Author: adviser

  • Tracking Papa Don

    Tracking Papa Don

    Don “Papa Don” Norford is the subject of the documentary created by CSO Rey Porter, Milo Meaks, and Antonio Gilbreath.
    Photo Courtesy of Google Images
    Don “Papa Don” Norford is the subject of the documentary created by CSO Rey Porter, Milo Meaks, and Antonio Gilbreath.

    Coach Don Norford was an invaluable asset to Poly sports for many years, and to fully recognize and appreciate all he has done, Campus Security Officer Rey Porter teamed up with Milo Meaks and Antonio Gilbreath to create a documentary on the legacy of “PapaDon.”
    Coach Norford received awards as both top track and field and top football coach in the nation, which no other person has accomplished.
    “God just brought it to me,” said Porter about conjuring the idea for the documentary.
    Porter was worried Norford would not agree to having a documentary made.
    “He’s a private person,” said Porter, “but he embraced it.”
    “The goal is to expose the mentorship of Don,” said Porter. Norford is featured in Denzel Washington’s book on mentorship, A Hand to Guide Me.
    There will be many famous NFL players in the film who were inspired and mentored by Norford. He helped his players through difficult times, sometimes offering a place to stay and providing a true coach-player companionship.
    “We needed a narrator,” said Porter, “and I said, ‘Snoop!’ I called him up and told him what I was doing…he said it would be a privilege.”
    “Snoop scheduled an album photo shoot at Poly and…[afterwards] I miked him, began interviewing him, and a crowd circled around us…He did an amazing job.”
    Snoop contributed to more than just the narration. “[He] set us up with his people in Hollywood at Paradigm Entertainment,” said Porter.
    They ended up meeting to work on the documentary for more than three hours.
    The documentary is only a small part of a full-scale project.
    “We’re doing three things simultaneously,” said Porter. “We’re doing the movie script, the documentary, and the book.”
    Help with the documentary came from various faculty members, a student from the USC film school, and all the people touched by Coach Norford.
    The documentary will feature Norford’s exploits as a mentor as well as detail his major national coaching awards and his approximately fifty championship rings.
    The rough cut for the documentary has already been previewed at CSULB, and a ten-minute sneak peak can be found on YouTube under “PapaDon Sizzle.mov.”
    Currently, Porter, Meaks, and Gilbreath are working to update everything, condense it from ninety to sixty minutes, and convert it to HD.
    Porter revealed that the documentary should be finished by January of 2015.
    Coach Norford has contributed much to maintaining and building upon Poly’s reputable image.

  • Origins of the Horror Movie Industry

    Every year, an array of horror films premiere in local theaters in hopes of frightening audiences, scaring them to the point of unrest and making them want to come back for more. But where did this facination come from?

    The booming horror movie industry has been at work since the late 19th century with one of the first horror movies, George Melies’ Le Manoir du Diable, which featured the typical horror story characters: witches, bats, devils, and trolls. Inspired by the Expressionist painters and spirit photographers of the 1860’s, people enjoyed discovering “ghosts” in double exposure photos, which allowed them to finally illustrate the legends and myths of the past.

    Following Melie’s film, the Lumiere brothers produced short films like Le Squelette Joyeux that shocked crowds around the world. Although films by the Lumiere brothers and Melies were groundbreaking for the time, nothing could prepare audiences for what was to come. By the time of the Silent Era in the 1920’s, the so-called “spook tales” of the time were transforming into genuine full-length films that never failed to frighten.

    Frequently referred to as the “granddaddy of all horror films,” Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Galigari follows the story of a maniac in an insane asylum.  In the same year, the first ever “monster movie,” The Golem, came from German producer Carl Boese, and featured odd sets that twisted the norms of previous horror films. The revolutionary films were inspiration to two of the most universally known horrors, Frankenstein and Dracula, both released in 1931.

    With the release of these two films in the early ‘30’s, also came the introduction of sound in movies, magnifying the terror for its viewers with the ability to add menacing steps through hallways and chilling screams.

    As events like the Manson murders and the threat of nuclear war shaped society’s views, they also transformed the horror movie industry. The sixties shifted focus from trolls and monsters to psychological thrillers, like Psycho, showcasing how humans can be truly monstrous.  Even with the new additions of sound and color, nothing could compare to the advancement of special effects in a field that depends so heavily on fiction.

    Movies like The Howling featured  a chilling transformation of a man into a menacing wolf and A Nightmare on Elm Street released in the ‘80’s set the stage for special effects in movies. The 2000’s were an age filled with remakes of classics like Friday the 13th and Dawn of the Dead that were really brought to life with the advent of special effects.

    Most audiences today would not think much of Wiene’s or Lumiere’s films,and some might even find them comical compared to modern day classics like The Grudge or The Exorcist, but it must be noted that the horror films of the 1920’s and on set the foundations for the horror movie industry to reach its popularity and size today.

  • Hollywood’s Scariest: Hot or Not?

    Ranked as the third best movie villain by Poly students, Norman Bates is undoubtedly one of the most maniacal characters ever portrayed in a horror film. In Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), Bates, played by horror film legend Anthony Perkins, is depicted as a man afflicted with many psychological disorders that were caused by his overbearing mother. Taught to believe that sexual intercourse is sinful and that women are harlots, the film’s protagonist has an extremely deluded mentality about the world, setting the foundation for his future homicidal episodes. His insanity pushes him past the limits, and he develops a split personality—one of them being his mother. Being the proprietor of the remote Bates Motel does not help; his customers come for lodging but never leave. The film originally received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Perkin’s performance but questioned the effectiveness of Hitchcock’s psychological points. If you are looking for a good, attention-grabbing thriller, watch Psycho and you will not be disappointed.
    Ranked as the third best movie villain by Poly students, Norman Bates is undoubtedly one of the most maniacal characters ever portrayed in a horror film. In Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), Bates, played by horror film legend Anthony Perkins, is depicted as a man afflicted with many psychological disorders that were caused by his overbearing mother. Taught to believe that sexual intercourse is sinful and that women are harlots, the film’s protagonist has an extremely deluded mentality about the world, setting the foundation for his future homicidal episodes. His insanity pushes him past the limits, and he develops a split personality—one of them being his mother. Being the proprietor of the remote Bates Motel does not help; his customers come for lodging but never leave. The film originally received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Perkin’s performance but questioned the effectiveness of Hitchcock’s psychological points. If you are looking for a good, attention-grabbing thriller, watch Psycho and you will not be disappointed.
    Being the daughter of a famous actress is not easy; for Regan MacNeil, the main character of The Exorcist (1971), having a Hollywood mother is something that would bring out her inner demons. The film is an adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel, a revolutionary novel of the time. After moving into a new apartment and experiencing ghost-like events in her home, Regan undergoes various changes that eventually alter her entire appearance. She becomes more aggressive and disobedient, turning into a unrecognizable human being in the process. Her rapid transformation was first thought to be an illness, but was later found to be the work of demons, something not even the best doctors could cure. An exorcist is needed in order to cleanse her of her impurity, and what follows is cinematic greatness, replete with projectile vomiting and profanity. The film’s popularity with American audiences led to several sequels and a permanent spot in both pop culture and the classic horror film canon. If you are interested in watching one of the most memorable scenes in film history, watch The Exorcist and get ready for a thriller.
    Being the daughter of a famous actress is not easy; for Regan MacNeil, the main character of The Exorcist (1971), having a Hollywood mother is something that would bring out her inner demons. The film is an adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s 1971 novel, a revolutionary novel of the time. After moving into a new apartment and experiencing ghost-like events in her home, Regan undergoes various changes that eventually alter her entire appearance. She becomes more aggressive and disobedient, turning into a unrecognizable human being in the process. Her rapid transformation was first thought to be an illness, but was later found to be the work of demons, something not even the best doctors could cure. An exorcist is needed in order to cleanse her of her impurity, and what follows is cinematic greatness, replete with projectile vomiting and profanity. The film’s popularity with American audiences led to several sequels and a permanent spot in both pop culture and the classic horror film canon. If you are interested in watching one of the most memorable scenes in film history, watch The Exorcist and get ready for a thriller.
    A clown with fluffy red hair and a white powdered face does not seem too frightening in a circus environment; however, if you encounter one in a sewer drain, you better run as quickly as you can and watch your back. A creation of famed author Stephen King, Pennywise is a clown who preys on children by transforming himself into his prey’s worst fears. He takes on a form that is extremely terrifying to kids, eventually killing them and disposing of their body parts in the sewer. Set in the town of Derry, Maine during the 1960’s, It, directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, follows a group of seven kids who seek revenge on Pennywise, the clown who tormented their dreams. The film preys on many watchers’ deepest fears: the clown, who is supposedly playful and fun, but is in reality, extremely creepy and unsettling. The pale white face and tomato-red nose remain permanently etched in people’s memories, haunting them for many night to come. If you are into sadistic clowns and a lot of bloodshed, then It (1990) is the right movie for you.
    A clown with fluffy red hair and a white powdered face does not seem too frightening in a circus environment; however, if you encounter one in a sewer drain, you better run as quickly as you can and watch your back. A creation of famed author Stephen King, Pennywise is a clown who preys on children by transforming himself into his prey’s worst fears. He takes on a form that is extremely terrifying to kids, eventually killing them and disposing of their body parts in the sewer. Set in the town of Derry, Maine during the 1960’s, It, directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, follows a group of seven kids who seek revenge on Pennywise, the clown who tormented their dreams. The film preys on many watchers’ deepest fears: the clown, who is supposedly playful and fun, but is in reality, extremely creepy and unsettling. The pale white face and tomato-red nose remain permanently etched in people’s memories, haunting them for many night to come. If you are into sadistic clowns and a lot of bloodshed, then It (1990) is the right movie for you.
    “What’s your favorite scary movie?” Few people from our survey would say Scream (1996), which we would call a murder mystery rather than a horror flick. With the anniversary of a gruesome murder coming up and a copycat killer on the loose, Sidney Prescott and her friends try to make it through the night without getting a knife to the head. With Ghostface as the killer, viewers end up becoming amateur sleuths instead of frightened babies; viewers are too focused on keeping track of the body count to be scared. The fact that Ghostface was parodied in Scary Movie (2000) does not help. With the assistance of a hilarious cast led by Anna Faris, America’s favorite dumb blonde,the comedy succeeds in eliminating the scary factor of Scream’s antagonist. If he can’t stand his ground in a fight against Regina Hall, he surely can’t compete with some of Hollywood’s most fright-inducing villains. Since then, he has become the laughingstock among his kind, demoted to sub-par horror villain status in the Hollywood scene. So turn on Scream for a fun movie night, but don’t be surprised if you end up breaking down in hysterics midway through the movie because you thought of Anna Faris.
    “What’s your favorite scary movie?” Few people from our survey would say Scream (1996), which we would call a murder mystery rather than a horror flick. With the anniversary of a gruesome murder coming up and a copycat killer on the loose, Sidney Prescott and her friends try to make it through the night without getting a knife to the head. With Ghostface as the killer, viewers end up becoming amateur sleuths instead of frightened babies; viewers are too focused on keeping track of the body count to be scared. The fact that Ghostface was parodied in Scary Movie (2000) does not help. With the assistance of a hilarious cast led by Anna Faris, America’s favorite dumb blonde,the comedy succeeds in eliminating the scary factor of Scream’s antagonist. If he can’t stand his ground in a fight against Regina Hall, he surely can’t compete with some of Hollywood’s most fright-inducing villains. Since then, he has become the laughingstock among his kind, demoted to sub-par horror villain status in the Hollywood scene. So turn on Scream for a fun movie night, but don’t be surprised if you end up breaking down in hysterics midway through the movie because you thought of Anna Faris.
    “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you. Three, four, he’s not so scary anymore.” Freddy Krueger is a timeless horror movie icon that has become a common household name, especially around Halloween time. But in the past 30 years since A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) was first released, the scariness has worn off and American pop culture has taken its place. Freddy Krueger, a man who was burned in a boiler room by the parents of young children he assaulted, slices and dices his victims in a place the grown kids cannot hide from—their dreams. With many sequels, a remake and even a Freddy vs. Jason (Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th) movie spawning from the original Elm Street film, kids’ Halloween costumes, the infamous Krueger glove, and the red-and-green striped sweater have been come popular in our society. We are no longer afraid of Freddy Krueger because we feel like he is just an old friend to us, pedophiliac tendencies and all. Go watch this classic horror movie from the remarkable Wes Craven, the father of all things scary, and remember: do not fall asleep.
    “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you. Three, four, he’s not so scary anymore.” Freddy Krueger is a timeless horror movie icon that has become a common household name, especially around Halloween time. But in the past 30 years since A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984) was first released, the scariness has worn off and American pop culture has taken its place. Freddy Krueger, a man who was burned in a boiler room by the parents of young children he assaulted, slices and dices his victims in a place the grown kids cannot hide from—their dreams. With many sequels, a remake and even a Freddy vs. Jason (Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th) movie spawning from the original Elm Street film, kids’ Halloween costumes, the infamous Krueger glove, and the red-and-green striped sweater have been come popular in our society. We are no longer afraid of Freddy Krueger because we feel like he is just an old friend to us, pedophiliac tendencies and all. Go watch this classic horror movie from the remarkable Wes Craven, the father of all things scary, and remember: do not fall asleep.
    This little “Good Guy” doll isn’t so great after all. Ranking the lowest in our school-wide survey, the homicidal doll possessed by mastermind Charles Lee Ray isn’t all that scary anymore. What was once a catalyst for nightmares is now an outdated film from a bygone era— with a new age of horror defined by profuse amounts of gore on the rise, who would be scared of a measly children’s doll anymore? You’ve stepped your game up, America; as such, we’ve grown to be scared of disembowelment rather than vengeful toys. The story goes like this: a doll named Chucky ends up in the hands of a young boy on his birthday and his killer instincts come out to play. With Child’s Play (1988) spawning a number of sequels, one progressively worse than the other, it is safe to assume that its evil villain has lost its charm. The idea of a plastic, overall-wearing doll murdering innocent people makes you want to crack up, not cringe in horror. For anyone looking for an unintentionally funny scary flick, look no further than Child’s Play for a good laugh.
    This little “Good Guy” doll isn’t so great after all. Ranking the lowest in our school-wide survey, the homicidal doll possessed by mastermind Charles Lee Ray isn’t all that scary anymore. What was once a catalyst for nightmares is now an outdated film from a bygone era— with a new age of horror defined by profuse amounts of gore on the rise, who would be scared of a measly children’s doll anymore? You’ve stepped your game up, America; as such, we’ve grown to be scared of disembowelment rather than vengeful toys. The story goes like this: a doll named Chucky ends up in the hands of a young boy on his birthday and his killer instincts come out to play. With Child’s Play (1988) spawning a number of sequels, one progressively worse than the other, it is safe to assume that its evil villain has lost its charm. The idea of a plastic, overall-wearing doll murdering innocent people makes you want to crack up, not cringe in horror. For anyone looking for an unintentionally funny scary flick, look no further than Child’s Play for a good laugh.
    This dark-haired girl might come crawling up your stairs this Halloween as she makes her way to the top of our list of best horror movie villains. Widely known for her long, jet-black hair that covers her face and the manner in which she crawls down the stairs, the Grudge kills anyone who tries to enter her house. Her back story is one rife with jealousy, homicide, and blood; originally a housewife named Kayako Saeki, she and her son were brutally murdered by her delusional husband, which invoked the curse known as “The Grudge.” Now an evil spirit fueled by vengeance, Saeki wreaks havoc on the Williams family, who settled into her house after her murder. Her contorting limbs and pale white skin leave you frightened, but her hand sprouting out of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s hair leaves you utterly horrified. The film is based off of Ju-On, a widely popular Japanese film directed by Takashi Shimizu. If you watch The Grudge this coming Halloween, expect to have nightmares for the following two weeks.
    This dark-haired girl might come crawling up your stairs this Halloween as she makes her way to the top of our list of best horror movie villains. Widely known for her long, jet-black hair that covers her face and the manner in which she crawls down the stairs, the Grudge kills anyone who tries to enter her house. Her back story is one rife with jealousy, homicide, and blood; originally a housewife named Kayako Saeki, she and her son were brutally murdered by her delusional husband, which invoked the curse known as “The Grudge.” Now an evil spirit fueled by vengeance, Saeki wreaks havoc on the Williams family, who settled into her house after her murder. Her contorting limbs and pale white skin leave you frightened, but her hand sprouting out of Sarah Michelle Gellar’s hair leaves you utterly horrified. The film is based off of Ju-On, a widely popular Japanese film directed by Takashi Shimizu. If you watch The Grudge this coming Halloween, expect to have nightmares for the following two weeks.
    Although Saw (2004) was one of the most original and brilliant horror movies of its time, Jigsaw was not seen as the scariest movie icon. I agree with those who would run at the sight of a creepy puppet with red swirly cheeks, but for those who have seen the first Saw film, it is interesting to note that he does not actually kill anyone. The film begins in a dingy bathroom, with two strangers chained to the wall and a dead body. A traumatizing cinematic experience of blood ensures. All I will say is that Jigsaw is more of a sadistic madman than a cold-blooded murderer. You realize that your sudden urge to vomit does not stem from Jigsaw himself, but rather from the endless bloodshed your eyes must endure. Watching someone’s limb get cut off by chainsaw or head decapitated is stomach-churning, but that is where the horror stops. Jigsaw looks more like a demented drag queen rather than a heinous mastermind. If you are in the mood to see some serious limb-hacking, jaw-dropping blood and gore, watch Saw and get your bundle of security blankets and a barf bag ready.
    Although Saw (2004) was one of the most original and brilliant horror movies of its time, Jigsaw was not seen as the scariest movie icon. I agree with those who would run at the sight of a creepy puppet with red swirly cheeks, but for those who have seen the first Saw film, it is interesting to note that he does not actually kill anyone. The film begins in a dingy bathroom, with two strangers chained to the wall and a dead body. A traumatizing cinematic experience of blood ensures. All I will say is that Jigsaw is more of a sadistic madman than a cold-blooded murderer. You realize that your sudden urge to vomit does not stem from Jigsaw himself, but rather from the endless bloodshed your eyes must endure. Watching someone’s limb get cut off by chainsaw or head decapitated is stomach-churning, but that is where the horror stops. Jigsaw looks more like a demented drag queen rather than a heinous mastermind.
    If you are in the mood to see some serious limb-hacking, jaw-dropping blood and gore, watch Saw and get your bundle of security blankets and a barf bag ready.



  • Homecoming Week

    Homecoming Week

  • 2014-2015 International Ambassadors

    2014-2015 International Ambassadors

    The 2014-2015 Poly International Ambassadors on stage.
    Marco Montemayor
    The 2014-2015 Poly International Ambassadors on stage.
    The International Ambassadors listening to the Star-Spangled Banner.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    The International Ambassadors listening to the Star-Spangled Banner.
    Seniors Christine Rose Nuñez, Meredith Dobson, Kyra Wiant, and Mara Koval proudly show off their bouquets.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Seniors Christine Rose Nuñez, Meredith Dobson, Kyra Wiant, and Mara Koval proudly show off their bouquets.
    Editors-in-Chief Amara Pouv and Samantha Rustia.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Editors-in-Chief Amara Pouv and Samantha Rustia.
    Rustia is the co-captain of the Speech and Debate team. She is also the vice president of the California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society. In addition, she is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the High Life with Amara Pouv. She is regionally ranked for Congressional Debate and is also a Global Leadership Connection Scholarship recipient. Her project was to put the High Life online in order to make the paper more accessible to a larger audience. “My experience with Journalism has helped me see how important it is to be informed. With the new website, we will able to spread news more easily to Poly students,” said Rustia.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Rustia is the co-captain of the Speech and Debate team. She is also the vice president of the California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society. In addition, she is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the High Life with Amara Pouv. She is regionally ranked for Congressional Debate and is also a Global Leadership Connection Scholarship recipient. Her project was to put the High Life online in order to make the paper more accessible to a larger audience. “My experience with Journalism has helped me see how important it is to be informed. With the new website, we will able to spread news more easily to Poly students,” said Rustia.
    Pouv is a Link Crew leader as well as member of the PanCan and Operation Teddy Bear clubs. She has been involved with the High Life, Poly’s school newspaper, for three years, and is currently in charge of its operations as Co-Editor-in-Chief. Amara has been on the cross-country and long distance track teams, serving as a senior captain for the former. Her joint project with Samantha Rustia was to put the High Life online to reach a wider audience. “It was very challenging for the two of us to create the online format of the newspaper, but seeing it in its completed form is absolutely rewarding for me as Editor-in-Chief,” said Pouv.

    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Pouv is a Link Crew leader as well as member of the PanCan and Operation Teddy Bear clubs. She has been involved with the High Life, Poly’s school newspaper, for three years, and is currently in charge of its operations as Co-Editor-in-Chief. Amara has been on the cross-country and long distance track teams, serving as a senior captain for the former. Her joint project with Samantha Rustia was to put the High Life online to reach a wider audience. “It was very challenging for the two of us to create the online format of the newspaper, but seeing it in its completed form is absolutely rewarding for me as Editor-in-Chief,” said Pouv.
    Koval is the co-founder and president of the CLIMB club, and is also involved with Model United Nations. She is a four-year runner and team captain for the cross-country and track teams. She volunteers with disabled children at Camp Nugget and represents the PACE program at middle school presentations. Her original project was to paint an inspirational quote on the 200 building, using Mahatma Gandhi’s mantra: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” She believes her project is a great source of inspiration and will evoke a sense of pride within students and faculty members. “I thought the quote spoke to everyone on campus,” said Koval.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Koval is the co-founder and president of the CLIMB club, and is also involved with Model United Nations. She is a four-year runner and team captain for the cross-country and track teams. She volunteers with disabled children at Camp Nugget and represents the PACE program at middle school presentations. Her original project was to paint an inspirational quote on the 200 building, using Mahatma Gandhi’s mantra: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” She believes her project is a great source of inspiration and will evoke a sense of pride within students and faculty members. “I thought the quote spoke to everyone on campus,” said Koval.
    Escobar is an active presence in the Poly community. She is at the helm of both the JUSTICE Academy and the Polyettes Color Guard. In addition, she has been a four-year member of the AVID program. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together of Long Beach, 7th Street Church, and Rancho Los Cerritos. For her project, Escobar hosted a lunchtime rally featuring the band, cheer, Polyettes, and the Special Education Department, emphasizing unity and acceptance at Poly. “It’s such a great experience because I was very shy before, but now I am an International Ambassador,” said Escobar.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Escobar is an active presence in the Poly community. She is at the helm of both the JUSTICE Academy and the Polyettes Color Guard. In addition, she has been a four-year member of the AVID program. She volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together of Long Beach, 7th Street Church, and Rancho Los Cerritos. For her project, Escobar hosted a lunchtime rally featuring the band, cheer, Polyettes, and the Special Education Department, emphasizing unity and acceptance at Poly.
    “It’s such a great experience because I was very shy before, but now I am an International Ambassador,” said Escobar.
    Serving as the president of the Poly Book Club, Ball is a former cheerleader and avid runner on the cross-country and track teams. One of her passions is music; she has been a member of the Poly orchestra program for the past four years. Outside of school, she is an elementary school tutor and volunteer at the Aquarium. Her project was to hold a Young Women’s Conference intended to combat gender roles and empower women to aspire for success. “Being chosen for International Ambassadors made me feel ecstatic. I was surprised because there is a lot of competition for these spots, so I was shocked when I was chosen,” said Ball.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Serving as the president of the Poly Book Club, Ball is a former cheerleader and avid runner on the cross-country and track teams. One of her passions is music; she has been a member of the Poly orchestra program for the past four years. Outside of school, she is an elementary school tutor and volunteer at the Aquarium. Her project was to hold a Young Women’s Conference intended to combat gender roles and empower women to aspire for success. “Being chosen for International Ambassadors made me feel ecstatic. I was surprised because there is a lot of competition for these spots, so I was shocked when I was chosen,” said Ball.
    Mamnoon is the co-president of the Red Cross and Photography clubs, and she is also a member of Senior Senate. She is in Student Commission, holding many positions before assuming her current role as ASB Vice-President. She volunteers at the Greater Long Beach Red Cross and a local soccer club. Her International Ambassador project was Supplies for Success, which involved fundraising, collecting, and distributing school supplies to Poly students who are unable to afford them. “Poly is so diverse and most are coming from economically diverse backgrounds and I think it is very beneficial for people to get the supplies they need,” said Mamnoon.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Mamnoon is the co-president of the Red Cross and Photography clubs, and she is also a member of Senior Senate. She is in Student Commission, holding many positions before assuming her current role as ASB Vice-President. She volunteers at the Greater Long Beach Red Cross and a local soccer club. Her International Ambassador project was Supplies for Success, which involved fundraising, collecting, and distributing school supplies to Poly students who are unable to afford them. “Poly is so diverse and most are coming from economically diverse backgrounds and I think it is very beneficial for people to get the supplies they need,” said Mamnoon.
    Nuñez is a member of the Math and Speech & Debate teams, along with the Ronald McDonald and CSF clubs. She volunteers with VITA Tax Prep and her church youth group. She has received the Superiority Award for Speech and Debate and the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award. For her project, she plans on organizing a community fair that will provide free resources, such as health check ups, tax services, and financial counseling. The fair is scheduled to be held in February 2015. “I wanted to be an International Ambassador because Poly has given me so much and I wanted to be a part of something that gives back to the school,” said Nuñez.

    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Nuñez is a member of the Math and Speech & Debate teams, along with the Ronald McDonald and CSF clubs. She volunteers with VITA Tax Prep and her church youth group. She has received the Superiority Award for Speech and Debate and the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award. For her project, she plans on organizing a community fair that will provide free resources, such as health check ups, tax services, and financial counseling. The fair is scheduled to be held in February 2015. “I wanted to be an International Ambassador because Poly has given me so much and I wanted to be a part of something that gives back to the school,” said Nuñez.
    Wiant is a member of the Ronald McDonald, Senior Senate, and CLIMB clubs, on top of her participation in Student Commission and Link Crew. She is also active in the Long Beach community, as she volunteers at St. Mary’s Hospital and was chosen to be represent the 33rd District as a Young Senator. Her project was called “Small Acts, Big Results,” a campaign that involved a kindness week encouraging compassion. “I feel extremely grateful to be chosen, but I don’t feel superior, as there are so many students here at Poly who are doing wonderful things. International Ambassadors are just a select few in the spotlight,” said Wiant.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Wiant is a member of the Ronald McDonald, Senior Senate, and CLIMB clubs, on top of her participation in Student Commission and Link Crew. She is also active in the Long Beach community, as she volunteers at St. Mary’s Hospital and was chosen to be represent the 33rd District as a Young Senator. Her project was called “Small Acts, Big Results,” a campaign that involved a kindness week encouraging compassion. “I feel extremely grateful to be chosen, but I don’t feel superior, as there are so many students here at Poly who are doing wonderful things. International Ambassadors are just a select few in the spotlight,” said Wiant.
    Gelilio has been involved with the Senior Senate, Hot Pepper, and Best Buddies clubs at Poly. She has been a part of the girls swim team and cheerleading squad. She is also an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Artesia, volunteering at religious camps during the summer. Her project was the “Polympics,” an activity involving students with special needs. Her main goals were to increase awareness about the importance of teamwork and acceptance in a school environment. “My project was somewhat challenging due to time constraints. My team of volunteers and I made the most out of it, and everyone had a great time,” said Gelilio.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Gelilio has been involved with the Senior Senate, Hot Pepper, and Best Buddies clubs at Poly. She has been a part of the girls swim team and cheerleading squad. She is also an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Artesia, volunteering at religious camps during the summer. Her project was the “Polympics,” an activity involving students with special needs. Her main goals were to increase awareness about the importance of teamwork and acceptance in a school environment. “My project was somewhat challenging due to time constraints. My team of volunteers and I made the most out of it, and everyone had a great time,” said Gelilio.
    Huynh is a member of Key Club, Senior Senate, and the Yearbook staff at Poly, in addition to her positions as an officer for the CIC and Operation Teddy Bear clubs. She serves as the activities director and president for Red Cross and Vietnamese Student Organization, respectively. She has been in Student Commission for three semesters as an appointed officer and the Commissioner of Publicity. Her project is called “Chicken Noodle Soup for the Jackrabbit Soul.” It entailed the distribution of informational booklets about Poly to all incoming freshmen prior to their registration. Huynh hopes to educate new students on the history of Poly.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Huynh is a member of Key Club, Senior Senate, and the Yearbook staff at Poly, in addition to her positions as an officer for the CIC and Operation Teddy Bear clubs. She serves as the activities director and president for Red Cross and Vietnamese Student Organization, respectively. She has been in Student Commission for three semesters as an appointed officer and the Commissioner of Publicity. Her project is called “Chicken Noodle Soup for the Jackrabbit Soul.” It entailed the distribution of informational booklets about Poly to all incoming freshmen prior to their registration. Huynh hopes to educate new students on the history of Poly.
    Ho is heavily involved with student affairs at Poly as a member of Student Commission, Senior Senate, PTSA, and VSA. He has been on the track and cross-country teams since his freshman year, and is now a senior captain for the latter. He is also a team leader in the Buddhist Youth Organization. His original project involved the placement of wooden plaques throughout the campus which highlight the journey of several alumni who have gone on to compete in the Olympics. “I view Poly students who have participated in the Oympics as role models, and seeing them accomplish great things motivates me to try my hardest and excel here at Poly,” said Ho.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Ho is heavily involved with student affairs at Poly as a member of Student Commission, Senior Senate, PTSA, and VSA. He has been on the track and cross-country teams since his freshman year, and is now a senior captain for the latter. He is also a team leader in the Buddhist Youth Organization. His original project involved the placement of wooden plaques throughout the campus which highlight the journey of several alumni who have gone on to compete in the Olympics. “I view Poly students who have participated in the Oympics as role models, and seeing them accomplish great things motivates me to try my hardest and excel here at Poly,” said Ho.
    Dobson is a member of the Ronald McDonald Club, Model United Nations, and Speech and Debate team, on top of being president for Assisteens, a nonprofit organization that volunteers with Miller’s Children Hospital. In addition, she has been a member of the cheerleading squad since her freshman year. Her legacy project was “Paint-a-Can,” where students were invited to paint trash cans in order to promote their clubs. A continuation of her older sister’s project two years ago, Paint-a-Can’s main objectives are to beautify the campus and foster school spirit. I feel very honored to represent Poly,” said Dobson.
    Crispin Jay Salapare
    Dobson is a member of the Ronald McDonald Club, Model United Nations, and Speech and Debate team, on top of being president for Assisteens, a nonprofit organization that volunteers with Miller’s Children Hospital. In addition, she has been a member of the cheerleading squad since her freshman year. Her legacy project was “Paint-a-Can,” where students were invited to paint trash cans in order to promote their clubs. A continuation of her older sister’s project two years ago, Paint-a-Can’s main objectives are to beautify the campus and foster school spirit. I feel very honored to represent Poly,” said Dobson.
  • New Faces at Poly

    New Faces at Poly

    Read about the new and returning staff at Poly.

  • Under Par but Under-appreciated

    Under Par but Under-appreciated

         Sports such as football and basketball attract thousands of fans, and play under intense pressure. Others require great physical strength, like wrestling and weightlifting. Though golfers do not need great strength or physical endurance,they require consistency and mental toughness. A consistent swing combines distance and accuracy For developing players, such as Poly’s team, finding the regularity from match to match is critical. Often times, players will have a great round of golf in one game, and flop in the next.As legendary golfer Arnold Palmer said, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and
    maddening.” So while golf does not have the adrenaline-pumping action of other sports, it is still a sport of focus, and should not be underestimated as not demanding or easy.

  • Racquets Set Records

         Girls tennis is half way through season, and have proved themselves as the strongest team in Moore League. The lady jackrabbits are undefeated now, 7-0, having beaten Wilson for the first time in over ten years on Tuesday, October 7.
         It was a steady start for the girls, finishing the first round tied with the Bruins, 3-3. It looked pretty bright for the jackrabbits, not only because of the 90 degree weather. As they advanced into the second round, the girls were able to put two more won sets onto the scoreboard, leading 7-5 at the end of the round. Going into the third round, the jackrabbits only needed 3 more matches for the win.
         “We haven’t beaten them in all the four years I have been here,” said Senior captain  Shannon Dow. “It’s something that we all wanted.”
         Both teams took the courts third round with determination; Wilson looking to come back and close the gap, while Poly looked for those three games for the prolonged victory. Not only were the jackrabbits able to get the win, but also proved their dominancy in league by beating  the Bruins with a score of 12-6.

         Dow swept all her singles matches finishing the game with a perfect 3-0 slate. Among those victories was the defeat of the  previous Moore League singles champion Olivia Mendoza. Doubles team of Melanie Keo and Veronica Ta, and Megan Guitterri and Ariana Crockett also added four matches to the 12 by winning two matches each.
         On September 29 the girls h o s t e d y e t a n o t h e r t o u g h opponent, the Millikan Rams. Looking for redemption from last year’s loss that cost them the running for the Moore League title, the jackrabbits went into the game head on looking for the win over the Rams. Millikan would not go down without a fight, but the jackrabbits were able to stay a bit more focused,  winning with a tight score of 10-8.
         Adding to their 7-0 winning s t r e a k w e r e t w o 1 8 – 0 s h u t out games, against Compton o n S e p t e m b e r a n d t h e n Compton on September the 25.
         “We still have to play these teams once more, and they’ll be away games,’ said head coach R i c a r d o M o n t i c e n i o s . “ We have to make sure keep this up for the rest of the season.”
  • Hopping for the Victory

    Hopping for the Victory

    After a tough loss to the Lakewood Lancers on September 23, the Lady Jackrabbits brought it back on September 30, 2014 at Milikan High School.
    The Poly Jackrabbits set it off with a quick start in the first set with the score of 25-14. The second set was an easy going for the Lady Jackrabbits when they scored 25-10 against the Rams. Millikan pushed to come back, but by the end of the third set, Poly’s well known outside hitters Leafa Yandall and Fiapaipai Iosia kept the team up to finish the game off with a score of 25-21.
    On Thursday October 2, the jackrabbits faced the Wilson Bruins, in one of their longest games yet. With knowledge of Milan Stokes, a highly valuable junior player for Wilson, Poly was able to push through the Bruin’s menacing defense. Even with Stokes on the court with 22 kills, Poly proved to be the better team in an overall 25-16, 31-29, 25-22 sweep. Poly’s outside hitter Yandall and Cassandra Lew had 11 kills, middle blocker Erin Williams had 8 kills and 4 blocks. Outside hitter Jayleen Lehenbauer chipped in 8 kills in her first varsity start.
    “I really like the multi-faceted approach on our offense,” said Lew after her first 2 kills during the first set.
    The heat and crowd were intense. The second set went on and on, and ended at 31 for the Jackrabbits and 29 for Wilson. Poly could have finished the game off in the third set at 25-19, but with a tired defense couldn’t quite pass the ball being served over. Their lack of communication and their of focus gave Wilson a chance to come up. But with the final pass from Pai Iosia, a set from setter Jessica Doukenick and the tip from Sammy-Jo Ah-Hong, the team finally woke up to the finish.
    “Spreading the offense out, is turning into our strength,” commented Coach Leland McGrath.
    The Jackrabbits and the Bruins are now tied for second place in the Moore League with one win and one loss each. However, the Bruins have yet to face the undefeated Lakewood Lancers. Poly will play Jordan on October 8, while the Bruins will play Lakewood at 4 pm on October 7.

  • Party Like It’s 99-9

    First Quarter 

         In a historic homecoming football me, the Poly Jackrabbits outmatched the Compton Tarbabes, winning by a huge
    margin of 99-9. Here is a recap of the game, reported by quarter.
         All Poly fans and teammates were surprised when Compton had the early upper lead. On the opening kickoff, the
    Tarbabes returned the ball for 90 yards, putting them in a great scoring position. Aided by two Poly penalties, Compton
    scored an easy touchdown. In less than 30 seconds, Compton was up 6-0. After this, however, the rest of the game would be in Poly’s
    favor. 2 minutes after Compton scored, Poly answered back, when senior Justin Calhoun caught a pass and ran 23 yards. This put
    the Jackrabbits up 7-6. The team would score four more times this quarter, making the score 35-6.

    Second Quarter

         The second quarter still featured Poly’s starter players, who were effective at scoring. James Brooks had ten rushes for 136 yards.
    Even Poly’s defense scored, when junior linebacker Jason Nettles had a touchdown from a pick-six interception. However, penalties
    continued to affect Poly. A punt return by senior Iman “Biggie” Marshall was called back, because of roughing the kicker.

    Third Quarter

    The Poly coaches were not satisfied with Poly’s performance in the first half. Compton’s 9 points scored is more than the
    entire Moore League scored on Poly last season. As punishment, the team performed wind sprints. During the entire second half, a

    running clock was in place, to prevent an even larger blowout. The Poly Jackrabbits could not be stopped, however. Junior

    Dae’John Logan started the third quarter with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Additionally, the team put in secondary players, who
    continued to score on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Cameron McDonald received play time. McDonald showed off his quick
    feet by running a touchdown in himself. In total, three touchdowns were scored in the third quarter, putting Poly up 84-9.

    Fourth Quarter

    Contrary to other blowout games, the fans stayed until the end, curious if the Jackrabbits could score over 100 points. Junior
    Jackie Jones had an interception, which he ran in for a touchdown. This put the score at 91-9. The team came close, placing the
    score 99 points on a two-point conversion. On the point after attempt, junior backup quarterback Tavaka Salanoa mishandled the
    ball, and out of instinct ran in for two points. There are many interesting statistics that resulted during the game. Kicker Chile
    Gomez was 13/13 on points after touchdowns. In addition, all 75 Poly players suited up competed for Poly. A score of 99-9 is the
    most Poly has put up, since 1925 when they scored 105 points. Reflecting on the game, Poly realized they committed too many
    penalties. During Moore League games, these penalties won’t determine a win or loss. But during the postseason games, penalties
    are critical, and could eliminate the team from the playoffs. “We need to stop getting penalties. No more penalties. No more stupid stuff,” said
    senior Quarterback Josh Love.

  • PACE Seniors Selected As National Merit Semifinalists

    Seniors Sihyun Ahn and Lily Seitelman were announced as 2015 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists this month.

    In this highly coveted recognition, Ahn and Seitelman are only two out of about 16,000 semifinalists.

    Over 1.4 million juniors took the PSAT, putting Ahn and Seitelman in the top one percent of the highest scoring juniors in the nation.

    However, there will only be 15,000 finalists out of the 1.4 million that applied.

    Because of their high scores, Ahn and Seitelman are eligible for college scholarships.

    Assuming Ahn and Seitelman are named finalists, they will be considered for thousands of scholarships that are estimated to be worth around $33 million.

    “All finalists are considered for a single-payment scholarship for $2500, and there are other, more specialized scholarships only available through NMS. They try to match [scholarships] to a dream school you name in the application,” said Ahn.

    With that kind of opportunity, Ahn and Seitelman could get a vast amount of funding for any college they want to attend.

    “Being a finalist would give me the opportunity to help pay for some of my college expenses. I’d appreciate the chance to contribute in this way,” said Seitelman.

    New finalists are named each year and become eligible through PSAT scores. Rising sophomores and juniors should study for the SAT and take the practice SAT in order to qualify.

  • Jackrabbits Take Home Gold in ACT-SO Competition

    Ten students from LBUSD earned gold medals in this year’s Afro-Academic Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). Seven out of those ten were Poly students.

    Poly’s seven winners include senior Krystal Ball in the short story category, senior Neyah Barbee in the drawing category, Poly alumni Nia Barbee in the categories of instrumental music and classical poetry, senior Kandise Le Blanc in vocal classical and contemporary music, senior Zori Ray in entrepreneurship, senior Monica Rodriguez in painting, and senior Amber Russell in instrumental contemporary music.

    The ACT-SO is a program in which African American high school students work with mentors over the course of a year to promote and experience high academic and cultural achievement. During this enrichment program, each student creates a project that becomes eligible to win a medal in one of 25 artistic or academic categories.

    ACT-SO participants are empowered and enriched with opportunities to attend workshops, tutorials, and field trips. The competition provides valuable skills that are applicable beyond ACT-SO.

    The competition’s ten gold medalists have displayed their hard work on a local level, but will take it one step further by entering their projects into the National ACT-SO Competition next July at the Annual NAACP Convention.

    “I’ve been participating in ACTSO for 3 years now and it’s really become a highlight of my time in high school. I get to travel with my friends to compete for art and English, my two favorite subjects. Not only is it fun, but I also know that it is going to help me in the future. I get better at my crafts and get to know other kids across the country who are striving to do the same. I would recommend it to everyone I know,” said Barbee.

    Any high school student of African descent who is an amateur in any of the 25 competition categories is encouraged to join ACT-SO. Applications are available online at www.actso.org/howtoapply.shtml.