Tiger Newspaper October 2016

VOLUME 103 ISSUE II OCTOBER 12, 2016

IN THE NEWS

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

Tiger

TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM

HIGH SCHOOL HACKED

BYE BYE BLAIR

ROCK THE VOTE

An SPHS server experienced an attack from a cryptovirus on Saturday, October 8. Many files were encrypted.

Tiger football will get a “bye” on Friday, October 21, after Blair’s football team forfeited its season.

California’s deadline for voter registration is quickly approaching. Remember to register by October 24.

NINE SENIORS were voted as the 2016 Royal Tiger nominees. Top (left to right): Tei Park, Sandra Moore, Amelia DeYoung, Owen Keith, London Lang.

Bottom (left to right): Sophia Gerodíaz, Elizabeth Mercado, Vanessa Chai, and Sophia Lopez.

ASB introduces Royal Tiger Court nominees

Voting system shifts toward gender inclusivity STORY DASHIEL BOVE PHOTOGRAPH JALYNNE LI

The 2016 Royal Tiger Court nominees were announced last Friday at the Color Day Assembly. This year marks the first in which students of all genders were eligible to be nominated to the Homecoming court.

old Homecoming voting system labeled certain students in a way that they did not identify with and did not accurately represent who they were, which was why she aimed to change it.

“I think it’s really cool to be a part of something with such awesome people,” senior nominee Sophia Gerodíaz said. “And I like that the voting system is more inclusive now.”

Additionally, ASB wanted to break away from the traditional femininity of Homecoming and instead establish a celebration of students, regardless of gender, for making a positive impact on the school. Behind this lies the belief that SPHS needs to abstain from the celebration of gender roles, and instead commemorate students based on individual achievement.

The decision to make the change was reached unanimously by the Associated Student Body Commission at the end of September, and lay in a desire to create a safe space for students and make the Court more inclusive for the entirety of the student body.

“We didn’t think that the criteria for making it onto a Court of noteworthy students should be different for males and females,” Commissioner of Assemblies Charlotte Emerson said.

At the epicenter of this change was Emerson, whose election to Commission allowed her to bring to life her hope for gender identity inclusivity. Emerson believed that the

“We’re trying to move away from the glorification of ‘good girls’ and just trying to celebrate good people,” Commissioner of Publicity Perah Ralin said.

The opening of the Royal Tigers Court to all students is a step towards a more inclusive school environment. Voting results revealed seven of the 20 nominees to be male and the other 13 to be female, a relatively surprising change given that this is the first year of the new policy.

THE PROBLEM WITH GOING “GREEN”

SPACE CLOSES ITS DOORS

VOLLEYBALL LOOKS AHEAD

Staff writer Luke Quezada explores the legitimacy behind ecofriendly products

After 15 years of serving the South Pasadena community, the art center has officially closed

Girls’ volleyball aims to continue their success in the second half of Rio Hondo League play

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NEWS

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

Students prompt campus change STORY SAMMY PARK The high school administration has recently approved the installation of menstrual product dispensers in some campus bathrooms.

Commissioner of Publicity Perah Ralin brought the lack of access to menstrual products to the attention of Commissioner of Internal Affairs, Anthony Chen. The problem was then presented to Principal Janet Anderson.

The plan for installation involves a pilot program in which hygiene product dispensers will be installed in only the math building, due to the destruction of bathroom amenities (soap dispensers and paper towel machines). School officials want to ensure that the dispensers will be treated responsibly in the math building before they install them throughout campus.

JUNIOR MEDIATOR WILL HOADLEY-BRILL participates in a group discussion during the workshop. Participants examined the issue of stress after being split in small groups.

Peer Mediators host two stress relief workshops STORY RILEY SEGAL PHOTOGRAPH HANA TYZSKA

The Peer Mediators are turning focus to student wellbeing this month with lunchtime workshops that focus on collaboration and stress relief. The first two were held on October 3 and 10. The workshops have included overviews of the meeting’s goals, as well as activities and group discussions. Mediators junior Jahzerah Cheng and sophomore Jonathan Oyaga have led both sessions.

At the first workshop, the 50 attendees were split into six smaller groups and asked to solve a human knot (an activity where participants join hands

randomly and must untangle themselves). The knot, Cheng and Oyaga explained, was symbolic of the goal of these workshops: to work together to reduce the high level of stress that high schoolers face.

During the second meeting, the attendees were again split into small groups. This time, Mediators handed out chocolate and directed participants to visualize a relaxing place.

After a minute-long period, students discussed what they envisioned.

“We want to work together to tackle

STORY BRANDON YUNG PHOTOGRAPH THOMAS FORMAN Students throughout the school practiced exercising the democratic process in a mock election yesterday at the library. Students voiced their opinions on presidential candidates, state senator candidates, as well as seven propositions. The library harbored students during brunch, lunch, and class periods to cast virtual votes on national and local issues—most prominently, this year’s presidential election.

SPHS student ballot results overwhelmingly favored Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, giving the liberal candidates 263 of the 413 votes. Fifty-six votes went to the anti-establishment Republican nominee Donald Trump and his Vice Presidential pick, Mike Pence.

Third party candidates were also favored; the progressive Green Party’s Jill Stein; the de-regulationist Libertarian Gary Johnson; and the far-left Peace and Freedom party’s Gloria Estela La Riva. They garnered 40, 32, and 15 votes, respectively. The school’s political breakdown indicates that students resemble South Pasadena’s overall political breakdown.

63.2% of students voted democratic, and 13.6% voted conservative, compared to South Pasadena’s break down of 69% blue, and 29% red, according to city-stats.org.

“I approved of the installation of dispensers to provide a sense of security for our students,” Anderson said.

stress as a student body and to bring a focus on mental wellness as society often doesn’t shed enough light on it,” Cheng said. “The workshops have had wonderful turnouts; we definitely did not expect that many people to come.

We’re going to try to continue to expand and improve the workshops to fit the amount of people that come.”

The campus might also go through another studentdriven change: later start times. Although the first School Site Council meeting didn’t cover the topic of later start times, the council is hoping to discuss both issues in November. Students Sandra Moore, Rachel Lu, Will Hoadley-Brill, Owen Keith, and Anthony Chen, presented the idea to Anderson.

They have researched the benefits of later start times and are now shifting their focus to research schools that have already made the shift for a model to follow.

The Mediators will continue to hold weekly meetings on Mondays in CC2.

In addition, they plan to produce a zine focusing on mental and emotional wellness amongst other topics that vary each month.

“Currently, we are assessing a way to accommodate everyone’s schedule,” Chen said. “We are working to give people the option to start early or later and end at different times, because some students might prefer earlier start times while others prefer later times.”

Students vote in mock election Hundreds gather to library to cast their ballots

Before the installation of menstrual product dispensers, students who needed pads visited Ms. Espinoza, the health clerk. Although students were able to receive pads, many felt uncomfortable having to visit the office.

Students were also given the opportunity to vote on California state propositions and U.S. senate representatives. Between the two candidates running for senate, both female democratic nominees, Loretta L. Sanchez got more student votes— 230 compared to her opponent, Kamala D. Harris, who received 139. Students voted in favor of all seven of the propositions made available, with each “approved” by majority. The propositions ranged from education funding to banning single-use plastic bags.

The mock election gave students a valuable opportunity to prepare for their future civil duties, but participation was far from ideal. Out of the nearly 1,500 students who attend the school, less than a third participated in the mock election, and many of those who voted took the opportunity to express disaffection for this election season. Some voting slips had Bernie Sanders, the democratic party runner-up, written-in. Other students reported who some chose Donald Trump as a joke.

Two student groups headed the election simulation: Future Business Leaders of America and Skills USA. Student members of the organizations were excused from classes to assist the voters that came in during the day. After slips were handed in and votes were tallied, student voters received “I voted” stickers.

“It’s good that at least some [students] took it seriously,” junior Jeremy Sharp said, as he left the library. “The point of high school is that it prepares us for the real world.”

ELAINE WANG votes in the 2016 Mock Election, which was hosted by SkillsUSA and FBLA.

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

NEWS

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Local group hosts garden workshop STORY DAVID SEO South Pasadena Beautiful held its first Fall Garden Workshop together with the city government at Eddie Park on Saturday, October 8. Senior Management Analyst Jennifer Shimmin along with intern Amber Deron led the event to educate the public on parkway tree care and landscape design. The presentation was broken up into two hour-long sessions, based around the Southern California drought and how it has affected natural life in the city.

GARNERING ROYAL ACCLAIM, senior Sophia Lopez was the only finalist from SPHS.

Sophia Lopez named Rose Court finalist STORY RACHEL LU PHOTOGRAPH KEVIN HUANG Senior Sophia Lopez represented South Pasadena at the Tournament of Roses Royal Court ceremony on Tuesday, October 4. Lopez was announced as a finalist the previous week, the only one from SPHS. The multiple-round selection process for the 128th Rose Court began with almost 1000 different young women from the Pasadena Area, including Lopez and other SPHS seniors. She went through four rounds of interviews, each varying in length and content. “[Every] round, the panel of judges would ask a question to get to know me,” Lopez said. “They asked about why I’d like to be on the court, my school activities, and even my opinion on topics like social media.”

Lopez was not crowned, but voiced her gratitude for the opportunity to have advanced so far into the process. She is a proactive member of the Associated Student Body as the Commissioner General, and believes the tryout process has further connected her to the community.

“Even though I won’t be an official part of the Court, I’ve had so much fun becoming friends with local girls that I wouldn’t have met outside of tryouts. Being able to voice my opinions in the community with my family supporting me is really what’s made the experience worth it.”

The first session introduced a representative from West Coast Arborist, the city of South Pasadena’s contractor, as well as the city arborist. They emphasized the importance of parkway trees and their effects on the city.

The arborist told of the hundreds of dying trees around the community and how citizens can help combat the issue. Attendees learned how to care for their own trees in front of their homes. They also outlined the city’s Tree Dedication Program, in which citizens can purchase a tree in honor of a significant figure, which will fill the hundreds of empty tree wells across the town.

The second session brought back Shimmin and Deron to speak about landscaping. Shimmin explained that there is no ordinance against watering trees, despite the fact that citizens can only water their lawn twice a week.

Deron highlighted the plants people should plant if they re-landscape. She focused on native plants which are naturally acclimated to the climate. Citizens themselves can provide for their future gardens by going to the citysponsored mulch giveaway in early November.

Shimmin emphasized the immediacy of this issue to the city’s youth.

“Young people should be interested in the trees’ future because they are going to be the ones who define the future of the natural environment and sustain it for generations to come,” Shimmin said.

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TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

DISSECTING THE RANKINGS

DISSECTING THE RANKINGS

The Wall Street Journal recently released their list of top colleges in the country. Despite the publications reputable name, the ranking criteria is flawed.

PAGE AND INFOGRAPHICS TRUMAN LESAK STORY FAYE WITHERALL ILLUSTRATION ASHTON CARLESS

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college application deadlines rapidly approach, my collection of postcards from the University of Chicago urging me to apply continues to grow. I’ve never contacted an admissions representative, nor have I expressed any interest in the school. I’ve never even been to Chicago.

The truth is, the University of Chicago doesn’t really want me to attend. But it definitely wants me to apply. And that’s because, in the widelyanalyzed world of college

HIGHEST OVERALL TESTING

rankings, schools get rewarded for the number of hopeful students they reject.

So a school that already turns away more than 92% of the students seeking admission thinks it’s a good idea to urge even more students to apply.

This is not just a UChicago tactic - schools across the nation use the same trick to try and climb up in college rankings compiled

by U.S. News & World Report and other organizations.

Last month, The Wall Street Journal became the latest publication to get into the college rating game. The good news is that it didn’t reward schools for how many students it rejected. But its own set of ranking criteria, which are based on resources, engagement, outcomes, and environment, have flaws of their own.

Schools get rewarded for how many articles their faculty have published.

Students already in college will tell you that professors with a long list of research articles aren’t always interesting teachers.

In fact, some are much more interested in their own research than they are about how well their students are learning.

Schools also receive credit for how much money they spend on each student’s education. In other words, schools that charge more in tuition get more points than those that charge less.

The message is that the more affordable, the less desirable.

F o r t y percent of The Wall Street Journal’s ranking criteria is “outcomes,” a category that analyzes a college’s success in “transforming people’s life chances”. This means that a person who attends Princeton has a better chance at making more money than the same person attending Cal State Northridge.

However, it’s fair to say that Cal State Northridge is impacting many more lives than many of the top 50 schools on The Wall Street Journal’s list because of their higher enrollment rate and larger number of first generation college students. Yet the Matadors fail to show up on most lists.

The truth is that rankings are largely meaningless, especially when dissected.

Unless your own criteria exactly line up with the company that rates the schools, the results are not that relevant.

next to a school based on criteria that may not have anything to do with you at all. Do you really care that the school you’re attending rejected “only” 50% of its applicants?

The best thing to do is find what’s important to you–– the majors a school offers, where a school is located, whether they help you get internships–– and then make rankings of your own.

Unsurprisingly, schools like Harvard and MIT usually end up at the top of the ratings. Maybe these schools truly are the best schools in the country––but it’s not for the reasons The Journal implies.

While it’s easy to blame schools for some of their tactics to move higher in rankings, the problem is with the organizations that put together the rankings. And whether we like it or not, students and parents who pay attention to those rankings also share the blame.

It’s both silly and shallow to rely on an article that puts a number

1. STANFORD 2. M.I.T. 3. COLUMBIA

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HIGHEST RESOURCES 1. HARVARD 2. CALTECH 3. M.I.T. wall street journal

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OPINION

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

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THEESTABLISHED TIGER 1913 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2005 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2006 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2009 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2010 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2011 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2013 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2014 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OLIVIA NOURIANI MANAGING EDITORS FAYE WITHERALL, Print TUCKER JUDKINS, Online NEWS NICK MICHAEL, Editor OPINION ISABEL BARBERA, Editor FEATURE DECLAN CHIN, Editor SPORTS NOAH MIYAMAE, Editor DESIGN SANDRA MOORE, Editor MICHAEL STUKAN, Editor PHOTOGRAPHY MATT SCHOLTZ, Editor COPY SANDY GROSSMAN, Editor NATE RUDMAN, Editor SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER HANA TYSZKA STAFF WRITERS AMELIA ANTHONY, ELIZABETH BOCK, DASHIEL BOVE, COLE CAHILL, OONA FOLEY, RACHEL LU, RYAN NAKAMURA, SAMMY PARK, LUKE QUEZADA, RILEY SEGAL, DAVID SEO, ISABELLA TSAI, MATT WAKUMOTO, MAYA WILLIAMSON, BRANDON YUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS THOMAS FORMAN, KEVIN HUANG, LUKE QUEZADA GRAPHIC DESIGNER TRUMAN LESAK ILLUSTRATORS ASHTON CARLESS, ISABELLA FRESCURA, ANGELICA NAVARRO MANAGERS ALINA MEHDI, Ads LAUREN TAN, Business WEBMASTER OLIVER CHANG FACULTY ADVISER MIKE HOGAN VOL. 103 NO. II DISTRIBUTED ON OCT. 12, 2016.

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TIGER IS PRODUCED BY THE ADVANCED JOURNALISM NEWSPAPER CLASS AT SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL, 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030. LAYOUT AND PHOTO IMAGING ARE COMPLETED ON-SITE. PRINTED BY AMERICAN/FOOTHILL PUBLISHING CO., INC., TUJUNGA, CA. SIGNED ARTICLES APPEARING IN TIGER REPRESENT THE WRITER’S OPINIONS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF, STUDENT BODY, FACULTY OR ADMINISTRATION OF SPHS.

ST A F F ED IT O R I A L

Virginity: a word without pure implications Why teens should consider “losing” the concept of virginity Teenhood is riddled with insecurities. Whether it be college applications, social life, or skin clarity, there is no shortage of opportunities for teenagers to compare themselves to their peers—and ultimately determine that they don’t measure up.

Sexual activity is one such yardstick by which to measure selfworth, one that is hailed as more important than almost any other. But the obsession with virginity is largely insubstantial, and unfortunately oppressive. In reality, virginity is an insidious, falsified form of body policing used to shame people— especially women—for their sexuality and sexual activity.

Contrary to popular belief, virginity is not a scientific term— there is no definitive change to the body after having sex for the first time. A common misconception people have is that the hymen (the thin layer of tissue that stretches across the opening of the vagina) can only stretch or tear when having penetrative sex for the first time, and that someone with a stretched or torn hymen isn’t a virgin. In reality, the hymen can stretch or tear just as easily from non-sexual activities like inserting a tampon.

Like the hymen myth, the idea of virginity is extremely heteronormative: a virgin is predominantly described as someone who has not had penis-in-vagina (PiV) intercourse.

This antiquated understanding of sexual experiences can marginalize people who identify as LGBTQ+, heterosexual people who are not interested in or are unable to have PiV sex, or anyone else who partakes in other types of sex besides vaginal penetration. People who are gender nonconforming are also wholly left out of the conversation.

Attitudes towards virginity are not uniform across genders— men are encouraged by the media and society to have a lot of sex, with lots of different women, as soon as possible. Women, on the contrary, suddenly lose their “innocence” and value

TIGER’S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A RELIABLE NEWS OUTLET FOR SPHS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THROUGH A VARIETY OF COVERAGE, TIGER EMPOWERS/ENABLES STUDENTS TO THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY, COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY, SOLVE PROBLEMS, SET AND REACH GOALS, AND WORK COOPERATIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. TIGER IS A FORUM FOR STUDENT FREE SPEECH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ED CODE 48907.

Examination of the language surrounding virginity reveals more microaggressions; the phrase “lost one’s virginity” assumes everyone feels the same type of loss after having sex for the first time. In reality, having sex for the first time can be emotional for some, and completely unemotional for others.

Of course, it is important to recognize that virginity is significant within some cultures and religions. If someone wants to give weight to their personal definition of virginity, they are completely validated in doing so. The problem begins when a standard of virginity that encourages male conquest and slut-shaming is rigidly imposed.

An easy and inclusive solution to this harmful obsession would be to reject the entire standard by considering people as individuals, each with their own personal feelings concerning how much weight they want to give their sexual experiences. Refusing to acknowledge virginity as a uniform and oppressive concept can begin with simple actions such as not using the phrase “lost one’s virginity.”

“...men are encouraged by the media and society to have a lot of sex, with lots of different women, as soon as possible.

Women, on the contrary, suddenly lose their “innocence” and value after having sex. ”

Boos & Bravos

ORIGINAL STORIES WILL CARRY BYLINES, ALTHOUGH STORIES REWRITTEN BY ANYONE OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL WRITER WILL NOT RECEIVE A BYLINE. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE BYLINES. CONTACT THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE AT (626) 441-5820 EXT. 2615 BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. TIGER WELCOMES ARTICLES, LETTERS OR REBUTTALS FOR PUBLICATION IN THE PRINT AND ONLINE EDITIONS. ALL LETTERS MUST BE SIGNED AND VERIFIABLE, BUT NAMES WILL BE WITHHELD UPON REQUEST.

after having sex. These expectations contribute to the shaming of men who become sexually active later in life, and women who become sexually active earlier.

Tiger’s cheers and jeers for the month of October BOOS

BRAVOS

BOO to the abundance of film shoots on campus.

The wafting scent of your union mandated meal breaks make us long for our own collective labor representation.

BRAVO to Color Day for being an outstanding petri dish of clique life.

BOO to C list child actors with bodyguards. You’re not Jacob Sartorius. Get over it.

BOO to Columbus.

BRAVO to the Presidential Debate for showing us that American diversity is an old, rich, white woman on the same stage as an old, rich, white man. At least Bill plays the saxophone.

BRAVO to the Lopez Show...we mean, the Color Day assembly.

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TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

OPINION

Pro/Con:

KAEPERNICK SITS STORY COLE CAHILL ILLUSTRATION ASHTON CARLESS

+ Kneeling for equality The United States is obsessed with its flag. It flies proudly at the front of classrooms, sits perched atop town flagpoles, and is emblazoned on thousands of Americans’ clothing. Any remotely defiant treatment of the symbol is often marked as un-american or disrespectful to our military.

So when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem, flag-loving Americans did not hold back their criticism. The player made it clear that this action was a peaceful protest against American oppression of black people, but it was perceived by many as an act of disrespect; that his protest was valid, but his method was disrespectful.

But refusing to stand for the national anthem is hardly an act of treason. Across the country, athletes like Kaepernick are beyond justified in their protest; they are proactively critiquing the police murders, racial targeting, and centuries of systematic oppression black Americans face, and rejecting the expectation that the flag should be praised unconditionally.

One of the main objections to the protest is that the flag should not be the vehicle to make that statement. Critics often point to the flag

– Taking a knee, not a stand When NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick made the decision to kneel during the national anthem, he was protesting racial inequality. But any awareness that he raised towards the movement has been unfortunately overshadowed by a heated debate on patriotism. Not only has the purpose of his protest overlooked, but opposing an emblem of American rights and liberties is not an appropriate method to establish change in this country.

The First Amendment allows all United States citizens freedom of speech, something that the country takes pride in.

Americans should recognize that this right has not come cheap. Sitting or kneeling during the national anthem or the pledge of allegiance disregards the efforts of those, past and present, who have defended Americans’ rights to speak out. Many veterans have dedicated their lives to service, only to be come back home to see that some people don’t appreciate the freedoms that they fight for.

It is these other their

also imperative to remember that liberties are not always a given. Many countries severely limit and censor citizens’ free speech. To immigrants

as a symbol of military veterans and American triumphs; they claim that refusing to stand disrespects the very values that allow free protest.

In fact, protesting in a public, peaceful manner is one of the most patriotic actions an American can take. In a nation founded upon civil disobedience—one where countless milestones have been achieved through protest—taking a controversial stand is admirable, not disgraceful.

A certain level of advantage comes with being American, but privilege is not held equally by all. As evidenced by widespread police brutality, higher rates of poverty in black communities, and countless other forms of oppression, the black American experience is vastly different from the white American experience. Protesting the deprivation of those freedoms is vital, and necessary.

Protest on the stage of professional athletics should be praised, not condemned. The flag cannot be worshipped as an all-encompassing symbol, and protests such as these should be valued and heard. Praise and criticism cannot be mutually exclusive—only through these actions can we progress as a nation.

STORY ISABELLA TSAI ILLUSTRATION ASHTON CARLESS

who have come from countries that do not afford citizens the liberties that the U.S. does, it is a proud moment to stand for this country, something that people often take for granted. Americans are fortunate enough to live in a nation that values freedom; protesting against the nation that gave the right to protest is counterproductive. The U.S. is by no means a perfect nation. Its problems are abundant and complex. But the national anthem represents freedoms; it represent what America is doing right.

Ultimately, sitting or kneeling during the national anthem or pledge of allegiance is ineffective. People protest because they want things to change. But, in order to formulate change, action is necessary. If people really want to do something about an issue, there are so many other methods of problemsolving that are much more effective and don’t involve challenging an American symbol of freedom.

The only way that the U.S. can fix issues is through solidarity. When the national anthem plays, people of this country stand together, put aside their differences, and unite as a nation. Every American should want to be a part of that.

THE ROAD LESS FRAZZLED | OLIVIA NOURIANI

The quest for authenticity: a fruitless journey I’ve always valued authenticity. The people that I lean towards are genuine and straightforward. I’ve lived my life on the premise that people appreciate honesty, because society would have you believe it; insincerity is one of the most rejected human qualities, especially in high school. And so I’ve believed that if I’m honest and straightforward in my relationships, people will like me; if I’m genuine on college applications, I’ll be rewarded for it.

that’s an adaptation, not a flaw.

Genuineness is propped up in social interaction; we’re hypercritical of people we perceive as “social chameleons.” The truth is, though, that being well-received is about catering to individuals. Adjusting your behavior to those around you may not be authentic, but it isn’t “fake” either. The most socially well-adjusted people know how to recognize individuality and tell people what they want to hear;

Friends, strangers, college admissions officers––no one is interested in unfiltered honesty. People champion genuineness as an important trait, but still prefer insincere flattery. So the most socially savvy people aren’t the most authentic; they’re the best at faking it. And maybe that skill––being likable––is just as “real” as brutal honesty, or self-deprecation in our college apps.

The reality is that people are uninterested in real honesty; the social skill to master is changing yourself just skillfully enough so that you can appeal to the right people without being sniffed out as a “fraud.” And as long as people can say they don’t notice, they won’t care.

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

OPINION

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An eating contest’s consequence How degrading attitudes towards AsianAmericans still shape understanding and treatment of the minority, from Hollywood to eating contests STORY BRANDON YUNG ILLUSTRATION ISABELLA FRESCURA A video posted on Twitter by the South Pasadena Police Department two weeks ago featured an officer gagging after eating a Chinese fermented duck egg. He was participating in an eating contest that featured Chinese foods in celebration of the Moon Festival—a Chinese holiday. However, the Fear Factor-esque contest, in contrast with the rest of the festival, was not a celebration; it was a spectacle.

Asian foods such as durian, bitter melon, yam pudding, and preserved egg were featured in an eating contest: the first to finish the dish won. Much like the officer featured on Twitter, contestants approached the cultural foods as unpalatable dares. Organizers of the event intentionally created that attitude to draw attention; the foods, after all, could be seen as objectively unappetizing to the uninitiated eater. But to their respective cultures these foods are not intrigue-worthy dares, but rather common fare, some even delicacies. Instead of that, the eating contest displayed the culture as alien, degrading the people they represent. Ironically, the organizers were members of the Chinese American Club, people who belong to those cultures.

Of course, the intentions were not trying to feed into any degrading narrative surrounding Chinese culture; at first blush, the idea of getting people to try foreign foods does the opposite. But the eating contest and the outrageous reactions it garnered is testament to an attitude that has been long embedded into the Asian-American experience: “orientalism.”

Orientalism refers to the degrading perceptions that the west maintains in its understanding of Asia. They are especially apparent in Asian stereotypes. The old Hollywood portrayal of the Chinese-American as insular, fraudulent, superstitious, and subservient still shapes outsider understanding of the culture. Just as the word “oriental” once described the ornate, rarified objects that were valued by the west for their exotic qualities, so are Asians—especially Asian women—today. Asian foods are novelized in the context of a small town eating contest, so are Asian people as a whole; their culture and worth are objectified and shaped by deep founded racism.

To a certain extent, those attitudes have been internalized within the Asian-American community. After all, a Chinese-food eating contest can easily be seen as innocuous, but only because such attitudes of the east has been largely normalized. The arrangement speaks for a larger struggle amongst Asian-Americans—a long held and antiquated tradition of objectification and prejudiced interpretations of the east.

Orientalism has historically marginalized Asian-Americans, keeping their enclaves separated from larger society, the two interacting like oil and water. Asian culture does not have to be a novelty item and Asians do not have to be a model minority. But seeing as that Asian-Americans are the fastest growing minority in the country, it is up to the second and third generation to stand up for their culture and hone it, independent of the western legacy of orientalism.

Going green to get the green Environmentalism as a marketing tactic STORY LUKE QUEZADA ILLUSTRATION ASHTON CARLESS

The debut of the 1964 movie Flipper sparked moviegoers’ love for dolphins. When news broke that fishermen killed dolphins by deploying large nets around their pods to catch tuna, a widespread tuna boycott ensued, severely harming the industry. Fisheries began purchasing tuna caught using alternative fishing methods to calm the public and protect their profit.

A “dolphin safe” label was developed, and tuna could be consumed ethically once again.

Except dolphin safe turned out to not be entirely ocean safe. Instead of using dolphin pods to locate tuna, three quarters of fisheries now use Fish Aggregating Devices—masses of logs or rafts tethered to the ocean floor—to surround the approximated locations of tuna pods. Unfortunately, high amount of turtles, sharks, seabirds, juvenile fish and other organisms are accidentally caught in FADs, and subsequently disposed of. Furthermore, studies show that dolphins are intelligent enough to swim out of nets before they are reeled in. The practices that supposedly caused mass dolphin deaths were in reality killing very few dolphins.

The attempt by concerned citizens to help protect dolphins is actually leading to the demise of their ecosystem.

In addition to this type of faux-environmental practice, many businesses have engaged in greenwashing, or the practice of misleadingly marketing a product to be eco-friendly. Companies sell products with the attempt of appealing to environmentally-conscious consumers when in

reality, the products are not in any way “green”.

Buyers that purchase “Pure and Natural” Huggies diapers for their organic cotton, plush feel, and eco-conscious design, likely don’t realize that the “organic cotton” only makes up the outer layer of diaper. They might also be unaware that parent company Kimberly-Clark has not revealed whether or not the cotton is certified organic, or, that disposable diapers account for 7.6 billion pounds of garbage a year— 30% of all non-biodegradable waste in landfills.

Environmentalism is not just about consuming products that are less harmful for the environment; it’s about limiting consumption of disposable, single use products. The best thing one can do for the world is simply consume less.

And yet, people continue to buy disposable diapers because it’s more convenient. Consumers look for the dolphin safe label because of familiarity and misinformation; we all continue to be complacent about our contributions to our environment.

Instead of blindly crucifying a brand or method, consumers need to take research and responsibility into their own hands, and cut down on purchases all together. Although many companies and environmentalists make informed and impactful decisions, there is no shortage of people willing to wear the badge of honor that comes with being pseudo-conscious of the environment; but what the world really needs is solutions that go below the surface.

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

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TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

COLOR DAY

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Seniors Shelby Lee and Sophia Lopez tied for first place with their matching Cleopatra costumes.

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Lorie Meza, Callum Kuo, Caroline Bercronis, Robert Steele, Owen Keith, and Wayne Monical dressed as characters from the popular manga series, “Sailor Moon.”

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Seniors Sophia Gerodiaz, Anissa Santos, Michael Stukan, and Grace Privett-Mendoza tied for second place with their “Mary Poppins” costumes.

The Color Day assembly included performances from junior Alex Fonseca (left) and senior Monica Lin (top) who performed with Varsity Flags. Sophomore Sage Pierone (right) competed in tug-of-war, representing his class.

Color Day: 2016 spirit day carries on a vibrant 78-year tradition

Page Michael Stukan Story Oona Foley & Isabella Tsai Photos Tiger Staff

SENIOR SAMANTHA EVANS CHEERS HER CLASS ON DURING THE TUG-OF-WAR COMPETITION.

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chool spirit radiated across campus on the school’s 78th annual Color Day last Friday. Students and teachers donned their finest orange and black garb for the occasion. The festivities culminated with the Color Day Assembly, where students filled the gym’s bleachers, separated by grade under their class posters.

The band’s boisterous playing greeted students as they filed in. Senior Alana Carmona kicked off the assembly, leading the school in the national anthem. The assembly featured dance performances from Pep, Dance III, the mascots, and the SPHS teachers.

The classes competed in a tense game of tug-of-war, with the sophomores and juniors coming out on top. Sophomore Sage Pierone won victory for his class during a round of “scavenger hunt musical chairs”. While the seniors were unsuccessful in all of the assembly’s competitions, their Mean Girls parody won best class poster.

“My favorite part was definitely the tug of war contest. At one point, I could literally not hear my own voice in the microphone because everyone in that gym was screaming,” Commissioner of Assemblies Charlotte Emerson said.

The orange-and-black themed costume contest, which took place at 7:00 a.m. on Tiger Patio, celebrated students’ creativity and dedication. The “Cleopatras” and the “Mayan Women” tied for first place in the senior class. Second to them were the “Mary Poppins” and “Sailor Moon” groups.

Other winners included the “FBI” group for the freshmen, the “Nemo” group for the sophomores, “Women’s Fashion Through the Decades” for the juniors, and “Ghostbusters” for the teachers.

The assembly’s parody show “South Pasadena’s Got Talent” highlighted the talents of junior rapper Alex “Afon” Fonseca, representing Temple City, comedian freshman Hyun Kim representing San Marino, and lip syncing sisters senior Sophia and sophomore Jessica Lopez, representing South Pas. The sisters proved South Pasadena’s talent when the judges awarded them the win.

The Homecoming Court nominees were announced for each class, as well as this year’s Homecoming Dance theme: space.

“I think what made today special was the high energy that our student body brought to the assembly” -CHARLOTTE EMERSON To end the assembly, pep and band led the school in singing the alma mater. Tiger pride remained strong as the day concluded with a victorious football game against Temple City.

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FEATURE

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

SANFORD’S OVERTLY ORDINARY DINNER PARTY SANDY GROSSMAN

The Utter Horror of Californian Bureaucracy The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear. And the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. ­—H.P. Lovecraft

SPACE BROADENED HORIZONS with everything from creative writing classes for aspiring young novelists to adult art classes.

SPACE closes its doors after 15 years South Pasadena loses integral member of the art community

STORY NATE RUDMAN PHOTOGRAPH LUKE QUEZADA

It’s hard to put into words what the space that the South Pasadena Arts Center (SPACE) provided me with. SPACE was a haven, a shelter of sorts, and a point of discovery. It closed its doors on October 1st after 15 years in South Pasadena’s community

didn’t have to. It valued South Pasadena and what it created, and that showed in everything it did. Fiona Bock, a former SPACE student, and Katya Shaposhnik, SPACE’s Exhibitions Director, both said it best: “art is for everyone” and “everyone is an artist”.

SPACE was especially important to my sister and me.

For my sister, it was where she took art classes, where she volunteered her time, where she showcased her artwork. For me, it was where I bought my first painting, where I discovered that art had depth and meaning.

These ideals were deeply instilled in South Pasadena’s residents, especially at SPHS. From Tunnel magazine, to Porpita, to pep and band and the theatre department, art has suffused itself into all of us. SPACE is right, everyone is an artist and that is precisely why it’s so special and why it needs to keep being appreciated.

When I talked to Hope Perello, the director of SPACE, about what she wanted SPACE to be, she said she just wanted it to be “a place that could inspire you to look at the world differently.” And if that was the only goal of SPACE as a building, it succeeded. When I walked into that room it made me realize the mysticism and awe that art can instill upon you, and while I never found a passion for visual arts, those same ideas carry me through my own music.

The loss of SPACE as a building should be mourned, because the room that it gave artists to expand the scope of their ambitions was priceless. However, its loss should also push South Pasadena as a community to keep bringing art into the world however we know how. Not just by creating it, but also by preserving it.

We can preserve our art by giving it places to exist in and be admired, by giving away areas to the public like SPACE did. The arts center may have been on private property, but the art that was created in that building was owned by the whole community.

SPACE has impacted so many young people in this community. When locally grown Tunnel magazine hosted teen poetry nights last year, it was SPACE that gave teens the room to have a voice. When SPHS’s own branch of the international organization TASSEL,raised money through an art gala, SPACE furnished them with a place to do it. When teens came forward with the purpose of discussing art together, forming what we now know as the Porpita Society, SPACE provided them with a spot to meet that they’ve used for over four years.

“What we witnessed at SPACE is that the arts—doodling, writing, taking photos, making ceramics, building birdhouses— allowed young people to explore thoughts and feelings without fear of being graded or judged. Exploration was the goal, not a means to an end.”

A few months ago, in an effort to get the learners permit for which I was long overdo, I made the arduous journey to the nearest branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles. I followed my fellow prospective drivers through the glass double doors and into the linoleum-floored cavern that would be my temporary home. Over the course of the next few hours, I slowly became aware of an odd feeling growing in the pit of my stomach, a feeling of dread.

After receiving my permit and stepping out into the warm summer air, I realized why I had been so inexplicably afraid. Because, as I sat in that chair staring at the gray walls of the DMV, I realized that I could never possibly understand the complex bureaucratic systems, the intricate spinning cogs, the complicated structures that governed it all.

And this made me afraid. In that moment it dawned on me: I fear the DMV. But can you blame me? After all, bureaucracy is not far from the stuff of Lovecraftian horror stories. The “Old Ones,” his order of enormous sea deities which bring about the end of many of his protagonists, are scary because they are so much larger and more powerful than us, because they make us feel small. They are scary because they force us to face the fact that there are some things we cannot possibly hope to comprehend.

As an outside participant in these bureaucratic systems, I am one of Lovecraft’s hapless protagonists, doomed to see but never understand. To me, organizations like the DMV are enormous faceless entities, like the immensely powerful gods of the seafloor. Of course, the individual government employees are simply that: individual employees. But together, they form something larger than the sum of their parts, something far more sinister, something immense and unknowable.

And that is why I fear the DMV. Because the next time I walk into one of their branches to get my license, I won’t see a government organization or a group of employees. Because, when taken together, these employees disappear. In their place there is an immense tentacled beast that serves to remind me that I am nothing when compared to the power of Californian bureaucracy.

—HOPE PERELLO

SPACE truly cared about its city’s inhabitants when it

Out & About STORY FAYE WITHERALL

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

FOOD Modan ramen off of Fair Oaks, nestled into the Bristol Farms parking lot, serves a filling helping of Ramen for a relatively inexpensive price. Add an order of the sweet and salty fried Brussels sprouts to combat the porkflavored ramen broth.

TELEVISION The FX show Atlanta is a comedy-drama series that stars cousins delving into the Atlanta rap scene in an attempt to better their lives. Since its premiere on September 6, the show has received widespread acclaim from TV critics and SPHS students alike.

NICE STROLLS Tucked behind the golf course in the Arroyo, a path wrapping around the course and driving range eventually leads into a large open garden of colorful flowers. Local gardeners frequent this location every Saturday and Sunday morning.

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

FEATURE

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Personality Profiles:

From actors to analysts, Tiger showcases an array of SPHS’s finest

RITA MASTROMATTEO STORY ELIZABETH BOCK PHOTOGRAPH LUKE QUESADA

The athlete finds depth in food, family, and broadbased interests Sophomore Rita Mastromatteo comes from a long line of eclectics. Her family’s pursuits have varied from hand-crafting Neapolitan pizza to managing hotels. Her heritage and unique family dynamic have helped her realize her passions and taught her to explore new interests.

The Mastromatteos travel to Vico Del Gargano, Italy to stay with family every two years. These trips have led to plenty of Italian influence on Mastromatteo’s life.

Her father was raised in Italy and has spread his passion for Italian food through his local restaurant, Briganti. This, of course, has led to many leftover dinners from the restaurant for Mastromatteo and her family. But despite eating it nearly every night, she continues to enjoy her family’s native cuisine.

Mastromatteo has grown up as the lone sister in the middle of five boys. With four out of the five brothers at home, the house is dominated by testosterone. Mastromatteo finds it difficult to exercise any control over her siblings.

“It gets loud,” Mastromatteo said. “There’s a lot of fighting. But it’s not bad having a lot of brothers. They keep me young.”

In desperation to escape a primarily male household, Mastromatteo has always found comfort in the pool. She discovered her enthusiasm for swimming at a young age. Her father’s Italian family traditions had her in the water at age three, so she didn’t really have a choice in the matter. But now, 12 years later, she is still swimming.

Being in the pool is a hobby for Mastromatteo, as she uses the quiet space underwater to escape her noisy household. She enjoyed being on the JV school swim team last Spring and plans to be on the squad again this year.

“I joined very spontaneously,” Mastromatteo said. “My mom swam competitively when she was younger. She always talked about how fun it was, and it made me want to try it.”

Mastromatteo plans to participate in Youth and Government and is currently in preseason training for the girls water polo team. Both of these activities are new to Mastromatteo, but she is excited to take part in each new endeavor.

“I love trying new things,” Mastromatteo said. “I just think it’s a really great way to find yourself.”

LEON MONTEALEGRE Exploring science through every available medium STORY SAMMY PARK PHOTOGRAPH KEVIN HUANG

PASSIONATE SWIMMER Rita Mastromatteo can be found in the pool as often as on land.

Last year, Shia LaBeouf “Just Do It” meme became an overnight sensation.

While other students were spreading the meme, senior Leon Montealegre was hard at work capitalizing on its popularity with a “Just Do It!” app.

The finished product allows users to hear LaBeouf’s emphatic words with the click of a button. The app has now been downloaded by over 4,000 people, making his frame by frame examination of the video worth the effort.

One of Leon’s catalysts for immersing himself in the world of science and technology was SPHS’ computer science teacher, Mr. Shorr.

“Mr. Shorr is definitely the most influential person in my life,” Montealegre said. “He is really good at breaking my programs and finding issues that no one else seems to be able to find. But most importantly, he’s always been there for me when I struggle and talks to me like a friend.”

Although Mr. Shorr has aided Montealegre with everything from computer science to physics, Montealegre has also helped Mr. Shorr. Montealegre is often in Mr. Shorr’s classroom during lunch and after school grading tests and helping people with questions they have about math, science, or computer science.

Montealegre is part of the Coding Club, but he has recently expanded beyond the school in order to learn more about all types of science. He is constantly learning about different theories and phenomena in the scientific field through every available medium. He listens to a physics podcast called “The Titanium Physicist” while he walks to PCC every day to take Elementary Astronomy.

Even though Montealegre is very STEM oriented, he also enjoys art and music. He has played the piano for five years, focusing on classical music and Beethoven, and taught himself the ukulele this past summer.

Montealegre took his passion for computers and combined it with his love for art when he participated in a 3D animation class at the Pasadena Art Center. He thoroughly enjoys the art form and is able to utilize the skills he learned in projects for school.

MUSICIAN, CODER, AND ARTIST Leon Montealegre is creative in all aspects of life in and outside of school.

“Leon is different than most students because he knows what he wants to do with his life, learns quickly, and has the motivation and discipline to pursue intellectual challenges on his own time,” Shorr said.

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TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

FEATURE

Astronomy Nights ignite curiosity in the community STORY MAYA WILLIAMSON PHOTOGRAPH THOMAS FORMAN The Oaklawn Bridge is usually a dark, leery, and isolated spot. On Tuesdays, however, it is transformed into a lively and welcoming observatory for weekly Astronomy Nights, courtesy of the South Pasadena Astronomical Society (SPAS). Run by SPHS students, the society sets a stylish ambiance with classic jazz, cookies, and stargazing.

The society was founded by the officers of the SPHS Astronomy Club. Co-president and Senior Inesh Rathi started the club his sophomore year and is sharing his position with Sophomore Matas Kulikauskas this

year. After facing many school restrictions on clubs, Kulikauskas proposed that they create the Astronomy Society, unaffiliated with the school, so that they could begin weekly Astronomy Nights. During the first week of summer, they hosted their first Astronomy Night, and have continued forward, expanding interest for astronomy within the school and community.

During Astronomy Nights visitors can use the 20.4 cm telescopes to view Saturn, the moon, different star clusters, and occasionally Jupiter. Each event is unique with a new theme and lecture given by Kulikauskas, an aspiring astrophysicist with an extensive understanding of the universe.

“I’m one of those people who loves to shove astronomy down people’s throats and make them enjoy it,” Kulikauskas said.

Recently, he discussed the Cassini Mission to Saturn, the preservation of natural light in national parks, and the Andromeda galaxy (including the man who discovered it, Edwin Hubble). SPAS gives its members the opportunity to share their passions and to “blow the minds” of newcomers as they present new knowledge of the universe. Though Astronomy Nights only attract a small crowd, the intimate setting allows for conversation with a diverse group of people in the South Pasadena community. While SPAS’ purpose is to spark enthusiasm for astronomy, their events also stimulate all sorts of discussion, fostering debate on everything from politics to outrageous theories on infamous unsolved crimes.

LOOKING TO THE STARS Students utilize South Pasadena Astronomy Society’s telescope to view various astrological wonders.

In the future, SPAS hopes to increase their influence in the community and hopefully raise enough money through their GoFundMe page to buy a new telescope.

Rathi also hopes to take members on trips to places with less light pollution like Joshua Tree, an idyllic location for stargazing. Still, Astronomy Nights never fail to amaze the South Pasadena community. As SPAS’ Facebook page states, “[their] mission is to bring you a sense of wonder in the cosmos” All are welcome to attend Astronomy Club meetings Thursdays at lunch in room 221 and the SPAS Astronomy Nights every Tuesday night from 7:30 to 10:00 on the Oaklawn Bridge.

Birth is a powerful tale of freedom THE BIRTH OF A NATION director genre rating run time

Nate Parker Drama/Biography R 2 hrs

2016’s The Birth of a Nation, directed by Nate Parker, opens with a quote by Thomas Jefferson: “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever.” This is truly an apt description of the feeling this film leaves in its audience.

The film recounts the real life story of Virginian slave Nat Turner (Nate Parker). Beginning with his childhood as a slave of a planter family, the film follows Turner as he learns to read from his owner’s wife and becomes a reverend for his fellow slaves. The film briefly touches on his family and marriage, but it mainly focuses on his evolution from an obedient preacher to the leader of a violent rebellion.

Where The Birth of a Nation shines, it shines brightly. The story and writing are fantastic. The film uses a mixture of fleeting moments of joy in Nat’s life in tandem with the grim and brutal violence experienced by slaves in America. The combination creates a powerful contrast between the horrors of slavery and the power of familial love. This is accompanied by solid camerawork that employs dull blue and faded white coloring. These bleak shades instill in the audience a feeling of oppression and the inevitability of death. A nice bonus to all of this is a well composed soundtrack that blends African American spiritual singing with more modern orchestration. These things, combined with Parker’s performance, fill the viewer with a feeling of intense rage and the desire to see

justice for the crimes committed by slave owners.

What most elevates The Birth of a Nation is the performances of its leading cast. Nate Parker brings Nat Turner to life and instills him with a sense of holy righteousness and on-screen power that births a living, breathing man. Behind Parker are Armie Hammer as Samuel Turner, the son of Nat’s original owner, and Jackie Earle Haley as Raymond Comb, a murderous rapist slave catcher. Samuel is a well intentioned and initially charming man who falls into alcoholism as the story progresses, while Raymond provides the story with a character whose pure cruelty and evil paints a perfect portrait of just how horrific American slavery was.

The Birth of a Nation falters in its female characters. The women within the story feel hollow and are, for the most part, poorly written. The main female characters of the

STORY DASHIEL BOVE ILLUSTRATION SANDRA MOORE story, Nat Turner’s wife, mother, and grandmother, are all treated more as motivations for Nat to take action against his oppressors, rather than as people in their own right. However, the most egregious offender has to be Penelope Ann Miller as Elizabeth Turner, the wife of Nat’s master. Perhaps Ms Miller was not given the right script or good direction, but her character’s appearances break the otherwise serious tone of the movie as she struggles to not act like a parody of Gone with the Wind’s Scarlett O’Hara.

However, this flaw does not ruin The Birth of a Nation.

The film is otherwise excellent, and might be the best to be released this October. Through its blending of a well written script, an outstanding male lead and immediate supporting cast, a darker color palette, and a soundtrack that employs both slave spirituals and orchestral styles, The Birth of a Nation is a must see.

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

FEATURE

‘City of Trees’ has deep roots

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REACHING OUT South Pasadena Beautiful embraces volunteers of the community.

STORY DAVID SEO PHOTOGRAPH HANA TYSZKA South Pasadena carries a certain American hometown feel. The city’s gorgeous sycamore lined streets and pristine parks may seem innate, as if the city was always this way. But after taking a closer look, it is clear there is a mighty force responsible for its the charm.

Behind the scenes is a dedicated group of people that works tirelessly to keep the community they love in impeccable condition. This volunteer-driven non-profit is appropriately named South Pasadena Beautiful (SPB).

SPB was created in 1965 by a small group of citizens who were shocked by the removal of trees from their home street. The founders felt pride for the splendor of their city and wished to share that feeling with all of South Pasadena. As SPB branched out to include community members, they discovered numerous others shared their sentiment. What started as a group of four has grown into the formidable force it is today, boasting a membership of over two hundred. With their assembly of like-minded individuals, SPB has been able to accomplish extraordinary feats in these past 52 years.

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago.

The second best time is now.” SPB has operated under this mantra since its inception. The organization is responsible for planting and sustaining over 400 tree around the city. But their work stretches beyond these trees. They have executed countless comprehensive projects, many of which may be taken for granted.

“It’s important to raise awareness that these trees don’t just happen alone—that someone had that forethought years ago to plant it, and we’ve got to follow in their footsteps.”

“The general public often believes that [our projects] are commissioned by the city,” former SPB president Stephanie Payne-Campbell said. “But it’s this organization that quietly gets things done.”

SPB draws in people from all generations. This past summer, the organization recruited four SPHS students to transform a destroyed wall in Orange Grove Park into a

charming mural that all could appreciate.

“I have a great appreciation for any organization that encourages the beautification of a community through art, landscaping, or restoration, and SPB is a great example of that,” sophomore Finley Mullen said.

SPB also sponsors many students wishing to embark on their own beautification projects, funding and directing their ventures.

As of now, SPB’s primary goal is to promote sustainability and efficiency, especially in the face of the Southern Californian drought, which is taking a huge toll on the city’s trees. SPB is taking action by holding a tree drive in which citizens can donate 195 dollars to finance a tree to fill the 700 empty tree wells around the city.

“Since we live in the city of trees, we really need to be proactively planting more of them,” insists Ms. PayneCampbell. “It’s important to raise awareness that these trees don’t just happen alone—that someone had that forethought years ago to plant it, and we’ve got to follow in their footsteps.”

NEW PROJECTS are planned at the Fall Sustainable Gardening Workshop.

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TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

SPORTS

Boys’ water polo drops two matches Frustration within the boys’ water polo program boiled to a climax last Thursday, October 6 when South Pasadena dropped their second league game on the road by a score 11-7 to the Temple City Rams. There were not many physical barriers that prevented them from competing, but mental fatigue forced the boys to fail under duress.

championship and exchanged it for clumsy play. The progression from dominating to being dominated started in the second quarter, when Temple City started closing up open pockets in their defense.

South Pasadena went to the second half tied 3-3, but were mentally taxed after competing in a tight defensive battle with Temple City.

The Tigers capitalized early on blown coverages

by Temple City and were able to easily advance players into the two meter range. They took a 3-1 lead in the first quarter on two five-meter shots from senior Leo Sonner and a rocket from senior Spencer Gurley on the transition. Their defense looked tough on the inside and kept the Rams from establishing cohesive possessions in the first half.

The fourth quarter was marked by South Pasadena’s final desperate attempts to re-enter the game. They had a few goals, but turnovers, rushed possessions, and, fouls allowed Temple City to put up a landslide of points that ended all hope of a Tiger comeback in the fourth. The two teams struggled for leverage for the remainder of the first half, each defense bending, but never breaking. The largest problem in the game was South Pas’ lack of mental endurance. When they could not gain traction in the third quarter, they failed to manufacture beneficial possessions for the rest of the game.

Despite opening the match well, South Pasadena could not convert their anger into productive aggression as the game progressed.

SENIOR KINAN GARCIA-RODRIGUEZ fires the

ball at Temple City’s goal in the third quarter.

After leaving the first quarter, the Tigers lost the poise that was essential in earning last year’s league

Girls’ golf continues historic league run STORY LUKE QUEZADA INFOGRAPHIC TRUMAN LESAK The varsity girls’ golf team extended its winning streak to twelve games with a 197-208 win against Gabrielino High School on Thursday, October 6. This is the second match against Gabrielino this season and their 11th win on Almansor Golf Course, their home turf.

“I think we have proven to ourselves that we have the capability of defeating our league and with that confidence, we definitely have put it to the test in our matches,” Swanson said.

The girls’ next match is Thursday, October 13 against the Azusa Aztecs at Almansor Golf Course, which will mark their last game before league prelims on Monday, October 17. The girls dominated in their last match against the Aztecs, beating them 217-343 at Azusa Greens Country Club earlier in the season. They hope to continue this momentum heading into postseason play.

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U S SI TO G M N N S A M C G EB US A T LA D O SS G M ES & ET CR SH CH YS A I N TA L D G O W BO XE S

Senior co-captain Caitlyn Yamashita shot an even par with 36 strokes while junior Bethany Chen followed close behind with 38. Freshman Victoria Tsyviti shot 40 while senior co-captain Emily Swanson shot 41. Senior Clara Wong finished with 42 strokes and junior Nicole Srisutham ended at 43 strokes.

STORY MATT WAKUMOTO PHOTOGRAPH THOMAS FORMAN

WWW .FOOTHILLTROPHY. COM

For coverage on the Tuesday, October 11 game against Monrovia, check tigernewspaper.com.

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

SPORTS

Player Profiles:

Outstanding SPHS athletes exemplify the best of South Pasadena

FAST WIT AND FEET

Senior Katherine Conte represents what it means to be a student athlete.

KATHERINE CONTE STORY RACHEL LU PHOTOGRAPH ELIZABETH BOCK Senior Katherine Conte paced herself in her first invitational as a sophomore by focusing on a teammate’s feet for the entire race. Despite her lack of experience, she managed to finish with a phenomenal varsity time and proved her natural talent for the sport. Two years later, Conte is the one leading the Cross Country team as girls’ captain.

“I’ve always liked running, but with cross country, [it’s become] so much more,” Conte said. “Meeting upperclassmen through the sport and starting a relatively [new activity] with new people really gave me the confidence boost I needed for high school that year.”

Conte’s teammates respect her approachability developed as a result of bonding during daily 5:45 a.m. practices. Despite strong senior runners, the girls’ team has managed to drop workout pace by a full 30-40 seconds per mile under Conte’s leadership this season. She attributes success seen this year to

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STORY MATT WAKUMOTO PHOTOGRAPH MATT SCHOLTZ

the same reason for past Rio Hondo League titles: the consistent camaraderie between teammates.

“A common misconception is that [Cross Country] is only an individual sport but when we run with people for upwards of an hour, we naturally bond and become a team,” Conte said. “That’s what sets it apart from any other sport.”

Aside from running cross country in the fall, Conte has also played varsity softball in the spring every year since she was a freshman. This varsity athlete is also a self-described nerd about government and politics, and she also serves as the ASB class president. She and boys’ captain Jaehyung Choi have important roles in this year’s Varsity Virtual Business Team, Nomad, as heads of the financial department.

“Katherine is an outgoing, friendly leader,” Choi said.

“I can always count on her positive attitude to keep a good mood and raise morale on the team.”

LEO SONNER

SENIOR LEO SONNER has been a crucial member of the team and hopes to finish his high school career strong with a CIF run.

STORY MATT WAKUMOTO PHOTOGRAPH THOMAS FORMAN

Senior Leo Sonner has spent the past seven years finding refuge in rough chlorine waters, fighting through long weekend tournaments, and blistering under the sun while pursuing success in water polo. Sonner has played with his friends since sixth grade, and throughout his years, he has curated a strong competitive culture within the program.

assaulted by opposing players, however he has only grown stronger in his years playing polo.

When Sonner enters the water, he undergoes a Jekyll and Hyde transformation. He exchanges his mild mannered, calm disposition for a ruthless competitive persona in order to endure the volatile conditions of the pool. With his speed and physicality, Sonner is able to drive on defenders and showcase his dynamic arm. He has been drowned, choked, and all but

It is the end of an era for Sonner and his teammates, who have spent years hanging out on weekends, eating Hawaiian barbecue, and bragging to one another via Direct Message.

As a captain, Sonner will enjoy one more campaign driving on defenders and climbing the ranks of the Rio Hondo League before the end of the season in November.

Football cruises past Temple City The team is off to a good start on their journey to CIF

Ironically, Sonner entered the program as a subpar swimmer but has since become one of the best players on the team and earned an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Junior Olympics.

DODGING DEFENDERS

Senior Jonathon Calderon runs the ball in the third quarter for a large gain.

STORY RYAN NAKAMURA PHOTOGRAPH MATT SCHOLTZ Varsity football dominated its Color Day Rio Hondo League opener at home against the Temple City Rams, with a final score of 37-14 on Friday, October 7.

The Tigers immediately took the initiative on the field after scoring on their first drive of the game. With less than ten snaps of the ball, senior quarterback Adam Arellano marched the South Pas offense down the field and connected with senior receiver Jalen Ross in the endzone for a quick 7-0 score.

Perhaps the largest presence on the field was the Tigers’ defense. In the Rams’ second drive of the night, senior defensive end Aric Quan forced a fumble on the ball carrier which was picked up by senior defensive back Jonathan Calderon for a 60 yard touchdown to the house to make the score 14-0. After forcing another stop against the Rams’ offense, Arellano kept the ball for a 23 yard touchdown run, making the halftime score 24-0.

Both teams suffered an offensive drought in the third quarter. This changed after the Rams’ offense botched a snap, which was recovered by Quan after jumping on top of the live ball for the defense’s second touchdown of the night. Junior Jackson Totleben capped off the night with a four yard touchdown run for a final score of 37-14.

“As a defense, we stuck to our fundamentals and it

worked,” Quan said. “We played well in the first three quarters, so all we needed to do was finish the game.”

South Pasadena will face off against La Cañada on the Spartans’ field, on Friday, October 14. Last season, the Tigers left the Spartans scoreless in a 36-0 rout on Color Day.

“This is a huge week for us because we took care of Temple City and if we can do well against La Cañada, that’ll put us at 3-0 since Blair is forfeiting its games,” Head Coach CB Richards said. “After that we will be heading into our final two games against San Marino and Monrovia, which could put us in a good spot for a playoff run.”

16

SPORTS

TIGER OCTOBER 12, 2016

NICK’S NEST

Playing sports for show We’ve reached the middle of October, and for seniors, college application season is in full swing. As deadlines approach, we aim to make ourselves as attractive as possible to admissions officers. And as we’ve all been told many times, one of the best ways to do that is by dazzling them with a long list of extracurricular activities.

JUNIOR LILY TURNER-KIPKE saves the ball from hitting the floor against rival school La Cañada. The victory in this matchup was the team’s fourth in league with a little over half of the season remaining.

Girls’ volleyball overcomes preseason woes in RHL matchups STORY RILEY SEGAL PHOTOGRAPH TUCKER JUDKINS After a slow start in preseason, the girls’ volleyball team has found success during Rio Hondo League play. The Tigers came into league with a 2-4 preseason record, but now stand at 4-1 against Rio Hondo League opponents.

With a loss to Monrovia, South Pas currently sits in second place out of six teams.

The Tigers’ most recent victory came over La Cañada in four sets on Thursday, October 6. The Spartans took the first set at 20-25, but South Pas rallied to take the next three by scores of 26-24, 25-20, and 25-14. This comeback was largely thanks to senior Molly Feldmeth and junior Maddie Saito on the offensive end, while the core defensive player was senior Maddy Hirano. Other players such as senior Megan Wong and juniors Harper Fox and Lily Turner-Kipke also had strong plays.

as South Pas cruised to their fifth league win. Following that game, however, they face Temple City. The Tigers previously went to five sets against the Rams, winning the first two sets in scores of 32-30 and 25-21 and losing the subsequent two 26-24 and 25-6. South Pas fought back to clinch the victory with a 15-9 fifth set. South Pas aims to gain a cleaner win in its next clash with the Rams.

“I expect to go undefeated for the second half of league,” Feldmeth said. “Monrovia is a tough team, but they had the advantage of having a huge crowd. We always play better with a crowd, and since our next three games are home, I think the energy will be a big strength that will help carry us. Our game against Monrovia is Senior Night, so I expect we’ll draw a huge crowd, and I think that’ll help us beat them. It’ll be tough, but we can do it.”

“Resilience is definitely one of our strengths,” coach Shari Iwatani said. “Coming back and winning three sets back to back after losing the first one to La Cañada shows this.”

The Tigers’ next game against Temple City is on Thursday, October 13. South Pas looks to earn another victory to put its league record at 6-1 and overall record at 9-5.

The team is going into the second half of league with confidence. The Tigers’ matchup against Blair was successful

Check out tigernewspaper.com for coverage of the Tigers’ Tuesday, October 11 victory versus Blair.

As I was filling out my own application, I came across the extracurricular activities section and noticed that the sport I play was one of the biggest features on my list. I’m sure this is also true for many other seniors, since sports play such a significant roles in many of our lives. But as I was typing in hours per week and number of years that I have spent playing my sport, I stopped to think about the different motives for being a student-athlete.

High school sports mean different things to different people. For most athletes, they represent a chance to represent the school by doing something they love with great friends and teammates. But for others, they are just a way of making a college application look more impressive.

The latter is looked down upon by many, and understandably so. Neither teammates or coaches enjoy playing or coaching with someone who is only participating for their own benefit and has no passion for the sport. On top of this, these players themselves almost certainly do not enjoy participating.

To those that are in this situation, I would say the best thing to do is find something else. Playing a sport is by no means required to get into college, and there are plenty of other activities and organizations to be involved in that will bolster a resumé.

By staying with the sport, you are only hurting both yourself and your teammates, which is not at all worth that one line on a college application.

Cross Country competes at Clovis STORY MAYA WILLIAMSON INFOGRAPH TRUMAN LESAK The varsity boys and girls’ cross country teams traveled to Fresno on Friday, October 7 to compete in the Clovis Invitational on Saturday, October 8. The rough and dusty three-mile course made for slower overall times, but both teams raced well considering the harsh conditions.

The varsity girls stayed steady, earning 12th place out of 27, a similar ranking to their first race of the year at Woodbridge. The first runner from South Pasadena, junior Bailey Wu, earned 40th place overall with a time of 20:40.0. She was followed by sophomore Lindsey Calva at 61st place (21:03.7) and junior Maddy Engelsman at 62nd place (21:07.7). The girls’ expectations for this race were unfortunately small considering the dry and hilly course.

The teams had to battle through harsh course conditions “I think that our mentality was a little low,” Wu said. “If we are able to boost our confidence for the next race, I think that will really help us improve.”

The boys fared better as a team, placing an impressive third out of 33 teams. Their team originally tied for third with Ocean View. However, South Pas’ sixth position runner, Ben Clarke (107, 17:47.0), beat out Ocean View to break the tie. Despite the Tigers’ notable performance, the athletes will hold themselves to higher personal standards.

Both teams hope to enter the next race with more focus and a clean slate. The next meet will be the second Rio Hondo League race of the season for the teams. It will be held this Thursday, October 13, at Crescenta Valley Park.

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