Only in California, a Garden of

lifestyle

Worlds:

A trek through the Huntington Library, Art
Collections and Botanical Gardens Mai-Anh Ha
The theme for the three most beautiful gardens in
Huntington is paradise, sanctuary for the escapist-inclined:
the English (an umbrella term for the three gardens
Shakespearean, Rose and Camellia, which segue into
each other), Chinese and Japanese.
Arbors connect the three English gardens and walking
beneath them, I feel as if I’ve found the entrance to the
Seelie courts and at the end will be the land of the fey
where Queen Titania and King Oberon rule. The children
darting between the legs of meandering adults serve to
accentuate the otherworldly atmosphere: their laughter like
song, the soles of their feet fleeing the ground. In the last
arbor, wisterias hang from the canopy, plentiful and purple,
sweet and welcoming, one more step to leaving reality and
entering a fantastical realm.
In the Chinese Garden of Flowing Fragrance, Liu
Fang Yuan, which mimics the architecture and landscape
of 17th century Suzhou instead of the fey, a different type
of fairy dominates, not fickle, but cultured. In the pavilions,
calligraphic messages accompany the beauty as a type of
literary art against the backdrop of scholarly serenity. The
mood of spiritual and mental liberation encourages the flight
of the soul from pavilion to pavilion, robes trailing in the
wind, fingers crooked down to accept a kiss from the catfish
in the lotus pond, whose mouth is raised in obeisance.
In contrast, the Japanese gardens emerge naturally
from the hills as if they, like the bamboo, had taken seed
and grown too. The landscape speaks of a quiet strength, Visitors can satisfy fantasies of being an English romantic composing poetry or a Chinese scholar voicing philosophy or a Japanese nobleman
resting in seclusion from the world.
man an equal to his surroundings rather than the master
shaping life to his will. It hosts a karesansui, dry landscape Note, however, that a bad meal can spoil any mood of Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
garden, whose abstraction of the relationship between the calm or imagination. The two cafes boast not only exorbitant 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
land and water further heighten the sense of humility and prices, but tiny portions of already mediocre foods. Better to Hours: Mon-Fri, 12:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun, 10:30 a.m. to
freedom. revel in the gardens with a homemade meal. 4:30 p.m.; Tues, closed.

The Spirit of the Artist

The annual Pink Parlour Festival gives female crafters a chance to shine.
Alison Shawver
“Crafty women of the world, unite!” proclaim the Charcoal Designs Accessories Actual Cupcakes: Whatakaracter Creative Group
organizers of the Pink Parlour Festival, encouraging Charcoal Designs offers a wide array of dark, edgy Whatakaracter
female crafters to gather and showcase their wares. Held jewelry, perfect for the rocker looking for something a bit cupcakes boast perfectly
this year on Sunday, March 22 in Santa Anita, the annual more unique than what’s propagated at Hot Topic. One moist bread bases as well
Pink Parlour Festival is a collective of indie products that necklace features a black-and-red skull-accented coffin as icing that is rich, sweet
tilts the spotlight on lesser-known female crafters. Though that hangs from the end of a chunky black chain. One and buttery. Decorations
the following products found at the Pink Parlour might not ring features vintage glass stone with a gold spiderweb may not be as flawless as
be as streamlined or cheap as mass-produced goods, imprint. Check out the website, charcoaldesigns.com, for those from the grocer, but
they come with something more: the spirit of the artist. skulls and hearts and general vintage-inspired madness are placed with obvious
that costs only a little more than jewelry from Claire’s. love. The best thing
Cinnamon Roll Gang about these homemade
Dolls Serah’s Cupcake Soaps cupcakes is that all
The CRG dolls are Those who are sick proceeds help fund the owner’s son’s Student Ambassador
creepier than the Cabbage of boring, flowery soaps trip to Australia. The absolutely delectable cupcakes can
Patch Kids, with their will love Serah’s adorable be custom-made for any occasion at whatakaracter.com;
warped eyes and sewn- shea butter soaps. Shaped prices depend on customizations chosen.
shut mouths. Each one, like cupcakes, each one
however, is fascinating comes in a mouthwatering Hair Art to Die For
and whimsical, almost flavor such as creamsicle, For those with a penchant for the gothic or Victorian,
psychedelic, lovingly sewn candy corn or red velvet, the hair accessories at Hair Art to Die For are a dream.
from various scraps. Some and leaves skin feeling The pieces, “fascinators,” are elaborate substitutions
come in the form of what their crafter, Marcel DeJure, fresh and clean. These for hats. Think of them as similar to bridal veils, but for
calls “mutant bags.” Those with a spooky demeanor will tantalizing sweets come in small and large sizes, and are the everyday. HATDF’s fascinators enchant: each one
appreciate these unique dolls, available in pee-wee, midi very affordable—one life-sized $12 soap could last one constructed from flowers, feathers, ribbons, netting and
and big at cinnamonrollgang.com for anywhere person a month or two. Find them at serahsonline.com. charms that will draw attention. Although pricey at $30
9 from $10 to $85, depending on size and material. they make a very unique, very dark fashion statement.
Work it Out.
lifestyle
Yoga: The art of physical and
mental self-realization.Priya Chakrabarti
Yoga, originally intended the greatest yogi masters still have
as the art of self-realization and not achieved complete control but
both mental and physical fitness, it is essential that you always keep
has come to be interpreted in a in mind the ultimate goal. Such
myriad of ways. One way, and concentration is precisely why yoga
concurrently the way that is most holds the benefits that it does.
beneficial to students, is its use to When you concentrate on, say, your
relax the body and calm the mind. breathing, you endeavor to block out
The outcome of such practice outside forces and for that moment in
is not one that can be measured time, you are self-contained. It takes
by traditional, calculative means. an extreme amount of will-power and
Rather, the use or yoga requires determination to block out the things
something students here seem happening around you (thus the
to struggle with – letting go. With mental exercise). The knowledge that
the constant stress of homework, comes with concentration on the self,
tests, projects, it’s hard to find time though, is the same knowledge that
to stop the daily rush and over- allows you to attain self-realization.
stimulation of the brain to practice The reason is this. Breathing,
yoga. Myth dispelled: yoga does an involuntary process, usually
not take hours. There are some goes unnoticed but in the moment
routines that are quick enough to of yoga when you’re concentrated
do at the desk to de-stress while in on breathing, the process becomes
the midst of working. Try some of totally voluntary. In that, you begin
these right now: to realize how much work the mind
Long stretches and deep breaths can calm the mind and relax the body. does everyday just to keep you alive.
1. After an intense timed- Thus, you begin to realize all the
write or DBQ, your wrists are cramping majorly and you’re over an hour and so this is the point where you start to get components that make up who you are.
freaking out because you won’t have enough time to finish. fidgety. Instead, try this. Rotate so your legs aren’t stuck The intricacy of yoga also dictates that no move only
Put your arms out in front of you and turn them so that the under the desk. Prop one foot over the other knee. Put one ever has one benefit. Focusing on your breathing and
backs of the palms face each other. Take one hand over hand inside the triangle this creates and hold the thigh of taking slow, deep inhalations also exercise your diaphragm
the opposite, press the palms together and interlace the the leg your foot is resting on. Hold the other side with your and allows for greater lung capacity. Thus, it helps you
fingers. Brings the hands towards the chest and then away, other hand and gently lift your leg off the ground. spiritually, mentally, and physically.
so you’re basically turning your arms inside out. Hold it as Find more quick de-stress tips and a video of how to
long as you need while you collect your thoughts so you It is important to understand that all forms of yoga lead do the moves described at http://www.sprig.com/videos/4-
can go back to writing feverishly. back to the same thing: complete conscious control of the yoga-moves-de-stress-your-desk.
2. Butt pain. You all have it after sitting in class for body and mind through self-realization. Don’t panic. Even Go to www.yogajournal.com for more information.

How to Make Tonkatsu

Indulge yourself with the best of fatty Japanese food. Grace Yoo
Things Japan is known for: WWII, anime and Dance 6. Take a pork
Dance Revolution. Food is an oft neglected category. To slice and lay it on top
most of the American population, Japanese cuisine consists of the flour on both
of sushi and sushi only. This is a travesty; arguably the most sides so that the
neglected category of Japanese food is that of meat, or in flour is distributed
this case tonkatsu, fried pork cutlet. If you’re a red blooded evenly.
American who likes his meat red and his arteries clogged, 7. Put the slice
then here’s a cultural food you won’t regret. onto the beaten
egg. Make sure both
Prepare: sides are coated
Minced ginger thoroughly. The flour
3 beaten eggs should help retain
Half an inch thick slices of pork the egg mixture.
Flour 8. Put the slice
Panko bread crumbs onto the bread
Salt crumbs so that both
Pepper sides are coated.
Oil 9. Put the slice
onto another plate.
Procedure: Repeat steps 6
1. Salt and pepper the sliced pork on both sides. through 9 until all
2. Take the minced ginger and squeeze its juices onto pork slices are used Tonkatsu is the Japanese equivalent to American country fried steak.
the pork. This succeeds in removing the smell that pork tends up.
to emanate whenever cooked, which is rarely pleasant. 10. If the pork didn’t come frozen, freeze it. Frozen when the tonkatsu strips turn a golden brown color, it’s done
3. Beat three eggs in a bowl until the mixture retains the meats fry better. Don’t ask me why. cooking. If you’re unsure, you can always check by cutting
consistency of molasses. Add a little salt. 11. Cook a pan of oil. A trick to know when your oil is the strip open and seeing for yourself.
4. Prepare a pan of flour. Spread the flour throughout ready to fry is to drop a leftover breadcrumb into the pan. If 13. After cooking, let the strips of tonkatsu on a strainer
the pan. the crumb floats to the top, your meat is ready to fry. in a dish so as to drain out all excess oil.
5. Prepare a pan of Panko (Japanese) bread crumbs. 12. Pork has a tendency to be either undercooked or 14. Serve the tonkatsu with tonkatsu sauce (available
Distribute throughout the pan. You can obtain these set of overcooked. Therefore, it is a bit difficult to gauge whether at your nearest Asian supermarket), and a serving of
bread crumbs at your nearest Asian grocery. the meat is all done or about to be burnt crisp. Generally, diced cabbage. 10
 a&e

A Different Breed
of Human
The drummer thrashes about,
piercings holding the stage lights
A look into the bizarre
world of Japanese rock
Alison Shawver
new wave and blues. Staging, no matter
how small the set, is always as eerie and
like heartbeats. The guitarist strums vivid as the costumes, and singers belt
wildly, torn skirt and pink pigtails out vocals with emotions that transcend
bouncing to the heavy beat. The lead any language barrier.
singer’s smoky eyes, entombed by Any skepticism of these off-the-
inordinate amounts of eyeshadow, wall artists is bound to fade once you
pull aching hands towards a demonic listen to a few tracks. Dir en grey’s
growl. “Kodou,” for example, is perfect for
But something separates this those who like powerful, piercing
group from typical girl rockers: vocals that shift from quivering
they’re men. When it comes to whispers to throat-rupturing screams.
Japanese rock bands, anything goes. J-rock idol Miyavi, whose shows are
It’s become almost imperative for ample with sensual theatrics, appeals
J-rock musicians to dress in the to those with a taste for the wild and
whimsical combination of drag, uninhibited; one of his best albums is
cybergoth and Victorian fashions Miyaviuta, which perfectly captures
known as “visual kei.” With their lax his unique blend of metal and blues.
attitude toward what most in the U.S. Duo LM.C’s music is self-described as
would see as bizarre, disciples of the “New Century Electrock,” and though
J-rock scene are a different breed they’re lesser-known than J-rock giant
of human. Other than the fact that Miyavi, but they put on an exhilarating
J-rockers don’t bat an eye at drag, show, complete with lead singer Maya
the feral, obsessive mannerisms of spewing water on his admirers.
fans also add to J-rock’s strangeness. If the whimsy of J-rock has caught
Anyone who considers himself an your interest, the best sources for J-
adventure-seeker would do well to rock information are jrockrevolution.
attend a J-rock concert. Miyavi, a revered idol in the J-rock world, boasts a distinctive style that combines blues and metal. He, like many other
com and jrockeventsusa.com. J-rock
At any J-rock show, you’re J-rock musicians, takes it upon himself to be as eccentric and exciting as possible. Revolution has everything from
bound to see some quirky characters. interviews to convention listings, while
There are Harajuku emulators (not Gwen Stefani’s mangled their chosen J-rock musician, clawing for any chance to get J-rock Events always has the scoop on upcoming shows. Since
Harajuku), adorned in complex costumes and sweltering close to them, honored to brush a hand or even be spat on. even the most well-known J-rockers touring the U.S. have a
Lolita dresses; the anime cosplayers, suited up as characters Their screaming is incessant, but it adds an invigorating vibe to relatively small fanbase, concert tickets can be acquired for as
like Vampire Knight’s Zero; and the usual packs of ignorable the already-chaotic scene. low as $10 to $30. At this price, there’s no reason not to take a
hipsters. The eccentricity of these fans, however, goes beyond The musicians themselves are varied not only in their chance and indulge in something new, and whether you love
their appearance. Some could be considered worshipers of dress, but in their experimentation with American styles like the show or hate it, you’ll never forget how chilling it was.

Book Review
Land ofCadillac
theMan’sLost
Souls: streets life on the
No real names. Five boroughs. Countless sleeping spots.
This is the life Cadillac Man has been living for six months—a
time of pain, loss, heartache and a couple of good friends. And
yet at the end of 268 pages, the reader doesn’t pity him.
Not a typical commentary on the homeless, Cadillac
Man portrays his life very simply. From severe beatings to
multiple suicide attempts to his prostitute best friends Amber,
Sweetheart and Chocolate Milk, Cadillac Man lets us see
everything, leaving the reader free to interpret the incidents.
The novel opens with a no-holds barred preface in which
he tells readers his lack of grammatical skills is due to the fact
that he is homeless, “not a Rhodes scholar.” The beauty of
his language, however, is in its simplicity. His raw colloquial
language gives color to his story, showing the beauty and
culture of New York City life.
Still, the language holds a power of its own, creating
powerful imagery. Cadillac Man’s words make the homeless
people we have seen, and perhaps disregarded, just that—
Priya Chakrabarti
he assumes correctly is up to your discretion) the reader has
never truly taken the time to think of the homeless as men and
women with lives and stories.
That might explain the reason he insults the reader at
every opportunity (“you [are] spoiled [expletive] rotten”). A
journal of sorts, the speaker is the same as the author–Cadillac
Man. He is fully aware this book is being read by someone,
resulting in an unconventional style of writing that includes
insults directed at the reader.
Some would argue he has every right to be angry at “the
rest of us” who don’t suffer the same fate he does. The way he
chose to lead his life, however, was a conscious decision. A few
chapters into the book, Cadillac Man explains that after losing An autobiographical look into the lives of New York’s homeless
three jobs in a row, he and his wife started fighting. Realizing
his shallow wife only wanted a husband she could brag about, friend gets murdered by another homeless man who wants his
he just stopped coming home. He gave up and went to the coat. Those experiences are very real, and often very painful.
streets, hoping to die. His nonchalant depictions, however, don’t necessarily leave
Consequently, the reader does not pity Cadillac Man. readers with a feeling of tragedy, but awareness of a people

11
people. Cadillac Man’s intended audience comes from Many of the situations he portrays are truly tragic—instances who want to be loved, to be saved from the Land of Lost of
a relative place of privilege and he assumes (whether where he’s severely, and unnecessarily, beaten, or where a Souls.
Monsters vs Aliens; the mixtape

Pixar vs Dreamworks
Monsters vs. Aliens, although entertaining, exemplifies all the
ways Dreamworks is not Pixar.
Grace Yoo
once again why its films could never
reach the heights of Disney’s Pixar. Full-length tracks can be found at
Pixar is renowned for its dedication to http://8tracks.com/thegamut
the story. The results are movies with
unconventional premises that retain
characters you can empathize with.
Pixar produces films about a A Breakdown In Chicago
lovesick robot that holds in his hands
the only hope to restoring an Earth Genre: Hip-Hop/Alternative
Metermaids
made unlivable by mass consumerism, Lyric: This is not a breakdown/ Come on!/ This is not a
an overprotective father’s desperate breakdown
search for his son in the great big Description: An ethereal mashup of Sufjan Steven’s lush
ocean accompanied by a forgetful folky sound and Metermaids earnest hip-hop originals.
yet goodhearted companion, two
enemies turned buddies, a cowboy
string doll and a space ranger action
Monsters vs. Aliens delivers exactly what it promises, a visual lark, but no more. figure who’s not aware that he’s a toy. Everyone Feels Like You
On the day of her wedding, perky Susan gets struck by a These characters learn and grow like Owen
meteorite and absorbs a radioactive substance called quantonium real people, and thus, engage the audience. Genre: Indie/Acoustic
which grows her a half an inch short of fifty feet. Her wedding Dreamworks films rarely reach this height of emotional Lyric: If you’re not sure who you are, you’re not alone/ If
plans stalled, Susan is taken into a secret government holding development. At the most, they can develop a cute and lovable you’re not sure what you want, you’re not alone/ If you’re not
facility that houses other seeming dangerous but ultimately character, but ultimately caricatures. They go through generic plot sure of life of love, you’re not alone
misunderstood monsters. Thus, when a belligerent alien named sequences and come into generic self awareness, but nothing Description: Gentle melodies and soft vocals with a
Galaxar rages into Earth to reclaim the quantonium substance, the that really pulls at your heartstrings. Take Monsters vs. Aliens; the message of shared pitfalls
United States government employs this motley group of monsters most Susan learns is that her husband is a selfish jerk and how to
as their primary means of defense. Thus, Dreamworks delivers be comfortable with who she is, a vaguely feminist insight that’s Sometimes Words Are Too Slow
exactly what is promised in the film’s title: Monsters Vs. Aliens—but hardly original.
not much more. Unless Dreamworks puts story over laughs, the rivalry Spokes
It’s not that it’s a bad film. In fact, the combination of the between these two animation giants are no contest. If you’re in Genre: Experimental
state of the art 3D effects and hilarious sight gags makes it a more for a few good laughs, watch Monsters vs. Aliens. If you’re in for Lyric: [Instrumental]
than passable film. It’s just that the film does not aspire to anything a richer, more emotional journey, save your money and watch Description: An invigorating progression of sound created by
more. And thus is the dilemma of Dreamworks animation. Pixar’s Up, coming out May 29th. drums, violin and steady guitar strumming.
Dreamworks, through Monsters Vs. Aliens, demonstrates

90A violin
Minutes Worth
and piano concert at CSULF
of Beauty The Last Song
Camera Obscura
Genre: Indie Pop
Mai-Anh Ha Lyric: My heart is no longer a friend of mine/ It wants to
betray me most of the time
At 7:30 p.m. California State University Fullerton Description: Guitar strumming accompanies lead singer
glows with the blue light of dusk, the buildings Tracyanne Cambell’s light crooning in a song about unrequited
looming against the sky like great squarish beasts. It’s love.
almost beautiful. Why don’t more people do this?
Visit a school, wander around till nighttime when the
theaters and halls are lit with the sound and shine of a
performance. If they haven’t, they should. We can’t be
young forever and cash in on ticket discounts. Can It Be
At the violin concert by Ernest Salem with piano
accompaniment by Alison Edwards, the usual $20
Murs
ticket is $15 for students. Reservation fees online Genre: Electronic/Pop
add an additional $1.50 and two delivery methods Lyric: Hey Boy/ Why you didn’t call me?/ I waited for days/ I
are available, printing tickets at home at $1.75 and can’t believe you didn’t call
will call at $3.00, meaning the already-bought tickets Description: Amid a background of bouncy beats, The
can be picked up at the box office before the event. Blow’s straightforward lyrics weave a tale of unsuccessful love.
Reservations a week before guarantee my spot four
rows from the stage. Joseph Clayes III Performing Arts Center at California State University Fullerton
The acoustics of the hall mean that even one hosts concerts in its Meng Hall and plays, musicals in its Young Theatre.
long note reverbrates through the air, into my skin, lodging itself Sonata No. 1 in A minor grabs me from my happy daze of soap No Pins Allowed
into my heart and imagination. Professor of music Edward Salem opera romance and deposits me into a vat of dark chocolate. James Yuill
brings his bow to his violin and plays and I am lost, watching a Where Salem’s violin illustrated a story before, he now transports Genre: Folk/Electronica
silent film in my head. The Sonata No. 1 in G minor composed me through a myriad of sensations: my mouth opens and I Lyric: Sharks that bite/ Struggle and fight/ Seem more likely
by Eugene Ysaye for solo violin could easily be called “Feelings breathe in the notes, sometimes I swim in chocolate, other times to/ Come around tonight
of an Adolescent Boy,” time and setting Renaissance Italy. In the I’m a coiling ribbon, each moment ephemeral, leaving me grasping Description: A heavily synthesized, yet catchy, song.
first movement is “love at first sight,” in the second the fierce calm with a smile on my face. Salem’s performance lasts an hour and a
and joy as his fingertips touch hers in a courtly dance, by the half, wherein he introduced Peter Ilych Tachaikovsky and Edvard
third they’ve had their first misunderstanding, broken off their Grieg and made me an undying fan.
engagement to the secret horror of both sides and then made up. When I leave Meng Hall, the goldenrod walls with swathes
The fourth movement sidles off into the horizon of Disney fairy of overlapping cones and gigantic halves of octagonal pyramids

12
tale endings. fanning out linger in my vision. Why don’t more people do this?
The next piece, a composition by Robert Schumann, Violin $15 is too cheap for 90 minutes worth of beauty.
 sports
Learning the Basics
Jenica Marilla sets out to conquer both school recordsJulie Nguyen
Early in this season,
junior Jenica Marilla
proved herself to be a
serious contender, leaping
past Sophia Lee’s triple
jump record and setting a
new school record at 32
feet and four inches.
A triple and long
jumper since her freshmen
year, Marilla never quite
learned the fundamentals
and basics of jumping until
this year. With the help of
the new coach, Mandy
Prizio who concentrates
on training the jumpers,
Marilla has consistently
shown progress in both
her form and landing
techniques.
“She really focuses
on core workouts and our
jumping form,” Marilla
said. “At first, I didn’t
think her drills were
helpful but now that I
see improvements in my
marks, her drills really do
help with my form.”
For practice, the
jumpers begin with warm
up laps and drills, such as Jenica Marilla continues to practice her jumps after already breaking the triple record earlier this season.
high knees and striders,
followed by push-ups, superman directly practicing at the pit.
jumps, and pike jumps to get them Unlike previous years without in all of her jumps and qualified for and jump right away. A lot of the
conditioned and improve their a coach, the overall team has been all three of her events in the league kids never learned any fundamentals,
jumping techniques, rather than improving consistently as well. For prelims on April 30.
Baseball Continues to
Dominate
Even with a reduced 11-man
roster, the varsity baseball team
continues to dominate its opponents,
leading in the Academy League with
an 8-3 record.
Players were automatically
placed on varsity, as there were
not enough players to create a
junior varsity. Any misgivings about
the team’s capability, however,
were shattered on April 7, when
the Patriots crushed the Sage Hill
Lightnings 16-5.
“It was definitely different [to
have such a lack of players], but the
nucleus of guys we have on varsity
is a talented group,” senior captain
Cameron Bedard said.
The varsity team began its
season with a close 2-1 victory over
the Lightnings and was served its first
defeat in league by the school on
13
April 6, losing 1-3. The next
day, the team answered
William Trinidad
back and defeated the Lightnings,
earning second place in Division VI
baseball that week.
“That week of practice, we
focused and just got back down to
earth,” senior captain Ryan Plunkett
said.
The Patriots are one of the two
teams from the Academy League
ranked in Division VI baseball by
OCVarsity.com. The Capistrano
Valley Christian Eagles, a team
demolished twice by the varsity
squad 15-4 and 12-1, are eighth
place, while the Patriots are fourth.
This high ranking has been
possible despite only three
upperclassmen: seniors Cameron
Bedard and Ryan Plunkett, and
junior Patrick Zajac.
“I am thrilled to be back on the
team and am determined to help
bring a league title, maybe even a
CIF title, to Oxford,” junior captain
several meets, Marilla has placed first “Most jumpers shouldn’t go out
Senior captain Cameron Bedard prepares to throw a pitch during the game against the Capistrano Valley Christian Eagles.
Patrick Zajac said.
With only four league games
remaining and against teams the
Patriots have beaten before, the
but as the season progresses, they’ll
team has a good chance of winning
out and continuing to lead in the
Academy League.
“We’re still focusing on getting
focus more on just
jumping itself,” track
coach Chayne Chaldu
said.
After already proving
herself in the triple jump,
Marilla is now set on
taking down the record
in the long jump, set
by Tina Oh three years
ago.
“I always try to beat
everyone else at the
meets,” Marilla said. “If
I do, then I always try
to beat my personal
record.”
Marilla’s best long
jump is 15 feet and two
inches, just trailing behind
the record of 15 feet 8.5
inches. Last year, the
girls were undefeated in
league, and with Marilla
continually placing first,
she is pivotal to the
team this year, already
securing her individual
spot in CIF.
“Jenica has a legit
chance to break the long
jump record as long as
she works hard,” Chaldu
said. “and she can easily
be league champion next year if she
keeps focused.”
the league championship, but we are
excited for CIF at the same time,”
Plunkett said.

Swinging Past
Rough Start
Boys golf struggles to fill in the gap
left by previous seniors
For junior Chirag Patel,
golf has always been a passion,
but despite his string of stellar
performances and improved game
this season, the boys varsity golf
team has been struggling this
season, posting a 2-8 record.
“This year we are simply
getting dominated by the other
teams,” Patel said, “We are more
relaxed and do not worry about
our personal rankings among
one another, causing us to lack
motivation in the match.”
Although there is little chance
for the team to make it to CIF,
Patel continues to put in his best
effort into one of his favorite
sports.
“I just love to play the game
[because] it is sort of a relaxing
challenge,” Patel said, “There
is no real sprinting or physical
conditioning involved, yet is one
of the most difficult sports because
it’s an individual responsibility to
do well.”
At eleven, Patel began playing
at the Heartwell Golf Course after
a family friend suggested he should
play. He has been on the school
team since his freshman year.
This season, Patel has stepped up
his game, filling in for the seniors
that led the team last year.
“I have scored the best on our
New Crowd
Makes a Splash
A batch of new players look to redeem the
swim team
With only five freshman in the
boys varsity swim team this season,
there was speculation about how
the Patriots would do in league play
after moving up to Division III.
Despite elevated pressure and
competition, the boys hold a 2-
1 record, and the freshmen have
already proved themselves as strong
swimmers.
“The guys have won one or two
more meets than the girls, Wittman
said, “So far the only team they’ve
lost to in the league is Whitney.”
The Patriots faced the Whitney
Wildcats at the Cerritos Olympic
Swim & Fitness Center on March
31, delivering some impressive
performances.
sports
Jessica Ayunani
team for all of
the matches Fantasy Baseball
Rankings
so far except
a couple,
Patel said,
“Last year I
struggled to Min Lee
get a 9 or
10 over and 1) Albert Pujols: You know
now I find it exactly what you’re getting with
easy to get a Pujols: 35+ HR, 110+ RBI and
6 or 7 over. 100+ Runs. Money in the bank.
Also, this 2) Hanley Ramirez: Off to
year I got a an ordinary start, but he just put
new personal together an eight-game hitting
record of a 4 streak with three multi-hit games.
over.” Still need him to steal more bases,
As for though.
the rest of 3) Chase Utley: After reassuring
the team, owners with a 33 HR season, Utley
however, has come out of the gates swinging
p l a y i n g - he is batting .342 with 7 HR and
against better 20 RBI so far.
opponents 4) Ryan Howard: Howard’s
has helped batting average is always a concern,
them elevate Captain Chirag Patel has dramatically improved, cutting his but his big play ability makes him
their game. stroke count by five. a worthy investment. Averaging 51
HR the last three seasons.
“We improve by playing with By the end of the season, Patel is 5) Miguel Cabrera: If the Tigers
experienced people,” junior striving to prove he has what it can jump-start their offense, the
Shawn Chen said, “We had trouble takes by accomplishing a difficult RBI’s and Runs will start rolling in.
[scoring] consistent[ly] at the feat. Cabrera has gone hitless in only
beginning of the season, but we’ve “I’m hoping to medal in a four games.
all improved [as] all of us [have match,” Patel said, “meaning that 6) Ryan Braun: Only 25 years
gotten] to play in the front with I have the best score out of both old, and many people will agree we
the good [opposing] players.” teams.” have yet to see the best from him. and since then, he has been on a
Hitting a cool .333 with 5 HR and tear, batting .451. His on-base-
16 RBI. percentage is an otherworldly .490.
7) Ian Kinsler: The usual dearth of 9) Adrian Gonzalez: Steady
talent at second base aside, Kinsler improvement every season, and 9
is on course to best his career year HR already this season.
in 2008. 10) Evan Longoria: Has 12 RBI in
8) Carlos Beltran: Beltran’s only the last five games, and on pace to a
hitless game was back on April 16, 47 HR, 130 RBI, 110 Run season.
Allen Tran
Freshman Kevin Privett placed swimmers.
first in the 50 meter freestyle with “The [indoor] air quality is
a time of 23.10 and in the 200 different,” Bergado said, “[It] hinders
meter freestyle with 2:00.19. Privett, us because when I swim up it feels
sophomore Jonathan Okay, juniors thick and harder to breathe.”
Gabe Bergado, Simon Huang and After placing second in CIF
Tae Min Son placed second in the last year, the Patriots have a lot of
medley relay. pressure to return this season.
The freshmen were a strong On the April 4 meet against
asset in the meet, already possessing the Paramount High School Pirates,
experience from middle school. Privett made CIF consideration time
“In Jr. High we [were the] with a 50.8 in the 100 free and was
district champs,” freshman Phillip one-hundredths of a second away
Minott said, “so most of us got spots from automatically qualifying for
on varsity.” CIF in the 50 free with 22.75.
Because the team practices at “There are a lot of areas that
the outdoor swim facility at Kennedy need improvement,” Wittman said,
14
High School, the Cerritos facility was “[but] hopefully Kevin Privett makes
bit of a disadvantage for the Patriot it.”