aquila
University Preparatory Academy’s
Volume V, Issue I
www.upaaquila.com
Dec. 15, 2015
Jog-a-Thon a Success for Athletics By Angelique Garcia
Photo by Diana Freslassie Mr. Francis talked of his role as a protector of peace. Left to right: Hilda Mendoza, Daisy Adin, Shawn Francis, and Caitlin Flores.
Occupation Inspiration By Rithwik Nichenametla
This year, UPA implemented a new idea created by teachers Laura Gordon-Reska and Andrew Yau. Career Day was initiated for the sole purpose of igniting a spark of passion in the hearts of students around the school. Seven speakers from various occupations were invited onto campus to deliver thirty minute seminars summarizing their job and their contributions to the progression of human society. Moreover, they explained why they were interested in their field and how to excel in it. “Career Day is meant to help students see careers as more than an opportunity for money,” said Reska. Students voyaged to different stations with their advisory
classes for a valuable experience with an EMT, district attorney, graphic designer, policeman, firefighter, Google engineer, physical therapist, nurse, and NASA engineer. Many of these speakers are related to either a UPA staff member or student. Janice Go, the graphic designer, attended high school with Mr.Yau. On the other hand, Girish Chachad, the NASA engineer, is the father of Ravi Chachad, a UPA alumni. “Career Day was way better than the college forums we had last year,” said Yohe Terefe, who would like to see it again next year. Many students were inspired by Mr.Wallace, a firefighter and father of UPA students Tyler and Cameron Wallace.
Photo by Diana Freslassie Google engineer Prashant Marathay visited with UPA students on Career Day. From left to right: Cameron McElroy, Andrew Lin, Prashant Marathay, Flavio Quintero, Melissa Drews. “He risks his life on a daily basis, not for money, but for the satisfaction of doing good,” said freshman Daniel Rodriguez. Students like eigth grader
Photo Courtesy of Nicole Sebek In honor of UPA’s first Career Day, firefighter Mr. Wallace brought a firetruck to UPA premises.
Emiliano Ortega admired Prashant Marathay, a Google engineer and father of Sitara Marathay. Marathay provided beneficial insight as to how to receive employment from large companies. He explained that one of the most valuable assets to have when applying for a company is to have references inside the company. After the seminars concluded, students were treated with burgers and chips from Mojo Burger. “The burgers were the best part,” said freshman Yashpreet Joura. Career Day was a success at striking the hearts of various students. Many of the speakers were enthralling and inspiring, pushing students to consider what they want to pursue in the future. “A career should be something you sincerely enjoy doing everyday,” Reska said.
UPA welcomed the annual PTSO Jog-a-thon as a campus wide event for all grades to paticipate in. This year’s jog-a-thon occurred on Friday October 9, 2015, and marked the 5th annual Jog-a-thon at UPA. The event was to benefit the PTSO, and the funds help raise money for sports teams at UPA and its students, who truly benefit from it the most. This year was the first year that the Silent Auction was introduced; an event where parents could bid on tickets, gift baskets, and gift cards as another way to raise money for the school. UPA saw a tremendous turnout, and students from various grades came out and participated. As the Jog-a-thon course could not accommodate the vast population of the school, middle and high school students ran at separate times. “It’s a great way to bring the school together in an event that also raises money,” said senior Ethan Nguyen. By attending, students not only showed support for this event, but also their support of the athletic programs at UPA. Students can have a great impact on their school, and it is apparent that the students at UPA wanted to do exactly that. “I would have run even if I wasn’t required to as a UPA athlete,” says 8th grader, Josh Richardson. As an athlete on a sports team at UPA, the required duties are to participate in the Jog-athon and support the school. Richardson didn’t view the Jog-a-thon as a chore, and even had a blast participating in it this year as well as previous years. “I bet my brother that I could get more laps than him, even though I didn’t,” said Nguyen. UPA is a small and family-oriented school, and the Jog-a-Thon did a great job of capturing that essence, making the event fun for everyone involved, whether it be watching or participating. Whether the joggers were there for their friends or to gain the title of top runner, there was a sense of enjoyment for the students and even a little friendly competition. “Each year I feel like the Joga-thon gets better and I can’t wait until next year,” said 10th grader, Adrienne Lee. The joggers genuinely enjoyed participating, even when it was a requirement. Participants still had fun, and ultimately it was for a cause that benefited the school as a whole.
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2 Editorial
Pseudo-Agents Infiltrate UPA Stage
By Diana Rendler
Photo Courtesy of Tracy Wilkinson The cast of “Spy School”: Top row (left to right): Isabella Wilkinson, Natalie Sanborn, Samantha Razo, Anthony Castillon, Prajesh Sharma, Analise Medina, Natalia Martinez, Thrisha Praveen, Matias Edwards, Carolyn Medina, Rohan Manian, Spencer Francis, Mary Trinh, Aghalya Narayanan, Riley Than. Bottom row (left to right): Daniella Weber, Amanda Flores, Jackie Zweifler, Morgan Luu, Colin UpdykeWelch, Akshara Kollu, Stephanie Umali. “It has been pretty full and ple agent for the American gov- getting to know a lot of the cast,” ter development, which gave this year’s comedy a lot of detail and there have been more different ernment with a distinct Russian said Sanborn. Matias Edwards is the show’s depth. people coming,” said Updykeaccent. “I shape the role around my- welch. Sanborn says, “My two char- comedian, playing Jane Doe’s fake brother who always finds a self a little bit,” states Colin Up“Spy School” is yet another acters are pretty contrasting.” Although it is a lot of work, way to annoy his fake sister with dyke-welch, who plays Bruce, a excellent production by the drapopular boy at Anonymous High ma department that was produced people really get a chance to witty comments. “It was interesting and I kept School. and delivered by talented students know each other when they are on trying to find new ways to be The play has also received from all parts of UPA’s diverse part of the cast. large audiences in each of its four environment. “The performance itself was funny,” said Edwards. A lot of work goes into charac- showtimes this fall. really fun and I had a great time
Video games present alternative realities that can appear more attractive than the one we live in. “You can get lost in it” said Maher Osman, a sophomore at UPA. The games, with their high quality graphics and rapid movement, can drag players in and tempt them to spend all night on the computer to hide from their responsibilities. On average, preteens and teens spend over two hours playing video games everyday. “Electronics are making it very enticing to stay up later,” Charles A. Czeisler, the director of division of sleep medicine at Harvard’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital, told CBS.
Singing, dancing, magic, and instrumental acts absolutely wowed the audience on Friday, Nov. 20, at UPA’s 2015 Fall Talent Show in the Horton Auditorium. The third annual talent show displayed talent from both middle school and high school students who showed both style and confidence. “What made the talent show the best one yet was all the organization and efficiency that was shown with the stage crew in setting up the next act, all the clubs selling food on one side of the Horton, and the entertainment provided by Jessica and Hayley,” said an audience member, Emily Calderon. At the end of the night, the award for “overall best” was announced to the act that played the guitar and sang “Dark Times” by the Weeknd, Jordan Miller. Jessica de la Paz and Hailey Allen, the two hosts for the night, announced the following two awards. With anticipation from the audience, the next award given was
titled “audience favorite” and was presented to seniors Angel Ortiz, Emily Trujillo, and Consuelo de la Torre for their skit of the Napoleon Dynamite dance. “I think our little skit was different from the rest. All the other participants actually had talent like singing or dancing, and then there was us. We weren’t really there because we had talent, rather we were there just to have a good time and make everyone laugh. And I think we succeeded in that,” said de la Torre. The act who danced to “Human” by Christina Perri, senior Jessica de la Paz, took home the last of the three awards,“ best stage presence” was presented to her. “Jessica was a definite winner. She was not only really good but had by far the most passion.” said another audience member, sophomore, Jacalyn Trujillo. The first half of the acts featured singers, dancers, piano players, as well as tabla or drum players. An act that showcased their talent differently was Tara Mossadeghian, who not only played the piano and sang to “Wildest
UPA’s AQUILA The Aquila is a student-produced and student-edited high school newspaper. It serves as a designated public forum for student expression. Editor-in-Chief: Sydney Harder Managing Editor: Juli Rendler News Editors: Anton Loeb, Tyler Jacobsen
By Jacob Cayabyab
Photo By Diana Freslassie Seniors Angel Ortiz (left) and Consuelo de la Torre perform a dance scene from Napoleon Dynamite in the Horton Auditorium on Nov. 20. Emily Trujillo (not pictured) also participated in the act. Dreams” by Taylor Swift, but did her entire act blindfolded. “I decided to be blindfolded just to shake things up a bit,” said the freshman stage act Tara. Towards the end of the show, a magic show captured the audi-
In-Depth Editor: Ashley Phuong Editorial Editor: Diana Rendler Features Editor: Olivia Foreman A&E Editor: Jade Chavez Lifestyles Editor: Emily Hung Copy Editors: Angelo Bautista, Nicole Darvin Broadcast Editor: Isabella Wilkinson Production Editor: Meklit Moges Web Editors: Sven Kuhne, Flavio Quintero
ence’s attention. “My act was unique because I am one of the few magicians at school and it’s not something people see everyday,” said Joshua Cheah, magician. All in all, this talent show was
Photo Editor: Diana Freslassie Staff Photographers: Natalie Guggemos, Adam Sprintz, Diana Freslassie Staff Writers: Carlo Barrera, Nebiu Bizuneh, Alec Blackwell, Jacob Cayabyab, Joshua Cheah, Katherine Donnellan, Angelique Garcia, Natalie Guggemos, Jami Lomeli, Sitara Marathay, Meklit Moges, Rithwik Nichenametla, Nicole Rendler, Prajesh Sharma, Megan Wescoat
filled with joyous acts. “A show that displayed the talent of UPA. Acts that are not involved with school work,” said Calderon.
Advisor: Laura Gordon Reska CONTACT US (408) 723-1839 2315 Canoas Garden Ave. San Jose, CA 95125 aquila@upatoday.com www.upaaquila.com www.youtube.com/aquilabroadcast
These late nights mean students are more likely to fall asleep in class or on the road, decreasing the quality of their education, and endangering their well-being. “Kids need adequate sleep to grow emotionally, physically and mentally” Dr. Roya Samuels told Health Day magazine. Video games also encourage hormonal teenagers to kill people or aliens or zombies, which according to the Association for Psychological Science, creates “an increase in aggressive thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, including increased heart rate, and aggressive behavior.” Teenagers tend to get trapped in this reality and forget about the rest of their lives. “It is a mindset; if you really want to finish your homework, then you finish your homework,” said Osman. But as videogames have so much to offer, what teenager remove themselves from this insane alternative reality? Not many.
Videogames Rule
Singing, Dancing, Acting: UPA Talent Show By Jami Lomeli
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Villainous Videogames Day One: Thankful with Good
By Sven Khune
This year’s play, “Spy School,” is the drama department’s newest production, set in the sixties during the race to the moon with a russian spy and a fake CIA family. All of this success can be attributed to the organisational skills of the managers, and the dedication students showed to their roles by shaping a personality based on play’s diverse set of characters. Morgan “Momo” Luu, who plays the not-so-average high school girl, Jane Doe, says, “I definitely love performing, but it is a lot a of work so you have to really commit to it.” “Spy School” is not simply one practice session; various actors have to memorize their lines and find costumes for each scene that they participate in. Luu has to memorize hundreds of lines and find different costumes for the school, home, and dance scenes, “The lead is in practically all of the scenes, so yeah, I do have to take out a lot of time from homework and stuff.” Several people have to double up on roles as well. Natalie Sanborn finds herself playing two roles: a pencil wielding CIA training officer for new members and Natasha Sparrow, a quadru-
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Dec. 15 2015
Contrary to popular belief, there are several upsides to video games. At first, video games were only seen as a pastime. But now, in the digital age that we live in, games can be hardcore hobbies and even jobs. Games have even wiggled itself into the realm of sports. E-sports have rapidly gained popularity, with people watching games played through several mediums. Youtube, streaming, and even live are some ways that people watch the sport. Yet ¨conventional¨ sports players and parents alike seem to think that e-sports are not really sports. They believe that video games does not count as a sport, and are only a kid’s hobby. To study the effect of video games, several experiments have been conducted. According to a review in American Psychologist, “playing video games… may boost children’s learning, health, and social skills.” However, that does not stop people from stereotyping gam-
ers. Despite the information gained throughout the years, games still have a negative stigma because of people who do not enjoy the sport. Throughout the years, society has tagged gamers with stereotypes like being lonely and awkward, but that is not always the case. Video game streamer UberGuitarDude says. “I wish people could be more accepting, but that’s the world” when asked about people’s disdain to video games. Yet the positives to video games outweigh the negatives. First off, video games create communities for people to be in. Video games are a great way for people to bond with others who have similar interests. It also provides people with jobs and a way of income, especially since they can be streamed worldwide. Some fans will not settle with watching the games on a computer screen. There are people will spend money to watch games and meet players in real life, similar to sports. For example, 13,000 seats were sold in 2013 for the League of Legends championship. League of Legends, a popular PC video game, has 27 million people that play daily, and 67 million who log in to play at least once a month. Video games are now easier to access and should be prided as a breakthrough in technology, communication, and entertainment.
Food. Day Two: Move Out of the Way, I Want Those Shoes
By Angelo Bautista Pumpkin pies bake in the oven, while turkeys are being stuffed to the brim before their turn. Relatives arrive, some late and some early. Or, none are arriving at all, because this particular holiday is not exactly significant to those who did not grow up celebrating Columbus’ famed arrival. Either way, it is more than a time of being thankful; it is a time of family, peace, and so forth. But why is there a paradox of an event deemed to promote materialism being so close to a day whose purpose is to recognize the opposite? Stores do so because profits are far more significant than individual customer feelings. Many people - especially high school students - do not care for
pies and turkeys cooking in the oven as they’d get a break, and even be able to see their families. Why complain about getting some time off? “I just want a break, you know?” said busy UPA teacher Ms. Sebek. To return to the original question, many people do not mind the spirit of the season. A student of another school, Tam Nguyen, is one of the crazy people hunting for those crazy deals. However, unlike many shoppers, he is not coming from a turkey feast, or at 12 in the morning. “I like the great sales because they are good for Christmas presents,” he says. Although, he does spend his Thanksgivings with friends, and agree that materialism is a big issue. “I do believe that it [does] exist. It’s a big problem,” said Nguyen. Many like Nguyen do not celebrate the late autumn holiday as much as other people do, due in part to individual cultural backgrounds, and thus would not feel as guilty going after purchases around Thanksgiving.
It is also not terrible that Black Friday happens when it does, as there are a lot of profits to come from the start of the Christmas holiday season. Phil Wahba, senior writer for Fortune, writes that despite finances at stake for major retailers, the yearly boon is “a weekend expected to generate $50 billion in sales.” It can also be a fun experience outside of all of the potential dangers—such as being hit by cars, carts, and cruel customers alike. Being able to have a shot at a 50 inch LED flat screen at Best Buy can be great, though it still contradicts the central theme of Thanksgiving. However, stores are starting to open up their Black Friday deals earlier, and some are even closing in observance of Thanksgiving so both customers and employees can get together with family. This is certainly change, but not the best kind. After all, why is it that many are easily manipulated by major corporations and driven to become one of the crazy people hunting for those crazy deals? We’re easy to control.
Trumpets Play for Sir Donald Trump as
He Triumphantly Trumps the Haters
By Adam Sprintz Donald Trump, currently the leader in the Republican polls, has demonstrated to the American Republican voters why he should be president. Trump, a notoriously successful business man with numerous businesses that have declared bankruptcy, entered the presidential election hoping to sit in the oval office come 2016. “Make America great again” Trump states as his slogan. Trump hopes to fix all the terrible problems Obama caused in America in order to create the best first world country and improve the living conditions for the rich upper 1 percent of America. One of Trump’s major changes will be to build a wall between America and Mexico. Trump believes “the wall will go up and Mexico will start behaving.” Trump wants to keep the Mex-
icans out since they apparently steal all of the jobs from the existing citizens in America. He thinks they are incompetent of any living style beside their current one in Mexico and will hurt the American economy by overpopulating our midwestern states. Trump hopes to keep immigrants out of the country in order to provide more jobs for Americans. The wall will end up restricting access to America for not only the illegal immigrants coming from Mexico, but also the nonnative lizard species. Obviously, Trump’s main concern is maintaining the already thriving American ecosystems which happens to be a promoted issue for most Republicans. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us” said Trump during his political campaign kickoff announcement. Trump obviously has qualifications to become America’s number 1 president; he will be better than all 44 previous presidents combined. He is fearless; he is not afraid
to answer any question however he wants and will not back down from any situation put in front of him. Trump is a very honest man and is not scared to say what he believes, no matter how ridiculous it may be. He continuously speaks his opinion to the public, confirming his practical and logical beliefs to every citizen around the country. His supporters believe in his ability to be president so strongly; there have been many instances in which his avid fans have proven their adoration, including beating a Hispanic man in Boston and chanting “White Power” at a rally in Alabama. Trump’s success is credited to his immense financial profile: multiple business failures, large insurance claims, and a greedy personality. Trump, “the greatest jobs president that God ever created” will lead our nation into the most divine and theocratic era America has ever seen. Trump is the new face of America. He is the hero America deserves. He is the hero America needs. Vote Trump 2016.
In-Depth
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The Perks of Gifts & Giving By Nicole Darvin
Whether you are a parent of a large family or a teenager who has no steady income, it is often difficult to provide presents for each of your loved ones during the winter holidays. Fortunately, gifts do not have to be elaborate or expensive in order to bring joy. Listed below is a compilation of economical and easily obtained gift ideas that are appropriate for any holiday you can think of. Food of Any Sort Everyone loves food. Although homemade food requires a lot of effort, this is a gift the people will be sure to love. It also can be customized for any holiday, such as cookies for Christmas, latkes for Hanukkah, or sweet potato dishes for Kwanzaa.
Don’t forget to decorate your dish as much as possible to add more festive cheer.
Your Own Art Creation For all the artistic people out there, adults and kids alike enjoy receiving art that they can display, as it triggers memories of the holiday season. As a cheaper alternative, you can use materials that you already own to create your masterpiece in whatever medium you like, whether your gift be a painting, sculpture, or anything else you can think of! Socks Socks are the dreaded gift of every child. Why, you ask? That’s because kids always receive plain and boring pairs of socks for the holidays or even their birthdays.
Why not make it fun by gifting someone crazy or quirky socks that will bring a smile to their face?
A Personalized CD Playlist Compile a playlist of your favorite songs and burn it onto a CD that you can present your loved one with. Whether it includes traditional holiday music or hit pop songs, it is definitely a popular choice as it
Photo Courtesy of Kareen Ice Give books and give the gift of knowledge. is both practical and creative. Your family and friends will surely appreciate this modern gift from the heart! If you are not able to acquire
any of the items mentioned above, don’t fret. It’s the thought that counts!
Every year, families and friends gather around to enjoy the holidays to reflect on the year as a whole, and to revere favorite traditions. For students at UPA, winter break is mainly a way to escape from homework and finals; despite that, I ask you to take this escape further and take a break from reality to enjoy the following movies, whether you’re alone with your cat or at a holiday party. No matter the occasion, these movies will provide memorable experiences inspired by the holidays. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Animated) Directed by Tim Burton, master of macabre atmospheres, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is an interesting take on two polar opposite holidays: Christmas and Halloween. In typical Burton fashion, the main character is Jack Skellington, the charismatic king of Halloweentown, a town which specializes in mastering the best (and
most horrific) parts of Halloween. However, he stumbles upon a new world based off of Christmas and becomes enamored with the idea of being Santa, taking his own town in an unusual direction. What makes the film so enjoyable is its unique stop-motion animation; the animation creates a world in which characters like Jack’s ghostly dog Max can exist. If you’re looking for a dark and playful take on the holidays, this is a perfect choice. “Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost In New York” (Comedy) Although these films are definitely more family-oriented then the rest, I can’t help but mention these family films. In these films, Kevin, a clever 8-year-old, must fend off burglars with creative booby traps. The gags may seem a little cheesy and the story is corny, but this film and its New-York based sequel are enjoyable romps that tickle your imagination. Remember to avoid anything past the sequel without Macaulay Culkin; those films fit better on a list of the worst holiday movies.
Jazzy, Joyful & Jolly Jingles “I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Version 1)” by Michael Bublé. His cover of this Christmas classic is utterly enchanting. Bublé is a necessity for the holidays. For more of his music, see his album “Christmas.”
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey Carey makes this essential song extremely upbeat and a great song to listen to for a party. This comes from her album “Merry Christmas.”
“White Christmas” by Kenny Loggins Loggins is a lesserknown artist, but his music is equally enchanting. His covers and voice alike will send shivers down your spine! From his album “December.”
“I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas” by Gayla Peevey A silly song that will make you giggle like a child. These songs are great for the younger kids in your group.
“Jingle Bell Rock” from “Mean Girls” A Christmas classic from a classic movie. The song comes from a funny scene in the movie, and is a funny movie to watch with the family.
Photo Courtesy of Liberty Films Poster of the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. It’s A Wonderful Life (Classic)” This film recommendation was inspired by film studies and English teacher Kristin Tillim, who praised the film as one of her favorites. Films like “It’s A Wonderful
Life” deal with reflection, with the film being about George Bailey, a man who believes himself to be worthless until an angel shows him how terrible the world would be without him. “The characters are great...
there’s a strong social message of helping your neighbors and your community,” said Ms. Tillim. Messages like these truly reveal what make holiday films so strong; the memories they create last forever.
By Jacob Cayabyab
It spends weeks in your fridge as you and your family try to eat it all. Here are a few ways you can get rid of the leftovers and gain back space in your fridge or freezer.
Throw an After-Christmas Christmas Party! Everyone loves to party. You can throw an After-Christmas Christmas party to get rid of your leftovers! Invite your friends and tell them to bring some leftovers, put on your ugliest sweater, and play some Christmas movies. This is an easy way to get rid of food quickly and you will have fun doing it. There are many websites that give you themes for Christmas parties, like the Ugly Sweater party or the Recipe Swap party. There are many other ways to get rid of your Christmas food. If you are like me, you don’t really mind eating it over and over again because it tastes amazing. But if you want your fridge back, try these tips. There are many other things you can do, so get creative and spread the cheer.
Yummy Surprises
The most memorable part of the holidays is the huge dinner we have with our family. Holiday dinners are a great way to spend time with family, and they are also a great way to indulge in tons of food. Holiday meals are usually inspired by the culture of the people “I’m Asian so my family doesn’t really do the traditional Christmas food” said 12th grader Morgan Luu when asked about what her family does for Christmas. Usually the “traditional” Christmas meals, which usually consists of meats like ham and a roast, vegetables like yams and starches like mashed potatoes and stuffing. You can even throw in a pie or two for after the meal! Yet when you’re done eating and you feel sick to your stomach, there’s a whole lot of unfinished food still on the table.
“Winter Depression” by Ashley Phuong
By Jacob Cayabyab Feeling festive? Whether you’re hoping for a Silent Night with the family, or want to Rock Around the Christmas Tree with a party, these Christmas songs are a way to spread the good cheer and achieve the holiday spirit.
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Must-Watch Holiday Hits By Flavio Quintero
Books If your loved one is an avid reader, this is the perfect low budget gift for them. You can find cheap but good reads at garage sales, used book stores, or even at your local library’s book sale. Be sure to pick out a novel with a personalized topic for the recipient based on their likes and dislikes.
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Dec. 15, 2015
Photo Courtesy of Maren Caruso A delicious holiday meal that you can continue to share even after the holidays.
Donate to Homeless shelters! In the U.S., more than 3.5 million people are homeless, and 1 in 7 people are at risk of going hungry. Giving leftovers to the homeless can help someone gain needed nutrients. With all the leftovers that people have, a big difference could be made once you share your food with the less fortunate. Several videos have been recorded of people doing this, so this is not a new idea. However, you are still helping make a difference and doing good deeds for Santa to notice!
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Two Freshmen Start Season Playing Varsity By Natalie Guggemos
Photo Courtesy of Sitara Marathay Interact Club attended the Fall Leadership Conference in October. Pictured: Matthew Aragaw, Stephen Gong-Guy, Michael Fragala, Austen Nguyen, Sai Sanchula, Jeffrey Nguyen, Cori Wong, Andrew Vo, Barkoat Moges, Harry Haessner, Connie Liu, Davina Carrillo, Alana BeltranBalagso, Sitara Marathay, Kayla Genio. By Megan Wescoat Interact club is not only a club that does community service, but it is also a social club that interacts with other schools, hence the name. This year, Interact is planning many social events such as rallies, dances, special dinners, shows, and just helping out within the community. Also, the Interact Club is a great experience for students because there will be opportunities to make new friends and earn community service credits. Adrielle Barcibal introduced Interact last year to UPA during her senior year. “She knew someone who had it at their school,” said sophomore Alana Beltran- Balagso, who became president this year. Last year, Interact was not a very popular club; however this year, 116 people have joined. “I was really excited,” Beltran-Balagso said. “I was really surprised how it turned out. Being such a small school, I didn’t expect a ton of people to join.”
Also, since Interact is run through multiple schools, Beltran-Balagso was worried that they would be small compared to other schools, but that is not the case. Beltran-Balagso was inspired to make Interact better known throughout the school because last year it was relatively unknown. Vice Presidents Davina Carrillo and Sai Sanchula, both sophomores, help her with the club. Sanchula thinks it is fun being vice president because they do a lot of community service. Apparently Sanchula is not the only one who thinks that community service is fun, as evidenced by it being such a large club. Though it might get crowded, Sanchula “felt like having a lot of people would be a good thing” because others get “exposed to other schools.” Interact has such a big membership that it needs a very organized president to manage it well. Beltran-Balagso has not only handled running the club but has also taught others during this
time. Sanchula thinks that BeltranBalagso has taught him. “To be a vice president, there are a lot of responsibilities,” he said. “She got me where I am right now.” Carrillo confirmed that all the current officers were in Interact last year. Even Carrillo was one of the first to join, but last year it was not as open. Not only has Beltran-Balagso made the club more open, Carrillo said, but she also does more events and promotes more community service. Beltran-Balagso seems like a hard worker and Carrillo agrees. “Alana does a lot of work, but she also gives me and Sai a lot of work,” Carrillo said. All of their hard work has contributed to the success of the inspiring club. “I’ve been caring more about others,” said Carrillo after she passed out food for children. She believes a lot of members have become more involved by attending such events.
A&E Old Fans 6 Awakening
Bailey Lewis and Joselinne Amador headspike their way into UPA’s Varsity Volleyball Team. They have been recently playing against several outside high schools such as St. Thomas Moore and Downtown College Prepatory. They were competeing anywhere from UPA’s gym to other schools’ gymnasiums and courts. They hoped to qualify for the selective championships. Lewis, one of the setters on the team, said that it is her favorite position on the team to play. The setter usually moves around the court frequently and is responsible for running up to the net and hitting it, while the other players move back. Meanwhile, Amador (a player on the right) liked tipping the ball (using the tip of your fingers to direct the ball to where nobody else is). Amador’s role was to stay toward the right hand side and hit the ball whenever appropriate. The team worked hard throughout the day by going to morning and afternoon practices more. During morning practices, Amador would wake up and “have energy at beginning of the game.” On the contrary, Lewis choose afterschool practices as her favorite because she “[is] not a morning person.” The frequent practices have definitely impacted their school life and Lewis said her homework just takes a little more time. Amador replied that she only gets more tired for school because of the early practices.
Some of our new freshmen players have experience in volleyball. Ironically, Lewis’ mother was a setter in volleyball when she was younger. Lewis gets some motivation from her mother playing in high school and giving some helpful tips. In the future, Lewis states she would not play professionally, but mostly as a hobby. Other positive motivators to playing volleyball include getting in good shape and exercising. During games both Lewis and Amador looked forward to playing with their varsity team. While speaking about the championships, if they lost, Lewis would be “kinda sad, but not upset… [Our team] did good this season.” Using experience from practices and communication in the court is essential for teamwork according to Lewis. With “only 12 people on the team, they all know each other pretty well,” Lewis commented. When asked about their favorite opponent, Lewis answered Thomas Moore because that team gave them a challenge; the team accepted the challenge and UPA won that game 3-1. Amador declared that she likes playing against DCP rather than Thomas Moore. Amador and Lewis were filled with excitement for championships. If their family were watching, Lewis said it would put “a little pressure, but not too much.” With perseverance and UPA pride; the varsity team spiked the ball over the net.
Mixed Martial Arts Mastermind Makes Memories By Nicole Rendler
Photo Courtesy of Tara Mossadeghian Freshman Tara Mossadeghian shows off her karate skills at the United Academy of Martial Arts, where she practices and learns new moves.
“On the outside she’s a superstar, but on the inside she’s a ninja,” said sophomore Connie Liu. She is describing freshman Tara Mossadeghian, a lifelong karate student, who has been winning competitions ever since she became a second degree black belt. Most recently, Mossadeghian achieved a first place victory on Oct. 4 in Morgan Hill. This competition featured both boys and girls, and Mossadeghian competed against others at her studio with the same rank. Karate at a higher level is more competitive and covers a wider variety of styles and Mossadeghian experiences it every day she practices and competes. “There are so many differences, new styles of fighting,” Mossadeghian says, “we get to play around more, but we also get more discipline”. Clearly it is not all fun and games.
There are 21 ranks that students must get through to become a black belt. According to Mossadeghian, accomplishing the requirements to receive a black belt is the hardest part of competitive karate. Students participate in a performance test, and go through training based on physical proficiency and ethical thinking. Not only is she a successful student at the United Academy of Martial Arts, Mossadeghian is also an inspiration to her friends and family. Close friend Liu described her feelings toward Mossadeghian’s success. “I’m so proud, like a mother who sees her daughter riding a bike” Liu said. Mossadeghian is also a role model for younger karate students. “She inspires me, so she must inspire younger kids” sophomore Harry Haessner said. Not only are her friends rooting for her, Mossadeghian’s
brother is also supportive. “Of course she makes me proud,” senior Sam Mossadeghian said. He supports her emotionally, but also helps her practice karate. However, this most recent win was different. “She did it independently; [she] never came to me for help,” he said. Though being a champion can bring major bragging rights, the act of competing itself is Mossadeghian’s favorite part of the whole experience. Knowing hard work has paid off is a great feeling, but can be followed by some bittersweetness moments. Even after winning, Mossadeghian felt a little bad. “I wish others could win too,” Mossadeghian stated. At this point, it is obvious Mossadeghian is an extremely hard worker, as well as an inspiration to others. “She karate chopped her way into our hearts,” Haessner said.
to the New Star Wars
al movies. This series appeals to not only that of the classic generation, but to that of those who did not grow up watching the series. With a younger main character and Disney’s new T.V. series Star Wars Rebels tying in, children and adults will both want to watch this film. The older fan base is upset about Photo Courtesy of Getty Images/Chung Sung-Jun Disney taking over Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and director J.J. Abrams the films. attend “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” premiere in South Korea on Dec. 9, Die hard fans 2015. are outraged beBy Joshua Cheah son Ford reprises his role as Han cause Disney has thrown away Solo. 2015 has been a significant This is a major relief to many the story-line from the book seyear for movie franchises like: of the older viewers because they ries, which many people have Avengers, Jurassic World, and feared Disney would understate followed for years. This is a major loss to the fans, Fast and Furious 7. the previous films. As well as their strong fan One of the new actors is Daisy yet in spite of this all the pre-sale base, but some say that the big- Ridley as Rey the main charac- tickets are sold out. This movie is a sequel to Star gest release is yet to happen. ter; she has previously played a Star Wars. nameless side character in the Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi, taking place 30 years after This movie is the seventh in- movie The Inbetweeners 2. stallment of the Star Wars franDisney also got a seasoned sci- the ending. When the 88 second trailer hit chise. ence fiction director, J.J. Abrams. With the rights of the series Abrams also directed the hit the internet, both Youtube servmoving to Disney, countless fans movies Star Trek (2009) and Star ers, and the Star Wars websites crashed. suspect that Disney wants to tar- Trek Into Darkness (2013). The Trailer had a view count get a younger audience. Many consider him to be one With Disney creating the film, of the best science fiction Direc- of 3,000,000 within one day. So far the projected earning the story get a whole new set of tors ever, as his scenes are said to actors and actresses, but they kept be the most realistic and detailed is set to not only beat out Avengers Age of Ultron, and Jurassic some of the original cast. ever. For example Carrie Fisher is This movie could arguably be World but both combined. back as princess Leia, and Harri- one of the most anticipated reviv-
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Dec. 15, 2015
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Documenting Passion: Barista and Crafted By Carlo Barrera One intriguing documentary, Barista, and one slightly obscure short film, Crafted, explore the passions of baristas and artisans and how their passions turned into careers. The passion each barista and artisan holds influenced their pursuit in their respective fields. The job of a barista involves serving different types of coffee, but this documentary explores how the occupation can be a true career. “I’m a barista, I’d be like this is what I do. Welcome to my profession,” says a competitive barista, Charlie Habegger, in the film. The documentary also gives insight on the passion people have for coffee and the personal feelings associated with the beverage. “Every genre has its own subgenre of more passionate, more driven people,” states a coffee culture blogger in Americano Mondays, Jeff Newton. Similarly in a short film, Crafted, the concept of passion of handcrafted products are extraordinary and should be cherished for its personalization. “The ability to work with your hands is a gift,” said the bladesmith, Davide Van Wyk in Crafted. The enthusiasm both groups of craftsmen have for their trade enforce the appreciation of their skills. Barista explores the culture of coffee as a major beverage that is complex due to the roast-
ing and caramelization process of coffee. “Coffee is what I do, which is really exciting because for me what that means is I do what I do to the best of my ability to the glory of God and that, gives me the opportunity to make coffee with all of my might,” says Truman Severson, a competitive barista. Crafted inspires the spectator to make something with their own hands and this product has personal value. “Soul. It’s all about something that has soul,” said chef, Cathy Burns in Crafted. These words further inspire the idea that something made by hand has soul and special, instead of being a generic product. The short film leaves the viewer thinking handcrafted products are unique and they inspire the viewer to appreciate the artisan trend growing in America. One lesson to take away from both films is to have the passion to pursue your dreams. The documentary, Barista, follows the lives of five candidates for the National Barista Championship from director, Rock Baijnauth. The film is also unrated and is available on Amazon and iTunes. The short film, Crafted, features three groups of modern artisans located around the world, directed by Morgan Spurlock. The short film is unrated and available on Amazon Prime.
Is ‘The Taken King’ Worth the $40 Price Tag?
By Alec Blackwell
“Destiny” is a game where players complete activities in pve (player vs. environment) to acquire new gear, like weapons and armor. “The Taken King” (TTK) is an expansion pack to Destiny, known as a DLC (downloadable content). There were two expansion packs before The Taken King, these were “The Dark Below” and “The House of Wolves”. Unfortunately, they failed to provide the content that the players wanted. Many players have said “TTK” is worth the $40 price tag, but many others have said that it isn’t worth the money, the majority being that it wasn’t worth the money. Alberto Garcia, xNighwing415x, is a player who has many hours played on the Taken King itself. Jose Olmedo, xWarmachine415x, did not buy The Taken King, yet he continues playing Destiny. Another player, Paris Mora, enjoi_EpiKNiNJA, also has
many hours of gameplay. Alberto bought the Taken King
“Destiny was designed to keep people playing for a very long
by the ratings which “TTK” received, because they vary from
Photo by Alec Blackwell “The Taken King” contains a series of increasingly difficult objectives that the player must complete. was because he likes to play Destiny and his friends also bought the DLC as well. “I continue playing Destiny because I want to have the best gear in the game.” Garcia said.
time, this keeps people addicted to it,” said Alberto Jose could not purchase the Taken King due to money complications. Jose explains, “I am swayed
very positive to very negative”. Even if Jose did not have money complications, he is hesitant on buying it because of the reviews which “The Taken King” received.
Paris decided to buy the “TTK” because he thought it would go more into the backstory of “Destiny”. People buying the DLC expect to be given a variety of activities to do and more backstory to follow, unfortunately “The Taken King” failed to provide players with what they wanted. These players all have different perspectives of what “The Taken King” should have included to the game. Alberto thinks “TTK” should add more to the storyline and more quests such as saving people, going to new planets, and killing bosses. Jose believes “TTK” should add more story, another raid (a pve activity where a fireteam of six players complete challenges and defeat a boss at the end for a chance to acquire advanced gear), and more quests. Paris believes the same as Jose, but he wants more items instead of quests added to the game. Based on these three players’ opinions, if you only have $40 to spend, you shouldn’t buy “TTK” unless you have nothing to play.
Lifestyles La Bonne Odeur 8 Dec. 15, 2015
Safe School, Save Lives
By Jade Chavez
According to www.rt.com, there have been 46 school shootings in America since 2015. School shootings has been a problem since 1999 and they continue to affect school safety policies today. The shooting that happened at Umpqua Community College in Oregon on October 1st had nine victims. A survivor from the Oregon shooting, Chris Mintz, experienced a horrific moment but others consider him a hero for standing up to the gunman. In response to the recent shooting, the Marysville Joint Unified School District is going over the emergency response plan, drilling practicing with new software, and requiring teachers to lock all doors and evacuate students whenever there is a school shooting so they know what to do. UPA Executive Director Daniel Ordaz Sr. explained he is “concerned all the time” about a school shooting happening at any school. He wants to make sure all students are safe. He also wants two more campus supervisors—four in total— so that each supervisor would have a corner to supervise. Ordaz said they know what to expect and if there were to be a school shooting school officials would know what to do. Karen Crump, an art teacher, says we should have better video cameras on the outside for better safety. She believes that ¨we should always be prepared” for a school shooting. Bill Fowler, the Director of School Services at UPA, says that, “Every school has updated the school safety policies with communication.¨ He believes that the lock down drills have gone extremely well and he “gives students a lot of credit.” Improvements such as the gates and more supervisors has been added to better the safety of UPA. Everyone should be more aware on how school shootings are changing the school safety policies and the schools as a result. Something to add on is students who have experienced a horrific act tend to have lower grade point averages, more negative marks in their cumulative records, and more reported absences from school than others. So as shown, school shootings have changed the school safety policies and the awareness of them. Be aware and alert.
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Squawk Talk: How do you spell ‘pterodactyl’? Photo by Diana Freslassie
Alexander Aladjoff (7) Riley Than (8) “T-a-r-a-d-a-c-t-l” “P-t-e-d-a-y-t-l”
Angelika Villanueva (9) “T-a-r-i-d-a-c-t-i-a-l”
Harry Haessner (10) Jeffrey Nguyen (11) Andrew Fragala (12) “T-e-r-o-d-a-c-t-l-e” “P-t-y-d-a-c-t-y-l” “T-e-r-r-i-d-a-c-t-a--l”
Who To Look Up To
By Prajesh Sharma
From a school wide perspective, teenagers choose to follow in the footsteps of their role models, which often has a great effect on their lives in both positive and negative ways. Role models do not necessarily have to be related to school or academics. They also are not always a celebrity. Some students idolize close family members who help them. “She is very nice and she helps me with my problems,” said eighth grader Isabella Cayabyab about her cousin Kiana with a large smile. Kiana helps her by playing soccer with her. Because her role model is someone she knows personally, Cayabyab does not have to feel distant from her. Students like Cayabyab can set realistic goals for themselves since they look up to people they know rather than a celebrity they have never met. With eleven children, teacher Richard Prizznick claims to have seen it all regarding the subject of role models. His children have had many different role models, including their parents. Occasionally, he would find that he did not entirely see eye to eye with his eldest daughter about the people she looked up to
in high school. His daughter’s role models did not exactly fit the expectations he had set for her. ¨Who you hang out with can affect who you become,¨ Prizznick said in regarsd to his daughter. He had hoped she would have looked up to him, but she ultimately decided to admire a group of her peers in high school, many of whom he did not agree with because they were not the most respectable people in the world. Some teenagers also tend to admire people who provide them with entertainment and enjoyment, rather than a person affiliated with to academics. Sophomore Kidus Michael, for example, has displayed that one should not be restricted from enjoying oneself. Michael demonstrates how he idolizes American actor and stunt performer Johnny Knoxville, when he said, “Without him, I would be boring.” Despite the fact that Knoxville may not be an related to academics, he is entertaining, and provides Michael with a sense of enjoyment and an inspiration to perform harmless pranks. This helps Michael focus less on stress and allows him to relax. Many teenagers have role models because they provide things such as inspiration and entertainment. Modeling after people can help one live a life of their own.
Photo by Diana Freslassie Isabella Cayabyab poses with science teacher Richard Prizznick, who many consider a role model on campus.
By Emily Hung
Fragrances are commonly used by teenagers and adults. However, they often distract learning so you should minimize the use at school! “[Fragrances] are expensive and I rarely think of using it so I use whatever I find in my house,” senior Carissa Borrego says. Borrego considers fragrances annoying, especially when the smell is excessive. Naturally, decent amounts of fragrances such as perfume and sweet-scented smells can be relaxing and enjoyable but too much is distracting, especially when class is in session. “More concentrated amounts are gut wrenching,” science teacher Mark Kent says. “[People] think it’s bothersome and talk about it, which distracts them,” Borrego states, “teachers would also take class time to remind students not to use it.” It would be inconsiderate to completely ban fragrances from school since a variety of people enjoy the smell and like being around it, but there can be reductions on the use of it. Biology teacher Christopher Lucas acknowledges that on special occasions, “You could do it outside or only on special days, for example, a dance.” Most teachers do not care
if students carry it around with them. Kent mentions that he only cares if it is sprayed. Sometimes though, fragrances can be useful in helping demonstrate a main lesson. For example, “For a lesson on diffusion, so students can understand it better,” Lucas states and, “When Ms. Schwinge did an experiment burning things a few weeks ago, I would spray something to offset the smell of the burning.” As of today, there is no ban or rule against the use of fragrances in classrooms, though if it is used excessively, teachers will put restrictions on it. “Guys used to wear a lot of cologne (mainly Axe), and it was actually banned,” Borrego recalls. She also raises an awareness that it is distracting for people with asthma or other medical conditions. “Sometimes it makes me hard to breath or it irritates my lungs,” freshman Sean Freitas says. He adds that even though the scents bother him, he still enjoys the fresh types. Using fragrances is a great privilege to have, but would you want to see your friend possibly choking over the smell? Therefore, it would definitely be a considerate idea to spray them somewhere other than in a classroom.
Communication in the New Age By Diana Freslassie
Despite being a valuable news and information source, social media is not everyone. There are those who love social media and can use it for hours on end, and there are those who view social media as a poor excuse of a news engine. As supported by Tom Webster claiming “In the past year, 12 million more americans are using social networking several times a day”, the use of social media is certainly an underestimated thing that not enough people take into thought while spending hours on. Some students like to think of social media as a necessity, rather than a pastime. “I use social media very often, every day in fact, but it must be turned off in order for me to complete my homework,” stated junior Vilma Garcia. Through this she demonstrates one of the many different mindsets that the students of UPA acquire. “I don’t even use it, it’s useless. If I was not allowed to use it, it would not make any difference in my life,” states freshmen Joana Chitithoti. She soon became accustomed to not being on social media and did not fall under the influence. As she got older, her parents knew
she was responsible, and allowed her to be on these networks. She soon decided to join, although she rarely used it, which lessened her risk of danger. As well as knowing the responsibilities, it is also important to have time management. Most parents would disagree with their teen about social media use, but not every parent has a valid reason. UPA student Illahay Jalali states, “My parents do not allow me to have social media, in fear of me being exploited. But I am aware of the responsibilities that come with being on these networks.” Jalali clearly demonstrates her understanding for the risks with being on social media networks and is able to protect herself from the harm of it. All a parent wants for their child is safety; and due to disobedient children the law must be put down in order to keep them safe. Along with parents, it is the responsibility of children to be completely aware of the risks of having social media, and deciding whether they would like to continue being on these networks. Social media serves for many different purposes, but despite one’s specified purpose everyone must be understand and obtain responsibility for their actions.