Wednesday, January 28, 2009 VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE V DIAMOND BAR HIGH SCHOOL

DBHS Students Participate in First Eco Challenge

Freestylerz Dance for Neglected and Abused

GREEN: One Air raffled off reusable bags and water bottles. The team plans to present a plaque to the fi re department in February for their efforts to keep the community safe.

Iris Li Staff Writer

[Please see “GROW” on page 3]

United Student Body Welcomes New Members

[Please see “PRESIDENT” on page 3]

COLUMN ONEAir Quality in Hong Kong Causes Residents to Emigrate

The air pollution in Hong Kong is causing problems for both the residents’ health and the city’s economy. The government is working on new laws to prevent further damage.

Ruby HwangContributing Staff Writer

INSTALL: The 2008-2009 E-board performed a skit for guests during the installation/extollation. The skit was held to mock last year ’s USB members.

Genesis Keller Asst. News Editor

Planting up a storm!...Seniors Kevin Lawrence and Matthew Fontana dig holes as other volunteers watch and plant Cyprus trees in Carbon Canyon Regional Park . Leanne Fan

[Please see “NEW” on page 3]

Winter Formal to be Held at White House Event CenterDANCE: DJ Eddie will spin the music for the night. A wide selection of desserts and refreshments will also be provided. Today is the last day to turn in date passes.

Eric LeeStaff Writer

Offi cials have revealed that Hong Kong’s air quality is now the worst ever recorded. Hong Kong began monitoring its air in 1998, and the amount of pollution has signifi cantly increased since then. A recent survey by Civic Engine, a think tank in Hong Kong, showed that every one in fi ve, or nearly 1.4 million residents, are considering leaving the city due to the poor condition of the air. Because of this, city offi cials are now attempting to produce long-term plans to reduce the pollution.

One of the biggest problems is the city’s location. With about 57,500 factories, more than eighty percent of the pollution comes from fumes that are blown over by factories from across the city. Coal-powered factories are said to be some of the worst causes of pollution in Hong Kong.

The quality of Hong Kong’s air is taking a toll on its economy as well. Many of those who leave the city, are high-earning, well-educated workers. If these trends continue, Hong Kong will lose many of its existing and future businesses. "People from all sectors of society know that air pollution is making them sick,” stated Michael DeGolyer, the Director of Baptist University’s Hong Kong Transition Project, on the issue of air pollution in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Agency warned that the air is much worse than it has been said to be, claiming that only the most life-threatening levels of pollution have been considered. At least 10,000 deaths in Hong Kong are caused by air pollution every year, and a majority of those deaths have affected the elderly.

In an attempt to improve the air quality, the government is now paying residents to drive cars that are more environmentally-friendly. Drivers will also be fi ned if they do not follow the city’s emission standards. These measures are expected to encourage the people of Hong Kong to conserve energy.

In addition to creating new laws, the government is also rewriting old laws. Until now, pollution levels in Hong Kong were measured based on regulations that were written in 1987.

A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong has stated, “The government shares the aspiration of the public for clean air and has been implementing strong measures to control our emissions at source, particularly from road transport and power generation.”

Donald Tsang, Hong Kong Chief Executive, called the problem a “matter of life and death.

Talk it out...The 2008-2009 USB President Bobby Herrman gives his presidential oration to the old and new E-board members. Tiffany Huey

CHILDREN: Anthony Tietz set the time and place for the Freestylerz to perform at Hillview Acres. The dancers connected with and inspired the kids from the home.

Marcel BoubionContributing Staff Writer

Diamond Bar High School’s Freestylerz danced for the Hillview Acres Home for Children in Chino, a home for severely neglected and abused children ages 6 – 18 on Friday, January 16. The team surprised the kids with a visit during their movie night and performed for them.

The dancing started at around 7 p.m. About thirty members of the Freestylerz came to dance, consisting mostly of break dancers. Towards the end of the night, the Freestylerz discovered that about fi ve or six children were dancers as well, although most of the people who worked there did not know. “The kids themselves started dancing. It was pretty good […] it kind of surprised us,” commented President of the Freestylerz, senior Andrew Shin.

The children surprised everyone with their moves, and everyone cheered them on. “That’s kind of the whole reason we were there, to make them feel like they could be

celebrated. It wasn’t about us being the stars, it was about them being the stars,” said the Freestylerz’ advisor Anthony Tietz, “You could be the best or the worst and you are going to be loved no matter what, that’s the thing I loved the most about being around the Freestylerz.”

Tietz set the time for the Freestylerz to perform for the kids. “We went in trying to entertain them more, instead of just dancing, and we actually connected with them because that’s what it’s all about,” said Shin.

Tietz organized the event with admiration for what the home does for the children. He wanted to fi nd a way to help the children, and possibly inspire them. Before the dance, the team did not know what to expect.

The visit was eye opening for most of the dancers. “It was really inspiring. We wish it could have been longer or maybe we could do things like this more often,” said Shin.

The Freestylerz successfully connected with the children from Hillview Acres. “We didn’t expect to impress them, we just expected to show them what we are and who we are,” stated Shen. “We’re entertainers and we’re a family. We’re defi nitely up for anything that people want to throw at us.”

The United Student Body Installation/Extollation was held on Sunday, January 18, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Diamond Bar High School Theater.

The ceremony was held to welcome the incoming 2009-2010 USB offi cers and

commissioners, and to honor and thank the 2008-2009 USB members.

Tickets to the event cost 20 dollars, which included dinner. The 2008-2009 USB members, incoming USB members, DBHS administration, and individuals invited by USB members were allowed to attend the ceremony.

The ceremony had an Italian theme. Tables and chairs were set up outside of the DBHS Theater. The location was chosen by Petria Gonzales, the activities director, because it wasn’t as costly as having it

somewhere else.The theme for USB this

year is “Dare to be Different,” which was chosen by the 2009-2010 executive board. The new E-board includes juniors USB President Marc Inocencio, Vice President Raely Saldana, Speaker of the House Sabrina Liu, Interorganizational Chairperson Katie Cardoza, Secretary Judy Hwang, and Finance Director Mikey Sarmiento.

“This year will undoubtedly

The Bull’s EyeNEW CIVIL WAR

This time, it is not about color, but about sexuality. Read why a high school solely for homosexuals should not be considered.

Please see page 4.

MAKING A MARCWill new, USB President Marc Inocencio make a big splash at DBHS? Get ready to dive into the thoughts of this effervescent junior.

Please see page 6.

RIP OFFSure they are brilliant, but are American televison shows really original? Discover shows that are based off ideas from other countries.

Please see page 11.

RAISE THE WOOFThe varsity boys basketball team said “fetch” when they tied down the Chino Hills Huskies and beat them by three points.

Please see page 14.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Inauguration Edition

Diamond Bar High School’s annual winter formal dance will be held at the White House Event Center located in Anaheim on Saturday, February 7, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

This year’s theme will be “While the President is Out,” chosen by Girl’s League, which hosts the dance every year. The theme is different compared to that of previous dances because the dance will take place closely after the inauguration and students will be able to relate to the theme. Girl’s League Advisor Lisa Pacheco stated, “What better way to celebrate an event than to be in a place like the White House to get wrapped up in the excitement.”

DBHS is one of the fi rst schools to have a dance at the White House Event Center. Pacheco said, “[This is] because Kathy Miller, the party planner, really trusts the DBHS students. She’s had very good experiences in the past with DBHS, and she doesn’t have any worries or concerns that the venue will be damaged. She’s really excited about having us have our dance there.”

The venue’s exterior is an exact replica of the actual White House. Pacheco said, “[It is] one of the best venues we have ever had.” The venue will be decorated with a red, silver, and blue color scheme. It will also feature a rose garden, a

Diamond Bar High School’s One Air team hosted their “Plant a Tree−Save the World” campaign at Carbon Canyon Regional Park on Sunday, January 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

About 150 trees were donated to the Carbon Canyon Regional Park, but only twenty Cyprus trees were allowed to

be planted. One Air hosted this event to restore the park that was damaged by the Triangle Complex Fires in November, and to educate the attendees on improving the air quality in our community.

“Our mission is to unite our community while planting trees in the burned areas of Carbon Canyon Regional Park as a memorial for the people that lost property after the fi res,” explained senior Valerie Lopez, the leader of One Air.

The One Air team consists of ten DBHS students, Jessica Chen, Erin Duff, Ava Jahanvash, Trevor Malik, Alvin Lee, Henry Lee, Valerie Lopez, Brandon

Sim, Sweet Song, and Eric Wong, who are participating in the Lexus Eco Challenge competition.

“Trees are a natural air fi lter, and by planting trees, it helps the air a lot; not only cleaning up and providing more oxygen, but it can also help the area stay cooler,” said Jahanvash.

“Although twenty trees aren’t going to have great immediate impact, it only takes one to start making a difference,” commented Lopez.

DBHS’ Leo Club, Key Club, and community residents volunteered at the event. Special guests who came to support the event included

Jack Tanaka, a council member of Diamond Bar, and Naveen Berry, an employee of the Air Quality Management District of Southern California.

“We can help our community recover and regenerate everything back to the way it was before by planting trees,” commented junior Gary Li, a member of the Leo Club.

The trees were donated by the Brea Olinda Nursery and the Coiner Nursery. Jong’s Egg Ranch donated the organic fertilizers for the trees.

AQMD and One Air set up booths to display brochures and

NewsNewsTHE BULL’S EYE2 Wednesday, January 28, 2009

On Target

Dancers Perform Annual Winter Concert at the DBHS Theater

Gotta kick it up...Diamond Bar High School dancers showcase their talent to their families and friends after many months of hard work and preparation. Ashley Chen

City Brings Snow to DB Residents

Words of Wisdom..Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr, the author of 63 books and pamphlets, speaks to the Muslim Student Association about the challenges that youth face today. Leanne Fan

FROST: Refreshments including pizza, Thai barbeque, hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonade, and funnel cake were available for purchase by attendees of the event.

Iris LiStaff Writer

Play, Laugh, Snow...Children ride sleds down the slopes as volunteers await them at the bottom. Eunice Lee

The dance department held its annual winter dance concert, “Dancers at Work,” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, and Friday, January 9.

Performers included students on the Dance Team,

the All Male Dance Crew, in the Advanced Dance Class, and in the Intermediate Dance Class. Students from Janna Lindenberg’s Beginning Dance Class and Intermediate Dance Class ushered for the event.

“[The students] started at the very start of the semester; and it was for a grade. They would show me [their dances] throughout the semester as it progressed,” Lindenberg explained, “Some of the dances were a little quicker to come […] together, but some of the

smaller groups have been working on it all semester.”

Auditions for the concert were held before the break. Dancers practiced during lunch, after school, during their dance period, and during winter break. The Dance Team also performed choreographed pieces, some of which are going to be in competitions.

“[The concert] had way more variety and we had a lot of boys this year that were willing [to] learn new things. They would put themselves out there

and do crazy stuff because they love to dance,” said senior Tori Thomas.

A total of 29 dances were performed. “I think everybody did a great job. The tech went really smoothly and the audience was great. I was very pleased and very proud,” stated Lindenberg.

“Next semester’s concert includes my entire department, so not just the intermediate and advanced classes, it also includes my beginning classes,” commented Lindenberg.

SHOW: Twenty-nine dances were performed by DBHS students during the concert. Dancers auditioned before winter break and practiced every opportunity they had.

Elizabeth LeeStaff Writer

The City of Diamond Bar held its 9th annual Winter Snow Fest at Pantera Park on Saturday, January 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Eighty tons of snow was provided by the City of Diamond Bar for three, 25-foot long slides that attendees could sled down. The Winter Snow Fest featured a wide selection of games, activities, entertainment, and food.

“[I enjoyed] the experience of playing in fake snow as well as just hanging out with friends and other members of the community,” commented senior Henry Lee, a Leo Club member.

Students from Diamond Bar High School, Diamond Ranch High School, and Walnut High School volunteered at the event by running game and activity booths. There were also face painting and coloring booths run by DBHS’ Leo Club members.

“As the president of the DBHS’ Leo Club, I ran the face painting booth. I organized how many and which Leos would work at our booth at what times, as well as, which kids would sit where while getting their faces painted. I also did some advertising to get more people to come to our totally free face painting booth,” explained junior Tim Huang, President of the Leo Club.

Presentations included karate, dancing, and singing by various school and community groups.

A variety of food was sold during the event including pizza, Thai barbeque, hot dogs, hamburgers, and more.

Beverages included lemonade, water, soda, and hot cocoa.

Admission to the event and snow play areas was free. Wristbands for unlimited sled rides and 10 games were available for purchase at the ticket booth for $5. It cost $1 to play 10 games.

The sponsors of the event included David Evans & Associates, MCE Corporation, Inland Empire Tours & Transportation, Southern California Edison, Dickson, and

Excel Landscape. “The Winter Snow Fest was

a great event because you get to have fun in the snow. There is entertainment, food, and most importantly you get to hang out with your friends and family. It is a lot of work to set up everything and then pack it up, but at the end of the day, everyone goes home satisfied because we know that we took part in the community and brought smiles to many faces,” commented senior Gurpreet Singh.

KEEP UP THE HARD WORKTired? Had a hard week of school? Is your stress level shooting up? Need that well-earned break? Well, now is your chance to

sleep away those bags and headaches. There is a Late Start day on Wednesday, February 4.

THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITYAre you lonely? Do you have nobody to call your own, or no significant other? Well that could all change this year. Get off that couch, put on some fresh clothes, and get a new haircut because Valentine’s Day is here! Now is your chance to woo the

love of your life. Valentine’s Day is on Saturday, February 14.

A LITTLE GIFT FROM MR. PRESIDENTWHOO! It’s President’s Day. LET’S CELEBRATE! Now let’s be serious. We all know that is not the reason why we are celebrating. Don’t worry; we’ll let you get away with it this time. Who wouldn’t appreciate a good break from school anyway?

Thank you Presidents! There is no school on Monday, February 16.

ARE YOU GOOD ENOUGH?Have you been staying up past midnight every day or pulling out your hair in agitation? Do you need to buy hair dye because your hair is now white? Don’t worry. All your hard work will pay off when your parents finally buy you that new car because you are in the Top 10 of your class. But even though you are the president of every club, have straight A’s in every class, and have served the community for over 200 hours, please don’t

forget to turn those applications in on time. Top 10 applications are due on Wednesday, February 18.

NewsNews THE BULL’S EYE Wednesday, January 28, 2009 3

Stars of Diamond Bar Raises Funds for Recreation Within the City

Continued from page 1PRESIDENT: Ticket sales end on Wednesday, February 4.

GALA: Diamond Bar High School’s orchestra and California Scholarship Federation helped at the event. CSF acted as paparazzi photographing city officials as they arrived.

Pamela Lewes Contributing Staff Writer

news bits

Stress mess...Peer Counselors paint posters to promote Stress Awareness Day. James An

Stars of DB, the City of Diamond Bar’s largest fundraiser, was held on Sunday, January 4, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Diamond Bar Center.

The “Stars of DB” was the theme of this year’s Gala. It was a Hollywood theme that highlighted the “stars” of Diamond Bar. The event was planned by Gala Chairperson Jody Roberto and a committee consisting of members of the Diamond Bar Community Foundation Board.

It was the fifth annual Gala and was also one of the biggest. Tickets sold for $100 per person, $175 per couple, and $850 for a table of ten.

“The Gala is a formal event where there is a sit down dinner, music provided by the

Diamond Bar High School Orchestra, dancing to either music from a DJ or band, and a silent auction,” stated Roberto. This year, there was a raffle drawing for the Walnut Valley Rotary Club. The Grand Prize for the Rotary Club’s drawing was $10,000. Roberto added, “DBHS’ California Scholarship Federation was very helpful with setting up for the Gala and helping out at the event.”

Most of the tables were sponsored by businesses and individuals. Those who wish to have a small ad in the Gala Program paid $1000.

There was a Walk of Fame with names of members of the community on it. There was also a red carpet surrounded by paparazzi made up of CSF and DB 4 Youth members that took pictures and asked for autographs as guests arrived.

“We brought in over $50,000 and will have close to a $30,000 profit,” commented Roberto. Many people paid extra money to help support the Gala, but the biggest donors for Stars of DB included BP

America, Majestic Realty, Valley Vista Services, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe.

There was a lot of publicity for the event. Stars of DB was publicized in local newspapers, on storefronts, and announced at various events. “We wanted to sell as many tickets as possible to ensure the success of the event,” said Roberto.

The event was scheduled for November 16, but was cancelled due to the Triangle Complex Fire. Originally, 320 people were scheduled to attend the event, but because of the inconvenience due to the fire, there were approximately 275 attendees.

DB 4 Youth, DBHS’ CSF members, and DBHS’ orchestra helped at the event. The president of CSF, Mina Mohammadi, had contacted Roberto prior to the Gala that was scheduled for November and offered to have students help out.

California State Senator Bob Huff, Diamond Bar Mayor Pro Tem Carol Hererra, Councilman Steve Tye, Diamond Bar City

Manager Jim DeStefano, Director of Community Services Bob Rose, Mayor of La Habra Tom Beamish, and La Habra Council Members Tim Shaw and Jim Gomez were a few of the attendees at Stars of DB.

The City of Diamond Bar’s former mayor, Jack Tanaka, was also present at the event.

“This was my fourth Gala. I think the whole evening was memorable. The arrival at the parking lot [and] rides in the limousine to the red carpet made you feel like a ‘star.’ It is always worthwhile because of the many positive activities the Community Foundation supports,” commented Tanaka.

It took a year to plan Stars of DB. “We use a lot of the same vendors every year which makes it a little easier. Our Foundation Board also meets regularly to plan and make decisions regarding the Gala,” said Roberto.

“I was extremely pleased with the outcome,” commented Roberto, “We made more money than expected and [the turnout was] great.”

be a very fun year, but we must never forget the true purpose of the United Student Body: making a difference. Leadership is someone who’s willing to make a difference, someone who dares to be different,” said Inocencio during his speech.

The evening began with dinner, and guests were later invited to go into the theatre for the actual ceremony. Bobby Herrman, the 2008-2009 USB President, began with the USB agenda followed by a skit performed by the 2008-2009 E-board. After the skit, speeches were made by the

Continued from page 1NEW: An Italian-themed installation/extollation ceremony was held for new and old USB members.

Senate, E-board, and President. During his Inaugural

Address, Inocencio said, “This year, alongside with my talented executive board, I seek to include many elements of true leadership that are essential to a great USB, which includes being able to go the extra mile and creating more leaders with a greater vision than our own.”

At the end of the evening, Gonzales gave out USB awards to the 2008-2009 USB members and the Commissioners of Visual Communications presented a special slideshow.

The E-board for 2008-2009

holds high expectations for the incoming officers.

Although the 2008-2009 officers have been relieved of their duties, they will miss USB. “I’m going to miss knowing that every fourth period I get to see and hang out with my best friends,” commented senior Ashkon Nosrat, the Attorney General and School Board Representative.

When asked what she will miss the most about the 2008-2009 officers, Gonzales replied, “I’ll miss their personalities, but I hope that the new officers will exceed this year’s USB.”

fireplace, a patio, and a room called The West Wing, which is similar in appearance to a private nightclub.

People posing as secret servicemen will stand in front of the White House Event Center, and a cardboard statue of, or someone dressed as, President Barack Obama will be available to take pictures with. Senior Bonnie Jan commented, “I’m very excited…I hope I can have a good time with my friends.”

There will be a full beverage bar consisting of water, soda, and coffee, and a wide variety of desserts and pastries. This year however, tickets will be more expensive than those of previous years. Pre-sale

ticket sales began on Monday, January 12, and ended on Friday, January 23. The tickets were sold in the United Student Body room during lunch. Pre-sale tickets cost $110 with two activity cards, $115 with one activity card, and $120 without any activity cards.

Regular ticket sales began on Monday, January 26 and will end on Wednesday, February 4. Regular tickets cost $115 with two activity cards, $120 with one activity card, and $125 without any activity cards.

Students are not the only ones excited for the dance. Pacheco stated, “I’m looking forward to seeing the kid’s reaction to the venue!”

A maid, who was fired in 2004 for drinking during job hours, was declared innocent by Peru’s top court. A judge considered the job loss to be “abusive” because the maid did not harm anyone. The court ruling mentioned that she was only drunk once and that her drinking was not repetitive. She is scheduled to start working again in October.

Firefighters blamed goats for starting a fire in central Norwalk, Iowa. The goats, kept in a shed at the rear of a house, knocked down a space heater used by residents, who safely escaped with their dog, but are now missing a cat.

A man’s gun fell out of his pocket after using the restroom at a Carl’s Jr. Restaurant. The gun shattered a toilet and was triggered when it hit the floor. A woman at the opposite wall

of the restroom was frightened after hearing the gunshot. Both people were questioned by police around the area. No charges were filed.

Paul and Caragh Brooks exchanged their vows at a Taco Bell in Normal, Illinois. The fast food restaurant helped by decorating with streamers, balloons, and hot sauce packets that read “Will you marry me?” The couple and their families thought it was an easy and affordable way to go. The wedding cost about $200.

Three siblings from Holland Township, New Jersey were taken from their home for having Nazi associated names, and are now in the custody of the state. The children were brought to people’s attention when a bakery declined to put the name Adolf Hitler Campbell on a birthday cake last month.

information about improving air quality. A pledge booth was set up for attendees to be more aware of the environment.

“[The event] turned out better than I expected. A lot of kids participated and I think they

gained valuable experience. The purpose of the challenge is to do something different every year, so next year may be a different event to help reduce air pollution,” stated Lynn Wan, the advisor of One Air.

Continued from page 1GROW: Leo Club and Key Club members volunteer to plant trees.

Dig it up...Councilman Jack Tanaka supports One Air and its cause. Leanne Fan

EditorialTHE BULL’S EYE4 Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Editorial

Katie LeeEditorial Cartoonist

Pro: Israel Operations

The recent eruption of violence in the Middle-East was triggered by the provocation of the Hamas and has led Israel to conduct air strikes and ground sweeps in order to locate and destroy the responsible terrorists. The international community must recognize that Hamas violated the right of life of the Israelis and that Israel should have the right to eliminate a threat to its safety.

Israel rightfully declared that it was merely defending itself after the Hamas deliberately violated the six-month ceasefire last month with rocket attacks. Im-minent ac-tion was necessary to maintain the stability in the region; furthermore, Israel has every right to defend itself from the ter-rorism of the Hamas. To retain peace within a country, the gov-ernment must be responsible for the full defense of its borders. If Israel does not defend its bor-ders, no peace can be attained. In order to ensure protection for the citizens of Israel, the govern-ment of Israel had no choice but to invade. In spite of the propa-ganda overflowing from Hamas, countries must recognize the rights of Israel to defend itself from haphazard attacks.

The Hamas is a terrorist organization that seized its power from the legitimate Palestinian authority. True to its terrorist roots, the Hamas is using Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip as human shields. From Israel’s perspective, the events of the past two weeks have not been a war on the people of Gaza but a war on the people who are using them as shields. This cowardly act is the basis for Israel’s need to execute ground attacks and ultimately

minimize civilian casualties on both sides. Whatever tactics Israel must employ are justified if they attain peace in Gaza.

Although many still find it brutally ironic that Israel is responding to violence with more violence and bloodshed, Israel had formerly considered other more passive options. Israel has made many attempts at peace with the Hamas in the past along with the support of other countries. Moreover, Israel is commendable for even trying because the Hamas’ position is extreme and its members are bent upon Israel’s extinction. In short, Israel has been seek-ing peace while the Hamas has

only been i n t e r e s t e d in serving its extremist dogma. A l s o , by seizing power in Gaza and u n d e r m i n -ing Israel’s r e a c t i o n s , the Hamas deliberately

provoked Israel into this con-flict. Despite Israel’s ideology of peace, the Israeli government has an obligation to protect the security of its citizens. If Israel’s response to the provocation is null, the Israeli government will be considered impotent.

As a world power, the United States should side with Israel to help extinguish the ambitions of terrorists especially from randomly firing rockets into an area where civilians are located. Israel is our ally, and it is not only desirable to help defend the recent attacks, it is a responsibility. The international community must pressure the Hamas and the other extremist groups to contain their violence and force a peace on their fundamental belief which is rooted in hatred. It is the international community’s responsibility to preserve peace in the Middle East and let all beliefs prosper without bringing harm to innocent people.

In mid-December, President Barack Obama announced his choice for Secretary of Education: Arne Duncan, now former CEO of Chicago Public Schools. One of the most notable facts circulated by news reporters covering the announcement was Duncan’s previous proposal of controversial plans for a special public high school for homosexuals. The Social Justice Solidarity High School (previously named Social Justice High School, Pride Campus) in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago would be open to all students, but would seek to encourage a healthy and safe atmosphere for individuals often targeted for their sexual identities. Whether or not the establishment of such an institution would actually constitute shelter or discrimination is a question that comprises the crux of this controversy.

Supporters believe that it will have a positive effect, that

it will foster a safe environment for students who feel threatened because of their sexual orientation. Opponents, including some gay-rights advocates, consider such isolation of homosexuals to be segregation, asserting that officials should work more on encouraging acceptance and

tolerance, not separation.Yet the achievement of a

universally more open-minded outlook on homosexuality is a reward that will not be gained for years to come; for decades, perhaps even centuries, the debate over the morality and education of homosexuality has reached far deeper than any controversy over the

creation of a new school. It is likely that in every educational institution, at least one student has suffered emotional conflict—anger, shame, and humiliation—because of his or her sexual orientation. Now that Duncan, someone with the aim and power to create a haven for such victimized students

and their allies, is in a position of federal authority, o p p o n e n t s criticize the proposal and opt to return to a fight that has been tirelessly fought for all too gradual and minimal recompense thus

far. Perhaps this is a rather pessimistic outlook, but waiting for people to change their minds, merely encouraging homophobic teenagers tobe more broadminded, has yet to advance the understanding of homosexuality amidst educational institutions. Of course, the effort to promote tolerance must be continued;

Op-Ed: High Schools for the HomosexualGina HongEditor-in-Chief

yet the opening of minds is a painstaking, time-consuming process. In the meantime, it is crucial for gay and lesbian students to have an option that guarantees safety, particularly in the educational sphere.

Plans for Social Justice Solidarity High School have been stalled in response to mounting criticism from various parties on both sides of the general issue of homosexuality who are concerned with segregation. However, this delay is particularly unfortunate since the alternative to separating gay students is leaving them vulnerable to anti-homosexual attacks. Opponents are concerned that separation enforces the idea that homosexuals are different—but they are different, and furthermore, they are at risk for emotional and physical danger because of their differences. The need to eliminate these risks by providing a safe institution outweighs any concerns over segregation: it is more important to protect those who are different than to be alarmed about accentuating their differences.

Adeel MohammadiAsst. Editorial Editor

Con: Israel Operations

Israel’s utter disregard for human life has surpassed all limits with the country’s recent operation to collectively punish the nearly 1.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip. The countless deaths of innocent people were ignored by Israeli forces, who insisted on securing the future of Israel at the cost of civilian lives. Basic humanitarian impulses should have halted Israel’s unwarranted offensive against the residents of Gaza weeks before the acceptance of the recent cease-fire. Israel had no right to kill hundreds of innocent civilians and now deserves to be castigated for its rampage.

Modest figures claim that the Palestinian death toll is over 1,300—about one third of which are children. Israel’s offensive

to stop Hamas militants very quickly turned into genocide and a show of unilateral mili-tary strength. This was nothing more than Israel’s way of terror-izing a noncompliant nation into submission. With armaments provided by the United States, Is-rael shelled day and night. Resi-dents of Gaza, who were not allowed to leave the area be-cause of the Israeli bor-der closings, were forced to live in constant fear.

Israel claims it was pro-voked into war by rockets sent into its territory by Hamas, yet the wayward actions of an ex-tremist group do not warrant this disproportionate slaughter. In what the United Nations has called the “collective punish-ment of the people of Gaza,” a new generation is being ex-

New research headed by Dr. Gene-Jack Wang of Brookhaven National Laboratory was published this month. His studies show that men are able to fight off food urges better than women, or at least their brain activity is vastly different than that of women when asked to suppress their desire for food. A group of people was asked to fast for over 17 hours before being asked to resist their hunger. After this request, the women’s brain activity remained relatively the same while men exhibited a drop in brain regions pertaining to emotion and motivation: men seem to have better cerebral tools for appetite control.

The two genders did, however, agree that they felt less hungry after being asked to control their desire. Marci Pelchat, a food scientist at Monell Chemical Senses Center, who was not involved in the research, commented on this similarity, saying that the women may have felt just as hungry but were too embarrassed to admit it. “In our society, being able to diet is seen as being somehow praiseworthy,” she said, “and so failing at self-control might be something that people might not want to admit.”

Self-control. What a hallowed virtue among women.

Particularly in regard to food, women are entangled in expectations and subconscious associations with self-control. Pelchat stated that we prize being able to diet; this is true, but praise is not allotted to the act of dieting, specifically. What is truly valued is the capacity of a woman to reign in her traditionally overabundant emotions, her sensitivity, and her resultant vulnerability. Throughout the canon of philosophy, women have been spoken of with a certain virulence, as something tempting or sinful, in a manner that is remarkably similar to the way society now speaks of food. In fact, it has been argued that food has replaced sex as the prime cultural taboo: but this taboo is not one against eating, or sex, or the flesh—it is taboo against the loss of control. In the past, female sexuality has often been bracketed together with sexual voracity: an inability to harness ones hungers and physical appetites. This cloud of doubt over the power of a woman to control herself has simply shifted over to matters of food, which, like sex, physically gratifies and can be seen as an indulgence, a submission to cravings.

This conflict (internally, within the women themselves, and also between the two genders) is rooted in the age-old hostilities between the two sexes and thus it manifests itself in various relations between men

Commentary: Women and Eatingand women. Women are often undesirable business partners or leaders because they are commonly seen as inept in restraining their emotions. The most unseemly thing a woman might do in polite society is to eat uncontrollably, and in contrast her control over her appetite, her weight, and her sexual urges is revered. Eating disorders are not expected to occur in men, and, interestingly enough, conditions like anorexia and bulimia are not physical inflictions but mental ones that stem most frequently from a patient’s fears and obsession over control. Perhaps anorexics and bulimics simply suffer an inward amplification of the value over self-restraint that is embedded in society’s collective opinion of women.

Wang’s research team did not actually test to see which gender could restrain their hunger for a longer period of time. It would have been interesting, though, to observe which sex bends first, not toward hunger, but away from self-control. Natural operations of the brain may favor men, yet society’s derision and expectations, which often prove stronger than any natural circumstance, have long conditioned the female sex to struggle to maintain control—over the body and over the mind, regardless of whether or not brain activity in women differ from that of their male counterparts.

The Alien Speaks

posed to Israeli atrocities—and Israel wonders why young men are willing to risk their lives and wage war against her. Israel maintains that Hamas is at fault for all the bloodshed, but it is dif-ficult to tell this to the thousands

of injured who lie in poorly supplied hos-pitals thanks to Israel’s blockade.

In the past weeks, Israel has t a r g e t e d c i v i l i a n s , going as far as to bomb a UN

school, which was being used as a shelter for evacuees told by Israeli officials to leave their homes. In another incident, the UN confirms that soon after Israeli troops forced a whole family to evacuate into an empty building, they bombed the same building, killing more than 30. Journalists, foreigners, aid workers, and innocent civilians have all been targeted in what has amounted

to a Gazan Holocaust, the slow extermination of an entire nation under the pretense of “defense.”

The Israelis did not even have a clear objective in this military operation—perhaps this was their way of capturing the entire nation of Palestine. Israel has long exploited the sympathy of the world for what happened decades ago during the Second World War; it seems that Israel has now found a target which it too can ruthlessly bombard while the world looks on without action.

In what the United Nations, the Red Cross, the Vatican, and numerous other international organizations have labeled a clear violation of human dignity and international law, the transgressions of the Israeli government and military are beyond all limits of acceptable behavior. Blatant war crimes have been committed—the Israelis need to be held accountable for their actions. It is time for Israel to start behaving like the first world country it so desperately aspires to become.

2003 CHICAGO DISTRICT SURVEY shows that gay and lesbian youths are three times more likely to miss school because they don’t feel safe.STUDIES SHOW THAT GAY AND LESBIAN STUDENTS ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR:dropping out of school

abusing drugs and alcohol

attempting suicide (two to three times more likely)

I am an alien of the United States of America. It means an extra section to fill out on college applications and tracking by Homeland Security, not to mention countless annoyances that most Americans cannot even imagine. I was told that the naturalization process took five years, but fifteen years later, I’m still getting stopped at state borders.

The Terrorists from ArizonaMy family and I had enjoyed Thanksgiving vacation in Arizona and were crossing into Utah at

the state border, where homeland security officials “inspected” each vehicle by asking its occupants about their citizenship status. When it got to be our turn, we told the officer that we were not citizens, but permanent residents. From which destitute nation in South America could three obviously Americanized Chinese people drive to Utah? It was all illogical and impractical to me as I sat in the cramped detention cell, next to the urine-clogged toilet. I cannot grasp the gaping chasm of difference between a citizen and a permanent resident, and I find this deliberate targeting of a group of people parallel to gender or racial

discrimination. I understand the safety concerns, but I can not see why America has more to fear from legal immigrants than from citizens.

Checking for stereotypes at customs Prior to receiving the “green card” that denotes permanent residency, my family had to pass

through a different inspection section at the airport. On one occasion, after returning to the US from a trip to China, I had to fill out a series of convoluted forms and pass through a special security line that usually takes twice as long as the other line. So while the American citizens walked right out of the airport, I had to submit to questioning before a customs inspector. He proceeded to ask me in a deliberately loud and slow voice whether I was carrying mooncakes, lotus, or “Chinese ointments” on my person. I found his line of questioning stereotypical and offensive as I am a legal immigrant and am owed the same rights as “we the people.” But I have to suffer through the indignation the second-tier citizen because the American government (whose founding was at the hands of immigrants) finds their pilgrims foreign and therefore untrustworthy.

InconveniencesAs an alien, not only am I frequently subject to special inspections, I

am also constantly monitored by the State Department and Homeland Security. Again, while I recognize that in the interests of national security, foreign nationals should be monitored “for your safety,” the fact that my family must report to Homeland Security—an office established as a counterterrorism measure—is disconcerting. And while my parents are never summoned for jury duty and I cannot serve the military should a draft be implemented, it makes me quake to think what other Constitutional provisions do not pertain to the alien.

Gina HongEditor-in-Chief

This was nothing more than Israel’s underhanded way of terrorizing a noncompl ian t n a t i o n i n t o

submission.

Despite Israel’s i d e o l o g y o f peace, it has an obl igat ion to protect the security of its

citizens.

EditorialEditorial THE BULL’S EYE Wednesday, January 28, 2009 5

Editorial PolicyThe Bull’s 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.

Asst. Sports Editors Ryan DeVore Andrew John Photo Editor Leanne Fan

Asst. Photo Editors James An Ashley Chen Eunice Lee

Business Manager Eliza Pan

Asst. Business Manager Eric Su

Editorial Cartoonist Katie Lee Staff Writers Kevin Acciani Elizabeth Lee Eric Lee Iris Li

Asst. Copy Editor Reshma Patel

Advisor Connie Chen

Diamond Bar High School21400 E. Pathfinder Rd.Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Editors-in-Chief Gina Hong Anahita Namaki

News Editors Tiffany Huey Jennifer Shin

Asst. News Editor Genesis Keller Editorial Editor Yufeng Luo

Asst. Editorial Editors Sharon Lin Adeel Mohammadi Feature Theme Editors Leanne Fan Lisa Park

Asst. Feature Theme Editor Justin Kong A & E Editor Janice Yu

Asst. A & E Editors Kevin Kang Jane Park

Feature Editors Pia Kochhar Eliza Pan

Asst. Feature Editors Pauline Phan Desiree Wang

Sports Editor Phoebe Hua

THE BULL’S EYE STAFF

Refilling the Tank

In December, Congress officially allocated $17 billion to bail out General Motors and Chrysler; in return, they must draw up reconstruction plans by March or pay back the loan. Congress was right to support the major automobile manufacturers because the economic repercussions of not doing so may have been long-lasting and crippling.

One of the major reasons why Congress made the decision to bail out the automobile companies is because of the massive unemployment problem that would result from the collapse of the American auto industry. About three million people work for these two automobile manufacturers, and if Congress had decided to let these companies close, it would have to watch the unemployment rate skyrocket. With America already suffering historic economic lows, a major increase in unemployment would only worsen the situation and deplete the resources of an already taxed unemployment

welfare system. A u t o m o b i l e p a r t s ’

suppliers would have also been deeply affected by the fall of two major automobile companies. Consumers would be hard-pressed to buy cars from companies that have filed for bankruptcy for fear of the resale value of their purchase. If automobile manufacturing

companies had declining sales, so would parts’ suppliers. That would lead to the unemployment of about 800,000 in addition to the approximated 3 million from the manufacturing plants. This would further increase the unemployment count and exacerbate the economic depression. Those who have

opposed the bailout failed to see the chain-reaction that would ensue after the bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler. They subjectively saw the automobile producers as an organization that would not have a major effect on the economy and failed to consider the consequences of the bankruptcy of those manufacturers.

Many also believe that after the automobile manufacturers get their bailout, other industries will demand their own bailout, because, after all, GM and Chrysler got theirs. However, they seemed to underestimate the government’s wisdom. The government knows that the automobile production managers have not been spending funds wisely—that is why there were certain r e q u i r e m e n t s t h e y h a d

attached to the bailout funds. These requirements will help automobile producers reform their companies for the better.

It was a wise decision on the government’s part to attach strings to the bailout deal. Chrysler and GM are now being kept in line, because if they do not meet the three-month

deadline for a reconstruction plan, they will have to pay back loans, something that they cannot afford to do. The motor companies must open up their books to government agencies and have plans that meet fuel efficiency standards. Since these companies have thus far proved themselves incapable of managing funds well, these strings will ensure improvement and allow two of America’s oldest industrial institutions to progress.

Though many still doubt the necessity of the bailout, bailout opposers will begin to see changes in the companies of top automobile producers. If Chrysler and GM abide to the requirements the government set for them, Americans will see more benefits than drawbacks. It may take a couple of months to see the positive outcome of the bailout, but it is worth i t . The decision Congress made also saved millions from unemployment. Taxpayers need to start lending a hand to businesses that constitute a large part of America’s economy; Congress’ approval of the bailout is the first step in doing so.

Elizabeth LeeStaff Writer

Blazing Trails of Satire

Closed Captioning for the Hard of Hearing

Diane Feinstein: I am now honored to present the poet laureate, Elizabeth Alexander.

Elizabeth Alexander:

PRAISE. (dramatic pause) Song, for the day.

EACH day, we go about our Business. Walk-ing past each Other, LOOKING at each others’ eyes. Or not. About to speak. Or speaking.

All a-bout us is noise. All about us is noise and bramble, thorn and din. EACH one of our an-ces-tors on our TONGUES.

Som-eone is stitching up a HEM. DARNING a hole in a uniform, patch-ing a tire, repairing. The THINGS. In need. Of repair.

Someone. Is TRYING. To make music Some. where.

With a pair of wood-en spoons on an oil DRUM. With cell-o, boom box, harm.on.ica, voice. A woman. And her son WAIT for. A ride. A farmer, WONDERS when the wa-ter will fall; A teacher says, “TAKE out. Your pencils. Write.”We encount.er each Other in words, words SPINY, or smooth. Whispered, or deCLAIMED; words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt. roads. and HIGHways, that mark. The will. Of someone and then others who said, “I need to see what’s on the other side; I know. the grass. is greener. somewhere else.” We need to find a place. where we are safe; We walk in-to that. Which we can-not yet see.

Say it plain, that many have died for THIS day. SING the names of the dead who BROUGHT us here, who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges, (Pauses and shuffles paper.) (Still paused.)PICKED the cotton and the lettuce, built BRICK by BRICK the GLITTering EDifices they would then KEEP clean and work. inside of.

Praise. Song. For struggle; Praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign; The fig-ur-ing it out at kitchen tables.

Some live. By “Love thy neighbor as thy self.”Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need. What. If the mightiest word is. Love? Love beyond marital, filial, national. LOVE that casts a wi-den-ing pool of light. Love with no NEED to preempt griev-ance.

In tod-ay’s sharp sparkle, this. Cold, anything. Can be made, any. sent-ence begun. On the BRINK. On the BRIM, on the CUSP—praise. Song, for walk-ing forward in. that. LIGHT.

Sharon LinAsst. Editorial Editor

Out of the Box

The Editorial Board invites The Bull’s 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 Bull’s Eye.

Sorry Democrats, Obama isn’t faster than a speeding bullet, doesn’t have X-ray vision, and can only jump small buildings.

—Kevin Acciani

Eye of the EditorsG o v e r n o r A r n o l d

Schwarzenegger is lowering the quality of education in California. To deal with the state’s budget crisis, he is proposing to cut approximately $2.1 billion from public schools; his budget plan includes increasing class sizes, eliminating a week of school, and cutting down on science classes so schools would only require one of the two currently mandatory science courses to graduate. Rather than making an effort to better the education in public schools, he is actually making it worse.

At Diamond Bar High School, classes hold 30 to 40 students on average. With this many students, we are already cramped in our

seats with little room to move. For example, in an Advanced Placement Rhetoric class, every table—with room for only four seats—is actually occupied by five students. Increasing class sizes would mean even less room in classrooms, less private instruction from teachers, and a lower quality of education than could be provided. If anything, to improve education in California, Governor Schwarzenegger should be pushing to reduce class sizes.

Furthermore, his proposal of cutting five days of school probably sounds appealing to students’ ears. However, if we think about it, five days of school—six classes a day, 30 hours of instruction—is a lot.

In one week, classes cover about a chapter of material, and students know that we miss a lot instruction even by just missing one day of school. Being absent for lectures leads to a mountain of make-up work: imagine making up five extra days of school. By reducing the school calendar from 180 days to 175 days of school, students and teachers would be forced to move even faster and squeeze that last chapter into a shortened school year. Losing five days of school is actually detrimental to students.

I n a d d i t i o n t o a l l o f these ridiculous proposals, Schwarzenegger has also suggested cutting one of the science courses students are

required to take to graduate. Again, our governor is taking away from our education. At Diamond Bar, the number of seats available in a science course is already limited, so many students are unable to take their desired courses. Governor Schwarzenegger not only wants to reduce the amount of students able to take a science course, but also remove the whole course from a student’s high school curriculum! By making all of these cuts, he is not only hurting the educational environment and reducing the amount of materials available for us to use, but also taking away from the great education that we could receive.

An increase in unemployment w o u l d o n l y exacerbate the already taxed unemployment welfare system.

I don’t remember signing either... But to me, Barack is a gift. I don’t mind.

—Gina Hong

In President Obama’s spirit, I’m gonna drop out of school, not get a job, and live off of welfare. Change I can believe in.

—Jonathan Laliberte

Maybe by “non-believer” Obama was referring to the 46% of Americans who didn’t vote for him.

—Eric SuBarack Obama’s staff looks eerily like Clinton’s. Maybe Michelle should appoint the interns.

—Ryan DeVoreObama and Biden graciously accepted “gifts from the American people” after their inaugurations. I don’t remember signing the card.

Adeel Mohammadi

activities more fun and then pretty much change every single thing we’ve done. Everything we’ve done, make it better and hopefully...also working with other groups pay attention to what they say and please other clubs.

TBE: What are some of the biggest problems that the school, the students, or USB is facing right now? What do you plan to do about it?MI: I think the school needs to reach out to those who aren’t as social as everybody else because usually we focus on those who are really school-spirited and I want to reach out to those who don’t get

FeatureFeatureTHE BULL’S EYE6 Wednesday, January 28, 2009

This weekend I completely broke all my theories about how I was independent and ready to go far, far away for college. My friends and I decided to watch Unborn, and as brave as I thought I was, the movie still gave me ultra creeps and re-sulted in me sleeping in my par-ents’ room… DON’T ASSUME I DO THIS ON A DAILY BASIS! It only happened this one time, this year, OK?

It’s funny to think that only so much time is left until high school is over. It’s funny to think that I’ll actually have to try growing up. When I think of high school I think of people looking back in their yearbooks and sighing “Ahh, the memo-ries…” and then I think about MY horrible, horrible yearbook pictures and how I’ve managed to smile or half-blink or shrug in the most awkward ways EVERY year. But I’ve learned to accept my only fl aw of horrible picture taking… OK, fi ne, I admit I have many fl aws!

I’ve really tried to think of what I could possibly write here, but honestly, there isn’t really a way to make this senior column NOT sound so cheesy. So I’ve decided to give you a list of ran-dom things, some things that are really special to me and my senior year:

-Since New Year’s, I have ambitious goals to fulfi ll: Main-tain a job and make money, work out (hah), get my license, walk the dogs, run a marathon, fi nish at least fi ve books, travel, get out of Diamond Bar.

-I’m afraid of so many things, but I have conquered so many things as well. I’m scared of living forever and creepy things and being alone. Maybe if I admit my fears, someone will be able to admit theirs and con-quer them too.

-Good or bad, friendships have greatly impacted me. I feel so lucky to have such great people and I thank you guys so much! To Linda, Tim, and Dean for always saving my life and being there for me whenever I needed someone. Jennifer, for sticking with me “since the em-bryo”*.- James and Eunice and Janice and Gina, just because we have journalism together…

-Sister Park for being a sis-ter. Thanks Bayo! Love you lots. And family and family!

Failed. I’ve failed to think. It’s weird because when I

think of a senior column, I imag-ine it to be something of a fare-well to your high school life. It’s still only January.

I’ve recently just fi nished my college applications and still have FAFSA and supplements and grades to worry about. I’m still trying to get by, but right now, a nice conclusion seems necessary.

But all I feel is confusion and hesitation over what clever line I can think up next. But re-ally, what’s on my mind is a test tomorrow, econ homework that I forgot to do, and my friend com-plaining about boys in her life (I still love you!).

I’m also bitter because while I’m stuck here in this bubble, my sister is off to Paris tomorrow. There are so many little things that I feel are in my way, and I feel so distracted that I feel like I’m unable to fi nish anything. Well, that’s high school for you.

Lisa ParkFeature Theme Editor

anthony parisisophomore

“My guilty pleasure is singing aloud when

I have the house to myself. I can sing

without being judged and I don’t feel all

self conscious.”

Guilty pleasures: the alternative of dancing like nobody’s watching. What’s life without these quirky little abnormalities? Whether it’s singing at the top of your lungs to crummy 80’s music or playing with your sister’s Barbies, guilty pleasures are what get us through the hard days.

Personally, as an anti-boy band kind of girl, I was naturally lead to loathe The Jo-nas Brothers and think of them as despicable pansies. Can you guess what my guilty pleasure is? It all started when I was sitting in my car, waiting for my mom, and one of The Jonas Brothers’ songs just so happened to play on the radio. Now, of course I was inclined to change the station until… I heard the amazing voice of Nick Jonas. Before I knew it, I was bobbing my head, which quickly turned into full on dancing. I attempted to sing along, but before anything could turn too intense, I was caught by my stunned mother. As I saw the look on her face I swear, my heart skipped a beat. There, I said it. I’m a closeted Jonas Brothers fan. But shhhh…don’t tell anyone about my guilty pleasure. It’s a secret. What’s yours?

joseph baiden freshman

“I like to eat baby food because I don’t

have to chew.”

arya baghkhaniansenior

“My guilty pleasure is eating whipped cream out of the can because,

it’s delicious and I know that it’s bad for me.”

ann lungfreshman

“I like brushing my teeth five to seven times a day

because I dislike when my mouth feels unclean.”

peter gi junior

“I like saving food to the point of expiration because aging it gives

it more flavor.”

Marc Inocencio took the sacred oath on January 18th, 2009. So what does our new USB President think about the school, the students, and everything else on campusl? The Bull’s Eye sat down with Mr. Inocencio to demystify the force that is USB. The new DBHS representative talks about changes in the making, common stereotypes of USB and the election process.

The Bull’s Eye: What are the duties and powers of the USB president?Marc Inocencio: The USB president pretty much oversees all the social activities we put on, and most importantly, the USB president is supposed to be a good role model, lead by example and hopefully inspire others.

TBE: What is your top priority as the USB president?MI: Pretty much, my top priority is to do better than last year. I know it’s going to be pretty tough. I have some big shoes to fi ll, but the main goal is for me to raise the bar even higher.

TBE: Do you have some specifi c examples of that?MI: [...] maybe publicize an activity more or think outside the box, instead of wasting posters and stuff, maybe we can use other stuff like plastic footballs for publicizing an at-home football game or something like that, instead of wasting butcher paper after butcher paper that we only use for one week.

TBE: What made you want to

Guilty PleasuresAshley Ahn

Contributing Staff Writer

Meet the President:Marc Inocencio

My fellow citizens...USB President Marc Inocencio speaks to USB . Leanne Fan

run for president?MI: Bobby [Herrman] was a really big inspiration—the way he led people, inspired people and help[ed] people become a good person. That inspired me to run for president. I want [to have the] same effect on others.

TBE: What do you think made students vote for you instead of your opponents?MI: I think it was the way I campaigned. I spent days after school, a week, talking to kids, having a conversation with them, and not just telling them to vote for me and walk away. I try to make myself approachable, so even if I did win, I want them to talk to me.

TBE: What do you think about the allegations that the elections are just a popularity contest?MI: It’s really about campaigning your hardest. You need to put yourself out there. Really, I didn’t know that many people. There are these categories of the Asians and the Populars. Really it’s about how hard you campaign. If people see that, they’re going be like, “I think he’s going to do a good job.”

TBE: What changes do you have in store for 2009-2010?MI: Hopefully make lunchtime

involved as much and hopefully everybody will have a fun time in high school.

TBE: Mr. Gossett has told us that there is a huge problem with trash on our campus. Even when there is a trashcan a few

feet away, students don’t throw away their trash. What do you propose to do about this?MI: [...] USB can do s o m e t h i n g to, at least once a week we can go out and pick up trash and clean up the school. And h o p e f u l l y , we can do some sort of activity where we can show kids what the problem is, their actions.

TBE: You p r o b a b l y know that

there is a lot of grumbling about the special privileges that USBers get. What do you have to say to that? MI: We really don’t have as much privileges as everybody says we do. Instead, once we get into USB, we’re taught to be servant leaders, we’re supposed to set behind the line and encourage people to step forward. Really, there are rarely perks to being a

USB member.

TBE: What do you think about the leadership infl ation problem where people just create clubs and say they’re president and do nothing?MI: Maybe look into the application a lot more deeply to see who really wants to do it and what their intentions were making the club are good, and we believe that they will use it to change and if people will join. Then I think that that club calls for an approval.

TBE: How do executive board meetings usually go? What is decided?MI: We decide on a place we can all go and we just sit around and talk about the current issues within USB and we also talk about stuff we can do for the school. We brainstorm ideas and bring them into USB. The most recent one, we just discussed interviews, about who we wanted, what we were looking for in the new USB. I think the part that we run is basically the fun part, basically getting to decide, a major aspect in what we do.

TBE: What advice do you have for students who are looking to fi ll your shoes in the future? MI: Go big or go home!

TBE: Do you wish to pursue a political future?MI: I have been looking into leadership as something I can do in the future and hopefully change lives and inspire but who knows what the future has in store for me?

Wednesday, January 28, 2008 7THE BULL’S EYEFeature

Janice YuA&E Editor

Say What?Feature

Adeel MohammadiAsst. Editorial Editor

Tiring. Tiring is the one word I can

use to describe most of my high school experience. Many of my classmates and teachers (for-give me) have most likely seen me doing my usual head-bob while falling asleep and all of my friends have gasped at least once at my puffy, dark circles. Although most people say that high school life should not be tir-ing until junior year, I was tired from day one of freshmen year. Now don’t get me wrong, I was not tired of high school since then, but I was overwhelmed by the enormous work load that I had.

I don’t deny the fact that it is entirely my fault for choos-ing to take demanding courses; however, I wish that I had not given in to the “Diamond Bar” pressure of striving to be the best academically. If I could go back in time I would take less diffi cult classes, be more diligent, SLEEP, and play hard while studying hard. That’s an-other thing I regret, not playing enough.

I doubt that many of my fel-low classmates’ parents actually tell them to GO OUT and PLAY. Always caught up in school work, studying for the SAT, ACT, or whatnot, I rarely left my house to simply relax.

As much as I’d love to return to the good ol’ carefree elemen-tary school days, playing hand-ball and having World War III (inside joke), I would rather stay in the present rather than simply returning to the past. I may have made it seem as though my en-tire high school experience was solely comprised of studying. Nonetheless, I have met teach-ers and built and maintained new and old friendships who helped make high school more bearable and enjoyable.

I’d like to thank two teach-ers for having both positive and negative infl uences upon my outlook on life. Teacher number one, I cannot stress how sur-prisingly demanding you are of your students; however, I am grateful to have been your stu-dent because you taught me in a way no other teacher has ever taught me before. Teacher num-ber two, you are the most inter-esting and unpredictable teach-er I have ever had. Thank you for always making me laugh.

As for my wonderful friends: Alice Kim, thank you for your constant prayers and encour-agements. Hana Kim, you can tell everybody that this is your song! Gloria Yi, you can be Sleeping Beauty. Terry and Willy Choi, I love twins. Ryan Park, we need to get Love Po-tion Number Six with aloe. Lisa Park, let’s go back to E.T. days. James An, I don’t got fi ve on it! Tim Kim, I am not a miserable person. Joposopeh Yopi, yay for op talk! Sneezy Park, peanuts. Dopey Kang, I don’t hate you.

So to underclassmen read-ing this, although high school may seem tiring, make the most out of it by studying hard and playing after. Also, be thankful for the teachers you have (whether you think they are good or bad) because you can always learn something valuable from them. Finally, maintain old and build new friendships that will last you a lifetime.

O-day ou-yay ike-lay y-may ew-nay anguage-lay? Well, maybe I didn’t exactly make Pig Latin up myself, but be-lieve it or not, there are languages out there that have been completely made up. Labeled “con-structed” or “auxiliary” languages by linguists, these tongues owe their creation to mostly one person, and surprisingly have a sizable number of fans.

Perhaps one of the most famous examples of a constructed lan-guage can be found from the Star Trek series. The language, called Klingon, was developed by a lin-guist, Marc Okrand, who was hired by Star Trek to develop the language of the warrior Klingons. There is now a Klingon Language Institute, with about a thousand mem-bers; in fact, Okrand has published a Klingon Dictionary, which has sold nearly a quarter of a million copies. There have even been copies of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Much ado about Nothing trans-lated into Klingon. However, the Institute estimates that there are only about a dozen fl uent Klin-gon speakers in the world. As for the rest of us, we can all say “tlhIngan Hol vIjatlhbe’,” mean-

I’m guessing most of us have heard of the supposed end of the world that is set to grace our sorry, little lives on December 21, 2012. But for those naïve beings that imagined growing old alongside their signifi cant other in a peaceful world full of colorful rainbows and butterfl ies, an explanation is in order.

Basically, you can thank the ancient Mayas for shattering your dreams. The Mayas’ Long Count calendar, which started on August 11, 3114 BC, will end after 1,872,000 days on December 21, 2012 AD. This date signifi es the end of the fourth world, the fi rst successful world to include humans. According to the ancient Mayas, this fourth world will end in catastrophe. In other words, high school was a complete waste of time.

How are we supposed to react to this so-called apocalypse? Answer: Quit your job, save enough money for doomsday, start a survival group, and abandon all forms of normalcy in your life.

At least that’s what thousands of people across the world are currently doing. According to ABC News, survival groups in Europe and the U.S., among others, are gathering resources, learning how to hunt, and fi nding

Pia KochharFeature Editor

ing “I don’t speak Klingon.”Sophomore Lorena Apari-

cio has developed a system of talking with her family. In any word, she takes all the vowels, and adds a “p”, followed by

the vowel again. For example, her name, Lorena, becomes Loporepenapa. “There are times when I don’t want people to understand; I don’t want to be rude,” Aparicio explains. “In the beginning it takes practice, but now we are pretty fl uent. It’s

secret shelters to prepare themselves from whatever disaster may hit. I understand that the end of the world may be a pretty big deal to some, but come now, we mustn’t get carried away.

All sarcasm aside, these people deserve kudos for devoting what could be the rest of their lives to trying to defy what they themselves believe to be the end of the world.

What happened to taking it all in stride? However, we shouldn’t be quick to judge others, considering that the majority of students on this campus would probably drop out of school, engage in inappropriate activities, and become utterly self-indulgent, uncivilized wild children. It’s probably best we don’t take this “end of the world” thing to heart.

Only time will tell what the future has in store for us. Maybe the dire state of our economy will somehow initiate world hunger and start a nuclear war over water, which will cause the climate change to get worse because of harmful emissions, all the while a meteor will crash into the earth, during the same time that a deadly, massive hurricane and earthquake will occur on opposite sides of the earth leading to the extinction of all living species...or not.

kind of fun too.”Probably the most spo-

ken auxiliary language in the world is Esperanto. Created in 1887 by a Russian doctor, L.L. Zamenhof, Esperanto’s pur-

pose was to become a universal second language. Zamenhof hoped to promote inter-national understanding and encourage peace by coining a language that, according to him, would be so easy that everyone would be able to learn it. Esperanto is based off of Latin roots, and its vocabulary and grammar are extremely simple. Today, there are an estimated million Esperanto-speakers. Phrases include “Salu-ton” (“Hello”) and “Ĉu vi parolas Esperanton?” (“Do you speak Espe-ranto?”).

Languages come and go, and often evolve with people and geog-raphy (look at Latin’s popularity—centuries ago, it was the domi-nant world language). In fact, there are more than fi ve thousand lan-guages, many of which

have since gone extinct. Maybe it would be benefi cial to learn an additional language, since the whole world does not speak English or Spanish or Chinese or whatever. It’s either that, or you can make up your own lan-guage.

Anahita NamakiEditor-in-Chief

Desiree Wang Asst. Feature Editor

“What does the environ-ment have to do with me?” Well, everything. As the cliché goes, “We are the future.” But here lies the conundrum— what if there’s no future Earth for us to live in? With the deteriorating state of our environment, the least we can do is follow a few steps in helping to preserve it. If you won’t do it for the polar bears, do it for yourself. After all, you live in the world too.

• If everyone in the US ab-stained from printing their ATM receipts, we would save a roll of paper long enough to circle the equator fi fteen times! Your new motto: No thanks, ATM re-ceipts.

• You better start digging! Each tree planted reduces the amount of greenhouse gases in the air. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of car-bon dioxide during its lifetime. Go green, grow a tree!

• If every American just changed their traditional light bulbs to fl uorescent ones, the amount of greenhouse gases saved would be equivalent to the amount of emissions from 800,000 cars. Bright idea—change your light bulbs.

• If every American household replaced one roll of fi ber pa-per towels (70 sheets) with a 100% recycled paper towel roll, 544,000 trees would be saved. Better yet, just use a cloth towel instead!

DOOMSDAY SCHMOOMS-

DAYPhrases to know...

KlingonHello = nuqneHYes = HIja’No = ghobe’Happy birthday = qoSlIj DatIvjajWhat time is it? = ‘arlogh Qoylu’pu’?Merry Christmas = toDwI’maj qoSyItIvqu’ My name is __ = __’oH pongwIj’e’

Esperanto

Hello = SalutonYes = JesNo = NeHappy Birthday = Felican dat-revenon What time is it? = Kioma estas la horo?Merry Christmas = Gajan KristnaskonMy name is __ = Mi nomigas __

INAUGURATION:

IN OUR GENERATIONGO GREEN

or GO HOME

Economic Crisis“Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irre-sponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure…”

A survey conducted by the Na-tional Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth as well as First Focus, a bipartisan advocacy organization committed to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions, found that 459 school districts in the United States had an increase of at least 25 percent in the number of homeless students identifi ed between the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years. Both the NAEHCY and First Focus site the current economic crisis as the cause for the increase. It has been reported that homeless students are at a greater risk, than their peers, of school failure, behavioral problems, and other challenges.

Despite what we choose to believe, our parents are not lying when they say that the world does not revolve around us. However, that does not mean that our nation’s most controversial issues do not affect us, the youth of America. In fact, almost every topic that President Barack Obama addressed in his inaugural speech last week can be connected to our lives. As teenagers make up over 27 percent of America’s population, it is essential that we, the generation on the horizon, under-stand the direct or indirect impact that current world issues have on our lives.

Power of the Youth“We the People have remained faith-

ful to the ideals of our forbearers…so it must be with this generation of

Americans.”President Barack Obama’s election

campaign managed to increase young voter participation and, ac-cording to exit polling, 68 percent

of young voters between the ages of 18 and 24 voted for Obama in the November election. On sev-

eral occasions, Obama focused on the youth of America in his speech-es, asserting that our generation is now the model for past and future generations. He also emphasizes

that we must recognize the struggle and sacrifi ce of our Founding Fathers,

gaining strength from the knowledge that in the face of daunting obstacles,

courage and hope lead to success.

Middle East Confl ict/Energy Crisis“…the ways we use energy strengthen our

adversaries and threaten our planet.”Crude oil production in the Middle East

ranks among the highest in the world and produces a signifi cant amount of America’s

oil supply. A long history of confl ict within the Middle East keeps the United States’ dealings with the region on a level of uncertainty. Such

insecurity is potentially a major problem for American consumers because crude oil is a

major source of energy and is found in many products that we purchase, such as soda

bottles and tooth brushes.

Versailles EtiquetteCourtiers who

wished to see the king were not allowed to

knock on his door. Instead, they

had to scratch the door gently with their left pinkie fi nger.

Therefore they grew that

fi ngernail longer than the others. When

gentlemen sat down, they

followed an odd procedure. They

rested their hands on the

sides of the chair while sliding his left foot in front of the right. This

was a practical method that

prevented their tight pants from

splitting. In accordance with Louis XIV’s rules, courtiers

living at the palace had to

participate in a daily morning rising, called “Lever”, and a daily tucking

in, called “Coucher.” The

practice included prayers and an announcement

of what would follow

throughout the day.

F A S H I O N

THEBUZZAmericanTeen

end. It tells the audience that everyone has their own struggles and that people grow and mature at their own pace.

Some characters in the f i lm seem to be too predictable a n d o b v i o u s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of certain cliques. However, that is what makes them so re la tab le to . All the characters have the general, vague personality one would expect to fi nd in someone of their social group. This allows people of that social group, whether slightly ‘in’ the group or deeply rooted in, to be able to relate to certain characters. That ul t imately draws the audience closer to the film on an emotional level.

A m e r i c a n Teen is a hard fi lm to label. It looks like another dramatic teenage fi lm, with its bright yellow cover and good-looking characters. But after watching it, it

turns into something more: a raw, emotionally compelling documentary on high school experience.

High school life is filled with unneeded gossip and scandals, but the documentary sends an important message out to its audience. There are struggles in life, but life goes on and time never stops.

Arts & EntertainmentTHE BULL’S EYE

The movie American Teen is everything you’d expect a documentary about high school to be. It’s fi lled with drama, scandals, pressure, and depression. T h o u g h t h e documentary is too fast paced at times, it still does a good job of exploring the problems of high school cliques.

T h i s documentary has been able to look deeply in to the lives of a variety of social groups. This movie shows a u d i e n c e s t h e obstacles people face every day, no matter what social group they belong in. The fi lm takes the time to examine each character and the diffi culties they go through. The documentary is also real, raw, and does not spare any of the tears or profanity, making i t more relatable to. A sense of sincerity throughout the documentary pulls the audience’s heartstrings and holds onto them until the very end.

There are also interesting techniques used throughout the documentary that correspond with the character and his or her personality. The graphics used in the fantasy scenes of each

Elizabeth LeeStaff Writer

character illustrate their different styles and personalities. Some use detailed art, while others look more geometric.

There are many scenes that

seem overly dramatic, cheesy, and staged. Whether they are or are not, that is how high school life is. It seems unbelievably predictable, but never fails to shock when it’s all over. At some points in the fi lm, scenes seem to be completely ridiculous and unlike the Diamond Bar culture. However, the documentary brings a clear message in the

Jane ParkAsst. A&E Editor

Imagine the Palace of Versailles with its ornate architecture and picturesque grounds. Now envision the ornate and ornamental palace fi lled with seventeen of the most immense, loud statues imaginable. This is the visualization of Jeff Koons’ exhibit in the infamous palace, which began on September 12, 2008.

Jeff Koons is an American artist who grew up in the most humble of backgrounds. He was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania. As a teenager, he revered the works of Salvador Dali, a product of the Surrealist era who painted such works as The Persistence of Memory in 1931.

Koons studied painting at

the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Maryland Institute College of Art. After college, he worked on Wall Street while establishing himself as an artist. He gained recognition in the 1980s and consequently set up a factory-like studio in a SoHo loft in New York. He had over 30 assistants, each of whom carried out a different task in producing a piece, a system similar to that of Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst.

His factory-like system and quiver of assistants probably comes in handy as his pieces are often on a very large scale. One of his most legendary sculptures is Puppy, a 43-foot tall topiary of a West Highland white terrier, executed in different colored fl owers. The money his sculptures fetch at auctions is a even more impressive. His sculpture, Hanging Heart

French queens.Visitors are fi rst shown a

piece of Koons’ work as they are walking up, an enormous sculpture of a gold dog sculpture graces the courtyard and gives a taste of what is to come. A giant magenta sculpture of a balloon dog stands next to a Veronese masterpiece in the Salon d’Hercule. The initiation is now over. Room after room, more outlandish sculptures appear; a lobster hangs alongside a breathtaking crystal chandelier and a collection of vintage Hoover vacuums in a Plexiglas encasement sits in the Queen’s Antechamber.

This contemporary fl air of art shown in the museum has not come without opposition. The opening of the exhibit drew a crowd of protestors who believed that it was an insult to France, an utter act of disrespect, in one of the most politically important structures in the history of France. However Koons insists he has “complete respect for Versailles [and] complete respect for each individual coming to Versailles.” Opposition sees the exhibit as tasteless and grossly improper, while supporters see the exhibit as groundbreaking and appropriate for the changing times.

Although Koons is not the fi rst artist to mix contemporary with the traditional, he is the fi rst to do so successfully on such a grand scale. It can be assured that his work will continue to break the rules of art as we know it.

With all the attention focused on new models of MP3 players and cell phones, computers and laptops have fallen behind in the innovative design department. Yet in the past few retail seasons, entrepreneurs and companies

have introduced an array of new personal computer designs, from which one might very soon end up in your home.

In a PC design contest held last year, industrial design student Avery Holleman won fi rst prize for his design of the “Napkin PC.” The idea was based on the appearance of traditional napkins, assorted in a dispenser. The Napkin PC has many touch-screen user interfaces, which are meant to be passed out during meetings to allow each individual to contribute ideas digitally; the information amassed from the screens is kept together on one central base unit. Though the idea is original, it would be

P C : P E N D I N G C o n c e p t sinhibitively expensive and quite impractical for personal use.

If you are looking for a novel design, a more sensible answer would probably be the MacTab, a new laptop with a detachable keyboard. The screen can fold back and stand on its own, and the ultra-thin keyboard can come off when in use, but can

attach itself on top of the screen as a cover during transportation. The MacTab is being introduced by Apple, who already has seen great success with its slick MacBook laptop. Though the product was rumored to be released for purchase in late 2008, no defi nite word of its release has come yet.

PCs have evolved through the years from older versions of huge desktops to newer and more manageable laptops—now, a new generation of personal computers will soon be introduced to the markets. Consumers will not be disappointed with these new gadgets, but of course, only if the price is right.

Messy, unorganized desk?...Clean it up with the Napkin PC.Courtesy of www.tuvie.com

Adeel MohammadiAsst. Editorial Editor

As temperatures rise and heavy coats drop, get ready to show your fashion savvy with the newest spring trends for 2009.

Coming in fi rst is the ever-so-popular trend that encompasses the neo-hippie and bohemian

looks, a long wi th a dash o f c o w b o y accents. Give in to f r inge, w a s h e d -o u t d e n i m , e m b r o i d e r y, beading, and flower prints. A d d s o m e leather staples, such as boots, a relaxed and roomy bag, or a studded belt, and in doing so, achieve a laid-

back and relaxed feeling while looking effortlessly trendy.

N e x t u p , s h o w y o u r adventurous s ide as you indulge in the safari look that is prominent in runway shows th is sp r ing . Tailored khakis are back, along w i t h t w e e d pieces, both in neutral and clean colors. A c c e n t u a t e with python-p a t t e r n e d accessor ies and canvas m e s s e n g e r b a g s , a n d you will have yourself a look that’s ready for a trek through the hallways of DBHS.

Shine out amongst the crowds with metallics—a trend for the new season. Soft and

subtle silvers, pewters, and bronzes are all you need to play up an otherwise boring outfit. Vintage lamé and wrinkled L u r e x a r e the di fferent textures and styles to be on the look for. If you think gold is much too bold, s imply accesso r i ze by adding to a

subtler set of colors. Last, but certainly not the

least, is the body-flattering geometric trend. Because h o r i z o n t a l s t r i pes add curves while vertical ones elongate the b o d y, b o l d g e o m e t r i c shapes can look their best on everyone. Bright, color-block prints and artsy patterns have infused themselves in the clothes and accessories of this spring.

With such an array of trends to satisfy your craving to look your best, be creative and mix-and-match your way to an outfi t that will have heads turning as you walk to class.

S M A S H I N ’

sold at Sotheby’s New York for $23.6 million, which is the most expensive piece of art created by a living artist.

Koons is the fi rst contemporary artist to show in Versailles. His exceedingly contemporary art clashes with the gilded extravagance of the palace. It seems clearly out of place, yet it feels right at the same time. In one room, a marble statue of Louis XIV shares space with a porcelain sculpture of the king of pop, Michael Jackson and Bubbles, his pet chimpanzee. Surprisingly Koons’ art seems to be a perfect match for the setting at Versailles. A massive refl ective balloon adorns the Hall of Mirrors. An impressive sculpture of a vase of fl owers fi ts well with the excessively fl oral wallpapers and tapestries in a bedroom once used by

The circus is in town...at the Palace of Versailles. Courtesy of www.cloudform.com

Reality bites...so take a bite out of this american pie.Courtesy of www.hushgossip.com

Ashley ChenAsst. Photo Editor

10 Wednesday, January 28, 2009 A&E

Arts & EntertainmentTHE BULL’S EYE

You’d be surprised how many gaming industry success stories started in someone’s basement.

As video game companies became larger and larger, basemen t p ro jec t s we re sectioned off into fl ash games and broken dreams. With the

recent fi rmware upgrade for the Xbox 360 came the integration wi th the XNA communi ty, delivering the ability to create, publish, and sell games that you create, in a basement or otherwise.

Whereas in the past it was a select few who had their projects realized in the gaming market, now anyone who takes the time to learn the code and utilize their abilities can not only make a game, but they can also publish it and make money off of it.

The XNA communi ty ’s integration with Xbox LIVE will give young minds destined for professions in the gaming industry an early chance to prove to potential employers that they have talent. Additionally, to themselves that they can deal with the arduous tasks included in creating a game. Artists and writers have portfolios to showcase their work; now so too do game designers.

Unfortunately, the recently a c q u i r e d f r e e d o m s a r e susceptible to bureaucracy.

While the process for submitting a game is pretty simple, the path to earning money includes a lot of regulatory hoops to jump through. Said hoops are arranged in a basic order: you create your game, submit it to the XNA community, have it reviewed by peers in the community, and then off it goes.

The necessary intricacies of the process are extensive and, in some cases, limiting. Although they’re small potatoes once you make it past all the checkpoints.

This new venue for game enthusiasts is not one to tread upon lightly, and as it offers serious reward, it takes serious commitment. Unfortunately, criteria for making money off your game includes being 18 and paying for a “premium” account, but knowing the opportunity is there for your taking is enabling enough for the most dedicated.

When push comes to shove, hopefully you have parents who are over 18 and can share the love; of course, you might have to share the wealth.

Todd SchlickberndContributing Staff Writer

T o o l s Saying that something is

the best whether it is a talent or an object is a bit pretentious, but, The Best American Non Required Reading, edited by Dave Eggers, is one of the best books I have ever read.

The book is compiled of a myriad of short stories, each one with an interesting plot. From eye-pleasing comics about a boy struggling in college to an adopted child whom no one wants, the book is delightful and fun to read. The book is also part of a series called The Best American; each one is written annually and covers a different fi elds or subjects such as The Best American Comics, The Best American Sports Writing, or The Best American Travel Writing.

The Best American series usually starts off with an interview of a famous person including Zadie Smith, Beck, and Sufjan Stevens; this particular book starts off with an introduction by Judy Blume, a famous author. The introduction highlights Blume’s personality and humor, making it easy to read with her light-hearted style and witty jokes. Afterwards, the book progresses into interesting sections such as Champion Show Dogs or Facebook Groups.

The one that caught my attention was the Best American Diary of the Living Dead or: Are You There God? It’s Me. Also, a Bunch of Zombies. The story is centered on a young man

hiding in an offi ce building from savage zombies and yes, savage zombies. The story is written in a diary-like style and makes the reader almost feel as if he is within the room with the young man and survivors, fending zombies by cutting their heads off with a paper cutter.

Another story that caught my eye was about a poor sixteen-year old who stays at a hotel. He meets an old man who is paid almost a lifetime supply of money; when the old man dies, he takes the money and runs. The book also contains comic strips, one that stood out was about a homosexual child who loved to wear a tutu. His mom and dad always fought over w h a t h e should wear, but in the end t he child wore I t anyways because he was happy in it.

Most books t e n d t o b e repetitive with the same plot and a happy ending to please the reader; however, this compilation of short stories is the complete opposite. Though some of the stories may seem far from reality or even unlikely, the stories draw upon real feelings.

Kevin KangAsst. A&E Editor

Y o u D o n ’ t H a v e T o ,They deal with people who are neglected by society and your typical average Joe who is far from the ideal hero or Mr. Perfect. Readers can relate to the characters such as an ugly orphan whom no one wants to accept, a group of Mexicans trying to save their jobs, a man who believes he doesn’t exist, homosexuals running from a natural disaster, and a homosexual child who enjoys wearing tutus.

Al l in al l , th is book is enjoyable and though you would not fi nd these stories on a list of books to read for a class, it is defi nitely worth your time. The book truly does justice to its title and is a great anthology of non-

required readings.

Not a day goes by without a conversation with your friends or family about what was on yesterday’s show, or how cute (usually girls) or how hot (mostly guys) the new character was in your favorite show.

In today’s society, TV shows have become an important aspect of our daily lives, and for some, TV is just as important as breathing air. Many people living in the United States watch their favorite show without even realizing that the shows they watch originated in different parts of the globe, from countries like United Kingdom to even Sweden. However, U.S. TV shows have also made expeditions into other countries to spread their originality to the rest of the world.

Many U.S. TV shows were remade based on other original shows and most of them are from the United Kingdom. Among one of them is The Offi ce, a British original made by Ricky Gervais (with Stephen Merchant) who is also the leading character in the TV show. He plays the role

Eric LeeStaff Writer

of David Brent who is like the character Michael Scott who is played by Steve Carell. There are other refashioned characters in the American The Offi ce, such as Dwight Schrute and Gareth Keenan; Jim & Pam, and Tim & Dawn. Although Scott, Dwight, and Jim & Pam take on roles as the original characters, there are many differences that set the American The Offi ce from the

British The Offi ce. The British version is much more “real” than the American version. Many critics believe that in real life Americans do not act that way as the characters do in the show. Especially the character David Brent, who became complacent as he as he became more successful, is so much more

realistic than Michael Scott, who is just a complete buffoon whom no one is their right mind would give a job to.

On the other hand, other shows were imported from the U.S., such as Family Feud, called Family Fortunes in the U.K., That ‘70s Show, Wheel of Fortune and many more.

Unfortunately, there are confl icts between the fans of

the original show and supporters of the remade version of the show. H o w e v e r , instead of arguing that their favorite show is the best, a u d i e n c e s h o u l d e x p l o r e d i f f e r e n t ideas of their show that might have not appeared in the original or be encouraged to enjoy the “old school” shows that they have n e g l e c t e d due to being

obsolete.It is inevitable to compare

the original and the remake. For example, stating that the original is better than the remake or saying that the remake is better than the original. Whatever the case may be, viewers should love the show without any types of judgment.

Whose Offi ce will be on top...Steve Carrell or Ricky Gervais? Courtesy of www.gizmodo.com

NEW FLICK PICKS

Does the name Robert Maxwell ring a bell? What about Angelina Jolie, Pharrell Williams, Tom Cruise or Johnny Depp? Chances are that you have seen these people in fashion, music, or tabloids.

Besides being famous, what else do these celebrities have in common? They’ve all been photographed by Robert Maxwell, a renowned fashion and editorial photographer who has taken pictures for publications, from Esquire and Complex to Vanity Fair.

Besides photographing celebrities and advertising their latest fi lm or musical endeavors, Maxwell has been shooting the hopelessly fashionable in a series for the New York Times Magazine called The Originals.

The Originals series captures fashion icons from the various music, fi lm, art, and design industries, all of whom have created their own unique personal style. It applauds and points out the men and women who deviate from the “it” style of the moment. They do not have personal stylists who look up and order clothes and make glamour ordinary and mundane.

W e l l D r e s s e d , I ’ m I m p r e s s e dWhether they create it, buy it, or sell it, The Originals are people who are just passionate about design.

Those photographed for the series come from different walks of life. Past models have included those involved in the fashion industry like Ronnie and Vidal Sassoon, creators of the self-named hair product line, and Diane von Furstenburg, one of the most famous designers, as well as those in the music industry, such as Andre 3000, Kelis, and the Black Eyed Peas, to the people who probably care least about what is going on at New York’s Fashion Week like Glenn, Patsy, and Eddie, members of the motorcycle gang, Hell’s Angels.

Most recently, Maxwell has shot Japanese groundbreakers like Takashi Murakami, who’s worked with Louis Vuitton, and Verbal and Yoon of Ambush Design, which has designed a custom new car model for Toyota and handles the Japanese press for Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream.

The Originals spread in the New York Times Magazine celebrates individuals who embrace their personal style and serve as an inspiration to many.

Jane ParkAsst. A&E Editor

B u t Y o u ’ l l W a n t T o

Don’t copy the current trend...get the Originals. Courtesy of www.nytimes.com

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen:During a war between the Autobots and the evil Decepticons, Sam Witwicky discovers information about how the Transformers came to exist. June 26, 2009

Up:By tying hundreds of balloons to his house, an old balloon salesman fulfills his dream of going on an adventure, only to find that the trip has been ruined by an 8-year-old stowaway. May 29, 2009

Watchmen: A retired superhero reunites with his old friends to stop a series of murders directed at his fellow heroes. March 6, 2009

New Moon: Bella Swan is heartbroken by the sudden disappearance of her vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen and fi nds comfort in the werewolf Jacob

Black. November 29, 2009

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Harry, Ron, and Hermione must once again battle Lord Voldemort in the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series. July 17, 2009

o f t h e T r a d e

A&E Wednesday, January 28, 2009 11

AdvertisementAdvertisementTHE BULL’S EYE12 Wednesday, January 28, 2009

tunities. Whisenand comment-ed, “A lot of our starters came out to rest for our upcoming game. Our best players stepped up and had a great game.”

The Brahmas were at a disadvantage in this game because they were missing a player on the fi eld. Sopho-more starter Alex Perez received a red card in the previous game against Ayala High School, mak-ing it impos-sible for him to play in the game.

“ W e still have a chance to make playoffs if we correct the mistakes that we have been making,”

said Wells about the game, “It’s a typical soccer season. Some [games] are good and others are meant to be forgotten.” Dia-mond Bar’s varsity boys’ soccer team will be facing the Huskies again at home on February 9 at 3:15.

Sports THE BULL’S EYE Wednesday, January 28, 2009 13

SportsKevin AccianiStaff Writer

Boys Soccer Loses a Tough OneMegan QuiamasContributing Staff Writer

To the avid sports fan (or nut job as some would say), the world of sports is an escape, a way to lose yourself and hide from the troubles of the world

(work, classes, psychotic ex-girlfriends, etc.). But the sports world isn’t perfect, nor will it ever be, and improvements will al-ways need to be made. If I was in charge of all sports, these are the issues I would address, in order of importance.

1. College Football Play-off System. Seriously, why has this not happened yet? Every-one who knows anything about football has been screaming about this for years. Every year the Bowl Championship Series forgets a couple of teams; this year it was the University of Utah. Will someone please ex-plain to me why the only unde-feated team in Division One was not given a shot at the national championship? Newly Inaugu-rated President Barack Obama has even expressed his support for a playoff system. Come on, NCAA, even the leader of our country is calling for it!

2. National Football League Overtime. College football’s overtime is one of the most magical times in a sport-ing event (second only to a hockey shootout). Each team gets a turn to score from 25 yards away. Whoever scores more is the winner. Doesn’t that sound so much better than “the fi rst team to score wins?” In the NFL, a mere coin toss practically wins the game for a team and both teams have a 50-50 chance to win (Place your bets! Place your bets!). I propose that the NFL should be more like the NCAA in this, with each team getting the ball with 40 yards to go.

3. Bring hockey into the spotlight. Ask almost anyone, and they will say what they love most about sports are grace, hits, and athleticism. In no other sport in the world are all three of those skills displayed at one time more than in hockey. That’s right, hockey isn’t just for Canadians and Eastern Euro-peans anymore—it is slowly but surely becoming more prevalent in the U.S. Whatever popularity hockey seems to gain still never seems to be enough. Here’s a good example: Most sports fans can name the exact amount of points Kobe Bryant scored in his near record-breaking game*, but besides these few enlight-ened souls, can anyone name the Anaheim Ducks player who scored three goals in about two minutes against the L.A. Kings?** I didn’t think so.

4. Abolish the Designat-ed Hitter. I may be a fan of an American League team, but the National League really was right for not following the AL in ac-cepting designated hitters. The DH has become a position for players without a full skill set to recieve substantial playing time, without concern for improve-ment in such skills as fi elding or throwing. It’s like having a bas-ketball player who has no other job than standing right under the hoop to score. Everyone loves watching a pitcher hit a home run; why can’t this happen in both leagues? Players are get-ting paid millions upon millions of dollars to play baseball, so teams should get their money’s worth, right?

* 81 points, **Bobby Ryan

If I Ruled the World...

The boy’s varsity soccer team played against their rival, the Chino Hills Huskies, on Fri-day, Janu-ary 23. D e s p i t e their efforts throughout the game, the Brah-mas lost 0-4. They f o u g h t back hard and tried to gain control of the game in the sec-ond half; h o w e v e r, they never caught up to Chino Hills’ lead.

D i a -mond Bar did not start off strong. With both of the teams’ speeds, the ball kept going back and forth across the fi eld; but Chino Hills had the advantage and kept the play within the Brahmas’ half of the fi eld. Not long into the game, Chino Hills scored. Co-captain Alex Whisenand stated, “A key

moment in the game was when we gave up the fi rst goal.”

Coach Kemp Wells com-mented, “We played well, but gave up too easily.”

The referee called numer-

ous fouls on DBHS. Sophomore Neil Ignacio received two unjust fouls. During the game, Ignacio and a Chino Hills defender got into an offensive battle. While Ignacio was trying to get the ball, a Chino Hills player kicked Ignacio in the head, knocking Ig-

A Shocking Season

Pamela LewesContributing Staff Writer

nacio to the ground. The referee called the foul on Ignacio, caus-ing Coach Jeff Clarke to get into a dispute with the referee.

By the end of the fi rst half, Chino Hills was leading 0-3.

The Brahmas signifi cantly improved from the fi rst half to the second half, even though only two of the starters, Bobby Herrman and Robert Ignacio, were still playing. The Brahmas played much more offensively, giving them many more oppor-

A f t e r w a t c h i n g early reruns of Sports Center in the summer, it seemed i n e v i t a b l e that the San Diego Char-

gers were sure contenders to at least make it to the Super Bowl. After a run to the AFC Champi-onship game last year the Bolts seemed to have all the pieces in place to go all the way. What almost everyone failed to real-ize, however, was the Chargers’ underlying inability to overcome obstacles in their path for the second straight year; this mon-umental struggle consisted of injuries.

When the Chargers lost de-fensive line-man Shawne Merri-man to a severe knee injury, the team realized there would have to be a vast change in order to make-up for this enormous loss. However, it was evident that the loss of Merriman would prove to be detrimental throughout the entire season. A defense that thrived off pressure to cre-ate interceptions and fumbles last year had turned into a de-fense that hoped for dropped passes and miscommunication from the offense. Only when the debut of the new defensive-coordinator, Ron Rivera, half-way through the season, did the Bolts witness a sudden revival.

Although the defensive side of the ball struggled, the offensive line also had a poor performance this season. Hav-ing a quarterback with barely any mobility hurt the Chargers when it came to key intercep-tions and fumbles at the end of crucial games. The offensive line must allow Philip Rivers to see that third or fourth option that can prove to be the deci-sive factor in a close game. Also, the key blocks that en-abled running-back LaDainian Tomlinson to break all sorts of records years ago was clearly non-existent all season long. It’s true “LT” was, once again, injured most of the season, but a team needs a running-game in order to win a championship; for the running game proved to be one of the many downfalls of the Chargers this season.

A few key losses, however, seemed to be caused by Rivers’ throwing arm. Even though he had great numbers this season, he still had a couple of costly throws that proved to be crucial in tight games. Rivers is a solid quarterback, but he is still not ready to carry the team on his shoulders just yet. Regardless of poor offensive or defensive lines, a few games could have been won by a game-ending drive led by Rivers, but he could not fi nd any of his ever-so-tal-ented receivers on those key third-downs. With the Char-gers’ electrifying receiving core, it is not a question about catch-ing the ball, but rather putting the ball in the right place and allowing playmakers to make plays.

In spite of all this criticism, the San Diego Chargers still showed grit and brutal determi-nation in making it to the sec-ond round of the playoffs, even after a 4-8 start. But this team has the potential to become a dominant squad for years. If the Bolts are able to establish a solid running game and create crucial turnovers next season, the team will be a strong con-tender for the Vince Lombardi trophy and quite possibly shock the football nation.

Ryan DeVoreAsst. Sports Editor

As the rain poured down on Friday, January 23, the varsity Brahma girls began warming up for their soccer match against the Chi-no Hills Huskies. L i t t l e did they k n o w that 90 minutes later the Brahmas would be celebrat-ing a 3-0 v i c t o r y, their fi rst win of the sea-son.

I n -t e n s i t y hung in the air as the girls lined up for the kick off, and from the mo-ment the ball was tapped into play, it was blatantly obvious that the Brahmas were deter-mined to win.

With complete ball control and amazing communication, the Brahmas were clearly domi-nating the game despite their previous league record of 0-3. Senior Brenna Dahlin was the fi rst to score, placing a direct kick smoothly into the top right corner of the goal. This was not only the fi rst goal of the game

but also the Brahma’s fi rst goal of the league season. Not long after the fi rst goal, Dahlin settled another ball into the net, making the score 2-0 for Diamond Bar. However, the Brahmas did not stop there. By the end of the

s e c o n d half Me-lissa Lo-pez made ano the r g o a l , s e t t i n g the fi nal score at 3-0. T h e journey to this vic-tory was a diffi cult struggle due to the Brah-mas’ two i n j u r i e s in the g a m e . The fi rst, occurring t o w a r d the end of the fi rst half, was

suffered by defender Kirsten Welsch, who was experiencing ankle pain do to irritation caused by a previous injury. The other player injured in the match was the goalkeeper, Danielle Sel-fridge, who was put on crutches after she collided with an op-ponent while competing for the ball. “[Selfridge] defi nitely was a huge part of the game,” com-mented head coach Chris Ra-mos. “She played the game of her life today.”

Battle for the ball...Junior Matt Jean challenges an opposing player for the ball. Eunice Lee

First Win of the Season

SUPER BOWL XLIIINobody could have drawn this up. Af-

ter a season of many surprises, the best of all is saved for the Super Bowl. Gray-haired

quarterback Kurt Warner will face off against the highest-rated defense in the league. Can Pitt sburgh steal the game away from the Cardinals in this Cin-derella-like story?

On February 1, Super Bowl history will be made.

Laura Moffi ttContributing Staff Writer

Taking one for the team...Freshman keeper Danielle Selfridge is injured after blocking a goal. Ashley Chen

Senior Terrin Clark, a versatile and hard-working athlete, sets the stan-dard for basketball players. Inspired by his older brother and the Phoenix Suns’ Shaquille O’ Neal, Clark began playing basketball when he was six years old and decid-ed he wanted to continue playing it in his future. “Basketball is the most exciting [sport] to play and watch,” commented Clark.

Not only does Clark play basketball for fun, he also strives for excellence. He has received many awards for bas-ketball, including the Most Im-proved Award in his freshman year, the Most Valued Player Award in his sophomore year, and the Facilitated Award and the Athletic All League Award in his junior year. His excellence does not solely come from his drive to succeed, but also from a general love for the game. “I like the exhilaration o f shooting [the ball] and giving [it to] my teammates. It gets my heart pumping,” stated Clark, “[I also like] the spur of the moment decision making.”

Aside from being an ex-cellent basketball player, Clark is also a leader. Clark was the United Student Body’s Com-missioner of Audio Communica-tions and is a Black Student Union member. Clark has also been on the track team for three years. Despite Clark’s busy basketball schedule, he still manages to earn high grades while taking rigorous courses such as AP Biology, AP Calculus 2, and AP Statistics. Due to his love of basketball, Clark hopes to attend UCLA and continue to play basketball there. “It’s a pretty good school with good sport [programs],” stated Clark, “It’s one of the best basketball programs in the [country].”

An extremely athletic and well-rounded student, Ter-rin Clark is truly a role model for many. His accomplish-ments and dedication to basketball encourage all bas-ketball players to try harder and strive for excellence.

Senior Terrin Clark, a versatile and hard-working athlete, sets the stan-dard for basketball players. Inspired by

years old and decid-ed he wanted to continue playing it in his future. “Basketball is the most exciting [sport] to play and watch,” commented Clark.

Not only does Clark play basketball for fun, he also strives for excellence. He has received many awards for bas-ketball, including the Most Im-proved Award in his freshman year, the Most Valued Player Award in his sophomore year, and the Facilitated Award and the Athletic All League Award in his junior year. His excellence does not solely come from his drive to succeed, but also from a general love for the game. “I like the exhilaration o f shooting [the ball] and giving [it to] my teammates. It gets my heart pumping,” stated Clark, “[I also like] the spur of the moment decision making.”

Aside from being an ex-cellent basketball player, Clark is also a leader. Clark was the United Student Body’s Com-missioner of Audio Communica-tions and is a Black Student Union member. Clark has also been on the track team for three years. Despite Clark’s busy basketball schedule, he still manages to earn

The Bull’s Eye Athlete of the Month

Terrin Clark

SportsSportsTHE BULL’S EYE14 Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Brahma Basketball Wins a Close One, 53-50

Off the Field: Which injury of 2008 had the greatest impact?

Kevin AccianiStaff Writer

Phoebe HuaSports Editor

Rachel HalpertContributing Staff Writer

The girl’s varsity basketball team had an unfortunate loss against the Chino Hills Huskies on Friday, January 23, with the game ending at 17-51. “[It was] disappointing. I know we can play better than that,” c o m m e n t e d head coach Chris Holmes. This unlucky game brings their Sierra League record to 2-2 and their overall record to 10- 8.

The Lady Brahmas hung in the game in the beginning, trailing by only four points at the end of the first quarter. However, Diamond Bar struggled to get the ball past half court against the Huskies’ tough full court press. Chino Hills’ quick and aggressive pressure resulted in failed passes by the Brahmas and ultimately in turnovers. By halftime, the Huskies were in the lead at 27-9.

When the Lady Brahmas came back to start the second half, they seemed to play without confidence. Senior captain Remy Mallett took many good shots in front of the basket, but they just wouldn’t fall in. On the other hand, she totaled an impressive nine rebounds, while junior Jen Miller grabbed six. Senior

captain Karliegh Nakata scored the only three-pointer for the Brahmas at the end of the third quarter, making the score 12-37. Senior Joy Dou entered the game strongly in the fourth quarter with a steal at half court.

D o u e n d e d the play with a n i c e , e a s y lay-up. “ W e c o u l d h a v e

played better,” stated senior captain Lexie Mark. “We just didn’t have a good game tonight.” The Brahmas stayed fairly strong throughout the game but their shots just kept falling short.

Despite the score, the Lady Brahmas never did give up. “With only one returning varsity player, it’s hard to ask them to get too much better too fast,” explained Holmes.

Even with this loss, Diamond Bar can still achieve their goal of finishing third place in league if they continue to work hard.

This is Holmes’ first season coaching girls varsity basketball at Diamond Bar. He is very pleased with the season so far, but doesn’t think the team started the season as well as they could have. Holmes believes they are beginning to play at their potential. For this game, he wanted the girls to be more competitive than they were at the last game against Ayala, to start the game off

stronger and to maintain that level of play. “They work hard and [are] smart, [I] like everything about them, and each one is a really i n t e r e s t i n g p e r s o n , ” c o m m e n t e d Holmes.

To prepare for their next game, Coach Holmes wants to improve overall and work on the fundamentals. Captain and leading scorer Lexie Mark said that the team needs to “limit the t u r n o v e r s and work on shooting.”

After a hard fight against the Chino High School Cowboys on Thursday, January 22, the Dia-mond Bar Wrestling team was unable to pull through and lost the match 23-44.

Starting the night off strong with the 152 lb. weight group, the Brahmas won the first match of the night. Sophomore Kevin Kim pinned his opponent within the first five seconds of his match, making the score 6-0. Commenting on his pin, Kim said, “I saw an opening and I took it.”

Kim was followed by sopho-more Dennis Ruan of the 160 lb. weight group. Ruan had numer-ous takedowns and escapes in the first period and continued to battle throughout the match, but was unable to clutch the win, losing by only one point to his opponent, 5-6. Despite the close loss, the Brahmas were still in the lead with an overall score of 6-3.

Chino won the subsequent two matches, making the over-all score 6 - 1 2 . Next was the 215 lb. weight g r o u p . The spot-light was on Dia-mond Bar s e n i o r c a p t a i n Lawrence Liu, who s t e p p e d on to the mat with c o n f i -d e n c e and domi-n a t e d . With sev-eral take-d o w n s , reversals, and nearfalls, Liu defeated his opponent 8-2, and won by ma-jor decision. The overall score was now 10-12, with Chino

two points ahead. Sophomore Brandon Chavez won his match

in the 103 lb. weight group in a similar manner, defeating his opponent 14-5, and gaining four more points for the Brahmas.

Brahma Wrestling Gets Taken Down by CowboysSenior captain Isaiah Bon-

golan contributed points to Dia-

mond Bar’s score as well. Bon-golan said, “I was pretty tired, but I didn’t want to look bad in front of the team and the crowd.

I knew I had to win.” By capitaliz-ing on key opportunities as well

as the o p p o -n e n t ’ s m i s -t a k e s , Bongo-lan was able to win his m a t c h 8-3, set-ting the ove ra l l score at 1 7 - 3 0 , with Di-a m o n d Bar still t ra i l ing behind.

S e -n i o r captain Joshua M a r -

tindale was up after Bongolan. Martindale had a close match-up, as both wrestlers earned point after point. Martindale

took down his opponent, got a reversal and a nearfall, but un-fortunately was pinned during the second period. The overall score was then 17-36, with the Cowboys still ahead.

Diamond Bar lost all remain-ing matches except for the very last one. Senior Bryan Perez in the 145 lb. weight group was successful at pinning his op-ponent. “I got my pin by EMU- flipping the guy when he’s on you,” said Perez. This gave the Brahmas six more points, end-ing the match with a final score of 23-44. Feeling relieved after his pin, Perez said, “a big load of nerves just came off of me!”

Though the Brahmas were not victorious against the Cow-yboys, new head coach Scott Usher still thinks the team per-formed well, “It was a tough match but the kids wrestled hard. Chino was a good oppo-nent. Kevin Kim, Bryan Perez, and Lawrence Liu all wrestled well today and are doing a great job of being the leaders on the team.”

Ball Bounces the Wrong Way for Lady Brahmas

Taking control... Using the “3/4 nelson” technique, senior captain Joshua Martindale attempts to pin his oppo-nent’s shoulder to the mat. Ashley Chen

A difficult loss...The varsity girls look upon the scoreboard as time expires. James An

“[It was] disappointing. I know we can

play better than that...”

The theory that “clutch playing wins games” rang true for the Brahmas as they de-feated the Chino Hills Huskies 53-50.

The game was very in-tense with both sides playing very physical basketball. It seemed that for every pos-session some-one was either knocked down or a foul was c o m m i t t e d . But besides the tough de-fense played by both sides, the Brahmas were still able to shoot the ball well and score almost every time.

L e a d i n g the Brahma charge was junior guard Kacy Barlow, who began the game on fire, draining a cou-ple jump shots and getting the team going. It seemed like every time he touched the ball, he found a way to score or get the ball to another teammate. Whether he was draining deep shots or crossing over defenders and driving to the hoop, the Huskies could not stop this young phe-nomenon who is already being recruited by multiple Division 1 colleges. Also scoring well was

senior forward Sam Rockwood, who was a lights-out shooter.

Even with the Brahma’s great offense, the game would not have been won without their stellar defense. Rock-wood helped greatly in the de-

fensive department, getting two blocks, including a huge one that stopped the Huskies from getting an early layup. “The guys played excellent defense against a very tough team,” stated coach J.T. Cameron.

However, things didn’t go perfectly for the Brahmas. The

game was back and forth the whole time, with the Huskies going into halftime with a four-point lead thanks to a three point shot that beat the buzz-er. The Brahmas fought back in the third quarter, making up

those points and more, andhold-ing a 43-40 lead going into the fourth quarter.

In nearly ev-ery sport, games are won or lost in the fourth quar-ter. Sportscast-ers always talk about “clutch” and “crunch time” playing as the most impor-tant skill in all of sports, but most-ly in basketball, where the game can swing one way or another very quickly.

Clinging on to a five point lead late in the fourth quarter, the game start-ed to change as Diamond Bar saw their lead dwindle away, and watched as the Huskies started to take over. “We need to work on our r ebound ing , ” said Cameron, “that really hurt

us tonight.” But the late run by Chino Hills wasn’t enough to stop this dedicated Diamond Bar squad.

When asked what he was most happy about, Cameron stated, “I was very pleased with how well we were able to ex-ecute against a hard team.”

Jump for it... Junior Kacy Barlow attempts to score for the Brah-mas. James An