December 2015

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NEWS

Stories of 2015

By CHRISTINA READ Staff Writer

1. Same-sex Marriage: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing samesex marriage on June 26, with a close 5-4 vote.

In honor of the landmark decision, the White House was lit in rainbow colors and supporters of same-sex marriage all over the country celebrated with the slogan, “Love wins.”

2. Nepal Earthquake: When an earthquake with an 8.1 magnitude hit Nepal on Apr. 25, more than 9,000 people lost their lives. Over 21,000 individuals were injured and hundreds of thousands of people became homeless due to this tragedy.

3. Women’s World Cup: The USA Women’s Soccer team won the World Cup this year, defeating the Japanese Women’s team 5-2 in the final match. This victory makes the USA Women’s team the only three-time World Cup champions.

theapachepowwow.com

Coffee’s Not So Bitter Truth

By KAYLI TEMPLE Staff Writer

A recent study led by Ming Ding, a doctoral student in the Harvard School of Public Health Department of Nutrition, showed that coffee was found to extend one’s lifespan, ending past arguments stating otherwise. Ultimately, it all comes down to the beans—the coffee beans that is.

In a survey that included 50,000 men and over 200,000 women, results showed that among the people who never smoked, those who drank up to three cups of coffee a day had a 5% to 9% lower risk of dying than compared to those who drank none. The chance of death decreased with every cup added, an astonishing discovery for those entangled in coffee’s controversial debate. Prior research had similar data, but no legitimate facts to back it up.

An already known fact about coffee consumption is its link to lowering the rate of heart disease and type two diabetes, illnesses that can undoubtedly shorten a person’s lifespan. The reason behind this decrease in rate, stated in the results from a study published in the journal Circulation, is the chemical components inside of the bean. Chlorogenic acid and lignans help control blood sugar and reduce inflammation. With this in mind, java drinkers were discovered to be less likely to die from other illnesses such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Also, regular coffee drinkers had lower rates of suicide attempts.

May/June 2016

Harriet Tubman on $20 Bill

By NOELLE NATIVIDAD

Staff Writer

Beginning in 2020, Harriet Tubman will be the first woman to appear on American currency since Martha Washington’s brief stint on the dollar bill, marking 100 years of women’s suffrage in the United States.

Tubman has been selected to replace President Andrew Jackson on the front of the twenty dollar bill, while Jackson will be moved to the back in a new design featuring the White House. This historic redesign will feature five other notable women’s rights activists, including Sojourner Truth and Susan B. Anthony.

This change was a result of President Obama’s 2014 initiative to get women on American currency. The idea stemmed from a letter a girl from Massachusetts had sent him, and he commented that it was “a pretty good idea.”

A symbolic show of gender equality, the Treasury Department just recently made the announcement that the bills would be changing to include notable female historical figures alongside the current presidents and politicians.

Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew spoke to USA Today and noted, “We said we were going to listen to people, and we actually listened to people. And there was a legitimate

concern about what bill a woman goes on the front of, and what story we had to tell. We had this idea that if you went bigger, you’d be able to accomplish a lot of the things that we’d really like to do, tell more stories, honor more than one women.”

Over the next four years, the $5, $10, and $20 bills will be completely redesigned. Harriet Tubman was the very first to be introduced and has stirred excitement and controversy.

Originally, she was made to replace Alexander Hamilton. However, with the popularity of Hamilton the musical, the Treasury thought it best to place her on a different bill. Andrew Jackson’s role on U.S. currency is also controversial, due to his actions against Native Americans.

Many pop culture figures have spoken with enthusiasm about this new change. Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted, “I can’t think of a better choice than Harriet Tubman.” Doris Kearns Goodwin, an American historian, voiced her opinion to USA Today when she said, “She hopes more and more women will be added to currency “such that a century from now Americans will begin to ask, ‘Where are the men?’”

It was an immense leap for gender equality and many hope to see more positive changes in the future. nnatividad@apachepowwow.com

ktemple@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of COLOURBOX.COM

Elon Musk and Mars

By TIFFANY LIU Staff Writer

4. Water on Mars: After 15 years of searching, NASA scientists have identified the strongest evidence yet of liquid water existing on Mars. This discovery fueled hope for the possibility of life on Mars.

5. Paris Attacks: On Nov. 13, ISIS attacks throughout Paris left 130 civilians dead and an additional 368 injured. The terrorism drew a huge global response, sparking shows of solidarity from countries and individuals all around the world.

cread@apachepowwow.com

Photos courtesy of CNN.COM, NYTIMES.COM, and USSOCCER.COM

The things we used to only dream about in science fiction novels are finally becoming realities. The one man who has been the impetus to these often scoffed at, far-fetched dreams is Elon Musk. SpaceX, Tesla Motors, SolarCity, Hyperloop, the list only continues. Musk has done all especially in the face of scrutiny and disbelief with regards to his space plans. Musk’s primary goals with these companies is to change the world and humanity through sustainable energy and production, culminating with the first human colony on Mars.

Musk plans to accomplish this as early as 2018, something that NASA has only planned for the 2030s.

With technology progressing so rapidly, Musk has changed the way we view space exploration on the timeline. Because SpaceX is privately funded and NASA is financially tied down by the government, there are many restrictions that Musk do not have to deal with.

SpaceX’s recent tweet in April announcing plans for Mars should not be taken lightly especially after the company landed the Falcon 9 perfectly only a year after two prior attempts.

It was a historical day in rocket ship history.

Inspired by the Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov, Musk strongly believes in the preservation of human life. Knowing that the future of Earth will inevitably end due to a multitude of reasons, from an asteroid to engineered virus to a micro black hole, Musk has planned for Mars not 20 years from now, but as early as

2018. He hopes to develop and improve the Red Dragon, a cargo vehicle that has made supply runs to the International Space Station, in the hopes of carrying astronauts as well. But these plans come with a plethora of problems. Since going to Mars will make humans venture further into space, the rocket will need exactly 27 engines on a single booster. The more engines a rocket has, the more complications arise. With so many engines, there is also the risk of vibra-

tion where the rocket simply shakes itself into pieces. And in the end, no matter how perfect the rocket is, Musk admits that the habitable volume of the rocket will only be about the size of an SUV, requiring further design modifications. To add to this, Musk also needs to consider creating a habitable space on the surface of Mars, a liftoff system on Mars, proper radiation shielding, and the physiological and psychological effects that the crew will endure on the two and a half year round trip journey. With all these complications, it is obvious as to why NASA’s projections for life on Mars are so far away. But this is Elon Musk. Sure he’s failed multiple times in the past, and continues to fail in his current ventures, but his inability to be fazed by failure, to be satisfied by himself or anyone, makes him the perfect man to complete the job.

Due to SpaceX’s previous record and briskness with which they continuously accomplish amazing feats, Musk’s projections for Mars should be viewed seriously as life on Mars will become a reality sooner than we think. tliu@apachepowwow.com

Photo courtesy of LATIMES.COM

May/June 2016

NEWS

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Mercury Transit

By TERRI SHI Staff Writer

On May 9, AHS physics teachers placed a series of telescopes outside the science building to view the Mercury transit, which happens only once every few years. The Mercury transit occurs when the planet passes directly in front of the sun, creating the appearance of a small, black shadow moving east to west across the sun’s surface through the course of a few hours. This rare sighting appears in intervals occurring only in the months of May and November and is unable to be seen by the naked eye.

AHS students were excited to be able to observe this event through periods 1 to 4. During Mr. Mauricio Eguez’s AP Physics C class, students were invited to use the telescopes. Senior Ziyan Feng detailed his experience and noted that during his first period class, he could “see a small black dot moving slowly across the sun’s surface.” He also mentioned that he was anticipating this event because he had “read it on the news previously then found out that it was during school hours but was glad to have been able to have the opportunity during class time to view it.” Senior Sydney Huynh, who is also in Mr. Eguez’s class, followed up

and said, “It looked like a little ant moving across a ball of fire.” On a more serious note, she also mentioned that “it reminded [her] that there are so many other planets in the universe that are vastly different from our own.”

Other students who were not in the physics classes were also able to view the Mercury transit during passing period. Freshman Michael Gu observed, “I couldn’t really see the Mercury transit on the big day because the clouds blocked the telescope from allowing me to view anything. However, I was able to find live-streams of the transit online and watch this amazing, rare phenomenon. It was really cool to see this happen and I’m glad I got to witness such a special occurrence.” For junior Kelly Yeh, it was about “going with her friends to see something unique and interesting, different from the usual day to day occurrences.” Regardless of how or where the Mercury transit was viewed, students alike seemed to enjoy this extraordinary event.

s t a f f Editors

For those who missed it, NASA’s website has a series of detailed pictures and videos to depict this sighting. The next Mercury transit is predicted to occur on November 11, 2019. Hopefully AHS students will again be given the opportunity to enjoy and witness this event in the coming years!

Editors-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editors Opinion Editors Performing Arts Editors Student Life Editors Features Editors Sports Editors Academics Editors Center Spread Editor Calendar Editor Campus Focus Editor Advertisements Editors Photography Editors Executive Copy Editors Fundraising Chairs Webmaster

By VIVIAN KWANG Annually, lexicographers, or dictionary writers, of Oxford Dictionaries choose a word that captures the essence of each year. On Nov. 17, Oxford Dictionaries proclaimed that the 2015 word of the year would be an emoji. Not the word emoji, but an actual emoji. In the Oxford dictionary, it’s described as “Face with Tears of Joy.” For the first time in history, the Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year is not a word, but rather a pictograph.

Oxford Dictionaries were limited to one emoji despite the fact that there were many newcomers like the unicorn and the taco. In order to choose the one emoji that best fits, Oxford Dictionaries teamed up with SwiftKey, a maker of emoji keyboards. They identified that the face with tears of joy is the most commonly and frequently used emoji in 2015.

It made up 17% of all emojis used in the U.S. and 20% used in the UK. Oxford Dictionaries said that the emoji “was chosen as the “word” that best reflected the ethos, mood, and preoccupations of 2015.” vkwang@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of IEMOJI.COM

Aaron Chan, Cassandra Gonzales, Michelle Gu, Jocelyn Hu, Vivian Kwang, Eileen Lee, Eric Chen, Erin Li, Yanhui Li, Andrew Lim, Tiffany Liu, Kimberly Lo, Joshua Ma,

tshi@apachepowwow.com

Andrew Muliadi, Cristian Nalbandian, Noelle Natividad, Chloe O’Connor, Ha Eun Park, Emily Quach, Christina

Graphic courtesy of CHIPOTLE.COM Photo courtesy of GLASSDOOR.COM

CA Smoking Age

Read, Terri Shi, Kayli Temple, Victoria Tovmasyan, Michael Tseng, Faisal Umerani, Andrew Wang Elaine Chung, Christy Kang, Tiffany Liu, Victoria Yu, Erika Zheng Features Staff

Elaine Chung, Michelle Fang, Jessie Hui, Christy Kang, Christine Law, Yanhui Li, Cristian Nalbandian, Noelle Natividad, Danielle Santoyo, Briana Shen, Justin Tang, Kayli Temple, Cindy Tse, Faisal Umerani, Hafsah Umerani, Andrew Wang, Victoria Yu, Erika Zheng

Performing Arts Staff

By CHLOE O’CONNOR Staff Writer

Victoria Yu and Erika Zheng Yoko Chan Justin Tang and Emily Wu Amber Chong and Tiffany Liu Jacqueline Chang and Katie Huang Briana Shen and Terri Shi Michelle Fang and Jessie Hui Charles Xu and Pearl Yang Simone Chu and Veronica Yu Elaine Chung Kristen Tran Kaitlyn Liao Tiffany Chen and Andrew Muliadi Ryan Fann and Debbie Moon Michelle Gu and Hafsah Umerani Julia Lin and Flora Ung Elyse Yao

Writers

News Staff

Opinion Staff

WORD OF THE YEAR

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Staff Writer

California is the second state in the US to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21. Beginning June 9, it will be a crime in California to sell or give tobacco to anyone except military personnel under the age of 21. The Governor also changed signed a series of bills that placed new restrictions on where people can smoke and selling of electronic cigarettes. “[These laws] will save countless lives, reduce astronomical costs to the health care system, and cost very little because it uses existing enforcement mechanisms,” said Senator Ed Hernandez, who authored the bill to raise the age of tobacco products.

Originally, the bill made it illegal for all people under the age of 21 to buy tobacco products. However, some began to argue that if 18-year-olds can be drafted or volunteer to fight and die for their country, they should be allowed to buy tobacco products. A stipulation was later added to exempt active duty military personnel 18 and over from the bills.

The Institute of Medicine reported

in March 2015 that increasing the smoking age to 21 would immediately deter 15 percent of people 18-20 from taking up a lasting tobacco habit. It also would result in nearly a quarter-million fewer premature deaths and 50,000 fewer deaths from lung cancer among people born between 2000 and 2019.

Tom Steyer, a leader of the Save Lives Campaign, stated, “Despite threats from the big tobacco lobby, Governor Brown and the Legislature sent a clear message: We will do everything possible to save lives and protect our children from the deadly effects of tobacco.”

“The tobacco bills the governor signed will reduce the toll smoking takes on the health of Californians and the health of our state budget,” said Anthony Rendon, the Democratic speaker of the Assembly.

California joins Hawaii in the raising of the legal smoking age; Hawaii was the first state, passing the bill in April.

Other jurisdictions around the country have made the change, including New York and San Francisco. elee@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of NYTIMES.COM

Eric Chen, Chelsea Cheng, Cassandra Gonzales, Jocelyn Hu, Katie Huang, Thomas Hui, Eileen Lee, Nadine Templeton, Tiffany Tsui

Student Life Staff

Eric Chen, Eileen Lee, Noelle Natividad, Chloe O’Connor, Terri Shi, Justin Tang, Tiffany Tsui, Hafsah Umerani, Titus Wu, Victoria Yu

Sports Staff

Katie Huang, Thomas Hui, Eileen Lee, Kimberly Lo, Joshua Ma, Danielle Santoyo

Academics Staff

Chelsea Cheng, Jocelyn Hu, Kimberly Lo, Noelle Natividad, Briana Shen, Terri Shi, Nadine Templeton, Faisal Umerani, Katie Wen

Calendar Staff

Chelsea Cheng, Elaine Chung, Michelle Fang, Michelle Gu, Jessie Hui, Vivian Kwang, Christine Law, Danielle Santoyo, Kayli Temple, Cindy Tse, Katie Wen, Erika Zheng

Campus Focus Staff

Titus Wu

Center Spread Staff

Christy Kang

Advertisements Staff

Yoko Chan, Eric Chen, Justin Cun, Cassandra Gonzales, Thomas Hui, Christy Kang, Eileen Lee, Kyle Wang, Titus Wu, Timothy Yen

Photo Staff

Aaron Chan, Yoko Chan, Katie Huang, Thomas Hui, Joshua Ma, Nadine Templeton, Titus Wu

Copy Editing Staff

Aaron Chan, Michelle Fang, Michelle Gu, Jessie Hui, Vivian Kwang, Christine Law, Ellie Lee, Tiffany Liu, Briana Shen, Justin Tang, Cindy Tse, Tiffany Tsui, Hafsah Umerani, Kyle Wang, Katie Wen, Elyse Yao

Web Staff

Aaron Chan, Christine Law, Chloe O’Connor, Katie Wen, Maggie Wong

Adviser

Mr. Johnny Lee

Publication Information: The Apache Pow Wow is a student publication distributed monthly throughout the school year. The paper has been continuously published since Arcadia High School opened in 1952. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinion page reflect the opinion of The Apache Pow Wow editorial board. A student’s work does not represent the views of Arcadia High School or the Arcadia Unified School District. Address letters to the editor to: The Apache Pow Wow, 180 W. Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007. To place an advertisement in the newspaper, email ads.powwow@gmail.com. Advertisement rates vary from $30 for a business card advertisement to $250 for a full-page black and white advertisement, with quarter-page, half-page, and advertisement insert options available.

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OPINION Time for

Holiday Spirit

By MAGGIE WONG Staff Writer

Winter break and Christmas seemed like such a big deal when I was younger.

The Christmas tree was set up in the beginning of December, all decked out in tinsel and ornaments arranged in the erratic fashion that only a child can achieve. Christmas wish lists were meticulously planned, and placed clearly on my table, so that Santa (or my parents) would know what to get me. The days leading up to winter break and Christmas were checked off with bright red X’s on my calendar. On the last school day before break, the whole class held its breath and counted down the final seconds until freedom.

A couple years later, the holiday “spirit” that used to be present when I was in elementary school is no longer here. I no longer feel that rush of excitement when going gift-shopping. I don’t even bother trying to find the perfect present; I just get my friends whatever they ask for and they get me whatever I ask for. There’s no surprise or spontaneity in giving and receiving gifts anymore; it’s just another motion to go through because it’s expected of me. I wait until last minute to put up the Christmas tree, too occupied with other work to even think about it. Of course, I look forward to winter break, but I don’t count down the days to it. Most of the time, I’m too caught up in school and other lessons to even realize its arrival.

It’s like I don’t even notice that the holidays are coming up anymore—I’ve just learned to tune out the Christmas music playing in every store and turn a blind eye to all the eye-catching decorations that adorn the houses on the streets.

There’s always something to stress out about before break, be it tests, projects, whatever. I feel like each year that passes by, Christmas seems a lot less magical, and I take another step away from my childhood. It’s a bittersweet feeling; one that assures me I’m growing as a person, that my personal character development is, well, developing. At the same time, I’m reluctant to let the wonderment I felt as a child about the holidays go.

I miss that butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling that I would get when I got another gift and had to guess what it was. I miss having game nights with my cousins over winter break, staying up until 2:00 a.m. playing Scrabble just because I could. I miss driving around the city, looking up at the beautifully decorated houses in awe. I can still do these things now, but I don’t feel any reason to. Before, there was a sense of wonderment attached to them, but now? Staying up until the early hours of the morning is a frequent occurrence, only instead of playing Scrabble, I’m either finishing homework or studying. And as much as I want to drive around the city for hours, looking at holiday decorations, I know that my free-time should be spent working on something productive.

So Santa, I don’t want a lot for Christmas this year. All I’m asking for is that small piece of my childhood back, the happiness and excitement that came with the holidays. And of course, new watercolor paints wouldn’t hurt either.

mwong@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of CREATTOR.COM

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December 2015

Growing Pains

By ELYSE YAO

Webmaster

I like to look back on the days of a littler me, and break out into a choked cringe-laugh.

Wow, I think, I’m glad I’ve grown up since then. I smile with pride, all the while thinking to myself that I’ve matured.

Then, at night, I’ll bolt up the stairs screaming internally as I imagine monsters coming from the darkness behind me.

Real mature.

But then again, do I really want to grow up? How wonderful it would be to go back to days when my biggest worry was whether eating a seed would sprout a tree in my stomach? Who wants a life of stress, AP classes, mood swings, and the terror otherwise known as acne? (Dear Mr. Pimple, you’ve been on

my nose for a week already, please go away.) Yes, I’d be ignorant. Yes, I’d be insignificant. But at least I’d be happy—after all, ignorance is bliss.

People talk about maturity like it’s a wonderful thing to grow up, to shed off childish ways like a layer of old skin, and in some ways, it is. There’re things I’m glad that I’ve gained these past years. I love realizing that I’ve improved, that I’m a better person now. I love all the memories forever framed in my mind, all the friends I’ve made and things I’ve done. But always, there’ll be a part of me that longs to be a child again, playing outside or spending long hours reading. There’s a part of me that wants to go back to the days of being tucked into a warm bed at 8:00 p.m. and listening to my mom read bedtime stories

to a sleepy-eyed me in her soft, familiar voice.

I don’t have that luxury anymore, and bedtime stories have long been replaced by banging my head over and over on my poor desk in futile attempts to cure writer’s block while a growing pile of homework threatens to topple over.

I don’t see how that’s a fair trade.

If losing those peaceful days is “maturity”, I don’t think I ever want to fully grow up. Maybe it’s too late. The times gone by only exist as memories now, constants in the ever-moving stream of time. Thinking back, it feels like time has gone by so fast. My life has changed dramatically, but I still feel mostly the same—I’m just marginally better at pretending I’m mature. I can fake a smile, I can nod and pretend I understand something I really don’t. But I still scream whenever I see a spider. I still jump at weird noises at night, and dance around the house when

I’m alone. And, despite how childish that is, maybe it’s a good thing. Because I’m already tired. Tired of everything. I see it in people around me, too: There’s a weary bitterness that no one at our age should really have, perpetuated by unrealistic dreams and the ceiling-high expectations of parents. But those rare moments of childishness, the memories that I’ll probably cringe at in a few years—they keep me together. They’re reminders that I’m still really a kid, no matter how hard I try not to be. Maybe I’ll always be one, somewhere deep inside.

Because who really wants to grow up? eyao@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of IANEE.DEVIANTART.COM

I am Not a People Pleaser

By CHRISTY KANG Staff Writer

“I used to be a “people-pleaser,” always saying things people wanted to hear. I was taught to be “nice” to people: don’t criticize them and don’t make them feel bad. I didn’t like to argue because I just wasn’t great at it, and it takes physical and mental energy. Because when I saw people become sad after hearing the truth, I felt that I was responsible for causing their sadness and decided to restrain myself from telling them the truth. I figured that if I just said what people wanted to hear, both parties would be happy and there would be no conflicts. However, I am no longer a “people-pleaser”. In my sophomore year, someone told me that I “had no personality.”

I don’t know why, but that comment stung, and hit me deep. Having no personality is the same as having no opinions to distinguish me from others. The fact that someone thought I was bland shocked me; I never thought that only saying “nice” words would make me seem like an empty shell of a person. Those four words hurt, and still do.

Only saying things that people wanted to hear was crowding out my own thoughts and opinions, and ultimately eroding my personality. It was a disastrous consequence I did

not expect, and I quit my role as a “people-pleaser”. Before, if the coffee tasted bad, I would just smile and drink on. Now, I am willing to face whoever made the coffee, and say “I fear that coffee tastes not as pleasant as yesterday” with a smile.

By saying what I think, I’m making myself known. Telling your opinions and have some conflicts are much better than having a conflict-free day by only saying empty words. My “nice” yet empty words are harmful to others too. I’ve learned that there are times when sincere criticism is needed.

For example, I don’t want a friend to tell me my 650 words of rambling personal statement are “perfect” and “ready to go”. Those comments are nice to hear, but they are impractical and can be misleading. What if I absolutely trusted that friend, and actually submitted my essay without asking others to proofread? That would be tremendously horrifying.

I learned that despite how well-meaning my intention is, empty nice words can seem insincere and be harmful. Even if my nice words make people happy temporarily, in the end my sincere words are valued more.

I am a former “people-pleaser” and I am happy to have resigned from my role. ckang@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of DRAWPIC.COM and PSYCHCENTRAL.COM

December 2015

theopinionsection@gmail.com

OPINION

January 1st: A Day to Live Fully

By JULIA LIN and TIFFANY LIU Fundraising Chair and Opinion Editor

School is overwhelming. Water is wet. What’s new? Nothing much. For the average student, life means waking up on a weekday morning, eyes bleary and dreading the upcoming seven hours. Trudging through five days of toil is just a routine to us.

We spend four precious years of our teenage lives at high school. Counting previous academic history, we have spent at least ten years at school, an unrelenting pattern of grueling work and constant yearning for breaks.

Relief washes over us once we soak in the mostly responsibilityfree rest, indulging in all kinds of leisure.

Work hard, play hard is a straightforward motto, yet many of us don’t understand exactly what we are working toward. Our aimless sights leave us disoriented. A life without direction and passion is not worth the while.

Just being alive is (generally) easy, but living, truly enjoying life to the fullest, is a feat that is certainly hard to achieve. A fulfilled life isn’t necessarily one filled with extravagant travels and unorthodox activities. Living life without regrets doesn’t mean being ungrateful in self-destructive actions under the guise of “YOLO”; rather, it is considering all options with consequences in mind. Our visions of what living fully looks like

By SUNNY WU

deal with. And yet, these routine lives allow us to create deep and meaningful relationships. In living fully, small aspects of our lives become important. Putting time aside to meet up with friends, spending time with family, taking a walk outside for ourselves; In living fully we make small, seemingly unimportant aspects of our lives special.

Obviously, this philosophy is easier said than done. I’ve come to find that regret comes in the form of wasted opportuni-

ties and periods of stagnant lines. Each day comes with bags full of previous regrets and new bags to be filled. I deal with this daily—from studying at the last minute to giving up new opportunities, my bags fill day after day. I am nowhere near perfect, and don’t expect to be.

That being said, as the holidays creep up on us, as the New Year approaches, we are given an opportunity to begin anew.

Past grievances and regrets vanish into thin air and on Jan. 1 we are reborn. But there is a reason why New Year’s resolutions never truly work. It is the same reason why we can’t stop procrastinating. Why tomorrow’s change never comes true. It is too hard to start, too hard to stop, and too much work to begin anything else.

It is a cycle of slow, self-eroding torture that we willingly and knowingly submit ourselves to.

But one of the best things about the new year is its gift of impetus. Jan. 1 is the day. The day we begin to get more exercise. The day we stop procrastinating. The day we begin to truly live fully. Seize Jan. 1, build habits, and use that momentum throughout the year. If we cannot start today, at the very least, we can start on Jan. 1. jlin@apachepowwow.com tliu@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of ALKEEMI.BLOGSPOT.COM, MITADMISSIONS.ORG, and S-MEDIA-CACHE-AK0.PINIMG.COM

The Card: A Christmas Story Staff Writer

boy.

are idealistic. Most of us will be confined to routine lives. Lives that begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 p.m.

And that isn’t all that bad.

We have the security to fall back on something. We can expect change and have the flexibility in our schedules to adapt.

But stability should not equate to a stagnant life. Sure we’ll go to school or work, and come home with little energy to do anything else. It’s something the average person will have to

5

“Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” squeaked the newspaper

I peer over the shoulder of a man with his copy of the paper. One headline read: ”Here’s Your Chance to be Santa’s New Manager”. My eyes sparkle with joy, my heart quickens its pace, and I lean over to read more— “Hey!” roars the man with his paper. “Getcha own newspaper, will ya?” he barks as he gives me a shove across the shoulder and moves out of sight.

“Geez, I’m sorry,” I mumble as my feet twist and hop in the snow to regain their balance. My frostbitten fingers travel their way down to my pocket for 50 cents. I dig the coin out and let it rest in my palm for a second. It’s a pretty little thing. Silver and all. Then I hand it out in exchange for the paper. Inside, the words read loud and clear. “…and if your gift to me happens to be the best out of all the other gifts I receive, then you shall become Claus’ Toy Making Factory’s manager! I will choose the winner in three days. Good luck everyone!

Yours truly, Santa Claus” Filled with despair, I crumble my 50 cents worth of paper into my now penniless pocket. I don’t have money to buy Santa

the winning gift. I can’t afford to even compete to be manager.

With feet as heavy as cement, I trudge home. Along the way, I hear kids chirp and chatter excitedly about their gift ideas.

“Imma get that ole’ Saint Nick a brand new red velvet

suit!”

“Ha— I got a better one! How about a new set of purebred reindeers?”

“My daddy owns a gold mine; I’ll get Santa a 14k gold sled! I can’t wait to be manager!”

With their yapping little voices ringing loud in my ears, I

start running. Thrusting myself in the house, I race up the creaky stairs, fling myself onto my bed, and cry. Just then, I hear shuffling footsteps and my grandpa nudges open my bedroom door.

He has a mug of hot cocoa (rare in our family).

“Why the tears, darling?” he questions.

“Nothing important,” I sit up and reach for the mug for a sip. “Mmm, this tastes really good. What are the ingredients?” I ask.

“Love,” he replies.

Suddenly, I know. I know what could be a wonderful gift to Santa, a gift that can compete against a 14k gold sled!

On the day of the gift choosing, Santa oohs and ahhs at the glorious, Mt. Everest height, gift piles. But he keeps smiling and shaking his head at the big, shiny, expensive gifts. After what seems like an eternity later, he gently picks up my gift–a handmade card–and grins from ear to ear. “I think we have a winner,” he announces. “The competition was to see who understood the purpose of gift giving, which is to show our appreciation and love. Gifts are about people, not machines. It is about the time and effort that goes into each piece of work; it is about the skill and the thoughtfulness of the maker, and the magic of an individual’s imagination.

Thus, I declare this card, with stray glue-stick markings, frayed ribbons, and heartfelt words, the best gift. swu@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of DEAVITA.COM

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January 2016

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FEATURES

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December 2015

By NOELLE NATIVIDAD Staff Writer

By CHRISTINE LAW Staff Writer

Chocolate. Peppermint. Candy canes. These foods all correlate with winter and remind many of the holidays. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or any other holiday, these treats can be enjoyed at any time.

Candy Cane Cookies: To make regular sugar cookies more festive, shape them into candy canes. This recipe by Food Network takes less than an hour to make and is very simple. Ingredients needed are 1 box of sugar cookie mix, ½ stick butter (melted), 1 egg, ⅓ cup softened cream cheese, ½ cup all-purpose flour, red food coloring, and 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract. First, preheat the oven to 325°F. Next, mix the cookie mix, melted butter, egg, cream cheese, and flour together into a ball of dough. Then, equally separate the ball of dough into two different bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl and knead the dough. Add peppermint extract to the other bowl and knead. Shape the dough into ¼ inch-wide and 6 inch-long ropes.

To shape cookies, twist the red and white ropes of dough together. Spread them out onto cookie sheets and bake for ten to twelve minutes. This holiday treat is likely to be sweet and satisfying for everyone.

Peppermint Buttercrunch: Peppermint buttercrunch is made of chocolate covered toffee sprinkled with peppermint pieces.

The ingredients needed are 1 stick and 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons water, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon natural peppermint extract, ½ ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped, and 1 cup crushed peppermint candies. First, add butter, sugar, water, and salt into a saucepan and melt under moderate heat for ten minutes. Add in the extracts and pour mixture onto parchment-lined baking sheet to cool. Then, melt the chocolate and pour half of it over the completely cooled buttercrunch. Add half of the peppermint candies over the top. Flip the baking sheet over and pour the rest of the chocolate and peppermint onto the buttercrunch. Once it completely hardens, break the candy into pieces to serve.

Caramel Swirl Hot Chocolate: Everyone knows hot chocolate is a delectable winter drink, but to improve it, why not try caramel swirl hot chocolate? The ingredients needed are 5 cups of water, 5 3-ounce bars milk chocolate (chopped), 1¼ cup chilled whipping cream, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, and 3 tablespoons caramel sauce. To begin, bring water and chocolate to a simmer and mix of ¼ cup whipping cream. Next, in a bowl, mix 1 cup cream and sugar to form peaks. Drizzle caramel sauce over and stir gently. Then, add hot chocolate to cups, top with caramel whipped cream and serve.

These winter snacks can put anyone in a happy mood. Each one of them is delightful and easy to make. If you aren’t good at cooking or baking, these simple recipes can still turn out wonderfully. Try to make them this season, and you’ll be surprised by how delicious they taste. claw@apachepowwow.com

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This year, the Christmas season is set to gross over $800 billion in the U.S. alone, making it the highest earning holiday.

“The holidays are also the biggest season in nonprofit fundraising. Almost half of all charities receive 30% to 60% of their annual contributions between October and December, according to last year’s Association of Fundraising Professionals Holiday Giving Survey,” stated Forbes Magazine.

Not only is it the best chance to get the best deals on gifts for friends and family, but it’s also the best time to give back to the community by donating to charities! In case you aren’t sure about what cause you want to support this Christmas, here are a few local charity options.

Look out for red tin cans and bell ringers to donate to the Salvation Army. A long standing tradition, the red kettles originated in 1891 and quickly turned into a national movement to feed the poverty stricken during Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you want to donate but can’t seem to find a red kettle locally, donations are also accepted online or by phone to aid the same cause, the Salvation Army of Southern California. Besides the red kettles, the Salvation Army collects donations all year round. For more information, a link can be found on the CBS Los Angeles (L.A.) website or the website of the Salvation Army.

Food banks and food drives are also a great way to give back. The L.A. Regional Food Bank encourages everyone to donate or to hold food drives on his or her own. Like the Senior Men & Women’s canned food drive, the L.A. Regional Food Bank fights to end hunger throughout the year and especially during the holidays. Their website has additional information about how to get involved or how to set up a food drive of your own. Gathering donations is a common and effective approach to helping a cause. Organizations like Toys For Tots bring together communities, including friends and family, to help out.

Volunteering options also exist for those who would like to take a more hands-on approach to helping out. Organizations like the L.A. Mission, L.A. Works, and local soup kitchens or hospitals offer volunteer opportunities.

For more options, google “local opportunities to aid an organization”. Find the one that’s right for you and help out this holiday season. In the true spirit of Christmas, give a thoughtful gift to those in need!

nnatividad@apachepowwow.com

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By TRINITY CHHAY

THEN AND NOW Staff Writer

With Christmas right around the corner, everybody is getting into the Christmas spirit! Along with Christmas trees and decorative lights come the laughter-filled Christmas movies! Christmas movies have come a long way, from the classics of black-and-white to the color-filled IMAX movies. However, the plots of Christmas movies have also changed drastically.

Love Actually and It’s a Wonderful Life are two Christmas movies that, if compared, prove the decline of valuable lessons in Christmas movies. It’s a Wonderful Life was a classic released in 1946, while a more recent movie, Love Actually, was released in 2003. In contrast to Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life teaches the viewers valuable lessons like having a purpose in life. In the movie, angel Clarence says to George Bailey “Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” The point would be that nobody knows how much he or she affects the people in his or her life if he or she were to leave. While It’s a Wonderful Life teaches that enduring lesson, Love Actually circles around the basis of finding love—and not the good kind. The Atlantic’s Christopher Orr stated that one of the harmful lessons the movie teaches is “that love is overwhelmingly a product of physical attraction and requires virtually no verbal communication or intellectual/emotional affinity of any kind.”

Many classic Christmas movies have recently released remakes, and not for the better. How the Grinch Stole Christmas was a classic animation of Dr. Seuss movies made in 1966. The wonderful story circles around the lesson that there is more to Christmas than just gifts, and instead is about being with the ones you love. During one part of the animation the narrator said, “And then he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more!”

However in the 2000 remake of How the Grinch Stole Christmas featuring Jim Carrey, they turn the short animation into a long story that confuses the overall message and the simplicity of the story. With crazy yelling and stunts, it confuses the message that there is more to Christmas than gifts.

Everybody adores the “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” song and story. The classic appeared on television in 1964 with adorable characters and songs. The cute stop-motion animation teaches viewers that it is okay to be different and to be unique. However, the sequel released in 1979, Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas, doesn’t send the same message. The sequel focuses on accusations placed on Rudolph and Frosty, while featuring a song called “No Bed of Roses” where Rudolph thinks there is no meaning to life without his nose glowing. That sends an awful message to viewers—if a person isn’t unique, there is no meaning to life.

Although many people love the more recent Christmas movies, many forget the classics that showed kids the true meaning of Christmas; Christmas isn’t just about the toys but about sharing a holiday with family and friends. tchhay@apachepowwow.com

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PERFORMING ARTS 9 BAND HEADS TO HAWAII DECK THE HALLS

December 2015

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By NADINE TEMPLETON

Staff Writer

On Dec. 5, Marching Band, Percussion, and Colorguard members packed their bags and headed to the beautiful state of Hawaii!

Representing the state of California, they had received the prestigious privilege to perform in the annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on Dec. 7, which marked the 74th anniversary of the invasion of Pearl Harbor.

In the weeks before the parade, Band, Percussion, and Colorguard members were hard at work. Rather than only a select group of members to perform, everyone in band performed. Before school and during first period, marching band and Colorguard members practiced their parade march. In addition to the march they had been performing all year, the band performed a few new pieces for the parade. Band and Colorguard also had rehearsals at lunch and for 4 hours after school.

This trip was very special because both A and O-Line percussion members were invited to perform in this parade. Normally, only World line performs with the marching band. A/O-line pit members marched while playing cymbals and A/O-line battery members marched with their assigned drums. They were also required to attend the after school/lunch rehearsals with band.

Prior to the trip, A-Line Battery member freshman Kaamilah Sha said, “I’m super hyped for Hawaii because I haven’t been there for 13 years. I’ve heard also it’s great weather! ” She said that she had “complete trust that band will have an amazing performance.

Since band is amazing and all, the performance is sure to run smoothly.” Trumpet player freshman Bailey Shen said, “It’s exciting because we represent the state of California...and I think that band will do great, as usual.”

Band, Colorguard, and percussion members had to wake up very early on the day they departed to Hawaii. As a band, they traveled to Hawaii at times ranging from about 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. On the second day of the trip, Dec. 6, band performed on the USS Missouri (a US Navy battleship). Freshman Caroline Mahdavi, said, “It was pretty cool to perform on a battleship because it was so giantic, and ESPN was doing a broadcast from there. Initially we weren’t supposed to perform on the battleship but thanks to ESPN, we were allowed to go on it.” After the performance, students and instructors toured the USS Missouri. They also had the opportunity to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, where they watched a documentary and the Pearl Harbor Memorial to pay their respects. All in all, band members got to expand their knowledge by learning about the incident at Pearl Harbor and World War II. The parade took place in Honolulu and paid tribute to veterans and armed forces while featuring talented groups from all across the U.S. Over 50 groups performed. “Remembering the past and celebrating our future” was the theme for this year’s parade. It was dubbed by the Mayor of Honolulu as the “Official Public Event Marking the Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor”. Band stood at the opening ceremony for two hours. “My legs were like jello”, said Caroline, “We couldn’t sit and we only moved to bend our knees so we didn’t pass out.” After the opening ceremony, band warmed up on the street for the actual parade. They marched for two hours.

Towards the latter part of the parade “everyone was about to pass out and barely anyone was playing”, according to Caroline, “we were all super tired and everyone’s legs and arms felt terrible, but it was worth it.”

ntempleton@apachepowwow.com Photo courtesy of RONALD LEE

By EILEEN LEE

HOLIDAY CONCERT Staff Writer

Senior Gina Groesbeck plays the cello in Orchestra 3. Gina described the annual Holiday Concert as her “favorite” out of all the performances during the year, because it brings the most joy and holiday spirit that makes it enjoyable even for the performers. “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” Gina added, “That’s why this event has a lot of meaning to me. I feel special watching the audience be charmed by the music, and everyone just gets more emotional because it’s at the end of the year; it’s a difficult feeling to get from the other concerts.” Because she loves the show so much, she practices more and looks the music over outside of class time. “We usually practice a lot and try to perfect everything before the show. As a senior, I’m very used to the routine, so I help the underclassmen get their sounds right and become more skilled in harmonizing. Since I’m pumped for Christmas and this Holiday Concert, I come home and practice on details, really trying to get my performance perfect. I don’t want to let down my friends and family who will watch me!”

Senior Leona Chow plays the viola in Orchestra 3, and agreed with Gina that the Holiday Concert is the most memorable and meaningful concert of the year. “Unlike other concerts, I really try to get all my friends and family to come to this concert. It means a lot to me that I have their support; it is more special to me to think that it is the last holiday concert that I will ever attend.” When asked about her practice routines, Leona explained that as a senior, she has the general hang of it by now. “I have played most of the songs before, so I feel very confident. However, I don’t get lazy in practicing and still try to hit every note right. It’s a lot of effort but I always feel good when the show ends in success. I hope the audiences enjoy the show!”

Junior Oscar Lau is in Chanteurs and thinks the Holiday Concerts means a lot to him. “I think this year’s holiday concert will be meaningful because it allows us to sing for the people who enjoy Christmas music. It is also a way to form a better connection with one another. In Chanteurs, a special bond is created when we are performing that cannot be created any other time. Overall I think it’ll be a very special and fun experience!” elee@apachepowwow.com

WITH THE

By JOCELYN HU

Staff Writer

Ready for some Christmas spirit? The Los Angeles Philharmonic will be presenting its holiday concert series at the beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angles! These events will be perfect for those looking for a concert with holiday cheer. From instrumental concerts to choral, jazz, and more, these performances are one reason why so many people celebrate their holidays with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

The first concert, “A Chanticleer Christmas”, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 8:00 p.m. It will feature the 12 male singers of the Chanticleers, and a variety of repertoires will be sung, from music during the Medieval times to recent pop music.

Other performances to look forward to include the “Holiday Organ Spectacular”, featuring the grand organ at Disney Hall, and a Christmas Sing-along with the Angeles Chorale. “The Holiday Organ Spectacular” is the second event of this series, and the sing-along will be the third. This sing-along will include pop songs of this season, accompanied by the organ, along with a choir and a jazz group.

Following the sing-along, “A Swingin’ Christmas” by the Count Basie Orchestra will be held. Jazz music will be played by this spectacular Kansas City band, conducted by Scotty Barnhart.

After that, family and friends will be invited to join in the “White Christmas Sing-along”.

During this event, there will be a screening of the 1954 film along with lyrics on the screen.

Songs such as the iconic “White Christmas” will be played.

Next, a performance by the two-time Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir of South Africa will enliven the audience with their music. Their program will be a mix of African gospel, spirituals, reggae, and American pop music.

The last of these concerts will be New Year’s Eve with Gladys Knight, or the “Empress of Soul”, held on Dec. 31 at 7:00 and 10:30 p.m. This seven-time Grammy-winner is also a singer, actress, humanitarian, spokesperson, and more. She has recorded four solo albums and 38 albums, and triumphed in her other performances as well. At this program, the Empress of Soul will be singing #1 hits in a variety of genres, including songs such as “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “If I Were Your Woman”.

If you’re interested in any of these exquisite programs, hurry and order tickets before seats at the Walt Disney Hall run out! jhu@apachepowwow.com

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10 REFLECTING

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THE SPIRIT OF WINTER

11

Staff Writer

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December 2015

December 2015

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STUDENT LIFE 13

By ANDREA LIU Staff Writer

Winter break for most AHS students is, and always has been, a blessing with restrictions. But giving gifts during the holiday season for us high school students is never an easy task. No seriously, stop laughing; with finals breathing down our backs and all our money trickling into completely useless things that we hope would comfort our broken souls once more, who has time for holiday shopping?

Even though you may be a shriveled old teabag with a Grinch for a heart, it doesn’t mean that your dear friends and family has to go through the same torturous misery. For all of our sakes, try and spread the holiday cheer—with a few DIY presents.

1. Hot chocolate in a jar It’s simple, cheap, and perfectly miscellaneous for mass gifting. You can always go the traditional way with powdered milk, chocolate pudding mix, chocolate drink powder, creamer, confectioner’s sugar, and cocoa; but why not give yourself some slack? Simply tear and dump 20 packets of instant hot chocolate into a glass mason jar and crush a few candy canes (or buy a packet of mini marshmallows) to sprinkle in between layers, and you’re done.

2. Mason jar snow globe Classics will never fail you when it comes to the holidays. Fill a sealable jar with distilled water until it’s centimeters from overflowing, and add a dash of liquid glycerin so that the glitter you put in will drift around slower (the more you add, the slower they’ll fall). Sprinkle some glitter into the mixture and stir until most of them aren’t sticking to one side of the jar. Grab one or two figurines from the dollar store or your garage and glue them to the underside of the cap, making sure that they’re small enough to fit neatly into the jar. Screw the cap on, and voila!

3. Chalkboard mugs Where there is porcelain chalkboard paint, there will always exist an equally innovative DIY gifting opportunity. Grab a clean, dry porcelain mug and some black chalkboard paint from your local crafts store, smear on your desired designs with a soft bristled brush, and let the paint dry for 24 hours (most chalkboard porcelain paints, however, are not fit for surfaces that will come in contact with food—gifters beware). Once you’re sure the mug is set and ready to go, pop it in the oven and bake it for 35 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Just make sure you don’t poison the entire community of Arcadia with chalkboard paint that isn’t meant to be baked.

4. Teacup candles Put a tin can in a pot of boiling water and add bits of wax from old candles until the can is half full. Obtain a wick and cut it to be slightly longer than your teacup, and tape one end to the bottom of the cup while wrapping the other end around a pen or a pencil (to keep out of harm’s way). When the wax in your tin can has completely melted, pour the mixture into the teacup and let cool for two or three hours. Cut the wicks and give them to all the responsible people whom you can trust to not burn a house down—they deserve it.

Student Feature: Yeab Guracha

By TITUS WU Staff Writer

Most know him for his speed and for being one of the top athletes on the Arcadia and San Gabriel Valley track team. Others see him as simply cool and calm. However, beneath all that, there is a side of senior Yeab Guracha that few know of—he makes music.

Yeab describes his style as eclectic—or in other words, he derives his inspiration from a combination of multiple sources.

From his birthplace of Ethiopia to present-day Arcadia, all have played a fundamental aspect in how he views the world and creates his music. He is the type of guy who mish and mashes different sounds and pieces from different influences to create his own unique record or song.

The first band he heard that started this chain was Linkin Park. “There was this song,” said Yeab, “in which they played the usual rock, and then they switched to rapping. I was intrigued at the novelty of an emcee in a rock band.” But the way Linkin Park

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“took seemingly opposite genres and blended the two together, I just found really beautiful.”

This newfound awe led him to take random instrumentals from YouTube and experiment with putting different pieces together. “I would say, hey, look, this guy’s vocals sounds so much better over this guy’s beats,” said Yeab, and he would mix and

By ELLIE LEE match. He later discovered sampling, very predominant in the Staff Writer music he makes today. Soon enough, there were days in which Everyone has a general idea of what horoscopes are. However, there are many people who aren’t sure why the day they were born may all he did was “plug [his] earphones in and just take [the music] affect their personalities and their fortunes. According to horoscopes, it is due to the relative positions of the stars and planets during the time of all in.”

Throughout this whole time, Yeab went through multiple that person’s birth which determines the person’s fortune and personality. For those who are born in the month of December, their horoscope will lie under Sagittarius or Capricorn. What’s this month’s fortune for those with a Sagittarius or Capricorn horoscope and their personality traits? genres and transitions. Initially he would focus on the lyrics; If you were born from Nov. 22 to Dec. 21, you are a Sagittarius. Sagittarius’ lucky day of the week is Thursday and their lucky numbers later, he moved onto beats. At first he was into old-school rap; are 3, 12, 21, and 30. Sagittarius’ strengths are generosity, idealism, humor, and optimism. However, their weaknesses may include over-com- later, he would take interest in EDM. All of which he experimitment, impatience, and superficiality. They tend to like freedom, traveling, philosophy, being outdoors; but they dislike clingy people, being mented with and incorporated into his art. After years of dopushed around, and holding responsibility. Sagittarius are known to be outgoing and are always surrounded by peers. When it comes to family, ing this, he now has a SoundCloud account with a fanbase and multiple tracks. a Sagittarius is dedicated and willing to do almost anything for his or her loved ones.

However, he faces a struggle many Apache artists face— The Sagittarius December horoscope predicts that independence and self-will will lead to triumph. Follow your own path and you will be able to accomplish your goals with more ease. Don’t worry about social grace and flexibility, since they as important in regards to your suc- finding the right balance between art and school. “I just wish cess. Family and emotional issues will be superior to career and external personality. Personality changes are in progress and there is a sense of I could dedicate more to making music,” he said, noting how time-consuming track and field and his classes have been. optimism for life. Traveling for fun and enjoyment may be in your future.

But he doesn’t regret it. Before Arcadia, Yeab lived in PasaIf you were born from Dec. 22 to Jan. 19, you are a Capricorn. Capricorns tend to love weekends more than the other horoscopes, since their lucky day of the week is Saturday. Capricorn’s lucky numbers are 1,4, 8, 10,13,17,19, 22, and 26. A Capricorn’s strengths are being re- dena and Glendale, where he “was always top of the class.” As sponsible, well-disciplined, patient, ambitious, resourceful, loyal and having self-control. However, your weaknesses are being perceived as a a result, he thought rather highly of himself, thinking he was the “know-it-all” attitude and tending to be unforgiving, condescending, and pessimistic. You tend to enjoy family traditions, and music but dislike best. “But I came to Arcadia and everybody was really just apalmost everything at some point. Capricorns can be great friends since they are very intelligent and humorous. They want their friends to be hon- plying themselves,” said Yeab. For him, it was a rather humbling est and loyal people, just like themselves. Capricorns respect family traditions and loves spending holidays with friends and family. Capricorns experience, and he appreciates that aspect.

“The competition is scary,” noted Yeab. He also compared don’t have a large circle of friends, which means that they must have honest and consistent friends.

The Capricorn December horoscope foretells that home and spiritual well-being will be more important than career and money. To be Arcadia academics to track—“I can be running all day long, but successful this month, you must be spiritually healthy. Will-power and determination will be very important this month. Use your past life if I don’t get rest, I won’t get any better,” said Yeab, referring to the high stress that is prevalent. But in the end, he recognizes the experiences to decide on your life’s objectives. Only then will you succeed with your goals.

If you are a Capricorn or a Sagittarius, can you relate to any of these facts? Don’t rely on this too much, since horoscopes are mostly used opportunities AHS offers and “takes pride in the fact that [he] for amusement. Hopefully, you are more informed about Capricorns and Sagittariuses. Continue building on your strengths and work on your go[es] to a top-notch school.”

So for now, he will put academics ahead of music. But he weaknesses. May this month work in your favor. will come back. twu@apachepowwow.com elee@apachepowwow.com

HOROSCOPES

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Photo by TITUS WU

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ACADEMICS

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December 2015

Snuggle in With These Books

By NOELLE NATIVIDAD

Staff Writer

According to scientific studies, there are two things that you can do to inspire creativity: reading and travelling.

Over winter break, Apaches will be doing plenty of both. With two weeks worth of time away from classrooms and the campus, AHS students will be taking a break from the hard work and stress of high school life to spend quality time with family and friends.

Whether you’re taking a seven hour flight, enjoying a road trip, or sitting on your couch, a book is the best way to pass time.

Here are a few suggestions for you to enjoy: A newly released fantasy book to accompany the rest of The Lunar Chronicles: Winter by

Marissa Meyer is one of the most anticipated young adult fantasy releases of the year. As the fourth book in the series, this book follows Princess Winter, revealing her own side of the story. The previous installments followed three other stories, a futuristic retelling of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel, that remain dependent on each other.

The series follow the plot of clas-

sic fairy tales. Winter is based off of the classic, Snow White. Meyer retains the original plot, but adds her own personal twist to create her New York Times Best Selling Series, The Lunar Chronicles.

A classic novel to read over the holidays, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is the story of four sisters, the March sisters. The story is set during the period of

the American Civil War, but follows the lives of Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth in England.

The initial setting is during the Christmas season, giving it a warm holiday feel. The novel follows each sister’s story, as well as informs the reader of historical events

and

their significance.

For those who enjoy action and adventure, try The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey.

With its film adaptation coming in 2016, this fast paced novel would be one to read before it hits the theaters. This novel centers around a post-apocalyptic Earth with teenagers who are pushed by their need to survive and their own motivations. Cassiopeia, or “Cassie”, and Ben share the majority of the novel, narrating the chain of events starting at the first “alien” inva-

sion of the planet, the first wave. From there, the book takes off, setting up a captivating novel told through the eyes of different people in a dystopian world.

Other books turned movie adaptations set for release in 2016 include Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Allegiant, J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, Looking for Alaska, The Darkest Minds, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.

Build creativity this holiday season by reading a good book! nnatividad@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of PENGUIN.COM, THEBOOKSMUGGLERS.COM, and USATODAY.COM

How Happiness Affects Studying

By ANDREW LIM Staff Writer

he season of joy and holiday cheer is present. During the holiday season, strong emotions like happiness play a major role in many students’ lives, especially the upperclassmen.

Long hours of studying and trying to achieve that coveted 4.0 GPA are all done to attain a student’s version of happiness.

The psychology of their motives for achieving academic success to be “happy” is bound to affect a student’s behavior in the long run.

The drive for academic success and the feeling of dread when doing so is incredibly harmful to the individual. Being unhappy while studying for those five tests will almost reduce the effectiveness of actually “studying.”

Unsurprisingly, studies have given monumental evidence that show the emotional state of an individual greatly affects his or her performance in any task. But the detrimental effects are far more severe than usually predicted. The persistence of being unhappy will undermine academic performance and, surprisingly, no matter how “determined” the individual is, he or she will eventually lose the motive to achieve success. Teen depression rates are at an all time high due to the environment established around them: Peer pressure to do well, the constant message of failing academics will led to failure in life, the reassurance of being successful will lead to happiness.

The secrets behind happiness may seem farfetched and unreachable; however, there are easy and distinct categories to fill the need to “feel happy.” Learning to ease stress and tension in an individual is viewed as seemingly impossible in this day and age. However, just simply ignoring the stresses and tensions of their situation can significantly boost academic motives. The human mind thrives and works at its peak when there are less and less tasks to accomplish. Any worries only inhibit this process, and, overall, can create a sense of relaxation which in turn will lead to “happiness.” The sense and feeling of relief is this process at work. Psychologists have discovered the link between the two ideas of reduction of tension and stress and the increase performance of a task. In layman’s terms, just calm down. Simply tricking the mind into thinking it is relaxed isn’t going to cut it though.

“Happiness” can also be achieved through means of emotional stability and trust. Having a million ideas and worries and plans and thoughts is not emotionally stable. Generally, student motivation to achieve this “happiness” stems from the already high expectations they have to meet in high school. Mostly these motivations range from actually having to achieve academic success to simply getting through high school. Though motivation and success can be linked to happiness, the evidence and the studies are currently non-conclusive.

All in all, the psychology of happiness is far more complicated than we might think it should be. alim@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG and MERAKAHANE.COM Photo courtesy of PENSIONRISKMATTERS.COM

December 2015

academics.powwow@gmail.com

ACADEMICS

Kicking into Gear

By KIMBERLY LO

Staff Writer

On Nov. 21, the Engineering Design and Development class, also known as the AHS Robotics Team, competed at the JPL Invention Challenge regional competition.

The team was divided into three groups. The three groups were named Teams A, B, and C. Each group worked together to accomplish the challenge through their different designs.

The JPL Invention Challenge is a contest with a different theme every year. This year’s theme is the “Ball Fling Contest.” The objective was to make a device that could launch three playground balls into three targets under one minute. The targets are in the shape of the number 18, and the 3 points to aim at are a flame-shaped target at the top of the number 1, the top hoop of the number 8, and the bottom hoop of the number 8.

Team entries were assigned to one of two different locations,

Augusta Hawkins High School in Los Angeles or Chapman University in Orange. The AHS team went to Chapman University to compete, and junior William Wang shared that “Going to Chapman University was fantastic. I was in a beautiful campus, surrounded by great people, with a spectacular competitive atmosphere, and the drive to succeed.” The top five teams from each location were automatically invited to the JPL contest, while the following ten teams from either location with the best scores also advanced to the JPL contest. It was a difficult contest, as CoCaptain

Nonetheless, Aaron shared that his favorite part “was right after we got off the bus when we were able to just work on our devices as fast as we could.”

Unfortunately, Teams A and B did not make it to the next round, but Team C pushed through to place 1st in the Chapman University competition. William reflected, “My favorite part was seeing Team C dominate the competition, scoring the highest at the Chapman Regionals.”

It turned out that there had been THE SPIRIT OF INNOVATION The a scoring issue Apaches competed at the JPL Invention where the team mistakenly Challenge regional competition on Nov. 21. The was challenge: create a device that could launch announced to be three playground balls at three targets in under 4th instead of 1st a minute. place, but in the senior Aaron To- end, it was corrected and Team C took the 1st gelang added that the place title. Great job, Robotics Team! team faced difficulties klo@apachepowwow.com which .....included the Photo by KIMBERLY LO “lack of time, cut fingers, and Graphic courtesy of WRITEONMJK.COM simply the difficulty of the challenge.”

Next Stop: Destination Imagination

By JOCELYN HU Staff Writer

Destination Imagination (DI) is an AHS academic team as well as a worldwide organization that encourages students to think creatively and find different ways to solve problems. DI inspires members to use curiosity to explore, and learn about a variety of different things such as: science, engineering, teamwork, and communication.

This program’s vision is to “be the global leader in teaching the creative process from imagination to innovation.” Their mission is to provide opportunities that allow students to use their creativity and skills.

In this program, a team of up to seven members will work on one of six different open-ended challenges. The challenges this year are pace of change (Technical), in plain sight (Scientific), musical mashup (Structural), get a clue (Fine Arts), close encounters (Improvisational), the meme event (Service Learning/ Project Outreach), change in direction (Early Learning/Rising Stars), and instant challenge.

Project Outreach and Rising Stars are trademarks of other companies similar to DI. For tryouts, members had to sign up as a team of five to seven people. Tryouts are run by

the officers. It was basically a group interview.

First, each group entered the interview room and introduced themselves as a team. Then, the officers conversed with the group and asked

questions that were related to the application packet.

After the interview, a challenge was given to the group. The group was then given props to use and three minutes to prepare their skit and five minutes to act. The skit had to be related to someone getting injured and being rescued.

After the skit, the tryouts were concluded and results were posted a few days later.

During the school year, this team will participate in one main regional competition that

leads to other competitions if they placed high enough. That competition is in the spring. The top three teams that placed in Regionals will move on to State. Afterwards, the top three of State continue competing for Globals.

DI isn’t as time consuming as the other AHS academic teams, but it certainly uses a lot of brainpower. Students join DI to make use of their knowledge and think at a deeper level. Freshman Albert Yeung said, “I joined to put my practical knowledge of the scientific world, common sense, and well manicured judgement into action.”

Freshman DI member Ailin Atasoy also joined for a similar reason. “I joined because I am enthusiastic about science, math, and being able to express my creative side, so I found some friends that were also interested in it and we made a team.”

If you’re looking for an academic team that works as a group and isn’t too time consuming, DI is the perfect team for you! To prepare for tryouts next year, all you have to do is use your brain power. jhu@apachepowwow.com Graphic courtesy of WALLPAPERHDPC.COM

15

Math Universities

By FAISAL UMERANI

Staff Writer

There are many universities with great math programs, like those of Stanford, Princeton, and the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). Math plays an integral part in many different careers, and is a great major for those who love problem-solving and exploring new ideas.

Stanford University ranks first place in mathematics with a subject score of 100.00.

Research funds for Stanford are over $1 billion.

Stanford Mathematics has 40 courses including Calculus ACE, Honors Multivariable Mathematics, Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory, Stochastic Processes, and Applied Mathematics Through Toys and Magic. Stanford Mathematics offers programs that lead to degrees in Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics. M.S. and Ph.D. programs are offered through the Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering. Ph.D programs are only offered to a select few who have shown substantial skills.

Students who would like to get in the Stanford Mathematics program usually take one or more college-level (AP) class.

UC Berkeley comes right after Stanford for the best mathematics university. With a subject score of 98.3, UC Berkeley has research areas in Algebra, Mathematical Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Geometry/Topology, Mathematical Logic, and Probability. UC Berkeley ranks 5th globally for research, and it ranks 23rd for the number of PhDs awarded. UC Berkeley has exactly 100 math courses in a semester including Calculus, Precalculus, Honors Linear Algebra and Differential Equations, Fourier Analysis, Wavelets, Signal Processing, Mathematics of the Secondary School Curriculum I, Mathematics of the Secondary School Curriculum III, History of Mathematics, and Teaching Workshop.

Princeton University, too, has a great math department. It has a subject score of 98.00 and is 3rd in Physics. Princeton has 65 courses in its undergraduate program and has 35 mathematics courses in its graduate program. Courses include MATxxx Geometric Measure Theory: Regularity theory for area-minimizing currents, MAT579 Topics in Discrete Mathematics: Coloring and induced subgraphs, MAT566 Topics in Differential Topology: Topical Invariants for Knots and Three-Dimensional Manifolds, and MAT528 Topics in Nonlinear Analysis: The rigidity, stability, and formation of black holes.

Princeton hosts weekly math events and anyone can compete or join. The lectures are very advanced and there are 64 faculty members.

There are only 62 graduate students, which is very competitive!

If mathematics is the right path for you, these three universities are good schools to send your applications to. They all hold a variety of topics that relate to math, and are even ranked high globally. Mathematics can lead to great careers, and there are many more great universities suited for mathematics. fumerani@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of 123FREEVECTORS.COM

16 Ready to Bounce Back

By TIMOTHY YEN Staff Writer

All things are difficult before they become easy. The Boys Varsity Basketball team had just started out the season by playing in the Gary Prestesater Classic Tournament. Although the team entered this tournament on Dec. 1 with high hopes, its results were slightly disappointing. The team was still trying to find its groove before the start of the season.

This year, the Boys Varsity Basketball team is made up of 13 amazing players, each with their own aspirations. Small forward and shooting guard sophomore Jay Yoon is optimistic about the season because he feels that the team has “great chemistry and potential, so the only thing [it] has to do is play together and fight for each other.”

This year will be different from previous years for the team, with a new coaching staff and a fresh set of game plans. This is a definite advantage because other teams are not familiar with this unprecedented playing style. With

Coach Carter, Coach Mackey, and the new head coach, Coach Bell, leading the way, we can be sure that this will be an exciting season.

So what happened in the first game against Bell Gardens High

DEDICATION AND FIGHT

Sophomore David Chen goes for the layup with the Apache Fight Song in the background.

School? The team was rusty during warm-ups, which was to be expected as this was its first game with new players and coaches to adjust to.

Athlete Origins

By JUSTIN CUN

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Despite the slow start, no one gave up on the game. The team came out of halftime looking entirely different, scoring more points in the third quarter than it did in the first two quarters combined. Players dribbled and shot their way to a 10-point lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Apaches had 42 points, and the Bell Garden Lancers trailed by 8 points.

However, things took a downward turn in the fourth quarter. The players acknowledged that they have to improve on team play and communication during crunch time, as basketball is a team sport.

Although the game was not the best result, none of the players were pessimistic about the start of the season. They all decided that this was a learning experience and things only get better with positivity and hard work. After all, luck results when preparation meets opportunity.

Overall, Boys Varsity Basketball looks to capitalize on its potential for the remainder of the season. tyen@apachepowwow.com Photo by RYAN FANN

By KIMBERLY LO Staff Writer

Now that winter sports are in season, our Apache athletes in soccer, basketball, and water polo are working extremely hard to perform well.

At the end of the day, however, they all need some rest. Here’s how some athletes recover after their games and workouts.

“I make sure to drink plenty of water. If I’m sore or injured I make sure to stretch well and treat any injuries with ice.”

— Evan Chien, 11, Boys Varsity Soccer “After an intense workout or game, I’m probably sleeping! I might also eat a popsicle or ice cream. I come home and lay down on the couch to rest because I can’t feel my legs or arms. And almost every time, I’m complaining to my teammates and friends about how sore I am the next day. We all dread climbing stairs after leg day.”

— Kristin Shigenaga, 12, Girls Varsity Basketball

December 2015

“Usually I stretch, take a shower, and eat proteins.”

— Sara Veerman, 11, Girls Varsity Water Polo “Even though we are supposed to use ice to prevent injuries, most of the time, I just sleep and complain to my teammates about how sore I am. I also pig out on ice cream to eat away the pain.”

— Lindsey Young, 11, Girls Varsity Basketball “Ice baths are definitely a great way to relax and recover after an intense workout or game. After I finish the ice bath, I eat some applesauce, put my feet up, and relax on the couch.”

— Erin Wong, 10, Girls Varsity Soccer Each athlete from different sports has various methods of recovery after their high-intensity games and practices. Make sure you come out and support your fellow Apache athletes! klo@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of CLKER.COM

AHS Athletes’ Winter Break Plans

By TRINITY CHHAY

Staff Writer

Hard work and a persistent mindset are two of the many aspects of a true sports player that drive him or her to athletic success. Our Apache athletes continuously strive to be the best and train hard day after day to achieve their goals. However, through these tough times, these dedicated athletes must not forget the reasons why they picked their respective sports and how playing their sport has shaped—and continues to shape—each of their lives today. Here are several Apache athletes who reflect upon the influential effects each of their sports.

“I never really thought of volleyball as a competitive sport, but rather as a hobby. I loved playing the sport, so during my freshman year I decided to try out for the team. To my surprise I made the team, and from that day on I valued my decision because not only has it changed me as a person, but also made me a team player.”

— Gavin Lei, 10, Boys JV Volleyball “I’ve always played tennis and I’m usually pretty confident in my ability as a player. There was never a moment where the sport became boring for me. I genuinely enjoy playing tennis and I continue to practice and learn more from my mistakes whenever I can. Being part of the varsity team was a goal of mine ever since I started playing the sport, and being able to achieve that goal has shaped me into the person and athlete I am today.”

— Bradford Yau, 10, Boys Varsity Tennis Sports has shaped and benefited people’s lives in so many different ways for as long as they have existed. Athletes fight for victory, a common goal, and in doing so they learn so much more than just the qualities of leadership and dedication—they also discover self-confidence and what they are truly passionate about in life. jcun@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of FLICKR.COM

Staff Writer

Winter break is the time students need to relax and use free time to do whatever they please. However, with the winter and spring sports seasons coming up, many athletes use it as a time to improve and maintain their skills in the game.

Sophomore Ricky Cen, a player on the Boys Varsity Golf team, assuredly stated, “Over winter break, I’ll be playing tournaments. On my off-days, I will just be doing morning and night practice. In the end, your game can only be improved through competition.” When put in this situation, Ricky’s game will be compelled to improve on its own.

Shooting for the Girls Varsity Basketball team is freshman Ashley Lee. Ashley commented, “Over winter break, I’m going to continue to put in a lot of work. I want to improve myself both as an individual and a team player.” To ensure her improvement, Ashley added in that she will work out a couple of hours every day along with extra shooting drills.

Sophomore Jonathan Yeh is on the Boys Varsity Swim team, and knows for a fact that he is going to take these two weeks to up his game. “I am going to try and go to practice as much as I can. At every practice, I’ll try to make my stroke smoother, more efficient, and improve my technique in general.” Not only does he have to practice swimming over the break, but he also needs to make sure his body is healthy and ready. “To make sure I don’t mess up my body for practices, meets, and competitions, I need to make sure what I put into my body doesn’t hurt it.”

As a player for the Girls Varsity Soccer team, sophomore Stephanie Yen understands how important practicing over break is for herself and the team. “Our team is going to have practices throughout break. I’m going to work really hard and put in all of my effort because our team has goals it wants to meet. The players are going to work on possession and shooting drills. We want to win CIF at least once within the next two years because we won’t have any teammates graduating this year.”

Freshman Karly Gills, on the Girls Varsity Softball team, is dedicated to improving her game. “Over winter break, the team will be practicing whenever it can. I have my own hitting set-up in my garage so I can work on my mechanics anytime. I will also run and work out in my garage to keep myself in shape for the season.” Along with working out on her own, Karly will maintain her health and avoid fattening foods.

Many athletes are going to be working extremely hard to improve and maintain their performance for the coming season. Wishing the best of luck, Apaches! tchhay@apachepowwow.com

Graphic courtesy of FLICKR.COM

December 2015

sports.powwow@gmail.com

Water Polo Cruises

By DANIELLE SANTOYO

17 Girls Soccer Kicks Off Its Season

By CHRISTINA READ

Staff Writer

LOADED LINEUP AHS displays a formidable defense guarding its goal during a game against San Marino High School.

The Girls Varsity Water Polo team has been working hard during its offseason in preparation for League play this winter. One of this year’s new players, sophomore Susan Harrison, shared some of the things the team worked on during its offseason. In addition to various drills, and continuous exercises, STRENGTH IN NUMBERS The Susan stated, “Some- Lady Apaches practice passing the ball together, mimicking game conditions. times for warm-ups before our practices, we swim 200 yards of freestyle, 150 yards of headup freestyle, and 50 yards of regular head-down freestyle.” Since 25 yards is one lap across the pool, one can imagine the physical exertion required to complete these grueling practices. Susan further stated, “Before games, to practice for the competition, we swim 200 yards of freestyle with our heads up, and then we swim eight sprints of 25 yards freestyle and then 100 yards of treading water forwards, backwards, right, and left. Afterwards, we continue our training sessions by practicing our passing and shooting in the pool so that we are able to improve during games.” Believe it or not, water polo is an extremely competitive and hard contact sport in which painful hits and interceptions are exceptionally common. Teamwork is key in this sport, since without all the players working together, nothing can be accomplished and preventable injuries may result. As a sport with high physical requirements, another key necessity in water polo is strength, so the girls have to build up muscle to work up their strength and endurance.

Junior Katie Nigolian stated, “Before a game, our team always stretches together, thinks of a game plan, and discusses our line of defense. This builds confidence and promotes teamwork between players, both of which are essential in a sport like water polo.” Not only are strength and endurance needed in this game, but also strategy, upping the level of difficulty for the girls. Despite the high expectations, they are able to meet them. Senior Jenny Yu shared, “I have to put on my game face to play water polo because my coach always tells me that going into a game is similar to going into war. When I enter the pool, I suddenly become very serious to ensure that I am not distracted from my goal of winning.” On Dec. 1 our Lady Apaches played against La Salle High School at the Aquatics Center here on our home turf. Junior Megan Lewis stated that last year, “water polo could become rough in the pool because it is such a high-contact sport. During a game, I once got kicked in the head, which was not fun. However, our team is able to overcome many of the dangers in the pool. My teammates give me strategies that allow me to better defend myself and avoid injury at the same time.”

Water polo can be an incredibly intense game full of high-contact hits, but as dangerous as it is, Megan stated that her team was able to defend itself. Arcadia did a great job at its first game, winning 16-3. Great job, Apaches, and we look forward to a successful season! dsantoyo@apachepowwow.com Photos by NADINE TEMPLETON

Staff Writer

according to junior Emily Schube.

For many, playing soccer is not just a way to stay in shape but also a chance for friendship. As Emily put it, “I love talking to these girls. They’re really fun and keep me entertained.”

The team’s strong friendships are an integral part of this team-based sport.

This year, the players have their sights aimed higher than ever,

Girls Varsity Soccer kicked off its season this month with a home victory of 2-1 victory over Glendora.

This success was no new experience for the returning players — last year, Girls Varsity Soccer completed its season undefeated in League for the second year in a row.

So how does a team maintain such dominance for so long? Well, the girls have been practicing hard all preseason to hone their skills. Many even worked overtime through the summer to stay fit before practice was even in session. In addition, many of the team’s athletes maintain their superb fitness by playing other sports during the fall season so that they easily transfer to soccer in the winter.

Over Thanksgiving break, the players had a scrimmage match on Monday and a morning practice TEAM EFFORT The Girls Varsity Soccer on Tuesday—a true testa- team huddles after a smooth 2-1 victory against ment to their hard work and Hart High School on Dec. 3. dedication. In addition to practic- thanks to the team’s strong showing, the team used Thanksgiving as ing in CIF last season. Sophomore a chance to bond by having “a team Stephanie Yen shared that the team’s bonding at Denny’s” after practice, goal is to “win CIF sometime in the

next two years.”

Another factor helping the girls is the roster: this team has no seniors, meaning any success achieved

HEAD IN THE GAME Junior Cammie Dopke scans the field in preparation to throw the ball to one of her teammates. will be certain to continue onto next year. In addition, the bulk of the team is made up of sophomores, so even without seniors, the team definitely has the experience it needs.

Overall, Girls Varsity Soccer has had yet another promising start, and will no doubt make a deep playoff run this year. The players are ready, excitement is high, and success is on the horizon. cread@apachepowwow.com

Photos by TITUS WU

Lady Apaches Shooting for Success

By ELLIE LEE Staff Writer

Last year, Girls Varsity Basketball team had an outstanding season, making it to the 2nd round of CIF with a 22-7 record. This year, the team had a major shift, since over half of the team is made up of underclassmen.

However, all of the new players are now well-adjusted to the program, since they have been practicing together for a couple of months. Let’s recap how the ladies did in the South El Monte Tournament before officially kicking off their season.

The Girls Varsity Basketball team participated in the South El Monte Tournament from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5. They played Los Osos, finishing with a score of 48-41, Roosevelt with a score of 67-27, Bonita with a score of 46-52, Eagle Rock with a score of 47-25, and El Rancho with a score of 46-56. They came out of the tournament with 3 wins and 2 losses, but gained much more experience.

Freshman Ashley Sue felt “honored to be with such amazing people since it’s a great experience.” She is looking forward “to this season and getting even closer with the team.”

Freshman Kristi Kodama added that she feels “excited and slightly ner-

vous” about the coming season.

Sophomore Ashley Loong’s personal goals include “playing as well as possible with [her] teammates and getting better individually.” Ashley wants to stop letting her “nerves interfere with how [she plays] and have fun simply playing basketball.“ In ad-

being new.” To work on its team chemistry, Michelle said that this year, it has “a lot of well-planned team bonding events” and that players “sit together at lunch once a week.”

Senior Kristin Shigenaga’s advice for her teammates is “to not be afraid to ask for help, especially when it comes to learning plays.

Don’t get discouraged, everyone has those struggling moments. Continue to keep your head up and continue playing. The struggles won’t last forever. Don’t let your off-days bring you down and continue to strive for improvement. No matter how discouraged you feel, you will always have the love and support from your teammates.”

All in all, “basketball is a team sport,” stated junior Lindsey Young.

Basketball “is all about team chemHUSTLE AND BUSTLE Senior istry.” Lindsey believes that even Kristin Shigenaga pushes the pace though a shooter “can go around and during a fast break for an easy bucket. kill it with all her three-pointers, she dition, sophomore Kailey Thai aims can’t score those points without the to “be an outstanding teammate on ball being passed to her from her and off the court.” She wants to work teammates.” Best wishes for the Girls hard with her team so they have the Varsity Basketball Team! The Lady potential to “do well in League and Apaches have the talent and potential make CIF.” to have an outstanding season.

Junior Michelle Kam would describe her team chemistry as “less elee@apachepowwow.com ‘clique-y’ due to majority of the team Photo by KRISTEN TRAN

18

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December 2015

December 2015

Easier Said Than Done

By Andrea Liu

CALENDAR

calendar@apachepowwow.com

By KAYLI TEMPLE

19 Staff Writer

‘Twas the night after the funeral, when groans awoke her in bed, not a creature was stirring; well, except for the dead. The covers were gripped by a child-spooked fair, three words from her mother, gave her quite the scare, “Beware Crimson Peak”, was now her burden to bear. Time passed from the scene which had filled her with woe, yet questions unanswered still continued to grow, one fact can be stated, even so, “Ghosts are real.” The girl whispered, “That much I know.”

Crimson Peak is a R-rated Legendary Pictures production directed by Guillermo del Toro. It was released in the U.S. on Oct. 16 and is a supernatural horror that captures the essence of romance, fantasy, mystery, and drama throughout the course of the film. Starring beloved actors such as Alice in Wonderland’s Mia Wasikowska as Edith Cushing, an inspiring author seduced into escaping the ghosts of her past, and the Avengers’ Tom Hiddleston as Thomas Sharpe, a charming, foreign inventor involved in a series of unfortunate events, Crimson Peak is no doubt the perfect fit for those in search of frightening up the holiday spirit!

During this day and age, it’s easy to understand what aspects are needed to create a legit horror movie, with cheap jump scares and sinister atmosphere, there must also be plot that ties everything together, and characters that break free from their expected stereotypes. Set in the early 20th century of Cumbria, England, the film is a tale of love, envy, and redemption and unfolds at the heart of Crimson Peak, a collapsing mansion that seems to bleed and breathe the memories of a hidden, gruesome past. One would view Edith Cushing as the typical love-struck damsel in distress. However, she proves that even loss, sickness, betrayal, and pain can’t hold a broken woman back from uncovering the truth.

Despite Crimson Peak having some wellwritten characters and a fairly immersive plot, the movie’s selling point was the gorgeous set designs and props used to truly recreate the Victorian ambiance. One would expect nothing less from a director like Guillermo del Toro, the driving force behind Pan’s Labyrinth, a critically acclaimed classic. Like any movie, Crimson Peak had its flaws. Among them were typical horror movie tropes, such as taking a bath oblivious to the fact that the door’s open and a certain ghost can kill you at any second. Still these flaws can be tolerated, due to the sheer beauty of the movie’s surroundings. ktemple@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and VK.COM

By CHRISTINE LAW & DANIELLE SANTOYO

Staff Writers

It’s that time of the year again! Filled with non-stop Christmas songs playing on the radio, hot chocolate, a lit fireplace, Christmas tree, and gifts. But what to get and give? Your questions will be answered with a few of our personal favorite stocking stuffers and gifts.

Something Sweet: Everyone loves sweets, mindless of the calories and carbs. Eventually, everyone gives into the sugary sweetness! Whether it be something small or big, sweet treats go a long way, and some options you have to give to your fellow friends exclusively for this time of year include candy canes and homemade hot chocolate mixes (if you don’t know how to make it, you can just buy the packaged stuff from Costco, put it in a mason jar, and tell your friend you made it yourself). Chocolate chip cookies are almost always wanted too, and you can bag them in decorative plastic baggies that you can get from the Dollar Tree. Another no fail gift for those special loved ones is chocolate, because you can’t go wrong with it. Dark, truffles, caramel-filled, they’re all good.

Miscellaneous: If you have no idea what to get someone, you can buy him or her a scented candle at Bath and Body Works located at the Westfield mall.They sell scented candles that smell of gingerbread, candy canes, and much more. Although it may not seem like much, it’s actually a nice gift to give or receive, because who wouldn’t want their house to smell sweet? If your friend loves coffee, don’t just buy them a gift card; instead, get them a Starbucks frappuccino candle. It smells like frappuccino, which is perfect for coffee lovers, and it is ideal for the winter. If you don’t want to buy someone a candle, and think it’s not the right gift for him/her, then fluffy socks are a good alternative. They’re comfy and useful, as they can be worn on chilly days, and used when snuggling by a fireplace. If you really don’t know what to get someone, then you can give them a Christmas mug, in which they can use it whenever they drink hot chocolate. For family members, like parents, making a gift is much more sincere and shows how much you appreciate them.

Also, it is often not as expensive as items bought at a store.

Personalized mugs are a great gift idea for people who drink coffee every morning. Draw on some of their favorite items using oil-based Sharpies to avoid smudging. To make the cup more wintery, illustrate some holiday items, like snowflakes or Santa hats. After drawing, leave it out to dry for a few hours. Then, put the mug in a 350° oven for 20 minutes to set the colors. A plain mug can cost about $1 and oil-based Sharpies are about $10. This can cost less than $15 and still be a wonderful gift for your family.

Electronics: Electronics such as earphones and headphones are a good idea to give someone for Christmas. They are useful, and (depending on what color/style you get) stylish.

The key to a good present giver is how thoughtful the gifts are. To come up with innovative gift ideas, you just have to think about interests and generably desirable things that most people would want. All in all, presents don’t have to be expensive to be valued.

claw@apachepowwow.com and dsantoyo@apachepowwow.com

Graphics courtesy of 1001FONTS.COM and ARCHITECTUREARTDESIGNS.COM

20

CAMPUS FOCUS

By MAGGIE WONG

cf.powwow@gmail.com

December 2015

Staff Writer

The arrival of December brings in colder weather, peppermint-flavored everything, and of course, the holiday season. There’s always an undeniable feeling of magic around December, as houses and shops set up their beautiful decorations. While gift-giving is a huge this time of year, the important thing to remember is that the true meaning of the holiday season is getting to relax and spend time with family and friends. The time that you have off should be spent appreciating all that is around you, and all that you have. No matter how or what you celebrate, the holidays are always a time where lots of unforgettable memories are created.

“My favorite part of the holidays is probably having more time to let loose, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family.”

—Ricky Cen, 10

“My favorite part of the holidays is spending time with my family and friends.”

—Claire Nguyen, 12 mwong@apachepowwow.com Graphics courtesy of WORDPRESS.COM Photos by AARON CHAN and VIVIAN KWANG