The Pearl Post June 2022

Celebrating the Class of 2022 See pages 6-10

VOL. 13, ISSUE 4 JUNE 2022

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022 Print Editor-in-Chief Valeria Luquin Online Editor-in-Chief Delilah Brumer Managing Editor Gabrielle Lashley Features Editor Nathalie Miranda

IN THIS ISSUE...

Cover Photo by Gabrielle Lashley School Administrative Assistant prepares to 3-5 News retire / Enrollment declines at DPMHS / Patron ad 1

6-11

Opinion Editor Delilah Brumer Entertainment Editor Jessica Melkonyan

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Sports Editor Branden Gerson Staff Writers/ Photographers Rikka Lei Dimalanta, Emily Flores, Elishava Ibarra, Nickalas Lembo, Alan Ruiz, Emily Short, Jazmine Valerio Contributors Andre Arcilla, Jason Arevalo, Grant Asner, Satenik Ayrapetyan, Alysa Basmadzhyan, Jenica Felicitas, Alia Galvan, Jhonny Gonzalez, Ashley Harrison, Angela Ledesma, Nickalas Lembo, Naamah Silcott, Desiree Spurkel, Geraldine Suniga Adviser Adriana Chavira The Pearl Post is an open forum for student expression as allowed by California Education Codes 48907 and 48950. We are committed to excellence in reporting, writing and photography.

The magazine strives to inform and educate students and faculty on events affecting Daniel Pearl Magnet High School.

Thoughts and opinions published in these pages are the work of journalism students and do not represent the position of DPMHS, its administrators or the Los Angeles Unified School District.

An unsigned editorial is the opinion of the Editorial Board, which is comprised of the Editor-in-Chief and the editors. Signed opinions in The Pearl Post reflect the views of the authors. A signed cartoon reflects the view of the cartoonist.

The Pearl Post welcomes letters to the editor.

They should be 250 words or less and may be edited for length. Letters with profanity and obscenity will not be printed. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be published. Letters may be emailed to thepearlpost@gmail.com.

The magazine is published bimonthly and is the official campus newsmagazine of Daniel Pearl Magnet Magnet High School. The magazine is also posted online at http://www.thepearlpost.com.

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Features

Senior year photo essay / Plans after high school photo map / Valedictorian, salutatorian spotlight / Club Corner: Songwriting Club

Special Reports

Climate change in school curriculm / Possibility of Roe v. Wade case being overturned / Pearl Voice

Opinion Editorial / Senior reflection Profile: Nadia Montiel / Senior athletes look 18-19 Sports back on high school sports career 16-17

Tech Digital programs that DPMHS artists use 22-23 Entertainment Listicle: Anime to watch this 20-21

summer / Listicle: Albums to listen to this summer

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Back Cover Photo by Rikka Dimalanta LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

After a long year filled with post-distance learning obstacles, we wanted to dedicate our fourth and final issue to the graduating senior class.

Between studying for AP exams, teaching incoming editors how to design a magazine spread and working around each other’s hectic schedules, a lot has gone into creating this issue.

We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. With a staff of only 13, split into two different class periods, our teamwork and resilience have helped us achieve the goals we set this year.

Being part of The Pearl Post for the past three years has been an absolute highlight of my high school experience. I wish the incoming editor-in-chief and staff nothing but the best. I have no doubt that they will continue publishing phenomenal content and fulfill their rewarding roles as student journalists.

- Valeria Luquin

T H E P E A R L P O S T | VA L E R I A L U Q U I N

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ALIA GALVAN | The Pearl Post School Administrator Assistant Lubia Guiterrez prepares to retire after working in the Los Angeles Unified School District for 26 years including four years at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School. “I’m going to set off my alarm, probably going to put it on a little later actually,” Guiterrez said. “You don’t have to have big plans to enjoy it.”

Beloved administrator prepares to retire at end of school year

By Satenik Ayrapetyan

S

chool Administrator Assistant Lubia Guiterrez has announced her retirement after spending 26 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

“I’m going to set off my alarm, probably going to put it on a little later actually, because I will be receiving my grandson, which I will be helping my daughter take care of,” Gutierrez said.

“And whenever there is a chance, I will go take a walk, have a coffee, enjoy life. You don’t have to have big plans to enjoy it.”

After joining the staff of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in May 2018, Gutierrez is now preparing to leave at the end of the school year. There is no known immediate replacement for Gutierrez. Her reasons for departing are in part due to the fact that she has become of age in order to retire and is qualified

to do so. Moreover, she wishes to step back and take time with her family.

Her co-worker in the front office, Lupe Osorio, will also miss her as she retires. News of Guiterrez’s retirement did not surprise the staff because she had informed them upon her employment that this would be the last school she worked with under LAUSD. “I feel happy and excited because you know, it’s something she really wants to do and is looking forward to,” said Osorio, who has become close to Guiterrez over the years. “I would have liked to have more time so we could work together. I feel like we’re a good team. It’s like Lubia, Lupe – it’s almost the same. ”

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

DPMHS enrollment continu After more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and DPMHS has hit a long-time low, affecting funding

By Delilah Brumer @BrumerDelilah

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ompared to her freshman year, senior Jamie Ortiz has noticed some of the excitement and novelty fade from Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) as enrollment has declined.

“It just became more boring because a lot of people haven’t been choosing the school,” Ortiz said. “It’s less social because you just keep seeing the same people.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, DPMHS saw a steep drop in enrollment. The school population currently sits at 220 students, as opposed to an enrollment of 356 students five years ago, according to school records. Despite the downward enrollment trend, the incoming freshman class for the 2022-23 school year is slated to be made up of 52 students, remaining relatively steady with this year’s 54 freshmen, according to Principal Armen Petrossian.

Dropping enrollment is not just an issue at DPMHS but is a widespread problem throughout Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). LAUSD’s total enrollment is expected to fall below 400,000 students, compared to over 737,000 students two decades ago, according to a March 9 article published by LAist.

The DPMHS administration has been attempting to attract prospective students to the school by sharing recruitment posts on social media, hosting virtual meet-the-magnet nights and presenting at middle school open houses via Zoom.

“We’ve gone to every single, possible recruitment opportunity we had,” Petrossian said.

DPMHS has also been hosting in-person school tours led by students in Associated Student Body (ASB) and leadership. These tours had previously been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing many families from experiencing the school environment firsthand.

“I think tours give (prospective students) more of a reason to come here,” ASB Secretary Diego Hernandez said. “They make them feel more welcome.”

With lower enrollment comes fewer teachers, fewer course offerings and scarcer funding, which have affected how some students feel about the school.

While widespread low enrollment concerns persist among DPMHS staff and students, enrollment is likely to stay about the

Over the course of the past five years, enrollment at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School has steadily 2020-2021 school year. As seen in the graph, the number of students who registered for enrollmen

same during the 2022-23 school year, according to Petrossian.

Many seniors, including Vivian Reyes, are frustrated by the lack of funding for senior activities, other extracurricular and

N E W S | VA L E R I A L U Q U I N

ues to decline

c, enrollment in both LAUSD ng and teacher placement.

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VALERIA LUQUIN | The Pearl Post teadily decreased. However, there was a huge drop in enrollment during distance learning in the ollment at the beginning of the school year remained about the same at the end of the year.

elective activities.

“The enrollment hasn’t affected me much,” Reyes said. “But I feel like I missed out a bit on a high school experience.”

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

The school year, as well as the Class of 2022’s high school years, are coming to an end. This school year was the first year back to in-person instruction after the pandemic, so seniors were able to enjoy their last year in high school properly. From concerts to club meetings to prom, this school year was fun-filled and a perfect way for seniors to end their high school experience. Here are some highlights.

VALERIA LUQUIN | The Pearl Post Senior Tia Jarrett decorates the ground with chalk honoring the Class of 2022’s last year in high school for Kindess Week in November 2021.

DELILAH BRUMER| The Pearl Post Senior Jose Arcilla plays the guitar and sings “On Melencholy Hill” by The Gorillaz during rehearsal for the Spring Concert on May 4. The show featured indie and rock performances by many students in the grove. The show was held outdoors a week after the Blackbox concert for friends and family to enjoy. Students were excited to perform their second live concert of the year.

VALERIA LUQUIN | The Pearl Post Seniors Lauren Mills, Geraldine Suniga, Allison Puc and Nathalie Miranda look at various bullet journals during a Bullet Journal Club meeting in the fall.

CHAREENA PASCUA | The Pearl Post Senior Rochelle Polushkin performs her solo piece “Arabesque” by Friedrich Burmuller during the Blackbox show on April 27.

F E AT U R E S | N AT H A L I E M I R A N D A

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DELILAH BRUMER | The Pearl Post Seniors Quinn Thorpe, Derek Calderon and many other seniors join a conga line below the arms of history teachers Brenda Helfing and Francisco Ortega at prom.

DELILAH BRUMER| The Pearl Post Seniors Geraldine Suniga, Lauren Mills and Nadia Montiel excitedly greet friends as they check in to the senior and junior prom on May 20. The first prom held in over two years due to the pandemic took place at the Tarzana Community Center.

This year’s prom theme was “Putting on the Ritz” inspired by 1920s fashion and “The Great Gatsby.”

DELILAH BRUMER | The Pearl Post Seniors Max Thuesen and Daniela Rangel enjoy the senior and junior prom on May 20. The night was filled with dancing by seniors, juniors and faculty and staff.

“Prom was a lot of fun,” Rangel said. “I got to connect with my friends in a very different way and seeing everyone all dressed up and having fun was really nice. It was just a really nice night overall.”

ELISHAVA IBARRA| The Pearl Post Senior Shauntrei Alipio sings “Just Like Heaven” by the cure during the spring concert on May 4.

RIKKA DIMALANTA | The Pearl Post Seniors Daniel and Golan Husany display their unique and comedic Halloween costumes on Oct. 29.

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

There are a variety of colleges and careers the Class of 2022 will be going into. Here is a list of where all the seniors will be going and what they will be doing.

Was hi ng to n D ie g o H e r n a n de z R o c h e ll e Po lu s h k in

Ad am Ma rti nez Nic k ala s Lem bo All iso n Puc Sh aun tre i Ali pio Eva n Gle aso n Xa vie r Alb an Qu inn Tho rpe

De re k C a lde r o n G a b r ie l G o n z a le z A n t o n io Be do n

Do n n y Ca st el la n G ab ri el a Je ro os n im o Ch ar lie K ar im ov Ju st in Pe rn il lo Et h an De ba rr ic ua S am an th a S al in as

B en B r y a n ie to G ra ci el a Pr st ia n lu a K w e A n dr R i ve ra zde an D ie go H er n n a dm ei S Le a h iz rt O ie m Ja i won gs e Da n ie ll e H a

Jo se Arcil la Tre vo r Do he rt y Vi via n Re ye s Ha nn ah M isc ion e Da nie la Ra ng el

F E AT U R E S | N AT H A L I E M I R A N D A

Ne Daniel Husany Dana MartinezReyes

Eduardo Regala do Emily Flores Will Myers Tat yana Reifer Geraldi ne Suniga

w

Yo rk

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Sh au nt re i Al ip io Ha dl ey Am oreMue lle r

Danielle Gonzal ez Jhonny Gonzal ez Gaby Huizar Hayden Bre wer

Illustrations by Jhonny Gonzalez

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

Top students ride high school rollercoaster

By Angela Ledesma-Grattarola @_.ang16_

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ALYSA BASMADZHYAN| The Pearl Post Valedictorian Chareena Pascua anticipates entering University of Southern California and appreciates the support she has received from teachers. “They all helped me through it and I would say I was very thankful for all of them,” Pascua said.

ALYSA BASMADZHYAN| The Pearl Post Salutatorian Tia Jarrett looks forward to attending Chapman University after enduring the challenge of balancing academics with friendships and extracurricular activities. “Don’t underestimate where hard work can get you,” Jarrett said.

hese past four years have been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride as valedictorian Chareena Pascua and salutatorian Tia Jarrett have endured a chaotic journey.

“To summarize my four years of high school would be a journey from all the challenges and accomplishments that have been going on in that time span,” Pascua said.

Pascua and Jarrett’s sophomore years were cut short as COVID-19 hit and quarantine began. Even prior to this outbreak, Pascua, the Prestige Yearbook co-editor-in-chief, Associative Student Body treasurer and member of the National Honors Society (NHS), and Jarrett, dancer, president of Black Student Union and member of the NHS, had their own difficulties with managing their school life, extracurricular activities and relationships.

Pascua, who has a 4.3 GPA, speaks fondly of her freshman and sophomore years in which she played volleyball at Birmingham Community Charter High School. She had to leave school early for volleyball games and would speak to her teachers regarding sports and due date extensions. Pascua was involved in various activities on campus, apart from sports.

“Juggling The Pearl Post and the yearbook was a big challenge because it was such a huge responsibility,” said Pascua who was an editor her junior and senior year. “Making sure that my deadlines and homework were in on time.”

Jarrett, who has a GPA of 4.18, had her own hardships as scheduling her extracurricular activities and school life sometimes clashed, causing her to sacrifice her quality time with her friends.

“Having so many things to juggle, you definitely have to say no to a lot of hanging out with friends or activities in order to prioritize what’s important for you,” Jarrett stated. “So for me that was always school and dance.”

Both Jarrett and Pascua spoke of the support and care that they felt not only from their family but from the Daniel Pearl Magnet High School staff.

“Ms. Seo was a huge part of it, as well as Ms. Chavira and Ms. Sharp,” Pascua said. “They all helped me through it and I would say I was very thankful for all of them.”

Their ambitions go past high school as Pascua will continue her journey at University of Southern California, majoring in civil engineering with a plan to minor in non-profit philanthropy and volunteerism. Jarrett will be attending Chapman University as a dance major and advises that the underclassmen should work hard.

“Don’t underestimate where hard work can get you,” Jarrett said. “A lot of people think it’s all about talent or your intelligence.

But if you have those things and you’re not a hard worker, you’re not going to be as successful as someone who is persistent.”

F E AT U R E S | A L A N R U I Z

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RIKKA DIMALANTA| The Pearl Post Sophomores Valeria Negev and Khalel Gillen, who both have more than a year of songwrting experience, practice the techniques they learned from weekly Songwriting Club meetings sponsored by music teacher Wes Hambright. “(My music) used to be very chaotic,” Gillen said. “Now it’s like in a nice package.”

Club Corner

Songwriting Club provides musical outlet, instruction to student writers, performers

By Rikka Dimalanta

S

ophomore Valeria Negev has been writing her own songs for six years and has found the opportunity to embrace her work through the Songwriting Club.

“I have a passion for music and I have an inspiration for music and no one can take that away from me,” Negev said.

The Songwriting Club, supervised by Music Director Wes Hambright, meets in Room 3 every Tuesday during lunch. Aspiring musicians can gain significant knowledge of songwriting that can be used to expand their craft. They can also share their own musical projects and gain inspiration or feedback from other musicians.

“Everyone can probably write lyrics and to be able to put that to music is an extra whole ‘nother level,” Hambright said. “So, it means a lot to me to have students be able to learn about that. It means creativity. It means insight.”

Hambright was inspired to start the club after he learned

that multiple students are working on their own personal pieces, one of them being sophomore Khalel Gillen. He started writing songs last year for fun but has improved greatly with Hambright’s guidance. During the spring concert earlier this month, Gillen performed an original song called “Brain Cell.” “(The club) helped me write my music nicely,” Gillen said. “It used to be very chaotic. Now it’s like in a nice package.”

All students are welcome to join meetings and learn about the techniques used in the art of songwriting. In past meetings, members have discussed song structure by breaking down a selected song into different parts and analyzing it. The club also serves as an open and relaxing environment for people who share a passion for music.

“I just want to make music and be able to play it and perform it,” junior Emanuel Recinos said. “And being able to learn how to make songs properly is going to help me achieve that.”

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

NAAMAH SILCOTT | The Pearl Post Many Daniel Pearl Magnet High School students have said they haven’t learned much about climate change in the classroom and they say they hope the Climate Change in Education bill will change that. AB-1939 was passed in the California state assembly on May 5 and will move on to be reviewed in the California State Senate.

Climate Change in Education bill sparks interest in school

By Emily Short @crying_apollo

I

n previous years, freshman Genesis Cuellar has not learned much about climate change in the classroom and its effects on the environment.

“When it comes from past experience, I don’t think there was much that was shown or how we should act quickly about it,” Cuellar said. “But there were certain times where it would get big like it was a trend to teach or learn about it. If there were news talking about it, the teachers would talk about it.”

That might soon change for California students. The Climate Change in Education bill, or AB-1939, was introduced on Feb. 9 and passed the Assembly on May 5. It will require science and English K-12 curriculums to teach their students about climate change, the long-term changes in temperatures and weather patterns. While some teachers have already implemented this into their lessons, others are preparing to make that change if the bill passes the senate.

“Our school system constantly needs to be keeping up with the scientific material,” science teacher Timothy Hughes said. “The scientists say that climate change is happening and there are proven factors that are causing it to happen and there are effects that we are already witnessing. So teaching about the new scientific discoveries is important to keep ourselves and our students up to date.”

The recent event of NASA scientist Peter Kalmus’s arrest during global climate protests has also sparked interest in the topic among students and teachers. All together, five people were arrested while peacefully protesting. They spoke about how scientists have been ignored for decades, telling the public that climate change is destroying the environment. Students and teachers have agreed that the arrest was unjustified.

“Assuming that they were peacefully protesting and assuming it was well in their constitutional right, it’s ridiculous

GABRIELLE LASHLEY | SPECIAL REPORTS

they got arrested,” senior Diego Hernandez said. “They were only speaking the truth over things we should already know about.”

If AB-1939 passes in the senate, the curriculum will “include an emphasis on the causes and effects of climate change and methods to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” according to the bill. If approved, the new curriculum will go into effect during the 2023-24 school year.

DPMHS students are glad to hear that something is being done about climate change in education since they have not learned much about the issue in school.

“It’s present in our society today and it’s a real thing,” AP Environmental Science student Dior Felicitas said. “Not just the basics of how weather works, but students should know that there are other factors to climate change. A lot of adults today don’t know what exactly climate change is. So, I feel like it’s important regardless of whether or not you are in AP Environmental (science class).” Things like generating power, cutting down forests and transportation all contribute to climate change becoming more and more of a global problem. With the help of the AB-1939 bill, students will be able to learn how to help the environment. Since the bill passed the assembly on May 5, it will now move on to the senate and the bill’s co-author Assemblywoman Luz Rivas is excited about this development.

“My vision is that young people can come out of school aware of this issue and help us solve climate change,” Rivas said. “I was in Scotland for the UN Climate Change Conference

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in November and there were a lot of young high school students demanding that they learn more about it in school.”

Though science teachers have already worked on adding climate change education to their curriculum, they are happy to see that something is being done about the topic being taught throughout the state. Hughes says he had his students read part of an IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) last semester and make a slideshow based on what they read.

Morrison teaches AP Environmental Science, so the curriculum’s main topic is the environment, especially climate change.

“I’m teaching AP Environmental (Science), which already has many social, economic and environmental topics,” science teacher James Morrison said. “For me, it’s not going to change much of what I teach. Really, the rest of the country is catching up to California teachers.”

Assemblywoman Rivas hopes that this curriculum will encourage younger students to get more involved with the idea of climate change.

She believes the opportunity to teach children about what is currently happening in the world is a great way to start helping the environment and help to stop climate change in the future.

“I became passionate about climate change education because here in California as a state legislator, we work on policy-related to climate change,” Rivas said. “It’s a big policy issue area here in Sacramento. So it made me think: How do we better communicate what’s happening with climate change to the public and to children?”

I was in Scotland for the UN Climate Change Conference in November and there were a lot of young high school students demanding that they learn more about it in school.

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas

”

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

Students speak up about potential overturn of Roe v.

Wade

NAAMAH SILCOTT | The Pearl Post Protesters raise their signs at a pro-choice protest on May 14. Organized by MoveOn, a progressive public policy group, the march was a response to the potential Supreme Court overturn on Roe v. Wade.

By Eli Ibara and Gabrielle Lashley @smoochi3s, @yogabbygabby_l Students like Alyona Vaynerman have taken action by “As a mother and the only candidate in the race for city attending protests and spreading awareness on social media council who is a woman, it was so important to me that I had a after learning that the U.S. Supreme Court could revoke the decision over when to have children and whether I was gonna landmark case Roe v. Wade this summer. have children,” Los Angeles City Council candidate Allison “We have to stand up for our Holdorff Polhill said at a protest on May place in the future, make sure to take 14 in downtown Los Angeles. “It’s a what we know is ours by making huge decision. It’s a huge responsibility. peaceful protests and spreading a lot I cannot tell you how many women’s of awareness through social media,” lives have been saved and positively said Vayerman, a junior. impacted by Roe v. Wade.”

A draft of the Supreme Court deIn 1970, “Jane Roe,” a fictional name cision challenging the constitutionaliused to protect the plaintiff’s identity, ty of the Roe. v. Wade case was leaked filed a federal lawsuit against Henry on May 3. In the draft, a majority of Wade, the district attorney of Dallas Jamie Ortiz the justices argue that a woman’s County, Texas, where Roe resided. In right to an abortion was up to people’s elected representatives a 7-2 decision, the court ruled that a woman’s right to choose and the ruling of Roe v. Wade was inherently unconstitutional, abortion was protected by the privacy rights guaranteed by the as it did not directly comply with the Constitution. Many peoFourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. ple, including DPMHS students, have responded with outrage, In order to express their emotions against the law being fearing what the implications of this potential decision might revoked, DPMHS students have been spreading the words to mean. their friends. Junior Jiselle Covarrubias says that she can’t wait

“

A woman’s body is hers alone. It’s my body and I choose what to do with it.

”

GABRIELLE LASHLEY | SPECIAL REPORTS

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to become of legal age to vote and put in her part in order to make a better future.

“Being a woman is already hard enough,”Covarrubias said. “We have to pay for items that should be free even if it’s a natural thing that all women go through. Now the government wants to control what we do with our bodies. It’s disrespectful.”

Senior Jamie Ortiz has been expressing her feelings about the possibility of Roe v. Wade being revoked by posting on social media. The posts consist of times and dates of rallies with their locations and frequent reposts on what the bill being revoked can cause as side effects. “A woman’s body is hers alone,” Ortiz said. “I don’t think that old men should feel as if they have

the authority over it. It’s my body and I choose what to do with it.”

Many DPMHS students hope that this decision will not come to pass and that their bodily rights are not infringed on.

If it were overruled, they say they hope state lawmakers will protect the rights for them to have authority over their own bodies.

“Being a woman today, we still continue to have to deal with lots of sexism,” Vaynerman said. ”As human beings, we deserve to be treated equally and have the same rights as anyone else.”

Naamah Silcott contributed to this story

NAAMAH SILCOTT | The Pearl Post People respond to the potential Supreme Court overturn on Roe v. Wade and gather on May 14 in a protest in front of City Hall. They hold up signs in protest.

NAAMAH SILCOTT | The Pearl Post Protesters hold up signs on May 14 at a march. In repsonse to the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade, many groups have gathered and organized protests like this.

Pearl Voice Q: What do you think about the possibility of Roe v Wade being overturned?

ANDREA ARAGON | Junior

A: I think its really bad for us because we were moving forward. Now I feel like where taking a huge step back. The overturning doesn’t ban abortions, it bans safe abortions’ cause abortions are going to be everywhere no matter what. So I just feel like doing that would really just put not only the lives of women in danger but everyone else.

LAUREN GALVEZ | Sophomore

A: I think it’s a very dangerous idea that would hurt tones of women all over the country, if this is overturned, as issues with not just rape but with those who need the help because of health conditions that could hurt them if they try to have a child.

JAMUS SHEEHAN| Junior

A: I think it’s not going to affect certain states. I think it really sucks for the people who are in states that would not have personal state laws that defend their abilities to get abortions.

Photos and interviews by jason arevalo

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

ALAN RUIZ| The Pearl Post Print Editor-in-Chief Valeria Luquin and Online Editor-in-Chief Delilah Brumer hold First Amendment Press Freedom and Online Pacemaker Finalist award plaques.

Editorial

Wrapping up a productive year

F

ueled by enthusiasm, teamwork and countless cups of coffee, The Pearl Post has produced phenomenal content this year. Despite being separated into two different class periods and having a staff of only 13, we are proud of what our staff has achieved and the impact we’ve made.

After publishing our first magazine issue of the school year, we set an ambitious goal to redesign the magazine to look more modern and cohesive. In addition, we decided to produce an issue at the end of each mester rather than bi-monthly. Both of these goals were successfully accomplished.

Another goal we set was to keep the website updated regularly with timely and localized content. We accomplished this goal, posting on the website typically three to five times a week.

We also wanted to make multimedia content a priority on our website, which we knew would be a challenge considering our small staff size. However, our staff vastly exceeded our expectations and published over a dozen photo slideshows, eight

videos and seven episodes of the Room 22 podcast.

Communication and staff camaraderie were other priorities for us this year. Our staff was able to bond both in and outside of the classroom, including at the National High School Journalism Convention (NHSJC) in April. We also bolstered our staff spirit at events such as the State Student Media Contests, where our team won first place in the journalism quiz bowl.

The Pearl Post earned several awards for our work this year at the state and national level. We were finalists for the prestigious Online Pacemaker, presented by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). Our website also earned second place in the California All Stars contest. Our staff was awarded four Site Excellence badges from SNO Sites for writing, multimedia, audience engagement and continuous coverage, which is the most The Pearl Post has ever earned.

It has been an honor to lead The Pearl Post this year and we are thrilled by the hard work our staff has put in. We know that our staff will accomplish great things in the years to come.

OPINION | DELILAH BRUMER

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Opinion

‘I made strong friendships with people who I never thought I would’ Senior Emily Flores reflects on the memorable moments of their past four years at DPMHS.

By Emily Flores @tinyem_11

T

he summer before my freshman year, I ran on the sidewalks during cross country practices and talked to my teammates, making my first connections in high school.

Although this was a good experience, making friendships and trying to keep up with my work was challenging in my first two years of high school because I had so much on my plate. I played softball and cross country at the same time at Birmingham Community Charter High School (BCCHS) and sports outside of school. I also still managed to keep my grades up.

I was doing sports basically seven days a week. This taught me how to be more aware of my time when it comes to school because school has helped me to get me where I’m at now.

In 2020, the pandemic hit and ruined my sophomore year and I lost contact with a lot of my friends. When my sophomore year ended I was hoping to go back to campus for my junior year until the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced that school will be held virtually.

I decided to stop playing sports for BCCHS in my junior year. My junior year was virtual and I struggled a lot with my class work. I was doing softball outside of school to the point where softball was my first priority instead of school. I stopped playing sports in June 2021 because I realized that my grades weren’t really good and I barely passed all of my classes. I decided that it would be the best choice if I stop playing sports for good so I can focus on all of my school work and being able to go to a university.

My senior year was around the corner and I was hoping to enjoy it on campus when I finally heard on the news that LAUSD schools would open for in-person learning. I was so excited to be able to reconnect with the people I hadn’t talked to in two years.

The first month of school being on campus was super different from the previous years because I got used to being at home all the time, so it took time to get used to.

My biggest accomplishment during high school is that I joined The Pearl Post and Prestige Yearbook in my junior year.

Ever since I joined, I learned about how to communicate and

Provided by EMILY FLORES| The Pearl Post After tirelessly balancing sports and academics and experiencing much of their high school years virtually, senior Emily Flores will graduate on June 9.

got better with my writing skills in just two years. I also learned how to take sports photos in different camera settings. I made strong friendships with people who I never thought I would.

Being a student at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) meant a lot to me because I wanted to attend since I was 10 years old and one of my ninas (godmother) graduated here.

I love all the teachers I had throughout my four years because they helped me get to where I’m at today. Now I’m excited to graduate from high school and will be going to my dream college, which is California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where I will be studying journalism.

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THE PEARL POST|JUNE 2022

ALAN RUIZ| The Pearl Post Varsity softball center fielder Nadia Montiel embraces a close family friend during the team’s emotional Senior Night ceremony on May 5. The cerenomy follows Montiel and the Birmingham Community Charter High School Patriot’s second to last season game where they secure a 5-1 victory over the Cleveland High School Cavaliers.

Montiel makes her mark on varsity softball team, moves on to Cal Lutheran University

By Branden Gerson and Emily Flores @branden.gerson, @tinyem_11

A

fter four years of playing softball for Birmingham Community Charter High School (BCCHS), varsity center fielder Nadia Montiel plans to play ball for Cal Lutheran University.

“I love the game so much and the new team that I will be joining in college is really supportive and a bunch of fun,” senior Montiel said.

Montiel began playing softball at the age of 9. As a freshman at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS), she joined the Patriot’s JV team. Montiel played softball continuously through high school, sticking with it through the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year, as a part of the Patriot’s varsity team, Montiel landed a 30 RBI season.

She was a contributing factor to the team’s unforeseen success.

“We overcame everyone’s expectations,” Montiel said. “We weren’t expected to do well but we ended up getting 16 wins” As Montiel reflects on what she accomplished while playing high school softball, she eagerly awaits her chance to continue the sport she loves after she graduates from DPMHS. She received an offer from Cal Lutheran University to play Divison III softball and expresses why she believes their program is a good fit for her.

“It’s a small school but it’s really beautiful and I just love the coach, the coach is amazing,” Montiel said. “The way she runs the practices, and the way she schedules things is perfect.”

SPORTS | BRANDEN GERSON

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Senior athletes reminisce on their high school sports careers

By Nickalas Lembo @ima.make.some,ramen

ALAN RUIZ| The Pearl Post Varsity softball left fielder Danielle Gonzalez hammers the ball to left center field during her team’s March 30 matchup against the Providence High School Pioneers.

Why did you decide to join softball your freshman year?

I decided to join softball because it was a sport that I have always been interested in and I thought it was a good way to start off my high school career and make friends.

What motivated you to keep playing softball?

Honestly, myself, because I was just playing for fun.

How would you describe your overall experience playing high school softball?

My first two seasons were shaky. They were not good. I spent them on the bench but then my next two seasons on varsity they were really good. Obviously, they were stressful because they were varsity but they were fun.

Looking back at these past four years, how have you changed as a person as a result of playing softball?

I’ve become more open to stuff, like meeting people because softball is a team sport so you’re always talking. So it’s made me become more social and helped me be more like myself.

What will you most cherish about your time playing softball?

I will cherish all my memories, like my first time on the field this season running out there and definitely my senior night cause that was really magical and it showed all my four years and it showed off all my hard work.

ALAN RUIZ| The Pearl Post Varsity small forward Justice Harper works on his one-handed slam dunk during practice for the Birmingham Community Charter High School Patriots.

Why did you decide to join the basketball team at Birmingham Community Charter High School?

Because I’ve been playing basketball my whole life so I didn’t really have a choice.

What motivated you to keep playing basketball?

Winning and playing games.

How would you describe your overall experience playing high school basketball?

Could have been better. Could have been better.

Looking back at these past four years, how have you changed as a person as a result of playing basketball?

Everything I knew I could do and I knew I would do I can do now.

What will you most cherish about your time playing basketball?

Probably the feeling after winning.

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

Provided by Desiree Spurkel Sophomore Desiree Spurkel uses Clip Studio Paint to draw. Spurkel aspires to have a career in the art industry by drawing and making commisions or any other way.

“Personally I plan to pursue it. I definitely want to start drawing as a job taking commissions, freelance, maybe even start a small business, etc.,” Spurkel said.

Artists paint their digital hearts out

By Naamah Silcott @katzhavearmz

W

hen creating her various in-depth art pieces, senior Geraldine Suniga uses digital art platforms to bolster the variability and composition of her pieces.

“Since I’m more into drawing fanart mostly, digital art just helps me expand more of my abilities in terms of working on anatomy and making the colors pop out more in a way I can express how I want them to be expressed,” said Suniga, who uses Procreate on her iPad Pro. Artists have started switching to digital platforms to create artwork. Procreate, which costs $10, is the digital program Suniga uses. Clip Studio Paint, which requires a monthly payment of $1, and Ibis Paint, which is free but comes with in-app purchasing, are just a few of the apps student artists at DPMHS use.

To create illustrations, wide arrays of brushes and helpful tools that can’t be found in traditional art, such as the lasso tool, layering and undo button, are available across all these platforms. However, each software has its own unique feature/ features. With the help of digital art programs, many students

are able to utilize different methods of projecting their artistic strengths.

“In the beginning, it is hard to get used to the amount of content provided (in Clip Studio Paint),” said junior Ashley Harrison, who uses Clip Studio Paint on their iPad. “It has literally everything. It has a whole different set of settings so that you can do animation and unlimited layers. You can have as many folders as you want and you have a bunch of different selections for different types of layers you want.”

Although slightly overwhelming as Harrison said, features such as these help make the artistic process more efficient and easy. It allows for more flexibility and less preparation since all the brushes are already available with the click of a button. One of the most helpful tools for freshman Andre Arcilla, who has been using Procreate on his iPad since the beginning of quarantine, is the double-tap feature, which allows you to remove your previous brush stroke.

“Once you figure it out, the tools are pretty convenient, moving layers around and just generally there are a good

T E C H | J A Z M I N E VA L E R I O

Provided by Geraldine Suniga Senior Geraldine Suniga creates a drawing involving herself and different types of food. “My passion for art has been around for as long as I can remember, so why not pursue it as a career as long as I can enjoy it,” Suniga said.

amount of short cuts you can learn to make your experience slightly faster,” Arcilla said. “I use the double-fingers to undo, a lifesaver for any project. I can’t go back to any (other programs) before that.”

Conveniences like this help artists to increase their workflow. An influx of possibility strengthens art style, aesthetic, vision and capacity to convey creative ideas through imagery.

Besides the increase in productivity and the broader range of options for art pieces, digital art has also helped digital art students reinforce their artistic identity.

“In terms of personal skill, I would say character design defines me as an artist,” said sophomore Desiree Spurkel, who uses Clip Studio Paint on their iPad. “I mostly draw characters or characters in settings and I like developing characters more as like sort of a side hobby. Clip Studio Paint helps me do that because I feel like using it helped my art improve and helped me adapt better to using programs and figuring out different ways to shade. (Clip Studio Paint has) really helped me out a lot in that sense and taking my art from recently and taking my art from two years ago, I feel like you can see a stark difference.”

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Provided by Ashley Harrison Junior Ashley Harrison designed a custom character. “I fear if it becomes any type of career, then I won’t be able to enjoy it with the weight of its importance in my life,” Harrison said. “Drawing is fun but I want to just do personal stuff for now.”

Provided by Andre Arcilla Freshman Andre Arcilla has wanted to pursue an art career since he was little.

“Ever since I was 10, I’ve wanted to become a storyboard animator or character designer. It’s definetely something I want to pursue.” Arcilla said.

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THE PEARL POST| JUNE 2022

Brilliant binge-worthy animes

By Jenica Felicitas @jenicasdumpling Anime has been booming since the pandemic started and teens were stuck at home doing the same routine every day with the desire to change things up. Check out these four anime movies and series that you can watch over summer.

A Silent Voice Many have voiced the incredible message behind “A Silent Voice’’ and how heartbreaking the dramatic romance film was. The anime portrays disabilities such as what the main character has; impaired hearing along with the amount of discrimination and bullying she faces because of what makes her different. The movie is Not Rated.

Komi Can’t Communicate “Komi Can’t Communicate” is a new Japanese anime series based on an extremely popular manga series. With the plot of a high-school boy befriending Komi and helping her to open up and talk with people, it also promotes awareness of social anxiety. This series is rated PG for suggestive dialogue.

Violet Evergarden This movie became the talk of 2021, with the movie’s fantasy and tragic romance story after a war. Violet Evergarden, a young girl who is used as a tool for war, learns to live properly as a normal human being. This movie is Not Rated.

Photos from IMDB TOP LEFT (CLOCKWISE): After the reviews and reaction videos this film has received, “A Silent Voice’’ grew in popularity massively. The mix of coming-of-age, romantic comedy, and slice of life, “Komi Can’t Communicate” does an accurate job of portraying the life of high-schoolers today. “Violet Evergarden” became the talk of 2021’s spring break with the movie’s fantasy and tragic romance story after a war.

“Spy x Family” has been very popular within social media after the first trailer was released, leaving fans excited for more and more episodes.

Spy x Family This anime shows a spy who has to “build a family” to execute a mission, not realizing that the girl he adopts as his daughter is a telepath. This series has been very popular within social media after the first trailer was released, leaving fans excited for more and more episodes. The series is rated TV-14.

Check out thepearlpost.com for the rest of this list. All these animes can be streamed on Netflix and Crunchyroll.

E N T E RTA I N M E N T | J E S S I C A M E L K O N YA N

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Magical summer melodies

By Grant Asner The best way to kick off this year’s summer is relaxing and listening to your favorite songs. Expand your musical diversity with these six summer-filled albums.

Spotify The Scottish DJ, Sam Gallaitry, has just started experimenting with vocals as of late and holds brilliance on new wave electronic music.

Amazon “Surfin’ Safari” holds some of the most idolized surf pop songs from the 20th century such as the album’s lead “Surfin’ Safari.”

Spotify “Running” is a soft rock album that compliments any summer activity and will leave you humming its melodies.

Whether at home, road tripping or dancing, Sam Gellaitry’s “IV” collection can be played whenever, wherever. The Scottish DJ started experimenting with vocals and holds brilliance on wave electronic music. Sam manages such amazing production value over these four songs, you’ll have them on repeat.

What is a summer without a little bit of The Beach Boys? “Sufrin’ Safari” holds some of the most idolized surf pop songs from the 20th century such as the album’s lead “Surfin’ Safari.” For an album as old as 1962, there’s not a near future where this isn’t being played on the radio.

Cafunè’s album “Running” was released in July of last year but has recently picked up traction from songs like “Tek It” and “Want Me Out.” TikTok and Instagram are eating this album up. “Running” is a soft rock album that compliments any summer activity and will leave you humming its melodies.

Human Sounds Records The band without a doubt has a one of a kind sound.

Amazon “The Final” is a pop classic from the 80s containing hit songs “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.”

The “Vibes & Days” album from the Australian band Vacations was released in December 2016. From the drowsy guitar to the light vocals on tracks “Young” and “Home,” the band without a doubt has a one of a kind sound.

Wham! needs no introduction. “The Final” is a pop classic from the 80s containing hit songs “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Careless Whisper.” A perfect album to play with friends and a guarantee to liven up your summer.

Human Sounds Records

Songs like “Love Will Always Find You” and “Sunset People” make you want to dance all summer.

“Bad Girls” is an essential for fun-filled nights. Songs like “Love Will Always Find You” and “Sunset People” make you want to dance all summer. Released in 1979, Donna Summers’ album is truly timeless.

BEHIND THE PHOTO

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior musicians Spencer Vance, Jose Arcilla and Allison Puc crowd around the piano during dress rehearsals for the BlackBox performance on April 27.

“It felt rewarding to see the other players play their first live show,” Arcilla said.

They prepared all semester for the BlackBox, which was the first live musical performance in over three years. Arcilla and Vance will perform in their last show of the year during the Class of 2022 graduation on June 9.

It is Rikka Dimalanta’s first year on staff and first year on campus. Although she is a sophomore, her first high school year was spent on Zoom. Within her first week back at school, she was already looking forward to a fun year. When she is not laughing uncontrollably every five minutes, she likes to listen to music and watch anime. She also enjoys taking pictures of sunsets.

Submit your best photos with a brief description to thepearlpost@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in the next issue of the The Pearl Post newsmagazine.