The Matador: Issue 2, Second Edition - Oct. 18, 2018

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MATADOR

SAN GABRIEL HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME 64, ISSUE 2

801 S. RAMONA STREET, SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776

Thursday, OCTOBER 18, 2018

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Campus reacts to Kavanaugh confirmation

BY LUCAS JORGENSEN

Over the past few weeks, all eyes both on campus and in the nation have been on Capitol Hill as the vote for the Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was put on hold, after he was accused of a sexual assault that occurred over 32 years ago.

These allegations came from Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a psychology professor at Palo Alto University, who wrote a letter detailing the incident to Democratic California Senator Dianne Feinstein last July that was introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 13.

After an intense back-and-forth he said she said throughout the media and public, the Senate appointed Kavanaugh an Associate Justice on Oct. 6.

“I just felt like it was controversial and too soon to appoint him as a Supreme Court Justice,” senior Kevin Ly said. “Because it affects the reputation of the Supreme Court and how they would carry on from this widespread attention.”

Traditionally, the process of selecting a new judge is done by the executive branch, in this case, President Trump. His choice is then evaluated by the Senate Judiciary Committee in order to determine if they are fit for the position. If the committee finds the nominee qualified for the Supreme Court seat, a vote from the entire Senate determines whether they will get the position. When and if they are confirmed, then the position is for life, unless the Judge chooses to retire, step down or is impeached under the same pretenses as any other high ranking government official.

With Kavanaugh, this process of “advise and consent” was argued by some, including President Trump, to be overlooked to make the nominee look unqualified; while others believed that the process was incomplete and rushed.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ECHO DIEU, PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE EPOCH TIMES

Photo illustration shows Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (left) and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford (right).

“I felt it was really unfair,” senior Sara Register said, “because she wasn’t believed by the people interviewing her because it happened a long time ago and her memory could be wrong. But I don’t think her memory was wrong because it was so traumatic.”

Kavanaugh’s supporters were skeptical about Dr. Ford’s letter as it was sent in July and only revealed days before the vote was to be passed.

“Even now no one believes her even after all of Kavanaugh’s friends were speaking out against him too,” senior Samantha Rendon said. “And Kavanaugh was denying sexually assaulting [Dr. Ford] to secure his spot in the Supreme Court.”

The Democrats on the Senate’s Judiciary Committee had been asking the FBI to investigate the alleged assault and the gathering, however with the Republicans in

New dance team brings Latino culture to students

BY TIFFANY NGUYGEN

Aiming to bring more diversity into the school’s medley of performance groups, Corazón Latino, a new dance team, showcased their routine for the first time during the homecoming rally.

Practicing for only three days, the members felt nervous for their first rally in front of a large audience. However, they delivered a performance that garnered praise. “[My favorite part was] when they stopped, and it felt like there was going to be a beat drop, [but] then they just continued dancing,” freshman Pamela Tse said.

Spanish teachers Eliana Deniz and Melissa Rodriguez created and are advising Corazón Latino. They anticipated that the introduction of a dance team based on Latino music and

PHOTO BY MEGAN TIEU

Senior Connie Moondragon (center) dances for the first time as a captain alongside the other members of Corazón Latino during the homecoming rally. dance styles will provide another branch of cultural diversity to the school.

“We only [hear] hip hop or English music [in rallies],” senior Connie Moondragon, a captain, said. “We never [hear] Hispanic music.

We never [hear], let’s say Farruko, Nicky Jam or Romeo Santos. [We want to bring]

some latino pop culture [to future rallies and shows].”

By exposing students to other genres of music that do not usually make an appearance in pep rallies, the team wishes to inspire other Latinos to find their voice and for every student to connect with the

control of the Committee, their requests were continuously overlooked.

“I think a lot of people are forgetting that all the women [Ford] listed, her witnesses, all denied any knowledge of the party, so she didn’t have much to go on,” senior Jacwa Lei said.

“Honestly, I don’t like [Kavanaugh] because of what he did with Bush, cause he supported the Patriot Act, which I’m fundamentally against because that’s ridiculous.” continued on pg. 2 Latino heritage, regardless of their ethnic background. “[Corazon Latino] really helps show other people the Hispanic culture,” sophomore Alondra Milian, a captain, said. “I definitely feel like it helps us Latinos embrace our culture a lot more. Sometimes, we [forget] about where we come from, but this group brings it all back.”

Many students may compare Corazón Latino with the other performance groups, but sophomore Roger Lugo, a member, believes that they are different in various ways. “[Corazón Latino incorporates] guys and girls,” Lugo said. “Most of the teams here are [mainly] focused on one gender. The [team] wanted to do something that was open to every gender so that anyone can join.”

To receive additional information about the dance team or future tryouts, anyone, regardless of dance experience, can contact a captain or an adviser. Students who are interested should go to P-207 to talk to Deniz or to P-209 to talk to Rodriguez. “[If you join], you get to meet new people and make new friends,” Lugo said. “A lot of the choreography is going to be hard, but as long as you practice, you’re going to learn it really [quickly].”

LIFE & ART

SPORTS

FEATURES

Reyes selfpublishes children’s book, Lone Tooth pg. 9

Girls volleyball jousted by Lancers pg. 10

A Wonderful Night in Wonderland pg. 12

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

NEWS

Artificial turf poses potential health threat to athletes

BY WALLY LAN

As artificial turf becomes more commonly used in sports arenas, there has been rising national concern on whether or not it is potentially toxic. Giving the appearance of natural grass, the turf has crumb rubber underneath it, which is composed of pellets made from recycled tires.

Lauren Zeise, director of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), wrote in 2015 about the potential dangers of artificial turf based on short-term studies that were conducted, suggesting that the artificial turf may possibly be dangerous.

In Nov. 2015, California legislators spent $3 million to further research artificial turf and the correlation it has with diseases such as cancer. The research is estimated to be completed during mid-2019.

“Lymphoma and leukemia have been the focus of many reports, but others such as cancer of the brain, testis, and thyroid were also mentioned,” Zeise said.

In late 2017, the Children’s Environmental Health Network, a national multi-disciplinary organization, conducted studies which showed that some artificial turf contains asbestos, a mineral that may be associated with lung cancers.

“Of the 92 chemicals found within crumb rubber, 11 of them have been identified as known or suspected carcinogens,” the organization said.

Another nonprofit group, the Environment and Human Health, also states that artificial turf may potentially affect athletes’ health due

PHOTO BY KATHERINE HUANG

Underneath the football field turf is crumb rubber, which is composed of pellets made from recycled tires. to the presence of lead and zinc.

“Synthetic turf fields were found to pose a toxic threat to biological organisms,” the group said.

The potential danger of the crumb rubber has also prompted the West Sonoma Union High School District Board to change their decision about installing artificial turf at their high schools. As a result, the district decided to install turf infill made from 100 percent cork, costing them an extra $170,000 per field. Starr Hergenrather, a member of the West Sonoma County Teachers Association, was concerned about artificial turf.

“Why should my grandchildren and students have to play on crumb-rubber fields

and possibly get cancer?” Hergenrather said in California Educator magazine. “As a teacher, my responsibility is to protect our children and provide them with a safe environment.”

However, despite the OEHHA’s short-term studies, Zeise, in 2015, concluded that artificial turf contains very limited toxicity in it. The Synthetic Turf Council (STC), a nonprofit trade association, has also suggested that artificial turf is safe from any chronic toxicity.

“Crumb rubber infill is substantially metalfree, according to the STC Guidelines for Crumb Rubber Infill; [it] should not contain liberated fiber in an amount that exceeds .01 percent of the total weight of crumb rubber,” the STC said. “Today, synthetic turf is made

without lead as a pigment ingredient.”

Environmental science teacher David Whitman believes that artificial turf should not be a concern among student athletes.

“I think the goal of everybody is to limit exposure to cancer-causing substances,” Whitman said. “And you know, should football players and soccer players be concerned? I’d say no, personally.”

Although Whitman is aware that artificial turf may contain carcinogens, he feels that we should not be concerned about the toxicity in the turf.

This article continues on www.thematadorsghs.us

continued from pg. 1

Campus reacts to Kavanaugh confirmation Do you believe Kavanaugh or Ford?

165 students polled

GRAPHIC BY MELODY ZHANG

Eventually, the FBI was able to conduct an investigation into Ford’s accusations when Senator Jeff Flake, a swing-vote Republican from Arizona, urged it. He was confronted in an elevator by two women, Maria Gallagher and Ana Maria Archila, who said they were victims of sexual abuse.

“I really do think it was a gutsy move, supposedly that was the first time she [Gallagher] told anyone that she was assaulted,” AP Government teacher Nicole Manalang said. “She didn’t just do it for herself.”

Following the voices of these two women, Senator Flake negotiated a FBI investigation.

However, several reports indicated that the information may have been limited by the lack of interviews done on those in question, including Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford. As a result, many people believe that unknown information about Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford’s case was left out.

“I think if [the FBI investigation] was done properly, it would’ve shed some light,” senior

Alejandra Lopez said. “I believed her story.

Kavanaugh didn’t even have any evidence.”

The investigation did not affect certain senators, as many decided to stay with their support for Kavanaugh, concluding there was not enough evidence to convict him.

With the final vote tallying 50 - 48, Kavanaugh was sworn in on Oct. 6 by Chief Justice John Roberts.

Kavanaugh has been active on the Supreme Court since then. However he remains under watch by fellow Judges, including Chief Justice Roberts. Roberts ordered the Denver-Tenth Circuit to investigate 15 complaints of judicial misconduct against Kavanaugh. However, the rules applying to federal judges are not the same as that of a Justice, according to the Brookings Institution.

“I think Americans will now see that two of the six men [on the Supreme Court] were accused of sexual assault,” government teacher Laura Galiazzo said. “These men are supposed to be good men, not above the law.”

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NEWS

THURSDAY OCTOBER 18, 2018

Film club connects students to screen

BRIEFS Teachers plan mock state election

BY KENNY LAM

A mock state election will be hosted by the social sciences department on Nov. 1 to prepare students for future civic participation.

During the election, students will be able to vote on their choice of governor and senator during their social sciences classes.

They will also be voting on Propositions 6, 8, 19, 11, and 12.

Henry Osborne, social science department chair, said the main goal of the mock election was to inform students of the topics being voted on, and to motivate them to vote in the future by getting them into the habit of voting.

BY KENNY LAM

To foster an appreciation of film among students, the newly founded Film Club looks to create a strong community of filmgoers through watching, discussing, and analyzing film.

Senior president Brandon Lien and senior vice president Brandon Tran both initially developed a passion for film after taking a film class taught by drama teacher Patrick Posada. However, Tran said that he did not want this passion to be limited only to the classroom.

“This passion of ours inspired us to restart the film club in hopes of meeting new people who share the same passion as us,” Tran said.

Lien also shared the same sentiment and said that the emotional response that can be evoked through film should be shared amongst the rest of the school community.

“I think it’d be cool to open up the doors to what’s out there to those who don’t know much about cinema,” Lien said.

Tran said that the club’s goal is not necessarily to create a strong passion for film. Rather, Tran said he simply wanted to expose others to more films that are typically not viewed in mainstream media.

“Try and remember a film that you were most impacted by,” Tran said. “Now imagine if you had never watched it.”

Besides learning to appreciate film, Tran also wanted the club to create a community

The Lexile test that students took recently left many confused and puzzled over its purpose, and left others ashamed or a sense of not being good enough.

Formerly known as the Lexile Framework for Reading, the Lexile test was developed by the founders of MetaMetrics Inc., A. Jackson Stenner, Ph.D., and Malbert Smith, Ph.D.

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Kenny Lam Eileen Ong Selina Han Shawn Ho Elsie Wang Melody Zhang Donna Hernandez Sally Pham Angela Lu Chelsea Nguyen Ivy Ho Vivian Zheng Chelsea Li Eric Mai Henry Chow Qilin Li Echo Dieu Lucas Jorgensen Wally Lan Amanda Lerma Katherine Huang Megan Tieu Lu June Lin Katie Phan Kimberly Quiocho Clara Quach Brianna Huynh-Tong Enrico Gonzalez Jennifer Kim

Reporters: Lauren Ballesteros, Wendy Chau, Aaron Lu, Vincent Maresca, Jocelyn Montelon, Tiffany Nguygen, Winnefer Wu, Zhou Ye Xin

The Matador is published monthly by the journalism class of San Gabriel High School. 1,600 copies per issue are published at CA WEB PRINT Inc. The Matador is a public forum for student expression and highly encourages responses in reaction to issues discussed in the paper. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, not the faculty or administration.

Articles without bylines are the opinion of the staff.

Submit comments as a letter to the editor, signed (anonymity is guaranteed if requested), to H-2, or Ms. Kim’s mailbox.

Helping Hands gives internships to students

PHOTO BY KATHERINE HUANG

Members of Film Club discuss the techniques used by foreign films and filmmakers after viewing Raiders of the Lost Ark during their weekly screenings. where others could bond over a common interest.

“Our [other] goal as a club is to keep our members tight-knit,” Tran said. “Socializing and discussing film is really important to us.”

Lien said that, personally, he would consider the club a success even if only a few people were to be strongly affected by film.

“It’d be cool to get others to appreciate cinema too,” Lien said. “Just the handful that’ll really be touched by it.”

Looking into the future, Film Club hopes to host various screenings of seasonal movies that act both as fundraisers and as a

Lexile scores leave students conflicted

BY MELODY ZHANG

3

There are two types of Lexile Measures: a Lexile reader measure (score of one’s reading ability) and a Lexile text measure (score of text difficulty). Both measures are meant to help teachers create lesson plans or a way for them to track students’ reading ability and help them grow.

“The Lexile test is an inventory that the publisher HMH provides for us,” Karen Johnston, English department chair, said.

“And students find out their reading Lexile by reading passages and answering questions on vocabulary and reading comprehension.”

It was the Alhambra Unified School District, not the state, who made the decision to issue the test to gather data on the students’ reading level. Currently, it is unclear what the scores will be used for in the future.

“I think that once we figure out how we’re gonna use it to support students and help students then I think that it can be helpful,” Johnston said.

However, there have been some concerns about how valuable or useful the measure is.

“There may be somewhere [where] it

way for others to connect over film.

“This upcoming Halloween we plan to show a variety of horror films,” Tran said.

“This December will see more of Christmas films or family movies.”

Additionally, the club aims to collaborate with band in a screening of a silent film.

“The plan is to screen silents with live music accompaniment [by band], hearkening back to how they were screened back then,” Lien said.

Meetings are every Tuesday during lunch in the Little Theatre.

BY ERIC MAI

Helping Hands, a new club started by freshman Chelsea Lam, provides information about internships to students and helps them stay connected to opportunities outside of school.

The initial idea for the club was brought up in computer teacher Jose Zaragoza’s class. He is the club’s adviser along with Paulina Diaz Serrano, the CTE adviser.

With the organization still being new, its cabinet is still figuring out the focal point of their purpose.

Helping Hands provides inclusive support for all types of career interests, extending to hospitals, colleges, and businesses.

Meetings are every Monday during lunch in B3.

Grade

Reader Measures

9

1040L to 1350L

Drama department hosts Halloween maze

10

1085L to 1400 L

BY SALLY PHAM

11 & 12

1130L to 1440L

The annual Halloween maze, hosted by the drama department, will be held during lunch from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31 in the auditorium.

The maze has gone through many changes to further terrorize those who are willing to set foot inside.

“This year, we had a consultant from Halloween Horror Nights come in to give us ideas,” drama adviser Patrick Posada said.

With all new surprises in store, ticket prices for the Halloween maze are expected to be $9. Tickets can be bought at the student bank or at the door starting Oct. 25.

SOURCE: METAMETRICS INC.

Data from MetaMetrics Inc. shows the national average Lexile scores for high school, ranging from 25th percentile to 75 percentile. can be helpful, but I feel that it puts labels on students and we already have too many labels,” English teacher Sabrina Morales said. “And I believe people should be free to choose their books regardless of their labels.”

The Lexile reader measure impacted some students negatively, which is where the controversy over whether or not the Lexile Measures are useful or not stems from.

“I’m not satisfied. I should [have] done better,” junior Kevin Nguyen said. “ [The test is] not a great way to compare people [and] students because reading is not the only thing that people love to do.”

Adelante offers opportunities to young men

BY ELSIE WANG

The Adelante Young Men Conference, an event that provides young men the opportunity to explore future career paths and gain tools for personal development, will be held on Nov. 10 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pasadena City College.

The event will include representatives from various colleges and organizations, along with influential keynote speakers from the Latino community. There will be workshops on education, careers, financial aid, and leadership led by Latino professionals.

Admission, breakfast, lunch, and transportation will be provided. Permission slips are now available in the Office of Instruction.

To read the full articles, visit www.thematadorsghs.us.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

Lacking “Mai”tivation

opinions

Editorial

School lacks adequate safety precautions Eric Mai

The might to overcome

A

recurrent image, sometimes subliminal, kept pinning my conscience down whenever I tried to sleep on my back. I saw dark figures and heard voices that told me things I didn’t understand. My consciousness was juggled between states of awareness and hollowness— sleep paralysis. Perhaps that is what instigated my downfall. Perhaps liberation does not lie in sleep.

As a child and maybe even as a middle school student, I always had the inspiration to proceed onwards with my studies. Unfortunately, the transition into high school and the realization of the importance of academics didn’t up my enthusiasm.

The increasing stress cracked down onto my well-being, and I soon became entrapped in an unhealthy cycle of poor habits, including avoiding meals or shutting myself away from family.

The sleep paralysis has taken its toll on my thought process already. My brain seemingly shuts off sometimes, its thoughts drifting off to nothing as I stay in perfect stillness. Other times, the thoughts are a jumble of volatile scenes— either a dark ocean of consistency or a plume of randomness. Most of the time, it is the latter, the memories of the figure tugging at me whenever I try to calm myself. I try to lighten myself up but that light is refracted and sent into nothingness.

Presently, the being still haunts me even during the day. It has become a part of me and lives with me, following my every thought with its smoldering existence. Sometimes, the dread makes me paranoid, too focused on the entity to pay attention to anything around me.

When I come home from school everyday, I finish homework and read books to stay occupied. I go to sleep late and again, the threat of sleep paralysis is mounted on me.

When I’m on my back, motionless, I sometimes feel as though the force of gravity is amplified and that I’m in a fall with no protection enveloping me. I sometimes feel a separate presence stirring around me. I try to shrug it off, but again the image of a dark, horned figure is dwelling above me, its eyes gleaming red. The impish being plunges toward me and catches me by the neck, striking in me a deep fear that renders me powerless. It talks in its raspy voice, saying things I’ll never comprehend.

After an agonizing minute which feels like an eternity, the vision dissipates and I regain control over my body. I lie sleepless for a few hours until sheer exhaustion sends me unconscious.

I see no clear way to go about this problem: it’s all shrouded whenever I try to think of a way out. A peace of mind does not come easily. The process of rewiring the brain away from negativity takes a lot of time and persistence. Hopefully, amidst the constant unrest that my mind goes through, I’ll unearth something that overcomes this empty feeling.

Something, be it a passion, person, or purpose. Something that can free me from sleep paralysis.

S

chool offers an environment for students to access their right to an education. However, a safe environment cannot be 100 percent guaranteed. Because danger in school is a real possibility, it threatens the safety of students.

In recent years, the increased frequency of school shootings has brought upon uneasiness and has urged schools to emphasize the importance of preparedness for this dilemma. However, as much as safety is imperative, the emphasis of our school’s preparedness for shootings is deficient. Lack of preparedness for school shootings is problematic.

Schools, such as Southwestern High School in Indiana, have taken staff and student preparedness for school shootings to a whole new level. According to NBC Nightly News, their protection system consists of bullet-resistant doors, multiple cameras connected live with their sheriff’s department, and exploding smoke cannons hidden in the ceilings. These additions, however, total up to $400,000.

Yet there are simple, inexpensive alternatives our school could implement that would help limit the possible danger to all. Southwestern High School, for instance, utilizes a red tape across a classroom floor, indicating where students should sit behind after aligning the desks in a defensive position.

English teacher Sabrina Morales,

a member of the school’s safety committee, shared solutions such as numbering and lettering buildings in sequential order. With students and staff acquiring a clear understanding of where the buildings are located, less confusion would be made in a chaotic state if a school shooting

ILLUSTRATION BY WINNEFER WU

were to take place. Another solution would be to paint the labels on the tops of the buildings. If law enforcement were to fly over the top of the buildings, they would be able to clearly locate the area in need of assistance. Simple and inexpensive solutions like these could go a long way. Despite Morales’s urging, her ideas shared to the school board over the years have not been implemented.

The protocol must be laid out to all in order to ensure that students and staff know every possible

means of protection and methods to minimize danger or harm. It is imperative the school institute mandatory trainings for students and staff about what to do if there is an active shooter on campus and how to utilize any materials, such as books and shelves, in the classroom for protection.

While our school occasionally performs safety drills, it neglects the idea of preparation for every scenario such as school shootings.

Our school does the bare minimum when it comes to preparedness for school shootings. Despite a student-produced video concerning preparedness shown in the beginning of the school year, actual drills to follow such procedures have not been executed. As a result, it undercuts the importance of the video. The slogan, “Run, hide, fight,” has no purpose if teachers have not been mandated to act it out during actual drills.

The thought of a school shooting occurring can be overwhelming and unlikely, but there is no harm in preparing for the alarming possibility. School is meant to be a safe environment for students to learn, prosper, and achieve their goals. However, “safe” is not achievable if there is deficiency in awareness and preparedness for school shootings on the rise. It is time to not only instill such changes but to recognize the importance of preparing for every scenario.

The Kavanaugh Confirmation Circus

BY VINCENT MARESCA

Kavanaugh unqualified for Supreme Court

BY IVY HO

misconduct. As a result, his reputation has been weighed down and his reliability is being questioned by many. espite mass protests, Brett The duties of a Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh was swiftly sworn in are to hear important, controversial as the new Supreme Court Justice on Oct. cases and issue rulings with the intent 6. Kavanaugh’s confirmation will surely to uphold the law and the Constitution. set back the Senate simply because he is However, Kavanaugh revealed he is not qualified to be in such a position. highly partisan when he constantly Although Kavanaugh seemed to be dodged and refused to answer specific a credible candidate at first—a Yale questions during his series of hearings.

University alumnus who went on to Having a position on ‘the Highest Court serve as a United States Circuit Judge— in the Land’ comes with a great deal after the Kavanaugh-Ford hearing, his of power that can be abused if certain lack of judicial temperament quickly factors are not taken into account when became evident. Even with the academic deciding cases. Even after displaying credentials to be the next Supreme Court poor behavior himself, Kavanaugh Justice, those credentials do not make continues to make biased remarks only up for the fact that he failed to maintain further labeling him as unfit to be a composure once he was accused of sexual Supreme Court Justice. misconduct. In addition to Dr. Christine It makes sense as to why supporters Blasey Ford, two other women came of Kavanaugh are skeptical about the forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual

D

accusations as they are barely coming forward now, but the victims should not be accused of lying for not immediately bringing their cases to court. Regardless, the sexual allegations against Kavanaugh now make him difficult to trust. Though President Trump is clearly in favor of Kavanaugh, the president himself is not exactly the most trustworthy figure either. Being that he has also been under government investigation for committing similar offenses, Trump’s two cents should not be considered.

The confirmation of Kavanaugh was exceedingly rushed by not only Trump, but the majority leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell as well. After all, the sexual assault investigation only lasted for four days, which is undoubtedly not enough time to decide whether or not Kavanaugh was truly innocent or even fit of his new position.

DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE ATTRIBUTED WRITER. ARTICLES WITHOUT BYLINES ARE THE OPINION OF THE STAFF.

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OPINIONS

thematadorsghs.us THURSday, OCTOBER 18, 2018

College misconception deceives students

BY ELSIE WANG

League does not necessarily make them more qualified for a higher paying job than someone who graduated with a degree at a less selective university. A bachelor’s degree only proves credentials, regardless of school. Famous people like Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former Governor of California,

D

uring college application season, seniors are faced with the difficult task of deciding which college they want to attend next fall. Many students dedicate their whole high school careers preparing for college—taking five AP classes or joining multiple clubs and organizations—to get into their dream school. It is a common belief that whatever college a student chooses determines how and what they will do in the future; attending a good school guarantees a path to success. However, this is a misconception. In hindsight, the college one attends has little to do with their career success.

Despite the argument that the better the school is, the higher the income, one study in 1999 by economists Stacy Berg Dale, MPA, and Alan B. Krueger, Ph.D showed that the income margin, when comparing students who attended more selective colleges and students who were accepted by comparable schools but attended less selective colleges, was close to zero. Someone who graduated with a bachelor’s degree at an Ivy

and George Lucas, director of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films, attended community colleges. Fame and wealth can be achieved, regardless of the school’s ranking.

Although some may argue that graduates from elite colleges obtain jobs easier, graduating from one is merely a badge of honor. The Nova Workforce

Investment Board interviewed tech employers in Silicon Valley and learned that skills in technology and ability to work as a team were more significant, while college degrees were rarely mentioned as a factor. Attending an elite school does not give an advantage in job applications and searches. However, before even finding a job, there is also the task of completing a degree at a more selective college. Fifty percent of US STEM students drop out during their first or second year at an elite school, but every 10 point decrease in a school’s average SAT score increases degree completion by two percent. Before even considering finding a job, students must keep up with the rigorous curriculum and high expectations of an esteemed school.

Besides the top schools, students should expand their range of college choices and consider alternatives.

Community colleges and California state universities, for instance, save a ton of money in the long run and allow students to explore new fields while providing a solid education and flexible schedule. In the end, it is not which college you go to that matters but what you make of it.

ILLUSTRATION BY ECHO DIEU

Insensitivity of YouTubers leads to stigma

BY DONNA HERNANDEZ

P

eople often take issue with distinguishing the art from the artist. YouTubers rely heavily on views and sponsors; by checking their content out and rewarding them with ad revenue, a viewer supports them by default.

YouTubers have a great deal of influence over audiences young and old. Due to the pressure to stay relevant, the influencer in question may make contentious choices. Clickbait turns into breaking news after attempts to push the envelope are taken as triggering.

The most recent example comes from Shane Dawson, who released a controversial eight-part series about Jake Paul. He had originally planned a series directed towards the nature of sociopaths, but after a joking tweet later turned retweet from Jake Paul, he made different plans. The approach in itself is insensitive.

Dawson however, takes it upon himself to self-diagnose and treat fellow YouTubers with therapy, claiming that YouTubers must have something wrong with them if they vent/rant for the world to see on the internet. What Dawson fails to realize is that he only defeats the purpose of therapy

if he draws them back to the source of the problem: vlogging their personal lives for views and profit.

A therapist known as Kati Mortin was consulted and included throughout the series to show a professional’s viewpoint.

However, fellow therapists have spoken out in criticism regarding her approach

to antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

Paired with Dawson’s “horror” style edits, the video series only elevates the stigma that already surrounds the mental disorder. A therapist/YouTuber that goes by “hiyeonni” commented in her response video that sociopathy is not as talked about in comparison to mental issues like

depression and anxiety. This rings true and confuses the audience when it comes to distinguishing sociopath from psychopath.

Not all sociopaths nor people with sociopathic tendencies are “evil.”

According to a web article by Better Help, traits include the disregard of social norms, a deceptive nature, aggressive behavior, lack of remorse, and irresponsibility. The degree with which people have this disorder varies from person to person. Dawson and Mortin’s informal discussion regarding ASPD gave the impression that the world is raided with monsters when many of us have long been living with these people. Intentional or not, Dawson has promoted a culture of self-diagnosis where viewers begin to classify YouTubers and others as carriers of this mental disorder.

Viewers should take what they watch online with a grain of salt. This is especially true when it comes to YouTubers, who care more about view counts for the sake of profit. Sources are not fact-checked adequately at times which results in misinformation.

Furthermore, regardless of YouTuber preference, viewers should take care to dissociate content from the artist.

ILLUSTRATION BY ZHOU YE XIN

The Matador Bullring

Do you feel prepared in case of a school shooting?

“ “

No. I think there would be a lot of commotion, and everyone would be panicking.”

-Nicole Le, 9th grade

PHOTOS BY ENRICO GONZALEZ AND MEGAN TIEU

No, not really. I don’t feel prepared because I [have not had] enough practice [regarding] what to do and expect, and how to be safe.”

-Christopher Ruiz, 10th grade

“ “

Yeah. I think I am prepared because the drills we have right now are simple enough to follow.”

No. We haven’t done any drills or practice. We had a couple [of] lockdowns but it’s not like we’ve had any real preparation.”

-Cecilia Hua, 12th grade

-Isaac Guzman, 11th grade

INTERVIEWS BY QILIN LI

5

Caught in the “Bal”ance

Lauren Ballesteros

A leap of faith

E

ight-year-old me didn’t know how huge of a decision she was making when she decided to start gymnastics—it’s easily the best choice I’ve made in my entire life. From the beginning, I never expected myself to fall in love with the sport, and I never thought I would still be enjoying it to this day. The journey to find comfort and serenity within the sport, however, wasn’t the smoothest.

Though I started when I was eight, my career actually started, I’d say, three years later when I began competing.

Judging by my first few competitions, I was consistently placing first and scoring high, but for some reason, I still found myself unhappy and unsatisfied: things came too easily to me.

In the following years, I began to score lower and progress more slowly, which colored me demoralized. Due to my effortless success in previous years, I became discouraged when things didn’t come as easily as before.

Going to practice became a chore for me—mastering skills became harder and I had less motivation to work hard to be successful. Due to my premature assumption that I had already reached peak performance, I wanted to quit; I found no point in staying with the sport if I had no more potential to improve.

I found myself flourishing again when I was about 13 years old, but in a different way. Unlike my 11-yearold self, flourishing did not mean, in any circumstance, that I was winning countless awards or performing perfect routines. However, I had an epiphany that victories did not have to be defined by winning awards or being able to master skills quickly. Instead, my personal victories lay in simply being able to do the crazy sport and overcome the hardships that come with it.

This realization is where I label my second peak. Being able to accept the fact that falling behind my teammates wasn’t a reflection of my ability—I believe it shows more strength than anything. I finally found myself happy and satisfied.

With this healthier and stronger mind set, I’ve faced nothing but improvement from this point forward. I also know there will always be even more room for improvement; I’m looking forward to another peak. My biggest goal as of now is to continue learning for as long as I can from the mental and physical challenges that come with gymnastics.

I feel as though I was made to do gymnastics, not because I’m perfect at it—no, not at all—but because I genuinely enjoy it. I’m not doing this sport for anyone else—not my parents nor my coaches—rather, I’m doing it for myself. I want to make my parents and coaches proud of me, but that isn’t my biggest concern; I want to be proud of myself more than anything.

Gymnastics has definitely been a life-changing experience; I can’t imagine how different of a person I would be without it. Throughout these past few years, I’ve learned valuable life lessons I couldn’t have learned anywhere else in regards to perseverance, respect, confidence, time management, and much more. This sport has allowed me to find myself in unique ways. The only thing I regret is not starting sooner.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

Resources:

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, try the following resources.

For help on campus, reach out to Peer Counseling, Gateway to Success counselors, school counselors, school psychologists, teachers, and the nurse. Police and legal assistance are also available to help.

FOCUS

Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Safety Plan 1-800-978-3600, available 24/7 The National Domestic Violence Hotline www.thehotline.org Peace Over Violence 626-793-3385, available 24/7 www.peaceoverviolence.org

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eache she h fiancĂŠ John*. B Gabriel, they w retail job. They later, they mo However sentenced to t two felony cou another for cri according to c

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Teacher Kristianne Cordova shares her story of escaping an abusive relationship.

This article contains information about domestic violence and physical abuse which may be sensitive to certain readers and survivors.

1 in 4 dating teens is abused or harassed online

ARTICLE BY LU JUNE LIN BRIEF BY CHELSEA NGUYEN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BRIANNA HUYNH-TONG AND ANGELA LU MODEL: LU JUNE LIN

40% of child abuse victims reported domestic violence at home

1 in 10

high school stude has experienced violence from a dating partner in t past year

Statistics source: www.thehotline.org/resources/statistics/ To read an article about the cycle of abusive relationships, visit www.thematadorsghs.us

FOCUS

er Kristianne Cordova believed had a promising future with her Before she started teaching at San were co-workers who met at a y began dating and six months oved in together. r on Sept. 13, 2018, John was two years in state prison with ounts: one for domestic abuse and riminal threats against Cordova, court records.

manipulation started with idating surveillance. Cordova’s at she wore, where she was at – everything was monitored by John. Along with this, Cordova

was frequently berated and verbally abused by John, she says. “[He would say] ‘you’re just a sl*t, you’re a bit*h’ [to] ‘I know you’re trying to impress people’... and he would just get mad at me for the dumbest reasons.”

She was not allowed to wear makeup, shorts or anything that John thought could attract others’ attention.

Talking to other men was strictly forbidden.

After the verbal abuse came physical harm. It started with pushing, then shoving, which led to slapping, “[which] led to punching, choking, and fighting until I was having panic attacks and beaten until I couldn’t breathe,” she says.

With these terrifying incidents, Cordova resorted to sleeping in her car and waiting out the more violent episodes there. Even in her own home, she was fearful of John’s actions, sometimes locking herself in the bathroom.

“My back [would be] pushed up against the door and legs locked, pushing towards the bathroom vanity cabinet with my dog, with fear he was going to break that door down and harm us even more.”

ents d a the

It was a few months into the relationship when Cordova realized that continuing her relationship would seriously endanger her life.

However, this realization led to a series of new threats, she says.

“I knew the relationship was wrong; I knew I could die. I couldn’t force myself to leave because one, I loved him, and two, fear.”

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

M

HOTLINE

The National Domestic Violence 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), available 24/7

W

hen John proposed to her, Cordova was too afraid to say no. “Soon we were engaged, and I tried to think and use every excuse to put a hold on wedding planning.”

Cordova’s family loved John and both families were excited about the wedding.

He told the families everything they wanted to hear and showered Cordova with sweet messages and kindness in order to regain her trust. According to the cycle of abuse theory developed by psychologist Lenore E. Walker, this is the third phase, where the abuser manipulates and brainwashes the victim by apologizing and promising to never act abusive again.

“He somehow convinced me to get back into a relationship with gifts and words of affirmation, and the biggest gift of all, a pug we named Gabrielle. She soon became an excuse for him to see me and [he took] control of my life again.”

Despite the flattery and gifts, the cycle of abuse had started once again – except this time, it was life-threatening. On one occasion, John discovered old pictures of Cordova during her teenage years, she says. These pictures included Cordova with another male, which infuriated John.

“He started punching me and just lashed me with a jumper cable like 12 times.”

As a result of her beatings, Cordova’s face would be constantly covered in bruises and scars. In order to maintain a facade of being “normal,” she would put on makeup to hide her wounds before going to work.

“Victims of abuse are great liars...Nobody wants to believe that’s happening to somebody so everybody just [goes] along with [the lie].”

Around the same time, a shooting occurred at a San Bernardino school. A day after, Cordova began receiving threats from John about coming onto the school campus.

“He said if I didn’t come home, he’d come on to campus [to] get me and make me come home.”

To prevent any incidents from possibly happening at school and to begin her escape from John, Cordova reached out to Student Employee Welfare in order to ensure her safety.

Police officers were also on campus on that day, giving Cordova the courage to make a report about the jumper cable incident.

“I felt so ashamed and so guilty for telling the police officer, and they had to come and take pictures. Debbie [Stone] had to be in the room because it was a male officer and I had marks all over my back and my legs, so I had to pull my pants down and it was just so mortifying.”

7

any people advise victims of abuse to resolve their situation by simply reporting what is going on – but that is not as easy as it seems. Victims, such as Cordova, are subject to heavy manipulation, which leads them to believe that they are at fault, not the abuser. According to the cycle of abuse, the victim is in the third phase, causing them to feel shame and guilt when considering the possibility of reporting.

“In the relationship, he had this complete control over me. He made me feel as if I needed him in my life.”

According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be the voice of domestic violence victims, most women take an average of seven to nine attempts before truly letting go of their abusive relationship. For Cordova, she did not know when it was time to let go until others’ lives were put into danger.

“I really had to leave because I was four weeks pregnant when he [hit me with the jumper cables]. I ended up having an abortion.

I just thought if I have this baby by this guy, the baby’s going to want to know who the dad [is] regardless one day, and he’s going to kill the baby [or] kill me.”

Cordova was not alone during her times of hardship. Many people stood by her side, supporting and providing her the company that she needed – a relative, school staff, a school psychologist, principal Debbie Stone, and former peer counseling adviser Charis Saito. “[Stone] made sure that not only I was safe, but that all students were safe at SGHS.” According to court records, John was arrested and originally charged with seven counts of felonies for spousal battery, criminal threats, and threatening a witness.

On Sept. 13, 2018, John pleaded no contest to two counts and was sentenced to two years in state prison. Cordova was given a 10-year protective order against him, and John had to pay a $500 fine to the Domestic Violence Fund.

Through the state restitution fund, Cordova also received 60 free counseling sessions and financial support for moving.

Even though she had finally escaped from John, Cordova’s abuse still has long term effects. She finds herself easily frustrated and ready to blow up – a trait she never had before the relationship.

“I am nowhere near the person I was before, and I don’t think I will be. I am also hyper-vigilant about my surroundings. I am always paranoid that he might show up where I am at.”

She works through her feelings daily.

“I am proud of myself but I have this horrible sense of guilt, and that is part of his manipulation. I struggle to open up in relationships. I have been diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorder, and anxiety. I am seeing a therapist but still have a lot of work to do.”

However, now out of the her abusive relationship, Cordova hopes to spread a message for those who are going through hardships.

“I hope my story helps anyone who is in an abusive relationship – physical, verbal or emotional,” Cordova says. “I hope it gives them courage to make a plan and leave, to seek help, to want to live. I am a survivor, and I want anyone who may be going through any form of abuse to know that you can survive this too. Your life is worth living.”

“ He made me feel as if I needed him in my life.”

c

0

thematadorsghs.us

The matador

* Name changed to protect privacy.

DISCLAIMER: The article is not a subsititute for professional advice.

8

thematadorsghs.us THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

The matador

LIfe and art

Review: The Dive SKC spices up seafood with Southern style

BY IVY HO

The Dive SKC (Steam Kettle Cooking), a contemporary Cajun and Creole restaurant might just be the perfect place to satisfy all your seafood cravings. Though the menu is limited as of now with the restaurant still being in its soft opening, it already offers a unique variety of Southern style dishes, most of which contain fresh seafood.

The Dive SKC prepares all their food using an uncommon cooking method called steam kettle cooking. Individual steam-jacketed kettles, equipped with heating and precise temperature control, are used to quickly and thoroughly cook food all while making sure nothing gets overcooked. This was what truly piqued my interest and made me want to take the plunge into going to The Dive SKC. Once I stepped inside, I was immediately amazed by vibrant murals of aquatic sea creatures on the walls, antique diving helmets, and the kettle bar where customers can ask to be seated at, so they can watch chefs prepare their food using the steam-jacketed kettles.

My family was instantly greeted by a hostess who allowed us to choose our table before we were seated shortly after. Before taking our orders, our server described the process of steam kettle cooking to us, which undoubtedly fascinated my family. When we were ready to order, we were asked to choose a spiciness level from one to ten for each dish since Cajun and Creole cuisines are generally

considered to be spicy. Both cuisines share many of the same ingredients, but some differences are that Cajun cuisine does not use tomatoes, is usually less spicy than Creole cuisine, and is considered “country food,” while Creole cuisine is considered “city food.”

My favorite dish would have to be their specialty, House Pan Roast, made from a tomato-based cream sauce, which includes diced celery, onion, and green bell peppers, topped off with a scoop of Jasmine rice, because of all the different kinds of seafood mixed into it. Surprisingly, their chicken noodle soup was everything but ordinary, for it was made with a tangy, flavorful lemon garlic broth. Their delicious Po’ Boy blackened chicken sandwich came with a side of Cajun fries which were very crispy and savory. Their scrumptious breaded chicken wings with Cajun seasoning were served with a side of carrot and celery sticks along with ranch dip.

All things considered, this was definitely a delightful dining experience, because our server was constantly checking in with us to see if we needed anything throughout the night, and even if the food was a bit expensive, each dish was definitely large enough to be shared among several people. The experience was worth it in the end, as every dish was packed with an immense amount of flavor.

Any lover of seafood would definitely enjoy eating at The Dive SKC. The Dive SKC is located at 5708 Rosemead Blvd. #100, Temple City, CA 91780 and can be reached at 626-766-1569.

PHOTO BY SALLY PHAM

The Alley’s Matcha Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk is made from freshly prepared tapioca pearls, brewed tea, and homemade cane sugar.

Review: The Alley opens path for fresh hand-made boba

BY SALLY PHAM

With the countless number of tea houses in the San Gabriel Valley, one can sensibly assume that boba milk tea has become an integral part of “the 626” area. The Alley, one of the many tea houses, advertises their tapioca pearls as freshly prepared and made from scratch. What makes them stand out from their competitors is that they also process their own tea leaves in order to retain the distinct flavor of their tea.

When I arrived at The Alley, I was greeted by the potent aroma of the boba and fascinated by the modern interior: the decor encompassed natural elements such as wooden floors and an indoor tree. Furthermore, the minimalistic designs and neutral colors imparted a sense of comfort in the small shop.

I took a glance at the menu and noticed that each drink ranged from $4.50 to $7.50.

Among all the peculiar drink names, such as The Alley Assam Milk Tea and Iron Goddess Milk Tea, the one I was interested in the most was the Matcha Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk.

Since I have tasted numerous matcha drinks before, I was interested to see how The Alley’s matcha would compare to other boba shops.

The total came up to $6, which is rather overpriced for a 500 milliliter drink. I was rather shocked by the outcome, because the price was higher than that of standard tea houses, which is usually around $4.25.

From the first sip, I instantly knew that this drink was unparalleled to all other drinks I have tried. The matcha offered a delicate, yet not overwhelming sweetness that complemented the richness of the tapioca balls. However, the dominating factor that made their drink so unique was the chewy consistency and soft texture of the boba. The pearl-shaped tapioca ball delivered satisfaction with each bite.

Overall, The Alley is an unconventional boba shop that provides hand-made, quality tapioca balls. In spite of the high prices, customers are paying an equitable amount for the extra quality; it is definitely worth the cost for those looking for somewhere new to try.

The Alley is located at 301 W. Valley Blvd. #102, San Gabriel, CA 91776.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VINCENT HO

The Dive SKC puts its own twist on the classic chicken noodle soup with its homemade lemon garlic broth, Andouille sausage, seasoned chicken, and linguine.

life and art

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

9

Reyes self-publishes children’s book, Lone Tooth

BY MELODY ZHANG

Inspired by her nine month old daughter, world history and economics teacher Terri Johnson Reyes recently published her first book, Lone Tooth, last September.

Reyes’ idea for her picture book came when she named her daughter’s first tooth the “Lone Toof.”

“I told her one day: ‘I’m going to create a story about your tooth,’” Reyes said. “So then, I made a story, [it’s] kind of an Old West story.”

The story is about a family of teeth searching for a new home in the west. The daughter, Ruth, goes ahead by herself as a lone tooth and overcomes challenges thrown at her by Mother Nature.

“Just the fact that I gave [the book] the name Lone Tooth, [it was] already [going] in the direction of a western-themed story,” Reyes said.

Originally, Reyes wanted to create the book just for her daughter, but after sharing it on social media, she changed her mind.

“All of my family and friends [asked], ‘when can we get it, when can we buy,’ so that’s when I decided to actually publish it,” Reyes said.

Reyes worked on her book for months, determined to create a story out of her ideas.

“The writing process didn’t really take too long, because [there] wasn’t a lot of wording,” Reyes said. “But it took me months [to] even just [think] of a story.”

The book was self-published through Blurb, as Reyes wanted to be accountable for everything, from her hand-drawn illustrations to her story.

“I felt like it was an easy process because I published it [myself],” Reyes said.

Despite being a short book, Reyes hopes that her readers will think of Lone Tooth as

PHOTO COURTESY OF TERRI JOHNSON REYES

Social science teacher Terri Johnson Reyes wrote the picture book Lone Tooth and reads it to her daughter, Kaya. “She is too young to understand the story, but she definitely seemed fascinated with the colors and the book itself,” Reyes said. a cute, little story.

“It’s not a really long book,” Reyes said.

“It’s meant to be for the lower grades, but I hope that they would just get kind of this adventurous, fun enjoyment [out of it].”

Reyes said she has entertained an idea

of a sequel.

“I’m open to the idea of making another book, and I’m also open to the idea of just continuing [on] from this story,” Reyes said. “But I don’t have any other ideas at the moment.”

Currently, a Kickstarter campaign is up for pre-ordering or supporting the book, and it will run until Oct. 22. If interested, students may see Reyes at room A210 or visit <www. kickstarter.com/projects/lonetooth/lonetooth-a-childrens-western-book>.

To My Anxiety

PHOTO BY MEGAN TIEU

Sophomore Noah Bernales shows his new trapsoul song, “Summer in the Winter.”

Bernales finds love for music, produces his own songs

BY MEGAN TIEU

Music has always been a part of sophomore Noah Bernales’ life from an early age.

Growing up, Bernales would always hear his father sing and play music around the house.

Bernales even began to play the piano at the age of four. However, it was not until Bernales started to produce his own songs did his love for music really begin to thrive.

During the beginning of his freshman year, Bernales came across a YouTube video by audio engineer Pat Ryan, that sparked his interest in the music production world.

Inspired, Bernales decided to create his own songs. From then on, he embarked on his musical journey and has been consistently producing music for over a year.

“I was watching YouTube [videos] one day and thought that [composing music seemed] interesting, so I wanted to try and see what I could do,” Bernales said.

Bernales’ music production process begins

with creating a similar tempo off of a song he likes. He then adds new beats and edits the song to match his style. By incorporating other songs into his work, Bernales is able to expand more on what has already been put out there.

“I write my lyrics and play the piano [for my songs]. It’s interesting to me, [because it tests] how creative I can be,” Bernales said.

Bernales plays various genres of music depending on his mood and enjoys listening to trapsoul, R&B, and hip-hop.

“I just really love music,” Bernales said.

“There’s a thing called mumble rap where you can’t understand a thing they’re saying, but you can still roll with it. That’s what I really love about music—it’s the feel from it.”

Currently, Bernales’ main goal is to reach the same level of talent as his inspiration, Ryan, and eventually exceed beyond that. He hopes to turn his passion for producing music into a career one day. Bernales’ music tracks can be found on his Instagram (@nohanna.b) as a Story Highlight called “Beats.”

You give me this constant feeling of discomfort of “what ifs” at the most unnecessary times. You take the air from my lungs, take feeling away from my limbs, give me a choking sensation, and when you’re really out of control, you make me tremble and take my sight, but that isn’t even most of what you make me go through, you’ve become my demon, you enjoy haunting me, I am never alone. You love to leave me wondering about others’ opinions about me.

I can accomplish many things in this world, but you will always be an obstacle in the way. The worst is when you show yourself unannounced, and I have to explain to the people around me about you, you’re my biggest enemy, you’re a big bully who needs to go away and leave me alone, you do not allow me to let people come into my life because of the overthinking you give to me. I will not let you get the best of me anymore, I will learn how to deal with you, even when you come out of nowhere.

BY TRINIDAD GUZMAN, 12

If you would like to submit a poem or artwork to The Matador, visit H2 or email sghsthematador@gmail.com ILLUSTRATION BY WINNEFER WU

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THE MATADOR

Thursday, OCTOBER 18, 2018

sports

PHOTO BY MEGAN TIEU

Outside hitter and blocker Monse Enciso (14) vaults up to the net to tip the ball. Her team waits behind her in anticipation, ready to receive the incoming Lancer attack.

Girls varsity volleyball jousted by Lancers

BY AMANDA LERMA

Girls varsity volleyball played the Bell Gardens Lancers on Oct. 4, losing the game 1-3.

Before the game began, seniors were each presented with a golden crown consisting of their name and number, a black sash proclaiming they played on the team, and a bouquet composed of red roses and sunflowers by the underclass varsity members on the team.

The bleachers were filled with cheering friends and family, making it the loudest game of the season.

In the first play of the game, setter senior Virginia Situ went up to serve.

The ball was thrown high into the air as

her arm swung back and smacked it at the peak of the toss. It flew over the net and hit the floor, securing the point for San Gabriel (SG), but failed to lead the team to victory.

“I think [senior night affected] how I played because my mom, grandma, and friends were watching,” senior Stephanie Linares said. “It meant a lot to me that they were there.”

The remainder of the first set occurred with Bell Gardens passing the girls in terms of points. Passers opened up and chased the ball across the court, trying to end the Lancers’ lead, but as balls dropped to the floor, they failed to come back. Bell Gardens defeated the Matadors 25-15 in the first set.

Early into the second set, the crowd

Where’s the water?

Students bring up concerns regarding water locations

BY QILIN LI

It is recommended that athletes drink nine to 18 ounces of water per hour, according to the American College of Sports Medicine and USA Track & Field. However, at San Gabriel, some athletes are not getting enough of this necessity. There may be plenty of water, but the length athletes go to obtain is inconvenient.

People are recommended to drink eight ounces of water eight times a day.

These numbers are projected to be much higher especially for athletes.

Even differing from person-to-person, the water consumption for athletes is extremely high. However, these necessities can not be met when sports do not have convenient water sources.

Junior Solimar Zubiate, varsity volleyball player, explains the detours they take simply to get water. “[By our second] water break, we don’t have water, so usually we have to go get it at the cafeteria filter, because the other water is not that great,” Zubiate said. “It just cuts into practice.”

Zubiate said that staying hydrated is vital and that “everyone in general should just drink water all the time.” She believes that available water sources can be improved.

“I think there could be more water fountains in the gym,” Zubiate said. “We have some but they don’t work; usually we don’t even drink water because we don’t have any.”

Similarly, sophomore Tam Phan, varsity tennis player, said that getting water from the kitchen behind the small gym is not the easiest job to complete.

“It’s not far from the courts, but the water faucet is very slow,” Phan said. “To fill two coolers it definitely does take time, about 15 to 20 minutes sometimes.”

The time-consuming factor is especially troubling during hot weather.

“When it’s really hot and we need [water immediately], the small spout does not help,” Phan said. “It wouldn’t hurt if there was an even closer water source to the courts.”

On the contrary, other sports have more convenient sources. Sophomore

bundled up in the bleachers screamed out of happiness as a ball perceived as unsavable was saved, setting the mood for the rest of the set. Bell Gardens struck the ball and it flew over the net, bouncing backwards off two girls’ arms towards the back of the court before Situ saved the ball with her hand. It sailed over the net, landing right in the middle of the opposing side, giving SG the point.

Perfectly placed tips by seniors Monse and Kimberly Enciso left the Lancers scrambling for plays and SG triumphed over Bell Gardens 25-22.

The last two sets were crucial to the game, as both teams each needed to win a total of two more sets to become victorious. It was the third set when Bell Gardens started to win and continued

their lead. However, the Matadors kept on fighting for the win, hoping to triumph on senior night, causing the score to go back and forth, but as the set ended, Bell Gardens won, 25-20.

Entering the last set, the Matadors were at a disadvantage. The girls pulled off multiple comebacks, as did the Lancers. The game ended 25-21 with a win for Bell Gardens.

“I think we played well,” Linares said.

“It was just intense at times. I’m proud of my girls.”

As the last game with a chance to advance to CIF, the volleyball team was heartbroken with the loss. The final game of the season occured at Mark Keppel on Oct. 9 with a loss of 1-3.

Kevin Almontes, varsity football player, said that water is located in accessible areas, but “the transporting of the water [makes a significant] difference.”

“If we didn’t get water from the shed [next to the football field], we’d have to get it from the kitchen behind the small gym,” Almontes said. “If we did get our water from the kitchen, some of the uncleared or non eligible players would have to carry the water jugs down to the field which cuts into our practice.”

The shed is also utilized by other

sports. Sophomore Rick Tan, cross country member, said he is content with their water sources.

“There’s fresh water from the tap down in the shed by the track,” Tan said.

“It’s pretty convenient because if we ever run out [of water], we ask our coaches to refill it and it’s pretty quick. I think that our water situation is pretty good.”

Though water sources are not the most convenient for certain sports, all athletes will continue to utilize the available sources of water.

SPORTS

THE MATADOR

thematadorsghs.us THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2018

11

2018-19 Fall Sports Scoreboard BOYS FOOTBALL VARSITY 9/28 vs Mark Keppel

40-8 W

10/5 vs Bell Gardens

6-46

L

10/12 @ Alhambra

0-48

L

10/4 vs Bell Gardens 0-56

L

JV 10/11 @ Alhambra

14-40 L

CROSS COUNTRY VARSITY 9/26 @ Legg Lake Park (B) 5th (G) 4th JV 9/26 @ Legg Lake Park

6th PHOTO BY MEGAN TIEU

GIRLS TENNIS

Quarterback junior Max Castillo safeguards the football and bolts to the end zone, sending four defending Lancers onto the ground.

VARSITY 10/2 @ Alhambra

6-12

L

Football leads wild chase against Lancers

10/4 vs Schurr

10-8

W

BY HENRY CHOW

10/9 vs Monrovia

11-7

W

10/11 vs Mark Keppel 4-14

L

JV 10/2 vs Alhambra

13-5

W

10/4 @ Schurr

14-4

W

10/11 @ Mark Keppel 10-8

W

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL VARSITY 10/2 @ Schurr

0-3

L

10/4 vs Bell Gardens

1-3

L

10/9 @ Mark Keppel

1-3

L

10/2 @ Schurr

0-2

L

10/4 vs Bell Gardens

0-2

L

10/9 @ Mark Keppel

0-2

L

JV

The varsity football team played off against the Bell Gardens Lancers during senior night on Oct. 5, ending with a score of 6-46 with the Matadors in the loss. Despite their losses, the crowd poured out their support in celebrating senior night as well as the football team’s last home game.

“We keep our spirit up and always made sure we were a team [so] that the blame [wouldn’t] go all on one player,” junior William Velzco said. “We all play a role [in the team].”

In the first quarter, the game kicked off with a powerful lead from Bell Gardens as they scored a touchdown almost immediately after the play started. During the time, the Matadors attempted to defend against Bell Gardens with their best efforts. Bell Gardens scored a couple of touchdowns in the first quarter, placing them at a significant point lead at the end of the quarter.

“Their defense was making plays that stopped our offense,” junior Ives Morales

Despite beginning their preseason with the annual Rosemead Invitational, the Matadors came into their first league meet of the season with less experience than their competitors— Alhambra, Bell Gardens, Mark Keppel, Montebello, and Schurr. Unlike the other schools that attended at least two invitationals prior to the league meet, the cross country team only attended one.

The results left little to be desired as boys freshman/sophomore and junior varsity placed sixth, boys varsity placed fifth, and girls freshman/sophomore and varsity placed fourth.

“As a team, we are much better than

[also] all be on the same page [with] strategy, because football is a game of strategy, and it’s a huge impact on the outcome of the game.”

In the last quarter, Bell Gardens scored another touchdown almost immediately after the quarter started. Soon after, senior Dallas Ortega was able to complete a pass but was unable to work off the play.

“We could have done better,” junior Max Castillo said. “On offense, we should have less drops and more catches. We should have taken advantage in the end zone instead of kicking a field goal or punting the ball.”

Even with the loss, football coach Kevin Encinas was especially proud of the team’s persistence to keep going and efforts demonstrated during the game.

“They worked so hard during practice, and we have 6 a.m. workouts,” Encinas said.

“During the game, they just give everything they have, so you can’t be upset with them.

You’re just proud of how hard they work. You know—they could’ve quit. They don’t quit. I just really appreciate all of them.”

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Cross country remains hopeful after first league race, anticipates Apache meet

BY SALLY PHAM

said. “They were [also] consistent throughout the whole game.”

In the second quarter, the Matadors were off to a rough start as Bell Gardens scored another touchdown four minutes into the game. The Matadors were unable to make any progress during this time as no points were scored in the quarter.

“They were well aware of their job,” Valezco said. “They made all their blocks and tackles. They [also] started off the game strong. We started to get [it] together towards the end, but it was too late for us to come back.”

The Matadors saw a glimmer of hope when they scored their first touchdown five minutes into the third quarter by senior Raymond Contreras. Despite their success, Bell Gardens were able to complete some passes, enabling them to score yet another touchdown, and placing the Matadors even further behind.

“Our communication could improve a bit,” Morales said. “[It could] make things easier for the defense and offense. We could

the previous year in terms of our girls category,” sophomore Lily Lay said.

“However I feel like our boys category is kind of lacking. I think we should enforce [all members] to come to practice more often, because I see a lot of people who come to practice a few times a week.”

Although the team did not meet the expectations of their coaches, the coaches remained positive and continued to encourage their runners.

“I think that without the coaches [encouraging us during the race], I would have done a lot worse,” senior Brian Ly said. “Coach Juan was there at the race to motivate us, despite his busy schedule.”

The cross country team this year is relatively young, with majority of the team comprising of ambitious

underclassmen.

“My goal for the league race was to improve my time since I didn’t do as well as I hoped in the previous race,” freshman Johan Oetomo said. “I put in so much effort during practice and exceeded my expectations by improving my time by a whole minute.”

Despite the shortcomings of the Matador’s race, junior Rashell Zamarripa has high hopes for the team’s performance in their upcoming Apache invitational in Arcadia Country Park.

“Aside from the unknown course and running mostly on dirt, I believe [everyone] did a good job [on our first league meet],” Zamarripa said.

“Although some [members] didn’t get the times they wanted, I am positive that they will achieve it in our next race.”

The team’s last league meet will be held on Oct. 31 at Legg Lake Park.

PHOTO BY SALLY PHAM

Freshman Sophia Quach (1121) paces behind a Montebello racer during the third mile of her race.

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Thursday, October 18, 2018

The matador

FEAtures

A Wonderful Night in Wonderland Homecoming 2018

Haley Noyes Homecomin g Queen Q: If you could summarize your experience of winning Homecoming Queen in one word, what would it be?

A: “A blessing, because honestly it [took me] a lot of courage to [run]. Winning queen is something that I didn’t think I was going to get, [but] being in court was something that I was [really thrilled] about. I just think everything’s a blessing for me.”

Q: What would you say to future candidates?

A: “Do it. Don’t be scared. You never know [what could happen], just follow your heart. It’s your senior year, [and] I think you should do and try anything new, because you’ll make a lot more memories.”

Q: What would you want to say to the girls who made court?

A: “Congratulations to everybody. I had a great experience with you guys. I’m happy for all you guys, and I’m glad that I was with you guys through this whole journey.”

Senior Haley Noyes’ (right) face lights up as her teapot reveals her win of Homecoming Queen. Her friends and family strongly motivated her to run.

Jordan Phan Homecoming King Q: How did you feel when they announced you were King?

A: “I almost fainted, and I did not know I was going to [win]. I was honestly believing that someone else was going to win. When I won, I was telling the [person] who was sashing me, ‘girl, I’m about to faint; you better hold me’ and then she told me to breathe, so I [did], and now I’m alive.”

Q: What was the most memorable part of Homecoming?

A: “Having my best friend walk me down, having my little walk me down, [and] having all of Choreo. We [are] so close and tight because I know all of them and it was just so amazing.

I didn’t even care if I won or not. They’re just amazing people, [and] I love them.”

Q: Do you have any advice for those who are thinking of running next year?

A: “Always be yourself. Love yourself. Do not care about who’s going to run. Always just know you can be the best, you can be the worst, you can be the most loved, you can be the most hated, [but] you’re it.”

Juniors Queenie Hua (left) and Jocelyn Kha (right) of Choreo perform to a mashup of Shawn Mendes and Katy Perry during halftime on Sept. 28.

Senior Jordan Phan (middle) pulls a red King of Hearts card out of a hat, revealing his win and capping off an “emotional roller coaster of joy.”

Wide receiver senior Tony Fernandez (26), bolts past Aztec defense, carrying out a successful play and helping the Matadors crush Mark Keppel 40-8.

Tammy Cognetta Grand Marshal Q: What has it been like to be back here?

A: “It’s great. It’s so much fun to be back. It almost feels like I haven’t left in some [ways]. So, it’s just been a thrill and it’s an honor. I’m really happy to be here and see all the kids and former students.”

Q: What is your relationship with this school? How would you describe it with the students and the school?

A: “Well, it’s like leaving your family and coming back to see [them] again.

That’s why I like [it] every time I come back. You come back and you just remember all the great things that happened in school. Homecoming is especially one of the ways to remember or reconnect [with] the people who have been part of your life. Thirty years [of teaching] is a long time. It’s just so fun to see people that remember me.”

Grand Marshal Tammy Cognetta conducts “Fight Song,” performed by the band. Cognetta felt thrilled that she was invited to become the Grand Marshal.

GRAPHICS BY WINNEFER WU PHOTOS BY KATHERINE HUANG, MEGAN TIEU, AND ANDREA SU, EL CAMINO REAL