Wildcat Issue 16 by wildcatpaper

W ILDCA T UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL

Volume LXXXIX Issue 16 Friday, March 20, 2015

11800 Texas Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90025

wildcatpaper.com @uniwildcatnews

Assistant principal Dan Blank shows his Uni pride.

Do you? WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS Restorative Justice is served New program hopes to prevent unnecessarily harsh disciplinary actions Page 2

OPINION Restorative Justice saves the day Initiative brings promising changes to help Uni students Page 3

DOUBLE SPREAD Literary Art Magazine A homeage to the discontinued literary art magazine Pages 4 and 5

FEATURE Interact in action Interact Club serves community with multiple events to fundraise Page 6

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Vee’s Café exhibits art Student artwork on display and in competition Page 7

SPORTS Girl’s basketball fouls out The girl’s basketball season ends prematurely with a loss to the Pioneers Page 8

Page 2

March 20, 2015

UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT

NEWS

Restorative Justice is served By Sania Syed News Editor

ni will hold a banner release commemorating the introduction of Restorative Justice to the campus on Friday, March 27. Restorative Justice aims to prevent punishments such as suspensions, expulsions, student transfers and arrests by building a community of trust within the school. “I disagree that students should ever have to leave school in handcuffs,” Vera Parker, Restorative Justice coordinator said. Parker came to the school to oversee the program in December 2014. Since then, there has been an overall decrease of punishments that take students out of school. Instead, administrators have practiced “Community Building Circles,” which mend fractured relationships and prevent future incidents. Parker uses strategies such as a talking piece that allows only

period of time, revealed that Uni needed improvements in disciplinary tactics and academic growth. In addition, current statistics show that 20 percent of the approximately 400 incoming ninth graders leave by tenth grade. 40 percent do not end up graduating. “This is a plan where students can come to school and leave with a diploma and a future,” Parker said. Currently, 15 teachers, counSania Syed selors and administrators on Senior Cole Nicholas interviews students Shania Card, Jada Jenkins, Kaylan Tanner and Laijona Morris for his future television appearance. The track team members campus are participating in exhad a successful experience working out their issues through the Restorative Justice pert trainings about Restorative Justice. program. “The overall benefit of a Reone person to talk at a time. Restorative Justice was “We know that opportunities storative Justice school is a cliJunior Jada Jenkins has been brought to LAUSD in August that elicit positive growth for mate that is highly conducive to through the Restorative Justice 2014 after it was realized that a targeted groups of students teaching,” Parker said. “This process this year. disproportionate number of sus- serve to increase social and aca- includes learning without dis“There is a structure of re- pensions and other punishments demic growth of ALL students,” ruptions that can impede teachers’ performance and students’ spect in this process,” Jenkins were given to Black students Parker said. said. She said the program has and students with special needs. Uni is one of 25 demonstra- mastery of academic content.” Senior Cole Nicholas will be been much more effective than The program says that equip- tion schools in the entire district interviewed about Restorative peer mediation as RJ focuses on ping students with acceptable that has implemented the proJustice for KLCS, the LAUSD finding a much more definite so- social skills will build trust and gram early. An examination of TV station on April 16. lution. defuse disruptive behavior. Student Discipline Data, over a

MORP

By Samantha Elms Creative Director

d t n tur

own

posters throughout the school. Despite their efforts, Morp has declined in popularity after its surprisingly successful ue to having sold a miniscule 37 pre-sale inauguration. In its first year, Morp made tickets, the recent tradition of Morp is $4,189. The next year, there was a major cancelled. Associated Student Body decrease in hype and the event only made Leadership could not meet the administration’s $1,991. Financial manager Chanel James deadline of selling 115 pre-sale tickets by predicted that this year’s profits would have lunch on Wednesday, March 18. decreased further. ASB would not have broken “We can’t run a dance hoping that people even as the event would cost over $2000 for will show up,” principal Eric Davidson said. music and security alone, not including supply The decision distressed members of the costs. Morp committee. “The first Morp was very popular “I don’t respect the because it was new and fresh,” last decision,” Morp organizer year’s Morp organizer Cole Sarah Contreras said. “It Nicholas said. “Last year, was inconsiderate not there was a lot less Only 20 out of 175 only to the students, excitement about it, and but to their parents. this year, there wasn’t students planned to go The entire Leadership much at all.” student body is upset.” One reason for this to Morp according to They said they lies in the premise of believed that they Morp. Morp was founded a Wildcat survey would have been able to in 2013 as an alternative meet the deadline if it prom open to all grades. The was extended to today and low price of $15 presale, fastthat more students would paced music and relaxed dress buy tickets at the door. code created a casual party atmosphere “I thought that Morp was going to be that many students enjoyed. While this excited amazing, and that turnout at the dance would some students, others were turned off rather be greater than the amount of presale tickets,” than “turnt up”. ASB member Hannah Jones said. “If it wasn’t Morp but an actual formal Preparations were well underway. DJ spring-fling dance, more seniors would go,” Sayso was contracted, and a nonrefundable senior Sean Victory said. “Seniors want $100 deposit was paid. Fortunately, something nice to remember, not a crazy, Leadership is not obligated to pay the lights-out rave.” additional payment of $400, due to Morp’s After this termination, perhaps it is time cancellation. for Leadership to reassess campus events. Jones headed the decorations committee. “I think Leadership needs to retire Morp Students have been making out-of-this-world and rethink how we do spring dances,” themed decorations like glitter stars and Nicholas said. 3-dimensional planets over the past three Students who have bought pre-sale tickets, weeks. They have also posted advertising can get their refunds at the Student Store.

Battling battered books By Alissa Nardo Editor-in-Chief

ooks required for course curriculum can be seen falling apart at the seams, literally. Copies of Brave New World have chunks of text missing from them, and many of The Great Gatsby books have pages torn out. English teachers are working with administration to replace old and damaged reading books throughout their department. While the teachers have recognized the need for new books for several years, the school is only now in the position to purchase new supplies. Funds are pouring back into public schooling since the Great Recession, and the English department is ready to take advantage. “It is imperative these books be replaced and replenished,” Kristin Lyons, English teacher and co-chair of the English department said. “[Teachers] are willing to be patient, but our students deserve textbooks that are appropriate and intact. We are pleased that progress is being made, even if it’s slow.” In August 2014, English teacher Cheryl Amberger submitted a report to administration, describing the general state of the quantity and quality of the department’s book supplies. Around the same time, LAUSD created a database which allows schools to borrow

and loan textbooks to one another as needed. While this program is cost-efficient, securing the proper books is a matter of luck and timing. Now, Uni also needs to consider which books can be checked out from other schools and which ones are worth purchasing. The department plans to meet further to vote on which titles hold the greatest need for replacing and to determine the purchasing schedule of said books. “Replacing a few class sets of books each year instead of buying them all at once is much more realistic,” Emily Vollmer, English teacher and co-chair of the English department said. “All we can do is chip away [at this issue].” Though more expensive, the English department hopes to replace the old paperback books with longer-lasting hardcover versions. Depending on the purchasing schedule for the books, funds will be allocated from a combination of different accounts. The district supplies some new textbooks for the school on top of this, rotating which subject’s books are replenished each year. Currently, students still have to use books that are more than twenty years old. “It is really difficult to read a book that is falling apart and it is a poor representation of the school,” senior Nicole WongFranklin said.

March 20, 2015

Page 3

UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT

OPINION

Restorative Justice saves the day

ni, along with 25 other LAUSD schools, has recently taken up Restorative Justice, a constructive program aimed at reducing the number of suspensions and keeping students out of jail. This innovative program hopes to achieve a decrease in the number of suspensions, citations, arrests, mandatory transfers and expulsions on campus by building faith and trust between students and staff. Suspension does not always guarantee that the student will learn from their mistakes. Because of this, Restorative Justice abandons the harsh and ineffectual zero-tolerance policy and instead attempts to find the root of the problem through talking circles and mediation. According to Uni’s Restorative Justice coordinator Vera Parker, out of approximately 400 students admitted to Uni each year, 40 percent do not end up graduating from the school within four years. They are usually given an invitation to leave the school due to a lack of credits or as a punishment.

Cartoon By Matthew Song

Some may even be arrested. Because students end up getting kicked out, 20 percent of ninth graders will not attend the same school for their sophomore year as well. Therefore, a more productive alternative for disciplining students is imperative.

LAUSD’s past suspension rates have also shown racial disparity among minority students, especially blacks. When kids fail to succeed in school, they are more likely to join gangs or get arrested. According to the National Crime Prevention Council, 69

Copyrighting curbs creativity By Eduardo Cuellar-Aguilar Managing Editor

Marvin Gaye is an honorable thing,” the defendant’s lawyer, Howard King said during his opening statement. harrell Williams and Robin Thicke In this day and age it has become have been decided against in the gradually harder to be original. It is human recent allegations by Bridgeport studios. nature to take inspiration from other artists, Bridgeport claims that Williams and musicians and other childhood idols. This Thicke’s song has the same tone is the same reason why as Marvin Gaye’s 1977 song, ‘Got most movies, songs to Give it Up’. and TV shows are Although many lawsuits remakes or based off “In this day similar to this one have taken place childhood impressions in the past, they were laughed at, by the media. Because and age it dismissed and the lawsuits would of this innate nature has become rarely make it to court and were within artists should gradually harder not be attacked as adjudicated for the plaintiff. But this time Gaye has shocked the plagiarists for being to be original.” music industry by winning a $7.4 inspired by an artistic million lawsuit. hero. Musicians such Gaye Trust v. Thicke/Williams as Bruno Mars, Lana brings the future of songwriting in question. Del Rey have taken inspiration from other If future musicians believe that they’re musicians like Elvis, Walt Whitman and constantly in danger of being sued, they’ll Frank Sinatra yet they have all remained become less willing to produce music. It new and creative. has also convinced more artists to sue other If music options become limited, it will artists for their melodic similarities. This make it near impossible to continuously was seen in Sam Smith v. Tom Petty. make new sounds, lyrics and tones. Being allowed to copyright the tone Record labels should still reserve the of a song is the same as copyrighting a right to copyright their songs in order to mood or expression. Future artists will fear prevent plagiarism. But these copyrights publishing songs because of past artists should not be long term, they should last looking to sue them. anywhere between 10 to 15 years, which “We’re going to show you what you will be enough time so no future can already know: that no one owns a genre infringe upon these songs while upcoming or a style or a groove. To be inspired by artists can follow these artists lead.

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.

percent of prisoners did not complete high school. All students have a right to be educated and go to college and severe, ineffective punishments should not come in the way of achieving a diploma or pursuing a career. To prevent this from happening, schools must stop taking kids out and keep them where they need to be–– an idea that Restorative Justice values and intends to achieve. Improvements can already be seen in LAUSD campuses that have adopted the program, such as Gompers Middle School where their suspension rate from the 2013-2014 school year was reduced from 30 percent to 3 percent. Implementing the Restorative Justice system might not provide immediate results –– it is certainly a process –– however, once the school is convinced that this approach will actually make a difference, the effects will be worthwhile. Though it may take years to accomplish something, this is a proper step towards treating student misbehavior.

Turn the page on broken books

By Shirin Enayati Feature Editor

ipped books with pages falling out and profanity scribbled on the inside, desks with deep carvings on one side and sticky gum on the other, bathroom stalls and locker doors inked with graffiti—these are all things public high school students are accustomed to. Both students and teachers be entitled to well-kept resources that do not tamper with the effectiveness of their studies. In school, everything is always about reusing and recycling, whether it be old textbooks or raggy uniforms. But there comes a point where a student can no longer tape together the multiple pages that are literally ripped in half or stitch together the barely-there, worn out fabric. Instead of purchasing their own, administration tracks down books to borrow from other schools. Because of this, teachers and students have to wait patiently for the materials to arrive and class time is wasted. It is unfair for students to use poorly treated school supplies because money is thought to be better spent on other things. Money should be spent to renew

Editor-in-Chief ...............................................................Alissa Nardo Managing Editor...........................................Eduardo Cuellar-Aguilar News Editor........................................................................Sania Syed Opinion Editor............................................................Emma Nicoletta Feature Editor................................................................Shirin Enayati Sports Editor........................................................Brandon Berookhim Creative Director.........................................................Samantha Elms Online Manager............................................Matthew Goriachkovsky Business Manager........................................................Samantha Elms Copy Editor......................................................................Alissa Nardo Photo Editor.................................................................Stephanie Zeck Writing Coach...................................................................James Ward Journalism Adviser......................................................Alexandria Lau

and repurchase materials because it encourages work and makes the student and teacher feel well taken care of. New school supplies and a better maintained campus fosters school spirit and positive energy. Administration should pay more attention to the items that the students and the staff need. They either need to spend more money to buy new books and materials or they need to enforce a stricter policy onto the students so that they take better care of their supplies. Students are just as responsible for the materials in their possession as the school is. They need to understand that while they are entitled to personal school supplies, so is the next generation. Students should not feel the need to poorly treat the items in their possession just because they can. Present students need to keep their materials in mint condition so that the next generation can make just as much use of them. To improve the current status of book distribution, administration should regularly replace and update materials and students should take better care of the supplies they are given so teachers can properly instruct the class and students can learn the way they are supposed to.

Wildcat Staff: Zoe Adams, Christina Barrett, Kesi Drake, Mari Drake, Ashley Drew, Destiny Frazier, Bethlehem Habtewolde, Nicolai Harrell, Jesse Herrera, Ariana Kidd, Erica Kopf, Robin Kopf, Ivana Lehocka, Trevaughn Conrad, Julissa Lopez, Nancy Lopez, Sha’terra Myles, Alexandria Parker, David Parris, Matthew Song, Zoha Syed, Shyra Thomas, Tristan Vito and Trenyce Williams ************************************************ 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.

Expressions Literary Art Magazine

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Page 5

Sean Victory Joshua Corpuz

Antonio Lopez

2:37 a.m your touch still lingers on the surface of my skin and thoughts of you rush through my head. like the untold memories of the night we first meet. with sweet flavored poison running through our veins. as the rain slowly fell above our heads, unknown feelings built up inside my chest. and now i lay awake in bed so lost and confused. thinking of the distance between us both.

The artist furrows his brow frustratedly The creases in his forehead etch that much closer into permanence As the colors, unspoken volumes, unassembled thought, stagnate in his palette The musician sings into an empty coffee shop third time this week The echo of his electric-acoustic suggestive of a venue much larger and of more importance than this dive But the writer, slumped over his lamplit desk lets his thoughts flow freely into the page without boundary, his pen an extension of his soul And though much of his work will remain in yellow legal pads till the second coming And may not be framed in France nor reside in earbuds and on radio waves He writes, because the feeling of writing fulfills him

Tristan Vito

Anonymous

John Poglodzinski

Music Goes into your ears Travels straight to your soul The rhythm and beats Affect me each time My earphones and I meet Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B All different but all great Rock out To the beat of Paramore’s guitar Sway your hips To the pulse of Beyoncé’s new hit Music is like the wind Sometimes it’s harsh But comforts you on hot days The hot days seem to go by With the winds help Just like music The wind is always there Lionel Richie was right Music, you had me at “Hello” And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say Goodbye to you Music

The Dancer

Kana Motojima

Languid kaleidoscope eyes Peek out through a haze They dream and dream Sweet confusion dances across their eyes Music, voices, sounds, vibrations, and colors fill their eyes and ears They drift and drift Over buttercup fields with marshmallow skies and chocolate rivers They wonder and wonder Surrendering themselves to the peace and serenity filling their every thought They float downstream hung up on a dream They blink and blink Their lashes brushing away remnants of dreams long gone

The excitement is almost tangible In the dark of the wood-smelling theater, Hidden by the heavy, black curtains She savors it, sweet with the flavors of anticipation and eagerness. The sparkling bodice hugs her torso, glittering like stars. Her shoulders, slim and elegant, are bare. Her waist, enveloped in a cloud of tulle and soft satin Silky ribbon tied in elaborate crisscrosses up her legs. As the curtains slowly part, The first bars of the music Swelling up from the orchestra pit, The bright spotlight illuminating her She recalls the first lesson, when she was A bright-eyed fawn Who barely new what a plié was. Now, Poised, chin up, shoulders strong She is a bird about to take flight. She stands on the very tips of her toes Stable and confident from years of practice.

Daniela Lopez

Claire Hafteck

John Poglodzinski

Sean Victory

Robert Gonzalez

Kana Motojima

Antonio Lopez

Design by: Samantha Elms

Tyler Lewis

Page 6

By Zoha Syed Staff Writer

March 20, 2015

UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT

FEATURE

Interact in action

nteract Club, part of a larger and international Rotary Club, is continuing their community service tradition with its sixth year on campus. Past activities include participating in the Chinese New Year Parade, organizing a canned food drive, raising funds for the Heifer Project and many others. Most of the events take place locally and over the weekends so that it is easier and more accessible for club members to volunteer. Almost all of the events are ones they participate in on an annual or periodical basis. They recently volunteered for the Los Angeles Marathon Kids on March 14. Approximately 3,600 students concluded a full-length marathon one lap at a time, over the course of the school year. Interact students stood at the finish line, where they congratulated and encouraged the runners as they received their medals of completion. “I have been a member of Interact for four years where I met so many great people and worked on so many great projects,” President and Senior Nathan Lopez said. “Now it’s my turn to give back to the club that’s given so much to me, and take the lead in Uni’s effort to improve our community and our world.” Lopez and vice president and senior Gregory Chang encourage more and more students to par-

Zoha Syed Interact president Nathan Lopez and vice president Gregory Chang congratulate kids as they cross the finish line at the Los Angeles Marathon Kids on March 14. ticipate at every activity. Interact is planning for an upcoming charity event to send several children in Uganda to school. If every student donates just one dollar, they will be able to provide education for eight students. “Interact is more than just a club. It is a community that brings everyone closer together. Helping others out of the goodness of one’s heart is a feeling

Jazz Cats sing in purrfect pitch By Christina Barrett Staff Writer

audience and creating an overall livelier performance.” During the performance the Jazz Cats alencia High School welcomed our experienced minor technical difficulties, Jazz Cats to their Vocal Jazz Festival but they powered through as if nothing on March 13. happened. Since the Jazz Cats were first to The Jazz Cats left early in the morning perform with a complete rhythm section, from Uni, and anxiously anticipated the the sound manager was not able to correct festival during the hour and a half long the volume balance in time which led to bus ride. After arriving, students watched microphone feedback. This also caused other schools warm-up on stage. Due to a trouble for the singers because they could shortage of time, the Jazz Cats only had 10 not hear themselves singing. minutes to practice before they executed “I could barely hear myself through the their performance. monitors,” senior and soprano Montserrat The Jazz Cats sang Castellanos said. “It made a variety of jazz songs, me nervous that the technical “I don’t care difficulties would affect our ranging from smooth jazz to upbeat jazz. The Jazz Cats quality and score.” if we win or performance started their performance The schools were not lose, because necessarily competing against by singing “Four Brothers” by Jimmy Giuffre, “Lullaby other, yet they still received overall the Jazz each of Birdland” by George scores on their performances Catz got to Shearing and George David so they could learn from Weiss and “Quiet Nights mistakes. The Jazz Cats experience of a their of Quiet Stars” by Antônio treated the festival as a learning lifetime.” Carlos Jobim. They ended experience where they were their performance with their able to receive criticism from infamous song “Straight professional judges and could No Chaser” by Thelonious Monk, which experience the thrill of singing with other included a memorable solo by their Louis esteemed schools. Armstrong impressionist, senior Angel “I’m most proud of the fact that Jazz Laguan. Cats, or as I like to call them, my ‘AllAfter performing, students received Stars’, had the special opportunity to feedback and worked with the judges in perform in this festival,” choir conductor order to improve their final performance. Kahlil Sabbagh said. “I don’t care if we The schools were scored in four categories: win or lose, because overall the Jazz Cats artistic perception, ability to execute, got to experience an opportunity of a lifestaying in tune and following rhythm/pitch/ time. I strive to be an opportunity-creator, dynamics. not a trophy-winner. It’s great to receive “The judges’ criticism on our awards, but in the long-run it’s all about the performance taught me several things experience they gained.” about performing on stage, and watching This won’t be our Jazz Cats’ last others perform definitely added to the performance. The students are now learning experience,” junior and soprano working on plans for performing at this Stephanie Shon said. “I learned how to year’s graduation and possibly another improve on projecting my voice toward the festival or competition.

like no other,” Chang said. Members receive community service hours, as well as a sense of fulfillment in serving their community. They also get many opportunities to represent Uni in a positive light. The club welcomes all students to join them at their meetings, which take place on Mondays at lunch in Rm 183.

Litter loses to Lester By Shirin Enayati Feature Editor

he Brentwood Council, a California state assembly representative, a California state senate representative and a representative from Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office presented the Brentwood Community Council Service Award to Senior Lester Gopar on March 3. Gopar received the Brentwood Community Council Service Award for founding Teenagers Clean Los Angeles, an organization dedicated to cleaning up the neglected streets surrounding South Los Angeles, in April 2014. Gopar was selected for the award for his work and his commitment to his community. He was chosen after completing an essay and attending an interview. “Every morning as I wait at the bus stop, I see trash accumulating,” Gopar said. “Witnessing this problem motivated and inspired me to start my organization. As a conscious resident, I knew I needed to initiate a positive change in my community to influence others.” The organization is largely composed of Gopar’s friends and teenagers in the community. “In the beginning I messaged a few of my friends to see if they were interested in helping me start my organization and many of them said yes,” Gopar said. “I also talk to teens who live in the community about my organization and persuade them to join by

Photo Provided By Lester Gopar

Founder of Teenagers Clean Los Angeles, senior Lester Gopar proudly shows off the Brentwood Community Council Award.

mentioning all the benefits they will get out of it.” Members of Teenagers Clean Los Angeles meet at Gopar’s house every other Saturday to clean the streets. Participants receive community service and recognition as a conscious resident. “We clean in the hopes of revitalizing the image of our neighborhood,” Gopar said. Gopar encourages everyone to check out the Teenagers Clean Los Angeles’ Facebook page to see the progress they have made in their community.

March 20, 2015

UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT

Arts & Entertainment

Page 7

Artists debut at Vees Café

By Alissa Nardo Editor-in-Chief

display at the show. The entries were reviewed by an art critic and selected based upon their ildcat artists let their originality and technical skill. colors shine in the Urban Artists sponsored the fourth annual student exhibit by promoting the conart exhibition beginning March 7 test, providing prizes and creatat Vees Café. ing certificates for Along with an “Half the joy of the participants. exhibition, the The show is creating art comes program holds a hosted thanks to from expressing contest out of the Vees Café owner submissions. In yourself, and the Efrain Martinez, first place came who is a Uni alumother half from senior Monte Ho nus. Martinez was making people feel with a drawing of inspired during his something with coffee, fitting of time in art teacher the gallery setting. Lynn Ishii’s class your work” In second came juat Uni, and continnior Robert Gonues to work on his zales and in third own art in his free came senior John Poglodzinski, time. both with photography pieces. “Vees Café employees always Out of the 45 submissions comment that their customers received, 20 were chosen for are extremely impressed and

If you’re reading this, listen to the album By Brandon Berookhim & Jesse Herrera Sports Editor & Staff Writer

“D

ropped the mixtape, that s*** sounded like an

album.” Canadian songwriter and rapper Drake dropped a 17 song mixtape titled If You’re Reading This Its Too Late on iTunes without announcement on Feb. 13. This album was expected since July 2014 when Drake said he would release an album titled Views from the 6, but perfection cannot be rushed. With the album, Drake matched a record last met by The Beatles over five decades ago by having 14 songs in the Billboard Hot 100 at one time. IYRTITL begins with “Legend”, possibly the best song on this 17-song album. It exudes Drake’s confidence, a central theme of this album, on top of incredible hi-hats. He also mentions that he is a “6 God,” which is the name of another song on the album and his first of many references to his hometown of Toronto, known as “The 6”. Drake sets the energy for the mixtape with the aptly titled “Energy”. He raps about the haters he has accumulated who try to take away from his successes. “10 Bands” fittingly follows this with Drake bragging about his millions and continuing to say he is a “6 God”. Drake “runs through the 6

with his woes,” in the catchy “Know Yourself”. The chorus is repeated too many times, but the sudden change up in the song makes up for that. He references his hit “Tuesday” in the hard-hitting “No Tellin’”, which is also a bit repetitive. Nearly every song Lil’ Wayne and Drake rap on is a hit, and “Used To” is no exception. Drake talks about his difficulties adapting to his new lifestyle. Then “6 Man” comes next, reminiscent of Drake’s career with the rapper spitting bar after bar until the end. “Now & Forever” signals Drake’s expected departure from YMCMB with a forwardlooking attitude and bells chiming. Travi$ Scott discusses women and love with Drake in Company and the emotional side of him his listeners are used to is apparent. Drake follows this with a long message to his mother in “You & The 6”. He goes back to talking about love in “Jungle”, a song so melodic one can fall asleep to it. The song is mellow and light, contrasting nicely with “6PM in New York” which suceeds it. In this song, Drake does not leave anything unsaid and he gets everything off his chest. “6PM in New York” sounds the most like a song one would expect from a mixtape. Drake may have missed the apostrophes in his title, but he did not miss the mark with this mixtape.

surprised that the work comes from high school students and not professional artists,” Ishii said. Students had the option to put their pieces up for sale, determining their prices for themselves. Martinez encourages the students to do this and turns over profits to them. “Half the joy of creating art comes from expressing yourself, and the other half from making people feel something with your work,” Ho said. “Showcasing my art with my peers is always a great experience because I love to see their ideas and creativity. They inspire me and let me know that there are others around me who care just as much about art as I do.” Support the contest winners by checking out the art at Vees Café before April 3.

Monte Ho Senior Monte Ho’s artwork won first place at Vees Café. The artwork will be displayed in the art show until April 3.

Get hooked on matzo crack This is an adaptation from www. davidlebovitz.com/2008/01/ chocolatecovere/. By Robin Kopf Staff Writer

atzo crack, or matzo brittle, is an addictive, chocolate and toffee laden Passover dessert that is a perfect fix when the bland, cracker taste of matzo starts to get old. It gets its name from cracking it into pieces before it is eaten. Matzo (pronounced mah-tsah) is the traditional, unleavened bread eaten by Jews for eight days during the holiday of Passover. It is made of nothing but water, flour and sometimes salt. Needless to say, it can get pretty boring after the first two days of Passover. Matzo crack provides a fun and easy way to sweeten the week of Passover, learn about some contemporary Jewish culture or even amp up some plain crackers going stale in the pantry. Matzo crack is not only very easy to make, but quick as well. Here is a recipe for how to make matzo crack: 5 sheets unsalted matzo (or plain crackers) 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 cup packed brown sugar ½ tsp. vanilla extract 1 pinch of salt 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the bottom and sides of a rimmed baking sheet with tin foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray or layer parchment paper on top of the foil. 2. Place the sheets of matzo on the baking sheet. Break the remaining sheets in pieces to cover the remaining space. Do not overlap the pieces. Set aside. 3. In a saucepan, start melting the butter over medium heat and then add the brown sugar. Stir until the mixture starts to boil. Stir continuously as it boils for about 3 minutes so that the mixture does not stick to the sides. It should look like foamy

Mona Nicholas

Members of the Winter Shelter Service Club offer snacks to the homeless people of caramel coating the spoon. Take the mixture off of the heat. 4. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Immediately pour the mixture over the matzo and spread with a heatproof spatula. The caramel will start to harden as it cools, so do not wait to spread it. 5. Put in the oven for 12-15 minutes. The caramel may bubble up. Keep an eye on it because parts of it may burn. If that happens, take the pan out, turn the heat down and replace it. 6. Take it out of the oven and pour chocolate chips on top. After a few minutes, spread the chocolate with a spatula so it covers all of the matzo. Refrigerate or freeze until the chocolate hardens and then break it into pieces with a knife. The simplicity of matzo crack makes the flavor combinations endless. Once the chocolate is spread, any of your favorite dessert toppings can be added, such as white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, a pinch of sea salt, peanut butter or nutella. One does not have to be Jewish to savor the simple delight that is matzo crack. All one has to do is pick up some matzo or use any crackers around the house and enjoy.

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March 20, 2015

UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT

SPORTS

Girls’ basketball fouls out By Brandon Berookhim Sports Editor

They then played in the consolation rounds where they proceeded to sweep Granada irls’ basketball’s sea- Hills, 58-41, then Fairfax, 58son ended premature- 57, and finally Carson, 60-56. ly with a loss to the This secured an 11th place spot Canyon Springs High School for Uni in the State ChampionPioneers (19-10 overall, 9-1 ships. league) on Wednesday, March “This season has been the 11. This 79-51 loss eliminated most challenging of them all,” the girls from the first round of senior captain Precious Nwaba, CIF State Championships with who averaged nearly 25 points a final record of 21-11, 7-5. and 8 rebounds per game, said. Just like last year, the girls “I feel that the team has grown swept through the league and physically and mentally and we city finals, only to be booted in are a whole lot better than we the first round of were when we first State Champion“This season started.” ships. This time, The squad set has been however, the their sights on the girls were playWestchester Comthe most ing in Division I early on, as the challenging of ets up from Division two teams were them all. We vying for a spot II, which is a notable improvein the City Open. are a whole ment. Uni’s girls burned lot better “We had a the Comets in their great season and than when we game on Feb. 9 nothing can comfirst started.” with a score of 53pare to the expe32 and the Comets rience of being did not end up makpart of a great ing it to CIF City family,” senior Lizeth Hernan- Playoffs. dez, who shot 43 percent from The seniors are comfortable the three-point line this season, leaving the team in the hands said. of the underclassmen, namely Even with this change and Jada Gambrah and Hannah the ACL tear of key player Bi- Grace Smith, who are looking anca Romero, the Wildcats had to lead the team to even more an exceptional year with a .656 victories next season. win percentage. They ended the “We’re glad that we made it season ranked 198 in the state as far as we did and we comout of 1277 schools. They qual- pleted our goal of beating cerified for Playoffs as the eighth tain teams, and making it to seed, and they lost to the first state for the 4th time in a row,” seed Nathaniel Narbonne High Nwaba, who scored 38 points School in the first round, 60-52. in her final game, said.

Jocelyn Tabata

Senior team captain Precious Nwaba goes for the layup in their 60-56 victory over the Carson Colts on Friday, March 6 in the CIF LA City Playoffs. They went to the CIF State Championships as the 11th seed and lost to Canyon Springs on Wednesday, March 9.

Boys’ tennis loses to LACES

By Erica Kopf Staff Writer

but unfortunately we did not execute. When they come to our home court, we’ll make he boys’ tennis team sure that doesn’t happen (4-4 overall, 3-3 again!” league) faced off Senior Ryan Kim who against the plays Singles 1, LACES Uni“We had who has always corns on Monbeen a star player [LACES] day, March 16 and leader for the where we and faced an upteam, returned set loss of 2-5. wanted but... from a year abroad The boys in Italy last year. we did not have steadily He was proud of execute.” improved this the team even after year with the the tough loss. arrival of their “Despite the new head coach, Michael overwhelming odds presented “Milo” Benson, who has by a school renowned for its played tennis for over two tennis prowess, the Wildcats decades now. fought valiantly with racquet “It was a disappointing and claw until the very end,” game,” Coach Milo said. “We Kim said. had them where we wanted, Kim and Brandon Ma,

who plays Singles 2 and is the only other senior on the team, lead the team with different, but complementing styles. They are optimistic about the season and they believe this year’s squad can make it to playoffs. The boys have been conditioning through a lot of drilling to get them in shape. Coach Milo says, “We are conditioning so we can get to the balls and we are practicing

Singles 1. Ryan Kim (0-2) 2. Brandon Ma (1-2) 3. Jude Abassi (2-0) 4. Matthew Chen (2-0)

consistency so we can follow through once there.” A match versus the Fairfax Lions (0-3, 0-3) at their home, originally scheduled for today, was moved up to Thursday. Scores were not available at press time. Support the the Wildcats in their next game against the Westchester Comets (13, 1-3) at Westchester on Monday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Doubles 1. Brendan Palomo/ Kaita Agoto (0-2) 2. Adam Chaarawi/ Gabe Okmin (1-2) 3. Elijah Amirianfar/ Chris Park (1-2)

Get to know your athlete Interview by Eduardo Cuellar-Aguilar

Name: Ryan Kim Age: 18 Height: 6’1” Weight: 155 lbs. Grade: 12 Sport: Tennis Position: Singles 1 Q: Why did you join the team? A: I started playing tennis when I was 13. I developed a passion for it and I was pretty good at it. Q: What’s your favorite part of the sport? A: My favorite aspect of tennis is that I do not have to depend on anyone else’s skill but my own. I do not have to worry about a careless teammate and his errors jeopardizing my match. I take full responsibility for every win and loss. Q: What advice would you offer future players? A: If you want to try out for the tennis team, make sure you are comfortable with conditioning and yelling. Also, know that you may be struck with a tennis ball at any given moment, especially if you are not paying attention. Q: How has tennis shaped who you are? A: My name has become synonymous with tennis here at Uni. Ask any student meandering the halls who I am and they will probably respond with, “the guy that plays tennis.” Playing the sport has also allowed me to cultivate invaluable character traits, such as patience and dedication. Q: What are your plans for after high school? A: Depending on which schools decide to grace me with their admissions letters and the level of their teams, I may end up playing for a team. However, I am also comfortable with the idea of playing recreationally or intramurally.