aquila
University Preparatory Academy’s
Volume V, Issue III
www.upaaquila.com
April 14, 2016
Mr. Octobers Crowned ‘Men of the Year’ By Jacob Cayabyab
Photo by Diana Freslassie Photo by Diana Freslassie Seniors Leo Fernandez (left) and Steven Sophomores Jorge Perez (left) and Saipraneeth Chacon perform the talent portion. Sanchula dance to a medley of songs as their talent.
Photo by Diana Freslassie Mr. December Josh Teso and fellow senior Sam Mossadeghian perform a comical skit in which Teso plays a doctor and operates on his patient, Mossadeghian.
Eighteen men stand on a stage, divided into 12 months. The night had been filled with laughter, talent, and utter craziness, and before they knew it, the pageant was about to end. The boys eagerly await for the results; each of them hoping to be the “Man of the Year.” The Nuit de Monsieur, a yearly event to raise money for the graduating senior class, took place on March 11; each participant is given a month to represent and the overall winner of the event is dubbed “Man of the Year.” The October trio, Leo Fernandez, Exiquio de la Mora, and Steven Chacon, took that title for this year. After showcasing their hilarious talent, their dog-taming skills, and their extremely intimate bond with each other, it was obvious that they deserved to win. The Mr. Septembers, juniors Alan Martinez and Jordan Miller, took silver, and senior Josh Teso was the second runner-up. The night was jam-packed with several events from the male participants as well as the female seniors, starting with the opening number, an extravagant dance involving all of the participants and their female counterparts. Choreographed by senior Erin Wilson, the dance was a medley of a handful of different hits, including “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj and “Pipe it Up” by Migos. “As a dance teacher, it really got me to teach people without dance background to dance and have fun,” Wilson said. “I learned to be more patient.” After the opening act ended, the fashion show began. All the participants dressed in casual clothes so the audience could get to know each participant’s style. Then, the talent portion began. All the months had something different to offer. Mr. January, Uriah Aldaco, set the bar high at the start of the pro-
gram by singing and playing the guitar, ending his talent by asking fellow junior Joy Montes de Oca to prom, making the audiences’ hearts melt. “I thought it was pretty well thought out,” said sophomore Matthew Aragaw. “It must’ve been pretty courageous to do that.” Other highlights of the talent show were Mr. July, Harry Haessner, who danced to a compilation of Beyoncé songs (complete with the hot sauce in the bag), a rendition of a scene from the movie Finding Nemo by seniors Austen Nguyen and Steven Duong, freshman Russo Hernandez’s ode to Disney love songs, and Sam Mossadeghian’s near death experience in Josh Teso’s performance. After the talent portion and intermission, the pageant stars participated in a question and answer segment. Hosts Meklit Moges and Consuelo de la Torre asked exploratory questions to the participants to learn more about them. This time was set to let the audience members into the brains of the competitors; it is here where we learn about the performer’s deepest, darkest secrets. (Not really.) Sophomore duo Josh Bronner and Ty Snead used to talk on the phone for hours on end, and Uriah named his guitar Darling, and considers it family. Once the audience learned more about the months, there was a beautiful satirical miniplay written by Jessica de la Paz, where the senior girls played the men. “To see the guys perform was funny, but seeing the girls act like the guys was the best part of the show,” said freshman Hannah Negussie. The participants were ecstatic about joining the Nuit de Monsieur, and while not everyone was able to win, but everyone felt accomplished and proud of what they did on that amazing night.
A Wave of Fun to Come in Marine Biology
By Carlo Barrera
People interested in marine life might want to double check their course scheduling, as University Preparatory Academy’s first marine biology course is coming in the nearby 2016-2017 school year. Curriculum for the class, offered to juniors and seniors only, will offer a comprehensive study of physical oceanography, marine life, and the human impact on oceans. According to the UPA Course Catalog, the class includes field work at Año Nuevo State Park
and/or the Monterey Bay Aquarium as a required part of the curriculum. Additional opportunities include sand crab monitoring and intertidal monitoring project. Marine biology will also be rotated with AP Environmental Science, or APES, every year. Junior Daniel Villalobos expects the field trips to include involvement with animals and research. “I expect to see a lot of animals, a lot of notes, and whale watching,” Villalobos said. “I am most excited to learn more about the ocean. I like the ocean, and
I have always wondered what is deep, deep down. I wonder if they’re going to teach that.” The new class also creates a more diverse science curriculum at UPA. It is an opportunity for students who do not want to take an AP science course to meet their three-year science requirement for graduation. Some students are already looking forward to joining the class next year. “I don’t want to take AP Chem. Also there is a chance to explore more and learn about the ocean,” Villalobos said.
Sophomore Ian Francis believes the class will be interesting because of his own previous encounters with marine life. “I have had first-time experience with marine wildlife. When you dive, you learn a lot about the ecosystems in the ocean, and it kind of promotes a curiosity to learn more about it. I think it’s going to be helpful in the class,” Francis said. Francis, a licensed scuba diver, looks forward to taking the class next year. His experience underwater has fueled his interest in the world of marine life.
Richard Prizznick is excited to teach the class next year, since marine biology is a subject that he enjoys. The unit he is looking forward to is intertidal zonation of invertebrates, otherwise known as the study of animals without a backbones in the area between tide marks. He enjoys the intertidal zonation of invertebrates unit because he studied the common periwinkle for a year and a half then wrote a research paper. “It is a love of mine, and I love teaching marine biology,” Prizznick said.
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Mental Health Week Shatters Stereotypes, Stigmas “Informing people is better than having misconceptions,” Marley said. The week focused on education and awareness, differentiating between types of mental illnesses and how each impacts the individual. “I thought there was one treatment for all [mental illnesses], but there isn’t,” sophomore Jorge Perez said. He also said that the information has helped him better under-
stand people with mental illnesses and view them with a less critical mindset. The new found awareness help ensures that individuals with mental illnesses are not frown upon or represented inaccurately. “I also hope they will be inspired to help end the stigma surrounding mental health, and that students will take personal responsibility for making this school a safe environment for all” Chou said.
Technology Hinders Relationships in Families
By Sven Kuhne Technology has become the centerpiece of people’s lives; it is time to put it down. Digital devices are a great form of entertainment, but like everything else, they have to be limited. “Parents are increasingly concerned that screen time is robbing [kids] of real world experiences,”
said iKeepSafe.org. Parents are starting to feel distant from their children as they slip deeper into their alternate world. “Beyond gaming, kids are filling their free time with other internet activities,” said iKeepSafe. org. Instead of spending time with their families—as was the case before the modern age—children have become more isolated and confined to their online world with friends they will never meet. “Almost one out of every ten youth gamers shows enough symptoms of damage to school, family,” said Dr. Douglas Gentile on iKeepSafe.org. Spending too much time with technology causes people to be-
come isolated from other family members, and also leads to habits such as procrastination where school is concerned. “24% of teens go online ‘almost constantly”, said Amanda Lenhart on pewinternet.com. Being online to check emails or relax in the evening is fine, but it is surprising how a lot of people have access to their technological devices almost the entire day. Almost everyone at UPA has a device of some sort and uses it as soon as they find an opportunity. These devices have become available to people of different backgrounds, and therefore has created a society in which people walk, drive, and even talk while texting. “Smartphones facilitate shift
in teens’ communication and information landscape,” says Lenhart. Texting has become one of the most popular methods of communication between people around the globe, changing the basis of society to which point people fade out of the real world. Teens send well over 100 texts a day, whether it is using Kik, Steam, Twitter, or any other social service, according to statistics by Lenhart. It is interesting that people feel comfortable speaking in the form texts, yet they are rather reluctant to talk with family about their day when they come home. It’s time to put down that device and live a life with family and friends.
An Honest Account of Overcoming Peers’ Labels
Photo by Diana Freslassie Science teacher and counselor Jill Buensuceso and senior Emily Chou present Chou’s Mental Health Awareness Week curriculum to UPA faculty on March 10.
By Diana Rendler
During the week of March 14, UPA implemented a formal Mental Health Awareness Week - using the curriculum designed by senior Emily Chou - to educate students on the ins and outs of six specific mental illnesses. This awareness week served as an extension to Chou’s senior project. Through a series of short lectures, questionnaires and handson activities, the week provided students an opportunity to learn more about mental illnesses, and measure their knowledge as it in-
creased throughout the week. “This week has made me realize how common mental illnesses are and why it is important to learn about them” freshman D’Angelo Castillo said. By educating the school, Chou hopes to promote a more supportive environment at UPA. “I’m hoping that students will learn the basics about mental disorders and have a broader understanding of how they work and how they affect individuals, and that this will breed a new compassion for every person they encounter,” Chou said. Providing basic information
and open discussions on mental health help dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness in today’s society. Chou also worked in collaboration with Science teacher and counselor Jill Buensuceso, to organize the week. “I [wanted] to ensure that everyone—UPA students, staff and parents—is given an opportunity to continue to strengthen [...] their own mental health which I hope will support a more caring culture at UPA,” Buensuceso said. Sophomore Zoe Marley asserted the importance of mental health awareness on campus.
By Meklit Moges
Photo by Diana Freslassie Chou discusses the process of neural networks, a crucial component of a healthy brain, to teachers responsible for sharing the information with their respective Advisory classes.
Aspiring Entrepreneurs Compete in San Diego By Adam Sprintz
Seven UPA students went to San Diego for their first regional DECA competition of the year. The conference took place from March 3-6 and tested students on their ability to present information in a business situation. Ashley Phuong, first president of DECA at UPA, explained DECA as a “competitive business club where students are able to compete in different clusters of business like marketing or finance.” Their goal was to win parts of the competition in order to advance to the national DECA competition in Nashville, Tennessee. Phuong received two awards for excelling in Sports & Entertainment Marketing and the Marketing Exam. She will represent UPA at nationals in Nashville from April 22-27. ¨DECA teaches a lot of important life skills that your average class at school doesn’t have the ability to teach,¨ Phuong said. She also believes the skills learned in DECA, such as man-
agement and building a resume are essential for being successful in the real world. Sophomore and DECA member Henry Nguyen found the trip to be a valuable learning experience and a lot of fun. “DECA is something I’m interested in because it offers me a chance to explore a new extracurricular I had not even known existed,” Nguyen said. At the conference, DECA participants engaged in ¨the feeling of managing a business and how employees play a major role to them,” Nguyen said. Freshman Arnav Verma thought of the competition as a process of trial and error. ¨When I’m asked a question I’m not able to answer, that’s when I know there’s still a lot I have to learn. It’s also going to teach me how to act in a business environment, a skill I’m going to need not just in business centered careers, but also for everyday life,¨ Verma said. DECA is one of the first UPA clubs to attend an outside event at such a far distance. “I hope that by us going to San Diego that we can set a precedent
Growing up with two immigrants from Ethiopia as parents, I did not grow up eating soul food, perming my hair, or always trying to “prove myself to the white man”. My parents never put a label in
regards to my race. The stereotypes relating to black girls did not flood my mind until elementary school, when many of the other kids were confused about my outward appearance. In elementary school, students labeled me as Indian because submissiveness equated to Indian and blackness characterized as loud, crazy, and dumb. I was not any of these “black” characteristics. My peers attempted to place me in a box, but I do not fit into that box of “blackness”, and that is perfectly adequate. I would say I am black, but the rest of my peers might clarify that
I am not “really black” because I do not fit the stereotype. It made me angry because I did not want to be a victim of stereotypical misrepresentations. Elementary school, in terms of self identity, was the worst place for me to develop. I did not know any better, but as I got older and became more aware of the world around me, I realized that my peers’ skewed mindsets were completely wrong. Learning about stereotypes and being involved in black culture, I discovered there are parts of me that fit the stereotype. However, I have grown to learn that accepting or rejecting the stereotype is acceptable; race
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has no adjectives attached you cannot hold a race to any expectations. Someone can be white and live a crime-filled lifestyle, and a black person easily can live a humble and noble life. Most stereotypes for minorities contain strong negative connotations which discourage kids to set their goals high. As a society, we need to eliminate these stereotypes because we are constantly polluting the youth. The children of tomorrow are bred in this limited mindset that prevents them from believing that they are good enough to be something great.
2016 Presidential Campaign: The Supporters’ Stances
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The AQUILA
The Aquila is a studentproduced 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 Production Editor Meklit Moges News Editors Anton Loeb, Tyler Jacobsen In-Depth Editor Ashley Phuong Editorial Editor Diana Rendler Features Editor Olivia Foreman A&E Editor Jade Chavez Lifestyles Editor Emily Hung Copy Editor Angelo Bautista Broadcast Editor Isabella Wilkinson Web Editors Sven Kuhne, Flavio Quintero 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, Rithwik Nichenametla, Nicole Rendler, Prajesh Sharma, Megan Wescoat 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
Check out the online edition at www.upaaquila.com, where you can find photo galleries of UPA events, new videos produced by the student broadcast team, and webexclusive articles.
Photo Courtesy of Long Phuong DECA competition attendees outside of their hotel in San Diego on March 6. From left to right: Tabib Hossain (9), Arnav Verma (9), Daniel Shin (10), Henry Nguyen (10), Sriharish Bellamkonda (10), Emily Hung (9) and Ashley Phuong (10). for other clubs to compete past regional levels and pursue their interests beyond the local area or in school,” Phuong said. Phuong wants clubs at UPA to explore outside activities with
their club “to learn and meet other students.” Getting the trip was not an easy task for DECA and took three weeks to win approval for the trip from Executive Director
Dan Ordaz Sr. Her advice to other clubs: ¨No matter how many times Mr. Ordaz says no, don’t give up. His job is to say no; your job is to keep trying.¨
Illustration by Jacob Cayabyab
In-Depth
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New Directions Three Ways to Redesign Your Room
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SWEET SOUNDS OF
The Style File S P R I N G By Alec Blackwell
By Nicole Rendler Spring is coming! Maybe it’s time for something new in your life. Revitalize your room, the space that you spend the most time in. Admittedly, there are options for revamping, but let’s stick with a simple three: Color, Scent, and Space. Remember to approve these changes and projects with your parents. Be careful and safe with your choices.
Color
Scent
Space
Use your favorite colored duct-tape or paper to frame photos, or cover notebooks/journals. Recycle, reuse, renew! Use extra fabric or paint to cover old pillowcases or cushions. Stencils will make the painting quicker and easier. Stencil a shape or design onto the pillowcase and color it in with the paint. Try and find paint that you can use to redo your walls. The color can match your walls or be different! Hint, hint! Pantone Colors of the Year: rose quartz and serenity blue. Paint swatches can create a cute colored calendar perfect for your wall. Search “Paint Sample Calendar DIY” on Pinterest for easy instructions.
One way to get your room smelling nice is to light candles. The fresh scent will be the first feature of your room that guests notice this spring! Collecting perfume samples from your favorite magazines is a great way to have scents in your room. Keep them open, and let the fragrance flow everywhere. Make scented drawer liners. Put an essential oil of your choice (Fresh Spring Ideas: Vanilla, Lavender, Citrus, Mint) in a spray bottle with water. The ratio is 2 parts water and 1 part oil. Measure colored cardstock for the drawer. Spray cardstock with the mixture until it is evenly damp. Let the cardstock dry before putting it in the drawer. Does your carpet smell? Problem solved! Make a carpet freshener. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup borax in a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of your favorite essential oil. Stir together until the mixture is lump-free. Sprinkle the freshener on carpet and let sit 1520 minutes, then vacuum.
Spring Cleaning! Sort clothes, books, shoes, and other items into 2 piles, “What I Use”and “What I Do Not Use.” Donate items you do not use to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Consider the One Year Rule. If you have not worn a piece of clothing in over a year, it’s time to say goodbye! Rearrange your furniture! This is an easy free way to see your room in a whole new light! Hanging clothes on hangers in a closet or on a rack keeps your drawers easy to manage. It also gives you more room for your bright spring/summer time clothes. Seasons change, as do styles. Store heavy winter clothing and shoes away ensuring bright and light springtime clothes automatically catch your eyes when you open your drawers.
Photo Courtesy of pgeveryday.com Using fabric paint to redecorate plain pillows is a great way to brighten up a room for spring.
Spring Flowers and Allergy Showers
By Angelique Garcia
Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and noses everywhere are sniffling. Sensitivity to those beautiful, blossoming flowers and their pollen is at an all time high. For those suffering from pollen and allergens, this is the worst time of the year. The severity of allergies is on a large spectrum with different symptoms and irritants. Students on campus are not
exempt from these pesky, little seasonal symptoms. However, there is hope for those suffering from allergy symptoms in the spring or any other time of the year. One option is utilizing prescription medication designed specifically to aid and help lessen the undesirable symptoms that accompany allergies. “I make sure to always take the proper medication from a doctor and carry tissues with me,” sophomore Kayla Yim said. Yim manages an allergy to pet dander as well as to pollen.
“I only use my medicine when I need to and my allergies have never stopped me from playing the sport that I like, which is basketball, since it isn’t played on a grass field,” senior Charles Edwards said. As arguably annoying as allergies might be, there are ways to manage them and live a life the same way as anyone else. “I always dread the spring because my allergies are in full blast and I can’t properly function,” said Yim. Although her allergies are not just seasonal, her pollen allergy
“Happy” Pharrell Williams, G I R L In 2014, Pharrell WIlliams released an album named G I R L and dropped the iconic track “Happy,” which shows us how to have a good time during spring break. The song pumps us up with its upbeat and exciting tone that could get anyone in a cheerful mood feel jovial and ready for each day. “Uptown Funk” Bruno Mars, Uptown Special In spring, we are supposed to be ecstatic for the break, “Uptown Funk” capitalizes on that. It puts that funky groove back into our lives and prepares us for new and unexpected events. “Break Free” Ariana Grande feat. Zedd, My Everything Breaking free from stress is what spring is for, so Ariana Grande shows us what we should do during our week long break from school. Photo by Diana Freslassie Juniors Andrew Tran and Jordan Miller express themselves in edgy outfits for spring. By Katherine Donnellan
Photo Courtesy of perfume.com Reuse fragrant perfumes as a scented drawer liner to add a fresh feeling to one’s room and life.
reaches its height in the springtime. Yim is able to take care of her allergies, and she still finds the spring time enjoyable; it is a completely different experience with her immune system reacting in a different way. “By staying indoors, I can avoid 3 allergies,” said 8th grader Max Becerra. Among his allergies to wheat and eggs, he is also allergic to grass, sap, and pollen. The way he views the spring time displays how differently someone with allergies feel about
this season. “I’ve never really been able to play sports because of the large fields of grass,” said Becerra. Besides being unable to fully enjoy spring-time, Becerra’s allergies have prevented him from playing sports and he must be conscious of the environment that surround him. While most people may enjoy spring time, it may take a toll on those who suffer from allergies.
Photo Courtesy of Cliparts.co
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April 14, 2016
The spring season brings about new beginnings, and so does fashion. These fresh starts will impact lives for the next few months by changing what people choose to wear. This fashion season you can look out for the popular and trendy minimalist style which will feature a variety of black, white, and gray clothing. Bold cut-outs and loose fitting shirts with bell sleeves will also be very popular choices this spring season, along with strappy sandals, according to senior Sophia Chacko, Co-President and Founder of UPA’s FIDM fashion club. “My interest in fashion started because of my mom. She is the ultimate fashionista. When I was younger, she and I would go shopping together and put outfits together” Chacko said. Fashion gives people a chance to express themselves however they want giving them the opportunity to be unique and stand out from the crowd or to blend in with it and go with the flow. “It is a way to express yourself, and I think that is one of the best things about it. It gives everyone the freedom to be who they want to be”, sophomore Jessica Ponce said. Self expression is what a lot of us look for in and fashion is perfect for achieving that sense of freedom and diversity because it puts us in control. “Fashion is important as it is a creative outlet and an essential tool for the empowerment of both women and men”, Chacko said. Unlike many aspects of society, fashion is not gender specific; it is something women and men alike can take part in and make their own.
Sense of style is unique to each and everyone giving them the chance to express ourselves the way they want and giving everyone a sense of identity. The spring season is almost like a fresh start, at least in terms of fashion. New trends will come up and old ones will disappear, and maybe old trends some thought were long gone will make a reappearance on the upscale runway and in our lives.
“Some Nights” Fun, Some Nights Alternative heaven. That is the only way to describe this amazing song. This tune has us remembering good ol’ times and fun memories from all of those adventures with friends. “Too Close” Alex Clare, The Lateness of the Hour This song has us wanting to get up and go on a adventure of a lifetime. It causes us to wake up out of bed and go have fun, let loose, just like spring break. “Shake It Off” Taylor Swift, 1989 Shake off all of your worries as you listen to “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift and just have a blast during your break. Simply relax and have fun with your friends. “Time of Our Lives” Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Globalization Have a blast with the upbeat tempo of this song. “Time of Our Lives” makes us ecstatic for the upcoming break, and hanging out with friends. Have limitless fun on spring by spending time with your close friends and have a good time. “Bailando” Enrique Iglesias feat. Sean Paul, Descemer Bueno, and Gente De Zona, Sex and Love A love song by the famous Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias has our hearts beating to the music as we dance to the fast paced beat of the track.
Photo Courtesy of Jacalyn Trujillo Sophomores Adrienne Lee, Katherine Donnellan, Jami Lomeli show off their spring outfits.
“Party Shaker” R.I.O, Turn This Club Around “Party Shaker” causes us do exactly what the name says: be the party shaker! The song invigorates you to dance until you cannot dance anymore. “OMG” Usher feat. Will.I.Am, Raymond v. Raymond Feel your heart drop as you see your special someone. “OMG” is the perfect song for being with that special person in your life.
Photo Courtesy of Back Lot Music
Features
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6 A&E
Beyond School Hours: Youth Life at COF By Prajesh Sharma Have you gone to University Preparatory Academy since seventh grade, feeling like have been here a long time? Think again, because some UPA students took their first steps here on campus. UPA junior Brieanne Scott has attended Cathedral of Faith her whole life and prefers it over school. “[I would] rather go to church than school because I get to learn more about myself,” Scott said. She enjoys the youth services and bonding with other members of that ministry. Scott also says that everyone is friendly and caring. Because of this, Scott never wants to leave the church. Scott’s best friend from Cathedral of Faith, sophomore Olivia Foreman, has her entire family working at the church, and her
grandfather is the founding pastor. “I have been on the campus since I was born and could walk through it blindfolded,” Foreman said. Foreman has extensive knowledge about the church’s history, buildings and staff, and knows every nook and cranny of the campus. One of Foreman’s favorite qualities about Cathedral of Faith are the amazing people she has met growing up there. She has seen other students not only take part in the youth group; they work at the church as well. Sophomore Carlo Barrera is a multimedia technician, working with lighting, audio, and media. “Light is my own personal form of worship,” Barrera said. Barrera feels that lighting is his way of worship since he puts his creativity and talents into lighting for church.
Misconceptions of Islamic Religion Debunked By Nebiu Bizuneh
Islam, a religion practiced by approximately 2 billion people has encountered plenty of attention in the 21st Century around and the world where extremist actions are being committed in the name of Islam. Over the past decade, there have been plenty of myths as to what Islam and it’s teachings support. Myth 1: The common belief that Muslims support violence and extremist acts of terrorism against religions that do not support the same faith as Islam. This stereotype is very debatable based on its statistics. In fact, Islamic people face more casualties by the hands of extremists than any other nonMuslim groups. According to the Pew Research Center, 93 percent of Muslims are moderate, meaning they do not support terrorism. “Muslims are portrayed as the perpetrators of violence and terrorism, but they are the victims,” said Luis Guevara, a senior at UPA. Myth 2: Another very common notion about Islam is that all Muslims come from the Middle East. While it is true that there are plenty of Muslims who live in the Middle East, a majority of Islamics live in Asia. According to The Guardian News, approximately 1 billion Islamic people live in Asia, 300 million Muslims live in SubSaharan Africa, and 3.5 million Muslims live in the United
States. The remaining three hundred million live in the Middle East. Myth 3: Islam’s value on children and family time has also been questionable Muslims put an enormous amount of value on family life. According to FIQH, it is customary to have generations of family living in the same household including the elderly who are taken care of by family. Myth 4: It is also a very common misconception that Muslims oppress women. According to the teachings of Islam, forcing women to participate in actions against their free will is considered “haram” (forbidden). It would be false to say there are not women who are oppressed in a Muslim society when laws exist to prevent females from leaving the house without permission from their husbands or when laws do not allow women to drive, like in Saudi Arabia. However, women’s rights in Islamic states are on the rise and have progressed tremendously. According to CNN in 2015 women in Saudi Arabia won the right to vote and register as candidates in elections. Islam’s recognition in the media has portrayed Muslims as the antagonizers of the world based on misconceptions that are not entirely supported by fact; however, doing research on Islam can significantly impact a person’s perspective on a Muslim society.
However, he still likes the other types of equipment such as audio and fixing the LED board in the church’s amphitheater. On a daily basis, Barrera works with Pastor Scott Cody, and Barrera has also served with other pastors, students and youth group leaders in the past. Youth Pastor Apollo Sulse is one of the Youth Ministry leaders at Cathedral of Faith. “I absolutely love it,” Sulse said. Sulse enjoys being an example for the youth and helping them along their teenage years. He is passionate about his job, especially because he gets to participate in activities that get youth excited about their faith and serving the community. UPA has about 22 students involved with the Cathedral of Faith’s more than 200 ministries.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau poll conducted in 2009, 20 percent of the adults in America are bilingual, a necessary skill for students at UPA to have. There have been numerous studies on bilingualism, all of which prove that cognitive skills greatly benefit from learning a second language. “ T h e most obvious use for knowing another language is being able to communicate with a wider variety of people,” said Maximilian Mok, a sophomore who fluently speaks both English and Russian. Moreover, parents know it is beneficial for both school and extracurriculars, so they try to instill a sense of language in their children at young ages. Mok is a prime example of this and have had some influence by their parents. However, it is crucial while learning a language to stay in constant contact with the language, a difficult requirement that not many parents have the time for.
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Life in a Korean Drama By Angelo Bautista
“Why do you hate me so much?” asked the then arrogant Gu Jun Pyo. Scholarship student Geum Jan Di stood silent, feeling totally violated by Jun Pyo’s unbearable shallowness, but he continued, suggesting that she was an idiot on drugs. Despite their initial rivalries, they eventually fall in love; this all happens in the Korean television series widely known as Boys Over Flowers (or 꽃보다 남자 ).
This show highlights three defining aspects of Korean dramas. These are an addictive storyline built upon cliffhangers after every episode, the show writers’ well-expressed abilities to play the audience’s emotions, and a captivating musical soundtrack to accompany the filmatic masterpiece. No matter if the genre is romantic comedy, like Boys Over Flowers or My Love From Another Star, melodrama, historical, or even science fiction, fans are kept on their toes.
And fans are continously guessing what could happen to their favorite characters until the next episode or season airs. Fans are also hooked because major relationships are gradually built up. Excluding more titillating and adult-oriented American and Korean dramas, love is subtle in Korean dramas. In comparison, some dramatic American shows portray couples who randomly making out as commonplace. This portrayal of relationships
teases viewers, never making them completely satisfied until the end of the story. Original television soundtrack (OST) songs, on the other hand, have different tactics. There are generally about five main genres of songs within a Korean drama series that are replayed for coordinating scene types. For example, a more cheerful melody would start when someone is happily running about, and a heartfelt ballad might go on when the main lovers finally have
their kiss. This change from songs cycles on and on, with each song soon illustrating special events in the plot. These emotional connestions lead many fans into purcahsing the music. However, this simple system of endearing, loyal viewers, addicting storylines and characters, and an emotional understanding is only one of the reasons why everyone should experience of the magic of Korean dramas.
By Natalie Guggemos
ment is Pillowtalk but Its You just came out but it’s a close second.” Eighth grader Citlali Lopez added. Lopez has been a long time One Direction fan, and became a loyal fan to Zayn after he left the band to pursue a solo career. With the drop of the “Pillowtalk” video, “[she] saw it the day after it came out, I was actually at school when I realized that it came out. It was lit,” Lopez added. His departure from the band One Direction stirred up drama as he left in the middle of the On the Road Again Tour. He announced his withdrawal from 1D via on March 18th, 2015. He stated, “I’m 22 years old…
There’s a lot of jealous [people] in this world I’m sorry for what it looks like x” People reacted explosively, retweeting over 600,000 times and starting emotional hashtags. “I’m really mad/disappointed in him doing that, but if he’s happy that’s all that matters… I still respect him, but I’m not that fond of him anymore,” Seventh grader Liana Nemany reacted. “[I’ve been a supporter] since the day he announced his departure,” Lopez replied. Lopez and Nemany are his supporters since the start. “Pillowtalk” has focused lots of attention, regardless of what the viewers think of him.
The Life of Pablo Zayn is Zapping Back
Photo Courtesy of Pastor Scott Cody 2Twenty2 youth group gathers under the redwoods at its 2016 Winter Camp, where they communed for a moving weekend.
“It’s a paradise, and it’s a war zone.” In Zayn Malik’s first debut song, “Pillowtalk” he sings about longing and love. Malik recently released multiple songs from his new indivisual album, such as “Its You” featuring Usher and Chris Brown on February 25th. He also released another song, “Like I Would” on March 10th. The cover is his baby picture with his tattoos he has nowadays; similar to Lil Wayne’s album. “Pillowtalk” has shocked most of his fans with recent introduction of his original lyric choices. “My favorite song at the mo-
The Perks of Being a Bilingual Student By Rithwik Nichenametla
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April 14, 2016
Spanish teacher Marisol Reyes, believes that the the best time for learning a language is during elementary school or earlier. “The earliest the better,” said Reyes,“Young students are able to retain language in a natural manner, and they have less accent when speaking”.
ognize the patterns in your own language that you didn’t notice before.” Nishimura has pen pals in other countries to whom he writes to in Spanish. On the other hand, Mok does not believe that learning a language should be mandatory at all. “Learning a language takes a lot of time, and it doesn’t seem worth it if the only benefit is a wider range of communication,” said Mok. As a matter of fact, Mok only speaks in Russian when talking with his mom or grandparents. H o w e v e r , Nishimura also believes that learning another language also helps you become a more open to other cultures, and more importantly to stay in contact with friends. In the end, it is important to realize that regardless whether you like it or not, in order to graduate high school in California, it is required to learn a new language. Reyes believes that,“learning a new language is a very useful life skill; you get to use different parts of the brain, be open minded/raises awareness about other people’s cultural practices and history.”
“There have been numerous studies on bilingualism, all of which prove that cognitive skills greatly benefit from learning a second language.” Reyes also believes that knowing an additional language can help when developing new friendships, traveling to various countries, and having more opportunities for different jobs. Senior Shogo Nishimura can speak English and Japanese, and has studied Spanish, French, German, Russian, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Filipino, and Vietnamese using various online sources. “I think that by studying the patterns of another language,” Nishimura said, “You start to rec-
Illustration by Jacob Cayabyab Art imitation of Kanye’s album cover. By Sitara Marathay Kanye West dropped his newest album “The Life of Pablo” on Feb. 14 and dominated social media while shocking the fans. With “The Life of Pablo,” Kanye pushes his previous boundaries and tries new musical techniques. Many of Kanye’s fans have mixed feelings over this album. The split between the fans is due to the inconsistent themes throughout the album as well as the feeling that Kanye lost his touch. It wasn’t love at first listen, but Kanye’s album began to grow on me, I started to enjoy the songs such as Waves, Ultralight Beam, Wolves and I Love Kanye. Kanye’s previous albums had a set theme to them and documented certain portions in his life, this one did not capture that essence. The beats are new and fresh, but the lyrics don’t sound like the old Kanye we know and love. One song “I Love Kanye,” portrays how the “haters” view Kanye and how they long for his conceptual and groundbreaking lyrics and beats. Kanye, who refuses to put this album on iTunes and Spo-
tify; dropped his album on Tidal, and it was very difficult for a lot of his fans to get access to the album. One fan, Andrew Tran, a junior at UPA, is a dedicated Kanye fan and was thrilled when “The Life of Pablo” dropped. Tran chooses his favorite songs--Ultralight Beam and Wolves--based on the striking beats rather than the lyricism. “It switches from an empowering gospel sound to autotuned trap bangers to industrial sounds that could be found on Yeezus,” Tran said. Kanye’s old albums always gave the listeners a feel on how Kanye sees the world at that time; however, this one did not meet that standard. “‘The Life of Pablo’ is just a collection of really good songs that generally don’t have anything in common,” Tran said. The album art shaped the public’s first impression, as it seemed to be made on ClipArt and anyone could have made it. Still, what made the album was not the cover, but the music quality. Hopefully, this album will grow on many more Kanye fans and they will realize all the hardwork Kanye puts in to make his fans proud.
Photo Courtesy of Billboard/Miller Mobley Zayn Malik in his photoshoot for Billboard magazine, published January 2016.
Lifestyles The Newest Trend in the Culinary World: Poki Bowl By Jacob Cayabyab
Poki (Poke) Bowl is the newest trend in the culinary world. Created by Joey Nguyen, this new type of food has become a staple in California. In the traditional Hawaiian dish, the base is made up of aki (raw, oily tuna) and tako (octopus), with other ingredients such as yellowtail tuna, and condiments like seaweed and crab added as well. This restaurant captures the essence of poke into a delicious bowl. Poki Bowl has two locations: one by Almaden Expressway, and the other at the Plant shopping center. The Poki Bowl experience starts with picking the base: sushi rice, brown rice, chips, or lettuce. The most popular base is the sushi rice, which gives the
bowl a taste similar to deconstructed sashimi. Then, you can pick which fish you want; you get 3 or 4 scoops
of fish depending on your bowl size. The fish available are spicy tuna, ahi tuna, salmon, yellowtail, octopus, or shrimp. (It
should be noted that the fish served is raw, which can cause foodborne illnesses.) Also, there are add-ons like avocado, crab meat, masago eggs, seaweed, sesame seeds, wasabi, and ginger. And you can add miso sauce and their special Spicy Poki Sauce onto your creation; there also is non-spicy and mild sauces on deck. Poki Bowl’s staff is very cordial to their customers. The restaurant is quite small, and has little space for people eating in the restaurant. Their portion sizes are generous as well, which makes it even more worth the money you spend. Poke is an exciting, new meal that all sushi lovers should try. Poki Bowl will definitely find a special place in your heart after one bite.
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Coding with Code by Coders By Sven Kuhne Coding (also known as programming) has become a foundational skill in the 21st Century, because without “programming languages” there would be no computers, cell phones, or applications. “I’m thinking of pursuing a career in coding and mathematics,” seventh grader Ethan Tang said. Like many at UPA, he thinks that his future may lie in the vast virtual realm that was built with code. “The biggest problem with programming is the memorization,” junior Sascha Scheidegger said. “Programming Languages” really are languages, because they have aspects like grammar, words, and phrases arranged in a certain way so that the computer can comprehend what the programmer is saying. Trying to code for the first time is often hard, because it is so different from other languages, Scheidegger said. Much like with foreign languages, the first programming language is often hard to learn, because it is different from Eng-
Chipotle: Safe to Eat? By Megan Wescoat
Is Chipotle safe to eat? Chipotle, with about 2,000 restaurants and 60,000 employees, is now working closely with their food suppliers to ensure that the ingredients they buy are safe. “In the 22 years since I opened the first Chipotle, we have worked very hard to ensure that our food is both safe and delicious,” founder and chairman Steve Ells said in a November press release. Ells was inspired to make better of the E Coli issue and he has had a lot of help doing so. “When health department officials notified us that a number of customers had become ill after eating at some of our
restaurants in the Seattle and Portland areas, we took swift action,” Ells added. Eleven Chipotle restaurants nationwide were eventually linked to the cause of the foodborne illness. “In the days since the first report, we have worked closely with local and national health officials to determine the cause of the issue,” Ells said. Chipotle, with the help of health officials, then tested multiple things to ensure safety such as their food, restaurant surfaces, and equipment. According to Ells, despite thorough investigations, the underlying cause of the problem could not be identified. Chipotle eventually took extreme measures to prove their
cleanliness. “Even though no E coli was found, we have taken additional steps to ensure that our food is as safe as it can possibly be,” Ells explained. “We have conducted additional deep cleaning and sanitization in all of our restaurants and we replaced all of the ingredients in the closed restaurants, which have since reopened,” Ells said. Chipotle, in their attempts to prove themselves, has persuaded freshman student Amy Kumar. “I’m going to eat Chipotle tonight,” Kumar remarked. Hopefully consumers will follow Kumar’s footsteps and Chipotle will bring in more revenue over the next year.
lish, yet when comparing programming languages to another there are only minor differences. Learning programming languages often concerns basic concepts that can reapplied in different situations depending on the programming language eighth grader Rohan Tibrewal said. Like Scheidegger, Tibrewal believes that coding is all about those simple concepts that can be reapplied in almost every programming language, because the basic framework never changes. “I spend my time solving algorithmic problems on different sides,” said Tibrewal. He believes coding has a lot to do with logical aspects, aspects that can be used with experiences from advanced mathematical subjects such as calculus and which can be reapplied in other circumstances. “Now I know how much effort you have to put into programming,” Tang said. Sometimes it is hard to recognize, but the software used today takes an enormous amount of work to make and without it, modern technology would not be possible.
Daylight-saving Spoils Students’ Sleep Patterns By Jamileth Lomeli
Photos by Jacob Cayabyab Top: A view of a sashimi bowl with imitation crab, avocado, sesame seeds, and more. Above left: Some selections of fish for the main course at Poki Bowl. Above right: An up-close image of a bowl with imitation crab and avocado.
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Ready or not, daylight-saving time sprang forward on Sunday, March 15, to put more light in our day. Daylight-saving time, which began during World War I, now occurs twice a year, in the months of March and November, when one hour is added in March, and one hour is lost in November. Not surprisingly, changing the clock forward rather than back has presented a more prominent impact, compared to autumn’s daylight-saving. Sophomore Caleb Frahm is one person who can take advantage of a day with longer lasting daylight. “We need daylight-savings so I don’t have to walk home in the dark,” Frahm said. According to National Geographic, daylight-saving is observed by most of the United States in order to decrease the number of accidents caused by darkness and to save electrical energy. Arizona and Hawaii are the two states that do not observe daylight-saving time. The state of Arizona does not
observe daylight-saving time, deciding it will save more energy by not using daylight-saving. The state might also be protecting itself from a grander problem that comes with the change in time, as studies have shown that people’s health can suffer during the time change. “I’m not very surprised [at the increase in heart attacks] when jumping forward an hour,” eighth grader Arielle Rose-Finn said. Daylight-saving time provokes both common health issues, also including the decrease of concentration and productivity, as well as one’s body clock. “I don’t think daylight-saving is harmful,” senior Shogo Nishimura said, “If anything, people might struggle readjusting their body to wake up an hour later or earlier, but that isn’t harmful.” Ready or not, with boths its ups and downs, accommodations and hazards, daylight-saving time is here. Whether it takes a couple of days or even a couple of weeks, it’s time to readjust your body for the good of making better use of daylight.