Vol. 93, Issue 2
December 17, 2018
Bruins give the gift of life 42 Donors participate in the annual Red Cross Blood Drive
ALEXANDRO AGUILAR Reporter
Principal, Gonzalo Moraga, Councilwoman, Suzie Price, and ASB President, Jared Lemke, join Woody in unveiling the new Bruin Way.
Sign of the times Part of Ximeno is renamed in Wilson’s honor Standing tall and proud next to the Main Campus crossing to West campus is a sign signifying the newly designated ‘Bruin Way’ from 10th and Ximeno to 7th and Ximeno. The street was renamed in honor of Wilson High School’s impact on Long Beach. Last year a student committee was formed and presented the
the dedication ceremony and the festivities began starting with Drumline playing with Cheerleaders and Bruinettes providing spirit. Members of the ASB stood proudly with a sign thanking Councilwoman Price. Mr. Moraga, Councilwoman Price, and ASB President Jared Lemke gave speeches to the large student audience on the other side of the street before the grand unveiling of the sign. With
idea, along with Dr. Blazer, to the City Council. Councilwoman Suzie Price initiated the process of having the street renamed. “Wilson has been a cornerstone of Long Beach for nearly a century,” Jack Cunningham, Councilwoman Price’s Chief of Staff, said. On December 13th at 8:40 a.m. Councilwoman Price arrived at
a drum roll and countdown the sign was unveiled and cheers went up on both sides of the new Bruin Way. The students returned to class with the words of Councilwoman Price echoing in their minds, “When we play Poly in anything, and they say they have Jackrabbit Lane, well now we have Bruin Way!”
MICHAEL NDUBISI Reporter
Every year around November or December, the American Red Cross comes to Wilson to gain some much needed blood from brave Bruin donors. According to stridehealth.com, one pint of blood can equal three saved lives. This year’s blood drive received 62 donors including four teachers. Not everyone was able to donate; however, the Red Cross was able to collect 48 pints of blood at the annual Blood Drive held December 4 in the media center. Anthony Cedeno is a senior who was excited to donate his blood to a good cause, but then he had heard they were watching “The Godfather” in his film class and was a little irate because it’s one of his favorite films. Nonetheless, his blood donation went well and he had a couple of snacks then went on with the rest of his school day. Not only did students donate blood, but some teachers did as well. Ms. Lawrence, an English teacher from room 127 said she had a great experience. “They do such a great job that you don’t even feel the needle,” she said, possibly to encourage some who might have felt intimidated by the needle. There was a different procedure during the blood drive called the Power Red where they extract a concentrated sample of your blood by separating it from the plasma and keeping the blood and putting
back the plasma. They would do this twice and would take around 30 minutes. After a blood donation, students were rewarded with a Red Cross t-shirt and snacks while they waited to regain their energy and to also refuel. They had little bags of cookies and small cans of cranberry juice, orange juice, and plenty of waters on hand. According to medicaldaily.com, you lose 650 calories when donating, so you can really go to town on those cookies and
KAMERON HAILEY
Above, senior Anthony Cedeno lays down and prepares to get his blood drawn.
Bathrooms receive needed improvements Chloe Knopf Features Editor
Administration at Wilson has recently been made aware of serious problems in the school bathrooms. In the previous Loudspeaker, which was published in early November, an article was shared about the poor conditions in the Wilson bathrooms. Dr. Blazer, upon reading this article, was finally made aware of the extent of the problem. Mrs. Combs, the teacher in charge of the school newspaper, originally showed the article to faculty in order to get their approval to run the piece because it may be seen as a critique of the school, but she was as glad as everyone else to hear the positive and attentive responses. Showing faculty a preview of the newspaper when there are articles that
may be seen as controversial is a regular practice. Normally, Combs is given the go ahead to run any articles, but she doesn’t remember any articles inspiring such serious change at the school. Co-principals Dr. Blazer and Mr. Moraga are taking finite steps to correct the poor sanitary situations that plague their school. Sighting the Loudspeaker article written by Chloe Knopf, as their eye opener, they began researching exactly how they can improve their school. Throughout their search, some surprising information was discovered: as of October 12, 2017, all California public schools are required to provide free feminine hygiene products in their bathrooms. According to Assembly Bill No. 10, titled “Feminine hygiene products: public school restrooms,” schools with a 40% pupil poverty thresh-
old are required to stock at least 50% of the school’s restrooms with feminine hygiene products. Mr. Jimenez, an assistant principal here at Wilson, explains why there hasn’t been any noticeable changes to the bathrooms so far: “I am currently verifying information about the law and its implementation at Wilson.” Students should start to get excited about updates soon to come. Many students have noted that toilet seat covers that have appeared, and others sight the less frequent absences of toilet paper. Although major changes aren’t going to happen overnight, the new attention that is being put on the bathrooms is refreshing, and is raising the spirits of many students. Senior Kandrex Millones responded to the good news, saying “I think it’s an idea that’s long overdue. I’ve been in situations
juices. Afterwards at the snack table, students could chat with the other donors about how their donation went and their experience. Some were saying they didn’t like the thought of blood being continuously sucked out of them for 15 minutes and then seeing a bag full of their blood afterward, but they understood what they had to do. Thank you to American Red Cross for giving the opportunity to save lives.
where it was an emergency, so I’m glad to know I’ll be able to get products right then and there.” Many students are echoing these sentiments, and are happy about the change. Another senior who is familiar with the failings of the school bathrooms is Alex Guzman. “I’m so glad that people are finally talking about fixing the bathrooms, and hopefully they do it quickly. It’s sad to see such poor school facilities,” said Guzman. Even with quite a lot of progress needed to be made, the recent updates are a tremendous step towards having comfortable and clean bathrooms for students. Having acceptable bathrooms is essential for schools. Wilson faculty and students alike should be proud to be a part of a school that cares about its students just as much as its reputation.
INSIDE Bruins show off their fashion sense during school-wide free dress week. Page 6
Boys Water Polo team wraps up yet another successful season. Page 7
Opinion
Wilson High School Loudspeaker
Page 2
Too much homework over break thing to look forward to less. Not only do teachers assign us a boatload of homework to complete, we’re also faced with
Rachel Garcia
Editor-inChief Throughout the school year, (and I think I’m speaking on everybody’s behalf when I say this) what I look forward to most is the fact that we have Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break. Every day when I have to wake up early, even though every fiber of my being does not want to, I always have to keep telling myself that I have these breaks to look forward to. However, when these so-called breaks do come around, I find myself drowning in school work assigned for us students to complete by the time we do go back to school. Making break some-
“However, when these so-called breaks do come around, I find myself drowning in school work assigned for us students to complete” a variety of tests to take when we have to come back to school. As
a result, students must then cope with the stressful feeling of having to study and the anxiety of having to take a test as well. So we’re given these breaks where we take out a day or two for the holidays and time to spend with our family, but then of course, for the remainder of our “breaks” we have to spend our time doing homework and studying; let’s be honest, for the majority of us, breaks are extended periods of time for us to catch up in school. With all of this coming into play, these breaks for students seem to be used for schoolwork and catching up rather than spending time with family and friends and, you know, actually taking a break from school. For the most part though, we choose to postpone these responsibilities, which only makes things worse when the time for school comes around again.
Winter Break would be a prime example in terms of having too much school work over our time off; we’re given two weeks in which we must complete our homework and assigned classwork, study for whatever tests we have to face after the break, and we also get to get prepared for our Finalswhich we have two weeks after we come back. Combine all of this with the time taken away for holidays and New Years (can’t forget about that recovery time, too). It may seem like enough time, but definitely not in the eyes of a teenager in high school, I mean, procrastination is in. Of course, teachers assign us all of this work in our best interest, not wanting us to forget the essence of responsibility in school and all, but it would be nice to experience a true break from school *cough* Summer *cough*. Sum-
mer has no schoolwork and for me, at least, during one point of summer, I find myself wanting to go back to school. It isn’t like that for the rest of the breaks throughout the school year, though. That last day for every break is definitely the most depressing as the thought of school and how ready you aren’t comes into mind. All I’m trying to get across here is that I think it would be beneficial, overall, if students weren't assigned so much work to do over a period of time that’s meant to be spent relaxing and not doing all of that work. Breaks are a reference to taking a break (obviously) and not feeling stressed out about taking on the demands of school. In reality, sadly, breaks consist of students feeling stressed out and experiencing the full pressure of school at home.
Listening to music while studying
Emmett Edge Reporter
By word, look at the clock! It’s only about three til’ nine p.m. and the big test is tomorrow! Hurry up chap, it’s time to get strapped down! Grab your nearest extra large box of Cheez Its and find your biggest bottle of Dr.Pepper! Quickly, get your notes so we can get this show on the road before you lose 5 more hours of your precious sleeping time! Oh wait, you forgot something, but what? Was it your complementary study buddy that happened to have studied on time? Or was it the homework that you forgot to do during this perilous time? No, of course not! So what is it, you may wonder? It is studying music, my dear student! Whether it be Mozart’s “Requiem”, or Kanye’s “808’s and Heartbreak” album, music acts as a beneficial factor for students and their endeavors towards studying and should be used by more students while
they are trying to cram all of that knowledge and memorize what they are studying on the night before the big test. Usually, when a person hears music while studying, they actually receive and retain information more thoroughly than those who study in silence. A French university conducted an experiment with college students that were listening to a lecture to prepare them for an upcoming quiz. One group of students listened to classical music during the lecture while the others did not. The one that did listen to the music scored remarkable grades on the quiz, while the latter group didn’t really even come close to the other group’s grade range (more of this study can be found by going to the website https://eric. ed.gov/?id=EJ958394). So, for those who usually forget what they’ve read instantly after they finish reading: music is your true study buddy for those late night study grinds and will increase your chances of being able to better recall. In addition to retaining information, a student’s favorite type of music can heighten the mood of the student. In search of prov-
LOUDSPEAKER STAFF VOLUME 93, ISSUE 2
Photo Editor Kameron Hailey
Sports Editor Adai Vidal
Adviser Mrs. Combs Editors-in-Chief Amber Eusebio Rachel Garcia Features Editors Windsor McInerny Chloe Knopf
Reporters Alex Aguilar Angel Arias Samantha Brandts Mary Dolastek Emmett Edge Catherine Fuentes Joseantonio Garcia Alex Guzman Michael Ndubisi Cynthia Rodriguez Alessandra Trejo
ing this statement, an experiment was conducted at McGill University in 2011. This experiment included eight different people with different tastes and the use of PET and fMRI scans. Even though each of these people listened to music for 3 unique sessions, all of their brains would respond by producing dopamine (a chemical that makes you feel happy). So, in theory, your brain always produces dopamine when you listen to music. This is very important, especially regarding the act of studying, as having a positive attitude while studying negates feelings of stress, which may cause distraction in students’ endeavors. Music’s power to relieve a student’s overwhelming feeling of stress furthers the legitimacy of my claim that music usually helps students with reviewing and studying. Nevertheless, some people will prefer silence over music, which is understandable since music can potentially be distracting towards people (usually introverted people). Yet, for when people delay studying until maybe 15 minutes before the test, silence may not be the best choice. Stress and emotional pressure 4400 East Tenth Street, Long Beach, CA 90804 ABOUT US - Published eight times a year, the student newspaper of Wilson High School is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. EDITORIALS - Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Editorials are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in public forum be constructed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
tends to rise in you as your anticipation for the test you were supposed to study for tends to rise indefinitely. Your palms become sweaty, knees become weak, arms feel heavier, and you’d feel as if you were about to throw up. However, there is a trick not commonly known by society. If you were to listen to a Mozart piano piece for about maybe eight minutes (presumably by headphones) while studying, you’d suddenly feel this quite peculiar feeling. Your brain starts processing ideas faster, your creativity starts rising, and as a bonus, your body doesn’t feel heavy anymore. It feels as if your brain, even if its temporarily, has received an upgrade, and all of the sudden, that test, quiz, whatever it may be, seems utterly small now. What is this feeling, you may ask? Well, my friend, what you are experiencing now is what’s dubbed “The Mozart’s Effect”-a wondrous phenomenon that has been studied for years now. Compared to silence, this result really shines for those who procrastinate with studying to the literal last minutes before the test, which shows that when ADVERTISING - Except as clearly implied by the advertising party or otherwise specifically stated, advertisements in the Loudspeaker are inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by Wilson High School. Advertisements printed in the Loudspeaker are not to be constructed as a written or implied sponsorship, endorsement, or investigation of their respective commercial sponsors or ventures. SOCIAL MEDIA - Keep up with Bruin news, activities, and athletics on social media, with:
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it really comes down to the wire, music should be used for studying means, especially this kind, as it enhances your studying capability immensely. Indeed, the fresh taste of music is perfect for almost anyone who is studying. In fact, I feel as if teachers should allow students to play their favorite types of music while they’re in the last phases of reviewing, since that is the most crucial time before taking a test (but maybe that should be for another time). For now, I call upon a breaking of silence. Students, now is the time for using music to our advantage, so I now call for the rise in music use. Yes, all should listen to music while they study. Rap, sure. Country, of course. Lofi hip hop, overrated choice in my opinion, but go for it. Vegan straight edge and pirate metal? Oddly specific and peculiar types of music genres, but then again, who doesn’t have those things apart of their playlist? Even if it’s the wii shop channel music looped for 10 hours, I don’t care. All of must at least try listening to music while studying since the activity itself has too many potential benefits to just completely ignore.
LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editorials are welcome and will be published as space allows. Letters must be signed, although the staff may withhold the name on request. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in public forum be constructed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed. These letters could and should be anywhere from comments on the page; to how we are doing; to what you would like to hear, or opinions on different subjects. We will accept letters at the Loudspeaker office in room 410.
Wilson High School Loudspeaker
Opinion
Page 3
Out-of-State Schooling R.I.P. Seoulmate Amber Eusebio Editor-inChief
UC and CSU applications are already past due, but another option to consider are private, out-of-state schools. Most of these schools’ deadlines are not until January 1, which is something that students should consider if they are still in the process of finding colleges that would be a right fit for them. I believe that all students should at least consider this option because studying out-of-state can lead to further opportunities. The biggest concern that most students or parents have in regards to studying out-of-state is the cost. However, a fact that is unknown to most, is that both in-state and out-of-state students pay the same tuition cost at private schools since they are not government-funded. With financial aid, an education at a private university may be more attainable than you can imagine. For example, University of California, Los Angeles (more commonly known as UCLA), has an average annual cost of
$33,391 without financial aid. In comparison, Boston University—a private, research university that is known for being generous with financial aid—has an average annual cost of $34,910, including financial aid. So, if a student were to be accepted into both of these universities, but receive a better financial aid package at Boston U, the out-ofstate option may actually be the more cost-effective one. Another concern that may arise is the fact that these universities are often more competitive in terms of admissions. However, many universities in California can be equally as competitive. The lowest acceptance rate in the CSU system comes from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which has an acceptance rate of 31%. This is even lower than a handful of out-of-state schools, such as Syracuse University with a 48% acceptance rate and University of Oregon with a 74% acceptance rate. But don’t let these numbers scare you. Many private universities boast their holistic application review process. This means that factors such as a low GPA or low SAT score may be compensated with an impressive slew of extracurriculars, a stellar essay, or an explanation of a personal circumstance that may hinder
your academic success. Schools look for passionate, driven students who have clear goals; numbers aren’t everything in the world of college admissions. Overall, consider applying to private out-of-state universities because they may offer you something of value, such as an impressive program in your field of choice, valuable on-campus or off-campus opportunities, or a physical location in a city that you’ve always wanted to live in. It is good to be open to a wide range of opportunities, so delve deep when doing your college research and really envision how you would like your undergraduate experience to unfold. Don’t consider factors such as being homesick or being lost in a brand new place, because that will most likely happen no matter where you end up going. However, don’t be discouraged if the timing is not right for you to study far away from home, because you can still experience life away from home by studying abroad or doing an internship. No matter where you end up applying, whether it be close to home or thousands of miles away, I wish you the best of luck in this stressful, overwhelming, but exciting stage of your life.
Cynthia Rodriguez Reporter Seoulmate has been a part of Wilson for years, and it is now coming to an end. As sad as it sounds, Seoulmate closed after five years in business. The owners are deciding to take a break while they look for a bigger home for Seoulmate. Opened November 17, 5 years ago, the restaurant will be closing this year on the exact same day. It has became a part of Wilson because they named a bowl after us called “The Bruin Bowl” which was only available to Wilson students.
Photo of Seoulmate, now closed: Google Usually it gets really crowded during lunch time because we do love their food! “Thank you to everyone that gave us a shot. I hope you guys know that although we might have not made everyone happy, we had great people trying. It was beautiful. Long Beach!” says the Seoulmate staff. Their staff was always so nice and respectful towards people-- never had attitude and always received great service. What made Seoulmate unique was that it was the only one! Crazy right? The only one was right next to our school. It will always be the small pink shack that Wilson students loved!
Is college tuition determining your future? Mollie Dostalek Reporter
In a time when money means everything, a few colleges are dropping the required tuition for students, but this price reduction hardly benefits the thousands of students attending colleges who are not cutting back. In an article titled “College Drop Advertised Tuition to Lure Students” by the Hechinger Report published by U.S. News & World Report it details how multiple colleges are offering a lower price to attend college. At Mills College in Oakland, California students say they saw “a 36 percent drop in the advertised cost of a college education,” (The Hechinger Report). For those not attending Mills College, the possibility of debt is a very real problem. Universities around the nation must answer the call to drop their tuition prices immediately to benefit their students. The article suggests that many colleges are dropping their prices, allowing for more students to enroll, but contrary to the belief, many colleges are actually
raising prices. In a recent article by USA Today called “Private College Tuition is Rising Faster Than Inflation...Again.” In the case of private universities, the average tuition was upped 3.6 percent. This doesn’t seem like a significant number but the difference could cost thousands. Unfortunately, this steep increase is higher than the reported inflation value. It confronts the reality that most universities are not slashing prices, but instead adding more to the bill. This actuality makes it even harder for students today to go on to receive their diploma. A financial scholarship can alleviate the pressure felt by the family to pay such a hefty price, but in many cases the money isn’t enough. What some universities blatantly ignore is that sometimes this financial aid isn’t enough because of such a excessive price tag. In a report issued by Kim Clark of U.S. News & World Report titled “A Failing Financial Aid System Keeps Students Out of College,” it reports how for some, even being partially covered by financial aid isn’t enough. “The College Board calculates that fewer than 30 percent of low-income college-qualified students are earning college degrees,” states Clark in her article. This is compared to the almost 70 percent of affluent
students receiving degrees. To many, it seems the colleges stand by as many struggle to keep up financially and do little to help cover the cost. Instead, the prices rise while their likelihood of receiving a diploma drops. Student loan debt is another highly controversial topic. Some view it as just another important step of attending college and others as a detriment to students for the rest of their life, but the issue has gotten out of hand. The article “Student Debt: Lives on Hold,” written by James B. Steele and Lance Williams for “Consumer Reports” accounts the almost 42 million students are indebted and their lives can be difficult day to day. These financial impressions will last a lifetime for several of the debtors. Foreign colleges can be a great option for students looking to drop the price of college and see the world. Success of these international universities is eminent and tuition plays a key role. In Spain, the average cost of receiving a Bachelor’s degree is $870 to $2,437 a year, reported by MastersPortal. This price differs drastically from the annual $50,000 dished out for distinguished American schools. The international students are able to receive the education
need without breaking the bank. Not to mention in the company of a beautiful country! It can be refuted that a high tuition price is needed to run a school, especially a well-estab-
“Students today and tomorrow are the future of the coming world. They will further the already ingenious inventions existing right now...” lished one and that the lack in price will correlate to a lack in motivation. Evidence drawn from several different sources refutes this claim. In an article published by Bookings Education and written by Adela Soliz she explains “tuition-free policies will no doubt increase enrollment,” and continues to use evidence
from a 2003 study by Dynarski’s Social Security Student Benefit Program stating it “does not find statistically significant evidence that the reduction in financial aid decreases degree completion.” This clearly marks there is little correlation between free education and college attendance or completion. Students today and tomorrow are the future of the coming world. The changes initiated by them will set a tone for the next generation to learn from and follow. They will further the already ingenious inventions existing right now, but this vision isn’t even remotely possible without the cooperation of everyone. By shutting out students because they are unable to pay for college, we are only slowing ourselves down. Excluding these incredibly gifted students, colleges are also shutting down their own potential to grow. The problem caused by high tuitions on low income students is an issue for both parties. But the problem has one simple, yet very ignored, resolution. A compromise could be the difference in ensuring a promising future for all people. The world could be completely changed if universities would stop worrying about what their students can pay and focus more on what they can achieve.
Wilson High School Loudspeaker
FEATURE
Page 44
Student recounts her study abroad experience Amber Eusebio Editor-in-Chief
Most people associate studying abroad as an opportunity to take advantage of their time during college, but did you know that you can study abroad while still in high school? According to the 2018 Open Doors Report from IIE, less than one percent of high school students study abroad. However, I got to study abroad last summer in Paris, France through the organization CIEE to study French language and culture, and it was one of the most worthwhile experiences I’ve ever had. I applied to my study abroad program in January after hearing about it from Mrs. Papadopoulou, a French teacher here at Wilson. There were many programs to choose from— ranging from interest-based, volunteer-based, and culture-based—but I decided to choose the French Language & Culture program because I was interested in expanding my knowledge in that area. The initial application process was fairly simple and required only personal information and about an hour of my time, but I also decided to apply for a scholarship to see if I could get some money that could go toward
my program. The scholarship application required my family’s financial documents, two essays, my academic transcript, and a letter of recommendation from a teacher. It was a lot of work to put together my scholarship application, but it was definitely well worth it. In March, I was notified that I was going to receive a scholarship that covered approximately 80% of the tuition for my program, and I was ecstatic; my dream of studying abroad and visiting France was finally coming true. I was set to arrive in Paris on June 10, so the three months in between me receiving my scholarship notification and my program were excruciatingly slow. I spent those months trying to figure out what I was going to pack for my one-month stay in Paris, trying to learn as much about French culture as I could, and talking to anyone who was willing to listen about how excited I was. Then, the day I was waiting for finally arrived, and I felt a mixture of both nerves and utter excitement. I had been corresponding through email with the woman who was going to be my host mother, so it was exciting to finally get to meet her when I arrived in Paris. It took me a while to get used to my routine and the drastic time zone change, but by the time I got the hang of it, I never wanted to
leave Paris. Every day, I took the Metro to school with my roommate and attended French class, where I learned a lot of useful conversational French that I could utilize outside of the classroom. After class, we would have lunch and then participate in an activity called “OZlefrançais,” where we had the opportunity to converse in French with native French speakers. This activity in particular really allowed me to expand my French speaking skills. Then, we would partake in a cultural ac-
tivity, which usually consisted of a museum visit or a walking tour of a particular neighborhood in Paris. After the cultural activity, we were free to explore the beautiful city with our friends. At the end of a long and eventful day, I would come home and eat dinner with my host family and we would all talk about our days (en français of course). Overall, my study abroad experience has really opened my eyes and allowed me to grow both academically and personally. Not
only did I improve my French, but I learned many other useful skills, such as how to be independent. However, I was not really on my own. I made many friends throughout my program who live all over the U.S., and these people are still some of my best friends to this day. I am grateful that I was able experience studying abroad while still in high school, and I urge anyone else considering it to take advantage of the opportunity as well.
Jared Lemke encourages students to get involved michael ndubisi Reporter
Is the GOP, the party of Lincoln, Nixon, Reagan, Bush, and Trump also the party of Wilson Bruins? Jared Lemke thinks so and he is not alone.
Lemke is currently our ASB president, President of X-Men and a Link Crew leader—all of which are important clubs and student organizations on campus. As ASB President, Lemke describes his responsibilities as “managing the school’s budget
and planning for activities.” ASB is responsible for all of the new Fri-yay activities at lunch such as the foosball table, giant chess and checkers, and spikeball. They also plan and set up activities for the students such as the dodgeball tournament and Homecoming, as
MICHAEL NDUBISI
Above, Jared Lemke (middle) poses for a picture with Young Republicans Club.
well as work with the administration to set the rules all students must follow. These rules include the dress code which the school reformed just last year. As a former Link Crew leader, Lemke underwent several hours of training to help transition eighth graders into Freshmen Bruins. And as an X-Man, he is a part of a prestigious group of senior men who are the most active on campus and excel in everything from academics to athletics (and everything in between). They serve as role models to other senior men and to all underclassmen males. However Jared is not all business, he is also president of the Captain Jack Sparrow Club, the Snowboarding Club, Spikeball Club, and the Fantasy Football Club. All of which, he says “Provide an escape from a rigorous class schedule and bring a period of pure fun in the middle.” Lemke added, “It's a great way to meet and and out with a bunch of different people that you would never think of hanging out with.” Jared recommends joining clubs to all Wilson Bruins. When asked why he chooses to be so involved on campus, he cited his older brother Jack Lemke as his
inspiration. He said, “My older brother was a part of three different sports. He too was an ASB President, Senior Class President, and president of many clubs.” Lemke continued by saying his brother encouraged him to “get involved right away.” Lemke also finds being so involved to be quite rewarding. He says that being involved helps make your high school experience more fun. “What’s most rewarding is always having fun and always having something to do,” he added. Lemke has also learned some lessons along the way of his tenure at Wilson. He said that one of the biggest lessons he’s learned is that you never want to spread yourself too thin, and that open mindedness is key. “Sometimes not everything works to plan,” Lemke said, “you’re gonna have a lot of those moments.” As a senior who is also preparing for college and the future, he is using the skills he learned as a Bruin and other outside jobs to get him to where he wants to be. When asked where he hoped to go to college he replied, “Texas Christian University” with exSee LEMKE (page 5)
Wilson High School Loudspeaker
FEATURE
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS JumpStart Scholarship - jumpstart-scholarship.net/application-us How to win: Write a 250 word essay about your personal achievements. Requirements: Must be in grades 10-12 Award: $1,000 Deadline: April 15th, 2019
Reporter
Duck tape creative scholarship - stuckatprom.com/ How to win: Design an outfit for prom entirely out of duct tape, wear it, and send in the photos! Winners chosen on craftsmen ship. Requirements: Must be in high school Award: $1,000 to $10,000 Deadline: Varies Voice of Democracy Essay Scholarship - unigo.com/scholarships/all/voice-of-democracy-scholarship-program/2369 How to win: Complete an audio essay on why your vote matters! Requirements: Must be in high school Award: $30,000 Deadline: November 1st, 2019 Unigo $10K Scholarship - unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/unigo-10k-scholarship How to win: Write in 250 words or less about a historical figure “brought back to life.” Requirements: Must be in high school Award: $10,000 Deadline: December 31st, 2018 The Coolidge Scholarship for America - coolidgescholars.org/apply/selection-criteria/ How to win: Fill out an application! Applications are judged based on grade point average, merit, and leadership skills. Requirements: Must be in high school and have a strong grade point average Award: Full-ride scholarship to the college or university you plan to attend Deadline: January 23rd, 2019 Create Real Impact Scholarship - createrealimpact.com/ How to win: Create an original art piece showing your solution to reckless teen driving and accidents Requirements: Must be in high school Award: $500-$1,500 Deadline: Varies
LEMKE from page 4
citement. He is using the skills such as working with others and communication and building relationships that he learned as a gondolier at Gondola Getaways and as a high school student. With those skills he hopes to go on to enter something along the lines of the business and finance sector or commercial real estate. But there is one club Lemke is President of that is creating quite a buzz on campus, that is YRC or Young Republicans Club. The club for self-described Republicans to come and meet as a group and discuss political matters. Lemke describes it as a place for “healthy debate” and a place for people to “express their views.” It is a club that has been gone from Wilson for some time because the former sponsor retired. However it is now being revived by Lemke, and his cabinet: Brandon Bennett, Ryan Pettway, and Spencer Johnson with new club sponsor and beloved teacher Mr. Campatelli in room C-16. They reported 75 members attendance after their first two meetings. “With all of the political discussion going on it was necessary to
have a place where Republicans can speak their views”, Lemke said. “Living in Southern California, a very ‘Democratic Area,’ many people were saying that it was difficult to discuss their views without being criticized.” Lemke said that these students wished that they could have a space on campus to discuss their political views and debate. Lemke described the debates in YRC as “not fiery” but calm, civilized debate where both Democratic and Republican views are heard. When asked how people’s lives were affected by the club, he shared a story of a young lady who felt that she didn’t belong anywhere and didn’t have friends but upon hearing about YRC and hearing people talk about views she has she now feels like she is “coming out of her shell” and has made friends through the club. “Anyone is welcome to join the club and share your views,” he added. Lemke feels that he has created a “beneficial environment for both Democrats and Republicans to have an enjoyable lunch period.”
An Arabian Night CATHERINE FUENTES
The MoolahSPOT $1,000 Scholarship - moolahspot.com/scholarship/ How to win: Write a short essay on a topic of your choice. Requirements: Must be in high school, 16 years or older Award: $1,000 Deadline: December 31st, 2018
Contributed by Windsor McInerny
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Wilson’s musical theatre students took the school to Agrabah and showed us the story of the magic lamp. This spectacular performance was filled with daring sword fights, magic spells, and a prince in disguise! The amazing tale of Aladdin was told through singing, dancing, and acting on the Wilson Auditorium stage by extremely talented students. They worked and rehearsed rigorously every day for several months in order to put this production together; the musical theatre program shared the entire process with the public through their instagram page. Anyone who is interested can find their account at @wilsontheatrearts. Alejandra Ramirez, who played the leading role of the Genie, says “My favorite part about doing Aladdin was growing as a performer. In order to play Genie, I had to act, sing, and dance. Sometimes I had to do all three at once. Though it was hard and very stressful, it was always fun. Performing Aladdin was fun and spectacular every time I stepped on stage.” Ramirez was part of the “spooky” cast. The different
casts are each given a fun name to separate the different versions of the characters. Together, Ms. Riley, the cast, and stage crew all brought the story of “Aladdin” to life music, written by Alan Menken, outstanding lights and props, managed by the stage crew, and, of course, the talent of the actors. The performers also put on a show prior to their opening night during an assembly, where they completely wowed both students and teachers. Crowds were cheering loudly for the talented students and their amazing stage presence. In addition to their school performances, the crew was generous enough to allow LBUSD elementary students in for free for their two pm performance, as well as offering to host a meet and greet afterwards. This is just one way that illustrates how hard everyone involved worked for this musical to happen, they truly took the audience to a whole a new world. The magical story of true love and friendship told by Wilson’s very own was a phenomenal thing to watch. If you missed Aladdin Jr., make sure to check and see what Wilson’s musical theatre students will do next!
“Performing Aladdin was fun and spectacular every time I stepped on stage.” -Alejandra Ramirez Actor
STUDENT SERVICES Girls Helping Girls Meeting in room 260 every other Tuesday, a group of girls led by Alexa Briseno provides a place where female students can access menstrual necessities like pads, tampons, and even just a place to hang out. The club already has a couple hundred of products in Mrs. Mejia’s class. Products are free of charge and given to those girls in need not just once a month but year-round. Inspired by a video on YouTube about women in Kenya having no access to menstrual products, Briseno strives to expand her club. “I have no filter and I want to make people comfortable, my goal is to end the stigma around periods,” she said. Positive People’s Club Every Wednesday at lunch, you’ll find a group of passionate students who want to refine the community. Windsor Mclnereny, president of PPC, welcomes everyone in room 412 to collaborate and to find inventive ways to make the world a better place. PPC held a lipstick drive for a non-profit organization raising awareness on human trafficking. From having bake sales on Second Street to helping the Ronald McDonald House of Charity, you’ll find many ways to help the Long Beach community and the planet at this club. More for Students Administrators and students meet in room 360 every Tuesday to talk about the needs of the less fortunate here at Wilson. Sophomore, Michael Ndubisi charters the More For Students club with the sole purpose of helping students. Ndubisi said, “There’s an overwhelming need for people to be fed around the world.” The brain that sparked this idea of a resource providing club is the Spanish teacher, Mr. Hollister. Ndubisi recognizes that asking for help is a hard thing to do but is ready along with his team to distribute things like snacks, food, and bus passes to students in need. Contributed by Adai Vidal
FASHION
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Students talk fashion during free dress week SAMANTHA BRANDTS & WIndsor McInerny Reporter & Features Editor
There Cindy stood, excitedly finalizing her purchase at the Guess store at her local mall. The jeans were perfect: the dark wash would go with everything, the hem ended at the perfect length right at her ankle, and the low rise fit was all the rage. Cindy decided to invest in the timeless bottoms because of the use for years to come. The jeans received good use for the next year, but when she went to the Guess store again, she noticed new jeans in the Guess window: high-rise, light wash, mom jeans. Soon, everyone around her was wearing these new style jeans, and Cindy was left to feel left out by her peers in a pair of last season low-rises. This same problem has been apparent for years, and even more visible in the competitive high school environment with most students striving to look at least halfway decent every day. At Wilson, even with uniform, students manage to exert the fashions and trends of the 21st century in their wardrobes. However, there are several students that step outside of the fashion norms and expectations that we face daily in order to form a more unique style. It was the second week of November 2018, a week that most students would tend to look forward to. The Bruins who decided to engage in the taking of the practice and real SAT exam earned the students of Wilson a free dress week. However, after interviewing a dozen or so stu-
dents during the free dress week, many Bruins expressed challenges and frustrations when given the choice to select their own non-restricted attire. My first few encounters with my fellow peers consisted of the teens guiding me through their thought process when creating their outfits, and investigating the area in which they gathered their inspiration from. Concluding from the resolution of my interviews, I came to comprehend that most students, or at the very least, girls at Wilson, grew their wardrobe to reflect their personalities.
Doc Martens are a popular shoe choice at Wilson Some Bruins found inspiration from online platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest, while others were influenced by the style choices of high status people. Along with the newer trends of the 21st century, the students of Wilson could also be seen drawing inspiration from previous generations. One student in particular was seen wearing flared pants inspired by the 70’s, and another Bruin was influenced by 80’s grunge with dark blue pants in plaid. The high-waisted fashion is now also a very popular recurring trend from the 1940’s,
which is a fact at fault to Cindy. Wilson is also seeing a rebirth of 90’s fashion in some students. Students gather inspiration from 1990’s shows and movies-- from Fresh Prince of Bel Air to Clueless. This is seen in overacessorizing hair clips and scrunchies, multicolored earrings, and statement necklaces. Students wearing baggy denim overalls, an array of school-girl plaid, or chunky platforms derive these pieces from a different time. All of the interviewees dressed in different combinations on tops and bottoms, but one style was particularly noticeable in the female population at Wilson: looser fitting bottoms paired with a tighter fitting top, or vise versa. The variation of bottoms included blue or black ripped jeans, looser fitting pants, or denim shorts. The top could be a patterned sweater, or a cropped spaghetti-strapped shirt to accompany the pants— a commonality of fashion seen on social media sites and magazines today. On another note, on the weeks we do not have the pleasure to wear free dress and remain with our normal and everyday cardinal and khaki clothing, one of the ways students set themselves apart is through their choice of footwear. One notable shoe that Wilson students seem to bring back every generation is the classic Vans slip-on shoe. With the comfortability, readiness, and ease of putting on the shoe, teens can be seen wearing them in every classroom. Another common footwear seen around the school is Doc Martens. In an assortment of styles from Mary Janes to combat boots, the shoes are notably dura-
ble and comfortable. Students abilities to express their individual senses of style, even with the dress code, is a prominent talent at Wilson. From accessories to shoes to hair styles, Wilson’s teens find ways to demonstrate their own character through fashion. One of the largest questions “how do people’s styles reflect their personalities?”. This question was answered by Bruins in several different ways, but the
main response was the hope for comfort, along with a hint of individual expression. “I wear bright colors to show my positive personality”, and “I’d like to say my style is very fun, and I’m a very fun, outgoing person”. In the end, Cindy caved in and bought the new trendy and hip mom jeans. She, like many of us, realized that she can still be individual, which sometimes includes an element of fitting in with the popular masses.
Grommet belts, a trend of the early ‘00’s, is back.
Different patterned pants, such as plaid, are now becoming in style again, as shown in the above picture.
Tony Buturovich (11) wears khaki pants and tan blazer, with white mock neck shirt, and leather shoes.
Zoe Infante (11) wears khaki cargos, with velvet slip-on vans, and chunky earrings with bright hair clips.
Distressed jeans add a casual look to an outfit.
Wilson High School Loudspeaker
Sports
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Girls Cross-Country take a big win
The girls varsity cross-country team smiles big as they pose for a picture after winning the Moore League Championships at Heartwell Park. Below, Lizbeth Sanchez and Madelaine Diaz race with fellow LBUSD students at the Moore League Championships.
RACHEL GARCIA Editor-in-Chief
Wilson’s Cross Country Team has had quite the season this year; beginning August 29, there were ten races total this year including the CIF and varsity races. The invitational races consisted of and started off with the Great Cow Run, Laguna Hills Invite, Dana Hills Invite, Central Park Invite, Southern CA Invite, and the CIF Prelims as well as Finals. These races took place every Saturday or so beginning September 1, with Moore Leagues taking place every Wednesday after beginning on September 26. Wilson’s first cross country Moore League took place at El Dorado Park in which the girls Varsity team won and took first place, beating Poly. The second Moore League took place on Oct. 10 at Signal Hill, where the Varsity and Frosh-Soph girls once again claimed first place, even after an accidental complication towards the end of the race. As for the Moore League finals, the cross country’s winning streak came to an end after coming in second to the Millikan team Oct. 31 at Heartwell Park, also bringing the cross country season to an official end, as well, on Nov. 10.
This year’s CIF took place in Riverside from Nov. 10 to Nov. 17, with the Cross Country team not pertaining the same luck as they did at the beginning of Moore League, those who qualified came in 18th place overall,
“It was a tough year, competition-wise” claimed three-year cross country runner and Junior, Jocelyn Diaz. Despite the CIF and Moore League finals results, the Cross Country team worked their very hardest this year and in
the end, this hard work paid off as they won the Moore League trophy for first place. A big congratulations to the Cross Country team, and a shout out to the girls’ team, as well, for winning two Moore Leagues this
year and in the process winning the Moore League trophy too. Once again this Cross Country season is over and the team has continued to prove just how withstanding its members are. Until next year Bruins!
Boys Water Polo wraps season with a 5-0 streak Mollie DOSTALEK Reporter
The Wilson boys water polo team wrapped up a big season on October 31. During the season, the Bruins cruised to a 5-0 league record, earning them the title as Moore League Champions for the 12th consecutive year. The Moore League winning streak has definitely displayed Wilson’s athletic achievements. On the last day of league play, they beat rival Poly Jackrabbits by a score of 19-1 to secure a perfect record. Other notable wins included their 11-10 victory against Servite on September 6 with a goal by freshman Hank Rivers in sudden death overtime and a 7-6 victory against Los Alamitos on October 6 in the S&R Invitational at Irvine. Games over the weekend did not stop the bruins. Unfortunately the Bruins successful season was cut short by a loss in CIF Southern Section Division 2 playoffs, but that does not deter Coach Nesmith who’s hopeful about next season after the impressive performance by the team. “It’s always going to be someone different that steps up,” Nesmith adds when asked what he took away from it all. In the end, it was chemistry and experience that brought the Bruins together, he praises. The success of the season began
to roll in after building the overall familiarity of the team. Building is another apparent theme echoed by the program, a skill needed for a successful season. “Definitely improving, getting better, building off last year,” he answered when asked about the off season and what the team is looking forward to most. The road to improvement and a Moore League Championship was tough and challenging, but brought a sense
“It’s always going to be someone different that steps up.” -Coach Nesmith Boys Water Polo Coach of excitement. Coach Nesmith overall hopes to lead his talented teams to success both in and out of the pool in the coming seasons. There’s no doubt that the Boys Water Polo team will show yet another stunning season next fall.
Senior Max Berg is ready to make a pass in the water at a varsity game against Los Alamitos. Bruins win the game for the S&R Invitational back in October.