Other than her challenging academic schedule, Baumgartner played volleyball for West High for three years and also played club volleyball.  “Although I didn’t join every activity I could have, I enjoyed everything I did because of the people I met.” Other than studying and playing volleyball, Baumgartner also has a passion for writing and this interest has led to her hoping to achieve a career in journalism. Her passion for writing led to her joining the Yearbook Chieftain Staff this year. When asked about her plans for college, she stated, “College is just another stepping stone for me, especially with a new environment and new experiences waiting for me. I hope that everything I learned in high school can benefit me in college. The people were so great inTorrance; I can only hope that I can meet amazing people elsewhere.”

  Baumgartner sees her four years as more than just being academically ranked one, because there’s more to high school than just studying. “I’ve met so many great people and created various memories that I look back at West with a smile. Although I don’t know where I’m going to college just yet, I’m thankful for the acceptances and have been glad it’s all paid off until this point.” Currently, Baumgartner has narrowed her list of college choices to either Boston College or Villanova “I don’t choose a college based on how highly ranked it is; I make my decision based on how well I think I’ll fit in. Obviously I won’t be staying inCalifornia, but hopefully I can easily get adjusted out of state.”

  Baumgartner has big, but reachable dreams for her future, but no matter where she ends up, she will be successful. Good luck to Laura in all her future endeavors no matter wherever she ends up.

   Barrett first decided he wanted to be a part of theater when he was involved in a Performing Arts Workshop as a kid and “ever since that moment, [he has] loved the world of theater.” In his childhood years, he performed in several different types of musicals including The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, and Oklahoma. Additionally, he held lead roles in The Phantom of the Opera, Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Beauty and the Beast. He later began to perform in Community Theater and ended playing major roles in productions directed by Morgan Land.  

   Initially when Barrett joined acting, he had ‘stage fright’, but throughout his experiences, he has found that there are a number of ways to practice one’s theater skills which include “improv games, voice and dance lessons.”  Barrett has also put his theater skills to work by joining Speech and Debate. His work in this organization has led to his winning numerous awards and despite it being his first year in Debate, he has earned recognition for his brilliant performances at tournaments.

   Even though some missed his amazing performance in Little Shop of Horrors, then students will have the opportunity to see him perform at the Scarlata Theater on both Thursday and Friday. Speech and Debate will be holding a Debate Showcase to raise money for state-destined debaters and among the performers will be Barrett. If you haven’t seen the talent of this sophomore in the musical, go to the showcase and watch him put on a show.

While most seniors are waiting patiently for their acceptance/rejection letters from various colleges, Julia Springer (12) already knows where she will be going in the fall. Springer was accepted early decision to Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Wellesley College is an all women liberal arts college.  Notable alumnae include Hilary Clinton class of 1969 and Diane Sawyer class of 1967.

Springer chose Wellesley because, “My sister is there and it is a very well-rounded and prestigious school. I feel I can get a strong education if I go there.” The application process is a general essay, a supplement, and a ‘Why Wellesley?’ essay, all done through the common app.

When Springer found out that she was accepted early decision she said, “I was jumping up and down and I ran to my dad and was yelling that I got in.” As a backup she applied to Vassar, Brandeis, and Mount Holyoke. Applying early decision is risky because once you are accepted you are required to go. She claimed, “I was really certain that Wellesley was the right school for me after I went to visit.” She also added, “I am really looking forward to experiencing a new lifestyle, being   on my own for the first time, and meeting inspirational and intelligent women.

Springer will be attending the school her freshman year with an undecided major. She claimed, “It is a liberal arts college so I do not have to declare a major until sophomore year and I can take a broad range of classes so I can try everything.” She also mentioned that she is very excited about not attending a co-ed school and I am really grateful to all the people who helped me get into Wellesley.”

   Although most may not know the details of Ms. Yoo’s self-proclaimed “strangest moment at West,” what is commonly known by all Warriors is her occupation.

Ms. Yoo has been our assistant principal for the past two years, a job which entails responsibilities such as supervision of the discipline and counseling offices, and authority over the math, social studies, and foreign language departments.

Despite the fact that she is relatively new in the field of assistant-principal-ing, Ms. Yoo is no stranger to administrative positions.

Before she was an assistant principal, Ms. Yoo was known on campus as the activities director for about six years.  Before that, she was a full time Social Studies teacher, and even before that, in 1998, she landed her very first job at West  as an off-campus coach for tennis and track.

Ms. Yoo relished her days as a coach; in fact, she admitted that not being able to coach anymore is “one of the worst parts of [her] job.”  The best part, however, is “the kids. The kids are always the best part, regardless.”

Her passion for working with youth is evident in her occupational history; before she came to West, Ms. Yoo worked as the ELD coordinator at Jefferson Middle school, and four years prior to that, she was employed in the Lynwood school district.

Ms. Yoo had always intended to work in the field of education.  She obtained her Master’s degree at Long Beach State in political science, and then eventually her administrator’s credential, exiting college with the aim of always being a social studies teacher. But when former assistant principal Mr. Girgis left West two years ago, “it just kind of happened” that Ms. Yoo took over.

What else will “just kind of happen” in Ms. Yoo’s future?    Who knows what her next occupational endeavor  will  be? Even Ms. Yoo  herself admitted that she “[has]  no idea what [she’ll] be doing in ten years.” Let’s just hope that whatever she does, she steers clear of any  head trauma  caused by  sports stars!

Lin was completely by from college scouts in high school and was never drafted by any of the thirty NBA teams. When he got a job, he was unable to stick around with two teams who decided to take a chance with him. When he signed with the New York Knicks, he would be watching games from the end of the bench, and because he was not sure if the team would keep him, Lin slept on his brother’s apartment on the sofa. For Lin, he lived day-to-day; uncertain where tomorrow would take him, his contract was unguaranteed, he did not have a house, and at times he felt crushed.

His team, the Knicks, was not doing much better. Losers of seven straight games with two of their superstars unable to play, the Knicks really had nothing more to lose. Playing in a game against the New Jersey Nets that would have likely been their eighth consecutive loss, the head coach Mike D’Antoni was ready to throw in the towel. He put Lin in the game where Lin did the unthinkable. Two hours filled with eye- popping baskets and dazzling passes, Lin led the team to victory. The night led to a feel-good story that of which only happens once in a while; however, Lin had no intention of stopping his golden opportunity.

His story was going all around the NBA like wildfire, a result from playing in the biggest market that is New York City. When news spread to Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant, Bryant sought to put an end to this “Linsanity” that captured the heart of those around him.

Then Lin became sensational. The first time he ever scored 38 points in his life was against the future Hall of Famer. Bryant, who earns more than twenty million dollars per year, was humbled by a man making significantly less money than him. Lin’s glory was not only defined by upstaging Bryant; now that he is playing significant minutes, the Knicks have won eight of their last ten in contrast to the seven straight losses preceding the breathtaking run.

Yet as fascinating as he has been on the court, this odds-defying run by Lin is about much more than just basketball. It is about what intrigues America to which has never grown to such enormous depths; the race factor. It is the absolutely enticing part of this wonderful tale because as an athletic Taiwanese blood genius from Harvard is busy making heads turn in awe, he is also vigorously shattering stereotypes. It is that unique element, race, which jolts “Linsanity” up several notches, in a refreshingly encouraging way and the greatness is that through his actions, ignorance and bias crumble to pieces.

As Lin’s success continues to build, the sports world scrutinizes every single action and outcome wondering what would happen next. Because no one has ever seen anything like this before, nothing of the future is known or can be predicted. However, the only certainty is that Lin has captivated the heart of America with his work ethic and honest approach to the game, and he shows no sign of slowing down.

Currently, he teaches three separate English courses: English 1, English Language and Composition AP, and Power and Justice.  The differences between their curriculum, as Mr. Evans explained, are the depth and speed in which the courses progress, and the complexity of the types of reading and writing.  Recently, however, Mr. Evans has been slowly integrating writing synthesis papers into all three of his classes.   The synthesis paper—drawing on three separate sources and combining them to establish a concurrent point—is already a large part of the English AP class curriculum; however, upcoming changes in standardized testing will require all students to demonstrate ability in this style of writing.

As a teacher of the aforementioned courses, Mr. Evans has 5 class periods, yet usually stays for the full day at school.  Though he agreed that each year requires putting in a great deal of time and effort into teaching, and providing additional help when necessary, Mr. Evans asserted that it is all worth it in the end; “one of the greatest things about teaching is seeing student growth and comparing students’ performances from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.”

Interestingly, this passionate, dedicated instructor did not always have an innate desire to go into the field of education.  In college, Mr. Evans tried out television and film production courses, but later decided that he wanted a more stable occupation.  He had always been strong in reading and writing; naturally, he chose to instruct in the English department.   Yet even before teaching, he had a slightly different educational career in mind.  Earning his teaching credential at Long Beach State, and his Master’s degree in education at Azusa Pacific University, he had initially intended to become an administrator.

Now, Mr. Evans is more than pleased that he ultimately chose to become a teacher; he sees himself “teaching here at West for perhaps another 20 years.”  As for other future plans, he admitted that that notion of someday publishing a book is a fun one.  For now, you can catch Mr. Evans in room 4201; perhaps in the future, students will be glimpsing his name on the cover of a best-seller.

Drumming since her freshman year, Yasaki’s initial interest in percussion was influenced by  her two older sisters, who had both been in Drumline before her.  Her previous experience in band and keyboarding contributed to her being chosen as captain, a position which entails “dedication, communication, a lot of practice, and respect for others to get respect in return,” according to Yasaki.

Such a leadership role is certainly not easy.  In her opinion, the most difficult aspect of being a part of Drumline is “the many hours that are put into practices and competitions.”  Due to the fact that many of the other Drumline members are enrolled in multiple honors and AP courses, “getting homework done easily on days where a practice is scheduled is very tough.”  Very tough indeed, seeing as the typical practice schedule is from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. on Mondays, 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. on Wednesdays, and occasional weekend practices that can last as long as 8 hours!

With such long, rigorous hours, one may expect Yasaki to have virtually no free time.  However, she still finds time for frequent involvement at her Buddhist church, and Taiko, a Japanese form of drumming.  In addition, she takes part in winter Drumline, which is optional, which consists of much more work than fall season, and “definitely an extracurricular [Yasaki is] proud to be a part of.”  When she is not leading the West’s Drumline, volunteering at church or Taiko drumming, Yasaki can be found texting incessantly, playing games on her iPod, and spending time with friends.

Though in college, Yasaki “[does not] plan on joining any Drumline groups” and will “be focusing more on academics,” she loves Drumline.  Yasaki asserted fondly that in Drumline, “we have fun, have inside jokes, and definitely fight, but in the end, we’re all back on good terms. We act like a family.”

   Resolutions can be easy to break, simply due to weak willpower or loss of enthusiasm, with a documented 78% resolutions result in failure each year. However, with the right amount of determination and an accurate strategy for maintaining one’s goals, resolutions can be upheld. For example, students promise to change certain aspects of their lives for the approaching year. Popular ones amongst students include studying more, improving time management and volunteering more frequently. Some students were asked about their respective resolutions for 2012. Kyung Cho (11) stated, “I want to find my purpose in life, then I want to focus on the typical things such as getting better grades and leading a better lifestyle.” Inna Echual (11) also added, “I simply want to have more fun this year; I want to enjoy life.” Generally, when it comes to resolutions, people are interested in improving specific various things in their lives in order to better their lives as a whole, and Resolutions can be easily followed if one possesses a clear mindset.

   Along with students, adults also possess their individual declarations for the New Year. AP English Language teacher Mrs. Sprague commented, “Each year I promise myself I’m going to lose twenty pounds, but Valentine’s

Day comes around and I like those conversational hearts and chocolate treats.”

   Resolutions are generally for anyone and their range is endless. From lifestyle adjustments to financial changes like spending less and saving more, resolutions take many different forms. Some are spiritual and self-seeking while others are physical and health-related. Despite this, the important virtue is living a healthy, positive life, regardless of the resolutions we make each year. Start thinking of good ways to adhere to your respective resolutions and remember it’s never to late to make a change.

Along with these positions, she participates in Bollywood Dance that presents annual shows in Hollywood. Every weekend, Ganesh dedicates herself to rigorous practices and rehearsals in order to present a picture-perfect dance. Her dedication to dance presents a love for her ethnicity. Both dancing and tennis display Ganesh’s exuberant energy, both of which she has participated in since freshman year. The tennis team has been a second family for her, with each fall season occupied with hours of practices and games that can last late into the day. As senior year approached, Ganesh was appointed as a Tennis Co-Captain with Danica Hu (12). She was very excited to both lead and bond with the team.

With all of this on Ganesh’s mind, it is hard to imagine how she manages her time. With many activities that take up a lot of energy, she still is able to balance her schoolwork as well. Ganesh remarks, “I make sure I prioritize my activities and I write down everything I need to accomplish; even the small things, because we tend to forget a lot. Also, I never think of any of my activities as work. I make it a point to enjoy everything I do.” All the work and dedication she puts in is seen as things she thoroughly enjoys.

As Ganesh reflects on the past three years in high school, she remarks, “My years at West have been both long and short. On one hand, I can’t wait to graduate, become independent, and discover my future. However, looking back, it is hard to think those four years ago, I was a freshman, naive and unaware. But honestly, a little part of me wants to take my time during senior year. I want to experience everything, try something new, basically make memories that I can share long after high school.” Memories last a lifetime; and Ganesh makes it a point to enjoy everything now with the people around.