WILDCAT UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
11800 Texas Avenue XCII Issue 4 Instagram: @wildcatpaper Los Angeles, CA 90025 Friday, February 16, 2017 wildcatpaper.com
Introducing Uni’s Posse Scholars
By Amy Oh & Nicole Kim The Posse Foundation scholarship program has been awarding outstanding students with four years of full-tuition Features Editors since 1989. With institutions in some of the largest cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, the Posse Foundation works to select the greatest applicants to send them into college with their very own “posse”, or a group of people who have a common characteristic or purpose. The foundation was established with the purpose of providing a group of students to provide emotional and social support while students leave home for college. Organized in groups of 10, these “posses” are sent to their dream schools with the opportunity to have friends and mentors who will last a lifetime. With various prestigious schools from all over the nation like Tulane, Northwestern, and UC Berkeley, students are provided with the opportunity to pursue their studies of interest at some of the top institutions in the U.S. Since its beginning in 1989, the Posse Foundation worked to provide $1.2 billion in leadership scholarships to thousands of students. This year, two Uni students, Akil Brown and Gomez Sandoval, were chosen as Posse finalists for Tulane University.
Gomez Sandoval
Q) What about Posse drew your interest? A) “I heard about it from a kid on the JV Volleyball team whose brother got in for Northwestern. Later, Ms. Van Norden held a meeting, and I decided that I’ll go for it even if I didn’t end up finding the right school. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity for a full tuition. I thought it was a really good opportunity in the long run if it worked out.”
Q) What do you think made you stand out as an applicant? A) “My test scores and my grades were strong, but I also thought I had a really strong personal statement. I had a few really good letters of recommendation from Ms. Orr and Mr. Paulsen.” Q) What are the different opportunities and benefits you have and plan on receiving as a Posse Scholar? A) “We get on campus support. We’ll have our group [posse] for support, and we willalso have a mentorship from someone on campus. We’ll also get full-tuition, and a huge alumni network we will be connected to, in which we can help people, and also receive help. We also get the chance to nominate people for the Posse scholarship, which is also very cool.” Q) Why did you decide to apply to Tulane? A) “I applied to Tulane because I thought the city was where I would want to be, and because Tulane has been on the rise. It also provided everything that I wanted, like a public health program, pre-Med, a film program, an environmental science program, a geology program, and possibly everything I want [to study].”
“I was just so excited. I said ‘I’m done. It’s set and I’m done’. It was such an exciting feeling.” Q) When you found out you were accepted, what thoughts did you have and how did you/family/friends react? A) “I was in the back of my car, going to dinner two hours after my final interview, and my mom and her friend, a really good family friend of mine, were so excited. They both started crying, and I was just so excited. I said ‘I’m done. It’s set and I’m done’. It was such an exciting feeling.”
Akil Brown
Q) What about Posse drew your interest? A) The fact that its goal was to diversify some of the most prestigious colleges in the country and its commitment to the students in terms of their success in college and their careers. Q) What do you think made you stand out as an applicant? “I think my experience in the community through leadership, public speaking skills, and my ability to get along with others made me stand out.”
Q) What are the different opportunities and benefits on receiving as a Posse scholar? A) Being a Posse scholar allows you to build long lasting relationships with like minded individuals. It also opens doors to many opportunities such as internships and traveling opportunities, all besides going to college with tuition paid for, of course! Q) What are you most excited about about as an incoming Tulane student and Posse Scholar? A) “I’m excited to meet new people and expand my horizons in a new environment, try out different activities and explore New Orleans.” Q) Why did you choose Tulane, out of all the other colleges/universities partnered with Posse? A) “Out of all the schools, Tulane seemed the most ideal—it’s in New Orleans, I have family there and I’ve visited before. It just resonated with me the most.”
“Posse opens doors to many opportunities such as internships and traveling opportunities, all besides going to college with tuition paid for, of course!” Q) When you found out you were accepted, what thoughts did you have and how did you/family/friends react? A) “I was really excited, but I had some doubts. Though the interview went really well, I was never a hundred percent sure that I would become a Posse scholar due to its competitive nature. Everyone was super excited for me [when they found out].” Find the SkaterCat within the newspaper!
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February 16, 2018
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
OPINION
By Mae Wang
Apple drains away the trust of customers
Entertainment Editor
On December 28, 2017, Apple posted a rare message on its website apologizing for administering software updates that purposefully slow down iPhones with older batteries, confirming long-held Reddit theories from iPhone users. Apple reasons the natural chemical aging deterioration of batteries established the need to purposefully slow down performance, such as app launching and scrolling smoothness through feeds, to prevent sudden shutdowns. However, the big issues lie in how the iPhone users should interpret the scandal and what it says about corporations with immense economic power. “At Apple, our customers’ trust means everything to us. We will never stop working to earn and maintain it,” Apple’s public apology states. However, it is undeniable for a big private corporation such as Apple that transparency is essential (if there is going to be trust between the buyers and a company). Although the lucid explanation of why Apple did what they did has its legitimacies, the plan executed was a violation of trust. Whether it comes from the federal government or the food we eat, transparency is the core of democracy— the core of stability and the people’s trusts; and Apple is no exception. Fortunate for Apple, the backlash from the public barely dented its place in the market. However, if the
people’s approach to the scandal is mild and forgiving, what can we say about future scandals from other corporations? Clearly, the iPhone throttling was purposefully greenlit by Apple’s executives, as there were no indications the scandal was conducted by any developing team acting out of line. Moreover, the official apology was not signed by Apple CEO Tim Cook, giving a small impression that Apple has more to hide. Apple’s actions can easily be perceived as a
CARTOON BY MAE WANG
way for customers to replace batteries for $79 or buy a new iPhone. People should perceive the incident as a serious problem of fraud and trickery. On the other hand, some say the update effects are unnoticeable, such as senior Chloe Rochmes. “I didn’t even know this was even an issue until I read about it. But now when I go to Schoology or social media, I find my battery at 50%. Apple should make the changes to make their customers happy,” Rochmes said. However, it can
be concluded Apple is not the same elite brand we can trust from the past. Furthermore, by keeping the planned obsolescence a secret, Apple faces many domestic and foreign attacks. Apple currently faces against investigations conducted by U.S., French, Brazilian, Israeli and Chinese authorities and consumer rights groups. In addition, France takes further political action, by the consumer protection agency of the finance ministry, through open investigations and lawsuits against Apple Inc., as intentionally shortening the lifespan of a product is considered illegal by a 2015 French decree. In the U.S., Apple faces at least eight lawsuits, filed in California, New York, and Illinois, one of them filed by Patently Apple. Apple may potentially face fines up to 5% of annual revenue, $999 billion fine in damages, and more. The misconduct of Apple should serve as a reminder that suspicious and harmful behavior in companies is not tolerable. Although the federal government may not have much power to regulate big companies such as Apple, the buyers do. If a certain standard can be demanded by the people, companies would, in turn, take fewer risks to take malicious tactics to gain more revenue and power. It all lies in our tolerance and awareness, as we live among the hidden corrupt.
Random searches fails to ensure campus safety
By Julie Han Opinion Editor
Earlier this month, a student from Sal Castro Middle School of Los Angeles’s Westlake District was seen escorted by police after a semi-automatic pistol went off and injured a teacher and several classmates. The police suspect that the shooting was a result of negligent discharge of the weapon. Fortunately, all victims are expected to reach full recovery. However, not all tragic cases are this promising. The recent shooting has resurfaced the debate over student protection policies; most popularly--random searches. According to the LA Times, LAUSD began issuing daily random searches in 1993, after a 16-year old student was shot and killed at Fairfax High School. Random searches are carried out in order to encourage safety on campus and are used as a measure of danger prevention. Although LAUSD began requiring mandatory daily random searches, many schools, including University High School, have adjusted these measures. The effectiveness of ran-
dom searches is questionable in regards to the well-being of students. Random searches are often seen as ineffective due to its inconsistent procedures. According to campus supervisor Marcie Murillo, at the beginning of the school year, searches are conducted every day. However, at this point of the year, searches can occur two to three times a week with two classrooms checked each chosen day. During the procedure, every couple of students are chosen to be searched (for example, every third student).This prevention method does not take into account the numbers of classrooms and students who are not searched. In addition, these searches often take time away from the students’ learning, and without any significant outcome. Most searches result in the confiscation of school supplies, such as markers and Witeout. These loopholes demonstrate that covering a small percentage of students from one single classroom is not enough of a safety measure to prevent the next campus panic. The school setting is a place to
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foster growth, not to instill fear into students. UCLA education professor states that “schools [begin] to look more like prisons where there’s a lot of surveillance…” Many students feel that a sense of trust is broken when the school administration searches them as the procedure can be frightening and confusing. This can lead students to fear the administration, and withhold peer-conflicts and news of weapons-on-campus from adults. “I am against random searches because they create an environment that treats students like convicts and is counter intuitive to a welcoming, learning environment,” states senior Steven Pineda. Searches also raise another unacceptable concern—targeting. Schools who report their searches to the District often do not include the type of classroom—regular, honors, magnet, AP, etc. The District has no evidence whether schools are covering all types of classrooms or partaking in classroom-discrimination. Random searches are not random when regular classes (non-AP, non-honors classes)—a large majority of students being identified
Editor-in-Chief ...............................................................Julie Yoo Bin Lee News Editor...................................................................Sebastian Orozco Opinion Editor.........................................................................Julie Han Feature Editor.......................................................Amy Oh and Nicole Kim Entertainment Editor...................................................... Jasmine Mentzer Sports Editor......................................... Ammy Alvarado and Mayra Lopez Photo Editor.......................................Paola Laris and Keyond Brown Cartoonist....................................................................Samantha Morales Video Editor.................................................Jonathan Becerra Writing Coach....................................................................... Journalism Adviser......................................................Zoe Byers
as Black or Hispanic—are targeted. Safety should be every school’s constant priority, however, random searches neither promote safety nor ensure it. The Fairfax High student who was charged with involuntary manslaughter stated that he brought a weapon for safety reasons when he and his friends were chased by older boys while waiting at a bus stop. According to the LA Times, the accidental 2011 shooting at Gardena High, which sparked LAUSD’s issue of mandatory daily random searches, occurred because the student brought a gun because he felt the need for protection. The reality is that random searches are not effective. Schools should focus their funds towards counseling, and pay justice towards mental health. Uni High has an onsite counselor, as well as a peer mediation program, where student-mediators will confidentially mediate peer disputes as a non-biased, third party. In addition, restorative justice needs to be promoted at Uni, and enforced in all schools. This will promote safety.
Wildcat Staff: Jaylen Deadmon-Hughes, Keily Giron, Sameen Hadiya, Donna Hakimbaba, Taylor Itagaki, Edina Kanshige, Kinsey Kanshige, Heidi Laubach, Briana Lee, Yolanda Martinez, Celeste Matthews-Farfan, Akila Mckenzie, Seyedamir Mehraban, Gregory Mendoza, Omar Middleton, Samantha Morales, Jafarri Nocentelli, Maxwell Obeng, Justin Reece, and Samuel Glover. . ************************************************
The Wildcat is a student-run, student-operated student-produced newspaper, which does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration or the school at large. Staff editorials represent the collectively agreed upon opinions of the Wildcat editors. All writers published in the Wildcat are protected under Calfiornia Education Code 48907.
February 16, 2018
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
NEWS
Slavery: is it Still relevant today?
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By Sebastián Orozco News Editor
The turn of the century back in 2000 marked the age of liberalism, technological advancements, medical miracles, equal rights, legalisation of same-sex marriage, and the creation of a global market. Opportunities rise here and there; you can carry a computer in your pocket, and at one point travel the Atlantic Ocean in 3.5 hours. But there’s one practice very relevant to the world that affects the lives of millions of children, men, and women daily. No, it isn’t religion, the internet, or Snapchat. It doesn’t get millions of views, likes, or comments. It doesn’t get critic, peoples’, or kids’ choice awards. It doesn’t even occur in the United States. Slavery is a practice that is very much alive and well, and the current number of people enslaved eclipses that of slaves in the U.S. up until the Civil War. According to the Global Slavery Index, in 2016 there were 2,936,800 people enslaved in North Africa and the Middle East. In comparison, in the U.S. census of 1800, there were approximately 893,602 people enslaved. There
are more slaves today than in the whole 400 year-long Transatlantic slave trade. The United Nations defines modern slavery as debt bondage, serfdom, forced marriage, and the delivery of a child for the exploitation of that child. Although slavery is illegal in every country in the world, there are very few economic sanctions and controls against it. In the U.S. alone, as
reports, “victims were identified as forced recruits in state and non-state armed groups, as victims of forced marriage and victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Foreign and local citizens were subject to forced labour and debt bondage in service sectors such as domestic work, cleaning, and as drivers and restaurant workers, as well as in construction, agriculture and mechanics.” “I don’t think enough is being done to combat slavery at this moment,” says junior Zina Baylis. “Until slavery is eradicated in every part of the world, then enough will have been done.” “I think the problem begins and ends with the consumer; companies like Nike are known for using forced child labour, but people still buy many as 17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. from them and use their products,” says junior every year, turning a profit of over $32 billion. Aaron Rovinsky. “Until the public makes a real The causes of such slavery are the result of very attempt as a whole to stop buying from them, poor people coming to the Middle East and North the problem will not go away. We’re not doing Africa with the promise of high-paying jobs and enough to combat slavery in the 21st Century.” state sponsorship. But, the Global Slavery Index
“I don’t think enough is being done to
combat slavery at this moment. Until slavery is eradicated, then it will be enough.” - Zina Baylis ‘19
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February 16, 2018
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
FEATURES
New Year, New ASB President As the end of the fall semester approached, so did the election of the new ASB president. With the forest fires in California pushing the election day further, the fate of the new President was unknown. But on Dec. 14th, 2017, the votes were counted and Alexa Pascual was elected Spring 2018 ASB President. The moment that Pascual found out she was president “it took some time for it all to sink in.” And she has very happy and excited that she has the opportunity. When senior Alexa Pascual decided to run for president, she was very skeptical about her campaign. She was not used to being in the spotlight and was nervous about putting herself out there. Running for president was a completely new experience for her. “I was not used to putting myself out there” she says and running for president was huge turning point for her. Pascual’s fellow peers and friends have helped her campaign on social meBy Paola Laris Photo Editor
dia and during school hour to spread the word about her candidacy. Her family was also supportive of Alexa and were proud of her for running for president. Pascual said “my peers were very supportive all throughout the election process.” Now that she’s in office, it’s time to get to know her and her plans for the future. Pascual has big plans for Uni now that she is president and hopes to fulfill them within the next couple of months. Her plan as president is to do her “best to continue implementing school spirit, through the use of events such as Uni Gras and the Uni Olympics, in hopes of creating memories to last a lifetime.” The advice that she has to those who want to run for the ASB elections is, “Be passionate about what you do. Don’t be afraid to put yourself in a position that you might not be 100% comfortable in, because it all works out in the end. Just remember that you are in high school once, and it goes by quickly so make the best of it.”
Photo Courtesy of Alexa Pascual
“Be passionate about what you do. Don’t be afraid to put yourself in a position you might not be 100% comfortable in, because it all works out in the end.” -Alexa Pascual, ASB President
Are New Year’s resolutions worth making?
By Keily Giron Staff Writer
Photos Courtesy of Pinterest Setting goals for ourselves is an essential step in creating an effective environment that can help us grow as individuals. While many believe setting goals can assist them in becoming better versions of themselves, others believe goals and resolutions are not always necessary to experience self growth. When deciding on resolutions to complete in the new year, the entrance into a new period provides greater hope for self-growth. However, some may argue that what many often find in their newly developed calendars during the beginning of a new year later turn into a battle of self doubt and a lack of commitment, creating barriers for one’s success.
Our inner thoughts are often the barriers we create for ourselves despite the drive we may have toward wanting to achieve a certain goal. When deciding on whether or not to study more to improve one’s grades or choosing a healthy alternative to a high-calorie meal, our inner thoughts always express what we want to hear; and therefore, we fail to succeed when we want to the most. Thus, resolutions are often fueled by our own inner criticism, centered on creating something more of ourselves in a negative way. When conducting an interview with ASB President Alexa Pascual, she revealed her own approach toward the real meaning behind New Year’s resolutions and its effectiveness. Although
she has always been a firm believer of New Year’s resolutions, Pascual stated, “I don’t believe they are guaranteed to work 100%, but they do provide a motivation for a fresh start because the hardest task is getting started”. While commitment may play a significant role in obtaining success, Pascual believes that commitment is not the underlying issue, but instead, she believes, “not knowing where to start is the greatest issue where others begin making drastic changes too quickly, overwhelming themselves and causing them to fall off the pattern they have created.” Ms. Eich, Uni High’s health teacher, believes New Year’s resolutions are important, stating, “it helps you refo-
cus your intentions for the new year.” With a positive approach toward the benefits goals can provide, Eich has decided to participate in the Whole Life Challenge allowing her to reflect on her goals, sharing that it has provided her with a retrospective view in each of her daily actions. Eich’s commitment to the challenge has resulted in a 5 pound weight loss and a greater outlook on her new lifestyle approach. While the key to lifestyle changes is always taking it one step at a time, it is essential to know the underlying issues that may cause one’s success to result in failure, and thus, question, are New Year’s resolutions worth making?
February 16, 2018
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UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
FEATURES
Celebrating Gabriel Orozco
By Julie Lee Editor-in-Chief
On December 28th, 2017, Uni lost a valuable teacher, coach, colleague, and friend. Spanish teacher and soccer coach Gabriel Orozco passed away at the end of last year due to cancer. Many in the Uni community remain in despair as they come to grips with the recent loss, remembering the great impact Orozco made on their lives. Former Wildcat Editor-in-Chief and Uni soccer player, Seth Roberts (‘08), contacted our Journalism staff to share his memories of the late Orozco. What makes a coach? It isn’t the whistle or clipboard. It isn’t the game day outfit. It isn’t even really about the in-game decisions and play-calling, although those are definitely in the job description. Coaching --really coaching, especially at the youth and prep levels-- requires something else, something deeper. Coaching requires devotion. Coaching requires dedication. Coaching requires love and joy and patience, and nurturing those feelings in others. When you’re blessed with a great coach, you know it. You just mpight not realize it soon enough to say thank you. I was lucky enough to play JV soccer for Gabriel Orozco for three seasons in the late 2000s. We won some, usually against Westchester and LACES. We lost some others, often to Venice or (shudder) Pali. We played games and tournaments and scrimmages all over Southern California, dividing the team between my dad’s minivan and Orozco’s zippy little sports car.
The games, for the most part, have blended together. Time will do that; wins and losses don’t really mean much. I remember other things instead. I remember the way he would stump up and down the sideline, shaking his head and muttering bilingual obscenities when someone --often me-- did something stupid. His knee was a wreck and made moving around painful and difficult, especially during long, wet February practices. But he never sat down, never stopped teaching, never let his leg keep him from pursuing that elusive city title. Gabriel Orozco taught me to never allow my weaknesses to get in the way of my dreams. I remember him using free periods to show live World Cup games in his classroom. The 2006 tournament featured a German midfielder named Bastian Schweinsteiger; Orozco thought this name was hilarious. I still can’t think about the player without hearing Orozco gleefully shrieking his name in a bad German accent: “Schweinsteiger! SchweinSTEIGER! SCHWEINSTEIGAAH!” Gabriel Orozco taught me to see the joy in the little things. I remember when he shoved an enormous book of Spanish verbs into my hands. He had bought it from his own pocket because I had been struggling in Spanish II and he
Photo Courtesy of Maria Lomeli
wanted to help. I remember when a teammate told him he had gotten accepted and was going to go to UCLA. He cried, and would spend the rest of the school year telling anyone who would listen about how Manuel was going to be a Bruin. Gabriel Orozco taught me to never stop learning. I remember when I told him last spring I was getting married. He said he was proud of me. Gabriel Orozco was selfless. He was kind. He was inspirational, brilliant, and a beautiful soul. He gave us everything. Coaches do that. Thank you, Coach. I miss you. – Seth Roberts (‘08)
He was kind. He was inspirational, brilliant, and a beautiful soul. He gave us everything. Coaches do that.
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UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
ENTERTAINMENT
February 16, 2018
Star Wars: The Last Jedi brings fans both fun and disappointment
By Taylor Itagaki Staff Writer
Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi premiered on Dec 14th bringing in huge crowds of fans to watch Director Rian Johnson’s take on Star Wars. Photo
As one of the most anticipated movies of 2017, Star Wars: The Last Jedi far surpassed expectations. Star Wars fans were lined up with their lightsabers, anxiously waiting on opening night(Dec 14). Writer-Director Rian Johnson did an astonishing job of continuing the popular movie series. The numbers prove that this film was a hit with the fans, producing $600 million at US Box Office. Still ranking no. 7 at the US Box Office after it’s 6th week of being in theaters, the 2 hr 30 min film was filled with intense battle scenes, new quirky creatures, and unexpected twists and turns. In The Last Jedi, many of the characters face their own conflicts throughout the story. Rey (Daisy Ridley) at-
tempts to learn the ways of the Force by seeking help from Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Rey’s capabilities scare Skywalker, which makes him weary of teaching her how to be one with the Force. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) has problems of his own with truly going over to the Dark Side. Finn (John Boyega) goes on a journey of his own with a new character, Rose (Kelly Tran), to attempt to gain access to Supreme Leader Snoke’s (Andy Serkis) First Order ship in order to help the Resistance. Classic characters such as Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), and Yoda (Frank Oz) make appearances in the Last Jedi too.
Fans were curious about what kind of role Princess Leia, now known as General Organa (Carrie Fisher) would play in this Star Wars film due to the actress passing in 2017. Many expected her to be killed off sometime during the film. However, General Organa remained alive until the end of the film, which has fans wondering what to expect next. Leia is a classic, iconic role in the Star Wars universe, leaving many feeling that her character should go out with a bang. Every Star Wars film has intense battle scenes, but Johnson took it to the next level in The Last Jedi. The special effects were phenomenal and really brought the movie to life. Snoke’s henchmen fight with new types of lightsabers, making their fighting scene even more exciting to watch. Pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) constantly leads exciting starfighter attacks in the film. Let’s just say that there’s an action-packed scene around every corner. Unfortunately, there are some downsides to the newest Star Wars film. At 2 hrs 30 min long, it does suffer from pacing issues. The second act of the film consists of three separate plotlines, which could make viewers bored because you have to
wait for your favorite plotline. There’s the Luke and Rey scenes, Poe’s spaceship escape scene, and the scene where Finn and Rose are in the Canto Blight casino. Ultimately, its weaknesses are minor compared to its strengths. With Johnson introducing controversial ideas in The Last Jedi, he did a great job, making many Star Wars fans anxious for the following film. Making the main character a female was a bold move because that’s never been done in any of the previous Star Wars films. Women empowerment has been a growing movement in recent years so I’m sure girls all around the world were happy to see Rey holding such a powerful role. Fans must have many questions and thoughts on Johnson’s decisions. Such as, after finding out that Rey’s parents aren’t related to the Organa/ Skywalker family, how is she showing characteristics of a Jedi? What does this mean going forward? Or if Snoke was supposedly the reason for Rey and Kylo Ren’s psychic connection, why do they continue to have this connection after the death of Snoke? These things aren’t clearly explained in the film so fans are hoping the following film provides clarity. 5/5 stars
Daisy Ridley as Rey, one of a new generation of heroes introduced in “The Force Awakens.” Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Black Lightning strikes the small screen By Akila Mckenzie Staff Writer
In the past several years The CW has developed many shows surrounding superheroes based on the DC comic book universe. However, the networks most recent show stands apart from the others. “Black Lightning,” which premiered Jan. 16th, is The CW’s first dc comic tv show to follow a Black superhero. The series follows Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams), a retired superhero with the power to create electricity. Pierce dawns his costume once again after his daughter, Jennifer Pierce (China Anne McClain), gets into trouble. “Black Lightning” is set in Freeland, a city tormented by a gang called The 100. This becomes the catalyst for the plot. Pierce is a principal at the local high school. His daughter Anissa Pierce (Nafessa Williams) is a high school teacher and an activist which creates animosity between her and her father. Jennifer is a track star and is often annoyed by everyone’s perception of her as perfect leading her to secretly rebel. As a result she gets
caught up in The 100 prompting Jefferson to save her as Black Lightning. Overall “Black Lightning” was underwhelming. The plot is interesting but poorly executed. The show has a few good moments but overall is dull. The action parts of the show are few and far between and even those are not very exciting. It seems as if the writers were attempting to give so much backstory and setup for the show in a little amount of time. Although the backstory is needed, too much of it at once achieves nothing but forty-two minutes of boredom. The dialogue is unrealistic and cheesy. Despite this, the actors do fairly well at portraying their characters. However, “Black Lightning” does have potential. The show attempts to discuss issues that the black community faces such as racial profiling. There are a few brief moments of humor and suspense. As the show continues, hopefully it will become more interesting and compelling. 2/5 stars
“Black Lightning” follows Jefferson Pierce as he returns to crime fighting as superhero Black Lightning. Photo Courtesy of The CW.
February 16, 2018
ENTERTAINMENT The Shape of Water Review
Photo courtesy of Fox.
The Shape of Water is a moving film about a mute janitor who falls in love with an aquatic creatute.
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UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
The Shape of Water is a wonderfully weird and beautiful film that only director Guillermo Del Toro could pull off. It’s doubtful that any current Hollywood director could execute the film’s fairytale premise with such grace, style and class. For those unaware, the film follows Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a mute janitor who befriends and eventually falls in love with an amphibious man (Doug Jones) who has been captured and subject to government testing as he defies all known laws of man. Essentially it’s a “Beauty & The Beast” story except The Beast is naive and unfamiliar with society rather than abusive and rude. The performances in this film are fairly remarkable. Sally Hawkins manages to convey a vast array of emotions using nothing
but her body language, her face and sign language; comparatively, so does Doug Jones (frequent collaborator with GDT) as the amphibious man, albeit behind hours and pounds of makeup and prosthetics. Michael Shannon once again proves that he’s a force to be reckoned with in his turn as Strickland, the government agent who captured the amphibious man and struggles to get the job done. Even though Strickland is vaguely racist, very sexist and has a hollow sense of his own masculinity, you begin to empathize with his frustration. Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer do fantastic jobs as Elisa’s best friends and confidants, who are there to help her and communicate for her. The film takes place in the 1960s, which is a bad time to be gay and a person of color.
By Justin Reece Staff Writer Jenkins’ character being gay isn’t revealed until a third of the film and isn’t really addressed after that, although it does shed light on his relationship with his former work partner. Spencer plays a fairly comedic role, but most of the comedy comes from her semi-stereotypical relationship with her husband; aside from that her race is typically used to vilify other people.
The Shape of Water is a great modern fairytale, that tells a beautiful story of acceptance, flaws, and love. It is the escapism we so desperately need in this day and age. A must see, especially if you’re one of those people who cares about The Oscar. Rating : 5/5
Reflecting on the reality of Black Mirror
By Donna Hakimbaba Staff Writer
Black Mirror is an anthology series on Netflix that has become quite popular since the release of its fourth season on Dec. 29, 2017. The title alludes to the “black mirrors” that we see constantly in our everyday lives: the screens of our cell phones, laptops, and TVs. Each episode stands alone as its own story and features its own cast, but the overall show takes place in a futuristic world in which the effects of technological advancements can sometimes do more evil than good. The incorporation of horror and gore sets a very dark tone. The show plays on the common fear that technology will soon take over every aspect of our lives and cause a dramatic shift in our morals, lifestyles, and relationships. In the first episode in Season 3, people use their phones to rate their interactions with others on a five-star scale. This causes many people to form relationships with high status individuals solely to boost their own ratings, which also affect their social status. Although we live in a time in which reputations matter a great deal and some of our relationships may be ingenuine, the idea of physically rating other people seems ridiculous and unrealistic. Assuming that these technologies were created in the future, however, the fear of such ad-
vancements is certainly valid. The first episode in Season 2 features a technology that can clone the voice, personality, and eventually the body, of a person who has died in order to help a mourner cope with their loss. As demonstrated in the episode, this greatly tampers with one’s mental and emotional stability. Since the clone is merely a replica that lacks true human emotion, the mourner experiences a noticeable disconnect that never fully satisfies their longing for the person they lost. It’s important not to overthink the scenarios presented in shows or movies like Black Mirror. Through- Photo courtesy of Netflix. Black Mirror was originally a British televsion show that aired in 2011 out history we see a variety of interpretations of the future, but they and 2013, and was then purchased by Netflix in 2015. are almost always exaggerated and inaccurate. We should instead focus which each contain 3-6 episodes. It is also easy to on how our current technology has made so many follow along, as each episode is unrelated to the positive changes in our society and remember not previous one. It is unknown whether a fifth seato abuse that power. son will be created, but the producer of the show Overall, the show is a quick and interesting has claimed to be interested in doing so. watch, as there are currently only four seasons
“The Post” Jab
In today’s political climate, being a reporter is like being in the rainforests in Vietnam: an air of uncertainty constantly looming over you, tightening your grip on the First Amendment’s promise. Censorship brought to America on the Mayflower has since reared its ugly head in incidents such as the creation of The Office Of Censorship (1941), the invasion of Grenada, and possibly most strongly in the landmark court case New York Times Co. v. United States in which the Nixon administration accused two papers of treason for publishing classified information about U.S. intentions in the Vietnam War. The events leading up to the historic event are depicted in Steven Spielberg’s 2017 drama “The Post.” Meryl Streep stars as the Washington Post’s then publisher, Katharine Graham. Graham inherited the paper after her husband Phil committed suicide
By Jasmine Mentzer Entertainment Editor
and was given the impossible task of putting the livelihoods of her and her employees on the line in order to serve the people of America the honesty they deserved. In the end, the court ruled in favor of the Post and the Times but this was a turning point in the battle against censorship, or so we thought. Fast forward to 2018 and the U.S. in its second year of the four-year presidential term, Donald J. Trump has, on several occasions, suggested aggressive censorship of the free press. Just like the systemic sexism strewn throughout the movie, not many efforts have been made to stop it. Challenging the authority of the president is a risky move, as seen in the film. “The Post” is a direct jab at the republican leader’s methods and should serve as a starting point in the full force battle against the misuse of administra-
tive power. Meg Greenfield (Carrie Coon), relaying the Supreme Court’s opinion on the case states that “The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” The people of the United States deserve a free and honest press that supplies the most candid, raw information possible. Surrendering the free press to tyrannical rule will be one step closer to a complete dictatorship which is a blatant contradiction of the supposed American ideas of democracy. No longer can the press stay silent. No longer can readers and viewers alike accept anything less than the full truth. No longer can we, as journalists accept what is being done unto us as law. As Kay Graham states, “News is the first rough draft of history” and we must write the truth.
Page 8
SPORTS
Boys’ basketball gets clutch win over Crossroads By Omar Middleton Staff Writer
Uni pulls out intense, wire-to-wire 70-67 victory over Crossroads and 5-star recruit Shareef O’Neal, Daisone Hughes finishes with 31 points. Arguably one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of this school year, on January 9th, 2018 the University Wildcats boys basketball team tippedoff against Crossroads and five-star Arizona commit Shareef O’Neal. Playing against a team that boasts a five-star recruit can be intimidating, but the Wildcats went into the game like any other. “We approach every game the same. While I’m well aware of Shareef O’Neal’s credentials, it doesn’t change our approach,” said Coach Steve Ackerman. Playing against a player such as O’Neal can cause problems on the defensive end. “We need to decide whether we limit his scoring, and allow the other players to beat us, or limit the other players and only concentrate on one. It’s a very unique challenge,” said Coach Ackerman. However, the Wildcats were seemingly able to do both in a wild game for the ages. The Wildcats got an early lead, with a barrage of threes put up by junior guard Nicholas Smith, and senior guard/captain Daisone Hughes. Hughes continued to score from beyond the arc for the duration of the half. However, the Roadrunners seemed to have their own offensive answer for each of the Wildcats buckets, leaving Uni with a scarce but well earned 39-38 lead at the end of the first half. The Roadrunners continued their attack going into the second half, and things began to turn bleak as the Roadrunners attempted to pull away early in the third, and jumped to a 47-43 lead. However, the Wildcats continued to fight, and sophomore forward David Cheatom Jr. added several deep drives and finishes into the paint. On the defensive end, the Wildcats began to successfully stop the ball stops, and cause turnovers, opening the gates for Hughes to
Rise of the girls’ soccer team
By Keyond Brown Staff Writer
Senior Richard Wilson attempts to pass L.A.C.E.S defender. photo by: Ammy Alvarado University wins against L.A.C.E.S on Jan. 17 with a score of 70-53 hit a three at the buzzer to put Uni up 59-56. Headed into the fourth, the Wildcats used the momentum from their late third quarter run, locking in on defensive and crashing the boards on both sides of the ball. Although the Roadrunners continued to answer back with and-one finishes, and drives to the rim. Hughes drained more timely buckets from deep, and continued to get to the basket and foul line, edging the Wildcats closer and closer to victory. While Hughes clutch treys and drives played a tremendous and hefty role in the Wildcats run to victory, the most clutch and crucial play however, came from none other than senior guard Rashon Crutcher. With 48.8 seconds left in the game, and the score in the Wildcats favor, 70-67, Crutcher played lockdown defense on an attempted fastbreak by the Roadrunners, and forced an opposing player to cough up the ball. With 30.1 seconds left, the Wildcats got the ball in their court, and Hughes was fouled and took a trip to the line, but
came up short on both attempts. The Roadrunners were given a final opportunity to tie the game, and the ball was dumped to Shareef O’Neal off of a baseline cut to the three point line. However, the shot was well defended, and O’Neal’s jumper came up short, ending the game at 70-67, Uni. Students stormed the court. You could feel the victory and pride in the air that night. “Every night, we come in the gym no matter the team thinking like, ‘who are you?’ ”said Hughes at the end of the game, after finishing with 31 points.“I owe this victory and scoring performance all to my teammates for setting me up,” continuted Hughes. Senior guard Rashon Crutcher explained his mentality on his crucial defensive play, stating, “I just locked in, and focused on the main goal which was getting the win, and doing it no matter the cost.” Sophomore forward David Cheatom Jr. also added 16 points, in what will go down as arguably the greatest basketball game this school year.
Boys’ Soccer in good form down the stretch By Sam Glover Staff Writer
Boys soccer has started the season successfully, with opportunities to improve during the second half of the season. The team stands at a 114-6 overall (W-L-D), and are 3rd in their division. Coming into the season, the team wants to win the CIF for their division. There are high expectation after last year’s disappointing season, but Senior Captain Marvin Ralac believes, “The team this year has become more aggressive. Opposing teams have to put up a fight if they want to beat us”. This assertion seems to be accurate as of now, for the team is in second place, only behind Palisades in the standings. One reason this success can be credited
February 16, 2018
UNIVERSITY HIGH WILDCAT
to their deliberate approach to practicing the team has taken this year. The large amount of seniors on the squad contributes to this new mindset, “Us seniors are the role models of those younger. By playing our best and taking every practice seriously we show everyone else what is expected of them,” Ralac continues. With seniors taking a leadership role, it promises to be a good foundation for future teams. The team has had a recent run of good play halted by a stubborn Palisades team. After initially having the lead in the first half, the team conceded 3 goals in the second half to lose by a score of 3-2. “We are obviously dis-
appointed about the loss. We closed our eyes for five minutes and that was the game,” said Senior Captain Bradley Gamez. “I am confident for the next few games coming. We need to win so we can get home field advantage,” he continued. Despite that result, the morale of the team is upbeat. When they bring it all together, they have an energetic offense, and solid defense that can compete with anyone they play. The playoffs begin February 15th, and the team is still in a good position to make an impact. If they can stay consistent, and can win the remainder of their season, they will be poised to make a deep run that can do some damage.
This year, Uni High’s girls soccer team is on the rise and improving each day. Last season the girls ended with a record of (4-15-2), having lost 15 games and only managing to tie two the girls were fired up to improve this season. All of their energy really paid off. During pre-season the girls were doing really well, with seven consecutive wins. Their season started off shaky but they found their footing quickly and won against Fairfax and L.A.C.E.S. After, the team faced difficult games against Hamilton, Fairfax, and Palisades. But went in to these games with a strong and together mentality. Unfortunately they couldn’t keep up the streak for the next few games but they didn’t let this bring them down. Many players were enthusiastic about the way season was going. “For all the years I’ve played soccer at Uni, this is by far the best record we’ve had. In previous years we were only able to have about 2 to 3 wins but in this year we already have 9 wins!” Senior Kaley Wong said. The team this year seems to work well together because of the strong chemistry they have. “The chemistry on our team is really good, we’re all close and good friends and we bond over stupid things.” Wong said. The improvement to 9 wins is a drastic change in the atmosphere of this team. They seem unified and work together to improve as a whole and its truly remarkable. “Soccer is a team sport and there is no one individual who can carry the whole team,” Wong continues. While there are lots of individual talent on the team, the girls as a whole plan to continue to work and stay together. The girls team finished league with a solid overall record of 10-11, and won their final game against L.A High. They have their first playoff game today, Feb. 16, at Sylmar High School. Be sure to wish them luck!
photo by:
Freshman midfielder Luis Jimenez kicking up the ball during home game against Venice High School resulting in a tie.
Ammy Alvarado
photo by
Ammy Alvarado