Empowering students to think critically and creatively since 1913
VOLUME 106 ISSUE 4 DECEMBER 13, 2019
IN THE NEWS
SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030
Blood Drive
Winter Assembly
Breakfast with Santa
The American Red Cross’ annual blood drive will continue today, Dec. 13, until 3 p.m.
ASB will host this year’s Winter Assembly before finals on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
The City’s “Breakfast with Santa” event will be held at the War Memorial Building on Dec. 14. at 9 a.m.
Dance brings ‘Wonder’ to winter concert
STORY ELLIE CAMPBELL PHOTO KATELYN HERNANDEZ
times throughout the show, donning both vibrant colored tops and conservative dark workout clothes during appropriate scenes.
T
he SPHS Dance Program showcased student talent and creativity in the annual winter concert on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7. The performance consisted of six dance numbers dedicated to renowned American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, with a majority of the acts choreographed by the dance students themselves.
The second act showcased student-choreographed pieces danced to a diverse blend of musical choices, such as Billie Eilish, Hozier, and Beyoncé. Guest artists Claire Kucera, an SPHS dance program alumna, and Julianna Bulgarelli, a dance teacher at The Colburn School Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, also helped choreograph two pieces.
The first act opened with a spirited bang, playing Wonder’s song “Higher Ground.” Other musical numbers included the classic “Sir Duke” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” Members of Dance II and III and Color Guard made use of the entire stage through expansive, contemporary choreography. The stage was covered with multiple colored spotlights to capture Wonder’s characteristically “funky” vibe.
“We all had a lot of fun and enjoyed performing Ms. Cheyne’s dances as well as our own, which gave us a chance at making our own choreography to show everyone,” sophomore Teja Moe said.
“Our dances had a fun, jazzy vibe because Stevie’s music is so upbeat and energetic that we couldn’t help but show that in our dancing,” junior and dance co-captain Kayla Nielsen said. Students displayed their talents in a variety of dance types, including hip-hop, ballet, modern, tap, and even traditional flamenco. The performers changed costumes many
The show had a tight four-week rehearsal period, providing little time for the performers to learn their choreographed dances. “This concert seemed to happen in a lot less time than previous shows, and we all felt a little rushed,” senior dance co-captain Tabitha Okitsu said. “[However] by mid techweek, I felt we had [all] gotten pretty comfortable with the show.” The SPHS Dance program will soon begin preparations for its Spring Recital in May 2020.
MENTAL HEALTH
GALCO’S SODA
Limited access to mental health services at SPHS is inconsistent with students’ needs. District funding should be repurposed to address this deficit. Page 5
For over a century, the community has loved Galco’s Soda Pop Shop in Highland Park for its rustic charm and unique soda flavors. Page 13
TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM
COREY SEGAL
Senior soccer star Corey Segal returns to the pitch after a torn ACL. Her time in recovery has changed her view of the sport and life as a whole. Page 15
TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
NEWS
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School board commends girls volleyball success Girls volleyball recieved two awards from the school board for its historic state run STORY ELLIE CAMPBELL PHOTOS SARAH LEE
T
he South Pasadena School Board recognized the SPHS girls varsity volleyball team for its undefeated Rio Hondo League (RHL)Title and Division III State Regional Championship this season, on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The board presented the Tigers with two awards and praised their unprecedented success this season: one for placing first in all of Southern California and another for placing second in all of California. “I would like to commend you and acknowledge what an immense accomplishment this is,� Board member Dr. Suzie Abajian said. “I would like to thank the coaches and the students. We are so proud.� Principal Janet Anderson applauded the girls volleyball team both for an impressive run this season and rallying school spirit. “Following the team this fall gave all of us a lot of life. It was so fun to find out when the next game would be and it became a passion for us as well as the girls,� Anderson said. The Tigers charged through their season finishing with a 37-8 overall record, and 10-0 in the RHL league. Many SPHS students and community members came out to cheer on the team during the postseason. The team conquered opponents in succession, eventually making it to the Division III state finals after their journey. After dominating in the RHL, girls volleyball spiked their way through Division III CIF Southern Section. Although the team fell to Norco High School in the semifinals, placing in the top four teams earned them a
spot in the state competition. The Tigers were seeded second in the 16 team bracket, and they edged out all the competition and become the Division III state regional champions after defeating Palm Desert. “We were successful not just because of what the girls did but also by having the community right behind us at every game, [on the way to state]� head coach Ivy Chew said. South Pasadena represented all of Southern California in the Division III state finals against Lowell, a private high school in San Francisco. Although they lost three sets to one, the Tigers brought recognition to SPHS and the RHL, as well as making school history. Previously, girls varsity volleyball had never advanced past the second round of CIF, and this year, the team was just one victory shy of being crowned state champions.
ASSISTANT COACHES Lexi Evans and Chris Phannagam accepted an award on behalf of the team for the State Regional title.
All of this success came from extensive training beginning in May 2019. The bonds created in these many months were crucial to the Tigers’ surviving the rigorous playoff process, allowing them to push through five practices a week and two weekly games. “I felt pretty good going into playoffs,� sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Sokolow said. “I had a lot of confidence in us.� The Tigers beat multiple Division I schools during their CIF and state run, leading to a high chance that the team move up to at least Division III next season. Girls volleyball only has two seniors graduating from the team this year and thus looks to return even stronger in 2020.
PRINCIPAL JANET ANDERSON congratulated the girls volleyball team for its 37-8 season run, commending the team’s passion and talent.
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TIGER
4 DECEMBER 13, 2019
NEWS
Looking Back on the Decade STORY AMBER CHEN, NOAH KUHN, & CLOE MAURER PAGE DESIGN TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PATCH, TIGER ARCHIVES, THE L.A. TIMES, & THE PASADENA BEAUTIFUL FOUNDATION
S
outh Pasadena has witnessed a decade of immense movement, unrest, and change. Despite being a small town, South Pas has experienced death, celebration, and activism. As the 2010s comes to a close, Tiger recaps some of the biggest local news stories and events of the decade.
Aydin Salek
Windstorm
125th Anniversary
South Pasadena High School senior Aydin Salek died on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2009 from alcohol poisoning after attending a local party involving drinking. The death rattled South Pasadena and led to the “911 Immunity Law” in early 2011, which protects underage drinkers from prosecution if they call 911 for help when a friend consumes too much alcohol and becomes unconscious.
The windstorm of December 2011 hit South Pasadena hard, costing the City nearly 1 million dollars in repairs. With nearby Pasadena as the alleged epicenter of the storm, the storm knocked down trees and left half of residents temporarily at a loss of water due to the City’s widespread power outages. However, no residents were seriously injured.
South Pasadena celebrated its 125th anniversary on Saturday, Mar. 2, 2013 with local festivities featuring a merry-go-round and photo booth. The City, which only housed 500 residents when it was incorporated in 1888, also buried a time capsule in front of the South Pasadena Historical Museum on Meridian Avenue that will be opened in 2088.
Shooting Plot
Glue Incident
March4OurLives
Two SPHS students were detained on Aug. 19, 2014, after SPPD discovered their plan to stage a mass shooting. Although no guns or explosives were found in either of the student’s homes, the teens’ search histories and communication allegedly revealed intent to acquire deadly materials. The near-tragedy left the community shaken, but prompted SPHS to up campus security.
Several students played a costly prank, gluing all of SPHS’ locks on Dec. 8, 2014. Students and faculty arrived at school to find that all of the classroom doors had been glued shut. Administration’s lengthy investigation into the culprits’ identities yielded no results and they proceeded to install security cameras across campus in hopes of avoiding future incidents.
SPHS students joined 1.2 million other youth across the country in one of the largest protests in American history on Mar. 24, 2018, a year after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Students marched up Fair Oaks Avenue in support of gun violence prevention legislation, helping start a national conversation about gun control.
Marquez Shooting
710 Freeway Fight
Climate Strike
ER actress Vanessa Marquez was shot and killed by the South Pasadena police on Aug. 29th, 2018. The circumstances of her shooting sparked outrage amongst the community and many demanded that police release body cam footage. Marquez’s mother filed a wrongful death claim against the city of South Pasadena in February 2019.
South Pasadena triumphed over expansion efforts of the 710 Freeway — a battle the City had been fighting since the 1950s — in November 2018. The freeway extensions would have channeled through the heart of the community, prompting concerned residents to resist the expansion to preserve South Pasadena's small town environment.
SPHS students participated in the Los Angeles Climate Strike as part of a global movement, Fridays For Future, on Mar. 15, 2019. The movement was inspired by climate change activist Greta Thunberg’s school strikes outside the Swedish Parliament. Students from all over the L.A. area marched to pressure lawmakers to pass progressive environmental legislation.
TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
THE TIGER ESTABLISHED 1913
CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2019 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2018 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2017 CSPA CROWN AWARD 2016 CSPA GOLD MEDALIST 2015
STA F F ED IT OR IA L
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PRESTON SHARKEY
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OPINION
MANAGING EDITORS CAROLINE KIMBEL, Print DOMINIC MARZIALI, Online NEWS ADAM KWOH, Editor NOAH KUHN, Associate OPINION CAT FLORES, Editor NICOLAS LIU, Editor HAELEE KIM, Associate FEATURE LUYANG ZHANG, Editor CLOE MAURER, Associate SPORTS MATTHEW TSAI, Editor ELLIE CAMPELL, Associate DESIGN TALULLA CHOW, Editor MADDIE YOO, Editor DAVID SOHN, Associate PHOTOGRAPHY OSCAR WALSH, Editor ELLA JAYASEKERA, Associate COPY CHRISTINE MAO, Editor PETER WANG, Editor SENIOR STAFF WRITER AANJI SIN STAFF WRITERS SOFIA ALVA, AMBER CHEN, AUDREY ERNST, KATHARINE FLORENCE, KIMBERLY HSUEH, ZOE SCHLAAK, LILIAN ZHU PHOTOGRAPHERS JAYDEN EDEN, KATELYN HERNANDEZ, SEAN JIN, SARAH LEE ILLUSTRATORS NICHOLAS FORMAN, ALICIA ZHANG GRAPHIC DESIGNER CHARLOTTE COHEN BUSINESS & ADS HYUN KIM, Business Manager JOSEPH LEE, Ads Manager WEBMASTER & VIDEOGRAPHER ALEX PARRA FACULTY ADVISOR MIKE HOGAN VOL. 106 NO. 4 DISTRIBUTED ON DECEMBER 13, 2019. DISTRIBUTION: 1429 STUDENTS; 70 COMMUNITY. 1600 COPIES PRINTED. DISTRIBUTED BY TIGER STAFF FREE OF CHARGE.
TIGER IS PRODUCED BY THE ADVANCED JOURNALISM NEWSPAPER CLASS AT SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL, 1401 FREMONT AVE, SOUTH PASADENA, CA 91030. LAYOUT AND PHOTO IMAGING ARE COMPLETED ON-SITE. PRINTED BY L.A. WEB OFFSET PRINTING, INC., EL MONTE, CA. SIGNED ARTICLES APPEARING IN TIGER REPRESENT THE WRITER’S OPINIONS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF, STUDENT BODY, FACULTY OR ADMINISTRATION OF SPHS. ORIGINAL STORIES WILL CARRY BYLINES, ALTHOUGH STORIES REWRITTEN BY ANYONE OTHER THAN THE ORIGINAL WRITER WILL NOT RECEIVE A BYLINE. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE BYLINES. CONTACT THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE AT (626) 4415820 EXT. 2615 BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 4:00 P.M. FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. TIGER WELCOMES ARTICLES, LETTERS OR REBUTTALS FOR PUBLICATION IN THE PRINT AND ONLINE EDITIONS. ALL LETTERS MUST BE SIGNED AND VERIFIABLE, BUT NAMES WILL BE WITHHELD UPON REQUEST.
TIGER’S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A RELIABLE NEWS OUTLET FOR SPHS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THROUGH A VARIETY OF COVERAGE, TIGER E M P O W E R S/E N A B L E S S T U D E N T S T O T H I N K CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY, COMMUNICATE E F F E C T I V E L Y, S O L V E P R O B L E M S, S E T A N D REACH GOALS, AND WORK COOPERATIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. TIGER IS A FORUM FOR STUDENT FREE SPEECH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CALIFORNIA ED CODE 48907 . ALL REMAINING CURRENT TIGER NEWSPAPER POLICIES ARE ONLINE AT TIGERNEWSPAPER.COM INCLUDING: CONFLICT OF INTEREST, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, CORRECTIONS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
Student mental health and clashing priorities The district does not provide SPHS with the resources necessary to accomodate and improve struggling student mental health One would think that schools would prioritize access to mental health services in a climate of seemingly everyday school shootings and ever increasing adolescent suicide rates. However, it is quite the opposite. According to Mental Health America, only about one in five kids nationally who need mental health services receive them. SPHS’ alarming lack of mental health services perpetuates this issue and worsens students’ responses to the competitive school’s overload of work and extracurriculars. A school social worker is a trained mental health professional who provides emotional support and helps students overcome obstacles that can damage both social and academic success. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) recommends one social worker for every 50-250 students. SPHS, on the other hand, has only one part-time social worker for about 1,600 students. The problem arises when finding money to fund mental health services. Within the budget of the current district fund, which is mainly used for hiring and paying personnel, money from other programs would have to be cut to pay for mental health services. However, if SPUSD prioritized mental health when creating next school year’s budget, they could accomplish it. But, if taking funding from other programs would be too harmful, the district could propose a parcel tax. Parcel taxes have been used for hiring personnel in the past. Yet, SPUSD hasn’t considered proposing one for mental health. The district has been adamant in pushing for flashy facility upgrades and should be doing the same for mental health services. SPHS doesn’t need more facility renovations, they need better emotional support resources. Providing students with adequate professional mental health services needs to be a priority in SPUSD. SPHS students need psychological help. Students stretch themselves thin, taking on time-consuming extracurriculars and difficult courses — sacrificing their mental health. This environment also induces more serious problems, such as eating disorders, suicidal
thoughts, and violence. Furthermore, stress makes it more difficult to cope with external issues, like sudden loss and divorce. Students have complex lives outside of school, and all of these factors contribute to their mental health. It is well known amongst students that Spanish teacher Josuhua Whitney is a valuable emotional support resource. Whitney, who also works professionally as a therapist, has accepted his unique position on campus, but isn’t able to deal with more serious issues and cannot offer sustained support. “If [the issue is] something more serious, that requires more sustained attention, I would send them [to school mental health services]. I’m not equipped time-wise [to sustain support],” Whitney said. “But broadly speaking, what most people are dealing with is some form of anxiety or depression they go in and out of. The more adults around that are equipped to deal with that, the better.” Frighteningly, SPHS’ mental health services, too, cannot offer the more sustained support that students need. Natasha Prime, SPHS’ general education social worker, is only available three times a week and also works at the middle school. She often finds herself incapable of treating students to her best ability because of the volume of students in need. “I end up having to help [students] through crisis situations and then don’t get to see a lot of the kids on an ongoing basis. I try, I do. It used to be easier for me to see students on an ongoing basis, but now that it’s become a little more known that this is available, I have a lot more students coming. I’m not really able to keep up.” Schools are in place to support student growth, and mental health needs to have a place on campus, metaphorically and literally — right now, services are crammed into one small office in need of carpet renovations. SPUSD needs to stop putting mental health on a back burner, and needs to instead put it at the forefront of its priorities.
Boos & Bravos Tiger ’s most memorable cheers and jeers from the past decade. BOOS
BRAVOS
BOO to college application fees. If we wanted to pay to be rejected, we would get Tinder Plus. (November 2017)
BRAVO to whoever dunked Ms. Moone in the dunk tank. Her plummet was oddly reminiscent of our grades in her class. (November 2013)
BOO to The Fault in Our Stars trailer. We haven’t wept this much since dying before scoring one point on Flappy Bird. (February 2014)
BRAVO to @valcorzasshoes on Intagram. Now we know what our Nordstrom gift cards go towards. (January 2018)
BOO to the metro assembly for being the worst paraody of Dumb Ways to Die. That was not lit at all :/ (January 2019)
BRAVO to a petition gaining over 100,000 signatures to deport Justin Bieber. It seems too good to be true, but we should never say never. #swaggy (February 2014)
TIGER
6 DECEMBER 13, 2019
OPINION
Encouraging proactivity over abstinence Alcohol education is inconsistent with students' typical interactions with intoxicating substances STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL ILLUSTRATION DAVID SOHN
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igh school alcohol education, similar to sexed, preaches that abstinence is the best way to prevent danger. Classes often utilize scare tactics and demonize alcohol in an attempt to convince teenagers that they should never drink. The reality is, however, that most teenagers will be exposed to alcohol at some point in high school.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that 60 percent of teens have at least one drink prior to reaching the age of 18. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 4,300 teens die every year in the U.S. from alcohol poisoning. If alcohol education was approached differently, many of these deaths could have been prevented. Both health teachers and policymakers alike need to understand that teen drinking is inevitable, and they need to reorient health curriculum accordingly to keep students safe. Most teenagers who drink don’t know how to properly handle it because they haven’t been educated on safety protocol. Health classes never tell students that they’re allowed to call the police if someone has too much to drink without getting into trouble, or that they need to eat before consuming alcohol. Neglecting to educate students on how to stay safe when drinking degrades the program’s significance because most students will end up drinking regardless, and consequently won’t know how much they can consume.
The class curriculum is also inconsistent with students’ experiences. In health classes, most students have likely already consumed alcohol or know someone their own age who has. Approaching the class with the mindset that underage alcoholism is a horrible disease makes it clear that students have no teachers to turn to if they or a friend begin to have problems with alcohol abuse. America is one of the only Western countries with a drinking age of 21. Considering that the average drinking age around the world is 18.6, America’s is rather high. But, the rather high drinking age is consistent with the stigmatized culture around drinking. In Europe, teens often first drink with their parents as they become of-age while still living in the household. Here, however, most teens will be exposed to alcohol only alongside peers who are also likely drinking for the first time, leading to the overt and dangerous trend of binge drinking. Teens need to learn how to drink safely before drinking at all, and as of right now that’s not the case. American drinking culture should promote responsibility as that of foreign counterparts. Health classes need to teach students how to stay safe when consuming alcohol and how to accurately distinguish the difference between alcohol use and alcohol abuse, as well as offer resources to students who suffer from issues regarding alcohol. Just as abstinence-only sex-ed won’t stop teenagers from having sex, abstinence-only drinking education will never stop teenagers from drinking.
The case for "All Year's" resolutions STORY NICOLAS LIU ILLUSTRATION NICHOLAS FORMAN
this dissuades individuals from pursuing the same objectives in the future.
Adopting a plethora of resolutions that promise physical and psychological advancement with the arrival of a new calendar year is a commonality during the final months of the year and holiday season. However, the popularity of this practice is often overshadowed by its frequent failure; one source indicates that as much as 75 percent of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions within the month of January, and less than ten percent actually adhere to their objectives throughout the year.
The mindset that the beginning of the year is the only opportunity to bring about personal change also reinforces a detrimental ignorance towards proactivity. For example, someone who sets a goal to eat healthier in the middle of the calendar year might wait until January to carry out their plan. This exemplifies a base laziness that prevents people from taking ownership of their own circumstances. By sustaining this behavior for prolonged periods of time, there is a risk of this same laziness preventing action at any point in the year.
These statistics are troubling, but they are merely indicative of a larger problem pertaining to modern culture’s perceptions of goal-setting, persistence, and rationalism during the holidays. The nature of New Year’s resolutions in particular perpetuates numerous misperceptions that improperly define how personal improvement should be carried out. To achieve a society that boasts a rational approach to promises and development, individuals must be able to see beyond a tradition that clearly suppresses the populace’s ability to govern its own standards and actions. Few who commit to New Year’s resolutions in November or December do so free of the festivity that characterizes both months’ holidays. Between the celebrations and customs associated with each period, people are empowered by unnatural levels of spirited inspiration and confidence to enact ambitious goals, regardless of their practicality. When these attempts inevitably fail, as data suggests,
Carrying out New Year’s resolutions properly and efficiently demands conduct that more consistently and intensely stresses proactivity. This holiday season, instead of commiting to overly idealistic objectives out of the blue, develop extensive strategies to systematically accomplish more manageable goals that lead up to the primary objective. Physical documentation, for example, could prove an effective source of accountability and oversight for long-term resolutions. There is nothing inherently disagreeable about setting goals for the purpose of one’s future growth; New Year’s resolutions still embody a very human desire to become the best one can be. Still, there is a conversation to be had about the extent to which human nature can limit the productivity these resolutions promise. Only when done in a consistent, self-accountable, and calculated fashion do these statements become the serviceable traditions they were made to be.
OPPOSITE OVER HYPOTENUSE | AANJI SIN
Liberalism is not an excuse for bigotry South Pasadena is extremely blue. It is not unusual to hear about students participating in local protests and social justice clubs. People are generally good at staying politically correct, and student activists take comfort in knowing that they are supported by the student body. However, this atmosphere has created complacency with liberal students. People often hide behind the liberal label when making bigoted jokes, believing their words carry no weight becuase of their ideologies. Here’s a typical conversation that exposes this complacency: someone makes a racist or sexist
joke, an awkward beat of silence passes, and then the speaker quickly covers it up by saying it was a joke and adds some comment about the validity of their liberalism. But their friends accept their flimsy excuses as nothing more than ill-worded jokes. It’s an epidemic that involves using political affiliation to excuse unacceptable behavior. There shouldn’t even be a need to validate a statement using such an excuse because they’re not necessarily related. Also, even if someone doesn’t share those prejudiced opinions, the shock factor of the joke isn’t funny or justified. Prejudice shouldn't be
excusable regardless of political stance. It’s wrong to think that liberalism is the “get out of jail free” card. Students at SPHS need to start holding people accountable for what they say, no matter what their political affiliation is. Proclaiming someone as “liberal” doesn’t actually accomplish anything other than slapping a label on a person. It doesn’t change mindset or opinions, and it’s better for someone to take full responsibility for their words rather than hide behind what they think the rest of the world believes. Don’t accept liberalism as an excuse for offensive behavior. Practice what you preach.
TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
OPINION
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Ending male obsessions in history classes The excessive behavior of male history buffs stifles otherwise productive history discussions STORY HAELEE KIM ILLUSTRATION ALICIA ZHANG
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istory classes often contain a distinct congregation of male students eager to show off their prowess in a topic. Some individuals exhibit stereotypical behavior: an encyclopedic memory for facts and data, strong assertions of opinions on the material at hand, and tendencies to dominate in-class discussions. These are not inherently negative characteristics. People of varying backgrounds and beliefs add perspective to these conversations. However, there is always a limit on how radical one can be without overstepping boundaries. The so-called male history buffs capitalize on the classroom setting with their callous speech, creating tactless blunders. They alter the tone of the material being presented, speaking recklessly as if their words have no impact. Adding quips that are disguised as being witty, these students are not deterred when their words fall flat, using the few cautious laughs in the background as encouragement. This recurring tendency in classrooms has desensitized their rhetoric. There must be conscious consequences for these students, and a movement to hold them accountable for the problematic things they say. Not all history buffs are male, and not all male students obsess over war, but unfortunate gender
norms in society have undoubtedly influenced young boys to put these topics on a pedestal. Some of these male students develop abnormal fixations towards specific periods in history, particularly in military history. This behavior is common considering America’s enduring nostalgia and obsession with the World Wars. An underlying current of glee is emanated just by the mention of guns and gory statistics, behavior not appropriate for the level of sensitivity required to carry an effective lecture. This reality means that their enthusiasm is nowhere near its extreme when not discussing war, which makes it seem like their participation is solely for this reason. They proceed to glorify war, and then naturally take that next step into immortalizing historical figures, often people with evil legacies better left dead. When people begin to internalize the words of these nonchalant students, a gulag becomes a funny joke and the word Nazi loses its dire connotation. Everyone has to be held accountable to prevent male students from taking their personal obsessions out of hand. Students in history classes must actively call out the words of their peers if they are offensive — since crucial and impressionistic insights of the past are gained in these courses — in order to generate a tolerant and productive approach to studying the topic at hand.
The self-destructiveness of comparison STORY SOFIA ALVA ILLUSTRATION ALICIA ZHANG Academic comparison is ubiquitous among SPHS students and high school students across the world; students often use comparison to measure success and take into consideration their peers’ GPAs, SAT scores, and amount of AP courses they are taking. In fact, comparison is a natural reaction to a need for academic reassurance. However, this behavior often leads to unhealthy expectations for success among students. These comparisons become dangerous when they lead to unnatural idolizations of individual students. The presence of academic idols puts unnecessary pressure on students to meet the same high standards as their overachieving peers. In order to establish an environment where a student does not define success by the academic achievements of their peers, students must understand that academics are subjective, and comparison is not a productive way to determine success. There is a handful of students in every grade who are widely known as the “smartest.” On a surface level, it appears as though stress does not affect them and academic success comes naturally. Students who are not academically motivated are often intimidated or dissuaded from appreciating their own achievements when compared to those of higher achievers.
Students must understand that not everybody naturally excels at academics and that using comparisons to measure success is not a healthy habit. Various factors, not only academics, contribute to success, and it is misleading for students to believe that the only way to be successful is to have good grades. Teachers must reinforce that it is okay for students to be different from their peers and that students must be motivated to focus on things they are good at. In an effort to combat academic comparison, a learning environment that encourages students to focus on the things they are passionate about, not just academics, must be fostered. Teachers should continue to help students thrive academically, but must also realize that not all students excel in school and that that is okay. Pushing students to meet unrealistic standards is unhealthy; a student’s potential should be put towards something they are good at or passionate about instead. The mindset that academics alone define success is detrimental. Students must not use comparison relating to academics because everyone has different obstacles and privileges that affect the way they succeed in high school. Academics are by nature subjective, meaning that success in school varies from student to student. To avoid failure in the future and unhealthy expectations of success, academic comparison must be avoided.
On the reliability of student journalism STORY DOMINIC MARZIALI ILLUSTRATION ALICIA ZHANG
beyond reasonable boundaries, it prevents student journalists from doing their best work.
Earlier this year, Northwestern students protested a speech by then Attorney General and current bigot Jeff Sessions. A photographer with Northwestern’s studentrun newspaper, The Daily Northwestern, captured the scene of a student being knocked flat on the ground after their peers broke past the police. The photographed student later tweeted a post that called the coverage “trauma porn” after the paper published the photo. The Daily Northwestern proceeded to not only take down the photo, but also to publicly apologize.
It has become evident that publications’ adherance to these complaints is a slight to their own ability to produce the type of compelling stories that can only be produced by independent media. Simply put, it is impossible — and highly unethical — for a student publication to accomodate the interests and agendas of every party. Doing so erodes the independence and inherent value of student publications.
This case exemplifies a trend that has come to threaten student journalists nationally. Pop culture’s hyper-critical tendencies inspire the misinterpretation of basic coverage as attacks intended to antagonize an audience’s own virtues, when in reality student publications are simply attempting to be sources of unbiased information. Student journalists should not bow to these frivolous complaints from third parties, especially when they come from a few highly vocal peers that lack an understanding of journalism as a whole. When that small group takes sensitivity
Journalists have a responsibility to remain unapologetically objective when reporting the news, and anything otherwise condones a complete sacrifice of journalistic integrity and journalism’s foundational values. Truthful journalism is impartial, and people must understand the virtues of impartiality in today’s highly polarized political landscape. Empower students to pursue a career in one of the few remaining independent institutions, instead of degrading a key institution by saying that its long-standing ethics should not be a “thing” anymore. Accepting its merits, as well as looking past notions that journalists are threatening beliefs, is integral to the sustainment of ideal modern journalism.
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TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY SIMPLIFIED
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Impeachment Inquiry Simplified STORY CAROLINE KIMBEL & PETER WANG
REPORTING NOAH KUHN & CHRISTINE MAO
PAGE DESIGN TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO
I
n all of American history, only three presidents have ever faced impeachment proceedings: Clinton, Johnson, and Nixon. Although both Johnson and Clinton were impeached, neither of them were removed from office; no president ever has. Lacking Republican support and facing bi-partisan ire, Nixon resigned from his position as president following impeachment proceedings but was never formally removed. The Constitution doesn’t outline a definitive method for impeachment, and neither does federal law, which gives leeway for Congress to set forth its own approach.
GRAPHICS CHARLOTTE COHEN ILLUSTRATIONS DAVID SOHN
The impeachment proceeding on President Trump has been in progress since Sept. 24 when Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry. At this point, the House Judiciary Committee has presented two articles of impeachment: Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress. For the December Issue, Tiger outlines the events that have unfolded thus far in the impeachment inquiry on Donald Trump, what should be expected in the weeks to come, and examines teacher and student perspectives on discussing an event of this gravity in the classroom.
If no articles pass, impeachment inquiry ends July 25: Volodymyr Zelensky called Donald Trump in need of military aid. Trump said he would provide the funds necessary as long as Zelensky investigated Trump’s political rivals
Sept. 24: Nancy Pelosi announced formal impeachment inquiry
Oct. 31: House of Representatives voted to approve resolution that laid out plan for Trump’s impeachment inquiry
Nov. 13 through Nov. 21: Intelligence Committee Conducted Public Hearings
Abuse of Power & Obstruction of Congress
The House will debate and then vote on two articles of impeachment Simple majority required to pass
The House would appoint a team of lawmakers to present the articles of impeachment to the Senate Senators question both parties
If at least one article is passed, the president gets impeached
Classroom Discussions The extraordinary gravity of the impeachment inquiries have created a unique opportunity for teachers to tie current events into their curriculum. Though this effect is similar to presidential election years, the impeachment has stark differences from elections both in regularity and intention, and may be new ground for many. Amid this unfamiliarity, SPHS social studies teachers have developed their own approaches to guiding students through the first impeachment proceedings of their lifetimes.
Dec. 10: Two articles reported by the Judiciary Committee to be considered on the House Floor.
Impeachment inquiries are rare and extremely significant, especially for a president. But with a plethora of extracurriculars and heavy course loads, many students don’t have the time or the desire to prioritize current events. Consequently, many SPHS students have not remained informed throughout President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry. “School is incredibly stressful and students don’t have the time to stay informed,” junior Katie Hohman said, “If there is any free time, students would rather relax rather than catch up on the news.”
How relevant do you think the impeachment investigation is to your life? Very 26.2% Somewhat 52.4%
Have you watched or read anything about the public hearings? No 32.3%
Yes 67.7%
Not at all 21.3%
How informed are you about the impeachment investigation?
Have you discussed the impeachment investigation in any of your classes at SPHS?
Very 20.1% Somewhat 61%
Yes 29.9%
No 70.1% Not at all 18.9%
Conviction requires a two-thirds vote on one 2/3 or more articles of impeachment
Students’ Perspectives
Articles of Impeachment Against Trump
context of World War II. I don’t do something special for Black History month in February, I try to integrate black history month throughout the school year so the discussion remains in context.”
The civics and AP Government classes feature much deeper integration of the impeachment inquiry. Teacher Maryann Nielsen said, “There are days when I wish that I could just scrap our lesson plan and have the class watch the testimonies. It’s a dilemma in some ways because you could argue that what’s happening The primary struggle in impeachment education is one right now is more important than some of the things familiar to anyone who’s been in a social studies class: we need to study.” Similarly, civics teacher Alisia there simply isn’t enough Engelhard appreciates how an time for teachers to cover active impeachment process There are days when I wish allows students to analyze realevery important topic. Accordingly, classroom that I could just scrap our time occurrences, instead of teachers must pick and lesson plan and have the being relegated to hypotheticals choose which topics to and case studies. Engelhard class watch the testimonies... also described her process of cover, and which topics to You could argue that what’s integrating impeachment as “It’s mostly forfeit. happening now is more been pretty seamless integrated “I can’t afford to take time into the curriculum here. I’ve important than some of the been trying to incorporate it away from what we’re things we need to study.” studying now because with with each of the units.” that puts pressure on the students,” history teacher The possibility of integrating Sean Regan said. impeachment in classes beyond social studies has been controversial. Regan and World history teacher Annalee Pearson echoed this Piersen agree that while English classes could provide sentiment, attributing time-based restrictions to an appropriate context for impeachment discussions, “a very top down handed curriculum by the state.” the topic should ultimately fall on the shoulders of Despite this barrier, teachers have woven in the social studies classes. Engelhard pointed out a lack of impeachment proceedings into their classes, albeit freshmen social studies courses, which can leave many to varying degrees. The history classes generally have students in the dark. less opportunities to cover impeachment: U.S. history teacher Greg Luna said that “[the impeachment Despite differences in methods and opinion, a point investigation] hasn’t come up in any of my ... classes.” that all SPHS teachers agree on is the tangible impact on current and future affairs. As Nielsen described, Regan offered an alternative method for teaching “It’s serious what’s happening right now, regardless current or commemorative events, “When Pearl of the outcome. Its significance goes beyond a certain Harbor day lands on a school day, I don’t discuss it in subject or a single class, it’s of national significance.” class. It makes more sense for me to discuss it in the
Senate would vote on each article of impeachment separately
impeachment, we can learn about how our voices do have an impact on society and how it may not affect us now, but it will affect us in the future.” Only 21.3 percent of students believe that the impeachment investigation is very relevant to their lives according to the Tiger survey. Correspondingly, some students believe that some may fail to realize the rarity of impeachment investigations in general, or that the president’s decisions can affect much legislation and levels of government.
“I think it [the impeachment investigation] is extremely According to a survey distributed by Tiger, 28 relevant because Donald Trump is our president right percent of students aren’t sure if they believe that now, whatever he does affects my life and everyone the impeachment inquiry is justified. In other words, else’s,” junior Kate Argue said. many students simply don’t seem educated enough on the impeachment Many students appear to have investigation to have a clear “I didn’t know [the a difficult time balancing opinion. Exemplifying and extracurriculars impeachment investigation] school this point, one anonymous on their own, and the thought was a thing.” junior said, “I didn’t know of also paying attention to this [the impeachment current events doesn’t cross investigation] was a thing.” the mind of many students. This isn’t the end of the world, but some believe that However, a school’s job isn’t only to educate students events this momentous warrant in-class attention. but to shape future citizens, and part of one’s civic duty is to be politically aware. “I don’t know if this is a topic we’re supposed to be talking about in our classes, but I haven’t been Based on the surveys and interviews Tiger conducted, informed about this topic,” junior Lindsey Hirano said. it appears that many students may need more current events education. Whether that comes from individual The impeachment investigation is very meaningful student research or more current events integration and will likely be discussed in history classes for into social studies curriculum is not important. What’s years to come. The overwhelming amount of students essential is that students have a basic understanding of that remain uninformed on current events puts into what is going on in the world, regardless of the method question the importance of government entirely in for understanding. their lives. “Students definitely should be informed about “Even though most of the students at SPHS are under the impeachment event so that we can be more the legal voting age, it is still important to recognize knowledgeable about politics,” junior Nathaniel Wang any changes that are happening to our country and said. “This will allow us to make the most informed to develop a habit of understanding the roles of the decisions when we’re old enough to vote.” government,” freshman Allison Lee said. “From the
TIGER
10 DECEMBER 13, 2019
FEATURE
FEATURE
Green beans for dinner CAROLINE KIMBEL
‘How I Met My’ priorities I started watching How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) in fifth grade and, subsequently, I was exposed to a wide variety of jokes about sex and middle-aged life that I had no capacity to understand. Since then, I’ve watched the entire show at least four times, and I’ve never gotten tired of it. Reflecting on how much I’ve watched it, especially during finals season, has reminded me that grades aren’t worth sacrificing mental health or friendships. What makes HIMYM so good is that the characters overcome realistic hardships: Ted gets left at the altar, Marshall’s dad passes away, and Robin learns that she is not able to have children, to name a few examples. The characters get through their hard times because they have people to rely on and laugh alongside their struggles.
UNIQUE HOUSE SPECIALTIES like Tiger Tails and Strawberry and Peach donuts, in addition to classic flavors, have amassed fame for this mom-and-pop shop.
The Donut Man remains true to a legacy of quality The 24-hour store has received recognition from multiple media outlets STORY HAELEE KIM PHOTO KATELYN HERNANDEZ
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t is hard to imagine traveling for more than a couple of miles just to pick up a box of a dozen donuts, no matter how good they are. However, The Donut Man deserves this hype, reining customers into its nondescript but quaint storefront in Glendora. The business, located along the historic Route 66 for decades, is a welcome respite for regulars, hungry travelers, and the occasional hundred-mile trekker with its addictive assortment of donuts. It is easy to miss while driving, but the actual shop stands out from its surroundings, with a bright logo built on a big, scallop-patterned roof. Several parking spots are designated in the back of the square building, where customers can then walk up to the front and pass the side windows decorated with stickers of the seasonal offerings. Ordering and receiving are simultaneously completed at the counter, giving a quick, drive-thru feel. Contrary to its simple exterior, however, The Donut Man serves high quality items with a unique penchant for stuffing glazed fresh fruit in halved donuts. These clamshell-reminiscent desserts have gathered a variety of accolades from The Food Network, The Cooking Channel, and KCET’s “Most Iconic Dish” of 2015. Along with with a strong track record with critics, these donuts are attention-grabbing and impressive — a cornucopia of bright strawberries piled high, they pack a visual punch and are priced at only $4.50. The strawberry and peach donuts are unfortunately absent from the racks during the fall season, but are due to reappear early next year and in the summer, respectively. They have
been filled in by seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Cream, a light rendition of pumpkin pie filling piped onto a donut, and the Blueberry Cake Donut, dense and moist in texture. Tiger Tails, the house specialty and a unique concoction of devil’s food cake batter and chocolate twisted into a foot-long donut, is satisfying with each bite. Regardless of what is on the menu, these are essential to pick up. Old classics like the French cruller are also sold at The Donut Man, with more than five different flavors to choose from. There are other specialties like the PB&J donut sitting next to the Pumpkin Cream. It is all an enticing display, akin to a carefully curated exhibit. None of the different toppings or fillings are overly sweet. While the donuts were not all consistently crispy, virtually none of the donuts were greasy. This makes it unnecessary to purchase coffee and other beverages offered — which are on the diluted and lackluster side — because the donuts can carry themselves without overburdening the palate with the heavy aftertaste typical of fried foods. These donuts are definitely worth the commute down to Glendora, a treat especially when the fruit donuts are in season. Realistically speaking, the distance is a factor, although The Donut Man plans to unveil another store in February 2020, a second location nearly fifty years after the store’s inception. Located at the Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles, it will look to replicate the authenticity of the first. Address: 915 East Route 66, Glendora, CA 91740 Hours: Open 24 hours, Monday-Sunday Price: $
The show is realistic while still managing to maintain its comedic charm. There aren’t many sitcoms that capture this balance. I’ve watched Friends, That 70s Show, and New Girl, but none of them come close to the complexly realistic plot that HIMYM captures. If watching as much HIMYM as I have has taught me anything, it’s that having people to rely on is more important than all else. Although the sitcom is not entirely to blame, I’ve definitely prioritized my friendships at times over everything else in my life. And I don’t have any regrets. Being a senior has caused me to do a lot of reflecting on my high school experience in general. While there are weekends I could’ve perhaps filled with studying, the significant amount of time I’ve spent with the people I love most has made me realize just how important it is to allow sufficient time to enjoy life. To me, no grade is worth being miserable. Don’t get me wrong; trying hard in school is important, but there are a lot of people stretching themselves too thin for academics and not leaving any time for enjoyment. I know for sure that in 20 years when I look back at high school, I’m not going to remember my SAT scores or my GPA, but I’ll remember the memories I made in the process and the people who were there for me when I needed it most. So many people are far more willing to sacrifice their relationships rather than their grades, and I don’t understand this. Just like the characters on HIMYM, I know that I’ve formed bonds with people that will sustain me far beyond high school, and that’s mostly because I’ve given them sufficient time and attention. So, although finals season can be stressful, remember through this challenging time that mental health is far more important than grades. At the end of the day, high school should be filled with enjoyment, not absolute mayhem.
TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
FEATURE
11
PERSONALITY PROFILES THOMAS KANO: CAPTURING AUTHENTICITY IN FILM STORY NOAH KUHN PHOTO OSCAR WALSH
T
homas Kano uses his passion for filmmaking to express his committed and genuine nature. Dedicated to his craft, he will often spends countless hours quietly writing and editing his films to create cinematic wonders. Kano holds himself to a standard of responsibility to do his best and to always be courteous of those around him. He is not the loudest person in the classroom, but the words that he does share are always meaningful and truly thoughtprovoking. Similarly, his films are never over-the-top but remain true to the subject matter. Filming first began as a way for Kano hang out with friends, but it soon blossomed into a serious passion after he discovered how much he enjoyed it. The art form’s unique ability to effectively communicate with different types of people stuck with him. Kano is able to communicate emotions and experiences much more effectively and to a broader audience through films rather than talking. He writes his own storylines, casts friends and family for roles, shoots at locations in South Pasadena (such as Husco German Auto Services on Mission Street), edits, and occasionally adds a soundtrack; completing the entire filming process single-handedly. This added responsibility of executing a film alone showcases Kano’s commitment to genuine and quality work. Kano draws from his own personal experiences in sports or school, as well as those of friends and family, when crafting a new film. His use of real-life moments is part of his constant goal for authenticity in both the way he interacts with others while he is filming and how he portrays his subject matter. He pours his heart into the entire filming process, laboring for hours each day, constantly striving for an accurate portrayal of his subject that lives up to his own expectations. Kano is diligent in his work and dedicates himself to understanding and appreciating the people’s stories.
THOMAS KANO’S ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER than his words, thoughtfully using film to communicate diverse perspectives. “The end goal is that people learn and gain something that they hadn’t had before,” Kano said. “That’s definitely a challenge sometimes, but the point is just to tell a story, and make it into a story that the audience wants to watch.”
“I’m definitely always trying to get better. When I’m not actively working on a project I’m still trying to learn and I’m practicing,” Kano explained. “I’m more motivated when it comes to filmmaking than when it comes to anything else in my life.” The aspiring filmmaker has enrolled in a few film festivals, where he has gained valuable opportunities to share stories with others. Kano enters competitions not to win prizes, but for the platform it gives him to spread his ideas, and in turn, better his craft through learning from other people’s films.
Kano thrives on that challenge, carefully adjusting the camera to capture the perfect angle and pique the audience’s interest to find the deeper meaning of the series of images. His careful deliberation speaks for his devotion to thorough and honest work. Kano’s dedication to growth and genuine improvement reflects his hard work. True to his purposeful nature, he has researched many filmmakers in order to develop his own unique style of filming. Thomas Kano is committed to being honest and authentic as he works to teach and learn from those around him.
COLE FOX: CONFIDENT AND COMPASSIONATE STORY AMBER CHEN PHOTO JAYDEN EDEN
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ole Fox has a powerful presence on campus; she draws people in with her compelling poise and calm composure, speaking in a focused, captivating, and articulate manner. The ambitious senior’s involvement reaches all aspects of the South Pasadena community and beyond, earning much award and praise. Each of Fox’s achievements have been propelled by her strong sense of self-confidence and passion for helping the less fortunate beyond South Pasadena, which is especially shown in her work as a 2020 Rose Court princess. However, the confidence she embodies today was not always present, and Fox does not take this for granted. She recounts being in a negative state of self-hatred when making the difficult transition to high school and how that difficult period was necessary in order to strengthen her self-confidence. “It was having a really hard time with my self confidence and recovering from that made me strong. It was really going through the rock bottom of just feeling terrible about myself, it was going through that and feeling that pain, and coming out of it and learning from it that made me confident,” Fox said. “I saw help and it was talking with people and being vulnerable and open about how I was feeling that allowed me to take a step back and question why am I spending time in my head about this, it doesn’t matter. It matters more who I am as a person, than my appearance.”
COLE FOX’S JOURNEY TO SELF-CONFIDENCE has equipped her with the tools she needs to empower those around her.
Fox applies her confidence in all the activities she’s involved in. She’s not only a member of ASB, but also a design editor for the yearbook, a girl scout, and an avid participant in drama.
Drama has played a particularly large role in helping Fox break out of her shell. She credits her public speaking abilities with her theater training that began in fifth grade. Most characters she has played are outspoken, dominant ones; Paulette in Legally Blonde, Tracy in Hairspray, Rizzo in Grease. These stage personas translate to her personality. “I stick to some of their mannerisms and they make me more confident as a person. I’m also not afraid to speak in front of people, because I perform in front of people.” This belief in herself and lack of fear when speaking in public has helped her immensely in her work as 2020 Rose Court princess — in which she displays her determination to break the “bubble of South Pasadena.” As part of the Court, Fox visits all parts of the community: senior centers, foster homes, and hospitals. In her work, she demonstrates a greater awareness of her community, which she knows extends beyond South Pasadena. She keeps her own struggles in mind as she empathizes with others around her. Fox utilizes her confidence in every little personal interaction she makes, each of which she believes can have a significant impact. “It’s emotional, but it’s also really eye-opening and makes me want to get out there more and help these people, because I’m very fortunate to have the life that I do, and I want to try and give that to other people who don’t have that.” Fox’s determination is extraordinary. She’s grown into someone with a platform to fulfill her aspirations of bettering the world around her. As she continues to touch lives in her reign as Rose Princess, Fox will undoubtedly share her passion and confidence.
TIGER
12 DECEMBER 13, 2019
FEATURE
Finals Study Spots STORY KATHARINE FLORENCE, KIMBERLY HSUEH, HAELEE KIM, & NOAH KUHN
PAGE DESIGN TALULLA CHOW & MADDIE YOO GRAPHICS NICHOLAS FORMAN
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ith finals quickly approaching, borderline grades are taunting and last minute quizzes are haunting. Tiger has compiled a guide to South Pas’ best study spots. So, get off RogerHub and get on that grind. Good luck!
Kaldi Coffee & Tea Kaldi Coffee & Tea is a popular study destination for high schoolers for good reason — and no, it’s not only because Saorise Ronan stopped there for coffee in Ladybird. The historic building’s brick facade is probably South Pasadena’s most photographed intersection. Chances are, visitors will step over a wad of gaffers tape to get to the door of Kaldi, but that doesn’t scare customers off: Kaldi’s much-photographed small-town vibe isn’t just in movies. It’s a lovely spot with several beverage and food options, and if one frequents it to study, they may soon find themselves labeled one of the regulars. This special place offers is an airy, bright interior with good Wi-Fi and a rotating display of local art. Large windows offer a picturesque view of the trees bordering the library, and the cafe has a handful of outdoor tables to sip coffee and study al fresco. There’s a menu of tasty made-to-order sandwiches and paninis, as well as fresh pastries and the usual abundance of coffee and tea drinks to fill up on. An off-putting aspect to the establishment is that there’s no restrooms, though you can walk across the street to the library. This issue aside, Kaldi is an optimal spot for cram sessions before finals. Address: 1019 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 Hours: Mon. – Wed., Fri. 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thurs. 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Sun. 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Jones Coffee Roasters Jones coffee shop provides students with an ideal place to study for the upcoming semester finals. With an extensive food and drink selection, including pastries, salads and sandwiches — not to mention Fosselman’s ice cream — there’s an abundance of choices for an after-school nosh. The coffee shop features a generous amount of seating inside and out, with an entire second floor dedicated to quiet thought and work. Jones prides itself in sourcing inventive, global roasts including their own home-grown coffee originating from their family-owned farm in Guatemala, easily winning the title of South Pasadena’s best coffee. Their baristas are friendly, adept, and make the kinds of coffee beverages that keep students caffeinated and ready to come back for more. Jones is a stellar SPHS supporter, too: The shop donates both its location and coffee for several SPHS fundraisers and events throughout the year. Unfortunately, there is no Wi-Fi at Jones Coffee, but one can easily use a hotspot to access the internet if needed. Overall, its cozy and welcoming atmosphere Address: 1006 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 makes Jones Coffee the Hours: Sun. – Wed. 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Thurs. – Sat. ideal location for daily 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. study sessions.
South Pas Public Library All students have been in a library before; it is more often than not people’s first introduction to studying. But while it is a target location for students of all ages, the South Pasadena Public Library (SPPL) is at times outshined by other spots in terms of popularity. The library offers a silent setting within its main building, with many designated Quiet Zones scattered around in the form of long, glass tables. For individuals seeking strict solitude, there are many solo desks fronting walls and desktop computers, and for those prefer fresh air, there are two tables situated right outside for use. SPPL also has connectable Wi-Fi and printer access, allowing students to access technology for assignment completion. While there are benefits from studying at the library, the omnipresent silence discourages large study groups and those who aim for discussions with their peers. And for students fighting exhaustion while cramming, the stillness of the library may induce premature sleep. Nevertheless, these small slights will never outweigh the benefits because there is no need to purchase anything or be wary of getting kicked out for squatting too long, there is no location that better fits a stressed student with a multitude of resources. Address: 1100 Oxley St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 Hours: Mon. & Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tues. – Thurs. 11:00 a.m.– 9:00 p.m., Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sun. 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Simplee Boba Since Simplee Boba and Teamorrow’s opening in 2018, the boba shops have divided the South Pasadena community. Teamorrow is nearly always crowded with customers, while Simplee consistently has numerous available seats. However, these numbers do not reflect the quality of the cafes; in fact, Simplee is comparatively the under-appreciated cafe that better accommodates students’ requirements when studying. Students can enjoy the cozy atmosphere with the cafe’s natural light source and music. Unlike Teamorrow’s loud pop songs, Simplee has the perfect background music for studying, as it ranges from calming lofi to R&B and is set at a comfortable volume. The cafe also incorporates comfiness with its seating accommodations. Unlike most cafes, Simplee has two comfy alcove
window seats that are stuffed with pillows that are perfect for studying. Students can replenish their energy with refreshments during their study sessions. Ranging from cup noodles to bubble waffles, acai bowls and ice cream, Simplee satiates hunger with its wide variety of affordable snacks. The menu also presents an eclectic mix of beverages, including milk tea, coffee, and milkshakes. With an wide assortment of tasty food, seating options, and easily accessible Wi-Fi, students will be sure to thoroughly enjoy their study time at Simplee Boba. Address: 954 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 Hours: Sun. – Thurs. 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Thurs. – Fri. 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
La Monarca High schoolers flock to Teamorrow and Simplee to study with friends, but the allure of those trendy places overshadows an even better work environment: La Monarca. The Mexican pastry cafe has a subdued, quiet atmosphere where students can be productive. The interior of La Monarca is quiet and cozy, while students who work better outside can do so at outdoor tables, enjoying the gentle buzz of downtown South Pasadena. Students can savor the subtly sweet aroma of pastries while studying in the professional yet relaxed environment. Most visitors at the cafe are adults absorbed in their own work, allowing minimal distractions for high schoolers. La Monarca can nourish and sustain students with its large variety of Mexican pastries, cold and warm beverages, and hearty breakfast and lunch items. The food comes at affordable prices, such as a $4.50 quiche or a small flavored concha for 80 cents. With a plentiful array of food and drinks and readily avalible Wi-Fi and bathrooms, La Monarca’s mellow, calming atmosphere makes it a top-quality study spot for the upcoming finals season. Address: 1001 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 Hours: Mon. – Wed. 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thurs. – Fri. 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sat. 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Sun. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
TIGER 13 DECEMBER 13, 2019
FEATURE
TAAGLAA: Galco’s Soda TIGER’S AWESOME ADVENTURES IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA STORY SOFIA ALVA & ZOE SCHLAAK PHOTOS OSCAR WALSH
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n the quickly gentrifying LA suburb, Highland Park, one shop off of York Boulevard chooses to remain firmly rooted in the past. Attracted by its reputation for diverse soda flavors, we went to explore the 122-year-old, family-owned Galco’s Soda Pop Stop, a favorite among locals. The shop displays its rustic and charming personality to visitors upon entry. Vintage knick knacks and candy bars, like balsa gliders and charleston chews, line the walls, and Johnny Cash songs play in the background. Aisles upon aisles of glass soda bottles are displayed within easy reach, ranging from a classic root beer to a serrano pepper flavor. Galco’s has collected sodas over the years which has resulted in a diverse array of flavors to be available for purchase. From a couple of aisles away, we could hear the occasional carbonated spurts of air released from soda bottles as they were opened by other customers. The overwhelming list of rare and peculiar vintage sodas, such as Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda and the herby, jalapeno oil infused Brain Wash soda, transported us to a 1950s era grocery store. Galco’s Grocery was originally opened in 1897, but since changing locations and being handed down to current owner, John Nesse, the focus has changed. On the verge of going bankrupt, Nesse decided to start selling soda because it appealed to a larger audience. Ever since, he has collected unique, exotic soda flavors for his more adventurous customers to experience. He stocks his products from small soda companies that need exposure, and has connections with many of the soda manufacturers who sell him their soda.
HIGHLAND PARK’S FAVORITE POP SHOP has been keeping traditions alive for over a century.
“Every day is a different day here and that’s what I love most about it,” Nesse said. “And it becomes fun to outsmart the big soda companies.”
Nesse’s bubbly, talkative personality adds to the charm of the shop. His passionate, happy approach to greeting customers makes you feel accepted and appreciated. Happy to talk to us about his experiences, he offered us each a free bottle of soda. As we sipped our drinks, Nesse proudly informed us that they used natural cane sugar instead of the processed sugar they put in name brand sodas today. To pair with a refreshing soda, Galco’s also offers a deli with many sandwich options. From the deli, we purchased three cheese and pastrami sandwiches, which were a delicious addition to our visit. The stop sells a variety of blockbuster sandwiches like salami and meatball subs. As we got lost in the aisles, we watched as a constant flow of people came through the store. Many of the store’s patrons were parents bringing their children to enjoy the thrill of trying a new soda flavor or creating their own at the soda making station. All these aspects of the shop add to it’s relaxing blast-from-the-past vibe. Galco’s has attracted lots of attention from the media since its change in ownership. The soda pop stop has been recognized around the world through its appearances in various prestigious publications such as TIME and a Youtube video by the Chowdown channel, which has racked up 1.5 million views. Exposures like these put Galco’s on the map and attracted more customers, keeping the well deserved mom-and-pop shop running. With the help of media exposure and its unique soda variety, the small family grocery store has transformed itself into a cherished, nostalgic destination. Unique soda flavors and an old school vibe make Galco’s Soda Pop a must see in Highland Park. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Address: 5702 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042 Price: $
14
TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
SPORTS
Winter Sports Update STORY ELLIE CAMPBELL, KIMBERLY HSUEH, HAELEE KIM, NOAH KUHN, ZOE SCHLAAK, & AANJI SIN
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PAGE DESIGN TALULLA CHOW, DAVID SOHN, & MADDIE YOO
GRAPHICS CHARLOTTE COHEN
n the previous year, the winter sports produced only two teams with winning records. The preseason is in full swing and the teams are looking to improve upon last season. Tiger's sports writers check in on the winter sports' progress. All information is accurate as of press time.
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
The Tigers are far from last season’s squad that scored over three goals per match. The team has performed adequately in the preseason, with two wins, two losses, and a draw so far. Following the loss of many important graduating players last year, South Pas has been unable to finish many of its goalscoring opportunities, while also struggling with defense tactics and communication. With league competition rapidly approaching, boys soccer must find its offensive rhythm if it hopes to compete for a league championship this season.
Girls soccer has experienced a rocky 1-1-1 start. After a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Polytechnic, South Pas put up a valiant effort in a 3-2 loss against the Division II Oaks Christian. Senior transfer Andrea Castellanos has anchored the midfield through her impressive ball control, agility, physicality, and spirit. The Tigers have also placed their faith in underclassmen like sophomore Ava Dunville and freshman Daniella Lat, who have been crucial for the Tigers defensively and bode well for the program’s future.
Girls Basketball
Boys Basketball
Girls basketball nears the end of its preseason, having up and down performances in games and tournaments. Although sophomore Allysan Tse has consistently been the strongest player in every game, the Tigers have dropped eight of their 15 games. Despite its under .500 record, South Pas has faced some stiff competition; the team has played numerous schools in higher divisions. The experience against stronger rosters will be vital to the Tigers’ attempt to dethrone the reigning Rio Hondo League champions, the La Cañada Spartans.
Starting with a seven game winning streak, the Tigers have exceeded expectations. In the season opener against South El Monte, South Pas earned a 66-62 win behind senior Billy Reed III’s 34 points. The Tigers also claimed the Azusa tournament title, with Reed earning the MVP award and senior Rodney Ortega being named to the All-Tournament Team. The Tigers are also undefeated thus far in the Grizzly Classic, beating Artesia and Vistamar. With the best start in recent memory, they are in perfect position to reach CIF.
Wrestling
Girls Water Polo
The girls and boys teams are in the midst of their preseason, competing in various individual tournaments. Junior Devin Peries has consistently placed on the podium in the 160 pound weight class, earning first at Costa Mesa and second at Mater Dei. For the girls, fellow junior Roxanne Lynch has performed well, placing fourth in her last tournament at San Fernando. The teams will compete in three more weekend tournaments before heading into league play, starting against rival San Marino on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The girls water polo season began with a rough start, as they only have two returning starters — senior Krystal Lee and junior Amanda Kanaly — to guide the team. However, after suffering two losses to a talented Notre Dame team, the Tigers bounced back with a 12-5 win against Hoover (page 16). Freshman Grace Markus, who has scored eight goals, has emerged as another offensive threat alongside Kanaly. South Pas will compete in the Villa Park tournament before its first league game at Temple City on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
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TIGER DECEMBER 13, 2019
SPORTS
15
Corey Segal: a senior comeback season STORY AUDREY ERNST PHOTO SEAN JIN
S
enior Corey Segal has been playing soccer since fourth grade. She earned a varsity starting spot as a freshman and has been a vital attacker for SPHS’ historic 2018 CIF run. She was passionate about the sport and excelled at it; this was the path she wanted to follow. But, she had to put her passion on hold once she tore her ACL. Segal was sprinting down the sideline during a club soccer game when an opponent rammed into her right knee. Tumbling to the turf, she heard a pop and her leg went numb. She initially thought nothing of it, but when she attempted to return for the second half, she felt the lower half of her leg swivel in its socket and was carried off the field. Segal was devastated to learn that she had torn her ACL, and even more so when doctors revealed that the recovery process would last 12 months. “Soccer was my favorite extracurricular activity [to which] I devoted most of my time, so I felt like part of my identity was stripped of me,” Segal said. Rehabilitation was a constant struggle. She devoted long hours in physical therapy, re-
learning how to run, jump, and dribble. The process was grueling, but Segal’s devotion allowed her to completely recover in ten months. However, the emotional battle was much harder than the physical one. Segal felt as if she were on an island, relegated to watching her teammates from the sidelines as a team manager. “I felt pretty insignificant and couldn’t talk to anyone else about my injury because they didn’t understand,” Segal said. “But I always knew I wanted to play again. I think that was what kept me motivated throughout the recovery.” Now, fully recovered, Segal captains the SPHS girls soccer team and relishes every moment she has on the pitch. Although she lost almost a full year of soccer, she views the sport and her injury in an entirely different light. “It was tough, but it sparked a period of growth for me because I had the time to explore other interests. So, this year, I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can,” Corey Segal said. “I know how much I love playing [soccer], but I also know that I will be fine without it. The injury made me appreciate the sport a lot more and recognize what it means to me.”
WHILE OVERCOMING AN ACL INJURY, Segal rediscovered her love for soccer.
Winter sports’ early preseason takeaways STORY MATTHEW TSAI PHOTO OSCAR WALSH Early non-league matchups are a prime opportunity for teams to stack up wins in preparation for CIF seeding. With most teams halfway through their preseasons, Tiger shares its takeaways for some of the winter sports. All information is accurate as of press time. Boys basketball has jumped out to its best start in over 15 years, winning all seven preseason games under a new coach and an entirely new roster. As expected, senior transfer Billy Reed III has taken on most of the Tigers’ offensive load and is averaging 27 points a game.
WITH A YOUNG DEFENSIVE BACK LINE, boys soccer must adapt to the strengths of its new personnel.
However, the new supporting cast has been the secret ingredient in South Pas’ recent success. Junior Amar Ebrahim has emerged as a secondary scoring option, while also providing lockdown defense. Senior Alan Quan, who played on the team in his sophomore year, has been the Tigers’ Swiss-Army knife. From his intelligent playmaking to tenacious rebounding, Quan is the team’s glue. The duo has alleviated pressure from Reed and given South Pas a multifaceted attack.
Boys soccer lost three starting defenders to graduation last season and have struggled to fill the gaps with its new back line. During Juan Zurita’s time as head coach, South Pas has implemented an aggressive offside trap. In years past, tall, strong players have allowed this defensive tactic to stifle the opposition’s attack. However, the team lacks the communication and physicality to execute the offside trap and has conceded nine goals in five games. The team must switch or clean up its tactics in order to turn around its slow 2-2-1 start. After four preseason tournaments, girls basketball is sitting at a 7-8 record and have struggled to find offensive consistency outside of star sophomore Allysan Tse. Tse has posted 14.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, while no other player scores over eight points a match. In a tournament match against El Rancho, Tse dropped 21 points and 20 rebounds, while the rest of the team struggled. The other Tigers shot 5 of 41 from the field and South Pas fell, 4334. The team will need someone else to step up and bear some of the scoring responsibilities.
Coach Baskerville bridges passion and community STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH PHOTO JAYDEN EDEN Basketball shoes squeaked, echoing throughout the gym. As the clock ticked towards zero, a nervous wave washed over the gym and head coach Ernest Baskerville. Then, the ball swished through the hoop. The crowd erupted in cheers and the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES) was crowned the 2009 Los Angeles City Small Schools champion. This game marked his first CIF victory and reflected Baskerville’s dedication to bringing a team to its full potential. After this experience, he would bring his techniques to other teams and now hopes to rebuild South Pas’ boys basketball program as the new coach. Basketball has coursed through Baskerville’s veins since middle school. From ninth to twelfth grade, he played for LACES’ boys varsity basketball team. Unfortunately, a traumatic injury abruptly ended his basketball career. The inability to play basketball prompted him to pivot towards helping the community. From teaching basic reading fundamentals to successful academic and professional habits, he began tutoring and mentoring students, while also coordinating homeless outreach events. However, he wanted to go beyond volunteering. Baskerville wanted to impact the community by molding youth through his passion for basketball. By becoming a coach he killed two birds with one stone: continuing his love for basketball and contributing to the community. He received his first position as an
assistant coach at the College of the Canyons and later became head coach for several high schools, such as Burbank and Providence. Through interactions with other coaches, he gained a wide range of advice and was able to cultivate his own coaching style. “I got the opportunity to learn from good coaches,” Baskerville said. “As an assistant coach, I got a chance to learn a lot from the head coach at Canyons since he won multiple championships everywhere he’s been. As I took on my job, I’ve always leaned on different coaches I’ve known from the years I played.” Currently, Baskerville is leading the South Pas boys down the same path. He aims to develop quality players by instilling discipline and compassion. This approach stems from his belief that sports is the perfect medium to positively shape youths’ lives. “Sports taught me three major things: the importance of social interactions, teamwork, and selflessness. These are three things you should have in life in order to be a good classmate, a good coworker, and a good friend,” Baskerville said. “I strive to make the people around me better, especially young people, and give them the opportunity to learn life lessons, not just basketball.” Through his childhood community and his rollercoaster journey with basketball, he realized his true purpose in life: making a positive change in society. As the basketball season begins, Ernest Baskerville hopes to not only build a team with talented players, but also raise students with strong character who can create positive benefits in society.
HAVING STEERED MULTIPLE HIGH SCHOOLS DOWN A PATH OF CIF SUCCESS AND SELFLESSNESS, new boys basketball coach Ernest Baskerville plans to do the same with South Pas.
TIGER
16 DECEMBER 13, 2019
SPORTS
PAPA D’S TSAI
Middle school stars: top upcoming SPMS eighth graders
MATTHEW TSAI
SPORTS ARE UNIFYING Everyone has recently lept onto the girls volleyball bandwagon, but I’ll confess: as a basketball player, I’ve always hated volleyball. The girls hoard the gym in the fall, pushing my team into the sweltering heat for conditioning and exhausting city runs. Then, once we enter basketball season, the boys are always creeping around the corner and stealing our time in the gym.
STORY ELLIE CAMPBELL & ZOE SCHLAAK PHOTOS ELLA JAYASEKERA & SARAH LEE
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reshmen give an extra boost to varsity teams every year, typically providing youthful energy. The current South Pasadena Middle School eighth grade class boasts a bevy of athletic talents ready to impact the SPHS athletics program next year. Tri sport athlete Titus Rodz has a lot on his sports plate this year. Naturally gifted with a combination of speed, power, and size, he is a star athlete on the SPMS football, volleyball, and basketball teams. Outside of SPMS, Rodz has been playing with the San Gabriel Valley (SGV) basketball club and the San Gabriel Elite volleyball club for nine years. His raw talent shined as his club team recently placed sixth in Southern California in a qualifying tournament. Rodz juggles at least two practices year round and usually finds himself in a demanding schedule: school, practice,
AT FIVE FEET EIGHT INCHES, Rodz is a physical force on the court and football field. another practice, and homework. Even with his hectic schedule, he’s still able to perform at a high level throughout all of his sports. Rodz has devoted most of his life to sports and his hard work will pay off next year at SPHS. “He’s a great player because he understands the game,” SPMS basketball coach Danny Rios said. “He allows the game to come to him and utilizes his natural abilities for rebounding and getting up the court.” Sophomore Abby Garner and junior Lola Foord have led girls volleyball to a record-setting season. Despite making it all the way to the CIF State final, next year’s squad is projected to be even better. Jenna Garner and Helena Foord are both highly skilled outside hitters who will add depth to the Tigers’ rotation. Both produce strong kills for the San Gabriel Elite volleyball club at the Roshambo level. Garner and Foord grew up in volleyball families, traveling across the country for tournaments and spending hours on end watching their older sisters’ games and practices. Exposed to the sport at such a young age, they took their families’ passion and were inspired to try out and follow in Abby Garner and Lola Foord’s footsteps.
GROWING UP IN VOLLEYBALL FAMILIES, Helena Foord (above) and Jenna Garner will enter high school as seasoned athletes.
“Watching my sister play inspires me because she’s a big role model of mine and I can see how a good teammate should act, which has rubbed off on me.” Helena Foord said.
Naturally, when my coach told the team that we needed to attend the home girls volleyball games, I was annoyed. I usually keep my eyes trained on my phone, but its battery would inevitably perish and I’d have no choice but to watch. The first few games were painful. However, I slowly developed a strange sense of pride as I witnessed the Tigers toy with rival teams. I’d clap, cheer, and scream in the stands just as I would during one of my basketball games. I realized that sports are more than just a game. Sports create beautiful, unspoken bonds. Looking around, I saw a diverse spread of people cheering with me: the crazy parents that get too angry too quickly, the random underclassmen I never knew existed, and the upperclassmen who lead the student section chants. At that moment, I saw a crowd that would never assemble under ordinary circumstances. But sports are something special. They create a common ground for our school and community to rally behind. They are an opportunity for everyone to work beyond their biases or opinions and join together as one team. Sports act as an amazing unifier, and in today’s chaotic, divided society, that is extremely valuable.
Girls water polo defeats Hoover in first season win STORY KIMBERLY HSUEH PHOTO SEAN JIN
middle of the pool, generating multiple turnovers and prohibiting the Tornadoes from scoring.
Girls water polo earned in its first victory, defeating the Hoover Tornadoes 12-5 on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Freshman Grace Markus set the tone with her aggressive offense and went on to finish the game with five goals. Throughout all four quarters, the Tigers displayed strong offensive chemistry against the Tornadoes’ porous defense, and a five-goal run in the third period sealed the blowout victory.
Only 12 seconds into the second quarter, Markus captured the first possession once again and thrust the ball into the goal. The Tornadoes broke the Tigers’ scoring streak and managed to score in the last minute of the half. Still, South Pas entered the break with a comfortable 5-1 lead.
Markus snagged the opening sprint, and from the start, the Tigers looked confident with the ball a huge difference from their two previous games. The girls calmly passed the ball around the perimeter, patiently waiting until a good opportunity arose. Turning defense into offense, Markus kick-started the South Pas scoring. She quickly blocked a Tornado strike and lofted the ball to junior Amanda Kanaly, who then sped past the Hoover defenders to score. Shortly after Kanaly’s opening goal, senior Kili Dickinson and junior Piper Fleming slammed the ball into the net in rapid succession, forming an early 3-0 advantage.
MAINTAINING A COMFORTABLE LEAD for the entire match, the Tigers sailed to an easy 12-5 win.
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Although the Tigers did not strike again in the first period, sophomore Monet Cajayon ensured that the Tornadoes would not scratch the scoreboard. Cajayon pressured the
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The Tigers cranked up the pace in the second half, whipping dart-like passes across the pool. Fleming, Dickinson, and Markus all cashed in on easy scoring chances. The team added another five points to its score, concluding the third quarter 10-3 in the Tigers’ favor. In the last quarter, South Pas eased off the gas pedal while still maintaining a high level of energy. Defensively, junior Gloria Gray proved to be an important asset to the Tiger defense, blocking multiple shots in a row. The game ended with the Tigers’ 12-5 victory. “We were definitely more prepared for this game,” Kanaly said. “This game brought us together more as a team, since we were able to focus on and develop communication, ball work, and the fundamentals.” Girls water polo hopes to carry this momentum into the Villa Park tournament this weekend.
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