Athletes of the Month

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Abril Chuvac in Sports

Tiaja McKnight – Volleyball

Grade : 11th

SLC : PAM

CC: How do you feel being Athlete of the Month?

TM: I feel happy, excited, and surprised. I appreciate that I was picked out of everyone else.

CC: Why do you think you were chosen for Athlete of the Month?

TM: I think because I put my “all” into the game. I love my team and I bring my “A” game.

CC: How long have you been playing volleyball?

TM: For about three to four years.

CC: What do you like most about volleyball?

TM: I like that’s fun, it takes a toll on me and it feels better after playing.

CC: Who is your athletic hero? Why?

TM: Destinee Hooker is my athletic hero because she is a Olympic volleyball player.

CC: Do you see yourself playing volleyball in the future? Why or why not?

TM: At the moment yes, in college, but not sure after that. I have two scouts looking at me right now and it feels amazing that they are looking at me! Although yeah, I’m not sure about after college.

Josie Medrano – X Country

Grade : 12th

SLC : SAS

CC: How do you feel being Athlete of the Month?

JM: I’m kinda shocked and happy.

CC: Why do you think you were chosen for Athlete of the Month?

JM: I honestly don’t know; it’s a huge shocker.

CC: How long have you been running X Country?

JM: For two years this is my second year.

CC: What do you like most about X Country?

JM: Everything, I love X Country, I like it better than track to be honest. We go out on a three miles run, you’re around nature, and no one watches how you run. It’s just you.

CC: Who is your athletic hero? Why?

JM: It would have to be my coaches, Coach Adolfo Carcano and Assistant Coach Fernando Jauregu Well, my assistant coach because he has the same injury that I have and because he’s being helpful. And my coach because he’s been through a lot and he still supports us.

CC: Do you see yourself running X Country in the future? Why or Why not?

JM: I‘m actually thinking about it, hopefully I do.

 

Kevin Castaneda – X Country

Grade : 12th

SLC : TCA

CC: How do you feel being Athlete of the Month?

KC: I feel surprised.

CC: Why do you think you were chosen for Athlete of the Month?

KC: I have no clue at all. I’ve been working hard.

CC: How long have you been running X Country?

KC: For two years, this is my second year.

CC: What do you like most about X Country?

KC: That it takes a lot of hard work to accomplish your goals.

CC: Who is your athletic hero? Why?

KC: Galen Rupp, he’s an Olympic runner for the USA. I like that he doesn’t show any weakness and doesn’t give up.

CC: Do you see yourself running X Country in the future? Why or Why not?

KC: I’m not sure yet if I’m going to play X Country in the future.

 

Tiffany Parker: On the Path to Stardom

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Abril Chuvac in Features

Tiffany Parker is a TCA student who soon will be the class of 2014. The accomplishment she is most proud of is her 3.5 GPA. Although she said that she did not know what her teachers would be surprised to discover about her, she gave the thought some consideration before saying, “I’m a big donor except for blood.” Her aversion to donating blood stem from a bad experience in which a nurse took out her blood.

Tiffany seems to be a down-to-earth person, so it is fitting that the fictional character she would like to meet is Cinderella. Her simple answer as to why was because “she is fierce.”

Though she does try to turn in all of her homework on time, she, like many, occasionally slacks off. She stated that she does not have a favorite excuse for not turning in homework, that it is all “just a bunch of excuses combined together.”

When she does have free time, she likes to spend it by watching movies and singing all day.

Since she is a senior, she does have regrets about high school, including giving teachers her information about past conflicts. Tiffany believes that what most adults don’t seem to understand about kids is that there are some things that teenagers can’t live up to, that if they put too high of expectations on a teen, it can result in them failing those expectations.

Three words that she thinks describe her best are glamorous, confident, and diva. When asked why a diva, she responded that everyone calls her diva and that she doesn’t know why.

Tiffany believes it started when she was younger. She used to imagine herself being like so many superstars, and a great performer. She hopes to be a great singer some day like her idols, some of the best performers of all times..

One of the biggest changes she would like to make about herself is to do everything to her best ability, so she can achieve that goal.

 

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag the game to own

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Josue Perez in Entertainment

By Josue Perez and Hovhannes Maghakyan

Crimson Chronicle Reporters

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, the next chapter to Ubisoft Entertainment’s award winning series Assassin’s Creed, was released Oct. 29. However, this chapter is very different from previous games in the series. In the past the player has played on the side of the Assassins, but due to events in the previous game, Assassin’s Creed 3, the player is now playing as an Abstergo Agent, or better known as a Templar.

To recap what has happened over the course of the series, a secret war has been waging over centuries between the freedom-driven Assassins and the power-seeking Templars. Since the beginning of the series the main character, Desmond Miles, has been a present-day runaway assassin. Desmond was put into a machine called the Animus to relive the memories of his ancestors Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, and Ratonhnhakéton or Connor Kenway, using his DNA. In each of his ancestors’ memories the player has learned a little more about this secret war and their role in it. But Desmond’s time has ended and a Templar has taken over his position and is reliving Desmond’s memories.
In AC IV there have been many new changes ranging from the new main character to his surroundings and from the combat system to the weather system. A new transition system has been implemented into the game that has never been used before. A player can smoothly transition from a rugged jungle terrain to a beautiful cove to your ship without a load screen in between each other.

Environments in the game have also had a huge change to them. Jungle, sea, and city have all been improved and an underwater environment has also been added allowing you to go down and plunder for treasure. Many new animals have been also added to the land, air, and water.

Those who have ever played Assassin’s Creed 3 and sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean you know how the weather system and navigation is on the high seas, but ACIV pushes this feature to new levels. You are now able to take your ship out whenever you want either for a nice cruise to La Havana with a sea shanty from your crew or for a bit of privateering. The weather system has become even more intense than before. Before, a rogue wind or wave would throw you off course a little, but now it is better to stay away from storms. Maelstroms, waterspouts, and harsh rains have created an all new obstacle that could severely damage you, your crew, and your ship.
The story mode is not the only one to receive an overhaul, multiplayer has also been revamped. New characters, abilities, weapons, maps, and game modes have been added along with a new feature, GameLab. GameLab gives the player the power to create their own game type by letting them create their own settings and rules to already existing game modes. Players will be able to decided what maps they play on, what abilities sets can be used, how long game sessions are, and many more things.

Like many modern games, AC IV has an app tied to it that allows you to hook up your game to your Apple or Android device and access all your stats and items from your tablet or phone. So now, instead of constantly pausing the game to view certain items, you can look at your tablet or phone and fluidly play your game. The items it lets you look at are treasure maps, a progression tracker for your game, an Animus database, and Kenway’s fleet.
A recent change done to the game is the exclusion of the Uplay Passport that allowed players access to Uplay, a service that held exclusive information and content for their games. However, the exclusivity of Uplay brought about many complaints from players over the need to buy the passport when the game is already so pricey. In a smart move, Ubisoft decided to release the passport for free and players who wish to use Uplay can either download one from the Xbox Live or PlayStation Network. AC IV will be the last game to have Uplay as Ubisoft will be discontinuing it with future games.

The new game runs for around $65 and about $60 when used, depending on where you buy it. Exclusive content also varies between which store the game is bought at. Stores such as GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart, or Amazon have different exclusive content that the game comes with. PlayStation users also have a treat in-store for them because they receive 60 minutes more of gameplay.
Assassin’s Creed has been an amazing series filled with mystery, excitement, betrayal, action, and suspense. AC IV does not seem like it will fall short of its predecessors. Ubisoft has created another award winning game that any true AC fan will be proud to own.

Cross Country Runners Left Without Options

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Steve Dominguez in News

Steven Montoya

Chronicle Reporter

The lack of transportation has led the cross-country runners to abruptly miss their invitational meet on Oct. 25. The team was supposed to attend the invitational at San Antonio College in Walnut, a city in the San Gabriel Valley, about 20 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. When the team asked the school administration for transportation to Mt. SAC, they were unexpectedly denied due to a lack of funding.

According to Coach Carcano, the team had other drivers at the ready, but some drivers had unexpectedly dropped, leaving limited space. The team was then forced to resort to transportation from parents and relatives. However, some of the parents could not offer round-trips; others could have round-trips, but would have to take multiple round-trips to take the whole team of 16 participating runners back home from Mt. SAC. The car trips finally had to be cancelled after the school refused to allow any sort of transportation by parents. “The coach has to be with all the runners, so he would have to be on all 3 cars at the same time, which is impossible,” cross-country runner Alex Meza said.

Athletic director Raul Grijalva said the district only has funds available for buses for district-sanctioned events. The Mt. SAC invitational was one of those private events that was not sanctioned by the school district, which was the reason for the bus decision. As for the car trip decisions, Grijalva said that if the team had asked permission earlier, the assistant principals would have approved. “It’s all about liability issues,” he said.

The runners feel that the cross-country team is not being paid the attention they deserve. “I think it is ridiculous that the school could not give us a bus, since it is the only time the cross country team asks anything of the school and I think that we should have been granted the bus,” Alex said.

Runner Josie Medrano, SAS senior, agreed. “It really sucks that there wasn’t enough money in the budget to get us a bus. Mt. SAC is a very prestigious race and the whole Cross Country team wanted to be there and race. Especially for the seniors, this is our last year and we didn’t get the chance to go there,” she said.

Despite these latest hardships, the team has decided not to let these matters get in the way of their upcoming goals. “We plan to win our next race and hopefully win league finals and go to Mt. SAC next year,” Alex said confidently.

JROTC Scores High in the Voice of Democracy Memorandum

Posted on November 19, 2013 by J Lauren Kim in Sports

Two members of Hollywood High School’s JROTC and Sheik Battalion, C/2LT and Executive Officer Holly San Nicolas, and C/SGT, S-1 primary Cristian Artiga are both placed in the highest ranks of the Voice of Democracy Memorandum. San Nicolas is placed in second with 375 points and Artiga is placed in 16th with 100 points.

It is expected that San Nicolas will receive a cash prize award, a red ribbon, lapel pins, patches, and authorized ribbons. Artiga will receive lapel pins, patches, and authorized ribbons.

Now, they will move on to the final round.

College Workshops Help Students Enroll

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Steve Dominguez in News

Steven Montoya

Chronicle Reporter

The College Center has offered workshops to seniors who plan on submitting applications to a Cal State or a UC system college. Seniors have until Nov. 30 to submit their applications online. The workshops are held after school until 5 p.m. every Monday and Thursday.

College Counselor Heather Brown says that many seniors have attended the workshops, and some have even done their online applications during nutrition and lunch.

“Many seniors are getting a little panicky, with the deadline soon approaching,” Brown said. Volunteer tutors from Prime Time LA, a non-profit organization that places retired LAUSD educators as volunteers, also helped the seniors write their personal statement essays.

Brown says that she has already seen acceptances, including Humboldt in Northern California and King’s College in New York.

Brown is especially hopeful that the college workshops will be of great help for next year’s seniors. “This junior class has the largest amount of 4.0 GPA’s I’ve seen in my career,” she says. In total, there are 16 junior students with 4.0 GPA’s. Brown said she expects intense competition for very interesting college acceptances next year.

“Seniors should sign up for as many colleges as time and money will allow, whether they be near or far,” said Brown. “Collect as many ‘yeses’ as you can. Go to college, get a life, literally!” she exclaimed.

The unbecoming of Mara Dyer

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Maricela Cordova in Entertainment

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

By Maricela Cordova

 

Mara Dyer is a seventeen year old girl who moves to Florida after a terrible incident that changes her life. Now she has a new fresh start at a new life.

However, memories of the incident still haunt her. She keeps seeing things that make no sense. It makes her think that she is mentally unstable. Her parents do not believe her and it makes her feel more insane.

Worst of all she thinks that she can kill people by just imagining their deaths. She does not know what she is capable of and is scared by her own self. Good thing British boy, Noah Shaw, helps her on the path of self discovery as he discovers his own gift as well.

In this captivating psychological thriller it will keep you wondering who is Mara Dyer exactly? Mara Dyer is a girl who believes she is losing her sanity, she is lost within herself.  She is confused and horrified of what she is. She is a girl that wants her normal life back but she knows that will never happen with the power she believes is a curse.

Most of all, she is a girl who is finding herself. She is unbecoming. She knows she is not  normal because she has a newfound power. She is slowly creating who she wants to be. She is revolutionizing.

You will get lost in the world of Mara Dyer and not want to put the book down. You will want to reread the book over and over again trying to understand Mara Dyer.

Even though she is special she is like most teens, lost and confused. She can be a relatable character to some readers and her snarky comments will make you smile. It is a wonderful, beautifully told story that cannot be missed by anyone.

Pages: 452

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

 

Word count: 325

SAS news

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Maricela Cordova in News

By Maricela Cordova

Get excited because SAS is restarting its SAS Brigade club where it will help plan activities and think about new electives . The new electives will be offered to the students next year. Also, the club will design shirts for SAS. The club’s president is Erin Gannett, vice president is Keitty Calderon, secretary is Amber Sanchez and the treasure is Diego Tamayo. The club will meet every other Wednesday starting from November 6.

A parent group has also been created to support SAS. Lee Rossi one of the parents involved in the parent group said that she joined the group because, “I want to support SAS and I love the school.” Also, she wants to learn how the parent group and SAS can work together and communicate with one another to get what SAS needs.

Lately, the parent group has donated school supplies, like notebooks, paper and ink. The next meeting will be on Dec. 4 and parents will discuss homework policies.

One of the parents also recommended for teachers to create an Amazon wishlist. Karen Cusolito, English teacher and lead teacher of SAS, said teachers got a cordless vacuum because of the Amazon wishlist. The cordless vacuum will help make cleaning the floors much easier because the custodians sometimes do not sweep up the floors.

So, tell your parents to come the next parent meeting to stay involve in what is happening in SAS.

Word count: 236