Tongva Times-March 30, 2018

Gabrielino High School

t nGvA times VOLUME XX • ISSUE VII • Friday, March 30, 2018 • 1327 S. San Gabriel Boulevard, San Gabriel, California 91776

Students walk out in support of gun control

Tongva Times Staff

STAND UP, WALK OUT Gabrielino High School students gathered in the quad on March 14 to participate in National School Walkout Day. Student organizers gave speeches and released balloons.

By Christopher Lung World Editor

that students would be able to have a voice in solidarity with the lives lost and [to demand] action,” stated Chung.

A day after the Parkland incident, the San Gabriel Unified School District issued a statement that reaffirmed the district’s commitment in protecting and supporting students through increased collaboration with city law enforcement officials and mental counseling programs.

According to the Los Angeles Times, local law enforcement officials said that they have seen a surge in tips about potential school shootings and school violence threats in 2018.

From mid-February to early March, local schools in Southern California reported over 30 school threats, with several incidents in the neighboring cities of Alhambra and Whittier.

On Feb. 21, a Mark Keppel High School substitute teacher was dismissed from his job after failing to immediately report a threatening comment to school officials. The suspect, who has not been identified with a name or gender, allegedly made vio-

On March 14, Gabrielino High School students gathered in the quad at 10 a.m. to participate in National School Walkout Day and voice their opinions on gun violence.

The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February prompted Southern California school districts and authorities to increase safety and awareness.

The event, which lasted for 17 minutes to honor each victim, was organized by seniors Annabelle Cook and Jasmine Lam, juniors Thomas Chung and Amanda Holguin, and sophomores Kayla Gochez and Ana Lopez.

Chung led the event by explaining the purpose of the walkout and an orange balloon was released by students for each of the lives lost. Gochez called for a moment of silence, which was followed by speeches made by Chung and junior Ayesha Sirimane that called for action against gun violence.

“We organized the walkout so

lent threats the day before.

Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) worked in conjunction with Alhambra Police Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health for the investigation. The suspect was detained on Feb. 21 by authorities, which determined that the threat was not credible.

Although the termination of the substitute teacher’s long-term contract is still pending, AUSD spokeswoman Toby Gilbert stated that “reporting 24 hours later is never acceptable and grounds for a loss of confidence release.”

Two days following the Florida massacre, a mass shooting plot was thwarted at Whittier’s El Camino High School after the school resource officer Marino Chavez overheard a disgruntled student threatening to “shoot up the school sometime in the next three weeks.” Chavez, a school security guard, reported this threat to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

After further investigation, deputies discovered that the student had an extensive disciSee Walkout, Page 4

Speech advances to State, Nationals

By Jasmine Lam Staff Writer

The Gabrielino High School Screamin’ Eagles competed at Nat Quals Congress last Saturday at Arroyo High School.

Senior Andy Sove was one spot away from qualifying, as he placed fourth at the tournament.

From March 16-17, the Screamin’ Eagles participated in the National Qualifying Tournament for speech events at San Marino High School.

The students who qualified include freshmen Monie Choi Noemi Liu, sophomores David Campos and Felicia Tang, juniors Andrew Do, Gabriel Peña, and Jaycob Wahinehookae, and seniors Richelle Chow, Michael Hong, Sydney Jung, Angelina Liang, Sierra Rhodes, Leon Tran, Wendy Wong, and Wesley Yuan.

Choi qualified at Nat Quals debate on Feb. 24. She is one of five and the first freshman to ever qualify to the National tournament in Lincoln Douglas.

Those who qualified for events had to be amongst the top three in their event, but those who

competed in the tournament to represent Gabrielino were the top four speakers of their respective events. They will be traveling to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from June 17-22 to compete.

“I’m really excited,” expressed Jung. “I’ve been to State before, but I feel like Nationals is going to be a whole new experience because we compete against people all across America. It’ll be really interesting and fun to see how other states interpret their speeches.”

On March 3, the Screamin’ Eagles won their 21st league championship at California State University Long Beach for the State Qualifying Tournament and qualified 20 students to take part in the State Championships.

For many students, this tournament not only determined whether or not they would advance to State, but also if it would be the last time they would be performing their speeches for the year.

They competed against 18 schools, with an estimated number of 500 students that were also vying for a place to move forward to the State ChampionSee Speech, Page 14

AP Biology classes work with STEM cells

By Christine Tran Staff Writer For the second time in Gabrielino High School history, Advanced Placement Biology students had the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of stem cells through a hands-on lab. Gabrielino is one out of five schools in the entire country that was able to participate in the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) high school module program where a stem cell researcher comes and teaches students.

On March 19, the AP Biology students began with an introduction to stem cells and how they can be used in medicine and therapy to treat patients. Last Friday, the students worked with

live mouse embryonic stem cells where they looked for chromosomes and chromosomal abnormalities to assess the health of the stem cells. “[Students] are going to come out of this lab having an incredible knowledge of stem cells, [which is] a knowledge that most undergraduates in biology will not get,” stated AP Biology teacher Thomas Velekei.

This past week, AP Biology students observed the shape and size of embryonic mouse stem cells and its behaviors. The students created a stain, a technique that helps to better visualize cells and its components, and assessed whether or not cells are differentiated or undifferentiated.

According to the National InSee STEM cells, Page 14

In this issue...

Super colony of 1.5 million penguins found in Antarctica.

See World, Page 4

Jason Kwan reviews “Simon and the Homosapien Agenda,” the book that “Love, Simon” is based on.

See Entertainment, Page 12

For National Women’s History month, the Tongva Times staff celebrates female faculty members.

See Features, Page 6 Find all of the hidden Easter eggs in this issue and win a $10 Target giftcard. For more information, see Advertising, Page 14

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March 30, 2018

T NGVA 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: Students participating in walkouts should accept fair punishments Led and organized by the survivors of the Parkland shooting, the modern movement for stronger gun control is encouraging students to participate in walkouts in the middle of the school day. On March 14, millions of students nationwide left class in honor of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman High School shooting in February. However, in doing so, students face consequences mandated by their schools that range from detention to suspension.

As the March for Our Lives movement continues to gain velocity, it is increasingly important to remember that the very nature of protesting the law is to take responsibility for breaking it.

In Needville, TX, Superintendent Curtis Rhodes released a district-wide announcement on Feb. 21 threatening students who participated in walkouts with three-day suspensions, in addition to existing consequences for truancies. The letter warned that punishments would be dealt regardless of parent-written notes to clear absences, according to ABC News.

The letter sent by Rhodes stated, “Understand that we are here for an education and not a political protest.”

Rhodes is not alone in his stand, as schools in many conservative-leaning states have issued threats of suspension, barring from participation in

school activities, and even withholding of diplomas for students involved in walkouts.

However, Georgetown Law professor Heidi Li Feldman pointed out to the Washington Post that threatening and punishing students for missing school, simply because the reason is a protest rather than a sick day or a personal issue, is in complete violation of the First Amendment.

Although educators are not allowed to participate in or organize walkouts in any way, plans can be made by school administrations to ensure that student protests occur in a timely and safe manner, according to the National Education Association.

In response to this nationwide walkout, the organization advised educators to plan ahead on how to address the issue of student walkouts. Whether it is allowing students to act without punishment or disclosing a predetermined disciplinary action that is justifiable for missing class, a uniform and clear plan of action must be in place throughout every school district.

While some see any penalization of student protesters as unjust, it is important to understand that an integral part of fighting for change is that it is supposed to be a fight. Making the decision to risk one’s reputation to stand up for what one believes in is not supposed to be easy, and sometimes, it is not supposed to go without punishment.

Schools should not give additional consequences for protest-

MARCH ON Student protesters across the nation are partaking in school walkouts in order to demand visibility and change. ing, but rather, give students the same amount of discipline for skipping class for any other reason. This means detentions and truancies based on attendance records, not bans from further school activities or suspensions that would affect a pupil’s permanent record.

Here at Gabrielino High School, students were subject to truancies reported by teachers, but no punishment was given by the administration. As students were made aware of this before the protest, they were able to decide whether or not they wanted to take part in the walkout.

For students choosing to participate in gun control protests that occur during school hours, the acceptance of a consequence signifies that they are willing to make sacrifices to be a voice for justice. Before deciding whether one wishes to participate in any

kind of protest during school hours and on school grounds, students should be educated on the rights, responsibilities, and possible repercussions of their actions.

Breaking rules has consequences that must be acknowledged. Although some punishments are extreme, there are completely justified ramifications that come with the nature of civil disobedience. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus knowing she would be arrested for doing so, colonists protested against unlawful British taxation in a fight for independence, and now, students are willing to be penalized for protesting government inaction during school hours. All of these actions were done with one reason in mind: some causes are worth fighting for.

Options for Youth summer school to end

By Elizabeth Campos Staff Writer All Gabrielino High School students should be given an equal chance to advance their education. Yet, on March 7 at the Parent Teacher Association meeting, summer school programs offered at places other than Gabrielino were to be considered an unacceptable form of education. While the decision was postponed until next school year, these programs are at risk of being eliminated as viable options for summer credits. Despite the question of credibility and rigor of summer school courses at other institutions compared to those at Gabrielino, significant reasons still stand as to why students should be given the opportunity to take classes at other schools.

One of the most popular programs Gabrielino students have utilized for summer school is Options For Youth (OFY). OFY is a government-funded charter school that provides classes to those who cannot adhere to a traditional high school schedule.

Alongside the classes offered during the school year, the summer school program has been especially convenient, allowing students the flexibility they need. Students work at their own pace and are not restricted to class times.

OFY presented students with the possibility to get ahead and have an open space in their schedules for other more advanced courses or electives. By taking courses in the summer, students have more time to participate in sports and extracurricular activities during the school year.

Yet, as administrators debate over whether or not to discontinue what they have been accepting for years, the opportunity for students to grow academically without having to pay hundreds of dollars is at risk of being taken away.

With 1,011 out of 1,812 Gabrielino students identifying as socioeconomically disadvantaged, in accordance to the School Accountability Report Card, it is evident that a large portion of Gabrielino families might find it

difficult to afford summer classes. Tuition for courses offered through the San Gabriel Educational Foundation at Gabrielino range from approximately $200$500, depending on the amount of units the course has. Free classes, such as those offered at OFY, aid the financial strains these families might face.

“We don’t know if [outside courses offered by other schools] are rigorous enough to allow students to be successful at the next level course they’ll be taking at Gabrielino,” stated Assistant Principal Vincent Lopez. “We’re looking into the credibility of other classes.

“When [students receive] a graduation diploma from Gabrielino,” Lopez continued, “[it’s because that student] went through Gabrielino High School’s curriculum and [students receive a] grade point average based on classes taken at Gabrielino.”

Lopez added, “When you’re carrying a Gabrielino diploma, [administration] wants to make sure that the integrity of our diploma is upheld.”

Administrators are going to look into whether or not the classes at OFY present the same level of rigor as the courses offered through summer school on campus. If they do not, then credits from OFY will no longer be accepted.

OFY is accredited by the Western Associations of Schools and Colleges and is aligned with the Common Core standards.

Not only this, but all of its high school English, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Economics, World History, Art History, Intro to Plays and Theatre, and Psychology classes are UC and CSU A-G approved. In addition, classes such as Health, a Gabrielino graduation requirement, are also state approved and offered at OFY. Schools should provide opportunities for all students to advance their education without having to pay a steep price.

Since not every student at Gabrielino can afford to take expensive summer school classes on campus, the credit students receive from courses taken at other institutions should be accepted.

3 Opinion Viewpoints: What issue should the government prioritize to minimize gun violence?

March 30, 2018

Tongva Times

Mental health reduces shootings Gun control necessary for safety

By Michael Hong Staff Writer On Feb. 14, the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, left 17 students and faculty members dead and a further 17 injured.

In turn, it has revitalized the debate over whether our leaders ought to first address the issue of gun control or mental health reform. Addressing both issues is the most optimal method to reducing school shootings, as Florida has done in response to the Parkland massacre, but many states lack the bipartisan support necessary to pass such a bill. As a result, states should prioritize mental health reform to better prevent another school tragedy.

Although guns give people the ability to kill, mental illness gives them the urge to do so and should not be ignored. The Los Angeles Times found that almost 60 percent of all 185 mass shootings in the past 28 years had a perpetrator with a mental issue, while less than a third sought or received mental health care.

The Washington Post emphasized this impact, stating that untreated mental illness plays a particularly significant role in homicides, while reiterating that while mental hospitals have dwindled, prisons and jails are only expanding. This “punish first, help later” mentality will only continue to exacerbate the frequency and magnitude at which these crises happen.

In the case of Florida, the shooter was 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, who had been expelled from school for disciplinary reasons. Even though he had a therapist, hasty actions like expulsion generate feelings of hatred and insignificance, further alienating him from any useful help. Instead, consistent therapeutic aid might have been able to circumvent the disaster.

The first step is to expand school counseling staff in order to increase accessibility and decrease workload. The National Public Radio identified that counselors,

on average, manage about 482 students each, but in California, they manage about 760 students each—the second highest figure in the United States. This number of students makes it hard to develop a sense of attachment, pushing authority figures to just do the bare minimum, rather than give every individual student the care and attention they need.

By Joshua Raymundo Staff Writer As if the 26 murdered in Newton were not enough, the 17 schoolchildren killed in Parkland serve as a searing reminder of the United States’ faulty gun control policies. Despite these recent events, there is still debate amongst politicians

What issue should the government address first to end school violence?

49% Gun Control 41% Mental Health 10% Other

428 students were polled in their art, health, and economics classes between 3/13-3/20 The second step is to increase and utilize mental health facilities. As the Atlantic elaborated, the U.S. can fully fund comfortable, therapeutic centers for the mentally ill, rather than ship them off in the masses to asylums where they are mistreated instead of rehabilitated. Having a dedicated nursing staff and good living conditions provide the concentrated care that the mentally ill need.

Crises like the one in Florida should never paralyze us with fear. Instead, it should act as fuel for the American people to push our leaders to incite change. In this case, we ought to prioritize mental health to best address the root cause of school shootings.

concerning whether gun control should be increased. Providing stricter gun control should be politicians’ main focus, as passing gun control legislation will substantially decrease the amount of mass shootings.

Due to the current lack of background checks in the United States, citizens who are not suited to buy a firearm are still able to obtain one. Everytownresearch. org explained that these people contribute to the overall rising levels of gun-related violence and deaths, and are responsible for 13,000 homicides per year.

Because the lack of gun control has exacerbated overall violence, the Washington Post explained that as of March

14, there were 2,837 gun-related deaths in 2018 alone. On average, 96 people are killed by guns every single day. Compared to previous years, this number has significantly increased, according to Trace.org.

Violence has increased because mass murderers have been able to take advantage of the loopholes in the existing background check system. The most notable example of this was when Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock used a bump stock on a semi-automatic gun, which gave his firearm the same capabilities of an automatic machine gun.

This is one of the many reasons as to why gun control is necessary for domestic tranquility. A 2013 study led by Boston University found that a one percent increase in gun ownership led to a 0.9 percent increase in homicide rates. Evidently, there is an indisputable correlation between an increase in murders and an increase in gun ownership.

The United States government needs to institute stricter gun control policies.

First, there needs to be a federal ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

In addition, universal background checks need to be instituted in the U.S. According to the New York Daily News, background checks have prevented 3 million gun sales to people who are prohibited from purchasing firearms. This was largely beneficial to many states, as the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence noted that states with background checks experienced a 64 percent decrease in mass shootings, and a 53 percent decrease in firearm suicides, as opposed to states with no background checks.

Every month, a mass shooting occurs, outrage is sparked, and after no legislation is passed, the issue eventually dies.

Given time, another mass shooting takes place, and the cycle continues. The U.S. Congress has the responsibility to solve society’s most prominent issues—not exacerbate them by doing nothing.

Reality television weakens society’s morality

By Kaylan Kha Editor in Chief

From episodes of Gordon Ramsay screaming insults at amateur chefs to Kim Kardashian crying over her lost earring, reality television has become an integral part of American culture—shaping and influencing the way people act. Yet, the violence and lack of authenticity in these shows provide the public with a skewed sense of reality. As shows continue to promote unethical behavior, Americans must remember personally defined lines between right and wrong.

A study conducted by Syracuse University showed that people are prone to accepting and imitating what they view on television. According to OnePoll, in 2016, 42 percent of 25 to 34 year olds believed that reality shows were real. Many Americans fail to realize that these shows are heavily contrived to create conflict.

Programs like “Big Brother,” “The Bachelor,” and “Cutthroat Kitchen” promote unhealthy competition and social aggression. With shows of this nature, competitors tend to attack others and start

FALSE REALITY Reality television has long satisfied America’s need for entertainment. arguments in hopes of improving their own standing, increasing their screentime, and winning in the end.

Actions like these, when labeled as “reality,” are cultivating an environment where inappropriate behaviors are tolerated. The Girl Scout Research Institute in 2011 surveyed 1,000 teenage girls and learned that those who watched reality shows were more likely to expect bully-

ing and drama to occur in their own lives.

The survey also showed that 78 percent of viewers, compared to 54 percent of non-viewers, believed gossiping was a common factor in relationships.

Additionally, in today’s capitalistic society, reality television has glorified the concept of materialism. With the popularity of shows like “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” viewers are conditioned

into believing that status and wealth are equivalent to self worth. When their lavish lifestyle is projected on national television and people begin to idolize it.

Auckland University psychology professor Danny Osborne stated that, “By looking at the Kardashians’ house, [audiences] think [that they will] be able to attain that.

It actually undermines [a] group’s interests and further perpetuates inequality.”

In order for America to regain its sense of morality, audiences must be able to distance themselves from these shows.

Viewers must recognize that reality television is crafted for entertainment—the behaviors on these shows are not meant to be replicated. Television producers have a duty to ensure that there is still a level of truth and authenticity to these programs.

Reality television has been the answer to society’s need for entertainment for years.

Unfortunately, it seems as if the public is constantly drawn to it because of its toxic climate—one that fosters drama and unprincipled practices. Still, one must remember that morality is recognizing right from wrong, not simply accepting wrong as right.

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March 30, 2018

Community

Tongva Times

Choir sings throughout March

By Marleld Duran Staff Writer

All levels of Gabrielino High School’s choir performed at yesterday’s Open House. They also participated in an invitational, convention, and showcase throughout this month.

Yesterday’s performance was compiled of songs students have learned throughout the year.

Chamber, Concert, and Women’s Choir participated in the Azusa Pacific University (APU) High School Choir Invitational last Thursday. Although it was not a competition, students performed to the other ten school choirs that attended the event.

“Everybody was impressed by [Gabrielino’s choir] sound,” said Choir Director David Pitts. “We got a lot of positive comments from other choir directors and the music staff at APU.” Gabrielino was the only school that had three sections of choir performing at the event. Chamber Choir performed in the advanced group after Women’s and Concert Choir competed in the intermediate level.

On March 15-17, Concert Choir performed in Pasadena for the western division of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), a convention for choir directors in the region.

Students worked with Elizabeth Schauer, clinician and Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arizona.

Schauer taught the choir three new songs, which were performed on the final day under the directions of Pitts. “[Schauer] really improved

Walkout Continued from Page 1

plinary history at school and found two semi-automatic AR15 rifles, two handguns, and 90 magazines inside his home. Although one of those weapons was registered with his older brother, 28-year-old Army Veteran Daniel Barcenas, the other was not registered.

As a minor, the suspect was charged with issuing criminal threats. His older sibling was arrested under suspicion of possessing unregistered weapons.

The previous day, officials investigated a separate incident in which a 15-year-old student allegedly threatened an administrator’s life because of his suspension for using his cellphone in class. However, the student was incapable of carrying out his threat, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Congratulations to Carson Scholars Fund Winners Janet Han and William Tantribeau!

Congratulations to the March Students of the Month Flor Hermosillo, Freshman, English Carlos Pondevida, Junior, English Mason Liu, Junior, Math Cesar Hernandez, Freshman, Science Audrey Kuptz, Senior, History Dominic DiConti, Senior, Visual Arts

Christine Tran|Tongva Times

SINGING OUT LOUD Senior Sharenne Gozal performed “This is Gospel” by Panic! At the Disco at the Vocal Showcase while the choir sang in the background. This event was the first student-run showcase. my breathing technique, which helped me hold notes longer, and improve the sound of the notes I sing,” stated Alyssa Dominguez, senior.

Although Concert Choir was not one of the featured choirs, ACDA wanted new school choirs from elementary, middle, and high school, to attend an interest session where they would learn new techniques that varied from breathing to vocals.

All choirs performed at the student-run Vocal Showcase on March 13. This is the first showcase that has been completely student-run, as the students had free reign over what decisions to make.

It stemmed from an idea Pitts had last year in order to feature more student performers, whether it be through solos or small groups. The Vocal Showcase allowed students who were not enrolled in Choir to participate and sing along with the choral background support.

The event was produced by seniors Elyse Magallanes and Joshua Romo, and junior Elisa Pitts. Romo was also one of the two directors and conducted the choir on stage.

Pitts helped supervised the auditions and was the other director, the producers worked with individual performers and groups. Additionally, they were

in charge of arranging the stage design, light and sound scheme, set list, and tickets.

“We organized and led the show ourselves,” said Elisa. “I was anxious that it would be disorganized, but it was well put together and really fun.”

Two of the 20 songs performed during the showcase were sung in Spanish by seniors Dominguez and Martha Lopez. David Zacarias, senior, performed his own song, “Electronically.”

Stagecraft helped with light and sound, and Encore Club advertised the show around campus. Other students accompanied the soloists by playing music for them.

Positive WASC Visit for Gab

Danielle Ramirez, Junior, World Languages Angelina Collier, Freshman, CTE Vuong Le, Sophomore, PE

April Events April 12: Boys Golf vs.

San Dimas @ 2:30 p.m.

Swim vs. Bell Gardens @ 3:15 p.m.

Boys Volleyball vs.

San Gabriel Academy @ 3:30 p.m.

April 13: Baseball vs. South El Monte @ 3:15 p.m.

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

April 17: Boys Golf vs.

Gladstone @ 2:30 p.m.

April 18: Baseball vs. El Monte @ 3:15 p.m.

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

April 19-23: State Speech Championships April 19: Boys Golf vs.

Duarte @ 2:30 p.m.

Boys Volleyball vs. Temple City @ 3:30 p.m.

Christine Tran|Tongva Times

From March 4-7, an accrediting committee from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) visited Gabrielino High School to access the quality of education and services that the school provides.

According to the WASC website, “WASC accreditation is an ongoing six-year cycle of quality whereby schools demonstrate the capacity, commitment, and competence to support high-quality student learning and ongoing school

improvement.”

The seven-person committee assigned to Gabrielino was composed of teachers, counselors and principals from other California schools.

The committee visited classrooms and met with administrators and focus groups over the course of three school days.

In preparation for the WASC visit, the faculty, staff and administrators created an action plan for the school as well as a self-study, which included input from parents and students,

to meet and improve upon its various goals. The visiting committee used these documents as guidelines for their assessment.

“It will be a few months before we learn what term of accreditation we have earned,” stated Principal Sharron Heinrich in a email to Gabrielino faculty.

“However, based on the Visiting Team’s comments, I believe we are positioned well to receive the highest term [of six years accreditation].”

April 20: Baseball vs.

Mountain View @ 3:15 p.m.

Softball vs. Mountain View @ 3:15 p.m.

April 20-22: Drama-Spring Musical April 24: Boys Golf vs.

Azusa @ 2:30 p.m.

April 27: Encore Club: Talent Show @ 3 p.m.

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

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

March 30, 2018

World

Tongva Times

5

Penguin supercolony discovered Nigerian girls released

By Lana Hy Staff Writer On March 2, more than 1.5 million Adelie penguins were detected on Danger Islands off the coast of Western Antarctica. The region’s population of penguins increased by nearly 70 percent.

P. Dee Boersma, director of the Center for Ecosystem Sentinels at the University of Washington, told Science Trends, “It’s always good news when you find new penguins. The trends have not been so good for so many of these species.”

The discovery began in 2014 when images from a NASA satellite revealed penguin excrement on the ground of Danger Islands.

The scientists who discovered the images were Heather Lynch, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University in New York, and Mathew Schwaller, a NASA scientist. Lynch and Schwaller thought more research was needed, so they gathered a team of scientists to help them.

In December 2015, the scientists launched an expedition to Danger Islands and spotted thousands of birds nesting on the rocky terrain of the island. They used a drone to capture each inch of the island to get an accurate number of the penguins.

By Kaylin Tran Entertainment Editor

PENGUIN FINDING Adelie penguins are common along the entire coast of Antarctica, but scientists only discovered the Danger Islands supercolony in 2015 after analyzing satellite images of penguin droppings.

The team used the images to produce a collage, showing the landmass of the islands in 2D and 3D. Scientists conducted a pixel by pixel analysis of the image collage in order to seek penguin nests.

The images revealed how the sea, ice, and temperature changes affected the population.

Previously, scientists thought the main cause of the decreasing number of Adelie penguins in Antarctica was recent climate change.

This discovery proved that

changes in climate had nothing to do with the reduction of penguins. Scientists were just looking in the wrong places.

The finding of the Adelie penguins still does not clarify the possible relationships between temperature change and penguin population.

Stephanie Jenouvrier, a seabird ecologist from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, explained to Science Trends about the discrepancy in the amount of penguins in Danger Islands and the rest of Antarctica.

In addition, the team questioned whether the differences in population are due to food availability or the conditions of the ice. Since more penguins were found, it will improve the health of Antarctica’s ecosystem.

According to Ocean Portal, “[Penguins] carry nutrients between land and sea, and enrich both with their feces.”

Further research will be needed to determine if the commission will place a Marine Protected Area (MPA) surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula.

First light in universe identified

By Kaylan Kha Editor in Chief Using radio technology, scientists were able to identify the first signs of light in the universe. The discovery was made at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Western Australia and published in the scientific journal Nature on Feb. 28.

The light, found as background radiation on hydrogen, is thought to have originated from some of the earliest stars that resulted from the Big Bang billions of years ago.

After the Big Bang, a period of time known as the Cosmic Dark Ages emerged. The universe was in complete darkness until the neutral hydrogen atoms that floated around in space were pulled together by gravity to create the first stars.

Although the first stars were short-lived with life-spans of approximately a hundred million years, their deaths created heavier elements that the following generation of stars would contain.

This “fingerprint” of light is the closest that scientists have come to the beginnings of the universe. Scientists have never actually seen the first stars, so this discovery provides the first step to more research.

“This is the first time we’ve seen any signal from this early

GROUNDBREAKING FINDINGS The first “fingerprint” of light was discovered in Australia by analyzing the frequency of the radio waves. Stars emit hydrogen gas, which disrupts the nearby light wavelength. in the Universe, aside from the afterglow of the Big Bang,”Arizona State University astronomer Judd Bowman announced in a statement.

Bowman and his team at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have been working for 12 years to detect these signals in a project called “Experiment to Detect Global EoR Signature (EDGES).”

The scientists used a groundbased radio spectrometer to look

for the signal by searching for discrepancies between the sky and the average radio spectrum.

They stationed themselves in a remote area in Australia to avoid interferences from human-generated waves.

The radio waves dropped at a frequency of 78 megahertz, compared to its original frequency of 1,420 megahertz, showing a missing wavelength.

This provided scientists with the evidence they needed.

According to the scientists,

the wavelength probably disappeared because it was absorbed by the hydrogen gas from the first stars.

“This is a huge potential result that’s really a breakthrough in the more-than-a-decade-long effort to detect signals from the very early universe,” Caltech radio astronomer Gregg Hallinan told the Los Angeles Times.

“This measurement is our first step to begin to understand that era where the first stars and galaxies actually formed.”

On March 21, 101 of the 110 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants were returned.

The kidnapping occurred on Feb. 19 at the Government Girls Science Technical College in the Nigerian town of Dapchi.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonprofit organization that specializes in U.S. foreign policy, the Boko Haram is a militant Islamic group that advocates for widespread belief in Sharia, or Islamic law. However, the group is infamous for mass rapes, murders, and kidnappings in Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari released a statement that the Nigerian government planned to work with international organizers to negotiate the release of the schoolgirls rather than take a military approach.

In addition to those who were recently kidnapped, Buhari proposed to negotiate the release of hostages from the first Boko Haram kidnapping in 2014.

Due to a disparity in witness statements about the attack, a delayed response from the government caused panic and confusion among the citizens. The government officially declared the schoolgirls missing on Feb. 25, six days after the attack.

According to BBC, a teacher reported that the militants raided the school for food and the girls ran into the bush to hide.

The government agreed to the reports and initially claimed that only 40 girls were kidnapped.

After parents compiled a list of their children who were missing, the government confirmed that out of the 906 students present during the day of the attack, 110 were ushered into trucks and driven through the school gates.

Usman Mohammed, a school security guard, told the Guardian that the men surrounded the school with “vehicles painted in military colors [that had] machine guns mounted on their roofs and [began] to shoot [...]

We immediately knew that these weren’t soldiers.”

In 2014, the Boko Haram kidnapped around 276 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, also located in northern Nigeria.

The militants forced the students into trucks, buses, and vans, and surrounded them by motorcyclists to ensure that no one escaped. They then proceeded to burn houses and businesses before leaving with the hostages.

Reports claimed that at least five girls died in the recent abduction. More than 100 schoolgirls from the 2014 kidnapping are still being held captive.

6

Features

March 30, 2018

Tongva Times

Women’s History Month: The Tongva Times is honored to feature Gabrielino’s community of female faculty members. Each was asked to describe, in one word, who or what inspires them to teach and the most common responses are listed on the opposite page. Join us in celebrating our wise, hard-working, and inspiring female educators on campus!

Marisela Aguilera

Desiree Almaraz

Silva Andric

Kathleen Gomez

Edith Gonzalez

Angela Gurrola World Language

MatHEMATICS

Kathleen Lydon

Diane Maestas Social Science

Yan Mao

mELISSA rOMERO

kATHRYN rOSS

MatHEMATICS

English

English

Performing Arts

Social Science

Physical Education

Visual Arts

Yvonne Aparicio

Cynthia Arviso

Linda Ho

Teresa Hopper

World Language

Sheila Mateo

Special Education

Jennifer Mendez

pATRICIA rUIZ

cLAUDIA sALAS

gUADALUPE sALGADO

English

English

Special Education

MatHEMATICS

World Language

Visual Arts

English

Special Education

Features

March 30, 2018

7

Tongva Times

Focusing on Female Faculty Teenagers nge a h C r e Students Resilience d n o W Creating Passion Progress Hope Growth

Kids Inequity

Maria Celis

Lovelyn Chang

Lillian chen

Marguerita Drew English

performing arts

Jessica Lew

Laura Leyda

Ingrid Lin

Melissa Lopez

pATRICIA lOPEZ

Science

Science

World Language

Physical Education

English

Kathleen Monahan

Maria Morales

Shawn Nguyen

Susan Rivas

xENIA rIVERA

cHRISTINA sHI

tERA sTRAKER

cHANDA sTROM

jANIECE tHORP

dAPHNE tRAEGER

Career Technical Education

Social Science

MatHEMATICS

English

MatHEMATICS

Science

English

English

Science

Science

Career Technical Education

Jan Gluskin

World Language

Science

Jasmine Lam & Christine Tran|Tongva Times

8

Studen

March 30, 2018

WAYS STUDENTS SLA

Playing Tetris on the computer

Wandering around campus

Being late to class because of Starbucks

Falling asleep during a lecture

Downloading games on a calculator

Eating during class

Pretending to b to skip clas

Online s the Ch

Ordering foo be delivere

HAPPY APR

ent Life

Tongva Times

9

ACK OFF ON CAMPUS

be sick ss

shopping on hromebooks

od to ed

RIL FOOLS!

Using Snapchat in the hallways

Staying in the restroom during class

Daydreaming and listening to music during a lesson

Texting during class

Using CalcChat to finish math homework

Gossiping during a group discussion All photos by Jasmine Lam and Christine Tran

Sports Baseball suffers tough hits in early games 1

March 30, 2018

Tongva Times

By Ethan Tan Staff Writer

On April 11, the varsity baseball team will play an away game against Arroyo High School.

Last season, the Eagles played against the Knights twice, with the Knights winning the first game, 6-5, and the Eagles winning the second, 5-4.

The Eagles competed against Marshall High School on Wednesday. Scores were not available during press time.

On Monday, the Eagles faced off against Rosemead High School and lost, 2-7.

As the Eagles move past their loss against RHS, players look to improve upon their consistency regarding fundamental skills, as those were where most of their errors were made.

Bad weather conditions caused the team to postpone the March 21 Mission Valley League opener against Mountain View High School to March 24, where the Eagles lost, 0-11.

On March 16, the Eagles lost a close game against Baldwin Park High School, 2-3.

Photo Courtesy of Michelle Duong

BATTER UP Captain Nathan Hernandez, senior, attempts to hit a fastball during the home game against Heritage Christian High School on Feb. 26. The Eagles suffered an unfortunate loss to the Knights, 0-11.

Captain Nathan Hernandez, senior, stated that along with being unable to find a gap in BPHS’s defense, bad calls made by the umpires prevented them from getting the win.

The Eagles lost to South Pasadena High School on March 12, 0-8.

On March 9, the Eagles managed to obtain their first win of the season against San Gabriel High School, 15-5.

“I’m proud of the win, but we still need to play with consistency so that we can build off the positive things that we did,” stated junior right fielder Jonathan

Young.

Pioneer High School played against Gabrielino on March 7, beating them, 10-2.

The Eagles batted against Basset High School on March 5, losing, 1-12.

On March 2, Gabrielino competed against Mark Keppel High

School, losing, 0-10.

On Feb. 28, the Eagles lost to Muir High School, 1-6.

For their season opener, the Eagles played Heritage Christian High School on Feb. 26 and lost, 0-11.

This season, the Eagles hope to improve in both league and non-league play. The team is led by seniors Isaiah Mercado and Nate Ortega, along with Hernandez.

Coach Mauricio Hernandez is in his fourth season in his second stint as the varsity baseball coach and is using his prior experience and knowledge to lead the team.

“We’re not off to the greatest start in the league, but I think that with the group of guys that we have, with hard work and practice, we can turn the season around.” stated Coach Hernandez. “There’s still a lot of baseball left to be played.”

Although the team has had a rough start, the players are looking to improve through practice, so they can stand at the top of the Mission Valley League rankings.

Volleyball competes in challenging sets

By Annie Phun Sports Editor

On April 10, the varsity boys volleyball team will take on La Cañada High School in an away game for their fifth Rio Hondo League game. Last season, the Eagles lost both conference games against the Spartans, 3-2 and 3-1.

Yesterday, the team squared off against South Pasadena High School. Scores were not available during press time.

GHS obtained a win against Maranatha High School on March 27, 3-0.

March 22 proved to be a challenge for the Eagles as they faced off against the San Marino High School Titans.

In previous years, the boys had no problem triumphing over SMHS due to the opposing team’s lack of experienced players. However, this year, the Titans brought about a difficult challenge as their plays centered around a quick offense and a strong defense.

“We had difficulty keeping up with their hitters, and they had a really strong libero,” stated senior Reisandy Lamdjani. “It didn’t help that our set receive

Christine Tran|Tongva Times

BLOCKING THE BALL Senior Noah Kim jumps up to prevent the opponent from scoring on a tip during a game against La Salle High School on March 13 at Gabrielino. The Eagles lost against the Lancers, 1-3. wasn’t doing so well either.”

GHS fought tirelessly in the beginning, securing the first set, 25-23, but failed to maintain the same level of energy throughout the rest of the game. As the team’s defense crumbled, SMHS picked up their offense.

The game ended with a crushing defeat to the Eagles, marking it as their second consecutive loss since the start of League. “[Gabrielino’s] back row played solid defense. It really frustrated my players,” stated San Marino High School’s head

SCOREBOX @thetongvatimes

@thetongvatimes

as of 3/28/18

Baseball 0-2 Boys Volleyball 1-2

Track 2-1

Softball 1-1 Swim 3-1

coach, Tony Chou. “[San Marino] may have won this time, but we still have a lot to look out for when our teams meet up again for the second round.”

In the first conference match of the season against Temple City High School, the boys were

dealt a harsh defeat as they lost, 3-0.

The last game of the team’s preseason ended with unfortunate results as the Eagles lost their match against Village Christian High School on March 15, 3-1.

“With every game, we just need to keep our heads up,” said senior David Taing. “All we can do is practice and recover. Our hard work will get us wins.”

La Salle High School proved to be a worthy opponent for the team when they won the game on March 13, 3-1.

GHS had their work cut out for them when they went up against St. Genevieve High School on March 12, barely clinching the win, 3-2.

The Eagles suffered a loss in the non-conference match against LCHS on March 8, losing 3-0.

In a game against Alhambra High School on March 7, the Eagles faced a loss against the Moors, 1-3.

The team is lead by returning head coach Nolan Tcheng and captains Noah Kim and David Taing, seniors. They share the goal of beating last season’s record of 7-5.

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Sports

March 30, 2018

11

Tongva Times

ONES TO WATCH

Track & Field: Boys

Track & Field: Girls

Boys Volleyball

“I like being able to do something that no other sport offers,” stated Kevin Yuen, senior. “Pole vaulting uses skills that combine a lot of different sports together. All of us on the team have to run fast, keep our coordination, and be sprinters and gymnasts all at once.”

Yuen has been a part of the track and field team since his freshman year. He was first a sprinter, but later transitioned into pole vault in his sophomore year.

Determined to increase his skill level this season, he has set his mind on breaking the school record of 14’3 set by alumnus Mark Winchell. Yuen currently holds the third best height in the school’s history.

Yuen’s score of 13’ put him in first place at the meet against Rosemead on March 7.

“He has always been our top pole vaulter for the past few years and is a really good team leader, especially for the pole vault crew,” stated Coach Ryan Kammerman. “He put in a lot of work during the off season and has really prepared himself to have a good senior year.”

Junior Brianna Lee is a varsity thrower and recently broke the school record in Shot and Disc at the team’s first meet against Rosemead. Her throw reached a 32’6, which not only beat her personal record of 26’6.5, but also beat the school’s previous record of 32’2.5 set by alumnus Bianca Addison.

She placed seventh at the Rosemead Track and Field invitational in the varsity Shot Put division.

“She put in a lot of work in the off season, and it really paid off for her,” stated Coach Ryan Kammerman. “Last year, she was not somebody who scored varsity points for us, [but] this year she became the best shot putter in distance we’ve ever had.”

Lee started by trying out for shot put in her sophomore year, as she was previously in weight training.

“Seeing how others could jump really high and run really fast in other categories, I knew it wasn’t really my thing,” stated Lee. “I had been in weight training, so I said that this is the event for me.”

She not only thinks about the result of the meet when competing, but also about what scouts might be looking for and how she can improve her distances.

“I have seen a lot of growth in Anthony as a player from where he was last year to where he is now,” stated Coach Nolan Tcheng. “He has a huge appetite for the game and is constantly looking for ways to improve.”

Sophomore Anthony Tran is in his second year of playing volleyball. When he started last year, he was still learning how to play and needed to familiarize himself with Tcheng’s coaching style. Now equipped with experience, he is ready to give this season his full effort.

“He is a really good player, works hard, and gives the sport his all in everything he does,” stated teammate Alvin Nguyen, sophomore. “In just two years, he went from junior varsity bench warmer to varsity first string.”

Tran looks forward to being out on the court with his teammates and learning more about the sport in general. He takes advantage of the time he has in practice to better himself in areas he feels he needs to improve in.

“He is a hardworking player who likes to ask questions about how he can become better and learn more about the sport,” stated fellow varsity player Nicholas Izumida, senior.

By Brittany Snow Staff Writer

Baseball “His leadership is what stands out.

He pitches, plays multiple positions and is one of our best hitters,” complimented Coach Mauricio Hernandez.

As the third hitter in the lineup, senior Nathan Hernandez holds one of the biggest leadership roles on the team.

“He is really motivated and helps out the team a lot. [He] is an inspiration to me,” stated fellow varsity player Nicolas Castillo, freshman.

Acknowledging that many players are still adjusting to the switch from junior varsity to varsity, he tries his best to help them get used to the fastpaced movement of a higher level.

With 13 years of experience, Hernandez enjoys being able to go out on the field and hear that his family, friends, and teammates are all cheering him on.

Now on his third year of playing on varsity, Hernandez is focused on improving his batting. This is his first year pitching on varsity.

“He is a hard worker, talented, and most importantly, a good kid,” revealed teammate Nathaniel Ortega, senior.

Jasmine Lam & Christine Tran|Tongva Times

Track and Field runs towards future wins

By Chloe Law Staff Writer On April 12, the Gabrielino High School varsity track and field team will compete in a home meet against Mountain View High School. Last season, the team won the conference game against MVHS. Yesterday, the Eagles participated in a meet against Marshall High School for the fourth Mission Valley League meet of the season. Scores were not available during press time.

On Monday, both varsity teams also competed against El Monte High School at GHS. The meet was originally hosted on March 22, but was abruptly postponed to the next week due to the change in weather forecasts.

“Having two meets in one week is difficult because there’s not a lot of recovery time, but [the team] knew that we could handle it if we put in the work,” stated sprinter Joy Hano, junior.

The teams proved their potential by performing at their best in each event and scoring the necessary amount of points to

Photo Courtesy of Jason Tang

JUMPING TO NEW HEIGHTS Senior Hugo So competes in pole vault in the meet against South El Monte on March 15. Both the boys and girls track and field teams won the meet, 117-29 and 99-27, respectively. obtain a win. Both the boys and girls won the meet, 102-29 and 96-34.

On March 15, the boys and girls varsity teams swept the meet against South El Monte

High School, 117-27 and 99-27, respectively.

Around 80 individuals were entered to compete in the Rosemead Invitational on March 10, which was held at Rosemead

High School. The invitational recognized medalists in high jumps with junior Julian Thai and senior Caleb Lee placing first and second place, respectively. Medalists in the triple

jump included Bethany Lee, fourth place, and Ana Jurado, fifth place.

In the first league meet of the season on March 7, the boys and girls team lost to RHS, 79-57 and 74-60, respectively.

“We already knew that Rosemead would be one of our toughest competitors,” stated junior Crystal Lok, “so competing against them for our first meet was a challenge.”

Though the team’s first meet of the season turned out to be a tough run, the teams still managed to show exceptional results individually in each event.

Junior Brianna Lee threw a 32’6 in shot put, which not only beat her personal record of 26’6.5, but also beat Gabrielino’s previous school record of 32’2.5 set by alumnus Bianca Addison. Senior Kevin Yuen also claimed the first place slot in pole vault with a height of 13’.

Gabrielino’s track and field team still holds high hopes of finishing the season strong.

Coach Ryan Kammerman remains confident in the team’s abilities to do well.

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March 30, 2018

Entertainment

Tongva Times

Descanso Gardens, peaceful getaway

By Megan Tran Staff Writer

Descanso Gardens unveils natural beauty that is rarely seen in Southern California. Luscious greenery and fields of vividly colored flowers fill the gardens and create a peaceful escape. It has evolved into a museum of living collections, making protection of wildlife its number one priority.

Every month, a variety of plant life blooms in Descanso Gardens and in March, hundreds of tulips, picturesque camellias, and stunning cherry blossom trees were featured. As I walked around the grounds, there was not a place where it did not feel like a tranquil utopia full of nurturing nature.

Along with the abundant plant life, visitors are greeted by smiling employees that encourage people to explore and learn about the numerous kinds of wildlife.

They offer Spring Bloom Walks all throughout March and April where visitors can experience the seasonal favorites firsthand, with no registration or fee required.

This environment is familyfriendly, as it has an Enchanted Railroad that immerses people into Descanso Gardens. The train is an eighth of the size of a real train, so riders can see the gardens

Megan Tran|Tongva Times

MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE Descanso Gardens features a variety of trees and flowers for its guests to enjoy. Its International Rosarium holds 1,700 different types of antique and modern roses alone. The garden may be crowded at times due to its popularity, but rightfully so. from a different, albeit smaller, view. It costs an extra three dollars to take this mini magical train ride across a section of the gardens.

Since Descanso Gardens is a very popular attraction, the line to buy tickets and food was long and finding parking was very hectic.

Though it was crowded in certain areas, hiking to some of the more remote areas of the garden

allowed for the perfect nature experience.

In order to keep the gardens pristine, visitors are required to eat just outside the garden in the picnic area or at Café Descanso located at their outdoor patio.

The menu includes items such as sandwiches and salads full of fresh and seasonal ingredients that are $10.50 each. Besides the food, Descanso Gardens has a

small gift shop where nature lovers can buy plants and raise them just like the ones that grow there.

The gardens have clearly marked paths that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Covering 160 acres, Descanso Gardens is open to all everyday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for the general public are nine dollars, seniors and students with ID six dollars, and children (5-12 years) four

dollars. Becoming a Descanso member allows one to go to the gardens for free.

Descanso Gardens, located in La Cañada Flintridge, is about a 25 minute drive from Gabrielino High School, but the drive is worth it. Exploring Descanso Gardens creates an appreciation for the outdoors and is a great getaway from the city life that can be shared with friend and family.

‘Simon’ deserves love, recognition

By Jason Kwan Staff Writer

In 2015, author Becky Albertalli stepped onto the literary scene, debuting her award-winning novel, “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.” The book revolves around 16-year-old Simon Spier, a gay high school junior struggling with coming out.

Simon’s anonymous and flirtatious emails with classmate Blue fall into the hands of class clown Martin Addison, who blackmails Simon and threatens to reveal his sexual identity to the entire school unless he becomes his wingman.

Torn between helping Martin and protecting Blue’s identity, Simon struggles to deal with the ultimatum without alienating his friends or losing his chance at happiness with Blue.

Simon’s sweet, funny, and goofy characteristics make him a protagonist that we can all love.

One of my favorite parts about this book were the emails between Simon and Blue. The enticing remarks between the two in their emails brought it all together because it showed the cute tenderness to innocent young love.

The suspense and anonymity to their relationship made the book so much better because it made

ESSENTIAL FOR MANY Becky Albertalli’s novel, “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens,” focuses on a teenage boy’s coming-of-age story, as well as his coming out. The new film, “Love, Simon,” is based on the novel. me wonder whether or not Simon and Blue would ever meet in person.

Something Albertalli does well is portray the awkwardness and struggle that teens might go through when they decide to come out. Simon’s main concern

with coming out was not how his friends and family would react; instead, it was his own conflicting thoughts that restrained him from telling those he trusts.

Through Simon’s experiences, Albertalli sends the message that despite judgement and homopho-

bia, no matter how frightening it may be, there will be people who will support the decision regardless.

I also admired the conversations and observations about sensitive, yet important, topics for teens such as sex, sexuality, and race.

Like Simon, I think it is important to question why everyone feels the need to come out as whatever their attraction or identity is. Albertalli emphasized these things in the book because when it comes to sexual orientation or gender, there should not be a set standard that is expected of everyone.

Admittedly, coming out and letting the world know is easier when one is straight—that is the default, as Simon points out, but the narrative of when Simon will come out and whether or not he will ever discover the identity of Blue is not what makes this book lovable. Rather, it is the accurate depiction of a struggling high school student trying to discover who they really are.

Albertalli shows readers the stress, drama, and love that average teenagers are both blessed and cursed to feel. Whether one is torn between coming out to friends and family, struggling to get the attention of a crush, or are regretful over an argument with a best friend, this book has a similar set of growing pains that every teen in high school can relate to.

The highly anticipated movie “Love, Simon,” which released in theaters on March 16, is based on this novel. Even though I have not watched the film yet, it is definitely a must-see movie if it serves any resemblance to the book.

March 30, 2018

Entertainment

Tongva Times

13

‘The Neighbourhood’ lacks dynamism

By Jannelle Dang Features Editor

Following two extended play records (EPs) dropped in September and January, The Neighbourhood returned to the music scene with the release of its fourth studio album on March 9.

The self-titled album blends the American indie rock band’s hallmark sounds with new beats in a tracklist of 12 songs that, while adventurous in some aspects, ultimately falls short of the band’s past golden age.

The majority of the album recalls the immediately distinguishable combination of electronic beats and deep, melancholy vocals that The Neighbourhood is known for. “Nervous,” which was released as a single on March 1, is most reminiscent of the smooth, atmospheric allure of the band’s music. The song sets the tone of the album by introducing a slowpaced rhythm and more soft and reflective themes, in contrast to the angst and rawness of previous records. In this song, lead singer Jesse Rutherford explores the constraints of expectations, as well as the pressure and anxiety that often accompany them.

NEW ALBUM DISAPPOINTS “The Neighbourhood” marks The Neighbourhood’s fourth album, though it has not impressed its fans. Reviewers of the self-titled album say the songs are poetic, yet unoriginal.

This track is followed up by “Void,” which also touches on emotional conflict through its message about struggling to deal with loneliness. Soothing synthetic beats in the background contrast the sadness in the lyrics, turning the song into one that audiences can easily sing along to and connect with.

Although the first half of the album is dominated by sentimental vibes and love, “Softcore” interjects with a fast-paced, pop tune that incorporates techno noises to ramp up energy. It is an anthem for the independent, who find themselves struggling to continue sharing their lives and heart with a partner that leaves them feeling

worn down. The remainder of the album rides similar synth waves that have served as the undercurrent, tying all of the songs together.

However, “Sadderdaze” is by far the highlight of the album, as it hits closest to home and touches the heart. Rutherford speaks to the audience through clear vocals

The Ten: Pets to follow on Instagram

title

@itsdougthepug With over 3.2 million followers, Doug is a Pup-ular dog. His pictures re-enacting human activities such as bowling and shopping at Target make them very relatable. Doug is not only one of the cutest dogs on Instagram, but one of the most successful dogs with his own online store and a net worth of $500,000.

@marniethedog Marnie is one of the cutest shih tzu’s on Instagram. With over two million followers, this 16-year-old dog has seen it all.

Known for his signature tongue out pose, Marnie has even met celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris, Demi Lovato, and Chance the Rapper. It is safe to say that Marnie is one dog that is popular around Hollywood.

@norbertthedog Looking for dogs that like to give back? This is Norbert., a three pound therapy dog that volunteers at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Known for his perky ears, Norbert makes a cute model for the pictures on his feed and a cute companion to those in need. Not only was he covered by People magazine, but he has his own book, showing that Norbert is one busy pup.

@pugdashians These sisters are the equivalent to the Kar-Jenner clan by keeping it chic and classy. On their feed, pictures of the sisters in their fur coats and pearls or matching sweaters will always be found. With almost one million followers, these ladies are working their tails off. They have appeared on Animal Planet, worked as therapy dogs, and promoted pug rescue.

@marutaro Maru is a Japanese celebrity that has over two million followers, his own shop, and is an actor. His smiles make this Shiba one charming dog. While his account features pictures of him carrying out his day to day activities, he can always be spotted in his signature headscarf. Known for his fluffy tail and his sweet looks, Maru is one dog that will brighten up one’s feed.

and muted background acoustics, making this song the most authentic. He discusses how his life has been changed by success and fame. A choir of children’s voices and an acoustic breakdown conclude the song, making it a comforting tone for rainy days.

Despite the newfound sentimentality and calmer rhythms featured in this album, “The Neighbourhood” leaves the impression of repetitive sounds that can put listeners in a lull. With the exception of a handful of upbeat tracks, the album for the most part sounds similar. Electronic influences on each song make it easy for them to blend together, resulting in lacking levels rather than cohesiveness.

As a whole, the album raises hope for a new path the band will pursue and leaves listeners in an introspective mood. Yet, it fails to herald a dynamic comeback for them. Perhaps “The Neighbourhood” may mark an era of more growth in the group’s range and appeal, but it begs for more diversity in sound and misses the qualities of hit songs that can get everyone singing and moving. For now, The Neighbourhood’s iconic 2013 album, “I Love You.,” remains the pinnacle of their career and has yet to be beat.

By Elizabeth Campos Staff Writer

@duhitsfiona Meet Fiona. Fiona is Doug’s little sister and bestfriend. Despite the fact that Fiona is a cat and Doug is a dog, the two are inseparable. On her account, pictures of the fancy feline posing next to Gucci bags in her best pearls or advocating for women’s rights can be found. With her designer outfits, she is a well-kept kitty.

@iamlilbub Whether she is out in the studio recording commercials for Fresh Step or posing for magazine covers, Lil Bub is one cute cat. Lil Bub makes around $30,000 a year by selling Lil Bub plushies and phone case. Yet, she has donated $200,000 to animal charities, proving that not only is she one of the most posh kitties around, but one with a big heart.

@realgrumpycat The cat that debuted as a meme is now one of the most famous cats around. Tardar Sauce, better known as Grumpy Cat, is worth around $100 million, has two books, is a Friskies cat food ambassador, and has a Lifetime movie, “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever.” Tardar Sauce has been an A-List animal for a long time with his signature frown.

@white_coffee_cat Coffee, better known as Mr. White, is an ambassador of Fresh Step, has been on the cover of Modern Cat, and shares a calendar with his siblings. Coffee’s big blue eyes, his signature look, is what makes him unique compared to other pets. As a cancer survivor, his one million followers make it safe to say that Coffee is a cat favorite.

@aurorapurr Dubbed as the world’s most royal cat, Aurora is one sassy princess. With her account featuring pictures of her royal attire and luxurious life, Aurora is a queen when it comes to class.

Featured by Scene as the world’s most majestic cat, Aurora has a lot of titles to live up to, making this cat one to keep an eye out for.

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March 30. 2018

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Speech

Continued from Page 1

ship.

There were three preliminary rounds that took place in the tournament and by the final round, there were 22 students that were still in the running to qualify for State. Depending on the event, there were three to five spots qualifying open.

The students will be competing along with six other students on the team that auto-qualified by placing either first or second place in both Fall Varsity and Spring Varsity tournaments weeks before.

State Quals is a special tournament for seniors, as those who have been in Speech for four years are recognized during awards with a medal. With 42 four-year seniors, this year’s team consisted of the most fouryear seniors in team history.

The State Championship tournament will take place at Mountain House High School on April 20 through April 22.

Currently, Gabrielino High School is ranked sixth nationally for Speech and Debate.

STEM Continued from Page 1 stitutes of Health, stem cells are cells that can divide to become a cell with a more specialized function, such as a red blood cell or muscle cell.

When these cells are undifferentiated, they are still in the embryonic stage and do not look or act like specialized cells. Stem cells are used in medical research because of their potential for regeneration and repairing damaged tissue, which allows scientists to study many different types of cells.

Carol Liu, a stem cell researcher and faculty member at both at Pasadena City College (PCC) and University of Southern California (USC), is in charge of running the stem cell lab. She has been working with stem cells for more than10 years.

“The program was designed to create stem cell awareness, especially in public schools, and to help motivate students to persist in a stem cell career path or hopefully just stay in science,” stated Liu. Gabrielino was granted this opportunity when a state bond was renewed and funding for the CIRM high school module program continued. PCC was looking for local high schools to begin working with and because Gabrielino has a relationship with a professor at PCC who teaches biotechnology, Gabrielino was one of the first schools that offered PCC their facilities.

“It feels like a college course because there are lectures and quizzes everyday. It is challenging and it really pushes me to think more about a science career path,” said senior Britney Pham.

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March 30, 2018

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Addendum

March 30, 2018

Tongva Times

MARCH MEME MADNESS

By Kevin Pham, Staff Writer

Evil Kermit the Frog

Thinking Smart

Distracted Boyfriend

Evil Kermit the Frog

Mocking Spongebob

Mocking Spongebob

Mocking Spongebob

WINNER: Mocking Spongebob Evil Patrick Evil Patrick

This is Fine

The Why Monkey

Evil Patrick

Math Lady

The Why Monkey