Spicy Chicken Sandwich Cartel
Posted on May 30, 2013 by Holly San Nicolas in Features
While sitting in a hot, boring classroom, you put your heavy head in your hand. Just before it falls onto your desk, you hear the tell-tale whisper: “you buyin’?” followed by the slow unzipping of a backpack, which culminates in the stealthy crinkling sound of paper being unwrapped. A mysterious fast food aroma wafts throughout the room, which begs the question: who’s sellin’?
The selling of spicy chicken sandwiches and other fast food items has been a very popular way of making a profit this year at Hollywood High. It was an inevitable success with the recent flavor-devoid choices from the school’s cafeteria. However, it was also against the rules. A duffle bag full of sandwiches being confiscated was humorously about the equivalent of possessing drugs on campus to onlookers.
The business was stigmatized, even punished, with the reason being that it took money away from the school. Another popular reason was that it was a health issue, as it would have been considered a liability if someone were have to fallen ill post consumption. But is it really such a bad thing?
Typically, the sandwiches available for purchase are sold on the value menus at chains like McDonald’s and Carl’s Jr. for around $1. The students who make the effort to go and pick them up then bring them to school in a bag, selling them at $2- which brings in a 100% profit. These students are actually getting a good lesson in business and marketing, and their customers have no complaints.
“My favorite thing to buy is a spicy chicken sandwich, of course,” said Jacob Sasson, a TCA junior. “I’ve never gotten sick from eating one. I think that making them contraband is just an excuse because they know that students are more likely to spend their money on the sandwiches instead of the school lunches- which sometimes look as though they’ve been scraped out of the garbage cans.”
Whoever these vigilant entrepreneurs are, they are crafty, cunning, and have an idea of what the public wants from the school. What the school will not provide. What they have for sale. They are the Spicy Chicken Mafia, and they will continue to thrive as long as we maintain our unanimous hankering for fast food fixes.
Escape The Fate fans are anything but ungrateful
Posted on May 29, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in Entertainment
The boys of Sin City are back! After two years, Escape The Fate brings out their fourth studio album, “Ungrateful.”
This album is heavier than their previous album “Escape The Fate.” The new sound makes the band sound more mature and their lyrics are much more powerful. Of course, as this band did lose many fans since they got a new vocalist in 2008, I am sure that this album will gain them back and the fans will give them the respect they deserve.
Their single “Ungrateful” premiered along with a new video on March 7 which left fans speechless. The video is a warning about how bullying and violence can end lives and how people should end the cycle. This video left people wanting more from the band and excited for the album to come out.
The album was not set to be released until May 14 but Alternative Press streamed the album online for fans that could not wait. It was no surprise that fans gave positive feedback on the comments in the website.
This album is powerful and it comes with a great message behind the majority of the songs and personally, this band has inspired me ever since I was 13. Take a listen and maybe they can inspire you too. I recommend this album to those who have not listened to this band, those who have stopped listening to them , and those who need something new to listen to this summer. Be sure to pay attention to the music and lyrics before you judge the band. Check out “Ungrateful!”
Athletes of the Year
Posted on May 29, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in Sports
Ronald Clayton
SAS 12th grade
1. Q: How does it feel being athlete of the year?
A: It feels great its been a loooong four years of hard work.
2. Q: What sports did you play in high school?
A: I only played football and track and played two years for both.
3. Q: What has been your best memory playing for Hollywood?
A: I’ll have to say it was going back to Torres where my injury occurred and single handedly bringing my team back to win the game.
4. Q: What do you do in your spare time besides sports?
A: All I do is sports. I also mime for church, I love doing that. I just work on doing better in everything.
5. Q: Do you plan on continuing sports in college?
A: Yes, I plan on going all the way (which is the NFL) if God lets me. I’m going to Pasadena Community College and looking forward to transfer to UCLA or San Diego State.
Rebekka Grammenos
SAS 12th grade
1. Q:How does it feel being athlete of the year?
A: I’m so honored. It’s so exciting! I can’t believe it, it’s so awesome!
2. Q: What sports did you play in high school?
A: I played volleyball first semester and swam my second semester. But I’ve been swimming for four years.
3. Q: What has been your best memory playing for Hollywood?
A: One of the best memories was actually this Tuesday having to do a swim-off in order to get to finals and I had to push myself past what I thought were my limits.
4. Q: What do you do in your spare time besides sports?
A: I study, I do schoolwork, I do volunteer work with my extra curriculars and that’s about it.
5. Q: Do you plan on continuing sports in college?
A: Yes, but I still want to have different experiences in college too.
6. Q: Which college are you going to?
A: I’m going to UC Berkeley.
Summer Movies
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Holly San Nicolas in Entertainment
Up and Coming Attractions!
May 24:
“The Hangover: Part III”
“Epic”
“Fast and Furious 6”
June 7:
“The Internship”
“The Purge”
June 14:
“The Bling Ring”
“This Is the End”
“Man Of Steel”
June 21:
“Monsters University”
“World War Z”
June 26:
“The Wolverine”
July 3:
“Despicable Me 2”
“The Lone Ranger”
July 12
“Despicable Me 2”
“Pacific Rim”
July 19
“The Conjuring”
“Red 2”
July 26
“The Wolverine”
“Blackfish”
August 2
“The Artist and the Model”
“Top Cat”
“2 Guns”
August 7
“Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters”
August 9
“Disney’s Planes”
“Lovelace”
“Blood”
August 16
“Haute Cuisine”
“Kick Ass 2”
The Jerry Herman Awards
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in News
Hollywood High School was handed the Best Musical Award for In The Heights by the host George Pennacchio. On Sunday May 19 PAM students did a surprise performance with In the Heights at the Pantages Theatre for judges Kenny Ortega, John Bowab, Nancy Dussalt, Karen Morrow, and Cathy Rigby to win a Jerry Herman Award.
“It was an amazing feeling being able to know that we won the Best Musical Award,” said PAM senior Devon Yaffe, who played the father who desperately wants his daughter to succeed at Stanford University.
Twenty two schools participated in the awards show. Hamilton High School performed Once Upon A Mattress, Notre Dame Academy performed Legally Blonde, Taft High School performed Grease, and Calabasas High performed West Side Story. For the Sheik cast, they had to go from their final performance to the show at the Pantages.
“It was really amazing,” said junior Bianca Neal. “It felt really humbling to see everyone enjoying the show,” said junior Roger Neal who played Benny, the male love interest.
Cell Phones belong in school
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in Op-Ed
As a student subject to the rules of this school, I have found many regulations and policies to be quite helpful. Coupled with expectations of success, and working beyond what is asked for in the classroom, the standards here are something worth aspiring to.
The problem is, is that some of the rules have been outgrown not just by general society, colleges, and many volunteering agencies, but in the classroom as well. The unsung hero of the school, the cellphone, is responsible for several positive contributions to the average students’ success, including my own.
On my trips home, I navigate clusters of crazy folks that hang out not one block from the school, and having my phone ready gives me assurance that screaming for campus police at the La Brea bus stop does not.
My phone use extends past personal safety, it improves my ability to succeed during school hours as well. I have used it to contact my friends for updates on group activities when I or one of them fell ill and stayed home, kept it handy in case my friends and I were separated on a field trip, and I have witnessed several instances where teachers requested students to whip out their smart phones to look up facts or to participate in classroom activities such as taking notes on Today’s Meet, in which students’ notes are projected on the screen for all to see.
Cell phones definitely helped in my college preparations. The office hours of SDSU for example, were limited to weekdays and did not go past 3:00pm. These hours were for inquiries to their office of financial aid and other information resources. Some of the offices, like the financial aid one, did not accept emails. I did the responsible thing and violated the no cell phone rule to remain a well informed college bound student at Hollywood High.
Colleges do not play by the rules and make it easier for students to access them. Crazy people do not play by the rules and stay away from us just because we were at school that day. Diseases and accidents do not care whether or not I get my school work done. Teachers with new ideas that incorporate technology from the 21st century should not need to keep their brilliance on the down low.
Cell phones are too useful to be so callously and carelessly abandoned by the district and its supporters. It is true that they can be a distraction and have potential for malicious misuse, but so can sharpened pencils, paper, rulers, staplers and books. These items and cell phones all can cause mischief in their own way, but tell me this, which item is the only one that can get help when a nutcase attacks people with the pencil, sends threats and vulgarities via paper airplanes, bludgeons innocents with a large textbook and staples the unwary to one another with the stapler? Cell phones would look pretty good at that point.
In The Heights takes its last flight
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in Entertainment
Hollywood High School is the very first high school in America to get the Broadway Rights for In The Heights. The Tony-Award winning play production is all about family, chasing your dreams, and finding where you truly belong. Opening night took place on May 10 running through the 19. Those who missed out, missed seeing a show that won Best High School Musical.
It was the final performance for many graduating seniors and the last time they would step across the school auditorium. It was the ride of their lifetime, and now it’s time to move on to bigger and better things with the skills they have learned and the abilities they have fine tuned.
Abby DeMauri, PAM senior, played Nina, a Stanford dropout who after 4 months goes home to confront her parents, played by Devon Yaffe and Yalitza Lopez, to tell them the news. On the way she starts to fall in love with Benny, a trusted employee of her father’s limousine service, played by PAM junior, Roger Neal.
Meanwhile Usnavi ,played by PAM senior Jordan Mantor, figures out what to do with his life and how to get the love of his life Vanessa, played by PAM junior Ayla Stackhouse. Both Nyallah Noah and Kelly Taylor gave a shining performance as Abuela Claudia. Comic relief was provided by the hairdressers, who were played by Olivia Johnson, and Anna Chavez.
The play was directed by retired English and drama teacher Paul Itkin. Stormy Sacks was the musical director, Lisa Goldschein was the choreographer and Katherine Morrison was in charge of the production design.
Runners compete in city prelims
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in Sports
Six runners from Hollywood’s team competed in City Prelims on May 16 after doing well in the Central League Finals. Unfortunately,the six didn’t do as expected, crushing their chances to compete in the championship.
“Everyone did their best,but sadly they did not make it to the next round,” said senior, Karla Hernandez.
Those students were Dulce Mandujano in the high jump event, Karyos Tyus in the high jump event, Jackai Hernandez in the pole vault event, Andrew Vargas in the pole vault event, Ronald Clayton in the 100 meter dash, Alfredo Robles in the 2 mile event and Karla Hernandez in the 2 mile event.
Although the team was not able to move on, they did do very well in the central league finals on May 9 at Belmont High School, coming in third place overall. Both the boys varsity and girls varsity team won numerous events advancing them to city prelims. Frosoph boys placed in third while girls placed last. Sophomore Issael Castro did exceptionally well, winning first place gold medals in both the 800 meter event and mile run. It was the last meet of the year for all five schools including Bernstein, Belmont, Miguel Contreras LC and Robert F. Kennedy High School. Bernstein High School placed first.
“My four years have been a joy ride and it sadly has to come to an end. These have been best years of my life, ”said Karla Hernandez.
Cell Phones belong in school – especially in the 21st Century
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in Op-Ed
William San Nicolas
Co-Editor in Chief
As a student subject to the rules of this school, I have found many regulations and policies to be quite helpful. Coupled with expectations of success, and working beyond what is asked for in the classroom, the standards here are something worth aspiring to.
The problem is, is that some of the rules have been outgrown not just by general society, colleges, and many volunteering agencies, but in the classroom as well. The unsung hero of the school, the cellphone, is responsible for several positive contributions to the average students’ success, including my own.
On my trips home, I navigate clusters of crazy folks that hang out not one block from the school, and having my phone ready gives me assurance that screaming for campus police at the La Brea bus stop does not.
My phone use extends past personal safety, it improves my ability to succeed during school hours as well. I have used it to contact my friends for updates on group activities when I or one of them fell ill and stayed home, kept it handy in case my friends and I were separated on a field trip, and I have witnessed several instances where teachers requested students to whip out their smart phones to look up facts or to participate in classroom activities such as taking notes on Today’s Meet, in which students’ notes are projected on the screen for all to see.
Cell phones definitely helped in my college preparations. The office hours of SDSU for example, were limited to weekdays and did not go past 3:00pm. These hours were for inquiries to their office of financial aid and other information resources. Some of the offices, like the financial aid one, did not accept emails. I did the responsible thing and violated the no cell phone rule to remain a well informed college bound student at Hollywood High.
Colleges do not play by the rules and make it easier for students to access them. Crazy people do not play by the rules and stay away from us just because we were at school that day. Diseases and accidents do not care whether or not I get my school work done. Teachers with new ideas that incorporate technology from the 21st century should not need to keep their brilliance on the down low.
Cell phones are too useful to be so callously and carelessly abandoned by the district and its supporters. It is true that they can be a distraction and have potential for malicious misuse, but so can sharpened pencils, paper, rulers, staplers and books. These items and cell phones all can cause mischief in their own way, but tell me this, which item is the only one that can get help when a nutcase attacks people with the pencil, sends threats and vulgarities via paper airplanes, bludgeons innocents with a large textbook and staples the unwary to one another with the stapler? Cell phones would look pretty good at that point.
The Gibson Amphitheater Demolished
Posted on May 28, 2013 by Vanessa Garcia in Features
Come September, the Gibson Amphitheater will be no more, reduced to rubble in order for a Harry Potter attraction to materialize. Where will students get cheap tickets now? This is the only venue in California to have cheap tickets. Tickets are usually sold at $32 to 500.All the concerts that have gone through that stage will be nothing more than a memory.
This theater has been at Universal Studios since the 1970s when there was just music and drinking. This place was where Bob Marley, Madonna, Freestyle Explosion and many other artists performed. Now it is being demolished for the upcoming the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
That is the the only thing coming out of demolishing the Gibson Amphitheatre. Finally, a new attraction to see instead of the same old rides. Let’s face it, Universal is long overdue on new things. It’s just the same old tram, the Simpsons ride, Jurassic Park, The Mummy, the House of Horrors, etc. Maybe this Harry Potter World is just what is needed.
The down side to it; no more cheap tickets. Where on this earth would there be a place like the Gibson Amphitheater? Karen Ramirez former student at Hollywood High School said” The last concert that I went to at the Gibson was when Marilyn Manson was there and it was wicked, I loved ever last minute of it.
