SAN MARINO HIGH SCHOOL TITAN SHIELD Volume LVI, Issue 2, Circulation 1600 San Marino, California, 91108 October 19, 2007 Students Revel Titans Parade Homecoming Spirit in Casablanca By Andrea Chiu at Coronation Assistant News Editor By Peony Khoo To pump students up for the Managing Editor 2007 homecoming game against La Cañada, the ASB hosted This year’s Casablanca-themed its annual Homecoming week Coronation Ball attracted over celebration from October 8 to 12. 600 people, a signifi cant increase During snack break and lunch, from last year’s attendance of 509 different students from each grade people, to the Conzonire residence participated in various activities. on October 13 from 8 to 11 p.m. To kick off the week, ASB “I thought the turnout was started with a football throw great,” remarked ASB Fundraising during snack break. From the Commissioner Senior Calvin Breezeway to the Architectural Chen, who coordinated the event Rally Point (APR), quarterbacks along with Secretary Senior Lauren from each grade had to throw a Chan, Community and Service football to three receivers. Commissioner Senior Ann Liang, During lunch, each ASB and Athletics Commissioner class president participated in Senior Kimi Silverstein. an obstacle course by spinning With a $3500 budget for the around with a tennis racket, dance, ASB brought in ticket sales running through steps and tossing of well over $10,000. a ball to their teammate. Kimi attributed part of the On Tuesday, contestants increased turnout to “an awesome had to drink a cup of unknown freshman class [that] is really Members of SAB (Senior Advisory Board) rally Titan spirit in support of the Homecoming theme, “Spank the spirited and into everything.” (Continued on page 2) Spartans” at the annual Homecoming Parade along Huntington Drive last Friday, October 12. Justin Quan//TITAN SHIELD (Continued on page 2) “The Odd Couple” Football Stifl ed by La Cañada Opens at Webb Theater in 7-7 Homecoming Draw anticipate scheduling confl icts By Brandon Shiau between the performances and By Deryck Wong Associate Editor of Copy Managing Editor Rose Court events, she chose to The SMHS Drama Department follow a two-cast system; seniors In a defensive struggle for premiered its fall play, The Odd and some juniors comprise cast fi eld position, the San Marino Couple (the female version), A, whereas other juniors and Varsity Football team played to a yesterday, and performances will sophomores star in cast B. 7-7 Homecoming tie against the continue today. Also, she selected the female La Cañada Spartans last Friday, Following Drama Department version of the play because many October 12. Head Ms. Bennett Wright’s dual- of the seniors who graduated in After both teams held each cast plan, Cast A, which starred in 2007 were male, making for a other scoreless in the fi rst half, last night’s performance, will also larger proportion of actresses the Titans rallied back in the perform on Saturday at 2 p.m. this school year. Senior Ariana fourth quarter after giving up a and Sunday at 7 p.m. Audiences Basseri commented, “I think touchdown in the third. can watch Cast B today at 7 p.m., it’s great because we’re fi nally Head Coach D.R. Moreland tomorrow at 7 p.m., and Sunday getting a chance to have more commented, “[We] gave one away. at 2 p.m. We felt that La Cañada was a team Because Ms. Wright had to (Continued on page 3) that we should have beat[en], but we just didn’t execute well and Junior Tailback Scott Dooley jukes a La Cañada defender on his way to a fi rst down in the Titans’ tie in their league opener. Justin Quan//TITAN SHIELD the end result [was] a tie.” Though the game was a low- Coach Moreland did not think playing at the top of their game scoring affair, the San Marino they should have sent in the fi eld tonight, so that made for a real offense actually opened the night goal unit on fourth down. defensive game. The defense is on the Spartan one-yard line. On “No way, no. On the one yard going to be on the fi eld a lot if fourth down, Junior Defensive line, you should be able to just fall you’re going three and out,” said Back Will Myers blocked the forward and pick [the touchdown] Coach Moreland. La Cañada punt and recovered up.” The Titans normally rely on the ball to set up a fi rst and goal. After that sequence, the two their running game to move the ball However, the Titans could not put teams proceeded to trade punts downfi eld. However, throughout the ball in the end zone on their for the rest of the half. In addition, the fi rst two quarters, John failed fi rst three downs, and the Spartan neither San Marino nor La to establish a rhythm running the front four stopped Senior Tailback Cañada managed to move the ball ball as the Spartan defensive line John Trawick in the backfi eld yet into their opponents’ respective consistently penetrated into the again to maintain a 0-0 tie after red zones, leading to a half of San Marino backfi eld. Senior Ariana Basseri and Juniors Geoff Wenzlau and Jeff Kinsey act out the game’s fi rst two possessions. scoreless football. a scene in this year’s fall play, “The Odd Couple.” Jon Wong//TITAN SHIELD In regards to that set of downs, “Both offenses just weren’t (Continued on page 16) Inside: News Features Opinion Spectrum Sports • Jack Howe • Jesse Conklin’s • Price Tag on Iraq • Horror Movie • Fans Neglect MLB Results (pg. 2) New Gig (pg. 5) War has Become Formula (pg. 12) Playoffs (pg. 14) • VAPA Bravo • Rotary: John Far Too Costly • Gossip Girl • Water Polo Tops Award (pg. 3) Trawick (pg. 6) (pg. 10) Thoughts (pg. 13) Monrovia (pg. 15) 2 News ASB Hosts Casablanca Speech and Debate CLUB Themed Coronation Place Third Overall Sophomore Oscar Wang won BRIEFS By Emily Chang in Extemporaneous Speaking. ASB News Editor Juniors Patrick Chang, Margaret ASB showed Casablanca for The SMHS Speech and Debate Lazzarini, Jody Sheu, and Christi its fi rst movie night of the year team attended the Jack Howe performed in Platform. Jody placed on October 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. Invitational in Long Beach from fi rst in Expository; Christi was a “This [event’s] turnout was October 6 to 7. semi-fi nalist in Oratory; Patrick great,” stated ASB Treasurer “We did amazing[ly],” and Margaret placed fourth and Senior Casey Luu. commented Speech and Debate fi fth in Advocacy, respectively. In comparison to previous Coach Mr. Oliver Valcorza. Freshman Kevin Wu also won movie nights, Casey believes Compared to other schools such the Speaker Award in Lincoln- that this event’s attendance was as Fullerton Union, Gabrielino, Douglas Debate. The Speaker among the greatest. and Redlands, which brought 200, Award is for the top ten speakers Approximately 40 students 150, and 80 students respectively, in the Debate competition. occupied all the available Sticking to the Casablanca theme, ASB set-up “Rick’s Cafe,” which offered “bringing only 21 [students] Although only in the Novice couches and tables. various virgin cocktails and fi nger foods. Joanne Kuo//TITANIAN and getting third place overall is Division, Sophomore Charles Lin The movie takes place in the (Continued from page 1) sangrias. Small snacks, such as absolutely amazing,” explained and Freshman Kevin Wu were Morrocan city of Casablanca. chicken skewers and chocolate- Mr. Valcorza. fi nalists in Impromptu Speaking. The fi lm follows the complicated Although ASB began with slow covered strawberries, were also For Speech, students “I’m really proud of the team,” love story of restaurant owner ticket sales on September 24, sales available on the side. participated in one of three main stated Mr. Valcorza. However, Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund as picked up signifi cantly in the last ASB also acknowledged the groups of events: Interpretation, he believes the team should not they unite against the German week with over 100 tickets being Homecoming Court of Senior Limited Preparation, and rest on its laurels; he added that Nazis during World War II. sold on one day. Queen Emily Barth, Senior Platform. Jack Howe should serve as an Casey hopes future movie ASB even sold tickets to Princess Alisa Trager, Junior Each category contained inspiration to the members as to nights will “turn out as students who still wanted to Princess Elizabeth Haralambos, several other events. According to what they can achieve. “We’re successful[ly] as the fi rst.” purchase tickets for an extra day. Sophomore Princess Catherine Mr. Valcorza, the varsity team won only going to get better.” —Connie Chen//Features At the dance, students enjoyed Barth, and Freshman Princess fi rst in every category. Besides This year, a lot of the varsity Editor a larger dance fl oor and lounge Charmaine Lee towards the recognition, each varsity member members could not compete Key Club area in the front yard rather than end of the dance whom they who placed fi rst will receive a because of the SATs. “Imagine Members of Key Club helped the backyard as was done past had announced at lunch last $500 scholarship per semester for what we could do with the entire at the Wheelchair Wash held years. At the entrance, an old- friday during the pep rally. ASB the college of their choice. team,” pondered Mr. Valcorza. by the group Familia Unida fashioned car set the mood for announced the Queen at halftime In the Interpretation category, Coming up, the Speech and Living with Multiple Sclerosis the night.