VVolumeolume 7733 , IIssuessue 3 NNovemberovember 25,25, 22009009 Shooting wounds former Cleveland student

BY JILLIAN GOODMAN AND Eric Ramirez is a gang member. until she gave birth to her child. NOOR TELL The two gang members then According to the doctors, the an- News Editor and Editor-in-Chief opened fi re, and a bullet struck esthesia could harm the baby if Contreras, who was in a car feed- Contreras had the surgery at the Tragedy struck the Contreras ing Ramirez’s four-month-old time. She is expected to give birth household on September 27 when baby, Andrew Garcia. Another in January. Until then, the remain- they learned their daughter and bullet hit Andrew Garcia in the der of the bullet will stay in her former Cleveland student, Anna cheek. eye. Contreras, 18, had been shot in “If it wasn’t for her baby Following the shooting, the the head. [Andrew Garcia], she [Contreras] two suspects fl ed to a local park, Contreras had been visiting would have been hit in the stom- where they were caught on a se- her friends, Marlene Ramirez and ach,” Cecilia Contreras said. The curity video. This helped lead to Marlene’s husband Frank Gar- baby was immediately rushed to the arrest of Alfonzo Landa, 17, cia, outside of Contreras’s Van the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medi- and the identifi cation of the actual Nuys home. Contreras, who is cal Center, where he later died shooter, Ricardo Hernandez, 23. six months pregnant, was hold- around three in the morning. The police have offered a reward ing Ramirez’s four-month-old The bullet that hit Contreras of $75,000 for any information baby, Andrew Garcia, while talk- exploded into smaller shards that that may lead to his arrest. ing to Ramirez in the backseat of cut her veins in her left eye. “I Cecilia Contreras fi rst found photo courtesy of Cecilia Contreras Ramirez’s car. didn’t notice they had guns until out about the shooting from an- Turning 15: Cecilia Contreras (center) celebrates her quinceñera with Anna Frank Garcia and Eric Ramir- I heard the fi rst gun shot,” Con- other one of her sisters. She had Contreras (second fr om right) and the rest of her family. ez, Marlene’s cousin, were stand- treras said. “That’s when they hit been taking care of Contreras’ my room and started crying.” “I’ve been doing well physi- ing outside of the car when two me.” one-year-old child inside Contre- Cecilia went with Contreras cally,” Contreras said. “Emotion- gang members approached them. While at the hospital, Contre- ras’ home that night and then left to support her on November 16 as ally, I am working on it.” The gang members questioned ras underwent surgery to detach just prior to the shooting. Contreras testifi ed against Landa. Contreras has asked Marlene Frank Garcia and Eric Ramirez the remaining damaged veins, “When I heard about my According to Cecilia Contreras, Ramirez if she can name her son regarding their gang affi liation. which left her blind in that eye. sister actually getting shot in her her sister was able to identify after Andrew Garcia. According to Cleveland She then learned she would need head, I thought she was dead,” Landa as one of the attackers. “I just hope it stops,” Cecilia Sophomore Cecilia Contreras, to have her entire eye removed. Cecilia Contreras said. “It was “My sister is really strong,” Contreras said. “I hope people re- Anna’s youngest sister, Anna However, due to her preg- like a fl ashback of everything Cecilia Contreras said. “She is the alize that being in gangs doesn’t Contreras and her friends are not nancy, doctors told Contreras we did. I saw my sister when we kind of person who doesn’t show help you. Its just wrong to do it.” part of a gang. Yet, the police say she could not have the surgery were small until now. I went to her emotions.” Cleveland’s infant-care center in danger of closing BY SARA GROSSMAN to be placed under the K-12 (Kin- but Cal-SAFE as well. According wouldn’t be able to.” Online Editor dergarten through 12th grade) to its website, Cal-SAFE is a state In addition to fi nancial dif- umbrella, which would mean agency dedicated to improving fi culties it is already facing, the Cleveland’s infant care cen- budget can be shifted to better ac- “the educational experience, in- center has also lost most of the ter faces the possibility of being commodate the center. crease the availability of support Cleveland students who worked closed as a result of recent budget The district might reason that services for enrolled [pregnant] there in previous years. These cuts affecting educational pro- because the center is essentially students, and provide child care students, called ROP students, or grams statewide. serving teens, it should be placed and development services for Regional Occupational Program The center, which has only with K-12. The infant care cen- their children.” students, attended Cleveland but been open for fi ve years, of- ter would prefer not to be placed “If [the district] took a look at worked at the center for one or fers support to teen mothers at in the K-12 branch because this the data and saw how many teen two periods every day. They had Cleveland and nearby continua- would create lots of structural parents have graduated from this the opportunity to learn how to tion schools who wish to pursue changes within the program. program and are not a burden to work with children as well as their education while caring for However, the problem still the state, they would see this is a gain experience in a professional a child. This year, the center is lies with having enough money successful program,” Cleveland’s work environment. Before, there serving fourteen Cleveland stu- at all. Both the ECE and K-12 photo by Alex Hernandez Parent Center Director Patricia was one ROP student per baby at dents and fi ve students from other branches are already greatly Burgueno said. Burgueno runs all times of the day. Now there is schools in the Los Angeles Uni- strained fi nancially, and neither Toddler At Play: A child smiles a support program for pregnant only one student per class period, fi ed School District. may have enough money to sup- brightly at Cleveland’s childcare girls at the Land and works close- a signifi cant decrease. Currently, the infant care cen- port the infant care center. center. ly with the infant care center. “The babies will gain more ter is funded by the Early Child- “It’s a tug of war over where and we’re pulling a lot of money “I have seen a lot of students development with one to one [at- hood Education (ECE) branch of we fi t,” Chandra Lewis, the cen- from [the ECE division].” graduate,” said Alejandra Mora- tention],” said Lewis. “They don’t LAUSD. However, to stay afl oat ter’s lead teacher, explained. The program is not only fi - toya, a teacher assistant at the have that right now.” fi nancially, the center may have “We’re an expensive program, nancially supported by LAUSD center. “Without our help they ‘Tweet’ing Sexism in Th e Land’s own around Sports Father Nature Features campus Opinions Entertainment

INSIDE Page 3 Page 4 Page 7 2 Opinions Le Sabre November 25, 2009 LOL: Losing our link

BY JENNY LUONG Staff Writer

Have you ever gone a whole ment of isolation, disconnection, day or even a whole weekend and perhaps a lack of refuge or without talking to anyone? And trust in our daily lives and real no, texting and Facebook do not life relationships. count. The rise of the Internet and Technology is not reducing mobile phones is a major growing social isolation but feeding it. trend that is pulling people away The world of internet and mobile from traditional face-to-face so- phones has not opened the doors cial settings, neighborhoods, and to communication, but shut them. public spaces of social network- New technology has lead to more ing. It limits people’s participa- social isolation than ever before. tion in their local communities. Internet use is leading to less I mean, what does technol- face-to face communication and ogy really do for us? Imagine the results can be catastrophic. if there was no Internet or cell Having a conversation with phones. We would be in a world someone online or over the phone where face-to-face contact would does not substitute a face-to-face be necessary for communication. encounter with another human be- In retrospect, our society today is ing. Today’s society experiences losing that sense of social inter- photo iillustration by Holland Mervis technology like never before. We action that will be evident in our can spend days by ourselves with futures when we can no longer Internet and mobile phone as our function with others in a job set- Get down with the ‘70s! means of communication. ting. According to the Pew Re- New technology has severed search Center, people who use our relationship with each other. BY MERY HOUNANIAN social networks like Facebook Some people are fi nding it more Copy Editor are 30 percent less likely to know comfortable to talk to someone their neighbors and 26 percent online rather than in person. What Being ‘far out’ and ‘groovy’ Earth Day was celebrated for the ment to the U.S. Constitution in less likely to provide them com- does that do to the social com- while ‘dreaming on’ was better fi rst time on April 22, 1970. Over 1982. All of this amazing pro- panionship. It makes sense, more munity? Technology is igniting than being a ‘bohunk’. two thousand colleges and uni- gression took place in the ‘70s time on the computer means less isolation in a whole new way that What is it with this genera- versities participated then people and then it screeched to a halt in time spent with one’s friend or most people do not even notice. tion and its obsession with bring- seemed genuinely concerned the ‘80s. family. Isolation can lead to depression ing back the styles of the 1980s? I with the future of America and The 1980s pale in compari- Technology’s ability to con- and disconnection from the real am well aware of the cycle which the world. son to the 1970s. It was a period nect us together and empower world as it hides beneath technol- renews old trends, but very few The ‘70s were also a time of of frantic change and decentral- our communication of hidden ogy’s motive of helping people people look good in neon and continuing civil rights, which en- ization. There was a resurgence thoughts and experiences fall connect on a social level. shoulder pads. Bell-bottoms are compassed racial equality as well of capitalism and laissez-faire short when there is still an ele- so much cooler. The 1980s had as gay rights and women’s rights. economics-more and more ma- some good music, “Take On Me” The era called for an end to dis- terialism and consumerism en- by A-Ha being the theme song to crimination everywhere. Harvey compassed the nation. The Rea- the decade. The 1970s, though, Milk was elected to public offi ce gan administration cracked down had better music overall: rock and there was an onslaught of an- on drugs with “Just Say No.” (Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink ti-gay discrimination legislation Wouldn’t forbidding something Floyd), shock rock, and even passed and not passed in the de- make it appear all the more ap- disco and ABBA. All the ‘80s cade. At least it was something. pealing? had were bubblegum pop, synthe- In addition, the Feminist A positive part of the ‘80s sizers, and hair bands with god- Movement took a prominent role was the growing awareness of awful hair. Whatever music was within society. Most efforts of the apartheid in South Africa and good was merely a continuation the movement, especially aims wider acceptance of gay rights. of ‘70s awesomeness. at social equality and repeal of Western European countries ad- Furthermore, the 1970s were the remaining sexist laws, were opted “greener”, more environ- far superior to the ‘80s in terms successful. Doors of opportunity mentally friendly policies, but of serious social movements and were more numerous and open the U.S. lagged far behind them. change. than before as women gained un- While change progresses in the I see the ‘70s as an exten- heard of success in business, poli- rest of the western world, Amer- sion of the civil rights and social tics, education, science, the law, ica seems to lull and digress. movements of the 1960s. People and even the home. Enough with the digressions. opposed the Vietnam War and Though most aims of the Yes, the ‘80s were cool. We get it. spoke their minds, at least in the movement were successful, how- The ‘70s were even better. Dwell beginning part of the decade. ever, there were some signifi cant in the nostalgia then get over it. World peace and environmental- failures, most notably the failure Learn for the past, but don’t re- ism were profusely advocated. to ratify the Equal Rights Amend- peat the mistakes made then. Con- photo iillustration by Holland Mervis stantly move forward, America.

Editor in Chief: Noor Tell

Managing Editor: Judy Kim Copy Editor: Mery Hounanian Staff: Tara Atrian, Haylee-rae Averill, Isabelle Bolla, Young Cha, Jolena Col- News Editor: Jillian Goodman Le Sabre is published by the Advanced Journalism class at: Grover Cleveland las, Alex Hernandez, Chandler Hudson, Opinions Editor: Haemin Jee High, Room D-2, 8140 Vanalden Avenue, Reseda, CA 91335. Telephone: (818) Features Editor: Wendy Mao Lucia Hwang, David Kim, Alex Lee, Entertainment Editor: Ingrid Kwon 885-2300 ext. 3648; Fax: (818) 727-0964. The newspaper is desktop published Allison Li, Jenny Luong, Sandy May- Sports Editor: Kristie Shu by the students and printed by American Foothill Publishing. Subscriptions en, Calvin Ratana, Jeila Saidi, Armand Production Manager: Amanda Silver are $20/year. Cleveland is a LEARN school accredited through 2012 and a Saroghlanian, Jonathan So Business Manager: Daniel Koo California Distinguished School. Letters and guest articles are encouraged. Advertising Manager: Amna Waheed Photo Editor: Katherine Zhang Staff Photographer: Haig Nalbandian Photoshop Editors: Holland Mervis and As the staff of Le Sabre, we strive to objectively cover the entire Cleveland Eric Tran High School community, including all small learning communities and the Adviser: Coleen Bondy Online Editor: Sara Grossman diverse interests of the student body, faculty, and surrounding neighborhoods. We aim to engage and involve the student body by providing accurate infor- mation while upholding the highest standards of journalistic ethics. November 25, 2009 Le Sabre Opinions 3 Gobble genocide!

BY TARA ATRIAN Staff Writer

The weather is cooled, the air larity of the Palin turkey pardon- ary, thousands of holiday turkeys is fi lled with the sugary aromas of ing video, which shows Sarah are being confi ned in “dark, fi lthy cranberry and musk, and the table Palin pardoning a turkey while sheds, de-beaked and de-toed photo illustration by Eric Tran is decked out with the delights others behind her are getting their without anesthetic and bred to of stuffi ng, mashed potatoes and heads savagely ripped off,this reach a crippling weight at an un- Don’t kick the girls around! in the middle is a dead bird. Yes, idea doesn’t sound so bad. naturally fast rate.” it’s that time of year again where In many turkey farms, tur- This message is debilitat- PETA whips out their ing to those who BY JOLENA COLLAS paddle full of contrite previously want- Staff Writer guilt trips, ready to pal- ed to enjoy the pitate anyone that dares taste of turkey Although we’ve made huge According to the girls on the utter the one forbidden on Thanksgiving, leaps towards gender equality, team, just recently they had to word of the holiday... like myself. there’s no doubt that sexism still deal with an encounter with the turkey. It is groups like So this lives in our society, especially football team abusing their facili- these that give others a Thanksgiving, in sports. Despite the amazing ties. A day before the Chatsworth bad name, but one ani- instead of crowd- boundaries being broken by fe- game, with continuous rainfall, mal rights group keeps ing around the male athletes, there still remains they chose to practice on the their humanitarianism table, digging a bias against the female athletes girls’ softball fi eld. This resulted humane around this into a big platter here at Cleveland, specifi cally, in distortion of the facility with time of year. of turkey while the girls softball team. rifts in the soil and brown patch- One animal rights celebrating a hol- It’s not necessarily an issue of es all through-out the grass. The group Farm Sanctuary iday that makes outright sexism, but more of an softball team was devastated and is spreading a good no sense(yes, indirect statement about which totally infuriated. The excuse of message for the poor “thanks” new sports are more valued. The girl’s the football team was that their photo illustration by Amanda Silver sought after turkeys settlers for steal- softball team have to constantly fi eld was so messed-up that they that are under fi re by ing all my land, try to rebuild their fi eld because needed to use another facility. In the commercialism crops, and “giv- of the lack of exclusiveness that addition to the totally ludicrous and manipulation of the “holi- keys are killed inhumanely in a ing” us diseases and no rights, is granted to them. The soft- response of the football team, day” Thanksgiving. They are say- way that causes them more pain ensuring that our civilization will ball fi eld is used for all sorts of there’s also the fact that the base- ing that this Thanksgiving, people when dying, such as the wringing soon diminish, lots of love from events. Everything from the se- ball fi eld remained untouched. should adopt a turkey instead of of the turkey’s neck. Even when the chief), I will be playing in the nior barbeque to community soc- Jena Kaser, of the girls softball eating it. Under the light of hear- they are alive they live in unbear- backyard with my new turkey. cer league games are hosted on team stated, “These things all af- ing the cruelty that the turkeys go able conditons. the softball fi eld. Conversely, the fect our season. There are plays through and the returning popu- According to Farm Sanctu- boys baseball fi eld is rarely used that couldn’t be made and wins for anything other than baseball. that we could’ve had that we’re The only other events held on the all lost because of the condition baseball fi eld are the fi re drills. of the facility.” Zepeda stated The distribution of these events that, “The baseball team said that are totally biased and completely the reason our fi eld is not nice is unfair. because we don’t care enough.” Why isn’t there a fair system of To treat these girls differently rotations or alternating events be- because of the fact that they are tween facilities? Amanda Zepeda, girls is totally unfair. They de- a member on the softball team, serve the same respect as every stated, “ If anything ever hap- other team, and to deny them of pened to the baseball fi eld then that right is entirely wrong and apparently all hell would break sexist. They work just as hard as loose, but what about our fi elds? all the other sports and deserve to The school puts its neck out for be treated as so. baseball, but not for softball.” Letters to the Editor

Re: “Being“Being wild is borinboring”g” youryour qualms of “going wild.” You seemseem to think that the purpose of ThereThere is a ggreatreat ironironyy to this thethe Wild ThinThingsgs was to let Max article.article. It chastises the mmovieovie in get loose and enjoyenjoy himself. Not questionquestion with being incoherent so.so. It’s forfor him toto see the destruc- whenwhen this is pprobablyrobably the most tivetive forces that his emotions can poorlypoorly written and edited article be and fromfrom that “bl“blossom”ossom” and I’veI’ve ever seen in our usuallyusually top he does. Seeing Carol throw a notchnotch school newspaper.newspaper. senselesssenseless and dangerousdangerous tantrum Let’s talk about yyourour lack because of his loves, disappoint- of interpretation of the movie. ments, and fears is exactlyexactly what TheThe fi lm is dealingdealing and exexploringploring Max needed to ggoo throuthrough.gh. He a ververyy specifi c emotional state seessees howhow he can hurt oothersthers anandd throughout. It is what triggers he’s beginning to understand that hishis departure and its what he is he’s not going to live in a world contendingcontending with throughout the wherewhere “everything“everything yyouou ever want- entireentire fi lm. SSoo what are the Wild eded to happen would happen.” All Things?Things? TheTheyy are his big emo- incrediblyincredibly profound “lessons.” tions let loose. For example, there TheThe last shshotot where he llooksooks with areare certain scenes where the rela- an understanding eyeeye to his ex- tionship between Carol and KW hausted single mother is beautiful cancan llookook like a mirrmirroror ttoo Max’s and again, subtle, a qualityquality that relationshiprelationship with his sister Claire might have gone above yyourour head andand then there’s scenes with the but does not take awayaway from this samesame twotwo characters that can be eloquenteloquent and melancholmelancholyy fi lm.lm. interpreted as refl ections of the -Senior HaydenHayden Jacoves problemsproblems his parents were hav- ing. ReadRead the entire letter at LeLe SabreSabre More specifi cally,cally, let’s go to online ((www.lesabreonline.com)www.lesabreonline.com)

4 Features Le Sabre Features 5 Ferron’s fortune or Dust piles up as custodians dwindle library’s misfortune? BY MASON (HUNG) DANG Guest Writer BY CATHERINE JIMENEZ AND BRIHANNA FRANCIS photos by Haig Nalbandian photo illustration by Eric Tran Guest Writers schools was impossible.” BY JONATHAN SO Have you noticed that Cleveland the lack of custodians.” the classrooms. Sometimes, they The school librarian, Lori Brog- Staff Writer is fi lthier this year than the previous But with district budget cuts and would use their lunch hour clear- The students rush to the library er-Mackey supported this with her ones? With economic recession re- a lack of custodians, what else can ing out the dirt that piles up on their hoping to print out their essay statement, “She was not a budget For most seniors, the next few around your musical endeavors! sulting in district wide budget cuts, be expected. fl oors. Shrub Art: due the next day. Short of breath, cut.” Aguilar shapes a face shrub(left ). Th e heart(middle) and moon(right) are also works of Aguilar. weeks will be one of the most over- Not only can you develop and Cleveland was forced to release the “It’s more work. The classrooms Regarding the lack of custodial they soon realize that the library is A new assistant will probably to whelming periods of their lives. display your interests, you can hold bulk of its custodians. Because of get a sweeping and the halls a mop- staff, Rakauskas said, “We[staff] closed. coming in December after the Title Although you may feel powerless your session in various ways; you this, Cleveland continues to pile ping only once a week,” said day and students have to assume more When asked opinions on the mat- One Parent Advisory Council and Snipping his way to art against the pressure of college ap- can attend a college fair, interview on dirt, leaving the fi lthy rooms custodian Angie Carlin. Last year, responsibility for our classroom. ter, many Cavaliers did not know the School Site council approve the plications, do not give up just yet! with an admissions offi cer or even and teaching environments for the there were eight custodians in the We all need to pitch in and take why or just assumed that funding appointment of one. There are many things that do fall have a session with a current stu- teachers to clean. night crew. Now, there are three campus beautifi cation seriously.” was the issue. Meanwhile, Broger-Macky has BY SANDY MAYEN under our control, one of them be- dent attending your dream school. “I wish there were more [custodi- custodians, two substitutes and one “It is not physically possible Judy Gray, an English teacher, to close the library earlier due to Staff Writer ing college interviews. To clear things up, the interview ans]. It’s irritating, but it is under- on leave. This means that each cus- to do these things as frequently,” replied, “They don’t have enough the lack of a library aid. Having a college interview can most likely will not be the deciding standable,” said Derek Lowe of the todian must attend to six acres in Rakauskas continued. Last year, As many may have noticed, a pus to fi nish up his offi cially as- and face, all by A hall. show the college that you are not factor of the admissions decision. Science department, whose room Cleveland’s 30 acre campus. Worse there were enough custodians to

heart-shaped bush now stands be- signed tasks. After he fi nishes, he At 16, Aguilar fi rst started taking merely a combination of standard- You should still write an amaz- is constantly ridden with food, pa- of all, these hardworking custodi- sweep class rooms twice a week,

tween B hall and C hall. Who is spends his own time beautifying ceramics and discovered his plea- ized scores and a rank number. ing essay, fi nish up the SAT/ACT, per scraps and, worst of all, bugs. ans are given the same pay as last now custodians can only do it once No“ student can possibly have enough time“ responsible for this phenomena? Cleveland’s landscape. sure for sculpture. Having a 2260 on the SAT will not and keep up fi rst semester senior Lowe spends hours grading student year but with a lot more work. a week. to do anything in twenty-six minutes. Mother Nature? No. It’s Cleve- In part, Aguilar does this for his However, at 17, Aguilar could show the admissions offi cer that grades. work and now he must add another Cleveland administrators an- “It’s been very tough to oper- land’s own Father Nature, Antonio own enjoyment. “I do everything not graduate because of his girl- you are highly involved within you The interview is a chance to chore to his to-do list. nounced that cleaning kits will be ate under these reductions,” Plant Aguilar. Thanks to Aguilar, Cleve- to the best of my ability. I like to friend’s pregnancy. He recalled community, nor will it show where show your personality. In addition, Even the students have taken no- allocated to individual teachers, Manager Javier Peña said. people there. They don’t have Junior Tiffany Randel stated, “No land has been looking better. Agu- be able to look at a place and see that his mother had always said, tice of the unsanitary conditions. yet these rumored kits have not “We’ve been told to prioritize.” enough money to hire somebody student can possibly have enough ilar has been making artistic mas- I did a good job. It brings pleasure “[Aguilar] can have a woman, but “It’s horrible! We need more jani- made it to a single teacher. Assis- Peña continued. Custodians have tors! I’m just worried about the hy- tant Principal Robert Rakauskas to pick up trash, sweep fl oors and else.” time to do anything in twenty-six terpieces out of the school shrubs. to me.” he must get a job and provide for “ Sound“ natural and sociable, be calm and giene,” said Senior Sewwandi Ma- says that funding for these kits are mop halls in the times allotted to While these are seemingly valid minutes.” Cleveland is the only high school He went on, “Thank God I can his family.” answers, they are not the reason Randel is not the only one com- where he does topiary. When asked do those thing[landscaping, includ- That is exactly what Aguilar did. prepared and show...who you are digapola. With fl u season already to be bought with Title One Funds them by the district. This leaves no why the library closes earlier. plaining about the new closing why, he responded, “When I fi rst ing topiary], and make the things He quit school and became a handy- in effect and swine fl u ravaging the so they need to be approved by the time to attend to the exterior areas, The library closes at 3:30 p.m. times at the library. Several other came here, it looked like the stu- he[God] creates even more beauti- man. Later, he became the manag- community—as well as country— district. The kits should be arriving like H and J buildings, the play- your passions lie. A college inter- you can explain special circum- instead of 4 p.m. like last year be- students are disgruntled too, in- dents had no pride for their school. ful than they already are.” ing groundskeeper for around 340 there is good reason for Madiga- mid December. Teachers will still ground behind the gym, parking view is a live interaction in which stances regarding your academic cause the librarian assistant, Bon- cluding Junior Mariah Jackson. I wanted to change the outlook of He can do any sort of sculpting homes. He has worked at other high pola to worry. If this situation con- be forced to manually clean their lots and the softball fi eld. you can show your personal accom- performance. Perhaps there was a nie Ferron quit. She had been asked Jackson said, “I can’t do any- the students. I wanted them to feel from creating wood to marble carv- schools before Cleveland. tinues to exist, then a school wide rooms, which results in less time to Peña requested, “[Students] plishments and unique personality change in your social environment to write a screenplay for her book, thing [in the shorter library hours].” better and have pride [for school ings. Several schools have awarded Landscaping allows Aguilar to epidemic would not be surprising. focus on their students. throw the trash and gum in the trash that may have been completely left that caused your grades to drop - Angelfi re. With a reduced amount of time, it appearance].” him with certifi cates for his exem- forget his troubles for at least a Junior Kaylee Grodskee, howev- Of course, some teachers have cans. This will help us out.” out within the application. the interview is your chance to ex- It was not practical for her to be is harder for students to fi nish their Aguilar has been at Cleveland plary work. little while. er, says there is nothing new about cleverly found ways to solve this According to Rakauskas, Cleve- Fortunately, college interviews plain that situation. an author while working at Cleve- tasks.” for several months now. He started At The Land, Aguilar has com- Still, the only thing Aguilar en- dirt at Cleveland. “It seems like it’s problem. Those like Lowe use their land might be losing even more are marked by fl exibility. If you’re Furthermore, you can show your land. Ferron said, “I was asked to Still, these complaints have not work at Cleveland before the sum- pleted three shrub scupltures. He joys more than his work is his fam- always been dirty, with or without teacher assistants to help clean up custodians in the future. on a sports team, you can arrange a interest in the school by asking write a screenplay and I want to stopped students from going. With mer. He does not get paid to sculpt is currently working on his fourth ily. He has six children and nine meeting so that you can show your questions and learning more about spend more time promoting my over four hundred and fi fty students our shrubs. LAUSD does not pay shrub, a bulldog outside of E hall. grandkids. Aguilar said, “They talents. If you are interested in ma- the school in which you are apply- book at schools. When I was writ- attending the library daily, Broger- him for his talents. Although, Agu- The heart shaped shrub that stands keep me young...I wouldn’t change joring in a specifi c fi eld, make an ing to. Recipes you will be thankful for ing novels, I was getting up at 5:30 Macky said, “I can’t do it all by ilar does make money off campus between B hall and C hall was Augi- them for the world!” appointment with a faculty mem- “Sound natural and sociable, be a.m. every morning to write, then myself.” for his topiary skills. lar’s fi rst topiary piece in Cleve- Able to appreciate and work with ber in that department. calm and prepared, and show the BY ALEX LEE putting in time at Cleveland, com- Despite the earlier closing times, “I believe you have to give it land. It was used in a fundraiser for the beauty of the outdoors, Aguilar Suppose you plan on becoming college who you are outside of the Staff Writer ing home and falling asleep. To add there are still alternatives, such as your best shot and have pride in the school during Valentine’s Day. truly is Cleveland’s own ‘Father a musician, audition for the college academic context.”, College coun- writing a screenplay on top of that the school library’s website or the what you do.” Aguilar said. At the request of a ceramics teach- Nature’. and base your interview session selor Sharon Drell said. and also fi nding time to visit other public library. Aguilar comes early to the cam- er, Aguilar sculpted a moon, bird o be honest, whose favorite meal of the year isn’t the Thanksgiving meal? The profound Tmeaning of Thanksgiving makes you feel good and so does the meal. The smell of the Alumni plant the seeds of knowledge sweet honey glazed ham cooking in the oven, the aroma of mouthwatering caramelized onion VOICE BOX and cornbread stuffi ng, the scent of warm, scrumptious corn bread, all bring tears to the eyes. BY TARA ATRIAN If you have not started to organize your thoughts on how to set up your Thanksgiving dinner, Staff Writer just follow these recipes, and you should be able to enjoy the warm, fun fi lled Thanksgiving graduated from. I wanted to be able that everyone should take pleasure in. Each year, hundreds of seniors said. look of Cleveland has changed. Q:What are you doing for There are less murals around the to give what I learned back to stu- leave the campus, yet many Cava- For Ewald, the most favorable Roasted Turkey minutes. Slice the turkey and serve it in the oven along with the turkey. school, and from my perspective, dents at Cleveland.” liers also return to The Land. These aspects of Cleveland seem to be Ingredients: hot. Bake until hot and crusty on top, it’s more crowded.” He continued, “I know I would Cavaliers are former Cleveland within her fellow teachers and the Thanksgiving? 1 (12 pound) fresh turkey for about 30 minutes. Prato participated in the art be challenged as a teacher and that students who came back as staff students she teaches. “I love the Kosher salt Caramelized Onion and Corn- courses offered to her as a student, I would be driven to increase my members to spread new knowledge teachers I work with and the stu- Freshly ground black pepper bread Stuffi ng Chipotle Smashed Sweet Pota- own knowledge through my stu- back to current students. Teach- 1 large bunch fresh thyme Ingredients: toes dents.” ers like Tony Saavedra, Jennifer 1 lemon, halved 2 tablespoons butter Ingredients: Ingrid Rivas-Sanchez is a math Ewald, Paola Prato and Ingrid 1 Spanish onion, quartered 2 onions, chopped 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and teacher that just started this year. Rivas-Sanchez all came back to 1 head garlic, halved crosswise 6 large cornmeal muffi ns, cubed cubed Her reasons for coming back re- give the gift that keeps on giving, 4 tablespoons unsalted (1/2 stick) Handful fresh sage leaves, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter vealed a personal and emotional educating the past, present and melted butter chopped 1 whole canned chipotle pepper in connection to The Land. future. Directions: 1 egg adobo sauce, chopped Rivas-Sanchez explained, “I Ninth grade science teacher, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from can of came back because I felt Cleve- Jennifer Ewald just started teach- Take the giblets out of the turkey 1/4 cup chicken stock peppers land was like my home. When I “Relatives are coming into ing at Cleveland last year. “Going to eat a lot of and wash the turkey inside and out. Salt and freshly ground black pep- 1/2 teaspoon salt came here, I felt so comfortable “I came back to Cleveland be- Remove any excess fat and leftover per Directions: in this environment. My teachers town and my uncle is making food!” cause I heard about the position pinfeathers and pat the outside dry. Directions: Put cubed potatoes into steamer that I had inspired me to come of having this new curriculum photos by Haig Nalbandian my favorite yams.” - Junior Kristen Marquez Place the turkey in a large roasting Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. basket and place steamer into a back and teach.” being developed for 9th grade...I Back as teachers: pan. Liberally salt and pepper the Melt the butter in a medium skillet large pot of simmering water that Once Cleveland students, Rivas-Sanchez(left ) and Saavedra(right) Rivas-Sanchez also elabo- - Senior Allie Moat had loved 9th grade when I went inside of the turkey cavity. Stuff over medium heat. Add the onions is no closer than 2 inches from the came back to teach at the Land. rated on her thought process as here so it seemed natural for me the cavity with the thyme, lemon, and cook, stirring, for about 10 bottom of basket. Allow to steam a teacher versus her thoughts as to come back and teach for the dents I teach, and it is amazing which in part inspired her to go to onion, quartered, and the garlic. minutes, or until soft and caramel- for 20 minutes or until the potatoes a student, “I think that as a teacher, new science curriculum,” Ewald that I get to work with the teachers California Institute of the Arts and Brush the outside of the turkey with ized. Add sage and scrape into a are fork tender. Add butter to pota- having been a student at Cleveland, said. that left a mark on me when I went to come back to Cleveland. This the butter and sprinkle with salt and large mixing bowl. Add the corn- toes and mash with potato masher. I feel really proud and now I appre- To her, not much has changed here,” Ewald said. way Prato could give Cavaliers the pepper. Tie the legs together with bread pieces, season well with salt Add peppers, sauce and salt, and ciate what I have learned and what about Cleveland since she went Another former student, art de- art education that was bestowed string and tuck the wing tips under and pepper, and give it a good toss continue mashing to combine. we have at Cleveland even more.” here. The only thing that truly partment co-chair and photography upon her when she was a Cleve- the body of the turkey. Roast the until it’s well combined. In a sepa- Serve immediately. These inspirational teachers have surprised her was the amount of teacher Paola Prato also voiced land student. turkey for 2 1/2 hours, basting from rate bowl, whisk together the egg, taken the educational gifts they students the school has. “To me, concern over the class sizes. When Humanities history teacher Tony time to time with pan juices, until cream, and stock, and pour that And for the pie, stop by a local Ma- received as former students and “I’m going to Las Vegas.” the size has changed. There are so asked about what has changed in Saavedra explains his reason for “My family and I are going to the juices run clear when you cut over the cornbread. Stir the stuff- rie Callendars and pick up a deli- bestowed these gifts upon pres- many more people here and now as Cleveland from her perspective as coming back to Cleveland, “I got - Freshman Edson Rodriguez between the leg and the thigh. Re- ing together and stuff the cavity of cious pumpkin pie! ent Cleveland students. Thus, they a teacher, it is almost overwhelm- a student in respect to her perspec- a great education here and came Arizona!” move the turkey to a cutting board the turkey. You could also spoon it pass the torch of knowledge to the ing [the size of the school],” Ewald tive as a teacher, Prato replied, “The back to be a part of the program I and cover with foil; let it rest for 20 into a buttered baking dish and put Courtesy of the Food Network next generation of teachers. - Sophomore Matthew Gold 6 News Le Sabre November 25, 2009 Marijuana reaches its ‘high’

BY JENNY LUONG according to Cleveland’s Periodic saries have a big role in pot in- Staff Writer Disciplinary Incident Report. This cidents in high schools,” Cleve- all the news we think you should compares the number of infrac- land’s Assistant Principal Carlos Within the last few years, tions in the months of September Valdovinos said. “There are loop- know but didn’t have room to print there has been a gradual increase and October to those of the prior holes to the system.” Valdovinos in marijuana usage among teens. school year. The rise in drug or added some shops do not limit Band and Drill Team Triumph Various factors that possibly con- alcohol-related infractions paral- service to only those with medi- Congratulations to Cleveland’s Band and Drill team, who participated tribute to the increase include lels the slight rise of marijuana cal marijuana cards. in the 27th Annual Granada Band and Drill Team Competition on No- the new availability of the drug use among teens at school. “The quality of weed is like vember 14. They took fi rst place in Division 1A for three categories: as seen in the eight-hundred to According to the U.S Bureau nothing before,” Valdovinos said. Band, Drill Team, and Drumline. nine-hundred medical marijuana The potency of marijuana has dispensaries currently located in surpassed 10% in recent years Solution L.A County recorded by Los An- compared to a median potency The Village Nation is hosting The Solution 2009, a youth volunteer geles County District Attorney’s of 4.8% in prior years. “Technol- event, together with the Fred Jordan Mission. More than 1,000 young Offi ce. ogy controls how good it gets— people are volunteering on Thanksgiving Day by serving dinners and According to the National [technology] takes it as far as you providing community service to over 3,000 citizens at the downtown Results on Adolescent Drug Use can buy,” one senior said. Fred Jordan Mission. The event will last from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Overview of Key Findings 2008, Most of the students Valdovi- marijuana usage among teens has nos catches have parents who progressively declined since its already know of their marijuana Honoring Our Veterans peak in 1979. Yet, the use of mar- use. “My parents know,” said one The 17th Annual Veterans’ Holiday Celebration will take place on Sun- photo illustration by Haylee Rae Averill ijuana has increased signifi cantly Cleveland senior. “They get mad, day, December 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Lot 29 near Jackie since 2008. of Justice Statistics, 83.9 percent I get grounded.” Valdovinos sees Robinson Field. There will be food and live entertainment, featuring At Cleveland, security per- of high school seniors of 2008 re- a pattern in which “kids that have Jim Belushi and The Sacred Hearts Band. For information on how you sonnel Richard Gallegos has wit- ported they could obtain marijua- too much time on their hands are can attend, volunteer, or donate: please call 866-955-VET(8387) or nessed the campus’ own increase na fairly or very easily. Between the potheads.” visit www.vaevent.org. in marijuana use. According to 1992 and 2008, the reported use “I’m addicted and I love it,” Gallegos, in his past four years of of marijuana jumped from 12 said one Cleveland senior. “[My First Aid Classes working at Cleveland, “There has percent to 19 percent among high fi rst time] was when I was in fi fth The Parent Center is offering free First Aid classes on Mondays and been a decline in smoking.” He school seniors. grade.” He explained he used Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The classes would normally said that it may be based on the “Everybody knows how to marijuana out of curiosity and cost around $85. The classes will be available for both Spanish and effectiveness of school security. get bud nowadays,” said a Cleve- peer pressure. English speakers. “[However] we have been expe- land senior. “Before, I would go Another senior said, “I reject- riencing a slight increase within on quests across the Valley to get ed it a couple times before—but the past month or so, averaging a sack. Now it’s on hand.” now [I smoke marijuana] every two or three a week,” Gallegos With the reported rise of mar- day [and] every night.” said, referring to the students he ijuana use among teens, it comes “Marijuana can be a gateway Fort Hood shooting catches with marijuana. at no surprise that medical mari- drug no different from alcohol,” This current school year’s juana facilities are opening all Valdovinos said. “All forms of in- drug and alcohol-related infrac- over the county. toxicants can ruin your life.” kills 13 and wounds 38 tions have increased by 28.8% “The 900 medical dispen- BY CHANDLER HUDSON eventually brought him down. Staff Writer By the time Hassan collapsed, he had allegedly shot more than 100 On Thursday, November 5, in rounds into his fellow soldiers. a deployment center at Fort Hood, When police arrived, they en- Texas, Army Major Nadal Ma- countered a terrible sight. “People lik Hassan allegedly opened fi re were running, bleeding, scream- on fellow soldiers. The shooting ing for medics. The wounded occured while soldiers were gath- were lying on the ground. Sol- ered for pre-deployment medical diers had torn up their shirts and exams. uniforms to stop the bleeding of Witnesses reported that the the wounded,. Others used fold- 39-year-old psychiatrist armed ing tables as stretchers,” Military with a .357 magnum and semi- Police Sgt. Andrew Hagerman automatic pistol equipped with explained. laser sighting, mumbled to him- Sullivan also responded to self, rose and shouted, “Allahu the quick lifesaving maneuvers of photo courtesy of Cathy Le akbar,” Arabic for god is great, military and civilian police at the Youth Fight Back: Cathy Le (left ) works with students omfr around the world at this past summer’s International and began fi ring. By the time he scene of the crime. “All offi cers Youth Media Summit. was brought down by civilian and go through [medic] training,” he military police, 13 people were said. “First aid is really the ability Cleveland hosts Serbian students fatally wounded, and 38 others to keep someone alive until they had been injured. can be brought to a hospital.” Sul- First Sergeant Sullivan, who livan expressed the deepest re- BY CHARITY GENE own family hosted a student from students from Norway told me, is in charge of the JROTC pro- spect for those men and women in Guest Writer Switzerland when she was a teen- ‘You don’t know how lucky you gram at the Land expressed utter uniform and his empathy towards ager. are to have your language spoken disbelief when he fi rst heard the those who lost loved ones. Cleveland’s Media Academy “It was an unbelievable ex- everywhere.’ The experience was news. Witnesses state that when will host a foreign exchange pro- perience, something I am grateful life changing and humbling.” “It’s the fi rst time something Hassan recently got orders to de- gram with students from Serbia to [my parents] for,” Seubert said. Students who volunteer as like that has happened in the U.S. ploy to Afghanistan, he became during winter break and needs “It opened my eyes to the world homestays will automatically be at a military institution,” Sullivan distraught. NPR reported that volunteers to provide homestays and international affairs.” considered for a trip to Serbia in said. “It’s especially diffi cult be- Hassan had earlier been put on for the exchange students. Last summer, the Media the summer of 2010. Aside from cause Fort Hood is a place that is probation for allegedly prosely- This December, ten students Academy sent students to Serbia plane fare, they will receive an expected to be safe.” tizing about his Muslim faith with from the Media Education Center for the International Youth Media all-expenses paid trip to attend Kimberly Munley, a civil- patients and colleagues. in Serbia will be coming to Cleve- Summit. The summit brings teens the media conference. ian police offi cer and SWAT “Fort Hood is home to nearly land to take part in various media together from all over the world To volunteer as a homestay, team member, and her partner 70,000 people who have been activities. The students will be to solve the world’s problems. students should sign up with Ev- Sgt. Mark Todd were the fi rst deeply shaken by Thursday’s living with their homestay family Students raise awareness of is- elyn Seubert in the Media Acad- to respond. Chuck Medley, Fort events, even more so because during their visit to Los Angeles sues such as poverty, racism, and emy. Both Seubert and Le claim Hood’s director of emergency ser- Hassan is a mental health profes- to learn about American family women’s rights through various it will be an unforgettable three vices reported that offi cer Munley sional,” Lt. Gen. Cone said. life and how Americans celebrate forms of media. weeks where students will learn exchanged fi re with the suspected “These are men and women the winter holidays. “You just learn that there are about each other’s culture and assailant Hassan. Munley re- who have made the selfl ess deci- Homestay family volunteers things that happen outside of your have a better understanding of ceived bullet wounds in each of sion to protect the nation,” Presi- will be responsible for provid- everyday life,” said Senior Cathy the world through someone else’s her thighs and one in her wrist. dent Obama said of the victims. ing the exchange student with Le, one of the students who at- eyes. Sgt. Todd told CNN that when he “It is horrifying that they should meals and a bed. Film Teacher tended the media summit. “Every- According to Seubert, “You’ll saw that Munley had been shot, come under fi re at an army base, Evelyn Seubert recalls when her body speaks English. One of the have a friend in Europe for life.” he began to fi re at Hassan and on American soil.” November 25, 2009 Le Sabre Entertainment 7 Turkey brings the sales! BY ARMAND SAROGHLANIAN Staff Writer

Black Friday has fi nally ar- ing to Wal-Mart to buy my Black rived. Many different stores and Friday things,” Senior Jason Ter- websites have provided amazing- rado said. ly cheap offers on items, ranging One website that provides from electronics to clothes, which daily updates on Black Friday are only available on Black Fri- sales is www.bfads.net. This site day. Here is an informative guide offers a plethora of sales from on what to expect that day. many popular stores. Many of the prices the site is offering are di- photo illustration by Holland Mervis Depending on the item and the sale, the time that custom- rectly from company employees. ers should shop varies. If the Another popular website is Th e ‘tweets’ heard around the world item pursued is not popular, it www.black-friday.net. This site would best to go about an hour only offers advertisements that or two before the store opens in have been released from the ac- BY HAYLEE-RAE AVERILL the morning. On the other hand, tual companies, rather than just Staff Writer if it is a hot item, people can ex- mere speculation from sources. pect to wait in a long line that has Registering on this website will Describe what you're doing reason that people seem to be sites are now beginning to quote been started only hours after their provide up-to-date prices and in 140 characters or less. Can you attracted to Twitter is the appeal celebrities' "tweets" to create Thanksgiving dinners. new hot offers. do it? It seems like the 18 mil- of the closeness that people can more credible stories, but many “I plan on going to Best Buy The local newspaper tends lion people that use Twitter have achieve with their favorite celeb- times, assumptions are drawn around 3 A.M. so that I have a to be an overlooked sources. Any found a way. The site has been rities. Thousands of celebrities, from the tweets. chance of buying the video card newspaper will offer advertise- up and running since July 2006, of all age levels, have Twitter ac- The social networking is also I want,” Senior Paul Konkankit ment inserts from large chain but has just recently caught the counts. Twitter has allowed for popular among students of all said. In fact, to many Black Fri- stores like Target, Wal-Mart, attention of, what seems like, the celebrities to communicate in grades here at The Land. Twitter day shoppers, arriving early in the FRYS Electronics, and Best Buy, whole world. This fast and easy a more personal way with their can be used to communicate with morning, or even coming the pre- however; every buyer should way of communicating has also fans. The accounts of celebrities others through the world wide vious day, is necessary in order to know to compare all the prices become popular for Cleveland are also "certifi ed,” so fans can web, and some say the site is as hold a place in line. Shoppers are between all of the stores to get the students, countless celebrities and have peace of mind when tweet- simple as texting. Many twit- known to bring tents and chairs to best deal. even politicians. ing with a celebrity. Up and com- ter users are fond of the fact that make the wait more comfortable. Though camping outside a Twitter's offering of "tweets" ing actors and artists seem to be Twitter is available on most web- What stores this year are of- store might not sound like an ideal to get users' thoughts out has be- using Twitter in order to garner enabled cell phones. fering the best sales? way to nurse a food baby brought come somewhat of a 'crystal ball' more publicity for their work. Easy to use and extremely “In a commercial I saw on on by a turkey feast; Black Friday to allow others to see anything But through the access that addicting, Twitter does not seem T.V., Wal-Mart said that they will is an experience that must not be the users are doing, at anytime, Twitter offers comes responsibil- like it will lose its popularity any- match any price that is lower than missed, and all the hype surround- anywhere in the world. Another ity for users. News and gossip time soon. their price, which is why I am go- ing it is well deserved. November Concert Calendar

Metallica Honda Center 12/10 $52.50-$72.50 Band of Skulls Troubador 12/11 $13 KROQ’s: Almost Acoustic Christmas Gibson Ampitheatre 12/12 $TBA

Passion Pit Fox Theater Pomona 12/12 $23 Edward Sharpe and Mayan Theater the Magnetc Zeros 12/14 $18 POWER 106 Gibson Ampitheatre Cali Christmas 12/16 $45-$95 Lady Gaga w/ Kid Cudi Nokia Theater 12/21-23 $19.75-$395

The rest of the November Post Secrets can be seen on www.lesabreonline.com December Post Secrets may be turned into room D2 or in Ms. Bondy’s box in the Main Offi ce. All December post secrets are due by December 13. 8 Sports Le Sabre November 25, 2009 Player Bio TENNIS

photo illustration by Haylee-Rae Averill Cleveland alumn now ‘NFL mom’

BY ALEX LEE Staff Writer

When it comes to the world High School, where he was able health and disease at USC, and is of athletics, The Land is not well to shine as a true talent. to this day is the only graduate to known for fostering many famous At Notre Dame, Harris played have coupled football with such a alumni. running back and cornerback, rigorous major. But the next closest thing is producing monstrous statistics. April 26, 2009 marked the Princina Branch, Cleveland grad- At one point, he was even recog- day that Harris was selected the uate and mother of current NFL nized as the #6 cornerback in the 183rd overall pick in the sixth cornerback, Cary Harris. country. His budding talent and round of the 2009 NFL Draft Though Harris began to play subsequent recognition resulted by the Buffalo Bills, and at this football at age six in the Gremlin in his being recruited to play for point, Branch was relieved more Division for the San Fernando 24 different Division 1 colleges. than anything; to her, it seemed Trojans as a running back, it was He made the decision to go with that all her son’s hard work and not until he was turned nine that the University of Souther Califor- dedication had fi nally reached its Branch begin to notice her sons nia on February 5, 2005, National pinnacle. Name: Sidney Becker skills. Furthermore, contrary to Signing Day for all high school Today, Branch does not have husband, Branch believed that it prospects. ESPN broadcasted his to pay for her bills because her Birthday: August 4, 1992 was not in her son’s best interest choosing the hat labeled “Univer- son now provides for everything. to engage in the brutal sport so sity of Southern California” in Her gratitude is overweighed by Height: 5’7 early in his life. front of millions. the happiness that she feels for “I was scared as a mother, al- “I could not really express her son,who she believes is truly Position: Singles 1, Varsity lowing my son to play football at what I was feeling at the time,” blessed. She recognizes the once- such a young age,” Branch said.” Branch said. Today, though, in-a-lifetime opportunity her son Captain I just didn’t want him getting she acknowledges that watching is graced with, and thus, while she hurt.” her son play for one of the big- would have preferred her son to Favorite movie: Norbit However, Harris’ early signs gest powerhouse teams in college be playing on a California-based of dedication and commitment to football was made her proud for team, she nonetheless feels a deep Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl the sport could not be ignored, her son’s being rewarded for his sense of appreciation. Despite the and Branch eventually resolved efforts. distance, the two manage to text Favorite color: Teal to support Harris in following What made Branch most messasge each other three to four his dreams. She enrolled him to proud was that Harris graduated times and have a phone call once I can’t live without: “My football powerhouse Notre Dame with a pre-medical major studying a day. phone.” Nostalgia on the Giridiron Favorite high school moment: CAVALIER Defeating Granada in freshman BY CHANDLER HUDSON year CALENDAR Staff Writer The American Football league wasn’t just an addition, it revolution- The 2009 NFL season marks the ized the sport. The emphasis shifted Plans after high school: Girl’s waterpolo 50th anniversary of the 8 original from a predominantly running/block- 12/2 Panorama American league football teams. To ing game to a high-scoring aerial Become a successful real estate 12/7 Reseda celebrate, the NFL has marked 16 game that introduced new strategies 12/9 El Camino games this season as “legacy games.” and new ways to stir the excitement agent 12/14 Granada Hills During legacy games, the AFL teams of the fans. Though downplayed by wear the original historic uniforms the NFL as inferior, the AFL by of- Dream car: Range Rover 12/16 Taft that the franchises fi rst adopted. fering signifi cantly larger contracts, 12/21 Birmingham The teams are as follows: the San signed half of the NFL’s fi rst-round Best sport-related attribute: Diego Chargers, the Denver Broncos, draft choices in 1960. Overhead smash Boys’ soccer the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland In 1966, the two leagues fi nal- Raiders, the Tennessee Titans, the ly agreed to a merger which took 12/2 Reseda Buffalo Bills, the New York Jets, and another four years to fi nalize. The Favorite pick up line: 12/7 Narbonne the New England Patriots. Some Super Bowl was created as a show- 12/10 Marshall teams have changed names and home down between the two leagues, and “Can I have your picture so I towns since the creation of the AFL, the AFL teams won upset victories Girl’s soccer and the uniforms provide a glimpse of over the NFL teams in Super Bowls can show Santa what I want for the history of each franchise. III and IV. 12/7 Eagle Rock The AFL was born when Lamar After the merger, the new NFL, Christmas?” 12/9 North Holly- Hunt, one of the most colorful pro- with more teams and a much larger wood moters of professional sports, along fan-base, became irresistible to tele- with other sports power brokers de- vision sponsors. Lucrative broad- cided to create a new league in 1959 casting rights fi lled the NFL’s coffers Boy’s basketball by purchasing less popular NFL and increased TV coverage. 12/11 Palisades teams. Charter memberships for the The showmanship of the AFL, AFL were issued to Dallas, Denver, with its more colorful uniforms, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis was a key element in the creation and New York. Buffalo and Boston of the modern NFL. Not only did Girl’s basketball were admitted later that year. Minne- the game’s popularity expand in the 12/7 La Reina apolis defected to the National Foot- United States, but television intro- ball League and Oakland was picked duced American Football to the rest as a replacement city. of the world.