Thereno’s place like
G N I M O C E M HO
e 24. Follow the yellow brick road on Pag
Wildcat brea olinda high school
volume 86 issue 1
October 2016
2
online
The Wildcat
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In order to modernize with the times, The Wildcat has added a new website with Medium.com. Check out the site regularly for new stories.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES News
Summer Chinese program
3
ways to find us online
mobile
scan
BOHS hosts the New Oriental Global Study Tour
Helpful Honda commercial
medium.com/the-wildcat
Honda sends Country Hills fourth grader to space camp
Summer Europe trip
BOHS students visit France, Germany, and Switzerland
New ROP classes
Medium app available in the App store and Google Play
BOHS offers new ROP classes after school
Opinion
Save the bananas
Opinion editor Nicole You discusses the importance of banans
Dress code flaws
QR
Does the BOHS dress code have genderbias?
Animal captivity
Scan QR code
Opinion editor NIcole You analyzes the ethics of animal captivity
Arts
Harry Potter review
Arts editor Matthew Moon reviews the new Harry Potter book
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Medium.com is an online publishing platform for social journalism. Anyone can read, react, and interact with stories. Instead of “likes”, there are “recommends”, and instead of comments”, there are “responses”. It was developed by Twitter co-founder Evan Williams as a way to share thoughts longer than the 140-character limit required for Twitter. The Wildcat can be accessed at a publication page as well as a personal profile page. All staff members of the Wildcat have an account and take responsibility for the content they publish.
index
CONTENTS 4
6
8
10
3
Take a shot
New faces at BOHS news
by staff
Counselor training
news
The perfect shot: Yearbook editor Sam Lee, senior, captures photos during Club Rush.
by Choyun Lee
Homecoming playlist homecoming
by Anabel King and Samantha Magpantay
Homecoming princesses
homecoming
by staff
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Black Lives Matter
15
Joining clubs
opinion
opinion
Once upon a time: Seniors dress in princess attire for Senior Disney Day.
Anabel King
by Sarah Burris
Solidarity: Colorguard members prepare for their performance.
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Kendon Fuller
18
Abby Martinez
feature
sports
by Stacy Uhm
by Samantha Magpantay
photos by ANNICE LEE and JULIET ISLES
Surf’s up: Seniors Bobby Morck and Will Kim recruit new members for Surfriders Club.
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news
Meet the new faces in the Brea Bubble
Stephanie Panozzo
Shannon Buckles
Patrick Axtell
College & major: California State University of Fullerton (CSUF). I have my masters and BA (in English Literature). Experience: I was a library aide in high school. Hobby: I like to read and write for fun. I run a book club, and I write genre fiction. Reason why you like teaching that subject: I love books! And I love talking about stories and sharing stories. A cool fact: I’m an uber nerd. I’m obsessed with podcasts, particularly ones about or related to Harry Potter.
College & major: Cal Lutheran University & Business Administration Experience: I’ve been an officer for 16 years. Hobby: I like to go to the river on my boat with my son. Reason why you like teaching that subject: Seeing students come to school and be enthusiastic about learning and giving them something to feel safe about is always a good feeling A cool fact: I’m a mom to the coolest seven year old on the planet.
College & major: I graduated from Vanguard University with a BA and MA. Experience: I have been a baseball coach for the past 16 years. I have taught elementary through college students. Hobby: I like flying, camping, sports, hiking and building all types of things. Reason why you like teaching that subject: I enjoy students and wanted to teach them a trade. One cool fact: I have been in the industustry for over 30 years as someoone taught me at 17 years old.
Librarian
Alexander David Willert Choir
College & major: UC Berkeley, CSUF, and Chapman University. Majored in Music Education with vocal emphasis and minored in Film Studies at Chapman. Experience: 5 years as an assistant director, but first year as ateacher. Hobby: I like to watch sports, and I’m a cinephile. Reason why you like teaching that subject: There’s something special about music. It’s pleasing aesthetically and it express emotions. One cool fact: I spent 14 months performing for Disney in Tokyo, Japan.
Campus Officer
Casey Riggs
Intro Dig Photo, Photo Trad, & Dig College & major: Undergrad at the Art Institute of Seattle, grad school at Savannah College of Art and Design in concentration in Photographic Arts. Experience: 3 years Hobby: I really enjoy paddle boarding through the back bay in Newport Beach. My hobbies are photography and travel. Reason why you like teaching that subject: It is a passion I have and I enjoy sharing that with all of my students. One cool fact: I have driven across the country a total of four times, the fastest taking two total days.
BITA
Mary Grigoli
Chemistry, (H) Chemistry College & major: UCI - I have my bachelors in science. Experience: 25 years Hobby: Go to the beach and read; watch a lot of softball games. Reason why you like teaching that subject: It explains so much of the world around us. One cool fact: The only child; insulin dependent diabetic; good sense of humor; sarcastic.
compiled by NEHA SHARDA, SAMANTHA MAGPANTAY, JASMINE SERRANO, ANABEL KING, STACY UHM
news the curriculum adopted by the BOUSD School Board of Education, but no plans have been made to adopt new social studies textbooks as of yet. “Our students will enter college classrooms and the workplace in the next few years and they’re going to come across people of many different backgrounds. To assume that a place of higher education or any workplace is purely a heterosexual workplace would be very wrong. We have not just people of different ethnic backgrounds, but people of different gender identities and sexualities amongst us. And to pretend that they don’t exist is not just doing a disservice to them but a disservice to them as global citizens,” Eugene Lee, history teacher, said. From second grade, students will learn about diverse family structures, such as families with LGBTparents, to help students “locate themselves and their own families in history and learn about the lives and historical struggles of their peers,” according to the text of the framework. The BOHS Gay-Straight Alliance Club president Alisa Fang, junior, believes this addition is a huge step for the LGBT community. “For California to implement LGBTQ history into school textbooks is...amazing, for lack of a better word. LGBT youth are more likely to suffer bullying in school, suffer from depression, and commit suicide. This is not okay. People are substituting something as innocent and pure as love with hate and intolerance. I hope that with the aid of LGBTQ history into schools, this vicious cycle can be broken. By including LGBTQ history in our history books, we are not only acknowledging the sacrifices made, but we are also changing the perspective of future generations to a more open-minded one (hopefully).” Tom Torlakson, California Superintendent of Public Instruction, believes that the inclusion of LGBT history is “a big win for our students.” “This document will improve the teaching and learning of history and social science. It will give our students access to the latest historical research and help them learn about the diversity of our state and the contributions of people and groups who may not have received the appropriate recognition in the past,” Torlakson said. Critics of the state decision, such as the National Association of Scholars and Breitbart News, believe the ruling is “absurd” and “the height of political correctness”. But others applaud the move, noting that this furthers California’s history of progressivism. “This is a small world, this is an ephemeral life, a temporary life we live,” Lee said. “And for us to exclude people based on their gender identity is not only wrong -- it’s going to push us behind. There are many [LGBT] people who serve in the military, who are in the entertainment industry, who are teachers, who are students, and they all deserve a voice. And I think California as a progressive state is doing an outstanding job leading the nation once again in what a progressive state looks like.”
LGBT HISTORY: Now in Textbooks
On July 14, the State Board of Education approved the new Historical-Social Science Framework, incorporating LGBT history into textbooks. by ANABEL KING illustration by GIZELLA LONTOC
W
ith an unanimous vote by the California State Board of Education in July, California public schools will now teach LGBT history. The State Board will implement a 2011 state law signed by Gov. Jerry Brown which requires schools to include LGBT history as early as second grade. This decision will make California the first state in the nation to teach LGBT history in school textbooks. According to Peter Tira, information officer for the California Department of Education, the policy will go into effect immediately across California elementary, middle, and high school history classes, in time for the 2016-2017 school year. Tira also adds that there is a 2017 deadline for school textbooks to include LGBT content. At BOHS, the Social Science Department has not developed new plans as of yet to implement the new curriculum, according to Matt Rainwater, department head. However, Rainwater, along with fellow history teacher, Brian Schlueter, already include LGBT history as part of their civil rights unit, as both believe inclusion of the LGBT community is essential to teaching American history. Regarding the deadline, Rainwater notes that a majority of current history textbooks at BOHS are “almost as old as the students who study them” as many date back to 2002. However, at lower schools, such inclusion is not as . According to Trish Walsh, Country Hills Elementary School principal, the school currently teaches
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news
BUILDING BLOCKS: CIT William Buckingham, senior, learns to model himself for the children to follow at the Summer Day Camp at Olinda Elementary School.
BUILDING COUNSELORS: by CHOYUN LEE
One block at a time
photo courtesy of MEREDITH WHITE
uring the summer, 21 BOHS students participated in the annual Counselor in Training (CIT) program. CIT is dedicated to exposing high school students to careers in Early Childhood Education. Volunteers take charge of young children in summer daycare programs at BOUSD elementary schools. Tiffany To, junior, noted that the program is very helpful to students who have an interest in teaching and counseling. The interactions between the staff and students “help build relationships with both children and the adults.” The program has met its fifth year this summer and is gradually receiving more interest from students. The previous year earned a total of 1500 volunteer hours, and the numbers have increased to 2500 this year. “The program is about making an impact on a child,” Meredith White, a coordinator of the program, said. “It isn’t just about gaining volunteer hours. [Students] can get a lot more out of [the program].” In the program, each student is assigned to a specific elementary school and becomes a staff
member of the program, tending kindergarteners to students up to fifth grade during weekly field trips and activities. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the students visited excursions like the Plunge and Knott’s Berry Farm. On other days, the children are brought to their respective schools and are led through various activities and games in the daycare program. Preschool was included as part of the program this summer, as there were many volunteers who applied. Preschool students were led by the counselors through various activity stations located inside classrooms at their respective schools during the day, such as the kitchen, drawing tables, or the library, resembling the elementary C.I.T. program. “As a C.I.T., the main priority is to make sure that the preschoolers stay happy and healthy while also learning educational and social fundamentals,” Teri Del Rosario, junior, said. “[I] would highly recommend to people who like kids. [The program is in a] really fun, positive environment.” By hosting both programs, BOHS offered students the experience of hardships and fulfillments behind childcare, as well as teaching them about the various opportunities the program has to offer.
“[The program] is not simply a part-time job,” Rebecca Smith, a coordinator of the program, said. “It really helps [the volunteer students] see a career in this [type of] program; you don’t have to pursue all these big [jobs] if it’s not for you. There are places you can go within this field.” “Often times, a lot of people that pursue education as a career are thinking about being teachers, or administrative principals, and whatnot.” White added. “They don’t think of the opportunity and the out-of-school career paths. This kind of gives students an opportunity to test [the career] out, in a safe place, with guidance. That is what makes this program so great.”
Want career options? Need volunteer hours? Love children?
Contact program coordinators Meredith White and Rebecca Smith by email: mwhite2@bousd.us and RSchafferSmith@ bousd.us.
news
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CA Wish Council helps kids in need by STACY UHw\M photo courtesy of ALEX HUANG
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his year, the California Wish Council (CWC), a club co-founded by junior Alex Huang during the summer, made its debut in BOHS’ Club Rush. CWC is a regional club in Orange County that strives to “spread awareness of the foster education system and provide volunteering opportunities to a diverse network of high school students,” according to their website. CWC has chapters in various schools throughout Orange County like Walnut High School and Troy High School. “With non-profit fundraising opportunities and partnerships with neighboring organizations, CWC officers will match volunteers with unique yet challenging tasks to support underprivileged youth in their very own communities. CWC will also host seasonal events through the regional board to allow volunteers to interact with peers that share similar interests,” according to the website. “We believe that education is a right, not a privilege, and that all students deserve the right to have an equal education. In essence, our aim is to level the education playing field. Many of the children are very similar to people like you and me,” Huang said. CWC’s services will be focused on volunteer opportunities that help out underprivileged and/or foster children. The club also plans to host fundraisers, and the money raised will go to buying supplies for the children or to nonprofit organizations that are partnered with CWC. “I’m proud to be part of CWC because
these children have so many capabilities, and they deserve to have the same opportunity of receiving a proper education that we have. And here in CWC, I can truly make a difference in the lives of underprivileged and/ or foster children,” Nitin Nellisserry, junior and covice president of CWC, said. The organization also hosts keynote speakers, Christmas toy drives, and even publishes a regular newsletter for all members. “In a system that promises safety, family, and home, 23,439 aged out of their foster care homes with one in five of these students will become homeless. Only half will be employed by age 24 and only less than 3% will earn a college degree. 71% of this group’s young women will become pregnant by age 21,” the website said. CWC meets every Thursday in science teacher Wade Cormier’s classroom, room 241.
BEST WISHES: (top) Darrell Tan, senior, recruits new members for CA Wish Council; (bottom from left) Jane Lee, senior, poses for Club Rush, Alex Huang, junior and club president, smiles for the camera.
BRIEFS
Krampus at Universal by NEHA SHARDA
I
BEST WISHES: Darrell Tan, senior, recruits new members for the California Wish Council during Club Rush on Sept. 19. The CA Wish Council spreads awareness of the foster education system.
n the Universal Studios Horror Nights’ Krampus maze, “Krampus Karol of the Bells”, plays throughout the maze and the long lines. The track features the voices of the award-winning BOHS choir. Last October, a small group of Masquerade choir students, comprised of four boys and nine girls, were asked to record the song for the Christmas comedy horror film Krampus. Directed by former choir director, Dave Willert, the students recorded “Krampus Karol of the Bells” as well as other sound effects for
the movie. And while Willert is no longer with the choir (his son Alex has taken over in his place), the song is now being played for the entirety of this year’s Universal Horror Nights promotions. “It was such a cool experience, and all of us were very proud to hear our song being heard by all the people that go to Universal Studios. Everyone had a great time and it’s an honor to display our talent for such a great project. Our initial reaction was, ‘Wow, we’re famous!’ Our song being played at Universal is definitely a good story for all of us to tell, and we’ll definitely remember it for a long time to come,” Lindsey Morrill, junior, said.
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homecoming
#NOPLACELIKEHOCO
Anika Forde
freshman
> If you could choose anyone to be president, who would it be?
Deborah Oh senior
“It would be Bri Denbo, who I very much admire. She’s very hardworking and extremely sweet.”
> Why did you run for homecoming princess?
“I heard about what the homecoming princess does and I thought it was really cool getting my dad to be my escort which was something I felt he would really enjoy.”
> A genie appears and grants you three wishes, what would you wish for?
“ I would wish for a GPA of 4.0 or higher through all my years of high school, to keep the amazing relationships that I have with friends and family forever, and to not be as clumsy.”
sophomore
Hayden McElroy junior
> If you could choose > If you could choose > If you could choose anyone to be president, anyone to be president, anyone to be president, who would it be? who would it be? who would it be?
“If I could choose anyone to be president I would choose Mr. Hendersen. Even though he probably wouldn’t want to [be president], I still think he would lead the country to greatness.”
“I ran for homecoming princess because I thought it would be a fun and rewarding opportunity.”
Andrea Flores
> Why did you run for homecoming princess?
> A genie appears and grants you three wishes, what would you wish for? “No more sickness, no more poverty, and to be faster than Austin Tamagno.”
“Tim Burton.”
> Why did you run for homecoming princess?
“Because I thought it would be an experience that I would be glad to look back on when I think about high school.”
“Beyonce because she is an empowering woman and I think that’s what the country needs. Also, she slays.”
> Why did you run for homecoming princess?
“I ran because I thought it [would] be a good experience. > A genie appears Also, I thought it would be fun and grants you three to make new friends [with the wishes, what would you other princesses] who are all wish for? kind hearted and beautiful “Art supplies, something that people.” my brother would like, and a gift card to Forever 21.” > A genie appears
and grants you three wishes, what would you wish for? “[I would wish] for men, money, and more wishes.”
homecoming
Presenting our freshman, sophomore, and junior Homecoming princesses and the senior nominees. compiled by NEHA SHARDA & JASMINE SERRANO
Kayla Libed senior
illustration by MATTHEW MOON
Bri Denbo senior
> If you could choose > If you could choose anyone to be president, anyone to be president, who would it be? who would it be? “My mom because she’s someone I look up to and I think she possesses a lot of other qualities that most politicians nowadays don’t have.”
> Why did you run for homecoming princess? “I ran for princess because I am well-rounded and [I am] involved in a variety of [activities] on our campus. I offer passion, love, and that inclusiveness of everyone.”
> A genie appears and grants you three wishes, what would you wish for? “I would wish for free food, genuine happiness in life, and lastly that there would be no cliques, meaning everyone loved everyone.”
“Deborah Oh because she is so hardworking. I really admire her.”
> Why did you run for homecoming princess?
“Because I think it would be a really fun experience and I’m excited for the dance!”
> A genie appears and grants you three wishes, what would you wish for? “I would wish to be successful in life, to [live in] a giant house with a whole bunch of puppies, and [to have] a never ending [supply] of money.”
picture courtesy of DEVIN HALL
Adrianna Harris senior
Ashley Belknap senior
> If you could choose > If you could choose anyone to be president, anyone to be president, who would it be? who would it be? “I think [I would choose] Beyonce. She’s fierce. She’s out there.”
> Why did you run for homecoming princess?
“I moved schools my sophomore year and I was a big leader at my old school. I would have never thought that I could even run after moving. I’ve always seen myself trying to aid others in the best way I can, so I thought I would see if I could try.”
> A genie appears and grants you three wishes, what would you wish for? “I wish for free lettuce, unlimited boba, and a cure to cancer.”
“Leslie Knope. In the show, Parks and Recreation, she does an efficient and swagilicious job in the parks department and eventually becomes the Mayor of Pawnee.”
> Why did you run for homecoming princess?
“I chose to run for Homecoming princess because I thought the experience would be super fun and it is my last year in high school!”
> A genie appears and grants you three wishes, what would you wish for? “Lots of puppies, world peace, and a cute little boat to travel to new places in.”
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opinion
Got Clubs?
11
by SARAH BURRIS photos by ANNICE LEE
T
he familiar sight of posters that line the walls of the BOHS buildings, the sound of undecipherable shouts from multitudes of students, and the array of colorful booths that crowd the quad could only mean one thing: Club Rush. It’s the first major event on the school calendar that gives hint as to what BOHS has to offer extracurricular-wise. Such an occasion should get students excited for the upcoming school year. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Club Rush now doubles as the school event that students simply dismiss or ignore. Fact is, students nowadays don’t seem to thoroughly grasp the importance of clubs or just don’t seem to care. Some either see them as leisure school pastimes, pointless exertions of effort, or even distractions from school academia. However, clubs and participation in them, act as quite the contrary. The communal aspect of clubs should seem extremely appealing to those interested in joining. They not only promote students to explore their interests, but surround themselves with others who share similar passions. According to Alex Huang, junior and president of California Wish Council club, “clubs are great for social development, [since] they provide an environment for meeting new friends and having fun.” For similar reasons, BOHS openly supports the involvement of clubs. As written on their website, the high school aims for “students to be actively engaged and connected through involvement in extracurricular activities.” Because of this, BOHS boasts of its extensive list of clubs, each centered around a certain hobby, topic, or issue. The broad range of choices available ensures that each student can belong to a club of interest to him or her.
New Clubs at BOHS
Gaming Club PRESIDENT:
CLUB RUSH: Astyr Ko, senior and vice president of Key Club, promotes the oldest international service program on campus, which aims to encourage leadership, build character, and provide service to high school students.
BEST BUDDIES: Josh Evans, senior, of the nonprofit Best Buddies club, which strives to establish personal relationships and friendships, urges students to join during Club Rush.
SURFRIDERS: (from left to right) Seniors Bobby Morck and Will Kim of the non-profit Surfrider Foundation club, which strives to protect oceans and beaches, advertise their movement during Club Rush.
On the other hand, for students not fully enticed by the social aspects listed, clubs also reap extensive academic advantages. They present students with community service opportunities and ways to improve their high school transcripts. Furthermore, as mentioned by Huang, they “provide essential opportunities for improvement and enrichment.” More specifically, clubs appeal to students aiming to bulk up their academic portfolio, which in turn, improves their statistic probability of securing admission into college. The reality is, the college acceptance process is a competitive one. Nowadays, 4.0 GPA’s don’t always ensure admittance. This is precisely
why club involvement proves handy to include on applications. According to mycollegeguide. com, an “extracurricular history can help [students] present [themselves] as committed individuals” and “showcase leadership abilities.” Students who willingly choose to participate in non-academic activities set themselves apart in the college application pool. College admission boards tend to favor well-rounded applicants, suggesting that those who participate in clubs have an increased leverage. Clubs shouldn’t be overlooked. Instead, they should be treated as advantageous outlets. They are undoubtedly useful for students looking to improve themselves academically, socially, or just hoping to find productive extracurricular activities. Just because Club Rush has passed, doesn’t mean that the opportunity to join clubs has as well! Those interested should consider making the proactive choice of pledging into a handful of the many clubs that BOHS has to offer. Doing so will produce significant benefits on both school transcripts and social calendars.
Cosmetology Club
Ukulele Kids Club
President:
President: Karen Madamba Meetings: Thursdays @ Lunch, Room 231
Madeline Tjoa
Mariah Gomez
MEETINGS:
Meetings:
Thursdays @ Lunch, Room 221
Fridays @ Lunch, Room 125
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staff ed
THE WILDCAT since 1930
Vol. 85, Issue 01 October 2016 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anabel King BUSINESS MANAGER Stacy Uhm MANAGING EDITOR Loading The Wildcat...
Samantha Magpantay
Wildcat
NEWS EDITOR Choyun Lee
Every 15 minutes a drunk driver kills someone.
FOSTERING LOVE
FEATURE EDITOR
Wildcat
Wildcat
IN MEMORY OF DR. BISHOP
Super Seniors
Sarah Burris OPINION EDITOR Nicole You
Wildcat
Ahead of the Pack
Senior CARLY HALM fights her way to first place in Seaside, Ore.
Wildcat
LIFESTYLES/ART EDITOR Matthew Moon PHOTO EDITOR Annice Lee PHOTOGRAPHER
Why we went online P
rint journalism in this technological era is a dying field, and in order to stay relevant, newspapers must be able to adapt to the needs of their readers. The Wildcat evolved from a traditional black and white print newspaper to a glossy, full-color magazine in 2014. And this year, we have undergone another evolution to accommodate our audience -the Wildcat has gone online on the publishing platform medium.com. Medium.com is a social forum where anyone can read, react, and interact with stories published by the Wildcat. Readers can easily access the site from computers and mobile devices. With a simple click of a mouse or a scan of the QR code within the print edition of our newspaper, readers can be immediately directed to the Wilcat’s online publication. Accessibility will truly be at the touch of a finger. In addition to accessibility, the online platform allows the Wildcat to publish in a much more timely manner as writers can publish their stories instantly once the final draft is approved. In the magazine platform, stories can quickly become irrelevant and outdated during the 10-
day delay when waiting for the issue to arrive from the printer. This next step in our evolution is necessary in furthering our success in journalism. Year after year, print media decreases in sales and interest while the online presence of news organizations on the internet and on social media increases by the day. Over the past decade, print newspaper circulation has fallen by 17 percent over the past decade, according to Pew Research Center. In contrast, 83 percent of magazine publishers and 88 percent of newspaper publishers distributed their content on mobile devices in 2011, according to statista.com. Ultimately, the goal for transitioning to an online platform is to inform our audience in a more accessible and technologically savvy fashion. By accommodating to the growing demands of the modern era, the Wildcat is able to continuously share its compelling, pertinent voice to our audience. Medium.com allows the Wildcat to do this and more, while also continuing to publish -for our 86th year -- our award-winning print edition.
Juliette Isles STAFF WRITERS Neha Sharda Jasmine Serrano ILLUSTRATOR Gizella Lontoc The Wildcat is published by the students of Brea Olinda High School’s Newspaper class. The purpose of the publication is to inform and educate the Brea community, as well as highlight campus life and student achievement. The Wildcat encourages expression of reader opinion in the form of letters to the editor. Letters must be signed with a name and submitted to bohs.wildcat.newspaper@gmail. com. Opinions stated in the Wildcat do not necessarily belong to Brea Olinda High School administration, faculty, and students. Unsigned editorials reflect the views of the staff. Bylined columns reflect the views of the writer.
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opinion
BLACK W LIVES MATTER by ANABEL KING illustration by KALEIGH WYCKHOUSE
hen the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan posted flyers during the summer, asking Brea residents to join their ranks and support their movement, they claimed that, “Black Lives Matter [is] telling followers to kill white people and police officers in the name of justice.” Granted, it’s the KKK, a white supremacist hate group that terrorizes minority groups. But this opposition towards the Black Lives Matter movement extends beyond the cross burnings of the KKK. In many cases, the reaction to #BlackLivesMatter is #AllLivesMatter, which is almost as dangerous of a response as the KKK’s. The Black Lives Matter movement essentially has one goal: to equate the significance of African-American lives to Caucasian-American lives. Much like the feminist movement strives to equalize women to men, Black Lives Matter wants to elevate an oppressed group of society to the same level as their oppressors. It is not called, “Black Lives Matter More Than White Lives,” or “Black Lives Matter the Most.” Upon close examination, its message is epitomized in the more precise title, “Black Lives
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Matter Too.” This “too” is crucial in understanding the purpose of this movement because it suggests that black lives in recent events do not matter -- that society does not treat their value, worth, or their existence with the same jurisdiction of the value, worth, and existence of white lives. There are different rules, different standards, and different expectations. Black Lives Matter only seeks to make those differences equal. The All Lives Matter movement, on the other hand, does not have the same message. Whereas Black Lives Matter says, “We want to be equal!”, All Lives Matter claims, “We are already equal!” The problem is that the latter’s argument is neither rhetorically sound nor statistically correct. Reality is that at this time in history, some lives seem to matter more than others. At this point in time, black people are treated like their lives don’t matter, and thus their movement is born. You could ask for an example of when a black person’s life didn’t matter, and I could list name after name of an unarmed black person who died by the hands of the police, and lived on in the hashtags of Twitter. I could even say, “The one where an unarmed black person was shot,” and you could say, “Which one?” Are there too many to keep track of? Too many to distinguish one from another? Or simply too many to care about every, single one? Names like Michael Brown and Philando Castile and Sandra Bland are but a few examples of what validates Black Lives Matter as a significant and urgent movement of our time. Shedding light on the racial tensions does not divide our country, as opponents like the KKK suggest. Think of America as a chandelier with a few broken lightbulbs. In order to fix a broken lightbulb, one must first recognize it is broken. It doesn’t make the broken more important than the fixed. It doesn’t mean the shattered want to make the others shattered. It simply means that one part isn’t at the same level as the others, and we should work as a society to extend this equality to all.
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opinion
Who will win the 2016 election? Donald Trump Republican candidate
A In 2015, Gil Rotblum, history teacher, wrote a column in the Wildcat stating that the Republican nominee will win the 2016 Presidential election due to historical trends of past elections. by Gil Rotblum illustration by KAYLEIGH WYCKHOUSE
fter analyzing all the candidates for Commander in Chief, I have decided to support Republican nominee, Donald J. Trump. It is time to elect a leader who can handle difficult situations and can protect the lives of all Americans. Under President Obama, wasteful big government programs have been implemented causing an increase in taxes on the middle class. Our national security is lacking security, our justice department is lacking justice, and our economy is lacking jobs. The labor force participation rate is at an all-time low, which consequently caused the median family income and homeownership to decline. Health insurance costs, student loans, and the number of Americans on food stamps and government programs have increased. Not to mention the fact that the national federal debt has doubled under Obama amounting to $19.5 trillion. As a self-employed businessman, realestate mogul, and philanthropist Donald Trump
has employed over 22 thousand hard-working Americans based solely on skill and good work ethic. Due to the decline in the integrity of politicians, Mr. Trump is a breath of fresh air. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump is not owned by corporations, Wall Street, or superPACS. While Mrs. Clinton is taking millions from middle eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, where women have no rights and where gays are hung because of their sexual preferences, Mr. Trump has only one special interest, and that is the American people. The security of Americans has been jeopardized by the rise in radical Islamic terrorism, the disarming of law abiding citizens, the implementation of a failed foreign policy, and the lack of leadership. While Donald Trump is not politically correct and his rhetoric can overshadow his plans to bring jobs back to America and hold countries accountable that have profited from Obama’s poor leadership, Trump will “Make America Great Again.”
Hillary Clinton Democratic candidate
T In 2015, Gil Rotblum, history teacher, wrote a column in the Wildcat stating that the Republican nominee will win the 2016 Presidential election due to historical trends of past elections. by Gil Rotblum illustration by KAYLEIGH WYCKHOUSE
he Republican party had the weight of history in their favor as the Democrats attempt to win a third presidential election in a row. The last time that happened, Franklin Delano Roosevelt won a third term. This led me to conclude in 2015 that the Republicans would have an advantage in the upcoming 2016 election. Then a shocking turn of events took that advantage away. A reality television personality who made his fortune in New York real estate became the nominee. Donald Trump shocked more experienced politicians like Jeb Bush, John Kasich, Chris Christie, and Ted Cruz and took control of the Republican Party. While his rise to the top of the party has been meteoric his tactics have been bombastic. The rhetoric of Donald Trump on topics such as Mexicans, Muslims, and women helped defeat his opponents in the primaries have worked against him in the national elections. As a history teacher who deals with facts, one of my favorite websites is politifact.com.
This website fact-checks the claims of elected officials. The 2015 Politifact Lie of the Year was the campaign misstatements of Donald Trump. These lies have caused a split to develop in the Republican Party where the former nominee, Mitt Romney, has refused to vote for Trump as “a matter of conscience.” The beneficiary of this wedge in the Republican Party is the first female candidate to win a major party nomination, Hillary Clinton. Clinton is running against the weight of history to try and win a third term for the Democratic party and become the first female President in American history. However, her opponent in this race has not been able to swing enough states in order to win. At this point most voters have already made up their mind about who will win the election. The next month will determine the final outcome but it seems that the Democratic nominee has found a path to overcoming major obstacles to a third Democratic presidency by running against Donald Trump.
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PROFILE
A job well KENDONE Kendon Fuller, senior, is an aspiring Eagle Scout who has earned over 20 badges as a Cub Scout. This summer, Fuller spent his vacation building cabinets and desks for Brea Junior High School to give back to the community. by STACY UHM
photo by ANNICE LEE
F
rom popping popcorn to cutting up wood, Kendon Fuller, senior, spent his summer building kitchen islands for the Brea Junior High (BJH) as a way to serve his community while aspiring to become an Eagle Scout. As a Life Scout, the rank right below Eagle Scout, Fuller had all of his requirements to become an Eagle Scout done except for one, which was to develop a service project for any religious institution, school, or his community. Therefore, he reached out to Brea Junior High and started working on his project right away after hearing that the school was in need of two kitchen islands at the Teen Center. To build the kitchen islands, Fuller cut up wood to the right dimensions, assembled the wood together, and painted both structures in BJH colors with a “‘can-do, sky’s the limit’ attitude,” according to Kelly Kennedy, BJH principal. In fact, Fuller went through the procedure on his own in hopes to demonstrate leadership, and after a month’s worth of work two kitchen islands were ready to be added into the Teen Center. “Kendon made a phenomenal difference in creating a better environment for our S.T.E.M. education programs. Previously, we made do
despite inadequate space. Now, the kitchen islands create a space that promotes 21st Century Education in out of school time. While experimenting with Food Science, [BJH] students can gather around the islands and creatively collaborate, communicate and problem solve,” Kennedy said. Most importantly, Fuller is “grateful” to have had this experience to positively impact the community. “Not only did I build my leadership skills, but I also learned the importance of responsibility,” Fuller said. Before building the kitchen islands, Fuller acquired the materials needed by making and selling kettle corn as a fundraiser. He was also able to reduce the cost of his project to $600 when it originally would have cost $2,000 because a company from Anaheim donated granite countertops.
“He went above and beyond on this special project, securing granite counter tops even though that wasn’t part of the original design,” Kennedy said. “His persistence was apparent from start to finish!”
FAVORITE BADGES
$ FIRST AID MERIT BADGE
CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Cycling merit badge
Personal Management
Citizenship in the Community
How to treat minor wounds/injuries and how to handle major situations.
Scouts learn about the laws of the nation and what it means to have national pride.
Scouts learn about the various ecosystems and how to keep the environment clean.
Requires a lot of physical exercise, such as a 110 mile bicycle from OC to San Diego.
Scouts learn how to personally manage time, money, and a social life.
Scouts learn how to better a community and what it means to be a citizen.
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sports
TOUCHING DOWN WITH ABBY MARTINEZ
Freshman Abby Martinez is the first female football player at BOHS in 13 years. by SAMANTHA MAGPANTAY photo by ANNICE LEE
T
he blazing sun pounded on freshman football player’s Abby Martinez back as she stepped onto the grassy field. She adjusted her heavy helmet and shifted the pads on her shoulders. After taking a deep breath, Martinez deemed herself ready, and she ran to the cluster of her teammates on the sidelines. And this was the first time in 13 years since ‘03 BOHS graduate Lisa Benigno has our football field been home to a female football player.
Since she was young, Martinez had a keen interest in football. Sunday Night football played a huge role in her household, and she fondly remembers her childhood love for the NY Giants. Unfortunately, Martinez could not follow on this interest until high school as her family could not afford the costs of joining a club football team. But Martinez still held a tight grasp onto her dream of playing football. When try-outs for the high school football team came around in the summer, Martinez was determined to act on her passion for the sport and join the team. However, she faced opposition from her family when Martinez told them of her intention to play football. Her father especially was not an avid supporter of her choice in sport. He believed that “girls couldn’t play football” and he was concerned with the possibility of Martinez being majorly injured. As she has been a part of the Brea Police Explorers since seventh grade, he was worried that an injury
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I don’t want to be known as the only girl on the football team. I want that idea of girls playing football something people get used...To me, it’s pretty much ignoring that football is a maledominated sport, and just being you.” photo courtesy of ABBY MARTINEZ
from sports would ruin her dreams of a career in law enforcement. But Martinez was “stubborn”; she chose to stick with football, even though her family did not support her. And although their disapproval disheartened her, it also motivated her to double her efforts to make the football team. Martinez walked to and from practice everyday and put in extra hours of practice running at a local park. This work ethic and determination to succeed is what helped her secure a spot on the BOHS freshmen football team on try-out day. “Abby is very hard-working, and she is always ready for any challenge. She always strives to be the go-to person on the football field. Overall, Abby really gives her all on the football field, which is what we love as coaches about her,” Justin Burns, freshmen football assistant coach, said. And when Martinez made the football team, that is when her family started outwardly supporting her passion for football. “I secretly supported her after our father said ‘girls can’t play football.’ I felt that she shouldn’t be limited just because she was a girl. But I also
- Abby Martinez, freshman
didn’t want to make it easy for her since there are always challenges in life and people who will try to discourage you. So I would say no to her playing and that pushed her to continue football regardless of our family not supporting her. If she didn’t care about what we had to say, then she wouldn’t care about what a stranger would have to say,” Gladis Martinez, Abby’s sister, said.
On the freshman team, Martinez plays the position of wide receiver. And although she is the only female on the team, she doesn’t “really think about it.” Martinez prefers to ignore her gender since she doesn’t believe her being a female footballer is “a big deal.” “I don’t want to be known as the only girl on the football team. I want that idea of girls playing football something that people get used to. It should already be a normal idea to people; I shouldn’t be the only one. I’m pretty sure there are other girls out there that do want to play football. But they need to step up their game
and get out of their comfort zone. It’s pretty much ignoring the fact that football is a maledominated sport, and just being you,” Martinez said. As Martinez is deeply invested in the Brea Police Explorers and the law enforcement field, she doesn’t see herself playing the sport longterm. Regardless, Martinez is happy to pursue her passion in football during her high school career. Along with football, Martinez also plays basketball for the freshmen/sophomore team. Despite the difficulty of balancing two sports and academics, once “[she] puts her mind to it, [Martinez] is determined to see it through.” “I want Abby to enjoy her experience in football and to do her best in everything, not just in sports but academically as well. She knows that her education always comes first, and she knows that I want her to pursue a career she loves. But no matter what, I will support her in everything she does in the future. I really don’t care if she is a girl playing football now. What I care about is her confidence to believe in herself when no one else does. And that is what I will always expect from her,” Tomas Martinez, father, said.
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final shot
All keyed up
Breanne Carey, senior and president of Key Club, recruits members at Club Rush on Sept. 29. photo by ANNICE LEE
