WILDCAT PAGE 2 = JUNE 11, 2009 NEWS

CLUBCORNER

RACHEL KIM/ Wildcat

Girls of Faith

GSA

JSA

Democratic Club utilizes political discussions and debates to educate its members. Discussions range from issues involving community, state, country and world. Members can express their opinions freely and students do not have to be democrats to join the club. Democratic Club does not require its participants to be active politicians. The club is mostly about engaging conversations and answering questions about democratic ideals and beliefs.

google.com

Democratic Club

“Junior Statesmen of America, JSA, is a political forum that discusses and addresses current controversial issues preparing the next generation of politicians,” said Brandon Kim, senior and club president. Some of JSA members have attended conventions and conferences where they got first-hand experience of statesmen duties.

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) club is one of the new clubs this year. It provides an open-mindedness and accepting envrionment for those who are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) and those who support them. The meetings are run based on questions about LGBT. GSA tries to educate the student body to be more open to the diversity of our society.

The purpose of Girls of Faith is to help its members grasp the love of God. The weekly meetings usually begin with a prayer followed by bible verse recitations. Members share their insight on specific verses, chapters and stories from the bible. This year, Girls of Faith went on a field trip to Azusa Pacific University to participate in Knights of Champion.

Students reach out to soldiers worldwideHWA EUN KIMNEWS EDITOR

“Thank you. Thank you from the

bottom of our hearts because people

like you make doing our job everday

just that much better,” wrote Ian

Stephenson of Camp Lemonier, who is

currently stationed in Djibouti, Africa.

Letters and pictures from soldiers

expressing their gratitude reached

Leslie Leaming, history teacher, and her

U.S. history students.

Leaming’s U.S. history students

have been reaching soldiers stationed

all over the world through Anysoldier.

com, discovering more information

about army life and the consequences

of war.

Students formed groups and

chose one or two specific soldiers to

send letters to. The class also made

Photo courtesy of LESLIE LEAMING

ANYSOLDIER.COM: Ian Stephenson, right, is a K-9 handler, stationed at Djibouti, Africa. Students reached soldiers through Anysoldier.com, which provides the necessary information to donate money and send letters and supplies.

presentations about their soldiers.

Several groups sent supplies such as

lotion, deodarant, baby oil, foot powder,

and snacks.

“I think this project definitely made

me realize how the war is actually going

on and affecting people, especially

when we got responses from some of

the soldiers,” said Kevin Ko, junior.

Stephenson was not the only one

to write back. Ryan von Rembow,

helicopter pilot, who is stationed in

Khandahas, Afghanistan and Meredith

R. Harris, captain in the 4th Sustainment

Brigade in Bagram Airfield,

Afghanistan, wrote letters explaining

their life as a soldier and thanking the

students for their support.

“War has changed [since] a long

time ago. After we are done fighting we

build. We build schools, and homes. We

eduate people in medical care, politics.

We teach people and in the process they

teach us,” wrote Stephenson.

Rembow also responded to each

student whom he recieved a letter from,

and revealed his personal intentions of

joining the army.

“It was a really good feeling to know

how much [the soldiers] appreciated

it. I think it helped me realize how

important it is to show our support and

interest,” said Melissa Bent, junior, who

also made home-made beef jerky for

her soldiers.

As the war has dragged on for over

three years, America has gradually

become disconnected to its foreign

affairs. And yet, the dispatch of soldiers

and government funding has been

continuous, going on without receiving

the necessary support and attention

from civilians.

“Back in WWII, there was so much

war effort going on. People collected

supplies and metals. Nowadays, there’s

not much contribution going on. I

wanted to show this difference to my

students and encourage them to reach

out,” said Leaming.

Awards Night acknowledges seniors

ABBIE MENDOZACOPY EDITOR

Before Senior Awards Night, June

2, Becky Marchant and Robert Stelmar,

counselors, instructed the seniors

mingling by the ASB room to form two

lines, and a joke was made about how

college-bound students can’t even get

into straight lines. After some laughs,

they were finally off to the PAC, where

families and friends sat with eager

expressions and cameras.

The night began with recognition

of Joseph Chang for his admittance in

the United States Military Academy

at West Point. According to Chang,

the application process was rigorous

and long, requiring him to undergo

medical and physical tests and writing

five essays to the state congressman to

request a nomination.

However, his efforts were well

worth it. During awards night, a

representative came up to announce

Chang’s scholarship package valued at

$100,000, renewable for four years at

West Point.

“It was cool,” Chang said on having

the representative at the ceremony. “But

it was also a reality check. I’m going to

be in service in 26 days.”

Eman Addish was also commended

for being a Gates Millennium Scholar.

The award will cover any of her unmet

ANTHONY VAL VERDE / Wildcat

ACCEPTING THE HONOR: Dominique McGowan, senior, shakes hand with Rotary Club member, Rick Henry. Many seniors recieved various recognitions and awards for their accomplishments. Scholarships were distributed to qualified students.

needs while she majors in biology at the

University of California, Irvine, and up

to $20,000 for a public, and $30,000

each year for a private institution, at the

graduate level.

On finding out that she got the

scholarship, Addish said, “I was really

excited. I called my mom. She was at

work, but she screamed on the phone.”

During the announcement of the

local category awards, Hope Schulze was

“surprised but happy” at being granted

$1,000 by the CRSS Scholarship for

Excellence in Engineering/Architecture.

Schulze, who will be majoring in

landscape architecture at Cal Poly

Pomona, has a well-intentioned reason

for choosing this field of study.

“I really like the peace I experience

when I’m in nature, and I want to give

that feeling back to people,” she said.

Also in the local category were

the City of Brea Mayor’s Youth

Community Service Award and the

school’s Community Service Award.

With 52 and 56 awardees respectively,

the two recognitions turned out to be

the largest of the night.

However, the ceremony didn’t

just highlight students for their merit

and community service involvement;

athletes were also acknowledged for

their accomplishments. Brett Kelley,

was honored as Boys Athlete of the

Year, while the title of Girls Athlete

of the Year belonged to Stacy Kim,

senior.

In one of the final awards of the

night, Jerry Halpin, principal, declared

the Character Counts Scholarship

recipients in the leadership category.

Hilary Fox and Ismael Garcia were each

given $1,000 and a 20-pound replica of

the wildcat.

Before the ceremony concluded,

however, Halpin called the

administrators to the stage, at which

time he recognized Dr. Laurry Bishop,

ROP photography teacher, who will

be retiring at the end of the school

year. After Halpin mentioned Bishop’s

numerous contributions to both the

school and the student body, the PAC

erupted in wild applause as students

onstage whistled and affectionately

cheered, “Go, Dr. B!”

“Dr. Bishop and Mrs. Kessel put in

more hours to make a wonderful award

show to recognize the students,” said

Pam Valenti, assistant principal.

Seniors are rewarded for outstanding achievments

Compiled byTHERESA LEE

Arabian Nights crown Rood, Yang

On June 3 at 7:00 p.m., PAL hosted

Powder Puff, a girls’ flag-football game,

The event took place at the football

stadium, attracting many students.

The competing teams held practices

throughout the week prior to game,

scrimmaging and practicing football

techniques.

The game resulted with senior

girls’ win, 30-6.

“I was actually surprised to how

tough the girls played. They were

tackling really hard. But overall, it was

a fun game to watch. I thought it was

cool to have girls play football,” said

Genna Hill, sophomore.

The event will also be held next

year.

Hwa Eun Kim

Powder PuffPAL

The Freshman Olympics were held

at the football stadium June 3, as the 3

houses, Poseidon, Athena, and Apollo,

competed in various events such as

balloon toss, football, baseball, and

blindfolded relays.

Aubrie Munro won the balloon

game, and Nick Kern won the baseball

game.

“I thought it was fun because you

got to compete against friends and it

seemed like it marked the beginning of

summer,” said Mari Guttouski.

A litte different than last year,

individual players were named winners

of their specific event, rather than

naming one house as the overall victor

of competition.

Cole Calhoun

Freshman OlympicsFreshman Class

The annual Chemistry

Olympiad was held by the American

Chemical Society April 30.

The 60 question exam lasted for two

hours, testing the students on various

facets of chemistry. Top chemistry high

school students from southern California

participated in the competition.

Andrew Kim, junior, Natty Lee,

Daniel Cho, and Karry Park, sophomores,

represented BOHS in the event.

“I was caught by surprise,”

said Kim after viewing his results.

His outstanding score was the

highest among the BOHS participants.

“ Im really proud of Andrew’s ability

in chemistry. He’s a really intelligent kid,”

said Wade Cormier, chemistry teacher.

Hwa Eun Kim

Chemistry OlympiadChemistry

Seniors in the Advanced Placement

Literature class went to Country Hills

Elementary School June 5 to read

picture books that they had made in

class. Students went around each class

to read their story books to the younger

students.

John Lee, senior, said, “I really

enjoyed my experience down at the

elementary school. I had fun reading

my book to the little second graders. It

was good to see that they enjoyed my

stories and pictures.”

Similarly, Ashton Russo, senior,

said, “It was a good experience. I think

it was worthwhile reading my stories to

the little kids. It was nice to come back

to the elementary school again.”

Chan Young Kim

Class Field tripSenior ClassPAL Freshman Class Chemistry Senior Class

On the night of June 17, the campus

will be transformed into an all-night

entertainment center, complete with

games, food, prizes, and more.

Grad Nite, which honors and

celebrates the graduating seniors, will

begin at 10:15 pm and end at 4:00 a.m.

For $120 a person, seniors will enjoy

numerous activities and be able to

spend time with their fellow graduates

before proceeding to their post-high

school plans.

“Grad Nite is a unique and

memorable celebration,” said Janet

Youngblood, Grad Nite Committee

Chairperson. “It is a night for our

graduates to be together for one last

time.”

Elizabeth Irvine

Grad Nite PreviewSenior Class

ESTHER HANSTAFF WRITER

It was a night long awaited by

many. Girls had spent hours searching

for the perfect dress while the guys

fitted themselves in suits and tuxedos.

As for the graduating class of 2009, it

was a night to commemorate their last

year in high school.

On May 30 at 8 p.m., doors opened

to welcome couples onto the red carpet

walkway that led to the magical world

of Arabian Nights. This year’s prom was

organized by junior class ASB members

and was held at one of the entertainment

hot-spots of Orange County, the Grove

in Anaheim.

Inside the theater were tables set up

with gourmet desserts such as cupcakes,

cookies, chocolate-dipped strawberries,

and caramel apples. Along with the

refreshments was a candy booth filled

with a variety of sweets laid out for

students to enjoy throughout the entire

night.

The third and fourth deck were filled

with tables set up for couples to rest or

eat. Each table had a simple centerpiece

of a lamp and balloon to compliment

the theme of Arabian Nights.

One of the main reasons why this

year’s prom was well-liked by many

was due to its spacious and roomy

dance-floor.

Elaine Yoo, junior, said, “A lot

of people said they enjoyed prom.

We chose this location because it was

similar to that of a club atmosphere.”

About half-way through the night,

a formal announcement of Prom King

and Queen was made in front of the

entire audience. As the tensed crowd

and nominees anxiously waited, seniors

Joshua Rood and Julia Yang were

crowned Prom King and Prom Queen

of 2009.

In response to being crowned King,

Rood said, “I was really surprised when

my name got called. A lot of people

were telling me ‘Hey! I’m voting for

you.’ My friends were very supportive

and they were all there cheering for me.

The night was really fun and it was a

great venue for the dance. It was a good

place and way to finish up the year.”

Yang, said, “I was surprised I

got crowned as Prom Queen. I was

just hoping that I wasn’t going to fall

walking up to the podium.”

Jocelyn Green, senior, added, “I

was so excited when Rood and Yang

got announced as Prom King and

Queen. They’re really likable people so

I assumed they would win.”

Majestic Powell, senior, said, “I

thought Prom went really well. I felt

safe there and the food and music

weregreat. I wish they had some form

of entertainment that related to the

theme a little bit more - maybe like

belly dancers or some Arabian music.

Overall, I thought it was memorable. I

would go again tonight if I could.”

Johnson, Willert receive school board recognitionANAR BATASTAFF WRITER

Music and lyrics mix with

Pythagoras and Newton for this year’s

teacher of the year award, which was

given to choir teacher, Dave Willert, and

mathematics teacher, Michelle Johnson

May 26 at a school board meeting.

After receiving this award, both

teachers felt “surprised and honored”

and felt they were awarded because of

their students.

“I love my students, plain and

simple. I feel that I became a teacher

to make a difference in the lives of the

people who will shape our future. I

believe my students learn well because

they know I care about their education,”

said Johnson.

A student of Johnson’s, Chris

Kang, senior, said, “She doesn’t just do

it for a job; she has a passion for her

students. She’s attentive and makes

sure that everyone does their work and

understands the material.”

Willert’s students also felt the same.

David Synder, junior said, “He trusts

us, so we in return respect him.”

“He is Teacher of the Year. He’s

dependable, and accountable and puts

in a lot of time working on our shows,”

said choir student, Rachel Weeks,

freshman.

Willert is not the only one with a

full plate. Johnson is the chair of the

WASC accreditation and School Site

Council chair. She is also in charge of

testing.

“It is very nice that the district takes

time to honor their employees. I wish

everyone could feel like a teacher of the

year in this way at some in their careers

to help them feel appreciated,” said

Willert.

RED CARPET ENTRANCE: Ismael Garcia and Alina Rotariu, seniors, walk alongside, making their glamor entrance.

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY: Amanda Dela Rosa and Clayton Cook, seniors throw their hands up as they dance among the crowd.

ALL EYES ON THE CROWN: (From left) Seniors Julia Yang, Cara Seo, Kiana Lewis, Stephanie Hentschel, and Jonae Ervin as prom queen nominees.

Photos by RACHEL KIM / Wildcat

NEWS JUNE 11, 2009 = PAGE 3WILDCAT

Fast Facts• What is the recognition?

• When was it given?May 26

Teacher of the Year

Blood drive encourages students to give back ABBIE MENDOZACOPY EDITOR

For the Blood Drive, May 22, the

auxiliary gym channeled all the details

and bustle of a miniature hospital. To

the left, ASB and American Red Cross

members were stationed at the entrance

to check for identification, while blood

donors sat on benches in front of a

small television in the waiting area to

the right. Off to the side, other students

were given a quick examination behind

blue curtains before being instructed

to lie down on black cots as blood was

drawn from their arms by nurses.

According to Dominique McGowan,

senior and social welfare commissioner

for ASB, organizing the Blood Drive

was a lengthy process that involved a

significant amount of time and effort

from everyone involved.

Participation in the event was

mandatory for the 36 ASB members,

who were each assigned to collect

the names of at least 10 donors. With

this method, about 360 students were

expected to sign up, but as McGowan

confessed, the event did not come

without certain challenges.

She found it difficult to encourage

students to donate blood “because they

are squeamish. Then, there are some

who physically can’t. Some will say that

they can, but they really just want to get

out of class. So it’s really frustrating.

70 percent actually intend to get out of

class, and 30 percent is just fluff.”

On the day of the Blood Drive, ASB

members entered the gym at 5:30 a.m.

to transform the gym into a temporary

JONATHAN PARK / Wildcat

BLOOD FLOW: Melissa Howe, senior, squeezes the red ball to relieve blood.

medical facility. Even though call

slips were sent to the donors every 15

minutes once classes began to prevent

the gym from getting “too backed up,”

McGowan said, complications came

up for several reasons, which forced

ASB to extend the Blood Drive beyond

school hours.

ASB members made sure that

“students were healthy and okay,”

according to McGowan. Also, they

were trained to recognize the signs of

passing out, such as when donors rested

their head on their palms, or when they

complained about temporary blindness.

But despite these precautionary

measures, a number of donors suffered

from fainting spells that left nurses

preoccupied and the waiting area

crowded with students anxious to return

to their classes.

Others, including Victoria

Richardson, senior, had their stay in the

gym prolonged for a different reason.

“My blood stopped flowing, and

the nurse made me lie down for an extra

20 minutes,” Richardson said.

As in years past, this season’s

Blood Drive had minor setbacks, but

many agree that the experience proved

to be worthwhile.

Though Amanda Hefner, senior, was

“disappointed” that she was unable to

donate blood because of her low blood

iron level, she said, “I try to sign up for

all the school blood drives, because I

look at it as a positive experience. I’ve

never had a bad one.”

Kayleigh Barnes, junior, who was

motivated to become a donor because

she “wanted to save three lives” with

RACHEL KIM / Wildcat

On June 4th, the annual Senior Luau was held at the senior quad. Each senior had to pay $6 for the ticket to participate.

The luau provided barbeque, potato salad, ice cream sandwiches, pasta, cookies and drinks.

This traditional event served as one of the last gatherings for the graduating class.

Senior Luau

her three pints of blood, said, “It feels

good to give to others. I feel like a

hero.”

Passionately involved in the Blood

Drive since her sophomore year,

McGowan revealed that she has a fear

of needles. However, this does not

stop her from giving blood at Kaiser

Hospital annually, thus living by her

own example.

“The fact that so many people keep

their fear of a prick keep them from

donating blood is sad, personally,” she

said. “I see people dying in hospitals,

people who get transfusions, and boys

who get into accidents. 30 minutes to

do something nice for someone else can

change your life. The most gratifying

part of being human is giving back.”

GIVING LIFE: Sheena Daas, junior, smiles as the nurse checks on her blood flow. One pint can save up to three lives.

RACHEL KIM / Wildcat

WILDCAT PAGE 4 = JUNE 11, 2009 NEWS