The Matador: Issue 4 - December 28, 2022

semester’s spring musical, an annual event hosted by Drama Club.

Sophomore Brian Loc seeks selfimprovement through working out at his local gym.

Mama Mia! The spring musical is coming up

GISELLE CARDENAS SPORTS EDITOR

The spring musical is a yearly production that many look forward to. Some of the drama students had hoped for the musical to be Mamma Mia due to the club having watched the movie some weeks prior to the audition.

Drama teacher Kelsey McNeilly decided to fulfill their wishes but kept it a secret, building the excitement until it was announced. She decided that the best way for this would be to have a scavenger hunt throughout the whole school.

There would be a total of five different clues, with each clue relating to a musical she did not choose, allowing a bit of confusion to the students. The last clue would lead the students back to where it all started: the little theater.

“I really wanted to do a show people are familiar with and students could get really excited about and to just do something that is about joy and having fun since we've had a couple of rough

years,” McNeilly said.

To enter the theater, one had to sing a song from Mamma Mia, confirming that it was the chosen show. Needless to say, once the students entered the room they all cheered and laughed along in excitement as the poster in front of them officially confirmed the spring musical to be Mamma Mia. The musical follows the story of a daughter who invited three men from her mother’s past to her wedding in the hopes of finding out who her father is, so he could walk her down the aisle on her wedding day.

“She’s the main [character] and I feel like I resonated with her the most; more than like Donna or the other ones, but I just mainly want to be Sophie and her friends because they're young and they have fun,” junior Natalia Gonzalez said, “Ms. McNeilly makes it very welcoming and it makes you excited to come join, she fosters such an incredible community; she’s great.”

Not only is this musical full of happiness and joy — so is

McNeilly. Everyone appears to love her, even students she does not teach. She is very welcoming and allows her space to be an open and welcoming place to everyone. Students who do not normally participate in school activities are now being filled with school spirit because that is just how McNeilly makes people feel. She pushes everyone to be their best selves and also encourages students to audition for the musical.

“[The audition process] was so great, I didn't feel like I was being judged and I was in and out so quick.” senior Sofia Chavarria said. “McNeilly actually [was the one who inspired me to join this community]. I love musicals and drama so much and she convinced me that it’d be fun, so I did.”

For many, the audition process was quick and easy. There was never any pressure put on the students who auditioned. All that was wanted from them was for them to give it their all and to try their best. The audition consisted of singing a song from the

musical as McNeilly and Revilla listened quietly, appreciating the performances. After auditioning, McNeilly took into consideration the many different aspects of what goes into this production and if the student can meet the requirements of certain characters “who can sing it, who can act it, who can dance it,” McNeilly said. Another

major factor when picking her actors is that she likes to see who is dependable and will put in the work to help this production be successful.

“I’m just really excited to be working with new people,” drama club president sophomore Elijah Luna said enthusiastically as the rehearsals started.

2022 FIFA World Cup results

Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final

Netherlands: 3

USA: 1

Argentina: 2

Australia: 1

Japan: 1 (1)*

Croatia: 1 (3)*

Brazil: 4

South Korea: 1

France: 3

Netherlands: 2 (3)*

Argentina: 2 (4)*

Croatia: 1 (4)*

Brazil: 1 (2)*

France: 2

Argentina: 3

Argentina: 3 (4)*

Croatia: 0

England: 3

France: 2

England: 1

Morocco: 0 (3)*

Poland: 1 Portugal: 6

Senegal: 0 Switzerland: 1

Morocco: 1

Spain: 0 (0)*

Portugal: 0

France: 3 (2)*

Morocco: 0

PHOTO BY JEREMY GUTIERREZ (Left to right) Sophomores Kimberly Truong, Ayelet Marquez, and Alexandria Price prepare for their audition. While not aiming for any particular role, the trio practiced the song “Honey, Honey,” which had been designated for those auditioning for female roles.

UC academic workers demand more pay and benefits

MEREL TAN NEWS EDITOR

On Monday, Nov. 14, academic workers from all 10 UC campuses went on strike, demanding that they receive higher wages and a greater number of benefits. The total number of academic workers on strike is approximately 48,000.

“I support the UC strike,” junior Brandon Pham said. “I feel like for too long, [student workers] overworking themselves for little pay and barely any benefits is becoming too normalized. For instance, my cousin in college worked as a physical therapist assistant for about three years and still only earned minimum wage. This strike stands against all of that and seeks to improve the lives of several stressful [student workers].”

According to the LA Times, the United Auto Workers

(UAW) is a union that represents teaching assistants, tutors, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate student researchers. The number of UAW members is approximately 36,000. Union leaders demanded a base salary of $54,000 annually for graduate student workers, who currently have an average annual salary of $24,000. In response, UC proposed a 7% salary increase in assistants’ and tutors’ first years of working and a 3% salary increase in the following years. But the UAW said that the proposed increase is still not enough to support themselves financially, especially in respect to paying their rents.

“I think that [the strike] is important because educators are people that others don’t pay attention to usually,” junior Madelyn Khem said. “[UC educators] are doing what’s best for them because changes need to be met with the changing world. Their pay is really bad considering that they are in charge of future generations.”

Furthermore, more than 1,000 UC faculty members held a rally on Dec. 2 at UCLA. They showed their support for the UAW by demanding that Governor Gavin Newsom push the UC system to “bargain” with members of the UAW.

In addition to demanding increased salaries, the UAW is demanding child care subsidies, better healthcare for financially unstable workers, longer family leaves, public transit passes, lower tuition costs for international scholars, and better accessibility for disabled workers.

“[Academic] workers are underpaid, and not only are they [not] sufficiently paid for their labor, they are expected to continue working under taxing conditions,” junior Apple Trieu said. “I fully support this strike and I hope that working conditions will be better in the future for all workers in education.”

Furthermore, a number of lectures, discussion groups

(which help students further understand material taught during lectures), and office hours have been either canceled until the strike is over or moved online. Thus, the strike also had an impact on undergraduate UC students, who had their fall final exams during the beginning or middle of December. For UC’s that follow the quarter system, students’ fall final exams occurred during the week of Dec. 5, and for UC’s that follow the semester system (UC Merced and UC Berkeley), students’ fall final exams occurred during the week of Dec. 11. On Dec. 16, UC and union leaders reached a tentative deal to increase the salaries and benefits for the graduate student workers. The deal also included covering a part of international students’ tuition for up to three years. However, the strike is still ongoing until the deal is ratified, which has to be decided by Dec. 23.

BRIEFS

2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar

BY MEREL TAN

On Nov. 20, Qatar played against Ecuador during the first match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A total of 32 nations participated in the World Cup, including the United States, which did not qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Fans in the U.S. could watch the World Cup on Fox Sports 1 or on Telemundo Deportes. The final match of the World Cup was played on Dec. 18 between Argentina and France, with Argentina winning the match and becoming the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion. The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three North American countries: Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Unknown missile hits territory of Poland

BY JACOB GUTIERREZ

On Nov. 15, a missile of unknown origin struck a village in Poland, killing two. It was originally thought to be Russian, which would have been sufficient action to invoke the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Article 5, a legal agreement between NATO nations stating that foreign attacks would allow the deployment of every NATO nation’s military in retaliation. As the missile came during a period of intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian targets, initial thoughts were that it was an intentional attack on NATO territory; however, these beliefs quickly dissipated. Various member states of the European Union and NATO, such as Estonia, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, all offered statements of support and solidarity with the Polish government. The identity and origin of the missile is still unconfirmed, but the prevailing theory states that it landed in Poland due to a Ukrainian air defense missile striking a Russian cruise missile, knocking it off course and into Poland.

Trump aims for 2024 presidency

BY JACOB GUTIERREZ

Former president Donald Trump officially announced that he will be attempting to run for president again in the 2024 election. The presidential bid came on Nov. 16, shortly before Trump delivered a speech on the matter at the Mar-a-Lago resort, a property he owns in Florida. A second, non-consecutive term as president was done only once prior in American history; President Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the country. Trump’s aim for reelection also poses a risk of dividing the Republican party, as many voters also support a potential presidential bid from Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida. There is also the controversy posed by the former president’s ongoing legal conflict due to his possession of classified documents. Although Trump remains popular among the Republican voter base, legality and split focus from his party’s leadership may prevent him from securing a presidential nomination from his party.

"UC Berkeley Campus," CC BY 2.0, Charlie Nguyen

On the morning of Nov. 14, UC academic workers went on strike, calling for increased salaries and more benefits. In the fifth week since the strike began, union leaders and UC reached a tentative deal.

Everyone expresses themselves in different ways. There is no limit to how people are able to express their feelings, ideas, etc. That is something in life that I find most intriguing; life is limitless. You can do anything and everything in the world as long as you work hard and aren’t afraid of failure. As it turns out there are only limits once you set them for yourself because we are our own limit.

Try everything and anything even if you’re afraid. At one point in my life, the quote, “If you’re happy doing what you love, no one can tell you you’re not successful,” appeared and has stuck by me. It is fear itself that holds us back — there isn’t much I fear other than trying something and not liking it or not being good enough at it. However, as the quote states, as long as you love what you are doing no one can tell you you’re not successful. I don’t try things out of fear, but once I found that peace within, many more doors opened to greet me.

We may never reach our full potential but that is why we practice and learn everyday. No one is perfect and no one has done it all. I found that trying new things and challenging myself everyday is how I express myself. I may never reach my full potential for many things such as my life with the arts, sports, or academically. But, pushing myself everyday is what builds me.

An example in my life of something I’m not the best at is writing. However, I do it because it is something I’ve grown to love. I like being able to write because I felt unable to share much about myself; it became a way for me to tell people things without having to say it. Knowing I was unable to tell people my story or talk about my life made me realize I also wanted to tell other people’s stories and share their lives. It felt like a way to help out others and build a stronger community..

Over the summer, going into this school year, I did a program which helped me improve as a writer. Now after growing more and more as a writer this past year, and joining the school newspaper, journalism appears to be in my future, even if I am not the best at it. It is something I will constantly push myself to strive for to find my own success.

Funding ideas and inspiration

Staff Stance

More clubs deserve school funding

Many school clubs, no matter of function or school budget, often find themselves short on funding. What often happens at schools that do have decently sized budgets is that a large portion of that budget goes to the school’s sports teams. And even then, it is often only one or two teams that get the funding. Because so much of the money goes to them, there is often little to no money to fund school clubs and organizations. School clubs allow students to build meaningful relationships, expand their worldview, and can lead to the betterment of the school’s culture.

Many clubs, no matter the purpose, are very important to the students. If a student is a club member or a part of the cabinet, they can put the club on their college applications and have a higher

chance of being accepted to the school of their choice.

Aside from this, school clubs and organizations are also good opportunities for students to meet new people and make friends who have similar interests. Not having friends or even just people to talk to can be very detrimental to someone’s mental health. That coupled with the stress and anxiety many students already have from everyday schoolwork, makes for a very poor state of mind.With the formation of new friendships, comes new perspectives. These perspectives can range from differing opinions on a show to entirely different worldviews. This allows for conversation and realizations to be made for both sides. When students share their worldviews when they are learning in depth about the world, they grow-up

Clarisse Wahyu, 9

"I believe clubs do deserve more funding. They use volunteer work to strive towards a certain goal and with more support, they could do more for us."

Patrick Dinh, 11

"Clubs are a great way to improve your school experience. It’s an obvious choice to fund clubs [to] incentivize more students to be active in the school community.”

into well rounded and open minded adults.

However, some students argue that clubs add to the stress of school. Clubs are a big commitment to make, needing a lot of free time to be devoted to them. Because of that many people feel reluctant to join or start a club or organization.

Many students feel flooded with homework and want to have all of their little free time to themself. However, this leads to a low number of club members which usually ends with the club being disbanded. And this then causes students to feel even more isolated.

Clubs are very important for students. Not only as a nice footnote on their college applications, but as a way for students to make friends and participate in activities that they enjoy.

Melody Tang, 10

“I think clubs deserve more school funding so students can have more opportunities to do what they’re passionate about.”

Sophie Lin, 12

“I think clubs should receive some funding, especially if they're academic ones that require a uniform. Having a proper budget for clubs builds a strong foundation."

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIKRITI

GISELLE CARDENAS SPORTS EDITOR

PHOTOS BY KYLIE CHUNG

INTERVIEWS BY KYLIE CHUNG

A second Trump presidency threatens democracy

insurrection that posed an unimaginable risk to the country’s continued stability and democratic processes.

Trump’s dangerous sentiment of election denial has also spread among other Republican politicians; Kari Lake, the Republican governor of Arizona, refused to concede her loss to the Democratic candidate Katie Hobbs . Similar to Trump, she constructed a legal team to investigate potential fraud simply because she was unwilling to recognize a Democrat victory.

JACAB GUTIERREZ REPORTER

Former president Donald Trump has announced his intentions to run for presidency again in 2024. This provides an unacceptable risk to American democracy. Trump’s actions as president from 20172021 proved that he is a danger to both the government and the people of the United States, and he should not be allowed to hold the presidency once more.

Trump jeopardizes national security; he is currently under investigation for inciting an armed insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 and possessing classified documents after the end of his presidency. Other

People

KELLY LY OPINIONS EDITOR

Voting is a right that has not been readily available to all American citizens in the past. Men used to be the only ones to bear the right to vote on a federal level, and barely a century has passed since women gained suffrage in America. According to the U.S. Census and Pew Research Center, roughly 64% of eligible citizens are registered voters, with an average voter turnout of 92%. While voter turnout has been steadily increasing throughout the years, a portion of the population still does not register or vote despite being eligible. With drastic changes in legislation and leadership in recent times, it is vital that people vote more for a say in their future and government.

While only a portion of registered voters consistently vote, every single ballot that is cast — and not cast — holds power. With the 2022 midterm elections that occurred in Nov., voter turnout has continued to rise in the U.S. The youth turnout in particular soared; it is the second highest overall voting demographic in the midterm elections. Primarily Democratic, these voters managed to prevent a forecasted Republican “red wave” across the nation. This recent occurrence demonstrates the power of one’s ballot, proving that voting is effective.

Additionally, voting gives a person the opportunity to be heard through their ballot. It is likely that at least some other people would share similar beliefs and interests, equaling additional votes that would let those voices be heard. In order to avoid the passing of legislation or election of politicians that one may

than the illegality of those actions, both the theft of classified documents and attempted insurrection could escalate into civil or national unrest. Although the content of the classified documents is unknown, it could still hold information that, in the possession of other individuals or nations, may lead to critical damage to national security.

The former president has also cultivated a dangerous cult of personality around himself. As seen during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, Trump’s supporters are violent and willing to fight to overthrow a free and fair election. Trump’s refusal to concede after the 2020 presidential election and his own spreading of violent messages directly incited an open

Some of the former president’s supporters claim that barring a candidate from running would set forth a dangerous precedent. The government’s ability to control the pool of opponents could damage democracy. However, that is far less certain of a risk than Trump’s known danger to not only the presidency, but the country’s entire government.

Allowing Trump to run for president again would only further damage an already wounded democracy. It would show that even an attempted insurrection caused by a former president is acceptable, as is refusing to recognize the legitimacy of elections simply because the candidate is dissatisfied with the result. In order to preserve the safety and security of the American democratic process, former president Donald Trump should not be allowed to run for the presidential elections.

New to newspaper

JACOB GUTIERREZ REPORTER

Ihad always been told by my teachers that I had a talent for writing. As far back as the second or third grade, I remember being praised for my work in things like essays and reports.

I hadn’t really developed an enjoyment for writing, though; it was just something I did for class.

Seeing my brother enter the school newspaper started to change that. I realized that it sounded like something that I would enjoy; being able to work as part of a team, writing for the school as a whole, rather than for myself or my teachers.

I didn’t join journalism in freshman year, though, as I was still acclimating to the workflow and conditions of high school.

not agree with, people should capitalize on the power of their ballot by voting whenever possible. As a result, voting is the best way to ensure every voice is heard in elections.

Regardless, with the majority of eligible voters already participating in elections, not every citizen needs to vote. People often share the same ideals and beliefs, meaning that their votes would blend together regardless of whether they vote or not. Not every citizen has the liberty of being able to easily vote, leaving them to rely on others with similar mindsets to vote on their behalf. While these arguments are reasonable, they do not take away from the fact that voting has an impact on the future and being able to vote gives people some power in determining their future. It is true that many citizens cannot vote due to restrictions or difficulty finding a place to vote, but there are those who simply let others vote for them despite being able to cast their own ballots. There is a stark difference between those who cannot vote due to circumstance and those who ignore their ability to vote. If one shares similar ideals and beliefs as others, voting together would ensure that those beliefs are heard.

Voter turnout is steadily rising as the circumstances of the nation continue to change. Past occurrences prove the power of the people and their ballots, voting for what they believe in to ensure a brighter future. With their ballot, they are given a voice amidst millions of Americans. People need to vote more if given the opportunity to, and let their voices and beliefs be heard through their ballots to ensure that they have a say in the future.

guaranteed if requested) to Ms. Diaz’s email.

The summer after, I had grown confident enough to want to join the team during my sophomore year. Over the summer, I filled out paperwork and practiced my skills, learning how an organized team wrote. Having goals and deadlines to work towards over the summer was a new experience to me, as was following the orders of the other students who organized the whole affair.

After the school year started, I further trained and practiced before settling into a comfortable routine. Throughout the days and months, it was a cycle of drafting, writing, and editing that helped me hone my skills further while contributing to the community. The freeform nature of things let me work at my own pace compared to every other class where I needed to write.

Joining the school newspaper was an experience that I definitely didn’t regret. I was able to use my skills for something I enjoyed doing alongside helping the school. Sticking with journalism is something that’s going to help me in both academics and a potential career in the future, and it’s going to be a longlasting memory.

CC BY-SA, GAGE SKIDMORE

Donald Trump attended and spoke at a student rally on July 22, 2022. The rally, hosted by Trump-supporting activist organization Turning Point USA, drew over 5 thousand attendees.

ILLUSTRATION BY KELLY LY

New Year's Resolutions

How to set achieveable goals

BY KELLY LY OPIONIONS EDITOR

One of the primary issues of goalsetting is often found in the type of goals people set for themselves. People usually set goals that seem simple at first, but are quite elaborate in terms of how achievable they truly are. One’s goal might actually be the end result of several different actions, making it much harder to achieve. It may seem overwhelming and people often give

up on goals that seem out of reach. With this in mind, this list of steps can help to better set attainable goals.

First, start by breaking down the goal into smaller, simpler tasks. It can be quite difficult to complete a goal if it is broad and open for interpretation, especially if it is something like “lose some weight.”

Instead, it could be “start exercising from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.” or “take Dad’s dog for a walk on Mondays.” Both are steps that contribute to the overall goal and can be easily interpreted.

Before completing any new, broken-down tasks, organize

them chronologically to keep track of progress. To avoid getting overwhelmed by several tasks at once, try listing them in a certain order to be completed. By focusing on one step at a time, additional stress is avoided while maintaining steady progress. Some could be done simultaneously while others may require more effort, and can be completed at a later time.

It is essential to plan when a task should be completed, setting a reasonable timeframe is vital to success. While it depends on the goal and how many tasks that need to be completed, setting a goal within a

reasonable timeframe will further bolster the chances of success. By completing each task accordingly and gradually, the goal can be reached in a timely manner.

Overall, feasible and consistent goals can be set by following the aforementioned steps. People should avoid setting large, broad goals and instead compile a simple list of tasks leading to a certain goal. Goals should be organized timely to avoid being overwhelmed and confused. Goals can be made achievable by following the mentioned steps, and adjusted accordingly if necessary.

BY JEREMY GUTIERREZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PRINT

DiningRoom The

From the moment the show began, The Dining Room had me captivated. Each scene, of which there were 15, was disconnected from one another. This is part of what made the show appeal to me, in addition to the fact that interpretations of the plot could vary. In my opinion, this play centers around a dining room set that has passed between many homes. Each family has their own story and their own problems — centered around the dining room.

BY JEREMY GUTIERREZ

BY JEREMY GUTIERREZ

The ages and personalities of the characters differed greatly; ignorant children, intimidating parents, and even a grandmother facing mental decline. The actors adopted their personas with ease and made the experience overall very enjoyable. One of the most notable performances was that of sophomore Elijah Luna. Luna held four roles, two of which included singing and playing guitar. Luna’s performance as a father (both as Jim and Standish) was chilling. He managed to channel a perfect balance of anger, fear, and concern that had me sitting on the edge of my seat.

The performance of every actor was extraordinarily professional. Each scene change was smooth, the actor’s projected their voices well, and the props were used effectively. The Drama Club performed The Dining Room in a compelling and entertaining manner that left me, and the rest of the audience, entirely satisfied.

Junior Emily Recinos portrays a tired, troubled daughter who is struggling to cope with her problems. Rather than deal with her overbearing parents, Recino’s character drinks.

This year, Drama Club’s fall show — the biggest production of the semester — was a 1982 contemporary play called The Dining Room Despite the year it was published, The Dining Room still manages to reflect familial dysfunctions in a way that is relatable to modern audiences. The show itself is intended to be intimate, so rather than sit the audience in the seats, viewers were invited to sit on stage.

(Back to front) Senior Sofia Chavarria and sophomore Elijah Luna create a powerful scene as a feuding father and daughter. Luna encapsulates the energy of the stoic father perfectly even as Chavarria’s character breaks down.

PHOTO

PHOTO

BY ZUYUAN ZHOU LIFE & ARTS EDITOR

Her sad footsteps echoed in the empty room as she strolled to her new locker. When she opened it, she saw a tall traveling backpack. It felt heavy. She unzipped it and fell back with widened eyes after seeing 70 billion won (roughly $54 million) in bundles of hard cash within.

Little Women k-drama review

their family while simultaneously dealing with personal problems. They are trying to give their talented little sister a life that they never had. This all changes when each sister gets caught up in the business of the Won family, a prestigious political family with great influence over Korea

As each sister investigates the family in their own way, completely unaware of each other’s activity, they learn about the secrets hidden beneath the Won’s facade. These secrets are capable of taking down this dangerous family; at the same time, it places a target on the sisters’ backs.

never be sure about the characters’ relationships or predict their next move because their motives were so well-hidden under their skin.

Little Women, a Korean drama on Netflix directed by Kim HeeWon (director of Vincenzo), follows three poverty-stricken sisters: Oh In-Joo (Kim Go-Eun), Oh In-Kyung (Nam Ji-Hyun), and Oh In-Hye (Park Ji-Hu). The two older sisters, In-Joo and InKyung, work hard to provide for

Little Women is refreshing and unlike any other K-drama. Its compelling storytelling, unpredictability, and fast pacing make watching the drama feel very thrilling because the viewers never really know what will happen next. Furthermore, the show is full of foolproof, complex, and well-written characters, each carrying intriguing principles. While watching this show, I could

Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Buttery, thick, soft, and surprisingly simple to make, this cookie recipe certainly beats any supermarket sugar cookies. Bring these cookies to any party for guests to decorate as a fun and delicious activity!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, slightly softened to room temperature

3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2: Beat the butter and sugar together until smooth. Then add egg, vanilla, and almond extract.Continue beating until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Mix until they are well combined and the dough is formed.

Step 4: Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flour the prep surface, then roll out each portion of the dough to approximately a quarter inch thick.

Step 5: Store the dough on parchment paper to prevent sticking, and refrigerate for at least one hour, and up to two days.

Step 6: Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Transfer the dough onto flat surface and cut out the desired cookie shapes. Re-roll the dough and cut out more shapes as needed.

Step 7: Transfer the cookies onto parchment-lined or greased baking sheet, keeping each cookie about three inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown.

Step 8: Let the cookies cool, and then ice or frost them as desired. Enjoy!

In the span of 12 episodes, the show does a great job of highlighting what money means to both the rich and the poor. With their wealth, the Won family manipulates the media to push their agenda. On the other hand, In-Joo kept the 70 billion won she found in her locker despite this choice conflicting with her morals. She was desperate to use this money to provide her sisters with a better life, but this course of action ultimately placed the sisters under the eyes of something far bigger than the Won family.

Little Women is filled with heart-tugging scenes, making the show bittersweet. It robbed my heart when my two favorite characters, who I thought had great chemistry, parted ways. Contrary to the show’s title, Little Women, the women in this story are definitely not little. Given the circumstances, they do big things that many would not dare to do.

Ugly Christmas sweater tradition

NANCY MENDEZ REPORTER

Christmas sweaters have been a tradition during December for many years. Christmas sweaters were initially called “Jingle Bell Sweaters.” However, the first time these sweaters were used as an event theme was in the 1950s. Nobody knows who invented the first Christmas sweater, but the people of Vancouver, Canada, claim that they were the birthplace of the ugly sweater party, and had the first ugly sweater party in 2002. After that, models and other people wore ugly Christmas sweaters on purpose. As it became more popular, the practice grew, and people changed it in their own ways. Some realized they could create an outfit with the

Christmas sweater or match it with family and friends.

Once the trend blew up, ugly sweaters started to be sold in stores like Amazon, Walmart, and Kohl’s. Some people even buy a plain sweater or take an old sweater and go to an arts and crafts store to DIY it; add some jingle bells to it with hot glue to transform the sweater. In the 1980s, wearing ugly Christmas sweaters on TV became popular. For example, the concept was even shown on The Cosby Show

Usually, people start wearing these sweaters after Thanksgiving, but now, some start earlier due to disinterest in Thanksgiving. Some people even throw Ugly Christmas Sweater-themed parties, and now, it has become a tradition. These sweaters represent

Christmas, are comfortable, and get people in the spirit. The sweaters usually come as knitted, so people can easily make them by taking time out of their day to knit, sew, and put them together. Some sweaters are not ugly and can be designed to be cute fashionable sweaters. Sometimes these sweaters can even be gifted to others or used to make Christmas baskets. Christmas sweaters are still called “Jingle Bell Sweaters,” not by everyone, but the name has become trendy. This tradition is talked about in children’s books and coloring books. Also, there is an Ugly Christmas sweater on Nordstrom that costs about $600 and other sweaters that cost approximately $1,000$1,695.

In-Joo goes into her friend’s bedroom. She notices there is something else hanging in the closet besides clothes.

GRAPHIC BY ZUYUAN ZHOU

Recipe from: Sally's Baking Addiction WRITTEN BY KYLIE CHUNG

GRAPHICS BY FREEPIK

COURTESY OF JOCELYN ZHU

Matadors crush Kennedy, make football history

BY JEREMY GUTIERREZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PRINT

Anticipation thrums through an anxious crowd, generations of life and learning packed into the stands. Greater than any game before, students, staff, and alumni have gathered together. On Dec. 3, the football team made history by winning the Matadors’ first ever CIF South 6A Regional Final.

After a victorious game against Bishop Montgomery over Thanksgiving break, the Matadors have continued to break records for the school. Gaining the titles of CIF Division 13 and CIF Regionals champions has never before been

done by any team in the school’s past. The Matadors’ victory against John F. Kennedy High School will allow the team to progress to State-level championships.

“My mind is blown that we can do this, [that] we as a school can accomplish this,” running back and offensive linebacker Alex Acevedo said. “It’s a huge honor to be able to play in regional championships and win — And CIF championships. We are champions.”

Aside from the records being made, the game itself was entrancing from start to finish. Only 46 seconds into the game, running back Robert Lucero made a 10-yard touchdown before also completing a twopoint conversion. Throughout

the majority of the quarter, the Matadors maintained a strong defensive line, keeping the Cougars at bay until a touchdown and field goal six minutes in. The quarter would end 8-7 for the Matadors.

“We felt confident going into the game,” nose guard and tackle Gabriel Can said. “We practiced hard — the coach put in a lot of time watching film for us, telling us what they run on offense, [and] telling us their weaknesses.”

The second quarter was Kennedy’s chance to shine; the team’s strong offensive push allowed them to score several times giving them the lead 21-14. However, the Matadors came back with a vengeance, evening out the score with a touchdown by wide

receiver and cornerback, Tijani Daley, with 27 seconds left on the clock.

“I expected it to be a hardfought game, and that’s exactly what it was,” Daley said. “I know our team; we work together, we come out with the win. We were down in the first half, you know, [but] we never let that stop us. It’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish — we stayed together as a team, we didn’t give up, we didn’t get down on each other, we stayed together.”

During the second half, the Matadors continued their assault on Kennedy; two touchdowns and two pointers at 10 and five minutes during the third brought the score to 30-21 for the Matadors. The Cougars made a touchdown and

field goal nine minutes in, before a final touchdown and two-pointer from the Matadors with 1:20 left. The fourth quarter was slow, but the Matadors maintained their strong lead, with each team making an additional touchdown before the end of the game.

The Matadors played Atascadero High School for the State Championship on Dec. 10, ending the team’s winning streak. The game, which was played in San Luis Obispo, had less than ideal conditions for a game; a heavy rain covering the field in mud. Despite this, this year the Matadors have gone further than any football team in the school’s history and have made their school proud.

PHOTO

The Matadors prepare to face off against the Cougars in the CIF Regional Playoffs. This game will decide the fate of the schools, allowing only one to progress to the State Championship.

humans of san gabriel

Fiona Han, 9

I would consider my contribution to winning the Almont JV tennis league one of the greatest accomplishments in life. We were able to succeed despite the lack of tennis courts to practice on. I’m very proud of this achievement because my team and I devoted several hours to the sport each week. Our perseverance and dedication won us the league’s plaque for our coach’s last year.

My current biggest struggle is language barriers. I’ve been trying to master English ever since I came to the US. But still, there is a lot of humor and expressions that just wouldn’t sound the same in English as it does in Cantonese. Some friends would describe me as socially awkward in English, but my Cantonese-speaking friends wouldn’t say the same. They say I’m braver and more confident when I speak Cantonese. This linguistic problem causes me to not able to communicate with my friends authentically, as the real me. However, I appreciate how my friends embrace and make effort to interact with me.

INTERVIEWS BY KYLIE CHUNG AND CARLA HAU PHOTOS BY CARLA HAU

Zhang’s experience in Fitness

Zhang builds body and self confidence

BY ADWIK C. & JOSEPH CHO EDITOR IN CHIEF AND BUSINESS MANAGER

Clouds of creatine puff out of the plastic shaker as the loud blends of protein and water vibrate the kitchen. Inside the gym the loud pounding and clanking of plates echo across the building. Muscles aching after a long passionate day, every soul in the facility, holds their own adventure of strain, pain, and diet in hopes to achieve a greater physique or increased health. Senior Stanley Zhang, an aspiring bodybuilder explains his journey.

Zhang decided to pursue bodybuilding after realizing he was unsatisfied with his previous appearance. Starting his journey eight months ago, Zhang began bodybuilding by working

on his upper body. Later, he started building his legs after realizing that there was an imbalance in his upper and lower body. He aims to build his legs simlarly to four-time Mr. Olympia winner, Jay Cutler. “The first month that I started working out, I didn’t feel the need to work my legs,” Zhang said. “Yet, later on, I started focusing on my legs because it was getting to the point where the contrast was too big.”

In order to maintain his physique and continue progressing in his journey Zhang needs to continue working out. However, for many people sticking to their routines prove to be difficult because of many reasons. Zhang was able to push through by keeping a strong and determined mind. His strong desire for change kept him on track to achieving his

goal.

“10% of the motivation at the start [was] because I was tired of living the same way,” Zhang said.

“The rest was 90% discipline because I wanted that physique badly and I just kept on going.”

After long hours at the gym and grueling diets, Zhang managed to build a larger physique. He plans to continue working out in order to achieve his goal of looking like some of his idols, Jon Skywalker, Arnold Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Chris Bumstead. Aside from working out he continues to attend San Gabriel High as a full time student.

“If you want to start working out, do it for yourself” says Zhang. “If you aren’t willing to put in the effort for yourself it’s going to be rough.“

Zhang poses for the camera as he shows off his muscles. His hard-work and determination brought him there.

A window into the life of the person who walked right by you.

Kenneth Tsang, 10

BRIAN

LOC’S FITNESS JOURNEY

BY CARLA HAU AND AWDIK C. FEATURES EDITOR & EDITOR IN CHIEF

Clammy hands, music blasting in his ears, the cold steel barbell in his hands — sophomore Brian Loc was ready to finish his final set. Letting out one last breath, he lifted the barbell off of his chest. Joy engulfed him, it was a new personal record. A smile on his face, Loc stood from the bench, happy as ever. Springing back from sudden heartbreak as a freshman, Loc began to watch videos about self-

improvement, wanting to find new goals for himself. After participating in the cross-country and track and field team, he was able

jumpstart his journey.

“I met [former students] Tommy

Regardless of how frequently someone visits the gym, it always takes a tremendous amount of dedication. Loc is no exception. However, his steady improvement motivates him to continue exercising consistently.

to meet peers that would soon jumpstart his journey.

Troung and Brandon Phan, who were working out at the time,” Loc said. “I started exercising with them and that’s how I started everything.”

This past summer, an opportunity had arisen: a three-month free membership for all students at Planet Fitness.

“At first, I began going to Planet Fitness,” Loc said. “But, now I go to LA Fitness and I swim there, from time-to-time.”

“I love seeing improvements in my body whenever I workout,” Loc said. “Whether it be on specific workout or overall looks, it’s satisfying to see myself change over time. In general, I try not to compare myself with others and continue in my own direction.”

In the end, Loc has always been dedicated to going to the gym. Whether it be seeing improvements or relieving stress, going to the gym has become a daily routine for him.

GRAPHIC COURTESY OF CARLA HAU

Photo Courtesy of Brian Loc

Brian Loc flexes and poses for another photo.

@brianloc

“Not comparing myself to others and going in my own direction.”

Sophomore Brian