It Is Four Years Of Your Future: Choose Wisely
Posted on April 27, 2015 by Jenifer Oliver in Op-Ed
Chronicle Reporter
Jenifer Oliver
The time has come for high school seniors to make the final decision of what college or university to go to. The final decision day for most colleges is this Friday, May first. This crucial step causes inner conflict in every high school student because the decision is a permanent one and there should be no looking back.
Students may be offered several acceptance letters and the conflict lies in which school is best for them. Some students may choose a college because it was the only college they were accepted too and that is great at least they were accepted. Other students however choose a college because of location. Five out of ten seniors I asked chose their college based on where it was located and how beautiful the campus was. No one wants to go to a school in the middle of no where but that is not all that matters.
In my opinion the most important element to look for is the programs and classes colleges have to offer. It is not reasonable to go to a college that does not have your major in the end it would only be a waste of money. People change their majors during their first two years of college which is why it is important to choose the college that offers a wide range of majors that interest you. Athletic students may focus on colleges that offer the best sport teams and that is a bad move. Not every athlete will become famous and not every athlete will be able to play forever. Having a back-up plan is not an option but a requirement because the human body is not made of steel.
Perhaps the real issue is money for every single high schooler. Unless you are the one percent in our society that is the least of your worries. My personal reason for going to community college is that I do not have enough money to pay for four years of private university in another state. The university I want to attend is my dream school and offers many programs with various campuses. However, being a Deferred Action student limits what I can do and how much money I receive. I did not need to ask my parents if we would be able to afford the tuition because I knew the answer is no. Student loans are always an option but no one wants to graduate drowning in debt that gains interest and the debt becomes higher. To some it can be worth the risk.
In the end it all comes down on what we want because it is the beginning of our lives and we have to learn to make decisions for ourselves. So, if you really want to go to that college then do everything you can to afford it and if you do not want to risk it then there is no shame going to a community college. It is not about what you have but about your will and desire to study and pursue your career in order to strive!
Fun College Quiz
Prom 101; Tips For Girls
Posted on March 16, 2015 by Jenifer Oliver in Op-Ed
Chronicle Reporter
Jenifer Oliver
Prom is that special moment in every high school student’s life. It is the last dance and a good-bye to the teenage years. The guys build up the nerve to ask the girl they have had a crush on since freshman year to be their prom dates. Girls patiently wait for the guy to give her a bouquet of flowers or chocolates and ask her the proposal-like question “Prom?” I personally prefer pizza but who are we kidding? Not everybody gets asked out and for those of you going stag do not feel too bad.
It will not be the end of your life if you do not get asked out although it is perfectly normal for teenage girls to daydream about the guy in your living room with your corsage and your father staring intently at him wondering what he wants with his daughter. Then the moment when you descend from the stairs in your perfectly fitted gown, flawless skin, and elegant hair and this guy thinks to himself “Where has this girl been all my life?” and your father struggles to hold back tears as does your mother because their little girl is growing up so fast. The guy is left speechless at your hidden beauty and the flash of the camera in your mom’s hand makes you smile. After pictures you both leave the house to enter a black limousine or any other sort of transportation where you enter and he drives you to your perfect night.
Let’s admit it this sounds fantastic but all sorts of things could go wrong. You may end up with the wrong dress, the wrong hairstyle, with a big zit at the tip of your nose, the dress way too tight or loose shoes. For the ladies, the following tips can help you prevent all these tragic events from taking place.
Tip #1: First thing is first, your body. If you want to fit into that dress you bought a month early it is crucial and I say crucial that you maintain that body weight until the day of prom. If by any chance you want to lose the extra curves that you have then by all means start early. It would be a disaster if the already purchased dress is too tight that the zipper will not go up or too small that the bust sags. So formulate an eating schedule that will give you your daily calories but not exceed it or just lay off that extra bag of chips and trade in that soda for a water.
Tip #2: For flawless skin, exercise the habit of drinking water daily. My mother always forced me to drink water saying it is for my own benefit and yes it really is. The amount of water needed to be consumed is eight glasses a day. Practice cleaning your face twice a day and always moisturize after cleansing. Exfoliating is also a good way to get rid of the dead skin cells and dull complexion. Last, but not least always make sure to use sunscreen in order to prevent damage to the skin or sunburns. You are what you eat, literally! So lay off the fast food, it will be worth it.
Tip #3: The hair is also something girls should worry about. You do not want to ruin the perfect hairstyle because you have split ends. For those who do not know, never use shampoo on the ends of your hair, it is only for your scalp. Same goes for conditioner only vise versa, never use conditioner on your scalp only on the ends and make sure to leave it in for at least 3-5 minutes in order to allow it to have effect.
Tip #4: The dress is the most time consuming part so make sure that you start looking right about… now. Do not trust that you will like a dress just by looking at it. It is much safer to go around and try them all on. Get an opinion from someone you can trust like my mom who will not hesitate to say I look like a squash or that I look too dark. In my own experience I have been struggling to find a dress for three months now so start quickly!
Tip #5: It all depends on the dress. Before you pick shoes and jewelry make sure you know what dress you are buying. A few tips for hairstyles: strapless dresses are great with loose hair, strap dresses or v-neck dresses go with half up hairstyles, one shoulder dresses with a side ponytail or a side bun, and a high collar dress can be shown off with your hair up. Sometimes jewelry can add touch but other times it may seem like too much so beware and easy on the bracelets and necklaces especially if you are planning to wear a dress with lots of sparkle.
Tip #6: Opt for a natural look or light make-up. After all you will be dancing around a couple hundred people and sweating so your make-up is bound to smudge. Whatever amount of make-up makes you feel good should suffice. If you will want it done at a store then make sure you know who you want it from and how it will look so go in ahead of time and observe.
Tip #7: Save! Prom is expensive so learn to manage money in order to prevent shortage of money and end up going in last year’s homecoming shoes or dress! Do not rush or else you might end up picking something that will ruin your prom experience.
Tip #8: Last but not least, choose something you feel beautiful in. Sometimes we just have to go with what we love or what we can afford and go with it. Make it your own and feel confident in it. So do not forget to have fun because after all prom is only once!
“Superpower”
Posted on March 10, 2015 by Jenifer Oliver in Features
Chronicle Reporter
Jenifer Oliver & Jocelyne Gutierrez
The Performing Arts Magnet presented the last dance show of the school year, “Superpower” on March 6-7 at 7 pm and March 8 at 2 pm. Dance teacher Lisa Goldschein served as artistic director and choreographer and the show feature magnet dance students.
First to perform were the Advanced Dance Ensemble interpreting a dance of “Tell It Like It Is” by Tracy Chapman with colors of light violet and lavender. The ensemble included the following dancers: Jennifer Capuz, Stephanie Delgado, Robert Ford-Bowley, Ilana Hall, Noah Jackson, Jeriah Johnson, Samantha Kayombo, Emani Mack, Amanda Montiel, Tajanaye Parker, Celeste Perez, Ryonn Taylor, Alleanna Torres, and Taylor Walker.
The second act presented the Beginning Ballet class dancing “Demon Dancers” by displaying colors of midnight blue and blood red dresses. The dancers were: Isabel Cruz, Jasmine Duran, Chantal Hernandez, Priscilla Hernandez, Gabriella Mainea, Cassey Mendez, Jardine Morris-Jones, Mayra Rodriguez, Maryureth Ruano Monzon, Irene Short, and Maria Torres.
The thirds performance was a dance to “Take Me To Church” by Hozier and danced by the Choreography Ensemble who displayed elegant black dresses.These included: Elena Aburto, Kimberly Balderas, Madelyne Cordova, Diana Cruz, Lindsay Guillen, Anait Khalulyan, Tyler Lynch, Luisa Manukyan, Jasmine Newman, Kaelyn Norwood, Jessica Olano, and Aamani Thompson.
The fourth dance was choreographed and danced by Jeriah Johnson and Kayla Walker specifically made for Lori White. The name of the song “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” by Whitney Houston nicely captured White’s struggles. The colors of the dresses were sky blue which is a perfect representation of stability and faith. Lori White is a speaker for LAUSD whom speaks to health classes about the importance of staying healthy and fighting against every problem that may seem impossible to overcome. After watching the dance she said that it was “fantastic” and had “captured my struggle and story.” The dance expressed emotion and elicited feelings of struggles and strength. White’s advice for people is to “keep on believing and never give up and if you fall it’s okay as long as you always get up.”
Below is a snippet of four dances from opening night.
Dance Show
Happy birthday or happy vacation?
Posted on February 17, 2015 by Jenifer Oliver in Features
Jenifer Oliver
Chronicle Reporter
The national holiday known as Presidents’ Day was celebrated this year on Feb. 16, and every third Monday of Feb. annually. Originally, in the 1800’s it was to honor George Washington’s Birthday on Feb. 22 and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12 was also added as part of a deal. “President’s Day” is now the nationally accepted name and has become a celebration for all presidents.
The federal holiday did not become official until the 1870’s. Initially the holiday only applied to the District of Columbia and then, in 1885 it was expanded to the whole country. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act was proposed in the late 1960’s by Congress. This law’s purpose was to change specific dates of federal holidays to a series of predetermined Monday’s. It also combined with combined Lincoln’s and Washington’s Birthday. The Act was passed in 1968 and took effect in 1971.
This holiday is seen as a patriotic celebration and remembrance. Presidents’ Day today is used as a day to stage celebrations, reenactments, and other events.
This year our current President, Barack Obama spend his weekend in California playing golf before going back to Washington D.C. He spent it with Bobby Titcomb, Mike Ramos, and Greg Orme in Porcupine Creek Golf Course in the Palm Springs area.
So thank you Washington and Lincoln for a day off!
JROTC appreciation
Posted on November 13, 2014 by Jenifer Oliver in Features
Chronicle Reporters
Jenifer Oliver
Jocelyne Gutierrrez
A big round of applause for the Sheik supporters who represent the white and crimson scholars of our school. For those who always help out yet receive little or no credit, it is time to return an overdue appreciation of gratitude.
The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) has been a program of the Hollywood community offering generosity not only to students and their family members, but to those less fortunate. Project Angel Food is a nonprofit agency in Los Angeles County providing free meals to anyone who has been affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer or any other life-threatening illnesses. This year our young officers attended this residence of hope where Private First Class, Harris Kim, said he, “went…and made food for the people in need. All my hard work was for nothing I am very happy to know that all the food I packaged and made is for a good purpose.” He said that the officers and himself achieved in aiding and are “hoping to return next year.”
JROTC is important in maintaining order during every one of the school’s home games in which they help guide fellow parents to their seats in order to maintain order. The officers also act as security guards preventing anyone from entering the game without a ticket and making sure fanatics do not set foot on the field and cause trouble.
Other than patrolling during home games JROTC members can be found guiding parents during our occasional Parent Conference night. This could be found as very helpful considering that not all of the scholars come along with their parents.
While the school promotes sheik pride our Color Guard promotes national pride within the school by performing and encouraging every one to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. This Pledge of Allegiance is carried out by a five man Color Guard where in our most recent pep rally it consisted of Command Sergeant Jose Flores (10th), C/SGT Benedict Jhu (9th), Battalion Commander Grace Jhu (11th), Executive Officer Jam Delos Reyes (12th), and C/SGT Major Jairo Mejia (12th).
We recognize JROTC during pep rallies throughout the year as a division of the school, but it is not enough to only be grateful for them in that time. This school is a family and every family needs a defender for order–thank you JROTC for being at our defense.
