Glen A. Wilson High School Hacienda Heights, California 91745

Number 2Volume 41 July 16, 2008

PAINT YOUR PALETTE GOLD AND CARDINAL - Workers are shown painting the Wildcat mural on the front of the gym this week. PHOTO/JENNIFER CHOW

News2 July 16, 2008

‘I loved working at Wilson...’

UPGRADE! - Paula Young announced her retirement through email to her students May 27.

Veteran teacher leaves for MSACBy MELODY WANGSTAFF WRITER

After seven years, one popular WHS math teacher has traded roles, matriculating from the high school

Prowler wins national publication awardsBy ALICE WENSTAFF WRITER

After over 800 yearbooks were distributed in June and school closed for the 07-08 school year, the Prowler staff was awarded two prizes in a prestigious national contest.

Former editor-in-chief Michelle Tu’s academic yearbook spread took second place in the Jostens Yearbook Design Contest, sponsored by Adobe. Her sports divider page won honorable mention.

Entries were required to include all text and photographs on an original layout. Almost 800 designs were submitted.

The winning designs will be placed on the Jostens website and are set to be featured in the Gotcha Covered Look Book, which will be released to every school’s yearbook class.

As a prize for winning the competition, the Prowler staff will receive the new Adobe InDesign CS3 software.

In previous years, the staff used pre-designed yearbook templates. This year, the Prowler featured original designs.

“Unbound was very different from past yearbooks. I especially enjoyed the cover, which was unique and unexpected,” said Monica Liu (11).

Looking back over the past year, staff members say they are satisfied with their work.

“Michelle’s vision for Unbound really came true. She saw something creative and designed the whole book,” said Poon.

The Prowler staff says they have new ideas in store for the next edition, but co editors-in-chief Poon and Jessica Park (12) say they have “very big shoes to fill.”

In his second year as Prowler adviser, Daniel Mackey says he expects things to run much more smoothly. “We will continue to build upon our success, being very different but just as creative.”

classroom to the community college this fall.

After teaching math and Theory of Knowledge, teacher Paula Young is leaving to become an instructor at Mt. San Antonio Community College (MSAC) where she will teach pre-calculus, intermediate algebra, and business calculus.

Young says she has always wanted to teach at a community college but her heart was at Wilson.

“I loved working at Wilson because of the daily interactions I had with my various students,” says Young.

She applied for the MSAC position in February along with 70 other people. There was an interview in April and in May she was notified that she got the job.

Young says that because the community college instructors are similar to high school teachers she feels she will be able to work well with the MSAC faculty.

“MSAC professors are very focused on their students. They share ideas and

have discussions to help each other to be the best teachers that they can be,” said Young.

Young, who became a mother for the first time this spring, says she looks forward to the flexibility of teaching at the college level where she will be able to set her own hours and have more elasticity in terms of how she teaches.

Students say they will remember the time they spent with Young.

“I will miss her terribly. She was a very nice teacher and our class was very close. She was always willing to help after school if we had any questions on our homework or before a test,” said senior Francis Poon.

Young says she too, will miss the Wilson experience.

“I am expecting a great opportunity to work with the students and staff at Mt. SAC but it will be hard to beat the working relationships that I have with the teachers at Wilson.”PHOTO/WHS WEBSITE

July 16, 2008

New advisers aim to continue legacy3

Colorguard practice

GRAND OLD FLAG - Senior Christina Sanchez twirls a flag during practice last Wednesday. PHOTO/PAULLA VANGCHAROEN

News

BY JACOB EWALDSTAFF WRITER

You don’t have to be a doctor to save lives. Giving blood is a much simpler alternative.

Red Cross club will sponsor the third blood drive of the school year today.The drive was organized by new co-advisers Patricia Branconier and Ann

Hanson.Branconier and Hanson took over as advisers after teacher Jeorgia Moore’s

retirement. They say they decided to take the adviserships in honor of Moore.Branconier says she hopes that as many people as possible will support the

blood drive.“Our goal is that more people than ever before attend this drive, even though

the summer drive is usually the smallest of the year,” said Branconier. A donor must be at least 16 years of age and weigh 110 lbs. Donors under the

age of 18 must submit a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian. All donors must have a photo I.D.

Senior Celina Paredes says she feels glad that people willingly give blood.“You see people walking into class with their arms bandaged and their first

time stickers, and they’re really proud.”The blood drive is set for today in the Den from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Those interested in donating can sign up with any Red Cross member.

4 July 16, 2008 Editorial

Despite glitches, laws will protect

Number 2©Volume 41

Glen A. Wilson High School16455 E. Wedgeworth DriveHacienda Heights, CA 91745www.pawprintsweekly.com

Jeorgia MooreAdviser

Double EaglePrinting

An open forum, Paw Prints encourages the written opinion of its readers in the form of signed letters to the editor or longer commentaries on topical subjects.

While we recognize the individuality of all forms of expression we reserve the right to edit and / or censor that which we feel necessary in accordance with California Education Code 48907 and standards of good taste.

All communications must be signed. It should also be understood that the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinion of individual Paw Prints staff members or the policy of Glen A. Wilson.

Billy LinCharles Tsuei Editors-in-Chief NEWS

Carey LeungBrandie Wong

EDITORIALStephanie Chang

FEATUREPERSPECTIVES

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORTS VISUALS

Renee TangSabrina Dea

Allison KoHoward Li

Charles TsueiChris Chiang

Jennifer ChowMichelle GorSonia Tellis

EDITORS

SB 33 and SB 1613, known in lay terms as “the cell phone laws,” took effect 15 days ago to the chagrin of multi-taskers throughout California. The laws ban teenage automobile drivers from using any electronic device while driving, yet allow adults to call if they use a hands-free device. Adults argue inconvenience and teenagers scream “discrimination,” but if we care at all about others’ safety, we should obey the laws.

One of the problems is that the laws are written so ambiguously that adults can still text message or play games; yet, those who seek to exploit the loopholes miss the point of the legislation. The measures are designed to protect Californian drivers, over four thousand of whom died in crashes in 2004. The danger of talking on the phone pales in comparison to the risk off taking eyes of the road to text message.

People who try to get around the restrictions fail to acknowledge the purpose of the legislation: stop risking people’s lives by phoning while driving. The foreseeable resistance from a technology-

dependent generation of adult workers forced a compromise which allowed the use of a hands-free system. Legislators have already given concessions for the sake of passing the law, so the least we can do is abide by it.

But those who believe Bluetooth devices solve the issue of phone-related accidents are naïve. A Carnegie Mellon University study found that the division of attention involved with a phone call decreases navigational ability. The danger is not in preoccupying one hand with a phone, but with simply multi-tasking.

Teenagers were meant to feel the brunt of the law, which bans any use of electronic devices for drivers under 18. Considering teenage-rebellion-syndrome, there is some question as to how many will actually heed the laws. Many will claim civil disobedience against a law that discriminates against teenagers. Yes, the law is unequal, but legislators are not being unfair. Because statistics show that teenagers have a higher crash rate than any other age group, greater limitation is reasonable. Legislators have safety in mind, and we should overlook any supposed unfairness and obey the laws.

ART/ SONIA TELLIS

July 16, 2008 5Perspectives

ART/VANESSA HO

Arrogance demeans ‘American dream’BY ALLISON KOSTAFF WRITER

Power.To some, the term can

be used to describe a certain hip- hop radio s t a t i o n o r a man with Herculean strength.

B u t to others, p o w e r becomes an obsession for which one will go to any length to achieve.

A few weeks ago, New York millionaire and global perfume maker Mahender Sabhnani was sentenced to prison after he and his wife, Varsha Sabhnani, were convicted of “forced labor” and “involuntary servitude” in the abuse of two uneducated Indonesian immigrants who had initially been hired as servants.

The Indonesians testified to being beaten over a long period of time and having their passports and travel papers withheld.

They ended up trapped and held against their will as actual slaves.

It is believed that Mahender S a b h n a n i did not participate in such cruelties. However, neither did he attempt to stop his wife from carrying out what was in effect.

Coming to the U.S., the women sought the American dream. What they found was a life of slavery, torture and injustice.

Varsha Sabhnani took advantage of the women’s naïveté, while her husband turned his back.

And now, his fortune is at stake—not to mention his reputation.

After hearing the story, I began to reflect on what kind of thinking could have prompted Varsha’s arrogance.

Is this what it means to be

‘American’?They say

America is the “Land of

Opportunity,” but s ome

p e o p l e d o n ’ t consider that there a r e l i m i t s to what t h a t

If this is the “opportunity” we provide to those immigrating into our country, then we, as Americans, ought to be embarrassed.

It seems as if many of us spend so much effort striving for affluence and power that it hurts us—just take a look at the reasons for our current economic condition and the Sabhnanis’ slavery case.

Most of us, at some point, wish for power and authority. But does this mean we have a right to suppress others, just to feel some sort of superiority?

Those who worry so much about being at the top sometimes carelessly forget about things that really matter:

love, friendship and, most importantly, the rules of

human decency.This isn’t just the

case for the Sabhnanis. History shows that

the same situation has been repeated—whether

it involves twisted kings of Medieval Times, the slave drivers of the 1700-1800s, or sadistic dictators of World War II.

Either way, the weaker, less knowledgeable minority becomes victim to the power-hungry, who stop at nothing for dominance.

In Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler tells antagonist Amon Goeth: “Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t.”

Power is in our hands. But ultimately, true power can only be determined by how we control what’s happening around us.

opportunity means.

T h e Sabhnanis thought

that because they were so rich, they had the right to think of the poor Indonesian women

as inferior –thus, only fit for servitude.

July 16, 20088 Perspectives

Trust: the key to strong friendshipBy JON JON LEWSTAFF WRITER

“That’s what friends are for.” We’ve all heard the famous phrase repeated time and time again, yet few of us have ever stopped to think who truly is a “friend.” In this world of lies and deceit a real friend is hard to find.

Because life is filled with so many ups and downs, it's essential to have someone steady the ride. However, people tend to take one another for granted.

W h e n everything seems to be going wrong, the first thing we do is pick up the phone and vent to someone else.

No matter how late it is, our friends will be there to answer.

B e c a u s e friends are never MIA when we need them, we never stop to think about the dreaded scenario: What if they weren't here anymore?

Of course, like siblings, friends can get

into fights that seem unfixable. Drama is a part of friendship, no matter how much we run from it.

Stubborn people will refuse to apologize, thinking that in the

end, they’ll still be around

But what happens if they don’t come back?

What would happen if they are just as stubborn when you call? What if the "I will always be there for you" is forgotten?

We tend to question weak bonds with less important friends because they are much more breakable.

But best friends are a different story. We take them for granted,

knowing that they'll still come sprinting to the rescue when we need them most.

People trust in the strong relationships with their closest comrades and often neglect them due to that trust.

We don't really need to try hard to keep our best pals, because they'll love us rain or shine.

But just imagine a world where the calls go unanswered when you're in trouble,

where nobody's there to cry with you, where

ART/SONIA TELLIS

there are no more fits of laughter, where nobody's there to tolerate your absolutely lame and twisted humor.

It's best not to take that chance. A genuine

buddy will never bail on you no matter the circumstances, which gives you all the more reason to cherish the friendship, rather than make it second priority.

Don't go running off to apologize to your girlfriend or boyfriend five seconds later, and leave your best friend hanging for years.

A true friend is someone that is always there for you, no matter the weather.

You can help them out time and time again, knowing that they would do the same for you.

You can tell them anything that’s on your mind without worrying about the consequences.

A faithful pal is as much a part of the family as your own brother

or sister. These are all necessary attributes of a true friend, but the most important–the key–the foundation of a strong friendship or any relationship for that matter is ultimately, Trust.

July 16, 2008 9Entertainment

Indie film explores ‘Teen’ identityBy JENNIFER CHOWGRAPHICS EDITOR

Stereotypical teen movies are characterized by preppy cheerleaders and greasy jocks. Documentaries of the late have taken on issues like terrorism and obesity. Mesh the two together and you get American Teen, an experimental film that provides something fresh in both genres.

In American Teen, director Nanette Burstein chronicles a year in the life of four high school seniors living in Indiana: glamorous queen bee Megan, basketball star Colin, acne-plagued band nerd Jake and Juno-esque rebel Hannah.

Unlike the drama queens of other reality shows like The Hills, the cast exhibits a human and identifiable quality. Burstein’s purpose was to explore the complexity beyond high school stereotypes.

The characters of American Teen, unlike their Breakfast Club predecessors, hardly interact with one another. Instead, Burstein documents four separate, occasionally overlapping stories. One of the Jock’s teammates unexpectedly dates the Rebel. The Princess’s gossip leads to their eventual breakup.

While the characters come from different social and economic backgrounds, they all have controlling parents who suppress their children’s own aspirations.

Megan is determined to follow in her family’s footsteps and be accepted to Notre Dame. Colin must gain a basketball scholarship to appease his father. Hannah dreams of making movies in California, against her parents’ wishes that she remain close to her roots in Indiana.

The characters reveal their goals in life by talking face to face with a camera in tell-all video confessionals. But such scenes only take up a fraction of the film’s length. The rest c o n s i s t s of candid f o o t a g e t h a t Burstein filmed herself.

The nonstop filming provides intimate access to t h e

characters’ personal lives. Some cases, such as a scene where the usually hard-boiled Hannah sobs in her friend’s arms after a heart-wrenching breakup, were almost too personal and intrusive.

Indeed, some critics question the authenticity of Burstein’s footage. While the director claims she shot thousands of hours of video and for her 95 minute film, certain scenes suggest there was at least some extent of scripting.

Burstein w a s somehow a b l e

to record a spontaneous email transaction. In another case, she films the band nerd’s girlfriend cheating on him and later shows their breakup. Did Burstein alter the timing of her footage or did she really record all this without telling poor Jake?

But set aside your expectations of an accurate documentary and you’ll find that American Teen proves its purpose. While the issues addressed are nothing out-of-the-ordinary, such as getting accepted into college or finding a date for prom, the way the

characters handle themselves tells a story of its own. Some face adversity with resilience while others respond with cruelty. Some work to make a name for themselves while others succumb to peer pressure.

The authenticity of American Teen comes not from its candidness, but its courage and persistence – the ability to continue documenting its subjects even when they are not at their personal best. A dose of true reality.

Documenting an entire senior year from the first day to graduation, American Teen focuses on a subject rarely covered in documentaries:

the ordinary A m e r i c a n

Teen.

PHOTO/SLASHFILM.COM

July 16, 200810 Entertainment

Writer gains new perspective from TourBy P. VANGCHAROENPHOTOGRAPHER

I sat in a cramped car with my friends, feeling the anticipation as we neared our destination: the Pomona Fairplex, where Warped Tour was kicking off this year.

At the entrance, we could feel the music all around us as the bass of giant speakers reverberated through our bones. Walking by rows and rows of tents, I stopped to buy some graphic tees of my favorite bands: Cobra Starship, Forever the Sickest Kids and Gym Class Heroes.

In the middle of the grounds, a crowd of fans strained for a glimpse of the great white billboard towering over the masses – a list of bands and performance times. First up on our list of must-see bands was Anberlin.

PHOTO/P. VANGCHAROEN

ROCK ON! - Anberlin’s Stephen Christian rallies the crowd during Warped Tour at the Pomona Fairplex.

Cobra Starship was going to play.

There was already a crowd of people pushed up against the stage when we got there. Squishing our way in from the sides, we managed to get near

the front. As Gabe, the lead vocals, finally came onstage, everyone cheered. In the middle of their performance, Gabe pointed to where we were standing and ordered the crowd to start a mosh pit. Immediately they began pushing and running in the swirling mass of sweaty fans.

After Cobra Starship, we headed to see Gym Class

Heroes. The audience threw their hands up in the air and rocked to the beat.

When they finished performing, my friend, hopelessly in love with lead singer Travis McCoy, followed

him off stage behind the tents for autographs and pictures.

The day flew by as we rushed from band to band, performance after performance: Angels & Airwaves, Forever the Sickest Kids, The Higher, Katy Perry and Say Anything.

Of course the first day of Warped Tour was not without technical difficulties. During a Say Anything performance, one

of the guitars wasn’t functioning. But the show must go on: lead singer Max Bemis, picked up the only working guitar and sang an acoustic number.

I left Warped Tour with much more than a few T-shirts and autographs. I gained a new respect for musicians.

Though bands such as Anberlin and Gym Class Heroes already have big-name record deals, some bands, just emerging from obscurity, still sell their $5 CDs and humbly promote their music to help with gas – all for the fans.

Leaving family and friends behind, they spend months on the road as they perform from city to city. This is what they do. This is what they love. They live for the screaming fans. Free spirits, they would rather rock out with their fans than work in a cubicle any day. They live their lives to the fullest. They do what they love and they get paid, not just with money, but with love from their fans.

As the first day of the tour came to a close, my friends and I had to recap, reliving every memory—the thrill and excitement of our first tour experience. Munching on our In ‘N’ Out burger dinner, we discussed new bands like 3OH!3 and giggled over lead singer crushes.

By the end of the day, we all had to agree: we had the best time ever!

As they sang one of their best hits “Day Late,” it was impossible to stand still. The audience responded by singing and jumping along. At the end of the show, as a special treat, they played a brand new song from an album to be released later this year.

Blood still pumping from Anberlin’s rousing performance, we raced to the stage where

‘I gained a new

respect for musicians.’

Note: Donors at today’s blood drive will receive VIP backstage passes to the Warped Tour taking place August 17 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

11July 16, 2008Advertisements

12 July 16, 2008 Sports

New coach stresses up-tempo style By CHARLES TSUEISPORTS EDITOR

Under a new head coach, the boys basketball team embarked upon a fast pace offense and intense defense this summer.

After coaching at Rio Hondo community college for the past two years and winning league championships with several high schools (including CIF titles with Crescenta Valley and Bishop Amat), Jack Dunbar was offered the head coach position at the end of may.

“I was an assistant at Rio Hondo. I was looking for a place at the high school level where I could be a head coach and be successful,” said Dunbar.

The long time resident of the SGV explained that he wasn’t simply looking for a school full of talent.

“You’re looking for places with good people,” said Dunbar. “The players have been great. They’re very teachable and they also care about their academics as well.”

Eric Cheng (12) said the team welcomed Dunbar and his accomplishments.

“He’s a good coach with a different style than we’re used to,” explained Cheng who will return to varsity for a third year. “His

Volleyball returns with youth and unity

HAPPY TO BE HERE - Coach Jack Dunbar has been apart of four league championship teams. He says the team’s speed will be a major asset to the transition game.

By LAURIE ALLREDSTAFF WRITER

Although it is only his second year coaching, Paul Burdine holds high expectations for this year’s volleyball season.

“We definitely have goals to make CIF this year,” says Burdine.

Returning varsity players include Erica Chavez (11), Marilyn Chavarria (12), Irene Chou (12), Geraldine Chavarrine (11), and Celina Paredes (12).

Regardless of last year’s disunity as a team, Geraldine Chavarria believes that the girls have become a lot closer.

“In previous years, we didn’t act like a team. Now, we’re all friends,” explained Geraldine Chavarria.

During practice, the players learn all of the necessary steps to shuffle, serve, and spike.

Other training exercises include their “cross court pepper” warm-up which helps new players get the ball to the setter.

Despite the inexperience of the younger players, Burdine thinks that weakness will become an advantage in the future.

“Our biggest weakness is also our biggest strong point because we have a lot of people we can mold,” Burdine explained.

Many of the incoming freshman volleyball players say they believe the summer training along with Paul’s coaching methods ease the transition to the high school team.

“Paul’s attention to detail and all of the little steps helps me understand the importance of strategy in volleyball,” says Chelsea Fu (9).

Summer league starts this week at La Serna for varsity and at home for JV.

Most of the girls agree that LA will be the hardest contender this year.

“Obviously, our biggest rival is Los Altos. The JV team really wants to avenge last year’s defeat,” say Gina Van Stratten (11).

[history] shows that he can do a lot of good.”

Stressing a run and gun offense, Dunbar emphasizes the importance of building a team concept which includes player discipline.

“This is a team sport. You’ve got to build up to that same goal. The guys have to row in the same [ d i r e c t i o n ] , ” explained Dunbar. “They also have to know where they have to be and how to make quick decisions.”

With the perpetual height issue the team has endured over the past few years, both players and coach agree that speed must play a major role in the Cat offense this year.

According to Dunbar, in order to score on transition the team must create opportunities on defense.

“Defensive intensity and pressure creates great basketball,” said Dunbar.

For the past two years, the team has gone winless in league. Dunbar says he hopes to bring immediate changes.

“This year I want the team to win the league championship,” said Dunbar. “I want to stay here a long time and continue the great tradition of the Wilson basketball program.”

PHOTO/CHARLES TSUEI