October 31, 2016
12500 E. 183rd St. Cerritos, CA 90703
www.cerritoshs.com
Volume 45 Issue 1
Page 2
Student Feature Behind the Lens
The Language of Music
Ethan Lejano’s face is buried beneath his Canon EOS 5D Mark II as he snaps a picture of his world, sharing his perspective like an author with a pen. He has a unique style that can’t be replicated. Whether it is capturing the smiles of Cerritos High School students, freelancing as a photographer, or just expressing his faith, Ethan definitely has a knack for working the camera. “I like how every photographer has a different style, I wouldn't know how to describe mine. It’s not based on the equipment, it’s based on the way you perceive your image and subject. You can't be bad, maybe rusty on the settings, but everyone can look at something in a different way and totally exploit it through a lens,” said Lejano. “I show my perspective through everything I can. Photography is like the single thing that I can confidently say that I will be doing all my life.”
Senior Ian Castorillo started his music career when he auditioned to perform at the Black History Month concert. For Castorillo, this was a big step since he used to be extremely nervous about performing in front of audiences; but he has never regretted that decision because it led him to where he is now. Ian has been singing for as long as he can remember, but he only recently started to sing for others in high school.
John Cho STAFF WRITER
“The way he takes a photo really goes beyond just the camera. He combines different lights and really shows how focus on different parts of a photograph can reflect his particular perspective when taking a photo,” said Senior Andre Japco. Ethan’s photos have personal meaning that truly builds his character behind the lens. Given a camera at the young age of eight, Ethan has been learning the camera like a musician learns to play an instrument. “I started to take photos in eighth grade, but it became an integral part of my life during freshman and sophomore year of high school. Then, I began my own freelance business as a photographer,” said Lejano. Ethan’s advice for young and upcoming photographers? “Shoot everyday, no matter what it is. Practice and find your own perspective. If you miss a day you lose integrity, and that's why I have my camera everyday.”
Ms. Quiggle A New Teacher on Campus by RANDI WISE Staff Writer
Shreya Shantharaj STAFF WRITER
“It’s like a universal language that I can give to everyone.” To Ian, his music is his portal to connect and convey his thoughts, especially because talking about his emotions has always been difficult for him. But ever since he started to share his music, he feels more of a connection with his inner thoughts and he feels like he can freely express his feelings. “It’s really nice to be able to go up there and quote-unquote speak to people through my music. It’s like a universal language that I can give to everyone,” said Castorillo. Currently, Ian has mostly been singing covers of other songs publicly, but he also writes his own songs that have yet to be performed. He says that he gets his inspiration from artists that he is listening to; currently that would be John Legend, whom he looks up to for his work ethic and drive. He also has recently been into John Mayer, and has been playing his guitar more often. Ian says that the most rewarding thing he has gained from his music so far was getting over his stage fright, because now he is much more confident in his abilities and much more willing to share his music with others. He says that the fact that he had stage fright is surprising to many because he now comes off as much more self-assured. Although Ian will surely be successful no matter where he ends up, he hopes to attend music school after high school to pursue it as a career, and is currently in the application process.
Each morning she can be found standing at the door of her classroom, greeting her first-period students with a smile. One one makes it into her classroom, one notices Ms. Quiggle’s classroom is bright, welcoming, and full of life. As the newest addition to Cerritos High School’s Art Department, Ms.Quiggle is most obviously a warm and kind-hearted individual. Ms. Quiggle teaches five sections of art classes ranging from levels one to three. In trying to follow the footsteps of last year’s retiree, Mr. Parks, she will have a lot to live up to. As a child, Ms.Quiggle dreamed of being a rockstar, not a teacher. Her passion for music lead her to join her high school band. She played a multitude of instruments including--but not limited to--the piano, bass guitar, and drums. It was while playing these instruments and participating in her school’s band that she discovered she “had a knack for teaching.” Teaching was something that came easy for Quiggle. She later combined her skill with a passion for art in college and became the wonderful art teacher she is now. Before she began at CHS just a few months ago, she worked as a teacher in Watts, California. Quiggle said the transition from her previous teaching position has been “easy.” She noted that it was a nice change of pace to be in an environment where so many students
wanted to show artistic talent and she could focus more on teaching art everyday rather than classroom behavior. Maybe the most important question one can ask a teacher, “Cats or Dogs?” Ms. Quiggle quickly answered “dog person all the way,” noting she has a beloved dog named Sprocket. On trend with recent social media slang, Quiggle was then asked what she thought her spirit animal was. Because she listed some of her most defining characteristics as being positivity, sociality, and loyalty, she decided that her spirit animal would most likely be a German Shepherd, as she likes to remain and happy like a dog, but is also very organized--apparently a trait a German Shepherd shares, as much as a dog can organize. As someone who has been through high school and survived, Mrs. Quiggle would give one piece of advice to students: spend time being kids. Ms. Quiggle believes that now is the only time you are allowed to mess up and not be completely responsible for ourselves. She wants students to also remember--now especially with the search for Homecoming dates in full swing--not to “get too stressed out over friendships and relationships.” Most importantly, “You have the whole rest of your life to be an adult.”