lala newspaper december 2013 (volume 6 edition 2)

8
The Voice e Home of Lion Pride LALA International Students Study Abroad Pages 4 and 5 Food for ought Concerns about Fundraising Page 6 Blast to the Past CatDog Nostalogia Page 8 Inside this issue... “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”- Buddha Leadership Academy L o s A n g e l e s Newspaper serving the Lincoln Heights community since 2008 Volume 6 Edition 2 December 2013 The class of 2014 recently decided on their prom location. Weeks ago a slide show presentation showcasing potential locations was shown. The options were Castaway, Almansors Court, and Luminarias. According to ASB President Oscar 3HQD ³7KH ¿QDO GHFLVLRQ ZDV PDGH E\ seniors who took a prom survey after the presentation.” The prom location choosen E\ VHQLRUV LV &DVWDZD\ ³,W LV D EHDXWL- IXO ORFDWLRQ´ VDLG 3HQD ³EXW WKH RQO\ EDG WKLQJ LV WKDW LW¶V XS RQ D KLOO´ LALA Flys Out Fly outs are an opportunity that colleges provide for students to visit their campus, and live as a col- lege student. Students get to sleep in the dorms and sit in classes, so they can experience living the college life. /\ULF &RORQ ÀHZ WR %RVWRQ to visit colleges. Her favorite colleges were Brown and Harvard University. Colon toured colleges, sat in a few classes, spent the night in freshmen dorms, and hung out with freshmen VWXGHQWV &RORQ VDLG ³,W ZDV IXQ EH- cause the people were like the people ,¶P IULHQGV ZLWK QRZ ,W ZDV UHDOO\ HDV\ WR WDON DERXW WKLQJV , KDG IXQ´ The experience also made her realize that anyone can go to college. 7KLV ZDV &RORQ¶V ¿UVW WLPH RQ D SODQH ³,W ZDV QRW EDG WKH RQO\ H[- FHSWLRQ EHLQJ WKDW D ODG\ NHSW NLFNLQJ WKH EDFN RI P\ FKDLU IRU VHYHQ KRXUV straight.” Her two week experience ZDV SDLG IRU E\ KHU 6$7 FODVV Aisli Valencia visited Rensse- ODHU 3RO\WHFKQLF ,QVWLWXWH 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ New York. This was her most memo- UDEOH YLVLW HYHQ WKRXJK VKH VDLG LW VWDUWHG RII KRUULEO\ +HU ¿UVW ÀLJKW ZDV canceled, so she had to wait 5 hours in the airport. “, ZDV WLUHG KXQJU\ DQG IUHH]LQJ EXW WKH QH[W WZR GD\V PDGH up for it.” Valencia said the school was EHDXWLIXO DQG WKH SHRSOH ZHUH QLFH When she was at the campus the col- lege students hosted events, parties, and held a screening for “The Conjur- LQJ´ RQ D )ULGD\ QLJKW ³,W ZDV FRRO meeting new people from all over the country, they were all crazy smart too, WDONLQJ DERXW *3$¶V DQG 6$7 scores.” $LVOL 9DOHQFLD ZDV DEOH WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKLV À\ RXW EHFDXVH RI D OLQN VKH UHFLHYHG YLD HPDLO +HU À\ RXW DSSOLFDWLRQ FRQVLVWHG RI EDVLF SHUVRQDO information, and a short essay. Students Richard Cruz, Anthony Roque, and Selenah Martin KDYH DOVR SDUWLFLSDWHG LQ FROOHJH À\ outs. By: Rosario Michel Staff Writer By: Jesus Duarte Staff Writer Although it is up a hill, it provides a great view, has good ratings, and the room is in good condition. :KHQ DVNHG ZKDW IRRG ZLOO EH served during the event, Pena stated, “As the day gets closer, the menu and IRRG WDVWLQJV ZLOO EH DYDLODEOH´ Prom will take place on May IURP SP WR DP /DWH FRPHUV EHZDUH DIWHU QR RQH ZLOO EH DGPLWWHG Seniors should also know that they must meet the following require- PHQWV WR DWWHQG SURP $ PLQLPXP *3$ )HZHU WKDQ XQH[FXVHG WDUGLHVDE- sences one month prior to event. )HZHU WKDQ EHKDYLRU UHIHUUDOV LQ one month. 4. Clear detention hours with adminis- tration and teachers. 5. No suspensions one month prior to event. 8SWRGDWH FRPPXQLW\ VHUYLFH hours. 6WXGHQWV FDQ FOHDU KRXUV ZLWK <3, Casting Away Towards Prom Proms Away!! &ODVV RI SURP ORFDWLRQ ZLOO EH 7KH &DVWDZD\ 5HVWXUDQW DQG %DQTXHW &HQWHU LQ %XUEDQN &DOLIRUQLD By the 10-week progress report more than half of the students at Los Angeles Leadership Academy were failing one or more classes. All classes had an astonishingly high rate RI IDLOXUH )UHVKPDQ KDG IDLOLQJ 6RSKRPRUHV -XQLRUV DQG Seniors had the lowest failing rate ZLWK With so many students fail- ing, principle Richard Thomas held mandatory meetings with each class. ,Q WKHVH PHHWLQJV WKH IRFXV ZDV WKH VDPH WR LQIRUP WKH VWXGHQWV RI KRZ many of them were failing, and what the consequences were. When asked, what the consequences were for VWXGHQWV IDLOLQJ RU PRUH FODVVHV 0U By: Sandra Sanchez Staff Writer “F” Does Not Stand for Fantastic 7KRPDV VWDWHG ³ )RU DQ\RQH IDLOLQJ Ms. Chaves is holding student-con- ferences to place them on academic contract. Along with that parents have EHHQ PDLOHG D GHWDLOHG OHWWHU LQGLFDW- ing what classes their child was failing and the hours they needed to attend PDQGDWRU\ WXWRULQJ´ ,W ZDV DOVR LQ- GLFDWHG E\ 0U 7KRPDV WKDW WKH OHWWHU mentioned that students must com- SOHWH KRXUV RI WXWRULQJ SHU ) Based on the 15-week mark WKHUH KDV EHHQ D GHFUHDVH LQ IDLOV DORQJ ZLWK D LQFUHDVH LQ WXWRULQJ When asked if tutoring does affect and help your grade, Sophomore Henry +ROJXLQ VWDWHG ³ ,Q D ZD\ LW KHOSV EHFDXVH LW IRUFHV \RX WR VWD\ DQG LI ZH GLGQ¶W KDYH WKDW SHRSOH ZRXOG RQO\ VWD\ IRU PLQXWHV D ZHHN´ )RU WKRVH VWXGHQWV ZKR DUH IDLOLQJ WXWRULQJ LV EH- ing offered everyday after school and on Saturday. Learning the hard way: Students realizing the importance of studying

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The Voice

!e Home of Lion Pride

LALA InternationalStudents Study Abroad

Pages 4 and 5

Food for !oughtConcerns about Fundraising

Page 6

Blast to the PastCatDog Nostalogia

Page 8

Inside this issue...

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”- Buddha

Leadership AcademyL o s A n g e l e s

Newspaper serving the Lincoln Heights community since 2008Volume 6 Edition 2 December 2013

The class of 2014 recently decided on their prom location. Weeks ago a slide show presentation showcasing potential locations was shown. The options were Castaway, Almansors Court, and Luminarias. According to ASB President Oscar 3HQD��³7KH�¿QDO�GHFLVLRQ�ZDV�PDGH�E\�seniors who took a prom survey after the presentation.” The prom location choosen E\�VHQLRUV�LV�&DVWDZD\��³,W�LV�D�EHDXWL-IXO�ORFDWLRQ�´�VDLG�3HQD��³EXW�WKH�RQO\�EDG�WKLQJ�LV�WKDW�LW¶V�XS�RQ�D�KLOO�´�

LALA Flys Out

Fly outs are an opportunity that colleges provide for students to visit their campus, and live as a col-lege student. Students get to sleep in the dorms and sit in classes, so they can experience living the college life. � /\ULF�&RORQ�ÀHZ�WR�%RVWRQ�to visit colleges. Her favorite colleges were Brown and Harvard University. Colon toured colleges, sat in a few classes, spent the night in freshmen dorms, and hung out with freshmen VWXGHQWV��&RORQ�VDLG��³,W�ZDV�IXQ�EH-cause the people were like the people ,¶P�IULHQGV�ZLWK�QRZ��,W�ZDV�UHDOO\�HDV\�WR�WDON�DERXW�WKLQJV��,�KDG�IXQ�´�The experience also made her realize that anyone can go to college. � 7KLV�ZDV�&RORQ¶V�¿UVW�WLPH�RQ�D�SODQH��³,W�ZDV�QRW�EDG��WKH�RQO\�H[-FHSWLRQ�EHLQJ�WKDW�D�ODG\�NHSW�NLFNLQJ�WKH�EDFN�RI�P\�FKDLU�IRU�VHYHQ�KRXUV�straight.” Her two week experience ZDV�SDLG�IRU�E\�KHU�6$7�FODVV�

Aisli Valencia visited Rensse-ODHU�3RO\WHFKQLF�,QVWLWXWH�8QLYHUVLW\�LQ�New York. This was her most memo-UDEOH�YLVLW�HYHQ�WKRXJK�VKH�VDLG�LW�VWDUWHG�RII�KRUULEO\��+HU�¿UVW�ÀLJKW�ZDV�canceled, so she had to wait 5 hours in the airport. “,�ZDV�WLUHG��KXQJU\�DQG�IUHH]LQJ��EXW�WKH�QH[W�WZR�GD\V�PDGH�up for it.”

Valencia said the school was EHDXWLIXO�DQG�WKH�SHRSOH�ZHUH�QLFH���When she was at the campus the col-lege students hosted events, parties, and held a screening for “The Conjur-LQJ´�RQ�D�)ULGD\�QLJKW��³,W�ZDV�FRRO�meeting new people from all over the country, they were all crazy smart too, WDONLQJ�DERXW�����*3$¶V�DQG������6$7�scores.”

$LVOL�9DOHQFLD�ZDV�DEOH�WR�SDUWLFLSDWH�LQ�WKLV�À\�RXW�EHFDXVH�RI�D�OLQN�VKH�UHFLHYHG�YLD�HPDLO��+HU�À\�RXW�DSSOLFDWLRQ�FRQVLVWHG�RI�EDVLF�SHUVRQDO�information, and a short essay.

Students Richard Cruz, Anthony Roque, and Selenah Martin KDYH�DOVR�SDUWLFLSDWHG�LQ�FROOHJH�À\�outs.

By: Rosario MichelStaff Writer

By: Jesus DuarteStaff Writer

Although it is up a hill, it provides a great view, has good ratings, and the room is in good condition. � :KHQ�DVNHG�ZKDW�IRRG�ZLOO�EH�served during the event, Pena stated, “As the day gets closer, the menu and IRRG�WDVWLQJV�ZLOO�EH�DYDLODEOH�´� Prom will take place on May ����������IURP��SP�WR���DP��/DWH�FRPHUV�EHZDUH��DIWHU������QR�RQH�ZLOO�EH�DGPLWWHG� Seniors should also know that they must meet the following require-PHQWV�WR�DWWHQG�SURP�

���$�PLQLPXP�����*3$����)HZHU�WKDQ���XQH[FXVHG�WDUGLHV�DE-sences one month prior to event.���)HZHU�WKDQ���EHKDYLRU�UHIHUUDOV�LQ�one month.4. Clear detention hours with adminis-tration and teachers.5. No suspensions one month prior to event.���8S�WR�GDWH�FRPPXQLW\�VHUYLFH�hours.���6WXGHQWV�FDQ�FOHDU�KRXUV�ZLWK�<3,�

Casting Away Towards Prom

Proms Away!! &ODVV�RI������SURP�ORFDWLRQ�ZLOO�EH�7KH�&DVWDZD\�5HVWXUDQW�DQG�%DQTXHW�&HQWHU�LQ�%XUEDQN��&DOLIRUQLD�

By the 10-week progress report more than half of the students at Los Angeles Leadership Academy were failing one or more classes. All classes had an astonishingly high rate RI�IDLOXUH��)UHVKPDQ�KDG�����IDLOLQJ��6RSKRPRUHV������-XQLRUV������DQG�Seniors had the lowest failing rate ZLWK������

With so many students fail-ing, principle Richard Thomas held mandatory meetings with each class. ,Q�WKHVH�PHHWLQJV�WKH�IRFXV�ZDV�WKH�VDPH��WR�LQIRUP�WKH�VWXGHQWV�RI�KRZ�many of them were failing, and what the consequences were. When asked, what the consequences were for VWXGHQWV�IDLOLQJ���RU�PRUH�FODVVHV��0U��

By: Sandra SanchezStaff Writer

“F” Does Not Stand for Fantastic

7KRPDV�VWDWHG��³�)RU�DQ\RQH�IDLOLQJ�Ms. Chaves is holding student-con-ferences to place them on academic contract. Along with that parents have EHHQ�PDLOHG�D�GHWDLOHG�OHWWHU�LQGLFDW-ing what classes their child was failing and the hours they needed to attend PDQGDWRU\�WXWRULQJ�´�,W�ZDV�DOVR�LQ-GLFDWHG�E\�0U��7KRPDV�WKDW�WKH�OHWWHU�mentioned that students must com-SOHWH���KRXUV�RI�WXWRULQJ�SHU�)�

Based on the 15-week mark

WKHUH�KDV�EHHQ�D�����GHFUHDVH�LQ�IDLOV��DORQJ�ZLWK�D�����LQFUHDVH�LQ�WXWRULQJ���When asked if tutoring does affect and help your grade, Sophomore Henry +ROJXLQ�VWDWHG��³�,Q�D�ZD\�LW�KHOSV�EHFDXVH�LW�IRUFHV�\RX�WR�VWD\��DQG�LI�ZH�GLGQ¶W�KDYH�WKDW�SHRSOH�ZRXOG�RQO\�VWD\�IRU����PLQXWHV�D�ZHHN�´�)RU�WKRVH�VWXGHQWV�ZKR�DUH�IDLOLQJ�WXWRULQJ�LV�EH-ing offered everyday after school and on Saturday.

Learning the hard way: Students realizing the importance of studying

2 !e Voice News & Features

www.laleadership.org

December 2013

The VoiceSTAFF

Editors-In-Chief:Oscar Isem

Managing Editor:Sandra Sanchez

Photo Editor:Esteban Cordova

Copy Editor:Ashley Lelong

News Editor:Vanessa Sanchez

Op-Ed Editor:Carlos Castaneda

Juan Espinoza

Sta! Writers:Jonathan Arreola

Vanesa Arreola

Brian Cabrera

Jesus Duarte

Kevin Ferman

Joaquin Franco

Cecilia Guizar

6RÀD�+XDQJ

Rosario Michel

Eric Platero

Jac Russell

Aimee Russell

Alanjon Yparraguirre

Faculty Advisor:Ms. Uchemefuna

Printer:

Gardena Valley News

Publication PoliciesThe Voice is a student news-paper produced by students at L.A. Leadership Academy. This paper is published to in-form, educate and entertain the student body, faculty and members of the community RI�/LQFROQ�+HLJKWV��

Students, faculty and com-munity members with strong opinions are highly encour-aged to write a guest com-mentary or a letter to the edi-tor, which may be published.

Send letters to the editor:

[email protected]

L.A. Leadership Academy +LJK�6FKRRO

Attn: The Voice234 East Avenue 33

Los Angeles, CA 90031

KKKKKKThe Voice Ch-Ch-Ch Challenge KKKKKK'HFHPEHUV�&KDOOHQJH

Castaways

1DPH���ERRNV�RU�¿OPV�WKDW�GHDO�ZLWK�FDVWDZD\V7KH�¿UVW�VWXGHQW�WR�VSHDN�WR�0V��8�ZLWK�WKH�FRUUHFW�DQVZHU�ZLOO�UHFHLYH�D�

Banned Books Week T-Shirt + The Wonderful Wizard of OZ E\�/��)UDQN�%DXP

Next year the state of California will use Common Core Standards. The nation wide change in the education system will UHVXOW�LQ�D�FKDQJH�LQ�WKLV�\HDU¶V�WHVWLQJ� Recently the state of California decided that the California State Test (CSTs) is no longer mandatory for students due to the change in standards next year. The federal government GLVDJUHHG�ZLWK�&DOLIRUQLD¶V�UXOLQJ��EDVHG�RQ�WKHLU�EHOLHI�WKDW�DOO�VWXGHQWV�VKRXOG�EH�tested to determine a schools growth. Californian Secretary of Education $UQH�'XQFDQ�EHOLHYHV�WKDW�E\�QRW�WHVWLQJ�VWXGHQWV��WHDFKHUV�ZLOO�EH�DEOH�WR�XVH�WKLV�year as a transition period. Addationally, if California students take the CST the VWDWH�ZLOO�QRW�SXEOLVK�WKH�UHVXOWV�� This year the state will only test students in science, EOP, and the California High School Exit Exam. ���,Q�VRPH�FDVHV�&DOLIRUQLD�VFKRRO�teachers agree with the states decision, DQG�DUH�UHOLHYHG�WR�VHH�WKH�&67�¿QDOO\�disappear. Los Angeles Leadership $FDGHP\�(QJOLVK�WHDFKHU��5RE�6ZDUW��shares his thoughts on the California GHFLVLRQ�WR�DEROLVK�WKH�&67��+H�VDLG��³,�

Bye-Bye CST!By: Alanjon YparraguirreStaff Writer

DP�TXLWH�WKULOOHG�WKDW�WKH�&67¶V�DUH�QR�ORQJHU�LQ�XVH��,�IHHO�DV�WKRXJK�WKH�&67�LV�not an authentic test of learning.”���1H[W�\HDU�WKH�&67¶V�ZLOO�EH�UHSODFHG�with a new standardized test called Smarter Balance. ,W�WHVWV�WKH�VWXGHQWV�DELOLW\�WR�FULWLFDOO\�WKLQN�LQ�PDWK�DQG�English. This test will also allow colleges to see where students skill sets are, which will determine which college classes students are placed in.

%XEEOH�WHVWV�DUH�QRW�WKH�DQVZHU�

News BoxASB-Spelling Bee coming soon-Winter formal is coming up -Congratulations to the students who UHFHLYHG�D�FHUWL¿FDWH�IRU�VFRULQJ�DG-YDQFHG�RU�SUR¿FLHQW�RQ�WKHLU�&67¶V�7KDQNV�WR�DGYLVRULHV�IRU�EULQJLQJ�FDQV�for the Canned food drive, where there ZHUH�����FROOHFWHG��6WXGHQW�VWRUH�LV�QRZ�RSHQ��E\�6RQLD¶V�room�$GRSW�D�IDPLO\�FKDULW\�KDV�EHJXQ�

YPI--DQXDU\������WKHUH�ZLOO�EH�WRXUQDPHQWV�IRU�EDVNHWEDOO��VRFFHU��DQG�FKHVV�7KHUH�ZLOO�DOVR�EH�D�9DQV�FRPSHWLWLRQ�with a new afterschool art teacher. 7KH�ZLQQLQJ�VFKRRO�ZLWK�WKH�EHVW�design for the Vans will receive a cash prize.�3RVVLEOH�0XUDO�FRPLQJ�VRRQ�7KHUH�ZLOO�EH�D�FRPPXQLW\�MDP�RQ�)HEUXDU\���DW�+ROO\ZRRG�KLJK�:LWKLQ�WKLV�VDPH�ZHHN�WKHUH�ZLOO�EH�PRYLHV�EHLQJ�VKRZQ�DIWHUVFKRRO�

High School-There is a Toy Drive going on. Bring D�WR\�DQG�UHFHLYH�SDUHQW�KRXUV�DQG�EH�entered to win a pair of movie tickets, WKDW�ZLOO�EH�UDIÀHG�RQ�WKH���WK�GXULQJ�WKH�/$/$�PRQWKO\�FHOHEUDWLRQ�

Seniors Congratulatios to the seniors who were accepted to the following FROOHJHV�

Dominguez Hills

Angelica Etienne Rosario Michel

East Bay

Anthony Roque David Rivera %ULWQHH�*RQD]OH]�

Stanislaus:

Oscar Pena

Humboldt:

Kassandra Siera

Chico:

Anthony Roque Alajandra Morales

Mount St. Mary’s:Paola Melena Annette Diaz&DULVVD�0ROLQD�������5HEHFFD�*DUFLD&HFLOLD�*XL]DU��������-HVPLQ�5RGULJXH]/LOLDQD�*DUFLD��������(YHO\Q�7KRPDV%ULWQHH�*RQ]DOH]����6RSKLD�+XDQJOyuki Salgado Alejandra ZaragozaRossy Rodriguez

Affordable Healthcare ActBy: Kevin Ferman and Brian CabreraStaff Writers

� ,Q�WKH�SDVW��QRW�DOO�SHRSOH�ZHUH�DEOH�WR�JR�WR�KHDOWK�IDFLOLWLHV�LQ�FDVH�of emergencies or for normal health FKHFN�XSV��0DQ\�IHDUHG�WKH�KXJH�ELOOV�that would come with the care they were given. Some Americans wanted a law that helped them get the afford-DEOH�KHDOWK�FRYHUDJH�WKH\�WKRXJKW�WKH\�needed or deserved. � 7KH�$IIRUGDEOH�+HDOWKFDUH�$FW��NQRZQ�DV�³2EDPDFDUH�´�ZDV�D�ELOO�3UHVL-GHQW�2EDPD�LQWURGXFHG�WR�&RQJUHVV�LQ��������&RQJUHVV�SDVVHG�WKH�ELOO�LQ�������in an effort to provide Americans with a version of universal health care like in Canada or England. The system allows people to UHFHLYH�ORZ�WR�UHDVRQDEO\�SULFHG�KHDOWK�FDUH�FRYHUDJH��$PHULFDQ¶V�FDQ�VKRS�IRU�FRYHUDJH�RQ�WKH�³0DUNHWSODFH´�ZHEFLWH��The cite gives information on plans, FRDVW��DQG�HOJLELOLW\�IRU�JRYHUQPHQW�DV-sistance. Americans were told that the VLJQ�XS�SURFHVV�ZRXOG�EH�HDV\��+RZ-ever, when the day came for people to VLJQ�XS��WKH�PDMRULW\�ZHUH�XQDEOH�WR�GXH�to the overload and eventual crash. The ZHEFLWH�KDV�EHHQ�XQVXFFHVVIXO��DV�PDQ\�$PHULFDQV�DUH�VWLOO�XQDEOH�WR�VLJQ�XS��� 7KH�$IIRUGDEOH�+HDOWK�&DUH�$FW�VWDWHV�WKDW��\RX�JHW�WKH�FKDQFH�WR�FKRRVH�

WKH�SODQ�WKDW�EHVW�VXLWV�\RXU�QHHGV��,I�\RX�ZDQW�D�EHWWHU�SODQ��WKDW�PHDQV�PRUH�RXW�of your own pocket. Those who qualify can get free or low-cost coverage through 0HGLFDLG�RU�WKH�&KLOGUHQ¶V�+HDOWK�,QVXU-DQFH�3URJUDP��&+,3��� All health care plans must offer doctor visits, preventive care, hospital-ization, prescriptions, and more. Pre-ex-LVWLQJ�FRQGLWLRQV�ZLOO�EH�FRYHUHG��DQG�LQ-VXUHUV�ZLOO�QRW�EH�DEOH�WR�GHQ\�FRYHUDJH�or charge you more due to pre-existing health conditions, including pregnancy or GLVDELOLW\��� ,I�D�SHUVRQ�GRHV�QRW�KDYH�KHDOWK�LQVXUDQFH�E\�WKH�EHJLQQLQJ�RI������WKH\�ZLOO�EH�FKDUJHG�D�IHH��7KLV�SHQDOW\�ZLOO�LQFUHDVH�DV�\HDUV�JR�E\��WR�HQFRXUDJH�people to sign-up.

3!e VoiceDecember 2013

!e Home of Lion Pride

News & FeaturesHigh School Students

Lead the WayBy: Oscar IsemEditor-in-Chief

LALA POSSE ScholarsBy: Rosario MichelStaff Writer

POSSE is a scholarship RUJDQL]DWLRQ�WKDW�EULQJV�KLJK�DFKHLY-ing seniors together as a group. They go to a college in a group to support each other. Teachers at participating KLJK�VFKRROV�QRPLQDWH����VWXGHQWV�DW�WKH�HQG�RI�WKHLU�MXQLRU�\HDU�EDVHG�RQ�leadership and potential.

Erin states that POSSE started

1. How is POSSE helpful?���,�WKLQN�LW�ZRXOG�EH�KHOSIXO�EHFDXVH�you are with a group of students, and POSSE trainers are there to support you through your four years in col-lege. You work on your writing , and how you present yourself. The pro-JUDP�DOVR�KHOSV�\RX�¿QDQFLDOO\�E\�paying for all of your tuition.

2. Why did you decide to participate in the POSSE application process? The idea of receiving a full tuition scholarship to one of the POSSE partner colleges was very appeal-LQJ��,�OLNHG�WKH�SDUWQHU�VFKRROV�YHU\�much, and was okay with the idea of RQH�RI�WKHP�EHLQJ�DQ�HDUO\�GHFLVLRQ��,�also like that aside from helping you prepare for college, the students dis-cuss current events and social justice topics.

EHFDXVH�RQH�VWXGHQW�VDLG��³,�ZRXOG�QHYHU�KDYH�GURSSHG�RXW�RI�FROOHJH�LI�,�KDG�P\�3266(�ZLWK�PH�´�The purpose of POSSE is to go into college with a group of people that you already know, so that they can support each other through the college experi-

HQFH��<DUHOL�-LPHQH]�DQG�$QWKRQ\�5RTXH�ZHUH�LQWHUYLHZHG�DERXW�WKHLU�RZQ�H[SHULHQFH�SDUWLFLSDWHG�LQ�WKH�3266(�VHOHFWLRQ�SURFHVV�IRU�3266(��7R�GDWH�<DUHOL�-LPLQH]�KDV�EHHQ�DFFHSWHG�WR�3266(��DQG�VWXGHQWV�$LVOL�9DOHQ]LD�DQG�'LDQD�7RM�DUH�¿QDOLVWV�

Mount Up: 3RVVH�)RXQGDWLRQ�6FKRODUKLS�$ZDUG�ZLQQHU�<DUHOL�-LPHQH]��OHIW��ZLWK�IULHQG�$QWKRQ\�5RTXH

<DUHOL�-LPHQH]3. What work does POSSE require?���$OWKRXJK�,�GRQ¶W�WKLQN�3266(�ZLOO�EH�D�ORW�RI�ZRUN�LQ�WKH�VHQVH�RI�KRPH-ZRUN��LW�ZLOO�EH�D�ORW�RI�FRPPLWPHQW��<RX�FDQQRW�PLVV�DQ\�PHHWLQJV��,Q�SUH-vious POSSE interviews the trainers made it clear that POSSE has to come EHIRUH�DQ\�RWKHU�DFWLYLW\�RU�HYHQW��

4. Is it stressful?���7KH�LQWHUYLHZV�DUH�VWUHVVIXO�EHFDXVH�you really have to make yourself standout from a large pool of students. The POSSE trainers take notes on what you say, how you present your-self, and how you interact with others. 6R�IDU�WKH�DSSOLFDWLRQ�SURFHVV�KDV�EHHQ�VWUHVVIXO�EHFDXVH�LW�ZDV�D�HDUO\�GHFL-sion, meaning you have to have all your essays, documents, and applica-tions a lot sooner.

Anthony Roque

1. How is POSSE helping you? � 3266(�KHOSHG�PH�¿QG�RXW�KRZ�RWKHU�OHDGHUV��FKRVHQ�E\�WKH�RWKHU�schools, can push me to my potential and provide me the challenge to sur-pass them. POSSE was very helpful in WKH�ZD\�WKH\�VHW�XS�WKH�V\VWHP�WR�¿QG�¿WWLQJ�OHDGHUV�IRU�WKH�VFKRODUVKLS��

2. Why did you decide to participate in the POSSE application process? � ,�GHFLGHG�WR�EH�LQ�3266(�EH-FDXVH�,�WKRXJKW�LW�ZRXOG�KHOS�PH�¿QG�RXW�ZKHUH�,�DP�LQ�P\�VNLOOV��FROOHJH�UHDGLQHVV��DQG�GHFLVLRQ�PDNLQJ��,�DOVR�thought that the scholarship offered ZDV�VRPHWKLQJ�WR�ZRUN�IRU�EHFDXVH�RI�LWV�¿QDQFLDO�KHOS��,�DOVR�WKRXJKW�LW�ZDV�fun to wear a suit again.

3. Is it stressful?� ,Q�P\�RSLQLRQ��,�GRQ¶W�EHOLHYH�WKDW�LW�ZDV�VWUHVVIXO�DW�DOO��,�KDG�IXQ�LQ�P\�¿UVW�URXQG�EHFDXVH�,�HQMR\HG�WKH�thought of everyone trying his or her EHVW��VR�LW�ZRXOG�PRWLYDWH�PH�WR�GR�my part as well. Although the second round was kind of nerve wracking DW�¿UVW��,�HQGHG�XS�IHHOLQJ�SURXG�RI�myself in the end for making the in-WHUYLHZHUV�ODXJK��(YHQ�WKRXJK�,�GLGQ¶W�PDNH�LW�WR�WKH�VHPL�¿QDOV��,�FDQ�WUXO\�say that this was a fun experience that ZLOO�FRQWULEXWH�WR�P\�JURZWK��

Los Angeles Leadership Academy is attempting a Big Brother-esque SURJUDP�EHWZHHQ�WKH�PLGGOH�DQG�KLJK�school. The Big Brother program is a program in which high school stu-dents mentor middle school students. The logic is that the older students will have more experience and will EH�DEOH�WR�JLYH�WKH�\RXQJHU�VWXGHQWV�advice. During the initial stages of the SURJUDP��$6%�PHPEHUV�0LJXHO�$KXPDGD��-XDQ�(VSLQR]D��2VFDU�,VHP��-RVH�+HUQDQGH]��9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�-HVXV�0DUWLQH]��DQG�3UHVLGHQW�2VFDU�Pena, as well as Seniors Richard Cruz and Anthony Roque, were chosen as mentors. Together, these students are working to gain the middle school VWXGHQWV¶�WUXVW��SURYLGH�DGYLFH��DQG�provide insight to high school life.���7KH�¿UVW�VFKHGXOHG�PHHWLQJ�EHWZHHQ�the high school and middle school ZDV�RQ�6HSWHPEHU���WK�7KH�JURXS�PHW�with seven middle schoolers and went WR�D�ERZOLQJ�DOOH\��GULYHQ�E\�PLGGOH�VFKRRO�SULQFLSDO�-HVLFDK�5RODSS��Students stayed there for three hours, ERQGLQJ��$6%�0HPEHU�-XDQ�(VSLQR]D�

VDLG��³,W�ZDV�D�OHDUQLQJ�H[SHULHQFH�IRU�ERWK�WKH�PHQWRU�DQG�PHQWHH��7KH�SRLQW�is to have fun while learning.” The second meeting did not go as well due to the low attandance. Only 9LFH�3UHVLGHQW�-HVXV�0DUWLQH]��$6%�0HPEHUV��0LJXHO�$UDJXD��2VFDU�,VHP�and three middle schoolers attended. The small group met at the middle VFKRRO��DQG�ZDV�GULYHQ�E\�0V��5RODSS�WR�$QGUHZ�*UDQGH¶V��WKH�DIWHU�VFKRRO�teacher, hockey match. After eating a TXLFN�OXQFK�DW�,Q�1¶�2XW��WKH\�VSHQW�WKH�QH[W�IHZ�KRXUV�ERQGLQJ��6RSKR-PRUH�0LJXHO�$KXPDGD�VDLG��³,�WKLQN�WKDW�LW�ZDV�JRRG�EHFDXVH�WKH�NLGV�started to look up to us that day.”����7KH�QH[W�RXWLQJ�ZLOO�EH�LFH�VNDWLQJ�LQ�ODWH�'HFHPEHU�

Yes Network: Mentoring Middle School

Don’t Hate, Debate

I Wanna Be Debated: 'HEDWH�7HDP�UHDOL]HV�SRWHQWLDO�DW�UHFHQW�WRXUQDPHQW

/\ULF�&RORQ�DQG�$PRUHWWH�&RORQ������:LQ�4XDUWHU¿QDOV�$QJHOLFD�(WLHQQH�DQG�1DWDOLH�+HUQDQGH]������:LQ�4XDUWHU¿QDOV�-RVH�5REOHUR�DQG�8O\VVHV�0RQWHV������/RVV�4XDUWHU¿QDOV�Vanessa Sanchez and Richard Cruz 2-2-RVH�*XHUUHUR�DQG�%UDQGRQ�*DUFLD����$QHO�7RUUHV�DQG�0RVHV�*RQ]DOH]����-XDQ�*RPH]�DQG�5DXO�5XHODV����Kathy Umana and Melissa Tavico 2-2

5HVXOWV�RI�WKH�/$0'/�3ROLF\�'HEDWH�7RXUQDPHQW�

On November 22-23, Al Schleichder’s Speech and Debate class took on the challenge of another tournament. !e class did LALA proud; we had three groups enter the quar-ter"nals, with two of thse groups winning while the other lost.

www.laleadership.org

4 !e Voice December 2013Features

1. What is the study abroad program?���7KH�SURJUDP�,�DP�LQ�LV�FDOOHG�16/,�<��,W�LV�D�SURJUDP�IXQGHG�E\�WKH�JRYHUQPHQW��DQG�LW�LV�D�EUDQFK�ZLWKLQ�WKH�$)6�SURJUDP��7KH�WKLQJ�DERXW�this program is that it gives you a full VFKRODUVKLS��,�JRW�HYHU\WKLQJ�SDLG�IRU��,�HYHQ�JHW�D�PRQWKO\�VWLSHQG��HYHU\�month the program gives me money to OLYH�KHUH���,W�LV�D�JUHDW�SURJUDP�DQG�LWV�main focus is to learn a language, and master it.

2. Why did you choose China?���,�DSSOLHG�WR�VWXG\�LQ�&KLQD�WKH�RQO\�JRRG�UHDVRQ�,�KDG�WR�FKRRVLQJ�WKLV�FRXQWU\�ZDV�WKDW�,�NQRZ�WKDW�VSHDNLQJ�0DQGDULQ�PLJKW�EH�RI�JUHDW�KHOS�LQ�P\�QHDU�IXWXUH��$OWKRXJK�,¶P�QRW�RQH�hundred percent sure what my career will look like a few years from now, ,�ZDV�WKLQNLQJ�DERXW�GRLQJ�VRPH�W\SH�RI�LQWHUQDWLRQDO�EXVLQHVV��LQWHUQDWLRQDO�DIIDLUV�RU�PD\EH�ZRUN�IRU�WKH�IRUHLJQ�services or something. Mandarin will PRVW�GH¿QLWHO\�KHOS�PH�DFKLHYH�VRPH-thing like that. Other than it helping me, China has so much culture, and ZDV�GH¿QLWHO\�RXW�RI�P\�FRPIRUW�]RQH��DQG�,�ZDV�RND\�ZLWK�WKDW�

���:KDW�VSHFL¿F�SDUW�RI�&KLQD�DUH�you in?���,¶P�OLYLQJ�LQ�WKH�SURYLQFH�RI�-LDQJ-VX��LQ�WKH�FLW\�RI�&KDQJ]KRX��$ERXW�DQ�hour train ride from Shanghai.

4. How has your experience been so far?���,�KDYH�H[SHULHQFHG�VR�PXFK��6WDUW-ing out with a variety and of dishes. ,�KDYH�HDWHQ�D�WXUWOH��,WV�FUD]\��&KLQD�KDV�VR�PXFK�IRRG�WKDW�,�GLG�QRW�NQRZ�DERXW�SULRU�WR�P\�FRPLQJ�KHUH��,�VZHDU�,�DP�JHWWLQJ�IDWWHU�E\�WKH�VHF-RQG��,�WKLQN�,�KDYH�DOVR�VHHQ�VR�PXFK��,�JR�RXW�D�ORW��HVSHFLDOO\�ZLWK�P\�other friends, and we try to discover new things and what not. Most of WKHP�DUH�IURP�(XURSH�VR�,�JHW�WR�VHH�things differently through them. Also, the way Chinese act towards me and P\�IULHQGV��PRVW�WKLQN�,�DP�,QGLDQ�or from somewhere from the Middle East. They are ignorant to the fact that there is so much more out there than ZKDW�WKH\�DUH�OHG�WR�EHOLHYH�5. What language are you learning?���,¶P�OHDUQLQJ�&KLQHVH��KRZ�WR�ZULWH��read, comprehend, and speak.

6. What different ethnicities are at your school?���0\�VFKRRO�KDV�DERXW�������ZKRP�are Chinese, with the exception of my-VHOI��IRXU�RWKHU�$PHULFDQV��D�-DSDQHVH�JLUO��DQG�DQ�,WDOLDQ�ER\�

7. How are people in China com-pared to Americans? American and Chinese people are really different. Starting off with the food and just everything. Students study all the time. They honestly have QR�OLIH�RXWVLGH�RI�VFKRRO��WKH\�GRQ¶W�experience much of the world outside. 7KH�VHSDUDWLRQ�EHWZHHQ�PDOHV�DQG�females is huge. The Chinese way of thinking is something Americans ZRXOG�FRQVLGHU�WR�EH�ROG�IDVKLRQHG�

8. How have you adapted to the Chi-nese culture?���,�KDYH�DGDSWHG��,�ZDV�VXUSULVHG�DW�KRZ�IDVW�DQG�KRZ�HDVLO\�,�DGDSWHG��DQG�EHFDPH�XVHG�WR�WKLV�OLIH�VW\OH��,�GRQ¶W�IHHO�RXW�RI�SODFH��,�IHHO�OLNH�,¶YH�EHHQ�KHUH�P\�HQWLUH�OLIH��,�IHHO�OLNH�,�NQRZ�HYHU\WKLQJ�DQG�DQ\RQH��,W¶V�D�SHDFHIXO�IHHOLQJ�,�KDYH�

9. Do you miss being with family and friends?���,�GR�PLVV�P\�IDPLO\��P\�PRP�DQG�EURWKHU��,�KDUGO\�WDON�WR�WKHP��,�PLVV�P\�IDPLO\�WKH�PRVW��,�PHDQ�,�ORYH�P\�mom.���,�GR�PLVV�P\�IULHQGV�EHFDXVH�DOWKRXJK�,�KDYH�IULHQGV�KHUH�LW�LV�QRW�the same. This is a different kind of IULHQGVKLS�EXW�,�ZRXOGQ¶W�EH�DEOH�WR�UHSODFH�WKH�RQHV�EDFN�KRPH�

10. How do you contact family and friends?���,�XVXDOO\�XVH�HPDLO�RU�)DFHERRN�WR�FRQWDFW�SHRSOH��,�FDOO�P\�PRP�RQFH�every two weeks.

11. What time does school start and end?���6FKRRO�VWDUWV�DW��DP�DQG�HQGV�DW��SP��EXW�,�JHW�XS�DW������DQG�OHDYH�DW������DQG�JHW�WKHUH�MXVW�RQ�WLPH�

LRV�$QJHOHV�/HDGHUVKLS�$FDGHP\�RIIHUV�D�VWXG\�DEURDG�SURJUDP�WR���th grade students. This program lets students attend a full school year LQ�WKH�FRXQWU\�RI�WKHLU�FKRLFH��:KLOH�LQ�WKH�FRXQWU\�VWXGHQWV�OHDUQ�WKH�ODQJXDJH��VWXG\�WKH�FXOWXUH��DQG�H[SORUH�WKH�FRXQWU\��7ZR�RI�/$/$¶V�MXQLRUV��$QQD�+HUQDQGH]�DQG�(YHO\Q�5REOHV�DUH�GRLQJ�VWXG\�DEURDG�WKLV�\HDU��%RWK�OHIW�LQ�$XJXVW��$QQD�WR�&KLQD�DQG�(YHO\Q�WR�5XVVLD��$QQD�LV�H[SHFWHG�WR�UHWXUQ�LQ�-XQH�ZKLOH�(YHO\Q�LV�H[SHFWHG�EDFN�LQ�-XO\�

China

By: Ashley LelongCopy Editor

Russia

By: Kevin FermanStaff Writer

1. How do you feel about Russia? Russia is a very different country ZLWK�D�GLIIHUHQW�SKLORVRSK\�DERXW�OLIH��EXW�,�DP�NHHSLQJ�DQ�RSHQ�PLQG�DERXW�everything. So far, it is very interest-ing to experience the Russian culture ¿UVW�KDQG�

2. How are Russians compared to Americans? Well, they are very much into there physical appearance, and they look like models walking down the street. 7KHUH�LV�D�FOHDU�DQG�GLVWLQFW�OLQH�EH-tween genders, unlike the U.S. where ZRPHQ�DUH�DEOH�WR�GR�³PDQO\´�WKLQJV��+HUH�LQ�5XVVLD�,�IHHO�DV�LI�WKH�PHQ�KDYH�PRUH�SUHVVXUH�WR�EH�D�JHQWOHPDQ�and take on the harder things.

3. Was it easy to make friends?���,W�LV�QRW�HDV\�WR�PDNH�IULHQGV��especially if you cannot speak their ODQJXDJH��7KH\�VHH�,�DP�QRW�IURP�KHUH�DQG�DVN�ZKHUH�,�DP�IURP��5LJKW�ZKHQ�,�VD\�ɹ�ɢɡ�Ʌɨɫ�Ⱥɧɞɠɟɥɟɫ��,�DP�IURP�/RV�$QJHOHV��,�DP�LPPHGLDWO\�DVNHG��³+RZ�PDQ\�FHOHEULWLHV�WR�GR�\RX�NQRZ"�*LYH�PH�\RXU�QXPEHU�´

4. What types of things do you do in Russia?%HVLGHV�JRLQJ�WR�VFKRRO��,�YROXQWHHU�ZLWK�D�SURJUDP�ZKHUH�,�KHOS�WHDFK�(QJOLVK�ZKR�DUH�QRW�DEOH�WR�DIIRUG�H[WUD�KHOS�RXWVLGH�RI�VFKRRO��,�DOVR�JR�on many excursions to some historical SODFHV��,�DOVR�PHHW�PDQ\�RWKHU�IRU-eigners from all over the world from DOO�FRQWLQHQWV��VXFK�DV��%UD]LO��&KLQD��Africa, and Sweden.

5. Do you miss the U.S.?���,�DEVROXWHO\�PLVV�WKH�8�6���,�MXVW�IHHO�JUDWHIXO�WR�OLYH�LQ�D�FRXQWU\�ZKHUH�,�have the right to speak my mind and EH�ZKR�,�DP�

6. How are you adapting to Russia? Having an open mind really helps, EHFDXVH�,�DP�WU\LQJ�WR�XQGHUVWDQG�DQRWKHU�SHUVRQ�OHW�DORQH�D�FRXQWU\¶V�PHQWDOLW\��,W�LV�KDUG�WR�SLFN�XS�RQ�VRPH�RI�WKH�FXVWRP�EHFDXVH�EDFN�home, it sounds ridiculous. This is ZKHUH�,�IHHO�WKDW�5XVVLDQ�ORJLF�DQG�$PHULFDQ�ORJLF�ZRXOG�VWDUW�WR�EXW�heads a little.

7. What has been the most exciting thing that you have experienced so far? ���*RLQJ�WR�D�5XVVLDQ�FLUFXV�ZDV�FHUWDLQO\�PLQG�EORZLQJ��7KH�VWXQWV��which are at times preformed without any nets, are amazing.

8. What is your host family like? ���0\�KRVW�IDPLO\�LV�WKH�EHVW��7KH\�DUH�an all girl family. Mother, an older sister Alina 18, and a younger sister Sonia, 9. They are just so fun, loving, FDULQJ�DQG�MXVW�WKH�EHVW�

9. What do you still look forward to in Russia? At the end of this month we (my group of other Americans) are having a three-day trip to the countryside of 5XVVLD��,�ORRN�IRUZDUG�WR�WKLV�EHFDXVH��hearing from previous participants, the small village we are visiting are so KRVSLWDEOH��%HIRUH�WKH�WULS�RXU�UHVLGHQW�director is going to teach us how to reject food politely. Also, they get so FUD]\�DERXW�$PHULFDQV�FRPLQJ�WKDW�WKH�ORFDO�QHZV�ZLOO�EH�IROORZLQJ�XV�around, it sounds like “special treat-ment” in a way.

10. What do you do in your free time?���,�XVXDOO\�JRW�WR�WKH�FDIH��SDUN��PRY-LHV��ERZOLQJ��DQG�HVSHFLDOO\�ZDWFKLQJ�Russian novellas with my sister.

11. How is high school going in Rus-sia? Russian schools are very intense. (YHQ�WKRXJK�,�RQO\�KDYH�WZR�FODVVHV�LW�ZLOO�WDNH�PH�DERXW���KRXUV�PLQLPXP�WR�GR�P\�KRPHZRUN��MXVW�EHFDXVH�,¶P�FRPLQJ�IURP�D�EDVLF�OHYHO��,W¶V�very hard to learn a foreign language HVSHFLDOO\�ZKHQ�\RX�KDYH�DOO�WKHVH�RE-stacles you have to face. The teachers DUH�YHU\�VXSSRUWLYH��EXW�YHU\�LQWHQVH��&RPSDUHG�WR�WKH�8�6���,�VD\�WKDW�teachers are more appreciated here. ,W¶V�EHHQ�GLI¿FXOW�IRU�PH�FRPSDUHG�to other Americans who come from a KLJKHU�VRFLDO�VWDWXV�DQG�EHHQ�H[SRVHG�WR�WKLV�NLQG�RI�LQWHQVLW\��,�DOZD\V�NHHS�the mentality that after this experience ,�DP�JRLQJ�WR�FRPH�RXW�D�VWURQJHU�SHUVRQ�WKDQ�,�FDPH�LQ�

Study Abroad

Anna Hernandez in China with friends. (YHO\Q�5REOHV�LQ�5XVVLD�

!e Home of Lion Pride

5!e VoiceDecember 2013 Features

AERXW�D�\HDU�DJR�DURXQG�WKLV�WLPH��,�ZDV�FXUOHG�XS�LQ�P\�JLJDQWLF�scarf and jacket trying to withstand WKH�VQRZ\�ZLQWHU�LQ�1RUWKHUQ�,WDO\��2QO\�WZR�PRQWKV�SULRU��,�KDG�OHIW�/$�WR�HPEDUN�RQ�P\�DGYHQWXUH�DEURDG��,�IRXQG�P\VHOI�OLYLQJ�ZLWK�DQ�,WDOLDQ�host family in my new home in Como, a little city near Milan and the Swiss ERUGHU� Upon my arrival to Como the RWKHU�VWXG\�DEURDG�VWXGLHQW�DQG�,�DW-WHQGHG�DQ�RULHQWDWLRQ�FDPS�LQ�5RPH��,�PHW�VWXGHQWV�IURP�DOO�RYHU�WKH�ZRUOG��,FHODQG��%HOJLXP��6RXWK�$IULFD��7KDL-ODQG��HWF��0\�\HDU�ZDV�EHJLQQLQJ�ZHOO��,Q�EHWZHHQ�VLQJLQJ�ZLWK�WKH�%UD]LOLDQ�students and watching the Turkish NLGV�SOD\�GUXPV�DQG�EHOO\�GDQFH��,�JRW�WKH�KHDUWZDUPLQJ�IHHOLQJ�RI�EHLQJ�SDUW�RI�WKLV�FRPPXQLW\��$�EUHZ�RI�FXOWXUHV�DQG�ODQJXDJHV�IURP�FRXQWULHV�,�QHYHU�WKRXJKW�,¶G�JHW�WKH�FKDQFH�WR�OHDUQ�DERXW��)URP�DOO�RYHU�WKH�ZRUOG��ZH�were all ready and anxious to see what our year would look like.

After a few weeks after mov-LQJ�LQ�DQG�PHHWLQJ�P\�KRVW�IDPLO\�,�started getting the feel of how the next ���PRQWKV�ZRXOG�EH��0\�KRVW�SDUHQWV�ZHUH�/HOOD�DQG�*LXVHSSH��DQG�P\�WZR�KRVW�VLVWHUV�ZHUH�$OLFH�DQG�*LXOLD��Because they were much older they no longer lived with their parents, so for DQ�HQWLUH�\HDU�,�ZDV�DQ�RQO\�FKLOG��$V�DZNZDUG�DV�,�WKRXJKW�LW�ZRXOG�EH�OLY-ing with two strangers twice my age, LW�ZDVQ¶W��7KHVH�SL]]D�ORYLQJ�VFLHQ-tologists from Sicily were very loud DQG�IXQ�WR�EH�DURXQG��7KH\�ZHUH�YHU\�welcoming and treated me like family, VR�LW�EHFDPH�HDVLHU�WR�DGMXVW����

First Hand Account: Last Year’s Study Abroad StudentBy: Yareli JimenezGuest Writer

%XW�ZKLOH�,�ZDV�VORZO\�EHFRP-ing accustomed to the changes, every-WKLQJ�HOVH�ZDV�JRLQJ�E\�VR�TXLFNO\��%HIRUH�,�NQHZ�LW�,�ZDV�DWWHQGLQJ�VFKRRO��learning my way around town, and com-PXQLFDWLQJ�WKURXJK�P\�EURNHQ�,WDOLDQ�and hand gestures.

My life was pretty “normal”, ,�VXSSRVH��,�ZHQW�WR�VFKRRO��KXQJ�RXW�ZLWK�IULHQGV��DWH��DQG�VOHSW��,W�ZDV�WKH�way things were done that had changed. ,¶G�ZDNH�XS�WR�WKH�VPHOO�RI�FRIIHH�EHLQJ�EUHZHG�LQ�DQ�,WDOLDQ�PRND��DWH�EUHDNIDVW�which usually consisted of cookies and PLON�RU�FRIIHH��DQG�WKHQ�,�ZDV�RII�WR�FDWFK�WKH�EXV���$IWHU�D����PLQXWH�ULGH�RI�EHLQJ�SDFNHG�OLNH�D�VDUGLQH�LQ�WKH�WLQ\�EXV��,�DUULYHG�DW�WKH�FLW\¶V�FHQWHU��³OD�città murata”, the walled city where Como RULJLQDWHG��1HYHU�KDG�,�ORYHG�P\�ZDON�WR�VFKRRO�OLNH�,�GLG�LQ�,WDO\��2Q�P\�ZD\�WKHUH�,¶G�VHH�WKH�'XRPR��WKH�ELJJHVW�DQG�most important Cathedral of the city), SDVVHG�E\�JKHWWRV�EXLOW�GXULQJ�WKH�+ROR-caust, and got a glimpse of the lake.

As expected, school was differ-ent. You stayed in one group of students, or “classe”, every hour, every day, all ¿YH�\HDUV�RI�KLJK�VFKRRO���%DVLFDOO\�LW¶V�OLNH�HOHPHQWDU\�VFKRRO��<RX�VRUW�RI�just move as a large herd from year to \HDU�XQWLO�JUDGXDWLRQ��ZKLFK�LV�QRW�D�ELJ�event where you have prom and walk the stage with your classmates). The teach-ers switched classrooms instead of the students, and when they walked in we were to stand up and greet them formally. /DVWO\�WKHUH�ZDV�VFKRRO�RQ�6DWXUGD\��,�traded my Saturday mornings of sleep IRU�OHFWXUHV�RQ�UHOLJLRQ�DQG�SKLORVRSK\��,�could only give a slight sigh when asked ZK\�$PHULFDQV�XVHG�WKH�WHUP�7*,)�

$IWHU�VFKRRO�,¶G�XVXDOO\�KDQJ�out with other exchange students and DWWHQGHG�,WDOLDQ�OHVVRQV�WR�LPSURYH�RXU�ODQJXDJH�VNLOOV��EXW�EHIRUH�WKDW�ZH¶G�VWRS�E\�RQH�P\�KRVW�SDUHQW¶V�SL]]HULD��<HV��WKHLU�SL]]HULD��RI�WKH�WKUHH�WKH\�RZQHG��,�DOZD\V�ORYH�ZDONLQJ�LQ�DQG�EHLQJ�JUHHWHG�E\�WKH�WZR�ZRUNHUV�DQG�P\�KRVW�PRP�ZKR�VDLG��³&LDR�EHOOD�´�,�WKRXJKW�LW�ZDV�WKH�FRROHVW�WKLQJ�HYHU��,�JRW�IUHH�SL]]D�and saved a little money.

,�ZRXOG�FRPH�KRPH�WR�GR�KRPH-ZRUN��VWXG\��DQG�JHW�UHDG\�IRU�GLQQHU��,W�was usually just the three of us, unless it ZDV�0RQGD\��0RQGD\¶V�PHDQW�ZH�ZHQW�WR�P\�KRVW�JUDQGPD�DQG�XQFOH¶V�KRXVH��6KH�ZDV�WKH�W\SLFDO�,WDOLDQ�JUDQGPD�PDN-ing everyone in the family eat 10 times more than the healthy serving of whatev-HU�ZDV�IRU�GLQQHU��³,V�WKHUH�HQRXJK�IRRG"�Are you guys still hungry?” she constant-ly asked. There was always enough food DQG�QR�RQH�HYHU�REMHFWHG�VHFRQGV�RI�KHU�delicious Sicilian delicacies. Dinner was usually pasta, a meat dish, and dessert. :LQH�DFFRPSDQLHG�WKH�PHDO��WKRXJK�,�skipped) and a shot of espresso followed. Despite my late dismissal from school and the fact that Monday was Monday, LW�JUHZ�WR�EH�RQH�RI�P\�IDYRULWH�GD\V��,�ORRNHG�IRUZDUG�WR�GLQQHU��QRW�RQO\�EH-FDXVH�RI�WKH�GHOLFLRXV�IRRG��EXW�EHFDXVH�,�ORYHG�VLWWLQJ�GRZQ�DW�WKH�WDEOH�ZLWK�P\�new family. They loved discussing and H[SODLQLQJ�,WDOLDQ�FXOWXUH��KLVWRU\��DQG�SROLWLFV�ZLWK�PH��DQG�,�JRW�WKH�FKDQFH�WR�GR�WKH�VDPH��,�KDYH�VRPH�WKH�EHVW�PHPR-ULHV�RI�XV�DW�WKH�GLQQHU�WDEOH��DQG�IURP�time to time we would take a passegiata (a walk) in the center.

7RZDUGV�WKH�HQG�RI�WKH�\HDU�,�UHDOL]HG�,�YLVLWHG�VRPH�RI�WKH�PRVW�DPD]-

LQJ�FLWLHV�LQ�,WDO\��$ORQJ�ZLWK�my friends from New Zealand, $UJHQWLQD��DQG�&DQDGD�,�YLVLWHG�Milan, Venice, Verona, Florence, 5RPH��DQG�PDQ\�RWKHU�SODFHV��,�KDG�VSHQW�P\�ELUWKGD\�ZLWK�P\�host family on the most south-ern point of the island of Sicily ZKHUH�,�VDZ�WKH�GLYLVLRQ�EHWZHHQ�WKH�FU\VWDO�EOXH�0HGLWHUUDQHDQ�6HD�DQG�WKH�EOXH�HPHUDOG�,RQLDQ�6HD��,�ZHQW�IRU�D�VZLP�LQ�/DNH�Como with my friends, where once inside the water it seemed as if the mountains were a green screen displaying pictures right RII�WKH�LQWHUQHW�EHFDXVH�WKH�EHDXW\�RI�WKHP�QH[W�WR�WKH�ODNH�was unreal.

But whether it was see-ing the Trevi Fountain in Rome lit up at night or simply going to P\�,WDOLDQ�OHVVRQV��,�ZDV�KDSS\��And as cliché as it sounds, ,�ZRXOGQ¶W�FKDQJH�P\�\HDU�DEURDG�IRU�DQ\WKLQJ��,�WUDYHOHG�WR�EHDXWLIXO�SODFHV��DWH�DPD]LQJ�food, learned a new language, FXOWXUH��DQG�JUHZ�DV�D�SHUVRQ��,W�has made me more curious, and given me a desire to continue learning and adventuring around WKH�ZRUOG��,�FDQQRW�ZDLW�XQWLO�,�can return to Como and see my host family and friends.

&$37,21

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6 December 2013Features

!e Voice

www.laleadership.org

Let the Lion Cubs Be Heard! SWXGHQWV�IURP�/RV�$QJHOHV�/HDGHUVKLS�$FDGHP\�0LGGOH�6FKRRO�KDYH�VHQW�OHWWHUV�DGGUHVVLQJ�KRZ�WKH\�IHHO�DERXW�WKH�KLJK�VFKRRO¶V�IXQGUDLVHU�DW�0F'RQDOGV��7KH�VWXGHQWV�ZKR�VHQW�LQ�WKH�VWURQJ�GHWDLOHG�OHWWHUV�DUH��th�JUDGHUV��%ULVHLGD�0HOHQGLH]��0DULD�9HJD��1DWDOLH�&RQWUHUDV��*DYLQ�0DJDOORQ��DQG�0DUWLQ�2UWL]��6WX-GHQWV�LQ��WK�JUDGH�(QJOLVK�WHFKHU�-HVVLFD�*UDQGH¶V�FODVV�DUH��³UHDGLQJ�DQ�LQIRUPDWLRQDO�WH[W�WLWOHG��Chew On This�E\�(ULF�6FKORVVHU�DQG�&KDUOHV�:LOVRQ��7KH�ERRN�DQDO\]HV�WKH�IDVW�IRRG�LQGXVWU\�LQ�WKH�8�6��IURP�LW¶V�LQFHSWLRQ�WR�WKH�HIIHFWV�RQ�RXU�REHVLW\�DQG�FKURQLF�GLVHDVH�UDWHV��6WXGHQWV�DUH�UHDGLQJ�WKLV�DORQJ�ZLWK�DUWLFOHV�DERXW�IRRG�DFFHVV��SURFHVVHG�IRRGV��DGYHUWLVLQJ�GLUHFWHG�WR�FKLOGUHQ�RI�FRORU��DQG�WKH�LQGXVWU\�LQ�JHQHUDO�´��7KH�FXEV�IURP�/$/$�DUH�ZRUNLQJ�KDUG�WR�JHW�WKHLU�SRLQW�across, taking the necessary steps to have their voices heard, and understood.

Dear Editors, �� ,�ZDV�VKRFNHG�VHHLQJ�WKDW�WKH�/$/$�KLJK�VFKRRO�LV�IXQGUDLVLQJ�DW�0F'RQDOGV��$UHQ¶W�ZH�VXSSRVH�WR�EH�EH�D�KHDOWK\�VFKRRO"�:HOO�DFFRUGLQJ�WR�WKH�KLJK�VFKRRO�ZH�DUH�127��,VQ¶W�LW�DOUHDG\�EDG�WKDW�WKH\�DUH�JLYLQJ�XV�SURFHVVHG�IRRGV�WR�HDW"�,W¶V�D�KRUULEOH�IHHOLQJ�WKDW�,¶P�LQ�0LGGOH�6FKRRO��DQG�,�NQRZ�PRUH�DERXW�WKH�IDVW�IRRG�LQGXVWU\�WKDW�WKH�SHRSOH�DW�+6��7KLV�PDGH�/$/$�ORRN�EDG��+DYHQ¶W�\RX�QRWLFHG�WKLV"�,¶P�HPEDUUDVVHG�EHFDXVH�ZH�DUH�VXSSRVHG�WR�EH�healthy school. Does the H.S principal not know that? Do you think people ZKR�DUH�ORRNLQJ�IRU�VFKRROV�WR�SXW�WKHLU�NLGV�LQ�ZLOO�SLFN�/$/$"�:H�FDQ¶W�FDOO�our school “healthy” when we are not showing it. You the editors are actually encouraging more funraisers like this to happen again. You guys are making it VHHP�OLNH�LW¶V�D�JRRG�WKLQJ�WR�GR��� � � �

Sincerely, Maria Vega

Natalie ContrerasBriseida Melendez

P.S Do you really want to promote more fast food to our community?

Dear High- School Principal,���������:H�DUH�PDNLQJ�WKLV�OHWWHU�EHFDXVH�WKH�PLGGOH�DQG�WKH�KLJK�VFKRRO�DUH�QRW�RQ�WKH�VDPH�SDJH��:H�DUH�UHVHDUFKLQJ�ZKDW�PDNHV�IDVW�IRRG�UHVWDXUDQWV�EDG��while the high school is supporting it and making fundraisers with McDon-alds. We saw the fundraisers on LALA newspaper and we are not pleased that \RX�GLG�WKLV��:H¶UH�VXSSRVHG�WR�EH�KHDOWK\��<RX�JX\V�DUH�IHHGLQJ�SHRSOH�VRPH�QDVW\�VWXII�OLNH�SLQN�VOLPH�DQG�RWKHU�VWXII��,I�\RX�GLGQ¶W�NQRZ�SLQN�VOLPH�LV�PHDW�mixed with amonia. We thought it was wrong of you guys to do that. We are ORRNLQJ�IRU�D�ZD\�WR�HQG�REHVLW\��,Q�FRQFOXVLRQ��ZH�DUH�QRW�SOHDVHG�E\�\RXU�DF-tions on fundraising with McDonalds.

Sincerely,Martin Ortiz

*DYLQ�0DJDOORQ�

Did you know that your fast food can kill you or give you diseases? ,�FDQ�WHOO�\RX�IURP�DQ�H[SHULHQFH�EDFN�LQ��������,�ZDV�D�IDQDWLF�RI�IDVW�IRRG��EXW�RQH�GD\�WKH�IRRG�,�XVHG�WR�love changed my whole life. Not to EH�VHO¿VK�RU�JUHHG\��EXW�,�ZLOO�DOZD\V�EODPH�LW�RQ�WKH�IDPRXV�UHVWDXUDQW��McDonalds.

,W�DOO�VWDUWHG�RI�ZLWK�WKHLU�SODLQ�DQG�ZHOO�NQRZQ�EXUJHU���0\�WDVWH�EXGV�ZRXOG�PDNH�PH�IHHO�OLNH�ZDONLQJ�RQ�FORXGV�VXUURXQGHG�E\�XQLFRUQV��EXW�LQ�UHDOLW\��LW�ZDV�NLOOLQJ�PH���$IWHU�FRQVXPLQJ��OLNH�,�VD\��WKDW�EDOO�RI�OLHV��WKHUH�ZDV�D�VWUDQJH�KLJK�fever that made my skin color pale DQG�GLI¿FXOW\�WR�EUHDWKLQJ���:DLWLQJ�KRXUV�LPSDWLHQWO\�IRU�WKH�UHVXOWV��,�MXVW�WKRXJKW�DERXW�HDWLQJ�RQH�RI�WKRVH�

GHOLFLRXV�EXUJHUV�ZKHQ�VXGGHQO\�WKH\�WROG�PH�,�KDG�D�IHZ�KRXUV�WR�OLYH���0\�OLIH�ÀDVKHG�WKURXJK�P\�KHDG�KRSLQJ�IRU�LW�WR�EH�LPSRVVLEOH���7KH�RQO\�WKLQJ�,�WKRXJKW�DERXW�ZDV�KDYLQJ�WKDW�ODVW�EXUJHU���,W�ZDV�MXVW�DQRWKHU�PLUDFOH�RI�JRG¶V�FDULQJ���,�RYHUKHDUG�WKH�GRFWRUV�WDONLQJ�DERXW�0F'RQDOG¶V�NLOOLQJ�PH�

,�RSHQHG�P\�PLQG�DQG�WULHG�WR�EH�D�FULWLFDO�WKLQNHU���,�JUDEEHG�DOO�WKH�thoughts and realized that fast food, DOVR�NQRZQ�DV�WKH�EXUJHU�ZDV�WKH�ZKROH�FDXVH�RI�WKLV���,�ZDV�LQ�QHHG�RI�D�ORW�RI�KHOS���,�WRRN�RYHU����SLOOV�D�GD\�DQG�¿QDOO\�DWH�KHDOWK\�DQG�UHFRYHUHG�IURP�WKDW�KRUULEOH�GLVHDVH���(YHU�VLQFH�GD\�RQH��,¶YH�QHYHU�HDWHQ�RQH�RI�WKRVH�EXUJHUV�DJDLQ���$QG�VRPHWKLQJ�,�ZLOO�DOZD\V�VD\�LV��³7KH�WUXWK¶V�ZLWKLQ�WKH�food.”

Middle School Account: An Experience at McDonalds

By: Maryela MelenaMiddle School Guest Writer

�WK� JUDGHU� ZULWHV� D� VSHHFK� DERXW� KHU� H[SHULHQFH� ZLWK� 6DOPRQHOOD� REWDLQHG� IURP� D�0F'RQDOGV�EXUJHU��

Dining Not Fit For RoyaltyBy: Carlos Castaneda and Juan EspinozaOp-Ed Editors

OQ�0RQGD\�'HFHPEHU��QG��the Los Angeles Leadership Academy newspaper staff conducted a lunch survey. The survey was conducted WR�UHFHLYH�D�JHQHUDO�RSLQLRQ�DERXW�WKH�OXQFK�IURP�WKH�VWXGHQWV��,W�ZDV�given to one advisory from each grade OHYHO��7KH�IRXU�DGYLVRULHV�ZHUH��0V��8¶V�DGYLVRU\��6RQLD¶V�DGYLVRU\��5RE¶V�DGYLVRU\��DQG�0V��3K\OOLV¶�DGYLVRU\�� 7KH�VXUYH\�FRQWDLQHG�¿YH�\HV�RU�QR�TXHVWLRQV��RQH�TXHVWLRQ�DERXW�how often the students actually eat lunch and a space to give the lunch program a one through ten rating. 7KHUH�ZHUH����UDWLQJV�UHFHLYHG�E\�WKH�newspaper staff and the average rating was to a 2.89 out of 10. One of the questions from the survey was, “Has the school food ever

made you feel �LOO"´�����RI�WKH�VWXGHQWV�FLUFOHG�\HV��$QRWKHU�TXHVWLRQ�DERXW�WKH�IRRG�quality was, “Have you ever received IRRG�WKDW�ZDV�XQGHUFRRNHG"´�����RI�the students said that they had. These percentages were much higher than the staff of The Voice had expected.The results of the survey displayed a large amount RI�UHVHQWPHQW�WRZDUGV�WKH�IRRG��,Q�the opinion of the students the name “Royal Dining is not an appropriate QDPH�IRU�WKH�VFKRRO¶V�FDWHULQJ�VHUYLFH��� This survey should show students that they have a voice and hopefully the results of this survey can create some kind of change in the lunch program.

Lunch has arrived

7!e VoiceDecmeber 2013 News & Features

!e Home of Lion Pride

Viewpoint

By: Vanessa SanchezCopy Editor

Henry Mendez, Los Angeles /HDGHUVKLS�$FDGHP\¶V�<RXWK�3ROLF\�,QVWLWXWH��KDV�RQFH�DJDLQ�EURXJKW�GULY-HUV�HGXFDWLRQ�WR�/$/$��EXW�XQOLNH�ODVW�\HDU¶V�FOXE��WKLV�\HDU�LW�LV�IUHH�RI�charge. � ³,�ZDV�QRW�DZDUH�WKDW�GULY-HUV�HG��ZDV�KHOG�DW�/$/$�EHIRUH��,�RQO\�KHDUG�WKDW�WKH\�LQWHQGHG�WR�EULQJ�LW��EXW�QHYHU�VXFFHHGHG��,�RQO\�ZLVK�WR�EULQJ�D�FOXE�WKDW�KDV�JUHDW�LQWHUHVW�amongst the students,” said Henry. All that is expected of the students partici-pating is commitment and dedication, EXW�WKHUH�DUH�UHTXLUHPHQWV�DV�ZHOO��“The requirements are in connection WR�WKH�VFKRRO¶V�YLVLRQ�IRU�WKH�VWXGHQWV��,�ZLVK�WR�SURPRWH�D�SRVLWLYH�FXOWXUH�along with increasing grades within

Driving Towards Success

the school. All students are expected WR�KROG�D�����*�3�$�RU�KLJKHU´��+HQU\�stated. Twelve students showed up to WKH�¿UVW�GULYHUV�HG��PHHWLQJ��EXW�RQFH�word got out, many more students showed up to the next meeting. The meetings are every Wednesday from ����SP�WR�����SP��DQG�HYHU\�)ULGD\�IURP�����SP�WR�����SP��7KH�FOXE�RI-¿FLDOO\�VWDUWHG�RQ�:HGQHVGD\��1RYHP-EHU����������� “Driving is a privilege, and so DUH�FOXEV�WKDW�SURPRWH�LW��,�EHOLHYH�WKDW�every student can take the class, and DOO�DUH�FDSDEOH�RI�REWDLQLQJ�SDVVLQJ�grades in their classes during the day.” +HQU\�VDLG��³<3,�LV�KHUH�WR�PDNH�WKLV�SRVVLEOH�E\�SURYLGLQJ�WKH�DIWHUVFKRRO�WXWRULQJ�LQ�DOO�FODVV�VXEMHFWV�´��

6WXGHQW�'ULYHU��8VH�&DXWLRQ�

Maria GalarzaSophomore

Speech & Debate

“Ride or die.” Paul Walker is most NQRZQ�IRU�KLV�UROH�DV�%ULDQ�2¶�&RQQRU�LQ�the Fast and the Furious movies. As stat-HG�E\�WKH�1HZ�<RUN�7LPHV��3DXO�:DONHU�and Roger Rodas died last Saturday in Valencia, Calif., when the car Roger was driving, with Paul as passenger, crashed LQ�D�VLQJOH�FDU�DFFLGHQW�DQG�EXUVW�LQWR�ÀDPHV��3DXO�:DONHU�ZDV����\HDUV�RI�age. Earlier in the day, Mr. Walker had DWWHQGHG�D�FKDULW\�HYHQW�IRU�WKH�QRQSUR¿W�organization “Reach out Worldwide”. Paul Walker left his 15-year-old daughter, 0HDGRZ��DQG�KLV�ZLIH�5HEHFFD�6RWHURV�� People take their life for granted, without knowing they can lose it any sec-RQG��(YHU\RQH�KDV�WKHLU�XQLTXH�OLIH�VW\OH��however, most lives are pretty similar. Socially, the things you will do in your OLIH�WLPH�DUH�SUHGLFWDEOH��\RX�DUH�ERUQ��you go to school, you work, you retire, and you die. Sadly, some people do not have a full life span and cannot live their OLIH�WR�WKH�IXOOHVW��3HRSOH�VKRXOG�EH�DZDUH�RI�KRZ�YDOXDEOH�OLIH�LV��WDNH�FDUH�RI�LW�DQG�spend their time wisely. What in particu-ODU�VKRXOG�RQH�YDOXH"�,W�LV�TXLWH�VLPSOH��What people should value the most in life VKRXOG�EH�WKHLU�KHDOWK��SHUVRQDOLW\��DQG�their family.� +HDOWK�VKRXOG�EH�YHU\�LPSRUWDQW�LQ�\RXU�OLIH�EHFDXVH�LW�SOD\V�D�PDMRU�UROH�in determining your life span. There are VHYHUDO�VXEVWDQFHV�ZKLFK��ZKHQ�SXW�LQWR�\RXU�ERG\��ZLOO�VHYHUHO\�GDPDJH�\RXU�KHDOWK��2QH�RI�WKRVH�VXEVWDQFHV�LV�WREDF-FR��7REDFFR�ZLOO�PRVW�OLNHO\�EH�LQKDOHG�E\�smoking or second hand smoke. Accord-LQJ�WR�*OHQFRH�+HDOWK�ERRN��VPRNLQJ�LV�

WKH�QXPEHU�RQH�FDXVH�IRU�SUHYHQWDEOH�GHDWK���,W�LV�SUHYHQWDEOH�EHFDXVH�SHRSOH�FDQ�FKRRVH�WR�VWRS�ZKHQHYHU�WKH\�ZDQW��KRZHYHU��LW�EHFRPHV�DQ�DGGLFWLRQ�� 1LFRWLQH�LV�DQ�DGGLFWLYH�VXE-VWDQFH�WR�WKH�ERG\��ZKLFK�ZLOO�DVN�IRU�PRUH�WREDFFR�EHFDXVH�LW�ZLOO�KDYH�DQ�increase in the smoking urge. Urge which will continue increasing until it is too ODWH��6PRNLQJ�EULQJV�PDQ\�GLVHDVHV�VXFK�DV��VWURNHV��OXQJ�FDQFHU��FRURQDU\�KHDUW�disease, kidney cancer, and several other VHYHUH�GLVHDVHV��/LIHVSDQ�LV�LPSRUWDQW��EXW�there are other reasons to value your life.� $FFRUGLQJ�WR�'U��&KULV�*UDPV��owner of the Family Chiropractic Center RQ�%DLQEULGJH�,VODQG��KXJV�UHOHDVH�HQGRU-SKLQV�DQG�VHURWRQLQ�LQWR�WKH�EORRG�VWUHDP�which will cause pleasure, negate pain and VDGQHVV��ORZHU�EORRG�SUHVVXUH��GHFUHDVH�WKH�FKDQFHV�RI�KDYLQJ�KHDUW�SUREOHPV��KHOSV�¿JKW�H[FHVV�ZHLJKW��DQG�SURORQJ�life. � ,Q�RWKHU�ZRUGV��KXJV�ZLOO�PDNH�you healthier, thinner, more relaxed, live ORQJHU��¿JKW�GHSUHVVLRQ��DQG�PDNH�\RX�age slower. Who knew hugs did so much? Hugs, laughs, jokes, and so many other friendly gestures give amazing results. On the other hand, if you have a sad, lonely, angry, annoying, arrogant, or depress-ing personality, it will give you negative results. You will most likely have heart SUREOHPV��EDG�KDELWV��TXLFN�DJLQJ�

a short life span. The personality you express and hold everyday affects your family a part of your life and you should cherish. Any time you spend with your IDPLO\�VKRXOG�EH�YDOXHG��LQFOXGLQJ�KDYLQJ�dinner with them. � $V�VWDWHG�E\�7KH�1DWLRQDO�&HQWHU�RQ�$GGLFWLRQ�DQG�6XEVWDQFH�$EXVH�DW�&R-OXPELD�8QLYHUVLW\��WHHQV�ZKR�IUHTXHQWO\�have dinner with their families are at a ORZHU�ULVN�IRU�VXEVWDQFH�DEXVH��7KRVH�ZKR�eat dinner with their family less frequently are 2.5 times as likely to smoke cigarettes, more than 1.5 times as likely to drink DOFRKRO��DQG���WLPHV�PRUH�OLNHO\�WR�WU\�marijuana. Simple things like having dinner ZLWK�\RXU�IDPLO\�ZLOO�DIIHFW�\RXU�OLIH��,W�LV�QRW�DOZD\V�SRVVLEOH�WR�VSHQG�HYHU\�VLQJOH�PRPHQW�ZLWK�\RXU�IDPLO\�EHFDXVH�RI�school, work, plans, etc.. But you should try to arrange to just have a simple to-JHWKHU�WLPH�ZLWK�\RXU�IDPLO\��,W�PLJKW�QRW�VHHP�DV�PXFK�EXW�LW�LV�D�ELJ�GLIIHUHQFH� There are so many good times in OLIH�EXW�WKHUH�DUH�DOVR�WKH�EDG�WLPHV��/LIH�is just full of ups and downs. Yet some people have an ignorant view of life and RQO\�DFNQRZOHGJH�WKH�ÀDZV�WKDW�WKH\�KDYH�and the issues they face. Some assume that there is no solution for their life and fall into depression. Many people choose suicide in order to avoid the negative REVWDFOHV�WKDW�OLIH�SXWV�LQ�IURQW�RI�WKHP�

� $OPRVW�HYHU\RQH�KDV�KDG�EDG�WLPHV�DQG�¿QGV�D�ZD\�WR�RYHUFRPH�WKHP��They should see the positive things in life. There are people who have it tougher and VWLOO�¿QG�D�ZD\�WR�NHHS�D�VPLOH�RQ�WKHLU�face. You should appreciate everything OLIH�JLYHV�\RX��,I�\RX�UHFHLYH�REVWDFOHV�LW�is so you can learn from them. That is just how life is. Health, personality, family, that is what gives meaning to life. You must live OLIH�WR�WKH�IXOOHVW�EHFDXVH�LW�FDQ�HDVLO\�EH�WDNHQ�DZD\�IURP�\RX��,Q�D�EOLQN�RI�DQ�H\H�LW�FDQ�DOO�EH�JRQH��:LOO�\RX�OHDYH�DQ\WKLQJ�WR�EH�UHPHPEHUHG�E\"�:LOO�LW�EH�JRRG�RU�EDG"�:LOO�SHRSOH�PLVV�\RX"�:LOO�\RXU�friends and family mourn you? Will your GHDWK�EH�XQEHOLHYDEOH�DQG�OHDYH�SHRSOH�shocked? Cherish every moment you have DQG�PDNH�WKH�EHVW�RXW�RI�LW��+RZ�\RX�OLYH�your life is your choice. Live every day WR�WKH�IXOOHVW��'RQ¶W�ORRN�EDFN�DQG�NHHS�moving forward.

“Don’t Take Life for Granted”

Maria Galarza is a Sophomore at L.A. Leadership Academy High School. This viewpoint is an edited version of an Orginal Oratory.

NHOVRQ�0DQGHOD�ZDV�ERUQ�RQ�-XO\����������LQWR�WKH�0DGLED�&ODQ�LQ�Transkei, South Africa. As a child, he protested segregation and injustice in his home country. By the time he was ���0DQGHOD�KDG�EHFRPH�GLVLOOXVLRQHG�with peaceful protest, and received PLOLWDU\�WUDLQLQJ���,Q�-XO\�RI�������Nelson Mandela was arrested for attempting to overthrow the govern-ment. His trail lasted for two years, and resulted in a life sentence. As support for Mandela grew, it EHFDPH�PRUH�GLI¿FXOW�IRU�WKH�UHJLPH�that had sent him to jail to keep him imprisoned. Under extreme pres-sure from the masses, Mandela was UHOHDVHG�RQ�)HEUXDU\�����������)RXU�VKRUW�\HDUV�ODWHU��0DQGHOD�EHFDPH�what is widely considered as South $IULFD¶V�¿UVW�GHPRFUDWLFDOO\�HOHFWHG�President. Although his term only

ODVWHG�IRXU�\HDUV��KLV�LQÀXHQFH�FDQ�VWLOO�EH�IHOW�WRGD\��+H�LV�ZLGHO\�VHHQ�as a devoted advocate of democracy, racial equality, and justice. ���2Q�'HFHPEHU��th Nelson Mandala died at the age of 95. Current South $IULFD�3UHVLGHQW�-DFRE�=XPD�RUGHUHG�DOO�QDWLRQDO�ÀDJV�WR�À\�DW�KDOI�VWDII�IURP�)ULGD\�XQWLO�0DQGHOD¶V�IXQHUDO�WR�KRQRU�WKH�PDQ�WKDW�EHFDPH�WKH�IDFH�RI�6RXWK�$IULFD��0DQGHOD¶V�LQÀXHQFH�KDV�JURZQ�WR�WKH�SRLQW�WKDW�-XO\�����KLV�ELUWKGD\��LV�1HOVRQ�0DQGHOD�,QWHUQD-tional Day. ���0DQGHOD�LV�VXUYLYHG�E\�KLV�ZLIH��*UDFD�0DFKHO��GLYRUFHH�:LQQLH�Madikizela-Mandela, as well as his WKUHH�GDXJKWHUV��3XPOD�0DND]LZH��Zenani and Zindziswa Mandela. He ZLOO�EH�VRUHO\�PLVVHG�

A Great Leader and Activist

Nelson Mandela

By: Oscar IsemEdito-in-Chief

8

www.laleadership.org

!e Voice December 2013Arts and Entertainment

OQ�'HFHPEHU��WK��������/RV�Angeles Leadership Academy attend-HG�6L[�)ODJV�0DJLF�0RXQWDLQ¶V�DQQXDO�WR\�GULYH��,W�ZDV�DERXW����GHJUHHV�and raining, which raised concerns if /$/$�ZRXOG�JR�RU�QRW��<3,�'LUHF-tor, Henry Mendez decided to take WKH�VWXGHQWV�EHFDXVH�<RXWK�3ROLF\�,QVWLWXWH�KDG�DOUHDG\�SD\HG�IRU�HYHU\-thing.

(YHU\RQH�KDG�WR�EULQJ�D�twenty-dollar toy with its receipt to UHFHLYH�DQ�DGPLVVLRQ�WLFNHW��$ERXW�WZHQW\�VWXGHQWV�DWWHQGHG�WKH�¿HOG�WULS�on Saturday.

At Six Flags, rides like X2 were closed for the day due to the weather. Students were really looking forward to that ride. They had a lot of IXQ�WKLV�\HDU�WKRXJK��³,W�ZDV�VR�FROG��EXW�VR�ZRUWK�LW�´�VDLG�+LFHOO�/RSH]��/$/$�OHIW�6L[�)ODJV�DURXQG������S�P��DQG�DUULYHG�EDFN�DW�VFKRRO�E\������p.m. Snapchat

Review

Toys for TotsBy: Aimee RussellStaff Writer

By: Esteban CordovaPhoto Editor

Snapchat is a photo messaging application devel-RSHG�E\�6WDQIRUG�University students. Using the app, users can take photos, record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to a controlled list of re-cipients. These sent photographs and videos are known as “snaps.” With nearly 8 million users a day Snapchats popular-ity continues to grow even more. The main users of WKLV�DSS�DUH�ERUHG�

teenagers who have QRWKLQJ�WR�GR���,WV�high popularity has landed them D���ELOOLRQ�GROODU�offer from another social networking VLWH�)DFHERRN��EXW�the kids at Stanford turned them down.� ,�EHOLHYH�that Snapchat is one RI�WKH�EHVW�DSSV�RXW�WKHUH��,�DGPLUH�WKH�fact that my friends can only see my photos for a limited amount of time, DQG�KRZ�HDVLO\�,�FDQ�FRQWDFW�WKHP��,�would rate this app a ¿YH�RXW�RI�¿YH�VWDUV�for good quality .

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Blast From the Past: Cartoon Pets

By: Jac RussellStaff Writer

Senior M’Ney Wade’s Ticket

Students at Los Angeles /HDGHUVKLS�$FDGHP\�ZHUH�ERUQ�LQ�WKH�ODWH���¶V��%DFN�LQ�WKH�GD\�WKHUH�were many characters that encour-DJHG�RXU�PLQGV�WR�EH�FUHDWLYH��DQG�they taught us some lessons in a humorous way. The most unique pet of them all is CatDog. CatDog, OLNH�WKH�QDPH�GHVFULEHV��LV�DERXW�WZR�EURWKHUV�WKDW�ZHUH�FRPSOHWH�RSSRVLWH��EXW�ZDV�DWWDFKHG�WR�RQH�another. Cat was the more edu-FDWHG�RQH�ZKR�WULHG�KLV�EHVW�WR�¿W�in with society. While Dog was OHVV�HGXFDWHG�RQH�YDQG�GLGQ¶W�FDUH�what people thought.

.QRZLQJ�WKLV�DERXW�WKHP��one has asked themselves the following questions as teenag-ers, questions that they would not have asked themselves as children.

/LNH��ZKHUH�GLG�&DW'RJ¶V�ZDVWH�go after they ate? And how did they let out this waste? Also, how FRPH�WKH\�ZHUH�VR�GLIIHUHQW��EXW�KDG�WKH�VDPH�XS�EULQJLQJ�EHLQJ�connected? And what things did ZH�OHDUQ�IURP�&DW'RJ�WKDW�LQÀX-ence us today? CatDog not only made RXU�FKLOGKRRG�ZRUWK�UHPHPEHULQJ�EXW�FKDQJHG�RXU�SRLQW�RI�YLHZ�RQ�OLIH�LWVHOI�,W�WDXJKW�XV�D�QXPEHU�RI�WKLQJV�EXW�LW¶V�ELJJHVW�OHVVRQ�ZDV�not judging someone that looks different.CatDog was some what of role models and everyone want-ed to own an animal like them.

OQ�'HFHPEHU���WK�LQ�3K\OOLV¶�VHFRQG�SHULRG�*RYHUQPHQW�FODVV��students were shocked and saddened E\�WKH�VXGGHQ�SDVVLQJ�RI�&DVVDQGUD�0RUHQR¶V�%LJ�*XOS�&DVVDQGUD�EURXJKW�WKH�VRGD�LQWR�FODVV�despite school policy. She left it unat-WHQGHG�DQG�LW�ZDV�VWROHQ�E\�D�VR�FDOOHG�friend who was in the process of passing it to yet another student when ever eagle-eyed Phyllis spotted the enormous drink. To the amazement of many seniors, Phyllis took the offending soda and dumped it into the trash, top side ¿UVW���7KURXJKRXW�WKH�SHULRG��VHYHUDO�students mournfully approached the trashcan to look at the fallen Coke, QRZ�D�PHUH�SXGGOH�DW�WKH�ERWWRP�RI�the trash can. Brian Cali shook his KHDG�LQ�GLVEHOLHI��VWXQQHG�E\�WKH�HQRU-mity of the loss. Rest in Peace, dear soda – know KRZ�EHORYHG�\RX�ZHUH�

Death of a Coke

���'R�QRW�SURFUDVWLQDWH��FRPSOHWH�work on time.

2. Ask for help if the material is confusing.

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4. Write down important dates and assignments in your planner.

���$OZD\V�EH�SUHSDUHG�ZLWK�VFKRRO�materials like paper and pencils.

Advice for Second SemesterBy: Carlos Castaneda and Juan EspinozaOp-Ed Editors

���5HDG�RYHU�RU�VNLP�WKURXJK�QRWHV�during free time to refresh your mind.

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8. Avoid any distractions or diversions during class.

9. Use creative ways to study things, IRU�H[DPSOH��PDNH�ÀDVKFDUGV�RU�ZULWH�a song.

10. Check with your advisor to see your grades.

The key to success.

TKURXJKRXW�¿UVW�VHPHVWHU��PDQ\�students have struggled with keeping their grades up. As a result of failing their classes, they now have to go to mandatory tutoring, make-up work, and in some cases, can not play sports. These tips are meant to help students VXFFHHG�LQ�VFKRRO��DQG�JHW�EHWWHU�grades during second semester.