Tiger Newspaper January 2018

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

VOLUME 104 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 24, 2018

Virtual Business advances to nationals

The Bloc Business Plan team achieved second place in the state.

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he SPHS Virtual Business teams triumphed in the annual California State Virtual Business Competition on January 17-18, garnering exceptional results from both its varsity and junior varsity Business Plan teams. Bloc, the varsity Business Plan team, finished in second place. They will be joined at nationals by Journey, the junior varsity group that achieved a fifth-place trophy, cementing its place as the third South Pas JV squad to proceed further than the state level.

Students have ten minutes in the Business Plan contest –– the most prestigious of the several Bakersfield competitions –– to provide an in-depth look at the company and the conditions of the market it is entering. Expectations were high for the SPHS students involved in the rigorous preparation and competition, especially following a disappointing 2016 finish.

This year, students in the varsity class produced Bloc, a company selling modular furniture composed of uniform, shoebox-sized blocks. The enterprise appeals to teenagers and young adults, allowing consumers to express their creativity by designing their own furniture, which is tailored to the ever-changing practical needs of daily life.

Bloc’s Business Plan team, comprised of seniors Will Hoadley-Brill, Kate Ba, Cate Latting, Tiffany Chen, Riley Collins, and Lucy Tian, presented all facets of the enterprise,

STEPPING IN

Tiger’s staff editorial examines the nuances of activism: allies who speak out for those who are marginalized or allies who conversely overstep on others.

Page 5

IN THE NEWS

STORY ALEX BETTS PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHELLE JIN from loans and balance sheets to catalogs and commercials.

Nearly 60 other SPHS students at the Bakersfield event culminated a semester’s worth of dedication from the varsity, junior varsity, and introductory classes. Participants showcased their company’s products to judges and competing teams in a variety of contests modeling the different aspects of real-world businesses.

“We spend hours upon hours, working and writing and rehearsing. We poured our hearts into this,” Journey junior Amanda Estevez said. “[Advancing to nationals] means a lot to us. There’s a whole other rubric we need to follow and it’s a whole other ballgame.

But mainly we’re going to nationals to get the experience and to see what it’s like on the national level. ” The SPHS JV and varsity Business Plan groups will travel to New York for the national competition from April 14-20.

CONCUSSION

STUDENT FILM

As the dangers of brain injury become better understood, student athletes face a critical dilemma. For SPHS football, concussions are being brought to light.

Pages 8-9

Read about senior Ameen Makanvand’s screening of his sixth film, The Snake and the Bee, a continuation of his “Kelton the Cop” series.

Page 10

Incoming freshmen for the 2018-2019 school year will glimpse high school life tonight at Eighth Grade Night.

The SPHS Mediators and Feel Full Club will be making PB&J sandwiches for the homeless this Friday at lunch.

TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM

The SPHS girls’ & boys’ varsity basketball and boys’ varsity soccer teams face off Blair at home tonight.

TIGER

02 JANUARY 24, 2018

NEWS

NEWS

WISPPA highlights human trafficking STORY PETER WANG PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE

The South Pasadena Public Library recognized National Human Trafficking Day in conjunction with Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Action (WISPPA), presenting the acclaimed documentary Sands of Silence. Director Chelo Alvarez-Stehle and Virginia Isaias, a survivor of human trafficking and advocate featured in the film, hosted a Q&A session following the screening, during which they discussed their processes of healing in addition to possible solutions to the issue.

The documentary was released in April 2016 and received numerous awards, including Best Feature Documentary in the 2017 Southern California Journalism Awards. It follows Alvarez-Stehle’s mission to raise awareness and find solutions to human trafficking and sexual abuse.

After viewing a rough cut of the documentary in 2014, members of WISPPA were moved by its message and potential impact. WISPPA hosted a fundraiser for Sands of Silence at the library later that year, which benefited the film as it neared completion.

Sands of Silence is centered around the journeys of several outspoken women who were victims of sexual violence, human trafficking, or sexual harassment, including Alvarez-Stehle herself. Rather than simply exposing these issues, as other documentaries have done, Sands of Silence focuses on coping with psychological and emotional issues, and also stresses the importance of communicating one’s experiences.

Similar to the intent of recent movements like #MeToo, Alvarez-Stehle wants the film to inspire women to break the silence about their experiences.

The film accomplishes this through an open portrayal of the women’s diverse yet connected ordeals. In particular, it focused on the story of Virginia Isaias, a Mexican-American woman who endured abuse throughout her life. After escaping from human traffickers who forced her into prostitution, she became an activist and leader in several organizations that seek to empower survivors and prevent human trafficking. Alvarez-Stehle’s own narrative is also depicted, in which she and her extended family confront and come to terms with the suppressed yet profoundly harmful effects of sexual assault and abuse.

Alvarez-Stehle advocated for more education and support programs that encourage productive communication about sexual abuse and inform people of ways to prevent abuses. She hopes that the film will lead to more discussion about the featured issues.

According to Alvarez-Stehle, an effective response to sexual violence must include increased activism from men, and more educational programs for children and young adults on how to notice and prevent abuse.

SPHS CHEMISTRY TEACHER BEN KU explains the extensive certification process.

Science instructor receives National Board Certification STORY DOMINIC MARZIALI PHOTO LUKE QUEZADA

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he South Pasadena School Board recognized SPHS chemistry teacher Benjamin Ku as the latest recipient of the National Board Certification (NBC) during the board meeting on Tuesday, January 9.

The NBC process requires prospective awardees to display five core qualities of “accomplished teachers” in a four step certification process.

Many teachers apply for an NBC as most states will accept the certification as a teaching credential, and some districts will offer higher pay. Teachers without an NBC must reapply for a teaching certification to teach in a different state. Ku is the third teacher in South Pasadena Unified School District to become National Board certified, joining AP Language teacher Katie Jaroch at SPHS and ASB Director/Life Science teacher Emily Williams at SPMS. A multi-year study from Washington State University highlighted differences in National Board certified teachers and uncertified teachers, explaining, “board certified teachers are more effective

Ku spent three years, nearly 300 hours of work, and almost $4000 working towards his certification. He attended workshops at the UCLA Center X program, which assists applicants in preparing their applications for the certification process.

Outside of the Center X workshop, Ku personally financed the three year application process. On top of the fees to submit components of the project, Ku invested in a video camera to help himself assess student performance, allowing him to better reflect on his instruction.

“By looking at students’ work and looking at my instruction I see things that I normally don’t see when I’m going through the motions of teaching,” Ku said about oversight in areas where he could improve his instruction.

With the National Board Certification, Ku looks forward to further improving his instruction.

SkillsUSA prepares for Regionals The two-time Chapter of Distinction begins its 2018 competition season STORY ISABELLA TSAI SkillsUSA looks to extend its triumph from past successes in its upcoming 2018 season opener: the Region Three Leadership and Skills Conference later this month. With SPHS senior Victoria Venardi serving as the SkillsUSA California State President, the club has been gearing up for another strong competition season.

Last year, over 70 SPHS students attended the regional conferences, with 19 placing in the state and receiving national recognition. A team comprised of juniors Danielle Choy, Natalie Deng, Brandon Lee, and Hayley Villapudua was the only South Pas squad to place at the national competition last year, earning a bronze medal for their work in Entrepreneurship. Their victory marked the second-ever national medal for the South Pasadena chapter. Although they will not be returning to competitions this year, the club has gained many new underclassmen members who will be competing in a wide variety of competitions from leadership events to robotics.

FILM PRESENTERS Alvarez-Stehle and Isaias field audience questions.

than non-certified teachers with similar experience.” National Board certified teachers are also often sought out for leadership positions.

Students entering regionals have been preparing for their competitions throughout the year in their Career Technical Education (CTE) classes. The chapter also held a resume workshop to ensure that members were properly equipped for the competitions.

California had the fourth largest delegation last year, and Venardi’s goal is to have the most members this time around. Since she was named California’s president at Nationals, Venardi has advocated for the importance of CTE programs in schools, helped organize the upcoming conferences, and has served as a representative of the SkillsUSA organization. She also hopes to grow more leaders out of the South Pasadena chapter.

“I hope that my current position will show members that it’s possible to be involved outside of the chapter,” Venardi said. “I would like to use my experience to show members the valuable skills that I have developed and encourage passionate members to be a part of the State Officer Team as well.”

SkillsUSA will kick off its first round of competitions as a two-time Gold Chapter of Distinction at the Regional Leadership and Skill Conferences at Los Angeles Trade Technical College on Saturdays January 27 and February 3.

The results of these events will determine the teams that advance to the state conference in April.

I WOULD LIKE TO USE MY EXPERIENCE TO SHOW MEMBERS THE VALUABLE SKILLS THAT I HAVE DEVELOPED AND ENCOURAGE PASSIONATE MEMBERS.”

TIGER 03 JANUARY 24, 2018

NEWS

Y&G returns to Fresno for second conference Delegates honor Martin Luther King Jr. while training for their Sacramento roles STORY LILY AZAT PHOTO THOMAS FORMAN The South Pasadena and San Marino (SPASM) Youth and Government delegation commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. last weekend during its second conference of the year, Training and Elections II. SPHS senior and California Youth Governor Cole Cahill presided over the conference, while senior Riley Collins was elected to the position of District Attorney as part of the ‘Court’ aspect of the model government program.

The delegation—which contains over 60 SPHS students—also trained for its roles for the upcoming Sacramento conference this year, while other delegates ran campaigns for elected positions and were appointed to individual positions. With the close of the conference, junior Elizabeth Bock was appointed onto the California Emergency Team where delegates work together to solve a mock crisis in the state. Sophomore Nicholas Roberts-Mataric was appointed to the Supreme Court where delegates draft oral presentations and are judged on the proceedings of the case.

All of the sessions on Martin Luther King Jr. Day were dedicated to Dr. King and his contributions to the civil rights movement. During the first portion of the day, delegates were divided into four different groups that each held an interactive workshop to learn about and experience different aspects of Dr. King’s accomplishments.

The various groups focused on topics such as: becoming a leader for diversity, privileges that aren’t given to delegates of color, finding your political power, and how to take back the narrative.

The second portion of the day brought the whole program of 3,500 delegates together as invited speakers gave speeches and sang songs in honor of Dr. King. The first presentation was

from Dr. Asia Smith, the Gospel Professor at Fresno College. Dr. Smith invited delegates to sing a meaningful song sung by slaves who escaped.

“The very famous conductor from the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, used a song as a means of communicating with the people that she was conducting on the Underground Railroad,” Dr. Smith said. “She would call out, ‘Oh children where shall I send thee? How shall I send thee?’ The translation is, ‘How many people are running away with me to freedom?’”

Dr. Francine Oputa, Fresno State Cross Cultural and Gender Center Director, read poems and shared her inspiring words with all of California Youth and Government in the second presentation.

“Training and Elections ll and Fresno may not be super exciting, but it’s a vital stepping stone to being prepared to do our best and having the best elected officers as possible in Sacramento this year,” SPHS junior and SPASM delegate Sydney Abelson said. “The Martin Luther King commemoration was extremely meaningful, and I feel like we properly honored him [for] what he did for the civil rights movement.”

HARRIET TUBMAN USED SONG AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATING WITH [PEOPLE] ... SHE WOULD CALL OUT, ‘OH CHILDREN WHERE SHALL I SEND THEE? HOW SHALL I SEND THEE?’ THE TRANSLATION IS, ‘HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AWAY WITH ME TO FREEDOM?’”

THE FRESNO STATE DIRECTOR of the Cross Cultural and Gender Center addresses the 3,500 Youth & Government delegates.

TIGER JANUARY 24, 2018

Notable Alumni 04

NEWS

STORY SOFIE DRESKIN, SAMMY PARK, CHRISTINE MAO, & DASHIEL BOVE

PAGE DESIGN KATE ROGERS & ELAINE YANG

PHOTOS THOMAS FORMAN, HELENA FU, & COURTESY OF FEATURED ALUMNI

Roy Blair

Tiffany Lo

Class of 2015

Class of 2005

For many SPHS students, the high school experience appears to define the course of their lives. But for Roy Mabie, a 2015 graduate, academic success—or rather lack thereof—did not inhibit his own career. Now, as a full-time musician Mabie, now known as Roy Blair, is on the cusp of his first headlining tour.

“At SPHS, all I wanted to do was make music and pay rent. And not have to stress about money or live a certain lifestyle that I didn’t want to live,” Blair said.

SPHS’ highly academic school culture conflicted with Blair’s aspiration to make a career out of music. Blair cites the fellow musicians he met during high school as giving him the inspiration to pursue music.

In 2015, his graduation year, Blair released his debut EP Sunsets. Following his EP, he worked on Kevin Abstract’s album American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story.

Blair and Abstract toured the following year while working on his recently released debut album, Cat Heaven.

“Obviously, I still have a lot more to do, but I think that 17 or 18-year-old me would definitely be proud of where I am now,” Blair said.

Ice cube hacks, avocado toast, and DIY egg white masks are among the multitude of trending creations from Tiffany Lo, 2005 SPHS alumna, who started her passion as a videographer just five years ago. Now working as a Senior Supervising Video Producer at Buzzfeed, she leads a team of producers in creating inventive videos for the company.

“Every day can be a little different,” Lo says. “Some days I am shooting a video, other days I am working on concepts or editing a video.”

In addition to Buzzfeed, Lo manages sub-channels and Facebook pages such as the immensely viral “Tasty,” which recently gained 91 million Facebook followers in less than three years.

With initial plans to study audio engineering, Lo received a bachelor’s degree at Ex’pression College For Digital Arts. Soon after graduation, she returned to LA and began working in music recording studios. As an assistant engineer, Lo got the chance to work with a handful of famous artists such as Frank Ocean.

Eventually, Lo reverted back to her high school interest of videography and interned at Buzzfeed. Lo continues to produce innovative videos today, hoping to have large platforms to share with people around the world.

Grace Leider

Erin Eastwood

Class of 1989

Class of 2007

Grace Leider has been a crucial force behind the scenes of the film industry, transforming the looks and styles of characters on numerous television shows for 20 years. As an assistant wig specialist on Alias and head of the hair department on How I Met Your Mother and The Ranch, Leider has engaged herself in Hollywood.

Leider has been exercising her creativity since her high school years, having immersed herself into SPHS’ art classes. Leider continued her passion, art directing on low budget student films. During the production of a short film in Santa Barbara, Leider made the decision to transition from art direction into hair.

“We were doing this film, and the hair and makeup team came up from LA in a convertible, and were laughing with the actors while I was dirty painting in overalls, and then I thought, ‘Wait, that is what I want to do,’” Leider said.

“Immediately after the film was done, I went to beauty school, and that was the best decision I have made.”

Leider continues to work on Hollywood sets and as a hairstylist in local salons Mission 1011 and Studio 210.

Erin Eastwood combines her love of biology with activism as an ocean policy specialist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Before engaging in political action, Eastwood worked as a field scientist, performing several research projects and traveling abroad to Fiji, the Dominican Republic, and the tropical forests of Latin America and Indonesia.

Though she originally set out to be a doctor, Eastwood’s career path veered after studying abroad in Australia. Eastwood’s passion for the environment developed as a college student, but she credits experiences such as the SPHS senior Yosemite trip for peaking her interest in conservation science.

“You can do science and get those results to mean something,” Eastwood said. “I am lucky to have been able to enjoy natural environments and also be in a position to protect them.”

Eastwood has been integral to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s policy department, fighting for environmental protection and promoting conservation. Eastwood currently advocates against a proposal by the Trump administration to open 95% of U.S. ocean waters to oil drilling.

Alison Brie

Jaleel White

William Holden

Alison Brie shot onto the scene with her role in the hit AMC series Mad Men and recently starred in the hits The Disaster Artist and The Post. She now voices Diane on Bojack Horseman.

Former Family Matters star Jaleel White has maintained a steady acting career since the mid-90s, appearing on shows such as Drunk History, and Atlanta.

William Holden received an Academy Award for his performance in 1956’s Stalag 17 and starred in Sunset Boulevard and Network. He died on November 12, 1981.

Class of 2001

Class of 1994

Class of 1937

TIGER 05 JANUARY 24, 2018

OPINION

THE TIGER ESTABLISHED 1913

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

ST A F F ED IT OR IA L

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

Productive allyship: not about the allies

SENIOR STAFF WRITER SAMMY PARK STAFF WRITERS LILY AZAT, DASHIEL BOVE, BENJAMIN CLARK, SOFIE DRESKIN, CHRISTINE MAO, DOMINIC MARZIALI, LUKE QUEZADA, DAVID SEO, PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTOGRAPHERS HELENA FU, RICHARD GOMEZ, LUKE QUEZADA ILLUSTRATORS ISABELLA FRESCURA GRAPHIC DESIGNER FINLEY MULLEN VIDEOGRAPHER ISAAC MARZIALI MANAGERS SAMANTHA ABELSON, Ads LAUREN TAN, Business WEBMASTER OLIVER CHANG FACULTY ADVISOR MIKE HOGAN

Advocates walk a fine line between speaking out when needed and speaking over the marginalized people they aim to help

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arred by serious sexual assault allegations against Republican candidate Roy Moore, the recent Alabama Senate election ended in slight favor of Democrat Doug Jones.

With 98% of black women voting for Jones, they were thrust into the positive spotlight, accredited for saving the election.

Mainstream and social media loudly praised black women for coming to the rescue, yet there was one group that remained unheard: black women themselves. Instead of taking this time to give black women a platform, stepping back and thinking how to reciprocate and help this heavily marginalized group, voices of praise drowned out any chance for tangible change.

This ironic notion of speaking over those one is trying to help is unfortunately a common occurrence even on a smaller scale. “Allies,” it seems, often make critical mistakes and unintentionally play a hand in the oppression they are attempting to dismantle.

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An ally is neither an identity that you claim nor a performance to showcase your “wokeness”—it is a practice where the needs of the marginalized group comes first. Instead what happens is that those with power and privilege silence the very people they are trying to help; having experienced actual oppression is no match for a loud voice.

It’s difficult to figure out when you are needed and when you are overstepping, but the best way to combat this confusion is to listen. Listen to the people who you wish to help, then speak.

No one except black women can understand their struggles, so in your effort to help them, you have to listen to them. If you’re

loudly praising them for everyone to hear, you can’t hear them and neither can anyone else, effectively negating your allyship.

By listening, you can not only figure out when you’re needed, but also see what you may be doing wrong.

Emma Watson, post-Harry Potter, became the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and an advocate for the UN’s HeforShe campaign. Despite the good intentions of this campaign, Watson came off as a “white feminist”—completely lacking intersectionality as she spoke broadly about women as a uniform group. Just last week she released a lengthy statement detailing her journey of coming to terms with her mistakes and her solutions to them.

“There seemed to be many types of feminists and feminism.

But instead of seeing these differences as divisive, I could have asked whether defining them was actually empowering and bringing about better understanding,” said Watson.

By understanding her mistakes and accepting criticism instead of expecting a reward for her help, Watson was able to ensure that her allyship was bringing about real change and creating productive conversations.

Balancing on the fine line between overstepping and generating authentic change makes being an ally a daunting task. However, it’s important to remember that no matter the difficulty one faces in trying to help, it will never be worse than the struggles of the oppressed and marginalized.

Boos & Bravos

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

BOOS

BRAVOS

BOO to invasive questions from relatives. No, we do not know where we are going to college and we do not know da wae.

BRAVO to good samaritans in the boys’ bathrooms for installing the crème brûlée scented air fresheners.

BOO to the government shutdown. Trump filed bankruptcy like four times, but he has yet to realize that he can’t do the same thing with America.

BOO to those suggesting Oprah run for president, quit supplying material for Black Mirror Season 5.

BOO to AP lunch meetings. Just boo.

BRAVO to @valcorzasshoes on Instagram. Now we know what our Nordstrom gift cards go towards.

BRAVO to mandatory AP meetings for setting the record for worst violation of fire safety guidelines since Color Day. BRAVO to having finals before break. Otherwise we would be taking them right now.

TIGER

06 JANUARY 24, 2018

OPINION

Why words truly do matter STORY DAVID SEO ILLUSTRATION KATE ROGERS

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uring the month of December, the SPHS Peer Mediators visited each of the 9th grade study halls and facilitated discussions regarding offensive words as a part of the greater “Words Matter” initiative. The root of this organization lies in the use of the word “retarded” to describe anything deemed inferior, while the history of the word lies in ableism and bigotry.

Words Matter tackles the usage of all offensive language, dissecting racist, sexist, and homophobic slurs. Presentations at SPHS delved into anonymous accounts of verbal attacks in school, from insults with antiAsian and anti-Semitic connotations to the gross misuse of the word “gay.” Each class participated in a conversation on how these stories affected their perspectives on their personal use of each word. This initiative was expected to foster a school-wide conversation and greater awareness of word usage.

Instead, in the following days, there appeared to be a huge uptick in said provocative language, as if the presentations only exacerbated the issue. This reflects a general narrative not only in our school, but in a bigger American society. Any time the issue of political correctness is brought up, those opposed to it are angered by the perceived "fragility" of a group far separated from themselves. Instead of being understood as a practice of basic mutual respect, “political

correctness” has been twisted into some obnoxious left agenda.

To address this problem, “political correctness” must be presented to people in a fashion that makes this issue urgent and personal to the listener. Think of an otherwise unbothered family member inspired to care when their relative reveals an identity that could be oppressed. Perhaps the Words Matter Initiative was attempting to do just that, by introducing stories that students have actually experienced at our school. Its greatest fault lies in the fact that these stories were anonymous, with no face or emotion to empathize with.

More than ever, people must be loud. Our school needs its student body, too, to be activated to care. Those who proudly embrace their identities serve as not only a template for others, but a human to connect to the issue. Of course, the burden to educate should not and will not be levied only upon oppressed groups.

Now is the time for allies to speak up when they find themselves uncomfortable with what their friends may be saying. Using this innate basis of friendship and care for one another, the student body can move towards a culture of mutual respect that Words Matter aimed to grow. Political correctness won’t blossom because of some foreign leftist agenda, it will thrive because students understand the basis of respect its built on.

Fast times at South Pas High STORY OONA FOLEY ILLUSTRATION FINLEY MULLEN My older sister hated high school. When she came home for winter break during her freshman year of college, she even refused to step foot on the SPHS campus. As an eighth grader, this came as a shock to me. I had survived middle school with the hope that I would have as much fun as my sister did in high school. She insisted I had glorified her experience beyond an achievable reality.

So many who graduated from high school in the real world will tell you that it was the most painful, uncomfortable time in their life. “It will get better in college,” they say. And they may be right, to a point. The end of puberty, school stress, new responsibilities, and often worsening mental illness can accumulate to create a miserable high school experience. The weight of these issues is passed down through anecdotes, movies, and media as a constant reminder that you should not be enjoying yourself. Movies like Mean Girls and Perks of Being a Wallflower reinforce these harmful misconceptions, drilling teenage apathy into the minds of their middle school audiences.

I am of the rare opinion that high school doesn’t suck. A significant part of this can be attributed to the privileges I possess compared to so many other high schoolers. I don’t struggle in school, I don’t have to work to support my family, I go to a good school, and I’m not depressed. But until high school, I was the kid who never had any close friends and spent my weekends sitting at home.

High school has been the best time of my life so far largely because I refused to succumb to the narrative that high school is supposed to be painful. My high school experience has been so great because I cut toxic people out of my social circle and I took every opportunity I could to meet new people, reach out, and better my situation. It took a lot of time and self confidence, but I feel I have finally realized my middle school fantasies.

To shift the high school narrative, we must pay close attention to the messages we send kids at the outset of puberty. Broad, all-encompassing mantras such as “all teenagers are depressed” or “everyone feels ugly” not only normalize mental illness, but discourage productive behavior to counter the described misery. These negative messages make those who are miserable feel as if they do not need to seek help, while excusing others’ cynical attitudes. While cliche movie characters and exaggerated jokes about high school may help struggling high schoolers cope, we must be careful not to discourage young teens before they even reach freshman year.

No one’s high school experience will ever be as legendary as the characters’ in Dazed and Confused or match the glory of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. But surely there is a way to present high school in a way that inspires people to advocate for their own happiness.

AMELIA ANTHONY | ON BEING DRAMELIA

Apocalypse now, and later Every generation predicts the apocalypse. World wars, overpopulation, or nuclear destruction have loomed in the future of past Americans. People have built bunkers, grown their food in victory gardens, and prayed for the salvation of their souls. Between war, famine, disease, and poverty, apocalypses have repeated themselves throughout history. Our generation, however, faces a threat unlike all the others in its ubiquitousness, unpredictability, and irreversibility: climate change.

When I plan out my life, I am excited for a future of college, perhaps law school, and a long, fruitful career.

Since we spend so much time planning for the future, I know that others have similarly rich hopes. This planning involves a lot of denial about the climate apocalypse to come. It is almost certain the world we live in now will be drastically different by the time we enter the “real world,” stepping out of school and into our careers and lives.

The climate apocalypse demonstrated its power in 2017 through hurricanes, droughts, and monsoons.

Each affected area suffered an urgent disaster: losing a home or access to power or even a loved one.

In South Pasadena, we were missed by both the fires and mudslides. We won’t be this lucky forever.

The urgency of the climate apocalypse must be communicated across generations and regions, with the same importance as other future-planning concepts like college and career planning. Most of us have access to information about climate change, so it is our responsibility to learn about how daily actions contribute to the downfall of our planet. It is easy to ignore the coming apocalypse when it affects a coral reef on another continent’s ocean floor or some ice caps far north of us, but, eventually, climate change will reach us all.

TIGER 07 JANUARY 24, 2018

OPINION

Exploring internet self-diagnosis STORY LILY AZAT & ALEX BETTS ILLUSTRATION ELAINE YANG GRAPHIC FINLEY MULLEN

Sophomore year I woke up every single morning with a pit of anxiety in my stomach. It was only after googling my symptoms that I realized I fit the bill of generalized anxiety disorder. Having a name for my symptoms explained a lot of other troubling aspects of my life: difficulty sleeping, nausea, fatigue. When I started seeing a therapist, I explained to her what I thought I had, and we worked together from there.

However, the practice of self diagnosis also works against me. The WebMD spiral is all-too-familiar, and there have been many nights where I’ve stayed up convinced my common cold is lung cancer or the cramp in my left leg is a blood clot.

-Anonymous SPHS Student

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n the Internet era, typing a few words and gaining access to thousands of pieces of information in the blink of an eye. With doctors’ appointments consistently eliciting groans of displeasure and footing massive bills, Google—not a primary physician—is the logical place for young people to turn for medical advice. This makes selfdiagnosis an extremely prevalent practice in high school.

SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH CENTER Stress from academics, extracurriculars, and social activities stoke the flames of mental illness in students, and more teenagers than ever describe themselves as depressed, anxious, or insomniatic without an official medical diagnosis.

According to Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, thirty-five percent of American adults have used the Internet to “diagnose” their own perceived conditions, and only one percent of those people reached an inconclusive result after speaking to their physicians. This indicates that self-diagnosis can be an important medical tool; without sites like WebMD, 35% of Americans could have overlooked or ignored their symptoms and failed to seek a professional medical opinion when it was necessary.

But the convenience of acting as one’s own unlicensed diagnostician does not come without negative consequences. WebMD diagnosing common cold sufferers with rare, fatal cancers is so ubiquitous that it has become a meme, but the opposite is also true: slight nuances can be the difference between a troubling headache and a serious brain tumor. Once teenagers make an incorrect diagnosis, they can easily be lead down a path riddled with hazardous medications and treatments. Teenagers frequently misdiagnose themselves with major depression, when the hidden culprit is bipolar disorder. Misconceptions like this can have catastrophic effects on the lives of teenagers, throwing their life into disorder and worry.

With everyday stress already troubling teenagers, a simple, hour-long doctor’s appointment pales in comparison to the threatening ramifications of a misleading diagnosis. The pitfalls involved in formulating a diagnosis, when combined with the glaring danger of subsequent solutions, can be a recipe for disaster.

Search engines and other technology provide an unequivocally easy way to gain knowledge of medical issues, and determining a loose diagnosis based on one’s own research allows people to get ahead of a dangerous condition. Using the Internet as a resource is a wonderful first step in qualifying the severity of a condition and understanding whether a doctor’s advice is needed in the near future.

Nobody can describe your specific pain and symptoms better than yourself, so being able to identify your own issues and struggles aids an official diagnosis and expedites the process of recovery. Still, a person’s research should in no way be the sole factor in diagnosing a medical ailment due to the hazardous consequences.

Clinicians are trained in the ways of unique human body, and their expertise should be the last word in terms of diagnosing mental illness.

Questioning the validity of Southern stereotypes A college student’s take on why common perceptions of the South are unjustified and outdated CONTRIBUTED BY FIONA BOCK ILLUSTRATION ASHTON CARLESS South Pasadena has been my home for the past 17 years. Now, I live in Atlanta, Georgia where I attend Emory University. It’s no secret that the South has a negative reputation in the United States, especially in California.

We falsely regard the South as more rural and less educated than the rest of the country. As a result, my vision of the South was a place exclusively inhabited by white, small-town Southerners. At SPHS, my decision to move to the South is often met with skepticism since the majority of students who apply to out-of-state colleges favor the West Coast or the Northeast and completely disregard the prestigious schools of the Southeast.

I’ve found that a new South exists outside of preconceived Californian notions. Many people assume that all Southerners are “rednecks” or “hillbillies” who hang Confederate flags and complain about the influx of immigrants, but the South is just as progressive as the rest of the country.

In reality, Southerners are extremely kind and their hospitality lends itself to a place of vibrant diversity.

For example, a small town in Georgia called Stone Mountain resettled more Syrian refugees than Los Angeles and New York City combined in 2016.

Additionally, Clarkston, Georgia is known as the

“Ellis Island of the South.” This town is the most diverse square mile in America and is home to thousands of refugees and recent immigrants.

However, I didn’t know any of this when I was applying to college. The South receives so much disdain in California that its strengths are overlooked and its weaknesses are misperceived.

Many people still think of the South as “country” and ascribe the stereotypes associated with rural areas to the South. But nine of the 20 largest metropolises in America are Southern cities and more than 68 percent of people who live in the South reside in urban areas, according to 2010 U.S. census data. Its cities also contain the top medical research centers and innovative start-up businesses in the nation and are renowned for their distinct music, art, food, and culture.

It’s easy to use the South as a scapegoat and point at this region for the problems that plague our country. Yet issues such as racism and sexism are omnipresent in America and extend far beyond the South. It’s time to accept the fact that a different South is emerging outside of long-held Californian prejudices. Instead of looking West or Northeast for new opportunities, we should redirect some of our attention to the South.

TIGER

08 JANUARY 24, 2018

TIGER 09 JANUARY 24, 2018

TRAUMA

concussions:

the cost of competition

The recent research on concussions have shown a public light on the dangers of repeated head trauma. Now, high school football programs have to find new ways to combat the dangerous consequences of the sport.

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To many, this estimation may seem inflated. Yet the nature of football encourages pain; its foundation rests on a player’s ability to dish out bone-breaking hits, and studies back this unwritten verdict. According to the journal Neurology, the average high school football player will receive 500 hits to the head in a single season. Most of these hits will be subconcussive and go unnoticed by players, coaches, and parents. However, the combination of all these hits, plus the appearance of a couple of concussions, can have deadly effects. A study published on Wednesday, January 18 by the journal Neurology The short-term effects of concussions are both identifiable and treatable, but it is the long-term consequences that are the most damaging. Depending on the severity of the collision, a concussion can induce headaches, memory loss, dizziness, nausea, and may prompt a trip to the hospital. Especially for a developing, adolescent brain, the hard-tonotice long term effects are what is most concerning.

CTE has also been found in players who haven’t logged as many hours on the field as professional athletes. Michael King and Peter Grant, who only participated in contact football in high school in their midwestern towns, both committed suicide after slowly deteriorating following a couple of concussions and countless hits as a teenager. They are among the 20% of former high school football athletes who have been found to have CTE after death in studies conducted by the Journal of American Medical Association.

This would be his fourth concussion in his first two years of playing high school football. The migraines that resulted caused him to quit playing during his junior year for fear of further injuries.

20% OF FORMER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ATHLETES WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE CTE AFTER DEATH IN STUDIES CONDUCTED BY THE JOURNAL OF AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.”

“I had developed a bad migraine problem which prevented me from physically going out to play,” Gaeta said. “I didn’t want to make it any worse by getting hit again.”

SENIOR PABLO GAETA HAS SUFFERED FOUR CONCUSSIONS THROUGHOUT HIS HIGH SCHOOL CAREER. These concussions aren’t just happening during the heated competition of games. In fact, high school football players are more likely to suffer a concussion during practice than in a game. According to a 2015 study, 58% of high school football concussions occur at practice, an alarming rate considering the avoidability of head injuries on the practice field.

Practice is supposed to be an important time for players to develop skills and learn proper tackling techniques, such as tackling with their heads up to avoid injury. Yet for many players, these lessons aren’t doing enough to prevent head impact.

“They always teach you to lead with your shoulders and keep your head up,” Gaeta said. “I would just sometimes get carried away and do my own thing.”

SENIORS MATTHEW WALKER AND JACKSON TOTLEBEN HAVE WITNESSED THE DANGERS OF FOOTBALL DURING THEIR FOUR YEARS AT SOUTH PASADENA.

“A lot, hundreds of times, people take hits to the head every play,” Walker said.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is the culmination of hits to the head over the course of an athlete’s career, regardless the level. A study published on Wednesday, January 18 by the journal Neurology found that even routine hits to the head can cause CTE. The brain trauma caused by these collisions result in the degeneration of the brain tissue and abnormal protein and calcium deposits, causing memory loss, confusion, aggression, depression, impaired judgement, and dementia. Of the 111 former NFL players that have been evaluated for CTE postmortem, 110 have tested positive for the degenerative disease.

enior Pablo Gaeta came out of the huddle eager for the chance to get his team a much-needed win. The call: an outside pitch to Gaeta, who would turn and run the ball upfield. The Tigers adjusted their positioning and snapped the ball. Gaeta started moving laterally, watching the ball drop into his hands. A split-second later, he found himself on the ground, dazed and disoriented, having just been leveled by the opposing defensive end. Gaeta had just suffered a concussion.

Gaeta is not alone in his struggles with concussions.

Millions of teenagers suffer devastating hits leading to concussions while playing sports, including various student-athletes at SPHS. The effects of a concussion can be worse for teens than it would be for a fully developed brain. Based on research from Dave Ellemberg and the Journal Brain Injury, a traumatic hit can cause prolonged short-term memory loss, which can last for over six months in younger brains and severely affect a student-athlete’s ability to perform in class.

concussions. From his time on the front lines, Walker recognized the brutality of the sport and the risk that comes with playing.

For senior Chandler Bullock, the time to work on proper tackling was also the time when many of the unnecessary and dangerous hits occur. Bullock suffered his first and only concussion of his high school football career during practice his junior year.

Not only did Bullock sustain the concussion outside of an actual game, but the hit that caused the concussion came from one of his own teammates.

SOUTH PASADENA FOOTBALL PLAYERS ENGAGE IN HITTING DRILLS IN PRACTICE. However, in other sports where concussions are less numerous or are not considered an issue, coaches may be unable to provide the necessary medical attention that a concussed athlete needs. This presents many problems, one of which is the coaches’ ability to identify concussions given a limited knowledge of the injury.

“Coaches have received training as far as identifying some of those symptoms,” the SPHS Athletic Director Gregorio Luna said.

“But, they are not qualified to diagnose.”

Despite the increasing spotlight of the dangers of football, high school organizations have done little to update protocols. Diemha Hoang, a rehabilitation and brain injury medicine specialist based in Long Beach, says it can take up to six weeks to fully recover from a concussion. Yet California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section protocol states that high school athletes may return to practice six days after showing no symptoms. But sending players back to practice prematurely can further compromise their health, as secondary concussions can cause even more damage to young brains.

Another issue with coaches assessing their athletes is their possible bias, not wanting to lose important players from the game—a rampant problem in the NFL. The NFL has a on-field “concussion protocol” in which a player who is showing signs of head trauma must be cleared by a neurotrauma specialist on the sidelines before being allowed to return to play. However, many teams shrug these protocols and send their players back into important games with little to no repercussions from the league.

In a time where winning means everything to many organizations and schools, some coaches take it upon themselves to keep their starting players in the game. And with an even more flexible protocol in high school sports, high school coaches have the ability to send concussed teenagers back into games.

Bullock, who suffered his concussion at practice, continued to partake in drills following the head-to-to head hit. Any subsequent head collision—even a small nick or congratulatory pat of the head—could have amplified the effects of the concussion and prolonged his recovery time.

“I took my helmet off and that’s when I started feeling sick,” Bullock said. “I practiced for a little bit [afterwards],” he added. “I knew something was wrong [so] I avoided getting hit in the head again.”

On-field protocols are just as vague. CIF SS standards state that a player may only return to play after being cleared by a “certified adult.” However, even loosely trained coaches are recognized as “concussion monitors.” In sports such as football, coaches are relatively well-versed in identifying concussions because of their abundance in the game.

Despite the continual occurrence of concussions from South Pas football players, coaches maintain that they keep player safety at the forefront of their concerns. At SPHS, coaches value player’s immediate safety over the final result of a game or a winning record.

“We do have that training in place and we take the side of being cautious over ‘they’re OK, let’s try to put them back in the game,” Jeff Chi, South Pas head football coach, said.

HEAD COACH JEFF CHI IS DEDICATED TO ASSISTING HIS PLAYERS IN THE WEIGHTROOM.

“This game is temporary...Your life and your head are not,” Chi said. “We as a coaching staff have to make a proper decision for these young guys in a time of emotional attachment to the game” Even with stringent protocols and safeguards against dangerous head impact, the nature of football will always put players at risk. In a sport where size, aggression, and resilience are key to success, the looming threat of concussions can easily slip by the appeal of victory. “Walk it off,” a common phrase told to players, may have more dangerous implications.

Now a junior, Anthony looks back on why he hid the second concussion he received, this one during a game.

“I just think it could have been prevented,” Bullock said. “I felt different about football after that.”

Anthony, who requested not to have his real name used, also received a concussion at practice during a hitting drill during his sophomore year. Instructed and supervised by two junior varsity coaches, he paired up with another teammate; the two players ran at each other and collided headfirst. Immediately after, Anthony’s vision went black, and he started to see white dots. He knew right away that he got a concussion.

“At first I didn’t know what was happening… But when you get your bell rung, you kinda tell,” Anthony said, standing outside of the weight training room.

Anthony took a short break, threw up, and soon after returned to practice. He didn’t seek a diagnosis from a professional, instead recognizing the signs of a concussion himself. Over-the-counter pills helped relieve Anthony’s excruciating pain while he sat out of practice for a few days. Soon enough, he recovered, keeping the injury under wraps.

“Once that happens you don’t want to make a big scene of it because you just want to keep on playing,” he said.

“So I kept it really low key. I just hid with everybody and I didn’t want to sit out.”

Although never diagnosed with a concussion, senior Matthew Walker has seen the dangers of football first-hand.

Playing the positions of linebacker and tight end, Walker both causes and receives the kind of collisions that cause

INJURIES BECOME A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

“[It’s] more of like a confidence thing you don’t want the other team to see you as weaker,” one of the players said. “You wanna show them that you’re the bigger guy so you just play through it.”

YOU WANNA SHOW THEM THAT YOU’RE THE BIGGER GUY, SO YOU JUST PLAY THROUGH IT.” STORY NOAH PARKER PAGE TRUMAN LESAK PHOTOS THOMAS FORMAN

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, GO TO:

tigernewspaper.com

TIGER

10 JANUARY 24, 2018

FEATURE

FEATURE

PARKS AND WRECKED SAMMY PARK

#RIP the Internet I am a product of a developing digital world. From the time I could type, I spent my free time playing Pizza Party Pickup, a Disney Channel game based off of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and roaming the lawless pixels of an ad-less YouTube.

The Internet and social media are hubs of entertainment. When I was young, there was something so unique about being able to experience the lives of people from all over the world. The digital world moved so much faster than the books or television shows we were used to. There were always websites to browse or funny videos to watch; the ever growing digital world has enchanted an entire generation.

THE SNAKE AND THE BEE is the newest installation in Makanvand’s “Kelton the Cop” series.

The film has been in production for over a year and features several SPHS students.

Filmmaking Club hosts premiere of student film Inside senior Ameen Makanvand’s newest triumph STORY BEN CLARK PHOTO RICHARD GOMEZ

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he SPHS Filmmaking Club held a public screening of senior Ameen Makanvand’s film The Snake and the Bee during lunch on Thursday, January 11 and Friday, January 12. The screening was well attended by film and drama enthusiasts alike who filled the library projection room to witness Makanvand’s tale of mad heroes and macabre villains.

This is Makanvand’s sixth high school film screening and The Snake and the Bee is clearly his most ambitious production yet. It features a significant amount of stop motion animation mixed into the live action story and complete with voice-over narrations and dialogue. The film is the second to last chapter in the “Kelton the Cop” series, a film anthology that links Makanvand’s various projects into a single storyline. According to Makanvand, this series was unintended. “[The Snake and the Bee] is a continuation of a series that was not meant to be a series,” he says. “People started calling these films sequels so I just went with it.”

Makanvand worked on this film for almost an entire year, filming scenes whenever he was able to bring his actors together or found something interesting to film.

Rather than using special effects, he searched for practical ways to integrate the more supernatural elements of his story into film. Most of the sound was recorded elsewhere, including the dialogue and narrations.

The film draws inspiration from old Bond films and Twilight Zone episodes, but Makanvand’s unique and experimental style allows it to defy genre stereotypes in both

Out & About

fronts. Rather than relying on an ordinary narrative structure, Makanvand employs long sequences of action without dialogue to give viewers an abstract impression of the consequences of every event.

The film’s chief character is a crimefighter named Kelton, played by South Pasadena resident Harrison Emerling, who must join forces with his conscience (seniors Archer Willems and Anders Keith). Together, they work to dash the dastardly plans of an evil witch (senior Sarah Choi) and her mad scientist ex-boyfriend (Makanvand himself). The witch brings to life a venomous snake and a giant bee to attack Kelton, giving him severe hallucinations. Backed into a corner, Kelton is forced to create a monstrous sentient sausage in order to save the world and defeat the evil duo.

During the screening Makanvand thanked everyone who worked on the film with one of his trademark illustrated greeting cards. Senior Exely Dillingham attended both days of the screening and was impressed with the outcome.

“I loved it,” Dillingham says. “I’ve been a regular cast member in Ameen’s films since he began making them in high school. It’s cool to see how his work has progressed over these last four years.”

Makanvand has already begun writing the final “Kelton the Cop” film: The Miscalculation. This movie will mark the convergence of Makanvand’s films and will be different from his previous projects in that it will use more extensive dialogue and a higher budget. However Makanvand’s signature style will still be prominent within Kelton’s wild adventures. This new film is expected to be completed towards the beginning of this summer.

For many of us, the Web was a place that was free from the censorship of television and books; it felt infinitely more authentic than the type of media our parents had consumed as children and adolescents.

Not to sound Baby Boomer-ish, but when we were younger, the world—more accurately, the Internet—was purer. Social media sites were not a place for sponsored content, they were for seeing your friends’ poorly filtered Afterlight pictures and terrible selfies.

The Internet’s innocence is gone. Its innate authenticity and realness replaced by an artificiality that serves to capitalize off of a generation who grew up trusting it. If Logan Paul’s recent disaster of a Japanese vacation should teach us anything (other than don’t be racist), it should be that the Internet is no longer for us.

It is no longer the place for quirky teens and cat videos. While in the past, virality has been an organic progression of interested viewers, it is now manufactured with clickbait thumbnails and misleading titles. But it seems that this progression was doomed to happen.

Monetization has corrupted the realness of digital content. I realize that content creators, at least most of them, deserve to be compensated. It is this fine line between quality content creators getting welldeserved compensation and instigators making shock-value media just for ad revenue that makes the issue of monetization infinitely more complicated.

Younger adolescents have grown up in a digital space where money controls content. YouTubers have focused more on creating outrage and going viral than on quality. This annoying, sometimes toxic, culture that has taken over the Internet and social media deeply shapes the younger members of Generation Z. One needs to look no further than the musical.ly age group to see that their humor is defined by social media. Social media is the most formative force in shaping everything Gen Z. From the rapid spread of slang to the shifting spending habits of the average teen, modern Internet culture has a direct impact on adolescents.

Corporate control over Internet content has morphed the Wild West-esque digital space of our adolescence into just another space where money rules the world.

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

STORY FINLEY MULLEN

FOOD Twohey’s, the beloved “Home of the Little Stink-O,” will not be renewing its Alhambra location lease, coming to a close on February 1 after 75 years. Rush in to get a final taste of its popping root beer floats and famous sundaes before the bittersweet conclusion.

FUN The Museum of Failure, which debuted in Sweden early last year, explores the humor of failed products and consumer duds. The touring exhibit will feature items like the $200 TwitterPeek (a device that could only access twitter) at the A+D Museum in Los Angeles.

ART The Norton Simon is featuring the work of Degas and Rembrandt in exhibits that will last until March 5. The paintings and bronze casts of Degas’ sculptures in the downstairs gallery are a must see for anyone interested in the creative process.

TIGER JANUARY 24, 2018

FEATURE

11

FAMILY PROFILES KRISTA & ANNA GALE STORY SAMMY PARK

PHOTO HELENA FU

Mrs. Krista Gale is the epitome of helpful.

Throughout her 22-year teaching career, she has taught Biology, Applied Math, PLTW Medical Interventions, and PLTW Human Body Systems. Despite being a science teacher, she has also taken on 12th grade English and U.S. History, serving in any capacity that her school needed.

Before Mrs. Gale taught at SPHS, she spent four years as a homeschool teacher for her children, Emma, Megan, Anna, and Aiden.

The science teacher cites raising her four children as one of the most formative experiences that has shaped the way she teaches.

“As a mother, [homeschooling] was good to have a reminder that everyone is doing their best. So I try to meet students where they are,” Mrs. Gale said.

It is this combination of wanting students to excel and adapting to students’ learning needs that makes Mrs. Gale a positive influence in so many of her students’ lives.

Among her students, she is known for being one of the most dedicated teachers on campus.

Her dedication is exemplified by her tradition of making students waffles and pancakes before major test days. Her effort to make test days like finals less stressful does not go unnoticed by her students.

CLOSE TIES: the mother and daughter pair enjoys the proximity that South Pasadena High School provides.

“Even though I don’t have her class anymore, she is a constant resource. And it’s comforting to know that there is someone as loving and dedicated as Mrs. Gale on

campus,” senior Jahzerah Cheng said.

By the time Mrs. Gale was hired in the South Pasadena District, her two oldest children Emma and Megan were already in college.

However, her two youngest children are able to enjoy SPHS and SPMS. Her youngest daughter, sophomore Anna, is specifically enjoying the arts programs.

This year, she was in the fall production of Almost, Maine and is a part of both the drama and dance programs. Despite her mother’s obvious passion for the sciences, Anna was never pressured into pursuing the subject.

“Having my mom working at the school I go to definitely has its perks. SPHS is really nice to be able to attend. It’s better than the school that I would’ve had to go to,” Anna said. “It can also be a little strange because I went from having a lot of distance [at a Catholic middle school] to being within the same school as my mom.”

It seems that both Gales greatly enjoy being at SPHS together. Despite the sometimes strange feeling of being so close together, being part of the same community outweighs any awkward situations.

“I’m just glad to be apart of the community where she is,” Mrs. Gale said. “So, knowing everything she’s doing and everything she’s apart of is really good for me. Sometimes as parents you don’t know what’s going on, but having her apart of my school means that I can empathize with her.”

DON, JACOB, & PIETER WIELENGA STORY & PHOTO LUKE QUEZADA It is not uncommon to see a Wielenga or two jogging down El Centro Street, as all three of the Wielenga men are involved in the cross country program in South Pasadena. Jacob and Pieter are each runners on the SPHS team while Mr. Wielenga used to be the high school cross country team’s head coach up until 1999, as well as the middle school team’s coach until very recently.

Don, Jacob, and Pieter Wielenga are each notable figures around the SPHS campus. Mr. Don Wielenga is the AP Environmental Science teacher, faculty advisor of numerous clubs around campus, and organizer of the annual senior Yosemite trip. Jacob is a senior runner on the Cross Country team and president of the Dungeons and Dragons Club on campus. Despite only being a freshman, Pieter has already made his mark as a cross-country runner and the Homecoming Court as the freshman class’ pick. Although the Wielengas have each made an important impact on SPHS during their time at the school, the family’s life extends far beyond campus.

Spending time outdoors is a tried and true activity for the family. Whether it is a day hike, camping, or their annual backpacking trip, Wielenga-style outings favor authentic experiences in mother nature rather than large resorts or long plane rides.

“We go backpacking every year. We have been doing it since [the kids] were born. Jake went when he was only eight weeks old,” Mr. Wielenga said. “We always go to different places and most of the time it is with other family members or friends as well.”

From playing music in multiple neighborhood bands, to throwing parties on Halloween and Thanksgiving, or even just watching movies as a group, the Wielengas take time to be together as a family. They reside in Altadena with their dog Wilson and their five lively pet chickens: Brownie, Sunshine, Midnight, Moonlight, and Henrietta.

When it comes to seeing their father around school, Jacob and Pieter say that there is a sense of normalcy about the situation. For Jacob, even accidentally overhearing

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY: the Wielengas have all been active participants in cross country. complaints about the workload in his father’s class has become a regular occurence.

“People complain a lot,” Jacob said. “They will be complaining and then they’ll realize that I am there and I’m like ‘It’s fine. I complain [about classes] all the time.’ It’s usually just general stuff like ‘I don’t want to do all of this work. Why do we have to do this?’”

Despite Mr. Wielenga’s environmental science background, home life for the boys is not filled with lectures on sustainability and conservation. Aside from the family’s eldest child Maaike, (who is currently studying environmental science at UC Davis) neither of the boys share

the extent of their father’s passion for the environment.

Other than a compost pile and an emphasis on buying goods with less packaging whenever possible, home life for the Wielengas is not much different from any other family.

“Some people might think that school comes home or that we are constantly trying to teach our kids at home or something, but that doesn’t really happen,” Mr. Wielenga remarked. “A lot of people might think that there’s more academic stuff that happens when you have your teacher at home but that’s really not the case.”

TIGER

12 JANUARY 24, 2018

FEATURE

The revival of the Hollywood musical STORY DASHIEL BOVE ILLUSTRATION ASHTON CARLESS

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he Hollywood Musical was once the premier genre of film, helmed by studios like MGM with performances from the likes of Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Debbie Reynolds, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, and Liza Minnelli. This era, roughly starting in the mid-1930s and lasting until the late 60s, was a golden age of larger-than-life performance, singing, dancing, and hyper energetic upbeat cinema that remains unrivalled.

Yet the musical faded with the onset of the New Hollywood, the arrival of more gritty stories and audiences demanding more “realism.” And so the genre went dormant as tastes shifted away. For many in mainstream cinema, the movie musical had come and gone, bringing some excellent and not-soexcellent films. This dormancy saw few breaks, such as 2005’s Rent, an adaptation of the stage musical, and 2012’s Les Miserables, another stage adaptation, neither of which were particularly well received. The only major exception to this pattern was 2002’s Chicago, a film that, while incredibly critically popular, proved divisive to audiences thanks to an undeserved Oscar for Best Picture.

Then out of the blue arrived La La Land. Last year’s cinematic darling exploded in theaters, followed by a cascade of loving critics and more than ample box office (making over twice its budget!). Damien Chazelle’s second major directorial effort managed to capture

audiences with its unique mixture of a flawed but nonetheless impactful portrayal of romance and good old-fashioned movie musical. Yet La La Land refused to fully embrace its heritage, being criticized for a lack of music numbers and a plot whose characters weren’t very likeable. The film also lacked the optimism iconic of the genre.

And now we have The Greatest Showman, which, while it lacks the emotional potency of La La Land, has been well received and is an enjoyable and uplifting piece of fluffy, loving cinema. Coming up this year are two more musicals (both of which are more in line with La La Land’s style than Showman’s): Bohemian Rhapsody, a Freddie Mercury-Queen biopic, and A Star is Born, a remake of the classic 1954 Judy Garland starring musical of the same name.

With this in mind, a question arises: Are we seeing the arrival of a new age of movie musicals? La La Land, while perhaps not as “musical” as some would have liked it, seems to have reignited Hollywood’s interest in the live-action Movie Musical and perhaps will usher in a second Golden Age. However, if La La Land and what has been revealed of Bohemian Rhapsody are any indication, the new musical may aim for a more gritty, realistic tone, where the focus is on the story with less musical numbers and more dialogue.

This shift may allow musicals to break away from the stigma of “dumb cinema” and reach new heights.

Review: you won’t be Sari Sari STORY & PHOTO MAYA WILLIAMSON Los Angeles is nationally recognized for its diverse cuisine that separates it from every other city in the world. The city is constantly adapting to the latest trends, occasionally sparking the obsession with specific cuisines in mainstream American diets. One cuisine that has shown signs of becoming the next big food trend in LA is that of the Philippine islands.

Sari Sari Store in Grand Central market is a perfect example of a small Filipino restaurant making a big impression. The revered food critique of the LA Times, Jonathan Gold, likened Sari Sari Store to a fidget spinner—his new obsession.

The large stand fits perfectly into Grand Central’s colorful, bustling, and diverse aesthetic. Themed after Filipino convenience stores (“sari sari” in Tagalog translates to “whatever” because at such stores, that’s exactly what you can find), the stand is covered with mismatched posters, stickers, and classic Filipino snacks like champoy and pucit.

The two most popular dishes on its main menu are the Adobo Fried Rice and the Sisig Fried Rice. The Adobo Fried Rice shares little resemblance to its traditional counterpart.

Adobo—chicken or pork traditionally marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic—is usually served family style with rice and smothered in a strong sauce. Sari Sari’s take on the classic dish features dried pork belly mixed with garlic, rice,

pickles, and small red chilis with a deliciously strong flavor that seals the deal on this dish. Topped with a fried egg, the Adobo is best eaten mashed together with a fork and spoon.

The Sisig Fried Rice is almost identical to the Adobo except for the meat. The Sisig, or dried pork head, gives a deliciously salty addition to the meal. However, with dishes priced at $12-$13, they aren’t the cheapest option at Grand Central.

Sari Sari Store also serves two desserts: buko pie and halo halo. The buko pie features a light custard atop firm and fresh young coconut. Encased in a flaky crust, the pie is a filling but not overly sweet dessert. Halo halo is an intense mashup of yams, beans, coconut, rice, gelatin, flan, ice, and milk that make for an interesting experience of flavors and textures and can be overwhelming for those who lack a strong sweet tooth. Sari Sari modifies the dish to bend more to the American palette by substituting ube ice cream with classic vanilla among other minor replacements. Sari Sari’s changes aren’t unwelcome though the inclusion of fresh fruit makes the dish a bit more like dessert parfait than the colorful Filipino halo halo.

Sari Sari store finds perfect compromises in its menu, creating dishes that won’t scare away novices to the Filipino cuisine and that staunch lovers of traditional Filipino comfort food can still appreciate. The undeniable success of this stand may be sign of an oncoming surge of Filipino food in the LA limelight.

“SARI SARI” in Tagalog means “whatever,” taking inspiration from Filippino convenience stores.

TIGER 13 JANUARY 24, 2018

FEATURE

TAAGLAA: Ameoba Music TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA shopping complex. However, Amoeba made it clear that they intended to remain in the building for the duration of the lease, and if they were forced to leave their current location, they would simply find another building in Hollywood. Satisfied that the future of Amoeba was well-protected, we left the store looking for a place to stop for lunch.

Wandering into a nearby complex, we came across Umami Burger. We entered from the narrow side street and found ourselves in a small, yet warm and inviting space. As I studied the menu, I noticed the first difference between “gourmet burgers” and those to which I had been accustomed: the price. An original Umami Burger was priced at $11 which, for reference, would buy you four and a half cheeseburgers at In-N-Out. Despite this, the burgers proved to be fantastic.

I enjoyed every bite of mine and was struck with great tragedy upon realizing that I had finished it. I did not stay long to mourn this loss, however, because I realized that the traffic on Sunset Boulevard was picking up. Soon it would be nearly impossible to travel back to South Pasadena by the end of the week. With that in mind, we retreated to the Mustang and began the trek back to South Pasadena.

AN IMPRESSIVE COLLECTION of records, CDs, and movies can be found in the large space.

STORY & PHOTO BEN CLARK

M

usic collectors across California hold Amoeba Music at almost mythical proportions. This charmingly decorated music shop on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Ivar Avenue in Hollywood is a treasure trove of records, films, and other pieces of pop culture memorabilia that stretch from the beginnings of modern music to now. As fans of rock n’ roll, classic movies, and other antiquated forms of entertainment, my brother Sam and I decided to see this legendary store for ourselves.

The building, situated across the street from the Cinerama Dome, was immediately recognizable by its bright neon signs and retro architecture. A colorful psychedelic rock-inspired mural decorated the building’s wall and posters of new albums sat on its roof. We stood for about a minute at the cluttered intersection, watching an infinite stream of cars rush by, and then entered the shop.

The interior of Amoeba had an air of purposeful disorganization, with various posters and album covers lining the walls, leaving very little empty space. I found myself gravitating towards the rock section and immediately located a copy of David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, one of my all-time favorite albums. Sam, on the other hand, dove directly into the store’s expansive collection of Led Zeppelin albums (another one of my favorite bands).

We met again and began to search through the upper level of Amoeba, which was dedicated to movies, coming across films from a variety of eras and genres. My brother and I spent most of the time talking excitedly about each and every new discovery we made.

Before we left, I took the time to talk with some of Amoeba’s employees and though they were somewhat dodgy about interviews, I learned that the continuing operation of this entertainment establishment was recently in doubt. In 2016, talks began with the owners of the building to have it demolished and replaced by a

THE ICONIC BUILDING may soon be vacated

by Amoeba and replaced by a shopping mall.

TIGER

14 JANUARY 24, 2018

SPORTS

Girls’ water polo: America’s Finest Invitational STORY ISABELLA TSAI & LUKE QUEZADA PHOTO HELENA FU Girls’ water polo competed at America’s Finest City Water Polo Invitational in San Diego on Friday, January 19, and Saturday, January 20, finishing with an overall record of 3-2. The renowned tournament gave South Pasadena valuable experience against quality opponents, effectively preparing it for the significant upcoming league matches.

The Tigers had little time to become acclimated to tournament play as they first faced a high-powered Simi Valley team. The Tigers were ultimately defeated 12-6 by the dominant Royal High School squad, who overcame South Pasadena’s early lead.

SURVEYING THE POOL, senior Marta Jerebets jockeys the ball above the water.

The Tigers took on Mount Carmel for their final game on Friday. South Pasadena opened fire on all cylinders, scoring seven goals and only allowing one opposing goal in the first quarter. The Tigers’ dominance continued throughout the remainder of the game, resulting in a 14-3 South Pasadena victory. The girls quickly adapted to tournament play and more difficult teams, resulting in three consecutive victories. The team’s ability to quickly make adjustments to its style of play is exactly what will allow it to stage a deep run in CIF.

To start competition on Saturday morning, the Tigers played Rancho Bernardo and emerged with a 13-10 victory. The Tigers maintained a tie with the Broncos until halftime, after which they played more aggressively to launch ahead of Rancho Bernardo and secure another victory.

South Pasadena narrowly defeated Poly Riverside High School 8-7 for its second game of the day. After trailing the Bears at halftime 5-3, senior Sumiko Rudisky brought the team back with four goals after the half in order to end the game with another victory.

South Pasadena fell to the Santiago Sharks in a narrow 6-5 loss to finish up the tournament. Santiago had a strong and aggressive center that continued to finish opportunities for the Sharks, preventing the Tigers from gaining a lead.

The Tigers competed with divisional opponents and higher quality teams, and their victories represent a high chance of success in the remainder of league season as well as a deep CIF berth.

The team will face La Cañada at home on Tuesday, January 23, in its next league match. South Pasadena’s league record currently sits at 2-1.

Boys’ soccer draws a tie with La Cañada STORY NOAH PARKER PHOTO ISAAC MARZIALI Battling adverse weather and slick field conditions, South Pasadena boys’ soccer drew a 1-1 tie with the La Cañada Spartans on Friday, January 19. The Tigers took an early lead in the game, but squandered it with poor offensive play in the second half. The tie snapped South Pas’ two game losing streak and altered its downward trajectory in the Rio Hondo League standings.

The Tigers struck first thanks in part to the rainy weather, as slippery conditions caused a defensive miscue by the Spartans. Capitalizing on a two on two offensive attack, freshman Caleb Lee sent a through ball past a Spartan defense to senior teammate Jack Renken. Yet the ball rolled too far ahead and right towards the awaiting arms of the goalie. The wet ball and fast-approaching Renken were too much for the goalie to handle, causing the ball to slip right out of his grasp and roll backwards. Renken easily finished the goal moments later.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers locked down the Spartan attack. Seniors Hank Rainey and Andrew Yonami, along with junior Sage Pierone, kept La Cañada from infiltrating Tiger territory, while senior goalie Jack

Gallagher stopped any Spartan shot that got through.

The solid defensive play kept La Cañada off the board and gave South Pas a 1-0 lead at the half.

The second half was characterized by numerous missed opportunities on both sides. La Cañada controlled the ball on the Tiger’s part of the field for most of the half, but was only able to get off a couple of shots. Although most of its shots missed wide, one from just outside the box managed to find the back of the net with just 20 minutes left, eliminating South Pas’ lead and giving La Cañada momentum.

That newfound momentum was quickly lost, however, when a Spartan midfielder picked up his second yellow card moments later, tossing him out of the game and leaving La Cañada down a player for the last 15 minutes.

Despite the one man advantage, the Tigers were still unable to push the ball upfield. Both offenses remained stagnant for the rest of the half, with La Cañada slightly controlling the time of possession, but showing nothing for it.

The Tigers look to build on their new league momentum when they host Blair on Wednesday, January 24. Later in the week, South Pas will seek revenge against the Wildcats when they travel to Monrovia on Friday.

CHASING THE BALL, junior Sage Pierone outpaces a La Cañada defender.

TIGER 15 JANUARY 24, 2018

SPORTS

Girls’ soccer follows the hype of a perfect preseason STORY DAVID SEO PHOTO HELENA FU If there is one thing I could stress in this article, it’s this: go watch girls’ varsity soccer.

The 2018 team has unquestionably been the best girls’ soccer squad South Pas has seen in a long while. With head coach Victoria Lathrop coming back for her second season and many varsity players returning, the Tigers are prime for a league title and a CIF berth.

Rio Hondo League was prefaced by an immaculate preseason for the girls; out of ten non-tournament matches, there were no losses and no goals conceded. Among these were three double digit wins against Duarte, Marshall, and Burbank and a stalemate given up to Polytechnic.

The workhorses of the team lie in the midfield. Senior, junior, and sophomore midfielders Emily Dunn, Rainey Tilley, and Corey Segal have consistently allowed the Tigers to dig deep into enemy territory. It’s hard to pinpoint any specific standout performances, because they have been crucial in each matchup.

Thanks to a stout defense, South Pasadena held its opponents to zero goals in the preseason, and has only allowed one goal this season. Senior Riley Segal and junior AJ Bonk act as a solid base, but junior Emma Barrera has undoubtedly been the defense’s MVP. Barrera has reliably been a running human shield in multiple gamechanging moments. During the second half of a Schurr faceoff, she single-handedly protected any goals from being scored on South Pas. Recently, senior Celeste Amaya has filled in for Barrera —out due to a concussion— and has similarly showcased defensive prowess on the field.

The Tiger’s league season opened with a frustrating loss against San Marino—the team was narrowly defeated by one goal. Humbled by its loss, South Pas pulled ev-

LOADING UP, senior Emily Dunn prepares to take a shot on the goal in the team’s tie against Poly. erything together for its next three games. The Tigers responded with a shutout 3-0 win over Monrovia. From this game on, the Tiger frontline crystallized into a scoring powerhouse. Junior forward Uma Hornish has undoubtedly acted as the leader of the pack; her sheer technical skill allows her to easily outplay opposing defenders. Hornish, alongside junior and senior forwards Jenna Noueihed and Harper Fox, has been pivotal in the recent shutout victories over Monrovia, Temple City, and La Cañada. R. Segal, too, has contributed multiple goals with her unprecedented free-kick, driving goal-

snatching shots from as far as the 45 yard line.

With one measly loss and three strong wins under their belt, the Tigers are on the cusp of a bright Rio Hondo league showing. If things continue as well as they have been, the Tigers should easily overcome the Wildcats, Rams, and Spartans in their rematches. Of course, the notorious San Marino Titans will be the Tigers’ biggest obstacle, at a critical away rematch. Given the talent and cohesiveness on the team, the Tigers have a real chance at writing history for the SPHS girls’ soccer team.

What happens when a game dies STORY NOAH PARKER On a fall afternoon, the girls’ varsity water polo game between the South Pasadena Tigers and Notre Dame Knights (Sherman Oaks) garnered excitement due to its early season significance. Both the Tigers and Knights are local powerhouses, and the contest was shaping up to be a competitive matchup. However, just several miles away from Notre Dame’s pool, the Thomas Fire was violently punishing the countryside.

The disaster would postpone the game due to health concerns, and ultimately cancel the match because the schools couldn’t agree on a date to make it up.

IN THE LOCKER ROOM, senior Nick Corvino gets hyped before a game against La Cañada.

Corvino: life beyond the arc STORY PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTO THOMAS FORMAN

I

n his freshman year, senior Nick Corvino faced extreme adversity. The day after finding out his grandfather had passed away, Corvino watched his potentially game-winning shot rattle off the rim against Temple City. But the failure sparked a fire within him to work even harder on his game. The next morning, Corvino woke up before dawn to work on his shot before school, soon becoming routine for him. For the last three years, Corvino has regularly woken up at 5:30am or has stayed an hour after practice in order to get up extra shots.

“Nick’s work ethic is relentless. More often than not, he is the first one in the gym and the last one to leave,” varsity head coach Ryan Lee said.

The senior 5’10’’ guard is averaging 18 points per game with a 51% field goal percentage. Corvino is torching opposing defenses with his deadly three-point shot and soft touch around the basket. While he had an aptitude for tennis at a young age, Corvino hadn’t always been a standout basketball player. Not born with exceptional height or athleticism, he utilized his tireless work ethic to improve at the sport he loves most. Even when he’s not in the gym, Corvino’s passion for basketball is evident.

“Whenever I walk around town or to practice, I always dribble a ball. Although this helps me improve my handle, I really think it serves more as a comfort mechanism,” Corvino says. “I consider the ball to be an extension of who I am, and without it, I feel just a little bit off.”

Despite being a top scorer in the Rio Hondo League this year, Corvino’s humility stands out as one of his best attributes. As captain, his selfless leadership is as important to the team’s success as his on-court production.

Corvino continuously pushes his teammates to play better, while also giving them positive reassurance.

Earlier this season, Corvino played a crucial role in a win over San Marino in the Providence tournament with clutch baskets late in the game. But recently, the rival Titans got the best of the Tigers, beating them 73-62 in their league opener. Unhappy with his subpar performance in this loss against San Marino, Corvino stayed as late in the SPHS gym as the custodian would let him that night, getting up extra shots in preparation for the team’s first home league game against Monrovia on Friday the 12th. Corvino saw the fruits of his extra late-night labor, scoring 18 points in a 57-53 win over the Wildcats. With his high school career coming to a close, Corvino says this season is the “peak of his basketball journey,” and hopes to reach CIF playoffs before attending a four year college next year.

Although the preseason cancellation may seem like a miniscule detail within the context of a season, a postponed game can have dire consequences to the players, administration, and the season. So whether it be a fire, logistical issues, or weather, the death of a game is something of noteworthy significance to players.

In terms of the season, a canceled game can sometimes mean the difference between a CIF berth or a disappointing finish. Due to the new CIF rules, preseason games are more than just a warm-up for league; they count toward a team’s overall record, which help determine seeding in playoffs.

“If it’s a league game, we do the best we can to make it up as soon as possible,” SPHS Athletic Director Greg Luna said. “If it’s a cancellation for a non-league game, usually schools just won’t make those up because there is no league standing affected by them.”

On the contrary, failing to cancel games can also cause season-altering effects. In last year’s CIF soccer match between La Puente and the Tigers, heavy rains almost caused a postponement. However, due to the magnitude of the game, the schools decided to continue with the game despite the adverse conditions, which ultimately ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat for South Pas. The decision to go forward with the match was not an easy decision for Luna, who had to weigh the risks of not playing the game with the backlash that would come with the rainy contest.

Either way, the justification for cancelling a game stems directly from the perspective of students health and well-being. Ultimately, it is Luna who must make the difficult call. Regardless of wins or losses, minimizing the risk of injury is the paramount priority of administration.

TIGER

16 JANUARY 24, 2018

SPORTS

Junior varsity updates Boys’ Basketball: JV boys’ basketball has posted a modest 1-3 record in league competition, harbored by limited offensive production and a size disadvantage. Junior Jack Gordon knocked down a game-winning three in the dying moments against San Marino to give the team its only win. - Alex Betts

Boys’ Soccer: JV boys’ soccer has fared decently in league play thus far, boasting a 2-2 record. This past week, the team split games against Temple City and La Cañada, defeating the Rams 6-0 and falling to the Spartans 3-1. The Tigers now sit at 7-3-3 on the season with six games remaining. - Noah Parker

DRIVING TO SCORE, senior Jacob Pedroza checks senior Chandler Bullock near the paint.

Building a basketball tourney STORY & PHOTO BRANDON YUNG “HMU if you wanna play,” read Nick Nouriani’s Snapchat photo on his story. Responses started rolling in, and after a while, the senior at SPHS had thirty other students down to ball in an impromptu tournament over winter break.

With the use of Snapchat, Nouriani organized an eightteam tournament over winter break. Boys, mostly juniors and seniors, flocked to the courts on Diamond Avenue to play best of three on a full court. For those not on the high school basketball team, but who also maintain a love for the game, the tournament provides an organized structure of teamplay and progression, and of course, an opportunity to flex. Charismatic and decked out in ‘90s athletic revivalist gear, the group of weekend ballers has played four out of the six rounds.

The intramural tournament is unifying disparate social groups on the Diamond Street courts; old friendships tested, new alliances formed. Eight team captains drafted players who competed over past weeks. So far, three remain and two will be set for the last semifinal. A $60 pool, and more importantly the informal (but nonetheless valuable) title of champion is the prize.

The first round of four matches eliminated half the teams.

The first game, held between Nouriani’s team and senior Chandler Bullock’s, heated up quickly. A cell phone video showed the usually Ralph Lauren-clad seniors deucing it out, lacking team-identifying uniform, or any, for that matter. After the substitution of a few key players, Nouriani’s team fell after two losses. Game two pitted senior Hank Rainey’s team against SPHS graduate Xander Zooi’s. Rainey’s speed and reach was complemented by teammate Lachlan Campbell’s lank, which turned out to be a winning combination. The second match placed senior Kyle Woo’s team against senior Richard Gomez’s, whose past experience on the school’s basketball team and effective derision garnered a two-victory sweep. For the last match, senior Solomon Joseph’s team eliminated senior Shak Tsogtgerel’s.

For the first semifinal, Rainey beat out Gomez over two close matches; with reputation and machismo at stake, heavy jostling made way for a heated match up. Rainey’s team, however, came through with two wins. The second semifinal—to determine the tourney’s championship match up against team Rainey—has had scheduling trouble. Joseph’s squad couldn’t show up last Sunday, January 21; if unable to play by Thursday, they will be disqualified, and team Bullock will progress.

Girls’ Basketball: The JV girls’ basketball team has had an excellent season so far, holding a record of 3-1. Last week, the Tigers dueled with La Cañada in an intense game that resulted in their unfortunate 39-20 defeat.

The team is prepared for its next challenge: Monrovia on the road. -Ben Clark

Girls’ Soccer: JV girls’ soccer has had a similarly fantastic season to the varsity girls. The team has won absolutely every preseason and league game until Friday’s narrow loss against La Cañada 1-0. The team has an impressive 11-1 season record going into the last six league matches. - David Seo

Girls’ Water Polo: JV girls’ water polo has contended decently in league this season, with a record of 1-1. The team is made up of almost a completely new roster, with only three returning players. Last week the Tigers dominated the Rams 10-7 for their first league win of the season. - Lily Azat

Wrestling: JV wrestling has had a mixed season with a 1-2 record thus far. Its most recent match against Hoover High School was a bye for the team in the absence of an opposing junior varsity squad. In its previous match, however, the team fell against the La Cañada Spartans 38-28. - Luke Quezada

Girls’ basketball falls to LC STORY BEN CLARK PHOTO THOMAS FORMAN Girls’ basketball suffered a harrowing 60-52 defeat against La Cañada on Friday, January 19, after a fast-paced and intense matchup. This is the second league loss for the Tigers (2-2) after their game against Temple City on Wednesday, January 17.

La Cañada was quick and unpredictable, weaving in and out with a network of passes that flew across the court in the blink of an eye. South Pasadena’s defense started strong with a series of powerful blocks early on from senior Tiffany Holmes and juniors Flannery Clark and Lauren Kafkaloff. A free throw from Kafkaloff gave the Tigers an early lead. The Spartans tried to respond, but were demolished by three-pointers from junior Kayla Zhang and sophomore Megan Yee. At the end of the first period, the score was 11-4 with the Tigers in the lead. Angered by their first quarter shortcomings, the Spartans struck hard against the Tigers with an unceasing onslaught. The Tigers and the Spartans fought vigorously for the lead, and

at the half the Spartans were up 24-19. The third quarter continued in the same aggressive manner, but the Tigers still trailed behind the Spartans when the final stage of the game began. The Tigers brought everything that they had in the final eight minutes, but a series of fouls brought Kafkaloff’s exit and led to La Cañada gaining many opportunities for free throws. Late three-pointers from Zhang and sophomore Charlize Kruzic brought South Pasadena incredibly close to winning the game, but ultimately, it was not enough to beat the Spartans.

The Tigers’ strongest shooters against La Cañada were Zhang and Kafkaloff, gaining their team 14 and 13 points respectively. Zhang was particularly skilled in making three-pointers, sinking four this game and helping the Tigers stay competitive in the face of Spartan aggression.

On defense, Holmes proved to be a force of nature, claiming ten defensive rebounds and remaining a constant threat to Spartan shooters. Sadly, however, the Spartans still managed to walk away with the victory.

The team will play Blair on Wednesday, January 24.

ELEVATING TOWARDS THE BASKET, senior Tiffany Holmes drives in transition.

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