The Matador: Issue 4, December 8, 2017

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VOL. 63 ISSUE 4

THE MATADOR 801 S. RAMONA STREET, SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

D10S breaks four-year streak, takes home Spirit Stick

BY BRIANNA HUYNH-TONG

San Gabriel High School Key Club attended Fall Rally South (FRS) 2017 with Division 10 South (D10S) at Six Flags Magic Mountain on Nov. 11, along with over 40 other divisions in the Cali-Nev-Ha district. The annual event is held with the sole purpose of raising money for the Pediatric Trauma Program by holding an auction and a competition to win the Spirit Stick.

The main event at FRS is the rally where

“When they called 10 South, it secured our triumph—the victory that we were never able to reach for four years.” divisions compete for the Spirit Stick and can buy members of the district board in an auction with the money they raised. This year, D10S was able to buy Immediate Past Lieutenant Governor (LTG) and District Convention (DCON) Chair Samantha Voong and current LTG Wilson Yeung, using the $3,800 dollars that they raised. In addition, D10S, led by junior Mark Keppel LTG Wilson Yeung, took back the Spirit Stick after 4 years.

“Honestly, I didn’t think we would win at all because at the spirit sessions, no one really seemed to care but we really came in clutch,” Service Chair senior Lucy Nguyen said. “We

PHOTO COURTESY OF JASON TANG

D10S Key Clubbers cheer and wave their pom poms in anticipation for the Spirit Stick competition. This enthusiasm helped D10S finally take home the Spirit Stick. were really small in size and the chants were a bit cringey, but I’m not complaining.”

The division spent several weeks in advance planning spirit sessions and fundraisers in preparation for FRS. Members of D10S memorized three main cheers, three entrance cheers, 12 side cheers, and 15 comeback cheers for the rally and impromptu spirit battles.

Teacher files sexual harassment complaint with DFEH, EEOC

“I noticed that people gradually started to attend the spirit sessions as fall rally crept closer,” Key Club Secretary junior Irene Lu said. “[Despite] the cheers and attitudes of my fellow Key Clubbers this year, I was unsure if we would win.”

Divisions entered the Golden Bear Theatre with hopeful spirits and good sportsmanship.

Kho signs with Division I gymnastics

BY CARLOS CARRILLO AND JENNIFER CHEUNG

found around campus. Words and images from the graffiti have not been fully erased; in some cases, sentences and pictures are Environmental science teacher David still comprehensible from the remaining Whitman has recently filed a complaint with messages. the California Department of Fair EmployFurthermore, biology teacher Robert ment and Housing (DFEH) in which he al- Johnson is circulating a teachers’ petition leges that he was a victim of sex-gender dis- to the Alhambra Unified School District crimination, harassment, and a hostile work (AUSD) to demand the district address their environment when his employer “failed concerns. The petition questions the district’s to take immediate timing in responding to action and approprilast May’s events, the ate corrective action district’s lack of public “I was the one who was support after he complained for the teachers, of harassment.” His bullied as a kid, so it’s and the district’s lack of action follows the May “a public announcement just another form of 26, 2017 vandalism of of condemnation” of his classroom door bullying I’ve suffered my the students involved; with “a phallus and it also demands a writwhole life.” foul language” which ten response to these remained on his door questions at the earliest until Nov. 14, accordpossible date. ing to his complaint.

“I’m not interested in The DFEH and the United States Equal Em- the punishment [of the students], I’m interployment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ested in the condemnation of the behavior,” will investigate the complaint.

Johnson said. “There have been no state“My door was never painted until I filed ments in support of the teachers; nobody has some serious action,’” Whitman said. “People said that what was done was wrong.” Both are like ‘Get over it, dude. It’s just a d*** on the formal complaint and petition emerged your door.’ I was the one who was bullied as after a staff-only vandalism update meeting a kid, so it’s just another form of bullying held by the district on Nov. 15.

I’ve suffered my whole life.”

Traces of the May vandalism can still be Continued on pg. 2

OPINIONS pg. 4-5

FOCUS pg. 6-7

Suspense rose as everyone stomped on the benches and waved their pom poms. Of nine divisions, three made it to the final round: Divisions 10 South, 15 East, and 35 East.

“I think once [our division] realized that we had made it that far, everyone was determined to win and take the spirit stick home,” Lu said.

D10S finished their last cheer and waited for the district executives to make their final decision. As the group waited in anticipation, several Key Clubbers created a drumroll and were kept in silent suspension. When 10 South was declared the winners of the rally, everyone broke out in tears and joy.

“When they called 10 South, it secured our triumph—the victory that we were never able to reach for 4 years,” Yeung said. “I ran to my bidders downstage and tripped on my long skirt and fell, but I was yelling and crying at the same time.”

According to Yeung, this was the biggest accomplishment the division could achieve.

D10S, filled with joy and excitement for their new win, chanted Yeung’s name and cheered each other on.

“When I stood on stage and looked out into the sea of blue and yellow, I couldn’t believe that I have the honor and privilege to serve as their Lieutenant Governor,” Yeung said. “FRS 2017 was my true Key Club moment.”

Key Club will be hosting another major 3-day, 2-night event, DCON, on April 13-15, 2018 in Reno, Nevada, where members will be able to participate in workshops, attend speeches, and meet other Key Clubbers.

PHOTO BY SHAWN HO

Kho celebrates her scholarship for gymnastics with her parents Daniel and Lena Kho along with her sisters Kaylee and Sydney Kho at her signing.

BY KEVIN CONTRERAS

After years of hard work and dedication, senior Caitlin Kho has been awarded a full four-year scholarship for gymnastics at Southern Utah University (SUU), a Division I school.

On Nov. 30, Kho, along with her family, friends, and some school staff celebrated the moment she signed the papers authenticating her award. Kho was overwhelmed in being able to accomplish her goal.

“I feel really happy because I’ve worked for a long time in gymnastics to finally sign and then go to college with a scholarship,” Kho said.

Kho began gymnastics at the age of four.

LIFE & ART pg. 8-9

Her parents had initially decided to place her into an athletic program in order to encourage her to live a healthy lifestyle. Early on, her talent began to shine through and she started to focus on competing.

Kho competes for Winners’ Gymnastics, and as part of that team she has won the Vault Champion title at the 2017 and 2015 Southern California State Championships. For three consecutive years, Kho finished as a runner-up in the vault category at the Region 1 Regional Championships, according to The Spectrum.

“It was a lot of working up my skills towards different higher levels,” Kho said. “I was just trying to do my best to get their attention so that I could go to this school.”

Throughout her journey, Kho had support from her coaches, teammates, and especially from her parents. Her parents, Daniel and Lena Kho, have managed to be there for her despite their lack of knowledge about the sport.

“We don’t know anything about gymnastics,” Kho’s father said. “It’s mainly that we are there for [Kho and her sister] wherever they need it; watching their diet, making sure that they get enough rest, and have time for homework.”

Kho’s success did not come easily; throughout her journey she has overcome some rough patches.

“I wanted to quit one time but I realized that quitting would throw all of this work away,” Kho said.

Kho is looking forward to attending SUU in fall of next year. Aspiring to grow as a gymnast, she strives to become the best at what she does.

SPORTS pg. 10-11

FEATURES pg. 12

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news

THE MATADOR friDAY, december 8, 2017

Bus passes enforced for bus riders, remain free to all students

Adjusted finals schedule creates mixed feelings among students

BY KELLY LAC

PHOTO BY KATHERINE HUANG

The Zonar System, implemented last year, creates safety by keeping track of bus-riders.

BY SUNHI NGUYEN

As of Tuesday, Dec. 5, San Gabriel High School (SGHS) bus passes are being enforced.

Now that freshman have picked up their bus passes from the Business and Activities office, students are required to use their pass to board the bus. If students have last year’s issued bus passes, they may still use them for the bus.

Alongside the implementation of the Zonar System on the buses, Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) has confirmed that students are required to use their bus passes in order to board the bus. However, these passes will not cost $100 a semester as stated last year.

According to Nico Richardson, AUSD Director of Transportation Services, students will not be charged for the bus passes. The only fee students may need to pay is for the loss of their passes, which cost $5 to replace.

In comparison, other schools, such as Mark Keppel High School, charge students for their bus passes. The reason SGHS students are not being charged for their passes is because the majority of students are receiving free and reduced lunch.

Students must have their bus passes on them as the district wants to monitor who is taking the bus–those who consistently ride the bus and those who are not as frequent. Richardson also stated that those who lose their pass must get a temporary pass right away. If a student

repeatedly forgets to have their pass on hand, their bus privileges may be suspended for a couple of days and a notification will be sent to the parents and the school.

“When [students] stand in line, we [are] probably going to set two different lines for the buses,” Richardson said. “We’re going to put a line for the students that have the card, and the students without the pass would be the last ones to the bus.”

Sophomore Samson Wong sees both pros and cons of the bus pass system.

“In my opinion, I don’t think the bus passes are necessary since people are not using them because the people [who use] the bus are the same people anyways,” Wong said. “I mean, the bus passes could be useful if they are tracking those who are going on.”

Junior Isaac Salazar also shares the same opinion on bus passes.

“I feel like it’s not necessary to use it because everyone has to be somewhere,” Salazar said.

“What happens if you forget your card? No one will always have their pass on them; basically, it’s a hassle for us.”

According to Richardson, there are currently 1,247 bus-riders, but only about 300 of them use their pass. Students must have their passes at hand before hopping on the bus. Any further questions about the bus passes can be directed to the Business and Activities Office or Facilities and Transportation Services at AUSD.

continued from pg.1

Teacher files harassment complaint to DFEH In the meeting, AUSD explained its handling of the vandalism incident, saying that communication between the district and the teachers should have been better, attendees said. AUSD also explained their decision of not prosecuting the vandals, saying that they preferred to handle the matter internally rather than send students through the schoolto-prison pipeline. The students were instead prohibited from walking at graduation but still received their diplomas because they met high school graduation requirements.

AUSD also explained that, under California Education Code, vandalism is considered a “discretionary activity,” meaning that the school district is obligated to pursue non-legal forms of punishment before attempting to prosecute.

Some teachers wanted to know the identity of the vandals due to present safety concerns, but according to administration, this information

could not be shared legally. The Matador received a video of the meeting from Whitman and confirmed the attendees’ accounts. In addition, The Matador was not able to reach administration for comments by press time.

Many teachers, including Whitman and Johnson, were left unsatisfied with what was said in the meeting.

“The meeting provided some facts, but the questions we really wanted answers to, the questions posed in the petition, were left unanswered,” Johnson said.

Whitman did, however, file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in order to find out more about the vandalism circumstances.

According to documents provided by AUSD, the cost of repairing the vandalism, which included replacing a broken window, erasing graffiti, and paying for labor, was approximately $2380.

As the semester draws to a close, students are preparing for the upcoming final exams that will take place from Dec. 15 to Dec. 19.

Compared to final exam schedules from the past two years, the schedule has been adjusted to accommodate the district calendar.

“Closed week will [instead] begin on [Dec. 8], so there still are five days of closed week, and finals will begin [the Friday after],” Matthew Dultz, Assistant Principal of Business and Activities, said. “[The] minimum day [and the day after will be used] to finish things up so teachers can [finalize student grades].”

Some have also noticed that Pupil Free Day will take place on a Thursday this year instead of Friday, which Dultz explained is a result of the new teacher contract that was recently signed.

“Part of that contract includes three professional development days that are

throughout the year, so those days [become Pupil Free Day for students],” Dultz said.

Students that have previously experienced finals had mixed opinions about what they thought about the new schedule.

“It could’ve been better on Monday to try and get it over with instead of [starting on Friday, than having to wait two more days],” junior Manuel Sanchez said. “But [I guess] it’s alright, we’ll just have to prepare ourselves to [do better].”

Senior Leslie Ngo, on the other hand, does not like the sudden break because of the possibility of finals becoming harder on days after the weekend.

“Everyone has different [classes],” Ngo said. “Maybe someone has an easy [class], someone might have a hard [class], and those that have those [hard classes on Friday] are like, ‘I wish I had more time to study,’ and it kind of makes it unfair.”

Regardless, finals are scheduled to continue with the usual set amount of days given for closed and finals week.

Band, choir prepare for upcoming winter concert, hope to delight audiences

BY SUNHI NGUYEN

Now that the Thanksgiving season is over and the winter holiday season is just around the corner, the Matador choir and band will be bringing holiday music to the annual winter concert on Dec 13. The concert will be featuring advanced choir, beginning choir, advanced band, concert band, and novice band. The concert will cost $2 per person and there will be various refreshments for sale.

Choir teacher Cecilia Revilla explained how beginning and advanced choir will be covering holiday songs at the winter concert. Advanced choir will also be performing “Pacem Noel”alongside the advanced band.

“I am super excited because we still have a week and half to go,” Revilla said.

“I feel it [is] going to be more beautiful when the audience hears the sound the choir students will produce in the winter concert.”

Unfortunately, Revilla would not reveal the holiday songs for her choir students just yet. On the contrary, band teacher Tammy Cognetta said that her students will be performing different styles of songs at the concert.

“One piece that people will recognize is the original tune from the electrical

parade at Disneyland called ‘Baroque Hoedown,’” Cognetta said. “That’s a fun piece. The other band is also performing a number of holiday music [pieces] with different styles such as, jazzy style, march style, and about as many different ways to play christmas music as possible.”

The novice band will be performing “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” “Christmas Ti m e M a r c h , ” a n d “ A C h r i s t m a s Proclamation.” The concert band will be playing “King of Swing,” “Coventry Carol,” “Brazilian Sleigh Bells,” and “Reindeer Raq.” The advanced band will be playing, “Good King Wenceslas,” “Candlelight Carol,” “Baroque Hoedown,” and “Pacem Noel.

Congetta also wanted to announce that the band is going to have an opportunity drawing at the concert where they will select one person to win tickets to the Rose Parade on Jan. 1.

“They will win a chance for four fantastic seats for the Rose Parade,” said Cognetta. “They are worth like $100 each, so the value [is] $400 for those four tickets, so it’s really a good thing.”

The concert will be in in the auditorium, starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending around 8:30 p.m. All students, staff, and family members are encouraged to attend.

New TED-Ed club offers guidance for students

BY HENRY CHOW

TED videos, but also learn how to create their own. Huynh hopes to get more TED-Ed offers inspiring videos about members who are committed to create a variety of topics, from inspirational their own videos. messages to political “The goal [of speeches. The Ted-Ed this club] is just to club was tarted this year spread creativity to at San Gabriel High the campus,” Huynh School. At the TED-Ed said. “I know a lot of “I know a lot of club, members watch students are creative students are creative but they don’t have the informative and inspiring videos on the TED website. but they don’t have opportunity to give that The club was founded by creative side, and TEDthe opportunity to senior Britney Huynh Ed offers the [chance] and advised by English to do so.” give that creative teacher Breanna Hunt.

Despite being barely side, and TED-Ed “We’re a brand new introduced this year, club so we haven’t really offers the [chance] to the TED-Ed club has done much activities yet, found its way to a small do so.” but in our meetings we amount of members mainly watch TED videos with strong dedication and talk about what we and interest in the club. want to do,” junior Ryan “I hope there’s, at Vu said. least, members who are interested and do The TED-Ed club focuses on getting become inspired,” Huynh said. “If members students inspired and helping them express come in to join, I hope they receive a their creativity. Students not only watch message or a moral out of the club.”

NEWS

THE MATADOR

friDAY, December 8, 2017

Grab ‘N’ Go offers convenient, free breakfast

PHOTO BY KATHERINE HUANG

Students line up at the south parking lot’s Grab ‘N’ Go station to receive their first meal of the day.

BY ALICE LI

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, students lined up in front of the main entrance and south parking lot to receive San Gabriel High School’s (SGHS) first Grab ‘N’ Go breakfast takeouts. Students were able to receive breakfast at a fast rate due to breakfast carts placed at the most convenient spots at SGHS: the main gate near the horseshoe and in front of E building.

Giveaway items such as lunch passes or $10 gift cards (redeemable at the student store) are being placed randomly in bags during the first week of operation.

According to William Fong, Alhambra Unified School District (AUSD) Director of Food and Nutrition Services, the Grab ‘N’ Go program was funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). “ [ Fo r ] e a c h f r e e o r r e d u c e d p r i c e d m e a l (breakfasts) that we serve, the USDA will reimburse us a set amount,” Fong said. “Since [SGHS] has a high free and reduced rate (70% or higher), we are

able to offer free breakfast for every student. Food and Nutrition Services will absorb the cost for [paid] breakfasts.”

Junior Adriana Leyva believes that the free breakfast served from the Grab ‘N’ Go program is beneficial for students at SG. “What I thought about the new Grab ‘N’ Go breakfast, [was that] they usually have the same breakfast, but it’s just different because it’s free now,” Leyva said. “It’s better for our students to get free [breakfast] so they don’t have to worry about spending money; they can also have their nutrients in school.”

Besides receiving free breakfast, students were presented with small giveaways in randomly selected takeout bags. Fong explained the rules of the incentives.

“For the grand opening weeks [Tuesday to Friday], we are going to give out 50 front-of-the-line passes and three gift cards for [the] student store everyday,” Fong said.

Roxanne Venegas, the cook manager of the cafeteria staff, thought the launch was successful despite of some confusions among students.

“Actually I think it’s a great concept as long the students figure out the best place for them to just grab it,” Venegas said. “The only problem I saw was that students were still coming to the cafeteria, so one person did have to stand outside [to guide the students].”

The main purpose for Grab ‘N’ Go program to be certified by AUSD was to decrease tardiness, increase school breakfast participation, and improve academic achievement among students. Although there was some criticism by students, students enjoyed the warm welcoming of cafeteria staff members overall. All students are welcomed to the Grab ‘N’ Go program from Dec. 5 through the rest of the school year from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. to enjoy free breakfast at the student’s convenience.

3

FCC sets plan to end net neutrality in US

BY VINCENT MARESCA

Sadly, as over exaggerated as it sounds, the internet is being threatened by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

But how are they threatening such a large and important function?

By removing net neutrality.

To be clear, net neutrality is basically a set of rules made to prevent internet providers from controlling what you, the customer, are allowed to see. They are internet providers, not internet managers. However, that may soon change if Ajit Pai, FCC chairman behind this project, goes through with his repealment of net neutrality on Dec. 14.

Nearly all of social media is writing, shaming, posting, harassing, and criticising this situation because this plan could affect the internet forever. Petitions are flooding popular websites like Twitter and Tumblr. The intense amount of posts talking about defending net neutrality has even led to said posts being deleted by the staff of the sites to avoid large crowding and traffic. This only made the posts louder, more frequent, and even more aggressive.

As the number of days to turn the tide on whether or not the internet is locked down quickly lowers, chairmen, senators, and even courts are being spammed with emails, letters, signs, and protests made by bots and humans alike. The bot-generated emails were for people who found it a little too difficult to talk to a senator. These spambots overflowed the FCC’s inbox with nearly 22 million emails. Sadly, the “bot” part was quickly recognized and drew the FCC chairman to make the rash decision to no longer listen to the public’s opinion. The social media posts got bigger, more aggressive, and multiplied in total after the announcement.

Websites such as Wikipedia are beginning to take donations to either fight the war for net neutrality or become financially independent so that they will not be apart of the net neutrality case. They do not want to be part of this; they do not want to charge their viewers. Opinions in court are being spread around to say that the FCC have not won yet. If the ruling outnumbers them, the internet will be free. Not even the democratic senators’ request to move the voting to another day was passed. The pendulum is moving as time runs out to decide the internet’s fate. More about net neutrality will be apparent in the coming weeks.

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OPINIONS

THE MATADOR

FRiDAY, december 8, 2017

Don’t “mar” my good spirit

Vincent Maresca Ups and downs Life has been an absolute ride for me and it sure can be as spastic for others, I am sure. I have been described as creative, funny, lazy, dumb sometimes, but that is nothing but normal. One of these thoughts however was given recently. How are you always happy? Well to be specific, how are you always on the positive side of the spectrum? That is a question even too great for me, especially if you know what my life has held. It could be a drama show or sitcom depending on your sense of humor, but it does sum up how a regular life should go.

One thing I always see is just negativity.

I know our world needs everything to go round, but there is so much complaining around. Just so much of it. Everyone complains, sad truth yes. But personally, I think if you have the breath to complain, then you can at least spare some of that breath to something productive or at least positive. Moping around about one thing is not gonna get you anywhere in life, it may work for super villains, but they are hated in their worlds.

Look at me, I have been threatened with custody twice, short on two parents, and once had a infection that I swear made me look a raspberry. But it is really hard to run forward on a treadmill you set to go backwards. That is similar to your mind flow. If I gotta list every cliché known to man to try to make out what I am saying, we would be here all day, but I am just sayin’, keep going. You cannot be happy all the time, but you cannot be sad all the time. There is an easy middle ground there, and I plan on staying on the more happy side to keep this crazy train we call life on its tracks.

Trust me, I am no different in the sob stories, but that is not the main focus of your life. You are in this wide globe to make history. I’m not talking about all that disgusting war, torture… hate literally made everyone history. I am talking about when you die, someone will remember you. But that is always true. You will probably have a family member, close friend, or distant one to remember you. But it takes a good attitude to get many to remember you. That is what I am trying to do. My goal is to get as many people to remember me as possible. And of course, have fun while doing it, but really who would not have fun? They say do what you love as your job. And they are right! Why work in some place you despise? Sure, you may need the money, but sometimes the gamble on a happy life pays off in both favors.

There is always one thing that still confuses me to this day. The people who say, “You can’t make a living off of this.”

Well most of the time they are wrong.

Everything pays off nowadays if you are passionate about it. Those late nights playing your favorite game could pay off in a dream of game design. Okay, well I might be stretching that one because it is what I wanna do, but my point still stands.

When you grow up and live the happy life, it always feels good to prove that person wrong. Life will have those ups and downs, but do not dwell on one side too long.

You may get lost on the tracks and lose sight of the goal. Make a legend of your name. Be that guy who made someone’s childhood game, be the person who made someone’s favorite snack, or even become the person’s role model. Make your name known before your flame dies out.

Editorial

SG must examine school-to-prison pipeline From the glum walls of the campus to the out-of-fashion interior of the cafeteria, many students on campus lament that San Gabriel High School’s infrastructure and culture bear semblance to a prison.

The environment that students learn in can influence their mood on a day-to-day basis, and it is an important factor in determining people’s first impression of a school. As a minority-majority school, San Gabriel should avoid the school-to-prison pipeline and upgrade its infrastructure to complement this precautionary measure.

Furthermore, student organizations need to be better funded in order to promote higher levels of productivity. Stronger organizations lead to a stronger community, which can help the school get rid of prison culture.

The students responsible for the vandalism back in May were let off with light punishments because the district did not want them to fall into the school-to-prison pipeline, which is a phenomena where certain races are more likely to go into the criminal justice system straight from school. While the district’s intentions are

commendable, there is plenty more work to be done to rid San Gabriel of its prison culture. The district should, by all means, avoid sending students down the prison route. However, this does not mean that all punishments should be rescinded; disciplinary actions need to be administered in order to establish a middle ground that strays from the school-to-prison pipeline.

Schools, as pseudo-parents, have a job to provide ethical guidance and discipline for its students.

According to Teaching Tolerance, minorities and students with disabilities in America are more likely to go to prison because of nonviolent misdemeanors.

Zero-tolerance policies make it so that offenses as minor as being disruptive can land students with a referral. Essentially, this school-to-prison phenomena prioritizes sending students into the criminal justice system at the expense of their education.

Because minorities make up the majority in San Gabriel, it is even more important for the school to break away from the lowincome stigma.

With the high fences and bland walls,

the campus makes students feel like they are trapped in a closed space. Last year, the district received $149 million in bonds to be used for improving the infrastructure of its high schools. This money could go to redesigning the cafeteria so students do not have to sit on floors, improving restrooms, repainting walls and other renovations.

Improvements in the environment encourages innovation and allows students to feel less enclosed and as a result become more capable of learning.

Student organizations need more funding for their events and supplies so that they can function more responsively to the campus’s interests. Instead of setting up the school to make it feel like an enclosed institution, well-funded clubs and teams could make youths more invested with the happenings of the campus and the community. Getting students more involved could potentially keep them off the streets and on a brighter path to success.

There is a palpable prison environment in our school, but if we take these steps moving forward, we can limit its impact on our students.

Gifts of the present come at a debatable price PRO

CON

BY KELLY LAC

BY ECHO DIEU

Christmas is just around the corner, having people rush inside malls and department stores in hopes of purchasing gifts that their receivers would like. As the year draws to a close, friends and family gather around during the holidays to share presents, celebrate the holidays, and overall enjoy each other’s company.

The custom of gift giving helps give mental and emotional benefits, and while it may be rather troubling, the process does not have to be as complicated as people make it out to be.

Giving presents is not necessary, but is a selfless act based on how willing the giver is to do a good deed. Those that participate in the search for gifts become excited, anticipating the outcome of how the recipient would react when they bring them “the perfect gift.” As much as the gift might not completely reflect on what the person really wants, it helps maintain and strengthen the relationship between both parties.

Gift giving is significant in clubs and organizations within the school, as clubs form Secret Santa events with members as a way to create a social environment for the holidays. Generally, participants write down a list of what they wish to receive as well as their preferences and clothing sizes. Clubs may also set a price range, so that gifts are of reasonable price, and possibly ask participants their interests and hobbies for a better idea of what givers should purchase. What makes this event so exciting for students is that it incites students to talk amongst one another, as well as participants possibly discovering things in common with their recipient, or just learning more about the person in general.

Every year, gift giving has always been an issue for givers because it can be quite challenging to find the “perfect” gift.

However, receivers say it would be better to get gifts they wanted or asked for, so it would be best to ask what them what they would like to have. This eliminates the guilt of giving someone a gift they did not want, because at least you would have an idea of what they would like to have and know it is not going to be shelved away for years to come. Although it is not ideal for givers to request a list, it might just be a better idea than having to guess what they want.

Overall, gift giving can be quite beneficial for one’s well being, and helps bring people closer, especially during Christmas time.

Everyone should feel free to give presents to people, as well as to ask for what your receivers would like to have.

During the holidays, everyone takes a break from work to plan out what gifts they are getting for their loved ones. Exchanging Christmas gifts has always been a joyous tradition ingrained in contemporary culture; however, not many people stop to consider the materialistic aspect of the custom. Holiday gift-giving may appear to be a euphoric occasion, but often, the financial side of it tells a different tale.

Some people receive gifts from their grandparents or a distant relative. Suppose it cost them $50 to buy a Barbie sweater, and you, the recipient, see the item. You are not really a big fan of Barbie or the sweater, and you value the item to be $30 instead. Consequently, $20 in economic value has just been destroyed, and that $50 could have been spent on something more worthwhile.

Not surprisingly, this seems to be more of an issue between people who do not spend a lot of time together. There is always a chance that the gift you get may be wonderful, but it could still be the wrong size, color, edition, or similar to something you already own. Maybe the person who gifted you the item was obliged to do it just because holiday gift-giving is a norm, and you pretend to like it out of respect.

Feigning appreciation for holiday gifts is particularly common with Secret Santa gift exchanges.

In Secret Santas, people are randomly assigned a Santa from the same class, and they themselves become the Santa for someone else. It is a popular event that many clubs and classes partake in every year because it is seen as a great opportunity to get students to participate in something to better know one’s classmates. It is not fun, however, when your Secret Santa shops for something that falls short of what you want, and that with the money you spent to buy someone else their gift, you did not get your money’s worth from this event.

When it comes down to it, everyone knows their own preferences best. It may not be as much of a surprise for you to list specific items for your Secret Santas, but it is also important to avoid losing out on value. The joy should not just come from the act of giving and the surprises it entails; it should also include the recipient’s honest feelings. People need to get to know their friends and family more if they intend to give them a present so that gift-giving becomes a win-win situation. This way, recipients could avoid having to profess positive feedback and convince themselves that only the feelings of the giver matter.

ILLUSTRATION BY VINCENT MARESCA

OPINIONS

THE MATADOR

FRIDAY, December 8, 2017

Vaping subculture is vapid, harmful to teens

BY KEVIN CONTRERAS

As the years have come and gone, so have the trends that came along with them.

In 2016 came the whip. Then came dabbing.

And even the fidget spinner trend that didn’t happen too long ago is now seen as ridiculous.

On a random school day, in need of a restroom, I ask my teacher for permission to exit the class. As I head to the restroom, I see that there is a small group of boys inside.

I go in and realize what it is that they are doing. Vaping. In the recent year, vaping has become more and more popular. Adolescents and young adults are often getting into the habit of it.

Vaping and its subculture have slowly been on the rise. Having said that, there is no charm to vaping. Sorry, but there is no appeal in holding a futuristic metal rod to my mouth as I breathe in burning flavored chemicals while I stand around chatting with friends. What is worse is that those found in this subculture perceive this activity as “cool.”

Vaping has quickly become a million

dollar industry. All around California, vape shops have sprung up each with a different vibe and aesthetic. Some are similar to that of a bar, while others are like lounges, with a couch in the middle where one can stretch and relax while inhaling that e-juice.

Vaping is fairly new; therefore, much of the research about it is about its short-term effects. Therein lies much of the problem found in its subculture. They are led by an array of facts that are trivial. Yes, it has been described as a safer alternative to smoking,

and many people have picked up vaping in order to drop smoking. But even though it’s “safer” than smoking, that doesn’t mean it is safe in general. What an e-cigarette does is remove the carcinogenic properties of smoking and replace them with the harmful effects of the toxic chemicals found in the juice that you inhale.

Aside from the unknown long term health risks is the arrogance found in the vaping community. They can be seen in a variety of different places: that person who vapes and puffs a large cloud of smoke even though they are around a group of people, for example. In addition to those who vape in public, there exists the group of adolescents who think that vaping in school is okay, when it clearly is not. School is a different environment where students go in order to learn and using that time to vape is a waste of it. Most likely, you have partaken in secondhand vaping. The smoky cloud with a strange smell? That is the trail of a proud vaper who thinks they are trendy.

Vaping and its subculture are not as dandy as some are led to believe. It probably will not disappear, but it does need to change.

ILLUSTRATION BY ECHO DIEU

Illegible writing contradicts purpose of language

BY CARLOS CARRILLO

Language is amazing. This ability we have to communicate with one another at such a high level of complexity is what makes us special as humans; language is beautiful. Beautiful, that is, until you see it in the writing of a typical high school student.

The handwriting of most people is, quite frankly, atrocious. Despite this being a simple skill learned in primary school and developed tirelessly year after year, many people are unable to write legibly. This is a problem that can be easily fixed with slow, patient writing and determination to improve, but it rarely is because people do not take initiative to do so. This leads to a wide array of problems.

For one, it is incredibly disrespectful for a student to turn in illegible work to a teacher. Teachers are not meant to be translators that can decipher the hieroglyphics that students submit as work and they should not have to carry the burden of a student’s inability to write.

It is ridiculous to presume that mature young adults are incapable of learning how to write at even the most basic legibility standard, and as such, turning in illegible work is a signal to the teacher that the student does not care enough about the class to put in sufficient effort.

Many students will argue that it is not important to have decent handwriting, that as long as they can read their own writing, there is no need to improve.

MATADOR

Managing Editor News Editors

Reporters: Kabrina Bennett, Kelly Lac, Sunhi Nguyen, Ada Zhao The Matador is published monthly by the journalism class of San Gabriel High School. 1,600 copies per issue are published at J. E. J Print Inc. The Matador is a public forum for student expression and highly encourages responses in reaction to issues discussed in the paper. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, not the faculty or administration. Articles without bylines are the opinion of the staff. Submit comments as a letter to the editor, signed (anonymity is guaranteed if requested), to H-2, or Ms. Kim’s mailbox.

ILLUSTRATION BY ANGELA LU

The Matador Bullring

Editors-in-Chief

Carlos Carrillo Jennifer Cheung Kevin Contreras Selina Han Kenny Lam Opinions Editors Donna Hernandez Eileen Ong Focus Editors Alice Li Karina Matias Life and Art Editors Angela Lu Elsie Wang Sports Editors Nian Capili Chelsea Li Features Editors Henry Chow Vivian Zheng Copy Editors Lucas Jorgensen Kim Ta Andy Yung Photo Editors Katherine Huang Ahyoung Nguyen Artist Vincent Maresca Business Managers Shawn Ho Anny Li Wu Website Editors Echo Dieu Emily Tan Multimedia Editors Brianna Huynh-Tong Lu June Lin Blogs Manager Kayla Tang Community Editors Clara Quach Virginia Situ Special Projects Manager Bastian Mendez Humans of SG Editor Kim Ta Adviser Jennifer Kim

This kind of view runs counter to the entire purpose of language in the first place. Writing is, at its core, a form of communication—not just with oneself, but with others as well. If someone’s handwriting fails to be legible to others, then its purpose is lost.

Furthermore, some students believe that handwriting is a talent, not a skill, and that they cannot learn to improve it.

While it is true that some are more naturally adept at writing than others, the notion that it is impossible to improve is a misguided one. As someone with impeccable handwriting myself, I can attest to the benefit of practicing writing. I was once a lost soul who could not communicate his words on paper, but through practice, I became a calligrapher.

The way we communicate with one another is essential in our world and it is ridiculous that some of us are not able to do so clearly through writing. There are simply no excuses for not improving one’s handwriting when there are no benefits to having poor penmanship.

What should be improved at SGHS?

“ “ “

We should improve the lunch line. I think the line is too long, and some students sometimes do not get their lunch.”

-Natalie Rodrigo, 9th grade

Kids get hungry and thirsty. The vending machine that sells beverages should at least work and sell Gatorade.”

-Johnathan Kyin, 10th grade

“

I think we should improve how we motivate the students because a lot of the time, it is really boring.”

-Victoria Ly, 11th grade

What I’d do to improve the school is to have cleaner restrooms. It’s kind of dirty and disgusting.”

-Bruce Hernandez, 12th grade PHOTOS BY BASTIAN MENDEZ AND AHYOUNG NGUYEN

5

“Sea” my smile

Chelsea Li Find the silver lining My friend once asked me about how I could always be so happy. At the time, I simply laughed it off, but in my head, I had a deeper answer for her. It was because I am grateful for all the love that I receive and the tough experiences that made me appreciate the small things in life.

My mom passed away when I was four years old, and I watched my dad go through the hardships of raising four children and working two jobs. He had to be strong in front of us because if he crumbled, we would not know who to look up to. The stress of dealing all that alone is no joke and as a kid, I was incapable of helping him. All I could do was see him off to work in the mornings and welcome him home after work. Having to see him struggle, I learned how to be thankful for him providing a roof over our heads and food on the table.

Throughout the years of school, I encountered many situations where my classmates would question why I didn’t have a mom. There would be a pause before answering them because every time I was asked, the realization of me not having one resurfaces. Whenever we made cards for Mother’s Day, I would place my nanny’s name instead, raising weird looks and confusion. To this day, I still have trouble explaining, so instead I choose to keep quiet.

Even though my mom has left, I am thankful to have a nanny who has been taking care of me since I was one week old. She treats me like one of her daughters and has become someone I rely on.

Her influence on my life has covered the void of a missing mother figure. I realized that family is not defined by blood, but by the ones who are important to you.

My nanny taught me when in tough times, I must be strong. I remember a few months ago, the night when her dad was hospitalized. He was someone who I held dear to my heart and was like a grandfather to me. Since I was a kid, every Saturday was reserved for him. We would have lunch and dinner together.

Although nothing expensive, just fish and a few vegetables, I ate happily with him and my nanny in a tiny table that was only enough for two. Every day we would visit him twice in the hospital in hopes that our presence would help him recover. Once in the afternoon. Again after dinnertime. But three weeks later in late August, we received a phone call to see him for the last time. The call I never wished to receive. The car that was filled with my dad, nanny, sister, and brother, suddenly seemed so spacious on our way to the hospital. She comforted me when I was the one who was supposed to be comforting her.

I felt that another wound had been inflicted upon me like when my mother passed; both are still taking time to heal. Through the painful experiences that left me with open wounds, I found my family and friends to be the ones healing me. The loss of the ones I love has made me be even more thankful. I realized that we should not take things for granted because we will never know when it will be gone. So as I continue on, I make sure to cherish the moments I have with those whom I love. That way, I am able to find happiness amidst the sadness placed upon me.

6

focus

THE MATADOR friday, DECEMBER 8, 2017

“but now we’re

stressed out”

STRESS BEHIND CLASSROOM DOORS

BY KENNY LAM

When one thinks of stress in a school environment, they typically picture students struggling to survive the onslaught of impossible tests and outrageous amounts of homework. This is expected, as students are the majority of a school’s population. However, when taking a deeper look into the classroom, one can find that many teachers also experience these dreaded feelings of stress.

This stress is especially relatable to English teacher Melissa Bishop-Magallanes. Along with teaching at San Gabriel High School (SGHS), Bishop-Magallanes also balances both teaching English at Pasadena City College (PCC) and caring for her two children.

“I was up this morning at 3:30 [a.m.] grading papers for my community college courses; I teach at PCC,” Bishop-Magallanes said. ”Then after that, I have to handle things for my family.”

In addition to her family and teaching life, Bishop-Magallanes has also been finishing up her thesis for her Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University.

“On top of all of that, I have my Ph.D. that I’m working on, slowly but surely. Over the next year, I have an exorbitant amount of work to kind of finish up,” Bishop-Magallanes said. “When I’m done, I’ll have taken nine years...but that’s nine years having worked full time.

With all the stress she is experiencing, there’s no doubt that some of it will bleed into her teaching life at SGHS. However, Bishop-Magallanes counteracts these possible negative effects through communication and understanding with her students.

“I’m human so there [are] times that I don’t respond the best that I could in certain situations,” Bishop-Magallane said. “I try and keep in the forefront of my mind that my students are human beings and that I have to be proactive about telling them if there’s a day where I’m really, really struggling.”

Despite the difficulties in her stressful routine, Bishop-Magallanes still finds pleasure in what she does. Believing that it will be eventually worth it in the end, she continues to persevere through every stressful day.

“It’s complicated, but I’m very fortunate that what I do, I firmly believe in.

It’s a passion; it’s a vocation,” Bishop-Magallanes said. “Even when I’m doing it and it’s stressful, it’s also pleasurable. In a perverse sort of way, it’s already worth it because I’m enjoying it as I do it, even though it’s tough.”

Bishop-Magallanes is not the only teacher who faces problems of stress; many other teachers go through these same experiences. It is important to remember that teachers are not just faceless robots. They too are ordinary humans who experience the same feelings that we students experience. Likewise, teachers need to also be included in methods to prevent stress in order to create an overall safer and healthier school environment.

“I get anxiety because I know I could do better, my mind is on so many different stuff.” - Nathaniel Rodrigo, 12th Graphics by Lu Yue Wang All surveys conducted out of 100 people Polls conducted by Kevin Contreras, Lucas Jorgensen, and Lu June Lin Photos by Katherine Huang and Ahyoung Nguyen

crack

BY EILEEN ONG

Stress is no stranger to the the feeling of pressure beco their lives, it seems almost st stress-free. It has come to the p being stressed enough as a pro realize the detrimental effects physical and mental health.

School nurse Louise Tso people in many different way being the turmoil it brings “Sometimes you get overwh know what to do,” Tsoi said. “It It makes you feel agitated an are certain things that you don Sometimes I’ve seen some ki it gets so overwhelming.”

Stress is not something th agers’ heads. Heavy amounts healthy behaviors in teenager on a more visible level when puts teenagers’ physical being “Everybody experiences so lives,” Tsoi said. “Sometimes p There’s insomnia, losing slee they can get stomach aches, a go to the bathroom all th According to a 20 can Psychological of teens report

by shawn ho

From the grip students become Unhealthy relatio lationships, are w relationship are no freely due to rest tionship itself,” say Success counselor “I think that through enough li people to underst emotional and soc ities are good for t Due to the lac high school stude not really know w like. He believes t to model after, hig to toxic relationsh In her sophom victim of such. Oc to impress her frie friends did not tru “They were Luu said. “Som night to ju

“When when I d er [for m

focus

THE MATADOR friday, DECEMBER 8, 2017

king under pressure

e average teenager. With oming so recurrent in trange to be completely point where stress is not oblem. Teenagers do not s stress has on both their

oi said stress can affect ys, the most prominent s to their mental state. helmed [and] you don’t makes you feel anxious. nd up to the point, there on’t know how to handle. ids even crying because

hat just happens in teens of stress can foster uners. Its effect can be seen these types of behavior g on the line. ome kind of stress in their people don’t want to eat. ep. In severe situations, abdominal pain, or they he time.”

014 study by the Ameril Association, 23 percent t skipping a meal due

to stress and 36 percent report experiencing fatigue. These bad habits can put teens in an even worse position and cause them to worry more, thus creating an endless, vicious cycle of stress.

With everything that is going on in teenagers’ lives—academics, personal relationships, college expectations—stress is a very natural response; it is the automatic coping response that helps the body prepare for difficulties. While people may not be able to control the circumstances and factors contributing to their stress, they should not neglect their health.

“I don’t want people to feel stuck: ‘that’s the only way. I cannot do it,’” Tsoi said. “It makes you even more stressed out. Take a deep breath at that moment and relax yourself.”

The combination of chronic stress and ineffective coping methods can have dreadful results. Unfortunately, this can be the case when teenagers turn to drugs for solutions. With the proper prescriptions from a doctor, medication can provide stress relief.

On the other hand, taking drugs without professional consultation can cause more harm than good.

When the stress is intense enough to negatively affect the teenager’s overall being, it is a sign for he or she to do something to address the problem. There are many resources on campus for students, such as school counselors, psychologists, Conflict Mediation, and Peer Counseling. Students should reach out to these given resources in times of need.

Do y to d ou tak eal w e ith s drugs tres s?

Do yo u take medic presc ine to iption deal w ith str ess?

Toxicity in the air

ps of unhealthy relationships, victims of its inevitable stress. onships, also known as toxic rewhen “one or both persons in a ot allowed to express themselves raints put on them by the relays Alexander Woo, a Gateway to r at San Gabriel. high schoolers have not gone ife experiences nor met [enough] tand and know the full range of cial interactions and which qualthem,” Woo said. ck of experience, Woo says that ents often get confused and do what a healthy relationship looks that by not having a relationship gh schoolers are more susceptible hips. more year, senior Jenny Luu was a ccupied by how much she wanted ends, she did not realize that her uly care for her. bad influences to say the least,” me convinced me to sneak out at ust hang out with them. I didn’t

even realize [it was a toxic relationship] before my mental health started deteriorating.”

Frightened by the overwhelming stress, Luu took it upon herself to solve the problem—she went offline. For an entire summer, she disassociated herself with her now ex-friends. She blocked them on Facebook, avoided Snapchat, and did not text, call, or respond. By doing so, she found time to focus on herself and find her direction in life.

“I think if you’re in a healthy relationship with someone who respects you and care for you and treats you as an equal, then you’re going to develop socially [and] achieve your goals,” Woo said.

Those in toxic relationships often feel trapped, closed off from their peers, and lack participation, among other things. Communication is key in maintaining a healthy relationship. If the other is not willing to talk, that is a sign it is a toxic relationship.

“You can’t expect the other person to know what you want,” senior Tracy Liang said. “It’s important to get your point across so the other person can amend those problems. But, if after telling [them] your problem and they’re too stubborn to listen with an open mind, then that’s a problem.”

n I’m stressed out, I tend to have trouble sleeping and don’t sleep enough, I will be tired in class and it’s hardme] to concentrate.” - Aiying Huang, 11th

u o y e Ar ? d e s stres

7

8

life & art

THE MATADOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Art Club hosts gallery, showcases creativity

Taiyaki ice cream swims from LA to Arcadia

PHOTO BY ADA ZHAO

S o m i S o m i ’ s we e k ly s p e c i a l : m i l k a n d m at ch a sw i r l t o p p e d w i t h s p r i n k l e s a n d a m a c a ro n , b u t t o p p i n gs a re s e l f - s e l e c t e d .

BY ADA ZHAO

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KRISTINE CHAN AND DUSTIN TA

The Art Gallery was displayed from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 during lunch in the auditorium foyer. The gallery featured paintings, digital art, sculptures, and other mediums created by students. Two of the finalists in the competition include “Hm” by senior Livia Duong (left) and “Hold Me Tight” by junior Angela Lu (right).

WRITTEN BY BASTIAN MENDEZ

New Animal Crossing game makes camp at SG

Somi Somi was created by “two dessert enthusiasts” who want to “provide [a] unique ice cream experience by adding a creative twist to the traditional goldfishshaped waffle cone.” Known for their crafted Taiyaki (a fish-shaped waffle) soft serve, Somi Somi serves ice cream (in milk, matcha, ube, or black sesame flavors) inside of a Taiyaki shell with a filling (custard, red bean, or nutella). The ice cream is topped off with an elaborate mix of toppings (macarons, sprinkles, and more). Somi Somi offers this ice cream in both a Taiyaki ($5.95) and in a cup ($3.75).

Instead of driving to Los Angeles, 626 residents who want to try Somi Somi now have a closer destination to save themselves some gas: Westfield Santa Anita Mall. As it gained popularity in early 2017, Somi Somi built another shop inside the mall in November 2017 (on the first floor, near Nordstrom).

The soft serve matcha-milk swirl ice cream topped with sprinkles and a macaron was delicious. The ice cream melted into my mouth just perfectly. The macaron was crunchy and a great topping for the ice cream. Although the sprinkles looked pleasing for pictures, they were too hard and chewing it ruined the ice cream a tad. As I finished the matcha-milk swirl with my pink spoon, I made my way down to the Taiyaki. It tasted alright. It was not exactly my cup of tea, and the nutella filling was too overwhelmingly sweet for my liking.

When eating the last three inches of my waffle, the ice cream dripped onto my shirt. But, to be fair, it was quite hot outside.

Although the ice cream did drip onto my shirt, Somi Somi’s ice cream was appetizing, and I would definitely go there again, despite the mess it made.

Overall, Somi Somi sells scrumptious soft-serve ice cream in a unique (and edible) container, and it is worth the money and the hype.

German Market opens in Alhambra, introduces flabbergasting prices

PHOTO COURTESY OF NINTENDO

“Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp” is a leisure life stimulation game full of cute and friendly animals: sassy cats, quirky elephants, wacky bears, and endearing birds.

BY ELSIE WANG

Nintendo swept app stores worldwide with its new release of the mobile game “Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp” on Nov. 22. Since then, the game has taken the world by storm, accumulating 15 million downloads within its first week. Pocket Camp is the first of the beloved Animal Crossing series to be released on mobile as Nintendo is beginning to release other mobile games of different series that are usually seen on the Nintendo 3DS. This free and popular mobile game has already attracted many students of San Gabriel High School (SGHS) due to its simple yet leisurely charm.

“It’s a fun way to kill your time,” sophomore Levin Chang said. “I like that I can choose what to do with my camp and choose who gets to be in the camp.”

Like its predecessors for the Nintendo 3DS console, “Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp” allows players to decorate their living spaces, customize their characters, talk to animals, and create new friendships. Players’ home base is a campground rather than the traditional house seen in previous Animal Crossing games.

“I think it’s really fun,” junior Kelly Tsan said. “[It is] not as good as the actual game since you’re pretty limited in what you do, but it’s Animal Crossing you know. It’s fun.”

The real-time clock made its way into Pocket Camp like the other Animal Crossing games.

What makes Pocket Camp better is that instead of binging playing time all at once, the mobile game allows players to play for a few minutes at a time. Because of its real-time clock and events, players can easily access their game on their handheld devices rather than having to haul their Nintendo 3DS around.

“The game has a time limit of three hours to do tasks for people and then it resets and gives you more tasks,” Chang said.

The game also has a new feature that allows you to befriend and interact with other people locally and across the world. This enables players to visit each other’s campsites, give kudos, look at each other’s market places, and help each other find materials. Players can also interact with animals, perform tasks for them, and get hearts to level up.

Because of its simplistic yet accessible qualities, Pocket Camp has dominated the phones of many students at SGHS in an Animal Crossing fever. The fact that it is free and similar in a way to the Animal Crossing series has many students wanting more.

“I think it’s different because a lot of people have played it before,” Tsan said. “The mobile version brings back like feelings of nostalgia and happiness, especially for people who can’t play it on a DS anymore like me.”

PHOTO BY KATHERINE HUANG

The grand opening weekend of Aldi in Alhambra features produce such as 29 c ent c abb age, 78 c ent zucchini, and 97 c ent lettuc e.

BY KATHERINE HUANG

With blue and yellow balloons and blaring music at the entrance, Aldi, a German food market chain, commemorated its grand opening in Alhambra on Nov. 30. A long line formed outside the store on 2121 W. Main Street with people eager to experience low-priced groceries.

Upon entry, each person was given a reusable grocery bag for the grand opening and greeted by an employee who seemed semi-interested in the whole process. The interior of the store was relatively small compared to typical American food market chains but boasted a similar aesthetic.

Majority of Aldi’s inventory consists of generic brands which allows them to keep the prices low. Most notable are the eggs, priced at 69 cents per dozen, and the avocados, 39 cents each. Throughout the store, many items were priced correspondingly and between the 50 cents to two dollar range; however, the selection is more limited and toiletries (available in other market chains) were uncommon. However, these sales are not only enticing, but also afford-

able for many families looking to cut down on food finances.

Despite the appealing prices, Aldi’s lack of customer service integrates itself into their mediocre reputation. After paying, the groceries are placed into a cart at the end of the cash register and customers are responsible for moving to a separate bagging area to bag their items. Relocating to a different area proves to be a hassle as the cashier hurries to attend to the following customer, so customers are obliged to speed up packing as well.

Additionally, Aldi is notorious for their cart system. In order to use a cart, a quarter needs to be inserted into a slot on the handle. After the customer is finished with the cart, they can return it and the quarter can be removed. This ensures that customers will return the carts and a hired employee is not necessary to retrieve them. Nonetheless, this system has frustrated some customers and triggered a series of memes on the internet.

Though the customer service leans more towards inadequacy, it does not override the ridiculously low-priced food items which are a good choice for penny-savers.

life & art

THE MATADOR

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Wu expresses artistic inspiration through anime

9

Ramirez tunes music into life, learns skills from aunt

PHOTO BY AHYOUNG NGUYEN

Sophomore Winnefer Wu draws her way to her future career as an aspiring artist, using various art supplies such as Copic alcohol-based markers and a thin felt-tip tracing pen.

SUNHI NGUYEN

While listening to her teacher’s lecture, sophomore Winnefer Wu spends her time doodling in her drawing notebook thinking about her future path.

Drawing is something she loves to do.

“I was planning on drawing as my career because I feel like I will have more fun drawing as a job than as a hobby,” Wu said.

Wu had a great passion for drawing ever since she was in second grade. Later on, she began buying art supplies when she was in sixth grade. She also loves how Pokemon are drawn and how the characters are animated. It has motivated her artistic journey.

“When I started tracing Pikachu, I felt like I achieved something and loved the sensation of ‘creating’ something with my own hands,” Wu said.

“So I traced; then I slowly left from tracing and starting creating my own drawings.”

Wu also got inspiration from other Japanese animations by watching them.

“In the beginning, I got inspired by this anime

called Bleach because it was semi-realistic, and the details [were] cool,” Wu said. “So, I start[ed] drawing in a [semi-realistic style]. Then the inspiration started fading [away].”

The reason why her inspiration on drawing disappeared was because she stopped watching anime and focused on Korean music. She also explained that one of her friends, junior Angela Lu, who draws digital art, encouraged Wu to try drawing digitally.

“I bought four of Angela’s pins and it was so cute, pretty, and colorful,” Wu said. “I wanted to try digital because I can’t afford many art supplies and digital art [offers] different kinds of materials.”

Soon, Wu got her inspiration and motivation back by watching anime again and one of her friends on Instagram. Additionally, Wu liked her friend’s drawing style of Bishie and Ikemen—Japanese for “pretty boy”—which inspired her to continue drawing.

Wu also posts her drawing on her Instagram and if interested in her artwork, visit her @kurukamii.

REVIEW

Taylor Swift obliterates her ‘reputation’ through new released autumn album

BY DONNA HERNANDEZ

On Nov. 10, Taylor Swift released her sixth studio album Reputation. Swift made the album to respond to all the backlash against her persona and create something completely unlike her previous albums, especially the more recent 1989. It is safe to say that Swift is a controversial character in the media, due to past conflicts with Katy Perry, Kanye West, and her formidable long list of ex-lovers.

Nonetheless, the album has sold 1.2 million copies already, making it the best selling record of this year. Based on this, we can see that the End Game artist was able to have the last laugh.

Reputation is not simply a hate album, but an artist’s expression of how they have been orchestrated. It is assumed to be set in chronological order according to New Year’s Day , where she compares her life, albeit the romantic side, to a storybook. Towards the beginning, she is not quite at the peak of her reputation, although she is aware and preparing herself for what is to come, all the while looking for her “end game.” She eventually gets to a point where it is too much to handle and addresses the beef people have with her. Of this drama, relationships are involved and she chalks it up to giving too much of herself to her partner.

It leaves her worse for the wear and in a “delicate” position. Swift decides that a change is needed and thinks herself to be an entirely different person, someone much stronger. She swears against men, but gets caught up in the moment with someone else with time. Although the previous relationships left her weary, a suitor (Joe Alwyn) comes in and does not care for what others may say about her.

The final three songs on the album are perhaps the most important of all, because she gets closure and

realizes that she should just hold on to the happy moments she has now.

Reputation was hyped up to a grand extent, drawing audiences in because of sheer curiosity.

Her first single, Look What You Made Me Do , brought a wave of memes and critique, especially after she made the statement, “The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now… Why? Because she’s dead!” Oddly enough, Reputation is a mosh-posh of both the old and new versions of Taylor Swift, not necessarily a whole new person. The idea is still the same; the songs are inspired by personal events, yet relatable enough to the public. The sound, however, is far different than her former styles, which originated in country, then transferred to a more popular appeal. The album comes with a variety of different genres from ballads to house music, but it ultimately falls under electropop.

Swift made it clear that she has dealt with her fair share of drama, which has both affected and been the effect of her love life. Her relationship with her current suitor was kept under wraps for about a year to escape the media circus. In any case, she alludes to her lover, Joe Alwyn, throughout songs such as Gorgeous and New Year’s Day .

The references, however, are not in her typical sappy, hopeless romantic manner from 2008; but instead more panicked and cautious due to her mudslingers. Not all the songs involving love have to do with him, although Swift has clarified that the positive ones do.

Like any artist, Taylor Swift will continue to redefine herself, not only as an artist, but also a human being through her music. This “reputation” that she has currently may only be a phase that could fade thanks to her works. Her album is available for download as of Dec. 1.

PHOTO BY AHYOUNG NGUYEN

Sophomore Valeria Ramirez is practicing ‘Amber’ by 311, refining her skills in playing the ukulele by creating a soft melody.

AHYOUNG NGUYEN

It is a cold and rainy day.

The melody to ‘I’m Yours’ by Jason Mraz is heard in the background. A woman’s voice resonates, instructing a young girl how to play a ukulele. That young girl was sophomore Va l e r i a R a m i r e z . H e r au n t brought her a ukulele from Hawaii and taught her how to play the instrument. ”I just tried it, and I fell in love with how it sounds,”Ramirez said. “Unfortunately, [both] my parents [and] my sibling [do] not know how to play. Only my aunt does, so she showed it to me.”

Most people cover songs and play the ukulele while singing at the same time. However, Ramirez prefers covering songs like ‘Paint it Black’ by Rolling Stone and ‘Banana Pancakes’

by Jack Johnson, among many others.

“I do cover ‘Despacito’ and other songs that have nice beat, but I do not really sing it,”

Ramirez said. “I [would] rather play [music] than to sing, to listen to the nice beat.”

While Ramirez’s aunt taught her how to play, there is a club where students can learn how to play ukulele from football coach Kevin Encinas. Ramirez has been there since the first meeting. According to Ramirez, the club is learning a song called ‘Amber’ by 311 and the meetings are held every Thursday.

“I [have] been in [the club] since they started and I never miss a day of the meetings,” Ramirez said. “I learn so many songs and I want to thank Mr. Encinas for teaching me.”

Achieving her goal of learning how to play an instrument, Ramirez encourages other students to be themselves and to not let others push them down.

“Just try to be yourself, find something that you like to do— not something you do not—and then show them that you could do it,” Ramirez said.

10

sports

THE MATADOR FRIDAY, December 8, 2017

2017 18 Winter Sports Scoreboard BOYS BASKETBALL

GIRLS BASKETBALL

BOYS SOCCER

VARSITY 12/4 @ Bellflower

85-55 W

JV 11/27 vs El Monte 11/2 vs Mountain View

VARSITY 11/29 @ Citrus Valley* 11/30 @ Los Altos* 12/1 @ La Mirada* 12/2 @ Woodrow Wilson

46-36 W 74-45 W

VARSITY 11/21 @ Arroyo 11/29 vs St. Paul 12/1 vs Azusa 12/2 @ Chavez

7-1 2-0 4-0 2-0

JV 11/21 @ Arroyo 12/2 @ Temple City

5-0 L 1-0 W

JV 11/27 vs St Joseph Lake Wood Frosh/soph 11/27 vs St Joseph Lake Wood

35-31 39-36 51-44 43-35

W L W W

33-27 W

GIRLS SOCCER L W L L

VARSITY 11/28 vs Ramona Convent 11/29 @ St. Paul 12/1 @ Azusa

2-1 L 5-0 L 5-0 L

JV 11/29 @ St. Paul

4-0 L

44-24 L * tournament

Matadors send Buccaneers overboard, finish 30 points ahead

BY BASTIAN MENDEZ The bus ride to the game against the Bellflower High School Buccaneers was surprisingly quiet. The varsity boys team was visibly anxious to see if their hard work would pay off in time for preseason.

“During the summer we weren’t as good as we hoped we were,” senior Miguel Quintana said. “I feel like after we’ve practiced and gone over plays, everyone is on the same page now, so I feel like we’re going to do a lot better.”

Quintana’s prediction was an understatement. The San Gabriel High School Matadors crushed the Buccaneers by a 30 point margin, allowing them to move up the bracket and play the winner of the adjacent Blue Pride Classic game, Hacienda Heights (HH) Wilson High School.

The Buccaneers won the tip off as the game began. Both teams showed aggressive defense as possession of the ball switched rapidly. After a few shots, the energy mellowed out and the quarter ended with a slight, five point lead for the Matadors.

The second quarter brought more methodical action from both teams.

Bellflower managed to double their score. However, thanks to several substitutions made by Coach Jason Meador,

the Matadors still managed to advance their lead to 17 points by the end of the quarter.

The energy was palpable as the players’ excitement grew. Cheers erupted from the bench after every major play, enough to drown out chants for defense by impassioned fans. At the end of the third quarter, the Matadors were 25 points ahead of the visibly flustered Buccaneers.

The fourth quarter hearkened back to the fast paced action of the first.

Coach Meador subbed in senior Matthew Luu, who went on to take part in several key plays. Together, the team managed to push their lead as far as it would go. Despite an unexpected false buzzer in the final quarter, the Matadors powered through and finished the game 85-55.

The team, although tired, was visibly excited about their win. Quips were exchanged over a key play by senior Andrew Canizal, who took charge and had a particularly aggressive player removed from the game through a foul trouble. Though it may just be a preseason game, the hope is that The Matadors’ strong leadership and spirit will remain so until the season starts.

The Matadors will play against HH Wilson High School this Saturday, Dec. 9.

PHOTO BY BASTIAN MENDEZ

Junior Levin Luu dashes to the offensive end to look for an open pass against the opposite team.

Boys soccer pierces through Swordsmen prior to start of season

BY KIM TA

PHOTO BY BASTIAN MENDEZ

Junior Valentin Jr. Villa weaves through Swordsmen defense for an opportunity to score.

Twenty players and two goalies flocked onto the football field, all determined to score over the opposition. Half of them came out victorious with the score of 2-0.

With the closure of fall sports, soccer—one of the two winter sports—has been competing in their preseason games. The San Gabriel Matadors’ boys varsity soccer team went up against the St. Paul Swordsmen.

The sun was shining directly onto the crowd of people in the bleachers, which held San Gabriel students, staff, and families waiting for approximately two hours. With one blow of a whistle, the game began.

Both teams started off average; many passes went out-of-bounds. The Matadors defended well. Midfielder and co-captain senior Anthony Aparicio tried charging to the Swordsmen’ side of the field. The Matadors endeavoured to score multiple times and came so close to scoring, but no goals were made.

“My individual performance could’ve been a lot better to help teammates,” Aparicio said.

“I have high expectations for myself. I think there is a lot that we need to work on, especially communication and just working as a team.”

As the game got closer to halftime, both the Matadors and the Swordsmen had not scored.

Nevertheless, there was a combination of slick kicks, swift passes from player to player, interesting movements from the Swordsmen, and an

abundant amount of headers before midfielder junior Miguel Esqueda scored a goal for the Matadors.

“It was good [when I scored], but I knew we couldn’t get too confident, because the game could change really quick,” Esqueda said. “I did good [in the game]...we could’ve taken the chances we had to score more goals.”

Then came halftime, the only time where noises were near mute at the bleachers and its surroundings. When the second half of the game came, the taste of an adrenaline rush was almost as tangible as a victory for the Matadors. Despite a couple of vigorous, near-injury-causing physical contact between players from both sides, the Matadors and the Swordsmen continued passing the ball from teammate to teammate in an attempt to make it into the opposing team’s net, resulting in more out-of-bound kicks. Having previously made efforts at scoring, center midfielder senior Gerardo Salina quickly launched a goal as the opposing goalie was inattentive.

“I felt kind of relieved considering it was a little bit towards the [end of the] game,” Salina said. “I knew I had plenty of chances before that and this one finally came through. It’s [still] early on preseason and we still have a lot of room to improve.”

The Matadors established a win with the score being 2-0 for this preseason game. Boys varsity soccer team will start the season off on Jan. 9 at Alhambra High, while the next home game will be on Jan. 11 against the Schurr Spartans.

sports

THE MATADOR

11

FRIDAY, December 8, 2017

Basketball, soccer captains reminisce, look forward to new season Senior basketball captain Lucy Nguyen

PHOTO COURTESY OF LUCY NGUYEN

Senior basketball captain Andrew Canizal

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW CANIZAL

Senior soccer captain Kelly Rodriguez

PHOTO BY CHELSEA LI

Senior soccer captain Anthony Aparicio

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW APARICIO

BY KATHERINE HUANG

Q: What do you love most about basketball?

A: I love all the people I have gotten to meet because of basketball and all the memories I have made with them. I have basically spent my four years of high school with majority of these girls. They probably see me more than my family sees me. Not only that, but I have learned and grown so much due to basketball.

Q: What has basketball taught you?

A: Basketball has taught me several life lessons. I learned that it is okay to fail because you will learn from your mistakes, your hard work will always pay off, you have to trust others in some situations, but overall, basketball has taught me that life is not fair. There will always be someone better than you, but you are a one of a kind. Not only have I grown so much as a person, but I also learned how to manage my time efficiently.

With basketball being year round, I learned how manage time for homework, study for tests and maintain my social life even after an intense three hour practice.

Q: Do you remember your proudest moment, either a game or individual performance?

A: One of my proudest moments actually occurred this year.

In basketball, I usually play as a forward or center, but my coach decided to play me as a guard one game, and I shot a three and made it. It was one of my proudest moments because as a “big,” everyone underestimates you to not be able to shoot outside of the paint and it was one of my goals for the year. I remembered when I made it, my whole team went wild and jumped off the bench. As for my team, we always make it to CIF every year, and it always makes my heartache because I am always proud of them.

Q: Can you describe your influence on the team?

A: I am honestly kind of the mom of the team. I keep everyone in check. From keeping everyone organized with the game and practice schedules, reminding them to bring their clothes and jerseys and motivate everyone when practice gets really hard or to do better. I try to make the atmosphere of the team upbeat and cheerful, but I know when it is time to grind and be serious or when I can crack a joke.

Q: Who supports you from behind?

A: My friends and teammates. I play for them honestly. They have seen me grow from my freshman year to now and I cannot thank them enough. I keep doing what I do to show the progress that I’ve made. They have been there for me through thick and thin.

BY CHELSEA LI

Q: What position do you play in basketball?

A: I am a shooting guard and point guard.

Q: What do you love most about basketball?

A: I love competing and playing with my teammates.

Q: When did you first get interested in basketball?

A: I got interested when I was six years old and I have been playing a long time and because of my dad (who took me to play). He put me to Kare Youth League. It has been five years.

Q: Who supports you from behind the court?

A: My parents tell me to keep doing what you want, do not let anything bring you down, and keep your head up. [History teacher Eric] Hendrickson used to coach my dad in basketball.

He would tell my dad what I need to do and from there, I try to do it.

Q: How does being a role model affect you and your team?

A: Since this is my last year playing [basketball], it will be a good year leaving that they look up to me. For next year, they will understand it is all about hard work and putting the time in and going out there to compete.

Q: Do you behave differently on the court and off the court?

A: [I am] a leader out there, directing my teammates where to

go. Off the court, I am active and chill, messing around.

Q: What defines your role as captain?

A: What defines my role as captain is that I am a leader out there. I let them know what is wrong what is right.

Q: How many hours do you practice outside of school?

A: Outside of school, I practice three hours on the weekends with my brother.

Q: What is your team like?

A: My teammates are hard-headed but sometimes they are there to compete. Sometimes I get on them but most of the time they are really smart. They look up to me [and] expect me to be there at practice, showing them plays they haven’t learned.

Q: What is one thing that someone needs to know in order to play basketball?

A: Go out there to compete and play hard.

Q: What are your goals for this season?

A: [My goal is to] try to win back to back league titles if possible.

Q: What are the difficulties of being captain?

A: [It is difficult] to be there everyday, showing the coach that you care and telling my teammates what to do.

BY VIVIAN ZHENG

Q: What do you love most about soccer?

A: What I love most about soccer is just the intensity and all the running because you’re working out, yet you’re having fun. It is more intense than any other sport because this is [an international] sport—everybody in the world plays this. So that’s what I like about it.

Q: When did you first get interested in soccer?

A: I first got interested in it [during] my sophomore year. I [had] never played soccer before; that was the first time that I had ever tried out [for soccer] and I really liked it because of the motivation that my coachees would give me. That was what made me want to keep playing.

Q: How does your team look up at you?

A: I am a very social person, and I consider myself very trustworthy so I feel like that was why [my teammates] come to me about soccer and their personal stuff.

Q: Who supports you from behind the field?

A: I feel like my inspiration probably [came] from my coaches that trained me. Since I never knew how to play soccer until my sophomore year, they were the ones who really motivated me to keep on playing [and] because that was the year that I made [into] varsity.

BY ADA ZHAO

Q: What do you love most about soccer?

A: I like running. I have been playing for so long it’s just something I do now when I am bored.

Q: How did you first get interested in it?

A: My dad used to be in a soccer team and he would always take me to watch him play; I have been playing since I could walk. Since then, I just started playing [while] watching him.

Q: Do you remember your proudest moment, either in a game or individual performance?

A: There was this team we played in the outside league, there were a lot of people who played from here. It is called Atalas. We went to finals once, and I scored a freekick from really far out and that was probably my proudest moment.

Q: Name one trait that everyone needs in order to play soccer.

A: I think you need to have a heart for soccer otherwise you will just give up. If you feel like you will give up, then you will.

Q: Do you see yourself continuing to play soccer in the future?

A: I am trying to apply to colleges to play soccer and get scholarships.

Q: What are your goals for this soccer season?

A: My goal, as a team, is to to make CIF.

Q: Do you remember your proudest moment, either a game or individual performance?

A: [During a game against Alhambra,] there was this girl [from the opponent’s team] running towards the goal—she was the only one—[and] everyone else was all the way at the top [of the other side of the field]. So I was running after her, and she tried to kick it in but then I kicked it out [again], twice. I was the only one who did that and the goalkeeper was not even there so I basically [blocked] those two goals.

Q: What defines your role as captain?

A: I feel like they chose me because I am really outgoing with the girls, like I motivate them and I am not like a Debbie Downer.

Q: Name one trait that everyone needs in order to play soccer.

A: Determination, because I never knew how to play, but I was very serious about it when I came to practice.

12

features

THE MATADOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

In a Winter Wonderland STUDENTS SPEND THEIR VACATION IN UNIQUE WAYS

BY DONNA HERNANDEZ

gift of bEaring witness Around this time of year, it seems as if everyone gets into the “holiday spirit” and celebrates festivities like Christmas. This is not the case for certain individuals such as junior Clarissa Vasquez, who is a Jehovah’s Witness. Her religious beliefs fall in line with Biblical principles and have her stray from typical worldly associations, such as birthdays and holidays overall. “[I’ve been a Witness] since I was little, like since I’ve been able to talk basically,” Vasquez said. “We’re raised to know that the things we don’t do are for a reason and for our own protection [in some cases].”

Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ.

This comes to the surprise of most, considering that they do not celebrate his “birthday.”

“Everything we do is given by example by our teacher [Christ], and that’s how we live our life. We go door to door [to preach to people] and that’s hard work, but we see it from the first example we received.”

Witnesses like her hold Christ in such high esteem that they commemorate his death later in the springtime. This is to show gratitude for how he died for the sins of his people, as noted by the Holy Bible.

“Every year, we have the memorial [for Christ’s death], and that’s for Jesus,” Vasquez said. “If I [wasn’t] a Christian, why would

I be doing that? Why else would I be trying my hardest at times to live my life this way?”

The reason she does not celebrate Christ’s birth lies in the origins of the holiday itself.

“It goes back to when men took on religions like Catholicism and took those practices with them. Basically, Christmas is full of different religions.”

These other religions do not coincide with their same beliefs and so to celebrate the holiday would be practicing another.

“We believe that in the Bible, [it says] Christ was born [near] October, not in December,” Vasquez said. “I mean, why would you be celebrating someone’s birthday when it’s a whole different date?”

Practitioners of this faith, a self-titled “religion of truth,” follow certain rules and regulations to abstain from promoting what they believe are Biblical falsehoods. The Hebrew Calendar is seasonal and in the Bible (Luke 2:8), it hints at warmer temperatures that are not in winter.

Rather than taking part in the festivities, Witnesses treat it as any other day. Of course, they face a lot of pressure when it comes to seeing others exchange gifts with one another.

“Knowing you can’t give or receive in that way is kind of hard, but we have other ways [to show appreciation],” Vasquez said.

PHOTO BY AHYOUNG NGUYEN

Rather than exchanging gifts with her peers, junior Clarissa Vasquez gives back to the people around her in a different way.

As a Jehovah’s Witness, she offers Biblical tracts to people in her community.

BY KATHERINE HUANG

Sleighing Across a Continent

PHOTO COURTESY OF TAYLOR HOANG

Sophomore Taylor Hoang sleds down the slopes of Lake Tahoe, during the winter, depicting one of the many activities she does with her extended family.

Golden lights, the scent of green pine, sweater weather, soft caroling of “Jingle Bells,” and a warm cup of hot chocolate—the embodiment of the holiday season. The soft glowing room fills with spirit and chatter as relatives take a seat at the dinner table, preparing to indulge in slow-roast beef and creamy mashed potatoes. Following the grand feast, they joyously gather around the cozy fireplace and exchange vibrant paper-wrapped gifts while reminiscing old memories.

While sophomore Taylor Hoang celebrates her holidays in a similar manner, she may not always be found with her friends and family in Los Angeles (LA) county. With relatives scattered across the continent, Hoang’s Christmas occasionally brings her to Stockton, California, Canada, or Hawaii.

“This year, I’m staying home and some of my family members from Hawaii and Canada will be coming down to LA for Christmas,” Hoang said. “We usually go to Disneyland the week of Christmas Eve.” When in Hawaii, Hoang and her family stay in Hilo with her aunt and cousins, “[spending] time with each other at home.” Unlike traditional celebratory dishes, they prepare tuna and salmon poke, pho , and hot pot.

“We cook together and I spend a lot of time with [baby cous-

ins]. Sometimes, we stay at the Hilton Hotel in Honolulu for one weekend and go swimming.”

At the age of seven, Hoang moved from Stockton—her birthplace—to LA, leaving behind her large extended paternal family. As a result, celebrating Christmas with them in Stockton minimized.

“In Stockton, I have a really really big family,” Hoang said.

“We usually have a party with all of our family and have a huge meal during the day. [We then] open our presents on the night of Christmas Eve; it usually takes about an hour or two because there are so many of us.”

When Hoang is home in LA during the holiday seasons, she hosts a “Friendsmas” party and celebrates with a close group of friends. Together, they “watch movies, eat lots of good food, and play games,” and engage in Secret Santa.

“This year will be my third time throwing a Christmas party.

We always watch a scary movie—whatever scary movie is at Redbox.”

For Hoang, Christmas is an opportunity to celebrate with friends and also reunite with family residing far away. Whether it be in Canada, Hawaii, central California, or home, these moments and memories she shares with her loved ones are cherished.

BY VIRGINIA SITU

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS BABIES Birthdays are usually spent with family and friends. Having their birthday on Christmas Day does not change that for junior twins Patrick and Patty Ma. The thought of having her birthday on any other day never crossed Patty’s mind; being called a “Christmas baby” brings her joy.

As exciting as Christmas sounds to Patty, the idea of spending it with someone who always has her back and never lets her feel alone makes it ten times better.

“Christmas is already the best day ever because all our family members come over,” Patty said. “Being able to have a twin to spend this special day with me makes me feel [happier than] I already am.”

Christmas may be extremely special to the twins because it is also their birthday, but it is also special for other people as well. Therefore, every birthday is spent on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day due to restaurants closing for the holidays. The twins like sharing the same birthday because this also saves money for their parents.

“We go to the same restaurants every year,” Patrick said. “It’s either we get sushi or go eat [Korean barbecue].”

The members of the Ma family do not only consist of those that are blood related. Their close friends, the Tiens, whom they also call family, also celebrate their birthday with them.

“We started celebrating [our] birthdays together because of how

GRAPHICS BY ANGELA LU

close our family [has become], through volleyball, badminton, fishing, et cetera,” Patrick said. “They mean a lot to our family.”

Ever since the twins started to use social media, they started a competition for every birthday: who will receive the most birthday wishes. This competition never failed to amuse the twins. Many would think that the twins would receive only one gift for Christmas and their birthday, but family and friends think otherwise. “[We] usually get two presents, depending on who’s [gifting] them to [us],” Patty said. “We open our presents [on Christmas] and spend the [rest of] the day with the family.”

“Presents [are not] important to me,” Patrick said. “The only thing that is important to me is spending time with family and friends.”

Although they receive wishes and gifts from family and friends, the twins also remember to gift each other; not always with something tangible, but with words. To them, words mean more than gifts.

“I usually don’t have presents for Patty because I’m always [out of money], but I have a surprise [for her] this year,” Patrick said. “Ever since we were small, we would always be together and we rarely [fought]. She would always have my back in school, and I would always protect her no matter what. She helps me overcome obstacles in life and I [understand] that I’m not as bright as our older brother, but I will always have her back no matter what.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICK AND PATTY MA

Juniors and twins Patrick and Patty Ma celebrate their birthdays with family and friends at Gen Korean BBQ House in West Covina.