The Poly Optimist

Vol. ii John H. Francis Polytechnic High School february 2007 Parrots Prep for “Five chicks in mini skirts, fish nets and thigh-high boots.” Science Bowl XV By Karen Aguilar elimination rounds are held all Optimist Staff Writer day. The final session is based Showalter Rocks 10 Parrots from Poly’s on the old “General Electric Math/Science magnet are pre- College Bowl” television paring to compete for the re- game show. Subjects included gional title of the 15th annual computer science, biology, Kosovo for USO Los Angeles area Science physics, geology, astronomy, Bowl on February 24. The robotics and space travel. Poly drama teacher takes her band on the road to Kosovo. Bowl is sponsored by the De- The winner will receive partment of Water and Power. $1,000 in science equipment, materials or software and each By Meri Sarkisyan If the Poly squad can win the Optimist Staff Writer regional title, they will com- of its five team members will pete at the national finals to be receive Hitachi scholarships What’s a Poly teacher do- held April 27-30 in Washing- of $1,000. The second-, third- ing halfway round the world, ton, D.C. and fourth-place schools will on the rolling hills and farm- Science teacher Karen Bo- also receive money for equip- land of Serbia, singing to brow is sponsoring the teams, ment, the DWP said. hundreds of America’s finest. who also get training from a Public schools from Find out as the Optimist goes Science Bowl coach. This is throughout the Los Ange- on tour with Drama teacher Bobrow’s first year as spon- les Unified School District Amy Showalter. sor. (LAUSD), charter schools Q. Tell us about your The magnet students are and private/parochial schools band. split into A and B teams, in the city participate in the A. I’m in an all-girl group each with five members. The Science Bowl. called BANDSHE. We are groups practice once a week Local teams have won on MySpace and gigmasters. for three to four hours, usually four national titles and placed com. We are a six-piece band. on Saturday or Tuesday. among the top five schools na- Shelby and I handle the leads. Last year, 42 teams from 32 tionally nine times since 1995. She has a really, really high public, private and parochial The national titles were won voice, so she sings Christina schools competed for the title by Van Nuys High School in Aguilera and Heart. I sing all at the DWP headquarters in 1995, Venice High School in the Jimi Hendrix and Janis Jo- downtown Los Angeles. 1996 and 1997 and North Hol- plin stuff, any song sung by Courtesy of MRW During the competition, lywood High School in 2001. a guy, cause I have a lower RED HOT : Showalter belts out “Dani California” to troops. voice. We are really good about how long was the tour? shipping crates like on a train not being jealous of each A. The tour started and that are all hooked together other because everyone gets ended in the Kosovo area. It’s and lined up long ways and their own turn on stage. We called a “whirlwind tour.” It’s you get two beds and a little play rock and roll. It is heavy, the shortest tour the USO has. dresser and little wardrobe heavy stuff like Red Hot Chili It’s two days to travel, two and a little mirror. But you Peppers. Oh yeah, we’re like days to perform and two days had no bathroom. You had to slammin’. home. share a bathroom down at the Q. Who contacted you to One of the bases was in the end of the line. We didn’t care go on the USO tour? Croatia, Serbia area and the though because they were A. The bass player had been other was smack dab in the warm and it was cold outside. on a tour before with another middle of Kosovo. Q. And the gigs? group a few months ago and There’s military presence A. We played in Bondsteel, she got us hooked up with all over there. You see tanks the main Army base in Koso- Photo By Jose Peralta A.K.A. A.K.A is a privately- and humvees, burned-out vo, first. 500 Army guys were FIRING UP THE PIPES: Poly Choir members practice owned production company buildings, its like war-torn. there to hear us. Then we went Extreme’s “ More than Words” for Valentine’s Day gig. in Burbank that books USO It’s so surreal, a weird experi- to a NATO base the next night. (United Service Organiza- ence. It makes me appreciate There were soldiers from 36 Singing Their Way tions) tours. what I’ve got at home. different countries there and We sent them our press Q. Where did you stay? thousands of people. pack. They heard us and hired A. We flew from LAX to We signed autographs af- Into Your Hearts us. We went and played and Washington Dulles and then terwards and it was like a By Jose Peralta words of love, however. they’ve already scheduled us 13 hours to Vienna. We stayed mob scene. Some of the girls Optimist Staff Writer Here’s an excerpt from Ex- again for another tour at the there for a night in a hotel. were “like oh-my-God I feel The lilting sounds of 37 treme’s love-struck ballad – end of April. The regular hotels are not like the Beatles” because they voices delivered a little ro- Q. Who was in charge of like American hotels. They wanted our autographs. But mance to Poly classrooms on “Saying I love you the tour? are nicer on the inside but they they probably hadn’t seen Valentine’s day, February 14, Is not the words I want to A. The production company are smaller. We are big people American woman in a long as five groups of Choir mem- hear from you assigned us a tour manager, in the States. Everything there time, especially five chicks in bers sang 200 telegrams Par- It’s not that I want you who took care of everything, is really clean but the rooms mini skirts and fish nets and rots had ordered. Not to say, but if you only from making sure the plane were tiny. The beds were little thigh high boots. We had a It’s a traditional event at knew tickets arrived to making us and the comforter didn’t even great time. Poly, sponsored by Choir How easy it would be to get our passports. His name cover the whole bed. Q. Transportation? Master Kevin Patterson’s show me how you feel was Fab and he was fabu- In the military bases we A. The General took a lik- sturdy group of vocalists. More than words is all you lous. We had a great time with slept in something called con- ing to us. “Oh you guys don’t The lullabies this year have to do to make it real.” him. nexes. The military guys call need to be driving around in aren’t exactly traditional Q. Where did you play and them tuna-cans. all these entourages,” he said, Ain’t romance grand. They’re like these metal [See Tour Page 2]  Campus Connection The Poly Optimist “Young people can have a dramatic impact.” USO Tour [Showalter from Page 1] students and politics: getting “we need to just fly you over.” So to get to the bases, we flew on a Black Hawk helicopter. out the vote for Alarcón Q. Compensation? A. I made 1200 dollars On the campaign A.They are projecting that press her democratic right that cal things. Going to Sacra- for 6 days. All of our meals the turnout will be very low, people felt almost guilty. So mento and going through the were paid for, all of our hotel trail with city so our big focus is to get young people can have a dra- actual legislative process in rooms were paid for and then council candidate. enough volunteers to get the matic impact. the rooms where the legisla- we were paid 300 euros (about voters out. Also, the average age in tors do it. I know the kids get $500) for spending money. a great kick out of that. By Jennifer Rivera Q. Why do you use high my district is about 25, so it’s Q. How long did each show Optimist Staff Writer school students to help you a very young district. That Q. What events are the last? campaign? means I have to pay a lot of Young Senators’ favorites? A. We only had to play 2 The Optimist spoke with A. When I ran for city coun- attention to young people. A. Different students like hours. Two hours both nights. former Poly grad Rich- cil in 1993, a lot of volunteers Q. Why did you create the different things. But the event Its awesome. You get to came from Poly High School. they like the most is when ard Alarcon, now running Young Senators program? take a trip, you play for little Mr. Blackton, the Govern- A. I felt that one way to give they go to Time Warner and for a Los Angeles City bit, then sign autographs. The ment teacher at the time, was back was to tell young people produce their own show. They first night we signed auto- Council position, during giving extra credit to students something they don’t get from get to be the director, anchor- graphs for an hour and a half. a recent campaign rally who worked on any campaign. school. man and on-scene news re- The second night we went to at Hansen Dam. This is Most of them chose mine. We don’t replicate what porter and they produce a 20 a “meet and greet,” where we part of that conversation. A young lady, 15-years old, they teach in Government minute show in four hours. signed our pictures and stuff walked with me on Election class, although I was a Gov- Secondly, of course, is going like our promo pictures. We Day through the whole pre- ernment teacher. I do things to Sacramento and seeing the were supposed to be there Q. Why are you running cinct. We walked that pre- like strategy and relation- legislature. for an hour, but the crowd for city council? cinct about 7 or 8 times, all ships and subject areas that Q. What is it about this job was big so we were there for A. We have to do something day long and we were able to might not be touched on by that attracts you? four hours signing pictures. about gang violence. get people out to the polls. the teacher to get a real hands- A. You can have great im- We wanted everyone to get a I’m a former teacher and I won by 1% but the thing on opportunity for the young pact, you can help people em- chance to take pictures. We I did my student teaching at was, she was so intimidating people. power themselves. Whether were the stars on stage. They Poly High School. Having to the people. She was about Q. What do you like about it’s putting in a traffic signal were there to see BandShe. graduated from there and be- 4’10”, weighed about 100 lbs. the program? or putting a streetlight on They had posters up a month ing student body president, I and she was so intimidating. A. There are so many dif- a corner that is too dark or before we got there. So they want to improve the education “I can’t vote, but you can ferent things, I like to work on building housing so people were looking at our promo system. and you’re not. Why not? If I the community service proj- can buy their first house, cre- shots for a month. I’ve also put together a col- could vote, I would’ve voted ects with the Young Senators. ating opportunities for new Q. How was the food? laboration of 60 organizations already, so I want you to vote I like to be out there painting businesses, all of those things A. Not very good. The mili- to focus on the dropout rate for because I can’t,” she told ev- houses for people who oth- make you feel good at the end tary base food was better then the high schools in my area. eryone. erwise wouldn’t be painting of the day, when you see posi- going to the restaurants. Q. What is the focus of And people would be so their houses and cleaning up tive things happen in the com- The restaurant food was your campaign? impressed that she would ex- the neighborhoods, the physi- munity. That’s why we do it. crazy; it was like different fla- vors put on all together. The Poly Optimist Hands On With Ceramics Class We ate military food on the bases but every single night Editor-In-Chief Jose Peralta By Jennifer Rivera we were there the General Assistant Editor Optimist Staff Writer took us to dinner. Jennifer Rivera Q. How did the troops re- Sports Editor What exactly do they do act? Daniel Jimenez in Poly art teacher Karen A. They’d say “Hey thanks Photo Editor Daneshvari’s ceramics for coming, Thanks for com- Erick Robles class, anyway? Optimist ing. Ohh, I like the song you Optimist Advisor staff writer Jennifer Rivera sang.” And we’d say “I ap- John Blau decided to find out firsthand preciate and glad to be here.” Because they say thank you Writers: by joining Daneshvari’s Karen Aguilar class for a day. Here is her for coming a lot because it’s like a piece of home for them. Aldo Mendez experience. Meri Sarkisyan And they don’t get that. Both of the entertainment directors Letters Walking into Poly art teach- said “We never had a band Letters to the Editor are ac- er Karen Daneshvari’s Ceram- like this here ever.” So they cepted and encouraged for topics ics class, I feel like I’m in the relevant to our readers. Submit- Photo By Jose Peralta were excited to see us. ted letters must be typed or neatly most relaxed atmosphere in We like to move around EMBEDDED: Staff writer Jennifer Rivera spent a class pe- printed in ink and must have the the school. and get all crazy on stage. signature of the writer. Editors re- I head over to watch one of riod learning the fine points of crafting a ceramic figure. serve the right to determine which Q. Did you bring home any issue the letter will published in, her advanced students work- Choosing one project from my fingers and drip it on the souvenirs? and the right to edit the letter for ing on the potting wheel. I’m many possibilities is difficult. surface of the bear to smooth A. I just brought sweat grammar, length, and structure. entranced by how swiftly he Melissa Davila, who sits Corrections published in the out the cracks in the clay. I bands, a lighter and a wallet following issue of the newspaper. works. I don’t even notice the next to me, is glazing a coffee mold eyes, a smile and a nose, that says Kosovo, a shirt that background music. mug. She looks as if she has score them and stick them to says Vienna. I brought Mr. Editorial Policy Daneshvari’s students come done this many times before. the bear. The Poly Optimist adheres to Schwal t-shirts from every- the responsibility of a Free Student in, set the radio to a Spanish I decide to make a Valen- With my wooden knife, I where. Press. It serves as a voice for the music station and begin work- tine’s Day present, a cut out carve the words “Hug Me.” Q. Would you give up student body and the community. ing. They don’t stop until the of a teddy bear with a pocket I set the finished project on teaching for a showbiz ca- This newspaper accepts all the bell rings. responsibilities inherent in being in the middle. I begin to roll a wooden board to dry. I feel a reer? a free press. The Optimist staff I go to a nearby table for out clay on the board until it is sense of accomplishment. I’ve A. Yes. This is my dream. I strives to follow the Code of Eth- tools - a wedging board, sculp- smooth from both sides. tried something new. Working wanted to be a rock star since ics for the Society of Professional ture clay, rollers, wire ribbon, Journalists. Editorials are the opin- Next I press the cut out into with the clay felt very stress I was a girl. It’s a dream every ion of individual staff writers, and a wooden knife, cut outs and the clay and then remove the free. I was consumed with the kid has, to be a fireman or an not presented as news facts. a sponge. bear. I take some water with project all period. astronaut or a rock star. The Poly Optimist Features  Sondheimer on Sports L.A. Times reporter talks about sportswriting, his career and working for the Times. By Daniel Jimenez Optimist Staff Writer sports. Q. How much freedom do you have The Optimist’s Sports Editor sat down recently with Los An- to choose your stories? geles Times sports reporter Eric Sondheimer to talk about A. Once you become a columnist, you have more freedom than almost his work, his subject and what it takes to make it in big-time any other writer on staff. You can sportswriting. The following is that conversation. choose whatever subject you want. Editors give you suggestions, but the Q. How did you get started report- the time and help needed to produce freedom as a columnist is the ultimate ing? high-quality stories. The late Jim Mur- for a sportswriter. A. I was cut from the Madison Ju- ray won a Pulitzer Prize for sportswrit- Q. Talk a bit about one or two ca- nior High basketball team and wanted ing, one of the few sports columnists to reer highlights for you as a sports to stay involved in sports, so I soon have done so. writer. learned writing for the school paper Q. You chose to write sports stories. A. In 1988, while working with the gave me more influence than playing. Why? Daily News, I helped break a story about Everybody wanted to get their name in A. Sports is a great subject to tell sto- the University of Kentucky sending Courtesy of L.A. Times the paper, giving me an insight into the ries. You can make people laugh, make a package to a high school basketball power of the press. I haven’t stopped people cry. It’s a fun way to commu- COLUMNIST: Times’ Sondheimer. recruit in Los Angeles that contained writing since. nicate with people because most like money. As a result of that story, the I worked for the weekly San Fer- to watch, talk or play sports. I’ve writ- you write can have a huge impact, pos- Kentucky coach resigned, the school nando Sun through high school and ten news stories and features. To be a itive or negative. A journalist can make was placed on probation and the entire joined the Poly paper as a 10th grader. sportswriter, you have to be versatile, a difference if that person is dedicated state probably hated the Daily News. At Cal State Northridge, I joined the be able to tell stories, be a good re- and determined to finding the truth That story won an Associated Press Daily Sundial. I worked part time at the porter, a good interviewer, a good lis- and most importantly, presenting both award as best sports story for 1988 in Daily News while in college and was tener, a good observer. I’ve stayed with sides of an issue. Fairness, credibility the Daily News circulation category. hired full time there in 1980, becoming sports because it really doesn’t feel like and integrity mean everything. It told me how one story could make the prep editor, where I tried to make a job. Who wouldn’t want to get paid My advice is be organized, arrive a huge impact. In 1997, I received an prep sports a big deal. for going to watch an athletic event and early and outhustle and out-work your AP award for being the best sports col- I was with the Daily News from 1980- tell what happened and why. competitors. Always try to talk to as umnist in Los Angeles. I beat out some 1997 except for 18 months in 1990-91 Q. What makes a good sports sto- many people as possible. You never L.A. Times columnists. I doubt that will when I worked for the National Sports ry? know who might give you a tip. ever happen again. Daily, the first daily sports newspaper A. Sports reporting has evolved be- Q. What’s your favorite sport to Q. Who do you read? that folded. I have been at the Los An- cause of television and the Internet. cover? A. I like Bill Plaschke, a sports col- geles Times since 1997. We no longer just write about who A. For high school sports in South- umnist for The Times. I like John Fein- Q. How did the Times come into the wins or who loses. We have to tell sto- ern California, I like baseball a lot be- stein, who wrote Season on the Brink. picture? ries and explain why or make the story cause so many athletes have gone on I try to read novels because they help A. My dream was to work for the interesting enough that even if some- to play in the major leagues. It’s fun to you write better. I read lots of news- Times for years. I applied to the Times one doesn’t care who won or lost, they see someone in high school, then fol- papers on the Internet. I don’t just read as soon as I graduated from CSUN, and want to read the story. That means we low their progress to the college ranks sports, either. It’s important not to fo- the toughest moment was getting a re- have to find intriguing angles and go or the professional ranks. cus solely on sports. You need to keep jection letter telling me I didn’t have behind the scenes. I first started in 1976, when John El- up with what’s happening in your com- enough experience. It made me cry Q. Talk a bit about your Poly days. way arrived at Granada Hills High. To munity and the world, whether it’s in and served as motivation every day I A. When I was at Poly, I thought have a future Hall of Famer as one of arts, movies, news or business. Again, worked at the Daily News to scoop the about going out for the Class C bas- the first athletes to cover was incred- being versatile is critical. Times and to make sure the Daily News ketball team. But my older brother, ibly lucky. I have my favorite sports Q. What other interests do you sports section was better. Michael, had been the basketball man- and least favorites, but you have to be have? By 1997, the Daily News was in tur- ager at Poly while also working for able to cover anything. A. I like to take a trip out of the coun- moil. People were leaving because it the school newspaper and being the I’ve seen maybe one hockey game try every year. I’ve been to China, Rus- was for sale. I was working too hard, student body president, so I followed in my life. I like horse racing a lot. I’m sia, Israel, Indonesia, Tibet, Thailand, feeling too much pressure to do things him except for student body president. not a big soccer fan because I haven’t Vietnam, England, Germany, France, all by myself. The Times presented a Being the manager was a great op- gotten over how few goals are scored, Poland. It’s fun to see how others live great opportunity to work only as a col- portunity to go behind the scenes and though internationally, it’s terrific. because it makes you feel more fortu- umnist and not worry about the other learn what happens in the locker room Q. Do you prefer covering profes- nate about living in America. things I was doing, such as organiz- and at practice, observing the coaches sional, college or high school sports? Q. Is the Internet good for the ing the prep section. It allowed me to and players. That experience has been A. I’ve covered the Super Bowl, the newspaper industry? continue to grow as a journalist and not incredibly valuable and I use many of World Series, the NCAA Final Four, A. The Internet has changed news- just cover the San Fernando Valley. the things I learned from three years at the Rose Bowl, the Little League World paper forever. The Times, like every The Times approached me. They Poly today in covering teams, players Series, big horse races, big golf tour- newspaper, is trying to come up with had a San Fernando Valley sports sec- and coaches. naments. I’ve stuck with high school a plan on how best to take advantage tion. That section disappeared in 2001, Q. What advice would you give to sports originally because it was an im- of the Internet. The impact has already forcing me to adjust to covering all of aspiring journalists, especially high portant part of the newspaper coverage been felt in high school sports, where Southern California. At first, I didn’t school students? and I felt I could do a good job. But most of our stories now run solely on like it. But now, it’s a great challenge A. There’s no better time to prac- now, I feel it’s the best way to make a the Internet and not in the newspaper. and offers me a chance to pick and tice the craft of reporting than in high difference, telling stories of teenagers I think the Internet is good in ways. choose and find the best stories in the school. It’s almost as if you are embed- that can be inspirational to others. It’s You can write as much as you like on Southland. ded with the students. You can observe, also rewarding to watch someone ma- the Internet. It has allowed us to print Q. Compare the LATimes sports find interesting stories and learn how to ture from high school to college to the stories from hundreds of schools when department to the NYTimes or the interview people. pros. I still believe high school sports they call in scores and report stats. It’s Washington Post in terms of staff, The key is letting yourself believe is an important part of any newspaper here to stay and we all have to adjust. budget, national prominence, awards, you are a real journalist. It frees you when told in a way that can be com- It’s terrific for breaking stories. Blogs etc. from any shyness. You have that press pelling, informative and entertaining. are also here to stay. I only worry that A. We have more than 50 writers and pass, and it arms you to ask questions That’s my challenge at the Times. I we use a different criteria for writing editors in the sports department. It’s to anyone, from the principal to the have to find stories that not just are in- on the Internet and blogs vs. being in one of the best in the nation because coach. teresting to the family involved but to the newspaper. We can speculate more we have top columnists, great editors It’s a major responsibility that thousands of readers who don’t neces- on the Internet and not be so careful in and dedicated reporters and are given shouldn’t be taken lightly. Every word sarily want to read about high school checking facts, which is a concern.  Sports The Poly Optimist DJ and his wrecking crew dismantle NoHo Record-breaking regular season ends with 21st victory. T h r e e - P e a t

Gay leads Gay’s 30 the league in: points per points (741), game average threes (96), ranks him steals (64) 18th in the assists (134). nation, 1st in the city.

Photo By Erick Robles SUNSET SIX CHAMPS: DJ Gay and a swarming defense bring league title to varsity Parrots. Third league title in as many years.

By Daniel Jimenez visitors. “We match up well against Washington (18-11), Optimist Staff Writer The Parrots are on a hot streak heading into the the team we’re playing in the first round of the play- It was a perfect ending to a near-perfect regular playoffs, having won five in a row and 13 of their offs,” Katz said. “They’re very athletic but we can season. The Parrots got their sweet revenge on North last 14 games. They will enter the playoffs as the 3rd keep up with them. They’re an all-around good team, Hollywood, the team who handed Poly their only seeded team, the highest ever for Poly. but they’re not better than anyone else we’ve played. loss of the season. “We’ve had a very successful regular season,” said We can beat them.” It was a very different story this time around. The head coach Brad Katz, “and we’re looking to be one The victory against the Huskies was senior Gay’s Parrots, who were held to 13 points in 16 minutes just of the best teams to ever play for Poly.” last of the regular season. He’ll attend San Diego two weeks ago, yielded a stingy 15 first half points Katz’ squad has yet to lose at home, where they’ll State University in the fall while coach Katz searches to the Huskies on Friday, dominated the boards (39) host Washington on Thursday, February 15th. high and low for a replacement. and won convincingly, 65-47. “Losing DJ is gonna be big,” Katz said. “His abil- DJ Gay, 18th in the nation in scoring, led his team S U N S E T S I X L E A G U E ity to dominate the game will change our team. It’s with 25 points, and was two rebounds and one as- Team Season League gonna change our dynamics.” sist shy of a triple double. Mauricio Gonzalez tied POLY 21-4 9-1 “Teams know him,” said Katz. “They know how his points per game average of 11 and grabbed five N. Hllywd 17-11 7-3 he plays, and they still can’t stop him. His 30 points rebounds. Seven more Poly players added the re- Verdugo 16-8 6-4 per game will be missed.” mainder. Grant 17-9 5-5 “We have to get our younger kids to play well,” North Hollywood guard Jordin Carroll had 12 Van Nuys 8-17 3-7 Katz said. “We have our best nine players graduating points and forward Jesse Zarate added six for the Canoga Park 4-21 0-10 this year.” Too Many Goose Eggs three of their last five games, By Daniel Jimenez in enough effort and having Optimist Staff Writer scored only ten points in their problems with teammates.” last eleven matches and lost all Keller stresses teamwork, After a promising start, but two of those. but a few of his players didn’t Poly’s boys varsity soccer “The San Fernando game get the message. team has suffered a nearly un- was where it started going “They’re used to being the broken series of losses, in part downhill for us,” Keller said. number one guy,” Keller said, because of outsized egos and a “We played a great first half “and it’s hard for them to play pint-sized offense. against them, but it fell apart as a team sometimes.” “We look good, we domi- in the second half. We quit on JV, he noted, had adjusted nate throughout the game, but ourselves.” to the new style better than the we just can’t score,” varsity “We lost the next two games, varsity had. head coach Michael Keller versus Canoga and Fairfax, and Keller, assistant coach last said. “We’re like a snake with after that it all broke down,” year, has accepted a position no venom.” the coach added. in Chicago and won’t be com- The team’s stats bear him “A lot of our difficulties ing back next year. But leav- out. The Parrots, 2-7-1 in Sun- have been due to guys having ing Poly will be easy. set Six League play and 5-9-1 ego problems,” Keller said. “I’ve never cared more Photo By Erick Robles “And two guys were removed overall, have failed to score in about a group of guys,” he BANANA KICK: Parrots needed more scoring to make this from the team for not putting said. year’s playoffs, especially against league leading C-Park (8-0).