Perhaps one of the most unsavory kickoffs to 2015, the recently released Oscar nominations has been an achromatic blast from the past: comparable to the Oscar nominations of 2011, only white candidates were nominated across all acting categories.
The lack of diversity among the Oscar nominees is a reflection of the small speaking roles that non-white ethnic groups receive: In a study of 600 popular films conducted by USC from 2007 to 2011, “Just over a quarter (25.9%) of the 3,932 speaking characters evaluated were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups”
The racial homogeneity of the actors on screen is contradictory to the great ethnic variance of the United States, an ungracious jab to the diverse audiences that inflate Hollywood’s pockets and contribute to the popularity of the movie industry.
One would think in an age and nation of grossing diversity, ethnicities would be properly represented in media-an interest of the general public. It is distressing that Hollywood is still a monolith, exclusive realm, it not only undermines the artists of the big screen, but it disrespects the audience that indulges in them.
In order for diversity to be achieved in the film industry, it is imperative that minorities infiltrate the system: work to become Academy members, support film bureaus that promote ethnic film achievements, and become directors. The only way change can be achieved is through accumulative participation.
The right to vote is given to all American Citizens in the US Constitution. However, politicians are beginning to restrict voting rights by the means of Voter ID Laws.
Voter identification laws target the elderly, poor, minorities, and college students of America by requiring a valid form of photo identification to vote. At first glance, this seems like a reasonable measure, but it is not. If the ID is not issued in the state the voter is currently voting, or even in the same district within the state, then the ID is considered invalid.
This means that out-of- state and out-of-district college students or elderly living with family members are disqualified from voting. Advocates of voter ID laws argue that they are necessary measures to prevent voter fraud.
However, this argument is invalid because there are few cases of in- person voter fraud to begin with. Voter ID laws are drastically limiting the people’s right to vote.
A Government Accountability Office report showed that in the states of Kansas and Tennessee (home to strict voter ID laws), about 100,000 fewer people voted because of the voter ID laws. The majority of people turned away from the polls were younger and black voters, who tend to vote for the Democrats.
Measles is an illness that was virtually eradicated by medical advances to prevent it’s contraction. Parents who chose not to vaccinate their children are functioning off of deeply flawed logic.
They believe in a correlation between the rise in autism and the frequency of vaccinations is proof of one causing the other. This is claim is not supported by any scientific research. Similarities in lines on a graph do not mean that they are at all related.
But even if you could humor the possibility of vaccines causing autism, the choice to not vaccinate is still preposterous. Autism hinders a child’s life, diseases can end them. Can a parent really be so afraid of having a disabled child that they would be willing to risk that baby’s life?
This issue is not protected by a parent’s right to control their child. We don’t allow a parent to beat, hurt, maim abuse or assault their children and that is because the rights of a parent end with the endangerment of their children.
Jackrabbit Pageant contestants at the Greystone Manor.
The eight women competing for the title of Ms. Jackrabbit.
The eight men competing for the title of Mr. Jackrabbit.
CASSANDRA BAUTISTA: For Cassandra Bautista, life is good when she is watching Benedict Cumberbatch play Sherlock. On top of her involvement in the choral and Biomedical programs, she is a part of MESA and Dreamer and Doers, and her proudest accomplishment is getting into a prestigious research program at UCLA this past summer. Aside from her love of science and dreams of becoming a biomedical engineer, Bautista also loves strawberries and boba. She hopes to display her vocal prowess this Friday. “I thought it would be a fun experience, and it’s not something you get to do everyday,” said Bautista.
LAURA HOLLEY: Laura Holley enjoys many activities, the likes of which include hiking, reading and swimming. She is currently a member of the Chemistry and Aviation clubs. She aspires to become a professional pilot and work for a large space company such as SpaceX or NASA, doing chemical work or piloting spacecraft. “I feel excited for the talent show portion because I am able to take part in the amazing group of students we have performing this year. I am singing and rapping for my talent, and I rarely have the chance to showcase the music I write so I am looking forward to the response,” said Holley. Look forward to seeing her this Friday at the Jackrabbit Pageant!
JESSE YUTH: Jesse Yuth simply cannot wait for his time on the stage, as he claims this is his big chance to make the most of his senior year. Yuth hopes his experience will provide him with an opportunity to get rid of his stage fright and flaunt his talents in front of a crowd. As a dedicated member of JROTC, it is no surprise that he has chosen calisthenic pull-up bar movements as his talent, a talent that will showcase his discipline and strength. Through the pageant, Yuth has gotten a chance to become closer with his fellow contestants.
HENRY ROS: Henry Ros is participating in Jackrabbit Pageant to be involved in as many high school experiences before moving on to college. With over six years of drumming experience, he hopes to showcase his skills onstage. “I want to be really fun and give the crowd a good show,” said Ros. He is involved with the Nothing But Nets club and the Black Student Union on top of playing volleyball. He hopes to pursue a career in medicine, eventually becoming a doctor in the future. His interests include Tupac, biology, and cookies & creme ice cream. Hear him play the drums this Friday at the pageant!
KOBE MILES: Kobe Miles is ready to showcase his exciting and unique talent of Sivaafifi, a traditional Samoan fififire knife dance, for the pageant this Friday. He hopes to major in Business at California State University, Long Beach, and he also enjoys playing the ukulele. Supported by the Ball For Life club, Miles credits his inspiration to all of his supporters. “I want to show my parents that practice makes perfect. What I’m doing is dangerous. You can cut and burn yourself. But as each day goes by, I’m getting more and more excited,” said Miles. See him perform a traditional Samoan fire dance this Friday!
MATT OCA: Often called a ball of positive energy, Matt Oca is ready to display his skills in this year’s Jackrabbit Pageant. With his proudest accomplishment being a member of the first varsity cross-country team to make it to State, Oca is someone who pursues his passions, which include running, piano, and singing. He is currently involved with the cross-country and choral programs at Poly. In the future, he hopes to become a dietitian or nutritionist. He is also fond of Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers, chocolate, and peach green tea. He signed up for the pageant to display the skills he has accrued over the past four years. “I thought it’d be a great way to publicize my dying club [Dead Poets’ Society] and to showcase my talents that I’ve developed at Poly,” said Oca.
PARIS WRIGHT: Sponsored by the MESA club, Paris Wright is performing a combination of different contemporary pieces with her partner Veasna Khan. “Slow dances have always inspired me. I think dance really speaks to a lot of people,” said Wright. She is involved with MESA and works in the school cafeteria. Wright plans on having a career in design and merchandising. Her hobbies include bike rides, sewing, and photography. She is looking forward to present her dance skills to the Poly community. “When I dance, I give my all and my heart. I am really excited, but in the back of my mind, I am also nervous,” said Wright. Watch her showcase her dance skills at the Jackrabbit Pageant this Friday!
GABRIELA RUBALCAVA: Gaby Rubalcava has been looking forward to participating in the Jackrabbit Pageant since freshman year. Ever since she saw the pageant years ago, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. Rubalcava has decided to perform a monologue from the Broadway musical “A Chorus Line,” a fresh new take on a pageant talent. Rubalcava has cherished the time she has had with her fellow contestants and says she has made some close friendships during rehearsals. In her free time, she is an AYSO soccer coach and referee. She is looking forward most to the beachwear portion because she believes it gives the audience crucial insight into all the contestant’s personality through their music and clothing choice. Be sure to find Gabriela Rubalcava on the Jackrabbit Pageant stage this Friday!
MATT MELENDEZ: Though known for his break-dancing skills, Matthew Melendez is also a member of the Math Team, Senior Senate, and Varsity Track. He also serves as the treasurer for Club Vogue. In the future, he hopes to attend University of California, Berkeley or University of Pennsylvania to become an anesthesiologist, establishing his residency in the San Francisco area. Melendez was inspired to take part in the Jackrabbit Pageant after seeing his fellow classmates participate in 2013. “Ever since I watched the pageant in my sophomore year, I knew I wanted to try it out. I aided Adric Tang, Mr. Jackrabbit 2014, in his performance and I was motivated to showcase my dancing and tricking skills to my peers and family,” said Melendez.
BRIAN PHAM: Brian Pham is excited to be a part of the Jackrabbit Pageant. He is actively involved with JROTC, holding positions in the Color Guard, Raider and Spartan training teams. Pham aspires to become a physical therapist, finding new methods for rehabilitation. He is very active, for his favorite activities include break dancing, biking, and working out. His performance, which involves break dancing and tricking, is something he is excited to present to an audience. “During the rehearsal, I felt pretty confident and everyone seems to enjoy my routine, so I feel like the crowd will enjoy it as well,” said Pham. His performance should be another that will wow the crowd this Friday.
MARIA PALAROAN: Described as an outgoing person with a love for music, Maria Palaroan is involved with the Chamber and Jazz One vocal ensembles at Poly. She is also the club president of Muffin Tops and Dead Poets Society. She plans on going to a private liberal arts college in the future. Palaroan believes that the Jackrabbit Pageant is an opportunity for her to give back to the school. “When I first started out at Poly, I was a pretty shy person who kept to herself. But as each year passed, I grew to love myself more as well as Poly. I thought that I would be honored to represent Poly through the pageant,” said Palaroan. The pageant was also a chance for her to make new friends. “I got to meet some of the most talented people, and I’m really happy about how close we’ve all gotten as friends. It’s all so exciting,” said Palaroan.
TANYA NGUYEN: Tanya Nguyen is one of the contestants competing for the Miss Jackrabbit Pageant title. She is involved with Seoul of Kpop, ASB, and Senior Senate. In the future, she plans on studying abroad and having a career that involves saving the environment. Her hobbies include drawing, dancing, hanging out with her friends, and playing the popular game Tsum Tsum. Nguyen is participating in the pageant because she wants to show how Poly has molded her into a more outgoing person. In her eyes, Miss Jackrabbit is someone who represents Poly and shows what it has to offer. “I came in as a shy freshman, and I tried to change that through these four years. I feel like being in front of a crowd will show how far I’ve come,” said Nguyen.
NICK ELLIOTT: Nick Elliott is one of the contestants gunning for the Mr. Jackrabbit title this coming Friday. Elliott is actively involved in the music program, playing an instrument for the jazz and marching bands. In addition, he is also the vice president of Model United Nations and a member of Ronald McDonald House. His hobbies include listening to different types of music, keeping up with current events, and trying new activities with his friends. In the future, Elliott plans to study political science and foreign affairs and pursue a career in international diplomacy or law. He signed up for the pageant because he wanted to make great memories of his last year at Poly. “I saw the event as an opportunity to make new friends and to make my senior year a memorable one,” said Elliott.
VEASNA KHAN: Veasna Khan is one of many student-athletes at Poly, having participated in the football and dance programs for years. He enjoys going to the gym, reading, and yoga. He plans on becoming a physical therapist and one day opening his own fitness gym. For the pageant, Khan will be dancing to “Am I Wrong” by Nico Vinz. “I want to be in the pageant because I love to perform. I played football and am currently boxing because I love the spotlight. It wasn’t until junior year that I realized that dancing is something I’m passionate about. Even though I am not as good as I want to be, now I can express myself without beating people up. I want to be in the pageant because I want to do something that I enjoy and find an outlet for in my creativity,” said Khan.
JAIME MONACO: Jaime Monaco is currently a member of the track and instrumental programs, running various events and playing the trombone, respectively. Monaco hopes to prepare for medical school by becoming a premed or biology major. Her interests include singing, jazz, writing, and hanging out with her friends. For the pageant, she will be singing “Sweet Georgia Brown” and playing a solo on the trombone. “I’m looking most forward to my talent. I love being on stage,” said Monaco. Look forward to hearing her belt out a tune this Friday!
MERIELLE GONZAGA: Merielle Gonzaga is participating in the Jackrabbit Pageant to prove that she is not just a shy girl. “I decided to enter because I felt it would give me a legacy at this school and help boost my confidence and [prove that�� I’m not just another girl at Poly,” said Gonzaga. At Poly, she volunteers with the theater department and Operation Teddy Bear; outside of class, she takes pride in being part of the elite dance team Nonosina. Gonzaga hopes to become a special therapist or special education teacher in the future. Some of the things she loves are chai tea lattes, dogs, and anything Bruno Mars-related. She is willing to step out of her comfort zone just to make anyone laugh, so come to the Pageant to see her in action!
The 2014-2015 basketball season is finally here for the Jackrabbits. The boys team is starting the season off great, winning first and second place in their first two tournaments. In their first tournament, the Pac Shores Tournament, the team looked amazing with a 4-0 winning streak against Taft, Inglewood, Westchester, and Redondo Union.
The championship game against Redondo Union was nail-biting, going into overtime with Poly scoring the final basket, taking a 63-61 lead with 2.9 seconds remaining. Poly’s defense was able to hold off Redondo for the last seconds, and the Jackrabbits were able to win the game. Sophomore Zafir Williams was awarded Player of the Game with his contribution of 27 points to the scoreboard.
“I just came in the game feeling confident, doing what I needed to for our team to get the win,” said Williams.
On Dec. 12, the boys played their second tournament as they participated in the Beverly Hills Tournament. The Jackrabbits started out strong with receiving 15 plus wins in their first 3 games of the tournament against Birmingham, Santa Monica, and Westchester. Unfortunately, the Jackrabbits fell short in the championship game, losing 63-59 to Loyola. Despite this one loss, the Jackrabbits have started off this season great and look to continue this spark going into the Tarkanian Classic Las Vegas tournament this week from Dec. 17 to 21.
“As a team we have gotten better playing together and playing a lot of people in the games,” said junior point guard Drew Buggs.
The Lady Jackrabbits are also successful, as they went 4-0 in the Redondo Union Tournament, winning the championship 63-57 against Chaminade as well. The girls team heads off to Arizona for the Nike Tournament of Champions this upcoming week of Dec. 17 to 21. Both teams are starting off the season strong and aim to continue with great success. Even though they have the same two weeks off from school, they are still focused on basketball playing games well throughout the whole winter break. The boys will face Wilson on Jan. 7, and the girls will face Millikan on Jan. 9 for their first Moore League games.
The Long Beach Poly football team ended their season on Friday, Nov. 28 when they lost to St. John Bosco 33-21. The team finished 11-2, with another undefeated Moore League record.
After a nail-biting 34-33 win against Servite in the first round, the team prepared to face Crespi High School. The Celts favored running the ball the entire season. Their veer offense used three running backs, and seldom passing. While most teams had difficulty defending the veer, Poly solidly shut it down.
Poly had difficulty adjusting to the veer in the first half. The Celts appeared to march down the ball with ease, scoring time-consuming touchdowns. Josh Love was getting pressured. Entering halftime, Crespi led 21-13.
The second half of the game was all in favor of Poly. Poly outscored the Celts 31-6 in this half. The Jackrabbits took advantage of the Celts’ cover 0 defense, allowing for deep yardage plays. Poly bullied the Celts in the second half, both on the ground and in the air.
After beating Crespi, the team upheld their tradition of practicing on Thanksgiving. This tradition signifies that the team is deep enough in the playoffs to compete afterwards. They prepared to face St. John Bosco High School, the defending national champions. However, the Braves were seeking redemption from losing to Poly two years ago. The “Fog Bowl” resulted with Poly winning 13-10.
The two teams faced at Cerritos College on Friday, Nov. 28. With all the hype surrounding the game in front of a sellout crowd the Jackrabbits got off to a quick start. After some quick defensive stops, Josh Love completed a deep touchdown pass to senior receiver Johnnie Rucker, putting Poly up 7-0. After going back and forth, Bosco led at halftime 20-14. Mistakes hurt the Jackrabbits, with a pick-six and muffed punt.
Poly’s second half was a struggle. With Love sidelined with injury, the team could not generate enough offense to win. With just a single touchdown in the second half, Bosco won 33-21.
“It just didn’t go our way. I wish I had another shot,” said senior quarterback Josh Love.
Currently, the football team is in off season practicing and conditioning. During the spring time, the team will have practices more focused to get ready for next season.
Cross country season comes to a successful close with the conclusion of the CIF Finals, State, Hoka, and Footlocker races.
Both guys and girls placed at CIF Finals, which took place on Nov.22 at the Mt. SAC course. As a team, the boys placed 4th, with junior Colby Penn paving the road with a time of 15:14, giving him 36th place out of 100. The girls team placed 5th, led by sophomore Melissa Tanaka, who finished with a time of 18:39 giving her 24th place out of 100.
“I was so happy when I found out that our team had made it to state,” said Tanaka. “Everyone was crowded together, and when we heard the good news, we all started jumping around and screaming.”
Despite fatigue due to long, intense workouts, both boys and girls ran their best. “The race was difficult because our team have had a very long, hard season and though at the end, all of our bodies were pretty sore and beat up, I think I did pretty well and I know our team did much better than we all had expected,” said Tanaka.
State finals took place exactly a week after on Saturday, Nov. 29 in Fresno, California. Junior Gian Delfin took the lead, with a time of 16:16, followed by Penn, who ran a 16:21. Following close behind was sophomore Hugo Novoa, who ran a 16:23, and senior Matthew Oca, with a time of 16:28. Finishing strong were junior Conor Ragland, senior Brennan Bruggeman, and freshman Eric Hatch, with times of 16:41, 16:55, and 16:57 respectively.
The girls were once again led by Tanaka, who finished with a time of 19:05, followed by sophomore Juliane Douds, freshmen Fiona O’Leary and Leslie Diaz, who ran with times of 19:15, 19:19, and 19:22. Closing for Poly were sophomores Lauren Fillipow, Brenda Rosales, and Olivia Gleason, with times of 19:30, 19:31, and 19:39. Poly took state by storm, with the boys placing 12th overall, while the girls placed 9th out of all the top cross country teams in the state.
“It was such a euphoric moment. It was so satisfying to know all of our hard work paid off,” said Oca. “The most difficult thing about the courses was being able to strategize your effort at certain portions of the course and being patient to make your move.”
Unfortunately, they did not qualify for Nationals, but the cross country team still ended the season on a fair note.
“Personally, I feel I gave it my all and can look back without regrets which is great since it was my last high school cross country season,” added Oca.
Though the official cross country season ended with the CIF State race, there were two open races held afterward: Hoka and Footlocker. Hoka took place on Dec. 4 at Cerritos College, where once again Poly dominated with Novoa taking first place. “It was fun and I made the best of it, even if it was a small race,” said Novoa.
Footlocker was held on Dec .6, again at Mt.SAC, and was open to all runners. “It was different not racing with Poly on your chest,” said junior Carl Hatch. “It was a great opportunity to learn about the course for next season.”
The cross country team has begun its transition to outdoor track and hopes for an equally successful season.
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing the Poly Drama Department’s Sunday matinee performance of Up the Down Staircase in the Poly Playhouse.
The story opens with Ms. Sylvia Barrett (played by senior Emma Gressett), a new teacher starting her first day at Calvin Coolidge High School. Although her students are rough around the edges — such as the insecure José Rodriguez (junior Justin Jacildo), the rowdy Lennie Neumark (senior Adan Gonzalez), the boy crazy Linda Rosen (sophomore Isabella Garcia), and the juvenile Joe Ferone (junior Donte Owens) —Ms. Barrett learns that the needs of the children aren’t being met by strict principle J.J. McHabe (senior Patrice Berry), who believes that colorful posters are the answer to every problem. Her encounters at Coolidge create both hilarity and intense emotion as she strives to improve the school.
While each actor gave a spectacular performance, Emma Gressett should be especially noted for the number of lines she memorized as the main character. Her part seemed to have taken up 3/4 of the show, which is extremely impressive. She delivered each line with emotion and passion.
Playing the role of Mr. Barringer, senior Donge Tucker should also be commended for his believable act as the flirty and charming, yet insensitive teacher and school heartthrob. Senior Jasmine Sim should be applauded as well for her performance as the lovesick Alice Blake, hopelessly in love and completely devoted to Mr. Barringer. In addition, she played a dual role, transitioning seamlessly from the role of naive, girly Alice to the tough, hardcore Carol Blanc.
All cast members portrayed their characters with sincerity and heart. They clearly conveyed their understanding of the story’s themes of patience, love, and perseverance. Mrs. Hubbard has given us yet another wonderful production, and her gifted students continue to wow us with this play. Up the Down Staircase will have an extended run of limited showings the week of Jan. 5 of next year.
Poly students and activism have long held a strong relationship. Such a diverse student environment has fostered great conflict, but also great conversation, both in years past and today. No matter what the date is, Poly students have not shown themselves as shy about being heard.
Back in the 1970s a violent altercation occurred between black and white students. The 1970s were an interesting time for racial relations at Poly.
The Long Beach school district had just officially desegregated schools in 1972, which brought momentous strides, but also great social tensions. So when racial violence occurred at a local theater, students were aware that something had to be done.
A large group of African American students gathered at King Park and marched to school in unity. Upon reaching Poly they held a sit-in in the quad as a powerful example of student alliance that, as Mr. Shock said: “[Brought] attention to the racial tensions that were taking place at Poly during that time.”
It was this sit-in that sparked the formation of Poly North, which is one of the only lasting student relations camps in the school district and a cherished destination for those who’ve visited.
On-campus activism has not been solely reserved for the past. Students still voice their opinions and work towards social change today, but now in the form of clubs. These activism based clubs use discussion, activities, and hard work to express their ideals and create a safe place for those who have faced the flaws in modern society that the clubs are trying to combat.
The impact of clubs has not gone unnoticed. Last year Poly held a mandatory assembly to bring light onto the issue of human trafficking in America, where a survivor shared her heartbreaking story and educated our school about the dangers of this issue. This was due to the diligent work of Poly’s Anti-Human Trafficking Club, whose modern day activism has now brought awareness to thousands of students.
Social activism at Poly has always been done by the hands of students who care. Strides taken by students have changed the way our school functions and thinks, proving that we are the ones with the real power and we are the ones with the responsibility to make change.
So if you’re a Poly student who is angry, don’t be afraid to stand up: you’ll have a whole community standing behind you.
Poly’s Holiday Vocal Concert was a great success. The Choral Music Department came together last Wednesday, Dec. 10, to perform 15 charming holiday songs for friends and family in Poly’s auditorium.
With the help of directors Brian Dokko and Lori Grace leading the show, the singers delivered plenty of holiday cheer to the audience. Some Christmas classics were performed beautifully, including “Silver Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”
It wasn’t all standard songs though. Some interesting carols were also sung, like “Kuwa Na Krismasi Njema,” “Everybody Knows,” and “Shake Up Christmas.”
All the choirs also got on stage to sing “Samba Santa,” which is a Poly tradition. Two Sing-A-Longs were also included, where the audience was able to get in on the festive spirit and help sing “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.”
The cheer was palpable with the Cecilian singers’ performance of “Winter Wonderland,” and Grace getting the crowd lively and happy with their animated and extremely enjoyable performance of “It’s All About Love.”
It was clear that the students were enjoying themselves, with everyone swaying and smiling, the holiday spirit filled every member of the crowd.
“I really wanted to move along with them,” said senior Vivian Vu.
The angelic voices of Vocal Jazz 1 helped bring the evening to a close, right before a final collaboration between the combined choirs: “Peace, Peace.”
Sadly, this concert will be the last of its kind for a while. The Poly auditorium will be under construction until at least 2018, which means that the exquisite voices of Poly’s choral department will have to relocate.
Dokko announced that with the absence of the auditorium there will be some new changes to the formatting of concerts as well, with the departments that focus more on classical performing in the Cabrillo auditorium and the more modern departments showing their stuff in the Poly choir room.
Senior Kandise LeBlanc said, “I’m a little bit nostalgic for it…There have been so many firsts…my first solo, that’s where I met, honestly, my best friends in high school…but I know that it’s going to be a better auditorium for the other kids.”
The Calithos Quartet performs at the Renaissance Hotel.
Junior Tyler Cleaveland’s new album.
Sam Ross
Though classically trained, Ross hopes to leave his mark in the jazz world as an innovative pianist.
Sam Ross is a jazz pianist who has played for a large majority of his life. Classically trained since he was nine, Ross was first exposed to jazz here at Poly. After playing jazz music with fellow Poly musicians under teacher Chris Stevens, Sam didn’t look back. “Jazz is my main thing. I feel I can express myself in ways that other genres [of music] haven’t done for me.” said Ross.
Sam is also very dedicated to music. “I would say that 75% of my life is music: playing, practicing, and listening to it,” said Ross.
Although Sam is an adept solo pianist, most of the gigs he does are with friends. “My favorite musical memories have to be playing the Gardenia Jazz Festival with the Poly Jazz Combo 1 last year in front of thousands, booking a concert in Bixby Knolls in front of 300, or playing at the Seabird Jazz Jam with Chris Stevens, Barry Cogert, and Dave Moody,” said Ross.
Sam’s musical expertise is reflected in his personal taste in music. “A lot of people hear mainstream commercial jazz, most of which has this ‘samey’ quality. There’s a lot more depth to the jazz genre than the masses are aware of,” said Ross. Some of Sam’s musical idols are Ray Charles, Oscar Peterson, and King Missile. His favorite song is ‘I Wish’ by Stevie Wonder.
Sam plans to keep performing and playing jazz into his college career. “I’m not sure what the future has in store for me but I know I’ll still be playing jazz,” said Ross.
Marcos Mena
Influenced by Jimi Hendrix and an awkward show on New Year’s Eve, Mena wants to become the next big thing.
Marcos Mena is everything musical plus more. Playing any sub genre of rock (such as surf, indie, alternative, etc.) and mastering the guitar, bass, and drums, this senior at Poly is all over the Long Beach music scene. Since age five, Mena has always had a strong passion for music. His influences include the legendary Jimi Hendrix and local musicians he has encountered. After playing countless shows with many bands and musicians in Long Beach, he has grown to love the experience of composing and playing his own music. “Performing live is great because you can influence other people’s emotions, [and] the power you have to make someone else feel things words could not make them feel is immense,” said Mena. With several successful shows under his belt, Mena often recalls his first show, a performance with a rock band, which didn’t turn out at all as planned. “I played in a backyard on New Years Eve in 8th grade and it was god-awful. Although I was initially upset, it became my favorite moment because [it] taught me that music is a life long journey that requires patience and hard work,” said Mena. His hard work is definitely paying off. He is currently a part of Fashion Party, a band he started with fellow Poly students Evan Schaid and Andrew Schenker. With songs already recorded in their home studio, the band plans to take it to the next level in late December and record songs in a professional studio for wide release. Fashion Party is also setting up many shows for next year with bands associated with Burger Records, and is searching for a spot on the Insidelands lineup, a small indie rock festival in Los Angeles. “It’s going to be a great year and I can’t wait,” said Mena. Marcos Mena’s music experience has been a riveting one, and with so much more excitement and success on the way.
Tyler Cleaveland
Commonly known as Cavalier, Cleaveland is taking Soundcloud by storm through his upbeat music.
Tyler Cleaveland is taking the music industry by storm as the face behind Cavalier Beats. His interest began in the second grade when he first took piano lessons, and his passion has only grown since then. Cleaveland began to take his music seriously in 2014 after many pleas by his friends to pursue making music. “I loved it, but it was only this year that I started making music because I got a positive reaction from [my music],” said Cleaveland. His entry into the music world marked the beginning of a successful career; in the span of a few months, his popularity has grown tremendously. He has over fourteen thousand followers on his Soundcloud and has been the subject of many interviews. “It’s surprising… it all kind of happened very quickly,” said Cleaveland. His favorite genres include trap, future bass, and electronic, and his favorite artists include Kanye West and Cashmere Cat. Cleaveland says he receives the most support from his friends. “They have been supportive of me and they have encouraged me to take my music further,” said Cleaveland. He recently released a new EP called Pietà, which includes six tracks and multiple collaborations. With his growing success, Cleaveland is poised to make his mark in the music industry soon.
Calithos Quartet
A budding instrumental quartet of junior hopes to explore the realm of classical music.
Hidden among the indie rock groups and performers on Poly’s campus is the Calithos Quartet. With all members currently enrolled in the PACE Academy, one could imagine the busy schedule that its members have to battle through on a typical week. Even so, its four members, juniors Timothy White, Lizzy Robinet, Sofia Salcedo, and Erin Osman still manage to find a way to fit in three hours of practice per week, seamlessly collaborating on new pieces. With Robinet and Osman playing the violin, White playing with a viola, and Salcedo playing the cello, these four juniors make up this classical music quartet formed during their freshman year. Calithos Quartet, a name White says was quickly thrown together, is working towards being able to play multiple recitals and perform their own pieces in the future. They are well on their way to achieving their goals, seeing as they have already performed at the Renaissance Hotel, Ranchos Los Cerritos, the Museum of Latin American Art, and for prospective Long Beach Poly ninth graders at Poly’s Choice Night. In fact, the talented group of juniors is in the midst of arranging a performance as a featured group in the lobby of the Long Beach Symphony. The Calithos Quartet is among many popular musician groups on campus, but it is one of the only classical groups, making them stand out distinctly from the crowd. According to White, the group’s favorite piece to play together is the American String Quartet by Dvorak. As one, the quartet is juggling instrumental concerts along with gigs in the area. Look out for the Calithos Quartet and get ready to hear more about these four musicians!
Orion Sundstrom
A diehard fan of The Foo Fighters, Sundstrom wants to take his band, Vox Amoris, to new heights.
As the drummer of a band with several songs and two EPs released, Orion Sundstrom is one of the many successful musicians at Poly. Growing up with a guitar-playing brother, Sundstrom took up the drums in 3rd grade, and his music career took off from there. Loving his “good ol’ rock” genre, he cites The Foo Fighters and Bloc Party as his main influences. “Whenever I see anything involving Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, I get really pumped up about playing music,” said Sundstrom. He loves playing music because he loves listening to music: ”Playing gives you a chance to create what you would want to hear,” said Sundstrom. “Plus it’s just fun.” Sundstrom is currently the drummer of Vox Amoris, a Long Beach band with his older brother Alex and his friend Johnathan Eastly, both of whom were former Poly students. Vox Amoris has two EPs already recorded and released on iTunes, a big accomplishment for the band. “I remember sitting in the studio and listening to our new recordings for the first time… it was definitely a proud moment,” said Sundstrom. Vox Amoris also performs in local venues. Playing some random friendly shows around Long Beach in between recording in the studio is right where this Poly senior/band member wants to be. “I have some pretty great memories of just playing in front of people. You can feel when they are really into it and it makes everything awesome,” said Sundstrom. His band Vox Amoris intends to hit the studio once again to try and record a full length album. “We have over 40 songs that we love playing but haven’t gotten the chance to record, so hopefully that takes place in the near future,” said Sundstrom. rion Sundstrom’s career in music has been stimulating and successful, and it has no intentions of slowing down.
