8 feature
the hoofprint
01.07.11 Vol. 43, Issue 4
in the making The Walnut Hero-X Foundation, formed by junior Brian Yu, is a socially aware organization that sets its sights on improving the school community and promoting individual confidence by building positive relationships between students.
Jessica Wang Staff Writer Day by day, students walk by each other on their way to class, neither knowing nor caring about many of the faces they see during passing periods belong to. Last November, junior Brian Yu formed the Walnut Hero-X Foundation, an organization that focuses on the aspect of promoting the Walnut High School community through various social projects, environmental projects, and fundraising for school causes. “This is community building with a focus on empathy. We’re different from the other clubs in the sense that we’re focusing on our high school students,” Yu said. “Some items on our agenda are tackling nutrition issues, loneliness, and anti-bullying. We have a passion for helping other people.” Yu sets the foundation’s main objective as continually strengthening ties between our community and creating a more connected school. He currently has a number of events planned, including a project called “You Belong With Me” dedicated to simply asking passers-by how their day was. “Essentially, we’re going to launch a schoolwide campaign where for one week, we encourage people to turn around and ask each other, ‘How was your day?’” Yu said. “At first it’ll be awkward, but over time, we start building a more caring commu-
nity.” The foundation’s focus of helping others attracts members with a passion for improving communication among students. “I think it will be a really great cause, and I feel like helping people fits with my personality,” said junior Chesley Ekelem. However, some want to join for the large amount of social effort the organization requires from members. “I found it interesting, and I wanted to be a part of it because it involves community,” said junior Erika Ku. “I’m looking forward to it.” Yu snagged an opportunity provided by IB CAS (Creativity, Actions, Service) to form the foundation and bring his idea to action. He hopes to see it bring promising change to our school. “I want to be able to leave this school better than I found it, and leave the foundation still running after I graduate,” Yu said. Yu plans on expanding communication and increasing positive highlights of daily school life among students. “We are a great school. When Haiti happened, we were the ones that donated a thousand something dollars. We are the school raising money for the Middle Eastern floods,” Yu said. “Every time there’s a disaster, Walnut has always found within its heart to give to other causes. We believe that it is now time to invest in the greatest cause, ourselves.” Ω
Unfolding the art of paper
photo By JESSICA WANG
Origami cranes and fortune tellers are simple things that most people know how to make, but freshman Howard Phang takes origami to the next level as he folds complex designs from a single piece of paper. Jessica You Staff Writer After going through piles of homework, students usually spend their free time sleeping in or doing nothing at all, but freshman Howard Phang spends his spare time with origami paper. “I started folding because I learned how to make a crane at a friends house long ago and it fascinated me,” Phang said. Although the task of folding origami is tedious and requires many hours to finish, Phang enjoys taking his time to create small masterpieces. “Mostly it’s fun folding new things and finding new models that look really similar to what they are in real life,” Phang said. After long hours of paper folding, he is motivated to finish by the thought of seeing his hard work paying off to become lasting pieces. “Folding the actual models is the best part since I can see it slowly coming together and it can be manipulated however I want it to change,” Phang said. For Phang, making origami
is more than just folding papers; he includes detailed origami surroundings to make his origami look more original. “First off, if I’m making a plant display, then I’ll have to put together all the stems and leaves, and with animals I need a suitable background and maybe a small area of trees around it,” Phang said. W h e n making displays, Phang considers many factors to make his origami ideal. “I usually decide what to fold based on how real the model looks, the complexity, and how I can make it look well with other models,” Phang said. Free time for Phang is time spent creating lasting showcases made out of everyday paper that most people take for granted. “I believe that origami is an art, and not just a craft that kids do,” Phang said. “Origami uses sculptural and artistic ability and precise folds in order to create visually appealing displays. Most models require difficult folds and steps that turn into realistic replications of objects or life forms, which is truly a work of art.” Ω
“I believe that origami is an art, and not just a craft that kids do.” - Howard Phang, 9
PAPER PERFECTION (CLOCKWISE): Freshman Howard Phang delicately folds another origami llama for his line of origami creatures; Miniature flowers and stars made by Phang are as small as a penny and are placed into tiny bottles as decoration; Phang folds an origami fish, lobster, and seaweed to create a marine display.
photos By Jessica You