Photos by David Moore & Phoenix Jones
Author: adviser
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Know Your Rights!
What is up Poly? Halloween is twenty-six days away and the burglars – I mean dirty zebras – I mean referees – are already up to no good. And don’t even say it; “But John, a lot of those penalties on Poly actually are their fault.” As a true fan with my class of 2018 rose tinted glasses, I see two things; referees making bad calls and referees missing good calls. But fear not jackrabbit lovers, for I have a solution to our pandas with whistles problem -I mean referees. Man I got to work on that. Being a football fanatic, and also a scholar in my Government class, I have been doing some reading. Article 2 section 4 of the referee’s handbook states clearly that “You, the fan, have the right to question any and everything the officials call during the football game.” I know what you’re thinking; “John, why are you telling me this?” Great question, random person reading this! I’m telling you this so you know that at every game, you can yell as loud as you want. Like really make some noise. Anything that makes sound is appreciated. The referees actually like it. It makes them seem important. Clapping and stomping, rain dances, smoke signals, organized chants, almost anything works. Don’t worry, the law is on your side. So the next time one of those monochrome bumble bees – I mean referees – throws his dirty laundry on the field, let them know how you really feel.
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Watch Ya D*mn Profamity
When people hear the way I speak, they often ask “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?” The answer is yes the hell I do. And yes I know foul language is not good to use, but let’s be honest to ourselves, cursing has a huge part in modern day society. Remember those times in elementary school when someone would yell out “Stupid!” and we would all open our mouths and say “Oooo”. Well we’re not in those times anymore. You are lying to yourself if you say “I don’t cuss”. We all have our moments, although some more than others, but shit happens. I did not start cursing until I was in the fifth grade and I can not say I’m proud of that, but it had to happen. Why can’t I cuss without teachers looking at me like I have some sort of god damn mental problem? Get over it! Your kids probably talking like that too, so just chill and do not come to me with all that crap that “My son doesn’t speak like that because he knows what is gonna happen if he does”. Obviously he ain’t gonna talk like that infront of you if you over here with a chancla in your hand. Let me be how I want to be, it’s my way of talking. Believe me, I have tried changing it, but I can’t. So please leave me alone because I am sure that I am old enough to know my limits. Just because I cuss in front of my friends doesn’t mean I’m gonna do it to an adult. I promise to try to watch my profanity a little more.
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Letters To Sala: A Preview to the Play
Tis the Season: Fall is finally here and with that, comes cold weather, big sweaters, football, and most importantly the Long Beach Poly Fall drama production.
Photo by Ella Christensen Drama student Toni Bravo and Teacher Linda Bon rehearsing for the upcoming fall production This year’s play is called Letter’s to Sala based off the book “Sala’s Gift” by Ann Kirschner. It will be showcased on November 8.
The play is about Sala giving her daughter the many letters she received while in multiple concentration camps. While Sala’s daughter is translating the letters, a major conflict begins to rise. This play is full of thrilling emotional scenes and amazing performances pulled off by Poly’s astounding drama class.
Be sure to support the Long Beach Poly drama department and watch this amazing play when it debuts. There will be many talented students starring in it and it will be something you won’t want to miss.
Join us at the Long Beach Poly Playhouse on November 8th!
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A Catwalk Dedicated to the Runway
From September 26 to October 3, 2017, high end designers and brand names are showcasing their collection for the upcoming seasons. This is the week that has the potential to make or break a designers career. But often, the most critical fashion of the week is streetwear. Fashion photographer Phil Oh is world renowned for his striking street style photos for capturing the effortless lifestyle of a model.
Off-White’s high-heeled boots covered in clear plastic. A modern day Diana is perfectly captured through Abloh’s chic catwalk design. Photo courtesy of Google Photos. Virgil Abloh, French designer of the Off-White Spring/Summer 2018 collection, revealed his inspiration for this season was the iconic Princess of Wales, Diana. Marking her 20 year anniversary of passing, he searched through the archives to surround the whole collection based off the personality of such a resilient woman. Abloh closely examined key moments in her life and captured them through his designs.
Anthony Vaccarello, French designer behind Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Spring 2018 collection, captivated Saint Laurent’s life from the beginning of his Moroccan garden to his self-named, unique, and individualistic brand. The show had such a large audience, some attendees were forced to stand in observation.
Many spectators of the YSL show marveled in the glistening sparkles of the Eiffel Tower’s evening lights in the background, as well as the contemporary pieces of fashion featured in front of the monument.
There were five cliques (or featured collection groups) throughout the YSL show. Opening up, was The Nouveau Bohemians. The Softboys, Victorian Bad Girls, Vixens, and Couture Clients With a Penchant for Clubbing continued thereafter. Closing the show were the Women With Drivers. Each portion represented the growth and surroundings Laurent experienced leading up to his designs that eventually took over the fashion world one thread at a time.
As the hectic week came to a close, all the French designers had successfully accomplished yet another Fashion Week.
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College Ready?
One of Poly’s specialties, besides sports, is academics and preparing students for the future. The College and Career Center is in room 801, and all students are welcome any day of the week.
Career Center Supervisor Sylvia Womack is there to help students in all areas from looking for jobs and internships to winning scholarships. College advisor Chidi Agu at the center is available to answer any questions regarding the college-application process.
If students cannot go to the center during school hours, they have the opportunity to visit Poly’s school loop website for more information on upcoming open houses, internships, and college visits.
Agu stated a positive of the College and Career Center.
“The biggest advantage of the center is having assistance figuring out which way to go after high school because there is so many ways you can go,” Agu said.
Since it’s the season for seniors to start planning their futures, the center is offering information on helpful programs like the Leadership Academy Mentoring Program (LAMP), the college and career exploration night at the CSULB pyramid on November 1, the college fair taking place in Lakewood, and important test dates.
College advisor Khtija Kat explained what the purpose of the center is.
“Our main goal is to help all of our students whether you are a freshman or a senior getting ready to graduate,” Kat said. “It’s to help you graduate and have a bright future, so that way you don’t graduate and not know what is going to happen.”
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Calling All Engineers
The robotics competition is a club that meets in room 809, Mrs. Echerri’s class. The students meet every Friday during lunch.
There is no need for experience. However, the club does involve different committees, so there are many aspects to work on. The club welcomes all grade levels and all academies.
Although the competition is not until March, there is a six and a half week pre-season that leads up to the games.
The robots vary from 80-120 pounds typically and can range anywhere from three feet to six feet depending on the game rules.
Senior Thena Guttieri is currently the president of the robotics club, and she explained that she is looking to pass her leadership role for the next season after she graduates.
Senior Sovannrat Hul said, “It’s a great opportunity, and you get to learn how to work in teams.”
According to Mrs. Echerri, being a part of robotics club is also a great opportunity for students who are striving to become engineers.
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What in the World?!?
Saturday, September 23- The World
The end of humanity on Earth did not come to an end like research scientist David Meade said it would.
Tuesday, September 26- Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Foreign ministry announced that women over 18 years old will be able to drive this June 2018.
Thursday, September 28- Bali and Vanuatu
The two islands of Bali and Vanuatu each have a volcano threatening citizens with potential to bring havoc. Both the volcanoes are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire and are expected to erupt around the same time. Nearly 144,000 people from Bali and 11,000 people from Vanuatu have been evacuated and being taken to safety– as of October 2.
Friday, September 29- Puerto Rico
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz spoke at a press conference. She states, “If anyone is out there listening to us, we are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency and bureaucracy.”
Saturday, September 30- United States
President Donald Trump responded to Cruz’s statement. He tweeted, “Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help. They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort.”
Sunday, October 1- Las Vegas, Nevada
64-year-old Nevada native Stephen Paddock shot and killed 59 people– as of October 2– from his hotel room on the 32nd floor at the Mandalay Bay.
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The Parking Fiasco
Poly’s baseball parking lot underwent a much needed makeover during the summer. The district’s call for this remodel was long overdue, according to assistant Activities Director Virginia Agredano-Perez, who stated that she couldn’t recall the last time the lot was worked on.
The renovation included a new walkway along the baseball field, which provided an easier way for pedestrians to move across the lot if necessary and for drivers to get to their cars. However, what was not implemented in the new structure’s plan was a drop-off zone for parents.
The amount of students that get dropped off outweighs those that can drive themselves. Each morning on Jackrabbit Lane, 15th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Street is a nightmare with these parents blocking the road. How are students expected to be on time to class when the traffic stops them from parking immediately when arriving at school?
Senior Kayla Gibson states that, “in order to comfortably get a parking spot, [she] has to get to school early.” Gibson, who parks on M.L.K. Street everyday, was unable to get a parking permit, another downside to the lot’s “improvement”. The total amount of permits distributed this school year was 173, around eighteen less than the total available last year.
“I don’t understand why they got rid of a whole row of spots,” senior Katie Pream pointed out, noticing the decrease in spots did not ease the difficulty faced when leaving school.
With the decrease in spots, students have to resort to parking on M.L.K. Jr. Street, 15th Street, and even 17th Street. An issue with parking on the street is twice a week street sweeping eliminates parking spots. Last school year, the times changed to 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Gibson explained that the change in street-sweeping days has been extremely inconvenient, and she has seen students running late to class from having trouble finding parking spots on those two days.
Photo by David Moore -
Time for City Corps
JROTC is preparing to start off strong this year with their City Corps competition coming up on October 4 at Cabrillo High School. City Corps is an event between four schools: Lakewood, Paramount, Cabrillo, and Long Beach Poly. At the event, the top four cadets will be interviewed by all the instructors from each school.
The commanders have chosen their top four cadets to represent Poly, which will be senior Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Justeny Arias, senior Cadet Major Shaina Tudayan, senior Cadet Major Matthew Sann, and junior Cadet Command Sergeant Major Carina Ayala. These four cadets will be answering questions to see what position they will be able to hold on the Junior ROTC Staff.
“This is nothing they can really study for,” Senior Army Instructor Sergeant Major Wright explained. “It’s just gonna be military knowledge on how they would handle certain scenarios.”
As for cadets being chosen, they were carefully picked to represent Poly.“The cadets are very dedicated to the program of ROTC and the needs for Poly High School,” Wright said.
Junior Cadet Carina Ayala explained how she is very excited to be attending and feels honored to be the only represented junior out of the four chosen. Ayala dedicated her 3 years at Poly to Junior ROTC and is looking forward to potentially hold a higher position for her senior year. “I love ROTC because it has pushed me to be the full potential version of myself, and as well, I know I will do great in the competition,” Ayala said.
After this event passes, JROTC’s next event will be the Veteran’s Parade on November 11.
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Recycle Now!
Facts are important, extremely important. When Intensive Studies teacher Tonia Schwichtenberg voiced the controversy surrounding Poly’s recycling program, it was apparent that there were many misunderstandings.
During certain periods of the day, students with intellectual disabilities can be seen picking up and recycling bottles and cans.
The point Schwichtenberg has been trying to get across is that the students participating in this program are choosing to participate.
“It’s a school-wide program that is their choice to be a part of,” Schwichtenberg said. “It is NOT trash pick up. I need everybody to understand that.”
To clear up any confusion and end the recycling program’s negative connotation, a list of facts was included and discussed by Schwichtenberg herself.Schwichtenberg’s List of Facts:
1. The program is not a trash pick up. The students recycle cans and bottles, and it is called Recycle Now.
2. Recycle Now was designed by and for students who have intellectual disabilities.
3. Students involved in Recycle Now use the bottles and cans recycled each day to create reusable products, such as backpacks and rulers.
4. Recycle Now is a paid job for students who are interested.
5. Students that choose to be a part of the program have to go through an application process to be picked for the position. 6. Schwichtenberg and her students began Recycle Now around 19 years ago and have proven the success of the program each day. The students that have this job recycle around 3,000 pounds of bottles and cans on the Poly campus each year, and Recycle Now has been honored with various awards from the City.Recycle Now has been beneficial for students with disabilities, and the program will continue to thrive. There is always more than what meets the eye.
