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XC Issue 1 wildcatpaper.com Friday, October 2, 2015ay,@uniwildcatnews
Photo by Krystal Gonzalez
Photo by Ray Roble
Photo by Krystal Gonzalez
Photo by Krystal Gonzalez
News Battle of the Budget The Wildcat staff breaks down this year’s $8 million dollar budget
Feature Red Cross Club Service Veterans Uni students visit veterans for Grandparents Day
Entertainment Viewers get excited about upcoming animated sequels
Opinion LAUSD budget decisions raises concerns about equity
Sports JV football gets in shape for season
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October 2, 2015
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
NEWS
The Battle of the Race to
the White House
budget
By MAribel Curiel Staff Writer
University High School students are starting off the season with a brand new sports field this year. By Sarah Short Co-Editor-in-Chief
W
ith an $8 million budget, but no toilet paper in the bathrooms, broken AC systems and a lack of computers in the classrooms, students are beginning to wonder where all this money is going. “The conditions of the bathrooms have improved, however they’re still not to the standards of how a restroom should be,” says senior Andrew Alatorre. Bathroom maintenance has long been an issue at University High. Many stalls are broken, inaccessible or don’t have toilet paper. This problem stems from not having enough money in the budget to allocate to the custodial staff. When Principal Eric Davidson first began as an administrator at the school eight years ago, there were 12 custodians. The LAUSD budget crisis reduced the custodial staff to eight in 2008. Currently, only six custodians remain at University High – half of what the remaining custodial staff said is needed to keep the campus clean and pristine. In addition, teachers and students in classrooms with dysfunctional AC systems have had to face record-high temperatures into the 90s and low 100-degree levels for the past few months. Students have protested that overheated classrooms inhibit learning and could possibly endanger the health and safety of students and teachers. Mona Farzan, a senior, says, “It is very important towards our education for us to be in the right environmental conditions or it impairs our ability to learn.” Class sizes have also been a major concern for not only students, but teachers as well. The maximum number of students that can be enrolled in any generic academic class is 45, though the capacity remains at 35 for magnet classes. According to data released from LAUSD, in 2011
Photo by Krystal Gonzalez
the ratio of students to teachers moved They have taken on the responsibility from 20-to-1 to 26-to-1. In less than of sharing the costs of Uni’s CIF four years, the number of students dues and have made contracts to in each class has increased by 19. repair the football equipment. The Ariana Silva, a chemistry district will also reimburse Uni for teacher whose largest academic class all of the game officials that totaled contains 44 students, states, “I can’t to approximately $50,000 in 2014. Although many of the get to all of those students, nor is it basic necessities on campus aren’t safe.” quite being fulfilled to adequate Students also feel that large standards, the administration is classes restrict their ability to learn trying to eliminate major problems. and communicate with the teacher. Due to multiple LAUSD ”I feel like there are so schools having damaged AC systems many people in my classes that none during the hottest weeks of the year, of us get the chance to experience the district began fixing the elementary one on one time with the teacher,” schools first and working their way up senior Nathalye Valdez said. to high schools. In response to this long Overcrowded classes delay for help from LAUSD, the school contribute to the scarcity of resources. provided fans to teachers with broken University High’s Digital Media AC systems and moved some classes Magnet is fortunate to have laptop carts to other teachers’ rooms during a free to share amongst classrooms, but the period. 20 laptops found in each cart are barely Leslie Coleman, a Spanish enough for students to share if the class teacher who experienced a enrollment is at 35 or greater. This malfunctioning air conditioner in is problematic for taking individual assessments on Juno. Meanwhile, her classroom, says, “I think that many non-Magnet teachers continue the administration acted as quickly to lack quick and easy access to and efficiently as they could, laptops or iPads and while the library given the circumstances.” Additionally, Uni has acquired is open, not all the computers work. a new sports field and a brand new So what does the media center funded by LAUSD and administration spend its money grants from the state. The media center on if not for more technology, provides students with a platform for smaller class sizes, and keeping video and sound editing. In the midst the campus clean? of being built in room 127, the new Eighty-five percent of the media center plans to be completed money received from LAUSD in the form of general funds, or approximately by mid-October. It will be open to all $6.8 million, is used to pay teacher’s students, but will primarily be used salaries and benefits, along with for a digital media class, instructed by Art Shane, a performing arts teacher. personnel and utility costs. Following salaries and Meanwhile, the new field that is now utilities, the athletics program requires operative will allow Uni to net around a large portion of Uni’s overall $1,000 profit for each home football budget, estimated to between $80,000 game this year. While Uni did not have to pay and $100,000 a year. LAUSD had left Uni with the responsibility of paying money out of pocket for the school’s for all sports-related costs, causing newest improvements, the question the school to go bankrupt. Recently, remains as to whether the school the district has put into place new will have the funds to maintain these policies related to how the school facilities. funds certain programs on campus.
The future of the people in the United States lies in the hands of one of the presidential candidates. During Barack Obama’s two terms as president, over 16 million Americans received health insurance thanks to Obamacare, same-sex couples gained the right to marriage and SEAL Team Six managed to track down and assassinate al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Who can compare? This year the candidates have caught the attention of the public, especially one candidate in particular. Donald Trump is a man who has been gaining as many followers as he has enemies. The first point of controversy emerged after Trump called Mexicans who cometo the United States illegally “killers” and “rapists” in his June campaign announcement speech. As of right now, Trump continues to lead GOP polls. According to an NBC/WSJ poll, Trump comes in first with 21 percent support.This is good news for Trump supporters, but others, such as senior Jenifer Manzano have a different opinion. “He doesn’t really have a positive idea that could benefit us. All he is doing is spreading negativity.” Yet the more radical his statements, the more he continues to lead the Republican race for the presidency. Donald Trump is not the only one making headlines. Although Hillary Clinton started off as a front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has recently found herself in the middle of a controversial e-mail scandal. Criticism and controversy has arisen over Hillary Clinton’s use of personal email accounts on a nongovernment, privately maintained email server. This controversy may jeopardize her chances of obtaining the Democratic nomination. Sean Zeck, a junior, says that Hillary Clinton still has a chance because the “media is going to acknowledge the fact that she is a woman who is trying to become president.” Even though the scandal has hurt her chances, it has been particularly beneficial to Bernie Sanders. Sanders, a senator from Vermont with more than 20 years of experience in Congress, has gained an increasing amount of attention and followers, especially from younger voters. The poll from CNN that came out on September 24 shows that Sanders has recently taken the lead from Clinton in New Hampshire. In a recent CNN and WMUR poll, Bernie Sanders has 46 percent of the New Hampshire Democratic primary vote while Clinton has 30 percent of the primary vote. Junior Justin Howard supports Sanders. “He is for the people.” See RACE on page 3
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October 2, 2015
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
NEWS
Wildcats Spotlight Black Lives Matter By Jyla Yu Staff Writer
Dr. Martin Luther King fought 50 years ago for equal rights for African Americans, but the fight continues with the Black Lives Matter Campaign. The campaign spotlights racial discrimination with police brutality in the United States. These perceived injustices cause divisions in American society which ultimately leads to civil unrest and riots. On April 19, 2015, Freddie Gray was unjustly killed by several officers. Officers claim he had switchblade on him, and that was the means for his arrest. Those defending the police argue that Gray had pre-existing spinal cord injuries. Yet, doctors say that forceful trauma’ to the vertebrae was the direct cause of his death, in a report released by the Baltimore Sun on April 21. Just a few days later, he was declared dead. It took the judicial system five months to bring Officer Caesar Goodson; Lt. Brian Rice; Sgt. Alicia White; Officer Garrett Miller; Officer William Porter; and Officer Edward Nero to trial. Officer William G. Porter is the first of the six officers responsible to go to trial on the death of Freddie Gray. The Wildcat newspaper conducted a survey on campus to see how students respond to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ slogan. The responses showed a fairly positive attitude towards the police. According to the data, 65 percent of students say they trust the police “a fair amount,” and 82 percent of respondents indicated that they have “never felt racially targeted by the police.” However, about 58 percent of the 90 respondents do not consider the police as their friends. Nine out of 10 students said that when defining Black Lives Matter, the phrase should be changed to “All Lives Matter” to signify equality for all.
90 University Wildcats were surveyed about the meaning of the Black Lives Matter Movement and their attitudes toward the police.
What does Black Lives Matter mean to you?
“For the most part, [the Black Lives Matter movement] is just a lot of bandwagon teens behind keyboards saying they care like so many before them,” wrote freshman Jessie Alexander Martinez.
“Black lives should be equal. Each life matters and it should be important for black people too,” wrote junior Omari Jenkins.
“I support it. And it’s an really important issue that no one really talks about… It shouldn’t have to be said but it has to,” freshman Dominque Cojuangco said.
RACE continued from page 2 Sanders, who identies as a democratic socialist, is running in the Democratic Party, despite never being a formal member of said party. Some people, like sophomore Lorenzo Cromwell, said Sanders “has a chance” at the presidency, while many in the media continue to doubt Sanders’ ability to beat his major Democratic opponent Clinton. Not far behind is author and neurosurgeon Ben Carson. While he originally began his campaign as an underdog, Carson is now not far
behind Donald Trump after his critically-acclaimed performance in the two Republican debates. New NBC and WSJ poll show Trump at 21 percent, but Carson is not far behind at just 20 percent of the Republican primary vote. Carson opposes Obamacare, the legalization of marijuana and samesex marriage. Additionally on the Republican side, the line of Bushes may continue if Jeb Bush, a former Florida governor, becomes President. He, however has not
been doing so well in the polls, having slipped to fifth place in New Hampshire, according to CNN polls. Only a few of the most popular 2016 presidential candidates are mentioned, the polls will continue to change as the race progresses. The only thing that is known for certain is a new president will be elected on the eighth of November, but the mystery of which party and who will win remains. How will the new president affect the country and its citizens?
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By Mia Villasenor Features Editor
October 2, 2015
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
FEATURES
Uni students heal the bay
The beaches in Los Angeles are notoriously filthy; in fact, beaches in El Segundo and Dockweiler were recently closed for a few days after a sewage pipe leak left more than 200 pounds of needles, tampons and condoms scattered along the shore. Even without hazardous leaks, beaches across Southern California continue to be a dumping ground for everyday waste, which is why organizations like Heal the Bay decided to take action. University High’s Environmental Club has participated in monthly beach cleanups hosted by environmental group Heal the Bay for over three years. On Sept. 19, members of the Environmental Club continued to dedicate the club to the preservation of California’s marine ecosystem by participating in Heal the Bay’s largest volunteer event of the year: Coastal Cleanup Day. Eighteen students from University High arrived at the Santa Monica Pier on a hot Saturday morning to clean up the coast, joined by over 9,000 other volunteers across 60 miles of California territory. Overall, volunteers picked up over 21,000 pounds of trash. Data on the amount of trash found and the types of waste most commonly found on the shore will be used by Heal the Bay to encourage legislators to pass for environmental laws and also convince Californians to care about the healthiness of their beaches. All together, the Environmental Club collected over 10 pounds of trash - mostly cigarettes and pieces of plastic, but also some odd items one would not expect to find at the beach. Environmental Club President Christine Jimenez, for example, found fake jewelry washed up on the shore,
Environmental Club members, including freshmen Litzy Bautista and Maggie Santiago above, clean up the Santa Monica Pier. Photos by Ray Roble
while freshman Zeimi DeLeon found a tiny paper star. Global awareness of the harmful effects of ocean pollution has risen as images of oil-drenched seals, dead birds filled with plastic and sanitary waste washing up on shores become more and more common. Beachgoers have also become increasingly aware of the impacts polluted beaches can have on their health, including stomach flu, pinkeye, meningitis, hepatitis and skin rashes. Of most importance to the Environmental Club, however, are the ocean animals whose entire ecosystem is rapidly being destroyed by human negligence and ignorance.
“ I t ’ s important to help support and sustain the habitat of numerous marine animals found on the beach,” Jimenez stated. Along with helping marine animals and keeping the beaches of Los Angeles clean and safe for the public, beach cleanups are a great way to bring Uni students together towards a common goal. “My favorite thing about the cleanups is connecting and meeting
other individuals who are also passionate about both our environment and community,” Jimenez said.
The 18 Uni students who braved the glaring sun on a Saturday morning certainly showed their dedication to keeping California’s beaches clean for all, humans and animals alike.
Red Cross club serves veterans By Mia Villasenor Features Editor What would you do for your country? Millions of Americans choose to put their lives at risk in order to serve for US forces overseas. But what happens once soldiers are sent home and grow too old to take care of themselves? No group knows more about sacrifice for the greater good than America’s veterans. Members of University High School’s Red Cross Club paid tribute to the sacrifices “[Veterans] really made by these brave men and women broaden our by volunteering at perpective and a nearby veteran’s help us go beyond home for National Grandparents Day. what we know The American Red from history Cross is dedicated books.” to aiding America’s veterans in any way possible. The West Los Angeles Red Cross branch is actually located within walking distance of both the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Home of California (CalVet), but attempts by University High’s Red Cross Club to participate in more volunteer events for veterans have been rare in the past. Efforts to participate in more events for helping veterans, including the Grandparents Day celebration,
are now being orchestrated largely by Uni student Maxine Pike Harrell. Harrell serves as the International Services and Service to the Armed Forces officer for the West Los Angeles Red Cross E-Board. “I think if we did a little bit more of [volunteering for veterans], it would really enrich the lives of the veterans and also be such a great opportunity to enrich the lives of University High School students,” Harrell said. The United States has a mixed history in its treatment of veterans. While most Americans agree that veterans deserve easy and quick access to the compensation and pensions they deserve, over 98,000 disability claims are still stuck in the VA backlog four months after being received by the VA. Former soldiers still face long waiting lists that prevent them from receiving immediate access to medical care and an estimated 49,000 veterans are living on the streets. In fact, according to the LA Times, Los Angeles is home to the largest concentration of homeless veterans in the country. Luckily, thousands of California’s veterans are able to receive housing, immediate and long-term medical care, legal assistance, job training and much more from CalVet. But even with the basic support received by veterans from the state and federal government, veterans still have many needs that go unmet without willing and able volunteers. Many of these needs are basic activities that young people often take for granted, such as the ability to easily hang up clothing, use technology, read novels and go on walks. Lindy Lindeman, who serves as the Coordinator of Volunteer Services at CalVet, has even tried to bring in volunteers willing to start a glee club or play musical instruments for veterans on Saturdays.
“Volunteers can just play games with veterans, play chess,” Harrell added. “Mostly it’s about talking to them and hearing what they have to tell because they often have really interesting stories. Most of the veterans are Vietnam War and World War II vets, and they really broaden our perspective and help us go beyond what we know from history books.” Indeed, many students who attended the Grandparents Day event were able to listen to the experiences of veterans over games like Tic-Tac-Toe and Connect Four. Some veterans were happy to tell stories from their times as soldiers against, for example, the Japanese army in World War II, while other vets were happier just sitting with volunteers and making small talk. One veteran in the Memory Care unit of CalVet, which is specifically for veterans with memory conditions like Alzheimer’s, highlighted the changes in society that have occurred since his youth. “Did you bring your children today?” He asked one student volunteer at the event. After the student said she was too young to have children, he replied, “Oh, my father had me when he was your age.” Overall, Harrell said, Grandparents Day provided students with a great opportunity to check in with veterans and thank them for their service. “It was nice to see how many students were interested in it and attended. I think if more people show interest, more events will happen and the veterans will really appreciate it.” Students who wish to volunteer at CalVet or participate in future events for veterans can contact Lindy Lindeman at lindy.lindeman@calvet.ca.gov or attend Red Cross Club meetings every Tuesday in Room 289.
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October 2, 2015
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
Entertainment
The wait is finally over
Toy Story 4, Cars 3, The Inceredibles 2, and Finding Dory are coming
BY: SHA’TERRA MYLES ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Many students may remember sitting at home, watching movies like Finding Nemo, Toy Story 1,2, and 3, Cars 1 and 2 and The Incredibles. These movies taught kids valuable lessons; how to fight bad guys, look for lost fish, get away from evil toys, and most importantly, drive fast racecars. However, it has also proven how long and frustrating the wait will be to see a much-needed sequel, or even a part four. Fortunately – much to the pleasure of young hearts – two of the four animated films have planned release dates. Finding Nemo Part 2: Finding Dory, directed by Andrew Stanton, is said to be coming out on June 17 2016. The sequel to the film that touched so many hearts is a follow up on Dory – one of the sweetest fish in the ocean. In Finding Nemo 1, Dory was accompanied Martin on his journey to finding his son, Nemo, who was captured by a dentist. Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) partners up with Nemo (Alexander Gould) and Marlin (Albert Brooks) in search for her family. Along the way, we are taught a lesson on what the true meaning of family is. I expect for Finding Dory to be just as good as the first. I have hope that it will be a fun-filled, yet heartfelt movie. John Lasseter, director of the Toy Story series, is planning on having Toy Story 4 released on June
PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXAR
16, 2017. It will be a follow up on Toy story 3 – which captured the hearts of many who saw the film. Not only will Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) be the center of the movie, but Woody will also reunite with Bo Peep (Annie Potts). It is said to be a love story between the two – which
many might say started in the first Toy Story. Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that the animated film Cars 3 – the third film in the amazing cars series – is going to be released some time in
2017. He also announced that Brad Bird, director of The Incredibles, has started working on The Incredibles 2. There has not been a release date, nor director confirmation. But, there are high hopes that it will be a success. Following the success of the films before them, there are high expectations for each upcoming film. The long wait has had blood pumping and anxiousness stirring for centuries and the time to settle our young minds is coming soon.
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” University High School is putting on a production of the Broaday musical “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” with the help of drama teacher Ronnie Sperling. Here is the Cast:
Sally Brown Sarai Benitez Lucy Van Pelt – Veraliz Cornett Snoopy - Ayanna Jimenez Schroeder – Aaron Samos Charlie Brown – Andy Santiago Linus Van Pelt – Ryan McNeil Peppermint Patty Victoria Saxxon Marcie - Francesca Cojuangco Pig Pen – Jalon Moore Woodstock – Claire Hafteck Swing / Assistant to the Director – Cassandra Bridges
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October 2, 2015
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
OPINION
Cash Crisis
budget descisions raise concern about equity
E
Cartoon By Clara Vamvulescu
very year, we seem to become more and
regards to infrastructure and staff that are under-
more focused on the school’s budget, and
addressed. These include but are certainly not limited
the cost of athletics, including CIF dues, the cost
with good reason: it is essentially the guiding
to: a full-time nurse, a full-time book room attendant,
of athletic gear (especially for football), and game
force behind every decision the school makes. The fact
and functional air conditioning in every classroom.
officials. This seems to be a benevolent act on the
remains, however, that mismanagement of funds is what
The latter is especially problematic in what is
part of the district, though the true motivation is
has caused several aspects of Uni to be severely lacking.
shaping up to be one of the hottest years on record.
troubling. A few years ago, the district forced the
All the while, LAUSD has been intervening
aforementioned athletic costs onto Uni’s budget. This
effects of our diminished custodial staff have not gone
and making it even harder to acquire funds by
made the budget appear balanced at the district level,
unnoticed by the student body. Campus bathrooms
placing restrictions on student body fundraisers.
while threatening to bankrupt University High School.
are dirty and constantly understocked with essential
Car washes, for instance are no longer allowed
The recent reimbursement was less of a friendly
items such as soap and toilet paper. Principal Eric
because of an incident that Davidson described
boost and more of an apology for mismanagement.
Davidson has said that we have six custodians,
as being
which is lower-than-satisfactory. Even if the school
also included that students are discouraged from
that they can get our budget under control, it is clear
were to hire two additional janitors, which Davidson
selling chocolate for fundraising purposes because
that LAUSD’s disregard for individual schools is what
hopes to do this year, there still will not be enough.
it is not healthy, even though “we’re still allowed
is holding us back.
to sell bad food in the vending machines after 3:30.
The most glaring example is sanitation.The
There are plenty of other school issues in
“somewhere in the district”. Davidson
This year, Uni is getting reimbursed for
As much as students and administrators feel
October 2,2015
Down
Page 7
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
OPINION
and
dirty
excessive garbage from students strains custodial staff
By Christian Mendoza Staff Writer Cheetos bags, gum wrappers, bottles, and cafeteria trays were a few of the common sights one might have seen taking a stroll through University High last year. In fact, leadership felt it was such a problem that they organized an awareness campaign. So how did it go? According to Mia Villaseñor, Vice President of Environmental Club, “Each club had its own area to pick up a certain day of the week. Clubs just sort of forgot about it. [Environmental Club] did put up posters for Earth Day encouraging cleanliness.” “The leadership campaign was not successful at all.” Principal Eric Davidson added. Despite the failure of these efforts, the school has begun the year with a refreshed campus after going through a student-free summer. Will the student body be able to keep it that way? It’s been a little over a month since the start of school, and students have yet to show their tidiness. Plant manager and head custodian, Lillian Young says, “It does bother me that the school is dirty, but I have seen a lot of improvement since I arrived. I’ve worked at nine schools, and as far as dirtiness goes, Uni is so-so. Dorsey was the dirtiest.” Young has served Uni since February of this year and has been a custodian for a total of 18 years; the last 15 were as plant manager.
“[Students] are the biggest litterers in the world. It’s not the custodians’ fault. You can go down Wildcat Walk and see students throwing trash down” At a glance, students seem to be the main cause of the piling trash. Davidson said, “[Students] are the biggest litterers in the world. It’s not the custodians’ fault. You can go down Wildcat Walk and see students throwing trash down. 99.999 percent of the trash comes from students. Ms. Young has done a remarkable job, but she wouldn’t need 10 custodians if everyone took more responsibility.” Davidson and Young agree that students are at fault. Yet why do students continue to litter? Kimberly Lopez Rea, a senior, says, “Students leave the school dirty because they feel like there is someone to pick up after them. Students should assume more responsibility to clean up their mess.”
Schools should raise awareness on how to prevent sexual assault By Emmett Krantz Opinion Editor
Department of Justice, a shocking one in five high school girls have been raped and/or sexually assaulted. Furthermore, the Department of Justice also estimates Shock, fear, despair, and hopelessness. Students that 68 percent of rape cases go unreported to the pofeel these emotions and everything in between as they lice, so it is impossible to know the true numbers. learn that several well-known students, some even star Then there is the question of whether Uni is indeed athletes, have been accused of sexually assaulting their intrinsically safer than other schools. Davidson certainpeers. This is not Uni, but it could be. Two years ago, ly thinks so. He remarked that “the thoughtfulness, the two high school football players, both 16 at the time, caring, the support, the tolerance, the acceptance, is so were convicted of raping a fellow student. The question incredibly unique”, referring to the campus reaction of now is how likely is it for a similar incident to happen an instance in which a former student was killed due to in Los Angeles or, one may dare to think, at University gang violence. High School. Yet Fonna Bishop, the acting principal of Venice Whether or not University High School’s staff can High School, similarly reported that she considers her ensure a safe environment, there is no guarantee that pupils to be friendly and respectful when 15 students LAUSD will take the victim’s interests into account. that had been arrested due to rape allegations at Venice On September 17, The Los Angeles Times re- High School earlier this year. ported that a student had filed a claim Tackling an isagainst LAUSD, citing “negligence, sue as large as sexual assault bullying, and ‘outrageous conduct’”. on school campuses is diffiThe victim’s family claims that four cult and should be taken one of the district’s attorneys tried to step at a time. A good first pressure them into not following step would be to discourage through with the lawsuit, citing insexual assault among peers, stances where the district failed to acbut as of right now, there is commodate the victim. Such as when nothing that does so. the district had a male psychologist If schools were to cover examine the victim, even though they sexual assault in class, it had specifically requested a female. would be helpful to make it “the thoughtfullness, of a concrete issue for the caring,the support, more So what would happen if Uni students. Health class would the tolerance, the were to have a sexual assault case be a good place to talk about come to light within the student acceptance [at Uni] is the ethics of being sexually body? Mr. Davidson, the school prinactive. so incredibly unique” cipal, claims that “[the administration Teachers should have is] totally prepared for that.” Should the opportunity to explain rape allegations be made against a consent and bring in vicstudent, the administration will do tims of sexual assault to talk its best to handle “police, the media, about their experience. By and reactions from within the school showing the personal impact itself”. sexual assault has on the vicOne may argue that expecting a tim, students should know sexual assault case at Uni is simply that unwanted sexual contact sensationalism and fear-mongering is not acceptable under any at work. There are too many hypocircumstances. theticals, too many ‘maybes’, ‘what if?’s or ‘if this did Ideally, the administration would understand this happen…’s. The problem with crime, especially sexual as well and try as hard as they can to prevent sexual assault, is that it will not be dealt with until someone, assault and responsibly handle instances of it should usually the victim, speaks out. According to the U.S. they occur.
Wildcat
University High School
11800 Texas Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90025 The Wildcat student newspaper is published by the Journalism 2 class at University High School. Letters should be directed to room C-261, Wildcatpaper@gmail.com or the Journalism mailbox in the main office. Please include full name and grade. Letters are subject to editorial discretion. Call (310) 914-3551, ext. 504 or email Wildcatpaper@ gmail.com to place an advertisement.
Editors-in-Chief ...............................................................Sarah Short and Mia Villaseñor News Editor........................................................................Sarah Short Opinion Editor............................................................Emmett Krantz Feature Editor................................................................Mia Villaseñor Entertainment Editor.....................................................Sha’terra Myles Sports Editor........................................................Kierra Wiggins Business Manager........................................................Emmett Krantz Photo Editor.................................................................Krystal Gonzalez Writing Coach...................................................................James Ward Journalism Adviser......................................................Alexandria Lau Wildcat Staff: Maribel Curiel,Miyara Franklin Beck,Daniela Lopez,Christian Mendoza,Jyla Yu ************************************************ The Wildcat is a student-run, student-operated student-produced newspaper, which does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration or the school at large. Staff editorials represent the collectively agreed upon opinions of the Wildcat editors. All writers published in the Wildcat are protected under Calfiornia Education Code 48907.
October 2, 2015
Page 8
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
SPORTS
JV football gets in shape
Get to know your athlete Interview by Krystal Gonzalez Staff Writer
Name: Mark Burgess Age: 17 Grade: 12 Sport: Varsity Football Position: Defensive End, Defensive Tackle and Right Offensive Tackle Q: How do you feel about this year’s team? A: We are a work in progress but we will get to the level we need to be at. Q: Do you feel that you all cooperate well? A: We do most of the time. Q: Why most of the time? A: Sometimes we mess up on our individual assignments in game situations.
Photo by Kierra Wiggins
By kierra wiggins Sports Editor The junior varsity football team is made up of raw, unsullied and moldable talent with eager players ready to gear up and play the sport they love so much. The JV team consists of 35 players and has an overall record of 1-2 as of Sept. 2. JV won one game by forfeit when they played Morningside. But this doesn’t deter JV as they still are working harder than ever in an effort to win the League Championship. Returning second year coach Willard Neely describes his new team as “Bigger, faster and stronger.” Neely also doesn’t stray from teaching his players how to improve their performance, as he knows from experience what to expect on the field. Before becoming a coach, Neely was an avid football player that dominated the field. First playing Pop Warner at Culver City, then graduating from perennial power Crenshaw Cougars in high school, and then playing big time football at Cal Berkeley. The reason Coach Neely loves to teach football is evident. “I love teaching football because I enjoy molding new players, taking
a part in their craft and success,” Neely said. “It keeps me young.” Neely said that “you have to remain humble and work hard” in order to become a great player. What really makes the JV team so astonishing is the responsibility that these players carry and how seriously they take playing football. Jacques Matthews plays QB, WR, TE, S, K, P, KR and PR for JV. He has had made two touchdowns this season. Matthews explained how much work is put into training. “You have to work hard running plays.” He also thinks of Neely as a “ really good coach.” The team also has a few dietary restrictions, which includes no soda and no hot chips at all. “It’s hard but we have to do what we have to do to stay in shape,” Matthews said. JV is ready more than ever to take the field and show their skills. “My team feels ready and so do I,” Matthews said. Everyone should be on the lookout for JV football as they possess the essence this year and expect “the greatest show on Friday night,” Neely said. The next JV football game is at 4pm, Oct. 2 at Oaks Christian. Come show your support for the Wildcats and JV football.
uni sports stats VARSITY FOOTBALL
9/3: 49-26 Loss against Morningside Monarchs 9/11: 35-12 Loss against Banning Pilots 9/18: 28-13 Win against Lincoln Tigers 9/25: 34-21 Loss against Culver City Centaurs
GIRLS’ VARSITY VOLLEYBALL
9/17: 3-2 Win against Fairfax Lions 9/19: 1-0 Loss against Narbonne Gauchos 9/19: 1-1 Tie against Bell Eagles, Fremont Pathfinders, Bravo Knights 9/19: 2-0 Win against East Valley Falcons 9/21: 3-0 Win against Westchester Comets 9/24: 3-0 Loss against Venice Gondoliers 9/28: 3-0 Loss against Palisades Dolphins 9/30: 3-0 Loss against Hamilton Yankees
GIRLS’ VARSITY TENNIS
9/18: 6-1 Win against Fairfax Lions 9/21: 4-3 Win against Westchester Comets 9/24: 4-3 Loss against Venice Gondoliers 9/28: 7-0 Loss against Palisades Dolphins 9/30: 5-2 Win against Hamilton Yankees 9/30: 5-2 Win against Hamilton Yankees
Q: How do you feel about the CIF ban on participating in playoffs this year due to the couch playing an ineligible player last year? A: I’m upset since this is my senior season, but some people are worse off so I can’t complain. Q: What do you mean by worse off? A: Some people have disabilities or personal problems that don’t even allow them to play. I’m lucky enough to get my chance to play. Q: Does everyone in the team get the chance to play in a game? A: Sometimes it depends on the game. Q: How so? A: In important situations during games we need to put in players who would give us an advantage. Q: How do you think the V team can improve? A: We have to trust each other more and be more physical when we play. Q: How is the team doing so far? A: We still need some work but we have become a bit more physical. Q: How do you like the new field? A: I love it. It’s great to play on. We no longer inhale dirt.