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For the days when your friendly neighborhood journalism crew needs to take a break
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
We got a winner!
Congratulations to Lauren Firth!
Please contact me for your gift card, rau@webb.org
Thank you for the 92 of you who completed the survey.
Hope to see you again next time.
Please contact me for your gift card, rau@webb.org
Thank you for the 92 of you who completed the survey.
Hope to see you again next time.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
KWEB'S BACK
As the winter season’s sports begin, KWEB starts to get into its groove and this year’s variety of shows will make people have to bookmark http://webb.org/kweb on their browsers. Sarah Lantz is the new faculty advisor for the school’s 53 year old radio station (yes 53 you read right, it started in 1957).
There have been many changes in personnel and even name changes to the shows from last year. “The Buck and Ben” show became “The Caberet Show,” but its hosts Buck Gores and Ben Davis are both back. Another show that underwent a name change without a change in deejays is “Operation Unicorn” (formerly “And Now for something completely Different”) with Shyla Watson and Lauren Firth.
One of KWEB’s most popular shows, Wang’s Poncho, lost Edman Urias who graduated last year, but Shihan Wijeyeratne is now the newest member of the Poncho. Eric He and Harrison Holmes are back again with “the Tuesday Show,” formerly “Somos Ninjatos”.
“Monday Morning Quarterback” became “A Tail of Three Cities” with the addition of former “No We Can’t” co-host Branden Lopez. And this year “A Tail of Three Cities” is not the only sports talk show, as former “Monday Morning Quarterback” producer Chris Jusuf teamed up with his brother Anthony to form “The Sports Show.” “Left/Right Kaapow” is a new show with Rachael Schiffris and former TVL deejay Lauren Clark
Completely new shows to KWEB this year also include the “M&M show”, “Couscous Tigers”, “The Daily Report”, “MeowCat” , “Into the Woods” and “Name of Show”.
Sunday Nights
The M&M show at 7:00. Michelle Thibodeaux and Mallory Thompson
Meow Cat at 8:00. Natalie Cruz and Marley Creen.
Wang’s Poncho at 9:00. Jeff Kang, Allen Xing, and Shihan Wijeyeratne.
Monday Nights
Name of Show at 7:00. Lauren Clark and Rachael Schiffris.
Into the Woods at 8:00. Kyle Smith and Bryan Fraley.
Operation Unicorn at 9:00. Shyla Watson and Lauren Firth.
Tuesday Nights
Name of Show at 8:00. Karanjeet Pujji and Charlotte Harris.
A Tail of Three Cities at 9:00. Alex Creem, Joseph Harari, and Branden Lopez.
Wednesday Nights
Sports Show at 7:00. Chris and Anthony Jusuf
The Sundae show at 8:00. Marja Diaz, Ivie Tokunboh, and Yiwa Lau.
The Tuesday Show at 9:00. Eric He and Harrison Holmes.
Thursday Nights
The Daily Report at 7:00. Jonathan Gunn and Cole Henry.
Couscous Tigers at 8:00. Emily Stewart and Summer Yoast.
The Caberet Show at 9:00. Buck Gores and Ben Davis.
There have been many changes in personnel and even name changes to the shows from last year. “The Buck and Ben” show became “The Caberet Show,” but its hosts Buck Gores and Ben Davis are both back. Another show that underwent a name change without a change in deejays is “Operation Unicorn” (formerly “And Now for something completely Different”) with Shyla Watson and Lauren Firth.
One of KWEB’s most popular shows, Wang’s Poncho, lost Edman Urias who graduated last year, but Shihan Wijeyeratne is now the newest member of the Poncho. Eric He and Harrison Holmes are back again with “the Tuesday Show,” formerly “Somos Ninjatos”.
“Monday Morning Quarterback” became “A Tail of Three Cities” with the addition of former “No We Can’t” co-host Branden Lopez. And this year “A Tail of Three Cities” is not the only sports talk show, as former “Monday Morning Quarterback” producer Chris Jusuf teamed up with his brother Anthony to form “The Sports Show.” “Left/Right Kaapow” is a new show with Rachael Schiffris and former TVL deejay Lauren Clark
Completely new shows to KWEB this year also include the “M&M show”, “Couscous Tigers”, “The Daily Report”, “MeowCat” , “Into the Woods” and “Name of Show”.
Sunday Nights
The M&M show at 7:00. Michelle Thibodeaux and Mallory Thompson
Meow Cat at 8:00. Natalie Cruz and Marley Creen.
Wang’s Poncho at 9:00. Jeff Kang, Allen Xing, and Shihan Wijeyeratne.
Monday Nights
Name of Show at 7:00. Lauren Clark and Rachael Schiffris.
Into the Woods at 8:00. Kyle Smith and Bryan Fraley.
Operation Unicorn at 9:00. Shyla Watson and Lauren Firth.
Tuesday Nights
Name of Show at 8:00. Karanjeet Pujji and Charlotte Harris.
A Tail of Three Cities at 9:00. Alex Creem, Joseph Harari, and Branden Lopez.
Wednesday Nights
Sports Show at 7:00. Chris and Anthony Jusuf
The Sundae show at 8:00. Marja Diaz, Ivie Tokunboh, and Yiwa Lau.
The Tuesday Show at 9:00. Eric He and Harrison Holmes.
Thursday Nights
The Daily Report at 7:00. Jonathan Gunn and Cole Henry.
Couscous Tigers at 8:00. Emily Stewart and Summer Yoast.
The Caberet Show at 9:00. Buck Gores and Ben Davis.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Foxfire
Foxfire: Resistance against the unjust world
What do you think of when you think of a girl gang? Thinking back to my Korean schools, I would often see girls with tight uniform skirts, glaring at people from a corner and bullying other students without any reason. Even though Joyce Carol Oates is one of my favorite authors, I hesitated to pick up the book Foxfire because it is about the confessions of a girl gang. The girl gangs in cartoons or movies, like Charlie’s angels, are portrayed as cool, strong women warriors. But in real life, what the gang members do cannot be justified. I was very curious how Oates would bring gang members to life in her writing. After finishing the last page of the book, I felt as if I was a member of the Foxfire gang. Even though their actions cannot be justified, I was attached to Legs, Maddy, Goldie and Lana.
This book is a fictional memoir by Maddy, one of the original members of Foxfire. They are raised in the fictional town of Hammond, New York. Legs is a charismatic figure, with the characteristics of feminine pride and solidarity. On January 1, 1953, the Foxfire ritual is held, and the girls become a gang by getting secret tattoos of the gang’s symbol, a red flame. The process of Foxfire becoming a gang is very interesting and funny in some way. It just seems like a group of teenage girls trying to be “cool” by adding tattoos to their bodies and forming a secret “clique.” However, as Foxfire starts taking action in the real world, readers discover that Foxfire is more than simply a “clique.” The first action Foxfire takes against the community is the public humiliation of their high school teacher, Mr. Buttinger. Mr. Buttinger sexually assaulted Rita by groping her breasts after telling her to stay after for extra help sessions. The first Foxfire adventure was non-violent; they paint graffiti messages on Mr. Buttinger’s car, and he is mocked by the school and quits teaching.
Foxfire takes bolder action after Maddy’s uncle rapes her. Foxfire brutally beats him up. As Foxfire’s actions become bolder, the community gets to know about them, and several girls want to join Foxfire. Most of their crimes are smalltime—vandalism and shoplifting. However, Foxfire also takes an interest in charity. Legs insists that the gang should donate money to those who are needy in the community. As the reader gets to know more about each Foxfire member and what they are doing, the reader gets more immersed in the situations the girls are involved in. These girls are from the working class; it is hard to receive an education, and they often suffer from domestic problems, such as child abuse and alcoholism. The gang seems to be their refuge from the terrible world they are living in, and where they often need to face prejudice and sexual assault.
However, this terrible situation does not mean their actions can be justified. They stole goods from local stores, committed violent crimes, and even kidnapped a wealthy man for ransom. Kidnapping, in particular, is a very serious crime. Whatever goals the girls may have, they need to pay for their crimes. Even for chivalrous robbers like Robin Hood or Hong Gil Dong, their crimes, mainly theft, cannot be justified.
Foxfire was their only way to tell the world about the injustice in their lives. The girls would never have received attention in society and would have been abused physically and mentally if they had lived as normal high school girls. They lived in a harsh world; Foxfire protected them. Under the name of Foxfire, the girls could punish men who did not treat them well. If Foxfire did not protect Rita from Mr. Buttinger or Maddy from her own uncle, these girls would have been abused constantly. Foxfire is the manifestation of their anger towards an unjust society. Even when girls are sexually assaulted by men, they are often not protected by the police. The girls of Foxfire are trying to fight this injustice in their own way.
Foxfire is not just simply a story about a female gang. It is a tribute to brave girls who have the courage to fight against injustice. The end of their journey might not seem to be a clear victory, because they didn’t change the corrupt police or decrease the number of women who were raped, but they inspired a lot of those who did not have the courage to stand up. As Mark Twain said, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” The Foxfire girls were probably also scared of the police or the law, but did not give up resisting the world.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Skiing and Snowboarding in Southern California
Bear Mountain
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| From Blog |
Big Bear is the biggest and most well developed mountain that is reachable for a day trip. Bear has the best park system in Southern California, and maybe the whole nation. The park is the main reason to go to Bear. The terrain itself lacks series steeps, but it does have some nice canyons for stashed powder. Being a Southern Californian mountain usually means a lack of snow, but Bear has 100% snowmaking capabilities, meaning that all runs on the mountain can be blanketed by snow guns overnight.
Mountain High is the easiest to get to out of all of the Southern Californian resorts. From Webb, it should only take 30-45 minutes, and the drive lacks the steep turns and switchbacks found on the way to Bear and Baldy. Mountain High has a decent amount of terrain, although it can get crowded. The terrain park should be able to suit all but the most experienced snowboarders.
Mountain High
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| From Blog |
Mt. Baldy
The closest mountain to us, Mt. Baldy offers the best steeps and difficult terrain in true Southern California. Baldy has only four lifts, which are all ancient tow seaters that bow and dip in the wind. There is little beginner terrain, but the untracked tree runs off of chair three should be able to satiate anyone’s needs for steeps and powder.
Mammoth Mountain
Easily the biggest and most varied mountain on the list, Mammoth is the hardest to get to because it is not reachable for a day trip. However, Mammoth does offer the largest amount of terrain and types of terrain. The park is mostly fueled by larger jumps and pipes, and the steeps off of the top are some of the steepest lift-accessed runs in the nation. Mammoth is the best mountain in Southern California, but its distance, and highly priced lift tickets (one day adult $92), can make Mammoth a problem for some visitors. However, Mammoth receives an average of 400” of snow per year, and a Mammoth powder day can easily define a snowboarder’s career.
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| From Blog |
Mammoth Mountain
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| From Blog |
Easily the biggest and most varied mountain on the list, Mammoth is the hardest to get to because it is not reachable for a day trip. However, Mammoth does offer the largest amount of terrain and types of terrain. The park is mostly fueled by larger jumps and pipes, and the steeps off of the top are some of the steepest lift-accessed runs in the nation. Mammoth is the best mountain in Southern California, but its distance, and highly priced lift tickets (one day adult $92), can make Mammoth a problem for some visitors. However, Mammoth receives an average of 400” of snow per year, and a Mammoth powder day can easily define a snowboarder’s career.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Cross Country is One Step Closer to State Championship
Complete Photo Album at: Cross Country CIF Prelims
Today at 9:38am, seven Webb runners, Bailey Stockdale, Shihan Wijeyeratne, Adrian Lam, Alex Yip, Marcos Lopez, Andrew Kim and Daniel Hernandez started the race at Cross Country CIF Prelims at Mt. Sac. With a total team time of 1:30:08, placing 5th in its heat, Webb qualifies as the last team to advance to CIF Finals. Congratulations!
The team warming up before the race starts.
Bailey Stockdale ('11) attacking the hill at Switchbacks.
Marcos Lopez ('13), Alex Yip ('11) and Adrian Lam ('11) running as a pack at Switchbacks.
Bailey Stockdale ('11) tries hard to pass the runner from Thacher. He finished the race 3rd with a time of 16:33.
Daniel Hernandez ('13) sprinting at the last 100m.
Andrew Kim ('13) passing two runners from Laguna Blanca at the last 100m.
Two points ahead of Riverside Prep, Webb advances to CIF Finals.
Today at 9:38am, seven Webb runners, Bailey Stockdale, Shihan Wijeyeratne, Adrian Lam, Alex Yip, Marcos Lopez, Andrew Kim and Daniel Hernandez started the race at Cross Country CIF Prelims at Mt. Sac. With a total team time of 1:30:08, placing 5th in its heat, Webb qualifies as the last team to advance to CIF Finals. Congratulations!
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| From Cross Country CIF Prelims |
The team warming up before the race starts.
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| From Cross Country CIF Prelims |
Bailey Stockdale ('11) attacking the hill at Switchbacks.
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| From Cross Country CIF Prelims |
Marcos Lopez ('13), Alex Yip ('11) and Adrian Lam ('11) running as a pack at Switchbacks.
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| From Cross Country CIF Prelims |
Bailey Stockdale ('11) tries hard to pass the runner from Thacher. He finished the race 3rd with a time of 16:33.
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| From Cross Country CIF Prelims |
Daniel Hernandez ('13) sprinting at the last 100m.
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| From Cross Country CIF Prelims |
Andrew Kim ('13) passing two runners from Laguna Blanca at the last 100m.
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| From Cross Country CIF Prelims |
Two points ahead of Riverside Prep, Webb advances to CIF Finals.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A Lesson Before Dying
Book Review of A Lesson Before Dying- How One Man Changed the Lives of Others
America is called the melting pot because of its diverse races, leaving insoluble racial issues. Even now, racism is taken seriously in schools, work environments and other places. Earnest J. Gaines’s novel, A Lesson Before Dying, deals with the issue of race in the 1940s. Jefferson, a young black man, is convicted of murdering a white man. A plantation school teacher, Grant Wiggins, is asked to visit Jefferson before his death. With friendship between the two growing, Wiggins persuades Jefferson to be a hero, and Jefferson accepts Wiggins’ persuasion. The process of Jefferson becoming a hero impacts not only Wiggins, but the entire Cajun community.
Jefferson is convicted as a murderer, and his attorney defends him by insisting that Jefferson is a foolish young boy, incapable of planning a murder. The attorney says he would rather put a hog in the electric chair than execute such a thoughtless individual. However, the court sentences Jefferson to death by electrocution. Jefferson’s Godmother, Miss Emma, asks Grant Wiggins to visit Jefferson until his death. Wiggins is a successful black man, a teacher at a local school; however, he is not satisfied with his life, and is always thinking about whether he should escape to another state. At first, Wiggins refuses to meet Jefferson, and Jefferson is also dissatisfied with meeting Wiggins. However, a transformation begins to occur between the two hurt and confused souls.
When Wiggins first approaches Jefferson, Jefferson calls himself a hog and refuses any sort of communication. Similarly, Wiggins doesn’t seem attached to Jefferson. Jefferson is locked in pain and agony, while Wiggins is hypocritical and depressed. Because Jefferson was raised in a racist society, he does not have faith in himself, his society or his church. He just wants to escape the situation. Innocent, young black Jefferson takes on the insult of being called a hog, and he is just waiting for his death. He is a dark, powerless symbol in the white-dominant society. However, through the communication with Wiggins, Jefferson begins to transform into a symbol of positive change.
Slowly, both Wiggins and Jefferson try to understand each other and talk with sincerity. Wiggins no longer is angry or upset about visiting Jefferson, and Jefferson also accepts Wiggins’ visits. Wiggins advises Jefferson to be a hero. He tells Jefferson, “A hero does for others. He would do anything for people he loves, because he knows it would make their lives better. I am not that kind of person, but I want you to be…They expect it from me, but not from you. The white people out there are saying that you do not have it—that you’re a hog, not a man. But I know they are wrong. You have the potentials; we all have no matter who we are”(191). While Jefferson is hurt by the insults, Wiggins tells him to become a hero by being a good Godson and a good friend, persuading him to prove to the white men that he is not a hog.
Wiggins’ advice works. Jefferson proclaims, “Me. Mr. Wiggins. Me. Me to take the Cross.” Wiggins decides to take on the cross of others and to be the sacrifice. He is dying as a scapegoat of racism, but he makes himself into a brave man rather than a hog. Jefferson says, “But tell them he was the bravest man in the room today. I’m a witness Grant Wiggins, Tell them so.” His heroic death changed both himself and Wiggins. Previously hypocritical, Wiggins begins to learn to take responsibility. The death of Jefferson also impacts his society. This is not delivered in the book, directly, but Gaines shows how the death of one common man can bring change to the society.
Jefferson was an innocent man who never had more than a dollar in his pocket and who wanted a gallon of ice cream for his final dinner. Just because he was black, he was accused of a crime and was sentenced to death. Also, people mock him, calling him a hog. In the beginning, Jefferson is just a symbol of sorrow, but throughout the book, he turns out to be a hero who changes the society. Wiggins, an educated pessimistic black man, also transforms into a new person because he sees the injustice that Jefferson has faced. A Lesson Before Dying is not just a novel, it is a life lesson for all of us, because we all have the potential to change the world.
America is called the melting pot because of its diverse races, leaving insoluble racial issues. Even now, racism is taken seriously in schools, work environments and other places. Earnest J. Gaines’s novel, A Lesson Before Dying, deals with the issue of race in the 1940s. Jefferson, a young black man, is convicted of murdering a white man. A plantation school teacher, Grant Wiggins, is asked to visit Jefferson before his death. With friendship between the two growing, Wiggins persuades Jefferson to be a hero, and Jefferson accepts Wiggins’ persuasion. The process of Jefferson becoming a hero impacts not only Wiggins, but the entire Cajun community.
Jefferson is convicted as a murderer, and his attorney defends him by insisting that Jefferson is a foolish young boy, incapable of planning a murder. The attorney says he would rather put a hog in the electric chair than execute such a thoughtless individual. However, the court sentences Jefferson to death by electrocution. Jefferson’s Godmother, Miss Emma, asks Grant Wiggins to visit Jefferson until his death. Wiggins is a successful black man, a teacher at a local school; however, he is not satisfied with his life, and is always thinking about whether he should escape to another state. At first, Wiggins refuses to meet Jefferson, and Jefferson is also dissatisfied with meeting Wiggins. However, a transformation begins to occur between the two hurt and confused souls.
When Wiggins first approaches Jefferson, Jefferson calls himself a hog and refuses any sort of communication. Similarly, Wiggins doesn’t seem attached to Jefferson. Jefferson is locked in pain and agony, while Wiggins is hypocritical and depressed. Because Jefferson was raised in a racist society, he does not have faith in himself, his society or his church. He just wants to escape the situation. Innocent, young black Jefferson takes on the insult of being called a hog, and he is just waiting for his death. He is a dark, powerless symbol in the white-dominant society. However, through the communication with Wiggins, Jefferson begins to transform into a symbol of positive change.
Slowly, both Wiggins and Jefferson try to understand each other and talk with sincerity. Wiggins no longer is angry or upset about visiting Jefferson, and Jefferson also accepts Wiggins’ visits. Wiggins advises Jefferson to be a hero. He tells Jefferson, “A hero does for others. He would do anything for people he loves, because he knows it would make their lives better. I am not that kind of person, but I want you to be…They expect it from me, but not from you. The white people out there are saying that you do not have it—that you’re a hog, not a man. But I know they are wrong. You have the potentials; we all have no matter who we are”(191). While Jefferson is hurt by the insults, Wiggins tells him to become a hero by being a good Godson and a good friend, persuading him to prove to the white men that he is not a hog.
Wiggins’ advice works. Jefferson proclaims, “Me. Mr. Wiggins. Me. Me to take the Cross.” Wiggins decides to take on the cross of others and to be the sacrifice. He is dying as a scapegoat of racism, but he makes himself into a brave man rather than a hog. Jefferson says, “But tell them he was the bravest man in the room today. I’m a witness Grant Wiggins, Tell them so.” His heroic death changed both himself and Wiggins. Previously hypocritical, Wiggins begins to learn to take responsibility. The death of Jefferson also impacts his society. This is not delivered in the book, directly, but Gaines shows how the death of one common man can bring change to the society.
Jefferson was an innocent man who never had more than a dollar in his pocket and who wanted a gallon of ice cream for his final dinner. Just because he was black, he was accused of a crime and was sentenced to death. Also, people mock him, calling him a hog. In the beginning, Jefferson is just a symbol of sorrow, but throughout the book, he turns out to be a hero who changes the society. Wiggins, an educated pessimistic black man, also transforms into a new person because he sees the injustice that Jefferson has faced. A Lesson Before Dying is not just a novel, it is a life lesson for all of us, because we all have the potential to change the world.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, coming soon
The first part of the seventh and final Harry Potter novel, “Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows,” screens Nov. 19 nationwide.
It will be the penultimate installment to the Harry Potter film franchise. A lot has happened since the end of the last movie. After the death of Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), Voldemort's Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts and begin their hunt for “the boy who lived” (Daniel Radcliffe) and his two trustworthy companions Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). The magical trio commit truancy in order to seek and destroy Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes - dark magic objects used to attain immortality that are tying him to the realm of the living.
The book culminates with the battle at Hogwarts, but the movie has been divided into two parts, so audiences can assume they will have to wait until June 2011 to see the epic climax to the series. The directors and screenwriters promise audiences that Part One will not disappoint.
“It’s been an amazing year, working with so many talented and experienced people was a great pleasure for me. We have a lot to share with you guys and on behalf of entire cast and crew I can tell you that you’ll love it,” said Director David Yates in his last interview.
The main slogan, “Nowhere is safe,” appears on all the movie posters. Harry, Ron and Hermione must rely on one another more than ever before as dark forces descend upon them.
Fans should expect a lot of action and special effects. Most of the scenes were shot with hand-held camcorders on the streets of London, a couple of national parks and forests and the studio where all of the previous movies were shot. More than 500 people were involved in the production and they all say that this is going to be two and a half hours of a breathtaking story.
Fans are intrigued, tickets are already selling, cast and crew are getting ready for the premiere.
Nov. 19, mark this day on your calendars, fellow muggles. The countdown is officially on.
- By Ally Zyricheva
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Photo Replay: October
Full Photo Album at: Photo Replay: October
The theme week unveils with the ASB members presenting this year's theme.
Jordan Jones ('12) blasts through the defense on the third down.
Eyes on the ball: Jessica Jaw ('12) watches the ball as she hits it over the net in the doubles with her partner Emily Kan ('11).
In singles, Meaghan McConnell ('12), the top seed tennis player at Webb won the game against Polytechnic Pasadena.
Laura Yun ('12) winds up to hit a screaming liner. Webb won 10 to 8 in the end against Polytechnic Pasadena.
First year goalie, Ali Solangi ('13), intends to block a well-placed shot from Flintridge Prep.
Dana Edwards ('11) and Jessica Rice ('12) reach to reject a spike from Rio Hondo Prep.
Madison Fuelling ('11), with the support from the team, passes the ball to her teammate, setting the Lady Guals up for a point.
Dr. Gilbert directs her own composition of the Star Spangled Banner before the football game on Alumni Weekend.
Everett Chu ('11) outruns Polytechnic Pasadena's defense and scores a touchdown for Webb.
Freshmen explain their civilization to upperclassman at Archeaology Night on October 10th in Hooper Center.
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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| From Photo Replay: October |
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