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BRAVO MEDICAL MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | VOL. XVI, ISSUE iv | WWW.BRAVOWEB.LAUSD.K12.CA.US | NOVEMBER 9, 2012

Bravo’s First Homecoming: A Dance to Remember

by Mary Boyadzhyan

CONTENTS

BRAVO NEWS • 2

Robert Albertian (’13) and Irene Harutyunyan (’13)

Kevin Martinez (’13) and Giselle Salinas (’13)

Letty Serrano (’14), Martin Gomez (’14), and Liza Serrano (’14)

On October 19, 2012, Bravo High School held its very first Homecoming Dance commemorating all athletic divisions. As the date approached, several students had doubts of its profitable outcome; however, the mass number of attendees settled any dispute. In addition to the event’s financial gain, the joyful mood shared on the dance floor, the musical entertainment, the “Most Valuable Player” awards

distributed, and much praised photo booth boomed a success. It was a night filled of fun and surprisingly became the talk of the week.

This unexpected dance ended up being loved by many. “I really enjoyed the music that was being played. Everyone was having a good time and the dance itself was better than anyone had imagined,” said Kelly Garcia (’13). Not only was the music something people looked

forward to, but the photo booth, held by the Yearbook class of 2013, ended up being the cherry on top. With many standing in front of the camera posing energetically to capture a memorable moment, the photo booth rose to become the night’s main attraction. Bravo’s Homecoming Dance, compared to any other high school, proved to be one of a kind. Congratulations to everyone who won “Most Valuable Player.”

Get a sneak peak of behind the scenes for Bravo’s Fall play.

EDITORIALS • 3

Knights Cross the Bridge to Success

by Miriam Ifegwu

Bravo High School congratulates its 2012-2013 QuestBridge finalists: Marco Aguilar, Elvia Ahmed, Mahuya Barua, Brian Chang, Tomal Hossain, Young Sung “Skye” Moon, Roxana Rodriguez, and Nicole Thach.

The QuestBridge National College Match is a program that helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and a four-year scholarship to

Princeton University. In the selection process, applications undergo a meticulous analytical process, but selection is primarily dependent upon the academic excellence of the applicants.

While some were barely adjusting to the new school year, these college-bound seniors were finalizing their applications months before Seniors, Photo Credit / Miriam Ifegwu everyone else.

University of Southern good luck in the next stage!

California, Stanford University, and some of the nation’s most selective colleges like Columbia University,

The due date for college applications is fast approaching.

THANKSGIVING • 4

Bravo Journalism and Yearbook classses celebrate a successful fundraiser.

November Calendar compiled by Karl Pascasio

What

When

Where

What

When

Fall Drama Show

Thu., Nov. 8 – Wed., Nov. 14

Lecture Hall

Holiday Gram Sales

First Floor Lobby

Freshmen Elections

Wed., Nov. 28 – Thu., Nov. 29

Vote during Career Awareness classes

Tue., Nov. 27, – Fri., Dec. 7 Nutrition & Lunch

Spring Show Tryouts

Wed., Nov. 28 Nutrition & Lunch

Lecture Hall

Thanksgiving Break

Sat., Nov. 17 – Sun., Nov. 25

----

Prom Thu., Nov. 29 Committee Informational 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. Meeting

Where

Parking Lot Rooftop

Check out past Vital Signs issues online!

PAGE 2

BRAVO NEWS

VOL. XVI, ISSUE iv

VITAL SIGNS

NOVEMBER 9, 2012

BRAVO NEWS

Recruiting Bravo’s Future at the LAUSD Magnet Fair

by Daisy Flores, Elijah Flores, & Cynthia Valadez

On Thursday, October 25, 2012 the annual LAUSD Magnet Fair was held at East Area District Headquarters . Bravo Medical Magnet participated in this event which showcased the distinct opportunities available to students in schools’ Magnet programs and answered the questions and concerns of prospective Bravo students and their parents.

Among the schools that attended were Roosevelt High School, Garfield High School, Belvedere Middle School, and Euclid Avenue Elementary School.

In addition, lively entertainment was provided by the BMS Drumline which was orchestrated by Belvedere’s music art teacher, Ms. Fuller.

Each school did a magnificent job of recruiting people for their institutions, and Bravo was no exception. Each Bravo representative wore an article of clothing, such as a jersey, a t-shirt, or a sweater corresponding to their extracurricular

activity. Among these representatives was Briana Toledo (’13) who wore her Lady Knights soccer jersey with pride. She said, “The Magnet Fair was a really rewarding experience. I was surprised at the way that our small group of seniors was able to effectively communicate to students what life at Bravo is really like.” Bravo was not only represented athletically, but academically as well, Stephanie Felix (’13), a STAR student, stated, “The Magnet Fair was a great opportunity for high-achieving incoming freshmen that are interested in pursuing a career in science.” Undeniably, Bravo was well represented.

All in all, the Magnet Fair was a success. “It was a good night for all parents, students, and staff,” expressed Mrs. Dypiangco. Perhaps ,some of those promising students we spoke to will join the Bravo family as incoming freshmen next year.

Secret Lives Premieres at Hernandez Hall

by Silvia Orozco

Doubtless, the students rehearsing for Bravo’s imminent fall show are kicking into overdrive.

Secret Lives, as it is titled, will be playing three shows, starting from November 8, 2012 until November 14, 2012. Veteran actors such as Jose Salazar (’13) and Esther Martinez (’14) will take the stage alongside some new faces, like Silkea Islam (’13), Tania Cortez (’14), and Evelinn Garcia (’13).

These students are not alone, however.

Overseeing rehearsals and imparting much-needed drama wisdom is Mr. Scott Ryden.

The English and Theatre teacher may be undeniably eccentric at times, but Mr. Ryden has the most experience in handling Bravo’s art

performances. Unquestionably, he has this play under wraps, and it will go off without a hitch. The four minicomedies, Mere Mortals, Walter Mitty, Mr. Prebble Gets Rid of His Wife, and Words, Words, Words, are sure to triumph, and include a little bit of everything from dysfunctional marriages to tire swings.

With regards to her friends and other Bravo students, Evelinn Garcia emphatically encourages everyone to try out acting. “It is exhilarating,” she describes, “You will never have this experience unless you go up in front of others and try to make them feel something for your character.”

Come check out the play, gauge your interest, and decide for yourself if the stage is where you belong.

Part-Time Workers, Full-Time Students

by Monica Roque

It’s not easy juggling school, homework, extracurricular activities, and a job all at once. But these daring Bravo students are willing to accept the challenge:

Questions: 1. What is your job?

2. Why did you decide to get a job?

3. What is the best part of your job?

4. What is the worst part of your job?

5. How has this affected your studies?

6. Do you recommend working while attending high school? Why or why not?

J.N.

Why I Quit My Job

June Nam (’13) 1. “I’m a cashier at a Chinese restaurant.”

2. “I wanted to start saving up money so I could visit England.”

3. “The fact that I’m getting paid — even though it’s minimum wage.”

4. “I have to wake up early to be at work on time. I also have to deal with my cranky boss.”

5. “I’m a lot more tired when I get back home at night, so I end up not doing some of my homework.”

6. “Yes, I do. Especially in hard economic times like these, it’s not easy to ask your parents for money all the time. We high school students need money!”

Questions: 1. What was your job?

2. What was the hardest part of your job?

3. What have you learned from being a working student?

4. Will you look for another job any time soon?

E.C.

D.K.

S.K.

Eliab Cortes (’13) 1. “I’m a library assistant at East Los Angeles Library.”

2. “I decided to get a job...to get a taste of the real world. I’d also be able to put it on my college applications.”

3. “The best part is [being able] to open the doors to a child’s imagination by [reading to them] and helping them find new books to read.”

4. “Having to deal with angry parents who don’t think I’m helping their child. The second worse thing is having to clean the bathrooms.”

5. “I realized I needed to stay up later to do homework.”

6. “I recommend working to a student who can handle less sleep, more stress, and long nights.”

Dorga Kim (’13) 1. “I was an assistant/work corrector at JEI Learning Center.”

2. “The hardest part about it was trying to manage my time. My schedule was packed–I had to go to work straight after school and then go home and do homework.”

3. “As a working student, I finally understood the value of a dollar.”

4. “I’ll definitely be looking for another job once my college applications are finished. I could really use the money!”

Sung-Ho Kim (’13) 1. “I worked at McDonald’s.”

2. “Dealing with customers who don’t understand English or Korean.”

3. “I learned that customers don’t care if you’re a student. They only see you as an employee.”

4. “No, because I want to enjoy my senior year and I just want time to myself.”

NOVEMBER 9, 2012

VITAL SIGNS

PAGE 3

EDITORIALS

VOL. XVI, ISSUE iv

EDITORIALS

College Applications Time: Senior Opinions

by Elihu Rodriguez

November is an important month for seniors because it is the submission period for college applications. Besides verifying application forms and polishing up personal statements, students are balancing grades and extracurricular activities. To get a glimpse of how some are managing their time with this hefty workload, seniors Marine Minasyan (’13) and David MejiaGarcia (’13) offer their viewpoints.

1. What is the most difficult part about the application process?

Marine: “Writing the essays is the most difficult part because it’s so time consuming, especially [if a school requires supplemental applications.] The ‘supplements’ are filled with essay prompts that you must complete.”

David: “I believe the most difficult part to this process is the personal statement. Putting together a composition in which you not only characterize yourself as an individual but also explain what has influenced your future goals

set in life can be quite challenging.” 3. What is your dream college/ their [comments and] suggestions.” university?

David: “Start early and do your 2. If there was one thing you could best not to procrastinate. This is change about college applications, Marine: “Columbia University.” said a lot by teachers, but they are David: “NYU!” what would it be? absolutely true. Have everything you need beforehand because Marine: “I would change the 4. Do you have any advice for filling out forms calls for a crazy requirement of test scores, such as the underclassmen in relation to the amount of information (e.g. application process?

SAT and ACT.” personal statements, letters of recommendation, transcripts).”

David: “If there was one thing I Marine: “Start your applications could change about this process, [long before] the window opens it would be instant notification of because...you want to have enough college acceptance or rejection... time to review [it]. Also have several Having to wait until January is different people read your personal both nerve-wrecking and stressful.” statements and take into account

LA Lakers: 17x NBA Champions in the Making

by Cynthia Valadez

0-8. That is the resounding record with which the new look Lakers culminated the pre-season.

The exhibition games did not exactly unravel the way fans of the Lakers’starstudded lineup -which now features center Dwight Howard and veteran point guard Steve Nash- expected.

However, these losses were not exactly meaningful. The three consecutive losses to start off the regular season, on the other hand, were significant.

Excuses can be made about how Kobe Bryant is dealing with a foot injury, Dwight Howard is recovering from back surgery, and Steve Nash is assimilating to the recently incorporated Princeton offense, but when it all comes down to it, the Lakers need to find a way to make it work.

Despite the Lakers’ winless pre-season, they are making steady progress towards reaching the NBA

Finals for the fifth time in the past decade. Both Kobe Bryant and Coach Mike Brown have acknowledged that the Lakers are a work in progress.

Also, power forward Pau Gasol agrees that adjustments are still being made.

“It’s going to take a little bit of time, and that’s okay. We just have to stay with it, put in a conscious effort every game, every day, every play, to get better,” he says of the team. With a full 82-game schedule, the Lakers will not have much time to heal the wounds from their previous losses. All they can do is focus on the future and play each game with passion and determination until the final buzzer sounds.

Surely the new Lakers’ starting lineup of Bryant, Gasol, Nash, Howard and World Peace will find a way to prevail and lead this Lakers franchise to a 17th NBA Championship.

Google Images / www.aliexpress.com

Game

Time

Friday, Nov. 9th vs. Golden State

7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 11th vs. Sacramento

6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 13th vs. San Antonio

7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 16th vs. Phoenix

7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 18th vs. Houston

6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 20th vs. Brooklyn

7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 21st @ Sacramento

7:00 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 23rd @ Memphis

5:00 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 24th @ Dallas

5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 27th vs. Indiana

7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 30th vs. Denver

7:30 p.m.

THANKSGIVING

PAGE 4

VOL. XVI, ISSUE iv

VITAL SIGNS

NOVEMBER 9, 2012

THANKSGIVING

Many “Thanx”

Zucchini Bread Recipe

by Monica Roque

by Maria Guillen

Ring in the fall season with this festive and nutritious dessert that secretly doubles as a vegetable.

Makes 2 fragrant loaves.

It was on Tuesday, October 23rd that the Journalism and Yearbook class fundraiser took place at Pick Up Stix restaurant in Alhambra.

Pick Up Stix, a fresh Asian cuisine eatery, teamed up with Bravo’s Journalism and Yearbook students with the goal of raising funds for our school’s prominent publications. To say the fundraiser was a success would be a complete understatement. Thanks to all the Bravo staff and administrators, as well as supportive fellow alumni, the Journalism class was able to pocket a greatly appreciated and much-needed profit.

Attendees gladly supported the program while indulging in

Photo Credit / Marine Minasyan

scrumptious food, like the restaurant’s popular fried wontons—crispy, fried dumplings filled with cream cheese.

The students ravenously ate their combo meals and thanked each person who gave their support for the fundraiser.

Special thanks to the Bravo staff who attended! Thank you so much, Ms. Dypiangco, Mr. Ryden, Mr. Chavez and his adorable family, Ms. Cobian and her family, Mr. Nakama, Mr. Ota, Ms. Alvarado, Ms. Montes and everyone else who took the time to support our school’s Journalism and Yearbook classes. With your contributions, Bravo’s voice will continue to be heard and resound in our memories.

Ingredients: • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp baking soda • 1 tsp baking powder • 3 tsps ground cinnamon • 3 eggs • 1 cup vegetable oil • 2 ¼ cups white sugar • 3 tsps vanilla extract • 2 cups grated zucchini • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Source: www.allrecipes.com

Directions: 1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325˚F (165˚C).

2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pans.

4. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

by Silvia Orozco

VITAL SIGNS

Holiday Cartoon Sweepstakes

The winner of the Holiday Cartoon Sweepstakes will have their cartoon published in the December issue of Vital Signs and receive one AMC Movie Ticket. To enter, submit an original holiday-themed cartoon to Mr. R. Rodriguez (room 312), drop it off in his teacher mailbox, OR email it to journalism2013@yahoo.com by NOVEMBER 27, 2012.

Please provide your first and last name, grade level, and homeroom teacher.

Amy Guerra

VITAL SIGNS

Editor-in-Chief

Daisy Flores Editor

Monica Roque

Miriam Ifegwu

Maria Guillen

Carmina Paz

Karl Pascasio

Vito Perez

Hannah Contreras

Cynthia Valadez

Anee Davtyan

Jeremy Villarreal

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor Photographer-in-Chief Editor Editor

Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor

Editorial Matter Opinions expressed in Vital Signs belong to the writer. They do not reflect the opinions of the journalism staff or those of Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School.

Letters to the Editors Letters to the editors concerning any topic relevant to Vital Signs are welcomed. Please refrain from using vulgar or disrespectful language. Letters should be brief and should be edited to maximize space use and heighten clarity. Letters may be anonymous or signed by the author. Please send letters to: journalism2013@yahoo.com or Drop them off in Mr. R. Rodriguez’s mailbox or in Room 312