Category: News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On Sunday, March 13, Poly students participated in Project ECHO, a business plan competition where students have to create a business and pitch it to a panel of investors. The acronym ECHO stands for “Economic Concepts Hands On.” The competition was held at LMU University and was a preliminary to the official ECHO competition to be held at UCLA on April 17.
The day started at 8 AM with check-in at Loyola. Then, the students listened to an introduction in the auditorium. Next, the students re-located to their assigned rooms to give their presentations. After that, they ate lunch and listened to the keynote speaker while the judges scored their presentations. At the end, the winners were announced and invited to compete at the next.
The competition was a special day since only students from Poly and Banning competed because of the numbers of students who participate. At Poly, freshmen students from PACE, CIC, and Pac Rim competed. Since it is a preliminary competition, two teams in each category (retail, tech, and food) from each academy were chosen to move on to the final ECHO day.
From PACE, the winners of the retail category were Simplicity and Tanked. The winners of the tech category were Kono Cards and WaterWise. The winners of the food category were Pressed and The Social Study.
“The experience was beneficial because from it, I have learned how to work with a group, what makes an idea inspiring, and the practical implementation it takes to turn a concept into reality,” said freshman Caris White from Kono Cards.
From CIC, the winners of the retail category were Get Real and Mall Care. The winners of the tech category were Get Schooled and Occupied. Sporty Foods, Eh? won in the food category.
“ECHO helped with our confidence. After our presentation we felt we did terribly, so when we won we were very surprised and it boosted our confidence in our presenting skills,” said a CIC member from Mall Care.
From Pac Rim, the winners of the retail category were Metamorphosis and Teen to Teen Tours. The winners of the tech category were Jordanian School for Women and ArtGen.
“Project ECHO taught me to work well with others and prepared me for the real world,” said junior Anthony Hokenson from Teen to Teen Tours.

On Saturday, March 12, students from the Japanese department participated in the fourth Annual Japan Bowl of California, which was hosted by the Japan America Society of Southern California. This event took place at Loyola Marymount University and was the first time that both level-four teams made it to the championships, ranking second and third place.
The Japan Bowl is an academic decathlon that tests students’ knowledge on Japanese language and culture, with topics ranging from common Japanese phrases and yojijukugo, a 4-character compound consisting entirely of kanji, to literature, history, and even economics.
This year, AP Japanese and 5-6 Honors teacher Watson-Sensei organized two level-three teams and two level-four teams from the 5-6 Honors and AP Japanese classes―level-three representing the 5-6 Honors difficulty and level-four representing the AP Japanese difficulty.
Seniors Azalia Avellan and Jonathan Rodriguez placed second in the level-four category, and seniors Fatima Nunez, Panhaneath Seng, and Jared Weinstein placed third in the level-four category. Junior Michaela Gonzales and seniors Tiffany Pham and Itza Soto participated in the level-three category alongside juniors Emilio Carreon, Isis Hayes, and Brianna Son. Though they were unable to place, their hard work leading up to this event should still be recognized.
“We started studying since January. I’d like to thank Sensei for working so hard to prepare us for this event. It was a really fun bonding experience for everyone and I am glad I took the opportunity to participate,” said Weinstein.

On Thursday, March 24, Long Beach Poly’s Student Commission went on a weekend visit to Lee Vining High School, which is six hours away from Poly.
Located in the Eastern Sierra Unified School District, Lee Vining has been appointed as Poly’s “sister school.” This means that the two schools are linked together. Due to the fact that Lee Vining has twenty six students and that Poly has around five thousand, the two schools are able to learn a lot about each other’s culture.
“We had many things in common and many differences. Learning from each other was a great experience,” said junior Toni Flores.
Ever since the early 2000’s, Poly has had a relationship with Lee Vining, one of the smallest schools in the southern section of CIF. In the fall of 2014, Lee Vining students came to Poly and watched a football game as well as carved pumpkins with the Student Commissioners.
However, this time around, Poly made the visit and enjoyed their time at Lee Vining. Arriving around 4 AM, the students had fun from start to finish. On Friday, the Commissioners joined the students in their classes and played different games. In fact, one of the games involving running threw off the Commissioners due to the extremely high elevation. Later that day, Poly made pho and had an activity night, which included dancing, music, and sports.
On Saturday, some people went skiing or snowboarding, while others simply played in the snow. After that, they went to a dance and had different games in the gym.
“I think for the students it was a good experience for Student Commission to step out of what we know in Long Beach and have a small town feel,” said Activities Director Ngoc Nguyen.
Although the two schools are unique in many different ways, they were still able to have a good time with one another.

National History Day was on Sunday, March 13, hosted by the LA County Office of Education (LACOE). This event was held at Azusa Pacific University (APU) campus in Azusa, CA, from 8 AM to 4 PM.
There were about two dozen high schools, close to 20 middle schools and many more elementary school participants.
This event originally began in 1974 at Case Western Reserve University. The idea came from a history professor named David Van Tassel, who was very concerned about the decline of the humanities in America’s schools.
Van Tassel was particularly distressed by the rote memorization he saw in most history classrooms. He wanted to reinvigorate approaches teachers and students had with history curricula.
Patrick Gillogly, an AP US History teacher, was the only Poly teacher who attended, along with seven students: seniors Benjamin Neal and Daniel Sagrera and juniors Derek Matos, Eric Fuson, Emma Larson, Danielle Gallandt and Tatum McCann.
Students produced ten-minute documentaries from different time periods and places that centered around this year’s competition theme: Exploration, Contact, and Exchange.
Larson was given an honorable mention for her documentary on the history of coffee titled “Coffee Through the Ages” and Matos and Fuson won first place for their documentary on the United Fruit Company and the Panama Canal titled “American Enterprises: Profitability and Exploitation in Latin America.”
Matos and Fuson advanced to State Finals, which will be held on May 6-7 in Rocklin, CA. If they win at State, the duo will advance to Nationals in Maryland in June.
“The students who participate in this competition work very hard, balancing the demands of their classes with the challenges of producing a project that involves real historical research, teamwork, and skill in video editing, among many other things. I am immensely proud of their efforts. To see the enthusiastic students of all levels engaging with each other and the history is a pleasure to be a part of every year,” said Gillogly.

On Sunday, February 21, nine French students and one teacher arrived in Los Angeles and met their Poly host families. They were only here for two weeks and left on Saturday, March 5. In past years, the students left later during the second weekend they spent in America, but this year, their flight was scheduled on Saturday morning.
The students did not only visit Poly; there were other French students in other schools around the area. The kids came to classes and lived with students’ families to improve their English and learn what life is like as an American teen. They were accompanied by a teacher who stayed with Silvia Battigalli, the Poly French teacher, and checked in with them every day at school.
The program organized two trips with all of the visiting French students. On the first Thursday, they went on a day trip to San Diego, and on the second Thursday they went to Downtown LA for the morning and early afternoon. Since there were only two organized trips, the students relied on their host families to show them around Southern California and what the area has to offer.
Senior Erin Osman took her student Pauline LaBurthe to Manhattan Beach, Newport Beach, the Getty, and the Getty Villa. LaBurthe has visited Poly every year for the last three years. LaBurthe attended all of Osman’s classes with her, went to orchestra rehearsals, and played the flute with the Symphony. Her favorite thing from her three years here was the backlot tour of Universal Studios.
LaBurthe returned to Poly three times and there have been many things she loved about it: “The sun, the food, playing with the orchestra, and getting to see another way of life.”
Senior Sarah Passage took her student Hugo Dubreuil to Venice, Santa Monica, Hollywood, a twelve-hour shopping trip, indoor go-karts, a skate park, and surfing. Dubreuil’s favorite thing about America was In-n-Out, a West Coast favorite.
Hugo said the only thing he disliked about the trip was that there were “too many things to see and not the time to see [it all].”