January 2008 Vote ‘08 Turning Getting to Know Them up the by Priscilla Duarte Staff Writer in 2008 We Elect a New Presi- Volumes Dent

The Poly Optimist John H. Francis Polytechnic High School Vol. VII 12431 Roscoe blvd. sun valley, california, 91352 January 2008 Vote ‘08 Turning Getting To Know Them Up the By Priscilla Duarte Staff Writer In 2008 we elect a new presi- Volumes dent. The OPTIMIST will fea- By Bayzig Manougian ture a column in this space each Staff Writer month on the election process. For January, we profile the Books on apples, books on three top contenders in each of farms, books on bridges, trees the two parties. and charms. The library is full of new books The books are courtesy of DEMOCRATIC English department chair Lisa Photo by Christian Banuelos Blackwell, who organized and STACKED UP: English Teacher Lisa Blackwell stocks shelves with new library books. oversaw the library reorgani- CANDIDATES zation. “I didn’t anticipate that new books would have such a great Men At Work visual impact to the library,” Blackwell said. ruary. Installation of new lights By Karinina Cruz Thanks to a $100,000 grant, The new $2.8M fire alarm and fixtures costing $570,000 Staff Writer Poly’s library received a num- system for the campus is also will replace obsolete lighting ber of shipments of new books Poly’s campus, 50 years on schedule. and improve energy efficien- during the latter half of 2007. old and counting, is getting a Another on-going project is cy. The books sat in storage for number of renovations, funded the removal of asbestos from Security cameras for Poly’s months because the library by bond measures passed in several rooms and buildings at campus are under consider- had no shelf space. 2000. Poly. ation. Los Angeles Unified Approximately $27.7M in “Public schools have high “We are exploring options School District (LAUSD) bonds was earmarked by Los standards for safety,” acting and discussions on getting the recommends that libraries BARACK OBAMA Angeles Unified School Dis- principal Gerardo Loera said. cameras,” said Loera. “The have books no more than 7 trict (LAUSD) for Poly’s cam- “Since a lot of materials used district will make the final de- “I’m asking you to be- years old. On average, Poly’s pus. Projects totaling $5.4M at Poly had asbestos, work- cisions for us.” lieve. Not just in my books were 25 years old. The are currently underway, with ers are coming in to minimize The textbook room, al- number of volumes in the li- ability to bring about $8.5M more in the planning the risks. The work is done by though not included in the BB brary was unknown and many stages. companies that specialize in bond measure funding, is slat- real change in Wash- weren’t even in the computer- Major projects include the asbestos removal.” ed to receive additional stor- ington; I’m asking you ized catalog. installation of a heating and A bus turnout off Roscoe age capacity. Blackwell removed old to believe in yours.” air conditioning system for the Blvd is currently under con- “It is overflowing with books and replaced them with ----Barack Obama auditorium as well as a new struction in preparation for books, so we are helping to new ones. She also added all sound system, a fire alarm sys- the opening of Byrd Middle find additional storage,” Loera the new books to the catalog. tem for the school and side- School across the street from said. Poly now has 16,408 books Family: Wife: Michelle; two walk construction for wheel- Poly. children: Malia, Sasha. chair access that will bring cataloged and on shelves. Ap- Birth date: 08/04/1961 Poly in compliance with the proximately 4,000 are new Birthplace: Honolulu, HI Americans with Disabilities books never before available Home City: Chicago, IL Act (ADA) to students. Six thousand more Religion: Pulsar Construction was new books remain unshelved United Church of Christ the original contractor for the and will be added after more Education: auditorium’s heating and air shelves are purchased. Harvard Law School, 1991 conditioning. The company Blackwell said the library Columbia University, 1983 walked away from the project has room for approximately Political Experience: after completing approximate- 24,344 more books, based on Senator, United States Senate, ly $1M of the work. LAUSD’s 22 books per linear feet and 2005-present facilities department will com- approximately 1,150 linear Keynote Speaker, 2004 Dem- plete the job. feet of space available. ocratic National Convention Installation of the new Los Angeles Unified School District recommends that each Senator, Illinois State Senate, sound system is scheduled for Photo by Efrain Rodriguez completion by the end of Feb- high school library have 18 [ continued on pg. 3] UP ON THE ROOF: Workers apply sealent to portico [ continued on pg. 4] Parrots, Mario On The Firemen Picks Beat Bring Joy Box Office With To Kids Hits Jimenez See Campus| Page 4 See Entertain | Page 6 See Sports | Page 8 Opinion The Poly Optimist EDITORIAL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Reactions to K e e p i n g Graffiti Editorial Dear Editor, because they don’t think it af- I don’t think they should fects anyone, and because it’s I t C l e a n take off the writing. People not graffiti. have a hard time understand- Most of the time we take Poly isn’t a restaurant where ing art, what it is and the -Patricia Ascendio for granted the way the school you can just leave your left meaning of it. It is to express 11th grade looks. I decided to walk around over meal for a waitress to beauty in life, nature, words, the campus, empty of students clean up. We all have to take and everything else. These Dear Editor, Feedback. In my opinion I think that and faculty, to see the school the responsibility and walk a people that took the painting Dear Editor, the mural should stay. Not from a different perspective. couple of steps to properly dis- off truly don’t understand art In your December 2007 is- many people understand art It was Saturday morning, no pose of our trash. and are making the artist’s sue of the Poly Optimist, the and may be confused by see- one in sight. I wanted to check Instead of leaving your talent look as if it was a bad two articles on college issues, ing something that they think out the Polygon first since a lot plates at lunch tables, try tak- thing. Everyone is good at “Seniors Catch Sickness” is offensive, but in reality, it is of kids hang out there. ing them to the nearest trash something. Who’s to say that by Jose Perez, and “Work all just art. I’m sure it did not Everywhere I looked, I saw bin. Clean your area where their talent is not acceptable? Now, Play Later” by Jennifer say anything offensive so why trash, candy wrappers and food you chill during lunch. You’ll Miranda were outstanding -Alfredo Meza would they have to do the mu- discarded by students. feel better because your place 11th grade and timely articles. Jen- “Why is it so hard for stu- doesn’t look as bad as the next ral all over again? Dear Editor nifer writes with sincerity dents to throw away their un- group beside you. In my opinion, graffiti is I think the mural shouldn’t and maturiy. Her article is a wanted trash,” I wondered. The school looks the way it just a way of writing, just like be removed because who ever reminder to all students that I saw a half-empty trash- does because of what the stu- any language has their way of did it wasn’t doing it to make we start preparing for college can with trash right nearby, as dents do to it. We’re the ones writing. To me, graffiti is the it look like graffiti. Everyone as early as the ninth grade, if students said that it was too who are responsible. Ask your- urban way of writing and no- has their own way of show- not as seniors. Jose’s article much work to walk that extra self, am I part of the problem, body should judge the writing ing art. If this person had the was well researched and it is inch. or part of the solution. Next on the way it looks. I guess idea of portraying art like that, a reminder to seniors that the It isn’t ok to leave trash on time you see trash on the cam- people don’t understand art, then I guess it’s right and it finish line is June 30 and not the ground and justify it as pus, pick it up with Poly pride but they don’t need to under- shouldn’t offend anyone be- earlier. Good luck to all. providing work for the jani- and throw it away. stand anything to see real art. cause it doesn’t say anything tors. Teaching students the im- bad, and if they approved the -Leona Warman portance of cleanliness should -Gilbert Vargas -Joseph G. mural in the first place, it was College Counseler be a priority. 12th grade

The Optimist New Years Resolutions John H. Francis Polytechnic High School By Su Kang out this year,” said History graders had graduating from 12431 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA, 91352 Staff Writer URL: http://www.polyhigh.org/opt.jsp?rn=8388297 teacher Kitt Heilbron high school as their number “My last year’s resolution one resolution. 14% said get- The OPTIMIST inter- was to go sleep early. I was ting into college and 11% said Editor-In-Chief Editorial viewed teachers, counselors going to sleep at 12 or 1. But getting good grades and doing Jason Castro Policy and approximately 200 stu- I tried to go to sleep at 10. I better in class was their num- Sports Editor The Optimist is the dents about their new year’s kept it for 2 month, but I was ber one resolution. Daniel Jimenez voice of the Poly com- resolutions. Here’s what they off and on. But overall, I slept For 30.9% of 11th graders, munity and accepts the told us. more,” said math teacher Ser- studying more and getting bet- Page Editor responsibilities of a free “My new year’s resolution gio Lopez. ter grades was their number Jason Castro press. The Optimist fol- is to be good to myself to oth- “I have a plan to go to the one resolution. 21.7% said lows the Code of Ethics ers to the earth in that order, gym. I have a membership. I exercise and lose weight and Photo Editors for the Society of Profes- and laugh daily,” said coun- just need to use it,” said his- 10% said getting a job. Efrain Rodriguez selor Maria Padua tory teacher Brad Katz. Twenty-one percent of the Stephanie Tejada sional Journalists. Edito- rials are the opinions of “First, continue to grow in “My new year’s resolution 10th graders had doing better Writers: the staff writers. the way that I represent God. is to be a better person, bet- in school, 17% said exercise Karen Aguilar, Chris- Second, to grow in my rela- ter coach, and better teacher, and 13% said they hoped to tian Banuelos, Kar- tionship. Third, to become ri- because I think that we are pass the CAHSEE. inina Cruz, Priscilla diculously super fit. And fourth here on this planet for a rea- Twenty-nine percent of Duarte, Margarita Fer- Letters is to get more forward with my son. Some people ask ‘why the 9th graders had better in nandez Michelle Gon- Letters to the Editor personal investments,” said do you work hard, we are go- school, 25% said good grades zalez, Juan Herrera, Su must be typed or neatly track and field coach Rudy ing to die anyway.’ But I want and 11% said lose weight. Kang, Bayzig Manou- printed in ink and include Cuevas. to be a good example to the Other answers included gian, Meri Sakisyan, the writer’s signature. The “I don’t have a new year’s next generation. If I change, “stay cute,” “be a better lis- Mario Solano, Gilberto Optimist reserves the resolution, but I have desires you change, they change, we tener,” “stop procrastinating,” Vargas right to edit submissions. for the year. I make a desire list can make better planet,” said “no dramas,” “meet new peo- Send letters to Rm.11 or every year, and my last year JV soccer coach Mario Jose ple,” and “do extra curricular Optimist Adviser Ms. Matlen’s box. resolution was ‘be true to my Rivera. activities.” John Blau self.’ Still keeping it through- Thirty percent of the 12th The Poly Optimist Vote ‘08 candidate Snapshots On The [ continued from pg. 1 ] Birth date: 10/26/1947 for a quality education that Birthplace: Chicago, IL teaches the fundamental skills C o l l e g e Home City: Chappaqua, NY Religion: Methodist needed to compete in a global Education: economy.” Track JD, Yale University, 1973 BA, Wellesley College, 1969. By Karen Aguilar Political Experience: ----Mike Huckabee Staff Writer Senator, United States Senate, 2000-

As a service to our readers, the REPUBLICAN Family: Wife: Janet McCain; three OPTIMIST asked one Poly senior children: John Mark, David, Sarah. to tell us about her final months CANDIDATES Birth date: 08/24/1955 before graduation and heading Birthplace: Hope, AR off to college. Below is the first in- John Edwards Home City: North Little Rock, AR stallment of her story. Religion: Baptist “The cause of my life is fight- Education: As a sophomore, I thought that ap- Attended, Southwestern Baptist Theo- ing for working people and plying to college would be a breeze. logical Seminary, 1976-1977 the middle class who are be- The next year I learned that I had three BA, Ouachita Baptist University, dreadful standardized tests to take, two ing held back by powerful en- 1976. long college applications to submit and Political Experience: trenched interests,” two ambiguous financial aid applica- Governor, State of Arkansas, 1996- ----John Edwards tions to file. 2007 Luckily, I am done with applica- Lieutenant Governor, State of Arkan- Family: Wife: Elizabeth; four children: tions to UCs (University of Califor- sas, 1993-1996. Governor of Massa- Cate, Emma Claire, Jack, Wade (de- nia) schools, which are public. These chusetts, 2002-2006 ceased). schools require an essay on their given Governor of Massachusetts, 2002- Birth date: 06/10/1953 topic and an application that is rela- 2006 Birthplace: Seneca, SC tively easy to fill out. You fill it out Home City: Raleigh, NC once and send it to all the UC schools Religion: Methodist Mitt Romney you are applying to. I started the app Education: “We must strengthen our mili- the first day it came out (October 1st) JD, University of North Carolina-Cha- and submitted it four days before the pel Hill, 1977 tary by increasing the size of deadline (November 30th). That says BS, North Carolina State University, our military by 100,000 troops something about preparation. 1974. and dedicating at least four Colleges and universities confirm Political Experience: that they have received your applica- Candidate, United States President, percent of our gross domestic tion and other materials in January. I 2004, 2008 product to defense.” make sure all my information is correct Candidate, United States Vice Presi- ----Mitt Romney and that letters of recommendation, dent, 2004 transcripts, and payment fee waiv- Senator, United States Senate, 1998- ers have been received. It is a relief 2004. Family: Wife: Ann; five Children: to know the schools got your stuff and Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben, Craig. that you will have more time to go out Birth date: 03/12/1947 with your friends. Birthplace: Detroit, MI Interviews with private schools Home City: Belmont, MA John McCain should be done between late December Education: and February. Interviews are usually MBA, Harvard Business School, 1975 “The next president will have not mandatory but they could help you JD, Harvard Law School, 1975 to take on the special interests stand out from the pool. I recently had BA, Brigham Young University, 1971. that thrive in the health care an interview with a Wellesley College Political Experience: Governor of Mas- system” representative. The interview mainly sachusetts, 2002-2006 consists of talking about yourself and ----John McCain why you want to attend that specific Family: Wife: Cindy Lou Hensley; college (programs, majors, intern- seven children: Doug, Sidney, Andy, ships). An interview can only hurt Meghan, Jack, Jimmy, Bridget. your chances of getting in if you panic Birth date: 08/29/1936 and let the whole conversation go to Birthplace: Panama Canal Zone, Pan- waste. ama I am currently working on what I be- Home City: Phoenix, AZ lieve is the most tedious part of the application process, the FAFSA financial Hillary Clinton Religion: Episcopalian Education: aid packet and the CSS Profile. Both “In this troubled economy, National War College, 1974 applications ask for similar informa- U.S. Naval Academy, 1958. tion about you and your parents. Most how can so many millions of questions involve income, investments people simply not be heard? Political Experience: Senator, United States Senate, Arizona, and assets. You will need to sit down If I’m your president, I will 1987-present with your parents to get all the num- bring your voice to the White Primary Candidate, United States Pres- bers down. If you are a senior and are not done House.” ident, 2000 National Security Adviser, Dole/Kemp with apps (to private school by this ----Hilary Clinton Mike Huckabee Presidential Campaign, 1996 time of the year), deadlines are around Representative, United States House of the corner. Sophomores and juniors “I believe that every child Representatives, 1982-1986. should prepare to take the SAT and the Family: Husband: William; one child: ACT and start their college search. Chelsea. should have the opportunity Campus Connection The Poly Optimist Toy Drives ‘R’ Us The annual Christmas fundraiser has become a Poly tradition Leadership’s Brian breaker. Why? Le Clair talks to the “I don’t think the kids worked any less hard. I think there are OPTIMIST outside variables that will af- By Michelle Gonzale fect how well we do. We had a & Meri Sakisyan number of funerals also in the Staff Writers months of October and No- vember and that I think also Q. How do you feel about do- had an impact on how much ing a toy drive every year? we were able to donate. But Does it take a lot of patience? I can’t say that I’m sad about the money that we raised. We “I’m exhausted. It wears me raised about $22,000. That’s out physically. I feel very in- more than Mervyns donates, spired by how hard the kids that’s more than Ralph’s do- work I mean there’s so much nates, than Sav-on donates. that goes behind every single What they do is they write a thing that we do to make the check for $10,000 and they toy drive happen. Keep in get their logos on the fire de- mind we started last July, not partment banners that they put just two weeks before the toy around the city. That’s why shopping. The kids always Photo courtesy of Leadership they do what they do. But we have this in the back of their SPREADING GOOD CHEER: L.A. firemen and Leadership students with Xmas toys for tots. do twice what they do.” minds while concurrently wor- rying about homecoming and boxed up and saved for the Q. As the years progress, do pep rallies and things like that. following year because some you think it is going to become They are always juggling two religious holidays happen way easier or harder to fundraise things at once.” before Christmas, such as Ha- for the toy drive? nukah, and so they keep some Q. Talk about Poly’s leader- toys on hand because typi- “This work is never easy. I’ve ship members. Is it because cally, that’s the toy donation already started thinking about of them that the toy drive has season.” next year. One kid said ‘oh, been so successful? being able to buy the toys is Q. For you, what is the most a once in a life time opportu- “I think they are very gifted exciting part of the toy drive? nity.’ I’ve never really thought and very talented and they can The craziest? about that, but it’s true. I can’t make miracles happen and think of another high school what impresses me about them “Most exciting: seeing them where kids do what we do. is that they don’t have any pick up the toys cause they Photo courtesy of Leadership And so being able to go to the small plans. Their plans are toy shop and pull the toys off just go crazy. It’s fun to watch LOADED: Lots of toys for girls and boys from Poly’s kids. never small, they’re always them just shop and shop and the shelf, that’s a once-in-a- big. And small plans are kind shop. It’s not really shopping. kids who have seen the holi- lifetime opportunity. Although of boring anyway. But they’re It’s more like grab everything days come and go and their Q. How much has Poly raised I hope it isn’t. I hope that these able to make things happen you can see and just walking it families weren’t in a financial for the toy drive in the last kids will take this to whatever and they love details. So I feel up to the register.” position where they could af- four years? community they are living in very fortunate to be able to “The craziest: Anything to do ford it. Some of our kids have Over $113,000: 22K; when they grow up and repeat help with this.” with Mr. Katz. Anything in- felt what we are trying to pre- $34K; $30K; $27K it. Because there will always Really, the community be- volving Mr. Katz is the crazi- vent.” be need, wherever we go.” lieves in what we are doing, est part. Well, because he al- Q. This year wasn’t a record- which means the teacher be- ways thinks he’s going to beat Q. What do you think makes lieves in it, which means the me and he never does and he this fundraiser so successful? students believe in it. Now I always accuses me of cheat- understand that not every kid ing which I never do. ‘Just get “I think the kids just don’t Library Catalog donates and then when the ready for next year coach’” give up. Like they’re personal envelope gets passed around theme this year was “Strive.” some kids just ignore it. Well Q. What do you think is the And I really believe they did Is Now Online that’s ok. Maybe they can’t most stressful? everything they could to strive [ continued from pg. 1 ] addition to the catalog expan- help and that’s all right.” every single day. I mean they sion. “But I think the reason it’s “All the details. There are so were exhausted by the end of books per student. Poly has A new website, http://ibis- successful is because there is many little details that need the toy drive, they were physi- about 25% of the recommend- tro.lausd.net, allows students a team effort and no one really to be taken into account for cally wiped out. You can see it ed total. to find a book from the library feels like they’re alone doing everything that we do. That’s by looking at them, they were In addition to the new online. Click on “Polytechnic this.” stressful. We usually have two exhausted. I think that has a lot books, the library is now open high school” to find the book. Q. How many toys did we or three things at the same to do with it.” before and after school and at “This is like a library with- buy? time.” When kids start to see what is lunch. Previously, the library out walls,” said Blackwell. “Most of the toys are distribut- possible, they start to make it was only open when A-track “Students can now use the li- ed either that night or the night Q. Why is the toy drive a suc- possible. When they start to was in session. brary independently.” after. We know that they had a cess for Poly? believe in what they are doing, Blackwell, who completed Blackwell plans to intro- request for 75,000 toys and we then they really make miracles her library credential at Cali- duce the program to Poly’s supplied about 3,000 to them. ”I think because a lot of our happen and every year it just fornia State University at Long staff in the future so teachers I don’t know if they were ac- students know what it means seems to get better and better. Beach last year, is overseeing can show students how to find tually able to make all 75,000 to not have and to go without. Kids are starting to believe in other changes at the library in reference books online. toy requests possible.” And I think some of our stu- their abilities.” “Some of the toys are also dents have actually been those The Poly Optimist Entertainment Sports P o l y Girls Making Statements [ continued from pg. 8 ] A. Sara has an incredible spin move and she does these games. amazing behind-the-back t E C H passes. Jennifer Hagan can hit Q. The last three games were multiple 3 pointers in a row, Memo To Apple: i Kill iPhones all blowouts. Were they simi- and she plays great defense. lar in terms of how your team Fabiola pulls rebounds and By Jason Castro TY keyboard, swappable bat- played and why they seemed hits key baskets. Alejandra Staff Writer tery, and mobile T.V. Verizon to dominate? What are you Gallardo and Crystal Cristales also reigns as the supreme doing well and consistently? are constantly fast breaking. With the release of the LG competitor thanks to its highly Christine Hernandez has tak- Voyager last year, the iPhone reliable network. A. We’ve been able to dom- en more charges than anyone is not the only touch screen Pros on the iPhone include a inate the last three games be- in the City Section. She also mega phone on the market. larger screen, interactive navi- cause of our fast offense and leads the league in rebound- The newly arrived “iPhone gation and YouTube videos. aggressive defense. When we ing. Killer” has many compari- Both phones have different become lax in either area, we sons to the iPhone. Both fea- call plans, but similar prices. don’t do as well. Q. Are any of these girls plan- ture touch screen technology, AT&T and Verizon both fea- ning on playing college ball. music compatibility, internet ture unlimited data for $59.99. The difference between browser, instant messaging, But Verizon allows unlimited now and earlier in the season A. Sara and Crystal have and a 2.0 mega pixel camera. texting to people who have is the girls’ understanding of both expressed interest in play- But there are differences as their network, while AT & T their roles. More than half the ing college ball. They have well. The iPhone does not have only allows 200 texts on any team is playing varsity basket- the potential to move up, as navigational GPS or video re- network. ball for first time this season. long as they continue to work cording and the Voyager does For conversing, the Voy- It has been and continues to be on their game. Sara is the epit- Internet Photo not have an external memory ager offers crisp sound while a learning experience. ome of a scholar athlete. She hard drive. iPhone owners report low vol- leads the team in points, steals Sleek: Verizon’s message to Major pros on the Voyager ume and strange buzzing. Q. If you had played the Grant and assists, while maintaining Apple: you are not alone. include two screens, QWER- game after these three lopsid- the highest grade point aver- ed wins, do you think you may age on the team as well with have beaten Grant too? a 4.37 gpa.

Modern Media Players A. It’s hard to say if we Q. As a coach, tell us what ar- would have beaten Grant had eas and accomplishments you By Christian Banuelos have web browsing. A new we played them after our last are most satisfied about so far Staff Writer Zune feature is its zune-pad, wins. We are improving with this season. How have you a small touch-pad which is Looking to buy a new Por- each game, but so is Grant. I’m improved as a coach? easier to use. Zune now has kind of glad we played Grant table Media Player (PMP)? podcasts, a feature iPods have first because it let me know A. I love that my team has Can’t decide which is best for had for over a year. what we really had to work on, scored 70+ points in three you? The iPod Touch’s 16 GB and that’s just what we’ve been games and we’re only half The leading players are flash drive holds approxi- doing in both games and prac- way through our season. In Apple’s Ipod Touch and Mi- mately 3,500 songs, or 20,000 tice. Grant has a player av- my four years of coaching, crosoft’s new Zune. If you’re iPod-viewable pictures, or 20 eraging 18.8 points per game I’ve only had one other team, looking to play mostly music hours of video. It has a 3.5” and another player averaging my first team, score 74 points. and maybe a couple videos on touchscreen and can access the 17.4 points per game. Com- And that was only one time. your PMP, then the Zune is internet via wi-fi. Users can bined, they make over half the I’m such an advocate for girls right for you. But those who watch YouTube, but not videos team’s points. We will have to basketball, but it’s hard to sell want to browse the internet, uploaded on other sites. Internet Photo shut them both down in order the game when teams only watch YouTube videos and The iPod Touch has the fast- to beat Grant. If we do win, score 30 or 40 points. Specta- download songs from iTunes, MUSIC IN A BOX: The Zune, est Internet on a mobile device. we will be tied with Grant for tors want to see speed and ex- you’ll have to buy an iPod Microsoft’s little jukebox The Safari Internet browser first place in Sunset Six. citement, and this year’s team Touch. can get to any website, includ- which allows users to send is delivering. Microsoft’s new Zune has ing websites optimized for the full-length songs to friends that Q. Your go-to players are usu- an 80 GB hard drive that holds iPhone and iPod Touch. have Zunes. Unfortunately, the ally Sara, Crystal, Jennie, After every game, I evaluate approximately 20,000 songs, At $249.99, the Zune is a songs can only be played three Alejandra and Christine. Ex- my own performance as well or 25,000 pictures, or 250 really good mp3 player with times. plain how they complement as my team’s. This has helped hours of video. It has a 3.2” video. The Touch’s additional Zune allows users to sync each other and their individ- me avoid some situations this screen, an FM radio and Wire- features will cost a little more wirelessly through Wi-Fi, al- ual skills. season by learning from mis- less Zune-to-Zune sharing, at $399.99. though the device does not takes I made in past seasons.

Pencil Head in “The Deadline” by Ricky De Guzman Entertainment The Poly Optimist AT THE MOVIES With 6 Thumbs Up

By Mario Solano Staff Writer

n the beginning of the year my friends and I made a list of movies to see for the new year. “Why have a list, it’s only a movie,”I people ask. Not for us. Thirty years ago, “Star Wars” moviegoers became a part of history. “Just another movie” many said, but eventually director George’s Lucas’ epic trilogy became a global phenomenon. People who saw the film on opening day were part of history. So my friends and I did just that in 2007. First, we did our homework. Thanks to previews and the Internet, making a list was easy. We decided to see the movie on the day it’s released or on a special day and see it at City Walk. City Walk has stuff to do or see after a good flick. We’ll go to Game Stop to play some demos or watch someone on tear the Persians apart in “300,” the saying to myself, “ Holy crap, that’s all sang, “Spider-Pig.” After a 20-year stage, or go and see what they have at black suit in “Spider-Man 3,” and, after brutal.” No question, the best movie wait, we finally got our “Simpsons “Hot Topic.” a 20-years wait, America’s most disori- of a Miller graphic. “6 thumbs up” for Movie.” Hey, what can we say? An- When we go to the movies, we’re ented family, “The Simpsons Movie.” sure. other “6” up. usually as obnoxious as we can be. Twenty years from now, when we see We bought the DVD the day it came Call it a ritual, or call it a way to You know those people that get you these movies on TV and in their spe- out. spend a Friday night but to “Six Pack” so annoyed during the movies? Well cial anniversary releases, we can say We couldn’t wait to see “The Simp- we call it “Good old-fashioned fun.” As that’s us. If there is a lame movie with we saw them first. sons Movie.” I remember when we long as Hollywood keeps up the good a terrible storyline, we boo and hiss. “Transformers” was great because used to say, “Man, when are they go- work, “Six Pack” will be there. When we saw the preview for “One we got to relive our childhood by ing to make a “Simpsons” movie.” We Missed Call,” my friend Estaban said, watching our favorite Transformers heard Pemble had “You die when you answer the phone? transform on the big screen. The movie the trailer and That’s stupid. Hey! just don’t answer used the orig- we rushed to his the phone.” I inal voice class to see it. As said, “First for Optimus soon as 7-Eleven the inter- Prime, giving had the Buzz net, now me and Es- Cola and Duff cell phones, taban goose energy drinks, we what’s next bumps. The all bought a six- text messag- CGI made pack. Simpsons es.” the Trans- doughnuts and We always formers look Squishee drinks stay after the more realistic too. credits to see than we could The movie had if there is any have ever comedy, action, extra footage i m a g i n e d . a love story and because not This one got a song that we many people “6 thumbs know what up.” “ r e a l l y ” “ S p i - h a p p e n e d der-Man 3” to Professor sold records Xavier in amounts of X-3, or no- popcorn, but body heard we thought it M a g g i e ’ s was a lot of first word in hype. Venom, “The Simp- S a n d m a n , sons Movie.” And we keep our movie and the New Goblin were great vil- tickets as souvenirs. lains, but only for the few goofy fight This whole started with “Transform- scenes. Topher Grace was “too skinny ers.” After the movie, the six of us and stupid” to play Venom.” This se- decided to call ourselves “Six Pack.” quel flopped, “Six-Pack” agreed. More friends or less, “Six Pack” sticks Frank Miller’s “300” was our num- together. ber one film of 2007. “300” was the We saw a bunch of 2007’s box office “Gears of War” of movies, a two-hour biggies. We saw the Autobots trans- blood bath with fight scenes that left us form in “Transformers,” the Spartans on the edge of our seats. I remember The Poly Optimist Sports Bonino Ball: A Pressing Issue It’s not rebuilding. I mean, By Daniel Jimenez Staff Writer our goal every year is to win league. This year may be difficult to win league, but I think Poly coach talks we can contend for a playoff strategy with spot. I’m not sure. We can eas- ily go 8-2 or 2-8. There’s re- the OPTIMIST ally no difference, depending on how we did yesterday - it Q. Your preseason record was was tied up and then we lost at 6-11 but in those 17 games the very end. you were only outscored by a total of 46 points. How do you Q. Tell us about your experi- see your team during those ences as a player. 17 games - were you unable to win the close games or did I just played at Birmingham you have a good chance to and we didn’t do very well and win most of those games? then I played a little JC ball. I always try to let the players on “We couldn’t win the close our team know that you need game because they don’t have to play hard, you need to play a lot of experience.” with passion, and you need to Photo by Stephanie Tejada be smart on the court. I was Q. Did the team meet your ex- STRATEGY: New head coach Dave Bonino instructs his team on how to win the close games. a skinny white boy that was pectations for the preseason, smart and tall. or are there things you feel still need work? sity. He works hard and he senior, he is probably our most team, so they have an advan- Q. Do you call most of the knows the game. He has good aggressive player as far as of- tage over everybody else. And plays from the bench or do Oh, yeah, definitely, they gave relationships with the players. fense, defense. Alex Gonzalez they have ten seniors on their you let the team improvise a effort every game but unfortu- He has been here four years - he’s not a big guy, he’s prob- team, so they have more ex- lot? nately we weren’t able to close and worked for Katz. ably about 5’11, he is good perience. They have those two out games but they play hard. passer and good shooter. And returners that are gonna be dif- I let them call the plays and Q. You were Katz’s assistant the starting five changes game ficult to match up with. then they just adjust to the de- Q. The team won four of its for how many years? What to game. Like I said, I go five fense. I try not to call too many last six games after six losses did you learn about coach- in, five out. It’s pretty much a Q. Tell us what to expect in plays because it’s loud, they in a row. Were there areas in ing from that experience that constant rotation. tonight’s game against Ver- can barely hear me. Part of be- which the team improved that you’re using now? dugo Hills? Are you going to ing a point guard, part of being led to the wins? Q. Talk a little bit about what have a tough night, is it a good a team, is you should know the I learned that you have to be kind of game you’ll play this matchup or it up for grabs? plays, then you just adjust to They’ve got to be more unself- prepared for each game, mak- year - run-and-gun, offense the defense. ish on offense and on defense. ing adjustments at half time. off of defense, half court set We’re gonna be pressing the They have to share the ball and The whole key is getting the game, emphasis on rebound- whole entire court. We’ll press Q. Coaching is a pretty high help their teammate out. players to play hard from being, etc. full court, we’ll press at the stress job. What made you ginning to end. half court. When we get the get into coaching, how much They got a little more confi- It’s run and gun, and we’re turn over or a steal, we’ll be more pressure will be on you dent. They got a little confi- Q. You lost all your starters, gonna be pressing, trapping, aggressively going to the bas- this year as head coach, and dence from playing all of those particularly DJ. What have pushing the ball. It should ket. When we make the basket, what do you do to beat the games. you done so far in the way be pretty fun and exciting. we’ll be pressing. We’ll be stress? of rebuilding the team from Constant pressure the whole putting pressure on Verdugo Q. Talk about one or two play- scratch? game. all 32 minutes. Well, I love basketball and I ers that had strong preseason love to teach, so it’s just kind of play. What are they doing Instead of relying on just one Q. What does the team do best Q. The schedule has you with a good marriage there. I don’t right? person, we have thirteen guys right now? five home games followed by think there’s any pressure this and I try to play all of them. I five on the road. Is that a fa- year. No one expects us to do We’ve got all new varsity and am substituting just about ev- They play with a lot of passion vorable schedule for you and anything. The pressure on my- only one returner from last ery 2 or 3 minutes, so every and they play hard. why? self is to get the players buying year’s team. Senior Alex Gon- body gets to play. into the system I want to put zalez has been playing really Q. What area needs the most For a young team, it’s good in. I run on the weekends, I good defense, and has been Q. Tell us a little bit about improvement? to be home all five games, but run after practice, by myself, contributing offensively, and each of your starting five - then again if we don’t win any up in the Burbank hills. junior Albert Aranda has been their basketball experience, We need to take care of the the five games, it’s not very playing vary well offensively. their offensive skills, their ball, cut down on turnovers, good, because then we’ve got Q. What we can expect to see Point guard Tommy Cruz Jr. strengths. and be unselfish. to go on the road. I prefer to from the varsity this year. has been playing really well as be on the road early and then far as running the offense. Tommy Cruz Jr. starting point Q. Who’s the team to beat home late so then the guys can This year is a transition year. guard - he is quick, so I am in the Sunset Six league this get some confidence. And we We’re still going to be excit- Q. Tell us about your assis- helping him make good de- year? What do they do well? lost yesterday, so that’s prob- ing and push the ball up. We tant coaches. What do they do cisions on the court. Albert ably not very good. may not have all the offensive for the team? How long have Aranda, he’s got a great shot, North Hollywood, North Hol- weapons that we’ve had in the they been with Poly’s varsity it’s just a matter of finding lywood is definitely the best Q. What can we reasonably past, but we are an exciting basketball team? Did they good places to shoot. He is team. expect to see the team do this team, and it’s fun to come out work for Katz? probably best shooter on the year? How many wins? Post and watch us play. You’ll see team. Anthony Carreno - he I think they have ten seniors. season play? Strictly a re- hustle, you’ll see guys diving I have one assistance coach, is quick, fast, plays good de- They have two all-league rebuilding year? on the floor, you’ll see three Greg Mack. He coaches JV fense. James Reed - another turners that are on their varsity pointers, you’ll see pressing, and helps me out with the var- trapping. Sports The Poly Optimist Thriller Poly finds the will to win against Dons.

By Daniel Jimenez 10-2 run. rebounding edge (28-25) Staff Writer Turnovers that head coach and usually got the ones that David Bonino described as, “us counted. They outhustled the It was a classic case of trying to give the game away,” taller Dons and shot 69% from “heart” versus x’s and o’s Fri- led to numerous fast break op- the line to Verdugo’s 65%. day night when Poly played portunities for the Dons point “We’ve got a pretty resilient the Dons of Verdugo Hills. guard Bobby Blake, who leads bunch,” Bonino said of his Verdugo gave the ball to the his team in points and assists. Parrot squad. “Every game’s shooters and played a textbook “In our type of press, we’re been like this. We’ve had to zone on the defensive end. trying to trap the sidelines, play real tough to win.” Poly pressed and scrambled and we kept getting beat up on Ten Parrots got in the scor- for loose balls. Dug out tough those sidelines tonight,” said ing column on a night when and threw up prayers, some Bonino. everybody helped out. Aranda that fell, some that didn’t. Verdugo stayed in the game had 15, junior Alex Gonza- The styles couldn’t have by taking advantage of Par- les had 11 and Devin Keyes been more different, the out- rot turnovers and beating the had eight for Poly. The Par- Photo by Stephanie Tejada come always in doubt. But in press. rots made good on only 38% PULLING THE TRIGGER: Poly forward Alberto Aranda, the end, it was Poly’s willing- “We were fine on the press,” of their shots but had 56 at- took the shot that won the game against Verdugo. ness to do the dirty work on said Verdugo coach Gregory tempts. The Dons shot the ball defense that made the differ- Gibson. “We prepared for it 47 times and made 20 for 43%. ence. and we did fine. We were just Poly had one more made bas- Parrot forward Alberto Aran- not patient enough on offense. ket – the winning margin. da scored the last points of the Poly was and we weren’t.” Verdugo center Oscar Mar- Scoring game when he swished a float- Poly had to be patient on of- tinez used a six-inch height ad- er from about eight feet out. fense, as Verdugo’s solid 2-3 vantage and a soft turn-around Verdugo had plenty of time zone made things difficult for jumper to light up Poly for 21 and shots but couldn’t convert the Parrots all night. points and 15 rebounds. For- Machine and the clock ran out, sealing The battle for this game was ward Aragad Abramian added the Parrots’ first league victory fought in the inside though, 18 points and Blake contribut- Head coach Tremeka Batiste’s team is of the season, 59-58. and the home team won it, ed 13 points for the Dons. The The game was close making just enough outside three accounted for all but two putting excitement into girls’ basketball. throughout. The biggest lead shots to keep the Dons’ D hon- of Verdugo’s points. By Christian Banuelos lead to 37 points by the end of belonged to the Dons, who led est and more vulnerable to The game evened Poly’s Staff Writer the 3rd quarter, the more inex- 14-5 halfway through the first penetration. league record at 1-1. perienced players had a chance quarter, before Poly went on a The Parrots had a slight Q. You had four players in to show their stuff. They took double figures and 48 re- fewer shots and played with bounds against Canoga Park, more caution then their team- Commentary along with a 26-2 3rd quarter. mates, but they did their job by Talk to us a little bit about maintaining the lead. that game. Q. Is it hard to keep your Look Who’s A. I believe we started the team’s head in the game dur- game a little overconfident ing a blowout? because we played Canoga in a fall league and killed them. A. Some of the players lost Looking Good I don’t think the girls had the focus when we were beating same fire they’ve had against Verdugo. But once I pointed other teams. Shooting 27% in out the bench and reminded Bonino ball – it’s making believers out of Poly fans. the first half didn’t help- mat them of our goal to beat Grant, they were able to regain their year, junior up and down the court, mak- ters either. Canoga, on the By Daniel Jimenez other hand, came out blazing. focus. Now they enjoy scor- Staff Writer Razi Haq. ing plays on both sides of the They played with a confidence ing as much as possible. With a ball and playing together. that elevated their game. We Yeah, DJ’s gone. Aren’t all 2-2 league “We believe in each other also let them get way too many Girl teams have generally of last year’s players gone? record that more,” said senior shooting rebounds. not scored as much as boy Yeah. Heard Katz is gone too. could eas- guard Alex Gonzalez follow- teams. But times are chang- Who’s coaching then? Forget ily be 4-0, ing a 25-point outing against The game changed in the ing, and girls are beginning to that, who’s playing! What are Bonino’s Parrots are looking Canoga Park. “This isn’t park 3rd quarter when Sara Villan- make statements on the court. they gonna do this year? surprisingly good. league basketball. We’ve im- ueva, who plays a pivotal role The top ten girl teams in the Well, they’re going to play They’ve won the games they proved on a lot of things and as the point guard, stepped up Los Angeles City Section are ball. They’re going to play were supposed to, and came we’re playing well as a team.” the game’s tempo. Our run- only averaging 10 points few- tough. And darn it you better achingly close to beating fa- Gonzalez leads the team and-gun game started, and we er per game than the top ten watch. vorites North Hollywood and in scoring with 10.5 points had fast break after fast break. boy teams, 54-64 according to Led by former assistant and Grant at home. It won’t be the per game. Not the 30 points Fabiola Romero, who had a Max Preps. Poly is averaging now head coach David Bonino, 9-1 record of last year, (could a game last year’s leader was quiet 1st half, woke up in the 56.1 points per game, scoring this young Parrot squad is stay- still be 8-2) but don’t quit on putting up, (you might’ve 3rd quarter as well, making over 60 points in six of our ing alive and playing exciting them yet, ‘cuz they’re putting heard of him- DJ Gay?) but three of four shots. The team’s last eleven games. We hit the Sunset Six league basketball. on a show. with five other guys averag- defense intensified, holding 70+ mark in three of those six It is an all-new team, with only A different kind of show, led ing between 5 and 9 points per Canoga to one basket. After one returning player from last not by one individual, but by a game, the Parrots are getting increasing a 13-point half-time [ continued on pg. 5 ] group of tough guys running the job done so far.