app then instructed us to search the top of every three hour parking sign in the vicinity, dig through a black witch’s pot, and search a couple of nearby trees, none of which gave us any clues.

We approached a digital post on the app, which obviously presumed that we had found the cache.

It read like it was written by a dad who had just rediscovered his childhood fantasies after rereading the Harry Potter series, instructing us to “watch for muggles. Sign [the cache] in your car for stealth if necessary.”

Trying to put our experience with the delusional post behind us, we moved on to a Geocache that was, allegedly, located right next to the South Pasadena Public Library. With one look at the cache’s hint, which was “You’er getting hotter, hotter...awww now you’re cold!” our already sinking expectations began to plummet. After checking both nearby trees, we were unsurprised to find that the cache was nowhere to be found.

The three of us then headed over to Monterey

Road and Via Del Rey, where we began to comb the area with a nearly shattered dream of finding anything related to the app. After a fruitless search of the corner, we reconsulted the app with the vain hope that there might be a decent hint, but the best we got was a description of the shape of the cache: roughly cigar shaped and camouflaged. As if the caches weren’t already nearly impossible to find, we would now have to search for a tiny object disguised in a massive bunch of bushes.

At the time, in my haze of frustration, I was pretty sure that whoever hid the cache got a kick out of knowing that hapless people like us would be furiously digging through bushes. Alternatively, somebody may have made the post on the app without actually leaving anything at the corner, which seemed completely plausible since there is virtually no verification required for the deplorable app. However, in retrospect, it’s far more likely that someone simply took the Geocache.

Desperate for a story and beholden to an app far beyond its prime, we dove back into the bushes headfirst. We were so desperate we were reinvigorated with the hope of cracking a clue that featured nothing that we had not already identified on the map, but rather a pointless reference to Terra Green — a bath soap brand.

Alas, ten minutes later we emerged with nothing but the scarring image of long lost and evidently worn underwear (with scrapes, I might add). I suppose our only findings are fairly indicative of the app itself: forgotten garbage that deserves to be dumped in a bush. Participating in the activity by the app is nowhere near as engaging — likely due in large part to the app’s lack of popularity in South Pasadena — as the original version of the activity, which originated from posts in newspapers.

Despite our discouraging experience with the app, friends had far more positive experiences with the activity, even picking up a mug and a GameBoy. While there is a free version of the app, it favors the customer who will pay a few bucks for potential access to premium caches.

TIGER

14 MARCH 12, 2019

SPORTS

Ms Pearson

Before he was teaching physics at South Pasadena High School, Dean Papadakis was once a Tiger athlete in the class of 1977. He was a two way player for football, playing offensive tackle and defensive end for a Tiger team that won the 1975 CIF championship in a 13-12 thriller over Villa Park. As a senior, Papadakis and SPHS were unable to repeat as CIF champions; the Tigers lost in the semifinals to the same Villa Park team they had beaten a year before. Under coach Jim Yang, who passed away late in 2018, Papadakis’ talented team featured multiple players that went on to play Division I college football. He also played a little league as a child, and varsity baseball as a senior, but was always most passionate about football.

Ms Annalee Pearson’s life has been centered around her family’s natural athleticism from a young age. Her grandfather, an Olympic basketball player and college coach, and her brother, a baseball player, inspired her to follow in their athletic footsteps when she was in the third grade.

She later expanded her athletic abilities throughout her middle and high school years to include competitive field hockey — a popular sport in her hometown of Chula Vista — track, basketball, and baseball.

Even after leaving competitive sports behind in college to pursue her interest in political science, Pearson held fast to the valuable insight that she gained on the playing field. Today, she shows compassion towards student athletes, as she is familiar with how demanding an athletes’ life can be.

A FORMER MULTISPORT ATHLETE, Pearson continues to be involved in sports in her professional and personal life.

“[When you play sports] you have to think bigger picture, you can’t just focus on the small time suffering,” Pearson said. “You’re always focusing on the end result, not the temporary misery.”

Pearson focuses her energy on making athletics as central to her children’s lives as it has been in hers. Her husband is a football coach, and she drives her children to practice and games on a daily basis, preserving her family’s legacy of passion for sports.

Mr. Regan

A PHYSICAL OFFESNIVE AND

Mr. Papadakis shifted his focus from the gridiron to DEFENSIVE TACKLE, Papadakis the science lab after high school, and got his start as a chemistry student teacher at SPHS. His passion for helped lead the Tigers to a 1975 CIF title. sports can still be seen in his class lectures 37 years later; he commonly relates his lessons to the physics found in baseball through discussions about the optimal angle of a batted ball. Papadakis’ football accomplishment remains etched in Tiger lore, with the year 1975 painted on the gym as the last CIF win for the SPHS football team.

TEACHERS GOT GAME STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH, NICHOLAS LIU, CHRISTINE MAO, PRESTON SHARKEY, & LUYANG ZHANG PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEACHERS

From playing soccer at a young age to becoming a star player for the Hoover High School baseball and basketball teams, sports have played a central role in U.S. History teacher Mr. Sean Regan’s early life and career development.

After graduating from Hoover, Regan continued his baseball career at UCLA with hopes of becoming a successful minor league player. Being on a team with players from many diverse backgrounds greatly appealed to Regan, who enjoyed being able to bond with other students who he may have otherwise never met.

“You often get people from all different backgrounds,” Regan said, “who, through all of the sorts of challenges of team play, are able to grow close together.”

A PHENOMENAL PITCHER AND SKILLED FORWARD, Regan led Hoover High to countless victories on the field and the court.

Mr. Papadakis

The upstart’s college baseball career was cut short by a common injury among pitchers: rotator cuff tendonitis. Regan initially planned to focus on coaching, but with no hopes of returning to the field, he began considering a new life path of becoming a teacher. He found his way to SPHS as a history teacher in 1995 and continues to show the kindness and patience he developed from his time on the field. He encourages his two children to follow his admiration for athletics, involving them in baseball, soccer, basketball, football and Brazilian jiu jitsu.

Ms Charlton Many successful female Olympic swimmers are usually around 5’9”. Yet standing at just 5’3”, Ms Elinor Charlton had to work harder on her turnover speed than most to compensate for her lack of height.

As a result, she proved to be one of the strongest swimmers at her school, as well as in the nation.

Swimming ran through Charlton’s blood. She began swimming young, training on the Monterey Park Manta Rays team. She continued her passion at Alhambra High School, breaking numerous records. Charlton also trained under several Olympic coaches and went on an international USA swim tour in China. Pursuing her interest in this sport, she obtained a full scholarship to Cal State LA for swimming.

“When I was in high school, I was one of the strongest female athletes, however we were discriminated against,” Charlton said. “This discrimination inspired me to work harder. That’s why when you see the opportunities girls have today, it’s amazing.”

The discipline she acquired from swimming has shaped her style of coaching. Not only does Charlton have an innate ability to break down the needs of athletes, she can easily identify their issues and establish ways to overcome them.

TIGER 15 MARCH 12, 2019

SPORTS

Former Tiger stars: where are they now?

ESTEBAN SUAREZ (C/O 2016) As a freshman at SPHS, Suarez was a two sport athlete, participating in varsity track and gymnastics. He committed more time at the Payke Gymnastics Academy, resulting in middling pole vaulting scores and a season-best of 3.81 meters. However, determined to rise above mediocrity, Suarez quit gymnastics and rededicated himself to track. By the end of senior year, Suarez climbed all the way to the 2016 CIF State Finals, where he finished second in California with a 4.93 meter jump, setting a school record.

“I just don’t want to be normal or just satisfied,” Suarez said. “The smallest hope [that I can be great] brings the highest ambition.”

AN ALL-ACC SELECTION, Suarez has enjoyed tremendous Suarez’s drive captured the attention of success at Duke.

STORY MATTHEW TSAI

A

young Esteban Suarez peered over the chain fence, craning his neck in order to get a better view. A high school pole vaulter sprinted forward and drove his vaulting pole in the ground, launching himself into the air.

Suarez watched in awe as the athlete soared through the air and glided over the towering bar. He dreamed of doing the same. Now a junior at Duke University, Suarez, SPHS class of 2016, has established himself as one of the top pole vaulters in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the entire country.

numerous Division I scouts, including those from Duke University. Now having competed at Duke for three years, Suarez boasts multiple All-ACC Team selections and is still steadily improving.

At the ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships, he finished ninth in his freshman year and fifth as a sophomore.

This February, Suarez earned a bronze medal with a 5.15 meter vault, claiming First Team All-ACC honors.

Although he is at the height of his career, Esteban Suarez is still unsatisfied. He believes he can rise to another level and there is no doubt that he has the potential and drive to do so.

JAZMIN JACKMON (C/O 2015) STORY PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTO COURTESY OF JAZMIN JACKMON For most young athletes, becoming a professional player is only a dream. But for SPHS class of ‘15’s Jazmin Jackmon, that dream turned into a reality when she became the first ever player from the University of Oregon to be drafted to the National Women’s Soccer League.

Jackmon discovered her love for soccer when she first played at the young age of five. She continued to play soccer as she grew older and was a standout varsity performer for both the soccer and track teams at SPHS. In her junior year, Jackmon qualified for the prestigious CIF Masters track meet for long jump.

On the pitch, she won Rio Hondo League defensive player of the year. Outside of SPHS, Jackmon played for the club team LA Premier, which allowed her to display her talents to college coaches, eventually leading to her commitment to Santa Clara University to play collegiate soccer.

The higher level of competition at the Division I level didn’t slow Jackmon down.

As a sophomore, her efforts as a defender led the Broncos to an appearance in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament. Her outstanding play at Santa Clara gained her the opportunity to transfer to the University of Oregon ahead of her junior season. Playing against the tougher competition of the PAC 12, Jackmon

realized that her goal of becoming a professional soccer player was attainable.

Jackmon started all 19 games for the Ducks as a senior, drawing heavy attention from professional scouts. On Jan. 10th, 2019, Jackmon was drafted in the third round by the Houston Dash.

“All of the memories from long road trips to games, hotel nights, wins, and losses were all worth it,” Jackmon said. “I simply play the game because I love it. I’m excited to get to Houston and go to work.”

Her selection marks the first Tiger athlete to turn pro since David Allen, class of ‘08, who had a brief stint with the St. Louis Rams.

A FORMER RHL AWARD WINNER, Jackmon was drafted by the Houston Dash in the third round.

Boys’ volleyball wraps up preseason slate STORY CAT FLORES PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE

putting up strong blocks that the Conquerors could not get past.

Boys’ volleyball has gotten off to a successful start in the preseason following their promotion to Division I this year. With a 9-4 record and a tournament win under their belt, the Tigers have the potential for a high finish in the talented Rio Hondo League.

The two teams began the third set well matched, but the Conquerors soon took the lead after several blocking mistakes by the Tigers. Although senior Addison Hsiao and sophomore Colin Sheng hastily defended the court and made perfect passes to junior setter Tyler Lieu, it wasn’t enough to make a comeback against the Conquerors. After a long set, the Tigers lost 25-20.

However, despite the Tigers numerous preseason wins, the team still has work to do. The Tigers’ win over the Los Altos Conquerors on Thursday, Mar. 7, accurately represented the team’s underlying struggles. Although the Tigers won in four sets, they allowed for the less talented Conquerors to keep the score close.

JUMPING INTO LEAGUE PLAY, boys’ volleyball has the potential for a league title.

Although South Pas managed to capture the first two sets, the Tigers exhibited relatively dull play. Despite junior Dylan Schreibfeder’s numerous tips and kills, they could not maintain a constant lead over the Conquerors, who put up a fair fight. South Pas lacked calm serve reception, which allowed the Conquerors to climb back into the game, often by just one or two points.

The Tigers made a few hitting errors, but seniors Evan Chee and Paul Pan scored many of the team’s points by

South Pas needed to win the fourth set or else they would risk a winner-take-all fifth set. Chee and Schreibfeder continued to win points for the Tigers by blocking the Conquerors’ attempted hits. With numerous kills by senior Jason Barrientos, South Pas proved to be too much for Los Altos to handle. After an exciting fourth set, the Tigers captured a 25-22 victory, taking the game three sets to one.

With just a little more communication and composure on the court, South Pas could have the promise and talent to capture a league title. The Tigers will start their journey for a championship when league play begins on Thursday, Mar. 14 at home against San Marino.

TIGER

16 MARCH 12, 2019

SPORTS

Spring sports season checkup STORY MATTHEW TSAI Boys’ Tennis: The boys’ tennis team has been inconsistent through its preseason schedule, winning three of five matches. Junior Desmond Chan, singles one, has been near perfect, reigning victorious in 14 of 15 sets. Juniors Sigmund Goodstein and Evan Strittmatter, doubles team one, have displayed promising chemistry, winning nine of the 12 sets they have played together. However, despite the successful numbers, the Tigers’ still have to prove that they have the ability to defeat quality Rio Hondo League squads.

South Pasadena will kick off league play today, Tuesday, Mar. 12, at home against the Temple City Rams.

Boys’ Golf: Led by star senior Josh Ramos, the Tigers have cruised through the first half of the preseason, winning all four of their matches. Ramos has performed exceptionally, averaging 36.3 strokes a match, while sophomore Justin Toshima has consistently shot for 39.3 strokes in his second year on varsity. Boys’ golf will compete in its penultimate preseason match Tuesday, Mar. 12 against Glendale on the Almansor Golf Course.

BOASTING AN EXPERIENCED GROUP, baseball will contend in a wide open league race.

Baseball looks to right ship in league STORY RAYMOND YEO PHOTO TONY CHEN

F

or the past two years, SPHS baseball has been unrecognized and overlooked in the Rio Hondo League. Yet, despite the constant coaching changes and league struggles, the team has continued to battle resiliently. Though currently standing with a 3-5 overall record and still searching for their first league win since March 2017, the boys possess the skill and heart to spearhead a turnaround season.

Contrary to previous seasons, the Rio Hondo League lacks any singular dominant team. Although the Tigers will have a chance to contend in league, they need to learn how to finish games strong. Of their five losses, 18 of the 37 runs the Tigers have conceded have come in the final two innings of play. However, through the struggles of previous seasons, the boys have had the opportunity to develop a strong sense of camaraderie as a result of bearing tough moments as a unit.

“We’ve been playing together through thick and thin, so no matter what the situation is, we’re always confident that our teammates have our back,” said senior Adam Schroeder. “We’re not just a team, we’re a family.”

In their most recent matchup, the Tigers fell to the La Cañada Spartans 5-1 in their home opener. Although

Schroeder held the Spartans to just two runs through the first six inning, the Tigers were unable to figure out the Spartan pitching and failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position.

After six innings of dormancy, the Tiger bats finally awakened. A leadoff single from senior Savian Joseph set up junior Samuel Luna-Long to do what he does best.

Luna-Long drove a fastball the other way and utilized a crafty “swim slide” to cut the Spartan lead in half with an RBI double. However, the Tiger threat would end with the bases loaded with a great defensive play by the lanky Spartan shortstop. Demoralized after the failed opportunity to score, the Tigers conceded three more in the top of the seventh and were unable to answer in the bottom of the frame.

“Even though we haven’t started season the way we wanted to, we’re going to continue to work and trust the process” said senior Anthony Vasquez. “Making a CIF run is definitely within our capabilities, and we’re confident that things will go our way.”

Nothing is more picturesque than an underdog story capped off with a storybook ending. The senior-heavy team will seek to do just that: to write off the final saga to their high school career with a CIF berth. The Tigers will resume their quest for playoff contention at Temple City today, Tuesday, Mar. 12 at 3:30 p.m.

Track and Field: Track and field competed against over 40 other schools at the Simi Valley and Nike Redondo Invitationals earlier this March. Senior Kai Dettman, junior Ivan Estrada, and sophomores Ferrel Mansano and Terrel Mansano finished first in the 400 meter relay finals at Simi Valley; seniors Rainey Tilley, Ashley Hugasian, Christina Taylor, and junior Gianna Beasley earned second place honors in the same event. At Nike Redondo on Friday night, Tilley reached a personal best for the 1600 meter race with a time of 5:24.62. Track will begin league competition at home against the Temple City Rams on Thursday, Mar. 14.

Swimming: The girls’ and boys’ swim teams have had a shaky start to the season, both hovering around .500 in the preseason. Junior Tim Chiu and senior Jaden Mullin have led the boys’ team, specializing in the 200 meter individual medley and the 100 meter butterfly, respectively. Senior Alexa Moe has excelled in the 500 meter freestyle and freshman Allysan Tse has stood out in the 200 meter individual medley for the girls. Both teams will compete for their first league win this Thursday, Mar. 14 in a season opener against Temple City.

Badminton: The badminton team has carried its momentum into the 2019 season after securing a CIF title last year. With almost all of its core players returning, the Tigers have effortlessly swept through their early league opponents. Junior girls singles one Emily Choi’s strikes are quick and precise, leaving the opposition scrambling. Defeating both San Gabriel and San Marino 16-5, the Tigers have established great position to compete for a league championship.

Softball primed for turnaround season STORY PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTO OSCAR WALSH

majority of the workload for the Tigers on the mound in league play.

The softball team been has been stuck in the basement of the Rio Hondo League standings over the last few years. With a 0-21 overall record last year, there has been little success from the Tigers on the diamond. But there is reason for hope this year. Under new coach Charlie Jones, South Pas has remained competitive and posted encouraging results so far in the 2019 season. Jones has implemented 3.5 hour practices, helping the Tigers start 3-4 in preseason play, an uptick from their 0-9 non-league record last year.

The early season results show signs of hope, but the improvement will meet its litmus test when the Tigers face the stiff Rio Hondo League competition. Junior utility player Jewel Nguyen believes there is hope for improvement under the new coaching staff.

Although the Tigers suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Monrovia in their league opener, the team rebounded with a dominant 12-0 win over Ramona Convent last Thursday afternoon. Junior pitcher Stella Benton had a shutdown performance on the mound, holding the Ramona Tigers scoreless in five innings. At the plate, sophomore Carissa Park sparked multiple rallies for the Tigers with her line drive hits and speed on the basepaths. Sophomore Cameron Pearson has been the ace so far this year, and has taken the

“With the new coaching staff, I feel like [Coach Jones] has been communicating very well with the players and setting up clear objectives to achieve our preseason goals,” Nguyen said. “There has been drastic improvement within the attitudes of the players this season, which has helped us accomplish results, like winning three preseason games, which might’ve seemed impossible to do last year.”

The Tigers will have an opportunity to make more noise in the Rio Hondo League today, Mar. 12, against Temple City.

South Pas lost by 10 runs or more in all three of its matchups with the Rams last year, but are confident they can compete this year with improved talent and team chemistry.

HAVING ALREADY WON MULTIPLE GAMES, softball is well prepared for league play.

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