the wildcat
DESCRIPTION
Newspaper of The WildcatTRANSCRIPT
WILDCAT PAGE 2 = JUNE 11, 2009 NEWS
CLUBCORNER
RACHEL KIM/ Wildcat
Girls of Faith
GSA
JSA
Democratic Club utilizes political discussions and debates to educate its members. Discussions range from issues involving community, state, country and world. Members can express their opinions freely and students do not have to be democrats to join the club. Democratic Club does not require its participants to be active politicians. The club is mostly about engaging conversations and answering questions about democratic ideals and beliefs.
google.com
Democratic Club
“Junior Statesmen of America, JSA, is a political forum that discusses and addresses current controversial issues preparing the next generation of politicians,” said Brandon Kim, senior and club president. Some of JSA members have attended conventions and conferences where they got first-hand experience of statesmen duties.
Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club is one of the new clubs this year. It provides an open-mindedness and accepting envrionment for those who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) and those who support them. The meetings are run based on questions about LGBT. GSA tries to educate the student body to be more open to the diversity of our society.
The purpose of Girls of Faith is to help its members grasp the love of God. The weekly meetings usually begin with a prayer followed by bible verse recitations. Members share their insight on specific verses, chapters and stories from the bible. This year, Girls of Faith went on a field trip to Azusa Pacific University to participate in Knights of Champion.
Students reach out to soldiers worldwideHWA EUN KIMNEWS EDITOR
“Thank you. Thank you from the
bottom of our hearts because people
like you make doing our job everday
just that much better,” wrote Ian
Stephenson of Camp Lemonier, who is
currently stationed in Djibouti, Africa.
Letters and pictures from soldiers
expressing their gratitude reached
Leslie Leaming, history teacher, and her
U.S. history students.
Leaming’s U.S. history students
have been reaching soldiers stationed
all over the world through Anysoldier.
com, discovering more information
about army life and the consequences
of war.
Students formed groups and
chose one or two specific soldiers to
send letters to. The class also made
Photo courtesy of LESLIE LEAMING
ANYSOLDIER.COM: Ian Stephenson, right, is a K-9 handler, stationed at Djibouti, Africa. Students reached soldiers through Anysoldier.com, which provides the necessary information to donate money and send letters and supplies.
presentations about their soldiers.
Several groups sent supplies such as
lotion, deodarant, baby oil, foot powder,
and snacks.
“I think this project definitely made
me realize how the war is actually going
on and affecting people, especially
when we got responses from some of
the soldiers,” said Kevin Ko, junior.
Stephenson was not the only one
to write back. Ryan von Rembow,
helicopter pilot, who is stationed in
Khandahas, Afghanistan and Meredith
R. Harris, captain in the 4th Sustainment
Brigade in Bagram Airfield,
Afghanistan, wrote letters explaining
their life as a soldier and thanking the
students for their support.
“War has changed [since] a long
time ago. After we are done fighting we
build. We build schools, and homes. We
eduate people in medical care, politics.
We teach people and in the process they
teach us,” wrote Stephenson.
Rembow also responded to each
student whom he recieved a letter from,
and revealed his personal intentions of
joining the army.
“It was a really good feeling to know
how much [the soldiers] appreciated
it. I think it helped me realize how
important it is to show our support and
interest,” said Melissa Bent, junior, who
also made home-made beef jerky for
her soldiers.
As the war has dragged on for over
three years, America has gradually
become disconnected to its foreign
affairs. And yet, the dispatch of soldiers
and government funding has been
continuous, going on without receiving
the necessary support and attention
from civilians.
“Back in WWII, there was so much
war effort going on. People collected
supplies and metals. Nowadays, there’s
not much contribution going on. I
wanted to show this difference to my
students and encourage them to reach
out,” said Leaming.
Awards Night acknowledges seniors
ABBIE MENDOZACOPY EDITOR
Before Senior Awards Night, June
2, Becky Marchant and Robert Stelmar,
counselors, instructed the seniors
mingling by the ASB room to form two
lines, and a joke was made about how
college-bound students can’t even get
into straight lines. After some laughs,
they were finally off to the PAC, where
families and friends sat with eager
expressions and cameras.
The night began with recognition
of Joseph Chang for his admittance in
the United States Military Academy
at West Point. According to Chang,
the application process was rigorous
and long, requiring him to undergo
medical and physical tests and writing
five essays to the state congressman to
request a nomination.
However, his efforts were well
worth it. During awards night, a
representative came up to announce
Chang’s scholarship package valued at
$100,000, renewable for four years at
West Point.
“It was cool,” Chang said on having
the representative at the ceremony. “But
it was also a reality check. I’m going to
be in service in 26 days.”
Eman Addish was also commended
for being a Gates Millennium Scholar.
The award will cover any of her unmet
ANTHONY VAL VERDE / Wildcat
ACCEPTING THE HONOR: Dominique McGowan, senior, shakes hand with Rotary Club member, Rick Henry. Many seniors recieved various recognitions and awards for their accomplishments. Scholarships were distributed to qualified students.
needs while she majors in biology at the
University of California, Irvine, and up
to $20,000 for a public, and $30,000
each year for a private institution, at the
graduate level.
On finding out that she got the
scholarship, Addish said, “I was really
excited. I called my mom. She was at
work, but she screamed on the phone.”
During the announcement of the
local category awards, Hope Schulze was
“surprised but happy” at being granted
$1,000 by the CRSS Scholarship for
Excellence in Engineering/Architecture.
Schulze, who will be majoring in
landscape architecture at Cal Poly
Pomona, has a well-intentioned reason
for choosing this field of study.
“I really like the peace I experience
when I’m in nature, and I want to give
that feeling back to people,” she said.
Also in the local category were
the City of Brea Mayor’s Youth
Community Service Award and the
school’s Community Service Award.
With 52 and 56 awardees respectively,
the two recognitions turned out to be
the largest of the night.
However, the ceremony didn’t
just highlight students for their merit
and community service involvement;
athletes were also acknowledged for
their accomplishments. Brett Kelley,
was honored as Boys Athlete of the
Year, while the title of Girls Athlete
of the Year belonged to Stacy Kim,
senior.
In one of the final awards of the
night, Jerry Halpin, principal, declared
the Character Counts Scholarship
recipients in the leadership category.
Hilary Fox and Ismael Garcia were each
given $1,000 and a 20-pound replica of
the wildcat.
Before the ceremony concluded,
however, Halpin called the
administrators to the stage, at which
time he recognized Dr. Laurry Bishop,
ROP photography teacher, who will
be retiring at the end of the school
year. After Halpin mentioned Bishop’s
numerous contributions to both the
school and the student body, the PAC
erupted in wild applause as students
onstage whistled and affectionately
cheered, “Go, Dr. B!”
“Dr. Bishop and Mrs. Kessel put in
more hours to make a wonderful award
show to recognize the students,” said
Pam Valenti, assistant principal.
Seniors are rewarded for outstanding achievments
Compiled byTHERESA LEE
Arabian Nights crown Rood, Yang
On June 3 at 7:00 p.m., PAL hosted
Powder Puff, a girls’ flag-football game,
The event took place at the football
stadium, attracting many students.
The competing teams held practices
throughout the week prior to game,
scrimmaging and practicing football
techniques.
The game resulted with senior
girls’ win, 30-6.
“I was actually surprised to how
tough the girls played. They were
tackling really hard. But overall, it was
a fun game to watch. I thought it was
cool to have girls play football,” said
Genna Hill, sophomore.
The event will also be held next
year.
Hwa Eun Kim
Powder PuffPAL
The Freshman Olympics were held
at the football stadium June 3, as the 3
houses, Poseidon, Athena, and Apollo,
competed in various events such as
balloon toss, football, baseball, and
blindfolded relays.
Aubrie Munro won the balloon
game, and Nick Kern won the baseball
game.
“I thought it was fun because you
got to compete against friends and it
seemed like it marked the beginning of
summer,” said Mari Guttouski.
A litte different than last year,
individual players were named winners
of their specific event, rather than
naming one house as the overall victor
of competition.
Cole Calhoun
Freshman OlympicsFreshman Class
The annual Chemistry
Olympiad was held by the American
Chemical Society April 30.
The 60 question exam lasted for two
hours, testing the students on various
facets of chemistry. Top chemistry high
school students from southern California
participated in the competition.
Andrew Kim, junior, Natty Lee,
Daniel Cho, and Karry Park, sophomores,
represented BOHS in the event.
“I was caught by surprise,”
said Kim after viewing his results.
His outstanding score was the
highest among the BOHS participants.
“ Im really proud of Andrew’s ability
in chemistry. He’s a really intelligent kid,”
said Wade Cormier, chemistry teacher.
Hwa Eun Kim
Chemistry OlympiadChemistry
Seniors in the Advanced Placement
Literature class went to Country Hills
Elementary School June 5 to read
picture books that they had made in
class. Students went around each class
to read their story books to the younger
students.
John Lee, senior, said, “I really
enjoyed my experience down at the
elementary school. I had fun reading
my book to the little second graders. It
was good to see that they enjoyed my
stories and pictures.”
Similarly, Ashton Russo, senior,
said, “It was a good experience. I think
it was worthwhile reading my stories to
the little kids. It was nice to come back
to the elementary school again.”
Chan Young Kim
Class Field tripSenior ClassPAL Freshman Class Chemistry Senior Class
On the night of June 17, the campus
will be transformed into an all-night
entertainment center, complete with
games, food, prizes, and more.
Grad Nite, which honors and
celebrates the graduating seniors, will
begin at 10:15 pm and end at 4:00 a.m.
For $120 a person, seniors will enjoy
numerous activities and be able to
spend time with their fellow graduates
before proceeding to their post-high
school plans.
“Grad Nite is a unique and
memorable celebration,” said Janet
Youngblood, Grad Nite Committee
Chairperson. “It is a night for our
graduates to be together for one last
time.”
Elizabeth Irvine
Grad Nite PreviewSenior Class
ESTHER HANSTAFF WRITER
It was a night long awaited by
many. Girls had spent hours searching
for the perfect dress while the guys
fitted themselves in suits and tuxedos.
As for the graduating class of 2009, it
was a night to commemorate their last
year in high school.
On May 30 at 8 p.m., doors opened
to welcome couples onto the red carpet
walkway that led to the magical world
of Arabian Nights. This year’s prom was
organized by junior class ASB members
and was held at one of the entertainment
hot-spots of Orange County, the Grove
in Anaheim.
Inside the theater were tables set up
with gourmet desserts such as cupcakes,
cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries,
and caramel apples. Along with the
refreshments was a candy booth filled
with a variety of sweets laid out for
students to enjoy throughout the entire
night.
The third and fourth deck were filled
with tables set up for couples to rest or
eat. Each table had a simple centerpiece
of a lamp and balloon to compliment
the theme of Arabian Nights.
One of the main reasons why this
year’s prom was well-liked by many
was due to its spacious and roomy
dance-floor.
Elaine Yoo, junior, said, “A lot
of people said they enjoyed prom.
We chose this location because it was
similar to that of a club atmosphere.”
About half-way through the night,
a formal announcement of Prom King
and Queen was made in front of the
entire audience. As the tensed crowd
and nominees anxiously waited, seniors
Joshua Rood and Julia Yang were
crowned Prom King and Prom Queen
of 2009.
In response to being crowned King,
Rood said, “I was really surprised when
my name got called. A lot of people
were telling me ‘Hey! I’m voting for
you.’ My friends were very supportive
and they were all there cheering for me.
The night was really fun and it was a
great venue for the dance. It was a good
place and way to finish up the year.”
Yang, said, “I was surprised I
got crowned as Prom Queen. I was
just hoping that I wasn’t going to fall
walking up to the podium.”
Jocelyn Green, senior, added, “I
was so excited when Rood and Yang
got announced as Prom King and
Queen. They’re really likable people so
I assumed they would win.”
Majestic Powell, senior, said, “I
thought Prom went really well. I felt
safe there and the food and music
weregreat. I wish they had some form
of entertainment that related to the
theme a little bit more - maybe like
belly dancers or some Arabian music.
Overall, I thought it was memorable. I
would go again tonight if I could.”
Johnson, Willert receive school board recognitionANAR BATASTAFF WRITER
Music and lyrics mix with
Pythagoras and Newton for this year’s
teacher of the year award, which was
given to choir teacher, Dave Willert, and
mathematics teacher, Michelle Johnson
May 26 at a school board meeting.
After receiving this award, both
teachers felt “surprised and honored”
and felt they were awarded because of
their students.
“I love my students, plain and
simple. I feel that I became a teacher
to make a difference in the lives of the
people who will shape our future. I
believe my students learn well because
they know I care about their education,”
said Johnson.
A student of Johnson’s, Chris
Kang, senior, said, “She doesn’t just do
it for a job; she has a passion for her
students. She’s attentive and makes
sure that everyone does their work and
understands the material.”
Willert’s students also felt the same.
David Synder, junior said, “He trusts
us, so we in return respect him.”
“He is Teacher of the Year. He’s
dependable, and accountable and puts
in a lot of time working on our shows,”
said choir student, Rachel Weeks,
freshman.
Willert is not the only one with a
full plate. Johnson is the chair of the
WASC accreditation and School Site
Council chair. She is also in charge of
testing.
“It is very nice that the district takes
time to honor their employees. I wish
everyone could feel like a teacher of the
year in this way at some in their careers
to help them feel appreciated,” said
Willert.
RED CARPET ENTRANCE: Ismael Garcia and Alina Rotariu, seniors, walk alongside, making their glamor entrance.
DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY: Amanda Dela Rosa and Clayton Cook, seniors throw their hands up as they dance among the crowd.
ALL EYES ON THE CROWN: (From left) Seniors Julia Yang, Cara Seo, Kiana Lewis, Stephanie Hentschel, and Jonae Ervin as prom queen nominees.
Photos by RACHEL KIM / Wildcat
NEWS JUNE 11, 2009 = PAGE 3WILDCAT
Fast Facts• What is the recognition?
• When was it given?May 26
Teacher of the Year
Blood drive encourages students to give back ABBIE MENDOZACOPY EDITOR
For the Blood Drive, May 22, the
auxiliary gym channeled all the details
and bustle of a miniature hospital. To
the left, ASB and American Red Cross
members were stationed at the entrance
to check for identification, while blood
donors sat on benches in front of a
small television in the waiting area to
the right. Off to the side, other students
were given a quick examination behind
blue curtains before being instructed
to lie down on black cots as blood was
drawn from their arms by nurses.
According to Dominique McGowan,
senior and social welfare commissioner
for ASB, organizing the Blood Drive
was a lengthy process that involved a
significant amount of time and effort
from everyone involved.
Participation in the event was
mandatory for the 36 ASB members,
who were each assigned to collect
the names of at least 10 donors. With
this method, about 360 students were
expected to sign up, but as McGowan
confessed, the event did not come
without certain challenges.
She found it difficult to encourage
students to donate blood “because they
are squeamish. Then, there are some
who physically can’t. Some will say that
they can, but they really just want to get
out of class. So it’s really frustrating.
70 percent actually intend to get out of
class, and 30 percent is just fluff.”
On the day of the Blood Drive, ASB
members entered the gym at 5:30 a.m.
to transform the gym into a temporary
JONATHAN PARK / Wildcat
BLOOD FLOW: Melissa Howe, senior, squeezes the red ball to relieve blood.
medical facility. Even though call
slips were sent to the donors every 15
minutes once classes began to prevent
the gym from getting “too backed up,”
McGowan said, complications came
up for several reasons, which forced
ASB to extend the Blood Drive beyond
school hours.
ASB members made sure that
“students were healthy and okay,”
according to McGowan. Also, they
were trained to recognize the signs of
passing out, such as when donors rested
their head on their palms, or when they
complained about temporary blindness.
But despite these precautionary
measures, a number of donors suffered
from fainting spells that left nurses
preoccupied and the waiting area
crowded with students anxious to return
to their classes.
Others, including Victoria
Richardson, senior, had their stay in the
gym prolonged for a different reason.
“My blood stopped flowing, and
the nurse made me lie down for an extra
20 minutes,” Richardson said.
As in years past, this season’s
Blood Drive had minor setbacks, but
many agree that the experience proved
to be worthwhile.
Though Amanda Hefner, senior, was
“disappointed” that she was unable to
donate blood because of her low blood
iron level, she said, “I try to sign up for
all the school blood drives, because I
look at it as a positive experience. I’ve
never had a bad one.”
Kayleigh Barnes, junior, who was
motivated to become a donor because
she “wanted to save three lives” with
RACHEL KIM / Wildcat
On June 4th, the annual Senior Luau was held at the senior quad. Each senior had to pay $6 for the ticket to participate.
The luau provided barbeque, potato salad, ice cream sandwiches, pasta, cookies and drinks.
This traditional event served as one of the last gatherings for the graduating class.
Senior Luau
her three pints of blood, said, “It feels
good to give to others. I feel like a
hero.”
Passionately involved in the Blood
Drive since her sophomore year,
McGowan revealed that she has a fear
of needles. However, this does not
stop her from giving blood at Kaiser
Hospital annually, thus living by her
own example.
“The fact that so many people keep
their fear of a prick keep them from
donating blood is sad, personally,” she
said. “I see people dying in hospitals,
people who get transfusions, and boys
who get into accidents. 30 minutes to
do something nice for someone else can
change your life. The most gratifying
part of being human is giving back.”
GIVING LIFE: Sheena Daas, junior, smiles as the nurse checks on her blood flow. One pint can save up to three lives.
RACHEL KIM / Wildcat
WILDCAT PAGE 4 = JUNE 11, 2009 NEWS