October 13, 2011

51.2

INSIDE ASB defines club approval process

Feature Page 4

The New Trend:

Food Trucks

News Page 2

Granada Village local businesses Locals excited for new businesses opening at the Chatsworth shopping center.

Spirit Page 3

The Football experience

Experience Granada’s spirit at a football game, as told by one of our writers.

Entertainment Page 6

Reality TV

How reality TV in today’s society has warped our perceptions of what it takes to be famous.

Opinion Page 7

Working Teens?

Exploring the pros and con of teen employment.

Sports Page 8

Water Polo Boys water polo stives for greatness.

By Ahra Cho Despite more than 100 club applications this year, the Associated Student Body (ASB) approved only about 60 clubs. Following this denial of approximately 40 clubs, some students have been questioning the club approval process. “We had many more applicants than past years, which I think is the source of the controversy. There were more applications and many clubs had overlapping ideas, sowe had to deny more clubs,” ASB Club Commissioner junior Hiro Bower said. With a student body of over 4,000 students, ASB wanted to ensure effective management in terms of club supervision and regulation. “Our fundamental concerns were safety and security issues as well as ensuring Granada follows state and district guidelines,” ASB advisor Angela Soto said. Given wide-ranging opinions of the student body, ASB wanted to ensure a fair and objective approval process. “ASB has worked really hard and I think they did a great job. The important thing is that nothing was arbitrary. We didn’t want to deny clubs, but when we had to, we did, and it was based on a clear procedure,” Soto said. The overall basis for club approval was a club’s ability to represent students’ common interest, leadership skills, and productivity. The official decisions were made primarily based on the club constitutions and president interviews, which outlined the clubs’ purposes and values. The Club Committee also assessed club performances from past years and evaluated the potential of the newer ones. Seniority of traditional clubs, previous fundraising records, and successful execution of activities were all part of the assessment. On the other hand, several club presidents have expressed frustration over the alleged standards for club approval. “They [ASB] kept asking about the negatives during the interview. I tried to tell them that I emailed over 40 non-profit organizations, ordered 300 free sustainable seafood guides, and planned to work with Heal the Bay. Still, they said that the club doesn’t help Granada as a business. But this club isn’t just some high school cliché club. We try to make a difference,” senior and applicant for Marine Biology Club Autumn LaTour said. In order to facilitate the decision process, clubs with overlapping purposes were evaluated as a whole in order to determine which club would do best in the school

environment. However, some students do not believe that this broad grouping is applicable to the clubs. “The Marine Biology club may not be as active as other environmental clubs,” LaTour said. “But other clubs don’t teach about the harmful human impacts on the ocean or try to educate students about the majestic animals of the sea.” Additionally, ASB suggested several

out were the many students that benefit from these clubs,” senior Angel Olvera, who applied for the Entrepreneurs’ Club, said. Other applicants, however, understood the need for ASB to maintain a balance between clubs, students, and management. “I am actually one of the many students dissatisfied with the limit, but I understand. Also, if there was an overload of clubs on

Photos Courtesy of Melanie Janson

CLUB RUSH: Students gathered on the quad to learn about the clubs offered on campus such as junior council, art club, and the Toms club. clubs to merge together. In these cases, approved clubs were linked with denied clubs that had similar goals and purposes. Club officers were left to decide on the logistics of the merge. Although ASB believes that it has worked hard to minimize student dissatisfaction under these circumstances, some students remain disappointed. “It is the duty of ASB to expand the potential of the school, not limit it with arbitrary rules and guidelines. ASB made a great effort in appeasing club presidents that lost out, but the ones who really lost

campus there would be very little members in each club,” Junior Vice President and applicant for Youth Against Homelessness club, Majde Slebi, said. Even though not all applications were approved, “the clubs that have been approved have been working really well with each other and ASB,” Bower said. Officially approved GHCHS clubs have been participating in school-wide activities such as Club Rush and Homecoming parade rehearsals. “The meetings are going great. I hope the clubs do well this year,” Bower said.

WASC prompts school preparations

By Jane Pyeon Next spring, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) will visit the school in order to complete the six-year accreditation process. “The goal of accreditation is to validate the instructional and curricular programs as well as the school-site and communitybased support-services of California high schools,” English Department Chair Elisa Ragus said. WASC, as the largest accrediting commission for public and private schools in California, gathers school data, clarifies educational standards, analyzes student performance, examines the academic programs, and identifies critical areas for improvement. The public, universities, and the state department believe that accreditation is

very important because the process requires the school to analyze and reflect on its progress over the years. During its last visit in 2006, WASC gave the school a six-year review, the highest review possible. “GHCHS is a model example of the WASC process. But even a great school needs to pause once-in-a-while and gather evidence of its progress and identify areas of growth, need and improvement,” Ragus said. In order to prepare for the campus visit, the teachers, administrators, students, parents, and community members will be meeting throughout the fall to look over the criteria of WASC and write up a selfstudy report. To validate the report, the visiting team from WASC will be at the school in the

month of March. They visit classrooms as well as talk to students and staff. “The students are an important part of this self-study because the focus of WASC is to examine student learning; what they are learning and how they are learning. We are taking care of them, moving them forward, and preparing them for the future,” Ragus said. Students have recently been asked to fill out a reflective self-assessment in their classes to start them thinking about their learning process. This assessment is one way that students have helped to prepare for the WASC visit. “Nothing we do holds meaning unless the students benefit. We would like to inform the students of this process so that they can participate and share their experiences for this self study,” Ragus said.

02 news

October 13, 2011

Global History of Ideas adds a new course Shilpa Bonghir / The Plaid Press “GHI took what I learned By Shiva Jafaripour in my previous English classes Granada’s Global History of and used unique methods to Ideas (GHI) program has expanded broaden what I had already its curriculum this school year with learned as well as help me the addition of a grade 12 English understand unfamiliar mateclass. This is a continuation of last rial. Thanks to both the teachers year’s expansion, which included and this program, I will be able a Physics course for freshmen and to use my GHI knowledge English and United States History to succeed in college,” senior courses for juniors. Fernando Gonzalez said. All GHI classes have a split Students have requested an roster in which both Honors and AP GHI English course for College Preparatory (CP) students juniors as well as other courses. learn in one classroom setting. There are no current plans for The difference this year, expansion of the program at however, is that the new English this time, however. class has a split roster that is As of right now, the GHI comprised of Advanced Placement teachers feel happy with the (AP) and CP students. additions that have been made “Students requested AP and to build up the GHI program. some parents even called the “We feel satisfied with the school. Its popularity has driven expansion,” Ashley said. the changes. The students themMany students are generalselves have led the change,” GHI English teacher Celia Ashley said. GLOBAL HISTORY OF IDEAS: Seniors in the new grade 12 GHI English class perform a scene ly happy with the expansion as it is. They see that the school The different academic from William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.” is working to present students approach of GHI has resulted in as literature, drama, and philosophy. Furthermore, the GHI program offers an increased interest among students. “It’s different from other English classes. students a chance to gain an understanding with more opportunities. “I am very pleased with the expansion Since last year, the number of students in Class discussions develop speaking skills of the origins of democratic tradition and because I wanted an Advanced Placement GHI has risen by approximately 100, to a and the capability to analyze philosophidevelop global perspectives. total of 519 students. cally,” junior Todd Vogel said. It uses an interdisciplinary training option for English. I have been in GHI evWith the expansion of GHI, more Students are also able to acquire knowlapproach to promote higher levels of appli- ery year, and am happy that I didn’t have to students have taken the chance to experi- edge on past events and the contributions cation, evaluation, and research-based essay leave the program during my final year just to take AP,” senior Brooklyn Madrid said. ment with many different subject areas such they make to modern day literary works. writing.

UC and CSU make admission and tuition changes By Gary Zhang The University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) has implemented several new changes for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. A new UC admissions policy, which was approved in 2009, will take effect for students entering next fall. This policy allows an increase in the number of eligible high school students. Starting this college application season, SAT subject tests are no longer a requirement for the UCs. California students ranking in the top nine percent of their graduating high school class will be guaranteed admission, compared to the current four percent. Additionally, the UC system will admit the top nine percent of all California students. These two changes will result in a predicted statewide admission rate of 10

percent. Unfortunately, this will be a decrease from the current 12.5 percent guaranteed admission rate. UC colleges will be more selective as there is an increase in applicants and decrease in guaranteed admissions. Due to the impeding budget cuts, the UC and CSU systems must deal with increasing competition for a limited amount of space. The California state budget for the 20112012 year will reduce funding to each UC and CSU system by $650 million, raising tuition and increasing competition for admission according to UC and CSU news releases. The UCs will have a shortfall of $1 billion compared to last year, especially due to the $362.5 million increase in predicted spending. To cover some of the shortage, the UC Board of Regents has approved a total

tuition increase to $12,192 from $1,890 for the 2011-2012 year, and increase of 18.3 percent. Additionally, individual UCs may have additional fees that students must pay. Some students remain dismayed at the general trend of increasing budget cuts and tuition. However, not all students need to be concerned about the increase. UC Provost Lawrence claims that financial aid programs will cover the tuition increase for about 55 percent of students. Furthermore, UC is planning to increase financial aid for students during the 20122013 school year. Meanwhile, CSUs will increase tuition by a total of 23 percent, up to $5,472 for the 2011-2012 year. Furthurmore they will enroll around 10,000 fewer students this fall than the previous year. “What was once unprecedented has

unfortunately become normal. As for the second time in three years the CSU will be cut by well over $500 million,” CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed said in a CSU news release. Similar to the UC system, individual CSU colleges have extra fees added on to the base tuition rate. The higher tuition and increasing budget cuts will cause other consequences as well, since higher prices and decreased enrollment will only cover part of the budget shortages. Both public college systems are taking other measures such as increasing class size, laying off faculty and staff, limiting purchases on equipment, and cutting back on student services. “Not only is the price increasing, but it seems like you don’t get as much as for what you’re paying for now,” senior Christian Koguchi said.

New Granada Village businesses attract students By Gabriella Koek New stores have opened in the Granada Village shopping center on Chatsworth and Zelzah. The businesses include Sprouts Farmers Market, Petco, HomeGoods, and Rite Aid. Regency Centers Pacific Division, the corporation which manages the Granada Village, hopes that the new shops will be more popular than the older ones and will increase customer satisfaction. “[The Granada Village] suffered from an empty anchor due to grocer consolidation,” Regency Centers managing director Mac Chandler said in an interview with Globe Street Los Angeles. “This neighborhood center will be transformed into a regional draw with the addition of leading retailers.” Regency Centers hopes that well known chain stores like Petco, Sprouts, and HomeGoods will appeal to customers more than the small businesses that were previously located in the shopping center. “These are more common shops that people go to; the other stores weren’t used very much and when they closed the space wasn’t being used very efficiently,” senior Nicole Thompson said. The shopping center gives locals a variety of stores to shop in. Sprouts, an Arizona based grocery store, opened on September 7. It offers shoppers organic produce,

natural products, and vitamins to promote healthy lifestyles. “Sprouts is a healthier store, and I think that’s just what we need,” freshman Halie Keenan said. In fact, the Sprouts mission statement is: “Helping America eat healthier, live longer, and spend less.” More information about the grocery store and its healthy living tips can be found on its website: sprouts.com. To the left of Sprouts is the new Petco which opened on October 3. “I love that there is a Petco closer to my house now. It helps when you’re looking to get a new puppy or need supplies pronto,” senior Khylan Jones said. On the other side of Sprouts, to the far east of the shopping center, Rite Aid is being rebuilt. Rite Aid is currently located between Stein Mart and Petco, but is relocating to the end of the shopping center to allow space for a drive thru pharmacy. To celebrate its new and improved store, Rite Aid will hold a celebration on its opening day, October 13, which will include a band in the evening, free food sampling, a clown, and a free scoop of Rite Aid brand ice cream, Thrifty, to each of the first 100 people who arrive at the event. While Petco and Rite Aid are ready to open in early October, HomeGoods, the home furnishing chain, has yet to be built

and will open next spring. Luckily, the addition of these new stores has already begun to attract students.

“I’m sure I’ll go to the shopping center a lot to run errands,” Keenan said. “I like how conveniently close the stores are to home.” Gabriella Koek / The Plaid Press

NEW BUSINESSES: The inside of Sprouts, the new farmers market in the neighborhood.

03 spirit

October 13, 2011

Check out these clubs

Filipino Club R3 Thursday at lunch Learn about the vast culture of the Philippines, including the language, people, and food. Christian Club R1 Wednesday at lunch Help students grow spiritually through fellowship with other believers. Mock Trial B13 every other Friday at lunch Pursue interest in law or the art of trial. TOMS Campus Club C14 Monday at lunch Learn about the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. The American Diabetes Association C13 Friday at lunch Help raise funds to promote diabetes research and lend a helping hand to those affected. Drama Club B13 Wednesday at lunch Enhance performance skills through creative activities and professional opportunities. Muslim Students Association L11 Friday at lunch Providing Muslims and non-Muslims with an outlet to discuss and practice their respected religions. DESI Club A14 Thursdays at lunch Promoting the colorful South Asian culture through a series of fundraisers and events. Middle Eastern Student Association L2 Wednesday at lunch Teach and discuss your cultural background with others.

One Million Ways L8 Friday at lunch Help promote active kindness through bracelets that keep track of the good deeds done and who has done them. Interact Club L18 Monday at lunch A community service club sponsored by Rotary International that conducts several local projects that develop international understanding. Deaf Culture Club Q2 Wednesday at lunch Raising awareness about the deaf community and support the usage of American Sign Language everywhere. Autism Awareness for Austic Children H5 Thursday at lunch Help fundraise money and raise awareness about autism. Mandarin Bilingual and Cultural Interactions Club M15 Thursday at lunch Seeking to encourage positive relations between the youths of America, China, and Taiwan. Italian Club L2 Monday at lunch Spreading the culture of Italy through life, food, and music. Krochet Kids K1 Tuesday at lunch Working with Krochet Kids in order to provide jobs for women in Uganda. Global Relief Fund G5 Monday at lunch Fundraisering throughout the year for various donations of the club’s choice in May.

The football experience brings fans to the yard

James Powel / The Plaid Press

SWEET MUSIC: Highlander band and dance guard dazzle fans and show off their Scot pride on the football field By Chelsea Green The scent of hot chocolate and Scot dogs fill the air as you head up the bleachers on the 35-yard line. “Welcome to the Jungle” plays in the background, and in this teenage wasteland, there is no time to lose. You take your seat quickly. Suddenly, the crowd stands. Everyone is cheering and laughing, and under the brilliance of those Friday night lights, you see them. From the darkness emerge heroes dressed in green and black, in bulky shoulder pads and heavy helmets: our Granada Hills Highlanders have arrived. Our football games are experiences not to be missed, and with the Homecoming game right around the corner, now is the perfect chance to catch some of that football fever. You don’t need to know what a field goal or a punt is to enjoy the show. The thrill of whooping in the crisp night air, marveling at the cheer team’s famous smiley face made of pom-poms, and listening to the sounds of our marching band drift over the stands creates a surreal experience. Whether they are watching the regular half time show or the Homecoming spectacles, the crowd still goes wild for G House. In the end, the actual football game itself does not seem to matter as much. It is about the spirit. The cheer team rocks their routines and

“I Am Granada”

audiences cannot seem to get enough of the dance team, whose performances rival those on America’s Best Dance Crew. Then our award winning Highlander marching band takes the field. They grab everyone’s attention with their fantastic authentic kilts and dazzle fans with spectacular formations and gorgeous harmonies. Senior Christine Min described them as “majestic,” marveling at how they are all in unison. Add a parade, a fireworks show, and men falling from the sky via parachute, and you have Homecoming in a nutshell. “It was magical the way the skydivers came down. I felt like I was at Disneyland,” junior Nancy Gutierrez said, who attended the Homecoming game last year. Booster Club president Gary Conley said that the competition and the spirit are his favorite parts of Granada football games. “I think Granada has a lot of spirit because it’s such a diverse school,” Conley said, noting that Granada is strong in academics and in multiple areas of athletics. So my advice to you classy, Highlanders, is to see it for yourself. Go to the game, order a Scot Dog (a tasty Granada specialty hot dog), and chant “G House” with the crowd. “There is spirit everywhere,” said Conley. On October 14th, go to the Homecoming game, and you will find it.

James Powel / The Plaid Press

Dooley eager to help staff through her school spirit By Fatima Castenada Loving, caring, and compassionate, Virtual Program Office Assistant Lindsey Dooley perfectly exemplifies the definition of Granada school spirit. School spirit is not only a person’s ability to illustrate his or her devotion to school affairs, but also a reflection of how his or her actions and attitudes influence others. Although officially a new member of the Granada faculty, Dooley has already developed a love for the school and its philosophy. “I am a huge Granada fan; I think it is the best charter school in the nation; I’ve seen it change in so many positive ways,” Dooley said. Dooley attended Granada as a teenager, and in her professional career worked as an office manager at Kirk Douglas. While at Kirk Douglas, she worked under LAUSD, but she has always felt a close connection to Granada. Last year she became part of the school faculty by working as an office assistant at the Virtual Program. “I started in August 2010, but I feel like I’ve always been here,” Dooley explained. At the Virtual Academy she does paperwork for e-school, writes reports, completes attendance work under the administration, and mentors students who ask her for help. Virtual Program academic mentor, Matthew Rubin believes that Dooley’s positive attitude and determination for helping students make her unique and a great example of what it means to be part of Granada. “I think that she really embodies what it means to have school spirit. Not only does she love Granada, but when students

inbrief

come in to ask her for help she is also eager to help them in any way she can and I think that’s what having Granada spirit is all about,” Rubin said. Dooley encourages all students to come talk with her, whether for fun or for other serious reasons. She makes time in her schedule to talk to students and help them with any problems. “Ms. Dooley is a really nice lady, she is really compassionate and always has this positive vibe. She is always open and wants to help the students,” Senior Logan Dunn said. In addition, she remembers most students that have talked to her. “What sets her apart [from other staff members] is that she remembers every student she encounters. She really believes in the students of the school and she thinks anybody that goes to school can be successful,” Rubin said. Dooley also demonstrates her school spirit in other ways, such as wearing her Granada clothing on Fridays. “On Fridays I always wear my Granada shirt, and I am always optimistic about everything and anything that goes on at Granada,” Dooley said. Moreover, Dooley believes that Granada is a special school, because unlike other educational institutions, Granada staff members want to teach and assist students in all ways possible. “I’ve realized that staff here all wants to be here and they like working here. They like what they’re doing by helping the students,” she said. “I’m all about the students and I’m all about Granada. For high school education I think this is the best place to be,” she continued.

Homecoming Game

Friday October 14 Purchase your tickets for $5 to enjoy the majestic homecoming parade and support our varsity football players during the Homecoming Game.

Homecoming Dance

Saturday October 15 Come enjoy a “sweet escape” at the Homecoming dance for $34 or $32 with an ASB card.

Library Book Club

Every Thursday, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Right now they are currently reading Frank Beddors’s “The Looking Glass War.” It is a modern take on “Alice in Wonderland” with armies, murder, and the Mad Hatter as a ninja-like body guard.

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October 13, 2011

Granada’s food trucks revive the community By Melanie Uemura Formerly called “roach coaches,” and “death on wheels,” food trucks were generally avoided, and used only when people were in dire need of fast, cheap food. Recently, however, a new generation of revamped, cleaner, and sleeker food trucks have changed people’s perception of the food truck from a nay to a delicious yay. Some people today actually track down their favorite trucks just to get the taste they crave! Fortunately, for those of us who do not have the time or energy to search for food trucks, there is always a steady stream of them lined up and down Chatsworth Street every Wednesday and Friday evening at ap-

proximately 6 p.m. Visiting food trucks has become a type of hobby, drawing out friends and families of all ages. “It really brings the community together and is very family oriented,” community member Kimberly Ryu said. This area has become particularly popular amongst a more youthful crowd due to efforts by a new generation of food trucks. Food trucks have evolved from generic names like “tacos” or “hotdogs,” to catchy, unique, and modern names like “Slap Yo Mama,” “Ninja Sushi,” and “Grill Em All.” Many of these trucks also play upbeat music from current radio stations, for the listening pleasure of their similarly energetic patrons.

Along with favorable music, a lot of food trucks have created aesthetically appealing exteriors. These trucks are painted in vivid, glossy colors and are adorned with clean looking graphics. Gone are the days when shady off white colored food trucks with faded logos and rusty outer surfaces roamed the streets. Furthermore, these trucks have befriended and utilized free social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace. They alert patrons of their daily locations and occasional specials through these sites. The Kogi Korean BBQ taco truck has over 92,000 followers on Twitter, and each

follower eagerly awaits the next location. Like the Kogi truck, quite a few of the trucks specialize in specific types of cuisine and cater to particular tastes, which can seriously rock the realms of food connoisseurs. Take Kj’s Smokin’ Jerky truck, for example. It specializes in all things jerky: beef, turkey, buffalo and even salmon. It’s a jerky lover’s paradise. Taking everything into consideration, it is safe to say that food trucks are no longer passing trends, but established businesses. Twisting an old tradition and making it fit into the pleasures of a new generation bring everyone in the community together for fun.

The troubled trendy trucks: Are they here to stay? By Fernanda Velazco A busy mom’s paradise, a place where everyone in the family can get what they want to eat, the famed food trucks in Granada Hills bring not only families together for dinner, but the community as well. “This is our second time here and both times it’s been fun and friendly. It’s definitely family-oriented,” local community member and mother of two, Cynthia Simms said. “The community has been affected for the better.” But there’s a side of the food trucks, that the community doesn’t necessarily get to see, the point of view of the businesses located on Chatsworth Street. Lately, the food businesses in Old Granada Hills are frustrated over food trucks and are getting tired of arguing. They have been losing not only customers to the food trucks, but also parking spots for their customers and publicity available on Chatsworth Street. However, other businesses, such as those that offer beauty care, tutoring, clothing, or merchandise on Chatsworth, welcome the food trucks. These businesses feel that they have gained a lot from the food trucks visit-

ing Old Granada Hills. “Our business has been positively affected. We get signups from new students every week,” Ellias Pappas, owner of Mathnasium, a tutoring service, said. Although the new trend has brought more people to Old Granada Hills, the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce has been restricting the food trucks. “Our basic objective is to ensure that the food is safe and will not get someone sick,” Terrence Powell, Director of the County Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Specialized Surveillance, said in an interview with the LA Daily News. “There cannot be unsanitary conditions and employee hygiene has to be at the highest point in order to prevent food-borne illness.” Hygiene and sanitation are essential when running any business that provides food for the public. Bathrooms, hot water for washing hands, and trash cans are some of the main concerns when dealing with these food trucks. According to the LA Daily News over 60 trucks and up to 1,800 people coming to the event, deeming regulations necessary. On Wednesday, August 31, county

health officials stopped by the food trucks, conducted surprise inspections, and actually shut down some of the operators. A lot of the food truck owners felt that the inspectors were cracking down on the food trucks too strictly. Chef Jae Cho, owner of OG Tempura, said his food truck was shut down because there was not enough hot water for washing hands. He complained that the inspection was conducted directly before closing time. “They’ve been on a mission to shut us down. They’re just trying to bully all the food trucks,” Cho said in an interview with the LA Daily News. During the first inspection at the event, officials made sure that all the food trucks were sanitary and that the employees were able to use acceptable bathrooms in a nearby establishment. Up to this point food truck owners have been asking permission to use the bathrooms in nearby buildings and have been writing it down in letters to show inspectors. “Whenever you go out to eat at any kind of food service place, you take a risk with sanitation. I see it as no different than any

other place I’ve eaten,” senior Jeremy Dennen, who frequents the food trucks often, said. According to the LA Daily News, The Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce proposed requiring food trucks to pay from $10 to $75 for bathroom permits in nearby buildings. The Chamber would use the money to pay for additional trash can bins, washing the sidewalks and a beautification project throughout Granada Hills. Although all of the businesses and food trucks cannot get along, it seems that some businesses embrace the food trucks. ANI Bakery on Chatsworth was at first reluctant and angered by the food trucks but seems to have worked out a balance with the food trucks. On Friday nights, the bakery and the Kabob truck set up a barbeque and provide families with seating to enjoy the food. This compromise demonstrates that a middle ground has been achieved. As of right now, it seems that the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce is the ambassador between the food trucks and businesses and is determined to find a neutral agreement.



James Powel / The Plaid Press

Tuesday

18 How to spend your Tuesdays By Fatima Castaneda Fact: people love to sleep. Nearly everyone loves sleeping in, and Granada students try to take advantage of this opportunity on Tuesday mornings. Unfortunately, many Granada students are deprived of this luxury and are forced to arrive at school early because of ride situations or bus schedules. Many students face this dilemma and are unsure of what to do on Tuesday mornings. Although going to school early sounds depressing, it can be a fun experience with a little initiative and imagination. The key is not to think of it as an obligation, but as an opportunity. You can enhance your academic standing, expand your social life, have breakfast, or even drink a cup of coffee. A productive way of spending your morning is going to the library. The library is a place full of knowledge and resources; there are not only comfortable seats available, but also peace and quiet, making it an ideal place to study. “On Tuesday mornings, I go to the library and study, do college applications, and catch up on homework. I can take the day to relax a bit,” senior Edwin Silva said. The library is the perfect place to finish homework or other assignments. Make use of the extra time; there’s always a test to study for or a project to start. If you don’t feel like studying, eating breakfast is another option. Everyone loves food. It is hard to resist a delicious, mouthwatering meal. So take advantage of the morning and grab a bite to eat. According to the MAYO Clinic, “A healthy breakfast refuels your body and jump-starts your day. So don’t overlook this important meal.” Not only do breakfast-eaters have better concentration during class, but they have a higher academic performance as well. Moreover, you can turn breakfast into a social gathering. Granada’s location offers students a variety of options within walking distance. Some hot spots include Carls Junior, Burger King, and Del Taco. A popular option on Tuesday mornings to buy a cup of coffee. Many people get cranky without their daily dose of morning caffeine, making places like Starbucks severely overcrowded. “My friends and I have Starbucks in the morning after we have breakfast. We feel great and energized and ready for school,” senior Luke Rodriguez said. To get your cup of coffee without the swarming crowd, be adventurous, mix up the routine and try a different coffee shop. Other small shops that are close to school include Ninong’s, the Royal Bakery, and A Sweet Design. Coffee shops also offer a variety of drinks such as hot chocolate, tea, and frozen delicacies that are bound to satisfy even the pickiest of people. Now that your horizon is broadened, you have gained awareness of what you can do on Tuesday mornings. If you happen to be stuck at Granada, you can always go to the library, eat breakfast, go to a coffee shop, or make a new friend. The important thing is to remain optimistic and have a positive attitude.

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October 13, 2011

Questioning standardized testing Evaluating exams in today’s education system By Shilpa Bhongir Throughout our education, we students have all mastered one extremely crucial skill: bubbling. We are the champions of the number two pencil, sharpener and eraser, and of course the Scantron, all due to the pervasiveness of standardized testing throughout our school careers. The purpose of standardized tests, from state-wide exams to tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT), is to provide a nonbiased indicator of students’ intelligence. But with the changing nature of many of these tests, some question the effectiveness of scores as a measure of a student’s academic performance. With the increasing emphasis of standardized tests, schools have been pressured to do the unthinkable. “In certain elementary schools, curriculum is scripted to help guide students for the tests. We are lucky that we are not in that type of environment here at Granada,” social studies teacher Fernando Escobar said. We are fortunate that our school’s consistently high test scores and strong teachers have prevented us from some of the threats plaguing many other schools throughout the country. Due to the No Child Left Behind Act implemented in 2002, standardized testing scores directly influence how much funding schools receive. Low test scores may even force schools to shut down, according to USA Today. Fair Test, a nonprofit organization aiming to eliminate misuses and flaws within standardized testing, reported cases of cheating in 30 states and the District of Co-

lumbia in the past three years. According to the report, teachers were said to have helped students erase wrong answers and have changed the pool of students taking the test in order to raise scores. The outrage over distrustful teachers has led many to reinforce their initial skepticism of standardized exams. Many wonder whether the actual prototype of a one-size-fits-all test can really measure a student’s intelligence. Gerald W. Bracey, Ph.D. and educational researcher believes that such examinations fail to account for a student’s “creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation…,” which are all important factors in a meaningful education. “I think how well someone does in school shouldn’t be based on how fast you can solve a problem, but how much effort and knowledge you put into it,” junior Nidah Hussain said. It is this narrow approach of standardized examinations that cause many to feel reluctant about the importance of even larger tests, like the SAT and ACT. With the prominence placed on such tests, many students feel forced to think of these exams as the be-all and end-all of their high school careers. After all, a student’s SAT score is his or her ticket into college, right? However, how well you do on the SAT can be more of an indicator of your socioeconomic status than academic performance, according to the book “Rewarding Strivers: Helping Low-Income Students Succeed in College” edited by Richard D. Kahlenberg Based on CollegeBoard’s annual score report for 2009, students who come from

wealthier backgrounds are likely to score 100 points higher on every section of the test. So what does this mean for the three hours you just spent taking this test? Though standardized testing will always be part of our lives, it is important to note that one test alone cannot dictate your future, or definitively shape a state or college’s perception of you. “Testing alone does not accurately indicate a student’s skills, but can be useful if considered along with more personal essays and supplements,” senior Sam Kinsey said. Despite the controversy, testing does not come without its merits. Proponents look to progress that examinations have made in other, advancing countries. China, the world’s current leader in reading, math and science education, attributes much of its current successes to standardized testing programs, such as Shanghai’s Program for International Students Assessment (PISA). Such testing is seen as the only fair option to measure a student’s intelligence. Standardized exams provide the necessary order to keep both students and teachers in check. Otherwise, colleges or states would not have a proper indicator of how well a student did in comparison to a larger group of individuals. Regardless of the debate over standardized exams, examinations will continue to be around as long as there are students to take them. But their prominence within our school careers and the school system as a whole will be a question that will be left blank on our answer sheets for now.

Meet Granada’s next the bands,” senior Harry Rosenmayer, lead nitely one of the most memorable experiBy Lorena Ramirez ences that we’ve had so far, the crowd was We hear about them everywhere: walk- singer of Watching the Soundset, said. The bands have influenced one another huge and they were definitely into us,” seing through the hallways, surfing YouTube, reading news feeds on Facebook. High and have all become friends, supporting nior Adam Gendler, bassist for Only Regret each other the Summer said. school bands are rising to fame even along the way, While these bands began through a love here at our school. whether it for life, the band The Illegals began as a way Even though they all started in a be attending to express their feelings and channel differhigh school environment, each band each other’s ent opinions about society’s norms. was influenced in different ways and shows or helpMembers feel that the music business is expresses different point of views ing sell each controlled by record labels and companies based on their beliefs. other’s tickets. trying to force bands into mainstream muTeenagers have different views Although sic. and desires as to what they want to “Music inaccomplish. spires me to exThe band Only Regret the SumPhotos courtesy of Harry Rosenmayer, press my anger mer focuses on wanting to enjoy life, Miles Richman, and Adam Gendler to the world and live drama-free and not dwell on past my hatred. it’s a experiences, because a person only good way to exlives once. press my feelings, They feel their music expresses a and people hopemessage for a simple life where music fully can relate to can be a positive outlet. it,” senior Jake Some other bands focus on just Tinnell, guitarhaving fun. Watching the Soundist and singer for set and A Blessing The Illegals said. Through Tragedy In the moneyrelate to Only Reminded society gret the Summer we live in today, often in their message a band will focus solely of living life to the on gaining wealth and fullest and taking achieving fame and they advantage of differwill forget why they ent opportunities even started making they are presented music in the first place. with. “There’s plenty of These bands do other bands that are trynot prioritize their ing to get known, it just lives on aiming to depends on what you become the next want. We’re not comAerosmith or reach GRANADA BANDS: Only Regret the Summer (upper left), Watching the peting with everyone the fame of the The Soundset (upper right), and the Illegals (lower) rock to their beats. else,” junior Miles RichDoors. man, drummer for The Many members believe their main priority is still school and some bands may feel their main goal isn’t Illegals said. Yes, the music industry is very competikeep their bands as an important aspect of to “make it big,” the band Only Regret the Summer has reached much fame and tive and there may be several risks involved their lives. “We’re not trying to make it big; we’re popularity since they played at the House when one first forms a band, but all of these different aspects are what makes a band trying to have fun in high school. We’ve of Blues in Anaheim. “Playing at the House of Blues was defi- unique. basically started our own community with

06

entertainment

October 13, 2011

Seven TV shows to build up your Tivo Gary Zhang/The Plaid Press

Movie multi-quels are multi-fails

By Kathy Zerbib Coming up with a creative movie idea is hard enough on a film director. Coming up with a set of follow-up films that would also be triumphant proves to be downright impossible for most of them. Directors take chances when they produce a movie. Those who are lucky enough to come up with a hit film look to further their success by creating additional sequels to bleed the franchise for more profit. Unfortunately, these multi-quel movies are oftentimes not up to par with the original movie and are unable to recreate the magic viewers first experienced. Now, I am not directing my critiques towards those average unfortunate sequels, such as “Grease 2” or “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights,” that simply did not have what it took to further the first movie. No, I am addressing the film directors who thought making a sixth or a seventh movie on the same topic would make a difference. I am also addressing the directors who decided to make a follow-up movie that would easily tarnish public popularity from the initial film, because these directors are the ones to blame. One would think it would be obvious that a sequel that does not exceed or at least

reach the level of the first film is likely to crumble apart. Knowing this, an abundance of directors insist on generating yet another sequel after another, none of which are any better than the last. Take, for instance, the “Shrek” collection. Both the original film and “Shrek 2” received an 89% approval rating on the website RottenTomatoes.com. Then “Shrek the Third” sunk down to a 41% approval rating. Despite the obvious criticism from viewers, the directors still pushed out “Shrek Forever After,” which predictably received another low approval rating of 57%. This desperate attempt at squeezing more profit from an overused topic is apparent in many other film sagas, like “The Matrix” or “Saw.” Directors just do not understand that some movies are better left alone. When the original plot is reworked, the film loses substance and all credibility with viewers is tainted. Of course, the same goes for when the plot is recycled continuously and the characters are the only real change in a movie. “Final Destination” is an ideal example of a recycled storyline because it involves the same idea: some individual has a premonition of death, freaks out, saves a few friends, something bad ends up happening, and

everyone who should have died before ends up dying anyway later on. I mean, you would think that after a couple movie, the directors would have the audacity to leave the saga alone. But no, five movies later, “Final Destination” still has the same plot and only the same handful of people continue to be interested. Obviously, exceptions exist amongst this group of horrific multi-quels. Not every film collection sank as low as “Alien vs. Predator” or tanked like “Meet The Fockers.” “Harry Potter” remains the most perfect, untainted movie saga of all time, regardless of how many films have been released. The difference between “Harry Potter” and the other film sagas is that J.K. Rowling made her characters continuously interesting and did not lose her creativity on the plot. That would explain how every movie received a Certified Fresh rating of at least 78% on RottenTomatoes.com, a good deal higher than a number of those other trifling movie sagas previously stated. The “Harry Potter” directors do not feel the need to exaggerate, overdo, or compromise the quality of what they create, much to the shock of the creators of “Star Wars,” I am sure. Perhaps those other frantic directors should take a few much-needed pointers from the “Harry Potter” success.

By Sean Bujarski Imagine a world in which everyone acted like the cast of “Jersey Shore.” Sure, the tanning salon industry would reach new levels of success, but what about the rest of the world? Would you want the Situation giving you open heart surgery? Would you like Snooki to write the next top-selling book? I think not. Unfortunately, this vision is not as farfetched as it seems. With all of the reality T.V. shows that pollute the media today, more and more of society’s role models are

reality T.V. stars. And like walking sponges, we teenagers are soaking up the habits and styles of these stars similarly to Spencer Pratt and bad publicity. This raises the question, is having reality stars as role models all that bad? After all, reality T.V. teaches us to be individuals, that we are all special and we do not need talent to make it in Hollywood. While I am glad one’s self-esteem is now as high as Pauly D’s hair, excessive selfesteem has its issues. According to “The Mirror Effect” by

Doctor Drew Pinsky from “Celebrity Rehab,” watching narcissistic behavior on television can increase narcissistic behavior among the psychologically prone crowd. Beyond raising the overall arrogance level of the American public, reality T.V. stars have many lessons to teach that I would prefer not be taught. The first of these is what it takes to reach the status of celebrity. Yet again, I hear those same dissenting voices of reality T.V. fans. Vanity aside, reality T.V. stars became famous through ambition and standing up for themselves and being interesting people. But is this all it takes to have your own private island? In my mind, the answer is absolutely not. If every ambitious person were elevated to the level of celebrity, we would run out of islands to own. Instead, ambition and drive should take a back seat to a far more important aspect of fame: actual talent. Now think of the vast majority of reality T.V. stars. What talent does the cast of the “Real World” have? What brilliant works of art do Lauren Conrad or Paris Hilton contribute to the world? This is not the most aggravating aspect of reality T.V. Everywhere I look there is a new “Real Housewives of Somewhere-No-OneCares-About,” and by now there are more “The Bachelor” incarnations than there are single people. It has gotten so bad that MTV, which stands for Music Television, now airs 11 reality T.V. programs compared to four music programs. With all these different examples, you cannot deny that our idea of television has been changed by reality T.V., for better or for worse.

When reality television takes over our reality

TRAINWRECK ENTERTAINMENT: The cast of the infamous “Jersey Shore” has infiltrated Hollywood as D-list celebrities.

By Lorena Ramirez From love stories to dramatic tensions, this fall’s television season will leave you glued to your couch. New and returning shows will leave your mind buzzing with suspense and comedic drama. One multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winning series will soon say its last goodbye. Look forward to the last season of “Desperate Housewives,” airing Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on ABC. The show will tie all of its loose ends as the women of Wisteria Lane create new affairs and mishaps continuing from previous seasons. While some shows prepare to say their last goodbyes to television audiences, be sure to welcome the second season of “Boardwalk Empire,” airing Sunday’s at 9 p.m. on HBO. The series returned with some criminal dealings that leave the 1920’s election rigged with its candidates in a bought seat. The show received a four and a half stars review from TvFanatic. com, refusing to shy away from its suspenseful drama. Continuing shows also returned with criminal busts and some new inmates from last season’s events. “The Mentalist” returned with a death sentence, while “Blue Bloods” returned with a new notorious gang that left some people involved in the middle of a doubtful business. Both shows received four out of five stars review from TvFanatic.com and returned leaving their viewers satisfied from the unresolved conflicts and questions from last season. “The Mentalist” airs Thursday’s at 10 p.m. on CBS and “Blue Bloods” airs Friday’s at 10 p.m. on CBS. You will be able to look forward to ending your week with some suspense thanks to all of the criminal and dramatic conflicts. Onto less notorious subjects, the fall season will introduce some new T.V. shows with lively, uplifting characters and some familiar faces. With such a beautiful face and a perky personality, who would dump Zooey Deschanel? Deschanel stars as Jess in the new series “New Girl,” a recent dumpee who moves in with three bachelors who help her get back in the game with men. Airing Tuesday’s at 9 p.m. on Fox, be sure to tune in for a weekly dose of funny with these characters’ different energetic personalities. This season, the new weekly series “PanAm” flies onto ABC and brings back a “beautiful nostalgia,” according to TvFanatic.com reviews. Airing Sunday’s at 10 p.m., the show received a five star rating and allowed viewers to see a different perspective on what life was like when people actually wore their church clothes on a plane trip. While some characters will be focused on beginning a new journey, others will be tangled in a mess of past events and conflicts. Do not miss out on double the suspense in the new series “Ringer,” airing Tuesday’s at 9 p.m. on the CW. Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as twins who find themselves stuck with a haunting past. The show received positive reviews from the “Los Angeles Times” despite the difficulty of portraying twins and creating distinctive personalities. Whether characters are saying their last goodbyes, visiting a close friend in jail or meeting new people on dates and flights, this imminent fall season is sure to leave you glued to your couch, perfect for the chilly nights coming your way.

07 opinion

October 13, 2011

High school jobs: do they benefit or burden? By Sophia Shin Students do schoolwork for the sake of their education, and their futures. And that work takes priority over any other kind in high school. Teenagers are now employed with jobs that pay minimum wage, require little skill, and offer few benefits. Since jobs that have the potential to teach occupational skills are reserved for adults, the remaining choices are limited to those at fast food restaurants, grocery stores, or malls. To be honest, high school students are unlikely to get anywhere with those kinds of jobs. College students have started taking over typical teen jobs, but those college students are now faceto-face with dead ends. The only benefit of these jobs is short-term cash. These jobs are not necessarily bad; they can boost college resumes and teach responsibility. However, jobs require time, which takes away time for studying, doing homework, and sleeping. Moreover, jobs mean m o n e y, which can fund stu-

By Kathy Zerbib Let’s be honest. You would hardly think permitting responsible teen employment could be this controversial, considering all of the illegal activity adolescents are undoubtedly engaging in. Yet many people oppose the idea of teenagers neglecting their free time for an honest, steady paycheck. These critics believe we are simply taking up opportunities that would be better off with struggling college students who have more bills to pay than we do. To them, merely working for the experience and appreciation of the value of a paycheck is not a valid enough reason to obtain employment. Apparently, we must be plotting on using our profits for world domination or more fashionable clothing, or something. However, I do not think they understand how beneficial a part-time job is to the average high school student. According to the Employment Policies Institute, unemployment robs a job-seeking adolescent the opportunity to learn valuable life skills, some that even teachers are unable to teach. Learning how to balance a schedule involving school and work during the high school years may seem like a challenge. Yet, imagine how much harder it would be if we all had to adjust to that working/ learning lifestyle in college without any prior experience. The workload only increases in college. Besides, who says we are working for money we do not actually need? Surprising as it may seem, grown-ups are not the only ones under financial pressure. There are some families who need that additional income from their children to support the household. In the past, adolescent jobs were always widely accessible, but with increasing population and economic turmoil, those same jobs are becoming harder to find. Even that stereotypical teen “summer job” is no longer

as available as it used to be. According to Youth Job Center Outpost Coach Pam Kaul, teenagers are in dire need of support in the employment field. “Teenagers are being hit harder than anyone in this recession,” Kaul said. “Young people need extra assistance to find work now in order to gain the experience they will need to pursue successful careers in the future.” This brings me to work experience. Do you think a college prefers a candidate with a 4.0 GPA or a candidate with a 4.0 GPA, who also has experience as a volunteer, intern, and/or part-time employee? Obviously, colleges look for students with more developed backgrounds who they feel have been able to balance more activities on a daily basis. They show the dedication and responsibility that a university wants in its student body. It is understandable that parents would worry over their teenager’s grades in school if

By Sean Bujarski There was a time where volunteer work was for a select few, and those who worked to improve their communities were respected by peers and colleges alike. Not anymore. College admittance officers will not even consider you if you haven’t founded your own charity by your 17th birthday. In response to the heightened competition for college, students are looking for service hours wherever they can, regardless of how much they actually care about the project. On the surface, this seems positively glorious; thousands of high school students are going out to do their part in service projects around the world, building a better tomorrow piece by piece. Unfortunately this is not the case at all. With all the people desperate to get volunteer hours, volunteers who actually care about the project are being pushed out by people who sit idly by and rake in community service hours. Worse still, there is no distinction between working hours and “sit-down-talk-tofriends-eat-cookies-and-occasionally-lift-a-

box” hours, so people are rewarded for halting the process of improving the community. As the strongly worded sentence above may indicate, this is a topic I have experienced first-hand. Since around sixth grade, I have been involved Operation Gratitude, a charity that sends care packages to soldiers in the Middle East. When I first started, around 100 people were efficiently spread out to make the most out of the meager turn out. More importantly though, there was heart. It was like the scrappy underdog team in every sports movie ever made, somehow always winning through our team spirit. Like the state of college admissions though, my beloved Operation Gratitude has changed with the times. What was once 100 people all working towards a common goal has become 400 people all half-heartedly pushing boxes in a circle and occasionally complaining about how boring the work is. While this does personally make me miserable, the extra help has at least been beneficial. According to the Operation Gratitude website 685,684 care packages have been sent in the last 8 years,

and I can’t argue that the massive influx of volunteers has technically helped. Unfortunately, the problem of insincerity extends further than simple laziness. Since there are so few opportunities to work in volunteering areas, certain clubs such as Key Club and National Honor Society are offering service hours in exchange for donation items such as canned food or toner cartridges. While I am glad that people are willing to donate five dollar cans, which go towards good causes, it is in no way equal to an hour of actual community service. To say that giving five cans, which took a combined three minutes to find, is equal to giving an hour of your time to actively working does little more than degrade those who want to help their community. This does raise the question of what needs to be done about this problem. I would love to say that we should simply extinguish mandatory hours entirely and force colleges to realize that not everyone is a combination of Mother Teresa and Steven Hawking, but this just isn’t possible. Instead we should stop rewarding

By Chelsea Green Beware, Halloween is coming. Yes, the holiday meant to feed us with pillowcases full of free candy, and show off our new costumes, is due to arrive yet again this October 31st. Scratch that. No new costumes. Every year, we all seem to rotate costumes, and there is hardly any innovation. Without fail, there is always a Dorothy, a Scream, and a vampire. And from the massive supply of fake fangs I saw at the Spirit store, I’m guessing that we’re going to see more toothy foes this year. At this point, cutting two holes out of a sheet seems like the most original way to go. In fact, homemade costumes

in general show way more creativity than any of the cliché garbs coming from the Halloween superstores. Some of the best costumes to ever hit campus include the two-person Pac Man, made from a large cardboard box, and the Rubik’s cube, also made from a large cardboard box. And if you think you don’t have room for creativity in your agenda, think again. In fact, accessories are a great way to start. Costume makeup is a quick and inexpensive fix that can serve as a costume itself, transforming an ordinary student into cat, bloody dead person, or mime within seconds. For those who plan to go bold, try some of these terrifyingly fantastic ideas.

Act like your character (to the extent of school rules please), learn the Thriller dance, or get together with a couple of friends and spook us all with a group costume. Though if you choose the latter option, please stick together. Nothing is more annoying than missing half a costume. Just remember, keep your wild ideas within the dress code. Nothing looks worse on a holiday than a trickor-treat to the Deans’ office and the frightful shame of oversized PE shorts. So fellow students, let’s find something awesome to wear this Halloween to celebrate the wacky and the weird. If not, there is always a cardboard box.

dents’ social lives or bad habits such as smoking, drinking, or drug abuse. Whether they are partying, shopping, or destroying their bodies, their time as students ticks away. Students typically spend a third of the day in school, another third for sleep, and the last third for clubs, extracurriculars, homework, and studying. And this tight schedule does not even include the hours and hours that teens like to spend hypnotized by the computer or glued to the television. Try to squeeze a job in there. Hard, isn’t it? In all honesty, students working to support their families are in a bit of a pickle. Paying rent or the bills is much more important than any test or homework assignment. But working can cause them to lose sight of what school is for: education. Students that take up jobs early can get caught up in the job, forgetting that their teenage years are meant for school, not work. Every day is packed and there is really no way for students to just study. And, studying is necessary for a degree. It turns out that there is a sizable difference in the average pay of a high school graduate and a college graduate. According to College Board in a 2007, college graduates on average earn 61% more than those with just a high school diploma over the course of a 40-year career. In other words, too much work in high school often means too little pay in adulthood. Some argue that college can create more debt, but if paying for college seems costly, scholarships and grants are available. When a student has a job, there just might be too much to juggle. Some people can handle schoolwork, volunteer work, and various jobs all at the same time. Unfortunately, the average teenager may find that a little hard to handle. Or very hard to handle. In the end, it all boils down to high school. Regardless of whether the issue is overworking or oversleeping, both should be avoided. Students should have challenging workloads that they can handle. If a job is too much, just forget about it.

PRO CON they take on a few evening shifts a week. But in the end, teen jobs teach people skills and discipline. Please, let the kids work. All we’re asking for in return is minimum wage.

James Powel / The Plaid Press

Volunteer enthusiasm has gone down the drain

Boo! Halloween costumes need revamping

people service hours for insincere service. Only then can we fix the problems of the world without sacrificing our integrity.

The Plaid Press The Plaid Press is published by the Advanced Journalism class at Granada Hills Charter High School. 10535 Zelzah Ave. Granada Hills, CA 91344 Phone: (818) 360-2361 The Plaid Press welcomes all letters and commentaries on all matters and reserves the right to edit as required. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Plaid Press, its adviser, Granada Hills Charter High School faculty or student body. Editors-in-Chief

Ahra Cho Shilpa Bhongir News Editors Gabriella Koek Jane Pyeon Entertainment Editor Kathy Zerbib Opinion Editor Chelsea Green Feature Editors Sophia Shin Fernanda Velazco Sports Editor James Powel Spirit Editor Eiman Kazi Cartoonist Gary Zhang Business Manager Jane Pyeon Staff Reporters:

Adviser

Sean Bujarski Fatima Castaneda Shiva Jafaripour Lorena Ramirez Melanie Uemura Gary Zhang

Melissa Mason

The Plaid Press is a proud member of National Scholastic Press Association.

08 sports

October 13, 2011

Varsity boys water polo team strives for greatness By Eiman Kazi After progressing over the last couple of years, the boys varsity water polo team hopes to achieve its goal for the 2011-2012 season to make city playoffs. The team consists of 15 determine, athletic players who practice and cooperate in an effort to improve their skills and win games. “I believe we have a strong and cohesive team this year, and players who work well together and train intensively during practice which shows during games,” coach Marc Munkres said. The team trains for about an hour and a half during 7th period at San Fernando High School’s swimming pool. The players start their warm up with stretches, swim for about 1000 yards to work on timed swimming, and positioning skills. “Not having our own pool does pose a disadvantage for our players because they get less time to practice, unlike other schools. But we try to make best out of each practice session and work hard each and every day to make up that time lost,” Munkres said. So far, the team has won five games, including one against Huntington Park High School with an impressive victory of 20-3, and lost two games against Birmingham Charter High School and Cleveland High School.

The coach considers Cleveland and Huntington Park to be some of the toughest opponents the team has faced, but hopes to gain from the experience of playing strong teams. “The players gain experience from competing with other players that are better

than them. It teaches them to accept and learn from their losses and work more intensively to win more games,” Munkres said. Despite the losses, the team continues to aspire to reach city finals under the leadership of captains junior Jared Leener and sophmore Daniel Enriquez.

“Our goal at the beginning of the season was to go to city championships. I feel that our team has the talent and strength to make it deep into the playoffs, but we do need to work on our passing and ball-side defense. My other captain Daniel Enriquez and I hope to lead our team deep into the playoffs and bring a championship home to Granada,” Leener said. The team plans to improve their overall technique and strategy by giving it a 100% during practice. When it comes to team work, it does not matter how a player performs individually, but how the team cooperates together to attain victories. “One thing that is very strong about our team is our chemistry. Twice a month we try to have a team dinner together on the weekends or maybe go for a hike. You cannot play well if your team does not meld together,” Leener said. With a strong team bond and intensive practices, the water polo team can expect a successful season.“I know that this team is absolutely capable of winning city playoffs if they continue to train hard and learn from each victory and loss,” Munkres said. The team’s next game is aganst Birmingham on Wednesday October 19. Be sure to cheer the team on to beat Birmingham again.

said senior Cassandra Fisbeck. Nuno swept all three sets against Valencia, proving that our underclassmen are strong. The team has been preparing for future matches by consistently training in the weight room for two days a week and practicing on the court on a daily basis. “We’re striving towards being undefeated this season with a small number of games lost as well as winning city again during the playoffs,” Fisbeck said. “We’d like to win the city title for a fourth consecutive year,” Robertshaw added.

However, before going for the city title, the girls must face rivals West Valley, Chatsworth, and El Camino High Schools. “Hard work and perseverance are the team’s greatest assets. They expect to win and work hard to achieve that goal,” Robertshaw said. The girls also have a stellar team dynamic going on. “We all work and get along well together and love competing and supporting each other as a team,” Fisbeck said. Whether they end strong, or end up a little short of victory, the girls maintain their strong energy and positivity.

“They cheer for each other and meet teammates after matches, regardless of wins or losses,” Robertshaw said Though the team is off to a scorching start, Fisbeck knows there is a lot of tennis left to be played. “It’s not over until you shake hands, so no matter how much you’re down losing or even up winning, you have to keep the momentum and the effort going and never give up so there’s no regrets at the end of the match,” Fisbeck said. “They are quite talented and are capable of doing great things if they believe in themselves,” Robertshaw said.

GIRLS GOLF: Sophmore Eliya Lee lines up her putt at El Cariso.

by James Powel There are a group of Highlanders who have a very special talent; they can make a long walk great. The varsity girls golf team is poised and ready to make a deep run in the city championships. Granada’s girls golf team is currently undefeated in its eight matches including three upsets over reigning City Section champions North Hollywood High School, 228-245, 198-205 and 221-248 and three wins over key competitor El Camino High School, 199-219, 230-257 and 233-244. With a 7-0 record the team still has high expectations for itself. Junior Joyce Kim said, “We are stepping up our game and practicing even harder

now, preparing ourselves for the playoffs.” The team respects every opponent they meet and recognize the specific challenges each one presents. “We always look forward to competing against North Hollywood facing them always adds a level of intensity. Beating them brought us to a whole new level,” senior Melissa Metzelar said While matches are .intense, the ladies never forget to have fun. “In order to perform well, I think happy thoughts on the course.” Senior Sharon Chee says. The team is a driven and focused group whose ultimate goal is to bring the City Championship back home. “We are practicing on the tournament

courses now, learning every pin position and each dogleg of every hole. We are supportive of one another and inspire eache other to do our best,” Metzelar said. The team recently clinched the City Section championship with their last win against North Hollywood. This means that they have qualified for the City Finals at Balboa golf course on Monday. “Without a doubt, this is our year and it is amazing,” Metzlar added. For the golf team; every shot, every second, every swing brings them closer to the championship. The girls played El Camino Wednesday and will go up against against City Section champions North Hollywood on Monday October 17.

By Shiva Jafaripour Fast reflexes, high jumps, confidence, and a lot of team spirit. These are qualities that a great volleyball team needs and the qualities our girls varsity volleyball team possesses. Whether they play against easy competitors or their strongest rivals, they are ready to risk it all to win it all. The team conquered the city playoffs last year becoming back to back champions. The season started in September and ends in November, but if the team makes the playoffs season will go into December. Senior captain Samantha Cramer and senior co-captain Paige McFerren are prepared to lead the team to victory this year and to train any new players who are struggling. Both leaders have high hopes for this year considering their undefeated record.

They started strong with wins in their nonleague matches as well as each of their league matches and currently have eight wins. The captains have worked hard in offseason training to interact with every new player and adapt to one another’s skill set. “At first it was hard to re adjust to all the new girls because Samantha and I had never played with them, but practicing over summer and going to a tournament in Fresno has brought us closer together. Our team has shown tremendous improvement and we get better each day,” McFerren said. The team is on their way to accomplish their ultimate goal: to once again become the Los Angeles City Champions. They plan to strengthen their team with sixth period practices and daily work outs. “The team has improved week by week. Our only obstacle is that most of the girls

Photo courtesy of GHCHS Athletics

WATER POLO: Captain and junior Jared Leener goes for the goal in a game against Cleveland.

Varsity girls tennis starts off season undefeated By Melanie Uemura The girls tennis team is brimming with energy as they face opposing teams. They hope to win another city title this year. Despite losing many of their best senior players, the team started the season with a bang, bringing home eight singles victories and six doubles victories over Valencia High, whom they have not beaten since 2005. The girls are currently undefeated with six wins as a team. “This year’s team is very young, but full of potential,” coach Simon Robertshaw said. “We have a lot of good freshmen and new players this year, especially Sarah Nuno,”

Photo courtesy of GHCHS Athletics

Girls golf closes in on section championship

Varsity girls volleyball prepares to bring home title do not have Varsity experience, but they are now working together as a team and the tough competition we have played so far has also been a factor in our improvement,” Varsity Volleyball coach Tom Harp said. Though our team proves to excel more and more each year, they continue to view Taft as their fiercest competition. “We have always had a rivalry with Taft and they have always been out to beat us. They are strong offensively and have some pretty good girls, but we run a ton of drills to keep up our endurance. We also work on our fundamentals and then go into game like situations to get us ready to play matches, so we know we have what it takes to take Taft down,” Cramer said. The team has had success in all their games and hopes to accomplish more this season than those of previous seasons. Fol-

lowing the legacy of repeating city champions, the team has to meet the high expectations of their coach, their friends, and themselves. The girls’ determination and perseverance shines with every serve and pass they make. When on the court, the girls cheer on one another, remembering their coach’s emphasis on focus, intensity, and aggressiveness. “This year’s team has a ton of potential and everyone has a great attitude. We have finally started to mesh as a team and it’s turning out beautifully. We are all super pumped for this season and plan on defeating anyone who stands in our way,” Cramer said. Come support the girls at their home game against Chatsworth on October 13.