VOLUME XXVIII, ISSUE I

The Bulls Eye

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
OH-BLEEP-MA Was Obamas use of profanity acceptable during an interview? Read the satire on his comments regarding the Video Music Awards. Please see page 5. CYBER CLASH When you are looking for a laugh, do you go on FML or MLIA? Find out which website satisfies DBHS students the most. Please see page 8. BABY, HI, HI, HI Remember the good ol days of boy bands and girl groups? Learn more about the Backstreet Boys second comeback album. Please see page 9.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

DIAMOND BAR HIGH SCHOOL

GOLDEN GLOVE Did you know that a U.S. Junior Olympic baseball player attends DBHS? Read about how junior Kenny Matthews received this honor. Please see page 11.

Homecoming Dance to be Held this Saturday

DANCE: The Russian Trio, a European acrobatics group, will perform during the half-time show tomorrow. A wide selection of food will be available for purchase during the dance. Laura Moffitt Staff Writer Diamond Bar High Schools Homecoming dance, Dancing the High Wire, will be held at the Orange County Fairgrounds this Saturday, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. This years dance will feature an interactive and opencircus atmosphere complete with contortionists, stilt walkers, and hoop aerialists. Kevin Rudolph, known for his hit single, Let it Rock, will be performing at the event. Im so excited to go to homecoming and enjoy the interesting high wire activities they have for me, said junior Marley Lino. The entire venue will be covered in draping along with laser lights, strobe lights, and props. Plasma screens will show live videos of students dancing. In addition, pods and lounge sofas will be available for the attendees. The dance will include games such as air hockey and Dance Dance Revolution. Circus performers will also be featured at the dance. I expect homecoming to be big, fun, and memorable because its my last homecoming. Im so excited for my date, the decorations, the music, and to have a memorable homecoming, commented senior Ozzie Alonzo. Churros, popcorn, cotton candy, large pretzels, large candy lollipops, and soft drinks will be available for purchase during the dance. The Commissioners of Special Projects, seniors Melissa Velasco and Michael Marquez, have been planning this years homecoming since February. They chose the theme Dancing the High Wire to go along with the recent trend of circus-themed concerts. Velasco stated, We wanted something more fun and edgy, something exciting, something we can do a lot of things [with]. She added, We went to the Ringling Brothers Circus and got inspiration from that. Pre-sale tickets were sold in the United Student Body room during lunch from Monday, September 21 to Friday, September 25. They cost $76 for a couple with two activity cards, $81 for a couple with one activity card, $86 for a couple with no activity cards, $38 for a single with an activity card, and $41 for a single without an activity card. Regular tickets were sold from Monday, September 28 to Wednesday, October 7. Tickets cost $81 for a couple with two activity cards, $86 for a couple with one activity card, $92 for a couple with no activity cards, $44 for a single with an activity card, and $46 for a single without an activity card. Date passes were due on Wednesday, September 30. Marquez commented, We want the dance to be fun for everyone not just [for] some people. The fair grounds are really open, its like a big warehouse, we can use our imagination. He added, It will be like a big carnival for everybody.

Bond Measures Bring Renovations to WVUSD Schools

The WVUSD improves school campuses with the money provided by Bond Measure S and Bond Measure Y. However, these measures cannot be used to pay teachers or to increase class sizes. Eric Lee Asst. News Editor Due to Bond Measure S and Bond Measure Y, the Walnut Valley Unified School District will continue to renovate schools in its district. Over the summer, Diamond Bar High School completed the remaining construction work on Holmes Stadium/Elfelt Field, which includes a re-surfaced stadium entry to Brea Canyon Road. Bond Measure S provides $64.6 million for Academic Facilities, and Bond Measure Y provides $15.2 million for Physical Education Facilities in the WVUSD schools. As a result, every school in the WVUSD will receive needed repairs and upgrades. Outdated classrooms will be modernized with new roofing, heating, ventilation, and electrical wiring. New technological equipment will also be added to every campus. Liquid crystal display projectors were distributed to the schools in the WVUSD. Playgrounds, athletic fields, and performing arts facilities of the schools in WVUSD will be upgraded. A swimming pool is planned to be added to DBHS within the next few years. [Please see BUDGET on page 2]

COLUMN ONE

DBHS Staff Members Are Appointed Choir Concert New Positions

Elizabeth Lee Asst. News Editor Two Diamond Bar High School staff members, Jennifer Bravo and Catherine Real, were appointed new positions this school year. Real, previously the Dean of Communication Arts, is now the Interim Assistant Principal at Diamond Bar High School. She was first notified of this position in September. Its a bittersweet feeling because I like being the Communication Arts Dean. I like everybody who works in the department and I felt like I finally had come to a point where I knew the job very well. This [new position] is exciting too, so I was excited to try something new but I was kind of sad to leave the Communication Arts Dean position behind,explained Real.

Triple effect... A female member of the Russian Trio shows off part of her performance. Courtesy of Petria Gonzales

STAFF: Tim Bryan, the former assistant principal at DBHS, is now the new principal at Corona del Mar High School. Catherine Real is the new Interim Assistant Principal at DBHS.

to be Held Tonight
PERFORM:Choir will be performing their first concert of the year. Tickets cost $7 for students and $9 for adults. They will still be available for purchase tonight at the door. Ruby Hwang Staff Writer

The Diamond Bar High School Choir Department is holding its annual Fall Choir Concert in the school theater Double Encore... Bravo works on the computer as the new Interim Dean of Communication Arts. tonight from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The choir groups that will Ashley Chen be performing include the She added, But this is safety, the California High been an exciting ride so far and Chamber Choir, Diamondtones, interim, so we never know School Exit Examination testing, Im looking forward to the rest of Diamondaires, Marquis, and whats going to happen next the Grade Level Coordinator the time Im here, stated Real. Solitaire. teams, parent calls, security, Bravo, a chemistry teacher year or next spring. Each group will sing three suspensions, and at DBHS, is filling in Reals to four songs. Soloists will also Real was appointed this student former position as the new perform during the show. position and approved of by the student supervision. There are probably Interim Dean of Communication Walnut Valley Unified School Songs that will be sung some things that I havent Arts. Bravo officially became the include Song for the Mira, District office. As the Interim Assistant even realized yet that I am Interim Dean of Communication Ezekiel Saw the Wheel, and Principal for this year, she is responsible for. Im really happy Arts on Thursday, September The Pasture. required to administer campus to be filling in to help out. Its 17. We all worked really hard, I was excited about the so the concert will be really opportunity, but also sad that I good, said senior Ashcon would no longer be teaching my Hekmat. Honors Chemistry courses. All Unlike previous choir of my students have excellent concerts, this performance will chemistry teachers, but I miss focus on vocals rather than being in the classroom all day, dancing and performing. commented Bravo. She added, The concert will showcase Im glad that I still get to teach the development and two periods a day. improvement of the students As the Interim Dean of vocally. Communication Arts, Bravo It is the hardest concert that will be in charge of ordering we put on. It is also the shortest textbooks and supplies. concert we put on and it is She will also be managing important because this concert the Communication Arts shows [the students] vocal departments budget, teachers development, commented schedules, Standardized Testing DBHS Choir Director Patty and Reporting testing. Breitag. She will also be handling Ticket sales began on concerns from teachers, parents, Monday, September 21 and will Get Real... Real adjusts to her new position as the Interim Assistant Principal. [Please see SING [Please see NEW Ashley Chen on page 2] on page 2]

Thursday, October 8, 2009

On Target
READY, SAT, GO! It is time to see if the hours you spent with SAT tutors will pay off! Be aware seniors, your final chance to achieve your (or maybe your parents) dream SAT score is approaching. Remember to eat a healthy breakfast to boost your brain power! Dont forget to show up at the testing site with your school ID card, sharpened pencils, and admission ticket! SAT is on Saturday, October 10. MORNING CATCH-UP Have you been sleeping at odd hours? Have you been slacking off in your studies again? The next upcoming late start is the perfect chance to catch up on your sleep or homework! Take this chance to stay home for an extra hour and to have a fulfilling breakfast. If you are on top of everything, take this opportunity to hang out with some old pals and get a brighter start on the day! Late start is on Tuesday, October 13. ENDLESS FOOD Always starving in your fourth period class? The All Club Food Fair has come to satisfy your hunger by expanding your selection of food beyond the typical school lunch choices! Take advantage of this event to appreciate the clubs in our school and to enjoy delectable food at the same time. Dont forget to put some extra cash in your wallet the night before! All Club Food Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 14. PSSTPSAT Attention all juniors, this years Practice SAT is a once in a lifetime chance to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. You better start studying now, because you only have a few days left before being locked up in a room for three excruciating hours. Whatever happens, just take a deep, cleansing breath before you start in order to relax your mind! PSAT is on Saturday, October 17. WEVE GOT SPIRT, HOW BOUT YOU? Get ready to participate in an enthusiasm-filled spirit week. You can use this week as an excuse to wake up in the morning without worrying about what to wear. Theres no need to change on Monday, so just roll straight out of bed and head directly to school. Tuesday is the perfect day to plan matching outfits with your best buds. For all you sports fans, Wednesday is your day. Wear your favorite teams jersey or make your own jersey with your friends! On Thursday, show off some Brahma pride by mixing and matching purple and yellow clothing. Finally on Friday, flaunt some class spirit and wear your class color! Spirit week is from Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 23. TO BE OR NOT TO BE Youre never too old to dress up for Halloween! Heres your chance to bring out your creativity. Are you going shopping to find the most terrifying costume around? Or are you going to put your craft skills to work and make a more personalized outfit? Be sure to show off your costume, even if it means throwing a Halloween party or strategically trick-or-treating around your neighborhood. After the night is over, savor your sweets and dont eat up all the good ones too quickly! Watch out for those cavities, or youll be heading over to the dentist in no time. Halloween is on Saturday, October 31.

Seniors Qualify as NMSQT Semifinalists

SMART: An application with an essay and transcript are required for students to become finalists. Scholarship finalists will be in the running for $20 million in scholarships. Ruby Hwang Staff Writer Nineteen seniors from Diamond Bar High School have been selected as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. The top 1.5 percent of the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test scores taken by high school juniors is selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as semifinalists. Out of the one million high school juniors in the United States who take the PSAT every year, only 16,000 are singled out as semifinalists. They are in the top 1.5 percent of all the kids in the U.S. that took the PSATs. That is quite an accomplishment. I enjoyed working with the kids on something that was important to them and something that rewards them for working hard, stated Dave Desmond, a class of 2010 Grade Level Coordinator. The semifinalists at DBHS include Hao-Yu Chang, Hyun Chang, Ashley Chen, Jessica Chen, Yolonda Gong, Timothy Huang, John Lee, Gary Li, Catherine Liou, Henry Liu, Katherine Liu, Jonathan Lui, Peishi Mei, Emily Miller, Justin Sung, Lin Thu, Nicole Torres, Surbhi Trivedi, and Sherry Zhang.

News

THE BULLS EYE

News

Ace to the top... The National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists smile together for a photo. Courtesy of Kelly Gile To continue as a finalist, students must write an essay, and submit a sixpage application, a letter of recommendation, and their transcript. Their SAT scores will also be a factor in determining whether students qualify as a NMSQT finalist. The National Merit Scholarship Finalists will be placed in the running for a total of twenty-million dollars in scholarships from individual colleges, private companies, and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. National Merit Scholarship Finalists will be announced in February of next year. The National Merit Scholarship began in 1955 by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a non-profit organization that recognizes students for their academics. Its an incredible honor just to make it to this point, commented Glenn Ozaki, a class of 2010 Grade Level Coordinator, regarding National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist students at DBHS.

Continued from page 1 BUDGET: A pool will be added to Diamond Bar High School. Some of the changes you have seen are not dramatic yet, like the football field. You are going to be seeing some changes this year with air conditioning. They will start [building] a pool and a math building. It will probably take 10 years for everything to be done, but it will get done, explained Denis Paul, the principal of DBHS. Walnut High Schools renovations include an artificial turf and a remodeled MultiPurpose Room for wrestling team practices. Chaparral Middle School will receive three specialized wings for science, Design-Based Learning, and performing arts. The school will also receive a new building for food services and a gymnasium. A remodeled front entry and a new climbing apparatus for physical fitness has been installed. I think [Bond Measure S and Bond Measure Y] have a tremendous benefit to our campus now and also for a long time, stated Paul. He added, Its going to be something that changes the face of the school and will benefit our students for years and years to come.

Continued from page 1 NEW: Two faculty members were appointed to new positions. and students. Im still learning some of [my] responsibilities as I go along, but for the most part, [I am] in charge of keeping the department running smoothly, she explained. Im enjoying the work and challenges associated with this new position, said Bravo.

Continued from page 1 SING: Each choir group will sing three to four songs. continue until tonight at the start of the concert. Tickets cost $7 for students and $9 for adults. They can be purchased in the choir room and will also be available at the door on the night of the performance. The money raised from the ticket sales will go toward the Choral Department. All the choirs have been working diligently these past couple months in preparation for the concert and I know all our hard work will pay off, commented junior Careese Kwok. She added, I just want us to do the best we can and start the school year with a bang.

Friendly Reminder
Please do not stop or park your cars on Evergreen Springs Drive from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on school days. Police are handing out tickets to those who do not abide by the traffic laws. To pick up or drop off your student, drive futher down Evergreen Springs.

News

News
THE BULLS EYE
This year, Diamond Bar Day hosted a special event called FairKids Discovery Club Field Trip Program. The learning stations in the program included Under the Sea, Wally Parks National Hot Rod Association Motorsports Museum, Jurassic Planet, and FairView Farms. Many of these stations were presented by King Taco, the Automobile Club of Southern California, AT&T, and McDonalds. City officials, community clubs, and Community Hero award recipients were featured in a parade at the fairs main thoroughfare. High school bands performed alongside of the parade and escorted the historic Fairplex fire truck and the official L.A. County Fair float. Diamond Bar High Schools marching band and color guard were involved in the parade. I felt good about what I had accomplished, but there was certainly much that I felt could be improved, commented senior Nick Chen, a band member. DBHS Leo Club also attended the event to support Anantha Singarajah, the former president of the Leo Club, who was recognized as the Youth Community Hero. At the parade, the Leo Club members marched with Singarajah. [The Diamond Bar Day] was very memorable. It made me really happy to know Two Australian teenagers found $87,000 worth of U.S. currency in New South Wales. They came upon the bag of cash while fishing for catfish in a town nearby. The two decided to turn the money in to authorities after consulting an adult. Police are currently investigating whether the money is linked to criminal activity. A woman in Indonesia gave birth to a 19.2 pound baby boy. He is the largest baby ever born in Indonesia. The mother was forced to have a cesarean section due to complications from the babys size. Doctors stated that the size of the baby could be due to the fact that the woman had diabetes. Anti-Sovetskaya, a restaurant in Moscow , Russia has changed its name due to complaints. The restaurants name translated to English is The Anti-Soviet. Local police officers threatened the restaurant with a fine if it did not change its name. Authorities believe that the old name would offend war veterans. The restaurants name has now been shortened to Sovetskaya. A severed human hand was found in the yard of a house in Maryland.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Diamond Bar Day Held at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds

MARCH: Diamond Bar Day Community Reception took place at the Millard Sheets Center for the Arts at Fairplex. It featured award-winning wines and hors doeuvres. Eric Lee Asst. News Editor Diamond Bar Day was held at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds on Thursday, September 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Community Expo and Business Expo highlighted Diamond Bar Day by displaying the citys organizations, services, and programs. The citys non-profit and business organizations provided information booths that were displayed at the Community Expo and Business Expo. The purpose of the Community Expo [and Business Expo] is to promote programs, nonprofit and business efforts within the city of Diamond Bar. Community organizations and business received an opportunity to showcase their cause or product, not just to the Diamond Bar community, but to everyone in attendance at the fair. Hopefully people will realize how unique Diamond Bar is and come and shop here, stated Andee Tarazon, the City of Diamond Bar's Community Services Coordinator.

news bits
The previous homeowner explained that the hand was a souvenir his son brought home from the University of Marylands medical school over 50 years ago. Police are sending the hand to the state medical examiner as a part of routine procedure. Robert Thompson, a 91-year-old man who lives in Florida, held a robber at gunpoint in the nude. He awoke to the sound of his dog barking at a burglar who had jumped over his backyard fence. Thompson got out of bed, grabbed his .38-caliber revolver, called the police, and held the burglar at gunpoint without getting dressed. Deputies say that Thompson fired a warning shot at Jose Pasqual, the 26year-old robber, and held him at gunpoint until the police arrived. The pillowcase burglaries seem to be coming to a close in Michigan. Over the past few months, burglars stored stolen money and jewelry in pillowcases. The burglars robbed over 25 homes in the Ottawa, Muskegon, and Newaygo counties. A woman found a cigarette butt on her kitchen floor and contacted the Muskegon police. The DNA evidence from this butt led to the arrest of the suspects.

In the limelight... Freshman Jamie Beeman performs at the DB Day fair. Diana Romero that another Leo was able to be recognized as a [Community Hero], commented Freddie Peng, the Leo Club president. The Community Heroes were Elizabeth Fan, Mike and Marny Shay, and Anantha Singarajah. The Community Hero awards are a great way to recognize community members that are making a difference right here in Diamond Bar. The people receiving the award are often forgotten or not commended for their astonishing efforts. So this is a great opportunity to thank those who make Diamond Bar great, commented Tarazon. Jamie Beeman, a freshman at DBHS, sang at Park Square. Da Hula Studios Hawaiian Dancers, Tae Kwon Do, and Diamond Age Senior Club also performed there. I believe that this years Diamond Bar Day was better than ever. The community was really supportive and seemed to enjoy all the activities the fair offered. Mayor Everett and City Council Members were also in attendance having fun and representing our beautiful city, said Tarazon.

APES Students Attend Meeting

CONSERVE: The study of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Puente-Chino Hills area started in 2005. It will end in 2011 with the transmittal of the final report to the Congress. Elizabeth Lee Asst. News Editor Several students from Diamond Bar High Schools Advanced Placement Environmental Science class taught by Angela Jensvold, attended a San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Special Resource Study meeting at the Diamond Bar Center Ballroom on Wednesday, September 2. The meeting opened with a PowerPoint presentation by two of the National Park Service representatives. After the presentation, a question and answer session took place. When the session was over, the attendees split up into four small groups and shared their opinions with the representatives of each group. These representatives took notes of the attendees suggestions and comments. I hoped that the students would get their voices heard. I wanted them to see that their opinion counts just as much as an older person's opinion, explained Jensvold. This meeting was held to inform the public of what the National Park Service plans to do with selected areas of the San Gabriel Mountains and the Puente-Chino Hills area.

Overall, it was very informational. They explained things well. All the kids that went wanted to go visit [the sites they discussed], stated senior Rana Abuershaid. The plans include turning the majority of the San Gabriel Mountains area into a National Recreation Area. This will make the area available for hikes and other recreational activities. The purpose of this National Park Service study is to improve the recreational and environmental opportunities in these specific regions. I learned that there are a lot of places close to Diamond Bar and close to where we live that still have some meaning of nature to it, commented junior Kezia Adhidharma. She added, We should pick up every step and action to preserve them. Senior Nick Anziano stated that the most memorable part of the meeting was when we broke in to small groups of around 10. We could ask questions directly and share our opinions. I've had students testify at the [Air Quality Management District] here in Diamond Bar. They spoke about clean air. I've also brought students to testify at the [CA Air Resources Board] for the same reason. I will definitely do it again in the future. Any chance to get students involved is valuable, commented Jensvold. She added, I hope [the students] will be less intimidated to speak up at public meetings about any issue important to them.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

THE BULLS EYE

Editorial

Editorial
Link Crew is working really hard to help the freshmen just like how Link crew helped me when I was a freshman. Taehong Min, Junior The upperclassmen were nice, especially during the freshmen orientation. They introduced me into DBHS. David Chen, Freshman

Eye of the Editors

With the multitude of different clubs and organizations on campus, there are only a select few that make a lasting impression upon not only their members, but also the school as a whole. Diamond Bar High Schools Link Crew is making a more determined effort this year to go above and beyond to help the freshmen succeed. Unsure about their purpose and role within a massive school body, the Class of 2013 looks to the upperclassmen for direction. Because of Link Crews guidance, the freshmen are able to gain respect and recognition on campus as they continuously return to the experienced club members for assistance and support. This is where Link Crew separates itself from other clubs. It is composed of not only well-experienced advisors, but also a team of individual captains. Alongside their captains, all members of the club have made it a priority to become more involved with the progress of the underclassmen. Their dedication has been displayed in extra meetings in which captains discuss the future activities and possible improvements for the club. Many freshmen have broken out of their limited comfort zones due to the successful freshman orientation in August that prepared them for the long road ahead of them. Valuable lessons, including honesty and integrity, were taught as the freshmen were able to interact with newly found peers. Without this positive inuence, months would have passed before they gained the condence to branch out within the school. Link Crew supports the progress of the Class of 2013 as they hold many activities for them. During the month of September, Link Crew hosted a tailgate party before the rst home football game. There was a tremendous turnout as the freshmen were given free food, but furthermore it involved them with the school, their peers, and the array of activities that go on outside of the classroom. With an early exposure to numerous organizations and clubs, the underclassmen are able to decide which extracurriculars best suit their interests. Even though freshmen have not yet impacted the school greatly, Link Crew has realized and discovered the potential each one has to succeed. Not only does the club believe they are the future of the schools tradition and legacy, but they also have a chance to positively impact DBHS. With this, other clubs should realize the tremendous determination displayed by Link Crew as it makes it a priority to improve the environment on campus. While many clubs focus on selfpromotion, it is vital to recognize the people they are impacting, for improving the welfare of others proves to be the most rewarding in the long run.

Its good because then the freshmen get to be more involved with school activities. Danielle Selfridge, Sophomore

I liked the Link Crew event and the freshmen orientation. I got to know the school. I like the upperclassmen, but I know a lot of them because of my sister. Adrianna Ong, Freshman I think its good and intriguing that they are getting more involved in the school. They could put their input into DBHS. Sandra Uweh, Senior

They treated me well. None of them beat me up. Link Crew was helpful. Brian Chao, Freshman

Note from the Editors: In the previous issue of The Bulls Eye, an article was poorly received by the community. It was not our intention to offend any group, and we apologize for any offense incurred.

Op-Ed: Elections
Nicole Ongpoy Staff Writer Afghanistan has been long known for its tumultuous political situation. After the results from the recent Afghan elections were announced, presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah firmly believes that over 300 polling stations were rigged during his run for president, and that there is no way he could have lost by such a large marginby current c o u n t , incumbent H a m i d Karzai is winning by 26 percent ahead of Abdullah. But if the questioned ballots are voided, there might be a second election, which may not occur until next April. The citizens of Afghanistan wonder whether to throw out the suspected ballots or not, as they are pressured by various national and international organizations to doubt the validity of the elections. But if voided, the process of counting the votes may take a serious amount of time, and will undermine the entire political process of the shaky, emerging democracy. Elections would become much simpler and more effective if the people did not question the results. The citizens of every country are willing to choose a new president to maintain control of said country because democracy is fair and they know that their votes will count. Doubting the results of an election is simply the sign of a sore loser and a poor sport. Take, for example, the American presidential elections of last year; not all of us were content with Obama, who won by only 7 percent. Not everybody believed in him or even approved of him; but if the 43 percent of Americans who did not vote for Obama claimed that the election was rigged, we would not have time to even make a change until we investigate whether the votes were fake or not, creating great inefciency and undermining our democratic process. There is hardly a try again button for losers in such elections. Although it looks as though Abdullah will get lucky since many are leaning toward a second election, we should understand that this is nothing more than luck, and that such a declaration was simply the result of the disheartening claim of fraud in a country that needs encouragement, not censure. If that button keeps on being pressed, people will soon get frustrated by voting and conclude, Why bother voting when the government will just declare a new election when a powerful candidate loses? We should not be questioning the election results, rather giving our faith and support to the new, democratic Afghan government, an alternative for better productivity. We may need a free country because it is what makes us so great and unique. Indeed, it does characterize the idea of democracy and expressing our questions of the election results is understandable. However, if we continue to shame the Afghans by questioning the integrity of their government and electoral process, they will become less and less condent, thus ruining their performance, long-term stability, and progress. People should put loyalty and trust in their government, not degrade it.

Whats Mine is Yours

Sharon Lin Editorial Editor Marriage and finance are two words that go hand-in-hand. Money will always be a major component of marriage because not only does it have the power to bring stability and comfort, it also has the power to bring along emotions such as frustration and unhappiness. Because money is so central to everyday life, it should always be divided evenly between married couples whether it benets both people in the marriage or not. About a year ago, Kathy Cox, the state superintendent of Georgia, became the first million dollar winner of the game show Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? She had never intended to keep the money, but had planned to donate it. Before she could do so, however, her husbands construction business collapsed and the couple accumulated a debt of around $3 million. Creditors are now suing Cox and Fox Broadcasting Corporation for the million dollar prize to help pay off a portion of the debt. Many are protesting that the money should not be used to reimburse the creditors because most of the debt was accumulated from her husbands failing business. They claim that Cox, herself, is not liable for the debt because she had little to do with the company. Married couples usually have no problems sharing their incomes with each other. Most couples believe that in a marriage, all possessions should be shared equally with the other person. This seems simple enough, but couples have a tendency to change their beliefs when it comes to sharing debts. This, however, should never be the case because debts are no different when it comes to this situation. By the denition of the institute of marriage, both individuals are entitled to half of whatever the other person owns, including both income and debt. With that said, Cox and her husband are both responsible for paying off the debt together. The infamous Bernie Madoff case shows yet another example of the financial ties between m a r r i e d c o u p l e s . M a d o ff , who embezzled around $50 billion from his investors, was sentenced to 150 years in prison in June. Throughout his court case, both his assets and his wifes assets were sold to pay investors. Madoff pleaded with the jury to allow his wife to keep $2.5 million, claiming that she had not known about the fraud and that the $2.5 million had not been earned through fraudulent activities. Though Madoffs wife was awarded the sum in question, she should have been forced to forfeit it. It does not matter that she had not participated in the fraud directly because she had spent the money earned from the fraud. The household operated from her husbands income, and therefore, all of his and his wifes belongings should have been used to pay off the $50 billion debt. It is only logical that two people should share their debts together if they share their incomes with each other. The rules of marriage should never be bent and manipulated when nancial problems arise, but should always be enforced consistently.

We should not be questioning the election results, rather giving our faith and support to the new, democratic Afghan government, an alternative for better productivity.

This is however, beside the point; Cox and her husband both enjoyed the stability and comfort that the income from his company brought in while it was prospering, and therefore, both should work through the debt together.

Out of the Box

Apparently sleeping in tents in the hot Libyan deserts has done more to Gadha than he realizes... Sharon Lin

With the amount of money Obama is using, youd think he was a teenage girl. The only difference of course, is that the name on his credit card says the Citizens of the United States. Ruby Hwang

Got rid of my clunker, got a new car, but still got no job... Katie Lee What blows? The hand dryers at school. Literally. Helen Cheng
The Editorial Board invites The Bulls Eye readers to submit original commentary based on current events. All submitted work should be in accordance with the Editorial Policy in the staff box. Selected entries will be published in a subsequent issue of The Bulls Eye.

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THE BULLS EYE

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Editorial
No School Left Broke
Megan Quiamas Staff Writer In the 1970s, the California Supreme Court ruled that public schools should be equally funded throughout the state, but the debate for equal funding for schools is still in the air more than 30 years later. Despite the fact that equal funding for our schools was made ofcial through the courts, schools are still being funded unequally. Though on average, schools across California receive about $8,000 per student, some school districts in California still receive much lower funding per student because of antiquated distribution policies, putting certain schools in harsh positions. It is difficult for teachers and students to stay on an equal playing field when certain schools receive more funding than others. Californias Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack OConnell, wishes for all public schools to receive an equal amount of money to create an equal working environment. Thus, Sacramento should revise its allocation policies, giving all schools equal funding, like it should have 30 years ago. Californias economy has seen tough times in the past year, and as our state budget tightens, so does school funding. The severe cuts to education have forced both wealthy and underprivileged schools across California to cut back on their classes and teachers. And, although virtually every school in the state has been affected, the underprivileged school districts are suffering the most, as they had the worst conditions to begin with. The recent state economic crisis and subsequent budget cuts have made their bad situation a dire one. Schools in low-income areas have seen their lack of qualied educators and necessary learning materials exacerbated; class sizes have increased and the quality of education has decreased, most signicantly in underprivileged public schools. In past decades, school funding has been determined by a variety of techniques: local property values, local income taxes, academic scores, and more. However, vestiges of these scales are still being used across the state to determine funding; reform and equity have been overlooked in many districts, though equal funding had been judicially ordained. Recently, a bill in the California Legislature has proposed to update these laws and reform the inefcient distribution of funds, and should be supported completely. Every school deserves the same amount of funding because every school has the same necessities, despite their location. The only way to guarantee that all students in California are given equal opportunities is by giving schools an equal amount of money per student. F u n d i n g schools based on trivial factors such as local income tax revenue and standardized test scores is completely unnecessary as they put wealthy schools at an even greater advantage and poor schools at an even greater disadvantage. Instead of lowering funds throughout California, funds from wealthy school districts should be lowered while funds from poor school districts should be raised to create a truly equal playing eld for every student in California. Superintendent OConnell is rightfully asking for money for schools that get less than others to make funds equal between schools. Currently, only about half of the students in Californias public high schools are performing at an average level, reflecting an obvious misappropriation of funds. More money can translate into a higher quality education; if every school receives the same funds all students can have equal opportunities. The superintendent wishes to invest in a better future for education. All students in California deserve an equal opportunity to learn, have up-to-date studying material, and have qualied teachers to help students. California needs to support public schools fairly, equally, and responsibly to help children receive a proper education.

Every school deserves the same amount of funding because every school has the same necessities, despite their location.

Pro: Healthcare Plan Con: Healthcare Plan

Christine Song Staff Writer Barack Obamas recent healthcare reform plan has sparked much debate and elicited much criticism; this, however, is due to a lack of knowledge of the proposed plan. Although there are details that still need to be worked out, the healthcare reform plan is one that is very beneficial to Americans as it serves citizens special needs. With the weakened state of the economy, many people have been laid off and lost the healthcare coverage that they received through their jobs. And even those who do have employer-provided health insurance are working with private companies preoccupied with gaining money and not with their customers health. Both employed and unemployed people are currently suffering. The government-sponsored healthcare plan is mainly designed to help those who are unable to afford or are without healthcare. Although opponents of this plan are worried that the government is expanding unnecessarily, the government has the responsibility to help the people before wondering about inefciency and ideology. The political opposition to this plan claims that it gives the government too much authority, yet if the government does not take control of the healthcare issue, healthcare will never be reformed and the issue will become even worse. N o t o n l y w i l l O b a m a s plan pull American citizens out of their dilemma, it will also provide everyone with easier and instant access to coverage and will make it illegal to turn down anyone because of any preexisting conditions. It will also make it illegal to drop coverage when a patient is sick and needs healthcare the most. This will benet many people as it keeps their options open and prevents insurance companies from cheating their customers; if the government-based healthcare does not benefit the people, then they can still apply to independent healthcare companies without the fear of being cheated. Obamas plan also keeps insurance companies from premium discrimination based on their age and gender and puts a cap on out-of-pocket expenses so that people will not become bankrupt when they become sick. Obamas plan includes a series of healthcare choices that Americans can choose from. In this way, everyones special needs will be addressed. It promotes a competitive insurance marketplace so that owners of small businesses can access competitive insurance rates, encouraging insurance companies to keep their prices down. Obamas healthcare reform plan is one of high quality and forethought. It addresses the peoples needs by giving them the freedom to choose their own insurance plans while not completely ruining the current insurance industry. Through this plan, Obama is not only reforming the healthcare system but also taking care to make sure that the issues of healthcare are once and for all resolved. Marcel Boubion Staff Writer President Barack Obama has tossed around the idea of his healthcare reform since even before he entered office. The plan, introduced in the spring of 2007, has almost been realized. With almost 80 percent of the House and Senate tricked into the healthcare reform, the hope of keeping a truly comprehensive insurance looks extremely far out of reach. Obama is introducing a plan that controls the way employers buy insurance. In doing so, the average American is being funneled toward a restrained insurance market. Obama has ambitiously promised that Americas decit will not grow. Obama vowed, I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our decits either now or in the future. Period. while delivering his speech to a joint session of Congress about a month ago. The only problem with this is that healthcare reform is not free. This means more cuts to our already marred educational and military funds. As an alternative to expanding Americas financial shortfall, healthcare reformation will take money from areas that need the money the most; the plan is counter-productive. Aside from taking money from government-funded operations, the plan will increase employers expenses. Employers are generally in control of choosing their employees insurance programs, but after this plan is put into effect, employers will be forced to buy insurance plans chosen by the government. The

increased spending will result in job cuts so employers can manage the expenses. Thus, more people will be unemployed, resulting in even more uninsured Americans. Obamas plan will indirectly weaken our economy. The reform will lead to more people applying for jobs in order to acquire affordable health insurance. The problem is adding to the list of unemployed and will drain America of the few job openings it has left. Yo u n g e r a n d h e a l t h i e r applicants will pay for the cost of health insurance so those who are elderly or have pre-existing conditions can afford better health insurance. In this way, Obama is handing the short end of the stick to the young and healthy. With this plan, buying insurance independently will inevitably be more expensive. Instead of encouraging Americans to buy insurance independently, Obama will allow those with pre-existing conditions to easily get health insurance at the expense of the healthy. Rather than buying health insurance early, healthy people will wait until they need health insurance before buying it, making the business less protable. Obamas plan might be beneficial for the working class and for those who need health insurance in their old age, but young and middle-aged people will be reluctant to buy health insurance. Healthcare reform can potentially be great for America, but we need a plan that does not hurt employers with inhibitory regulations. Until the working person is able to afford it, healthcare reform will not help.

Presidential Puppet Show

Katie Lee Asst. Editorial Editor Imagine vulgar profanity used everywhere: in every home, in every textbook, and used by every newborn. Society would gradually weaken and all order would be completely lost. In an interview discussing the incident at Septembers Video Music Awardswhere Kanye West rightfully took Taylor Swifts microphone during her award speech to share that he believed someone else deserved the awardPresident Barack Obama egregiously called West a jackass. The exalted hero of our nation has lost all sense of rationality and in turn, insults America through insulting West in his outrageous utterance of blasphemy. We , a s t h e A m e r i c a n people, have a responsibility to make certain our president remains in line and does not disrespect America or West. Although Obama represents our democratic nation, he has no right to the freedom of speech. He is our puppet; he is only allowed to say what we want him to say and do precisely what we want him to. Expressing himself was atrocioushe must only express the beliefs of the American people since we are the ones that elected him. His ridiculous feelings must never slip out again. Once marionettes such as Obama try to walk on their own, without strings attached, their fall is inevitable. Thus, we

Blazing Trails of Satire

we do not censure Obamas actions right now, American children that are at home, sitting on their couches, and watching this agrant scandal be reported on television will wonder why dignied role models such as West are depicted as jackasses. Even more befuddling for our children is the fact that the chastising was done by Obama, a public gure that is supposed to be the ideal role model. Instead of being the correct exemplar he should be, he is being offensive and obscene in his rude remark. We cannot continue to unethically victimize West when he has shown perfect behavior and kind intentions. Or, as a result, all the morals of society will deteriorate and chaos will ensue. It will become so bad that this widespread bewilderment may even cause high school students to believe it appropriate to drop out. Not only might high school dropout rates increase, but bad behavior and plummeting grades would also run rampant. The moral confusion that to be bad is to be good will epidemically blanket America. If this continues in the long-run, society will quickly be turned upside-down and the next presidential election will be based on qualications of multiple sins such as lust, theft, greed, and most importantly of course, profanity. From hereon in, it is evident that West would have made a better president than Obama. It is only Wests humble attribute that prevents him from taking over Obamas undeserved position. But since Obama will probably remain president for the next three years, it is crucial that we keep future generations in mind and return him to his place, this time, with a cleaner mouth. This recent profane slip of jackass towards West will impel the entire nation to slip into misdeeds especially in the prolic use of profanity. It is essential that we act now and reattach the strings upon our marionette. News Editor Iris Li Asst. News Editors Elizabeth Lee Eric Lee

Editors-in-Chief Adeel Mohammadi Desiree Wang

THE BULLS EYE STAFF

Sports Editor Ryan DeVore Asst. Sports Editors Kevin Acciani Rachel Halpert Andrew John Photo Editor Ashley Chen Editorial Cartoonist Katie Lee Staff Writers Marcel Boubion Ruby Hwang Laura Moftt Nicole Ongpoy Megan Quiamas Christine Song Advisor Connie Chen

Diamond Bar High School 21400 E. Pathnder Rd. Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Editorial Editors Sharon Lin Adeel Mohammadi Asst. Editorial Editor Katie Lee Feature Theme Editor Justin Kong A & E Editor Jane Park Asst. A & E Editor Kevin Kang Feature Editor Desiree Wang Asst. Feature Editor Ashley Ahn

must constrain everything he says and does in order to prevent the nation from falling. Furthermore, West should not be called a jackass when he was merely showing his generosity towards a friend. If

Editorial Policy The Bulls Eye is a public forum that welcomes the views of our readers. Letters to the Editor will be accepted only if they are signed. The author may, however, request anonymity. The staff reserves the right to edit letters without changing content. Forward letters to Ms. Chen, Room 250.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Paralyzed to the Bone

Sharon Lin Editorial Editor I woke up with a start in the middle of the night. My gut told me something was wrong, but I couldnt put my nger on it. Then, I suddenly realized that I couldnt move a single muscle. My arms felt numb and heavy. My whole body was glued to my bed. My mind began racing and I suddenly realized I was in a scissor lock. My friends had told me about this before, how they saw monsters right in front of their eyes, but were unable to move or scream. I felt a wave of terror wash over me because I suddenly felt as if something were in my room. I shut my eyes, trying desperately to escape this strange and horrifying situation. I tried to move my arms again, but my attempts were useless. I grew even more anxious when I realized that I could barely breathe. My chest felt heavy, as if there were rocks stacked on top of me. I attempted to scream for my sister who was in the next room, but my ears were greeted with silence. I tried to speak, cough, and even whimper. Dead silence. When I woke up the next morning, I thought about what had happened. My body felt unnatural, as if it were still engulfed in numbness. I could still feel the desperation and the horror of not being able to scream for help, but none of it seemed real. I decided to turn to my trusty information portal: Google. After doing a little research, I found that the scientic name for scissor lock is sleep paralysis. It occurs when the sleeper is extremely stressed or has an irregular sleeping schedule. Sleep paralysis occurs when the sleeper is about to fall asleep or about to wake up, which is during the Rapid Eye Movement cycle. The reason it was impossible for me to move any part of my body is because during the REM stage of sleep, the brain shuts down all the muscles in the body. Under normal circumstances, this doesnt cause any problems because the sleeper is supposed to be

Feature
Ruby Hwang Staff Writer

THE BULLS EYE

Feature

Veggie Tale
Actually at the Veggie Grill, everything from the drinks to the ketchup is organic and the food is entirely based on plants. Not only does the restaurant have a completely vegetarian menu, but it also has a vegetarian version of chicken that is very cleverly called Chickin. It looks like chicken, and it tastes like chicken, but its just a delicious slab of soy. There are so many choices that youll wish you could order it all. A pleasant thing about the

How to prevent sleep paralysis:

Have a regular sleeping schedule Some think prayer rids you of your paralysis Sleep on your stomach

REMEMBER: always remain calm

unconscious during this phase of the sleeping cycle. When the sleeper becomes conscious during the cycle, however, the brain is still mostly inactive. The sleeper is aware of the situation, but does not have control over any physical movement. Aside from this scientic explanation, there are also superstitious stories behind sleep paralysis. In Moby Dick by Herman Melville, sleep paralysis

is mentioned as a form of evil. Even today, many believe that the devil appears during sleep paralysis to take the sleepers soul farther from God. For this reason, many people pray during sleep paralysis. Others believe that sleep paralysis occurs from supernatural beings, such as witches and ghosts. Some people claim to have seen monsters or demons during sleep paralysis, but these are merely hallucinations. Some victims of sleep paralysis also hear noises such as screaming or feel the presence of an evil spirit. None of these, however, are real. Scientists have proven that the fear sleep paralysis invokes can lead to hallucinations; scientists use this to explain why some people claim to have seen aliens during their sleep paralysis. Though sleep paralysis may seem scary, it is fairly normal and virtually harmless. Despite this fact, I was still afraid to sleep for days after my encounter with sleep paralysis. The best way to avoid experiencing sleep paralysis is to keep a regular sleeping schedule and to limit your amount of stress, but as we all know, that is not as easy as it sounds. Another good way to prevent sleep paralysis is to sleep on your side or on your stomach, although this has not been proven to work 100 percent of the time. If you ever do encounter sleep paralysis in the future, just keep in mind that it is harmless and you will escape it eventually.

as if youve died and gone to soy heaven. Trust me, you wont miss the real thing. More than once, Ive passed If youre in a rush, you can a steak restaurant and wished always go for dairy-free snacks like the carrot cake or oatmealchocolate chip cookie. For something a little more lling, there is the chili Sweetheart Fries made with sweet potatoes. While half of what I love about the Veggie Grill is the delicious food, the other half is the restaurants interesting concept. Until entering this eatery, I had never seen half the items on the menu, such as veggie-steak, or Quinoa, which, by the way, they would make a meatless tastes great in salad. alternative. It wasnt until I saw When it comes to service, I the Veggie Grill in give them a thumbs the Irvine Specup. I saw nothing trum Center that but smiling faces. I my dreams were couldnt stop myself realized. A comCrispy fried chillin chickin, lettuce, from smiling right pletely meat-free back at them and tomato, red onion, avocado, and restaurant chain, Im sure you wont the Veggie Grill be able to either. southwestern spiced vegan mayo. has locations in Even if youre a Irvine and West big meat-eater, give Hollywood. the Veggie Grill a Amongst the try. Your taste buds fancy restaurants and the unslaughand cafes in the Irvine Spectrum Veggie Grill is that its cruelty- tered animals that have been Center, the Veggie Grill seems free. No meat equals somewhat out of place. With its no slaughtering. The natural vibe, the entire restaurant Veggie Grill doesnt screams green! If you didnt rub that fact in your know better, you would think you face. Nowhere in the were eating in a garden. Its hard eatery does it even not to get lost in the scenery of mention the word the restaurant and it certainly vegetarian, but doesnt help that the walls are then again, the menu plastered with green leaves. says it all. Filled with After hours of shopping in quirky dishes like the spectrum, it was nice to be All Hail Kale salad, able to relax and enjoy a nice, and The V-Burger, light, yet lling meal. Nothing it is very clear that beats a cold glass of natural meat is not an option. Take saved by your kindness will soda on a hot day. Yes, there one bite of the Santa Fe Crispy thank you. I, for one, will be reis such a thing as natural soda. Chickin burger and it will feel turning to the Veggie Grill soon.

Santa Fe Crispy Chickin...8.95

Mlia vs fml
Ashley Ahn Asst. Feature Editor Mylifeisaverage.com and Fmylife.comtwo websites where bloggers are able to post comical snippets that happen in their everyday lives. While MLIA comes packed with appreciative descriptions of normal events such as an overheard conversation, FML is lled with the misfortunate events that happen on a day-to-day basis. It may sound dreary but, at the same time, many nd other peoples pain enjoyable. Since FML has started, numerous websites with the same concept have been created. Every website has competed to grab FMLs spot at the Internet bloggers top, but the only website that has come remotely close is MLIA. After a long waged war between the two sites, the Feature Staff polled 80 students in all grade levels with examples from both websites. The ballots have been returned and along with them the results. So which website is better liked? Look below for the long awaited answer.

overheard in
Boy: Maybe her uterus is rotten. Boy: Im half white. Im more American than you are. Girl: A girl needs a boy like a sh needs a bicycle. Girl 1: Hey, its kinda like John Wayne. Girl 2: As in the airport? Girl: Did you know that the school handbook didnt say you couldnt come to school naked? Boy 1: Hey, what are we going to do while everyone is at Homecoming? Boy 2: ... Boy 1: Dude, were losers. Boy 1: I heard KFC has some fungus thing. Boy 2: Wait, dont they sell chicken? Boy: Did your mom see you smoking? Girl: Whats your dream? Boy: Well, if I graduate Id like to go into the Janitorial arts.

DB

Every month, we will bring you some of the most ridiculous, hilarious, at-out idiotic, and sometimes insightful things we hear around campus. So bewarewell be listening. Boy: If a schizophrenic who has multiple personalities threatens to commit suicide, is it a hostage situation? Boy: What is adultery? Girl: Its funny how DBHS is asian-washed, not whitewashed! Girl 1: I layed a book at and jumped on it. Girl 2: What happened? Girl 1: nothing... Girl: I wish I was a cat, cause then I wouldnt have to get my own food. Coach to player: If you were a bear, you would have gotten shot! Girl 1: I thought you wanted to be a doctor. Girl 2: I dont need biology for that. Girl: Her chewing like a cow is sexy! Boy: Will you go to Homecoming with me? Girl: Yes! Boy: Even if you were my last choice?

MLIA

FML

Today, during the morning announcements at school they announced that the Procrastination Clubs meeting will be pushed back to Wednesday. Even if it was just a joke, it made my day. MLIA My grandma has been in the hospital all this week. Today when I got home from school, I got a call that said theyd lost her. She called me ve minutes later from her house telling me about her great escape. Coolest. Grandma. Ever. MLIA

Today, my father called me for the rst time in two weeks since I moved away. Excited, I answered the phone. It was a mistake. He thought hed called my sister. FML Today, after nishing a three-page essay for my Spanish class, I went to rip up my brainstorming paper in an act of triumph. After I nished ripping it up, I looked on my desk to see my brainstorming paper fully intact and my essay torn to bits. FML Today, my mom was criticizing how I cant handle taking care of any living thing because Im too irresponsible. We had a huge argument so I went back to my apartment, only to nd that my sh had died. I forgot I had a sh. FML

Last night, while I was at work, I overheard two little boys arguing over whose dad was cooler. One of the boys said, Well my dad is a doctor AND a lawyer. The other boy replied, My dad is BATMAN! I think we know who wins. MLIA

A&E

THE BULLS EYE

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Justin Kong Feature Theme Editor

It was the product of a single mans creativity and imagination. Canvases were lined up on the wall lled with designs containing bright, vibrant colors, each with its own personal touch and meticulous details. Assorted magazine

Arts & Entertainment Backstreet Glorious Boys SMASHI N ` are Back Image-nation FASHION
of death was apparent in almost all of the pictures, illustrated through various symbols, such as skulls. The exhibition and the works presented in it were a representation of modern societys idolatry of fame, money, and sex. The morbid theme was used to illustrate how these obsessions may lead to death or corruption. Following Kevin Kang Asst. A&E Editor Americas long-lost boy band, the Backstreet Boys, is back. After a yearlong break, the once ve-member band now consists of former members Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, and AJ McLean. The boys are making their way back into the music industry with their seventh album, This Is Us. The eleven-song album was released Tuesday, October 6. The Backstreet Boys gave fans an initial peek of their new album when they released the single Straight Through My Heart on August 17. Despite the bands hiatus, the single proves that their vocals and chemistry as a band have not diminished since their heyday. However, the powerful pop ballad only placed fortysecond on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart, a far lower number than what they had achieved when they were most popular. Even with the countless hours invested in the creation of this album, the future of the Backstreet Boys is uncertain. Clear the streets... Because the Backstreet Boys want it that Courtesy of www.frequencymagazine.com way. Though they have worked with album was the rst international the likes of Lady Gaga, Ne-Yo, single to place rst on the Hot and T-Pain, how successful this 100 Singles. The album was album will be remains to be well received in North America seen. as well, placing first on the When the group attempted Canadian Billboard charts and their rst comeback in 2007 with reaching as high as third place Unbreakable, their sixth album, on the US Billboard charts. their success on the Billboard With such wide-ranging 200 was eetingthey placed r e s p o n s e s , h o w w e l l t h e on the chart for just two weeks. Backstreet Boys will do is In contrast, their fifth album, impossible to determine. With a which was released in 2005, sold tour beginning on October 30, the over 10 million copies worldwide, Backstreet Boys will hopefully seeing the most success in reclaim their throne and return Japan. A single off of their fth to their former glory.

Sharon Lin Editorial Editor For those of you who consider fashion a religion, designers as gods, and fashion magazines as bibles, prepare your prayers because the newest lineup of designer collaborations will have you on your knees. Septembers most anticipated partnership was Anna Sui for Target, but we have yet to experience the likes of Rodarte for Target and Jimmy Choo for H&M. On September 13, Suis collection was released to the public. The pieces were divided into Gossip Girl categories, featuring a pair of ripped leggings under Jenny, whose style can be defined as rebellious and independent. A white tablecloth dress was placed under the Blair category, whose style is prim and

Have some leftovers... At Glorious Excess. Courtesy of www.thehundreds.com covers and clippings were combined to create an authentic masterpiece of historical value centered on both fame and the media. Personalized shoes and even a motorcycle were decorated and were put on full display. Just what was it? It was Mike Shinodas Glorious Excess (Dies), an art exhibition held in Los Angeles. The exhibition was a public demonstration of Shinodas talent and was also a followup exhibition to his previous Glorious Excess (Born). Mike Shinoda, who is known for being a member of the band Linkin Park, presents his works of art with a contemporary touch that combines both paintings and digital images. The theme the exhibition, Shinoda will be selling and auctioning some of his works to the public, with all proceeds going to the Music For Relief charity and the Micheal K. Shinoda Endowed Scholarship at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Glorious Excess (Dies) was on exhibition from August 19 to October 4 and was open Wednesday to Sunday every week at differing hours. The exhibition took place in the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, and admission was free. The event, which already has fans asking for another Shinoda exhibition, provided a unique experience for all who attended.

Success over the Years

proper. The reference to Gossip Girl is clich in itself, and even worse, the outts also fail to meet expectations. The Serena outts lack the trademark carefree style and the obnoxiously orange Vanessa pieces lack the Bohemian style that is so apparent on the show. The collection will be sold at Target stores and online at target.com until October 17. Though Suis collection could have been more creative, Rodartes collection for Target will surely make up for it. Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the sisters behind the brand, have been working on a 55-piece collection for Targets Go International collection. The pieces will start at $10, a huge difference from the four digit price tags they usually carry. Rodarte-hungry fans should get ready to swarm Target stores and target.com when the capsule debuts on December 20. Jimmy Choo has established himself in the fashion world with his luxurious brand of shoes and handbags. For most of us, our feet have yet to feel the pleasure of a pair of Choos, but when his collaboration with H&M premieres in 200 stores around

The Backstreet Boys

THEBUZZ
Capitalism: A Love Story
not fail to include humor and sarcasm. To further demonstrate his point, Moore hastily Filmmaker Michael Moore organizes a citizens arrest of brings us yet another one-sided, well-known banks and parades poorly backed the city of documentary, New York with caution tape Capitalism: and a hemp A Love Story, sack while about the aws demanding of capitalism, that the an economic government system based give back the on individual money that labor without banks and governmental stock markets intervention. stole from Moore, while citizens using his through the notorious wit recent bailout and familiar policy. lmmaking style, Overall, illustrates the M i c h a e l United States M o o r e as a greedy, p r e s ents money-hungry the flaws of wasteland. capitalism in M o o r e draws on an attentionexamples of grabbing and both high-prole entertaining stock market w a y. He scandals and the m a k e s dire situations interesting Not your typical love story... This storys prince is Michael Moore. of destitute points that are Courtesy of www.livingcinema.com American educational families in order to convince unnecessary jabs at former as well as interesting, albeit viewers of Americas obsession president George W. Bush. somewhat incorrect. Moores with wealth. A majority of the Another downside of the movie ridiculous approach to serious lm revolves around the stock is the over-exposure of sob g l o b a l i s s u e s m a k e s h i s market and its relationship stories that make the otherwise documentaries actually worth to high-powered government promising lm look like a simple watching and his ability to cry for pity. ofcials. nd humor in boring political More of a satire than a documentaries is denitely a A major drawback of the film is the lack of transitions documentary, the movie does plus. Ruby Hwang Staff Writer between scenes, making the lm choppy and difcult to follow. But of course, no Michael Moore lm would be complete without at least one or two petty and Slim or fat... PS3 or Xbox360.

PS360
Andrew John Asst. Sports Editor Nowadays, game systems do not just play games; they play music, access the Internet, and play movies. Gaming industry leaders Sony and Microsoft have both released new systems that are innovative upgrades from their first-generation counterparts. Sony unveiled the Playstation 3 (PS3) Slim on September 1, and Microsoft rolled out the Xbox 360 Elite on August 30. When it was rst released, the original PS3 was an impressive system that seemed to be the embodiment of innovation. The only real problem was its price, with models costing up to $499. Sony recognized this problem and made the initial price for the PS3 Slim only $299. This low price is not meant to reflect the quality of the new model; in fact, the 120 gigabyte PS3 Slim has all the features the fat PS3 models have, only in a more compact design. According to Sony, the PS3 is about 33 percent smaller and 36 percent

Courtesy of www.videogamer.com

lighter than the old model, made possible by a smaller but more efcient Cell processor. To counter the new PS3, Microsoft released its own Xbox 360 Elite. The Elite comes installed with Xboxs signature Xbox Live, an online, multiplayer gaming system far superior to that of the PS3 online system. The new Xbox matches the PS3 Slims 120 GB hard drive, which is six times more than the original Xbox 360. It also comes with a built-in HDMI port, allowing connections to high denition televisions, thus utilizing the better picture quality of HD. Aside from the improved memory and HDMI port, however, the price is the only main difference between the old model and the Elite. The Elite costs about $300, which is about $50 to $80 more than the previous Xbox model. The original PS3s high price kept it from widespread popularity, making the Xbox 360 a superior force in the video game industry. However, the low price of the PS3 Slim should even the playing eld.

the world on November 14, our feet will nally have the pleasure of living in a pair of Choos. Aside from shoes and accessories, he will also be designing a collection of apparel for women. Fashionistas and fashionistos alike should mark their calendars because Choo will also be designing a collection of shoes, bags, and accessories for men. With such anticipated collections, Target and H&M just might complete our dream wardrobes. Until the collections are unveiled, however, we will have to do without our designer goods.

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

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Sports

Sports
Got Gold?
Andrew John Asst. Sports Editor The Diamond Bar cross country team started this year with an impressive performance at its first league meet at Bonelli Park on Tuesday, September 29. Both the girls and boys varsity teams set a strong base to build off of throughout the season. The varsity girls team ran exceptionally well. The Lady Brahmas placed fourth out of the six competing schools, earning their best place since the 2002 season, when they had reached a third place finish. Surprisingly, many of the varsity girls had no experience running against the other schools in the league. In fact, three of the seven varsity runners were freshmen. Freshman Kelly Kuo actually led the Brahmas at this meet, finishing in 13th place overall at 20:43. Coming in second was sophomore Katie Jagodka, at 22:13. Sophomore Marisa Jung finished third for Diamond Bar at 22:49, with freshman Lydia Chang following right behind at 22:55. Junior Ashley Torres, the only upperclassman on the girls squad, completed the race at 23:03. Sophomore Lavanya Jawaharlal then finished not too long after Torres, with a time of 23:28. Freshman Casey Lam finished it up for the ladies at 24:51. Head coach Brian Wiencek felt confident about his girls after their superb race. Its a great start! And this was the first league meet for most of the varsity girls,commented Wiencek. Alongside the girls success, the DBHS boys did equally well, placing fourth. Although the boys were somewhat disappointed at losing to third-place Chino Hills High School by only a few points, they were also encouraged by the slim margin of defeat. To be only six points behind third is exciting, said Wiencek. The total points for a team is determined by adding the individual places of the six fastest

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

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what point he finally understood what he was accomplishing, Mathews answered, It was This past summer, junior during opening ceremonies Kenny Mathews earned a when I realized how huge this spot on the 16 and under USA was. When they announced baseball team and the chance Team USA and the people to participate in the World were screaming, I knew I was Classic held in Taiwan. In the representing the best country end, with their perseverance in the world. It gave me chills and determination, USA took hearing our national anthem home the gold medal. before every game. It was the Mathews was one of 36 best feeling. players chosen from the West Team USA dominated in Coast. Those players, along almost every game they played. with players from the rest of the They outscored all of their US, tried out to make the final opponents with a total of 127cut, and by the end of a rigorous 38 runs, including a huge blowweek of out win tryouts, of 28-0 only 18 against players Chinam a d e H o n g the team. Kong. I was Games sitting l i k e t h e r e these got scared, them to pulling the gold my hair medal out. It was game. intense. The I saw g o l d a lot of medal [players] g a m e around between m e USA and crying, C u b a even the w a s ones who held on m a d e August it, said 2 3 r d . Mathews. These H e t w o w a s teams chosen carried as the t h e i r 1 4 t h ongoing Courtesy of Kenny Mathews r i v a l r y p l a y e r. The week into this of tryouts, beginning August critical game. Based on his 3rd, was the only practice performances prior to the game, the players had as a team to Mathews was chosen to be the prepare before they left for starting pitcher. Yet, by the ninth Taiwan. Considering that many inning, USA was trailing Cuba 6of the other international teams 5, and in such a close game, the had been playing together for international enthusiasm from several years, competing with the fans was overwhelming. It only a week of preparation was was so motivating to hear 5,000 certainly a challenge for the people booing you, commented American team. Mathews. They took the energy They arrived in Taiwan on from the crowd and used it as August 10th and spent the next inspiration until the final out. two weeks playing different The team came back and teams from around the world, scored the tying and go-ahead including those from Cuba, run in the top of the ninth to take Australia, China-Hong Kong, the lead. They closed out the Mexico, and Korea. bottom of the inning to capture Since the American team the victory. The USA won the had won the gold medal for World Classic gold medal for the past three years in a row, the fourth year in a row. there was more pressure on It was exhilarating. I was this years team to achieve the so relieved when we won. There same level of success. They was so much pressure on us to understood the expectations win the gold, said Mathews. they had to live up to. Therefore, The best part was having USA they knew their dreams were on my chest and representing within reach. When asked at my country. Rachel Halpert Asst. Sports Editor

Cross Country Starts off Strong

out of the seven members of each team. The score for the boys team is independent from the score for the girls team of the same school. For example, sophomore James McCreary gave DBHS six points by coming in sixth place overall. His points were added to the places of the other runners. Therefore, fewer points are better. McCreary led the Brahmas at 16:29, finishing sixth overall. Then, junior Alexander Harvey finished at 16:57, with sophomore James Powell close behind at 17:10. Moments later, senior David Donner raced home at 17:26. Sophomore Ricky Morales and senior Tim Huang finished one after another at 18:11 and 18:15, respectively. Senior Roger Huang finished the day for DBHS at 18:59. The success of the boys is especially hopeful for the team. In response to the boys outstanding run, coach

I have utmost confidence [that] we will make CIF this year.

Wiencek noted, I have utmost confidence [that] we will make CIF this year. In order to qualify for CIF, a team must be within the top three places at league finals. Before this meet, the team competed in invitationals and fun runs. Therefore, this league meet was the runners first real test of the season but the Brahmas welcomed the challenge. When I was running, I just knew there were people coming behind me that were fast. There was no room to slow down, noted McCreary. All of my rivals were there. [The race] felt elite. DBHS has struggled to earn any recognition in the running world for the past few years, but it has recently started to gain respect. With its strong performance at last Tuesdays meet, Diamond Bar looks forward to a successful season. The teams next race will be the San Gabriel Valley Championships at Mt. San Antonio College on Saturday, October 10. The next league meet will be on Tuesday, October 13, at Bonelli Park.

Athlete of the Month: Ryker Cook

Megan Quiamas Staff Writer A champion walks the halls of Diamond Bar High School; senior Ryker Cook is a versatile and hard-working student. He is not only able to juggle football and extracurricular activities, but he also survives a rigorous class schedule. Cook does well in all the activities that he is involved in, from being a captain of the varsity football team to being a highly successful saxophonist. He sets high standards for both his f e l l o w football players and fellow students. Cook h a s been playing football for four y e a r s and has been on the varsity team since his junior year. He plays center on the offensive line. I like how [football is] really team-oriented and the brotherly bond you have with the rest of your team, commented Cook. As a captain, he sets an example for the rest of the team, by making sure the team is working together, helping others to improve and keeping everyone on the right track. On the field he wants to give people a guide, and to stay focused throughout the whole season. Cook hopes that the team will do their best, try to reach their full potential, and win as many games as possible, for he would like to make it to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) finals. From football, Cook h a s learned how to w o r k hard as players h a v e learned to control themselves, and to achieve what they want to do. He and his fellow teammates represent the entire football program and the school as a whole, showing that they are a disciplined group of people. Cook also participates in track and field during the spring, competing in the shot put and discus throw. Football is not Cooks only fort, as he also excels as an alto saxophone player. He has received many awards throughout his career, and especially in the past year. His countless awards include one from this past February where he was named the best saxophone player in California in the All State Honor Band Competition and acquired the first chair in the All State High School Wind Symphony. Cooks parents were the ones who encouraged him to get involved with the saxophone when h e was only in the fourth grade. [Being number one] is exciting and it makes me want to continue playing and work hard at what I do, said Cook. Even with a rough schedule, Cook still manages to earn exemplary grades in rigorous courses, including three Advanced Placement classes. Cooks family and Mr. Acciani, the schools music director inspire Cook, because they give him the courage to keep him working hard. He manages his time wisely by putting the most important things as his major priorities. Cook hopes to succeed in everything he does and make the most of his remaining time in high school. Cook is a talented athlete and an excellent student, making him a true role model to follow. He has many accomplishments under his belt due to his determination and perseverance; he can take in anything that comes his way. Cook is a leader on and off the field, and all of his achievements will lead him to success.

Lady Brahmas Win by 39 Stroke Margin

Rachel Halpert Asst. Sports Editor The Diamond Bar girls golf team is off to another promising start, beating the South Pasadena High School Tigers on Thursday, October 1 by a score of 213-252. This win brought the teams league record to 4-0 and its overall record to 9-2. The senior captains Jennifer Min, Siobhan Nasby, and Jackie Wongsoare leading a very young but talented group of golfers. Sophomore Carly Simpson, sophomore Valerie Wijaya, freshman Charlotte Widjaya, junior Kristie Yang and freshman Maggie Yang played in the match against the Tigers. Both Simpson and Maggie Yang led the team and contributed to the Brahmas best team score by individually finishing with a round of 40 each. Head coach Tony McCabe is pleased with his team so far this season. Nasby shot her personal best of the year with a score of 42. I just focused, and I knew what I had to do, stated Nasby. This year, due to the young talent on the team, the underclassmen need to rise to the occasion for the team to be successful. They have a lot of potential and I feel comfortable leaving them. They are going to get it done, commented Nasby regarding the underclassmen. Simpson, one of their young standout players, shot her career low of 39 in a match just a week earlier. The match against the Tigers was held at the Alhambra Country Club, and the course proved to be difficult for the players. However, despite being unacquainted with the difficult course conditions, the Brahmas were still able to shoot their best score of the season. In past years, the golf team did not belong to any specific league, but instead they were considered a freelance team. Players would have to compete in many tournaments to make it to the playoffs in hopes of becoming the freelance champions. Nevertheless, the Brahmas have dominated in the freelance league for the past four years, winning the title each year. Unlike previous years, the team is now a member of the Montview League. This new league includes the cities of San Dimas, Azusa, Gabrellino, South Pasadena, and Garey. Out of these six teams, Diamond Bar is the favorite to win league, and the team is already working towards playoffs. McCabe is confident with his squad, as he said, [The playoffs are] what we prepare for. The Brahmas remain very positive and hopeful this season, having already beaten the best team in the league. Were just focusing on being in first place. We have to take one step at a time and hope for the best, commented Wongso. With their impressive start in the new season, the Brahmas are prepared to challenge Fairmont Preparatory next at Dad Miller Golf Course today to continue thier winning streak.

[The playoffs are] what we prepare for.

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Thursday, October 8, 2009

THE BULLS EYE

Sports

Sports
Cougars Win Fourth Straight Against Brahmas
Rachel Halpert Asst. Sports Editor The varsity girls volleyball team played in their last preseason game on September 29 against the Rancho Cucamonga High School Cougars. Unfortunately, the Brahmas lost to the Cougars 3-1 as it brought their overall record to 6-7. The team started off strong by winning the rst match 25-20. However, they lost the next three matches by the scores of 11-25, 17-25, and 10-25. Throughout the match, Rancho Cucamonga had several powerful hits that the Lady Brahmas defense could not match. Diamond Bar had many great offensive plays, but the lack of energy and momentum following the rst game of the match hurt the team. We got out-played in the end, commented senior captain Shelly Barner. In spite of the unfortunate outcome in the nal three games, the opening game was arguably the Lady Brahmas best of the season; the girls were able to win the game by 5 points. Coach Becky Bevans was especially impressed by sophomore Kathleen Torres for her 15 kills and 15 digs throughout the match. Also, senior Kate Corbett contributed signicantly with a total of ten blocks, ve of them being stuff blocks, when the ball is directly blocked, immediately deected to the opponents oor. Having played them in a tournament over the summer, this was the fourth time the Brahmas faced the Cougars this year. Diamond Bar, however, lost all four times. Yet, in their most recent meeting, the Brahmas showed great improvement, for this was their best perform a n c e to date against the Cougars. Torres said, It was unfortunate that we lost but they are a tough team and its important to challenge ourselves with teams like that to prepare for league. Last year, the Brahmas were Sierra League co-champions with St. Lucys. Bevans is condent that the team will place in the top three in league and qualify for California Interscholastic Federation. We have the potential [to do so] if we play hard, stated Barner. With a talented and experienced team, the Brahmas are very hopeful this new season. Their next match is today at home against Ayala. Kevin Acciani Asst. Sports Editor As the Brahmas walked onto the eld to face the Troy High School Warriors on Thursday, October 1, distant memories of last years miracle game against the Warriors lingered in everybodys mind. It was the 2008 Homecoming Game, and the Brahmas scored on a last-second touchdown pass to former DBHS student Robert Ignacio in what was an unforgettable game. Every Brahma wanted to make this years match as memorable as last years. Unfortunately, the Brahmas lost a tough game, 49-21. The Diamond Bar offense, which proved to be weak earlier in the year, improved this game. Although they only scored three touchdowns, the Brahmas played well. Minor mistakes, such as dropped snaps and missed blocking assignments, were what really hurt them. We moved the ball very well, said head coach John Martin, but we need to work on not making mistakes at crucial points in the game. The defense, however, did not play as well as they have in the past. Despite giving up only two touchdowns in the previous weeks game, they surrendered seven this game. We need to work on lling gaps and making one-on-one tackles, reected Martin.

DB Falls to Troy, 49-21

No player was more impressive than senior receiver Chris Robinson. He had 121 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a solid performance. Patience and determination are keys to be successful in football, stated Robinson. Also making huge strides this game was junior quarterback Andrew Cameron. After a rough rst couple of games, Cameron rebounded by throwing for two touchdowns and completing over 60 percent of his passes. Without a solid rushing attack, however, the passing game would have been ineffective. Seniors Calvin Bishop and Daniel Lee both had big games as running backs, combining for over 100 yards on the ground. Despite the loss, nearly everyone seemed pleased with the improvement the team showed. Junior lineman Nathan Penticoff stated, The offense got a lot better. We showed a lot of heart, and we rose up to the occasion. Assistant coach Eddie Garcia commented, We had a ton of yards, but we didnt score as much as we should have. In fact, the Brahmas had an opportunity to score eight times but failed to on ve of them. The next game is the Homecoming Game tomorrow against the West Covina Bulldogs. The Homecoming Game should bring us a win, predicted senior Andy Gomez.

Its important to challenge ourselves with teams like that to prepare for league.

Taking the snap... Junior Andrew Cameron receives the hike as he looks down the eld. Courtesy of Paul Dresser

Lady Brahmas Decisively Defeat Tartans

very strong, cohesive, and plays as a family unit. Although the coach and the The varsity girls tennis captains are proud of the teams team played against Glendora success, they still feel they can High School on Thursday, improve. Shavers commented, October 1. The team won its [We could] become more second consecutive match 17- focused and capitalize on more because we 1, continuing its winning streak. opportunities The team is now 2-0 in league, sometimes lose focus and give improving their overall record to up a few points. Liu also stated, 6-1. We all work together and try Both singles and doubles our best. We are a very good played solidly. team but we Freshman can always Melody Chen improve. earned two Senior golden sets, captains meaning that Liu and both sets were Miller and won without sophomore conceding a captain Erika single point, Alcantara and junior are all very Monika Kozan optimistic also achieved about this one golden years varsity set. team. We T h e are gong to doubles team have a great consisting of year, said seniors Emily Miller. Miller and T h e Seema Barua comfortable, bageled each family-like of its three atmosphere d o u b l e s of the team opponents in helps players a 6-0 shutout to win their as well. The Down the line... Junior Monika m a t c h e s doubles team Kozan returns her opponents hit. e v e n Courtesy of Diana Romero of freshman when they Joycelyn Chen and senior are playing against strong captain Jennifer Liu won 6-0 in competitors. We are a really their rst set followed by 6-1 in close, tight-knit team, and their second set and 6-2 in their our attitude [along with our] third set. skills bring us through tough Last year, coach Tisa matches, commented Miller. Shavers was able to lead the Alcantara also reected, saying, team to an overall record of 16- We have a lot of fun playing 3 and a league record of 9-1, together. looking to continue last years The Brahma girls will success. Shavers commented, not play Glendora again until I am very condent. We have October 20, when they will play been very comfortable [while] at Glendora High School. The playing. We have great practices Brahmas will compete against and have been strengthening Chino Hills High School in an our weaknesses and honing our away game today as they look fundamental skills. Shavers to continue their dominance in added, [This years team is] league. Laura Moftt Staff Writer

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