Author: adviser
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Jackrabbits Hop Back In: From Student to Staff
PACE counselor Connie Loggins. Little do people know that Poly PACE counselor Connie Loggins was once a student here at Poly, under the name Connie Marie Durr. Before graduating with the Class of 1974, Loggins was very involved with Student Commission, serving as an officer for three years. In addition, she was also a member of the track and softball teams, the latter of which she was deemed as MVP. Her initial goal was to be a physical education teacher because of her love for athletics and of her high school mentor, P.E. teacher Linda Ve. After graduating from college, Loggins was hired to be the career college specialist here at Poly, eventually becoming the counselor for the Communications academy and moving on to her current position as PACE counselor. “I love my students and I take pride that my students hold fast to the motto enter to learn and go forth to serve,” said Loggins. Poly was instrumental in helping her to learn how to interact with the world comfortably. Her high school experience showed her how diverse the school was and continues to be, and this is what makes the school a family. “There always has been and will be a strong Poly connection. Poly pride is like no other,” said Loggins.
Campus Security Officer Vuthy Cheav. Vuthy Cheav is currently the Campus Security Officer here on campus. He graduated from Poly in 1992, and his high school career mainly revolved around being a student-athlete, for he was on the volleyball team for three years. He came back to Poly in 1993 to become the volleyball coach and resigned in 2012. On top of his involvement here at Poly, Cheav has also worked as a real estate agent for over ten years. He loved Poly and though it was a great school back when he was a high school student “It’s the best high school in Long Beach,and green and gold are my favorite colors,” said Cheav. The Poly legacy will continue on in his family, for his daughter will be enrolled in the PACE program this coming fall.
Activities Director My Ngoc Nguyen. My Ngoc Nguyen is the new Activities Director at Poly this year. A product of the Class of (date), Nguyen has been involved in Student Commission ever since her high school years. Aside from ASB, Nguyen was also involved with the Vietnamese and Red Cross Clubs and served as the Youth Leader for NCCJ and the student representative for the District. After graduating from UCLA, Nguyen worked as a teacher before coming back to Poly. “I worked at Avalon for 1.5 years until Mr. Carlson became the principal at Poly and Mr. Ashley became the principal at Jordan. At Jordan, I taught Career Math, Geometry, Intermediate Algebra and started AP Statistics. I also coached Badminton, was the Senior Senate Advisor, and Link Crew Teacher. When Mrs. Speir retired last year, I was offered the Activities Director position at Poly,” said Nguyen. Without Poly, Nguyen feels that she would not have access to the opportunities given to her during high school and after graduation. Her favorite memory was back when she was the ASB President. “One time, I came in to the tardy sweep in the morning in the Commission room and Mr. Carlson obnoxiously embarrassed me and exclaimed, ‘Look at our ASB President— tardy! What a role model…’ No one can be perfect,” said Nguyen.
School librarian Pamela Oehlman. Pamela Oehlman is currently the teacher-librarian here at Poly, her high school alma mater. Hailing from the Class of (date), she was actively involved in extracurricular activities both on and off campus. “When I went to Poly the values and pride you have now being a Jackrabbit was central during my years here as well. At that time, there were off-campus clubs… I was a member of one. I was also a member of a service club [called] Caprice. I was a Polyette and active in the drama club. [Everything] was so much fun,” said Oehlman. She chose to become a librarian because the job was different from being a nurse, secretary or teacher, occupations typically reserved for women in 1965. She was able to get the position when the former Poly librarian, Maggie Chandler, retired. “I had been part of the opening staff at Jackie Robinson. I loved it, loved it, but I loved the chance to be part of the Poly family even more. I knew if I didn’t try for the position, it would regret it. I am so glad that I did,” said Oehlman. She believes Poly has truly inspired her to do things differently and to give back. “Poly taught me to try, and then try again. To always give my best effort. I entered to learn and went forth to serve. Thinking about it, it made me a joyful, optimistic person,” said Oehlman.
Campus Security Officer Alton Jerome (AJ) Luke.
Athletic director Rob Shock. A favorite amongst everyone roaming Poly’s halls, Rob Shock is a Poly alumnus with so much pride for his school. Serving as the Dean of Students, Athletic Director, Poly North coordinator, Link Cree Advisor and countless other positions, Shock works extremely hard to make Poly the best school it can be. He cites Poly as the place where he met his biggest inspiration. “I had a teacher named Mrs. Dunn back when I was here, and she helped me step outside what I thought was the only path I had, and she showed me how much I could actually accomplish in life. I was going to just end up going into the service like my father, but she showed me that college was a real option and a reality,” said Shock. Shock keeps this memory in mind when he steps onto the campus. “She believed in me, and I think that’s part of the personality I have now. I like to share her spirit now with what I do,” said Shock. He has been a vital aspect to Poly since 1989. “I came in as a college aide, and continued as a sub all over the district working towards teaching. Then I got a full time position at Poly [and] now I tackle several different jobs here for Poly,” said Shock. When asked what his favorite part about Poly was, he shook his head and chuckled. “It’s hard to say in one phrase. I think the main thing is family. The staff, the students, we’re all a family. It is just a great place to work, and I really take it to heart. It’s tradition, it’s mystique, it’s the generations on Poly, it’s a special place to be. People know Poly all over the place, wherever you travel, and it’s such a special thing to be apart of. I am privileged to be here. It’s not just a job; it’s an experience and a memory every day.” -
Poly’s Choir Performs Winter Concert
Poly’s annual Winter Concert was held on Wednesday, Mar. 4 at Cabrillo High School’s auditorium at 6:30pm.
Despite the new location due to the auditorium renovation, Poly’s choirs still performed excellently.
They showcased a wide variety of songs, such as Chamber’s “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” and Chorale’s “Hit Me With a Hot Note.”Each choir performed between three to four songs per set and dismissed the traditional intermission, due to the separation of the Grace and Glee Choirs and Traditional Choirs.
Chamber’s set included three songs: “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye,” “Sleep,” and “Ain’t Got Time to Die,” in which one of the two freshmen in Chamber had a solo.
“It felt great because I know that not a lot of other freshman get the chance to perform in front of an audience,” said freshman Eric Hatch.
“I felt so blessed.”
The audience cheered during Jazz One’s rendition of the popular Portuguese song, “Magalenha,” in which junior Sam Hale, senior Rex Lee, and sophomore Jovanh Pham had solos.
The concert also featured other soloists, such as senior Matthew Oca, who featured in the Jazz number, “Georgia On My Mind.”
“I had so much fun performing with [fellow choral members],” said Oca.
“The concert was really great and I felt honored to have received a solo.”
Choir members and soloists dedicated time preparing for the Winter Concert months prior to the event.
Hours of practice and a series of rehearsals preceding the concert contribute to the show’s success year after year.
Meanwhile, the second half of the concert, hosted by the Inspirational Glee and Grace choirs, took place on Thursday, Mar. 5 in the Choir Room at Poly.
Grace and Inspiration Glee performed pieces such as “Lean On Me,” “All You Need is Love,” and “Stand Up for Love.”
The theme for their concert was Martin Luther King Jr. and social justice, which was evident in their song choices.
“We had a lot of people show up,” said senior Christian Song.
“My favorite songs were the ones we did with Inspiration and Glee, because I felt like we all were as one unit, and I also felt like a lot of people were touched by the performance.”
This concert also featured several pieces of original spoken word poetry, which was well-received by members of the audience. The next and final concert, the Spring Concert, will take place sometime this May.
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Jackrabbits at Japan Bowl
12 Poly students participated in levels 3 and 4 of the annual Japan Bowl competition. The competition took place at Loyola Marymount University on Saturday, Mar. 7.
Poly’s team competed against Stevenson High School, Venice High School, The Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, and Campbell Hall, finishing in 3rd place in level 3 and 2nd place in level 4.
Watson Sensei, AP Japanese teacher and coach of the Japan Bowl team, made sure that her students were ready for the competition.
To prepare for the event, the Poly team members studied trivia in categories such as Japanese history, characters, idiomatic phrases, “flora and fauna,” and pop culture.
“I was interested [in Japan Bowl] because, as a student of Japanese, I’m always looking for opportunities to improve my language skills and pursue things that would allow me to learn more than just what’s in class,” said junior Olivia Hayes.
Venice High School, Stevenson High School, and Poly made it to the the level 4 championship round.
There was also an individual round as well as a toss up round, where competitors raced to buzz in their trivia answers.
The competition is designed to challenge students in a variety of areas of the Japanese language.
The activities test participants’ abilities in applying what they have learned in the classroom to fast, spontaneous trials.The teams were given points and tested on their pronunciation, accuracy, spelling, and speed. “I learned a lot and had fun. Plus, I got to have experience working in a team,” said Hayes.
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Poly Debate Headed to State
The Poly High debate team participated in a Congress legislation debate. The event was held at Schurr High School in Montebello, CA on Saturday, Mar. 7.
“Besides the fact that one of our participants got sick in the third round, everything was great!” said speech and debate coach Brett Alexander.
Eighteen schools participated in the debate. Poly walked away with several great performances, but none quite like that of senior Elijah Saucedo. Saucedo finished in 7th place out of 48 participants.
The top 9 finalists qualify for State Championships. Saucedo has been a finalist in all 3 of Poly’s League tournaments this year, finishing with the highest cumulative score in the final rounds.
“He had been doing great thus far in the season, so I pretty much expected him to do really well [in this debate],” said Alexander. Saucedo delivered an enthusiastic debate focusing on illegal immigration, no-knock search warrants, three-parent children and international environmental policy.
In order to prepare for the debate, Poly’s team rehearses their introductions and as well as the various elements of their topic prior to the competition. This helps to build confidence and readiness for the opponent’s potential arguments and counterarguments.
Alexander does much in the way of preparing his team, from questioning their defense points to giving tips on public speaking and communication skills. Saucedo had more to emphasize on his performance and handling his nerves.
“I try not to get too nervous,” said Saucedo. “In terms of performance, I felt like I did well enough to deprive my opponents of sleep!”
The state tournament, Poly’s most important debate of the year, will be held from April 17-19 at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta Valley near Temecula.
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Econ’s VITA Project In Full Swing
Poly’s VITA program undergoes its busiest times as the 2015 tax return season comes to an end.
VITA, short for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, is an IRS- backed school program that allows people of lower-income (up to $58,000) to get their taxes done for free by student volunteers.
The program was originally established 15 years ago but made its way to Poly 3 years ago with the help of teacher Daniel Adler and student Jamie Gracie.
The program is held on Mondays and Fridays from 3:00- 5:00 and Saturday mornings in the Hicks Gallery.
Interested parties must book appointments either by phone or on their official website http://lbpolyvita.weebly.com/. Volunteers are taught how to file federal and state income tax returns either through an online training program or classes by Mr. Adler.
“It does take time to learn [the process of filing tax returns], but I’m glad to be able to provide such a valuable service,” said Nathan Bousfield, a student who participates in VITA.
VITA has been a successful endeavor. With an average of 15 returns filed per day, Poly’s VITA has completed over 300 returns this year so far, greatly surpassing last year’s total of about 200 returns.
VITA usually ends with the IRS tax filing deadline (which is April 15 for this year) but this year’s early Spring Break may force the program to close prematurely on March 28.
Adler has plans for VITA to be more expansive, with the introduction of a dedicated app and the integration of the Affordable Care Act into the program.
“I think [the VITA program] is the perfect combination of community service and education because the students learn so much and the community benefits from taxes done right,” said Adler.
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Lived Long and Prospered
Leonard Nimoy, well known for his role as Mr. Spock in the popular television show Star Trek, died Feburary 27. Long loved for his three year, 80 episode run in the original Star Trek, he inspired generations of people with a love for science fiction.
The character Spock is half human, half Vulcan, an alien characterized by pointed ears and exaggerated eyebrows. He is the first officer on the Starship Enterprise, and always provides (whether or not it is requested) the logical solution to many of the problems that the crew faces. Leonard Nimoy brought the character of Spock to life with his quick wit and stringent morals, audiences for generations have loved and connected with him, whether he was facing inner turmoil or facing off with Dr. McCoy.
Before the fame that his most popular role brought him, he showed his passion for acting in a wide array of parts, mostly as minor characters in various TV shows (such as Twilight Zone and General Hospital), from 1951 to 1965. From 1966 to 1969 he acted in Star Trek, which became wildly popular. Later on in his career. Spock also appeared in many Star Trek movies and spin-off shows, like Star Trek The Next Generation.
Other TV shows have featured his beloved character, including The Simpsons and Futurama. He continued to act, in and out of the Star Trek franchise, and went on to write books, direct movies, along with becoming a photographer, philanthropist, and singer. He even made a reappearance in the more recent Star Trek Into Darkness, reprising his role as Spock at the age of 82.
Many people know Spock’s famous hand symbol and quote, “Live Long and Prosper.” As a pop culture icon, he funtioned to show people that science fiction permeates our society, in television, literature, and movies. Leonard Nimoy not only gave us Spock, he also lit our passion for science fiction.
The character that Leonard Nimoy helped the science fiction community fall in love with had many impacts in popular culture. Spock became a foil to the human race, highlighting human passions and often illogical actions driven by emotion with his own stoicism. In addition, his character’s struggle with identity proved something many could relate to–not only those growing up in the mid-1960s, but also everyone who watches reruns of the grainy sci-fi show on late night TV or on the internet. The character of Spock reached through generations as a beacon, a cooler head that would always prevail at the end of a 50 minute episode. Leonard Nimoy brought to life someone who would inspire generations of people, someone who was, and always would be our friend, and though his life has ended, the memories and impact on culture that he left behind will not. -
Funeral Portrait Is Dead On
I first learned about The Funeral Portrait about seven months ago when I was emailed their debut album, For the Dearly Departed, mp3s. I was skeptical after doing a bit of research, because TFP is the definition of an unknown band. Because of their limited fan base, I assumed mediocrity. I can tell you right now that I never could have been more wrong.
As I hit the play button to song one, “Casanova (C’est La Vie),” a catchy riff filled my ears. A light background of cymbal accompanies the perfect balance of guitar and synthesizer until all fades away into a melancholy chord. At this point, a musty, semi-deep voice sings out, “I’d rather bury you alive than bear the burden that you keep ‘cause you’re a poison in my veins. I’ll never say surrender.” A quick transition leads the listener into the gloriously upbeat sounds of pop rock that features clever guitar work mixed with strategic drumming that adds excellent splashes of sound. The most curious voice leads the entire ensemble, weaving and winding with a Serj Tankian-esque timbre and five-star range.
“Wax Romantic,” the closing song to this masterpiece, starts out more as a tribute to the metalcore scene, featuring vicious screams and a driving, punk-reminiscent drumbeat. However, this doesn’t last long; within thirty seconds, The Funeral Portrait returns to their trademark sound that draws from pond on p, ska, and polka but always stay true to the instrumental intelligences of rock and metal. Next comes the catchy chorus that they are so excellent at crafting: “this is the part where I apologize for everything I’ve done, and when my world is torn asunder, will you go underneath with me?”
The Funeral Portrait is one of my greatest musical discoveries. Their music is brilliantly written, and the members are at heart true musicians. If they play their cards right, they will become the next big rock band.
Their music can be found on Youtube and iTunes. -
Classical Musicians: Eddie Oliver
In a world filled with music, it is an inevitable choice, as a musician, which route to take: the way of rock and pop or the classical path. Senior Eddie Oliver has chosen the classical way, as a percussionist. He specializes in mallet instuments and the vibraphone. Olver is a performer in the A2 Jazz Band, and he also plays timpani and bells in the Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.
Classical artists are performing a style of music that was begun far before pop music, and therefore, they still deserve notice.
“Advice I would give to aspiring musicians would be to practice a lot. You can accomplish so much if you actually try and stick with it,” said Oliver.
Oliver began taking piano lessons at the age of eight, and continued his musical education by joining the school band in 4th grade. He began percussion in the 7th grade by playing the xylophone, and has not stopped since.
Currently, he is working on an ambitious set list for the Jazz Band and is arranging a mallet quartet for a ragtime piece by Scott Joplin for the Solo/Ensemble Festival in April. However, the most diffficult thing he is working on now is playing a vibraphone concerto with Symphonic Winds.
Oliver is planning to be a music major in college, though he is not yet sure what university he will attend.
“I would just like to thank Milan Moliere and Lathell Powel, Tristan Buckreis, and Tom Hughes,” Oliver said. “Without any of those individuals I would not be the musician or even the person I am today; they have helped me tremendously throughout the years.” -
Poetry Feature: To Think, Watch, Numb, and love is falling out
To Think
To think that once upon a time
When fairy tales were on our minds
When jump-rope rhymes and skipping time
Were all
That mattered.To think that not so long ago
Our parents cried and laughed and smiled
Living the life that we now live
And we ignore that they
Are people, too.To think that when we are sad and lonely
Other people are sad and lonely, too.To think that you are the only one
Who feels that way
When your next-door neighbor thinks
They are the only one
Who feels
Alone.To think that once upon time
Happy lives were everywhere
And now
You are sad
And they are gone.To think that when we are sad
The world keeps spinning.To think.
Think.
Thi―.Watch
turnkey’s eyes spies by hinge of door
ordered to watch forevermore
is said by logic did i not obey
so be it on cold floor must i lay
air deeply thick by my obliging breath
not have mattered had I succeeded at deathNumb
they ask—how do you feel?
–I feel numb, I say
but they always want to know—
what does that mean?
I’ll shrug my shoulders
and brush it off
as all who are numb will do
what I always want to say
but can’t
for the numb speak only in their minds
is that I am beyond my sorrows
my deepest depression
nothing can touch me now
I float above life with only fear
fear of waking up to reality.love is falling out
love is falling out;
vision cracks and falters,
the voices are inaudible
because they drown the depths
of a poisonous world,
I burn my fingertips in the sun
to forget your touch…
a prolonged past numbness pays me a visit
and separates our holding hands so easily,
This grasp was insecure
Because love is falling out. -
The History of Science Fiction
In recent years, science fiction has stormed onto the entertainment scene. Whether it be movies and television, books, or even video games, sci-fi has managed to capture the hearts of its broad audience.
Science fiction is a fictional genre that deals with imaginative, yet realistic science themes such as time travel, space travel, parallel universes, futuristic technology, extraterrestrial life and post-apocalyptic worlds. While it has always been in the entertainment landscape, sci-fi has truly hit its stride within the last two decades.
From Isaac Asimov and Carl Sagan to George Lucas and Christopher Nolan, the genre has quite a history. Isaac Asimov’s works such as The Foundation Trilogy, I,Robot, and The Caves of Steel paved the way for some of the great sci-fi books that we know today. Dune, The Hunger Games and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy are all deeply influenced by early sci-fi authors.
Now, as is the case with many books, they are translated into live-action film. This is the case for many sci-fi books as well. 2001: A Space Odyssey, Jurassic Park and Contact are just a few out of the many sci-fi books to become major motion pictures. Sci-fi movies don’t only come from film adaptations, however. Many hit sci-fi movies such as the Star Wars series, Alien, and Avatar all started out as original ideas. Also, just as movies adapt screenplays from books, TV shows adapt ideas from movies. In fact, Terry Gillam’s Twelve Monkeys is currently airing a spinoff show with the same title on the SyFy network. Other movie to TV show adaptations include Starman and The War of the Worlds.
One last aspect in which science fiction has truly cemented itself is the video game department. Sci-fi has the perfect amount of epicness for the video game format. Science fiction video games have been there since the beginning. From the Halo and Mass Effect franchises to Bioshock and Destiny, sci-fi video games have thrived ever since their conception.
So, if you haven’t already, give science fiction a try. Whether its through reading, watching or playing, sci-fi has a place for everyone.
Recommended Books: Dune, Black Science, I, Robot.
Recommended Movies: Avatar, Interstellar, Star Trek movies.
Recommended TV shows: Acension, 12 Monkeys.
Recommended video games: Halo series, Destiny, Mass Effect series. -
The Garments of Champions
Many of you have seen the stylish T-shirt designs that Poly sports teams boast are worn all over the campus. The championship basketball shirts and the new soccer logo are all brainchildren of Fresh, a Poly alumnus who is making his living designing T-shirts with his company, Fresh Teez.
Fresh works with his partner to design creative T-shirts with a special flare. Fresh also coaches for the varsity softball team, and is dubbed “Team Mom” by the players and head coach.
He is proud to be able to work with such promising athletes. “[I love] being a positive male influence for the girls,” he said.
Fresh graduated from Poly in 1986, and from there began pursuing his dream. “When I saw the freshman head coach,” said Fresh, “and I saw the uniforms we had received for the amount of money that we paid, I said, “I know I can do better than that.’” From there, he collaborated with friends in the silk-screening business and was able to buy the t-shirts wholesale.
Fresh considers his greatest designing feat to be when he designed the T-shirts for the track team’s back-to-back state titles. “The whole track team was wearing my shirt,” he boasts. “I was looking at the Gazette like I do after a sporting event…and I said, ‘Hey! That’s my shirt!’”
Spending so much of his time after graduation at Poly has been a very surreal experience, Fresh says. “Every once in a while you’re in the hallways and you get that little flashback from when you were in high school… It’s like, ‘Man, I remember this moment.’”
He appreciates all the support he receives from the large and loving Poly family, and considers it an honor to design T-shirts for Poly, giving his company the memorable slogan: Fresh Teez, the garments of champions. -
Freshman Emily Knous, a phenomenal mid center of the Poly Varsity Soccer Team, has recently participated in the national championships for Olympic Development Teams.
Having been selected for the first time to play in the national champsionships from the Olympic Development Program, which she has been a part of for four years, Knous carried her team to victory after double over time and penalty kicks.
Her team placed first in the nation after facing off the three other regional teams in the United States.
However, Knous’ astounding accomplishments don’t stop there; she is a student in CIC and plays violin in Poly’ssymphonic orchestra.
“Balancing it is a big part of everything because academics has always come first before soccer,” says Knous about her crazy schedule.
“[I have to find] the time and make the most of doing homework in the car.”
Knous aspires to play soccer at a high college level after high school, and become a professional soccer player. If soccer doesn’t work out, she hopes to work in marketing for Nike.
Being in the Olympic Development Program exposes Knous to the top tier athletes in the nation, her among them.
“Meeting girls all over the country is a really fun experience because no matter where you go, you see friends you don’t necessarily get to see every day,” says Knous.
Knous says that most of all she has her parents to thank for helping her achieve her goals thus far. She also cites her personal trainer Jason Martinez as a “huge part of [her] success.”
