Poly swim has had a busy couple of weeks, dominating not only the Moore League competition but also caused some big splashes down in San Diego.
This past weekend from Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24, a select group of swimmers traveled down to San Diego to participate in the annual Dick Draz’s Iron Man relays. This “Iron Man” style relays combine both boys and girls to swim the hardest of events ranging from the 100 meter freestyle to the killer 400 meter Medley.
Being the outside team didn’t phase the Jackrabbits, as they dominated the meet winning first place overall.
In addition to participating in the relays the Jackrabbits also toured San Diego colleges, including UC San Diego where the team met up with the school’s swim coach to connect with prospective student-athletes.
Last week on Thursday April 21, the girls added yet another win as they glided right past the Millikan Rams. Unfortunately the boys team was not as successful going up against the Rams losing by with a close score of 89-81.
It was a fairly easy victory for the Lady Jackrabbits, as they swept most of the events for a (124-46) victory. Typical for the girls, there were a wide range of great swims and even better times, including a 500 meter CIF consideration time of 5:28.70 for junior Isabella Magalong who was named swimmer of the meet.
The Jackrabbits also had their second to last Moore league meet on April 27 against Cabrillo but could not be reported on due to press time restraints.
As the Moore League comes to an end, both teams are preparing for Moore League finals next week. The girls will have their preliminaries and finals on Tuesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 5, respectively. Meanwhile, the boys will have their preliminaries on Wednesday, May 4 and finals on Friday, May 6. Both will be held at the Cabrillo Aquatic Complex.
The girls, who as of now are undefeated in the league, look to completely reclaim the Moore League championship title after having to share the title with the Wilson Bruins for the last year. As for the boys, the young yet dynamic team is seen to be building momentum as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Author: adviser
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Making Splashes In San Diego
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PUTTING RUMORS TO A REST.
On Friday, April 22, participating clubs joined together to share and expose students to the various cultures at Polytechnic High School for the annual Intercultural Faire—thus ending Poly’s annual Intercultural Week. Long-standing clubs including Red Cross, Key Club, and JROTC participate every year, though new clubs such as Kendama Club contributing to this faire was a refreshing treat. Every year, clubs have the opportunity to submit an application to participate in the Intercultural Faire, whether it be through a booth to sell food, or through a live performance on the rally stage. Clubs performing consisted of Drama Club’s Carrying the Banner performance, meant to promote the upcoming musical The Millennium Musical. Staff Band performed rock music, Fellow Christian Athletes performing jazz music, METS/Patrick Duong with a musical interpretation, Black Student Union’s Ode to Africa, The First Bite musical dance performances, Soul of K-Pop’s musical dance performances, and Pacific Islander Club’s dances from the islands of the Pacific. The point of the faire is to share Poly’s unique and varying cultures. “We didn’t publicize the performances enough, and they’re what people enjoy the most. Many people didn’t even know there were performances,” said Tiger Khou, member of Student Commission. Immediately after the bell rang for the faire to start, a massive line formed at the main entrance for students that had an “early-out” slip to leave school early. “When I walked into school and saw the line at the attendance office, I thought the new iPhone dropped or something. I think some of the people getting early outs didn’t want to attend the faire because of financial constrictions. The school might have to find a way to make the faire enjoyable for people who don’t want to buy tickets,” said senior Jeffery Akuamoah-Boateng. An anonymous student stated, “We thought it’d be better to spend money on outside food. Being seniors, we weren’t too interested anymore. Plus, we had plans to work on a poster for prom.” That’s not to say that the Intercultural Faire is losing its charm. Akuamoah-Boateng argued, “I decided to stay at the faire because it has been an enriching and rewarding experience for the last four years here at Poly. It may seem like the “cool” thing to do to leave, but I think it’s even cooler to be exposed to different cultures and foods, and enjoy the experience with your friends.” There are rumors spreading around campus that this is the last Intercultural Faire. Khou stated, “They’re just rumors. We just discussed the possibility of making the faire open to outsiders.” Overall, the students and staff that helped make this annual event happen should be recognized for their help—Student Commission specially recognizes ROTC for being a major help that day.
Pacific Islanders club performing a traditional cutural dance that has gained popularity every consecutive year at Intercultural Faire. 
Photo courtesy of Monineath A. Ray
A Korean Pop dance trio performs at Intercultural Faire led by Eddie Valencia picture farthest left withtin the image. -
Bruins Leave Jackrabbits in Ruins
On April 19 and 21, the Poly Softball and Baseball teams played against the Cabrillo Jaguars and the Wilson Bruins. Both teams had massive statements to make as they both had to follow up on their previous match-ups against the Wilson Bruins.
For the baseball team, the game against the Jaguars didn’t seem to be much of a challenge. They had a well-played game, winning by a margin of 13-1. Six of the 13 runs came in the first inning, allowing the Rabbits to gain momentum at the very beginning of the game.
“Our team was very solid that day. We didn’t play down to our opponent and we were able to get an early lead and then were able to cruise on from there,” said junior Gavin Palagonia.
As for the next game against the Bruins, the Jackrabbits were looking to get a victory after taking a loss in their previous match-up. The game was intense, with pitchers on both teams playing great. However, Poly was not able to capitalize on their opportunities, and Wilson was able to score twice in the second inning. As a result, Poly would take another loss against the Bruins with a score of 2-0.
The pattern would end up being the same for the Lady Jackrabbits as well. The first game was predicted to be an easy one, since the Jaguars had lost to weaker opponents in the Moore League and have an overall record of 6-12.Also, because Poly was playing on their home turf, they did not have very much to worry about. Poly ended up beating Cabrillo by a wide margin of 18-2. Although Poly played fantastic, they were still preoccupied with playing Wilson next.
Every year, Poly and Wilson have had very close games. With the two teams evenly matched each year, they have come to share a rivalry. The Rabbits have always aimed to defeat the Bruins, and were finally able to achieve this goal in the last game on March 22. This was the first time that they had beaten the Wilson Bruins since 2007. However, this following game turned out to have a completely different outcome.
While Poly came to get another big win, the Bruins were seeking vengeance and were able to pull off a victory against Poly. The game turned out to have a big setting, because it was on senior night and the Jackrabbits were playing at home again—Joe Rodgers Stadium.
Wilson pitcher Joette Vega had a dominant game, not allowing the Rabbits to score capping off the game with a score of 5-0. Although the Rabbits were able to hit Vega’s pitches, they were unlucky and the ball continued to roll to the opponent each time.
“We knew we had to win and knew it was going to be a very tough game. They really wanted to beat us after we won the first round,” claimed junior Mikaela Vidovich. “They came out dominant. We could not catch a break.”
Both the softball and baseball teams look to redeem themselves in their following games. Both teams played against the Jordan Panthers on Wednesday, April 27, which could not be reported on due to time constraints. After tough losses from the Bruins, the teams should come out playing hard with lots of energy. Now that the first round of Moore League is out of the way, both teams have learned what they are up against and should play much better. -
Teachers Diss Ditch Day
This year, Senior Ditch Day was on Wednesday, April 20th. Senior Ditch Day is an unofficial annual holiday for seniors to take a break and celebrate all the hard work they have done in their soon-ending high school careers.
Although half of the teachers at Poly were expecting to have empty chairs in their classrooms, the other half knew their students would come because they placed traps for seniors to come that day. The word going around the day before was that many senior students had tons of work assignments due on Senior Ditch Day. Many teachers threatened their students with zeros and losing participation points if they chose to be absent. “It was definitely intentional to ensure that students come to school. It was very unfortunate for some students who still decided to ditch,” said senior Aldegundo Camacho.
The fact is that with just 41 more days till the class of 2016 graduates on June 15, all seniors are focused toward that specific day. Most of all, seniors are prepared to drop dead due to the end-of-the-year homework and class work we are all receiving.
“It is so unfair, we are seniors and it is the end of the year and getting lots of work assigned.Teachers should remember what it is like to be a senior and realize that there is more in our lives than just school. Due to us having to be here by law, school is very high priority,” said Senior Saul Ruiz.
“I had two test that day,” Lorena Ordaz said solemnly, “I wanted to hang out with my friends.”
The last two months should be the resting period for all seniors, not a time for more work to be given because seniors already gave their very best throughout the last four years: many sleepless nights, skipping out on fun, and even having to lose some event or associate important to you.
Seniors are the Kings and Queens of Poly High School, and having worked their butts off to get to this point, we at least deserve the last two months to be some of the easiest and best of high school.
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AP survival Guide
AP study tips and stress relievers
1. Eliminate factors such as watching TV and cell phones; it can speed up the studying process and help retain more information.
2. Students who are taking multiple APs find it difficult choosing which to study for. In this situation, it helps to take one subject at a time. Studying for one exam one day and another the next day can relieve some of the stress that’s been built up. When focusing on a subject, spend at least 40 minutes to an hour reviewing notes, going over old homework problems, and reading AP practice study guides. Take a ten minute break, then review the subject once again.
3. While studying, flashcards are your best friend!
4. Stay organized. Do you expect to be relaxed if you have old papers and materials cluttering your desk? Start by outlining or creating a checklist for the items you want to accomplish. Then, organize your work space, removing all unneeded papers. Cleaning up the mess will make you question why you were lazy in the first place.
5. As crazy as this may sound, study, but don’t over study to the point where your brain just ends up fried. Studying too much can become counterproductive. If you feel like you need a break, by all means, take it.
What to expect on the day of your AP
AP Exams take place between Monday, May 2 and Friday, May 13. Check the apstudent.collegeboard.org site and the AP Calendar to find out when your exams are. Unless you are taking a small AP, you will take your exams at Grace Brethren Church (3590 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807). Students can consult the Advanced Placement link under the Academics tab on Schoolloop for verification on testing location. A map of Grace Brethren and instructions on where to go are on the website. Students can also arrive at the courtyard of the church to wait for instructions; the exams will be held in the Social Hall a Recreation Center.
Students should arrive between 7:15 A.M. and 7:30 A.M. for morning APs and by 11:30 A.M. for afternoon APs. If a student is taking the bus to the Church, they should wait on Atlantic Avenue by the front entrance and the bus should arrive by 6:50 A.M. and will leave around 7:10 A.M. for the morning exams; for afternoon exams, the bus will arrive around 11:05 A.M. and leave by 11:20 A.M. I would suggest leaving yourself plenty of time to get to Poly or Grace Brethren.
If you signed up for a school lunch, details are still being worked out. If you are taking a morning AP, pick up your lunch from the cafeteria and eat when you get back to Poly. If you are taking an afternoon exam, then pick up your lunch before boarding the bus, and if you have two exams that day, pick up your lunch before you leave in the morning. These plans could change, so keep an eye out for an email from Sam Koshy regarding the lunches.
When you arrive at the Church, you will check in at a table where you will need to present your ID. You will be given a card with your room and seat assignment. Pay attention upper-classmen! That is a new procedure. Students can then go to their assigned seat, unless they have a backpack. If you brought a backpack, you need to leave it at the allocated area. Students can keep water and snacks, but out of their backpack.What to bring
Several No. 2 wooden pencils with erasers
Pens, black or dark blue ink only
A watch with no alarm; a clock will be present, but students are responsible for keeping track of time.
Valid photo ID (School ID or driver’s license) with one bar-coded sticker from the AP student pack placed on the back of ID.
Snacks and water
What not to bring
CELL PHONES- leave them at home or in the car. If you bring them, they will need to be turned off and in your checked in backpack. If a student is caught with a cell phone, it will be confiscated and the student will be kicked out of the room. If a cell phone goes off or is being used, everyone’s scores are at risk of being thrown out and Poly can get into huge trouble, so DO NOT bring it.
Any other electronic besides a calculator (for required APs) and a watch.
Clothing with graphics related to the exam subject.
Other healthy snacks we recommend:
Apple slices
Bananas
Granola bars
Blueberries
Lots of water
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Rabbits Stay On Track Of Winning
On Saturday April 16, the Long Beach Poly Trackrabbits competed in the traditional Mt. SAC Relays. This year, the invitational was held at Cerritos College. Everyone had come with the goal to win.
Once again, sophomore Ariyonna Augustine ran in the 100 meter dash, placing third overall, with a time of 12.83 seconds. Also, juniors Melissa Tanaka and Danielle Scott ran the 800 meters; Tanaka finished third in 2:13.17 minutes and Scott took eighth with 2:15.95 minutes.
The girl Trackrabbits also placed second in the sprint medley run with 4:01.90 minutes, which consists of two people each running a 200 meter dash, one person running a 400 meter dash, and the anchor running an 800 meter.
Another great performance came from junior Zion Bowens, who ran the men’s 200 meter dash. Bowens placed third overall in 21.76 seconds. Anthony Johnson placed first in the men’s 110 hurdles, with making his personal record with 14.68 seconds. “I have been setting a new record the past few meets,” said Johnson. “I am looking forward to doing even better and making it to state, and winning.”
Last Saturday, April 23, Long Beach Poly competed in the Orange County Meet of Champions at University High School in Irvine.
Senior Jaivion Cardinal ran in the open 300 meter hurdles last weekend, winning first place for Poly in 41.42 seconds. Again, Johnson ran the 110 hurdles, this time placing second overall in 14.69 seconds. Another Poly Trackrabbit, senior Jordan Peacock, ran the open 1600 meter, nabbing first plac, in 4:27 minutes.
Junior Briana Olebode ran both the women’s 100 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles last Saturday. Olebode took sixth in 100 hurdles with 18.20 seconds, and second place in the 300 hurdles with 49.29 seconds.
“I wasn’t necessarily nervous to run on Saturday, physically, but more so mentally,” said Olebode. “When I’m in the blocks waiting for the gun to go off, everything is zoned out. I don’t here anyone until that gun goes off.”
Senior Madi Brown ran in the open 400 meter dash in 1:04.43 minutes. Two of Poly’s seniors, Lauryn Jones and Mandy Wainfan, raced in the 800 meters. Jones took fourth in 2:31.72 minutes and Wainfan placed fifth in 2:35.52 minutes. -
Polyball Smashes The Lancers
Poly Boys Volleyball had two intense matches of the Moore League season this previous week.
On Tuesday, April 19, students and fans watched the Poly Jackrabbits go head-to-head with the Wilson Bruins with bated breath. Long rivals, the Jackrabbits and Bruins volleyed it out at Wilson High School to take the Moore League win. Much to the disappointment of Poly, Wilson swept the boys varsity volleyball team in all three sets (25-22, 27-25, 25-20).
“We lost our team chemistry which affected our mind set heading into the game. I told the team that we needed to attack every team with no mercy,” says varsity coach, Justin Oleole.
On Thursday, April 21, the boys varsity volleyball team stole hearts, inspired fans, and dominated the Lancers in the outstanding 5-set match victory (32-30, 10-25, 13-25, 25-17, 15-9). The Poly vs. Lakewood match took place at Lakewood High School. The win put Poly and Lakewood at a tie for the top standing in Moore League this season.
“That was the craziest match ever!” exclaimed varsity middle blocker Sam Leiwis. “There was some volleyball, some Jerry Springer, and some WWE. It’s the LB baby,” Lewis says, referencing an emotional outburst that resulted from Kristain Tafao arguing with a chair official over a yellow card in the middle of the third set. After a misunderstanding with the coach, and then a brief argument between coach and assistant coach, the crowd was pulled intensly into the heat of the match.
The incident did not phase the team but rather inspired them to push harder. “Tafao re-entered the match in the fourth set and played his best volleyball of the season, making inspired, crisp sets and chasing down balls on defense with abandon,” Gazette Sports reported.
Thursday’s match definitely boosted the morale of the team. “Being able to overcome a huge deficit was probably the proudest moment as a coach. The team really came together after a tough 2 and 3 game fall,” says Oleole.
The next match is away on Thursday, April 28 against Cabrillo. -
In Memory of Chad Heng
Poly Academy of Achievers and Learners (PAAL) senior Chad Hang passed away on Friday, April 1 and all of Poly has joined together in memory of his passing and in support of his family.
Hang was shot while walking home from a friend’s house around midnight at the 1300 block of E. 11th Street, which was less than a mile from his home. He suffered gunshot wounds to the upper torso. Hang was moved to a local hospital and pronounced dead on Friday, April 1.
The viewing will be on Friday, April 22, from four in the afternoon to eight in the evening at the Stricklin Snively Mortuary. The memorial service will be held on the following day, Saturday, April 23, from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon.
Hang, a dedicated JROTC member, was the sixth of seven children in his family and loved skateboarding and running. His friends miss him dearly and speak fondly in his memory of his vibrant personality.
Hang’s closest friend, senior Marlon Muk, remembers him, saying, “He was such an amazing kid. Had a really big gift of making people laugh and smile. He was encouraging, smart – in his own particular way – and incredibly funny. He had the biggest mouth I had ever met. There really is no mute button on that kid. He’ll just get louder and louder. He’s the most positive person out there, making people laugh until it hurts [and] smile until you can’t feel your cheeks, and showed love to others no matter who it was–friends or family.”
Chad’s fellow senior Angel Munoz thinks of the wonderful times they had together. “Chad was a very cool person to get to know–making friends and family smile, made me smile and that’s a first. He was a brother to me and Leslie,” Munoz recalls. “[We] were very close to him; we were like the three musketeers till the end. Leslie was like our sister, Chad was reckless, [and] I was the serious one.”
Senior Sebastian Perez struggled with words to describe the incredible person Chad was. “I don’t even know where to start with Chad; just words can’t explain who he is, but I’ll try my best.” Lovingly, Perez continued, “Chad was a very loud, outgoing, and funny guy. Everyone knew and loved Chad for that. When it came down to it, Chad always had everyone’s back. Didn’t matter what you did or how you got in the mess, he just helped you. That’s the kind [of] guy he was. My friends and I were deeply affected by Chad and these qualities that he shared and we continue to live through him and his words of advice.”
Senior Joshua Young said of his dear companion, “Chad was a friend of mine from middle school. We got connected through mutual friends. We started really talking in high school when we had classes together. Our friendship peaked in Ms. Sanchez’s class when we’d always mess with her. Whether it’d be being out of our seats, watching videos on her computer, or finding ways to annoy her. He kind of brought out the silly side in me. As long as I’ve known him I’ve never seen him unhappy. Not sad or angry or anything, he was always happy and made everyone else happy around him… If you knew him, instantly [there was] a strong connection. In all honesty and belief he didn’t deserve what happened to him. He deserved a long and happy life and all the good things that’d come with it.”
Friends like Senior Elizabeth Escatel will deeply miss his support.
“Chad was like a brother to me. He always made sure there was a smile in my face. I often struggle with depression but if Chad ever saw me sad, he would hug me super tight and then make me laugh till my stomach hurt. His hugs could put…broken pieces back together. He was the best person, always happy,” said Escatel.
Chad Hang and all the happiness he brought into this world will be sincerely missed by all; the world will still spin, but not a day will pass without a person remembering the wonderful person Hang was. -
Jackrabbit News Brief: Panama Papers
Quite possibly one of the largest data leaks in history occurred at the beginning of April. The Panama Papers included 11.5 million documents that contain sensitive information about how wealthy individuals hid their money through shell companies—companies that exist on paper, but hold no substance—in order to evade taxes. Such documents totaled to a massive 2.6 terabytes of data and pointed to many heads of state, government officials, and friends or relatives of such people involved.
These papers have been an ongoing investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) since 2015, and the papers went public by Süddeutsche Zeitung, a German newspaper. In order to prevent another “Snowden” incident, a team of 400 journalists investigated this in secret.
The company Mossack Fonseca is based in Panama. Many use this law firm as a means of distributing profits to synthetic companies in order to evade taxes or hide money for other reasons. This practice has been known for a long time―historically, the Cayman Islands have been used as a tax haven because they have no corporate tax policies.
The papers date back to as far as the 1970s and politicians are already being forced out of power. On the same day that the Panama Papers leaked, the Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was already under fire since his name was highlighted in the articles. A whopping 10% of the entire country’s population rioted and wanted him out of power immediately. He refused to resign on the first day, but after the second day, he resigned, though he remains politically active.
These papers will be a major speaking point during the presidential election, as the records are showing that President Barack Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton have supported trade agreements between Panama, while Senator Bernie Sanders spoke and voted against it due to the potential of tax evasion. So far, there are no American names that have leaked out, but the papers are still being investigated. -
Cal Tech
A group of Poly juniors from Pamela Amici’s AP Calculus class went on a private field trip to CalTech for a tour on Thursday, April 7.
“We basically learned about campus life and the different types of classes offered, and the different ways you can set up your college experience,” said junior Stefana LoTempio. “I thought it was a lot of fun; before this I hadn’t even considered CalTech as an option, but after seeing the campus and everything, I’d like to apply.”
The tour was not incredibly in depth academically, but it provided a window into the life of the students. The juniors went through the different housing areas, got a look at the scenery of the campus, and ended up at the cafeteria.
“It was pretty cool. It was small but it was interesting because they have different areas based on different interests so you can choose which house based on which group you fit into best,” said LoTempio.
Amici had organized the tour specifically for her junior students. Through her contacts to the college she was able to get them a private tour of the campus in order to introduce them to the university. -
Uniforms, Rifles, and Hot Links: 100 Years of JROTC
Friday, April 8, marked the centennial anniversary of the JROTC program here at Poly. And what better way to celebrate than cake! Everyone was welcome to a slice, and there was more than enough to go around. Their choice to share the celebration with anyone willing to show up is not surprising.
JROTC members are well known for their kind, giving nature, with their contributions to many charity and community service events. Cadets from every team came out to celebrate, including the Dark Knights, Unarmed Color Guard, Riffle Team, Spartans, and Raiders.
The JROTC program first came to Poly 100 years ago, and since then, the techniques and instructors have changed, but the goals of the program have not.
“It really changes you for the better, it has always been about teaching students lifelong values, making them into better citizens, and just more outgoing,” said sophomore Jathaira Ribbs when asked about how the program has evolved over time. “It grows more and more; it isn’t just for people who are interested in joining the army, it’s for anyone.” The program is definitely getting more popular with people wanting to gain responsibility. Others join simply for fun.
Although the majority of these students hope to join the military at some point, some are just in it for the experience.
Freshman Xiomara Torres joined to learn valuable leadership skills. “I joined in tribute and to show people that I do have strength and am capable of leadership, which is exactly what the program teaches you, and you never forget it.”
Many follow in the footsteps of family members who they look up to. Those who joined the military after high school still remember everything they learned and encourage younger generations to join.
Many legacies started through Poly’s JROTC program. New legacies start every year, and those who do not plan on expanding their military training still advise their friends to join the program.
“I first heard about it from my friend Natasha, and yeah, I would totally recommend joining, it’s really awesome,” said freshman cadet Sofia Amores.
Though the event was largely a happy one, respects were paid in a moment of silence for two cadets lost in the past year. That Friday marked the one year anniversary since the death of cadet Jessie Yuth, who died while saving a friend from drowning. He is remembered as a leader and hero. The recent tragedy of 17-year-old cadet Chad Hang, who was shot and passed away on Friday, April 1, was also remembered. Hang was a member of the Color Guard Drill Team and will be dearly missed. In the past hundred years JROTC has impacted the lives of many, and will continue to do so in the future. -
Who Needs TV Anyway?
I am seventeen years old and I have never lived with a functional television set. But six months ago, my family bought a gorgeous flat screen and installed it on the wall in our living room.
Most people, when they heard I did not have a TV, were shocked. Living without a magical box in the 21st century is a phenomenon equivalent to not owning a washing machine in the late 50s.
Having a TV these past few months has not changed how I live from day to day. I still come home, do my homework, and for the most part, ignore the screen in the next room. I’ve watched a few John Oliver pieces and a Friends episode or two, but besides that, it is like my family never bought one.
I do believe that growing up with a TV is poisonous for the child’s brain. The constant advertising being thrown at a fresh mind is damaging, and raises children to want everything they see. Studies show that some shows will cause Attention Deficit Disorder to develop in children who watch it.
I appreciate the bar from Disney Chanel and Cartoon Network that my parents placed when I was very young. I appreciate having been told “no” whenever I asked for something I saw on billboards and other advertisements.
A life without television is better for everyone. It leaves more time to do enjoyable activities and it prevents you from frying your brain when you are bored. So if you have a television, consider smashing it to pieces, and go out for a walk in the fresh air.
