Author: adviser

  • Model United Nations, Take Flight!

    Photo Courtesy Patrick Gillogly

    Poly’s Model United Nations club and elective hosted by Mr.Gologily accompanied 30 students from February 8th – 10th to Boston, Massachusetts to participate in a simulated United Nations meetings.

    The prestigious model united nations event was hosted by Boston University coined, “BosMUN,” which invited high schools around the world to accumulate the brightest minds to solve the most debated problems.

    The venue took place at the grand Marriott Boston Copley, a big enough venue to contain several high schools and hundreds of delegates.
    At the venue a student or students would represent a country, preson, or place and debate in a committee which pertained to specific topics.
    Students argue from the country or places perspective which requires background research prior to the event.
    How students start and end the meeting, discuss, and dress is all in accordance to the real United Nations meeting.
    For example, the majority of the conference required delegates wear western business clothing which shows the seriousness in the event.
    The four committees that took place for delegates to debate about where The Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN),
    The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), The Disarmament and Security Committee (DISEC) , The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
    Zane Witter, known mostly for being a varsity cross country runner attended the trip in hopes to experience a model united nations with different people from other countries.

    At the trip Zane argued representing Argentine Republic on The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), committee specifically about net neutrality and smart cities.

    After the Bosmun XVII event, Zane along with many other delegates who went on the trip voiced that, “it was an eye opening experiencing,” as they all saw different perspectives and opinions on modern problems and topics that appear in today’s media.
    Bosmun wasn’t the only thing that fueled excitement for the trip as Boston itself offered more than a model united nations conference such as Prudential Center, on Newbury Street.

    The center and street is littered with popular and undiscovered places such as California Pizza Kitchen, Dig Inn, and Davids Tea which all serve modern, healthy alternatives to today’s food.
    Overall, the BosMUN XVII was a successful trip where students learned more about the world and about themselves.

  • The Monarch Butterfly

    Monarch butterflies are in danger! Monarch butterflies are in the Nymphalidae family, the largest butterflies with more than 6,000 species around the world.
    This winter, the Monarchs migrated to Mexico more than a week later than their usual date, October 20th, due to the cold and rain that’s been happening in the United States.
    Other causes for their decreasing numbers are because of pesticides, habitat loss, and fewer native plants (milkweeds are where they lay their eggs).
    According to an article on The Guardian, Andrew Rhodes, Mexico’s national commissioner for protected natural areas, stated that “Once in Mexican territory, the butterflies occupied an area that gives us a lot of hope for the future..,” but this doesn’t guarantee that the Monarchs are out of danger.
    These butterflies are needed because they “help plants pollinate and are a crucial part of the food cycle (they are a food source for other animals),” says Ms. Indira Jimenez, teacher at Poly.
    Luckily, Poly has a garden bed in the Poly community garden dedicated to the Monarchs and this January, 3 caterpillars were found in the garden which is a great start to help them out.
    We can all continue to help Monarchs by planting more milkweeds, avoid using pesticides in gardens, finding a way to stop climate change, and spreading the word.

  • R.OT.C Take It All at Fullerton

    On February 9, 2019, R.O.T.C (Reserve Officer Training Corps) ascend to higher heights by attending their first formal competition for unarmed exhibition, armed exhibition, physical training, map reading and academics at Fullerton Union High School.
    Poly faced several formidable schools such as Western High, Paramount, Santiago, Buena Park, Fullerton, Katella, Mongolia, Sonora, Lorara, and the Army Navy Academy.
    Triumph they did. Starting with unarmed exhibition, known for there pristine taps and crisp formations, commander CPT.
    Khan, Lenny and first segargent CSM. Boonlua, Calvin displayed to Army and Naval soldiers why they’re the best at what they do taking 2nd in exhibition an 8-minute formulated performance and also 2nd in regulation a sequence of marching commands performed close to perfection. Commander CPT.
    Khan, Lenny expressed that they, “performed to their capacity,” and, “proud,” how his senior year as a commander is going.
    Poly didn’t stop there, but also steam rolled the competition when competing in armed exhibition (informally known as the, “Dark Knights”).
    There on the raining, pouring basketball courts did commander CPT.
    Tran, Ryan and first sergeant MSG Corza, Brandon lead their team to exhibit precise and veteran spins with 8.69 pound rifles, a formidable task even for the best.
    They seized 1st in armed exhibition with not a word leave on the drill pad. Commander CPT.
    Tran, Ryan expressed the same emotion as CPT. Khan Lenny as he, “made the most of it,” at his last Fullerton competition
    Putting the cherry on the top, Poly’s physical training team (Known as the, “Raiders”) led by MAJ. Kristine Ordinario placed 1st in the physical training test consisting of 2 minutes of push ups and sit ups and a 1 mile time trial.
    Poly dominated the competition on the track and under the football stadium averaging a time of 6:57 and high 100s for push and low 120s for sit ups. MAJ.
    Kristine Ordinario only a junior learned much from the, “vigorous training and mental test,” that lead up to the competition and also wants to, “fabricate the same performance,” at competitions to come.
    Although Poly did stumble when it came to map reading and academics.
    Map reading led by CPT. Carrasco, Israel consisted of deriving essential information presented by the map such as distance, direction, natural and man-made features, and topographical features.
    After that was academics led by SFC. Vo, Jessica which was based on deep American history. Questions such as, “Who and what did the 26th president of the United States of America do?”
    As the dust settled, Poly placed 3rd in map

    reading and did not place for academics.
    Do not falter as Poly placed 1st overall out-doing 10 schools, one being based on military education.
    We hope the best for our cadets as many more competitions are to come this winter and spring.

  • Ain’t Nothing Wrong With Community College

    A concerning, disgustingly large amount of high schoolers scoff at the idea of community college. A few weeks ago, this one ignorant, ugly 12th grade boy named Peter (I can name him. He doesn’t go to this school, it’s fine) asked me what colleges I applied to. I told him I only applied to LBCC, and this absolute cretin responded, “Ugh. That’s so basic.” Another said, “Ew. Can’t imagine.”

    Four year universities are great for a number of reasons. It’s understandable why a lot of people want to go straight to a university. That’s cool; there’s nothing wrong with that. However, there’s also a myriad of benefits to attending a community college for two years then transferring, or just staying there the whole four years. It’s not as financially burdensome than most universities, and most employers don’t often weigh into account where you get your major, only what you major in and what experience you have.

    Some people might think the education is just inherently better at universities, but professors at community college can often be more focused on their teaching because the ones teaching at universities have all their obligations to the university, all the studies and research they have to conduct. Professors at community college can focus on their class more.

    There’s this stigma around community college, this idea that it’s just inferior to any four year university and a waste of time. A lot of it might have to do with pride. Some people might want to go try and attend a university just because it’s more difficult; they want to go to a college they had to work hard to get into, because that automatically makes it better. I’m positive not everybody thinks like this, but I’m sure there’s a good handful that do, which is unfortunate.

    Some people want to live the college life, get away from home and reside in a dorm for four years. That sounds fun, and I’m glad some people will get to enjoy all that, but is it really worth the extra thousands of dollars? People need to take these things into consideration and stop so easily dismissing community college, especially since LBCC will have free tuition for two years starting this fall 2019 semester.

  • The Importance of Black History

    It’s the month of February! What do you think of when you think of February? Valentine’s Day? President’s Day? Or do you think about the appreciation of the black culture?
    Yesterday, I was having a conversation with my sister. I asked her if she knew who Malcolm X was. She said no. I asked if her if she knew the history of where her ancestors came from and if she knew the obstacles they had to overcome for us to be treated the way a human being should be treated? Of course, she gave me a confused look and responded that she didn’t.
    Black History Month doesn’t get the same recognition for younger students as much as it did when I was in elementary school. Many students entering middle school still don’t even know who Malcolm X is. To this day, people still say “MLK died for our rights.” MLK did not die for our rights. He was assassinated. Many of our people were killed just for us to receive the same rights as everybody else. Younger students should know that by now!
    Even though, our culture should be celebrated all year long, it should at least be recognized more during the month that was dedicated to the culture. Can we please acknowledge the greatness of black culture?

  • Sir Savage The 21st

    Recently 21 Savage has been issued to be deported from the United States for being  here illegally, since he immigrated here from the UK and the age of 7. Ever since the incident, 21 Savage and his team have been working through the process to keep 21 living in the U.S. His visa expired 13 years ago. Soon after, memes has continued to rise up from people all over twitter and even celebrities such Demi Lovato. She got major backlash for doing the same thing that numerous people have done which was making fun of 21’s situation. The rapper is still being held by immigration services for questioning. His career is at stake, since a majority of his fans and cash flow are in the United States. I believe he should be allowed citizenship in the United States since he has been living here for such a long time and he has already established a career and contributed society. Also his visa expired when he was young so there was nothing he could do about it. 21 Savage should be made an exception to these harsh immigration laws. #free21savage.

  • Singles Playlist

    1] Party for One – Carly Rae Jepsen

    2] Give Yourself a Try – The 1975

    3] Dead To Me – Kali Uchis

    4] The Less I Know The Better – Tame Impala

    5] She’s Gonna Leave You – The Walters

    6] I Can’t Help It – Michael Jackson

    7]When You Were Mine – Cyndi Lauper

    8] Movin’ On – Mýa

  • In Love Playlist

    1] Lo Que Siento – Cuco

    2] See You Again – Tyler, The Creator ft. Kali Uchis

    3] Take Care – Beach House

    4] 4EVER – Clairo

    5] Falling for U – Peachy! ft. mxmtoon

    6] Mirrors – Justin Timberlake

    7] Crazy4luvinU – Katzú Oso

    8] Will He – Joji

    9] Your Love – Nicki Minaj

    10] America’s Suitehearts – Fall Out Boy

  • Wrap It Up!

    I remember the last time I took sex education, it was in my seventh grade health class. I was surprised to find out in highschool that sex ed was not a required class. Sure, health is taught but not necessarily enforced. I was supposed to take a semester of health in biology freshman year, but it seems like my class barely skimmed over it.

    Recently, I was curious about the STD rates in America and I was shocked to find out how high the numbers were. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are more than 110 million STIs and various STDs among men and women in the US. Alaska, Mississippi, and Louisiana are the top three states in the nation harboring STD ridden fools. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV are some of the most prominent sexually transmitted diseases in America. In California specifically, the STD rates have increased 7% from 2017 to 2018. A staggering 218,728 cases of chlamydia alone, has been reported in California in the year of 2018. Not surprising, high schools are diseased cesspools of horny teenagers! 46% of American high school students have had sexual intercourse and potentially are at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and other STDs. Leading to,  1 in 4 teens contract a sexually transmitted disease every year.

    Back to sex education classes, I’m not quite sure why they aren’t a requirement. I feel like it is a necessity for teenagers to be educated about safe sex and the consequences that may come with it, due to the high rates. Surely STDs won’t go away, but it can be highly diminished amongst high schoolers if they knew more about the risks of unprotected and unsafe practices of sex.

  • Swept Off Her Feet

    Actions so simple, yet seem too sweet.

    spontaneous, yet straight from a movie script 

    Is there a real reason to read inbetween the lines?

    she is just scared to be swept off her feet

     

    Rocky roads not quite left behind, 

    she hides her real feelings deep inside

    Please don’t let her get swept off her feet.

    Their days together become shorter 

    and the shore becomes colder

    summer will come and

     go.

    she has to go.

    before September comes

    she wants it to last,

    to be different from the last

    but who knows what the future holds,

    will they mature as one 

    or just fracture under the pressure

    What will happen tomorrow 

    if she does not protect her heart today?

    She warns herself of the past,

    the one that swept her off her feet.

  • The Signs on Valentines Day

    Aries: Starting a riot

    Taurus: Watching romance movies while crying

    Gemini: At the beach with their friends

    Cancer: Having dinner about to be proposed to and says no

    Leo: On a date at Disneyland

    Virgo: Working

    Libra: Deciding whether to go on a date or stay at home and eat chocolate

    Scorpio: At Disneyland but is flirting with the characters

    Sagittarius: Over it

    Capricorn: Got stood up

    Aquarius: Home…alone….

    Pisces: Found out they are being cheated on

  • 2gether We Can Grow

    Michael Gray has a YouTube channel called 2gether Tuesday, where he posts motivational videos for students, and others to view. From videos ranging about celebrities giving their perspective, to motivational speakers with the lessons they have, and lastly a variety of other things in promoting confidence on different aspects in life.

    On Wednesday, January 29, two videos titled Anything is Possible and Nothing Will Change Unless You Change were created by students at Poly Academy of Achievers and Leaders (PAAL). Throughout the video of Anything is Possible, voice overs of students and staff spoke on the topic of possibilities, as it was displayed over a video mainly focusing on football players, their games, and even behind the scenes.

    In fact, the script used in the video, is that of Gray’s in an assembly he performed earlier this school year dealing with mental health. The message that the video gives, is that of reaching goals and not being discouraged in pursuing them.

    With the football players featured in the background, it provides a visual of them doing what might be considered impossible and showing that it can be done. And of course those visuals were able to be provided by PAAL student, David Ukpolo.

    In the video, Nothing Will Change Unless You Change, students discuss about the improvements you can make in order to apply changes and continue to grow from them. From making good habits to getting rid of the negative thoughts you have of yourself. It is a motivation to show that the choices you make, and the outcomes that can come from them either: change your ways or stay the same.

    Based on both videos they have similar meanings and fits in with the kind of videos already posted on the 2gether Tuesday channel. They bring a message of having a positive outlook on life and hopefulness. The production and cooperation of these projects is that of a professional, despite some minor mistakes.