November 2017 Volume 20 Issue 3 by Tongva Times

Gabrielino High School

tonGva times

VOLUME XX • ISSUE III • Thursday, November 30, 2017 • 1327 S. San Gabriel Boulevard, San Gabriel, California 91776

GEMR places at competitions

By Brittany Snow Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Jason Tang

BLUE BLUE BLUE Gabrielino High School Key Club President Sean Do cheers for Division 10 South. Members of Division 10 show their pride through chants, while dressed in blue and yellow spirit gear.

As their season came to an end, the Gabrielino Eagles Marching Regiment (GEMR) placed fourth in their division at the championships held at Ramona High School in Riverside on Nov. 20. That morning, GEMR gathered at Gabrielino High School at 10 a.m. and headed off to Riverside to compete. After performing, the band took the stands and waited for awards, which began at 4:45 p.m. Eleven alumni members came to support GEMR at awards. The regiment had another competition on Nov. 11 at Oxnard High School. At that competition, GEMR placed first overall and learned that they were Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association

(SCSBOA) Championship Finalists. “We were all scared because we hadn’t placed in the other two categories,” stated freshman Sophia Subia. “All of a sudden they called out [GEMR] for first place.” Competing in the championships was a first for many of the freshman band members. “Practice going into champs was like any other,” clarinet novice Kristy Liu revealed. “Of course there was a lot more pressure and it involved a lot more focusing than practices in the past. We especially focused on cleaning up those little areas we knew we had a bit of trouble on.” On Nov. 2, GEMR reigned victorious as they placed first in three categories: color guard, percussion, and band overall. Even though competing was a See GEMR, Page 4

Gabrielino Key Club Intro to Art participates in Fall Rally class donates art

By Elizabeth Campos Staff Writer

held each year. One is held at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for divisions up north and Six Flags Magic Mountain for those down south. Eleven schools came together from Gabrielino’s division, District 10 South, the biggest region in the Cal-Nev-Ha District. Students in the division raised $3,800 for PTP and won the Spirit Stick, winning them Fall Rally South. The Spirit Stick is an incentive to promote the overall pride in the organization, encouraging each school to cheer for their own division. The division that has the most enthusiasm by shouting cheers is awarded the Spirit Stick. Students dressed in spirit gear in their division colors and carried signs to represent their division. “I remember going up and down the bleachers, making sure that everyone was participating,” stated junior Edward Tran,

Gabrielino High School’s Key Club headed to Six Flags to compete and raise money for the Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP) at Fall Rally South on Nov. 10. The PTP is an organization that promotes the “[development of] local projects which will reduce the number of children in our three-state District who are killed or injured by trauma, ensuring all children live happy, healthy and safe lives.” At Fall Rally South, students from regions of California, Nevada, and Hawaii came together to celebrate their accomplishments in Key Club and help the PTP. The money was raised through a portion of profits from the tickets donated to the PTP on behalf of the Key Club organization. Due to the Key Club District’s massive size, two fall rallies are

Executive Assistant. “Everyone [was] in sync, and [we] all did the pauses, stomps, claps, and motions [of the cheers]. I was ecstatic when they announced that Division 10 South won the Spirit Stick.” Students also got to meet other students from other divisions and reunite with those they had met previously at Fall Rallies before. “We spirit battled, exchanged social media accounts, searched for food, took pictures, reunited with friendships and went on rollercoasters,” Tran also said. As students were given set times to attend the rallies held through the day, they were allowed to roam the park and celebrate their victories after the scheduled events were over. “[It] was amazing. We won Fall Rally, celebrated our PTP accomplishments, and got to ride a lot of rides,” stated Gabrielino Key Club President Sean Do.

By Nyah Toomes Staff Writer

Kat Ross’s Intro to Art students created original paintings inspired by nine different queer artists in honor of Gab Week and the establishment of the Art House, a Recovery Bridge Housing program provided by Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (L.A. CADA). The Art House is projected to open its doors at the end of November, specifically aimed towards those in the LGBTQ community. Ross chose this foundation to donate her students’ paintings to because the Art House was interested in having unique art on display that also represented its mission statement. Choosing the right organization was a process for Ross, but ultimately, the Art House fit best with the curriculum because it wanted visual art, unlike other organizations that only wanted

decorations. The mission of the Art House is to “[provide] a safe, supportive, and affirming home space” and help residents “begin the process of self-actualization through affirmation of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.” The organization aims to create a safe space for those who are queer identified and recovering. While the residents are enrolled in outside addiction recovery programs, Art House provides a shelter for them, where they a free to leave their belongings, and stay continuously for three months. In the span of 90 days, the staff actively helps each individual gain permanent housing before they leave the home. “We are trying to stay away from cliches, such as rainbows and bathroom signs, which are really common tropes that students like to default to,” Ross stated. “This was an opportunity See Intro to Art, Page 4

In this issue... Teens are always on social media, but are there more benefits or disadvantages to this technology? See Opinion, Page 4

Fall is ending, but it is never too late to bring out sweaters and pumpkin spiced lattes. See Addendum, Page 16

Think kindness. Find out how Gabrielino students perforned acts of kindness during Gab Week. See Student Life, Page 8 Ash-á-What? Go behind the scenes to learn how the Yearbook staff works together to create a memorable publication. See Features, Page 6

opinion

November 30, 2017

TONGVA TIMES STAFF Editor in Chief Kaylan Kha Production Chief Marleld Duran Opinion Editor Angelina Liang 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 and Business Manager Kevin Pham Promotion Managers Elizabeth Campos Nyah Toomes Staff Writers Lana Hy Brittany Snow 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.

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Staff Editorial: State punishments for sexual assault must be strengthened In California, a sexual assault conviction on the felony level carries the possible sentence of up to four years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine, while a misdemeanor requires the perpetrator to register as a sex offender for a minimum of ten years. However, people with high profiles in society are able to escape charges by using their status and affluence. In order to ensure that victims obtain the justice they rightfully deserve, California state laws need to be revised to prevent those with influence and wealth from abusing the legal system. According to The Atlantic, only seven out of 1,000 cases lead to felony convictions. Early in October, American film producer Harvey Weinstein was accused

of committing sexual assault against several actors and employees, including Ashley Judd and Molly Ringwald, over the course of decades. In response to this, the Weinstein Company fired him, but no legal punishment was given because Weinstein had been able to reach settlements with many of the women who stepped forward to share their stories. However, Weinstein’s case is not the first of its kind. According to the Huffington Post, 99 percent of offenders walk free. In September of 2016, Stanford University swimmer Brock Turner was given an early release from jail after serving only three months for raping an unconscious woman. During Turner’s trial, Deputy District Attorney Alaleh Kianerci asked for a six year sentence, but Judge Aaron Persky

stated that a long prison sentence would have too severe an impact on the Stanford student and gave him just a six month term. An alumni of Stanford University himself, Persky was criticized for being too lenient on Turner because of his athletic status, which allowed Turner to swim for the U.S. National Team in the 2016 Olympics. The victims of Weinstein and Turner have been silenced, while the perpetrators have thus far escaped meaningful prosecution. This further contributes to an endless cycle in which wealthy offenders are able to escape or pay off their punishment. According to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, the largest sexual assault organization in the United States, one in five women, and one in five

men, are victims of rape. This is a national problem but the solution starts with the states. A clause should be added by the California legislature prohibiting the wealthy from paying their way out of legal action and punishment. By increasing the punishment on sexual assault, crime rates will go down, as offenders realize that they have more to lose. This will help victims retain reasonable compensation for the crimes committed against them as they still have to live with the lasting effects. The rich and famous may possess more leniency in the justice system, but we the people are the ones giving it to them. The government is a body of people who are elected to protect our rights, and it is our duty to hold them accountable for that.

Overloading on AP classes causes harm By Joshua Raymundo Staff Writer As they slowly shuffle past the black gates of Gabrielino High School, one could infer that the people walking are not zombies: they are AP students. Sleep deprivation seems to be common among AP students, mainly because of workload and the number of AP classes each student takes. Steps must be taken address this problem because it is detrimental to the wellbeing of Gabrielino students. Sleep deprivation is extremely common among high school students. A National Sleep Foundation poll in 2006 found that 87 percent of high school students do not get eight to ten hours of sleep. AP classes seem to exacerbate this problem. A study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information of over 2,197 students in Iowa found that sophomores and juniors who took more than two AP classes had one and a half less hours of sleep, compared to those who took two or less APs. AP classes are demanding and rigorous, so taking multiple classes is an incredibly arduous task with a clear effect on one’s amount of sleep. This has instigated debate over whether AP

classes in high schools should be limited. Many parents and students alike remain adamant that taking multiple AP classes is necessary to get into college. Ehile taking AP classes certainly helps one’s admission to college, taking too many is unnecessary. Halle Edwards, writer for PrepScholar, details that the most selective universities are looking for students to take between seven to 12 AP classes, selective universities range from four to eight, and less selective universities range from one to five. Edwards states that the most AP classes one should take in one year is four, as anything else would be detract from a student’s ability to participate in other activities. This is the very problem. Students at Gabrielino are too focused on the idea that more means better. The reality is that taking five to six AP classes in one year can be damaging because that student loses time for extracurricular activities and sleep, which detracts from their ability to perform well in school. Colleges look for well rounded students—not ones who have flashy GPAs. Thus, Gabrielino needs to institute a limit that prohibits

Should Gabrielino limit the amount of AP classes that a student can take each year?

23% Yes 77% No 624 students were polled in the junior and senior English classes 10/13/17-10/19/17

students from taking more than four AP classes each year. There is no California law that would deem this action illegal because the decision is ultimately up to the high school itself. Having a limit would produce well-rounded, healthy students and would not hurt any student’s chance of getting into college. Stu-

dents would still be able to take enough AP classes to fulfill the amount suggested bt the country’s top universities. This change is certainly foreboding, but it would focus on producing bright, versatile students, rather than the sleep-deprived shells of their potential that they are now.

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November 30, 2017

Opinion

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Viewpoints: What are the effects of social media on our society? Providing information in tech age

Unplug, disconnect from apps

By Marleld Duran Staff Writer In the age of the Internet, social media has expanded its role in daily life. With its multiple effects on society, social media has made a greater positive influence on users than negative. Accessibility to the world has helped raise awareness for different movements and aided businesses in reaching a larger audience through free promotion. Users across different regions of the world have been informed of various campaigns through social media. Movements such as Black Lives Matter and Me Too have been universalized with the rapid spread of information through online media platforms. The New York Times stated that Me Too, a campaign raising awareness for sexual assault, was originally created in 1997. It is the aid of new platforms that have launched in the past decade such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, that encouraged more women to speak out about being victims of sexual abuse. In light of Puerto Rico’s debilitating debt crisis, LeLe Pons, a social media influencer, partnered with ATTN:, a media company, to expose her 19.5 million Instagram followers to news about the territory’s struggles. The video posted explained the situation within the island and urged viewers to help in any way possible. According to Huffington Post, teenagers make up a vast majority of social media users. For much of the online community, especially younger audiences, it is influencers like Pons that provide information about the global community. Because of the popularity of social media, some users have gathered followings large enough to make a career out of posting content, such as YouTubers and Viners.

ONLINE AND CONNECTED As an increasing number of teens find themselves with easy access to technology, the effects of social media have grown more prevalent. Social media has created a new category of jobs. According to Forbes, jobs have not only emerged in content creation, but agencies, advertising, and services as well. In a study conducted by Common Sense Media, one in five teenagers reported that social media has helped raise their confidence. Sites such as Instagram allow its users to share photos such as selfies. One mother, Eileen Masio, told CNN that every time her daughter posts a selfie, there are always comments from other people complimenting her. “[Teens] believe that social media helps their friendships, makes them feel more outgoing and gives them confidence,” stated Shira Lee Katz, Common Sense Media’s director of digital media to CNN. Because of its wide range of uses, social media has helped its users in several forms. In an era centered on easily accessible information, the positive impact of social media outweighs any detriments.

By Ethan Tan Staff Writer Social media is an integral part of the world today. The Deloitte Global Mobile Consumer Survey, found that 96 percent of respondents check their phone’s social media apps within the first hour of waking up and 74 percent of respondents also check their social media apps within 15 minutes of going to bed. When social media is both the first and last thing people see each day, it becomes harmful and detrimental to society. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2011 published a report in which it found that adolescents who used Facebook and various other platforms may face cyberbullying or experience the phenomenon known as Facebook depression, which is triggered by the feeling of lack of acceptance and jealousy amongst peers after one views posts or pictures due to the sense of being excluded.

The report explained, “cyberbullying is quite common [...] and can cause profound psychosocial outcomes including depression, anxiety, severe isolation, and tragically, suicide.” Yukari Seko describes in the academic journal, Discourse and Society, that modern social media has created a stigma surrounding mental health issues and those who choose to seek help. In the case where social media users have become too afraid to reach out for help, social media is not only the root cause of this issue, but also the factor that prevents action from being taken. Moreover, the accessibility to information promotes a society that fails to question the validity of news on the Internet. A Stanford University study found that 62 percent of adults in the United States get their news from social media outlets, which can prove problematic. During the 2016 presidential election, the most popular stories were those that lacked fact checking and deceived the public. With more people using social media today, physical social interactions have been overshadowed by one’s constant need to check their phone. A Common Sense Media study found that humans today will spend approximately five years and four months on various social media sites. Curbing this addiction will not be easy, as a Swansea University study found that people who tried to lessen their use of social media often faced symptoms of withdrawal similar to those reforming from alcohol or drug abuse. Although social media has changed our lives in ways that has made it easier to connect with both new and old friends, it is important to monitor one’s own usage of social media for the sake of one’s mental and physical well-being. Staying connected is important, but there comes a time where disconnection is key.

Childhood staple should be consumed in moderation By Stephanie Foo Student Life Editor For years, parents have nagged and encouraged their children to drink more milk for more strength in their bones and calcium in their bodies. However, it seems as if this childhood tale has proven to be a tall tale filled with misconceptions and overstatements about the true benefits of the drink. While milk does offer benefits, it should be carefully consumed in moderation to maintain a good balance of nutrients. Contrary to myths surrounding health benefits, an over consumption of milk can prove detrimental. A 2012 study by the Yale University School of Medicine discovered that people who consume milk daily double their risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Along with such risks, women who constantly drinks milk have a 60 percent increased risk of hip fracture, according to Professor Karl Michaëlsson, lead author of a 2014 Swedish study on milk. An article published by Harvard University’s School of Public Health also found that “high intakes of [milk, a product rich

in calcium,] can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer [in people].” In moderation, the advantages of milk hold true, but what goes inside the product warrants skepticism. Filled with added sugars and additives from the packing process, milk is not as healthy and balanced as one would think. Peta.org reported that a single serving of whole milk has more than 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance of saturated fat along with 24 milliliters of cholesterol. From childhood to adulthood, milk maintains a clean reputation as an allhealthy, all-good remedy. But the reality is that milk can prove deleterious to one’s health. From its disease risk to nutrient deficiency, excessive consumption of milk can lead to various complications in children and adults alike. How much milk one should actually consume daily depends on one’s overall diet , explained Dr. David Ludwig, a Boston Children’s Hospital pediatrician to the Boston Globe. Thus, consumers must be educated about the true effects of drinking milk in

MURKY TRUTH While milk contains many vitamins and minerals that are typically beneficial for health, there are also extreme detriments hidden behind this dairy drink. all quantities. Reading labels, recognizing alternatives, and being aware of what one puts in their body are all proactive ways to squash the milk myth. While educating oneself about milk may seem like a simple task, it can go a long way in understanding what one puts

in their body. Consumers must remain vigilant in matters of both health and safety. The milky truth about milk can be daunting, but with a few steps, our understanding of milk will become much clearer than the colloid itself.

November 30, 2017

Intro to Art Continued from Page 1 to give students more to think about in terms of queer artists and what they do.” Students have emulated art from artists like David Hockney and Betty Parsons. Each painting is different in its own way. Even though some paintings sport muted colors and others bright, eccentric colors, all students are using acrylic paint as their medium. “The art that I’m painting inspired me because it shows how happy [David Hockney] was and how happy he made people,” said junior Osvaldo Raygoza, “so I chose his painting [to recreate], so I can make people at the shelter happy.” The Gab Week theme, “Think Kindness,” was what inspired Ross to create this project for her students to take part in. Ross thought that it would be beneficial for both the Art House and her students. “It’s really cool that Ms. Ross is donating art to us, because right now, the place is looking a little institutional,” stated Susan Forrest, Chair of the Los Angeles County HIV Drug and Alcohol Task Force. Through this project, students were given the opportunity to have their art on display for many people to see. When the paintings are completed, Ross will bring them to the Art House. Additionally, Art House offered to hold an art gallery to showcase all of the students’ work. Art House is also accepting more art donations from anyone who is interested.

Community

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Jackalope Festival brings art, family fun to Pasadena By Jannelle Dang Features Editor Art enthusiasts, dog-owners, and families gathered for the Jackalope Art and Craft Fair on Nov. 18-19 to browse indie artisan crafts, try organic foods, and enjoy the afternoon in Old Pasadena’s Central Park. Admission was free and guests could explore over 200 vendors booths, which sold wares ranging from home decor and paper goods to jewelry and skin care items. All products were original, hand-crafted pieces made by vendors who applied to participate in the festival, and were approved by a jury of curators and artists. Students of Pasadena High School’s (PHS) Visual Arts & Design Academy were also given an opportunity to sell their crafts at Jackalope Arts for the second year in a row. They got to title and price their own pieces, or simply showcase their work and gain exposure. Aside from selling their art, students also offered to do face paintings. Workshops such as glassmaking, hula hoop workouts, painting sessions, pottery, and creation of reed diffusers were available to the public. Most of the demonstrations and handson activities were free, but the painting workshop costed $10. Volunteers from PHS and Arcadia High School’s Key Club worked all day to help guests

Dec 1: Report Cards sent home Dec 4: Boys Basketball vs Montebello @ 3:30 p.m. Dec 5: Soccer vs Monrovia @ 3:15 p.m. San Gabriel Tree Lighting @ 6 p.m.

WEEKEND FUN IN THE SUN The festival brought the Pasadena community together with dogs and crafts in over 200 vendor booths. navigate the park and supervise booths for vendors. “I get to see little kids with their smiling faces and families getting together [to] have a nice walk out in the park and enjoy the artwork around here,” stated Nicole Dawang, a senior at PHS. In between walking through rows of tents and examining products, fairgoers could stop to rest and talk in couches under the shade or grab a snack from a variety of food trucks and settle on the lawn. Organic, natural food and drinks were offered at booths as well. Adults, teens, and children alike spent the afternoon not only entertained by art and food, but also by live music played by an acoustic guitar and drum duo,

magic tricks, and dogs. Many guests brought their pets for a walk and play time in the park. The Pasadena Humane Society also brought dogs for people to meet and possibly adopt. Volunteers and trainers performed tricks and commands with the dogs and helped guests interact with the animals. After potential owners got to know their dogs and a Humane Society official ensured the animals were going to the right homes, pets could be adopted that day for $130. However, free adoptions were offered to senior citizens and veterans. The semiannual festival will return on April 28-29 next year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at the same location.

San Gabriel hosts 42nd Turkey Trot

By Chloe Law Staff Writer

On Nov. 18, the city of San Gabriel hosted its 42nd annual Turkey Trot at Vincent Lugo Park. The event was created to provide additional support for the resident youth in the San Gabriel community, as all the generated profits would be directed towards improving and developing youth programs. The Turkey Trot catered towards families and people of all ages. The event itself consisted of four options: a 10k run, a 5k run, a 5k walk, and a 1k run specifically for youth. Participants in the different races made their way throughout the city, running through several of the streets and even visiting San Gabriel’s William McKinley Elementary School. Although all runners and walkers received finisher medals, only the top three finishers in each category were given personalized medals. In addition to the medal, the first place finisher also received a gift card for a turkey. “We call it the city’s healthiest family event,” commented event director James Lara. “You’re

December Events

Dec 6: Late Start Day Choir Winter Concert in the Goodson Theater @ 7 p.m. PTSA Meeting @ 7p.m. Dec 7: Soccer vs Northview @ 3:15 p.m. Instrumental Music Winter Concert @ 7 p.m. Dec 9: Fall Varsity Speech Tournament @ 7 a.m. Dec 12: Soccer vs San Gabriel @ 3:15 p.m. Jefferson Middle School Winter Concert @ 7 p.m. Dec 14: Girls Soccer @ 3:15 p.m. Dec 19: Boys Soccer @ 3:15 p.m. Girls Soccer vs. Pasadena High School @ 3:15 p.m. Jefferson Middle School Winter Concert @ 7 p.m. Dec 20-22: Fall Semester Final Exams Dec 25-31: Winter Break

TURKEYS TROT, HUMANS RUN Over hundreds of runners from the San Gabriel community gathered to participate in the 42nd annual Turkey Trot. All funds raised were directed to improving youth programs. able to have fun and stay active all at once.” Participants were required to register for the races through an online form on the San Gabriel City website. The prices for registration ranged from $20 to $30 depending on the events that an individual signed up for. Gabrielino High School senior Stepfan Ng was the top male fin-

isher of the 10k run. Amongst the hundreds of people present, Gabrielino students in service clubs such as Interact and Key Club were also in attendance, helping to organize and manage the event. Volunteers from both clubs were positioned at certain checkpoints of the courses to facilitate both the run and walk by providing directions with ges-

tures, arrows, and signs. Other volunteers were also asked to cheer on the runners and walkers at the beginning and the end of the race. “The event was fairly well organized,” stated senior Vincent Chang, a member of Interact. “Seeing the parents, kids, and serious athletes get active was a warming experience for me in the chilly morning.”

Dec 25: Christmas Day Dec 26: Boxing Day Dec 31: New Year’s Eve

November 30, 2017

World

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Russian super soldiers almost reality Mueller probes election

By Jason Kwan Staff Writer Russian president Vladimir Putin spoke to a crowd of students at the 19th World Festival of Youth in Russia on Oct. 22 about the possibility of creating genetically modified soldiers. According to Putin, Russian scientists were on the verge of breaking the genetic code, which would allow for the creation of humans with pre-chosen characteristics. If this becomes a reality, scientists would be able to create an army of super soldiers who are incapable of feeling pain or fear. “He can be a genius mathematician...or a soldier, a man who can fight without fear compassion, regret, or pain,” said Putin. “What I have described might be worse than a nuclear bomb.” The Russian leader pleaded for world leaders to come together and agree on regulations limiting genetic manipulation because he knew that advancements like this would be inevitable. He warned that there could be serious repercussions to altering man’s genetic code. “When we do something, whatever we do, I want to reiterate it again—we must never forget about the ethical foundations of

By Ethan Tan Staff Writer

SCI-FI NOT FICTION ANYMORE Russia is on its way to creating the world’s first super soldiers by manipulating the genetic code. These soldiers would have characteristics determined by its creators. our work,” stated Putin. Other countries, including China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are also on the brink of making super soldiers a reality. Since 1990, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, has shifted their focus from developing weapons systems to transforming humans for war.

Michael Goldblatt, former director of the DARPA Defense Sciences Office, worked closely with the organization to develop a pain vaccine that would stop bleeding and reduce agony, which allowing soldiers to continue fighting. Ideally, soldiers injected with the vaccine would only feel pain for ten to 30 seconds, and then no pain at all for 30 days. Although this idea is currently

only a concept, DARPA hopes to see these super soldiers created in the near future, as scientists continue the research and development of genetically modified soldiers. “Soldiers having no physical, physiological, or cognitive limitation will be key to survival and operational dominance in the future,” Goldblatt told DARPA managers. “[It is] be imperative to 21st century warfare.”

More JFK files continue to be released By Christine Tran Staff Writer Sorrow, confusion, and a rise of new conspiracy theories followed the assasination of the former President John F. Kennedy in 1963. This year, the remaining documents pertaining to the JFK assassination will be released to the public after Congress’ JFK Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 expired in October. According to Archives.gov, the JFK Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 was an act passed that “mandated all assassination-related material be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).” Additionally, all files must be released after 25 years. The Washington Post reported that 88 percent of the JFK assassination collection has been open to the public since the late 1990s and more of the collection was released this year on July 24, Oct. 26, and Nov. 3. The latest release comprises of 676 records from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Defense and Justice departments, the House Select Committee on Assassinations, and the National Archives. With over 6,000 new documents released, some highlights included the death threat on Lee Harvey Oswald the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received the day before he was murdered. The FBI had also

REMEMBERING JFK President Kennedy rode in his motorcade before being shot by Lee Harvey Oswald on Nov. 22, 1963, in Texas. More JFK files continue to be released by the National Archives. been closely monitoring Oswald and his visits to Mexico City to meet with Soviet and Cuban embassies weeks before JFK was assassinated. These revelations led to many people questioning why nothing was done to prevent either assassinations if the FBI was aware of both situations. Amongst the new documents released, the FBI revealed their plans and opinions against leaders around the world. A 1975 document detailed the CIA’s plans to assassinate Fidel Castro in the early days of the Kennedy administration. Another FBI document concerning civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. accused him

of having illicit affairs and labeled him as a communist three weeks before his assassination. Some people were displeased with the release of the files, citing national security concerns, but many were excited, as #JFKFiles was trending on Twitter the first day after the new documents were released. Regarding the JFK assassination conspiracy theories, PBS. org stated, “The release of thousands of records relating to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy hasn’t settled the best-known, real-life whodunit in American history.” Conspiracy theories continue to exist because while the records do offer new enlightening

details, there are documents that the CIA and FBI are still trying to keep a secret. Due to the pressure from the CIA, President Donald Trump has delayed the full release date of JFK files to April 2018, allowing more time for the CIA to finish reviewing and redacting certain information from the documents. “The Kennedy records really are an emblem of the fight of secrecy against transparency,” said Peter Kornbluh, senior analyst at the private National Security Archive research group in Washington. “The ‘secureaucrats’ managed to withhold key documents and keep this long saga of secrecy going.”

On Oct. 30, Robert Mueller, special counsel for the Russian interference investigation, filed charges in the United States District Court against President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, Manafort’s business partner, Rick Gates, and Trump’s former foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos. Mueller’s indictments against Manafort and Gates include charges of conspiring against the U.S., laundering money, making false and misleading statements, and failing to file foreign bank financial records and reports. Both men pleaded not guilty to all charges. The charges against Manafort and Gates are not directly related to Russian interference in the 2016 election, but rather financial crimes that investigations discovered. Both men were lobbyists with the Pro-Russian Ukrainian government, but did not have direct ties to high level Russian officials. Files released by the Department of Justice, indicated that Papadopoulos pleaded guilty, as part of a plea bargain, to charges of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation while under oath. In exchange for the deal, Papadopoulos is now a cooperating witness. Court documents revealed that Papadopoulos had prior knowledge of the collection of emails that the Russians gathered by hacking candidate Hillary Clinton’s accounts. These emails were later offered to him by Russian officials. Papadopoulos’ charges and guilty plea are now “the most important” pieces of evidence that the investigation has against the campaign. Further investigations and intelligence from Papadopoulos could lead to more connections and arrests. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that “[Papadopoulos’ guilty plea] has nothing to do with the activities of the campaign. It has to do with his failure to tell the truth.” However, specific lines in the court filing indicate that the campaign’s connections to Russia are much more complex than they seem. Over the next months, Mueller is expected to release more subpoenas and indictments against higher level Trump campaign officials, as well as more court documents containing testimony from those accused. While suspicion has been cast on the Trump administration, many say that there is a lot of smoke, but no smoking gun yet.

November 30, 2017

Espadas’ experience inspires staff

By Lana Hy Staff Writer Independent. Diligent. Committed. These are words that describe senior Alenna Espadas, Editor in Chief of Gabrielino High School’s Ash-á-Wut Yearbook. Espadas started her yearbook journey at Jefferson Middle School as an eighth grader, continuing at Gabrielino since her freshman year. Inspired by former Editor in Chiefs, she wanted to step up as a leader in the yearbook staff. “The best part about [this position] is that I get to connect to younger staff members,” shared Espadas. “I’m [preparing] the future leaders of the yearbook team to be successful when I leave.” One of the challenges Espadas faces is delegating tasks to other staff members. By trusting them to undertake their staff duties and hold them accountable, Espadas is able to see the staff grow. “Alenna is like a natural leader,” said junior Angela Li. “She will take charge in a group and instantly manage staffers who are lost.” Espadas can understand the struggles of new members on the yearbook staff because she started at the bottom during her freshman year. She transformed from being a staff member to a team leader, and eventually, the commander of a whole organization. Throughout her years on the yearbook staff, Espadas will never forget the time the power went off while she was workiing to finalize spreads to meet her deadline. She lost all her work and had to stay until 4 p.m to retrieve the missing spreads. Philip Zamora, yearbook advisor, notes that her ability to work with different members and utilize their skills is what makes Espadas a unique Editor in Chief. Being in yearbook has shaped Espadas to be more flexible. She learned that not everything is going to go the way it is planned, which helped her develop her ability to improvise and adapt, as well as improve her time management skills. By far, the most important lesson she has learned was to accept different people and to get to know them before making judgements. She started valuing differences, which helped her form friendships that would last a lifetime.

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Meet Ethos, Logos, Pathos By Jasmine Lam Staff Writer Ethos, Logos, Pathos is the name of one of the four supergroups in Gabrielino’s yearbook staff, comprised of seven members that all contribute to making the yearbook come together. Junior Fion Lau and senior Marleld Duran are the two leaders of the supergroup. They manage the type of content spreads should have and check the quality of the group’s work. Members branch off into two smaller groups that Lau and Duran are also in charge of. Duran’s group is called Sadnap, while Lau’s group is named Elephants. Those in Duran’s group include sophomore Michelle Duong and seniors Lloyd Kwan and Wendy Xie. Lau’s group consists of sophomore Annaly Guirola and senior Eduardo Beltran. Both groups are assigned spreads; however, one group works on design for a week, while the other may be getting missing content for the Ash-á-Wut Editor in Chief, Alenna Espadas. “Everyone in the group is always offering to help out others,” stated Espadas. “I know I can depend on them to get their own work done.” The supergroup dedicates their time to working on the yearbook both during class and outside of school. Sometimes, students will take their work home to ensure that the spreads are still finished by the deadline. Since the new program, eDesign, is a

Jasmine Lam|Tongva Times

PUTTING PASSION IN PAGES Logic and heart are just two of many qualities that the yearbook staff needs to work together and compile the best memories of the school year. website that can be accessed by any computer, individuals can edit spreads from home if they ran out of time during class. Inspiration for their supergroup name came from the seniors in the group that were in Advanced Placement English Language and Composition the previous year. They thought that naming their group after rhetorical devices would be a humorous way to commemorate their junior year days. Their smaller group names, Sadnap and

Elephants also hold meaning. For members in Duran’s group, their favorite animal is the panda. To make it more creative, Duran spelled pandas backwards to form “sadnap.” As for Lau’s group, elephants are their favorite animal. “Although meeting deadlines is stressful, I able to fun and build bonds working with my group members,” stated senior Lloyd Kwan, “There is a sense of friendship and family within my group. We have each others’ backs.”

Seven Satirical Scalawags from the Salty Southern Seas

Jasmine Lam|Tongva Times

SSSSSS Put alliteration and photography together, and the result is a group of dedicated students who put in the effort to attend most school events and capture Gabrielino spirit. By Angelina Liang Opinion Editor While most students find themselves at just a few school events a year, photographers on Gabrielino High School’s

yearbook staff can be spotted snapping pictures at every school event during the year. The Seven Satirical Scalawags from the Salty Southern Seas are another supergroup of the yearbook staff. It features

eight members led by co-photo editors senior Samantha Egurvide and junior Jason Tang. The team members work in two groups, each managed by Egurvide and Tang, to be present and gather coverage on as many school activities as possible. “[A lot of my job] is getting in people’s faces,” explains Egurvide with a smile. The photo editors upload and edit all photos that are finalized in spreads, work with light and dark contrasts in photos, and manage the equipment used by the yearbook staff. They spend most of their time in class sifting through and examining photo after photo in order to decide which pictures should be used in the yearbook, and what section a specific photo should belong to. This is why it is important for the photographers to cover as many school events as they can. As editors, Egurvide and Tran also critique and improve the techniques used by all photographers to expand their knowledge, and they influence the design of the yearbook through their expertise and adivce. Because of this, their positions were designated very carefully. Both students were selected for the position of photo editor because of their diligence, work ethic, and photography skills.

November 30, 2017

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Team Effort Blues Clues grapple with unsolved mysteries by Kevin Pham Staff Writer The school year is quickly flying by and it is the job of the yearbook staff to help the students of Gabrielino High School reflect on the memories they have made. Led by advisor Philip Zamora, the staff goes through repeated cycles of a rigorous four week process to encapsulate a whole year in one book. The cycle starts with planning, then coverage, design, and finally, laying out spreads for submission. The yearbook course offers a variety of jobs and activities that allow creativity to flourish. From layout to photography, every aspect must be perfected before the yearbook is distributed. As editors, senior Mikah Jackson and junior Angela Li lead a supergroup called Above and Beyond. Within this supergroup, Li is the head of a smaller group named Unsolved. Meanwhile, Jackson leads a team called Blues Clues. It is made up of seniors Caleena Sugiharto and Brittany Tran, junior Bibyan Guan, and freshmen Sean Flores and Gianna Galvan. “I like doing interviews because it allows me to talk to and meet new people,” smiled Sugiharto. “Usually, I just do what needs to be done for a particular spread, but working with a new program isn’t easy.” eDesign is the new program the yearbook staff is working with this year and many of the staff members are still trying to adapt to its difficulties. Despite the pro-

Jasmine Lam|Tongva Times

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND Although constant deadlines and overwhelming stress put immense pressure on the yearbook staff, their shared passion for creative design allows them to overcome their challenges, and focus on showcasing the highlights of the year. gram’s constant glitches and crashes of the program, Jackson and Li have managed to maintain a healthy team dynamic and encourage the constant flow of creativity. “I think yearbook is one of the most stressful classes that I have taken,” Jackson admitted. “Although I am constantly worrying about our spreads, the moment that I first took a yearbook class, something just clicked.”

Both teams, Unsolved and Blues Clues, stressed the difficulty of operating yearlong. The abundance of activities throughout the year means that there is always something to cover, so the staff’s workload can be daunting and overwhelming at times. Nevertheless, this class has helped students grow and not only develop their creative eye, but also their communication

skills. In order to create a memento for the students of Gabrielino, the yearbook staff must understand how to connect with others. “It has really tested my patience throughout the years,” junior Angela Li explained, “and even though it gets really frustrating and stressful at times, I genuinely love yearbook as a whole, deadlines and all.”

Narwhals on staff, not just in the ocean

By Kaylan Kha Editor in Chief “Narwhals, narwhals, swimming in the ocean,” the yearbook staff sang cheerily, as their eyes remained glued to the computer screens, completely immersed in their work. Narwhals, Narwhals is the fourth Ashá-Wut supergroup. Headed by design editor Hannah Wong and team leaders sophomore Jasmine Tran and junior Serena Trang, the Narwhals work relentlessly from May to February to capture the highlights of the school year. The team also includes seniors Samantha Mendoza and Alice Shen, junior Lucy Ho, and freshman Samuel Valencia. Every month, the staff convenes to pitch ideas and decide the stories to be covered by each team. The Narwhals are responsible for spreads that are assigned to them by the editor team. As the design editor, Wong is tasked with laying out and checking the spreads the group finishes. She had to troubleshoot the new Edesign program many times when she first started using it, but eventually figured it out. “It took longer to do each spread,” Wong stated. “I’ve been working with Indesign since seventh grade, so I was really familiar with it. Edesign is [different] and I’m still learning.” For the Narwhals, the real difficulty comes not from designing, but rather,

Jasmine Lam|Tongva Times

JUST KEEP SWIMMING Across the four Ash-a-Wut supergroups, all staff members offer one another support and foster a strong sense of community to help everyone push through the school year, and find a family and home to keep them afloat along the way. from gathering all the components for a spread. Creating the yearbook requires a collective effort from photographers, editors, and the rest of the students. The Narwhals tell photographers what shots they need and find students to interview for information.

“The hardest thing [...] is when some of the pictures we need aren’t exactly what we want or when we send someone a call slip and they don’t come,” Tran explained. “Then, we have to find someone else [and it makes it harder] to finish in time.” The Narwhals all agree that meeting

deadlines can be stressful, but the satisfaction of finishing the yearbook is even greater. “Everything happens really quick,” Trang shared, “so we try our best to be productive and get [it] all done as soon as possible. It’s a team effort.”

November 30, 2017

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GAB WEEK: Th

ent Life

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hink Kindness

Jasmine Lam and Christine Tran|Tongva Times

Sports Girls volleyball spikes into Quarterfinals 10

November 30, 2017

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Nyah Toomes Staff Writer With the bleachers completely filled, the tension in the air increased as roaring cheers filled the gym. On Nov. 4, the Gabrielino High School girls varsity volleyball team took on Loma Linda Academy in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Quarterfinals. This was the first time that the team had been able to make it to the third round of CIF in Gabrielino history. By this game, the team ranked fifth in their bracket, while Loma Linda Academy ranked first. Serving was consistent on Gabrielino’s side and the sets had numerous long rallies. “[Gabrielino’s] middle, number 17, was running pretty fast plays,” complimented Coach Jane Chafeh from Loma Linda Academy. “She was getting some really good kills in the deep seam, so we had to make some adjustments.” The Eagles lost the game, 0-3. “We did good,” said middle blocker Reagan Duguid, junior. “I think we definitely could have won the game if we played at our best potential and put our

Christine Tran|Tongva Times

RECEIVING THE BALL Juniors Leslie Pacheco and Joy Hano keep their eyes on the ball as they position to launch a counter-attack. The Lady Eagles suffered an unfortunate loss against Loma Linda Academy, 0-3. hearts out there.” Gabrielino faced off against Highland at their home gym in Palmdale for the second round of CIF. This was the first time the team had gone to the second round since 2014. Playing Highland was a challenge for the girls because they were unsure of how the team

played beforehand, but the Lady Eagles rose to the occasion. Reagan Duguid, middle blocker, managed to make 16 kills throughout the entire game. Gabrielino won both the first set, 25-18, and the second set, 25-23. In the third set, the main obstacle the girls faced was miscommunication.

“The crowd was getting really rowdy and so was our opponent, and we let that affect us,” explained Captain Michelle Wee, senior. “We shut down and stopped communicating with each other, which led to dropped balls, missed serves, and net calls—all things that we can [usually] control.”

The girls lost the third set, 1425, but pulled through and finished the game in the fourth set, 25-23. “[When we won the second round of CIF] it felt like we could do anything!” exclaimed defensive specialist, Leslie Pacheco, junior. Gabrielino played against Pacifica High School (PHS) in the first round of CIF at Gabrielino’s home gym. PHS had a strong serve and an inconsistent, but quick offense when they had the perfect set. However, the Lady Eagles won the game by picking on their opponent’s slow defense and running trick plays where they would send the ball over on the second touch. This game was a tug-of-war between the strong offense Pacifica displayed and the strong defense our team performed with. The Eagles won, 3-2. “The competition from our league increased, so it was more fun to play,” stated libero Samantha Young, junior. “Our team had a lot of chemistry.” The Eagles have won the Mission Valley League Championship for the fifth consecutive year this season.

Cross country varsity competes in CIF By Kaylin Tran Entertainment Editor

On Nov. 10, the boys and girls varsity cross country team competed in the preliminary round at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championships, which was held at the Riverside Cross Country Course. The boys team placed 17th out of 23 schools and the girls team placed 18th out of 19 schools. The Riverside course was much more difficult to run in comparison to other locations due to the terrain and large amount of competitors. “[I] would bump into people just by walking around,” expressed sophomore Deyra Ojeda. “It wasn’t the best place to run at because there were a lot of holes in the dirt and the air was cold and dusty.” However, Ojeda did not let the setback affect her performance and remained composed throughout the entire race. Senior Stepfan Ng also wanted to give his best and accomplished his goal of being the top

Jasmine Lam|Tongva Times

BEST FOOT FORWARD Juniors (from left to right) Yuta Horii, Carlos Pondevida, and Thomas Chung return from their run of the day as they prepare to race at the preliminary round of the CIF Championships. runner. To prepare for the race, he focused on spending the last few practices with his teammates to gain inspiration and relax his mind. “After I finished competing, I was filled with joy just thinking

about how much I progressed over the years,” Ng said. At League Finals on Oct. 31, 25 boys and 16 girls beat their personal record. “We had a good performance,” stated Kammerman. “They were

SCOREBOX as of 11/29/17

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Girls Cross Country 4th out of 7

Girls Varsity Golf 10-0

Boys Cross Country 3rd out of 7

Girls Varsity Volleyball 12-0

Varsity Football 0-4

able to hit their peak, recover, and run faster than they ever had before.” As the season went on, the team’s workouts intensified to improve their stamina. After they reached their highest mile-

age in early October, they focused on fine-tuning their speed in shorter, but quicker runs to prepare themselves for League Finals and CIF. Although this is only Kammerman’s second year as the head coach of the cross country team, he has gained much experience from observing how each student performs at different competitions. “I have a better idea of what to expect in different parts of the season,” said Kammerman. “Now that I’ve done it once, this season’s been a little easier and less stressful.” Although the team did not qualify for the final round, head coach Ryan Kammerman is proud of their progress throughout the entire season. “Now that the season’s over, it’s a little saddening because it feels like I’m detaching myself from the team,” said senior Julia Cho. “I will definitely miss cross country because it was the one place where I was never scared of letting loose and simply being me.”

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Sports

November 30, 2017

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ONES TO WATCH

Girls Soccer Ciannah Correa weaves in and out between her teammates with her eyes fixed on the goal in front her as she stops on a dime and lifts the ball gracefully through the air into the back of the net with a satisfying snap. Correa has been working diligently to prepare for the upcoming season and is looking forward to competing with her team. “It’s definitely going to be hard at first,” revealed Correa, “but I’m confident that the girls and I will be able to build a team bond that will get us through the season.” Head Coach Rafa Miranda has been pleased with Correa’s performance in the past and is impressed by how she leads the team. “[Ciannah has] tremendous work ethic and we’re hoping that her leadership will rub off on the rest of the [team],” stated Miranda. Although the Lady Eagles lost 12 senior players, Correa still plans to lead them to victory.

Girls Basketball In 2014, a shy and hesitant freshman stepped onto the basketball court to play in her first high school varsity game. Three years later, Amanda Lee returns as a confident leader in order to advance the team further into the CIF playoffs. “During a game, I just try to get everyone involved,” shared Lee. “That way, I can improve while also helping the team develop.” Junior Taylor Voung expressed that as the team’s starting point guard, she has the honor of working with Lee the most on the court. She stated that playing with Lee is always rewarding, confirming the fact that she would not trade Lee for any other player. “Amanda is not that vocal, but I always know where she is and what to do because she leads by example,” explained Vuong. Even though numerous college scouts have attempted to recruit Lee, she is still deciding on what she wants to do in the future as the season sets in.

Boys Soccer Determined. Dedicated. Decisive. These words describe Daniel Rodriguez when he steps onto the soccer field. After a tough season last year, where the team had a losing record, Rodriguez is looking to improve both himself and the team, hopeful that the season will be a good one. “I’ve gotten a lot better since last year, so I think the team is going to rely on me more this season,” explained Rodriguez. In order to meet his teammates’ expectations, Rodriguez has taken steps to increase his speed and strength. Coach Miguel Garcia thinks very highly of his veteran player and cannot wait to see him compete in the upcoming games. “[Rodriguez] has taken on a big leadership role on and off the field,” Garcia expressed. “He’s an integral part of the team.”

By Rodin Batcheller Addendum Editor

Girls Wrestling Last year, Cassidy Do became the highest ranked wrestler in Gabrielino’s history by earning the title of fifth in the nation. This year, she hopes to surpass the successes of last season and exceed the expectations of her coaches and teammates. “My biggest challenge will be staying in my weight class,” stated Do, “but once I have that down, my mentality on the mat will be to just give it my all.” It may seem like an impossible feat, but Do is willing to do whatever it takes to improve on her dexterity and achieve her personal goals. In order to get better, Do has taken on the challenge of a stricter diet and logging in extra practice time. She stated that it has been difficult to manage her time, but knows that it will be worth it in the end. “Cassidy puts everything into anything she does,” praised Coach Michael Humphreys. “It’s really up to her how far she goes, but I have no doubt that she’ll do well.”

Boys Basketball

Boys Wrestling

“[Jayson’s] work ethic, desire to win, and ability to compete is second to none,” expressed Coach John Carney. As a senior, Jayson Espinosa is looking at a starting position on the varsity boys basketball team. He is extremely excited for the season and cannot wait to show his peers and the rest of the Mission Valley League teams that the Gabrielino Eagles are a force to be reckoned with. “I feel like it’s going to be a year to remember because of the work the team has put in together,” Espinosa stated. “Every single person on the team gives their all on and off the court.” Playing as the team’s main shooting guard, Espinosa works with his teammates on the court in order to make difficult plays and score points. Last season, the team earned yet another league championship title, and with the help of Espinosa, the team has a chance to do it again.

This coming winter, sophomore Donovan Sanin returns to the wrestling mat in order to defend his league championship title. “[Donovan] is ready to go out there and be aggressive,” stated Coach Michael Humphreys. With the season setting in, Sanin is looking to improve his strength and expand his skill set. “I’ve started wokring on new moves that my coaches have suggested, and I’ve been weight training every week,” Sanin explained. He is really looking forward to this season because he knows that his teammates have improved. Sanin wants to train extra hard in order to match their energy in matches. With a positive outlook on the new year, Sanin is confident that he and his team will achieve as many successes as they did last season. Jasmine Lam and Christine Tran|Tongva Times

Rams begin season with new coach, mindset By Kaylan Kha Editor in Chief Although they had a rough patch last season, the Los Angeles Rams are on the path to redemption this year. With Sean McVay as the new head coach, the Rams began this season with the best start they have had since 2003. At the age of 30, McVay is the youngest head coach in National Football League (NFL) history. His age might appear to put the Rams at a disadvantage, but under McVay’s coaching, the Rams have been able to change their mindset and improve their game.

“I think what good coaches do is they put their players in situations to have success, but ultimately those players are the ones that are making [the] plays,” McVay told the Los Angeles Times. “[I] feel fortunate to be a part of that.” Quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley have been leading the Rams’ successes with accomplishments of their own. In the game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 21, the Rams won, 41-39. Goff “went 22-of-28 for 292 yards, 3 touchdowns, and zero turnovers, posting a 145.8 passer rating that

was [one of the] highest of his career.” Meanwhile, Gurley has also bounced back, performing better than he did as a rookie player in 2015. His running and passing have been more efficient, allowing him to make ten touchdowns in this season alone, more than he did last season. The Rams have remained at the top of the National Football Conference West, only suffering losses to the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 19, Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 8, and the Washington Redskins on Sept. 17. The game against the New York Giants on Nov. 5 proved

to be a significant one for the Rams.The Giants suffered their worst loss of the season, as the Rams forced three turnovers on them. During the second quarter, wide receiver Robert Woods outran the Giants’ secondary to make the longest touchdown of his career and his first with the Rams. “[I] saw a lot of grass, blockers, and then the end zone and just tried to get there,” Woods said in an interview with ESPN. “It [was] my first one, so I made sure I ran through the end zone, right through the line.” At this game, the NFL’s Next

Gen Stats initiative tracked that three players—Gurley, receiver Sammy Watkins, and Woods— all topped 20 miles per hour as ball carriers. Compared to last year’s total of 224 points after 16 weeks, the Rams’ 263 point total at eight weeks is a sign that the Rams have a shot at making it to the Superbowl. “We’ve got a connected team right now, and we want to continue to stay connected,” McVay said to Fox Sports. Even though the Rams have a few more games to win, they have become one of the most skilled teams in the NFL.

November 30, 2017

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Smith’s ‘The Thrill of It All’ has it all

By Angelina Liang Opinion Editor

British artist Sam Smith’s ‘The Thrill of It All,’ released on Nov. 3, is only his second full length studio album, yet the singer-songwriter has already established himself as one of the music industry’s most talented vocalists. In 2015, Smith’s debut album, ‘In the Lonely Hour,’ won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album, and this sophomore album is a testament of his continuous musical geniosity and dynamic range. While most of his songs cover themes of loneliness and heartbreak, the hymn ‘HIM’ touches on the struggles Smith faced as a Catholic boy questioning the validity of his sexuality. The song sends a powerful message to love freely and fearlessly in the face of public scrutiny. Musically, the standout track is unquestionably, ‘Baby, You Make Me Crazy.’ This uplifting song brings together all the best elements of Smith’s new album: a strong, smooth voice capable of pulling off falsettos with ease, a soulful gospel arrangement, and a brass heavy instrumental ensemble that brings a sense of fullness

HURTING AND HEALING On Nov. 12, “The Thrill of it All,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 200 Charts. Smith returned after his three-year hiatus with his second full-length studio album full of soulful and sincere renditions of his experience with heartbreak and healing. to the music, not to mention a phenomenal breakdown to end the song. Using a mixture of traditional ballads, blues influences, and gospel choir backtracks, Smith weaves together a soundtrack for the broken-hearted. Still, the artist takes little risk on

‘The Thrill of It All.’ The album highlights Smith’s strengths as a jazz trained vocalist, but it is not as groundbreaking as it could be. The singer’s ability to smoothly transition from lower notes directly to a falsetto delivers an exciting listening experience and a hint of Smith’s full potential if

he ever breaks past the safety of love songs—an art he has clearly already mastered. Holistically, ‘The Thrill of It All’ tells the story of a young man still learning to move on. In it, Smith dismantles the stereotype against sappy, sad breakup songs. Instead, he replaces them

with a sincere narrative that captures just how essential hurting is to healing. In his music, Smith offers a piece of poised insight on the necessity of experiencing heartbreak. In spite of the extremely daunting prospect of getting hurt, “Real love is never a waste of time.”

Extraterrestrial Google Maps feature

By Christopher Lung World Editor On Oct. 16, Google Maps unveiled a new feature called “Planets,” which allows users to virtually visit more than a dozen planets and moons in the solar system directly from Google Maps. Google added 12 other celestial bodies, including Pluto and the International Space Station, to increase its list of outer-space destinations to 16. Users can explore the names of specific geographic topographies, such as craters and canyons, and near-360-degree views of the planets and moons by zooming in and rotating using the mouse. Although there is no search bar, the side panel offers precise navigation through the galaxy by listing all the astronomical objects, letting users to move to different planets with a single click. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the Cassini spacecraft in 1997 at Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a mission to conduct a detailed study of Saturn and its moons. The expedition lasted for two decades before it ended this year on Sept. 15. “During its mission, Cassini recorded and sent nearly half a million pictures back to Earth, allowing scientists to reconstruct these distant worlds in unprecedented detail,” Google published in a blog post.

EXPLORING THE GALAXY A new feature in Google Maps allows users to view maps of planets and moons in the solar system. It can be directly accessed by zooming out and clicking on “satellite view.” Images of the International Space Station have been available since July. Astronomical artist Björn Jónsson compiled planetary maps of Jupiter’s moons, Europa and Ganymede, and Saturn’s moons, Rhea and Mimas, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA’s imagery. Limitations to the Maps feature include restricted rotations around the planetary poles and striping.

“Striping is seen on many of the worlds in Google Maps because it layers the highest-resolution imagery available from NASA, ESA, and other sources over lower-resolution images,” according to Business Insider. After the launch of “Planets,” Emily Lakdawalla, senior editor of The Planetary Society, noticed that certain planets and their geo-

graphic features were offset by 180 degrees and tweeted about the issue. However, Google fixed the problem less than two weeks later. This feature can be accessed by switching to satellite mode on Google Maps and zooming out from the Earth and into outer space. Google has long offered flyover

views of the moon and Mars exclusively on Google Earth, but direct access to these images through the Maps interface had not been available until recently. According to Android Authority, “the International Space Station was actually added back in June to Street View...and views of Mars and the Moon have been offered for a while.”

November 30, 2017

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LeBron uses shoes to protest injustice By Michael Hong Staff Writer As a National Basketb all Association (NBA) superstar LeBron James took to the court for the first game of the 2017 season against the Boston Celtics, fans were not clamoring about whether his reign as “The King,” but rather the large, gold word “equality” emblazoned on the back of his shoes. While some applauded James’ effort to silently protest racial injustice, others criticized him for bringing politics into yet another sport. His actions follow the nationwide trend of sports players silently protesting during the national anthem. However, after commissioner Adam Silver upheld the league-wide rule that requires players to stand for the anthem, James had to resort to footwear to make his statement. Unfortunately, his gesture towards equality was not well-received by all, as the New York Post goes on to demonstrate. While people like FanSided CEO Adam Best defended James’ action, others like former congressman Bob Barr criticized the hypocrisy of advocating equality

EQUALITY IS GOLD Despite the NBA’s long-standing ban on pre-game protests, the Cleveland Cavaliers linked arms to protest racial injustice at the first game of the 2017 season. The Cavaliers were led by LeBron, who wore his “equality shoes” during warm-ups and the game. while wearing gold-embroidered Nike shoes. However, controversial opinions have not slowed the movement. SBNation, a website dedicated solely to all sports, explains that these shoes are just one part of Nike’s larger “BeTrue” line of shoes supporting their EQUALITY initiative.

The campaign features superstars from various sports, including soccer player Megan Rapinoe, tennis player Serena Williams, and football player Victor Cruz, to advocate for equal rights nationwide. According to Business Insider, the initiative centers around the phrase “worth should outshine

color.” Nike announced partnerships with the National Mentoring Partnership and PeacePlayer International, two organizations dedicated to promoting equality and giving opportunities to disadvantaged children in local communities, in order to promote “diversity, inclusion, and equality.” Nike released their “Be-

True” shoes in June to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month and pledged to donate all revenue from these shoes to support LGBTQ+ causes. According to th e company, the shoes feature symbols of the Pride movement such as the rainbow and the triangle, to express solidarity for the cause.

Timberlake at The Ten: Disney movies next SuperBowl The Lion King

By Jasmine Lam Staff Writer The National Football League (NFL) officially confirmed that artist Justin Timberlake will be headlining the 52nd SuperBowl Halftime Show on Feb. 4. However, some viewers expressed their disapproval due to Timberlake’s last performance in 2004. Those that oppose Timberlake’s upcoming performance felt that it was unfair to artist Janet Jackson, who headlined the 38th Super Bowl halftime show in 2004 and had Timberlake as her special guest. Towards the end of their performance of Timberlake’s hit song, “Rock Your Body,” Timberlake made a move to rip off a part of Jackson’s top as part of a stunt, which resulted in a wardrobe malfunction that exposed Jackson’s breast. Shortly after their performance, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reported that they received more than 500,000 complaints and fined CBS Corporation $550,000 for indecency. Though the fine was dropped by a federal appeals court, the case went on for years and was officially dropped in 2012. Though both Timberlake and Jackson released several statements apologizing for the wardrobe malfunction, Jackson was placed under more scrutiny than Timberlake. “If you consider it 50-50, then

I probably got 10 percent of the blame,” admitted Timberlake in an interview with MTV in 2006. Jackson made a video, apologizing for the malfunction but later stated that her management team urged her to do so. “I thought it was absurd,” Jackson said to show host, Oprah Winfrey. “I thought it was very crazy that there was so much emphasis put on this when [...] so more important things were going on in the world. That didn’t make any sense to me.” Tom Freston, then chief executive of MTV, blamed Jackson for the malfunction and claimed that she had orchestrated the stunt. The FCC conducted an investigation into the incident. Sponsors of the halftime show such as America Online (AOL) also released statements to distance themselves from the singer and expressed their disappointment of the events that occurred on stage. News of Timberlake’s invitation to perform at the halftime show again lead to the creation of the hashtag #JusticeforJanet, where some Twitter users pointed out that Timberlake was part of the privileged. “This Justin Timberlake privilege situation is like textbook white privilege,” Twitter user @ ClosetoRih tweeted. Viewers demanded another apology from Timberlake but he has yet to address their disapproval.

Hakuna Matata is what everyone lives by. The hit movie never fails to amaze its viewers with its hit songs and the strong bonds that are made.

Beauty and the Beast “Beauty and the Beast” is a movie that remains timeless and enjoyable with its musical pieces and unforgettable characters.

Tangled “Tangles” features a protagonist with a frying pan and magically long golden hair. it is the perfect twist on the classic story of “Rapunzel.”

The Little Mermaid Ariel is full of songs and adventurous spirit that thrives both undersea and on land. She embarks on a journey to find her prince and herself.

Moana As she sails the high seas with the mighty demigod Maui, Moana realizes her true potential and that there is so much in the world to explore.

By Megan Tran Staff Writer

Aladdin Aladdin is the prince that everyone loves. “Aladdin” taught us that appearances do not matter, it is what is on the inside that counts.

Toy Story This movie really tugs at the audience’s heartstrings and captivates its viewers by bringing its characters to life. Literally.

Big Hero 6 Baymax’s moves and reactions makes the character instantly endearing, making everyone wish they had a great, marshmallow-esque robot.

Up The first minutes of “Up” never fails to make viewers shed tears, as Carl and Ellie’s relationship is the kind of love that everyone searches for.

Mulan Mulan demonstrates the the values of family and blurs stereotypical gender. She truly is the heroine that Asian Americans need.

November 30, 2017

GEMR Continued from Page 1

new experience for many members of the band, they have all put in the hard work to amass several achievements this season. This year’s competition was different in comparison to those in previous years. This season hosted around 70 freshmen throughout the regiment. “My favorite part about marching band is seeing my section grow as well as the other new kids in other groups,” stated clarinet section leader, Natalie Thi. “I [also] love seeing them create bonds and become apart of the band family.” As marching band worked on performances for football games and competitions, they practiced everyday before school and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They focused on many different areas in their music, especially those that they know need a bit more perfecting. After school, members of the band divided into their sections and practiced their respective parts in the pieces. After an hour and a half of rehearsing, they continued to practice on the football field as they incorporated marching and played their instruments. The regiment’s drum majors, seniors Dominic DiConti and Tony Tran, were there to assure that everything runs smoothly. “It’s a whole new experience,” stated DiConti, “because now I’m not only watching myself but I’m watching everybody else too.” Competitions consisted of different bands divided by their division and size. Depending on the competition, there were chances that GEMR was the only group in their division because of their size. At these competitions, there were seven judges who scored the bands based on criteria such as music and visual performance. Each band’s overall score was the average between all of the judges scores. After competing, members of the regiment returned to the bus to dress out of their uniforms and eat snacks provided by parents. “I always look forward to eating the Ritz crackers and Cheezits the parents bring for us,” stated senior Kevin Yuen. While snacking, members of the regiment shared how they felt about their own performance, as well as the group performance. When the time came, the band members formed two lines and marched to awards. “The place that they get never matters to me. I just always want them to do their best,” stated Melissa Romero, band director. “Where they end up placing will always matter to them and I love to see that they feel like they accomplished something great.” GEMR will have its showcase on Dec. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the GHS Stadium.