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April 4, 2017
Volume 8 Issue 7
Smash hit poetry slam Page 6
THE
PEARL POST
Daniel Pearl Magnet High School 6649 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91406
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Features 2
The Pearl Post
April 4, 2017
Photos by Angel Rivera and Sergio Payeras Debate Club President Francheska Vicents goes over the most important debate topics. Club sponsor English teacher Leah Pevar discusses the meeting’s agenda while sophomore Michael Chidbachian attentively listens. Vice President Jade Ajileye, Treasurer Ruzanna Manvelyan and Vicents grab donuts at the start of a meeting.
Club Corner:
New Debate Club teaches argumentative skills
Angel Rivera Staff Writer
Members of the Debate Club are welcomed by President Francheska Vicents and Vice President Jade Ajileye as they prepare to participate in heated discussions over controversial topics such as abortion rights. “We don’t have any topics in particular,” Vicents said. “Every week we will do a brainstorm of popular debate topics. People can also come in with new topics they’re interested in.” The group votes each meeting on which topics will be discussed based on the interests of the club members. In addition to popular debate topics, club members show interest in different websites, such as Procon.com, which
is used to help decide which topics will be debated. Debate Club began Feb. 17 when Vicents and Ajileye wanted to create a club that would help students develop their communication and argumentative skills. “I realized that our school didn’t have many scholastic clubs (for) colleges like to look for academically challenging extracurriculars in their recruitment process,” Ajileye said. “Instead of waiting for someone else to build one, Francheska and I decided to be the change we wanted to see in the school and make one ourselves.” The club meets every Thursday in club sponsor English teacher Leah Pevar’s classroom. Participants discuss matters important to them in an efficient way. In addition, AP Language teacher Cindy Barry plans to help students learn the proper techniques of debate in
the coming months. “We want to teach students how to improve their communication skills and help them come out of their shells when it comes to speaking in front of others,” Ajileye said. If the Debate Club flourishes like Vicents and Ajileye hope it will, an actual team may be constructed that will attend competitions next year. “I hope the club will help me with public speaking since most of the time we have to be in an intellectual discussion with other club members,” club treasurer Ruzanna Manvelyan said. “Also, being able to argue my point is a good practice since I want to become a lawyer.” Instagram: @aangel__rivera
What was your favorite part of the CYLC experience?
Jessica Salguero
Sergio Payeras
“My favorite part of the (Chicano Youth Leadership Conference) was the bonfire because we were all able to come together and embrace our culture under the stars,” Salguero said.
“My favorite part was the Chicano clap. It was something we did after regular clapping and it meant so much. I couldn’t but feel proud of my community. It was beautiful,” Payeras said.
Anthony Freyre “I loved everything about it. It was a life changing experience and if I could have stayed longer I would have,” Freyre said.
Mabel Aceves My favorite part was joining in on all of the activities. It made me feel like I was really a member of my community. The music and dancing was also a lot of fun,” Aceves said.
April, 4 2017
The Pearl Post
Features 3
Junior succeeds in history, science competitions Alice Curran Staff Writer
Junior Kaitlyn Arst adds two more awards to her list of achievements after receiving high recognition at the Los Angeles National History Day (NHD) competition and the Los Angeles Science Fair. “I was happy that I won because the competitions are really fun,” Arst said. “I was also exhausted because I had to wake up really early.” Arst was overjoyed when she received first place in the individual exhibit category at the NHD competition on March 25. Her win at NHD allows her to advance to the California State competition May 6-7 in Rocklin. This year was Arst’s third time competing and continuing on to state and last year she made it all the way to the national competition. Each year, NHD has a theme that every student must incorporate into their project. The theme for the 2017 competition was Taking A Stand, which Arst creatively displayed with a project inspired by Winema Riddle. “Winema Riddle was a Native-American from the Modoc tribe and she ne-
Photos from Eva Kaganovsky Kaitlyn Arst poses next to her exhibit at the Los Angeles National History Day competition at Azusa Pacific University on March 25. Juniors Eva Kaganovsky, Alice Curran, Michelle Kaganovsky, Rachel Bullock, Arst, Paola Rivas, Maia Hito, Maria Danan, and social studies teacher Davy Mauermann pose for a group picture during the Los Angeles National History Day competition. gotiated peace between the U.S. and her tribe,” Arst said. At the Los Angeles Science Fair, Arst was honored with The Helen & Peter Bing Student Field Research Award. For her project she created a hydroponic system
which helps to grow plants efficiently. Arst’s incredible achievement gives her the opportunity to attend an all-expenses paid expedition to conduct research over the summer. “For my expedition, I plan on going
to Costa Rica because there are dolphins there,” Arst said. “Dolphins are my favorite animal.” Twitter: @aliicecurran
Museum exhibit remembers 25th anniversary of 1992 riots Eva Kaganovsky Staff Writer
As you enter the new exhibition “No Justice, No Peace: LA 1992,” at the California African American Museum (CAAM), you are taken through an eye-opening experience into the world of hardships that African Americans had to endure in the 1900s. Tyree Boyd-Pates curated this exhibit in order to recognize the 25th Anniversary of the LA Riots. The exhibit imitates a timeline which exposes the discrimination and repression that African Americans faced throughout the twentieth century, until the tension exploded into the LA Riot of 1992. “The Riot did not just happen because Rodney King got beat up and the cops got acquitted,” said Adrianne Ramsey, Gallery Guide at CAAM. “It was a long history of the LAPD doing a lot of crazy things and getting away with it.” The exhibit begins in 1910 with the Great Migration. As you continue walking, you pass through other events in the late 1900’s including the Zoot Suit Riot in 1943, the death of Latasha Harlins in 1991 and the death of Rodney King in 1992. Toward the end of the long room, you reach the tempestuous LA Uprising of 1992. The exhibit displays newspaper clippings, documentaries and real footage of the violent events. Through the interactives, visitors are able to experience the rage and intensity of the riots first-hand.
Quotes from eminent leaders and important documents throughout this time period cover the colorful walls, including a quote from Rodney King asking, “Can we all get along?” “It was time of anger and frustration and rage and I think it’s good to find out where that range came from and how to handle it,” Ramsey said. “I hope that’s what people take from it.” The question, “In the midst of today’s political climate, how can we bring change to unify ourselves?” is boldly painted on the gray wall at the end of the room. Viewers are able to fill out a red, green, or white tag with an answer and hang the bright tags onto the bland wall. Over 100 tags have already been placed with a variety of answers including “embrace our diversity” or even “Impeach Trump.” By including this wall, CAAM is creating a connection from the past to the present. As you enter this exhibit, it is inevitable to discover a correlation between events that transpired in the late 1900s and events that are occurring today. “There is still issues with white police officers killing innocent black men and getting away with it,” Ramsey said. “But people today are rising up and speaking out about what they think is wrong.” Instagram: @evaa.kay
Photo by Eva Kaganovsky Real footage of the violence during the LA Riots gives visitors a look into the grim event.
Photo by Eva Kaganovsky The California African American Museum used the display of an LAPD car in front of a brick wall to demonstrate what the environment was like during the time of the riots.
Opinion 4
The Pearl Post
April 4, 2017
Spring break should be a break from schoolwork Angel Rivera Staff Writer
Spring break, a time of rest and relaxation, is ruined by one word: homework. Spring break week contains the final days students have off before summer. This period of time is supposed to be nothing but fun times and study-free days. However, teachers occasionally ruin a student’s ideal break by bombarding them with unwanted projects, homework and reviews of old lessons. “I think we shouldn’t have homework over spring break because it’s important that we have a break from school so we aren’t overly stressed,” senior Erica Mallari said. A break is a break. Ideally, it is supposed to be a time where students can pursue their own interests instead of stressing about doing more work. However, teachers often utilize a break to give students the ability to review previous lessons or even begin new material. According to “Should Students Have Homework Over Break?” published by Scholastic News on Nov. 2015, homework over breaks serve as practice for students to review what they learned in class. Practice is necessary so students don’t forget what they learned in the course of the school year. Homework over breaks benefit students because they have the time to review old lessons.
Photo from Flickr Spring break is a time that many students use to relax after a stressful spring semester, but sometimes teachers have different plans. Worst of all, a student will naturally procrastinate until the last minute to do their assignments. This causes dissatisfaction all around, as the student does not produce quality work and therefore, their grades may suffer. “I’m trying to get assignments done ahead of time,” biology teacher James Morrison said. “I feel like my students are right where they need to be, so I don’t feel like homework is necessary right now.” In the article “Should Students Have Homework Over Break?”, it was stated
that in other school districts, like in Princeton, New Jersey, teachers are forbidden to give homework over break. This rule became implemented in 2015 in New Jersey because officials believe students need time to relax and recuperate from all the stress school has given to them. “I don’t think that students should be given a lot but it has been proven that students lose knowledge that they gained over the school year over break,” freshman Katharina Hanna said. “So I think some homework should be given so
students can retain what they learned.” As much as students desire to keep their grades up and do well in all classes, sometimes a break is necessary for individuals so they won’t fall into that mindset where all they want to do is get the work done and not put any real effort into their work. If assignments are given, the majority of students will usually not learn anything, so assignments over break are an unnecessary waste of time. Instagram: @aangel_rivera
The Pearl Voice:
What do you think about the rewards for attendance?
Freshman Keona Paniagua “Realistically, though, it won’t work for getting certain other students, but it’s still a good idea.”
Sophomore Gaby Wolfe “It’s kind of effective but at the same time, there’s people who are absent for reasons they can’t control.”
Junior Luis Rincon “I think the rewards make students want to go to school more.”
Senior Billy Rodriguez “They defenitely help because kids wouldn’t want to feel left out when they miss out on something like nachos.”
Interviews and photos taken by Sergio Payeras Twitter: @sergio22ap
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April 4, 2017
The Pearl Post
Memes become way to cyberbully Amanda Jimenez
Staff Writer
Many teenagers dream of becoming a “meme” but images with relatable captions have taken generation Z by its electronic devices, leaving many bullied and defenseless. The internet frazzled has been for more hilarious content since Tay Zonday’s original “Chocolate Rain” song in 2007. Though now, meme conspirators are harsh and have no mercy toward people. This should bring authorities to a conclusion that there should be consequences for these acts of cyberbullying because many are running free without repercussion. Los Angeles Unified School District hasn’t fully recognized memes as cyberbullying or an official act among students. Unfortunately many are being harmed with no consequences for the perpetrators. Any person who has access to the internet can create a meme. First, a screenshot of a picture or a video is taken. Then either a catchphrase or noticeable edits are done to the image. A month ago, former student Tiffany Ramirez was made into a viral meme that circulated within the Latino community on Instagram. The meme has over four thousand likes on a popular meme page on Instagram. “I was annoyed at how much people got mad over my eyebrows,” Ramirez said. “I never thought there were rules on how my eyebrows are supposed to look.” According to a study done in 2014 by McAfee, an Intel security company, 87% of teenagers have witnessed cyberbullying and 24% would not know what
Screenshot from @dennisisgek
Photo from Wikipedia to do if they were harassed or bullied online. Cyberbullying doesn’t discriminate, whether a mean text is sent out or a hateful image is shared for the masses. Memes are so easy to create that it’s almost inevitable to be apart of the cruel meme world. These actions evolve into cyberbullying when an image from a public or even private account goes viral with-
Photo from Wikimedia out consent. However, when a teenager scrolls through Reddit, iFunny, Twitter or Instagram, they only see the satire, not the intentions of the creator. To keep all students safe from the evolving internet, school officials should have a greater understanding of memes. An image can be just as harmful as it is hilarious. Instagram: @The GirlWithCrocs
Editorial:
Drugs disrupt our learning environment Marijuana, Xanax and Adderall are only a few of the prescription and illicit substances that continue to hinder the performance of students on our campus. The blunt truth is that drugs are not only inappropriate for school and teens but are also illegal. Students need to remember the fact that all drugs are prohibited on campus, unless determined necessary by a doctor. Just this year, drug use at our campus has surged to an all time high. The widespread use of marijuana in our school’s bathrooms have caused administrators to close two out of three available restrooms multiple times a month. Students can avoid this inconvenience by simply avoiding drugs. When a student steps foot on campus possessing drugs, they are risking expulsion from their school. A good student can easily mess up their entire school record by carrying a couple of ounces of marijuana or prohibited pills. The problem of drug use on our campus can easily be fixed by discussing the
Photo from Pexels There’s been a growing concern surrounding the subject of there being drugs in school. negative effects of these substances inside and outside of campus. When school bathrooms are shut down, everyone is being punished. Other students shouldn’t be punished for the actions of those who do not care for their peers. Although the corrective actions the teachers and staff execute do limit the problem of drug use on our campus for that day or week, the problem of students abusing substances
does not go away. A better method of correcting the mistakes of students is educating them before they make their decision. Every student should be given the opportunity to understand that the abuse of recreational drugs while on school grounds is illegal and naive judgement for any scholar who cares about their future.
Opinion 5
The Pearl Post Editor-in-Chief Rebekah Spector Online Editor-in-Chief Tahra Hunter Managing Editor Kyrah Hunter Opinion Editor Cristina Jercan Entertainment Editor Jessica Salguero Feature Editor Nallely Delara Tech Editor Anthony Weatherspoon Sport Editor Winter Rawson Social Media Editor Kirsten Cintigo New Media Editor Maia Hito Copy Editor Elsie Morales Zachary Gephart Cartoonist Danielle Valenzuela Photo Editor Juliette Tafoya Assistant Photo Editor Brandon Tapia
Staff Writers/Photographers Rachel Bullock, Michael Chidbachian, Alice Curran, Daniela Guzman, Steven Guzman, Amanda Jimenez, Eva Kaganovsky, Michelle Kaganovsky, Ani Kocharyan, Richard Mendiola, Liliya Miroshnychenko, Sergio Payeras, Angel Rivera and April Serrano Adviser Adriana Chavira The Pearl Post is an open forum for student expression as allowed by California Education Codes 48907 and 48950, committed to excellence in reporting, writing and photography. The newspaper strives to inform and educate students and faculty on events affecting Daniel Pearl Magnet High School. The thought 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 Boards, 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 submitted to Ms. Chavira’s mailbox in the main office, in Room 22 or emailed to thepearlpost@gmail.com. The newspaper is published monthly and is the official campus newspaper of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School. The newspaper is also posted online at http://www.thepearlpost.com. Free copies are distributed to magnet students, teachers and staff. The school is located at 6649 Balboa Blvd., Lake Balboa, CA 91604-5529.
News 6
The Pearl Post
April 4, 2017
Poetry slam performances feature hidden talents Michael Chidbachian Staff Writers
As junior David Palacios, sophomore Emely Felix and senior Katie Lashley walk toward the front of the stage, the audience eagerly awaits to hear them recite their classic poem “Television” by Roald Dahl. “I love the connections that we make with each other,” Lashley said. “You get to understand others on a deeper level.” On March 30, 44 students from all grades and English teacher Ron Baer recited their poems in the Multi-Purpose Room to the ninth and 10th grade students. Baer and Get Lit poets decided to host this event in order for them to practice with a bigger audience and to get more students interested in poetry. Weeks before the event occurred, English teachers assigned their freshman and sophomore students to memorize a poem from the hundreds they were provided with. After practicing them, the students recited their poems in front of their class and the top few poets were then selected to perform. Other students who weren’t
Photo by Daniela Guzman Junior David Palacios, sophomore Emely Felix and senior Katie Lashley recite their classic poem “Television” by Roald Dahl. picked also received the opportunity to sign up to perform. Felix, Palacios and Lashley will be going to the Classic Slam on April 20 at
the Los Angeles Theatre Center, an event in which students recite their poems on the national level. Sophomore Amanda Jimenez and juniors Jade Ajileye and Lis-
set Vayardo will also be competing at the event along with their fellow poets. Instagram: @Michaelvchid
Proposed bill will diminish loans for UC, CSU students Eva Kaganovsky Staff Writer
Photo by Jomari Reyes Students participate in a trivia competition during last year’s Pearl Con. Trivia is planned for this year’s event.
Second annual Pearl Con welcomes fans Rachel Bullock Staff Writer
Daniel Pearl’s Pearl Con II on May 20 is going to present more than just comics and pizza. “I’m guessing it’s going to be similar to last year,” sophomore Garrett Francisco said. Now that science teachers Jim Morrison and Stephen Schaffter, Pearl Con coordinators, have last year’s successful event under their belts, they are looking forward to a year of smooth sailing and fun family time. “Our goal is to (create) a place for people to relax and have fun,” Schaffter said. The 501st, a cosplay group dedicated to the dark side of the “Star Wars” universe, will be at Pearl Con. Morrison is still communicating with other cartoonists, cosplay make up artists and composers to see if they will be attending the event. “It seemed like a fun environment,” freshman Daniela Dixon said. “This year is sure to have different variations
and seems to be to their likings.” The event promises not only more than last year’s but also an unique opportunity for fanboys and fangirls local to the Lake Balboa area. “Experiences you don’t (usually) get at the high school level,” Schaffter said. All activities will be held at the front of the campus rather than throughout the school. Schaffter is looking into renting tents for the various displays and games as well as for the Maid Cafe, which will be available for food, refreshments and entertainment throughout the event. “The Maid Cafe is expanding voraciously,” Morrison said. “Rather than just pizza, there will be a variety. We’re expanding our offerings to hot dogs, bagels and cream cheese and popcorn.” Pearl Con will be open to community members and perspective students and their families. “It looks fun,” Dixon said. “I might try to go.” Facebook: Rachel Bullock
Californian Democrats took a large stride on March 13 when they announced a proposal that aims to terminate student loans for nearly 40,000 students enrolled in the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) higher education systems. In a survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California in 2016, almost three-quarters of the participants agreed that the expenses of college was a major reason for their hesitance in obtaining a higher education. “It is difficult because I don’t qualify for a lot of financial aid but I can’t afford all of my college years,” senior Giselle Rizo said. “That’s why cost is a big factor.” This plan would not replace, but rather add onto additional forms of financial aid already available, including Cal Grants, Federal Pell Grants and Middle Class scholarships. The plan also called for community colleges to allow students whose families make less than $150,000 a year to attend their first year of college for free. “Honestly it’s really good because a lot of kids can’t afford to go to community college and it’s really good for them to actually have this opportunity to be able to go,” senior Karina Zamora said.
Read the rest of the story at www.thepearlpost.com
April 4, 2017
The Pearl Post
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D L CO
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Thre a exec tened by u T stud tive orde rump’s ents find r, undoc u refug e un mented der D ACA Rachel Bullock and Daniela Guzman Staff Writers
Senior Cesar Trejo finds comfort knowing institutions across Los Angeles, especially the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) are making efforts to protect undocumented students across the city. “I’m glad I live in a city where minds join together in order to provide hospitality to anyone in need in times of the ICE raids,” Trejo said. Recent raids trigggered by President Donald Trump’s executive order and led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) put many schools and school districts in the spotlight as safe zones for undocumented students. Los Angeles is a sanctuary city, meaning the city doesn’t cooperate fully with national immigration authorities or question immigration status unless a person is accused of a crime. Therefore, ICE has to follow the rules and regulations under such establishments as they are cities of refuge. “Although I am not a victim of the raids, I have met people and talked to those who have lost their parents because of ICE,” Trejo said. “I understand what the victims of the raids are going through better than other LAUSD students which allows me to have compassion and empathy.” Former President Barack Obama introduced the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program in June 2012,
Special Reports 7
which allows eligible undocumented youth to apply for temporary protection from deportation. However, there’s been many instances where immigrants protected under DACA have been detained. “I think it (DACA) is great because students often come searching the opportunity of a better education so they can get better jobs in the future,” junior Paola Rivas said. “They wouldn’t be able to do that if they lived in fear of being
Services report from LAUSD communications. LAUSD essentially protects undocumented immigrants who are pursuing education in part of protecting their integration into society as “‘self-reliant and self-sufficient participant(s)’” and the “‘fundamental values’” in maintaining our democratic political system. “They come here to make their lives better because they cannot do so in their countries,” Rivas said. “They could be running away from violence, so it is not like they (undocumented students) come here because they want to.” The exceptions of the sanctuary clause lie in approval by officials in the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as a part of a complex process. Even this entails a system of notification, communication and assessment for ICE and other organizations for an investigation of the student. “Because they are undocumented they are not accepted and it’s really hard,” Rivas said. Acceptance isn’t the only problem DACA students have to worry about. If a student were to break the law, there would be consequences, ICE intervenes. “Don’t be dumb and by this I mean don’t go out looking for trouble because that would only make things even more complicated,” Trejo said. “Just stay low, apply for what you can and try to stay positive.” Twitter: @ma33iai Facebook: Rachel Bullock
“I’m glad I live in a city where minds join together in order to provide hospitality to anyone in need in times of the ICE raids,” senior Cesar Trejo
deported.” The undocumented immigrants’ right to a free public K-12 education comes from the 1982 Supreme Court ruling in the case Plyler v. Doe. LAUSD upholds this court decision and plans on adhering to its regulations and recognizes it in part of its stance regarding protection and provision for DACA students. “The sensitive locations policy is intended to establish a non-disruptive environment during specific activities,” according to Student Health and Human
What is DACA? Liliya Miroshnychenko Staff Writer
What is DACA? The DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is an immigration policy that was created by the Obama administration which protects immigrants from being deported so they can receive a work permit and attend school. Who is eligible for DACA? Students who are eligible for DACA must have entered the US before the age of 16 and have resided here continuously for five years. They also must be attending a school or have already received a high school diploma or GED. The applicants can’t have felonies or significant misdemeanors and have no US status since 2012. Will the current administration seek to end programs like DACA? The latest official statement about DACA from US Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) states they’ll continue accepting applications. President Donald Trump is yet to release his plans for the DACA plan. Instagram: @liliya.miro
Trump targets sanctuary cities Eva Kaganovsky Staff Writer
From Baltimore to Los Angeles, many cities are threatened by President Donald Trump’s new executive order aimed at disbanding sanctuary cities. Communities in which the local governments refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, the amount of safe haven cities, continue to increase after Trump took office in January. These cities are taking an immense risk by harboring and protecting undocumented immigrants. By establishing this executive order, Trump aims to decrease the amount of violent acts and increase the protection of citizens. Trump believes that safe haven cities are responsible for an overwhelming number of crimes due to the large population of undocumented immigrants.
Read more at our website: www.ThePearlPost.com
Entertainment 8
The Pearl Post
April 4, 2017
Serious issues discussed in new Disney show Rachel Bullock Staff Writer
Just when Disney seemed to have ran out of ideas, Terri Minsky, creator of the Disney Channel classic “Lizzie McGuire,” came in with an idea so bold even she didn’t think Disney would go for: an adultthemed show called “Andi Mack.” Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) seems like your average middle schooler, with the pilot episode ushering her into her teens with the big 13 underway. Friends Buffy (Sofia Wylie) and Cyrus (Joshua Rush) are by her side as her sister Bex (Lilan Bowden) comes to visit. For the moment, all seems more than well until a big secret slips because of Andi’s curiosity and Bex’s negligence. Bex tries desperately to bond with Andi. After getting her to take a step forward with her crush, Andi gets mad at Bex for pushing her to do so. Bex decides she was in the wrong for not being able to help Andi and decides she should leave. In a midnight confrontation, Bex reveals the big secret and Andi freaks out, bringing in the episode’s end shortly after. By the time the ending credits roll, everything in the air and questions are coming in faster than that which can be answered. Not only is the series already about
Screenshot from YouTube Sisters Bex Mack (Lilan Bowden) and Andi Mack (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) have a moment sharing memories on Andi’s bed. identity, but this slice-of-life is about re- of the subject for concerned parents and acter “coming to terms with their sexual-world controversies and hot topics that the levity it would take to balance it out ality” and the aforementioned plot twist real teens have to deal with even at young for a Disney show, Minsky’s greenlight was involving teen pregnancy, Disney openly ages. not taken lightly. Scheduled to air on April embraces the progressive terms on which Minsky revealed her inspiration for 7, Disney already released the first epi- this show is being broadcast, paving the the story was from Jack Nicholson’s real sode on Youtube, presumably to see how way for more shows daring enough to dislife story of having found out the woman it would be received. cuss heavy topics such as these. he grew up with as his sister was his mothAll things considered, this show er. seems like it’s going to be successful. With Facebook: Rachel Bullock With premonitions about the gravity a nearly all Asian-American cast, a char-
‘Fate of the Furious’ zooms into theaters Steven Guzman Staff Writer
Start your engines as the eighth installment of the original “Fast and Furious” franchise races into theaters on April 14. All seems normal in the close relationships of friends Dom (Vin Diesel), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Tej (Ludacris) and Luke (Dwayne Johnson). However, everything changes with the appearance of a strange woman who turns Dom into a criminal and causes him to betray his family and friends. Dom’s friends are willing to do almost anything to bring him back to the person they all know and love, even teaming up with one of their biggest enemies, Ian Shaw (Jason Stratham) who first appeared in the end of “Fast and Furious 6”. Trailers have shown dramatic action sequences, such as when driving on ice during a mission, a huge submarine surfaces from the water. Bonds will be broken as the team must capture Dom, who is now a wanted man. After breaking box office records in April 2015, it was thought that “Furious 7” would be the last film of the franchise due to the 2013 death of “Fast and Furious” star Paul Walker. These thoughts were proved wrong, when “Fast and Furious” star Vin Diesel announced at CinemaCon 2016 that the series would contin-
ue as a ten-film franchise. Walker and his friend Roger Rodas were both attending a car show charity when they drove off in a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and fatally crashed, killing them both. CGI was used to incorporate Walker into the scenes of “Furious 7” he was unable to finish before his unfortunate death. There are a total of 9 films in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, including a short-film, (Los Bandoleros), and a solo-film (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift). Diesel had also announced the re-
lease dates for the next films.“Fast and Furious 9” releasing in April 2019 and “Fast and Furious 10” releasing in April 2021. No other information has been released for these upcoming installments to the beloved franchise. “Fate of the Furious” will include new action-packed scenes and new fancy cars for all fans to enjoy. Instagram: @Strykemedown
Screenshot from YouTube Carla Morrison shares her music with fans in the music video for “Tu Atacas.”
Artist of the Month:
Carla Morrison Amanda Jimenez Staff Writer
Screenshot from YouTube Dom (Vin Diesel) embarks on a new journey without his usual crew in “Fate of the Furious,” which drives into theaters on April 14.
Carla Morrison is a Mexican indie-pop singer songwriter who won’t let language hold her back from creating wholesome art. Born in Tecate, Baja California, Morrison moved to Arizona at age 17 to venture out into her music career. She eventually dropped out of community college and joined the small band “Babaluca.” In 2009, after leaving “Babaluca” to work on her solo career Morrison dropped her first EP “Aprendiendo a Aprender.” Her music is an emotional and spiritual driven art form that makes her Spanish singing even more angelic. For the complete story, visit www.ThePearlPost.com
April 4, 2017
The Pearl Post
Entertainment 9
13 reasons to watch new Netflix show April Serrano Staff Writer
“13 Reasons Why” is Netflix’s newest original show. With the show quickly gaining popularity shortly after being released, here is a list of 13 reasons to watch it yourself. 1. If you liked the book then you will definitely like the flow of the show as it doesn’t stir so much away from the book. 2. It’s addicting. Once you start you won’t want to stop till you finish the tapes yourself. 3. Each episode is filled with new drama that hits Hannah Baker back to back. 4. The show discusses real issues in school and how much one action can really affect someone. 5. The show gives insight as to how people can really be feeling on the inside and showing the outside can really just be an act; how not everyone is cracked up to how they seem. 6. The show discusses other issues that students can face in high school other than bullying. 7. The level of storyline in the show is deeper than the book and the audience can get a deeper knowledge and insider to the different characters portrayed. 8. The show is relatable. As you watch you truly get a feel of what the characters
Photo by Elsie Morales
Concert Review:
Panic! at the Disco exhilarates Los Angeles fans Elsie Morales Screenshot from Netflix Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) sends cassette tapes, each telling the story of her decision to end her life, to the 13 people she deemed responsible for her death. themselves are feeling. 9. It gives real examples of situations teenagers are actually put in from parties to trying to fit in. 10. Morals play a big role in the show. It illustrates how one’s morals get thrown aside from doing right from wrong. 11. It shines light on the issue of slut shaming and how the issue never goes away. 12. The audience honestly won’t re-
gret watching the show. From situations and issues that are discussed to the way it’s brought to life, the show is a real eye opener. 13. The show discusses the importance of being aware of your surroundings and how you don’t always know what’s going on in someone else’s head. Twitter: @lirpa_cs
Copy Editor
Holding nothing back, Panic! at the Disco performed to a sold out crowd at The Forum in Inglewood on March 28. The band was accompanied with opening acts Saint Motel and Mister Wives. After the first two bands performed, Panic! at the Disco was introduced by a fan who won a contest in which the band will perform at his house for a private show. The crowd squirmed with excitement as a 10 minute countdown started after the introduction. For the full story, visit www.ThePearlPost.com
The Pearl Post
Sports 10
April 4, 2017
Photo by Junior Kaitlyn Arst stretches before practice. She has been doing gymnastics for 12 years.
Athlete of the Month:
Gymnast and ice skater Kaitlyn Arst Angel Rivera Staff Writer
Photo by Liliya Miroshnychenko Freshman Olivia Bullock prepares to throw the softball during after school practice at Birmingham Community Charter High School.
Softball hopes for better season Liliya Miroshnychenko Staff Writer
After many fairly unsuccessful tournament games, the girls softball team is hoping to make it up with playing a better season. Many girls are rigorously preparing in hopes of a great season ahead. “I am super prepared,” said JV player Olivia Bullock. “Whenever we practice, I give it my all. I don’t talk to anybody. I just focus on the game.” So far, the softball team has lost most of the games they played, some being lost
drastically, with a score of 20-2. “I think our coach wants us from losing heart in ourselves, because we drop our heads as soon as we start to lose,” Bullock said. Genevieve Avalos, a sophomore on the Birmingham Community Charter High School varsity softball team is also training hard and toughening up, practicing every day with her team for over two hours after school. The girls have many drills, including practicing throws, fielding and hitting.
Since a majority of the team is young and new, the varsity coach is striving to improve the players and get them ready for their later years and seasons ahead. The team is excited to compete again and focused on winning against rivaling schools. “We want to beat El Camino,” said Avalos. “It’s our biggest rival right now along with Granada. We’re looking forward to those games.” Instagram: @liliya.miro
Upcoming April home varsity games 4/5: Boys Tennis BCCHS vs El Camino Real @ 2:30 4/5: Boys Lacrosse BCCHS vs VAAS @ 3:00
4/5: Girls Lacrosse BCCHS vs Palisades @ 4:30 4/19: Girls Softball BCCHS vs Chatsworth @ 3:00
4/19: Boys Volleyball BCCHS vs Chatsworth @ 4:00 All games at Birmingham
Kaitlyn Arst, a gymnast of 12 years, prepares for her weekly job of teaching young kids the basics of gymnastics. Arst works as an instructor for her gymnastics studio two times a week. She has been teaching 5 year olds for three years. Arst teaches her kids about tumbling and balance. Though she spends most of her time teaching gymnastics, Arst still practices her skills when she gets the chance. “The more I practice, the more flexible I get and I use those skills towards ice skating,” Arst said. Arst loves ice skating as well as gymnastics and practicing gymnastics helps her gain better balance skills. Also, it strengthens her legs so she can perform various spins and jumps more efficiently. She plans to keep being involved with gymnastics because it helps her improve with her ice skating skills. Arst does have goals she wants to achieve for gymnastics as well. “I’m trying to get my middle split currently and oversplits,” Arst said. Arst plans to stay in gymnastics and keep teaching the sport she loves for the coming years. “Kaitlyn is extremely graceful, agile and flexible,” said Nikita Opel, a fellow gymnast. “She is also very patient and encouraging when she teaches her class of kids.” Instagram: @aangel__rivera
April 4, 2017
Sports 11
The Pearl Post
Baseball Scoreboard 3/20: BCCHS vs Glenn 9-3 Win 3/22: BCCHS vs Pasadena 7-3 Win 3/25: BCCHS vs San Pedro 7-0 Win 3/27: BCCHS vs Granada Hills 3-2 Win 3/29: BCCHS vs Granada Hills 6-2 Win 4/1: BCCHS vs Banning 5-3 Win
Photo by Rachel Bullock Freshman Joshua Fleisher fields the ball as his coach hits to junior varsity after school. This is Fleisher’s first year on the team.
Baseball works for championships Ani Kocharyan Staff Writer
With the start of a new season, the Birmingham Community Charter High School baseball team hopes for improvement and success. “I practice everyday to get ready for the games,” freshman Joshua Fleisher said. Fleisher plays third base. The team’s practices consist of gamelike situations to prepare them for anything that may occur.
“We plan to practice a lot so that we don’t make the same mistakes as last year,” the third base player said. With just a few losses on both the varsity and junior varsity teams, the season is off to a positive start. The teams will need to continue to win their games to avoid the same fate as last year. As the only student from Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) on a Birmingham Community Charter High School (BCCHS) varsity or junior varsity team, there is a lot of pressure on Fleisher for
success. Earlier this year, the junior varsity team lost two DPMHS students due to various reasons. “My goal is to be the best athlete I could possibly be,” Fleisher said. The team is hoping to do better than they did last year, when the varsity team didn’t make it past semifinals. “I want to improve on everything,” he said. “I always want to be better than the last time.”
Girls Lacrosse Scoreboard 3/18: BCCHS vs Woodbridge 8-3 Win 3/18: BCCHS vs Chaminade 4-9 Loss 3/22: BCCHS vs Mira Costa 11-9 Win 3/24: BCCHS vs VAAS 16-1 Win 3/28: BCCHS vs Chaminade 4-9 Loss 3/31: BCCHS vs Thacher 14-7 Win
Instagram: @ani__kocharyan
Girls lacrosse starts season strong, loses seven starters Michelle Kaganovsky Staff Writer
Photo by Michelle Kaganovsky Senior Andy Escamilla catches the ball during girls lacrosse practice.
Starting the season off with just two losses, the girls varsity lacrosse team is optimistic about their chances for qualifying to championships. Dealing with the loss of 10 seniors, seven of whom were starters, caused the team to have to readjust at the start of the season. The team also lost five out of seven defenders and therefore are working to strengthen their defense. “It was kind of rough in the beginning but we’re getting better,” goalie Tahra Hunter said. “Our defense needs a lot of work but we’re good on our attack.” In order to improve that area of the game, the team is applying new strategies on the field and working to re-establish strong communication. Employed with many skillful shooters and experienced members, the team hopes to overcome their setbacks and restore their defense to the vigor it was last season. “Last year, we had a lot better defense with stronger communication, so our goal is to work on our defense,” Hunter said. “We have a lot of great shooters that know how to place the ball, so I’m not really worried about the attack.” Despite the challenges of restructuring their
team, the Birmingham Community Charter High School (BCCHS) girls varsity lacrosse team ranked sixth among other high schools and have an overall record of winning a game by 7 to 4. Being Los Angeles City Section Champions for three years straight, this year’s team is confident that they will uphold the title and make it to championships. At the annual Birmingham LAX Bash, the team placed second out of 22 other high school varsity teams. All the practice and improvements they’ve made throughout the season seemed to finally come together for them at the game. “Before our annual LAX Bash, we’ve been having problems with the chemistry on our team because we weren’t cooperating enough,” attack player April Serrano said. “It wasn’t until this game that we actually passed the ball and we made the perfect transitions that we needed to score, so that was a good moment.” With five games remaining, coach Scott Silva believes they could still push themselves even further. “I am happy with how our girls have played so far this season, but at the same time I know we haven’t played our best lacrosse yet,” Coach Scott Silva said. Instagram: @michelle.ella
Tech 12
The Pearl Post
April 4, 2017
The fight for the top spot in music streaming Daniela Guzman Staff Writer
Launched in 2008, Spotify’s popularity across the world is largely credited to it’s easy to use navigation and wide variety of music and artists to listen to. Spotify contains several features that make it unique compared to other music streaming competitors, specifically Pandora. One of these features is allowing users to save playlists, music stations, albums and more when using its free service. Users can listen to their saved audio as long as they are connected to an internet source. Another helpful feature of Spotify is the list of recommended songs at the end of created playlists. This helps the user explore new music, as well as find music they might’ve heard before. Using Spotify Premium, which costs $9.99 a month for an individual, users no longer face the limits seen using the free service. Music is no longer interrupted by advertisements, skips are not restricted to a specific number in an interval of time, and users have the option to upgrade the sound quality of their music. Free of charge or not, Spotify is an excellent on-demand streaming source for finding all of your favorite music in one application.
Photos from pandora.com and spotify.com
Founded in Oakland, California in 2000, Pandora Internet Radio has many features that still make it one of the most used music streaming services to date. Pandora is an outstanding music service that uses algorithms to allow users to look up an artist, music genre and listen to a radio station filled with similar tunes. This feature allows others to discover new artists they might enjoy and is definitely useful for expanding music taste. To help with expanding music discovery, Pandora’s “thumbsup” button essentially allows users to choose their favorite songs and allows Pandora to base future upcoming songs on those that are similar. With Pandora’s new Pandora Premium service that is releasing in the upcoming weeks, users can listen to all of their favorite “thumbs-upped” tunes in a playlist conveniently already made for them. Like Spotify, the free version of Pandora has its limits. Users cannot surpass a number of skipped songs in a certain number of time unless they pay for the $9.99 monthly subscription. Pandora Premium has many new features that mirror those of Spotify, including more fluidity in choosing what users want to listen to instead of being limited to just using the radio. For those who prefer their music being chosen for them, Pandora works perfectly. For those who enjoy Pandora’s radio and the flexibility of Spotify, Pandora Premium could suit them as well. Twitter: @ma33iai
App of the Month:
Make your reading experience interactive.
Word Cookies! Richard Mendiola Staff Writer
Challenge your vocabulary and discover new words with the app “Word Cookies!” Created by BitMango, “Word Cookies!” is a game where players fill in boxes with words by making use of the various letters presented to them on a baking sheet. Players are to create words with the given letters to them. The goal of the game is simple: Drag your finger to combine letters to make different words. The app will let players know if the created words are valid or not valid. The words are highlighted with the corresponding colors: valid - green and not valid - red. Extra words are words that players obtain that are not used in the level. These extra words that players find award them coins. Players also receive coins by logging into the game daily. These coins are used to help players in the form of hints. If a player is having trouble figuring out words, they can spend 25 coins for a one letter hint. Players have access to unlimited hints, but if they choose to rely on these hints they must have sufficient
Photo from wordcookiesanswers.com funds. There are 11 stages in the game for players to beat. In total the app contains over 580 levels and counting, due to updates that will be coming to the app. With the multiple stages and levels provided, players are sure to take a while before completion. There is no time limit and players are allowed to return to their previously played level. There are levels known as “Special levels,” which are bonus levels that players unlock by completing levels. “Word Cookies!” is free to play on Android and on iOS devices. Twitter: @rsmendiola23
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