March 2015

Page 1

The World Is Our Campus Volume 62, Issue 7

Arcadia High School 180 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA

March 2015

Ms. merel: a rising influence

In this issue:

Graphic courtesy of POPCRUNCH.COM

NEWS pg. 2 Net Neutrality: The FCC has decided to enforce net neutrality, meaning fairer treatment in terms of web traffic.

Photo by MILLIE WONG

A PILLAR OF SUPPORT Current Assistant Principal Ms. Catherine Merel has earned a well-deserved promotion to AUSD’s Director of Secondary Education, amplifying her ability to positively impact not just AHS but the district as well. By TITUS WU Staff Writer Graphic courtesy of AHS THEATRE DEPT.

PERFORMING ARTS pg. 10 Showcase: Interested in ADD’s new production? Read more about the 60’s thriller here.

Graphic courtesy of TEALITCOM

SPORTS pg. 18-19 Advantage Arcadia: Boys Varsity Tennis is a juggernaut force and continues its winning streak.

Have a question, comment, or concern about The Apache Pow Wow? Email the Editors-in-Chief at eic.powwow@gmail.com Find us online at arcadiapowwow.wordpress.com

Beginning next year, Assistant Principal Ms. Catherine Merel, an impacting influence at AHS, will take upon the inaugural role of AUSD Director of Secondary Education. In her current position as assistant principal, Ms. Merel handles numerous responsibilities, including overseeing the English department, the ELD teachers, the AHS world language program, the AP program, and even the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, which helps students transition from high school to college. It is because of qualifications like these that the high school “has been fortunate to have a resource like her for as long as it has,” said Principal Dr. Brent Forsee. Indeed, her experiences stretch further back, having worked as a French and ELD teacher. With her new promotion, she will further her impact beyond just the high school and into the middle schools as well. “My job will be to serve as a bridge between middle and high school teachers,” said Ms. Merel, “ to help middle school students transition easily into high school.” Although honored, she admits that her new job will be challenging, given she will now have “the bigger responsi-

bility of carrying out the district board’s vision.” Along with that, Ms. Merel will still continue to oversee the ELD program among other departments, just on a bigger scale. “There are a lot of overlaps actually,” Ms. Merel said, “between my old and new job.” One main aspect that will stay the same is her huge involvement with the teachers. She consistently highlighted the importance of teachers and how working with them gave her new insight and appreciation to the time and effort teachers commit. “Anything the teachers need or want,” she stressed, “I have [helped] and will help achieve in any way possible.” However, her new job requires her to take a new office at the district site instead of at AHS. As a result, “what I will miss the most is simply being at the high school,” said Ms. Merel. “I love seeing the kids, staff, the variety of activities I see at school, and just everything,” she added. Despite her tenure at AHS, she “never cease[s] to be amazed by the incredible work ethic” of Arcadia students. What most AHS faculty members will miss, though, is Ms. Merel herself. “She’s very effective at everything she does,” said ASB Director Mr. John Panza, “and she will be very hard to replace.” On a similar note, Secretary Ms. Marianne vonKriegenbergh pointed out she “has become everyone’s ‘Go To Person’,” whose absence will be felt. Even so,

both know that she will continue to make a tremendous influence in her new position. Perhaps Ms. Merel’s greatest qualification is neither her 11-year experience in AHS nor her wealth of knowledge but her compassion. Assistant Principal Ms. Jennifer Lashier praised Ms. Merel as a “kind and warm-hearted person,” while Mr. Panza spoke of her as “truly just great.” Beyond the generic qualities, however, was something deeper. As she was interviewed, she generally avoided talking about her own impact, legacy, or qualities. Rather, she continually emphasized that she was merely a supporter of others, that she was there “just to listen” and help anybody achieve whatever direction they wanted to take. True enough, the two phrases that constantly reverberated in my ear during the interview was “help others” and “support others.” It was sad to hear that most students didn’t immediately recognize who Ms. Merel is; however, that makes her role ever more valuable. In a play, although the star actors are essential, what is equally, if not more important, is the behind-the-scenes workers—the script writers, the set designers, the lighting technician, etc. Ms. Merel is that essential group of people behind the scenes, always supporting and helping others. twu@apachepowwow.com


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