Keppel seniors perform at annual Play Days parade Students recognized for awards and
THE AZTEC/VICTORIA RAMIREZ
Seniors (from left to right) Shaye Wang, Johanna Yao, Jeffrey Lu, Leanne Duong, Poching Lao, Caitlin Chan, Jonathan Dip, Jason Yan, Kaitlyn Lee, Amanda Xaypraseuth, Leilani Chu, Keaton Quon, and Kyle Yip are honored at Senior Awards Night for their achievements as part of ASB.
AURORA ZENG Cartoonist
The Mark Keppel Aztec Band and Color Guard performed and won multiple awards at their last parade of the school year at Monterey Park’s annual Play Days festival on May 14. This year’s parade, celebrating Monterey Park’s 100th birthday, started on Garvey Avenue at 11 a.m. Since the seniors’ first parade as freshmen, Keppel’s performance at the Play Days celebration has gone through many changes and improvements, including different song choices for Band and more movement in Color Guard’s routine. “The festival has always been the same, but the band always improves,” Drumline section leader Alvin Pan shares. “As a freshman, everything felt new and exciting...I still feel the same as a senior, but I know this [parade] will be the best,” Pan added prior to performing. In addition, Keppel’s 2015 performance also featured Drill Team; however, they did not join again for the 2016 parade. In the high school division, The Aztec Band finished first in Drum Major category and second in Marching Band AA category. This year’s performance featured the songs Semper Fidelis and On Wisconsin. Band director Dr. Bartlett, who will be retiring after one more semester, also commented on her last Play Days performance. She explained that the parade is kept as consistent as possible, but over the years the audience has grown bigger. “This parade is always special,” Bartlett said. “We’re not adding anything to our routine, but we’re practicing to make it really good.” Meanwhile, Color Guard won first place in both Tall Flags and ID Banner categories in the high school division. Color Guard captain and senior Keila Osugi shared about performing as a freshman at Play Days, saying she felt nervous with the unfamiliarity. Now, as a senior with experience, Osugi feels more stable. She also shared that the team has made their routine more complex and entertaining throughout the years. “[We’re] working hard to upgrade our expressions so that we can give a livelier and brighter performance,” Osugi said. Fellow Guard member Olivia Bosek, also a senior, added, “Routine-wise, the team is trying to incorporate more movement…but each [routine] is unique in their own way.” Both members shared about adding more turns, flag tosses, and variety into their routine. The whole Play Days celebration started on Thursday, May 12, and lasted until Sunday, May 15. The celebration also featured a carnival, multiple food booths, and live entertainment.
scholarships at Senior Awards Night WESLEY ZENG Asst. Business Manager
Keppel’s annual Senior Awards Night took place at the auditorium last Tuesday, May 17. The Awards Night is an event to show family members of the seniors and the community the achievements, awards, and scholarships earned by the graduating class. This year’s organizer, Spanish teacher Ms. Alexander, said, “Preparation started a long time ago… the PTSA prepared refreshments for the reception that’s going to start before the ceremony”. Preparation began early before the event, with multiple meetings held by the PTSA. Before the awards were given
out, the PTSA provided refreshments for students and parents who attended Senior Awards Night in the cafeteria.The ceremony began with an introduction by Ms. Alexander, followed by a welcome from Principal John Scanlan. After, many seniors were called to receive their cords, plaques, or certificate.s Family members and friends were encouraged to come to the open ceremony. Ms. Alexander said, “...it [was] a night where we’re presenting awards. Different teachers and community members [came] to present the awards.” She explained how she was nervous for the event because it was her first year being the Senior Class Advisor. The categories for awards included
Teachers Ms. Castro, Ms. Baca, and Mr. Tarr will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Yearbook, World Languages Department, State Seal of Biliteracy, Science Department, Parent Teacher Student Association, National Merit Scholars, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Monterey Highlands PTA, Link Crew, Key Club, Journalism Newspaper, International Thespian Society, English Department, Eastside Optimist Club, California Scholarship Federation, Brightwood PTA, Association of Realtors, Inc, Associated Student Body, Asian American Association, Alhambra Latino Association, Alhambra Day Nursery Foundation, and Academic Decathlon. A total of over 300 awards were given out. Next year’s senior awards night will be held on May 16.
THE AZTEC/BRANDON CHUNG, KARLI CHENG, VICTORIA RAMIREZ
Teachers to retire at end of school year BRANDON CHUNG Historian/Copy Editor
This year, Keppel bids farewell to three of its beloved, long-time teachers: Ms. Gissela Castro, Ms. Gladys Baca, and Mr. David Tarr. Ms. Castro is retiring after 36 years at Mark Keppel, during which time she taught World History, Conflict Resolution, and AVID HORIZONS. Her biggest memory at Keppel was having Ashley Gomez in Conflict Resolution for three years. “[She’s a] perfect example of growth I’ve seen in my students…[having her in class] was ‘enlightening,’ to say the least,” she said. Her parting words to the students and staff are to “ask questions to yourself.” Ms. Baca has been teaching at Mark
Keppel since the mid 1980’s. During her tenure here, she has taught many different Business classes, but Accounting has been her most consistent class. She has also been the advisor of FBLA ever since she began working here. Ms. Baca’s most memorable memories of Keppel are of her time working with FBLA and going to competitions. “[I’ve had] a lot of fun times [with them],” Baca said. She will most miss the student body. “Keppel has good students [and] I’ve had [many] wonderful students throughout the years,” she stated. Her parting words to the staff are that she will miss her friends and colleagues, and her parting words to the students are, “Never give up. Always do your personal best and never give up.” Mr. Tarr began working as a teacher at San Gabriel High School in 1983 be-
fore moving to Alhambra High School in 1984. In 1993 he began working at Mark Keppel, where he has remained ever since. He has held numerous posts in the English department, teaching regular English classes for 9th through 12th graders, and Honors English courses for 9th through 11th graders. He has also served as the department chair of the English department, a WASC self-study coordinator, and has worked with Academic Decathlon. Although Mr. Tarr has too many memorable moments to count, he says that most are when he has seen the “proverbial lightbulb light up over a student’s head.” He will most miss acting out the many characters from the novels, plays, and poems he’s gone over in class, as well as his colleagues. His parting words from his current reading of Joseph Campbell are: “Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.”