Upcoming Educational Events

Features

Jason Zhu
Editor-in-Chief

As Benjamin Franklin once stated, an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. With this goal in mind, various groups around our campus have come up with their own solution and have organized events to ensure educational success, academic achievements and that students and parents are making the best investments for the future. Take a look at what each has to offer!
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Jessica Yee
Copy Editor

The Eighth Grade Orientation is the annual event in which students from each elementary school visit the campus and gage the clubs of Alhambra High. With the event fast approaching, Alhambra ASB is preparing for an efficient and thorough process. Eighth graders will visit on Feb. 10 with high prospects of Alhambra High School’s campus and culture. On the gym floors, All Male, All Female and Cheer will showcase Alhambra’s successful dance teams. Band, Color Guard and Choir will also perform in front of the Class of 2021.

From there, students will be guided in a tour around the campus by ASB members. Students can even look around inside classes to get a feeling of the classrooms. The process of the Eighth Grade Orientation could also aid in an incoming freshman’s decisions with regard to their 2017-2018 class schedule. The event gives eighth graders exposure to the high school environment and the different activities they can join. Furthermore the visitors will learn the Moor Clap, which expresses and incites school spirit. With the help of pamphlets and presentations, students can look forward to starting their high school careers.
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Celebration of Learning
James Reyna
Staff Writer

As second semester begins, Alhambra ASB prepares to show off this year’s Celebration of Learning event. Parents begin to look forward to seeing classrooms and hearing from teachers about their child’s progress in school. New parents will be able to become more familiar with the campus and meet some of the teachers that educate their child every day.

Celebration of Learning will start at 5 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m. Band will be hosting a spaghetti dinner that starts at 5 p.m. Participating in the dinner will help raise money for new band equipment. Tickets will be sold by band members. for $5 each. In addition to the spaghetti dinner, there will be a club fair on Third Street for clubs to advertise and recruit more members.

“ASB will try their best to make this [event] the best it can be!” ASB member Dasani Zavala said. The celebration takes place on Feb.16, so make sure to save the date.
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“Robotics Academy meetings are every Tuesday after school in A29. Robotics Academy offers students the opportunity to learn how to build and program a robot. MESA encourages all students that are interested in the STEM field to participate. Talk to Ms. [Beverly] Goldin if you are interested.” – Alexandria Vasquez, MESA President

“Math Madness is taking place in March this year. We reformed the competition structure from last year, expanded it into five divisions and added several side competitions. The reform is for the competition to adapt to the Common Core curriculum and to be more inclusive regarding the type of competitors we take in. The purpose is for students from the three schools to exchange educational values and exhibit their academic interests.” – Cindy Luo, Math Olympiad President

“Eighth grade orientation is one of ASB’s important events that will help promote the opportunities held in Alhambra High School. We will have a planned route lead by an ASB member followed by an 8th grade group. Clubs will also be able to use this opportunity to feature and advertise themselves to future prospects as well.” – Emily Lee, ASB Director of VAPA

Quotes collected by Vicky Lam

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Varsity Boys Basketball Ends Their Season

Sports

KENNY LAM

Staff writer

ERIC HUANG

Sports Editor

On Feb. 15, the Alhambra boys varsity basketball team fell to Twentynine Palms High School in their preliminary CIF match-up with a score of 83-60. This marked the end of their run in CIF playoffs as well as the ending of their 2017 season. For the team, this season came with high expectations. After narrowly losing the league title last season, the squad entered this year with a chip on their shoulders. Through it all, the Moors have managed to fight battle through injuries and finish the season with a 4-6 record, placing them fourth in the Almont League.

“This year was different because we had expectations of ourselves,” senior forward Jason Trang said. “We knew we were playing for a title.”

With these expectations in mind, the Moors entered the season ready to prove to the league that they were a team to be reckoned with. Being the tallest team was something that the coaching staff hoped to use to their advantage. Alhambra, however, did not begin the season the way they had expected to. Having lost their first couple games, the Moors found their season goals out of reach. As the season progressed, injuries also played a significant part in the team’s performance.

“Despite our record, we had many challenges such as injuries and team problems that we needed to overcome,” Trang said.

Despite these setbacks, the Moors managed to regain their momentum and finish the latter part of their season strong, beating League teams such as Bell Gardens, Mark Keppel and Montebello to secure their spot in the CIF playoffs. For the seniors, these games had been the last of their high school career. Throughout their hardships and determination, the team was able to truly bond in a special type of way.

“On the court, my teammates had the biggest impact on how I carried myself,” senior forward Rodger Lee said. “They helped me stay confident when I lost my rhythm, and made sure that it was also important to be fun and creative on the court. I would advise the younger players to always play confidently and don’t let other’s criticism deter their love for the game.”

These were the last words of Lee as he hung up his Alhambra High School jersey for the final time. Nonetheless, these athletes pulled through in the end to accomplish their goals taking them to CIF. Though they did not make it far through the CIF competition, the team still showed us what it truly meant to be a hardworking and determined Alhambra Moor.

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JV Boys Soccer Triumphs in Final Games

Sports

ANTHONY NASSER

Staff Writer

With their season coming to a close, the JV boys soccer team is attempting to do this in their daily practice. Throughout their season, the team has progressed and improved together to get the most out of their individual skills. Compared to the beginning of the season, the team’s communication has dramatically grown.

“[We were] expecting a better start in the beginning of the season,” sophomore JV Captain Kristopher Delapara said. “We recently lost a few games but [we] are now on a win streak. Hopefully we are able to end the season strong.”

The team has had a variety of good and bad games throughout the season. Their overall record currently stands at 9-6-2. With only a few games left in the season, it is important to the team that they maintain this record.

“Hopefully our team continues to improve for the short remainder of the season,” sophomore JV Player Bryan Albarran said. “We shouldn’t let a loss discourage the spirit of the team. We still have much to improve [on] but I am confident that we can end this season on a good mark.”

The team’s most recent away game was against Mark Keppel High School. Due to their methods of learning and training, Alhambra managed to win with a score of 2-1. They also won the previous home game, which was also against Mark Keppel.

“We focused a lot on shooting and set pieces in [practice],” Delapara said. “In our most recent game, we used these tactics to get us the win.”

The team is still working hard to ensure that their season ends on a good note. Hopefully it all pays off in their last game on Feb. 9 against Bell Gardens High School.

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Progression of Nonviolence Movements

Features

Jessica Yee
Copy Editor

As Black History Month comes around the corner, it is important to recognize the role that nonviolence has played in the advancement of human rights, particularly the rights of African Americans. From Henry David Thoreau’s refusal to pay his taxes in anti-slavery sentiment to the Women’s March on Washington in celebration of diversity, many people of various times have espoused nonviolence to progress their cause. To fully understand nonviolence, though, it is essential to look at its history and its application today.
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No Violence, No Problem
Vicky Lam
Staff Writer

There have been numerous supporters of nonviolence throughout history. Some of these supporters have risen to become leaders of nonviolent protests, showing the true power of peace for revolution.

Cesar Chavez, a farmer who fought for the rights of poor workers since the 1960s until his death, stressed peaceful approaches for any issue. Chavez successfully raised salaries and improved working conditions for planters in California through nonviolent strikes, which inspired worker unions to take action.

Another prominent leader of nonviolence is Nelson Mandela. Mandela was a global advocate of human rights since the 1940s, according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. As a member of the African National Congress , Mandela conducted peaceful protests and resistances against an oppressive regime in a racially divided South Africa. He helped brought an end to the apartheid.

Along with these two figures, Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the most recognized nonviolent leaders. The Nobel Prize Foundation acknowledged King for using nonviolent civil disobedience to fight against segregational policies against the black minority, preaching for equality between all races.

Despite facing hardship, all three leaders believed in the same thing—a peaceful resolution is key to obtaining justice.
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Nonviolent Movements in Alhambra
James Reyna
Staff Writer

Peaceful protests have been around for a long time and are an amazing way to get a message across without having to resort to violence. Many nonviolence movements have been held in numerous locations around the world, including Alhambra.

On March 15, 2011, teachers at Alhambra High School protested teacher layoffs. According to members of the Alhambra Teachers Association (ATA), teachers did not receive notices before being laid off. The ATA gathered outside of Alhambra High School to protest the unfair treatment of its teachers. They handed out flyers and urged parents to support Governor Brown’s proposed balanced state budget, which explains that the educational system has taken an unnecessary amount of teacher cuts.
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Strongest Weapon: Tolerance
Samantha Lanzo
Staff Writer

Nonviolence comes from the belief that hurting people, animals or the environment is unnecessary to achieve an outcome. Although there is a huge history of violence in the past, there is also a history of nonviolence. Along with that, there are many people who helped cause nonviolence such as Ghandi or Chief Joseph. Nonviolence is a great life philosophy and method for taking action in the world.

With the idea of nonviolence connecting to pacifism, it helps people to unite together without anyone getting hurt. Nonviolence also allows people to fight without fighting doing things such as boycotting, marching, striking and participating in sit-ins to provoke social conflict.

One person in history who managed to succeed with a nonviolent act of justice was Rosa Parks. On Dec. 1, 1955 Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, AL, and sparked the American Civil Rights movement of the 20th century. Nonviolence as said by Martin Luther King Jr. is truly a powerful weapon which cuts without wounding people and honors the person wielding it.

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Little Team Packs a Punch

Sports

BRIANA THAI

Staff Writer

For the last two years, Alhambra High’s varsity wrestling team has placed in the top three in the Almont League. The team has gotten smaller over the years, but this little team packs a big punch. All 12 of the team members have qualified to compete at the preliminary rounds of CIF championships.

“Our team has done great,” senior captain Brandon Ly said, “We have 12 wrestlers and eight are new or first year wrestlers. [We are hoping to] recruit more wrestlers for a full lineup [14] next season.”

To ensure they represent themselves well, the team practices every day after school from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. For the first two hours of practice, the team primarily focuses on mastering drills, such as jap whizzards, lateral drops, hip tosses, back drops and high crotches. During the last 30 minutes they practice their new moves and wrestle with each other.

“We have really good team chemistry because we all share the same goals and motivations,” junior Waidat Hin said, “[The team] bonded a lot during the season through tournaments, getting food and hanging out after practices.”

The team won second place in the Almont League, trailing behind Montebello High School. They are continuing to practice for their upcoming CIF match on Friday, Feb. 17.

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JV Girls Basketball Persists Through Season

Sports

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LISA PHUNG

Staff Writer

As their season comes to an end, the JV girls basketball team is holding more wins than losses. Currently, the team holds a winning record of 15-3 which proves that the countless hours of practice paid off.

Every week, the girls have been going over their plays and learning new ones to keep them updated and strong to counter the other teams in the league. They have also been training in a wide array of skills as well such as ball handling, strategy, teamwork and other areas they think they lack in. Learning new plays every week is a big part in their growth as a team. These skills help them overcome challenges they face on the courts such as decision making and communication. Additionally, the girls have also been building on their overall friendship as a group in order to keep a stronger bond on the courts and improve on their communication.

“My biggest challenge on court is taking things at a slower pace and working on decision making,” junior Guard Sandy Nguyen said, “I will overcome this with time on the court and with practice makes perfect.”

The girls are determined to win their last few games. They hope to keep up with their high intensity practices as they prepare to compete with other schools.

The Lady Moors’ next home game is today against the Aztecs.

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New Man in Charge

Features

Vicky Lam
Staff Writer

As another individual steps up to take his place as President of the United States, an inauguration ceremony will enact the transfer of power between presidencies. After the lengthy campaign period, President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20.

An inauguration commences a new four-year term of a president as well as celebrate American democracy. The traditional ceremony is always attended by many Americans including governmental officials and the outgoing president.

Once the celebration is over, Trump will officially take the office as President of the United States.
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Jessica Yee
Copy Editor

President-elect Donald Trump told voters as a part of his campaign promise that he would “drain the swamp” at Washington, D.C. However, many of the President-elect’s cabinet picks have shown otherwise. So far, Donald Trump has made selections that would appease the wealthy donors that contributed to his campaign.

For Secretary of Education, Donald Trump selected Betsy DeVos, an opposer of funding public schools. According to New York times, his E.P.A. Administrator will be Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma Attorney General who is a beneficiary of fossil fuel companies. Other picks have seemed to satisfy the Republican base, such as Elaine Chao for Transportation Secretary and Reince Priebus for White House Chief of Staff. Chao is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and had been the Labor Secretary during former President George W. Bush’s term. Reince Priebus serves as the Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

The most inflammatory of his picks, though, are Stephen Bannon for Chief Strategist and Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State. Bannon is known for his alternative right news website, Breitbart News, where he has shown his extreme and controversial views. Bannon has never held public office, which could be Trump’s way of thanking the voters seeking anti-establishment politicians. Rex Tillerson, on the other hand, is the President and Chief Executive of Exxonmobil who is rumored to have held close ties with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Furthermore, Donald Trump selected his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to be his senior aide. This pick is just one of many of his nominations with potential conflicts-of-interest.

Compared to the Obama administration, whose cabinet was mostly consisted of graduates from MIT, UC Berkeley and Harvard Law, Donald Trump has formed a cabinet of donors and establishment politicians—many of whom do not have experience in their respective positions. Donald Trump’s choices for his cabinet forecast a series of drastically different policies from the previous administration.
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Traditions of Inauguration
James Reyna
Staff Writer

he U.S. presidential inauguration is an American tradition that dates back to 1739. Many people are familiar with the events as the oath and the procession to the capital, but there is also some very obscure history behind it that many people do not know.

One of the most important traditions of the presidential inauguration is the presidential speech, or most properly known as the inaugural address. Every president knows of the importance of his or her inaugural speech and they should be working meticulously on making it a very memorable speech for the rest of the country.

Another inauguration ritual is the Inaugural parade. It is custom that the president and vice president, as well as their families, view the parade from an enclosed area on the North Lawn. The parade itself goes on for one and a half miles down Pennsylvania Avenue. The parade includes many civilian and military floats and acts from all 50 states. The tradition itself dates back to the Jefferson inauguration where musicians rode with Jefferson to the White House.

Every presidential inauguration is a historic event and the traditions that go with it are a huge part of American culture.
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A-List Artists Refuse to Perform
Jason Zhu
Editor in Chief

In light of the inauguration, Trump’s management team has sought out some of the world’s greatest musicians and artists. However, almost all of them refused to perform for fear of backlash or to stand against him politically.

Dozens of artists have declined the offer to be a part of the inauguration. This group includes the likes of Elton John, Celine Dion, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West. Most of the artists have seen an improvement in their net favorability among the public for their decision.
Among the first ones who rejected to attend is Sir Elton John. The British Pinball Wizard, in an interview with The Guardian, claims that he “[does not] want [his] music to be involved in anything to do with an American election campaign.” He also adds that he differs in political views with the new President-elect and assures the public the issue is not personal. John received one of highest approval from the public as his net favorability has increased by 11 percent based on a poll by Morning Consult/Politico. More importantly, John was invited to the inauguration by Trump’s event manager, hoping that a homosexual artist may improve the President-elect’s public image regarding LGBTQ issues.
As an overall trend, most of the artists and musicians who decided not to perform at the inauguration are approved by Democrats while the Republicans generally criticized. The rest of the artists who refused the invitation include famed Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli, DJ duo the Chainsmokers, pop artists Bruno Mars and Katy Perry, country singer Garth Brooks, producer and songwriter David Foster and hard rock band KISS.
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Fun Facts: The White House
Samantha Lanzo
Staff Writer

1) George Washington never lived inside of the White House.
2) It takes about 570 gallons of paint to cover the entire exterior of the White House.
3) It was not always known as the White House, originally it was known as the Executive Mansion.
4) John Adams was the first to live inside of the White House in November 1800.
5) The White House receives approximately 6,000 visitors a day.
6) The White House has six floors, two basements, two public floors and two floors for the First Family to use.

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Varsity Boys Soccer Claims a Winter Win

Sports

ANTHONY NASSER

Staff Writer

On Jan. 26, the varsity boys soccer team played against Bell Gardens High School. In the first half of the competition, both teams seemed to be evenly matched. With consistent defense and offense on both sides, the score remained at 0-0. This soon changed as the second half progressed.

“Our team [was successful] because we managed to get our act together and work hard to pull off the win,” varsity player Eduardo Flores said, “In addition, the continuous attempts to be [on] top paid off in the end.”

The second half was more eventful than the first, with offensive bursts from both sides. The Lancers scored a single goal while Alhambra managed to score 3. This made the final score 3-1 with Alhambra taking the win.

“Beating Montebello was a great achievement, but it isn’t the end,” varsity Captain Aaron Robles said, “We won the game due to alertness and aggressiveness. We just wanted it more and communicated well. The energy was there.”

The energy seems to have been there since the beginning of the season. The team’s league record is 2-1-1, while their overall record stands at 6-7-2. This shows their consistency throughout the season and the constant effort they put in to compete, whether it has been in their daily practices or during their games. Doing this may allow the players to have a successful end of their season and achieve the goals that they set out for themselves at the beginning of the season.

“It’s too soon to tell if the season will end well,” Robles said, “Our team has improved dramatically over the years, but we lack consistency. We play extremely well against the top teams in our league, but for some reason, struggle against lower tier teams. If we remain aggressive, humble, and hungry, this season should be a good one for us.”

The team has practice nearly every day, and through that they are working to improve themselves as much as they can.

Hopefully their work in practice pays off at their last game on Feb. 9 when they have a rematch against Bell Gardens High School.

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Varsity Girls Water Polo Treads Into the end of Season

Sports

ERIC HUANG

Sports Editor

Kenny Lam

Staff Writer

It was not always the best time in the pool, but the Lady Moors have fought through a tough season which is now coming to a close. On Jan. 25, the varsity girls water polo team played their second to last league meet of the season in their home pool against the Montebello High School Oilers. Having lost their previous two league games, the outcome of this game would decide whether or not they would be attending CIF playoffs. As the team drew closer to this crucial game, as well as the end of their season, they began preparing for what would be a battle to come.

The intensity of the game was prevalent in the opening quarter, mixed with a bit of uncertainty due to the presence of new referees. The Oilers scored their first shot early in the first quarter, but the Moors were not looking back. Through intense back and forth battles, Leslie Gutierrez of the Moors managed to score, bringing the game to a tie. As the first quarter wound down, the Oilers managed to score and ended the quarter up 2-1. The game started out close but in the second quarter, a mix of controversial calls came from the new referees working the game. Frustration built as a number of ejections were called.

“There were new [referees] and they seemed kind of biased,” senior wing Andrea Verdugo said, “We have never received so many ejections in a game before.”

The Oilers began the second quarter with a made shot, but the defense from both sides quickly picked up. The remainder of the second quarter saw a numerous amount of sprints up and down the pool, but none of the players had managed to score a goal. The first half ended with the Oilers ahead by a two point margin.

In the second half, the Moors played hard in an attempt to come back from the deficit, but their efforts were not enough. After watching Verdugo ejected from the game, the Moors saw that the game could not be won. After a late fourth quarter rally from the Moors, the Oilers ultimately won the game, 8-5. This meant that the team officially dropped out of contention for a spot in CIF playoffs. Through the loss, the team found some positives to build off of, such as the players’ continued perseverance and positivity.

“Our strengths are being able to support each other and always push through difficult moments,” senior Fiona Han said.

Although CIF is now out of the picture, the Moors have continued to battle through their season with tremendous effort. The team played their last game on Feb. 6 against Milken Community.

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How to Achieve Plan-tiful Goals

Features

Jessica Yee
Copy Editor

Looking back at many New Year’s resolutions, it seems that people’s lists are not so much lists of goals but of wants. Most people want to be more organized, more selfless and more well-rested, yet those are just words untied to any sort of commitment. What many people miss is a specific plan of action that would often turn wants into goals and goals into reality. A plan of action includes reflective analysis and sometimes smaller goals that hold people accountable. Starting there, it is easier to make better resolutions.
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Anti-Procrastination Revolution
Jason Zhu
Editor-in-Chief

It is common for teenagers to find themselves putting off important tasks and using their time inefficiently. Many people, especially high school students, suffer from procrastination at some degree. In order to conquer procrastination, one has to know what it is and how to identify it so that it will not chronically affect and stop one from fulfilling his or her potential.
According to psychologist Professor Clarry Lay, a prominent writer on the subject, procrastination occurs when there is a large time period between when people intend to do a job and when they actually do it. If a person is filling his day with low-priority tasks or waiting for the right mood or the right time to tackle an important task at hand, then the person is most likely procrastinating.
Procrastination is not something that can be conquered overnight. Breaking procrastination requires the adaptation of different strategies and persistence until the bad habits cease to exist. Disorganization can be solved through keeping a to-do list and setting time-bound goals while focusing on one task at a time. Large and seemingly-overwhelming projects can be dealt with by learning to break them into sets of smaller, more manageable tasks. More importantly, students should reward themselves after each completion in order to keep themselves motivated for more.
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Starting the Year Right
Samantha Lanzo
Staff Writer

When heading into this new year in such a rush, there are many things to think about alongside room for improvement and goals to strive toward that many people work to accomplish.
Some of these goals may be to become financially secure, lose weight and work on future careers. However, achieving these goals may not be as easy as they seem. Although it may be challenging and time consuming it can all be worth it.

According to Lifehack, people have kept their resolutions successful by following certain tips that kept them on the track to success. Some of these steps are to plan ahead, anticipate problems, write it down on paper, let people know about it to receive support and make congratulatory awards when certain steps toward the goal are met. These tips are very useful when trying to complete a goal because when planning ahead, it helps to get the necessary resources to ensure success.

However, when trying to achieve a goal it is also helpful to try and make a list of problems that might happen. When anticipating problems, they will be easier to solve when they do come around. Finally achieving the goal grants a feeling of euphoria and accomplishment, so always keep pushing toward that finish line regardless of any obstacles in the way.
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Benefits of Writing out Objectives
James Reyna
Staff Writer

Writing out plans as opposed to taking mental notes is a more effective way to remember tasks and objectives that need to be completed. Memory can fade and be forgotten over time, it is an experience many can relate to.

In everyday life, people have tasks that they need to remember such as homework, chores and appointments. According to the Positivity Blog, writing down thoughts is more reliable than taking notes mentally. By keeping a calendar or schedule people will be more mindful of their responsibilities.

Students attending Alhambra High School are given an agenda at the beginning of the year. Students should ask their teachers if they need an agenda; agendas enable students to keep track of what they need to do and stay organized. Some people also use the calendar app on their phone.

Using mental notes for every task will run the risk of forgetting and, therefore, missing out on some of the most important things in people’s lives.
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Trivia
Vicky Lam

After reading the articles, here are some topical questions to answer.
1) Which is the best planning method?
A. Going with the flow
B. Writing down and completing objectives
C. Waiting for the right moment
D. Thinking about success

2) What is the best way to stop procrastinating?
A. Breaking the task down to make it easier
B. Taking care of things other than the main task
C. Waiting to work under pressure
D. Taking a long nap beforehand to be more productive

3) What is the best way to create objectives?
A. Making mental notes
B. Telling someone to remind you
C. Creating an agenda
D. Writing one at a time then taking a break between each one
Answers: (1) B, (2) A, (3) C

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