Senior Edition The Poly Optimist - Polyhigh

2The Poly Optimistmid-June 2012polyhigh.org/opt.jspNEWS & OPINIONEDITORIALProm SmashLast month’s editorial in the May OPTIMIST (“Prom Bash”)took a negative view of prom that probably upset some seniors,especially some Lady Parrots. With that in mind, I thought proprom Parrots should also have a few words on the subject.Let’s start with the dress. Sure the dresses can be a littlepricey and are worn only once, but prom is only once. Thedress is more than just a chance to be glamorous, it’s a chanceto express who you are, who you’ve became, and who you’regoing to be. With that in mind, saving money isn’t the first thingon anyone’s prom list.Lady Parrots attending senior prom want to celebrate theirfour years of hard work while looking their best, somethingthat can be expensive. Not every Lady Parrot feels this way,but those who do know that senior prom is a once-in-a-lifetimeevent.Not all Lady Parrots will wear prom dresses that are skintight and super revealing. Poly fems have dignity. They don’twant to be remembered as the girl who revealed everything toour graduating class.Stilettos aren’t four inch killer heels. They are appropriatelady-like shoe that have been around for years and are theappropriate finishing touch to any dress.Transportation isn’t going to empty anyone’s wallet. In ourage group, friends mean a group of people. Everyone can pitchin and save.Poly girls may have similar tastes, but who doesn’t? Similarstyles don’t mean clones on prom night. Sure there are verysimilarly- dressed girls at school, but it’s an average school day.At prom, girls have hours in advance to prepare and look theirbest. After all, every girl wants to be remembered individuallyand stand out from all the other polished Parrots.So, looked at in a different light, you might ask yourself thisquestion instead - if prom isn’t the big night, what is?Former Parrot DJ Gay Returns to US[ From DJ Gay, front page ]minutes,” Gay said, “and that was pretty tough.”Gay, who says he won’t be returning to Slovenia next year, iscurrently looking for a new team to join.The recent NBA lockout might have hurt his chances ofplaying here, Gay said, but he felt the Slovenia experiencee wasa positive one.“I got to travel the world and see something different,” Gaysaid, “and I got another year of experience under my belt.”The Helios play in two different leagues, Gay said, includingthe Adriatic League, the third toughest in Europe.“I wanted to play at the highest competition I could,” Gaysaid, “so that’s why I went with the Helios.”Before going pro, Gay played for San Diego State University(SDSU) for four years, whichh includeed an NCAA Tournamentappearance, the first ever for SDSU.“I was extremely happy.” Gay said. “It was a greataccomplishment for the team and me. It was amazing. Thewhole city was behind us. We sold out every single game and itwas just a fun environment to be in.”Gay ended up guarding some of the best players in thenation, like Jimmer Fredette.“He’s a great player,” Gay said. “It was fun to take thatchallenge, but he killed us every time.”“To have the opportunity to play against players like that, it’swhat you want to do. You want to play against the best, and hewas fun to play against,” said Gay.Prom Queen & King McEwen’s Party[ From Queen, front page ][ From Athletes, front page ]“Just have the confidence in yourself that you have potential towin.”“I learned that you never know unless you try,” Guillen said.“Never sell yourself short. There’s no could of, would of, orshould of.”Mandujano did have some goals as a senior.“It sure wasn’t winning prom king,” Mandujano said, “butjust to make this year memorable, get accepted to the college ofmy choice and attend all the senior events.Mandujano will major in engineering at UCSB and Guillenwill take poli sci at CSUN.Both candidates took something away from the recognition.“People that didn’t even know my name will now rememberme as Anthony the prom king,” said Mandujano.“I feel the same,” said Guillen, “but it’s just still hard tobelieve I won.”Karina Garcia, Magaly Jimenez and Gabriel Ramirez werealso candidates.(girls tennis), Brad Katz (boys basketball), Tremeka Batiste(girls basketball), Rafael Loza (boys soccer), Gabriel Cerna(baseball), Manny Peralta and Jose Campos (softball), BrianBlock (boys tennis) and Alberto Flores (Aa track).Students who won the “Everything” award, for Football:Senior Jason De Guzman, Sophomore Isaiah Solorzano; CrossCountry Boys: Senior Marcos Romero; Cross Country Girls:Senior Graciela Vargas; Volleyball Girls: Senior MagalyJimenez, Junior Ashley Tinoco, Freshman Jessica Lopez;Tennis Girls: Senior Diana Melendez; Basketball Boys: SeniorOscar Zelaya, Sophomore Nicolas Buen, Sophomore RobertGonzalez; Basketball Girls: Freshman Isabella Lopez, RaniaHernandez; Soccer Guys: Senior Ivan Delgado, SophomoreLuis Silva; Soccer Girls: Senior Alice Montez, Junior LindaGonzalez; Baseball: Senior Daniel Acosta, Junior OscarRomo; Softball: Senior Eliana Castaneda, Sophomore MelissaSanchez; Track Boys: Senior Alejandro Chavez; Track Girls:Freshman Isabella Lopez; Tennis Boys: Andy Choi; VolleyballBoys: Senior Eugenio Moreno, Junior Victor Sanchez; TrackAA: Ignacio Castro.Editor-In-ChiefYenifer RodriguezSports EditorAlex KangtheOptimistJohn H. Francis Polytechnic High School12431 Roscoe Blvd, Sun Valley, CA, 91352http://polyhigh.orgPhoto EditorDiane AlvaradoWritersJasmine AquinoSandy BarbaCelene CantabranaJessica FloresJoel GarciaLisa GuardadoJose HernandezAlex KangGabriela MelendezNicolette ReneauJulie RuizShean SantyOptimist AdvisorJohn BlauLetters To The EditorEditorial PolicyLetters to the Editor must be typed or printed in ink and include thewriter’s signature. The OPTIMIST reserves the right to edit submissions.Send letters to Rm.14 or Mr. Blau’s box.The OPTIMIST is the voice of the Poly community, and follows theCode of Ethics for the Society of Professional Journalists. Editorials arethe opinions of the staff.the OPTIMISTVOL XCVII No. 11mid-June3THE MUSIC MAN4WHO’S GOING WHERESenior Jose Reyes is a four-year man in bandand winner of the 2011 Las Vegas Maestro Award.By Jasmine AquinoPlenty of Parrots got their names in the OPTIMISTthis month in this list of colleges acceptances.Compiled By the College Office5SUITS vs. ALIENSJosh Brolin plays a younger Tommy Lee Jones in thelastest MIB. Will Smith and Jones return.By Joel Garcia5THOU SHALT NOT CENSORRATM takes offense when radio giant Clear Channelcommunications suggest leaving the band off playlists.By Jasmine Aquino5THANKS FOR THE LESSON PLANS6THEIR PLAYING WAS HEAVENLYFive Parrot faculty will strike out for greener pasturesas they seek the pleasure of retirement.By Lisa GuardadoMusic Lovers paid some heavy dues so far in 2012losing great musicians like Etta James and Davy JonesBy Gabriela Melendez7SCREEN RAVERSThese TV picks to click will keep viewers glued to thecouch on hot summer nights. Find the remote.By Shean Santy8SENIOR ATHLETESTen Parrots who wore the Poly blue and goldwith pride talked to the OPTIMIST about 2012.By Sandy Barba & Alex KangCORRECTIONSIn the June issue, the OPTIMIST identified Karina Yepez as asenior. Yepez is a junior. The OPIMIST regrets the error.In the June issue, the OPTIMIST reported the cafeteria serving16,000 meals a day. The cafeteria serves 1,600 meals a day. TheOPTIMIST regrets the error.Be anOPTIMIST

polyhigh.org/opt.jspThe Poly Optimistmid-June 20123INTERVIEWCome Blow Your HornSenior Jose Reyes passes the audition that gets him into the School ofMusic at the University of Utah.By Jasmine AquinoStaff WriterPoly senior and marching band co-drum majorJosé Daniel Reyes will attend the University of UtahSchool of Music in the fall of 2012.“I was actually accepted into the school of musicbefore the university itself,” said Reyes.Reyes, who was co-drum major for this year’s Polymarching band, auditioned for enrollment and a scholarshipmid-February.The scholarship will only cover 2,000 his first year, but theamount of money will increase after his freshman year if Reyesapplies for Utah residency. The rest will be covered by moneyfrom Reyes’ FAFSA application.Reyes began playing the trumpet in seventh grade withByrd’s beginning band.“Honestly,” Reyes admitted, “at the time, I didn’t know whata trumpet was. When Mr. Blanchard—Byrd’s music director—offered me the trumpet, I answered ‘Okay, cool.’”Reyes’ seventh-grade self-esteem was lower than low, andnames such as “band geek” didn’t help.“I guess deep down inside, I started playing as a way toescape the trash-talking and into a world where I could truly behappy,” said Reyes. “Over time, it was just something I becamegood at, I guess.”The trumpet player was enrolled in Byrd’s Advanced Bandby the second semester of his seventh-grade year and kept hisfirst-chair title until he graduated.Before his junior year and the college applications came,Reyes never seriously considered attending the University ofUtah School of Music—or any music school for that matter.“I knew the school existed, as well as other music schools,but I never really pictured myself there because I didn’t knowwhere I wanted to go or even what I wanted to do with my life.”Reyes, who has been in Poly’s marching, concert, and jazzbands for the last four years, was recognized at last year’sconcert band competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.Reyes won the 2011 Las Vegas Heritage Festival MaestroAward, one of only two given out of 300 competing musicians.Reyes did not have a solo in that year’s show.“I played in the concert like we would any other concert.During the clinic, all the judge said was that I played reallygood,” recalled Reyes. “Afterwards, he spoke to me privatelyabout attending the University of Utah, where he taught. Ihad never really been recognized before and I will forever bethankful to him.”Reyes applied to the University of Utah that same year,just like any other student, but because he intended to major inmusic, he was required to take an audition.His parents encouraged him to go, especially his dad, whooffered to drive him the 700 miles to audition.“As soon as we parked outside the school, it occurred tome that I traveled 703 miles to a place I had never been to. Irealized at that point it was something really big because it wasmore than talk now. I was actually there and I was to be judgedon something that would reflect my entire life,” said Reyes.The audition required two pieces, one at a slow tempo andanother at a faster tempo.“The slow piece is so the judges can determine how muchemotion you could evoke to an audience. The faster piece is toshow virtuosity—how fast you can play at a controlled level,”he said.Brian Sproul, the Las Vegas judge who recognized and askedReyes to audition the previous year, met up with Reyes beforethe audition. He was not a part of the panel who would judgeReyes’ performance, but he was able to offer some words ofencouragement.“Mr. Sproul was very delighted to see me because he didn’tthink I’d be able to make it. He told me there was a great groupof judges and wished me luck before I went in,” said Reyes.After practicing with his piano accompanist for a fewminutes, Reyes auditioned.The judges thanked Reyes for his performance, saying “wewould love to have you as a part of our music program.”“The main thing I learned, and the main thing I wanteverybody to know, is that you can do anything. I want peopleto know that no matter what anybody says, or no matter howmuch praise you receive, you have to keep working hard andsuccess will definitely arrive at your doorstep in the end.”Reyes will perform in the School of Music’s marching band(with Sproul as music director), wind ensembles, pep bands andphilharmonic this fall.Reyes arranged the pep song “Take on Me” for Poly’smarching band and was the only AP Music Theory student topass the AP test.

4The Poly Optimistmid-June 2012polyhigh.org/opt.jspCOLLEGEDayana RojasLiliana BarbaMayra SotoYashika PatelCindy BerumenKatherine CatalanKarina PerezCrystal CardenasPriya ChamberKelly DoungJuan AugustoUniversity of California,DavisGrads CollegeAcceptancesSome stay close to home.Boston UniversityKathy SilvaColumbia UniversityRafael RubioCornellDavid LeeDartmouthDavid LeeDukeDavid LeeJohns Hopkins UniversityRafael RubioWellesley CollegeKathy SilvaUniversity of SouthernCalifornia(USC)Nataly OchoaUniversity ofPennsylvaniaDavid LeeMassachusetts Instituteof Technology (MIT)Cathy CapallaJavier Castillo Jr.Fernando JuarezMount Saint Mary’sCollegeJaqueline ChanMitzy RamirezErika DoradoAlice J. MontesAlba TejedaEvelin CifuentesAndrea HerreraSan Diego StateUniversityRegina MartinezErik GramajoMayra SotoNataly OchoaPerla FloresCindy BerumenJorge ValleXavier MontalvanMary FigueroaJuan AugustoSan Francisco StateUniversityMariana SantosEvelin CifuentesKayle SicairosOscar ZelayaDiane Scarlett AlvaradoLizbeth CruzCalifornia StatePolytechnic University,PomonaFernando JuarezSandy BarbaYashika PatelAndrea MenjivarNicole WillkommMariana SantosErik GramajoAlice J. MontesDayana RojasDiana MelendezEvelyn CifuentesCindy BerumenLeslie PerezPatrick JohnsonMarlyn CasillasAnthony MandujanoKelly DoungRoman MezaJennifer GrijalvaAraceli SantanaMonica RiosEddie OrtegaLuis E CruzKathy SilvaXavier MontalvanCrystal CardenasTomas CubiasUniversity of California,San Diego (UCSD)Fernando JuarezKathy SilvaShean SantyCathy CapallaNataly OchoaRegina MartinezErik GramajoMayra SotoScott SadeghianPerla FloresRafael RubioGustavo GaribayDiana MelendezDavid LeeAnthony MandujanoKatherine CatalanGerardo SanchezJavier Castillo Jr.Mary FigueroaJose MontanoDavia GaldamezUniversity of California,BerkeleyFernando JuarezCathy CapallaRegina MartinezScott SadeghianMayra SotoAlex KangRafael RubioDavid LeeGustavo GaribayErik GramajoMary FigueroaJose MontanoRuben RodriguezJuan AugustoUniversity of California,IrvineKathy SilvaRegina MartinezNicole WillkommKevin ContrerasMayra SotoEve HuertaShean SantySandy BarbaKevin ContrerasAlice J. MontesScott SadeghianLiliana BarbaTomas CubiasYenitzel BautistaCrystal CardenasXitlalit FigueroaDavid GaldamezJennifer GrijalvaGabriela IbarraRuben JimenezAlex KangDavid LeeAngel LunaFrancisco MontalvanJose MontanoKaren MontoyaRuben RodriguezCrystal CardenasMary FigueroaAlejandra OliverosJose MontanoJuan RojasVictor VelaUniversity of California,Los Angeles (UCLA)Fernando JuarezKevin ContrerasKathy SilvaLiliana BarbaCathy CapallaJavier Castillo Jr.Mayra SotoNataly OchoaScott SadeghianJuan Carlos AugustoCrystal CardenasKatherine CatalanJosefina FloresGustavo GaribayMary FigueroaErik GramajoJennifer GrijalvaDavid LeeAngel LunaRafael A. RubioCindy BerumenKatherine CatalanHumboldt StateUniversityMariana SantosAlice J. MonteGabrielaPelayoCharlesHollowellNicole MoreiraJesus LaraAndrea MenjivarBrian XochilateRosa MartinezTomas CubiasBryan HernandezMayra SotoAlexandra PerezKatherine CatalanAshley OrtizKayle SicairosJulia Ruiz :)Jesusa Jean CarvajalLuis BautistaMaria GrimaldoJuan LupianCrystal CardenasClaudia MoralesMarlyn CasillasIsela LopezCynthia JimenezAlan SanchezMelissa RiveraDiana GuerreroLyzette HernandezUniversity of California,Santa Cruz (UCSC)Yesenia VillaAlba TejedaJesus LaraEvelin CifuentesGustavo GaribayAndrea HerreraJuan LupianKayle SicairosMary FigueroaAbby UriasIsela LopezJose Daniel ReyesAnthony MandujanoEddie OrtegaLeandro GarciaUniversity of California,Santa Barbara (UCSB)Shean SantySandy Barba (:ArturoGarciaBrianXochicaleEve HuertaKetsia DuranAnthonyMandujanoDayana RojasAlex KangCindy BerumenJaneth HernandezCrystal CardenasErik GramajoDiana MelendezMary FigueroaAlejandra OliverosJose MontanoKatherine CatalanRuben RodriguezCalifornia StateUniversity,Northridge(CSUN)Fernando JuarezAdriana AvilaSandy BarbaAlba TejedaSteven DiazKarla FajardoGraciela VargasMariana SantosGabrielaPelayoAndreaMenjivarNicole MoreiraCarlos NaviaVanessa OchoaAdrian EspinozaRegina MartinezRosa HernandezNicole WillkommMayra CanoRosa MartinezMaricela AmadorKevin ContrerasCharles HollowellAlice J. MontesEve HuertaBrian XochilateAbel PaniaguaJesus LaraAnthony MandujanoPerla FloresAnna CruzRyan ChanAlexandra PerezCindy BerumenYesenia HerreraKatherine CatalanPatrick JohnsonBriahna C. AnguloKayle SicairosMonica RiosZelma ReyesJorge ValleAna CoronelMaria GrimaldoPaula OrozcoDiana GuerreroCrystal CardenasEvelyn SanchezKathy SilvaNereyda MarquezElisa LopezCynthia JimenezGloria MoralesCharles HollowellAbdi LozanoXavier MontalvanOscar ZelayaRoman MezaJessica Flores:)Jessenia PalaciosEugenio MorenoAnjanette DominguezAraceli SantanaLuis GutierrezIsela LopezNetnapha SrisangnganLizbeth CruzLuis E. CruzByron MungiaKelly DuongGuadalupe RamosMarlyn CasillasLuis BautistaAngelica CampaJesusa Jean CarvajalLyzette HernandezOmar Reyes-LopezViviana HernandezMyrna CompeanGabriela CastroCalifornia StateUniversity,Los Angeles(CSULA)Fernando JuarezJaqueline ChanSandy BarbaAlba TejedaGraciela VargasAndrea MenjivarErika DoradoAdrian EspinozaMaricela AmadorPerla FloresKarla FajardoRegina MartinezYaritza RenteriaRyan ChanNicole WillkommRosa MartinezEve HuertaAbel PaniaguaAnna CruzJesus LaraDoris AvalosMayra CanoTomas CubiasAlexandra PerezMayra SotoAndrea HerreraKassaundra RamirezYesenia HerreraKatherine CatalanLeslie PerezPatrick JohnsonKayle SicairosMarlyn CasillasAlejandra OliverosKathy SilvaIsela LopezCynthia JimenezDiana GuerreroMichelle BautistaGabriela CastroAraceli SantanaLuis E. CruzLizbeth CruzJesusa Jean CarvajalJesica JimenezElisa LopezNetnaphaSrisangnganLyzetteHernandezViviana HernandezMyrna CompeanPaula OrozcoDaniel AcostaRoman MezaJennifer GrijalvaDavid ZamoraMonica RiosIsela LopezAbdi LozanoAndrea RomanJuan AugustoLos Angeles Valley CollegeAshley AnguianoPaola AmbrizAnnel ApodacaCarol ArellanoKaesorn AtthajaroonMaria AvinaAlejandro BarcenasGabriela CaballeroJennifer CortezJessica DiazCarlos FloresCeleste FloresElizabeth FloresJessica FloresBilly GaliciaJanni Elizabeth StarzCarlos MujicaBryon OspidiaAngela GomezAna GonzalezJonathan GonzalezStephanie GuevaraAlvaro HernandezSonia LedesmaRobert LopezAxel MadridDeante MaloneJose MarroquinMaria MartinezCarlos MendezAraceli MendozaVictor PalaciosGriselda PasillasHector GuzmanChristopher ArreagaValeria DominguezYury PazDennis PelayoTeera PontepsiripongEmmanul PorfirioEva RamirezNayeli RamosIsabel ReyesMayra RodriguezAngel RuizMaria SolorioVanessa TejedaRichard VelasquezYennifer VicencioAlexander Rene DimasEmaly Cruz VallesJuan Carlos TapiaDiana BarraganGabriel RamirezCharles HollowellClarrisa LainezStefany GarciaStephanie GuevaraCynthia ZamoraPaula OroccoJessica FloresOmar SanchezNayeli RamosJessie BerzozaMission Community CollegeKathleen ArguetaAdrian EspinozaJuan MoronFrancisco AyalaArlene ArroyoRuben NovoaKatherine RamirezJennie AlvarezKenia LopezCody GingerellaAngel GastelumFrancisco MedinaStephen CastanedaByanka OrdonezVito SinisgalliRosa EspinozaJason PinedaJose SaldivarChristian MedinaJennifer ZavalaLuis AguilarCynthia ZamoraVictor PalaciosJanet ZapienAkaravin LuanotowMareli VargasAngelo CruzJessica CardozaPerla GuerreroDeleyna FloresJeremy QuezadaArnold FigueroaAgustin PerezJonathan GonzalezPaula OrozcoJose CejaJulian DiazJustin SungaByron MunguiaMaria AvinaCindy CebrerosMaria MartinezJessica FloresCarlos ValleAxel MadridEdgar DiazJose EsparzaEleazar HernandezJuan AlmarazAlan AguilarLedin AguilarFlor SantosJesus MejiaLuis HernandezCharlie RojasYennifer VicencioBilly GaliciaManuel Cruz Jr.Mara CalderonMayra RodriguezDaniel GonzalezDilan CarreraEduardo ContrerasAlvaro HernandezStefany GarciaRaquel MojicaNayeli RamosDaisy SeguraVanessa RodriguezJuan TapiaMarcos RomeroIliana BarriosElizabeth AguilarCynthia ZamaroCassandra GonzalezMayra LaraStefany GarciaNayeli RamosOmar SanchezCynthia JimenezAngelica DiazJessica FloresClipton Chacon Jr.David Marquez

The Poly Optimistpolyhigh.org/opt.jspmid-June 20125MEDIAThe Clear Channel MemoDid America’slargest radiostation ownerban certainartists themonopolyconsideredoffensive?Google PhotoK, BUT YOUNGER: Josh Brolin co-stars in Barry Sonnenfeld’s MIB3.Lost In Timewith MIB3Agent J and K are back for a third time to defeat morealien scumbags but they’re not just back, they’re back intime.Some have dismissed this new “Men in Black” for itstime machine plot and I was one of them. I mean, after that awful sequel, I didn’t thinkany of us would want to watch Will Smith (Agent J) and Robert Lee (Agent K) team upand fight more aliens?But I was wrong because this movie is AWESOME. The film is the third MIBdirected by Barry Sonnenfeld, who was also a consultant for the animated 1999 Men inBlack TV series.Along to join Agents K and J on their newest adventure are Agent O, played byEmma Thompson, a young Agent K (Josh Brolin), Michael Chernus as Jeffy Price, atime lord, and the fifth-dimensional Griffin (Michael Stuhlbarg).For those of you not familiar with “Men in Black,” it goes like this:Big bad evil aliens like to come to earth in search of food or something to rule tothe world with and the secret alien police force simply known as the “Men in Black”must stop them.But this film does something a little different. We do get our big bad evil aliennamed Borris the Animal (Jemaine Clement) and what he wants is revenge. Borris findsa way to go back in time and kill Agent K, but horribly alters time in the process. AgentJ and a young Agent K must stop this mad man and fix the time flux.Brolin does a great job as a young Tommy Lee Jones. The likeness is uncanny andeven a little scary because the chemistry between Will and Lee (K and J) is still presentthroughout the film.The time machine is a very clever contraption and eventually becomes a characterin its own right surrounding itself with funny but mysterious lore.MIB3’s sense of humor is the best part of this installment in the franchise, unlikethe sequel. Inside jokes from the first film abound, so definitely pay attention to postersand other objects in the background.The film is full of creativity, humor, atmosphere, and wit, all the reasons an MIBmovie should be great fun, but there’s a problem, a big problem.I’m talking about the time flux and the changes it causes. I can’t say more withoutspoiling the movie, but watch carefully for the time changes. If you’re familiar with thefirst film, the paradox created will become apparent.In short, if you’re not planning a second or third go at “The Avengers,” check outMIB3. It’s definitely worth a look.By Joel GarciaStaff WriterBy Jasmine AquinoStaff WriterWhile rescueworkers searchedtirelessly through the remnants of thedevastating September 11 terror attacks,one American casualty went unnoticed:f

Reyes will play a trumpet solo in “Las Virgen de la Macarena.” Bennett admits he may get emotional during the ceremony. “I know most people at graduation get emotional, but I can’t say I will,” Bennett said. “It’s in the moment.” By Yenifer Rodriguez Staff Writer Legac