Tiger Newspaper January 2019 by Tiger Newspaper

Empowering students to think critically and creatively since 1913.

VOLUME 105 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 18, 2019

IN THE NEWS

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

Winter Sports

MLK Day

Posse Foundation Scholar

The boys’ basketball and girls’ soccer teams will face the Monrovia Wildcats at home today.

SPUSD schools and offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 21 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Senior Andrés Oyaga was awarded Posse’s full-ride scholarship to Middlebury College.

STEM building nears completion

STORY CHRISTINE MAO PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE & SOPHIE YEUNG

he year-long STEM building construction is expected to finally come to a close, with classes scheduled to move in after Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Student instruction in the new building was intended to begin directly after returning from winter break for the beginning of the second semester, but was postponed due to work delays. The main construction setback regarded flooring, as the floors in the science building were not sealed in time. Administration was faced with two options: keep the original move-in date and have the construction team return over spring or summer break to work on the flooring, or push back the move-in for two weeks to give the crew time to finish the project. Choosing to avoid delaying the building’s completion and the inconvenience of moving furniture back and forth, administration opted for the latter. “There are some other things that can now be refined, however, that would have had to be worked on with students present if we had adhered to our original timeline,” SPHS Principal Janet Anderson said. “I think this is the best solution — to have fewer interruptions to instruction once we’re in the building by addressing more of the refinements now.”

Other items also needed to be finalized before the move-in. Areas of work included adjusting the placement of TVs and monitors in the science building and testing the funtionality of the fire alarm system. All math classes in the bungalows will relocate to the new STEM building, as well as chemistry teachers, Mr. Ben Ku, Mr. Chris Dow, and Mr. Nader Modarres and physics instructor Mr. Dean Papadakis. Biology teachers Ms Seema Athalye and Ms Grace Yang will occupy the vacated physical science classrooms in the 200s building after all supplies have been moved out. BioMed classes will remain in the bunglows until spring, when two classrooms in the current science building are converted into labs. The bungalows will remain in their current location to accommodate P.E. offices, locker rooms, and training facilities that will be displaced during the second phase of the Measure SP construction plan. Scheduled to begin November 2019, the physical education and athletic facilities upgrade will involve the construction of a storage building and a classroom for sports medicine, as well as new visitors bleachers all near the current basketball courts. The date of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the STEM building has not yet been announced, but is expected to take place soon after teachers and students move in.

TITLE IX

THE CRACK SHACK

This month’s staff editorial explores the intention and effects of the proposed updates to the Department of Education’s sexual harrassment policies. Page 5

The new Pasadena restaurant seeks to define itself with a multitude of chicken dishes, but its poor execution has a disappointing result. Page 10

TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM

TOP MOMENTS Tiger’s sportswriters take a look back at the best individual performances, comebacks, and team rebounds in SPHS athletics in 2018. Page 15

TIGER JANUARY 18, 2019

NEWS

Virtual business advances to nationals in New York STORY CHRISTINE MAO The SPHS Virtual Business teams debuted their new companies in their first competition of the year at the annual California State Conference and Exhibition in Bakersfield, Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 16-17. The varsity team placed sixth overall in the Business Plan competition and took gold in Human Resources, Marketing Plan, and Sales Presentation. iKOMO, the varsity team’s virtual company, is the first in the state competition to specialize in cryptocurrencies, or digital currency. Users in the game can make transactions on the iKOMO website, which was coded by seniors Brandon Lee and Ryan Liu, to purchase KOMOcoins. These coins would allow users to buy randomized iKOMO eggs, which hatch into pets players can use in iKOMO’s arcade and mini games, such as iKOMOtennis. The iKOMO team hopes to teach users more about finance through the management of the cryptocurrencies as part of the group’s project objective: combating financial illiteracy. The company will release YouTube videos to teach consumers about financial concepts, and is also designing a financial literacy curriculum for elementary and middle school students. “We chose financial literacy because of the lack of awareness in our current generation,” senior iKOMO Chief Administrative Officer Amanda Estevez said. “Only 8% of millennials have a basic understanding of personal finance, which directly affects Generation Z. We need to do better, and comprehending cryptocurrency and blockchain technology will help.” In preparation for the Bakersfield Trade Fair, the company collaborated to organize logistics, creating the website and video guides for users, and planning budgets and finances. Although Business Plan was the main competition at the trade fair, there were also other events judging companies’ marketing plans, commercials, booth design, and elevator pitches. iKOMO and its varsity team will be advancing to nationals in New York City April 13-18.

THE COFFEE SHOP will be situated on Mission Street, between Crossings and the Metro tracks.

Jones Coffee brings its blends to South Pasadena location STORY AUDREY ERNST PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE

ones Coffee will be serving up its signature coffee blends to South Pasadena residents in its new location on Mission Street when it officially opens to the public on Mar. 1. The roastery, which already has two other coffee shops located in Pasadena, will be taking over the spot where South Pas landmark Buster’s Ice Cream Stop used to be. Jones Coffee is no stranger to 1006 Mission Street — the business supplied Buster’s with coffee blends for nearly 25 years. Chuck Jones, the owner of Jones Coffee, had a close relationship with Monica, Renee, and Colette Richards, the owners of Buster’s. When the Richards family decided to close Buster’s in 2016, Jones discussed expanding his business and taking over the the store. The plans didn’t work out and Mother Moo Creamery eventually moved into the space later that year. It wasn’t until Mother Moo announced its closing in Nov. 2018 that Jones Coffee was able to finalize plans to move in. The Jones family started the business in 1994 as a coffee distributor, importing beans from the family’s farm in Guatemala. Now, at their main store on Raymond Ave. in Pasadena, they roast and sell their own coffee and tea blends, which all come from sustainable farms. The business sells coffee to a variety of stores in South Pasadena, such as Gus’ Barbeque, Cos & Pi, and Fiore Market.

TIGER’S PHOTO PORTFOLIO Tiger photographers’ 2018 highlights

Jones himself is an active South Pasadena resident and contributes to the community, donating coffee to fundraisers for local organizations and school clubs such as TASSEL and the SPHS Drama Club. “I’ve always wanted to be in South Pas. It was my first choice,” Jones said. “I like South Pas because this is my neighborhood. I grew up here. The former Buster’s is a great fit for Jones because the neighborhood is already familiar with our brand and quality.” Jones plans to keep the former Buster’s location mostly the same in both infrastructure and atmosphere. Besides a new paint job, the store will also feature a community board where customers can post pictures of their friends and family. They will also be selling Fosselman’s ice cream, a Buster’s favorite. The addition of the South Pas location is only the beginning for Jones Coffee. Jones is always looking for new locations to expand the business, and they hope to bring Jones Coffee to two other communities by the end of the year.

I’ve always wanted to be in South Pas. The former Buster’s is a great fit for Jones because the neighborhood is already familiar with our brand and quality.”

TIGER JANUARY 18, 2019

NEWS

MHS students take anti single-use straw stance Students spoke in front of the city council about environmentally friendly alternatives STORY LUYANG ZHANG PHOTOS JAYDEN EDEN

apply the plastic straw ban to fast food restaurants statewide.

“That is a very important concern and we are glad [the youth] are getting involved in environmental matters,” Mayor Marina Khubesrian said.

onterey Hills Elementary School students and parents rallied at the South Pasadena City Council meeting Wednesday, Jan. 16 to bring awareness to the environmental dangers of single-use plastic straws. The student speakers passed out biodegradable paper straws to both the public and city council in an effort to encourage environmental awareness and sustainable lifestyles. The students referenced Assembly Bill 1884 which was enacted across California in September 2018. The bill, introduced by State Assembly member Ian Calderon, states that “sit down restaurants cannot automatically give customers single-use plastic straws.” Among a multitude of other businesses, fast food restaurants are exempt from the policy, meaning only full service restaurants cannot give plastic straws — unless the customer requests one. Students Ethan Burger, Isaan Mehta Peter Rosemann, and Wyatt Woo realized that the fast food trucks that come to the weekly South Pasadena Farmer’s Market are therefore able to bypass the bill and continue serving single use plastic straws. In response, the group sought to solve the issue by instead passing out biodegradable paper straws at the farmer’s market. “The reason we are concerned about this is because we care about our planet,” Burger said. “The more we encourage less plastic, the better.” The council congratulated the students for their environmental awareness and invited them to the city’s police and fire stations in hopes of furthering their involvement in the community. The mayor and council additionally promised to consider plans to pass an ordinance later in the year that would ask the state to

South Pasadena has continuously moved towards more environmentallyconscious policies over the years. The city implemented a ban on styrofoam food service ware in January 2018. Vendors and food providers are no longer able to provide the nonbiodegradable and non-recyclable material within city limits. Councilmember Diana Mahmud, a member of the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission, has been pushing for further environmental action ever since joining the city council in 2015. Mahmud most recently changed the city’s default energy source from 50 to 100 percent renewable. All city-provided energy will now be completely sourced from non-greenhouse gas producing sources unless residents decide to reduce the amount of clean sourced energy to their property. “These issues are something as residents that we can all take direct responsibility for,” Mahmud said. “I believe it is important to do it for not only us, but our children and our grandchildren.” The student group plans to continue giving out paper straws at the farmer’s market on Jan. 24 and Jan. 31.

These issues are something as residents that we can all take direct responsibility for. I believe it is important to do it for not only us, but our children and our grandchildren.”

MONTEREY HILLS STUDENTS presented biodegradable paper straws to city council members to advocate for more sustainable living.

Beomyoung Sohn (MFA 2012)

Where will your vision take you? saic.edu/ug EARLY ACTION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15 PRIORITY MERIT SCHOLARSHIP, HOUSING, AND REGISTRATION

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TIGER

4 JANUARY 18, 2019

NEWS

TRANSPORTATION TROUBLES STORY: MATTHEW TSAI, MADDIE YOO, & LUYANG ZHANG

PAGE: TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO

ILLUSTRATIONS: MADDIE YOO

he SPHS athletics program sends student athletes to hundreds of competitions each year, from those as close as Blair High School to venues as far as Huntington Beach. The school schedules buses to deliver students to and from these matches, but planning and organization complications have caused students to miss out on class instruction. Scheduling mishaps and miscommunications have left players rushing to reach events on time, while some teams have been left at other schools without a bus to drive them back to South Pas. Tiger takes a look into SPHS athletes’ experiences with these transportation inconveniences.

Crowded Aisles

Tardy Buses

In early May last year, the Tiger swim team competed in league finals, held annually at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. The 80 swimmers expected at least two buses to transport them, but they were greeted with only one standard sized bus. The bus’ maximum occupancy was far surpassed, and the swimmers were forced to cram into the one bus on the way back home as well.

The girls’ golf team showed concern over their frequently late buses throughout their past season. The late buses led to reduced time for team preparation and warm ups before their matches. During a discussion between junior co-captains Victoria Tskvitichvili and Lindsey Biggar, as well as other members on the team about the consistent tardiness of their

buses, players reported that their concerns were dismissed. “We were told [something] along the lines of ‘Hey, what are you guys complaining about? If I were you, I would be pretty happy! You guys get to get out of class early, talk to your friends, and play golf,’” junior Tiffany Mai said.

“Many people had to sit on the floor [in the aisles] and seats meant for two fit four, so our shoulders were bumping with each other and overlapping the entire ride,” sophomore Nicole Lu, one of the swimmers on last year’s team, said.

Left Behind The girls’ tennis team arrived at their away game without issues,. However, after their successful match, the team’s bus driver failed to return to pick them up. Despite calling the transportation company, the bus still did not show up. Luckily, there was another SPHS team playing at the same school that could transport the team home. “The bus driver dropped us off but did not come back,” sophomore Skylar Cornforth said. “We went to play Mark Keppel High School and the bus driver just left us. So, the girls’ golf team had to get their bus to come pick us up.”

Parent Drivers When cross country buses failed to show up on time before a league race at Lacy Park, coach Joe Soto was left in an uncomfortable situation. Soto was forced to ask parents to cancel their engagements mid-day to drive their children to the race, otherwise the team would have been late or even would have had to miss the meet. The athletes were driven in small groups halfway to the race location, where they were dropped off and covered the remaining

distance on foot. They were then expected to compete in three-mile races after reaching Lacy Park. “It made me and the other runners really nervous on top of every other normal race day stress,” junior Amber Gonzalez Pacheco said. “I think it was an avoidable problem that was caused by our school’s flawed transportation system.”

Clarifications from the athletic director T

iger sat down with Athletic Director Gregorio Luna, who schedules the sports buses throughout the year, to discuss athletics transportation troubles. Mr. Luna, who is in constant communication with the bus company, maintains that the student concerns have been overblown. Luna schedules the majority of buses to leave campus at 2:15 p.m., but coaches sometimes tell players that the buses depart at an earlier time, leading the athletes to believe that transportation has arrived late. Multiple students have complained of mistakes on the part of the bus company, but in reality, the buses have arrived at South Pasadena at the scheduled times.

Luna said that cross country runners did not need to partially travel to one of their competitions on foot, but acknowledged that an unrelated error had occurred during last year. Luna recognized that a cross country bus did not show up at South Pasadena at the scheduled time, so athletes were shuttled in multiple cars and were still able to attend the event.

When asked about last year’s Rio Hondo League swim finals, where athletes reported that around 80 athletes were packed into one bus, Luna disagreed with the students. He stated that the bus took multiple trips and did not carry 80 students at once. “Well, that was a situation where it was less expensive and it was convenient for us to shuttle the buses,” Luna said. “So the bus

went, came back, and went again because it was close enough.” Luna defended the sports transportation system, stating that of the 200-plus buses that have been scheduled this school year, zero have been missed. In the five years he has held the position of athletic director, he stated that only two matches have been cancelled due to buses not arriving on time. With anywhere from four to 12 buses being scheduled each week, Luna believes that bus success rate has been exceptional and that late buses have not been a prevalent issue. “I listen to the kids, of course, because I work for the kids,” Luna said. “But so far no coaches [have] complained to me about the tardiness of their buses. And I would go more with the coaches than with the kids.”

TIGER JANUARY 18, 2019

THE TIGER ESTABLISHED 1913

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

STAF F ED IT OR IA L

OPINION

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MATT WAKUMOTO MANAGING EDITORS OONA FOLEY, Print RACHEL LU, Online NEWS ISABELLA TSAI, Editor ADAM KWOH, Associate OPINION PETER WANG, Editor AANJI SIN, Associate FEATURE ALEX BETTS, Editor DOMINIC MARZIALI, Associate SPORTS NOAH PARKER, Editor PRESTON SHARKEY, Associate DESIGN KATE ROGERS, ELAINE YANG, Co-Editors TALULLA CHOW, Associate PHOTOGRAPHY ALICIA ALDERETE, Editor OSCAR WALSH, Associate COPY LILIAN AZAT MAYA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITERS AUDREY ERNST, CAT FLORES, KIMBERLY HSUEH, CAROLINE KIMBEL, NICOLAS LIU, CHRISTINE MAO, MATTHEW TSAI, RAYMOND YEO, MADDIE YOO, LUYANG ZHANG PHOTOGRAPHERS TONY CHEN, JAYDEN EDEN, ANDRÉS OYAGA, SOPHIE YEUNG ILLUSTRATORS NICHOLAS FORMAN, DAVID SOHN VIDEOGRAPHER JACOB MILLS BUSINESS & ADS HYUN KIM WEBMASTER ALEX PARRA FACULTY ADVISOR MIKE HOGAN VOL. 105 NO. 4 DISTRIBUTED ON JAN. 18, 2019. DISTRIBUTION: 1436 STUDENTS; 70 COMMUNITY. 1600 COPIES PRINTED. DISTRIBUTED BY TIGER STAFF FREE OF CHARGE.

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Devos’ harassment regulations would silence survivors The Department of Education’s newly proposed changes to Title IX are designed to protect schools rather than survivors of sexual violence

ducation Secretary Betsy DeVos released a proposal on Nov. 29 detailing new policies relating to how education facilities address sexual harassment and assault allegations. The rules address the responsibility placed on schools under Title IX, the federal protection law against discrimination. DeVos claimed the intention of the policies is to balance the rights of the accuser and the accused in sexual misconduct cases. However, they would ultimately cushion the rights of the accused, and prioritize schools rather than survivors. The proposed rules come after rising pressure on the Department of Education from higher education facilities to ease Title IX regulations. Prestigious schools such as Yale have spent tens of thousands of dollars lobbying the Trump administration for looser regulations. During the Obama administration, the Department of Education investigated about 400 colleges accused of violating Title IX, some of which spent as much as $600,000 to avoid any reduction in federal funding or damage to their reputation. Under the new policies, schools would get exactly what they have been aiming for: a lighter “burden” in cases of sexual harassment and less frequent investigations. While institutions would save around $300 million in the next ten years under the new policy, the regulations come with the much higher cost of providing limited protections for survivors that are in dire need of support. The new set of rules would redefine sexual harassment under the law. The Obama administration defined sexual harassment as any “unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature,” but the new definition would state that an act is only sexual harassment if it is “so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school’s education program or activity.” With this definition in place, an act of sexual violence less physically brutal than rape may not be taken seriously if the school does not consider it “severe.” However, a school should not decide whether to investigate a claim based on how it evidently affects the survivor. An abuser should not be left with a free pass purely because the survivor

has maintained a solid GPA or involvement in extracurriculars; emotional effects must also be included in any investigation. Under these regulations, schools will also be less liable when survivors come forward. A school would not be required to take action if the harassment occurs outside of school activities or programs, even if it occurred between classmates. However, schools should be required to investigate allegations if they occur between students, regardless of the location of the harassment or assault. Without any investigation or confrontation of the event, survivors could be placed in classes alongside their harassers, leaving them to relive the trauma of the experience. The rules also make clear “the importance of supportive measures” for the accused. The new process would allow defense attorneys to cross-examine victims. This process is unethical because it could be used to dissuade victims from reporting the harassment. It could also make it much easier to discredit the victim’s claim, possibly causing the school to take the claim less seriously. According to a study found in the Journal of Forensic Psychology, only 5.55 percent of reported rapes are determined to be false. Fabricated accusations of sexual harassment are extremely rare. Simultaneously, only about 23 percent of rape victims notify the police. Schools should be encouraging survivors to come forward rather than mandating additional help for accused abusers. The Department of Education has the authority to hold schools accountable when they violate the rights of a student, but they are buying into the colleges’ bribed desire for looser Title IX regulations. Schools are attempting to silence victims to save money. Campuses should be safe environments for students rather than places where they are confronted with trauma from their past. Secretary DeVos wants to yield fairer trials for the accused, but in reality these rules are formulated to protect institutions, not people. Survivor support should be the priority, not saving money.

Boos & Bravos

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

BRAVOS

BOO to Mr. Speck for all the announcements. We get it, thE gYm wILL bE oPeN.

BRAVO to the moisture that has been granted unto us.

BOO to the power going back on yesterday. That was not lit at all :/ BOO to the Metro Assembly for being the worst parody of Dumb Ways to Die we have ever seen. At least include some intestines.

BRAVO to the Winter Formal location, Madame Tussauds. We’ve always wanted to embrace the demons of the mirror dimension while the preserved, waxy corpse of Saddam Hussein watches us with his steely, distant gaze. BRAVO to Virtual Business for the influx of quality content. Who knew Alex Betts had such a nice beard?

TIGER JANUARY 18, 2019

OPINION

PRO CON : Shooting drills In recent years, numerous American schools of all levels have adopted realistic active shooter drills. Do these drills provide a clear benefit, or are they actually harmful?

+ Realism enhances efficiency STORY NICOLAS LU ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN As discussions of gun violence become increasingly prevalent, it is clear that measures need to be taken to directly address the lack of preparedness in schools. In March of 2018, the South Pasadena Police Department held a public meeting in response to the school shooting in Parkland, Florida and the subsequent student protest. The department also implemented active shooter drills at local churches, instructing church leadership and residents about proper safety procedures. These actions may seem far fetched to some, as no one wants to consider the possibility that the training might be put to use. Nevertheless, holding these drills for high schools is an absolute necessity due to their integral role in providing a realistic portrayal of dangers that, unless anticipated properly, may become a matter of life and death. Across the country, school districts have looked to announced school shooting drills to prepare police officers in the case that they must confront a shooter. If changes are to be made in order to help students themselves better prepare, these procedures must be carried out without their notification beforehand. A lack of warning would force students to respond as though a real shooter is present on campus. In contrast to scheduled procedures such as the Great Shake Out, which cause students to be dismissive of the incidents

they model, a new, unanticipated drill would invoke an authentic reaction from students. Even if that reaction were paralyzing shock or fear, the experience would be indicative that further measures to increase preparedness, such as in-class discussions or lessons on procedure, are necessary to produce a more ideal result. At present, SPHS students and faculty are unable to take warning signs seriously. For instance, a fire alarm went off during lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 27, but the response from students and even administration was exceptionally subpar. Mildly aware freshmen and sophomores returned to their lunches almost immediately after the alarm triggered, failing to recall any aspect of the fire drills that taught them how to respond whenever there may be a fire on campus. The problem lies in the underwhelming initiative students take to acknowledge proper emergency protocol. If a fire or earthquake alarm goes off during class, the possibility exists that there is actually a fire or earthquake in progress, and action should be taken under the assumption that this is the case. Holding a shooting drill with as little warning as possible would yield a genuine response from those affected and guarantee its effectiveness. Additionally, the exercise would reinforce the importance of holding all types of drills and keep students and staff better prepared for any emergency, shooting or otherwise.

- Pointless trauma is avoidable STORY PETER WANG ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN From quietly forming lines while fire alarms blare incessantly, to huddling beneath desks under the false pretense of an earthquake, drills are a familiar concept for students. With the rising threat of school shootings, some have argued for the addition of active shooter simulations to the list of drill scenarios. However, the unique nature of school shooting drills result in more drawbacks than benefits for the main focus of these exercises: the students. The primary goals of any school drill are to familiarize students with dangerous scenarios and to analyze the school’s adherence to safety procedures. However, active shooting drills are often made far more intense than other drills for the purpose of realism, thus undermining their intended purpose of decreasing panic during shootings. It is common practice for schools to simulate the presence of an active shooter by firing blank rounds to expose students to the sound of gunshots. These unorthodox practicesoften cause students to become anxious and traumatized. In a column for the Washington Post, Heidi Pottinger recounts a football game. “When the fireworks went off, instead of marveling at the spectacle, our son began crying in terror that there was an ‘active shooter.’”

Shooting drills are also detrimental to the learning environment at school. The short-term stress and longterm trauma brought about by such drills can lower productivity and distract students during instruction. Active shooter simulations also require much more time and money to implement than simpler lockdown drills, thus cutting into dwindling school resources. This waste of resources is even more egregious because many districts conduct advanced drills to reassure parents that they are protecting students. This superficial intention results in drills that are aimed at keeping up appearances, not proper results. There is no real evidence that suggest the effectiveness of shooting drills. Rather, past experiences from tragedies like the Parkland Shooting indicate the opposite. At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, shooting drills had been commonplace for over a decade; the shooter Nikolas Cruz had participated in them. Cruz may have used his knowledge of the school’s safety procedures to strategize his attack, such as pulling fire alarms to seed panic. Although the Parkland Shooting is just an individual anecdote, the growing trend of ineffective shooting drills is symptomatic of a wave of reactionary “improvement” that is sweeping the nation. The true solution to gun violence lies in proactive legislation, not within fruitless drills.

WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY | OONA FOLEY

SPMS & the Evils of Cyberbullying Any newscast today has about a 100 percent chance of mentioning “our current political climate.” We give a lot of attention to how our national culture has changed in recent years, but we often fail to bring this same analysis to our own community. South Pas youth culture is changing. Comparing my time here to my friends’ and siblings’ experiences has allowed me to trace the downwards shift over time. Each class of kids seems to be getting meaner and meaner. Watching my younger siblings go through South Pas schools just four years behind me, I have been repeatedly shocked by their accounts of bullying, malicious gossip, and severe sexual harassment. I had the privilege of missing out on all of those experiences during my time at Arroyo Vista

and SPMS. Of course, the SPMS Class of 2019 didn’t invent these things, but it does seem that they have become much more prevalent. Apparently those anticyberbullying videos from the early 2000s and the talks about sexual harassment on the SPMS gym’s grimy floor didn’t sink in as well as we would have liked. Weird. Unfortunately, it seems as though this general nastiness has already crept up to the high school level. My experience as a part of the South Pasadena and San Marino (SPASM) Youth and Government delegation has shocked me again and again with each petty fight I watch the underclassmen tangle themselves into. As a senior and a South Pas kid since Mrs. Yee’s kindergarten class, I feel connected to the Class of 2019 because of the

sweet — albeit sheltered — childhood we shared. I can’t imagine my younger siblings feel the same way. I don’t want to sound as though “our precious caucasian suburb is being torn apart by the evils of cyberbullying.” We simply need to recognize these trends in order to work against them. Upperclassmen especially need to create space for the younger generations to maintain the friendliness on which the South Pas community prides itself. I was probably a horrible person before I befriended my role models in early high school, and I hate to think that the upperclassmen have started a new tradition of being unapproachable. We must maintain the Tiger spirit by actively mentoring underclassmen and not tolerating inappropriate behavior.

TIGER JANUARY 18, 2019

OPINION

‘Basic’ doesn’t equate to superficial

In today’s society, mislabeling mainstream stylistic trends as “basic” is problematic and restrictive STORY CAT FLORES ILLUSTRATION ELAINE YANG

eople at SPHS, especially girls, are often looked down upon for wearing clothes from mainstream brands. Whether it be Urban Outfitters or Brandy Melville, these clothing stores are affiliated with a basic style and even a basic personality, as if the people who shop at these stores are nothing more than meets the eye. Everyone should be able to express themselves however they please because they should be defined by their actions, not what they wear. “Basic” shouldn’t be an insult. When people judge each other based on something as superficial and trivial as clothing, they create a suffocating environment. There is a much higher standard for stylistic choices than actual qualities. This is especially true for girls: there is

a higher pressure on girls to dress and look better all the time, as if they need to dress for an audience. At first glance, girls are hardly ever judged on their quality as a person. But if they are, people automatically label them as shallow or dumb if they exhibit a basic style. However, it is even more shallow to judge someone based on their appearance rather than who they are as a person.

When someone is labeled as “basic” or “mainstream,” they are also given the labels “shallow” and “ignorant.” However, enjoying something popular doesn’t mean you are dumb and unoriginal, you may just like something that is widely liked. People should get to know someone first before making any assumptions, as being misjudged and labeled by people that you do not know is hurtful.

Additionally, basic things aren’t necessarily bad. Quality isn’t inherently linked to innovation and originality. If something is trending, its popularity doesn’t dictate its quality. Nike AF1’s are super mainstream, but these shoes are durable, made with good material, inexpensive, and stylish. People should not feel ashamed for choosing an objectively good product. Judging someone based on what trends they participate in is another form of labeling someone solely based on their appearance.

When people are put under this social pressure to be stylistically different, it takes away from the individual that they really are. People are pressured to follow a standard that has been set, one that takes away from their originality and identity. As an evolving society, people should be incentivized to create new trends and styles, even if they go against the established expectation. So whether you are “basic” or not, it doesn’t matter as long as you do what makes you feel best, and don’t criticize others for doing the same.

It’s time to #cancel the liberal divide

STORY AUDREY ERNST ILLUSTRATION MADDIE YOO Liberals are fighting a two-front battle: against conservatives as they move further to the right, and against some liberals who are moving to the far left. In response to the resurgence of prejudice in our society, some liberals have moved further to the left. This division is pointless because liberals share more similarities than differences, especially in the areas of social justice, equality, and education. Their focus should be on uniting over their similarities, rather than dividing over their differences. This is a crucial time for liberals to stick together and to compromise with one another, rather than separate themselves over smaller disputes. A prime example of how liberals have split themselves is “Bernie or Bust,” a movement that occurred during the 2016 election when a group of Bernie Sanders supporters refused to vote for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. Instead, they wrote in Sanders on the ballot or voted for a third party candidate. Not only did this movement divide the party, it also contributed to Clinton’s loss. This inability to compromise cost liberals a democratic president, and ultimately prevented progress that Bernie and Hillary supporters alike are desperate for. The only way to close this divide is for liberals to discuss openly with one another. However, “cancelling culture”

is making this more difficult, and is therefore a major contributor to the growing divide. A person who expresses an opinion outside the norm can be dismissed entirely: they are “cancelled”, or banned from sharing any ideas. This attitude is harmful for progress because it shuts down discussion before anyone can compromise. Without compromise, there can be no unity. Cancelling is a form of censorship because people can’t disagree without the fear of receiving backlash. It’s usually liberals targeting other liberals for not being left enough. Ideas can’t be spread without disagreeing and starting a conversation. Liberals are trying to spread their message, but censoring free thought contradicts their objective. Some instances of cancelling come from people criticizing or questioning civil rights movements.

Superficial relationships aren’t worth your time

STORY AANJI SIN ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN

to this problem. But relationships shouldn’t be about self reassurance, they should be about a genuine connection.

Dating is no longer about getting to know someone better. It’s a text in between homework assignments, or holding hands throughout the school day to let your peers know about your new significant other. High school “relationships” have exclusively become ways to pass the time. They’re an easy substitute for the genuine thing, but lack the personal side of a relationship that makes them worthwhile.

These connections aren’t easily made, either. Technology has made it much simpler for teenagers to reach out to one another via the Internet. Not only does it make their peers more accessible, it is a quick and easy way to ask someone on a date. This way, if they face rejection, the embarrassment is easily masked and no confrontation has to be made.

A superficial relationship differs from a real one in that the people involved date simply to date. They aren’t genuinely interested in the other person; they just want to fulfill a societal pressure.

Any questioning of an aspect of a civil rights movement leads to people being labeled as racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. Movements are complicated. If there is only one acceptable opinion in a movement, then there is no room for discussion. Without discussion, there is no growth or possibility for the movement to spread further.

Young people have established these kinds of relationships as the norm. It’s all the physical aspects of a relationship without the commitment or the connection. While this type of relationship isn’t hurtful in the time being, they hinder a person’s ability to bond with someone else. Teenagers need to stay away from engaging in superficial relationships to keep their social skills from deteriorating in the future.

Looking forward, it’s clear what liberals need to do: learn to compromise and unite. Liberals need to remember that it’s the attacks on racial justice, education rights, and gender equality that are their real opponent.

Teenagers may use superficial relationships to cure loneliness. In high school, it is easy to feel emotionally weighed down by peers, stress, and a million other factors, and finding a significant other feels like an easy solution

Teenagers fear rejection, but it’s one of the most important parts of growing up. With the use of technology, it’s now easier than ever to cushion the blow of failure. But if they can’t get used to rejection now, chances are it will be harder to swallow later in life. Teenagers must familiarize themselves with the tough personal confrontations now so they will be able to manage them later. The face to face conversations are awkward beyond measure, no doubt, but they become worthwhile when a connection is made. The point of a relationship, even just a friendship, is to have someone to share real life experiences with. Teenagers have turned away from that meaning and replaced it with the motive of not wanting to feel lonely. Stop taking the easy routes and refusing to commit now, or else establishing those important connections in the future will be that much harder.

TIGER JANUARY 18, 2019

HUMANS OF SOUTH PAS

Humans of South Pas E

very South Pasadena kid has visited the Dinosaur Farm at one point or another. Filled with shelves of bracelet kits and dinosaur figurines, the toy store has become a nostalgic reminder of childhood for its visitors on Mission Street. Behind the counter, owner David Plenn has welcomed both parents and kids with his snow-white beard and cheerful smile since for over a decade.

STORY OONA FOLEY, ADAM KWOH, NICOLAS LIU, MATT WAKUMOTO, & MAYA WILLIAMSON

Owning a toy store was not the career Plenn saw himself pursuing when he was growing up in Arcadia. When Plenn was in high school, he grew a noticeable passion for music and eventually started his own group.

PAGE DESIGN KATE ROGERS & ELAINE YANG

PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE, TONY CHEN, JAYDEN EDEN, OSCAR WALSH, & SOPHIE YEUNG

rom Fair Oaks Pharmacy to the Farmers Market, South Pasadena shines with a sort of enduring intimacy and stability that many residents fall in love with. When it comes to people in the city, no one represents this steadfast reliability quite as well as Bill Glazier. A 26-year resident of the city, he is one of the only people who seems to have a relationship with every person in the city. While leading the South Pasadena Review for 21 years, he became an icon for being “everywhere.” Whether it is a city council meeting or a small elementary school performance, Glazier is always in attendance.

Community members are the cornerstone of South Pasadena’s culture and unique sense of community

very small suburb carries its own cast of characters. South Pasadena, An Oakland native, Glazier grew up wanting to be a journalist. While at UC Berkeley, he studied journalism, while developing a love with its well maintained public spaces and general walkability, is no for interacting with people and writing their stories. After college, he was a Publications and Public Relations director for number of stranger to this phenomenon. From employees at small businesses “I started playing music because I was inspired by the Beatles,” Plenn said. “When I was in high school, my group was signed to A&M differents sports organizations including the Oakland Raiders, where Glazier received a championship ring during the 1981 Super Bowl. to regulars at local restaurants, South Pas hosts an ensemble Records and I was hooked on playing music professionally from that point on.” Plenn’s early professional success skyrocketed him to of distinct figures. Generations of South Pas kids have producing a live album, which would eventually air on TV shows like Touched by an Angel and Beverly Hills 90210. After having his son Michael, Glazier began looking for a place to raise their son. When he and his wife came across South Pasadena, they fell grown up wondering: Who is the man that sings opera in love with the city. As a journalist, he noticed very quickly that the South Pasadena newspaper, the South Pasadena Review, didn’t have a sport wherever he goes? Why does that one man smoke section. Eager to join the staff, Glazier pitched himself for the position. After a year Despite his musical passion, Plenn moved to South Pasadena in 1981 and ended his career as a traveling musician to devote more time to his son. cigars outside of Kaldi? What is the bubbleman In need of a new living, Plenn took inspiration from his childhood love of dinosaurs as sports editor, he became the became the editor of the paper. from Farmer’s Market’s real name? Tiger and opened the Dinosaur Farm in 1994 with a selling point of unique products and investigated some of the most famous service. As soon as Glazier took over, he became a one man journalistic juggernaut. He wrote, characters, putting stories behind photographed, edited, and designed for every issue of the paper. His roots in the community the faces South Pas knows so “Our toys are unique because I can’t compete with [corporate toy companies],” Plenn said. quickly spread as he covered and wrote events at a fever pitch rate. His experiences as a well. Read on to find out “My thing is find something cool, but also offer customer service.” sports writer and journalist mixed with his innate care for the people around him to create a what the community special connection with South Pas. In the process, his interactions with the town developed into means to some of Ever since the opening of the Dinosaur Farm, Plenn’s love of kids has driven him beyond selling a symbiotic relationship; Bill was able to serve town residents with his writing, while becoming its best known toys. He consistently donates to South Pas schools and has hosted toy fundraisers. As a both an friends with everyone. Now 67, he has continued to be a presence in South Pasadena, while writing members. active resident and business owner, Plenn has created a legacy in South Pas with his family-friendly for the South Pasadenan. gadgets and welcoming atmosphere. Although he often describes himself as a normal guy, he has become much more than that in South “One day a parent told me, ‘Do you realize that someday my kids will grow up and tell their kids about this Pasadena. Through his writing, he adds to the community in South Pasadena, where residents are able to store?’ That had a big impact on me,” Plenn said. “It’s kind of awesome to think that people will talk about give back with their own personal skills. Glazier has become a public example of this: he is a man whose life and [the Dinosaur Farm] years from now. I’m very appreciative of that fact.” trade embody the sort of citizenship and kindness that makes South Pasadena so unique.

or almost 20 years, Paul Kikuchi has told the same Gecko story to hundreds of six to eight year-old students in South Pas. Current high schoolers still beg Kikuchi, who they know simply as “Mr. K,” to retell the tale of the plucky gecko that overcomes all odds to find water for his desert community. Kikuchi is infamous among students for this story, and many others, as perhaps the favorite SPUSD substitute teacher. Beloved for his goofy demeanor, warm attitude, and creative stories, “Mr. K” is somewhat of a local legend — the quintessential South Pasadena man. Self-described as “born and bred” in Pasadena, Kikuchi has lived in this area almost all his life, graduating from Blair High School in ‘77 and going on to study music at UCSB. He began substitute teaching in SPUSD in 2000 and six years ago took up his part time job at Trader Joe’s. Kikuchi enjoys working at the elementary schools and Trader Joe’s because “it keeps [him] young” and he loves the variety of people he can meet and learn about. Working among young people at both jobs also helps with his other passion: writing.

he South Pasadena Public Library is a facility familiar to every South Pas resident. Throughout the building, students gather to study for classes, adults seat themselves at laptops to work; individuals of all ages wander the endless shelves in search of the right book. For most, the library represents a place of relaxation and knowledge. Few, however, share such a strong connection to the library as Senior Librarian Maida Wong.

rank Barone was born and raised in the same home his father grew up in, an isolated house in the hills of El Sereno. To this day, he lives in that same house with no neighbors. Despite the distance, many consider Barone to be the “Mayor of South Pas.”

Wong was raised in Stockton, California, and after earning a Bachelors in Developmental Psychology at UC Santa Barbara, she returned to her hometown to work in Special Education programs at an organization called Head Start. She later left this occupation and first pursued a career in Children’s Literature, taking a class at the University of the Pacific. After learning about an internship opportunity at the local library through the class, Wong realized how much the librarians there enjoyed their jobs and committed to becoming a librarian herself.

A longtime fixture on the corner of Mission and Meridian, Barone is best known around town for hanging out at Buster’s Ice Cream Stop, his vintage cars, and his rockabilly fashion. His obsession with the past began with his grandfather, an antique dealer who kept his grandson’s room stocked with antiques. From the vintage jackets his grandfather brought home from estate sales, Barone’s style evolved to include a collection of cars starting when he was just 13.

“I never considered becoming a librarian before that, especially since I wasn’t the biggest reader as a child,” said Wong. “But through their mentorship, I discovered that I could combine my experiences from the early childhood education with my interest in children’s literature and a desire to help people in this fulfilling career.”

Working alongside some high school students at Trader Joe’s, Kikuchi has picked up valuable colloquialisms and “kid-speak” to use in his stories. Though he’d been writing and telling stories all his life, Kikuchi began taking it more seriously after college when he began writing screenplays “just like everyone else in It was at time that Barone bought his first Volkswagen using the $300 dollars he had saved L.A.” In 2006 he began writing plays and his first play, Ixnay, premiered at from cutting grass on Collis Avenue. Ironically, Barone didn’t drive until he was 17 because he the East West players, an Asian American theatre in DTLA, in 2009. Ixnay promised himself he would build the first car he drove. was inspired by his own life: the story of an “underachieving asian” who dies and is to be reincarnated until he decides he doesn’t want return For Barone, driving meant an escape from the isolation of his home. He remembers first being introduced to to earth as a Japanese American due to all the cultural pressures to cafes when he visited Buster’s Ice Cream Stop as a teenager in the early nineties. With the newfound freedom perform academically. Kikuchi has written and produced a total of driving, Barone began visiting cafes all over Los Angeles. But he always finds himself coming back to South three plays, all of which are comedies featuring Asian Americans. Pas. “I’ve hung out at a lot of these little towns… but in South Pas, the people are just friendly here. They treat me like family. It makes me feel like I’m part of the “Most Asian American stories are serious, dramatic, community, like I’m somebody.” introspective. I’m not like that, I’m a bit shallow,” Kikuchi said with a chuckle. One of Barone’s favorite parts of spending time in South Pas is watching the sun set Always finding the humor in a situation, what Kikuchi down Mission Street. He was sad to see loves most about writing is similar to what he loves Buster’s close, but continues to put his about his other jobs and South Pas as a whole. In one hours in at other South Pas businesses word, it’s “discovery.” Kikuchi’s love for community such as The Munch Company and Mike & interaction manifests in every aspect of his life. Anne’s. When he is not socializing at local From working at Trader Joe’s where the smallrestaurants, Barone works as a bodyman town feel of South Pas is palpable, to retelling for Metro, repairing crashed buses. old stories to new generations of elementary schoolers, “Mr. K” embodies what most As small businesses shuffle in and out of people love about our small community in South Pas, the community continues to rely his everyday life. on Barone as Mission Street’s friendliest face.

Wong earned a Master’s in Librarianship and Information Management from the University of Denver, and has since worked in numerous schools and libraries around Los Angeles. She moved to South Pasadena in May of 2000, but she was already employed at the South Pas Public Library for more than ten years. Wong celebrates her thirtieth year of service at the library this year as one of its most dedicated employees. Wong has many roles as Public Services Manager, including the oversight of library administration and scheduling, librarian training, and programming of special events, to name a few. Outside of the office work she sees to in the library, Wong devotes considerable energy to child education in the larger community. She is an active member of the Chinese-American club, a community organization which supports the district schools with funding and events such as Math Field Day. Wong also works with the Chamber of Commerce to hold reading events such as the Summer Reading Program that engage children in consistent reading outside of school. As a long time resident of the city, Wong particularly admires residents’ value of education and enjoys the tight-knit ambience that she feels with many community members.

TIGER

10 JANUARY 18, 2019

FEATURE

Cetera MAYA WILLIAMSON

Riverdale exemplifies the worst in television culture When Riverdale premiered in 2017, it was regarded as a sexy, dark, and exciting spin on the classic Archie comics. Now in 2019, the novelty seems to have worn off and critics are starting to recognize Riverdale for what it is: an unbearably cringey, terribly written, piece of CW trash. I could go on about all the aspects of Riverdale that make me want to tear my eyes out — a whiny narrator, fauxwokeness, out of place musical numbers, etc. — but instead I’m going to focus on aspects of Riverdale that speak to a larger issue within Hollywood and the teen drama genre.

WITH A MULTITUDE OF UNIQUE CHICKEN DISHES, The Crack Shack displays a creative array of flavors, yet lacks the the execution needed to deliver a well rounded meal.

The Crack Shack fails to hook customers on innovative cuisine The Crack Shack puts fusion foods to the test STORY & PHOTOS CAT FLORES

usion restaurants have taken on the challenge of putting original spins on beloved classics — often combining two foods for an unexpected match. At The Crack Shack, chicken dishes are transformed into the lighthearted and sunny spirit of innovative cuisine. The Crack Shack delivers a homey yet modern feeling to its guests, in contrast to many of the restaurants in Old Town, which are mainly upscale and expensive. The outside of The Crack Shack displays a neon sign of a chicken; this feeling of cheerfulness continues inside the restaurant, where customers are immediately greeted by a larger-than-life plastic chicken. The interior resembles a barn, complete with picnic tables, a multitude of jumbo screens along the wall, and an open bar sitting across from a playpen for kids. While the restaurant is charming inside and out, the food fails to deliver the same unique qualities. The chicken is prepared in several ways — whether it be barbequed, fried, or simply marinated and shredded — and primarily comes in the forms of sandwiches and salads. While the chicken is excellently prepared, the piling of unnecessary sauces and add-ons overpower the star ingredient. These additions drown the natural taste of a number of dishes, and prevent The Crack Shack from creating a balanced dish. The sandwich Cali Dip ($12), a take on the classic French dip, is an innovative idea with a California twist. But stuffed with pollo asado, fries, guacamole, red onion, jalapenos, mayo,

bolillo, and pozole, the Cali Dip ends as a saucey avocado mess. The Baja Chop salad ($9) continued the restaurant’s unfortunate habit of over-complicating dishes. Composed of guacamole, various greens, radish, cotija, charred poblano vinegar, and a flurry of sophisticated, clashing flavors, the salad was overpowered by the taste of too much guac and vinegar. Although there is a limited menu, The Crack Shack offers dishes that incorporate an abundance of flavors and techniques from deviled eggs to fried chicken plates. This range of flavors showcases The Crack Shack’s originality and inventiveness, although the execution might be lacking. Located in Old Town near Green Street and Fair Oaks Avenue, The Crack Shack is positioned in a popular and busy area where parking is limited. However, the restaurant is easily accessible by public transport. Although the line to enter is long, a self-ordering counter proves to be efficient, as there shouldn’t be a wait of more than 10 minutes between ordering and receiving food. The portions are adequate and filling, yet the meal is not satisfying. With the modern design of The Crack Shack, its inflated prices, and its strategic location in a popular area to dine, the quality of the food should be better. The delivery of the chicken in every dish was exceptional, but The Crack Shack failed to compliment the star ingredient.

Address: 30 W Green St., Pasadena, CA, 91105 Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily Price: $$

The first issue encompasses the cast. Riverdale mostly focuses on the tumultuous love lives of sophomores Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead. When the show starts these attractive teens and all their other hot classmates are supposed to be 15. It’s pretty obvious all the actors are far past their high school days and the attempt to pass off beefy, clear-skinned 20-something year olds as stressed out high schoolers creates unrealistic expectations of what teens should look like. While there are some valid reasons to cast adults in teenage roles — from a production standpoint, using adults is financially and logistically easier for studios — choosing actors that are a decade older than their characters is inherently dishonest. What’s worse though, on shows like Riverdale, is the content. Riverdale oversexualizes basically all of its underaged characters. The first episode of the series includes steamy shots of the sexual relationship between Archie and his teacher, Ms Grundy. As the show progresses, this only gets worse. In the second season, Betty Cooper, now 16, performs a strip tease and dances on a pole in front of her boyfriend, mom, and several dozen townspeople for no apparent reason. This is legal, because the actors are all over 18, but it is clearly a method to titillate audiences with teenagers without getting into trouble. Attracting audiences by using fairly graphic sex scenes involving minors is excessive and speaks to a lack of creative cinema. Now that I’ve adequately trashed one of TVs top shows, let me give a quick disclaimer here: I’m a total hypocrite. I wholly believe Riverdale is garbage (you can @ me on this, I would love to show you exactly how you are wrong), yet I live for the british television show Skins, which was far more raunchy and explicit. The entire plot relies on minors partaking in wild sex parties, hard drugs, and some major criminal activity. My justification for this, though, is that Skins was far more honest in its approach. For one thing, most of the actors were 17-19 at the time of filming. They didn’t shy away from teenage sex, but any scenes were discreet in imagery if not fairly awkward. Skins did what American teen dramas do not: attract audiences with good writing and interesting subject matter instead of soft-porn fantasies between emotionally immature teens.

TIGER JANUARY 18, 2019

FEATURE

STAFF PROFILES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM ELSA LARON: TEACHING WITH COMPASSION STORY DOMINIC MARZIALI PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE

panish teacher Elsa Laron showed up at her first party in the US wearing a full length gown. Before immigrating to the US, Laron had never been to an American party, nor worn a mini skirt. Born in El Salvador and raised in Costa Rica, such an act would have been seen as a betrayal of Latin America’s religious culture. Laron’s newfound college friends resorted to cutting the dress, leaving her, for the first time in her life, in a mini skirt. Raised traditionally by her Catholic mother and father in Costa Rica, Laron’s childhood was starkly different from the day-to-day lives of most SPHS students. Her life was constricted to trips to school, church, and the market — only when accompanied by one of her nine brothers or father. Laron’s early life in Costa Rica quickly shaped her views on family and how her family should interact with each other and the community. “In Latin America family comes first. We’re always there for each other. My brothers were always there, and still are there for me, and my mom is always there for me… If [a family friend] saw me on the street they would always help me, or if they saw me walking home from school they would offer me food: ‘Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?’”

RAISED WITH CATHOLIC VALUES, Spanish teacher Elsa Laron strives to perfect her homegrown beliefs: putting family, community, and now, as a teacher, students first. Laron has kept up her father’s mantra, “work hard for everything or don’t work hard and you won’t have anything.”

An omnipresent piece of her upbringing, Laron’s father — an accountant by morning, small business owner in the afternoon, and professor at night — taught her the importance of responsibility and hard work.

“My father always told us, ‘work hard for everything or don’t work at all and you won’t have anything. But make sure that when you get older and didn’t take advantage of all these opportunities available in front of you, don’t blame somebody else for you failure.’ My father was the most responsible man I have ever met.” Now, as a successful high school and former college instructor, Laron finds time to take trips back to El Salvador and Costa Rica with her husband and children. Her experiences in South Pasadena, Texas, and the US as a whole have prompted her to return to El Salvador three times as an adult. Motivated by her family values, belief in the importance of an education, and the hardships endured by children in El Salvador, Laron regularly buys groceries for locals, after-school snacks for children, and has fully paid for the education of two Salvadorian high schoolers. Laron’s concern for the well-being of children extends past her experiences in El Salvador. As most of her current or former students would testify, she possesses a level of compassion and care for her students that is unprecedented in most other teachers, even at a school such as SPHS. Laron still isn’t comfortable showing up at parties in a mini skirt, and the rest of her values have remained unchanged. The rigors of a stiff upbringing in Latin America’s religious culture left Laron impressed with a strict adherence to family, friends, and the well-being of her children and students.

ANTHONY CHAN: EXPLORING THE WORLD STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY ANTHONY CHAN

ath teacher Anthony Chan never expected to wake up with more than a million views on a photo he and his girlfriend, Joyce, uploaded to Reddit. During its trip to Monument Valley, Arizona, the couple snapped a peaceful portrait of a stray dog basking in the winter morning sun. “I think it was cool to have a little moment of fame, as short lived as it was,” Chan said. “We’ve come to appreciate the juxtaposition of animals and nature, and we take as many photos as we used to, but we’ve gotten better at taking photos and videos over time. It’s a fun hobby for both of us to continue enjoying together.” Chan features his adventures throughout the world with GoPro videos on his YouTube channel, “Anthony Chan.” His work portrays the sceneries of multiple national parks, the different lifestyles of people from different countries, and the thrilling experiences of white water rafting. During school breaks, Chan ventures with Joyce, who sparked his interest in traveling. Exploring countries such as Taiwan and Thailand, the couple found themselves wandering through crowded night markets and tasting the popular local delicacies. They also release their venturesome side by exploring the local parks in that country and whitewater rafting each summer.

WITH ORANGE AND YELLOW STREAKS contrasting the blue sky, the photo perfectly highlights a stray dog glancing into the sun as it rises between two red buttes. Despite the thrill he feels from traveling, Mr. Chan is always drawn back to the classroom environment. As an alumnus of Temple City High School, Chan was formerly a member of its school board. During this time, he realized the small changes you can implement in schools to better fill the needs of the surrounding community. This sparked his interest in teaching and administration, and although he grew up in Temple City, Chan found himself attracted to small town South Pasadena. “I fell in love with South Pas. There’s a good amount of diversity,” Chan said. “You have all these people from different backgrounds, economic status, even cultures; it’s so diverse. Somehow everything comes together here, people get along, people try hard at school, generally it’s just a nice place to be.”

CAPTURING THE BEAUTY: Anthony Chan, SPHS math teacher, documents his traveling experiences with his GoPro and attracts hundreds of views.

Chan’s time on the school board prompted his desire to nurture his students through education and coaching, but his knowledge of different cultures have diversified his mindset and proved invaluable in helping students grow and be prepared for their lives ahead. The math teacher’s four-year head coaching stint for the football team, his enthusiastic lectures, and his non-judgemental treatment of students are a testament to this benevolent nature. Chan’s travel vlogs, pictures, lessons, and caring personality serve as a meaningful reminder of the beauty spread throughout the world and within its inhabitants.

TIGER

12 JANUARY 18, 2019

FEATURE

ICONIC FILM SETS IN SOUTH PAS I

STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL, MATTHEW TSAI t’s not uncommon to witness a multitude of filming trucks and trailers barricading a street. South Pas is wellregarded for its diversity in possible film sets, from a quick car dealership commercial to prodigious cinematic & RAYMOND YEO trilogies like Back To The Future. The city’s craftsman homes and oak tree-lined avenues have served as the PAGE ALEX BETTS & KATE ROGERS background for works of several genres — horror, romantic comedies, mysteries, and action adventure — and PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE are a true testament to the community’s small-town vibe. Tiger considered the portions of movies set in our city & OSCAR WALSH and the movie’s popularity when exploring films in which South Pas residents may notice a familiarity or two.

Halloween

ADDRESS: 707 MERIDIAN AVE., SOUTH PASADENA, CA

The widely acclaimed classic Halloween (1978) chronicles the story of Michael Myers, a 6-year old boy who murdered his older sister, Judith. 15 years later, he escapes detainment and returns to his hometown, Haddonfield, Illinois. Myers lurks around the neighborhood and targets a high school student named Laurie Strode. The Myers house was originally located at 707 Meridian Ave., which was used to shoot Halloween I and Halloween II. Uncommon in the film industry, the Meridian house was used both for interior and exterior shots. It is featured in the film’s opening moments, as he stabs his sister Judith with a knife, and when the adult Myers stalks Strode. AT 1000 MISSION STREET, six-year old Michael Myers stabs his sister to death in the opening scene of Halloween I.

However, in 1988, the Myers house was bulldozed for the construction of a few condominiums, before a local councilman swooped in. The elected official bought the house, and physically moved it across the street its current location 1000 Mission Street. Other various South Pasadena locations were used, including Meridian Avenue Magnolia Street and Montrose Avenue.

13 Going On 30

ADDRESS: 1837 SPRUCE ST., SOUTH PASADENA, CA

In the iconic 2004 romantic comedy 13 Going on 30, Jenna Rink grows up idolizing adult magazine cover models and wishing to escape the cruel junior high social scene. One night after a humiliating experience at her birthday party, located at her home in South Pasadena, her wish finally manifests and she wakes up the next morning “thirty, flirty, and fabulous.” Jenna’s breakdown when her parents catch her putting on makeup in her bedroom, the infamous basement birthday party, and her visit to back home at age 30 upon realizing the challenges adulthood encompases, were all filmed at 1837 Spruce St. Later, when Jenna jumps out of her high school crush Chris Grandy’s taxi cab and rushes to stop her childhood best friend, from getting married at 1965 Fletcher Ave., she jumps onto the intersection of Mission and Meridian.

TWO SPRUCE STREET households are featured when Jenna Rink and her childhood best friend Matt Flamhaff share a pack of Razzles after school.

ADDRESS: 1405 MILAN AVE., SOUTH PASADENA, CA

Beethoven

In the 1992 family film Beethoven, the Newton family decides to adopt Beethoven, a St. Bernard, despite the father’s wishes. Integrating Beethoven into the family leads to chaos and mayhem around the house. The havoc increases as a veterinarian attempts to kidnap the Newtons’ new pet. The protagonists reside in a South Pasadena house, located at 1405 Milan Ave. This home’s exterior was used for multiple scenes, including the fan favorite where Beethoven sneaks into the Newton home and when the Newton children leave on Halloween to trick-or-treat. The Milan house also reprised its role as the Newton home in the 1993 sequel, Beethoven’s 2nd. THE POPULAR SCENE OF BEETHOVEN The house has been repainted, but sneaking into the Newton home puts the front remains otherwise the same. lawn of this Milan Avenue house in the spotlight.

Back to the Future

ADDRESS: 1727 BUSHNELL AVE., SOUTH PASADENA, CA

In the timeless sci-fi movie Back to the Future, high school teen Marty McFly is sent three decades into the past via a time travelling Delorean. Marty finds himself in his parent’s hometown, Hill Valley, which takes place mostly on Bushnell Avenue. Without enough energy to return back to modern times, Marty is forced to stay and mediate his parent’s romance.

SITUATED NORTH OF HUNTINGTON, Bushnell is home to a number of filming locations which portray the fictional Hill Valley in the Back to the Future series.

The craftsman style homes of the Bushnell homes were utilized because they encapsulated the generic white middle class neighborhood of the 1950s. The most recognizable sets on the streets are the homes of Marty’s father George McFly located at 1711 Bushnell Ave. and Marty’s mother Lorraine Baines located a few doors down at 1727 Bushnell. The street is also home to antagonist Biff Tannen (1809 Bushnell Ave.) and George’s iconic spying tree. Years later, the cast and crew made another trip to South Pas for principal photography on Back to the Future Part II. Antagonist Biff Tannen’s home is the only South Pasadena location to appear in both films. Additionally, Back to the Future Part III uses film sets in Pasadena, including Doc Brown’s new residence located at 4 Westmoreland Pl.

The Terminator In The Terminator, machines have begun to overtake the world, but have been recently met with resistance by John Connor’s Tech-Com corporation. In order to stop the operation, a terminator is sent back in time to kill John’s mother, Sarah Connor. The café that Sarah Connor works at is Carrows on Fremont and Mission.

Teen Wolf In the 1985 fantasy comedy film Teen Wolf, Scott Howard experiences social life changes upon transforming into a human-werewolf hybrid. His father Harold owns a hardware store often visited throughout the movie at 1518 Mission St.

Freaky Friday Walt Disney’s novel based 1976 original Freaky Friday entails mother Ellen Andrews and daughter Annabel switching lives for a day and beginning to understand each other’s lives. Ellen struggles with her daughter’s marching band role as they practice on the field of South Pasadena Middle School.

Jurassic Park 3 The third and final film of the Jurassic Park trilogy briefly features 1230 Milan Ave. as Dr. Grant’s home. Ironically, the doctor resides in Washington D.C. in the movie, but the spacious colonial style home located in South Pasadena replicates the east coast workmanship well.

Honorable mentions: Lady Bird La La Land The Parent Trap Bridesmaids Rocky V National Treasure Pretty in Pink Stand By Me Ride Along 2 Splitting Up Together

TIGER 13 JANUARY 18, 2019

FEATURE

TAAGLAA: CMC Sample Sales TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA STORY DOMINIC MARZIALI PHOTOS ALICIA ALDERETE

sample sale merges a workplace for designers, hub for deal-savvy shoppers, and a center for representatives from big and small brands. While shoppers peruse the floors and showrooms of the California Market Center (CMC), designers produce items for the upcoming season. Often times, representatives from stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom will venture through the floors in search of products to stock shelves for the upcoming season. Alicia Alderete, Andrés Oyaga, and I attended the sale on Dec. 21, which we soon came to find out was one of the worst possible dates to go. The holiday season, which goes from November through the end of December, sees relatively little attention from representatives as products to be sold over the holidays were bought earlier in the year. The majority of showrooms are completely closed down or shuttered while employees produce designs for the coming season. Also, despite the free admission to the public, showrooms are not required to welcome customers, or allow them to view their latest designs. Most operate

under the assumption that competitors will look for a leg up in any way possible — including ripping off styles. The mix of a professional workplace shrouded in secrecy and an open-to-all vibe left the three of us with the feeling that we were trespassing. At the sight of Alicia’s camera, employees shut showroom doors and refused to let any of their products be photographed. While Alicia tried to snap a few pictures from above the fogged glass, Andrés and I continued to explore CMC, eventually finding a showroom resembling a traditional store selling children’s toys and board games. Our trio started our exploration of CMC’s sample sale at the highest floor and eventually worked our way back down to the ground floor. With each floor we descended there was an obvious change in the mood and status of showrooms. Cramped showrooms and poorly lit hallways boxed in by clouded glass and baren concrete on the eighth floor melded into bright, open hallways and expansive showrooms on the fifth floor. Laid-back employees ate a late lunch while shoppers explored their showrooms. Vendors accepted cash only and most purchases went down informally with some light bargaining involved. The prices, as would be expected in any regular mall, varied wildly. Happy Socks, which normally retail for roughly $14, went for a mere $9 for one pair and $15 for two. In the up-scale TWC Showrooms, Gucci polos cost $125, comparatively meager alongside its required minifortune of $500 in stores. Regardless of its distance from South Pas and limited accessibility by public transit, CMC’s sample sale proved itself a worthwhile adventure. I smartly brought no cash to the sale, ending the day, dejectedly, with no Happy Socks. Since we went during the holiday season when most showrooms were either closed or wholly unwelcoming, our untimely experience left a fair amount to be desired, though mostly due to my own lack of foresight.

SHOPPERS PERUSE THE FLOORS of the CMC in search of otherwise elusive deals. Meanwhile, designers brainstorm products for upcoming seasons.

Address: 110 E 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90079 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Open the last Friday of each month Price: $-$$$$

PROVIDING FOR A VARIETY OF SHOPPERS, the California Market Center gi1ves a unique look into the competitive atmosphere of the fashion industry.

TIGER

14 JANUARY 18, 2019

SPORTS

STORY PRESTON SHARKEY & MATTHEW TSAI

Top moments of 2018

PHOTOS TONY CHEN & OSCAR WALSH

A look back at the best moments in SPHS athletics in the 2018 fall and winter seasons

Best game comebacks

WITH A FOUR TOUCHDOWN GAME, junior Ivan Estrada helped the Tigers to a key opening day win against Mountain View.

Best individual performances

LAUREN CALDERON: After excelling in the regular season, freshman Lauren Calderon continued her dominance in the Rio Hondo League girls’ golf finals. In the two day competition, she shot for 73 and 78 strokes, easily finishing first in the tournament and clinching the RHL MVP honors. Despite the Tigers’ lackluster performance this year, Calderon still has three more years to collect MVP trophies and league titles.

BOYS’ WATER POLO: The boys’ water polo team started its third league game lagging behind the defending champions — the Temple City Rams. The Rams’ uptempo attack and suffocating defense allowed them to take a 7-5 lead into the half. However, the Tigers rallied in the second half and quickly pulled even. Sophomore Eddie Lane-Flannigan scored a late fourth quarter goal to put the Tigers up 11-10, and sophomore goalie Liam Markus had a remarkable save with six seconds left on the clock and the Tigers escaped with the narrow victory. GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL: After suffering a loss to Monrovia in the first round of league play, South Pas avenged their defeat in comeback fashion when the two teams met for the second time on Sep. 27. After dropping the first set, the Tigers dominated the final three sets of the match to win the crucial league matchup by a score of 3-1. The win later proved to be a decisive factor in the Tigers’ season, as they edged out the Wildcats by only half of a game to claim second place in the Rio Hondo League standings.

IVAN ESTRADA: Before the Tiger offense stalled in league play, junior Ivan Estrada’s four touchdowns highlighted a 35-14 victory for the Tigers in football’s season opener against Mountain View. After scoring on a screen pass and an 88 yard kick return in the first half, Estrada’s two receiving touchdowns in the second half helped the Tigers pull away from the Vikings. HENRY BARBERA: Striker Henry Barbera started off his senior season with a bang, netting six goals in boys’ soccer’s opener against Mark Keppel on Nov. 15. The win was the first of many for the Tigers, who went on to post one of their best preseason records in recent years.

DOWN LATE TO TEMPLE CITY, boys’ water polo completed an improbable comeback to establish themselves as front runners in the RHL.

RANKED FIFTH IN DIVISION VI, sophomore Reo Synder and boys’ soccer is off to a hot start.

Best team turnarounds GIRLS’ TENNIS: Coming off of last year’s mediocre 8-5 overall record, the girls’ tennis team made a huge leap and earned a CIF berth after finishing the season 13-5 this year. The Tigers blasted through the first two rounds of the playoffs with victories over Hemet and Garden Grove, travelling all the way to the CIF quarterfinals before finally getting upended by Huntington Park. Sophomore Carissa Park played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ postseason success, winning eight of her nine sets during CIF competition. BOYS’ SOCCER: Following a 2017-2018 campaign in which they reached the quarterfinals of the CIF playoffs, the Tigers built on their past success and began their season with a 7-0-1 record. The preseason success was highlighted by a 3-0 win over Bassett High School, who was ranked second behind the Tigers in division VI. A large part of the Tiger success can be attributed to the efforts of Reo Snyder, who is having a breakout campaign. The sophomore forward has 26 points (13 goals and 13 assists) in 11 games.

TIGER 15 JANUARY 18, 2019

SPORTS

Kickin’ it with Tiger midfielder Kai Endo STORY MATTHEW TSAI PHOTO ANDRÉS OYAGA

ai Endo is seldom fazed; from operating in the tight spaces on the soccer field to emigrating from Japan at age 16, his confidence never wavers. An 11-year veteran of the sport, Endo adds even more talent to an already stacked boys’ soccer team, and is poised to help lead the Tigers to a league title. Currently a junior, Endo brings a commanding presence to the pitch as a central midfielder. Technically sound, Endo is an accurate, creative passer and an elusive, skilled dribbler. On the defensive end of the field, Endo is an interception master, always aware of open passing lanes and exceptional at cutting them off. But it is not his skills that are winning over his coaches and teammates; Endo’s poise elevates his game to the next level. “He’s always composed with the ball,” sophomore Reo Snyder said. “All his passes are on target and he never panics and is always relaxed when he dribbles.” Endo credits much of his abilities to his time spent training and competing in Japan. He began his career at his elementary school’s soccer program. With two practices and two games a week, Endo dedicated his time to the sport at an early age. At 13, he joined the Tochigi Soccer Club Youth Squad, one of the top teams in the Tochigi Prefecture. Practicing against other top prospects forced Endo to learn to outsmart his opponents instead of outmuscle them. At 5’10” and 160 pounds, he may not boast incredible strength or speed, but Endo’s knowledge of the game allows him to dominate on the field. Scoring one goal and handing out three assists in the season, Endo has helped the team to a stellar 8-2-1

A RELIABLE TEAMMATE, junior Kai Endo has brought a spark to the boys’ soccer team. record. However, he believes he has not reached his full potential yet. “The most important thing is to communicate with teammates,” Endo said. “[But] I cannot tell them what I want them to do, because I’m not good at English. As a result, we can’t communicate with each other yet.” The language barrier between Endo and his teammates has resulted in losses of possession, which disrupts

the momentum and rhythm of the game. Still, Endo remains positive and believes that with time, everyone will learn to communicate with each other. Endo and the Tigers have collected victory after victory without much resistance so far. With the final league games wrapping up in the next few weeks and the race for a CIF berth coming to a close, South Pas will need to be at the top of their game. Endo will be in the middle of the frenzy: calm, composed, and unaffected by the pressure.

Wrestling prepares for A case for more tough league schedule league festivities STORY RAYMOND YEO PHOTO SOPHIE YEUNG Every team sacrifices countless morning practices, weekend shoot-arounds, and weight room sessions for the prospect of a league championship and CIF playoff berth. Although the months leading up to the season seem never-ending, it seems as though league comes and goes in a breeze.

IN SEARCH OF A LEAGUE TITLE, senior Lauren Lopez and her teammates are battling in the midst of a stiff league stretch. STORY RAYMOND YEO PHOTO ALICIA ALDERETE

recently placed fourth at the Sam DeJohn tournament.

Flying under the radar, the SPHS varsity wrestling team has been consistently competing with formidable opponents, trying to prepare themselves for the main stretch of league play. The team, composed of both boys and girls, has been battling to reclaim a league championship last captured in the 2001 season.

The team has had to work particularly hard to develop their skill sets, because unlike most other sports, wrestling is not offered at the middle school level and finding a club team to compete with is virtually impossible. As a result, teens enter high school with no prior wrestling experience and can consequently struggle against the more physically and technically sound upperclassmen. With the departure of many seniors due to graduation, the team has been in a transitiong period this season.

Though their current 0-2 league record may imply a forgone season, the team has performed better than what the statsheet claims. When analyzing wrestling, one must recognize that while the 24 co-ed wrestlers combine to form a team, the hard-fought matches are purely individual. As a result, duals present opportunities for both teams and individuals to qualify for postseason play. Although a first place finish and team playoff berth seems unlikely at this point, many members of the squad are poised to qualify for the individual tournament. Sophomore Devin Peries has made an early impression in league, consistently racking up wins and propelling himself to one of the top spots in his weight class. Peries

In an ideal world, the league schedule would be longer, but the wear and tear of the already long preseason makes such a possibility unfeasible. However, the addition of various league festivities would be more practical and provide league competition without the mental and physical strain of more games. Coaches from the majority of sports convene at the end of each season to vote on Rio Hondo League awards, such as first-team, second-team, and league MVP. An option would be the formation of a RHL All-Star team consisting of first and second team members, with the former earning the starting nod and the latter coming off the bench. After a few practices to develop enough chemistry, the team

could compete against other league all-star teams in a tournament to earn supreme bragging rights. The high skill level of the teams as well as the unorthodox merging of rivals would be sure to bring entertainment to both players and spectators alike. A common narrative during the league season is the late blooming team who fails to qualify for CIF due to their unimpressive start to the year. Teams riding a late season run should be rewarded with the opportunity to take their hot streak into the postseason. A league tournament at the end of the season could be used to determine which schools make CIF, with teams seeded based on their league record. The winning team would be awarded an automatic berth regardless of their regular season record, making each tournament game high stakes. There are few events that promote school pride like a high-stakes sporting matchup, and increasing the frequency of such events would benefit athletes and audience members alike. These league festivities would provide the league a needed boost in athletic interest and allow athletes to finish their season in an entertaining way.

“This season has been viewed as a rebuilding phase,” senior Jonathan Oyaga said. “Many underclassmen have welcomed their roles as pivotal parts of the team, and there is a bright future for them.” Peries, Oyaga, and their underclassmen teammates will look to close out league play strong as they try for their first league title in 18 years. Directly after their league dual against Hoover, the squad will make the long trip to Morro Bay to compete at the Sam Boyd California Invitational Tournament.

DESPITE OCCASIONAL LEAGUE MEETS, joint contests between league rivals in most sports are few and far between.

TIGER

16 JANUARY 18, 2019

SPORTS

J.V. Scoreboard Girls’ Basketball The J.V. girls’ basketball team maintained their undefeated league record with a 56-5 blowout over Blair on Tuesday. The team will look to advance to 5-0 when they take on Monrovia on the road today. - LUYANG ZHANG

Boys’ Basketball J.V. boys’ basketball suffered their third consecutive loss to La Cañada last Friday, dropping their league record to 0-3. After coming up short down the stretch in their first few league games, the Tigers will look to flip the script this afternoon against Monrovia.

DRIVING TO THE BASKET, senior Kyle Tashiro looks for an opening in the Blair defense.

Boys’ basketball secures first league win over Blair STORY PRESTON SHARKEY PHOTO JAYDEN EDEN

behind the arc. South Pas would end the first half with a comfortable 44-16 lead.

In the second half, the Tigers slowed down the pace of the game as a gesture of good sportsmanship towards Blair. Instead of pushing the tempo and scoring easy fastbreak layups as they did in the first half, South Pas instead opted to take time off the shot clock and practice running set plays against the zone defense. Mayemura and senior Kyle Tashiro each knocked down a pair of threes in the second half as a result of the fluid ball movement around the perimeter.

fter dropping their first three league games by a combined point differential of minus 49, the Tigers bounced back with a commanding 76-29 win over the Blair Vikings. South Pas dominated the 0-13 Vikings from the opening tip on both sides of the ball to improve their league record to 1-3.

The Tigers started off hot against Blair’s 2-3 zone with a layup and three pointer from senior guard Jack Gordon. On the other end of the court, seniors Matt Mayemura and Ryan Chuang led the Tiger defense, consistently getting their hands in passing lanes to create turnovers. Near the end of the first quarter, Mayemura blocked a shot and threw a full court pass to senior Sebastian Au-Rivera, who then made a crisp pass to senior Louis Jamerson for a highlight layup. Shortly thereafter, Jamerson rose up for a fastbreak dunk to extend the growing lead and excite the home crowd in the SPHS gym. After gaining a 28-11 lead in the first quarter, the Tigers showed no signs of slowing down. Chuang caught fire in the second quarter, sinking two three pointers and a layup in a short span. The 5’11” senior wing finished with a game high 20 points on 6 for 11 shooting from

“We’ve been on a low recently,” Chuang said. “Today was a good way to pick up the energy get our confidence up and give ourselves a jumpstart going into the tougher second half of league. “ Despite the inferior competition, the Tigers will look to build on their hot shooting and carry the positive momentum into tonight’s home league matchup with the 1-3 Monrovia Wildcats. The inexperienced Wildcats team is coming off a 28 point loss to Temple City and will present a good opportunity for South Pas to climb back into CIF playoff contention. Standing at 1-3 and tied for fourth place in the Rio Hondo League standings, the Tigers will need to beat Monrovia twice this year to have a shot at a top three league finish.

- PRESTON SHARKEY

Girls’ Soccer The girls’ J.V. soccer team has yet to concede a goal in their season thus far, boasting a record of 2-1-0. The Tigers shut out the Blair Vikings 1-0 in their most recent home match. - CAROLINE KIMBEL

Boys’ Soccer Boys’ J.V. soccer triumphed over Blair in its usual dominant fashion on Tuesday, claiming the match 4-0. The team has had major success in both league and regular season play, as they boast a 1-0-1 record in league and a 10-1-1 overall record. - NICOLAS LIU

Girls’ Water Polo Girls’ J.V. water polo captured their first win in league against San Marino, defeating the rival Titans by a dominating score of 12-1. The team will next travel to Polytechnic on Wednesday, Jan. 23. - KIMBERLY HSUEH

Girls’ water polo dismantles San Marino STORY MADDIE YOO PHOTO OSCAR WALSH On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, the girls’ water polo team trounced the rival San Marino Titans by a score of 10-5, improving their league record to 2-1. The win marked the second straight league victory for the Tigers, who have put themselves into prime position for a CIF appearance. South Pas quickly jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first quarter. After winning the opening sprint, sophomore Amanda Kanaly passed the ball between teammates, setting up senior Alison Lao, who swiftly found the back of the net. After scoring the opening goal, a defensive mistake allowed the Titans to even the score at one. However, the Tigers were quick to retake the momentum back from San Marino. Rapid passes back and forth between the experienced duo of senior Jael Osborne and Sydney Shettleroe allowed the Tigers to score another four goals. The second quarter was much slower paced, as South Pas missed their few opportunities to score. An initial South Pas possession was short-lived, as a shot hit the post, resulting in a quick change of momentum. Osborne and Kanaly aggressively pressed the opposition on defense, forcing the Titans to run down their shot clock numerous

times. However, the Tigers’ strong defensive efforts were not enough to hold back San Marino, as a Titan shot narrowly made it past the goalie’s fingers. With their lead fading, South Pas attempted to press the Titan defensive line in the last 30 seconds of the half. Osborne threw the ball to Shettleroe, who made a quick turn before lofting it to Lao. Lao’s shot nicked the post of the cage, but Shettleroe quickly picked up the rebound. Ultimately, the ball ended up in Kanaly’s hand, who missed the highly-contested shot, ending the first half in a 5-2 Tiger lead. In stark contrast to the second quarter, the final half of the game was fast moving. The Tigers and Titans sprinted up and down the pool, each scoring multiple shots. San Marino focused their efforts on defense, while South Pas allowed its offensive prowess to shine. This offensive aggressiveness eventually sealed the game for the Tigers when Kanaly made an incredible play to finally put away San Marino. After getting trounced by a Titan defender, Kanaly, completely horizontal in the water, was forced to flick the ball off her wrist. The ball just got past the goalie’s outstretched arm, ending the game at 10-5. After a hard-fought victory over the Titans, the Tigers look toward to their final six league games as they try to wrap up a CIF berth.

A four-year varsity player, Jael Osborne has provided plenty of offensive fireworks for the Tigers.

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