Tongva Times-April 30, 2018

Gabrielino High School

tOnGvA times

VOLUME XX • ISSUE VIII • Monday, April 30, 2018 • 1327 S. San Gabriel Boulevard, San Gabriel, California 91776

Encore showcases Gabrielino talent

By Chloe Law Staff Writer

Gabrielino’s music programs.

Encore’s talent show was open to students of all grade levels.

Those interested in being a part of the talent show were required to undergo an audition process in order to perform. Decisions on the final acts for the talent show were made by the Encore advisor Melissa Romero, as well as Encore officers.

“Since it was my second and last talent show, I was really looking forward to giving it my all onstage with my fellow musicians,” said senior Hanna Siregar.

In late March, a meeting was held for prospective participants to announce audition dates and generate interest for the talent show. Potential performers were then directed to the Gabrielino Encore Club website to sign up through a Google form and choose a time slot via a spreadsheet.

Auditions occurred on April 10, before and after school, and April 11, after school. Reauditions, which were established for acts that were given a second shot or acts that needed further improvement after the initial audition, were held on April See Encore, Page 15

Last Friday, Gabrielino High School’s Encore club hosted its first talent show from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Gary E. Goodson Theatre. The show featured a variety of performances from students attending Gabrielino.

Senior Winfred Wang performed a piece titled “Liszt’s Transcendental Étude No. 10” on the piano.

“I was excited for the talent show because I knew that there would be a lot of potential [in the students performing],” stated senior Jessi Pham. “Winfred and Martha’s acts [were] definitely ones to look out for.”

Senior Martha Lopez won over the crowd with her rendition of “Jealous” by Labrinth.

Prior to this year, Gabrielino had always hosted its talent shows on behalf of Tri-M Music Honor Society. However, the club’s change in name this year from Tri-M to Encore meant that this would be the first year in which the talent show would be hosted under Encore.

Despite the name change, Encore continues to be a music oriented service club that promotes

Christine Tran | Tongva Times

STARRING ROLE Senior Nisa Alam stole the show through her performance as the lead, Miss Nelson.

This year marks the second time the Drama department has put on the musical “Miss Nelson is Missing.”

Drama performs final play with ‘Miss Nelson’

By Marleld Duran Staff Writer Last weekend, the Drama department performed “Miss Nelson is Missing,” their first musical and last play of the year.

The plot of the musical revolved around students who

went looking for their missing teacher after dealing with an unexpected substitute. “Miss Nelson is Missing” was originally written by Harry Allard as a children’s book.

In 2003, composer Joan Cushion adapted the book into a musical. Dr. Gene Murphy, former

principal of Gabrielino High School, watched the show and Jan Gluskin, Drama advisor, had students perform it the following year.

When the Drama department first performed the musical, it was written for four actors, but See Drama, Page 14

FBLA wins big at State Competition

By Elizabeth Campos Staff Writer

The pair of Lee and Wang also placed fourth in Marketing, sophomores Starlee Hoc, John Kurnuawan, and Terry Tang received fifth in Introduction to Business Presentation, freshman Kelly Tsai won seventh in Impromptu Speaking and ninth in Introduction to Financial Math, and junior Cassidy Do got tenth in Organizational Leadership.

The State Conference marks a time of electing state officers, tending to state business, engaging in leadership and career development training, and commencing the statewide competition, which determines which individuals or teams will represent California in the national competition.

From April 12-15, Gabrielino’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club competed at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) at the Ontario Convention Center. The state team won eight different titles in various events and qualified six students to Nationals on June 28 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Three teams were State champions, placing first in their events. Seniors Bianca Lee and Emily Wang won in E-Business, Stanley Lee and Jason Tran in Emerging Business Issues, and sophomores Casey Lee and Jiin Lee in Publication Design.

In this issue...

Read about the Stars on Ice tour, which features performances from Olympic figure skaters.

See Sports, Page 11

Preparation for SCL began in December, where members took time to work and improve upon their presentation from their peers’ constructive criticism.

“Jiin and I were very excited because we were very proud of our work and wanted to showcase it,” stated Casey Lee. “This was our second [state tournament] and we were really excited to get back into [the] competition experience.”

Depending on the event, students competed on either April 12 or 13. Students took pictures during their free time to commemorate their hard work.

Senior FBLA President Benjamin Vo explained, “I always See FBLA, Page 4

Photo Courtesy of Bianca Lee

FUTURE LEADERS Four seniors and two sophomores became State Champions and qualified for the National tournament in June.

Silence is golden.

Jasmine Lam reviews “The Quiet Place.”

See Entertainment, Page 12

It is National Poetry Month. Learn about contemporary poets and their contributions to poetry.

See Features, Page 6 Get tips on how to get through four years of high school from seniors.

See Student Life, Page 8

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April 30, 2018

TONGVA TIMES STAFF Editor in Chief Kaylan Kha Production Chief Marleld Duran Opinion Editor Angelina Liang Community & World Editor Christopher Lung Student Life Editor Stephanie Foo Features Editor Jannelle Dang Sports Editor Annie Phun Entertainment Editor Kaylin Tran Addendum Editor Rodin Batcheller Layout Artists Jason Kwan Chloe Law Ethan Tan Photographers Jasmine Lam Christine Tran Art Researcher Megan Tran Poll Specialists Michael Hong Joshua Raymundo Advertising Manager Kevin Pham Promotion & Publicity Elizabeth Campos Nyah Toomes Business Manager Brittany Snow Webmaster Lana Hy Advisor Marguerita Drew The staff of the Tongva Times attempts to inform and entertain its audience in a fair and accurate manner. This publication is intended to provide information as well as initiate a forum for ideas and opinions between the newspaper staff, the students, and the faculty of Gabrielino High School.

Content decisions are made by the newspaper staff and the advisor. No material will be printed that is intentionally libelous or which advocates an illegal or disruptive activity.

Opinions expressed in editorials and columns throughout the publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire Tongva Times staff, the school administration, or advertisers.

All letters submitted to the Tongva Times must be signed and dated. Letters are subject to editing and become the property of the Tongva Times.

All material published herein belongs to the Tongva Times and may not be reproduced without expressed permission.

All questions and concerns should be addressed to the newspaper advisor by calling (626) 573-2453, ext. 2141. Written questions, concerns and letters to editors should be sent to: thetongvatimes@gmail.com.

opinion

Tongva Times

Staff Editorial: Gun violence demands clarity with policies, not clear backpacks On April 2, students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School arrived at school wearing clear backpacks in accordance with a new rule established by the Broward County in response to the Parkland shooting in mid-February. It is meant to prevent students from bringing weapons to school, as they would be visible and impossible to hide in a transparent bag. Although the county has begun to recognize the need for change to protect students’ safety, the clear backpack rule is a violation of privacy that fails to properly address the root of America’s spiraling gun violence problem.

Forcing students to carry transparent backpacks exposes all of their personal belongings to the public eye, thus infringing upon their right to privacy, which the American Civil Liberties Union defines as “freedom to make certain decisions about [...] our private lives without interference from the government—which includes [...] public schools.”

Superintendent of the Broward County Public Schools, Robert Runcie, announced that the new policy would be enforced via 3,200 backpacks the school would supply to students. However, using these clear backpacks has brought students more discomfort than safety.

Student Kyrah Simon stated

to the New York Post, “I think it’s the illusion of security, and it’s not going to accomplish anything, except make students feel like their privacy is being violated.”

Not only are teens left feeling untrusted by school officials, but their learning environment is also transformed into one that “feels like a prison,” as Sarah Chadwick, another student at Marjory Stoneman, tweeted.

According to CNN, many students have shared their dissent and frustration towards their schools’ ineffective methods through social media. The backpack policy only addresses one mode through which a potential gunman could bring a firearm to school, and could easily be bypassed. A dangerous individual with the intent to harm others would not be deterred by the fact that one mean of carrying a gun was eliminated.

Michael Dorn, the executive director of an international non-profit organization that focuses on ensuring campus safety, stated in an interview with Racked, “[Students] very typically just hide the weapon inside something in the bookbag. They take a book and hollow it out and put a gun in the book [...]

It’s a repeatedly used method.”

In 2014, the Dallas Independent and Chicago Public School Districts enforced similar clear backpack policies, and yet both states continued to experience school shootings.

SEE THROUGH By distributing and regulating the use of clear backpacks, schools are in violation of students’ right to privacy.

American schools must not focus on turning their campuses into high-security environments that immediately place students under suspicion of criminal intent. Granted, Broward County’s measure is a step towards actively creating legislation to decrease gun violence. In the wake of their decisions, the Ennis Independent School District in Texas has followed suit by banning opaque backpacks. Evidently, Florida has succeeded in opening dialogue and a path towards action. However, it fails to provide an appropriate direction that the government should pursue.

The issue with gun violence lies beyond just security measures. Preventing school shootings comes with targeting policies that allow guns to come into criminals’ hands in the

first place, and creating clear guidelines that dictate who can access firearms, and for what purposes they may legally do so.

Whether it is universal background checks, tighter gun control laws, or an entirely different solution, the United States must focus on being proactive and realistic. A clear backpack in the face of the threat of yet another school shooting is absurd. This solution is grossly disproportionate to its problem, and sacrifices students’ right to their private property as well.

Only when the United States can effectively inhibit dangerous mindsets from meeting lethal action can it be said that progress is being made. The U.S. must listen if we are to make schools safer.

Investing in the future of information

By Brittany Snow Staff Writer In the online realm of social media platforms, the concept of transparency is encouraged as a method to allow users to see companies’ intentions and how they obtain user information. However, many users are unaware that companies have resorted to selling their information as a marketing strategy. To bridge the gap between consumer and company, social media platforms should have a clear guideline informing users how information is retrieved and how it is used.

The most recent Facebook scandal, where personal information of up to 87 million users was released, left many people questioning the site’s trustworthiness.

By using information that is given to the platforms with the assumption that it will remain confidential, platforms are crossing boundaries and invading the privacy of users.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are two current pending

California internet privacy laws regarding the protection of user information. A.B. 375, or the California Broadband Internet Privacy Act would prohibit an internet service provider to distribute any personal information of the user without consent. Users would be asked whether or not they would like to give out details, such as e-mails, to other companies and advertisers.

More than half of all states have pending laws regarding the protection of personal information. Oregon has enacted an internet privacy law that prohibits the public from contracting with service providers that engage in network management activities based on “paid prioritization, content blocking or other discrimination.”

Social media constituents know as much information as they are given. Users should be given the option to choose what they share with third party apps or to advertisers. A recent study conducted by Nielsen, a data analytics company, asked social media users in 58 countries to what extent they trusted certain advertisements. Advertisements

listed as “recommendations from people I know,” garnered 87 percent of support, while “branded websites” received 69 percent. The trust in both ads has increased since 2007, with recommendations previously having a 78 percent and websites with a 60 percent, respectively.

If companies were honest with where user information goes, then users might be more wary of the type of information they would include in an “About Me” tab. Although including information regarding where users data goes might scare potential customers, the companies would then be able to establish a credible reputation with its consumers and respond to backlash accordingly.

Transparency is especially necessary in today’s age, where social media platforms are becoming increasingly popular.

Companies should be honest and direct with their consumers with their explanation of how personal data is both collected and used. Another possible option would be to refrain from selling an individual’s personal information. It may be a viable and profitable marketing strategy, but giving out personal data about a user without their consent is unethical and should not be allowed.

With the Internet becoming an increasingly integral part of the nation’s culture, people are becoming decreasingly cautious about the information they put online. However, users must keep in mind that their data can be exploited by companies that are actively seeking to make a profit. Statements of companies’ use of personal information allow users to be more aware of where their information is going.

Corrections to the March issue On the Features spread, art teachers Terri Hopper and Kat Ross were referred to as Teresa and Katherine, respectively.

English teacher Tera Straker was labeled as a science teacher.

3 Opinion Viewpoints: What should the legal drinking age be in the United States?

April 30, 2018

Tongva Times

Drinking age must be lowered 21 continues to save teen lives

By Stephanie Foo Student Life Editor The old saying “people always want what they cannot have” clearly defines the drinking culture adopted by the United States, particularly for teenagers. Despite various laws and restrictions, underage teenagers continue to drink irresponsibly, blatantly disregarding their health and morality. In order to promote responsible drinking among teenagers and discourage an irrational, underground drinking culture, it is in the nation’s best interests to lower the legal minimum drinking age to 18.

In the U.S., the legal minimum age a person can purchase and consume alcoholic beverages has remained at 21 since the passing of the National Minimum Drinking Act in 1984.

However, at age 18, one can own a gun, vote, pay taxes, marry, join the military, and even purchase tobacco. Once teenagers turn 18, the government places a heavy amount of responsibility onto them, requiring a greater level of maturity.

If teenagers are deemed mature and responsible enough to own a gun or pay taxes at the age of 18, there is no reason that they are not responsible enough to regulate their own consumption of alcohol.

In fact, limiting the access of alcohol to those over 21 prompts disobedience of the law itself. According to the Interim President of Wooster College S. Georgia Nugent, PhD, “outlawing moderate use of alcohol in appropriate social contexts and with adult oversight, [has] driven more drinking underground.”

Although this rule serves to limit drinking, it actually burns a greater flame and prompts even more drinking. From preProm rituals to fraternity parties, the tradition of drinking and obtaining alcohol is further exacerbated by the fact that teenagers cannot have it. A study by the University of Indiana of 56 colleges

discovered that following the passing of the National Minimum Drinking Act, underage students drink more alcohol than those allowed to do so.

To mend a premature drinking culture, the legal minimum drinking age should be lowered to 18, which is a more reasonable time to not only integrate drinking into daily life, but also teach young adults

By Kaylan Kha Editor in Chief With more than 80,000 alcohol-related deaths each year in the United States, as reported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the strong impact that alcohol has on the country is evident. With debates aimed at lowering

Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?

74% Yes 26% No 276 students were polled in their anatomy, college prep, and health classes 4/14/18-4/22/18

about the boundaries of consuming alcohol. Rather than pretending that underage drinking is not a problem and ignoring its disastrous effects, the government should create a safe and accepting culture in which alcohol education and regulation is enforced. In terms of the health implications of drinking at an adolescent age, alcohol awareness and education should be implemented into health classes.

Young adults must be taught to drink responsibly. In order to regulate the consumption of alcohol in youth and promote a more rational culture, the legal minimum drinking age should be lowered to 18—an age that already encompasses the transition to adulthood.

the drinking age, one must remember that the minimum drinking age of 21 has been effective in both saving lives and reducing alcohol consumption in the U.S. Along with safety precautions like seatbelts, minimum legal drinking age laws are crucial to minimizing preventable deaths. A study done by the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (JSAD) found that the number of fatally injured underage drinkers decreased by 56 percent after the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 was enacted, which raised the drinking age from 18 to 21.

Conversely, lowering the drinking age would create the perception that increased consumption of alcohol holds

no risks. New Zealand witnessed a surge in crash risks after the country lowered its minimum legal drinking age to 18 in 1999. In the following six years, younger drivers were 15 percent more likely to be involved in alcohol-related deaths and 20 percent more likely after ten years, according to Massey University researchers Dr. Taisia Huckle and Karl Parker.

Undoubtedly, it is expected that some teenagers will still find a way to get ahold of alcohol—whether the age is 18 or 21.

“Even though consumption remains significant among the younger population and increases as people get older, it’s still lower than it would be if you lowered the age to 18,” stated University of Virginia professor Richard Bonnie.

While these laws cannot completely end underage drinking, they can deter it—which is crucial to brain development.

Neuroscientist Susan Tapert from the University of California, San Diego discovered damaged brain tissue only in teens who drank. The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain in charge of judgment and logical reasoning, is not fully developed until a person’s early 20s, which explains why the drinking age limit is placed at 21.

Americans need to be educated on the effects of alcohol consumption to understand that the minimum legal drinking age was put in place to protect, not restrict, and thus, is non-negotiable. Communities should place efforts into enforcing safe alcohol practices to foster an environment where the drinking age does not seem like a limitation, but rather a precaution.

The minimum legal drinking age of 21 has become accepted as the norm in the United States, continuing to lower the likelihood of alcohol-involved car collisions and susceptibility to brain damage for youth. Regardless of what the legal drinking age is, underage drinking will still present an issue to the nation—but a lower age would merely exacerbate that problem.

Recycling necessary to protect environment

By Jason Kwan Staff Writer

With temperatures and sea levels rising, there is no doubt that global warming has reached alarming levels, prompting various cities and states to enact mandatory recycling laws. While some view mandatory recycling as an intrusion on personal liberties, it is important to remember that these laws are meant to benefit communities and protect the environment.

One of the most valuable benefits of recycling is saving energy and reducing greenhouse gases. According to the Economist.com, recycling plastic can reduce energy consumption by as much as 70 percent. Since recycled materials have already been refined and processed once, manufacturing the second time uses up to 30 percent less energy.

Conserving natural resources is one of the best ways to preserve the environment. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling one ton of paper saves about 17 trees, as well as 17 thousand gallons of water. Recycling plays a big factor in

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE Recycling serves to help the environment and society. ensuring that these natural resources will not be soon depleted.

When waste continues to accumulate in landfills, products that are slow to decompose or are not biodegradable remain for years, often emitting gases that harm the environment. National Geographic found that of the eight billion metric tons of plastic produced in a year, only nine percent is recycled. The rest continues to rot in land-

fills and pile up in oceans. With increased recycling efforts, the waste destined for landfills can be reduced, thus minimizing problems and helping the environment.

Recycling does more than just keep the environment clean, as it also stimulates the economy. A study done by the EPA found that in a single year, recycling and reuse activities in the United States accounted for 800 thousand jobs, 36 billion

dollars in wages, and seven billion in tax revenues. Processing recycled materials requires workers which creates jobs within a community. As a result, this provides revenue for local businesses, benefitting the city and its economy. If all the recyclable materials sitting in landfills across the United States were to be recycled, it would generate over seven billion dollars.

Although the United States does not currently have a uniform federal recycling law, it is the responsibility of communities and its residents to promote recycling.

Cities such as San Francisco have created their own mandatory recycling programs, requiring residents to separate recyclable materials from waste. Simple efforts like this ensure that all recyclable materials are sent to recycling centers rather than landfills.

Though it can be a bit of an inconvenience at times, recycling makes communities and the world a more eco-friendly place to live. Educating citizens about the benefits of recycling will serve as a gateway to other forms of environmental activism and help raise overall environmental consciousness.

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April 30, 2018

May Events May 4-5: Speech & Debate Showcase @ 7-9 p.m. in Goodson Theatre May 7: AP Testing begins May 11: Minimum Day “Garden of Glamour” Prom at Sheraton Universal Hotel @ 7 p.m.

May 12: Speech & Debate Novice Championships @ 7 a.m.

May 16: Late Start Day May 18: Grad Bash @ Universal Studios Murphy Awards May 23: Choir: Spring Concert

May 24: Instrumental Music: Spring Concert May 25: Renaissance Rally May 28: Memorial Day May 29: Yearbook Distribution May 31: Senior Awards @ 7 p.m.

FBLA

Continued from Page 1 look forward to State because I love seeing everyone’s hard work pay off. We all worked really hard to prepare.”

Study session and practices known as Max Reviews were held every week leading up to the day of competition in hopes of perfecting performances by the time of SCL. While teams took months preparing their presentations and studying for their respective events, seniors faced the pressure of their last State competition.

“It was my last State Leadership Conference and I really wanted to end it off with a bang,” stated Vice President Bianca Lee. “FBLA was one of the things I was really committed to throughout high school, so SLC made me really nostalgic and made me look back on these years of FBLA.”

Congratulations to Speech and Debate State Champion Leon Tran for U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking!

Community

Tongva Times

Father Daughter Dance creates bonds

By Lana Hy Staff Writer On April 14, Gabrielino High School’s Athletic Booster Club hosted its inaugural Father Daughter Dance from 7-10 p.m. to help fundraise for all Gabrielino athletic programs.

Lisa Gutierrez-Correa, Athletic Booster Club organizer, chose a father-daughter dance theme, since she felt that most high school girls spend more time with their mothers than their fathers. Therefore, she wanted to give an opportunity for fathers and daughters to bond, while simultaneously raising money. “[I came to the dance because] I love my daughters and thought it would be a great way to spend the evening together,” stated David Pitts, choral director.

Activities were held to see how much fathers knew about their daughters and allowed them to learn more about each other.

One activity consisted of girls answering questions about their interests, such as their favorite color or food, on a piece of paper. Afterwards, one of the organizers read aloud one of the girl’s favorite things without revealing their name.

A pair of gold slippers were given as a prize to each daughter if their father figure stood when their favorite thing was mentioned.

“Getting to see how well your dad [knows] you was fun,” said

Photo courtesy of Harold Sanin

QUALITY FAMILY TIME David Pitts, choral director, attended the dance with his daughters, Elisa (right) and Hannah (left). The event allowed fathers and daughters to bond through activities like trivia and dancing.

Hannah Pitts, freshman. “[The moms in charge of the dance made sure] that every father and daughter were interacting with each other.”

Each father-daughter pair also had to come up with dance moves together, forming a soul train for a disco song called “Stayin’ Alive” by the BeeGees.

“I have never seen my [father] dance before,” revealed Emily Scannell, freshman. “I thought it was a nice way to get closer with

my dad.”

Girls gathered in one line, while dads were arranged in another facing their daughter.

Once it was a couple’s turn, they would perform their dance in the middle of the two lines until the two reached the end of it.

DiPilla’s salad, bread, and bowtie pasta were served for dinner, and beverages included water, lemonade, and instant coffee. For dessert, attendees savored an assortment of candies,

cakes, and cookies.

Tickets were sold for $40 per couple, and $17 for every extra daughter before the day of the dance. At the door tickets for each pair costed $50.

“Dancing with my dad like there was no tomorrow was hands-down the best moment of the night,” expressed Avery Castrellon, junior. “I was able to make another [memorable experience] with my dad that I [can] cherish [forever].”

from occuring and demonstrate that San Gabriel is committed to protecting its immigrant communities.

City Attorney Keith Lemieux drafted the resolution himself and consulted Police Chief Eugene Harris and councilmembers for their input. Lemieux wanted to provide oversight and ensure the resolution was legal and not in conflict with any existing laws or ordinances.

The Safe City Resolution reaffirms city policy by putting in writing an existing policy that bars employees of the city from asking, collecting and or disclosing information about a person’s immigration status. A second part of the resolution will make the city create and maintain a list and brochure with information and resources about where residents can get help for their immigration questions or needs.

“The resolution essentially does not change city policy, but rather reaffirms it,” stated Lemieux during his presentation of the resolution.

The majority of San Gabriel residents expressed anger towards the council for not informing the citizens of the city for attempting to make San Gabriel a “sanctuary city.” Residents also pointed out that the Chinese and Hispanic communities in the city were also unaware that a vote was taking place.

San Gabriel resident Camellia Vera spoke about how she was afraid that because San Gabriel will be “labeled” as a sanctuary city, investors would not invest in San Gabriel and the economic progress that the city is experiencing will stop.

Many pointed out that under the resolution, the city would work and organize events with

local groups and provide resources and legal counseling to the immigrant and undocumented community in San Gabriel.

Citizens expressed how there was no specific budget allocated to the program and how this was not added into the fiscal budget.

On the other hand, members from advocacy groups such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the National Immigrant Law Center spoke about how the city has a moral obligation to help the vulnerable population and that the resolution would send the message that San Gabriel is the first to stand with immigrants and the undocumented.

“Residents of the community should know that the city is still in compliance with all provisions of California’s Senate Bill 54 ‘Sanctuary State’ bill,” stated Pu.

San Gabriel now named safe city

By Ethan Tan Staff Writer The San Gabriel City Council met at the Mission Playhouse on Apr. 3 and voted to approve the “Safe City Resolution,” 3-2.

Vice Mayor Jason Pu along with Councilmembers Chin Ho Liao and Denise Menchaca voted in favor of the resolution while Mayor John Harrington and Councilwoman Juli Costanzo voted against it.

The resolution was introduced during the Feb. 6 city council meeting after the council voted 3-2 to terminate an agreement with Immigration Customs Enforcement.

Following the vote, then-Councilmember Pu directed city staff to create a “sanctuary city ordinance” for the council’s approval in the future in order to prevent another similar incident

World

April 30, 2018

Tongva Times

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Ongoing water crisis in Flint Gender gap shrinks

By Brittany Snow Staff Writer

In over the course of four years, there have been 15 deaths and thousands of people exposed to lethal infections and diseases due to the Flint water crisis in Michigan.

There was no commotion regarding the water after switching back to bottled water, until this year when city officials voted to stop distributing bottled water to residents.

“We have worked diligently to restore the water quality and the scientific data now proves the water system is stable and the need for bottled water has ended,” Michigan Governor Rick Snyder released in a statement on April 6.

Michigan officials stated that lead levels in the water have not exceeded federal limits for about two years. The state closed the four remaining distribution centers, where residents have been picking up cases of free water since January 2016.

“Normally we give out whatever a family wants,” said Bill Quarles, a deacon of the First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church. “But now we may have to limit that until more supplies come in.”

As of early April, 30,000 children have been screened for effects in their drinking water after fecal coliform bacteria was discovered.

The crisis has been mentioned in the media, and multiple celeb-

By Kaylan Kha Editor in Chief

DANGEROUS WATERS The pipeline crisis in Flint, Michigan, has not yet been resolved despite government efforts to switch water service companies and provide alternative sources of hydration such as water bottles. rities, like Little Miss Flint Mari Copeny, have hosted GoFundMe fundraisers or donated to buy cases of water for the cause .

In March 2013, Flint City Council members voted on switching their water service from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the Karegnondi Water Authority in order to reduce costs. The switch took place on April 25, 2014, and res-

idents of Flint soon found that the water looked, smelled, and tasted funny due to the corrosion in the pipelines.

Following multiple bacterial findings in the water, several health advisories were issued, but quickly dropped under the assumption that the water was safe to use again.

After months of constantly boiling water and raising utility

bills, researchers confirmed that there were deadly bacteria contaminating the water and that it was no longer safe to use. They were put into a state of emergency and were urged to use only bottled water.

The state provided cases of water for people to use in their everyday life. The pipeline crisis is expected to be resolved no earlier than 2020.

Europe has the largest legal ivory market. Consequently, support for the underground trade is provided through access to documents that make poached or laundered ivory seem legitimized.

By instilling stronger punishments against ivory trade, the UK hopes to push the European Union to address the issue. Violations of the ban in the country are now punishable with unlimited fines or up to five years in prison.

This punishment is the harshest in the world, and exceptions

to the rule are slim.

Only items made before 1947 with 10 percent ivory, instruments made before 1975 with 20 percent ivory, antiques over 100 years old, or artifacts traded between museums are allowed to be traded. In addition,all of these items must be examined by a specialist before entering the market.

Although the ban has yet to be passed, the UK’s Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs found that it is supported by more than 88 percent of the population. The proposal is cur-

rently under a 12 week consultation period in which legislation for the bill will be drafted and reviewed, and the British government is hopeful that an ivory ban bill will be put in place in early 2019.

In January, the Chinese government, the UK’s biggest ivory trade partner, announced a plan to minimize their domestic ivory market with their own ivory ban. Conservationists are hoping that the ban will encourage more countries to follow suit and install strict ivory bans on a global level.

Ivory ban in United Kingdom

By Angelina Liang Opinion Editor On April 3, the British government announced the upcoming integration of a strict ivory ban in the United Kingdom.

According to National Geographic, the African elephant population has been steadily decreasing by seven percent every year since 2013. Roughly 20,000 elephants are killed by poachers annually, per the British Broadcasting Corporation.

London’s Environmental Investigation Agency found that

327 S Mission Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that employers are not allowed to pay women less than men based on their previous salaries on April 9. The case, called Rizo v. County Office of Education, was awarded in favor of the plaintiff, Fresno County Office of Education math consultant Aileen Rizo.

The 11-judge panel made their decision that prior salary should not be a factor in determining one’s current salary because it violated the Equal Pay Act. As part of President John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier Program, the Equal Pay Act was enacted in 1963. The law prevented employers from discriminating between men and women through wage disparity and required women to be paid the same amount as men for “equal work on jobs the performance of which requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility.”

Rizo filed a lawsuit against Superintendent Jim Yovino in 2012 after discovering that her male co-workers, who had less seniority than her, were making a significant amount more than she was.

Her case was first heard in 2017, when a three-judge panel ruled in favor of the County, withholding the 1982 ruling that allowed prior wages to be considered “a factor other than sex.”

States like California, Massachusetts, and Oregon have already passed laws banning the use of salary history as a way of determining current pay.

With this new ruling, USC law professor Lisa Klerman told KPCC, “It will be very difficult for the employer now to be able to say that prior salary history was a justifiable basis for a gender wage gap.”

Despite efforts to close the gender wage gap through banning discriminatory factors, it still exists. Nonetheless, this ruling that prevents salary history from being used as a discriminatory factor has placed the United States one step closer to abolishing the wage gap.

A Pew Research Center study showed that women, on average, earned 82 percent of what men earned in 2017. An extra 47 days of work would be required to close that wage disparity.

In 2016, women were paid 80 percent less than men, according to the Institute for Women’s Policy and Research (IWPR).

The IWPR also reported that the wage gap is wider for women of color, with African American women earning 63 percent and Latina women earning 54 percent of what men earn.

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April 30, 2018

Features

Tongva Times

power of words:

Iain S. Thomas

Under the pseudonym pleasefindthis, Iain S. Thomas began publishing poetry on a blog called “I Wrote This For You” in 2007. The site features pictures taken by Jon Ellis matched with Thomas’s poems. In 2013, he wrote “25 Love Poems for the NSA,” using words from the National Security Agency’s watch list during the Snowden surveillance scandal. Recently, he released “300 Things I Hope,” an collection of wishes and dreams that is addressed to his readers.

Carmen Giménez Smith

Carmen Giménez Smith has earned numerous awards and distinctions, including a finalist distinction at the National Book Critics Circle Award. Her most noteworthy works include “Odalisque in Pieces” and “The Daughter.” Smith’s works discuss Latino culture and women’s rights. Currently, she is the editor-in-chief of Puerto del Sol, a non-profit literary magazine, and publisher of Noemi Press.

Smith is also a professor of English at New Mexico State University.

Lang Leav

Lang Leav began her poetry career as a young girl living in Sydney.

Now, as a best-selling author and poet, Leav has gained traction by sharing her poetry on Instagram and Tumblr. Highlighting subjects such as love, relationships, and self-awareness, Leav’s poetry has amassed a following of more than 440,000 people. Her first book, “Love & Misadventure,” focuses on love and heartbreak. Some of Leav’s famous poems include “Closure” and “New Beginnings.”

Warsan Shire

Born in Kenya and raised in London, Warsan Shire is a poet and advocate for women and refugees.

She has published several poetry collections, and became the first Young Poet Laureate for London in 2013. Shire’s name is the first that appears in the credits of Beyonce’s 2016 album “Lemonade,” which includes direct lines from Shire’s poems. Her most wellknown works include “Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth” and “Her Blue Body.”

Carolyn Forché

Forché is a poet and English professor at Georgetown University.

Her poems spotlight the Salvadoran Civil War and also touch upon the impacts of war in general, family relationships, and adolescence.

“Gathering The Tribes,” her first poetry collection, won the Yale Series of Younger Poets Award in 1975. In 2017, she published a new book titled “In the Lateness of the World,” which earned a finalist distinction for the Nuestadt International Prize for Literature.

Dean Young

Born in Pennsylvania, Dean Young is an influential, dynamic poet who breaks convention with the structure and content of his works. An underlying theme in his poems is that individuals often feel misunderstood by society. Young’s poems “Skid” and “Primitive Mentor” blur the boundaries between reality and imagination, and won the 2002 Colorado Prize for Poetry. Young has been a finalist for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and 2005 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize.

Rupi Kaur

Indian-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur experimented with poetry via poems to her friends and middle school crushes. In 2014, Kaur published her first book, “Milk and Honey,” which was assembled from poetry, prose, and handdrawn illustrations. It remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for more than 77 weeks. In 2017, she published “The Sun and Her Flowers.” Common motifs in Kaur’s poetry include that of loss, trauma, healing, and femininity.

Tina Chang

Tina Chang was the first woman to be named Poet Laureate of Brooklyn. She has received awards from the Academy of American Poets and New York Foundation for the Arts. Chang is a poetry teacher at Sarah Lawrence College, and an international faculty member at the City University of Hong Kong.

Her poetry collection “Of Gods & Strangers and Half-Lit Houses,” was a finalist for the Asian American Literary Award from the Asian American Writers Workshop.

Amy King

Raised in Baltimore and Georgia, Amy King uses her poetry to discuss issues surrounding feminism and the LGBTQ community. She has cited Cesar Vallejo, Gertrude Stein, Laura Jackson, and John Ashbery as her current influences. King’s most recent collection, “The Missing Museum,” is a winner of the 2015 Tarpaulin Sky Book Prize, while her book, “I Want to Make You Safe,” was named one of the Boston Globe’s Best Poetry Books of 2011.

Adele Ramos

Founder of the Belizean Poets Web Group, Adele Ramos is a poet, author, and publisher. She has written about the socio-economic problems faced in Belize, as well as the country’s cultural and artistic history. She founded the Belizean Writers’ Society, whose mission is to promote the appreciation of poetry amongst the country’s people.

She has produced two audiobooks, “Red Graffiti” and “Black Orchid Raw: Volume 1,” which both include original poems and songs.

April 30, 2018

Features

Tongva Times

contemporary poets

Jennifer Chang

Jennifer Chang is an Asian American poet best known for her books “The History of Anonymity” and “Some Say the Lark.”

Chang strives to gain visbility for Asian American writers and poets through her advocacy for Kundiman, a non-profit organization for Asian American literature.

Chang’s poems have been featured and published in the American Poetry Review, and she was noted one of the Best American Poets in 2012.

Sandra Cisneros

Renowned poet and author Sandra Cisneros has changed the atmosphere of Latino culture and writing. In 1984, her book “The House on Mango Street” became her claim to fame, and she began teaching at institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley.

As she continues to write poems, Cisneros focuses on Chicana feminism, which is a socio-political movement that highlights and empowers the narratives of Mexican American women.

Jack Prelutsky

Despite studying classical music to become an opera singer, Prelutsky has become a prominent author and poet. His poems have been used in classrooms across America to enchant children with the magic of poetry. Prelutsky’s collections are titled with witty names such as “The Swamps of Sleethe: Poems From Beyond the Solar System” and “Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem.” In 2006, the Poetry Foundation honored him as the first Children’s Poet Laureate.

Li Young Lee

Li Young Lee was born in Jakarta in 1957, but fled to Pennsylvania due to growing anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia. He documented this experience in his memoir, “The Winged Seed: A Remembrance,” adding to the diverse narratives of Asian refugees in America. Lee’s poetry is known for its use of silence and mysticism.

Lee’s most recent collection, “The Undressing,” explores love, violence, and the sometimes blurred line between the two.

Sarah Kay

Sarah Kay is known for her spoken word poetry and 2011 TED Talk, “If I Should Have a Daughter.” At the age of fourteen, Kay became the youngest person to compete at the National Poetry Slam. She created Project V.O.I.C.E., which is a program that inspires children to explore poetry. Kay has performed at Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, and Lincoln Center among many other venues. She is currently on a tour for her book, “All Our Wild Wonder.”

Eavan Boland

Boland uses her poetry to illuminate her Irish heritage and challenges faced by young Irish women. Boland explores the female identity and provokes change in traditional Irish poetry, both in form and subject matter. Her most notable works include “A Poet’s Dublin” and “A Woman Without a Country.” Boland has received the Lannan Foundation Award and the American Ireland Fund Literary Award, and is a professor of English at Stanford University.

Shamim Azad

Bangladeshi and British poet Shamim Azad educates and entertains with her poems about Bangladeshi and European folklore.

She has performed at venues from the Museum of London to the Half Moon Theatre. In her poems, Azad shares tales of her childhood, the migration of Bangladeshi people to England, and her culture. She received the Year of the Artist Award from London Arts in 2000, and was nominated for the Syed Waliullah Literature Award in 2016.

Andrea Gibson

Andrea Gibson, or Andrew, is a voice for those who refuse to conform to the gender binary. Gibson’s poems “Swing Set” and “Andrew” comment on gender identity, and are part of a growing platform for LGBTQ rights. Gibson is a four-time champion of the Denver Grand Slam, and won third place in the 2006 and 2007 Individual World Poetry Slams. Gibson has published music albums, including “Yellowbird” and “Truce,” that incorporate spoken word poetry.

Elizabeth Alexander

Alexander touches on a variety of subjects in her poems, but is mostly known for writing about race, gender, politics, and motherhood.

At Barack Obama’s 2009 presidential inauguration, she read one of her famous works, “Praise Song for the Day,” which commemorates the life of an individual. This poem is based on traditional African praise songs. Alexander is the chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, and a professor at Columbia University.

Maria Szymborska

Maria Wisława Anna Szymborska was born in Poland in 1923. Living under the Communist Polish regime, as well as during its Nazi occupation in World War II, helped her cultivate a unique form of irony and in her poems. She highlights anything from the horrors of war to the complexities of finding love. Though Szymborska passed away in 2012, collections including “Monologue of a Dog” and “Here” will cement her distinct voice and legacy for years to come.

7

8

Studen

April 30, 2018

Senior Tips on Sur 1. Try to miss deadlines less than the amount of Oscars that Leonardo DiCaprio has won.

2. Rely on yourself more than

you rely on others.

3. Don’t take naps after 6

because they are killer.

4. Stop planning each step and

be open to other options.

5. Don’t be stupid and if you are

being stupid, don’t get caught.

6. Understand that suffering is only momentary and carry on.

ent Life

Tongva Times

9

rviving High School 7. If your teacher says ‘you can’t do it all in one night,’ take that as a challenge and do everything the period before.

8. Try not to finish

school with regrets.

9. Only take AP classes for the subjects you’re interested in.

10. Try everything freshman year because the older you get, the less time you’ll have.

11. Don’t let an ACT or SAT score

define you.

12. Don’t copy an essay.

Tips were pulled from the 2018 Senior Class page on Facebook.

10

Sports Team swims to undefeated season

April 30, 2018

May Sports Events May 1: Boys Golf-Montview League Prelims @ 11:15 a.m.

Boys Volleyball vs. La Canada @ 3:30 p.m.

Track & Field League Prelims @ 4 p.m.

May 2 Boys Golf-Montview League Finals @ 9:30 a.m.

Swim League Prelims @ 2 p.m.

Softball vs. Marshall @ 3:15 p.m.

May 4 Swim League Finals @ 2 p.m.

Baseball vs. Arroyo @ 3:15 p.m.

Softball vs. Arroyo @ 3:15 p.m.

Track & Field League Finals @ 4 p.m.

May 8: Baseball vs. South El Monte @ 3:15 p.m.

Softball vs. South El Monte @ 3:15 p.m.

May 10: Baseball vs. El Monte @ 3:15 p.m.

Softball vs. El Monte @ 3:15 p.m.

May 12: Track & Field CIF Prelims May 19: Track & Field CIF Division Finals May 27: Track and Field CIF Southern Section Masters

SCOREBOX as of 4/26/18 Softball 3-4 Swim 6-1 Baseball 2-4 Boys Volleyball 0-7 Track 5-1

Tongva Times

By Megan Tran Staff Writer

On May 2, the Eagles will head to Schurr High School for League Preliminaries.

At the last dual meet on April 19, the GHS varsity boys and girls swim teams rained victorious against Montebello High School. The boys team won, 119-37, and the girls ended with a clean sweep, 129-35.

Junior Victoria Sam finished in first place in the girls 100 Backstroke followed by freshman Wendy Yu and senior Alyssa Yanez. The team’s winning streak continued as senior Michael Chiu finished first place in the 100 boys category.

The 200 Freestyle Relay team, comprised of freshmen Daniela Acosta, Alexis Lay, Yu, and junior co-captain Vanessa Wu ended in first place, seconds ahead of the other teams. The 400 freestyle relay team of juniors Elton Chan and Gabriel Davis, and seniors Diego Hitomi and Winfred Wang ended the meet with a win as well.

The boys and girls teams secured a win against Bell Gardens High School on April 12, 132-27 and 120-41.

Christine Tran|Tongva Times

SWIMMING TO VICTORY Junior Elton Chan (left) and senior Alyssa Yanez (right) compete in the boys 100 Backstroke and girls 100 Butterfly during the meet against Bell Gardens High School on April 12.

On March 28, the boys and girls teams faced Schurr High School in a home meet. The boys wiped out the competition, 119-51. The girls swam to a close victory, 8981.

The Eagles suffered their only loss against Mark Keppel High School, a team that doubled in size compared to GHS, on March 22.

Winning against Alhambra High School on March 15, the girls and boys teams scored 11158 and 126-41, respectively.

“Besides the fact that a lot of people improved dramatically over a short period of time, the best thing about the season is that everyone on the team was much closer,” stated Wang. “Everyone loves to be together. ”

The swim team has greatly improved, despite the setback of having an influx of new swimmers and a loss of many veteran seniors at the beginning of the season.

“All 6 relays on boys varsity automatically qualified for CIF except for the boys 200 medley, which was only 0.1 seconds off,” stated Coach Amber.

Softball slides past tough games

By Joshua Raymundo Staff Writer

On April 27, the Lady Eagles softball team played against El Monte High School. Scores were not available at press time.

Last week, the team played Mountain View High School on April 20, and won, 7-5.

Coach Andrea King attributed the win to their newfound energy and explained that she had full confidence that the team could make the playoffs.

“Our chance to make the playoffs are high. We definitely have to beat at least one or two teams that we’ve lost to so far in the first round, but it’s absolutely doable,” stated King.

Junior Megan Lynse echoed this sentiment and expressed the confidence she has in her team because of their ability to find balance.

“We have times when we’re really serious and times when we work hard and have fun at the same time,” Lynse explained.

The softball team lost to El Monte High School on April 18, 1-11.

Earlier on in the month, the

Jasmine Lam|Tongva Times

STRATEGIC HITTING Sophomore Sophia Littlefield attempts to bunt the ball down the third baseline in the game against South El Monte High School on April 13. Unfortunately, the Lady Eagles lost, 1-11. team fought hard, but was defeated by South El Monte High School, 0-4.

Amidst the struggles thus far, senior Gisselle Samano said, “[Our] communication and our bond is really there.”

She explained that it is this special bond that enables them to play as a cooperative unit.

Their hard effort showed in their game against Arroyo High School on April 11 when they faced an unfortunate loss, 2-3.

Samano noted that the loss was hard for the team as she described that Arroyo is one of their biggest rivals.

On March 28, the Lady Eagles were able to beat Marshall High

School, 12-2.

A week earlier on March 20, Mountain View High School won against the girls, 3-0.

“Mountain View was our toughest loss,” stated freshman Kaila Soto. “Their pitcher was just on top of it. We couldn’t hit her riseball, and that’s all she was throwing.”

Sports

April 30, 2018

Tongva Times

ONES TO WATCH

By Christine Tran Staff Writer

11

Stars shine on Ice

By Stephanie Foo Student Life Editor

Boys Golf

Girls Swim

Boys Swim

Softball

Senior Ryan Cheng has been a dedicated athlete since his freshman year, earning him the title of team captain for his final year at GHS. His extensive experience with golf is the reason why many of his fellow teammates turn to him for advice and leadership. “[Cheng] is the type of student who leads by example, and he is a big part of the reason why [the team] is currently undefeated in league,” stated Steve Swanson, boys golf coach.

Cheng’s goals for the remainder of season is to continue to remain undefeated in league. His determination and skillset are what makes him a top contender for the individual league MVP title. “[Our team] has been doing well, and I hope that [we] excel at CIF preliminaries and become league champions as well,” said Cheng.

Always in the pool, sophomore Valery Chan has proven to be a key factor in the success of the Gabrielino swim team. Chan is a reliable swimmer who has had consistent times throughout this season, even going on to create new personal records.

Chen is known around the team for her positive attitude.

She always puts forth her best effort with a smile.

“I hope she continues to grow athletically, but more importantly, I hope she continues to grow personally. She’s relatively shy and doesn’t realize that her positivity and selflessness rubs off on her teammates,” stated Head Swim Coach Amber Tan. For the rest of the season, Chan hopes to further her performance as a leader and a swimmer, lower her times, and help win the league title.

“I made a goal of increasing my tempo so I could get under 30 seconds for 50 free and it really has pushed me to improve,” said Chan.

Senior Diego Hitomi has been a constant and consistent presence on the swim team for the past four years.

For his final year on the swim team, Hitomi is a part of two relays, the 200 Freestyle and 400 Freestyle, that automatically qualified for CIF. These results have come from Hitomi constantly pushing himself, as well as his teammates, to be better both in and out of the water.

His work ethic influences others to follow in his footsteps.

“Hitomi is very quiet, but leads by example. I hope that he continues to surprise himself as his high school career comes to an end,” said Amber Tan, head swim coach.

While his final season is coming to an end, Hitomi hopes to extend his time by qualifying for CIF state.

“So far my improvement in the past two or three weeks has helped me a lot, and hopefully I can continue to improve,” stated Hitomi.

On the Gabrielino softball team, sophomore Daniella Murillo is the first baseman and number four hitter, making her an essential part of the team.

She shines a positive light on the team during times of struggle and exhibits true leadership qualities when supporting her teammates during games. “[Murillo] is a natural leader. [Her teammates] accept her because they know she has a lot of skill and knowledge along with a strong work ethic,” said girls softball coach, Andrea King.

Murillo wishes to remain a powerhouse hitter for the team and learn how to adjust to the different styles of pitches she can face during games.

“I think that I’ve improved a lot from last year, and I hope that this year our team can make it to CIF,” said Murillo.

Jasmine Lam & Christine Tran|Tongva Times

Boys golf swings towards CIF

By Michael Hong Staff Writer

On May 8, the Gabrielino varsity boys golf team will look to gain another victory by competing in the Montview League Finals.

Last year at the match, junior Osiris Sesma placed fifth in the league, while seniors Ryan Cheng, captain of the team, and Devin Heng tied for sixth.

Led by Cheng, the team cemented another league championship on April 24 by defeating Azusa High School, 208-262.

After falling short last year by one rank, coming out victorious was a welcome sight for the Eagles.

“Coming in, I knew we had a solid chance at being league champions. We were really close last year, and I knew everyone got better,” explained Cheng.

“We built off previous years and peaked this year, so we had a really good chance.”

As a leader, he has emphasized positivity and practice as a means of improvement. He identified Mario Melendez, sophomore, as a player who has taken

Jasmine Lam|Tongva Times

TEEING OFF Senior Kevin Gan swings off the third hole in a match against Duarte High School on April 19. The Eagles won, 210-262. these ideas to mind.

“Last year was the beginning of a journey. I got to know people who helped finely tune my game,” stated Melendez, “so I just implemented all the advice to help our team reach our goal of becoming league champions.”

By not losing a single game, the team automatically qualified for the team California Interscholastic Federation games.

The top six players from the team will compete against top players from other schools in the Montview League playoffs for four spots in the individual

CIF. Coach Steve Swanson picks the qualifiers based on their proficiency over the course of the season, typically choosing the players with the lowest numbers of strokes.

Despite the pressure of CIF qualification, Cheng remains optimistic in the team’s potential moving forward.

“We’re all doing better. I don’t know how all the other teams are, but everyone will play to the best of their ability,” he noted.

The team’s winning streak included a rout of Duarte High School on April 19. 210-262.

On April 17, the Eagles gained a victory over Gladstone High School, 213-265.

Prior to this, the Eagles defeated AHS on March 29, 207-249, and DHS on March 27, 224-262.

On March 22, the team beat their rival, San Dimas High School, 215-0.

Earlier in the season, the team also boasted wins over Schurr High School, South Pasadena High School, and Temple City High School. These wins allowed the team to gain the confidence needed to secure victories later in the season.

The 2018 U.S. Figure Skating team began their nationwide tour titled “Stars on Ice” in celebration of this year’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, displaying their talents and putting on an exciting performance.

Founded in 1986, the Stars on Ice tour was started by Men’s figure skating Olympic champion Scott Hamilton, who strove to entertain and amaze the public with a premier ice show. Every show features both group and solo routines exclusive to the tour with a level of production that won the production four Emmys in Choreography and Costume Design.

As the only figure skating tour in America, Stars on Ice provides fans with the rare opportunity to witness creative and elite-level performances. Rather than competing, skaters will perform fun routines to songs ranging from “Feel It Still” by Portugal the Man to “That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra and Jay-Z. “The only rule is to perform,” U.S. Champion Adam Rippon told PEOPLE.com. “That’s the biggest difference.”

The tour features 14 Olympians along with other world-class figure skaters. From the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, bronze medalists Alex and Maia Shibutani will grace the ice together along with two-time National Champion Nathan Chen and more.

In addition to this year’s Olympic team, the tour will also showcase figure skating royalty such as Ice Dance gold medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White and 2017 U.S. Ladies Champion Karen Chen.

The tour is expected to visit 22 cities starting in Fort Myers, FL on April 6 and closing out in Portland on May 20.

“It doesn’t matter where you sit; it’s going to be a good seat,” 2018 Olympic medalist Mirai Nagasu said to PEOPLE.com.

Tickets for the tour’s May 12 show in Anaheim, CA begin at $25 and are available at starsonice.com and various Ticketmaster outlets.

@thetongvatimes

@thetongvatimes

12

April 30, 2018

Entertainment

Tongva Times

‘A Quiet Place’ deserves recognition

By Jasmine Lam Staff Writer

Considered one of the first films of its kind with only three minutes of verbal dialogue, “A Quiet Place” manages to deliver a memorable performance.

With the use of sign language as the main form of communication between the characters, the actors were able to silently portray their feelings in a way that the audience would experience a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

The horror movie takes place in Upstate New York, where the city has delved into a world of deafening silence with no one in the city except the Abbott family.

They then learn to adapt to a new way of living.

Now, the family of five live in silence for the sole purpose that if they were to make a sound, the blind creatures that lurk in the shadows would find them with their acute hearing.

The jump scares throughout the movie constantly took me by surprise, which made the movie interesting and captured my utmost attention.

FILM MAKES NOISE During the first 17 days of its release, John Krasinski’s new film, “A Quiet Place,” grossed $132.3 million domestically.

Currently, the film has earned more than $200 million worldwide and is at the top of the box office, surpassing “I Feel Pretty” and “Rampage.”

Though many moments in the movie were filled with silence, the sound effects made the film even more special because they were strategically placed by the writers and directors.

However, what I admired most about the film was the strong bond that the family have with

each other and the fact that both parents ensured that the children are fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

It was also commendable that the actors were able to act so well without having to saying anything. There were many compelling scenes between the family

that showed their love for one another and if anything, the use of sign language amplified this love.

This movie should be seen by everyone, as the actors delivered a stunning performance.

It is worth noting that Millicent Simmonds is deaf. Though the writers and director could have

casted another actress to play her role, I cannot imagine anyone else to give such an astounding performance with the portrayal of her deaf character.

There is no other horror film that I have watched that is able to relay actions and emotions as well as this movie.

‘Silicon Valley’ hilarious but repetitive

By Ethan Tan Staff Writer

After popular demand, HBO decided to renew its popular comedy “Silicon Valley” for a sixth season. Currently in the middle of its fifth season, the series brings a lot to the table with its creativity, humor, and ability to shed light on the tech industry located in Silicon Valley.

“Silicon Valley” follows the journey of a new technology startup, Pied Piper, in the stages of creation, funding, promotion, and sustaining the company. The show is rather accurate in showing the cutthroat competition that is seen in the actual technology industry, such as the rivalry that occurs between two venture capital firms that want to invest in Pied Piper.

The accuracy that the comedy brings to the table is refreshing to see. Comedic shows are usually not accurate with their storylines in order to attract viewers who

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SIXTH SEASON SUCCESS “Silicon Valley” announced its renewal for a sixth season on April 12. Mike Judge’s comedy series is about software developers and their experience in the modern technology industry. would prefer not to see an accurate depiction. Those viewers have the fear of getting lost in the jargon and lingo, and thus, will not be able to comprehend the story. This is not a problem with “Silicon Valley.”

Creator Mike Judge keeps the same inspiration for his show’s episodes from existing technology companies and the latest technology news.

For example, Judge uses inspiration from companies like Apple and Google for Hooli, the show’s technology conglomerate,

by mimicking their behavior and business philosophies. In addition, in light of the recent scandal with Facebook and Cambridge Analytica selling personal information of users, a recent episode showcased data mining, collection, and other illegal practices of companies in the industry.

However, I think it is safe to say that the show leaves a lot to be desired. The episodes, which are usually 30 minutes long, end with cliffhangers that are not resolved until the next episode.

Although this is a great move

to attract viewers, it creates a drag on the plot, as Judge and his team have to fill the rest of an episode with smaller subplots that get repetitive.

The repetition is not only seen in the structure of each episode, but also in the plot, as I now expect a specific character to mess up and make a critical error, only to have it fixed by a miracle happening.

It becomes a problem when viewers are constantly guessing what the miracle event is going to be, instead of enjoying the show

for what it is—quality entertainment.

Judge and his producers also create an experience for viewers and fans of the series. They update the websites for the show’s companies after each episode on Sunday night. Updates include press releases about the release of a new product, information about product launches on product pages, and interviews with Bloomberg Businessweek, a technology industry publication. This new layer of interaction with the show is rather unique, as it allows viewers to actually interact with the fake companies that Judge has created.

Overall, the show is rather holistic in the sense that it covers all aspects of the use of technology in businesses. From buyouts, releasing of new products, and attending trade-shows, the show provides a real-life perspective into the technological world of Silicon Valley.

“Silicon Valley” has new episodes airing Sunday nights at 10 p.m. on HBO and is available on the HBO Go streaming service.

April 30, 2018

Entertainment

Tongva Times

13

Azabu Sabo serves authentic cuisine

By Kevin Pham Staff Writer

Clean, crisp, and captivatingly appetizing.

Azabu Sabo, a relatively new japanese-style restaurant, modernizes mealtime indulgence with the help of technology. My table was greeted with a laminated menu and a Samsung tablet.

The ordering experience not only appealed to contemporary technology users, but also provided an option for a more old school approach.

While browsing their menu, my friends and I were surprised by the amount of options they had, despite their fairly recent opening in January. They offered classic Japanese curry with a few main protein options, various ramen choices, an assortment of bento boxes, and a large selection of matcha desserts and drinks.

After tapping in our orders on the tablet, my friends and I hit a roadblock. Despite being teenagers in the current technological revolutionary period, we did not

DELICIOUS JAPANESE CUISINE Azabu Sabo’s service may be under par, but its food is certainly worth the trouble. Its unique use of tablets as menus revolutionizes the restaurant’s ordering experience. know what to do. The seemingly friendly staff that greeted us with a smile when we walked in were nowhere to be found.

When our waiter finally came to assist us, he just took the tab-

let and the menu without a word.

Communication was definitely lacking.

However, food did not take long to arrive to our table and luckily, we all got our orders relatively

quickly. We did not have to wait for each other’s food, which was great, because I highly doubt any one of us could do so.

I ordered the deep fried pork cutlet curry, which featured a

May Horoscopes

crispy pork cutlet over a bed a fluffy rice and a generous serving on curry that covered the plate. It also came with with a refreshing side salad and a hearty miso soup, which was an excellent palette cleanser in between bites.

My friends ordered the minced meat ramen in spicy tantan soup and teriyaki chicken bento box.

The ramen noodles were perfectly cooked and the broth was had the perfect amount of spice that gave the ramen an extra kick.

The bento box, on the other hand, was reminiscent of a delicious home-cooked meal. The rice came with crumbly mung bean that added a wonderful texture to the bento.

All food items ranged from $510 with drink only costing about $3 to $4 more. For all the food and complimentary side dishes that an order comes with, the cost of dining is extremely affordable.

Overall, the service was the only downside to the meal experience, so I would definitely be making a return. Azabu Sabo is located on 137 W Valley Blvd San Gabriel, CA 91776 and is opens seven days a week from 11 a.m.-12 a.m.

By Christopher Lung World Editor

Aries The month of May will be the perfect time for Aries to try out new things.

Wishes will come true, so they should not be afraid to take risks.

If they are spontaneous, people will naturally come to them.

Taurus May brings an abundance of fortune for Taurus.

They should welcome any signs of affection or kindness from friends and family. A partner might become more romantic, so they should prepare their hearts.

Gemini Gemini will expand their social connections by making new friends with their infectious energy. Any hopes or dreams should be attempted during this month, as fortune is on their side.

Cancer Cancer is destined to overcome difficult obstacles this month. They should not be shy about their talents, experiences, or abilities, but rather share them to the community. Unexpected romance may also arise.

Leo For ambitious Leo, May is the perfect opportunity to try out anything on their bucket list. They should not hesitate on seizing the moment to participate in that unique activity because life is about to get exciting.

Virgo During May, Virgo will have the answer to everyone’s probl e m s . Their intuition will allow them to knowledgeably assist both friends and strangers by watching and listening to their surroundings.

Libra For Libra, this is a month of romance and flirtatious opportunities. However, they should be cautious about being blindsided by a romance that claims to be more than perfect.

Scorpio For Scorpio, May is about setting their own agenda and planning enjoyable activities. An important tip is to ensure that their tempers are controlled and petty arguments do not get the better of them.

Sagittarius Sagittarius should be thrilled about trying new activities and sharing the fun with their friends. The only warning for Sagittarius is to look out for possible dangers of falling into indecision.

Capricorn May is the month that Capricorns will be able to tackle unfinished tasks once and for all.

Without much effort, the unfinished business will finally conclude, which will allow Capricorns to become worry-free.

Aquarius May presents a multitude of opportunities for Aquarius to expand their social circle in addition to their current friends and families. It is time to be daring and ambitious. The moment to step up in a work or social group has arrived.

Pisces This month, Pisces might be sensitive, but as long as the boundaries of others are respected, there should not be conflict. Pisces should be generous, regardless of whether they are giving time, attention, or money to people.

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April 30. 2018

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Tongva Times

Drama

Continued from Page 1 Gluskin adjusted to include 15 actors and 21 different roles.

Since more roles were added, students were able to give their characters personality through both costumes and attitude.

“This is definitely one of my favorite shows,” said Gluskin.

“I loved that every actor was committed to their role and they were completely different from each other.”

Unlike other musicals performed in the past, “Miss Nelson is Missing” required new and experienced actors to adjust to children’s theater. Certain scenes required the actors to interact with the audience.

When casting, Gluskin looked for students that were enthusiastic and wanted to have fun. Social science teacher Shawn Peters made a special appearance as custodian Pop Hanson.

“I knew [the musical] was going to be good, but it was legitimately perfect,” said senior Nisa Alam, who played Miss Nelson and Miss Viola Swamp. “Each show got better.”

According to Gluskin, performances often underwent a Saturday night curse, where building up the energy was difficult after Friday’s shows. However, this curse was not present during this See Drama, Page 15

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April 30, 2018

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Drama from Page 14 musical because the actors were always ready to rehearse, dance, and sing.

Choir Director David Pitts taught the music to the actors and organized the orchestra.

Gluskin designed the set, while stagecraft built it.

Seniors Sharenne Gozal, Yasmin Miranda, and Damon Shugart worked together to do the actors makeup. K-Pop Club members Lucy Ho and Wyut Htet, juniors, assisted Gluskin in creating the choreography.

Auditions were held during the first week of March and rehearsals began the week after.

Students ran through two dress rehearsals before their first live performance.

Students from Roosevelt Elementary and Jefferson Middle School were invited to watch the musical last Friday.

The Murphy Award ceremony will be held next month to honors actors from plays performed throughout this school year.

Encore

Continued from Page 1 17. Roughly 12 acts auditioned for a part in the talent show.

Tickets for the talent show began to be distributed by members of Encore during the week of April 19 and were available for purchase for $3.

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April 30, 2018

Addendum

Tongva Times

Blast From the Past

Always online

Lessons learned from the best of both Hannah Montana and Miley

By Nyah Toomes Staff Writer

By Annie Phun Sports Editor

By Rodin Batcheller Addendum Editor

Tap, tap, tap. My tiny fingers danced across the keyboard of my oversized Dell computer after an exhausting day of first grade.

Disneychannel.com was my home away from home. Whenever I had the free time, I would watch clips of “That’s So Raven” or “Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” However, my absolute favorite thing to do was play video games online from my favorite shows.

I spent hours playing “Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time” trying to beat my latest high score or get to the next phase in the three part game. I usually set aside my afternoons for playing “Tipton Trouble,” which consisted of me tiptoeing around the Tipton hotel as Zack or Cody mischievously hung up posters.

Sometimes, I switched it up and tried to stack sandwiches higher than Mount Everest as Stitch in “625 Sandwich Stacker” or turned into a manicure master whenever I did Hannah Montana’s nails in “Miley’s Malibu Manicure.”

My obsession with online video games was not left at home, however. Whenever I was assigned to do something in the computer lab at school, I would always have another tab open for CoolMathGames.com or Club Penguin.

Playing these games brought me joy no Polly Pocket or Tamagotchi could bring me. Although I did enjoy playing with my school friends’ Tamagotchis or Yugioh cards during recess.

Being an only child up until the end of second grade, online games supplied me with a different type of connection with other kids in school as we tried to beat each other’s high scores.

I did not have any siblings to play with or toys that I was deeply connected to, and the internet became my favorite activity as a result.

Outside of Disneychannel. com, I would often create digital art on Paint, which usually consisted of smiley faces and random scribbles, along with watching music videos of my favorite artists, Miley Cyrus and Aly and Aj, on YouTube.

Through the Internet, I exposed myself to an abundance of pop culture, which shaped me into the person I am today. Growing up this way has allowed me to connect with many people, even strangers that are my age. The Internet means than a toy to me.

As a child, I grew up watching Hannah Montana religiously every Friday at 8 p.m. So imagine my enthusiasm when I discovered that “Hannah Montana: The Movie” was set to arrive in theaters in April of 2009.

It was April 20, ten days after the movie was released, when I was finally able to convince my brother to take me to see the blockbuster. He complained, but I knew that he was too proud to admit that he also wanted to watch the movie. It was a known fact thats no one could resist Hannah Montana.

I bounced in my seat with excitement as the movie opened with Hannah fighting Tyra Banks for a pair of shoes. My excitement quickly turned into anger as Tyra jumped on Hannah in an attempt to steal them from Hannah’s grasp.

I remember thinking that Tyra needed to back off; if Hannah Montana wanted shoes, then she was going to get them. I had leaned over to my right to tell my brother exactly that.

“Can you shut up,” he re-

Growing up, there have been a number of foods that have tickled my fancy. However, there is one particular snack that stands apart from the rest. The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Yes, the good old “PB & J” has played a large role in the nutrition aspect of my life growing up, and if I am being honest, still does. My parents would often pack the classic sandwich with a juice box and send me off to school with a smile on my face, as I counted the hours to lunch.

The first time I ever made myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich was on a Saturday afternoon, I was seven years old.

My father and I were watching college football and I offered to make us both lunch. I do not remember who won the game, but I do remember being happy, eating my beloved sandwich with my father on that sunny afternoon.

When making a lunch, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is always a safe bet and easy to make. The two simple ingredients create the perfect blend of sweet and savory between two slices of bread. My request to my mother was always to get the smooth peanut butter, because why would anyone eat crunchy peanut butter?

The jelly, on the other hand, I had no preference to. Strawberry, raspberry, grape or a mixture of fruit, it did not matter, just as long as I had my smooth peanut butter and an even distribution of both ingredients. Unless I were to feel particularly zesty and ask for extra jelly.

The “PB & J” is a fairly versatile sandwich. It can go with almost any drink: water, juice, soda, or even a sports drink for days with a little league baseball game. It can also go with any side: potato chips, vegetable chips, Cheetos, or even popcorn.

However, the most versatile aspect of this sandwich also happens to be one of my earlier food memories. When I was six, my friend showed me how to open the sandwich up and insert potato chips into the sandwich. Safe to say, my elementary mind was blown and I have been putting chips in sandwiches ever since.

The time machine has yet to be invented, but when I bite into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, especially if it has chips inside, I am transported back to the first grade. Unless it is made with crunchy peanut butter.

sponded. “I’m trying to watch the movie.”

I glared at him but remained silent. As the movie played out, I followed Miley along her journey as she rediscovered her roots in Crowley Corners, Tennessee learning the value of family and the meaning behind songwriting as she did.

It was an emotional rollercoaster as I felt her fear when she was running from journalist Oswald Granger but also sighed in adoration as she fell in love with country boy Travis Brody.

Looking back, I realize how unrealistic the series and the movie were. There was no way an entire town had the ability to keep the double life of the biggest pop star in the world a secret after ripping her wig off in

front of everybody. However, I was naive and wanted something to believe in.

As I matured, I found myself forgetting about Miley and Hannah, but the lessons I learned from watching her show never left. When I set off the fire alarm in an attempt to fry eggs and my mom yelled at me, I remembered that nobody is perfect and tried again until I got it right. And, when I got into a fight with my best friend in the ninth grade, I apologized because Hannah taught me that true friends are worth keeping around.

Many obstacles have been thrown my way, but I have overcome them with the lessons learned from both Miley and Hannah. After all, life is a climb, but the view is great.

Making musical memories with classic Disney Channel tunes

By Kaylin Tran Entertainment Editor As a senior in high school, it is only natural that I am constantly thinking about my future. I have been so consumed with thoughts about college, grades, and money that I constantly find myself longing to go back to a time where all I had to worry about was remembering to pull my pants down before I used the toilet.

I will be the first to admit that my childhood was less than exciting, but it was a simpler time that I often reminisce about.

Sure, waking up at 6:30 a.m. to watch “Dragon Tales” or having nap time everyday at school was pretty delightful, but nothing during my childhood compared to jamming along to tunes from Disney Channel.

Nothing made me happier than to sing the words to “Breaking Free” from “High School Musical,” or to lip syncing “Sing to me, Paolo,” just before Hilary Duff’s character belted out her iconic song “What Dreams Are

Made Of” from “The Lizzie McGuire Movie.” And who could forget the Jonas Brothers? There was no doubt that their smoldering looks made every girl start “Burnin’ Up.” Above all, my entire childhood centered around one singer who taught me that “Nobody’s Perfect,” and whose secret identity made me long to have one of my own. Hannah Montana was, and still is, the most iconic pop star that Disney Channel has ever created, and I can shamelessly admit that I have several books narrating some of her show’s most popular episodes.

While all of these songs from the past are extremely catchy, I confess that they are united

by a larger, more important aspect: they all prepared me for the struggles that come with growing up. They taught me to break free from the expectations of others, to live in the moment, that I will start “Burnin’ Up” whenever I see a remotely attractive boy, and that everyone’s flaws make them unique.

These songs helped prepare me to grow up, but also make me want to go back to the days when I was still a child. They give me a sense of security, a feeling of home that comforts me as I embark on my journey into adulthood.

Growing up is something to be celebrated. No matter what age I am, “This is Me.”

Time for PB&J