API scores improve
Seniors named Rose Parade Ambassadors
By Jason Wang Business Manager The Academic Performance Index (API) scores for South Pasadena High School increased from the median school-wide score of 886 for 2011 to 894 for 2012. API scores are used to determine a school’s progress in the national No Child Left Behind Act and the statewide Public Schools Accountability Act. The scores are divided into numerically significant subgroups, or large demographics of students who share a certain ethnic background or financial status. The highest scoring demographic at SPHS was the Asian subgroup, which improved six points from 924 to 930. Following closely behind was the white subgroup, which rose from 901 to 912. Principal Ms Janet Anderson intends to focus on specific categories of students by adapting to their individual needs and learning styles. The primary focus for this year will be the Hispanic subgroup. Although it achieved the lowest API score of 813, the Hispanic subgroup increased 26 points from 2011, the largest improvement of any group in the school. “Our progress is significant in all of the subgroups,” said Anderson. “But remember one thing: the higher the API score, the harder it is to improve.”
By Heather Vaughan Copy Editor
Tiger Staff
Senior Charles Slocum escorts senior Isabel Chin during the Homecoming Assembly on October 26. Chin was named the Homecoming Queen at the football game that night. See Page 4 for additional coverage.
Obama re-elected, Congress remains divided By Shine Cho Assoc. News Editor After scoring the key battleground states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin, President Barack Obama was re-elected as President of the United States on Tuesday evening. Obama defeated Republican candidate Governor Mitt Romney with a significant electoral lead of 303 votes to Romney’s 206 votes. 270 Electoral College votes are required for a presidential candidate to be elected. Though it does not influence the outcome, Obama also
received 50% of the popular vote compared to Romney’s 48% as of Wednesday night. “Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over. And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you’ve made me a better president,” said Obama in his acceptance speech. “And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.” Congressional members
of the Senate and the House of Representatives were elected on Tuesday as well. In the Senate, the Democratic Party grabbed 55 seats and took the majority. A record number of 19 women now hold office in the Senate. Although the Democratic Party holds the majority in the Senate, the Republican Party claimed the majority in the House of Representatives with 234 seats as of Wednesday night. The 113th Congress is scheduled to meet on January 3, 2013. President Obama will make his second inaugural address on January 20, 2013.
Seniors Charlie Gleeson and David Putnam will represent South Pasadena High School as Student Ambassadors in the Pasadena Rose Parade this January. The seniors are two of 36 local high school students who will serve as volunteers in the logistical process of planning the parade and the events that precede it. The tradition of picking students to orchestrate the events began in 1998, and is organized by the Student Ambassadors Committee. “My dad is part of the judging committee for the parade floats, so that connection has brought us closer,” said Putnam. “That is the best part about this See “Rose Parade” on Page 2
Anastasia Velicescu
Putnam and Gleeson are the SPHS 2013 Rose Parade Ambassadors.
FBLA collects for Operation Walking Shield Kim and Zeng selected for Questbridge Scholarship
By Rhian Moore Feature Editor
The South Pasadena High School Future Business Leaders of America Club teamed up with students from Pierce College to provide clothing to underprivileged American Indian children as part of Operation Walking Shield. Enough backpacks to fill two car trunks were filled with shirts, pants, and shoes and shipped to the Turtle Mountain and Fort Belknat reservations on November 2. The FBLA Club introduced the program in mid-October and opened the opportunity to buy and donate clothes to the entire school, both students and faculty. This is the school club’s second year participating in the donation program, which collects clothing and school supplies among other items. Named “Walking Shield” after the Lakota founder Mr. Phil Stevens, the organization works to improve the lives of American Indian families through multiple programs that provide the reservation with adequate housing, healthcare,
Mr. Richard Martin was one of education, and aid. “We were connected with several faculty members who took Walking Shield last year be- part in the program and donated cause they needed to reach their money to buy backpacks and quota. We jumped in and provided clothing. “Any opportunity I get to way above what was needed,” said junior Michael Ruan, FBLA help others who are less fortunate club president. “This year [the than [we are], I take,” said Martin. officers] worked to make the system “I think it’s a great idea that our students are doing this.” more organized.” While last year’s Operation Walking Shield consisted of a clothing collection, this year centered around the idea of each volunteer “sponsoring a child.” Early last month, FBLA members taped up slips of red paper in the shape of apples on club advisor Mrs. Cathy Mason’s classroom door. All students were encouraged to take an apple, which showed the name and clothing and Jennifer Orr shoe size of an American Indian student. Juniors Jeffrey Xiong, Nathan Lee, and Vijay History teacher Nachiappan donate backpacks full of clothing.
By Madison Amido Staff Writer Seniors Gloria Kim and Wen Zeng have the chance to receive free college tuition though the QuestBridge Scholarship Program. The program grants full-tuition scholarships to high-achieving students who are accepted to its partnership colleges. The 33 partnership schools include Brown University, Columbia University, Princeton University, Stanford University, and Yale University. Students must have a minimum average GPA of 3.0 and a combined math and reading SAT score of 1302 to qualify for QuestBridge. The QuestBridge application process is similar to the application of a private university, but requires an 800word biographical essay and two 500-word essays from each student. “I felt like QuestBridge allowed me more space to express myself,” said Zeng. “Since the ap-
plication can be forwarded to any of the partner colleges as a supplement for regular decision, it has the potential to add a lot more depth to the applicant.” History teacher Mr. Richard Martin has written several recommendations for students applying for QuestBridge over the years. “[QuestBridge] is looking for truly well-rounded individuals. It’s an excellent opportunity so that money will not stop students from achieving their goals,” said Martin. Zeng applied to MIT through QuestBridge and is interested in majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Kim applied to Stanford, Princeton, and Yale Universities through QuestBridge and plans to major in International Relations. “It’s not like because of QuestBridge I’m automatically accepted to the colleges I apply to,” said Kim. “However, it’s nice because if I am accepted, then I don’t have to worry about the financial aspects.”