Let’s “Honeymoon” to Lana Del Rey
Posted on September 28, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in Entertainment
Amaany Ruiz
Feature Editor
The queen is back with a brand new album named Honeymoon. Lana Del Rey continues to bring her airy and romantic vocals as both her previous albums Born to Die and Ultraviolence. This time it seems that Del Rey uses a sense of mystery and playfulness like in songs Music to Watch Boys to, Salvatore. 24 and Art Deco.
This album creates a new spin on our typical version of Rey due to vocal and instrumental heavy songs like Swan Song, and Honeymoon. The songs speak of forbidden romance and pure sensuality. The song Burnt Norton adds a cool and new futuristic take on the artist’s regular sound.
Fans, don’t be discouraged! There are some songs on the album that carry the signature Lana Del Rey aesthetic like songs, The Blackest Day, Religion, Freak and High by the Beach that has Lana’s original pop heavy and catchy lyrics.
Overall the album is fun and gives a new and mysterious version of Del Rey. The only song that can be considered “bad” in the entire album is Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood because the original singer is a classic, but Lana Del Rey’s vocals make up for it.
The album is now available on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Google play. Honeymoon is a quick catch, especially since the queen is back.
Teens Take Health to Council Meeting
Posted on May 21, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in News
Peter Galindo
Chronicle Reporter
The FAME Health club held the first Hollywood town hall meeting on Wed. May 20 to educate teens on the topic of healthy living, as well as educating them on how they could pass good habits on to the rest of their families. This town hall meeting was funded by the LA Trust which is the same organization that provides funding for the wellness center.
Wendy Siguenza, president of the FAME Health club started the meeting off by thanking everyone for showing up. The room was filled with people from freshmen to seniors. The meeting started with people getting food and after settling down, members of the FAME Health club facilitated a game in which people get to know each other. When asked for one piece of advice, Wendy said “Take advantage of every opportunity you are given in life.”
One of the main focuses of this meeting was to get people to socially interact with people they would otherwise not speak to at all. The other main focus was to simply get teens to talk about eating habits. What they used to do, what they currently do, and how they can improve it. They also talked about problems around the school and what can be fixed. The goal of these meetings will be to eventually solve issues, but at the moment this was the only meeting that there will be this year.
The teen health town hall meetings will continue next year. If anyone is interested in making a difference, or just interested in making friends in general, join the FAME Health Club.
A Solution to Water Conservation
Posted on May 21, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in News
Amaany Ruiz
Chronicle Reporter
Students attended the Metropolitan Water District on Wednesday, May 20. The event was held by SAS English teacher James B. Carmicle, in which 15 students attended. Students had previously written a 15 page research paper about water conservation and were supposed to prepare a powerpoint expressing their arguments. This would then be presented in front of judges.
“Students were using research skills” said Carmicle. “They wrote a strong thesis, maintained focused and made a call to action. This is not just writing, but students must be motivated, confident, and be able to present their ideas.”
Upon arriving, students sat down in a conference room until they were ready to show their presentations. When presenters like Melissa Navarro and Jeovany Fritz finished, the board asked questions based on the ideas. PAM 11th grader Melissa Navarro said “The experience was phenomenal and I learned how to be more professional.” The students made their points about solving the issue of drought.
Carmicle said, “I hope the students will get the idea of what it’s like to present in front of a real world audience and that their research is appreciated.” “These students have new innovative ideas because they are young and forward thinking and that needs to reach a crowd.”
Photo Credit: Franklin Franco
DIY’S will take over your life in half the time
Posted on May 7, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in Features
Amaany Ruiz
Chronicle Reporter
Most seniors are getting ready for prom. The entire outfit (whether for girls or guys) needs to come together. This can be hard especially when one is busy with extracurricular activities, AP testing, and the overall preparation for graduation. The most important thing to remember is that there are alternatives for saving your bang from your buck and your time. It is time for a DIY (do it yourself) takeover.
There are many DIY’s for hair, makeup, clothes, hair gels and even shoes. The best thing about this new trend is that most of the items can be found in one’s own home or any inexpensive pharmacy near by.
The biggest trend that DIY’s are fit for is makeup. One can make their own foundations, concealers, lipsticks and glosses. This puts the focus on hair and the outfit, and eases the stress of a really expensive makeover or a three hour YouTube makeup tutorial. It is also fit for making corsages, DIY bow ties and inexpensive/handcrafted gifts to a significant other.
DIY’s also make things feel special. Having something made by oneself makes the product more valuable. This can even be sold out to friends or family members trying to figure out how to come up with prom ideas. This makes the possibilities endless.
Every senior is looking for the best night of their life and a memory that will never die, but worrying about expenses that one can just make themselves can give one this. Think about these fun, inexpensive, and crafty alternative to your senior prom look.
Some ideas for a DIY takeover are:
DIY BB cream
DIY lipstick
DIY corsage
DIY hair gel
pomade
School spirit or dress up?
Posted on April 30, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in Op-Ed
Leila Johnson
Chronicle Reporter
School spirit, every successful and united school needs it and plenty of it. School spirit can be portrayed in many different ways such as: school chants, pep rallies, fundraisers and more. It also has many different definitions, but it revolves around the students having pride and emotional attachment towards their school. It can bring students together, forming friendships and memories. Although, is playing dress up showing school spirit?
For almost a week , students have been dressing up in different outfits that represent a certain theme, better known as Spirit Week. For example, Monday was pajama day, Tuesday was twin day, and so on and so forth. Is this a way of showing school spirit?
“It does show school spirit because students get together to discuss like what they might wear and videos of our clubs and sports are shown, so it excites other students. It’s a way of showing our Sheik pride,” said Ilaay Shwartzman, NMA 10th grader.
Though this week has been named Spirit Week, it’s shown none at all (except for the pep rally). Students have shown enthusiasm by dressing up, but this in no way involves the school. If students were to wear the school’s colors or dress like their SLC, their depiction of school spirit would not be unquestionable.
“It does show school spirit because students get together to discuss like what they might wear and videos of our clubs and sports are shown, so it excites other students. It’s a way of showing our Sheik pride,” said Ilaay Shwartzman, NMA 10th grader.
School spirit represents a school and the attachment to its students and dressing up as if you were attending Coachella doesn’t relate. Just because students from the school are involved doesn’t mean they are showing their pride in their school or supporting it. If people name a week dedicated to school spirit then it should be shown, otherwise it should be renamed.
Spirit Week schedule:
Monday- Pajama day
Tuesday- Twin day
Wednesday- Sports day
Thursday- Coachella day
Friday- College day/ Pep Rally
Many other schools like Van Nuys. Click the link.
Peer Advocates: Sex Ed Resource Group Wanted
Posted on April 23, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in News
Maria Montiel
Chronicle Reporter
Los Angeles Planned Parenthood sets up a Peer Advocate program in which a group of high school students are trained to become health and sexual health information resources for their school. The program is in search of a group of 15 students who are dedicated and interested in the health of todays youth.
The program was set up to decrease the rates of STDs and unplanned pregnancies. Recruitment has started to gather up a group of advocates for next year.
A three minute Peer Advocate recruitment video was shown by health and life skills teacher, Randall Fenderson’s to his 9th, 10th, and 11th grade classes. Applications were given out to interested students in the class, but it is open to anyone who is interested. Applications were given out and are due by Apr. 29.
The program offers beneficial information about healthy relationships, responsibility and equality among peers.
The Advocates would meet once a week after school for an hour and will have four additional mandatory Saturday training throughout the year from 9:30am to 3:30pm. As well as four weekend outreached events per year on Saturday or Sunday from 9:30am to 3:30pm.
It is advised to commit to the program for at least one full school year. Peer Advocates must be an extracurricular priority that will expand your knowledge on sex education and social norms in relationships .
Planned parenthood will contact the applicant for an interview within the first few weeks. If you were not contacted back they encourage you to apply again next year.
For more information about Peer Advocate or any of planned parenthood’s youth groups click here
The Big Three That Will Help You With Your Degree
Posted on April 23, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in News
Abril Chuvac
Chronicle Reporter
Many Seniors have been going or are planning to attend the college center’s field trips to local community colleges.
Seniors went to the Los Angeles Community College, LACC, on Apr. 16 and on Apr. 23 they will attend Santa Monica Community College, SMC.
“This is an admission field trip, so students who would be going to SMC . . are the students who are planning on attending SMC” said College Counselor, Heather Brown “They are going to go take their Math and English Placement tests, have a school tour, receive their results of the test and they are going to get an academic plan “.
Since registering for classes can be difficult, Brown hopes many students will take this chance to do so with a college counselor’s help.
SMC, LACC, and Glendale Career College, GCC, allowed the college center admission days because they are the colleges closest to the school. Unfortunately, few students signed up to attend a field trip to GCC, a minimum of 30 students were needed for a school bus. “Next year I am thinking I’ll just go ahead and fund a bus from our center” said Brown.
About 38 students went to LACC on Apr. 16 and were scheduled into 15 units of classes. Brown anticipates “anywhere between 40 and 50 students” to attend the field trip to SMC.
“We are calling it the Fast Pass to Success.Its been really beneficial for the students because one of the hard parts for a student is making the transition to registering for their classes . .it can be a little tricky when you are on your own,” Brown said. “I think students need to go out and walk the campus, talk to the counselor, and . .actively participating in a campus before they make their choices.”
LACC is in the college center every Wednesday and SMC twice a month as well as GCC, from the beginning of lunch until sixth period. Spending one lunch in the college center can make the difference of where you get your lunch in the future, fast food joint or fancy restaurant.
To learn more about these colleges, click on the links to their websites.
Hidden Stars Among Us?
Posted on March 25, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in Op-Ed
Leila Johnson
Chronicle Reporter
Everyone has enjoyed or at least seen the talented stars that perform almost every Friday at the quad. “But have we ever seen our own peers up on that stage?” I believe that the school should shed some light on these gifted performers.
Sure, plenty of students perform for H20 or LACER Rock Band, but I haven’t heard of independent bands established by students perform for the school. Hollywood High is a school for the talented in every genre, not just the dramatic arts. A lot of effort is put into plays, which showcase the theatrical sense, as well as dance shows for the dancers. The musicians in the performing arts are commonly overlooked, and they are not given the opportunity to present themselves at school.
Previous artists such as London Richards, Boy Band Project, Curly Fryz, and others, have gained a lot of attention since their performances at Hollywood. We need to think about how much attention these unknown bands formed by students can gain. Peers are supposed to aid and care for each other because unity is a school’s forte. This school needs to push these students to their limits and help them achieve their goals, but at times the school falls short.
A way to highlight these musicians would be putting up flyers,posters, short performances at assemblies or pep rallies or performing at sports events. These are simple actions that could do great things for these rising artists. Even creating a club for band members in which they can discuss and arrange future performances could accomplish a great deal.
Awareness was brought to staff members and pupils. When this matter was brought to the Assistant Principal, Samuel Dovlatian, he said that he was unaware of the hidden bands and agreed to speak more of it and maybe discussing the organization of a battle of the bands. A battle of the bands would definitely peak student attention, which could lead to many open doors for these bands.
Save A Year For What You Love
Posted on March 25, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in News
Amaany Ruiz
Chronicle Reporter
Hollywood High students were invited on Mar. 23 to experience a presentation of Serve A Year from ServiceNation hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. This event featured Chelsea Clinton and Jimmy Kimmel (who will join ServiceNation). Serve A Year strives to promote Americans to serve a year for their communities or nation.
Serve A Year offers the option to volunteer for programs like education, health, poverty, AmeriCorps and more for students after high school or college. Executive Director of ServiceNation, Zach Maurin said, “I would encourage students to get online and research serve a year regardless of their passion.”
The announcement of the event was set up to an audience that would help spread the word to peak interest. ServiceNation will team up with the entertainment industry to help this goal using social media and advertising. Companies like Airbnb, Tumblr, Comcast and NBCUniversal are all among the entertainment industry that will help promote Serve A Year.
Serve A Year will expand so that it can be a common alternative to a career step that students can benefit from.”There’s a national position you can work on if you want to gain real skills, a scholarship and it comes with a paycheck,” said Maurin. “It is a great opportunity to support yourself and also make a huge difference by learning about your passions and interest before you jump into a college or career.”
ServiceNation will continue to announce and promote the vision to high school and college students hoping to expand the organizations from 550 to millions. Serve A Year could potentially be a normal career path for anyone interested in volunteer work and can also be a segway to new career opportunities.
For more information on serve a year visit here
They’ll Make You Sing Off “The Balcony”
Posted on March 18, 2015 by Amaany Ruiz in Entertainment
Leila Johnson
Chronicle Reporter
Catfish and the Bottlemen are an alternative/indie rock band from the UK. The band was started in 2010 by lead vocalist, Van McCann. Other members of the band include Billy Bibby (guitar), Bob Hall (drums), and Benji Blakeway (bass guitar).Throughout the years, the band rose to popularity, winning a BBC Introducing Music Award and their hit single “Kathleen” ranked number one on MTV’s hottest tracks.
Their first and most current album “The Balcony,” was released on Sep.15, 2014 in the UK and Jan. 6, 2015 in the US. “The Balcony” is a mixture of melodies about adoration, heartbreak, and hardships. Every song has a garage-band/garage punk feel that makes them slightly different.
The songs also show so much raw feeling that it captivates the crowd and connects with it too. For example, “Fallout” describes an intense relationship at its breaking point or “Cocoon” about a lustful couple and how the “world” is against their forbidden love.
The album is based on McCann’s experiences growing up and his time with the band. Then again, the album is like the Arctic Monkeys’ “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” or “Is This It?” by The Strokes, which appears a bit worn out. In spite of the fact that the album has its defects, Catfish and the Bottlemen have shown they know what they’re doing and might be the next big stars.
For more about Catfish and the Bottlemen and “The Balcony” visit here
