Senior Edition The Poly Optimist John H. Francis Polytechnic High School Vol. XCVII, No. 11 Serving the Poly Community Since 1913 mid-June 2012 Where is Legacies Leave the paper? Students complain the Nest Behind about understocked Poly’s former principal is among the guests restrooms, but admin imparting words of wisdom to the grads. has explanations. Legacies. By Yenifer Rodriguez Singer/guitarist Jesusa Carvajal By Jessica Flores Staff Writer will sing a mash up and senior Jose Staff Writer Reyes will play a trumpet solo in Poly will graduate 650 seniors “Las Virgen de la Macarena.” Poly’s 3000-student campus has on Friday, including 100 Magnet Bennett admits he may get 18 restrooms for Parrots, but that students. The senior class totals 707 emotional during the ceremony. doesn’t mean you’ll find one open students. “I know most people at and stocked when you get there. “I’m excited,” said Poly principal graduation get emotional, but I can’t Many students have complained that Ari Bennett. “It’s my first time say I will,” Bennett said. “It’s in the some restrooms get closed during the giving a speech as the principal,” moment.” day. Others may be without tissue or said Bennett. “I’ll be using the hand towels. characteristics of the graduating Instructional Specialist Brad class of 2012 to give my speech.” Katz said safety is one reason some Bennett said his talk will be 5 – 7 Ice cream student restrooms are closed. minutes. “We don’t have enough people Photo by Alma Bravo “Graduation is a celebration of to have all the bathrooms open and ROYALTY: Seniors Zuky Guillen and Anthony Mandujano at the Biltmore. accomplishment,” Bennett said, “to for athletes make sure someone is monitoring let kids know it’s only the beginning them,” Katz said. “During passing and they will succeed.” By Celene Cantabrana Staff Writer periods, we need to monitor where Queen, King Crowned Former Poly principal Gerardo kids are going.” Loera and District 6 Board member “And they are closed for cleaning he Legacies have spoken. Nury Martinez will also talk at the Poly athletes were rewarded for and any emergency, such as a toilet By Julie Ruiz Staff Writer Parrot seniors Anthony Mandujano ceremony. their participation in Poly sports with or sink overflowing.” and Zuky Guillen were crowned Poly Idol winner Abdi Lozano an ice cream social hosted by athletic T prom king and queen for the class will sing “Hail Polytechnic High” director Kim McEwen. Two fulltime of 2012 at the Biltmore in Los Angeles. with the Poly marching band. “We made this celebration to “My friends kept insisting that I run, so I decided to give it a shot,” said Valedictorian Doo-Ree Kim recognize what you guys have done employees clean Mandujano. will present an address entitled on the field and in the classrooms,” each student restroom Guillen had a similar story. “Resilience.” Seniors Nataly Ochoa McEwen said. “My friend told me it was something big and memorable,” Guillen said, and Alice J. Montes will also give Pia Damonte’s sister started the twice daily. “so I took her advice and decided to run.” short addresses. Ochoa will welcome tradition six years ago, according to Guillen and her friends made posters, handed out lollipops, sent text mes- participants with “Nothing to Fear” McEwen. Two fulltime employees clean sages and used Facebook as campaign media. and Montes will discuss “A New The ice cream social was held each student restroom twice daily, Mandujano took a different approach. Journey.” during fourth period on Friday June said Assistant Principal Lourdes De “I actually didn’t campaign,” said Mandujano. “I figured if it was meant to “Strive for what you want, 1 in the cafetorium. Santiago. be. it would happen.” keep your head up, and never give “There are about 3,000 kids in “Poly had three people to clean Both candidates were surprised they won. up because who knows, in this this school,” said Bennett. “Less restrooms but now we only have “I was really anxious and nervous,” Mandujano said. audience we could have the future than 10% are you amazing people two,” said De Santiago, “And one of “It was a shock,” Guillen said. Olympian, the next president, the that are in athletic activities.” them is frequently ill.” Both said they learned from the experience. new quarterback for the next NFL Bennett also spoke about the De Santiago said the employee “I learned that you don’t have to be popular to win,” said Mandujano. champs, or even the person who will coaches. has missed a lot of days. cure cancer,” Montes will tell the “Your coaches are here to help “So that puts more pressure on [ See Prom, next page ] you improve,” Bennett said. “They the other person that is here on don’t do it for the money.” the daily basis,” de Santiago said, Former varsity basketball head “because he has double work on the coach Brad Katz introduced former days she is not here.” Former Parrot Playing Pro Poly basketball player DJ Gay. “If she was to resign due to her “Ever since I was 4 or 5 I wanted illness, then we will be hiring,” said to be in the NBA,” said Gay. “I have De Santiago. Former Poly point guard phenom DJ Gay Is back in the USA. been setting goals for myself since I Plant manager Derick Taylor says was young.” who has the most material things the custodial staff is responsible for By Jose Hernandez Gay spoke about his life, from his and more about just enjoying life. 87 restrooms. Staff Writer childhood to his life as a basketball I appreciate all the things that I “We try to keep restrooms open player in a professional team in that are near the supervision area,” learned over there.” Former Poly playmaker guard DJ Slovenia. Gay said he has worked said De Santiago. “We focus on the But there was also a down side to Gay, who was on campus Thursday hard to get where he is. ones that are often used.” life in Slovenia. to speak at the Ice Cream Social “For every goal something good Some Parrots have complained “I had no microwave. I had to for Athletes, has just returned from will happen,” said Gay. that student restrooms are frequently drive a stick and I didn’t know how. a year with the Slovenia Helios, a After the speeches, coaches from without toilet paper or towels. It was hard talking to people who European pro team. all of Poly’s sports presented the “The bathrooms are being don’t know English,” Gay said. “I had a great experience,” Gay “Everything” awards, given to an stocked up to three times a day,” “That was probably the hardest said. “There were a lot of ups, a lot athlete by his coach for outstanding said De Santiago. “The problem is thing.” of downs.” achievement and motivation. that the school is short on staff. And Most Slovenians he met or Living and working in a foreign Coaches giving awards included students misuse the materials and worked with spoke elementary-level environment was an eye-opener for Joseph Pierro (football), Mario make the job difficult.” English. Gay. Rivera (cross country), Gaby “We can’t be in the bathrooms “You can’t really have a Photo by Diane Alvarado “I saw a whole new aspect of life, Gallardo and Melissa Gillard 24 hours a day,” Katz said. “If the conversation for more than five HELIO: Former Parrot superstar a whole different way of living,” (girls volleyball), Evan Rabins bathroom is out of tissuce, a student guard DJ Gay just finished his first Gay said. “Over there, it’s less about just needs to let somebody know.” [ See DJ, next page ] season with the Slovenia Helios. [ SeeAtheletes, next page ] Permanent Athletes Vacation Advance Five Parrot Poly seniors faculty retire. will move on. Photo By Diane Alvarado MEDIA - page 5 Photos by Diane Alvarado SPORTS - page 8 2 mid-June 2012 The Poly Optimist polyhigh.org/opt.jsp NEWS & OPINION EDITORIAL Prom Smash Last month’s editorial in the May OPTIMIST (“Prom Bash”) want to be remembered as the girl who revealed everything to took a negative view of prom that probably upset some seniors, our graduating class. especially some Lady Parrots. With that in mind, I thought pro- Stilettos aren’t four inch killer heels. They are appropriate prom Parrots should also have a few words on the subject. lady-like shoe that have been around for years and are the Let’s start with the dress. Sure the dresses can be a little appropriate finishing touch to any dress. pricey and are worn only once, but prom is only once. The Transportation isn’t going to empty anyone’s wallet. In our dress is more than just a chance to be glamorous, it’s a chance age group, friends mean a group of people. Everyone can pitch to express who you are, who you’ve became, and who you’re in and save. going to be. With that in mind, saving money isn’t the first thing Poly girls may have similar tastes, but who doesn’t? Similar on anyone’s prom list. styles don’t mean clones on prom night. Sure there are very Lady Parrots attending senior prom want to celebrate their similarly- dressed girls at school, but it’s an average school day. the OPTIMIST four years of hard work while looking their best, something At prom, girls have hours in advance to prepare and look their VOL XCVII No.