Category: News

  • Kake Hashi Exchange Program at Poly

    Kake Hashi Exchange Program at Poly

    From February 2 through the 4, some of Poly’s own got a chance to host students from Akita, Japan, and got the opportunity to expose the exchange students to the campus and southern California. During their journey, they got a glimpse into the best, and the worst, of American culture, experiencing everything from Hollywood to Disneyland. A whopping twenty-three Japanese students, along with two chaperones, accompanied a select handful of Poly students around.

    During this past summer, Poly students went to Japan, along with Christine Tram and Susan Watson, to visit the same students at their high school, Akita Minami. This unique exchange program is made possible by Kake Hashi (Japanese for building bridges), an organization that is aiming to form a bond between Japan and the United States by allowing youth of both nations to better understand each other’s culture. “Well, taking my students to Japan benefits my class because they get to actually use their Japanese in a real life situation, and they got to see all the stuff they learned in class. I wasn’t making up Japanese, I was teaching them real words,” said Watson with a reminiscent smile.

    Can you imagine going to school for six days a week in a suit and tie, or a blazer and pleated skirt? That’s what daily life is like for a high school student in Japan. They uphold a professional appearance to keep up with their world renowned academic reputation. But, can you imagine not being able to show public displays of affection to your significant other? These sort of regulations are commonplace in a Japanese high school, so you can imagine their surprise when they came to Poly with couples snogging at every corner and fashion choices from ponchos and bell bottoms to flip flops and crop tops. Akita is covered in nearly three feet of snow right now, adding to the cultural distinction.

    However, there are a few aspects of the culture that American students can relate to. Around this time of year, Japanese students are anxiously going through the process of pursuing a higher education in college. In America, we have numerous chances of getting a good enough SAT score to impress the colleges of our choice. In Japan, however, they have one shot. They go to said institution, take the test, and wait at the edge of their seats for results. Though this may seem inconceivable, Japanese students grew up with this healthy, competitive attitude towards their education, and consider anything else to be foreign. “It inspires me to just work hard and be grateful that I live in America, a country where, just like college, you have multiple opportunities to be successful,” said senior Tatiana Tate, as she recalls the difficulties Japanese students have to face.

    Both Japanese and American students alike got an enriching experience from the exchange. Exposing the exchange students to American culture may have been rewarding by way of freedom of expression through clothing and physical contact with other humans, but could also remind them of their academic advantage from being in such a cultivating environment. American students, on the other hand, would jubilantly return to their five-day school weeks and multiple opportunities to achieve success in their scholastic endeavours. However, the slight division between the two is the very foundation of the bridges being built through the Kake Hashi program. The experiences it provide to students from both sides of the world are unforgettable, and emphasize the importance of blending cultures in order to improve global relationships. “No matter where you are from around the word, you typically have similar morals and similar hobbies,” said senior Kayla Sanders.

    Future exchange opportunities in the Poly Japanese language department include partnerships with Long Beach’s sister city, Yokkaichi, that extend beyond surface level explorations. On July 20, 2017, two students and one teacher from each city will be sent on a three week trip to Japan to act as goodwill ambassadors. On July 31, four students and one teacher will embark on an eight day environmental summit, learning about innovative ways Yokkaichi is helping the planet become more environmentally friendly. Application deadline for both of these opportunities are on Friday, February 24.

  • Holocaust Remembrance Project

    January 30 marked the eighty-fourth year since Adolf Hitler was “elected” chancellor of Germany. What followed in the years after his rise to power was destruction on a massive scale, both in the form of a world war and in the slaughter of millions of innocent Jews.

    Wars have always been a part of history, but genocide on this scale was unprecedented. Millions were complicit, complacent, or directly involved in the systematic extermination of Jewish, Roma, Slavic, Black, homosexual and disabled people. So many were targeted, and so many were comfortable turning a blind eye like the thousands of Germans who ignored the death camps practically in their own backyards. Chapman University in the City of Orange is one of many modern organizations that seeks to honor those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis and shed light upon how such a tragedy could occur.

    Every year, they host a contest in which they challenge American students to watch survivor testimonies and then connect the survivor’s stories to their own lives. The students then create an art piece based on this connection.

    Joylyn Souter, the English teacher who hosts this contest at Poly, has seen many terrific and moving projects come out of the contest. One can never really underestimate the connections that can come from watching these testimonials. It is a common mistake to view Holocaust survivors as a type of war hero or valorous figure. They are human beings, just like the rest of us, and that is the most important thing to remember.

    There is power in these connections, these stories, such as that of former contest winner Danielle Spriggs. She sat down and opened her backpack to eat her lunch, and discovered that a pear her mother had packed for her was crushed and smeared all over the other food, rendering much of it inedible. She ate what she could and when the bell rang for class she went to class disappointed and still a little hungry.

    Soon after, Spriggs would hear the story of Ilse Diament, who was freed from Bergen-Belsen by British Soldiers near the end of the war. After she was released from the camp, a doctor gave her a can of pears. The taste, even after years away from the hell that was Bergen-Belsen, was a sign of freedom to Diament.
    Something as ordinary as a pear can connect people in two different situations and backgrounds, almost a hundred years apart. Unfortunately, the contest closed on Monday, February 6. Interested students are encouraged to see Ms. Souter in room 203 to partake in next year’s contest.

  • Port of Long Beach Internship

    Are you afraid of being pathetically broke this summer? Yes? Well fear no longer because the Port of Long Beach is offering a paid internship to high schoolers like yourself! For eight weeks students interested in international trade and other related fields will experience a real work environment and mentoring from professionals. Interns will be paid $10.50 an hour and work thirty hours a week. The program starts on June 26 and ends on August 17; however, the application period starts on February 6 and ends on March 6. To apply, students must meet certain requirements. You must be a junior or senior in high school in LBUSD; you must have a 2.5 GPA or higher; you need reliable transportation; you must be available for the entire eight weeks; you will have to attend the Port’s World Trade Week, Celebrating Education; and you must submit your application by 6:00 P.M. on March 6. Once the application is completed and signed by both you and your parent/guardian, it will be submitted, in person, to Pacific Gateway. You can download the application by visiting http://academy.polb.com/scholarships-internships/internship-info/high-school-information/ and clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.

  • Senior Information Night a Success

    This past Tuesday, February 7, Poly hosted Senior Parent Night from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. All 12th grade students were expected to attend, along with a parent; students and parents were provided with the information that as a senior is necessary, like getting a cap and gown, a class ring, graduation DVD’s, graduation photos, graduation announcements, graduation leis/flowers, spirit wear, graduate night at Disneyland, yearbook, and most importantly, the senior packet, which includes the form required for graduating, free graduation tickets, and a senior picnic ticket. Senior packets were distributed until 6:30 P.M. in the Activity Office. The Senior Assembly began right away at the big gym with the head counselor Gayle Mashburn, who talked about the requirements for graduating. Sylvia Womack, a College and Career Center specialist, provided information on scholarships available for seniors. This was the perfect opportunity for seniors and their parents to get well informed about all the upcoming events. Then, from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. all the vendors gathered around Hare Square for Poly’s class of 2017 to purchase graduation items. Ngoc Nguyen, the  Activities Director, was available that night for any questions parents had.

  • Remembering Reverend Smiles Eugene Walker

    Remembering Reverend Smiles Eugene Walker

    On Monday, February 6, 2017, Poly lost a beloved member of its family. Smiles Eugene Walker, known by all as “Rev,” may be gone in body, but the lasting imprint he has made on this school will stay longer after.

    Born on November 21, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, Rev lived to 87 years old and shared 47 of those years with Poly. During his time in Ohio, Rev claimed a state title in table tennis.
    Graduating from high school in 1947, Rev moved on to receive his Bachelors of Science from UCLA in 1951 before enlisting in the army. Rev served in the military until 1956 after being released with honorable discharge. During his time in the army, Rev played on various basketball and track-and-field teams, as well as coached U.S. track teams.

    In addition to table tennis and military sports, Rev also played semi-pro basketball, a huge source of pride for him. But nothing brought Rev more pride than being a VIP at Poly. While working at Poly, Rev coached girls basketball to twenty-three championships and the track and field team to ten championships.
    He worked in the P.E. department, as a staff assistant, a book room assistant, and a locker room assistant. He also used to be in charge of transportation for staff of the basketball and track and field teams.

    From the time Rev settled into the Poly family, he was awarded recognition by the Poly P.T.A. and the Long Beach Press Telegram, and was awarded the Moore League Gold Pass in 1979. He also had the honor to be called “Mr. Poly” throughout the state.

    Nearly every day for 47 years, Rev walked without fail to Poly to volunteer as a Campus Security Officer (CSO). Up until the day he passed, he happily gave up his time to break up fights, end make-out sessions, and control the general bedlam outside the Student Store.

    Rev’s signature move when students misbehaved, CSO Ray Porter remembered, was to blow the whistle around his neck and yell, “Boy, I’m sending you to Jordan!”
    Two years ago, the High Life featured Rev in an extended Humans of Poly article. Rev spoke of how proud he was of the school that had become his home. “Poly has the top academics, the top sports, and the top music in the country,” he stated.

    He spoke about memories of when he first came to Poly and the sexism that he worked to combat. “When I was in high school, girls were ignored in class… I want girls to make something of themselves.”

    He remembered a specific time when the girls track team didn’t have any shoes: “I raised money to buy every single girl in track shoes. When I didn’t have the money, I’d call Nike and tell them they needed to donate money so these girls could run. It was the first time a company sponsored Poly sports.”

    Rev was more than dedicated to Poly, and he was a loved member of the Poly community. So many students knew him as just the friendly old man, and he was just fine with that. “People talk about love,” explained Porter, “but this man showed love.”

  • Song Squad gets a Big Break

    On January 22, the Long Beach Poly Varsity Song team and Mascots competed in the USA Regional Competition in order to qualify for Nationals. The Varsity Song squad is a small but powerful force, consisting of sophomore Kennedy Cofield and returning juniors Lily Brossus, Becca Gutierrez, and Megan Villaverde. The mascots were sophomores Coco Sanabria and Sandra Rosas.
    In order to prepare, Song’s Gutierrez  said, “We  practice almost every day throughout the week in order to prepare. These practices range from practices dedicated to conditioning in order to improve our stamina in the dance, or to working on our technique.”

    Mascot Sanabria added, “My partner Sandra and I worked with Coach Cynthia on choreography and made up the ending on our own.”
    The theme for the Song portion was “Teamwork,” so the song mix for the routine had to reflect that. High School Musical, “Everything is Awesome,” and Lorde’s “Team” were included.  The routine was choreographed by Cynthia Negrete and her daughter Marissa Negrete. Their fast-paced dance and cheerful facial expressions kept the audience intrigued.
    The girls were happy with their performance, but Villaverde said, “There is always room for improvement.”

    Cofield, first-year Songleader, said, “I feel that I did great for my first competition, but there is always something I can improve on for the next competition.” Cofield has been working on her aerial since summer and she executed it perfectly at the competition which made her and her team proud.
    The mascot routine has to have a storyline that is conveyed to the audience and gets the audience participating in supporting their team. The theme was “Create a Lover,” and Jonathan Rabbit was a mad scientist who decided to make his own perfect lover. It had songs including “Somebody to Love” by Queen.

    Song and Mascot both placed second overall in their divisions. Their scores were high enough to qualify for Nationals, which will take place March 24-26 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Cynthia Negrete commented, “I am proud of the girls. The goal of the day was to beat the score in order to qualify for Nationals and we did.”

  • Poly’s Run of the Century

    This past Saturday April 23, Poly’s JROTC participated in the CSULB ROTC Centennial 5K run. The National Guard, and Army Reserve also participated in this event, celebrating 100 years of leadership and excellence. It took place on the CSULB Jack Rose Track on Bellflower Blvd. It began at 8 A.M. and lasted till 11 A.M. Poly’s JROTC arrived at seven wearing their JROTC PT shirts and shorts with running  shoes. In order to participate, you had to register there at the event. Before the event began one of the CSULB members had everyone take a moment of silence for one of the past ROTC members, Chad Hang, who past away this spring break. His memorial service was that same day from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. and everyone was welcomed to show their love and support for the family. Meanwhile one of the Senior Army Instructors was at the event while the other was at the memorial. “Anytime someone loses a life so young it is very tragic for a family and community. Losing a life to an act of gang violence – and honest I don’t believe in gang violence – I thought it was just heartless. Chad will be missed by Long Beach Poly JROTC,” said Sergeant Major Andrea Wright. The National Anthem was sung, and after a guest speaker spoke, Professor of Military Science LTD Justin Chezem gave a brief notice on safety and where water bottles would be located throughout the run. There were free prizes for the top five fastest runners and the fastest was 20 minutes. A CSULB ROTC student won it and received an Army bag. “That morning was a good challenge for me because I tend to get a bit competitive but besides that it was a beautiful morning for a run,” said freshman Cadet Private Javier Alcala. After the race they handed out T-shirts, hats, and stickers. They also had a table with beverages and snacks such as water bottles, candy, and granola bars for everyone. The run was a big success for everyone that attended and showed how hardworking and motivated Poly’s JROTC was.

  • PUTTING RUMORS TO A REST.

    On Friday, April 22, participating clubs joined together to share and expose students to the various cultures at Polytechnic High School for the annual Intercultural Faire—thus ending Poly’s annual Intercultural Week. Long-standing clubs including Red Cross, Key Club, and JROTC participate every year, though new clubs such as Kendama Club contributing to this faire was a refreshing treat. Every year, clubs have the opportunity to submit an application to participate in the Intercultural Faire, whether it be through a booth to sell food, or through a live performance on the rally stage. Clubs performing consisted of Drama Club’s Carrying the Banner performance, meant to promote the upcoming musical The Millennium Musical. Staff Band performed rock music, Fellow Christian Athletes performing jazz music, METS/Patrick Duong with a musical interpretation, Black Student Union’s Ode to Africa, The First Bite musical dance performances, Soul of K-Pop’s musical dance performances, and Pacific Islander Club’s dances from the islands of the Pacific. The point of the faire is to share Poly’s unique and varying cultures. “We didn’t publicize the performances enough, and they’re what people enjoy the most. Many people didn’t even know there were performances,” said Tiger Khou, member of Student Commission. Immediately after the bell rang for the faire to start, a massive line formed at the main entrance for students that had an “early-out” slip to leave school early. “When I walked into school and saw the line at the attendance office, I thought the new iPhone dropped or something. I think some of the people getting early outs didn’t want to attend the faire because of financial constrictions. The school might have to find a way to make the faire enjoyable for people who don’t want to buy tickets,” said senior Jeffery Akuamoah-Boateng. An anonymous student stated, “We thought it’d be better to spend money on outside food. Being seniors, we weren’t too interested anymore. Plus, we had plans to work on a poster for prom.” That’s not to say that the Intercultural Faire is losing its charm. Akuamoah-Boateng argued, “I decided to stay at the faire because it has been an enriching and rewarding experience for the last four years here at Poly. It may seem like the “cool” thing to do to leave, but I think it’s even cooler to be exposed to different cultures and foods, and enjoy the experience with your friends.” There are rumors spreading around campus that this is the last Intercultural Faire. Khou stated, “They’re just rumors. We just discussed the possibility of making the faire open to outsiders.” Overall, the students and staff that helped make this annual event happen should be recognized for their help—Student Commission specially recognizes ROTC for being a major help that day.

    Pacific Islanders club performing a traditional cutural dance that has gained popularity every consecutive year at Intercultural Faire.
    Pacific Islanders club performing a traditional cutural dance that has gained popularity every consecutive year at Intercultural Faire.
    A Korean Pop dance trio performs at Intercultural Faire led by Eddie Valencia picture farthest left withtin the image.
    Photo courtesy of Monineath A. Ray
    A Korean Pop dance trio performs at Intercultural Faire led by Eddie Valencia picture farthest left withtin the image.

     

  • In Memory of Chad Heng

    Poly Academy of Achievers and Learners (PAAL) senior Chad Hang passed away on Friday, April 1 and all of Poly has joined together in memory of his passing and in support of his family.
    Hang was shot while walking home from a friend’s house around midnight at the 1300 block of E. 11th Street, which was less than a mile from his home. He suffered gunshot wounds to the upper torso. Hang was moved to a local hospital and pronounced dead on Friday, April 1.
    The viewing will be on Friday, April 22, from four in the afternoon to eight in the evening at the Stricklin Snively Mortuary. The memorial service will be held on the following day, Saturday, April 23, from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon.
    Hang, a dedicated JROTC member, was the sixth of seven children in his family and loved skateboarding and running. His friends miss him dearly and speak fondly in his memory of his vibrant personality.
    Hang’s closest friend, senior Marlon Muk, remembers him, saying, “He was such an amazing kid. Had a really big gift of making people laugh and smile. He was encouraging, smart – in his own particular way – and incredibly funny. He had the biggest mouth I had ever met. There really is no mute button on that kid. He’ll just get louder and louder. He’s the most positive person out there, making people laugh until it hurts [and] smile until you can’t feel your cheeks, and showed love to others no matter who it was–friends or family.”
    Chad’s fellow senior Angel Munoz thinks of the wonderful times they had together. “Chad was a very cool person to get to know–making friends and family smile, made me smile and that’s a first. He was a brother to me and Leslie,” Munoz recalls. “[We] were very close to him; we were like the three musketeers till the end. Leslie was like our sister, Chad was reckless, [and] I was the serious one.”
    Senior Sebastian Perez struggled with words to describe the incredible person Chad was. “I don’t even know where to start with Chad; just words can’t explain who he is, but I’ll try my best.” Lovingly, Perez continued, “Chad was a very loud, outgoing, and funny guy. Everyone knew and loved Chad for that. When it came down to it, Chad always had everyone’s back. Didn’t matter what you did or how you got in the mess, he just helped you. That’s the kind [of] guy he was. My friends and I were deeply affected by Chad and these qualities that he shared and we continue to live through him and his words of advice.”
    Senior Joshua Young said of his dear companion, “Chad was a friend of mine from middle school. We got connected through mutual friends. We started really talking in high school when we had classes together. Our friendship peaked in Ms. Sanchez’s class when we’d always mess with her. Whether it’d be being out of our seats, watching videos on her computer, or finding ways to annoy her. He kind of brought out the silly side in me. As long as I’ve known him I’ve never seen him unhappy. Not sad or angry or anything, he was always happy and made everyone else happy around him… If you knew him, instantly [there was] a strong connection. In all honesty and belief he didn’t deserve what happened to him. He deserved a long and happy life and all the good things that’d come with it.”
    Friends like Senior Elizabeth Escatel will deeply miss his support.
    “Chad was like a brother to me. He always made sure there was a smile in my face. I often struggle with depression but if Chad ever saw me sad, he would hug me super tight and then make me laugh till my stomach hurt. His hugs could put…broken pieces back together. He was the best person, always happy,” said Escatel.
    Chad Hang and all the happiness he brought into this world will be sincerely missed by all; the world will still spin, but not a day will pass without a person remembering the wonderful person Hang was.

  • Jackrabbit News Brief: Panama Papers

    Quite possibly one of the largest data leaks in history occurred at the beginning of April. The Panama Papers included 11.5 million documents that contain sensitive information about how wealthy individuals hid their money through shell companies—companies that exist on paper, but hold no substance—in order to evade taxes. Such documents totaled to a massive 2.6 terabytes of data and pointed to many heads of state, government officials, and friends or relatives of such people involved.
    These papers have been an ongoing investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) since 2015, and the papers went public by Süddeutsche Zeitung, a German newspaper. In order to prevent another “Snowden” incident, a team of 400 journalists investigated this in secret.
    The company Mossack Fonseca is based in Panama. Many use this law firm as a means of distributing profits to synthetic companies in order to evade taxes or hide money for other reasons. This practice has been known for a long time―historically, the Cayman Islands have been used as a tax haven because they have no corporate tax policies.
    The papers date back to as far as the 1970s and politicians are already being forced out of power. On the same day that the Panama Papers leaked, the Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was already under fire since his name was highlighted in the articles. A whopping 10% of the entire country’s population rioted and wanted him out of power immediately. He refused to resign on the first day, but after the second day, he resigned, though he remains politically active.
    These papers will be a major speaking point during the presidential election, as the records are showing that President Barack Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton have supported trade agreements between Panama, while Senator Bernie Sanders spoke and voted against it due to the potential of tax evasion. So far, there are no American names that have leaked out, but the papers are still being investigated.

  • Cal Tech

    A group of Poly juniors from Pamela Amici’s AP Calculus class went on a private field trip to CalTech for a tour on Thursday, April 7.
    “We basically learned about campus life and the different types of classes offered, and the different ways you can set up your college experience,” said junior Stefana LoTempio. “I thought it was a lot of fun; before this I hadn’t even considered CalTech as an option, but after seeing the campus and everything, I’d like to apply.”
    The tour was not incredibly in depth academically, but it provided a window into the life of the students. The juniors went through the different housing areas, got a look at the scenery of the campus, and ended up at the cafeteria.
    “It was pretty cool. It was small but it was interesting because they have different areas based on different interests so you can choose which house based on which group you fit into best,” said LoTempio.
    Amici had organized the tour specifically for her junior students. Through her contacts to the college she was able to get them a private tour of the campus in order to introduce them to the university.

  • Uniforms, Rifles, and Hot Links: 100 Years of JROTC

    Friday, April 8, marked the centennial anniversary of the JROTC program here at Poly. And what better way to celebrate than cake! Everyone was welcome to a slice, and there was more than enough to go around. Their choice to share the celebration with anyone willing to show up is not surprising.
    JROTC members are well known for their kind, giving nature, with their contributions to many charity and community service events. Cadets from every team came out to celebrate, including the Dark Knights, Unarmed Color Guard, Riffle Team, Spartans, and Raiders.
    The JROTC program first came to Poly 100 years ago, and since then, the techniques and instructors have changed, but the goals of the program have not.
    “It really changes you for the better, it has always been about teaching students lifelong values, making them into better citizens, and just more outgoing,” said sophomore Jathaira Ribbs when asked about how the program has evolved over time. “It grows more and more; it isn’t just for people who are interested in joining the army, it’s for anyone.” The program is definitely getting more popular with people wanting to gain responsibility. Others join simply for fun.
    Although the majority of these students hope to join the military at some point, some are just in it for the experience.
    Freshman Xiomara Torres joined to learn valuable leadership skills. “I joined in tribute and to show people that I do have strength and am capable of leadership, which is exactly what the program teaches you, and you never forget it.”
    Many follow in the footsteps of family members who they look up to. Those who joined the military after high school still remember everything they learned and encourage younger generations to join.
    Many legacies started through Poly’s JROTC program. New legacies start every year, and those who do not plan on expanding their military training still advise their friends to join the program.
    “I first heard about it from my friend Natasha, and yeah, I would totally recommend joining, it’s really awesome,” said freshman cadet Sofia Amores.
    Though the event was largely a happy one, respects were paid in a moment of silence for two cadets lost in the past year. That Friday marked the one year anniversary since the death of cadet Jessie Yuth, who died while saving a friend from drowning. He is remembered as a leader and hero. The recent tragedy of 17-year-old cadet Chad Hang, who was shot and passed away on Friday, April 1, was also remembered. Hang was a member of the Color Guard Drill Team and will be dearly missed. In the past hundred years JROTC has impacted the lives of many, and will continue to do so in the future.