2019-2020 Issue 5 (Jan. 24, 2020) by NPHS Panther Prowler

PANTHER

PROWLER

Friday Jan. 24, 2020 • Issue V • Newbury Park High School 456 N Reino Rd, Newbury Park, CA 91320 • pantherprowler.org

2 8-9

Editorial Monopoly

3 11

Bathroom Policy Brian Chau

MLK day

Little Women

Closing Stores

Unified Sports

Cat Killer

Athletic Trainers

Iran

Water Polo

staff editorial Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Work with students to refine policy As of Jan. 21, 2020, NPHS school administration has implemented a new bathroom policy: only one student can be in the restroom at a time during class, small pink slips must be written for every student who uses the bathroom and only the D building bathrooms will be open during class time. It restricts students from leaving class to go to the bathroom in the first or last 15 minutes of class and a campus supervisor is posted outside the bathroom to enforce the policy, signing pink slips and monitoring who enters and leaves the bathrooms. It was initiated by Principal Steve Lepire and the assistant administrators in efforts to address the vandalism and illegal activity that occurs in the bathrooms. While the policy has enraged the student body, it is understandable why it has gone into effect. Most students neglect to identify the root of the issue: the small percentage of students who abuse their bathroom rights by

doing drugs and vandalizing the bathroom walls. Recently, the custodial staff has had to face students graffitiing the doors and walls using pen, toilet paper and even their own feces. In addition, students have been flushing miscellaneous objects down the toilets, including apples, shoes, vapes and bags of sand which the staff has spent thousands of dollars fixing. Though the new system does address a relevant problem, the policy and the implementation of it has flaws. As a school of roughly 2,500 students, the “one student only” rule for bathroom use has already created excessively long lines. If the NPHS administration want to keep this rule, bathrooms in every building should be made available. According to the California Department of Education, there should be one lavatory for every 40 students attending the school, meaning that if there are approximately 2,500 students at NPHS, over 60 lavatories need to be available.

According to Article 10 Section 35292.5 of the California Education Code, “the school shall keep a sufficient number of restrooms open during school hours when pupils are in classes.” To have a singular bathroom open during class hours in a school with such a large student body is unreasonable. Even if campus supervisors let more than one student go into the bathroom at a time, having just one location is inconvenient and could end up causing students to miss more instructional time than necessary. The school encourages students to go to the bathroom during their breaks; however, with the long bathroom lines at nutrition and lunch, sometimes it is impossible to do so. Some days, a student could get in line to go to the bathroom at the beginning of nutrition and be halfway through the line by the time the break has ended. Going during class, while not ideal, can be necessary. The bathrooms always need to be available for students who need it. Again, there is a serious need to address the illegal activities that go on in the bathroom and we understand that the policy is a work in progress. We think that this policy should serve as a guideline, not a strict rule. In the coming weeks, students should be allowed to openly provide feedback- whether it be through a forum or another setting- and administration needs to be receptive. We hope that both students and administration can work together so that the problem is addressed but students are still able to use the bathroom when necessary.

Front Cover Caption: Sold - Despite the various products you see when you walk into a supermarket, the vast majority of said products are owned by the same ten companies. However, these companies are disguised as different companies, creating the illusion of choice and an oligopoly for most items in the free market. Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Any day now - A long line is formed outside the D building women’s room during the lunch break. “The bathroom lines are too long as it is. If someone is going to smoke or vape, a policy isn’t going to stop them,” Angie Falcone, sophomore, said. The student body has no knowledge as to how much longer the bathroom policy will last. Reese Kelem/Prowler

PANTHER PROWLER 2019-2020 staff Editors-in-Chief Emily Nagamoto Aditya Vunnum

Entertainment Editor Manas Khatore Copy Editors Emily Augustine Carter Castillo Prasheetha Karthikeyan Manas Khatore

Cover Editor Emily Augustine

DPS Editor Jessica Zhou

Features Editor Prasheetha Karthikeyan

Online Carter Castillo Rahul D’Souza Prasheetha Karthikeyan Jessica Zhou

Sports Editor Clarissa Shin Opinion Editor Carter Castillo News Editors Sarena Kabir Emma Schoors

Photographers Chief// Rahul D’Souza Reese Kelem Jacob Malone Jessica Zhou

Graphic Artists Emily Augustine Clarissa Shin

Staff Writers Abby Gorman Adalia Luo Anna Johnson Gwen Buchanan Adviser Michelle Saremi

The Panther Prowler is the official publication of Newbury Park High School, and is created and produced by the Advanced Journalism students. The newspaper is funded by advertisements from local companies. The Panther Prowler staff makes all final decisions on information published in its newspaper, its website and its publishing in other social medias. While Mrs. Michelle Saremi advises the Advanced Journalism students, the staff is solely responsible for what is printed. The Panther Prowler is published every four weeks throughout the school year by Valley Press Publishing Co. For advertisement information, visit www.pantherprowler.org. The Panther Prowler is accepting letters to the editor. To submit your feedback, please provide your full name, email and a letter about 300 words in length. Letters are subject to discretion and editing for taste, length and libel. Letters can be submitted to the email posted below.

Newbury Park High School 456 North Reino Road, Newbury Park, California 91320 (805) 498-3676 x 1110 prowler.newspaper@gmail.com

news Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

New bathroom policy enforced Gwen Buchanan Staff Writer

Gotta go- Students are required to have a teacher signed slip in order to use the restroom (see above image). This is part of the new bathroom policy being enforced at NPHS. “We were trying to keep in mind that we don’t want to keep any students from using the restroom but at the same time kind of give them some guidelines and expectations when they need to use the restroom,” said Principal Lepire. Jacob Malone/Prowler

Newbury Park High School has enforced a new and stricter bathroom policy that went into effect Jan. 23, 2020. The new policy requires students to pick up a pink paper slip that records the student’s time in and out of the classroom. Additionally, a teacher’s signature is needed, as well as the signature of the campus supervisor outside the restroom. During breaks, bathrooms in every building are open as usual, but during class, only the D building bathroom remains open, and the campus supervisor can only allow one student in the restroom at a time. These new restrictions regarding the restrooms were put into place by the NPHS leadership team and administration, whose meetings are led by Steve Lepir, Principal of NPHS. “There are people who have taken advantage of the ability to use the restrooms, and so we wanted to maybe monitor it a little bit more,” Lepire said. The bathroom policy was enforced to prevent students meeting during class time and to monitor how many students use the restroom as a whole. “All of a sudden friends will show up from different classrooms at the same time because they probably text each other and said, ‘Hey, I’m using the restroom, I’ll meet you there,’” Lepire said. The student use of drugs and vaping products in the restroom was another contributing factor to the establishment of the policy: “I assume this policy is being

enforced due to vandalism, vaping and fights,” Bryanna Gregory, junior, said. There has been a significant uproar from the student body in response to the policy and some believe that the closing of all but one restroom on campus and the allowance of only one student at a time will cause long lines. “There will be more time wasted outside of class,” Ethan Belkin, sophomore, said. Gregory and Belkin both predict that the new policy will have a greater effect on the female student body. “The policy of allowing only one person in the restroom at a time is particularly unfair to female students on campus, at least from personal experience,” Gregory said. However, in response, Lepire stated that the rule of one student per restroom is merely a guideline, “I call them general guidelines in the sense of just kind of giving discretion for the campus supervisors and teachers in general,” Lepire said. Due to the bathroom policy’s unfamiliar rules, many students are hesitant to accept it. “From what I have heard from other people, nobody that I have talked to likes this policy at all. I don’t know any student in support of it,” Belkin said. However, despite the fact that the restroom policy is met with a lot of criticism from the student body, NPHS will continue to enforce it. “We are gonna wait and see to find out (if it results beneficially)...new is always different,” Lepire said.

The tables have turned in the battle against tobacco Reese Kelem Photographer Tobacco addiction has become a significant issue across the nation, from vaping, to underage use, to purchasing tobacco. As of Dec. 20, 2019, a new law regarding the purchase of tobacco products has been passed. The United States federal government has officially raised the age for purchasing tobacco products and vapes to 21 years old. The battle against Big Tobacco companies to prevent the dangers of smoking and addiction has been raging on for years. Recently, the creation of e-cigarettes and vape products have brought this fight to a new level. The devices have significantly added to the current “nicotine epidemic,” which describes the addiction of thousands of teens and adults to nicotine because of both vapes and cigarettes. Many states have taken their own approaches to preventing teen tobacco use. In 2016, California raised the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 through an amendment to the Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act. The California Senate is now reviewing a bill to ban all flavored and menthol e-cigarettes in Senate Bill 793, co-authored by state Sen. Jerry Hill from San Mateo. Lynn Baum, NPHS Health teacher, believes that these flavors should have been banned long ago. “Even now that

they’re making laws to get rid of flavors, it’s going to be too late for the kids that are already addicted,” Baum said. “Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances in the world.” Furthermore, 17 other states have also raised the tobacco age to 21, along with Washington, DC, according to The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. On Dec. 20, 2019, the federal government decided to step in. “The President signed legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and raise the federal minimum age of sale of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years,” states the FDA website. The FDA now has 180 days to update its regulations to comply with the new law and the other 31 states must adjust in order to comply as well. According to the National Academy of Medicine, “Tobacco 21” could prevent 223,000 deaths among people born between 2000 and 2019 and reduce lung cancer deaths by 50,000 people. Moreover, smoking initiation could be reduced by 25 percent for 15 to 17 year olds. As most teens rely on their friends who are above the age of 18 to get them these items, the law will now help prevent that transfer from happening.

Smoke- Tobacco Prince, a tobacco and vape store, stands in the heart of Newbury Park, giving locals access to these products. This store is located near Tony’s Pizza and Coaches Ice Cream, two popular hang-out spots for teens. Like all other stores in the state, Tobacco Prince has faced the age raise for purchases of tobacco which inevitably resulted in decreased sales. Emma Shoors/Prowler

Fires burn through Australia Sarena Kabir News Editor

Abby Gorman Staff Writer

It has dominated the headlines of international news for weeks: ruthless wildfires are ravaging Australia, and has already resulted in 24.7 million acres of land burnt, as well as the deaths of 30 people and millions of animals. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for thousands, and more than 2,500 houses have already been destroyed. Each of the Australian states has been affected, but New South Wales has taken the most severe damage, with 17.9 million acres of land burnt there alone. Cities not directly threatened by active flames are still being impacted by the fires; poor air quality is affecting much of the country, as well as New Zealand. In early December 2019, these brushfires left Sydney, Australia engulfed in smoke, with air pollution levels recorded 11 times what is considered a “hazardous level.” Danilo Alamillo, sophomore, went to Australia, this winter break during the time of the fires. Even though he may have not visited the spots that have been scorched with fire, tension still lingered in the air among less affected parts of Australia. “There was recognition about the fire during our visit... In Glenbrook, they would put up signs such as ‘smoke-free inside’ since the air quality was poor,” Danilo Alamillo said. In addition to the poor air quality, the effects of the longstanding drought are also contributing to the crisis. Leilani Alamillo, a math teacher at NPHS, went along on the trip with her family.

While on a guided tour, the tour guide “talked about the drought they’ve been having, and they can’t wash their cars, they can’t water their lawn,” Leilani Alamillo said. The drought has been an ongoing issue in Australia for several years. Ella Lewis, junior, spent much of her childhood in Australia, until she moved to California in 2018. During her time spent in Australia, she witnessed the effects of the drought. “There have been years of droughts in Australia before the fires started. Many natives and fire chiefs in the past have warned the government about the risk of climate change and what could happen if we don’t take action and yet this was ignored,” Lewis said. Lewis was born in the capital of South Australia, Adelaide and which was affected by the Cudlee Creek fire last December. “In my hometown the fire destroyed at least 80 homes, killed one person, destroyed small businesses, and damaged many of the wineries in the area,” Lewis said. “It breaks my heart to see so many people, homes, and animals just devastated by the fires.” Despite the efforts of the firefighters risking their lives for the residents of Australia, the fire season is still underway. With forecasted temperatures of 100°F and gusts of wind up to 40 mph, the fires are showing no sign of stopping anytime soon, despite the consistent efforts of thousands of firefighters.

4 Acacia holds MLK Day of service news

Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Aditya Vunnum Editor-in-Chief

Serving the community- CVUSD volunteers donate items to the Food Share agency in Ventura County, one of three main agencies at the event. “It’s really cool to know that the right people in our community that contribute to our community can still get the things that they need” Bennet Wutkee, principal of Acacia, said. Jessica Zhou/Prowler - Advertisement -

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., the Acacia Magnet Elementary School PTA held its second annual community day of service over the long weekend on Monday, Jan. 20. The event was overseen by Beth Pearcey Neal, who also led the event last year. “It was an idea to evangelize the local CVUSD community and [for] our kiddos to remind them what the day is. Everyone’s busy over the long weekend, but we didn’t want the lessons of what this day is and what Dr. King’s legacy is to be forgotten for the next generation and make sure that we’re keeping that alive,” Neal said. Bennett Wutkee, principal of Acacia, commended Neal for her work in putting the fundraiser together and discussed the importance of community service on Martin Luther King Day. “Martin Luther King was such a great humanitarian, and for us to recognize this day instead of a day to go [to] the beach or do whatever, it’s a day to try to emulate him and serve others. So if he were still alive, I’m sure he would fully endorse an activity like this today,” Wutkee said. The goal of the day of service was to encourage CVUSD families to donate essential items to three large

agencies in the county: Food Share Ventura County, Interface Children and Family Services and Conejo Community outreach. Volunteers then helped organize the donations provided by families at the event. All of the donations made by community members went straight to these organizations. “The event was definitely not just for Acacia, it was for the entire CVUSD and Conejo Valley communities. And we just asked anyone that’s interested to go ahead and add some extra things to their shopping cart at Target and bring them by in the spirit of the holiday,” Neil said. Neil hoped for the day of service to be a “day on” instead of a “day off ” over the long weekend. Jennifer Rodman-Plost, parent of a child at Acacia, shared Neil’s perspective on the goals for the event. “I think the most important aspect of today is teaching the children to give back to their community, and to have their eyes wide open and understand that there are families and children in need. And we can just give the smallest bit and it makes such a difference for those other families,” Rodman-Plost said.

news Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Thousand Oaks stores close their doors Reese Kelem Photographer Emma Schoors News Editor

With the influx of online stores and free shipping making shopping easier than ever, the number of brick and mortar shops in Thousand Oaks is on a steady decline. Many stores that have been in business for years or even decades are closing their doors. As 2020 rolls in, there are a mass of stores closing to either make room for new business or stay vacant. One store that many students are familiar with is Beano Vino, a coffee shop in Dos Vientos. Many stores in The Village shopping area have closed over the years due to lack of business including Mama Ritas, Marble Slab Creamery, Krave It, Red Coral, Boney Mountain Coffee, the YMCA, and Nati. Beano Vino has been a popular place for students of Sycamore Canyon Middle School and the residents of Dos Vientos for years, who usually go hang out there before and after school. Brooke Mcfaden, sophomore, usually goes to the coffee shop once a week and has seen that spot change over the years. “I’m not that mad because that store always closes so I’m used to it,” said Mcfaden. A childhood favorite of Thousand Oaks, Rocket Fizz, just closed its doors and was replaced with Grabbagreen Food+Juice. Several Students at NPHS were heartbroken at the closing of this nostalgic candy shop. Residing in the same shopping center, Pieology finally is shutting its doors as more popular and cheap pizza restaurants like MOD grow. Not many students went to the pizza place, which is another example of the lack of interest in certain stores. Elizabeth Stark, sophomore, was not aware of the change. “I’ve never been to Pieology,” she said. “If it’s a (pizza) pie place, I do love pie.” Much suspicion has arisen to whether the Forever 21 in the Thousand Oaks mall is closing. The store recently had a huge sale with some home items as cheap as $1. Many have determined that it is going out of business like the several other locations in the chain closing. Despite those beliefs, store So long, Beano Vino - Beano Vino, the once popular coffee shop among students, is left closed in its Dos Vientos workers have said that “We are not closing this location”. shopping mall. The location is still adorned with Beano Vino’s logo and sign. Reese Kelem/ Prowlerw

Youth Internship Program (CITY) ends Anna Johnson Staff Writer

Happy graduates - A small population of last year’s CITY participants graduating after spending time in various internships and classes. Students are able to gain valuable experience in the career they wish to pursue. “The program has helped certain students who would have otherwise not have sought out an internship opportunity,” Mackenzie Moffit said. This year’s juniors will not be able to experience the same program, due to its shutting down due to lack of funding. Russell Paris / With Permission

The Community Internships Training Youth program (CITY) is ending this year after four successful years due to lack of funding. VC Innovates, which had insured the program these past four years, did not have its grant renewed by the state, so the funds that made CITY run were no longer viable. CITY allowed incoming seniors to immerse themselves in various internships that provide them helpful insight into the field of work they wish to pursue. Additionally, the program provided classes at California Lutheran University, teaching students useful skills in business and walking students through the college application process. Now that the program is ending, students like Mackenzie Moffit and Brendan Li won’t be able to take-part in various internships that CITY made available. Moffit, interested in biotechnology, heard about the internship program through school and the Thousand Oaks Teen Advisory League, and was able to intern in a lab through CITY. Through the program, Moffit got to see, in depth, the inner mechanisms of her field of interest: “I learned a lot about biotechnology and being in a work environment. I liked getting to know my boss and understand the work he was doing.” Alongside scientific internships, the program provides jobs in many other fields, something Li views as highly inclusive: “With over 60 internship opportunities in the program, I am confident that anyone who is interested would be able to find at least one that interests them as a potential career.” Even after graduating the program, Li was offered a paying job at the company he had interned at, helping him to support himself in his newfound independence. Since the program is ending, fewer students will be able to find internships through the city, but that doesn’t mean none are available. As for business experience, Moffit believes, “Students could also work at camps, stores, or do jobs such as tutoring or babysitting. Being in a work environment helps to teach responsibility that is needed in college.” The program is ending, but the opportunities are not.

2020 census offers jobs to teens Aditya Vunnum Editor-In-Chief Starting March of 2020, the United States Census Bureau will conduct a nationwide census and there will be an opportunity for high school students to become involved. Vanessa Moreno, media specialist with the Los Angeles Census Bureau, extended a job offer to high school students who are certified to legally work, are currently 18 years or older and have a valid email. “The mission of the Census is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place,” Moreno said. “With the holidays now over, people can take advantage of the many job opportunities the Census has available to replenish their wallets.” Census takers will be hired to work in their communities and go door to door to collect responses from those who do not respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. The job offers pay beginning at $21 per hour in Ventura County and weekly paychecks. For more information about the opportunity, students may contact Moreno at her email: vanessa. moreno@2020census.gov.

Accounted for- An example of a write-in census form is filled out. The US census is held every ten years in order to collect various information about residents living in the country. Prasheetha Karthikeyan/ Prowler

opinion Panther Prowler • Jan. 24 2020

Docuseries captures a cat killer er

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Reese Kelem Photographer An internet killer is caught, but not by the police. “Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer” is one of the newest Netflix true crime documentaries was released on Dec. 18, 2019 on Netflix. In three addicting episodes, it walks the viewer through a Facebook group’s hunt for a man who posted videos of murdering cats. Don’t F**k with Cats has a 8.2/10 on IMDb and a 63% on Rotten tomatoes. The words to follow contain spoilers and can be disturbing to some readers. Over winter break, I surfed Netflix more times than I am willing to admit. The trailer for Dont F**k with Cats popped up repeatedly, and I did not consider checking it out until I read the words underneath: “Hunting an Internet Killer.” As a true crime junkie, I had to see what this documentary was about. However, knowing that it was about cats getting killed, I was very hesitant. Luckily the show only shows parts of

the murder videos, but not the actual murder. The first episode out of three was quite sad because of those poor kittens dying, which made me sick. The cat killer is real. His name is Luka Magnotta, the perfect embodiment of entitled insanity. As an aspiring model and actor, he spent his spare time posting YouTube montages of photos of himself, spreading fake press about himself, and committing heinous crimes that resemble the actions of famous movie killers like in Basic Instinct. After killing a multitude of cats, he eventually killed a man named Jun Lin and filmed it. Deanna Thompson, who had the alias Baudi Moovin on Facebook, was the primary interviewee and a prominent person in the Facebook hunt for Magnotta. Her genuine, self aware personality as well as her role in this story

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inspired me to route for her. Thompson and John Green, the other primary Facebook investigator, were the dynamic duo of the investigation, and what they accomplished made me proud of them even though I question why these adults spend so much time on the internet. Don’t F*** With Cats is a journalistic masterpiece. The sources they interviewed, the quotes, the strict chronological structure, and the cliffhangers at the end of every episode tied me in. It is inspiring as a journalist to see a documentary that is so well done. I got more and more emotionally invested, especially with every instance the Facebook group failed to get through to the police. It seems like nobody listened to them until it was too late.

“To Catch A Predator” should be revamped

Emma Schoors News Editor “To Catch a Predator” is the kind of show that the world needs on air right now for a multitude of reasons. The basic premise of the show is about catching internet sex predators who try and meet underaged girls, often 13-14 years old, that they talk to online. It follows the explicit chat-logs of the show’s planted decoy “girl” and the predator and shows the eventual meet up with the decoy at her “house”, which is actually a chosen filming location equipped with cameras. Upon arrival, the predator is greeted by Chris Hansen, the show’s host, who gives a line of questioning so embarrassing that they often ask to leave or bolt out without a single word. Their attempt to escape is foiled when they are arrested by police waiting outside the house. Confrontational shows like this are prime examples of what watchers love to consume: funny, awkward at moments, serious and educational at the same time. Hansen’s perfectly-timed questions are satisfying and to the point. In an episode where a man named Marvin had asked to meet an underaged girl at her house and immediately stripped naked upon entering, Hansen asked him to explain himself. When the predator attempted to brush it off as nothing, Hansen shot back with “Marvin, you’re naked!” The show broke the barrier that online anonymity can have, bringing creeps into the infamous light. Many of the predators would text the decoys sexually charged language and extremely inappropriate photos, yet when they arrived at the house and got caught they would act like they were being set up or that it was just a joke. When pulling up the concrete evidence of the chat logs, they are often read aloud their own predatory texts. This is the nail in the coffin for most of them, and when they realize they have no escape to what they have done.

While the show’s final episode aired in 2007, the concept has never been more relevant. As technology advances and talking to people online is just as typical as talking in real life, it would be even easier to catch these predators in the act. If “To Catch A Predator” is not revamped, a similar show with the same directness and humor is much needed in today’s digital society.

Emma Schoors/ Prowler

Your body will change but your worth will not Prasheetha Karthikeyen Features Editor I’m lucky;I’ve never hated my skin; it’s never been a source of insecurity for me. I’ve always been proud of the cultural history that it held. With primarily lightskinned female movie leads and skin lightening creams thrown at young Indian girls like me left and right; I’m the one in a million who’s made it out unscathed. s. Those with lighter, “more beautiful,” skin tones, are treated as superior and regarded higher, while their darker counterparts are barely treated as people. Throughout the world, unjust beauty standards inhibit young people, leading to my interest in the rising body positivity movement: the idea that it is okay to be unconventional. As one of countless young, impressionable teenage girls out there struggling with body image, this perspective, upon finding it, was both new and refreshing. Typically, the movement refers to positive body image regarding weight. With it comes various negative opinions from people no one asked, many of which express “concern” about the health of portrayed individuals. Surprisingly, the vast majority of the criticism comes from people with no medical experience. Personally, I don’t see any harm in promoting acceptance and love of your body, regardless of size. I don’t think I know a single girl that isn’t insecure about at least one part of themselves, so I truly believe that presenting the diversity that makes us all unique promotes self-acceptance. You can condone body positivity while promoting healthiness; much like people, being healthy isn’t one size fits all. Telling girls (or anyone) that their personal worth is defined by more than a number on a scale is empowering and fills us with a sense of purpose. But body positivity is multifaceted. Beyond weight, the movement incorporates other aspects of the human body, like body hair, acne, stretch marks and skin color. After being exposed to more Indian media, I’ve been thinking about different views of skin in society and I realized that I don’t hate my skin; I hate the way society sees my skin. This revelation ended up turning my perspective around on numerous insecurities of my own, and I think it is an important lesson that has helped me on my own journey of positivity. I know that hearing a simple phrase doesn’t magically take away years of ingrained self-loathing; it definitely hasn’t for me. But recognizing that the time you lost to that is no fault of your own, but rather the fault of unrealistic, unattainable standards set by society, is the first step in accepting yourself as you are. Instead of trying to change that, let yourself be free to work towards the best version of yourself.

opinion

Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Stop the problems in Iran

Carter Castillo Opinion Editor

On Jan. 3, 2020, President Donald Trump made one of the rashest foreign policy decisions since George W. Bush, and it could have been avoided if Trump consulted Congress like he is supposed to. The military strike that killed Iranian military general Qasem Soleimani, the right hand man to Iran’s leader Ali Khamenei, set off a heightened escalation between the United States and Iran, putting a strain on the already weak relationship between the US and the Middle East. Soleimani was iran’s highest ranking military official in charge of the entire Iranian military. He was an instrumental figure in the Iran-Iraq war. As the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds force Soleimani’s group was labeled a foreign terrorist organization by the US government. US and Iranian officials have both noted Soleimani’s popularity within the military, marking him as a charismatic and tactical leader. This popularity only exasperates the tensions between the US and Iran. On top of Trump’s action against Iran, further concern

their hand selected team, rather it should be a collaborative effort with representatives from all sides of congress and the White House from all different backgrounds all representing different people. The magnitude of the conflict is another reason as to why such a rash decision should not be made, especially by one person. For many residing in the US, this conflict seems like another newsflash on a 24/7 news cycle. However, for the innocent people in Iran, Iraq, the Middle East, and those who have a connection to the middle east, this despair is a bleak reality of their lives. Watching another death in a place with recent history of constant conflict and intervention by foreign powers, where people who have no personal stake in the matter are able to gamble their lives away. We have become desensitized to all the death in our world, and sometimes we forget that every number shown under the word “deaths” is an individual with their own story and ambitions who lost their lives in a conflict they likely played no part in.

was raised by how the Democratic and Republican lawmakers reacted in the following intelligence briefings. Republican senator Rand Paul from Kentucky said that the hearing was an “insult to the constitution” because the power to declare war rests solely in the hands of congress. A rebuff of the White House from one of the presidents self declared die hard supporter can only mean that this conflict is not being handled well. Moreover, the categorization of the briefings by senators across the aisle as unorganized and secretive exemplifies the White House’s dangerous and uncautious handling of this entire situation. Trump’s decision to escalate tensions comes from no consultation from congress, and the White House has made it clear through their actions and words that they will not be asking for consent from congress any time soon. This is a major concern, as one of Congress’s major duties are to regulate a president’s foreign policy decisions. When millions of lives are potentially at stake, such drastic tasks should not be made by one person and

Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Gervais gets blunt Adalia Luo Staff Writer

Emily Augustine Front Cover Editor

Tom Hanks’ face said it all. This year’s Golden Globe Awards featured a slew of controversial speeches, with the host, Ricky Gervais, mercilessly roasting the awards show in the opening monologue. As his fifth and final time hosting the Globes, Gervais has been praised immensely for his past runs. Historically charismatic, clever and funny as an awards show host, Gervais did not walk the classic, politely comedic line this time. Instead, he leaped over it with his opening monologue cutting jokes about everything from racist nomination snubs to the pedophilia in Hollywood that’s continued to come to light this year. “Let’s go out with a bang, and let’s have a laugh at your expense, shall we? Remember, these are just jokes. We’re all going to die soon, and there’s no sequel.” Acting as a sort of preface to the “offensive” jokes to come, Gervais’ monologue then proceeded to use his comedic background to make fun of the awards show itself. “You could binge watch the entire first season of ‘Afterlife’ instead of watching (the Golden Globes). That’s a show about a man who wants to kill himself because his wife dies of cancer, and it’s still more fun than this,” Gervais said. This joke does have some truth behind it since my experience of watching award shows like the Golden Globes is 90 percent fast-forwarding through the boring parts. However, entertainment is slowly but surely being integrated into these shows, so hopefully this issue will be resolved. Gervais continued by telling award winners in advance that they should not talk about politics in their speeches because they “know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg so if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God, and (back) off.” The blind idolization of celebrities by Americans have led to an onslaught of support for political candidates, causes, etc., endorsed by those in the entertainment industry by imperceptive fanatics. It is incredibly accurate that a significant amount of celebrities either do not know what the life of a common citizen is like, or have forgotten, and yet their politically-based comments, that are normally uninformed, significantly impact the opinions of large populations at a time. However, this is not to say that their influence in the media and wealth can be put towards a good, researched, or created cause. If there is a cause they want to fight for or advocate, let them do it. As celebrities, they can make a huge positive impact the same way they can make a negative one. If winners have a cause they are passionate about, they can make change by all means, and through the proper channels. However, the industry standard and expectation should definitively not be to preach one’s morals upon accepting an award. Thanking people and leaving the stage is an acceptable way to go about the process as well. The Golden Globe Awards are often shrouded in a bubble,but whether or not viewers or celebrities agreed or disagreed upon Gervais, his comments ignited an increased and much-needed dialogue regarding Hollywood culture as a whole. Gervais’ brutally honest monologue is the taste of truth that Hollywood needs.

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Emily Augu

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Emily Augu

Monopolies

Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Candy A popular treat we all love to enjoy is candy. Nestle owns a very sizeable share of the candy market, owning iconic candy companies such as Crunch bar, KitKat, Nesquik, 100 Grand, Sweet Tarts, and many other delectable confections that people of all ages love to snack on.

Carter Castillo/Prowler

Player Opinion 1:

Hot pockets

What are your initial reactions to this information?

Hot Pockets are a very common after school snack. Their ease of use and easy storage allows for those in a rush as well as those who want a quick snack to enjoy a fast meal. Yet once again these treats are owned by a massive multinational corporation, Nestle.

“It actually makes sense, all these companies market in some of the same way or appear in the same chains, so it does make sense that they’d all be connected. It actually makes sense, all these companies market in some of the same way or appear in the same chains, so it does make sense that they’d all be connected.” - Malia Proudfit, senior

Dreyers and Haagen daz You may think these ice cream companies are competing against one another and that they have distinct brands, but in reality they are both owned by nestle. This contributes to the illusion of choice, because ultimately no matter which tub of ice cream you choose, your money goes to the same people.

Lean cuisine Want to escape the unhealthy habits of the typical frozen meal yet still want to enjoy its convenience, well Lean Cuisine is just for you. Yet the owners of Lean Cuisine are also the owners of dubious frozen food such as Hot Pockets.

Clarissa Shin/Prowler

ABC

Gillette Many teenagers use Gillette’s products to shave. To take ownership of this most popular brand for razors and shaving creams, P&G had to make a $57 billion deal.

The Disney franchise has ownership of this major news network that produces several well-loved television shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Carter Castillo Opinion Editor Abby Gorman Staff Writer Prasheetha Karthikeyan Features Editor Sarena Kabir News Editor

Marvel

Febreze

The Walt Disney Company gained ownership of Marvel Entertainment for 4.24 million dollars in 2009. Three out of ten of the highest grossing films of all time are Marvel movies.

Febreeze is in most people’s homes and or cars. This scented spray and car freshener is currently a 1 billion dollar brand that brings much of P&G’s income. Every supermarket replicates a similar sight. Dozens of near identical products are strategically placed on the shelves, each with messages insisting that they are the best of the best. Whether overwhelming or practical, there is undoubtedly no lack of variety in the US market. Moral values often impact people’s product choices: whether it be animal testing or fair trade, consumers make descisions based off of ethical and environmental concerns as well as quality of life issues. This leads you to believe that you have full control over what products you choose and what companies you support. However, this notion that nothing more than an illusion. All of the various brands of the products you see are owned by essentially the same major companies. The global market is currently dominated by only 10 corporations: Pepsico, General Mills, Coca-Cola, Nestle, P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Kelloggs, Mars, Unilever, and Mondelez. These companies have shown multifarious instances of unethical behavior, such as causing harm to the environment and to those living in countries with little government protection for labor, but they still prevail. Unless they are held accountable, they will not make any changes and continue to prosper. In a society where corporations band together to create an oligopoly, it can be near impossible for people to boycott essential products for daily life, especially for those of a lower economic status.

Dawn/tide/bounce Often, Dawn, Tide, and Bounce are used for the washing of clothes. All of these are owned by P&G. These brands hold several of the essentials that students and adults use whether it be to soften their clothes, to have a fresher scent, or to get rid of the dirt on their clothing.

Clarissa Shin/Prowler

Player Opinion 4:

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How do these 10 major companies and their monopolies affect their competitors and us? “The companies and their monopoly likely make it more difficult for new products to enter and grow in the market because the sheer number of brands make it so that it is much more difficult for smaller or newer businesses to compete with larger companies.” -Robert Ramirez, senior

Player Opinion 3: “ If we dislike the way a company runs their business we should be able to protest it by not supporting it, but if we have to support because we have no other option, then the company will never change. Companies only change to make more money and the threat of losing money is the only power consumers have against giant corporations. Monopolies take away that power.” - Benito Canepa, sophomore

Listerine Clean breath is a fundamental pillar in good hygiene. Almost every dentist will tell you that mouthwash needs to be included in your brushing routine and fresh breath is never a bad thing. Listerine is a popular brand with multiple flavors to choose from.

Clean & clear It’s no secret, teenagers are plagued with acne, but Clean and Clear provides some relief. Nobody wants to be covered with acne, so products such as Clean and Clear are a necessity for all teens.

Tylenol Tylenol is an easily accessible medicine for headaches among people of all ages. Tylenol is just one example of a painkiller/over the counter medicine that Johnson and Johnson offers. Johnson and Johnson has recently faced controversy over its promotion of its opioid products.

Player Opinion 2:

Nat Geo (73%) The National Geographic television network is jointly owned between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic society. It is known for its documentaries and NatGeo Kids program, which creates informational children’s books.

Bandaid

Because these companies are so connected, boycotting proves Band-aid is a staple household difficult due to the `inability to avoid product that many people use, contributing to these monopolizing especially those who have a young, corporations. What do you think rambunctious child at home. about the lack of ability to protest? “Wanting to stand up for a cause you believe in shouldn’t make you feel limited in other areas of your everyday life. I wish that it was easier to be able to support your personal beliefs without feeling pressured to change what you buy.” - Casey O’Brien, sophomore

Clarissa Shin/Prowler

Monopolies

Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Carter Castillo/Prowler

Player Opinion 1:

Hot pockets

What are your initial reactions to this information?

Clarissa Shin/Prowler

ABC

Gillette Many teenagers use Gillette’s products to shave. To take ownership of this most popular brand for razors and shaving creams, P&G had to make a $57 billion deal.

The Disney franchise has ownership of this major news network that produces several well-loved television shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Carter Castillo Opinion Editor Abby Gorman Staff Writer Prasheetha Karthikeyan Features Editor Sarena Kabir News Editor

Marvel

Febreze

The Walt Disney Company gained ownership of Marvel Entertainment for 4.24 million dollars in 2009. Three out of ten of the highest grossing films of all time are Marvel movies.

Clarissa Shin/Prowler

Player Opinion 4:

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Player Opinion 2:

Bandaid

Clarissa Shin/Prowler

features Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Backpackers hit the trail Jacob Malone Back Cover Editor When people think of camping, most picture driving in a car to a destination before setting up camp, However, a select group of students defy this stereotype, opting instead to backpack to their destinations. Backpacking is an outdoor activity that is essentially hiking fused together with backcountry camping. One must carry everything they need for the week on his or her back, including food, water and shelter, as they hike from camp to camp. Alex Adamson, junior, has been backpacking for several years, starting when he joined the Boy Scouts at age 10. “One of the first trips I went on in Scouting was a backpacking trip, and I liked it,” Adamson said. “I stuck with it and liked it even more when I was backpacking with my friends.” Through backpacking, Adamson has traveled to different places around the United States. “Over the summer, I traveled down to Philmont, which is a huge reserve in New Mexico, and just over winter break we went up to a place in Minnesota to go snow backpacking,” Adamson said. Jenny Forca and Rachel Morales, both

seniors, have been on many backpacking trips together over the past few years. “It was freshman year when we first went,” Morales said. “My mom just kind of suggested that we go out and go backpacking, so here we are.” Although Forca and Morales had been on several backpacking trips, they both agreed that their trip to Mammoth was their most enjoyable trip. “Mammoth was my favorite place that I have backpacked,” Forca said. “Yeah, It was hot, but there was snow on the mountains that we were on,” Morales continued. As with most activities that take place outdoors, weather plays a huge role in the experience one has on the trail. “You can never properly plan for weather; it’s always crazy,” Morales said. “It’s either blazing hot or freezing cold.” Weather heavily impacted Forca and Morales’ trip up to Mammoth. “It rained for like 3 hours,” Morales said. “ I slept in a sleeping bag but I was entirely submerged in water so I was freezing the entire night.” Adamson reflected on his own experiences

with the weather as well. “There was this one time, down when we were backpacking in New Mexico, where we were on top of this mountain and a huge thunderstorm started,” Adamson said. “There was lightning striking and hail falling and we were just like, ‘We need to get down!’ ” While the weather can be crazy, backpacking offers an escape from daily life that other outdoor activities cannot emulate. “My favorite part is probably just the disconnection from the rest of the world. You don’t have to deal with anybody else other than yourselves for the time you spend on the trail,” Forca said. Even though the experience offered by backpacking is one of a kind, backpacking is relatively easy to get into. “You just really need to have a backpack, a sleeping bag and the desire to adventure out into the unknown,” Adamson said. “I’d highly recommend backpacking to those that really crave adventure and want to do things that other people don’t do very often.”

chillin’- Alex Adamson, junior, sits down with his backpack still on to rest for a short moment before resuming his trek to the next campsite. “It’s really nice to take a break every once in a while to catch my breath. They also let everyone catch up,” Adamson said.

Matty Thomas sings to success Clarissa Shin Graphic Designer Singing, songwriting and music is in the air. Matty Thomas, sophomore, is passionate about each one of these activities and hopes to have a successful career in the music industry. Thomas has been singing for as long as he can remember and his inspiration for starting music is the wellknown pop song artist, Justin Beiber. “When I was 10, my mom took me to his concert and I was like, ‘I want to do that.’ Pretty much, my eyes lit up and that’s what I wanted to do,” Thomas said. Sing- Matty Thomas, sophomore, performs Thomas has a large following of over nine at an Open Mic Night at a library. Matty’s thousand people on Instagram where he posts music career has blossomed ever since he covers of popular music and his main genre created his account, @mattythomasmuof focus is Pop R&B. He recently started a sic on instagram. “It’s all who you meet. I got lucky and I’ve met a lot of people who YouTube channel and aspires to soon release have helped me and are pretty deep in the industry,” said Thomas.

his own music. After high school, Thomas knows he will continue to sing, and currently, he has made various connections throughout the music industry, working his way to receive opportunities to perform. “Honestly, we’ll just see where it takes me because right now I’m getting a lot of opportunities. If that ends up blowing up I’m going to keep performing, but if not, I’m definitely going to college for music” Thomas said. Lexi Pero, sophomore, has been friends with Thomas for almost a year and as a close friend, gets to witness his dedication to his music. “He dedicates a couple of hours every day and he really just loves doing it” Pero said. Pero has also taken notice of Thomas’ true passion for singing and performing and knows

he sings because he loves it, not because he wants the fame. “He really just genuinely loves what he does. He’s not in it for the social media fame the image that’s created with what he does. He really just genuinely loves singing and songwriting and playing music and bringing happiness to people” Pero said. Kevin Lopez, sophomore, is another one of Thomas’s friends and is inspired by his music. Lopez is one of Thomas’ many supporters and acknowledges Thomas’ work ethic and dedication. “He really sticks to what he does and he doesn’t let any other people bring him down. He has a lot of support and good friends and practices everyday,” Lopez said.

Ed-aid program exposes students to teaching Manas Khatore Entertainment Editor Although teenagers know what it is like being a student, most do not know what it is like being a teacher. The Ed-aid program at NPHS accomplishes just that. By enrolling in the class, high school students are given the opportunity to teach and gain hands-on experience working with younger kids. Kelly Welch, assistant principal, states that the Ed-aid program has been around for over 15 years. “The program has been around as long as I’ve been here… and I know it’s been around longer than that,” Welch said. Students that are enrolled in the class earn elective credits by going to local elementary schools and helping the teachers with instruction. “Students that choose to be an Ed-aid are doing it because they’re interested in maybe going into the teaching route,” Welch said.

Maeve Allen, senior, has been an Ed-aid for two years and joined because she was interested in working with children. “I want to be a child psychologist, (so I thought) it’d be a great way to learn more about how they think,” Allen said. Allen goes to Walnut Elementary School regularly and helps kindergarten students. Along with teaching them spelling and assisting with arts and crafts, she helps students that are dealing with separation anxiety. “They can write a sweet little note to their parents about it to make them feel better… I have a nice communication line with parents to help them,” Allen said. Nick Guerin, career education coordinator, is in charge of the NPHS Career Majors Program. He says that students who participate in the Ed-aid program can earn credit for the

program. “If a student wants to be a teacher and they’re doing the Ed-aid program, then absolutely it’s a connection for the Career Majors program,” Guerin said. He recommends the Ed-aid class for those who are interested in pursuing a career that involves working with children. “Teaching is teaching… even if someone wanted to teach, you know, IB philosophy or IB biochem… being able to interact with elementary age students would be a good experience,” Guerin said. After two years of experience, Allen believes that being an Edaid has motivated her to pursue her dream career. “I feel like I am making a difference and I can continue to do that even after high school,” Allen said.

features Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Jessica Zhou DPS Editor

Brian Chau, junior, is known for his quiet and sweet personality. Whether it be at the math center or on the tennis team, he is hardworking and always willing to help. I got the chance to sit down with Chau to learn more about him over a cup of tea. If you could compare yourself to any animal, what would it be and why?

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? “I would want to go to Britain. It makes it easier so that I don’t have to try to learn a new language and I like hearing British accents. From AP art history, I’ve learned a little about the architecture so it would also be interesting to see all of the cathedrals and castles in person.”

“I would compare myself to a turtle. One reason is because of my work pace. Although it’s slow, I can usually get work done. Although turtles are known to be slow, they can run pretty fast if they want to. This also parallels my pace. If I happen to procrastinate and have to do a lot of work in a short amount of time, then I can somehow manage in the end..”

What have you been watching lately? “All right. Well recently there’s just YouTube channel I’ve been into called bone appetit. It’s basically a channel that contains a lot of different types of food related shows. The two that I mainly watch are “it’s alive with brad” and “gourmet makes” with Claire. “Gourmet makes” is the host, Claire, trying to recreate candy from scratch while also using more natural ingredients.”

What activities are you involved in outside of school? “For an actual activity I guess tennis, because I am on the tennis team and I do enjoy it. Other than school, I am also interested in medicine. So I decided to apply to Los Robles hospital as a volunteer. This way, I can both help people and get experience in the medical field. I’m not sure what specific job I want to be in the future, so I think that volunteering for the hospital would help me narrow my decision.”

Would you rather fight one horsesized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses? “I don’t know. I guess one horse sized duck. Because ducks aren’t as intimidating. If it’s a goose, then yeah, I choose the other one. But ducks, they’re fine.”

Manas Khatore/Prowler

Students sightsee over winter break Jessica Zhou DPS Editor

Jacob Malone Back Cover Editor

Hello there- Matt Lippert, sophomore, stands at the bottom of some concrete stairs while he explores the jungle in South Inthanon National Park, which is located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. “We hiked a bit and saw some cool waterfalls and did a whole bunch of recreational stuff,” Lippert said. Matt Lippert/ With Permission

Many people recall making their best memories travelling to different parts of the world. Immersing themselves in different cultures, trying the food and rendering service to those in need are all part of the experience. Over this past winter break, several students had the opportunity to fit in one last travel experience before the end of the decade.

Arriving in Hawaii, Ramya Ukkan, junior, relaxed on the beautiful beaches for the first time in ten years. Ukkan spent a week of her winter break in Maui, Hawaii, participating in a range of activities from visiting Haleakala National Park to whale watching. However, Ukkan’s favorite activity was snorkeling. “I saw a turtle for the first time. It was a baby turtle and it was swimming around and we actually went scuba diving because it was a mix between snorkeling and scuba diving. We had to pay extra for it but it was worth it because when you went you got to see the coral up close, and the babies were actually swimming up to me,” Ukkan said. When asked about the most memorable experience she had there, Ukkan recalls the moment she had to walk in a storm to get food. “I made the reservation at an Italian restaurant and then my brother decided he wanted baby back ribs from Dukes which was down the beach. So we walked at night when it was raining and really windy all the way down to Dukes at eight, let him eat his baby back ribs and then we walked all the way back,” Ukkan said. Rohan Jhingan, junior, had the opportunity to travel to Spain. During his trip, Jhingan visited several towns in Spain, taking in the lifestyle and culture of a new place. “We went to Toledo which is the city where Flamenco Dancing was first created. There we got to watch a live Flamenco Performance that consisted of the dancer, the singer, and the guitarist,” Jhingan said. On the other side of the globe, Matt Lippert, sophomore, spent his two weeks of break in Thailand. “We stayed in Northern Thailand for about 5 days,” Lippert said. “We went to an elephant sanctuary on the second day, and we got to interact with elephants and swim and bathe them. We also went to some rice farms and coffee farms and stuff like that.” After spending some time in Northern Thailand, Lippert caught a third flight to Krabi. Located in Southern Thailand, Krabi is a popular vacation spot because of its spectacular beaches. “We went snorkeling, island hopping, went to tons of beaches, did tons of swimming. We also went to tons of places for eating lunch and had some good seafood and thai food,” Lippert said.

entertainment Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

“Little Women” feels like coming home Clarissa Shin Sports Editor

Adalia Luo Staff Writer

The values of home and happiness are timeless. The newly released movie “Little Women,” adapted from Louisa May Alcott’s novel by Greta Gerwig and nominated for six Oscars, beautifully encompasses both feelings and brings a modern touch to a classic story about four young women in the 19th century. The film opens with a negotiation between Jo March, an aspiring writer, and a local publishing office as she attempts to get her short stories in the newspaper. March is told by the editor, Mr. Dashwood, played by Tracy Letts, that if she is to feature a female protagonist, she must either get married or die. The frustration that March feels represents the pressure of women of that era to find a husband or be worthless. “Little Women” artfully conveys the struggles of women like March and their quiet combat against the severely sexist standards of the era. Jo insists throughout the story that she never wants to get married and subsequently concede to society’s expectations of her as a woman. However, she is soon caught in a complicated love triangle between a close friend, Laurie, played by Timothee Chalamet, and a sister. Convinced that she and Laurie would never work out, she rejects Laurie, who in turn falls in love with her sister, Amy. All these feelings eventually culminate in a passionate speech, wherein Jo famously said, “I’m so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for… But I’m so, so lonely.” Her internal conflict of wanting love, but feeling the need to stay uncommitted in rebellion to the patriarchy make for a character flush with

development and relevant to women both of today and Alcott’s time. This central storyline of the original is talently adapted, well-written and gives lots of depth to multiple characters. Director and screenplay writer Greta Gerwig parallels the present with flashback scenes from the past in order to take her audience on a journey throughout each sister’s path and twine them all together. The elements of flashbacks were used throughout the film, the past utilizing a warm color scheme and the present a colder color scheme, was effective in creating a complex plot that describes the sisters’ lives growing up, as well as in their present lives. The actions and emotions of the family before and after the occurrence of certain significant events were conveyed side-by-side. The playful bickering between the March sisters, Jo, Beth, Amy and Meg, played by Saoirse Ronan, Eliza Scanlen, Florence Pugh and Emma Watson respectively, develops the relationship between the sisters and their mother, Marmy, played by Laura Dern. The beginning of the movie immediately draws the audience in, allowing the reader to feel “at home” with the realism of how the family interacts with each other. “Little Women” presented an intriguing story due to how deep the family’s dynamics were throughout the movie. The movie showed the audience the internal clashes that occurred in the March family over money and love. We loved this aspect because it opened our eyes to the same struggles that could be occurring present day within our own communities. We loved being able to watch the characters grow as individuals as they got older, having to hold back our tears because the family had gone through so much together. The ending illustrated the family bond that kept the sisters together, leaving us overall satisfied. Clarissa Shin/Prowler

“Are you still watching?” Rahul D’Souza Chief Photographer Yes, Netflix. We’re still watching. As we pull into the next decade, many might be making new resolutions to stop watching so much Netflix, but we all know those won’t last long. So might as well inform you on the new updates to help break your weak-wills. In terms of good drama films, Netflix is adding “Catch Me If You Can” and “Inception”, both “Certified Fresh” on RottenTomatoes. “Catch Me If You Can” is about a young boy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who runs away from home and becomes the most successful con artist of all time. The FBI chases him like a criminal, but in reality he’s simply a scared kid trying to get his family back together. “Inception”, another DiCaprio movie, is trippy to say the least. It blows your mind in seven different directions on seven different levels. When you get through the whole thing, though, there’s eight more levels, and then you don’t know what happened, and you sit there, and you cry because you can’t sleep. Also coming to our favorite streaming site are both versions of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. The original, starring Gene

Wilder, is a timeless illustration of Roald Dahl’s most famous book. The 2005 version, however, starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka, is genuinely scary. The application of modern special effects to the movie should disqualify it from the Family genre and push it into Horror. Given a choice, watch the classic, it’s a much better film. Netflix does make up for it however with, objectively, the best addition to Netflix. The absolute god-tier rom-com, Hitch, is finally streaming. Will Smith plays a charming love doctor, pedaling the secrets to sweeping any woman off her feet. He has a plan for every man, except when he needs one himself and everything falls apart. The film centers around Hitch attempting to navigate someone else’s love life as well as his own, all the while trying to stay anonymous. Alright, now prepare for this blasphemy: “Friends” is no longer on Netflix. Yes, just absorb that for a moment. You can no longer binge watch an entire season instead of doing your Written Task 2. This is heresy. Bring it back, Netflix. And bring back “Avatar: The Last Airbender” while you are at it.

Emily Augustine/Prowler

The upcoming year entertains

The movie scene certainly does not look dry for 2020. A liveaction version of “Mulan” will be released on March 27, a fresh twist to a movie that we all saw dozens of times in middle school. We can expect some high-profile superhero movies this year with “Birds of Prey,” starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, and “Wonder Woman 1984,” featuring the popular Gal Gadot. 2019 was a pretty disappointing year for the horror genre, as seen with flops such as “IT Chapter Two.” In 2020, sequels to the “A Quiet Place” and “The Conjuring” series will be released, as well as several other originals.

Manas Khatore Entertainment Editor In the sports realm, the biggest event of the year will be the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Unfortunately, American hero Michael Phelps will not be getting in the swimming pool this year, but there are still plenty of athletes to look forward to. Additionally, five new events have been added to the competition, including karate and surfing. Social media has become the main leisure (and time-wasting) activity for our generation. Coming out of 2019, one platform in particular has surged in popularity: TikTok. As controversial

as it is, it cannot be denied how many people use the lip-syncing app now. Instagram will continue to be a dominant social media force, but Snapchat is expected to fizzle out due to its lack of innovation and new functionality. 2020 features a wide variety of events that we can look forward to. It is clear that this year offers something for everyone. But if you are not interested in any of the things listed above, don’t sweat; the 2020 election is coming up, which should provide enough entertainment to get through the year.

entertainment Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Skywalker doesn’t rise to all the expectations Rahul D’Souza Chief Photographer JJ Abrams returns to direct his second Star Wars movie, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Fans have been anticipating this movie since the release of “The Force Awakens” in 2015. After nine films, three full trilogies, and three generations of actors, the saga finally comes to an end. Critics tore the movie apart, giving it a 53% on Rotten Tomatoes. But for both first time Star Wars viewers and intense fanatics alike, the movie was very enjoyable, with intense action scenes and incredible visual effects. Abrams brought back some fan-favorites like Lando Calrisien and Han Solo, who played pivotal roles in the movie. The best character, however, is known as Babu Frik, a talented droid engineer. In terms of the overall plot, the famous rolling text at the beginning of each film already delivers the first plot twist, having fans at the edge of their seats before the first scene: Emperor Palpatine is back. In the following scenes, we can piece together where our heroes are and what has been happening since “The

Last Jedi.” Finn and Po, our beloved First Order deserter and daring Resistance pilot, have been running missions under General Leia while Rey has been undergoing her own Jedi training. We also see that the force-link, as some might call it, between Rey and Ben Solo is still prevalent, and in fact stronger. The rest of the story is centered mainly around these two characters and their conflict with each other and themselves. Ben Solo was born as part of the light side, and was corrupted along the way. His internal doubt has began to consume him and he doesn’t know what to do anymore. Rey, on the other hand, is scared that she will fall to the dark side. Abrahms beautifully choreographs the clash of these two different worlds, ultimately blending them together by the end of the film. For the most part, Abrahms does a good job sticking to the same familiar feeling that the original trilogy brought about. At some points, however, the film screams Disney, with semi-forced jokes peppered in here and there, or a couple monologues from

the bad guys. The monologues were arguably the worst part-part of the reason the original trilogy was good was because it lacked any. The ending had potential to be great, but ended up being mediocre at best, thanks to Disney’s insatiable desire to force an awkward romance into every movie they get their gloved hands on. At the climax of the film, Rey and Ben share a completely unnecessary and pointless kiss. After having absolutely no romantic connection the entire trilogy, the studio decided that was a good idea. It was not a good idea in any world. In fact, it was a terrible idea. This doesn’t mean that the movie wasn’t great, because it was, but it’s far from perfect. The critic rating of the movie is very harsh though, even taking into account the kissing scene. I believe a 7/10 is accurate. Emily Augustine/Prowler

Satire hops into “Jojo Rabbit” Manas Khatore Entertainment Editor If you have been following film over the last year, you have probably seen a particular movie make headlines. “Jojo Rabbit” is a film that has attracted controversy for its subject matter and left critics divided. Directed by Taika Waititi, the movie takes place in Nazi Germany and follows the life of Jojo, a ten-year-old Hitler Youth member. Instead of being a serious movie focused on the evils of the Nazi regime, “Jojo Rabbit” was advertised as a playful, comedic movie making light of the situation. Waititi himself even plays a goofy version of Hitler, who accompanies Jojo as his imaginary friend. Before seeing it, I admit that I was a bit concerned about whether the movie would be insensitive or offensive to those affected by the Holocaust. However, “Jojo Rabbit” is much deeper than what it was advertised to be. The plot involves a diverse set of characters and lends itself to great character development, especially on the part of Jojo. During a Hitler Youth weekend camp, Jojo takes the advice of Hitler (his imaginary friend) and throws a grenade, severely injuring himself in the process. Jojo is deemed unfit to participate in more physical activities and stays with his mother Rosie, played by Scarlett Johansson. Jojo, who is an ardent anti-semite, soon finds out that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa in a hidden space in their house. Initially appalled, he gradually starts to talk to her and realizes that she is not the monster that Hitler made her out to be. The backbone of “Jojo Rabbit” is humor. Yes, there are many jokes planted throughout the movie and the audience was laughing throughout. However, “Jojo Rabbit” is purely satirical and tastefully uses humor to mock the Nazi regime and Hitler. For example, at several points throughout the movie, Jojo asks Elsa about the characteristics that make Jewish people different from Germans. Elsa responds by saying that Jewish people grow horns and can read minds, outlandish pieces from Nazi propaganda. Despite the fact that Elsa looks like a normal girl, Jojo blindly believes her. Although this is portrayed comedically, it also serves as commentary for how ridiculous but impactful Nazi propaganda was for rooting Jewish stereotypes into society. Additionally, Waititi makes Hitler seem laughable and incompetent, poking fun at the ideology that he stood for. Much of the film’s success comes from its cast, particularly Johansson. Her portrayal of Rosie, a member of the German resistance movement, is fantastic and highlights the central anti-hate message of “Jojo Rabbit.” Through her conversations with her son, Rosie tries show that there is more to life than war and anti-Semitism. She states that love is the most powerful force in the world and shows this through her care for Jojo and Elsa simultaneously. This is a message that sticks with audiences, especially in a society that is still plagued with bigotry. Her role is highly reminiscent to the life of Miep Gies, one of the people who helped hide Anne Frank. “Jojo Rabbit” is much more than a shallow movie that makes light of one of the darkest periods in human history. Its appropriate use of satire and message of acceptance run deep and definitely resonated with me. It is one of the freshest and most necessary movies of 2019 and is something to look out for in theaters.

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sports Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Unified Sports shoots for inclusivity Abby Gorman Staff Writer Adalia Luo Staff Writer It’s a hot Friday afternoon, and students across campus are filing out of their classrooms for the cafeteria, the quad, or perhaps to the basketball courts for Unified Sports practice. Every Friday, general and special education students come together to practice soccer, kickball or basketball. With the next Unified Sports event just two weeks away, the participants and coaches alike are filled with excitement. With the assistance of Jenny Finger, junior, and other volunteers, the program took off last year. Their first major competition, the Unified Basketball Tournament in March 2019, involved Thousand Oaks and Westlake High School as well. However, this is the first time kickball and soccer will be included, as well as the possibility of schools outside the district. “This year, we expanded it to three sports, and each school is hosting a tournament,” Anne Alvarez, Special Education teacher, said. “Eventually, we want to make it so we go to more tournaments, so we go over to play Simi, to play Oxnard, and then maybe we’ll have a big tournament where lots and lots of schools come.” Volunteer coaches Rich Bradley and Michael Contreras, teachers at NPHS, may have only become fully involved this school year, but their passion for the program is evident. “My biggest takeaway is seeing the joy on those kids’ faces,” Contreras said. “I look forward to Friday at lunch, knowing I’m going to be with them. Now that they know me a little bit better, the high fives that I get, the hellos’ I get, stuff like that really brightens my day.” The positive impact of the program on both the kids involved and coaches alike is indisputable. “They’re just so happy with the experience, and to be out there. Things that other people take for granted, like being able to kick a ball, and the joy they get out of that really makes you appreciate

your own circumstances even more,” Bradley said. The combination of disabled and non-disabled athletes coming together to play on a team is monumental to fostering an inclusive environment at Newbury Park. “(The objective of Unified Sports is) to show our kids that they can be a part of the school, and show the rest of the school that everybody can be a part of the school, and be involved with anything they want to be involved with at their level,” Alvarez said. As the program continues to grow, the friendships made between all the students strengthen in turn. “It’s not just that the general education students go out there and coach. Seeing the interactions in the hallways, the high fives walking across campus, the inclusion,” said Contreras. “It doesn’t matter who; they make sure that they say hi to each other and sometimes introduce them to their friends. That’s something I think that’s really, really special about the program.” In the weeks leading up to the tournament on February 7, Finger has high hopes for the team. “I hope that our team will learn more sports skills and really bond with each other,” Finger said. “It’s the best feeling seeing everyone included and happy.” Shoot- Alex and Austin, two students on the Unified Sports team, shoot a hoop during a Unified Basketball Game. The students are an important part of the team and have played various sports for the program. Unified Sports helps break barriers between the special education and general education students, while promoting inclusion and acceptance. Emily Nagamoto/Prowler

Boys Basketball swishes into season Prasheetha Karthikeyan Features Editor The boys varsity basketball team, with its diverse range of players from freshmen to seniors, started its season strong, with a record of 17-6 . The season has been going well, according to Andrew Wilson, senior. “We’ve had our ups and downs but we’re a tight knit group and are looking to end our season strong,” Wilson said. Quincy Bentley, junior, has been playing basketball since he was in third grade, thanks to his father. “My dad played and I always thought he was in the NBA when I was a kid, but he was literally just in an adult league, so then I just wanted to follow in

his footsteps and play too,” Bentley said. The team collectively has been coordinating well together. “We’ve meshed pretty well, even though we haven’t been playing for that long. We’ve been playing since the summer, so we know each other well enough to get through anything...the chemistry is really close,” Bentley said. Many players have set and accomplished individual goals for themselves. “One of my goals was to score 30 points in a game, and to break a record, I did that in the same game. My next goal is 40 points, I broke the three point record, and my next goal for that is to break the scoring record,” Bentley said. Likewise, Cooper Lucas, freshman, has been able to break a record in his first year. “I’ve been a starter in some games this year, and I’m pretty sure I broke the school freshman record for three pointers. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable playing at this high level,” Lucas said. Overall, the team has been having an eventful season which the players hope will lead them to CIF. “I see us as a team going to CIF playoffs and personally I see myself being a much more complete ballplayer than I was at the beginning of the year,” Lucas said.

Vision- Hayden Smith, senior, passes the ball to Jackson Pierce, sophomore, after rushing down the court during a fast break. The team tried to convert their passes into points by shooting from behind the arc. Rahul D’Souza/Prowler

Swoosh- Andrew Wilson, senior, pulls up for a three after coming off of a screen set by Seth Berman, junior. Berman rolls off the screen to run down the lane for a pass. A Westlake player closes in to try to block the shot, but Wilson gets the shot off just in time and scores. Rahul D’Souza/Prowler

sports Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

Athletic Trainers work behind the spotlight Jessica Zhou DPS Editor While the athletes are giving their best on the field, a group of students are silently watching from the crowd, constantly alert for any emergency situation that may happen. Although many people may not notice them in the game, the athletic trainers are an integral part in the athletic department. The main job of athletic trainers is to help athletes get prepared for a game and to be the first to respond to an injury during a training event or a game. They are taught basic sports medicine knowledge such as icing, stretching and rehabilitation mechanisms along with training in first aid. Lauren Armedilla, senior, joined the program her sophomore year and has since fallen in love with sports medicine. “I was always interested in the medical field and never had a specific path into where I was going. So I always thought, Okay, let’s try medical and see where that takes me,” Armedilla said. The program sets up an open clinic every Wednesday to help with any injuries athletes have acquired over the past week. From this, the members of the program are able to apply the knowledge that they learned into real life case studies, ranging from broken bones to torn muscles. One of the active members, Sadhuni Jayaratna, senior, described one of her most memorable encounters as an athletic trainer. “The player was trying to intercept the ball and jammed his finger against it. His ring finger was really swollen and he was unable to move it. My initial reaction

was to get a certified athletic trainer from Bonnie due to the fact that I am still a student. I had him sit out of the game and ice his finger,” Jayaratna said. Noelle Estiandan, senior, joined the program as a sophomore after she shadowed football practices in the previous year. “I’ve never really been athletic or good at sports, but I was still interested in them and I wanted to be around them in some way. I also was exploring my options in what I might want to pursue in college,” Estiandan said. Not only were the members able to gain more knowledge and

experience through this program, they also developed critical skills that are useful even outside the realm of sports medicine. “The best thing I’ve probably learned or gained from being a trainer is problem solving. I learned that problem solving is not just a skill, but a whole mindset. One that drives people to bring out the best in themselves and shape the world positively,” Estiandian said. Students who are interested in sports medicine are all welcome to join the athletic trainers program, no matter if they treat is a future career or just one of their hobbies. “I think this just really opened my eyes that there is a need for sports medicine and that no one’s really aware of this,and that I am willing to offer my services and that there’s people out there who’d like really need my help,” Armedilla said.

Be prepared prepared- The 2018-2019 athletic trainers pose in front of the field during a football game. These students are trained in first aid and are taught healing mechanisms in order for them to treat any injuries that athletes have. “So we have the opportunity to learn from Mrs. Caulfield and we learn tape jobs or we learn stretching techniques because those injured athletes are coming in prior to their practices,” Armedilla said. The athletic training program is a year long fifth period. Lauren Armedilla/With Permission

Hockey club holds high potential Manas Khatore Entertainment Editor Ice hockey is not a sport offered by NPHS athletics. However, that has not stopped students from playing it. The NPHS hockey club allows students to play ice hockey in a casual setting and interact with other enthusiasts. Kyle Agnello, senior, has been playing hockey since he was nine. He joined the club in order to find others who were passionate about the sport. “I (wanted) to get involved more in the school as well as surround myself with others who love hockey,” Agnello said. As a part of the club, members meet regularly and engage in various activities, practicing three times a week at the Simi Valley Iceoplex and competing on the weekends. Hudson Lawrence, senior, joined the club during his sophomore year in order to play with his friends. He explains that the club welcomes students from other schools who want to play hockey, currently having members from Agoura and Calabasas high schools. “We have seven kids from Newbury Park, and after that, we allow kids… from other schools to join so we can have a full team that can compete,” Lawrence said. The club is relatively small and teammates hope to increase its membership in the future. “(I love surprising) people when they find out that we have a hockey club,” Lawrence said. For Bentley Simcox, junior, joining the club has motivated him to improve on his playing abilities. “It makes me just want to play more and more and more,” Simcox said. By being an active member of the club, Simcox has found new opportunities to display his talent and compete against others. In April, he will be participating in America’s Showcase, “where all the best hockey players from the United States go and compete and represent their state,” he said. Although ice hockey is not a part of the athletics department, hockey club has made efforts to form a competitive school team. Participation in the sport is still relatively small, but it has grown rapidly over the years. “(Ice hockey is) growing pretty fast and it’s getting a lot more competitive (in California),” Simcox said. However, due to the fact that teammates come from different schools, these efforts have been largely unfruitful. Regardless, the club has and will continue to provide an outlet for students to enjoy their passion. “The club has boosted my love for the game… I have been able to show the sport to others that might not have seen (it) played before,” Lawrence said.

Iced Bentley Simcox, junior, prepares to score a goal on the opposing team. Simcox has been playing hockey since Icedhe was five and joined hockey club to further his skills and meet other players. Although ice hockey is relatively small, the sport has been quickly gaining interest over the years. “It’s growing pretty fast and it’s getting a lot more competitive here,” Simcox said. Bentley Simcox/With Permission

sports

16 Girls’ water polo swims to success

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Sarena Kabir News Editor

Jacob Malone/Prowler

Reese Kelem Photographer

Panther Prowler • Jan. 24, 2020

The girls’ water polo season is soon coming to an end. With less than half of the league season left, it will be time for many seniors to say their final goodbyes to their last high school season. Many of these girls have known each other for the longest time, meeting years ago during club water polo, and formed a close bond since. Shoot - Abby Begg, senior, prepares to shoot a goal at the varsity girls water polo game against westake on Thursday. This game was a dedication to their senior recognition night, at which many seniors like Begg had to get ready to say their final goodbyes to NPHS. “I'm just gonna take this whole program with me when I leave. I'm sad to be leaving, but I'm happy how all four of my years have turned out,” Begg said. Reese Kelem/Prowler

ReachReach-Rachel Vlietstra, senior, had been playing water polo alongside many of her teammates since age 9. “The highlight of the year so far would have to be finishing my senior year season alongside my teammates. Many of us have been playing together since we were 9 so it’s a very emotional year since it is our last, but I’m glad I get to spend it with them,” Vlietstra said. She began her water polo journey back when she participated in a clinic. “I participated in a clinic through a parks and rec program in fourth grade. I really enjoyed it, since it was such an uncommon sport, so I decided to sign up on a club team and keep playing.” Reese Kelem/Prowler

Pass - Madison Shiah, senior, prepares to pass the ball to another player as she is being defended by a westlake player. The girls remained at a tie for the first quarter of the game but then took the win in the end. “In the first half we were getting back into it, we figured out their defense in the second half and that’s why we came back,” Shiah said. Reese Kelem/Prowler

Throw- Emily Flores, junior, throws the ball to another player as they make an offensive attack towards Westlake. Flores was one of the many seniors who were honored Thursday night on senior recognition night. Many of the girls have played together for several years, and have grown very close to their water polo community at NPHS. Reese Kelem/Prowler

2019-2020 Issue 5 (Jan. 24, 2020)

Articles inside

Athletic Trainers

9

Monopoly

Unified Sports

MLK day

Little Women

Cat Killer

Iran

Closing Stores