Temple City Voice

This Friday marks the beginning of the 64th annual Camellia Festival, a three-day celebration filled with carnival games, food, rides, and people from different cities who come together and celebrate the beauty of Temple City. This year’s parade theme is “Childhood Fantasies” which was created by Longden student, Kevin Vine.

The history behind the Camellia Festival comes from the inspiration to adopt a city flower. The Women’s Club of 1945 started the tradition with the help of the Chamber of Commerce. The first parade consisted of Girl scouts who passed out camellias to the public, while a “queen” sat in a car that paraded the city. Soon the tradition grew to having youth groups participate in this “parade” and with time, it grew to what it is today.

Attending the Camellia Festival is more than going on rides and eating hot dogs. Going to the festival is like being a part of tradition that has lasted 64 years.

This article was written by Melanie Thi. It was published in the Temple City Voice on February 20, 2008.

Last Tuesday, California voters turned out in large numbers to vote in the special presidential primary election. The California state legislature had moved up the presidential primary to February 5 to make California a power player during the nominating process.

Democratic and Decline to State voters decided among New York Senator Hillary Clinton, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, and former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel. John Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice-presidential nominee, bowed out of the race before the Super Tuesday primaries.

In Temple City, semi-final results show Hillary Clinton beat Barack Obama by a 2-1 margin. Clinton won 1957 votes to Obama’s 902 votes.

John McCain, the Arizona Senator, has emerged as the front-runner of the Republican field. McCain won decisive victories, including California, over former Governor Mitt Romney, Congressman Ron Paul, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Romney suspended his campaign after winning a handful of states on February 5. *Note, Republicans held a closed primary.

Voters in Temple City also chose John McCain over Mitt Romney by a thin margin. Preliminary tallies show McCain with 830 votes, Romney with 738, and Mike Huckabee with 246 votes.

Temple City citizens also voted heavily against Propositions 91-94, but strongly in favor of the four Indian gaming referendums.
Full results will be published in next week’s issue of the Temple City Voice.

This article was written by Angie Yeh. It was published in the Temple City Voice on February 13, 2008.

The Junior State of America (JSA), a nationwide, student-run organization, has always been known for devoting its efforts towards instilling political awareness in today’s youth.

On February 2, 2008, Temple City High School’s JSA chapter continued to uphold this reputation by hosting its annual Mini-Convention, themed “Rising Above Apathy”. The event attracted nearly one hundred high school students from across southern California, including those from Bishop Amat Memorial High School, Marina High School, and several others.

The day was highlighted by a guest appearance from Ken Maxey, Deputy Political Director of the Democratic National Party. In accordance with the convention’s title, Maxey stressed the fact that “we have to get our young people involved [in politics]“.

Over the course of the Mini-Con, students had the opportunity to engage in various political discussions and debates regarding the issues that face us today, like abortion, border control, and civil unions. One event even featured a presidential candidate simulation, in which students played the parts of the United States’ next presidential hopefuls while answering questions from an intrigued audience.

Throughout the day, the recurring theme appeared to be that, although many people are discontent with the current political situation, very few actively pursue any change. Students realized that there is a big difference between believing in something and acting on behalf of those convictions, which was emphasized by the Director of Special Activities.

To close out the convention, JSA Co-Presidents Patricia Chou and Evelyn Kessler encouraged the attendees, many of whom will be of voting age by November 2008, to sustain their interest and involvement in politics.

This article was written by Jason Wu. It was published in the Temple City Voice on February 13, 2007.

In recognition of the beginning of the Lunar New Year, which took place last Thursday, and in regards to the article published last week, the topic of zodiacs was addressed without much detail. There are many legends and stories regarding the Chinese Zodiac, each with a different version and explanation of why the zodiac was set up the way it is, and here is one myth.

One popular legend involves a race, also known as the race of the Zodiacs. The story takes place in sixth century B.C. and also offers an explanation of why the cat is a rat’s most hated enemy.

The Jade Emperor decided to hold a race for all the animals in the world but only a few arrived to take part. The animals were to race across a swift current river. The cat and the rat were very good friends, but because they were both unskilled swimmers, the two asked the ox if they could ride on his head, so that the three may cross the terrible river together. The ox, naïve and kindhearted, agreed and the three began to cross.

Along the way, the rat decided that, as good a friend as the cat and he were, winning was more important. Taking action, he quickly pushed the cat off of the ox’s back and the cat fell into the river. Unable to swim, the poor cat was left in the waters, unable to reach the finish line. The cat, known as the tiger, never forgave the rat for his betrayal.

After the rat’s betrayal of his friend, the ox neared the finish line and the rat quickly jumped from the ox’s head and landed onto shore, finishing first, with the ox reaching the goal second. Coming in third, the tiger was able to cross the unforgiving currents with his raw strength and power. The fourth animal, the rabbit, was able to cross by jumping from stone to stone, finally drifting to shore on a log.

The dragon, the fifth animal, had the ability to finish the race in first place, but he explained to the emperor that it was because he had to stop to make rain for the life on earth. The dragon also had to stop along the way to help a small rabbit, stuck on a log, float to shore. As time passed, the next animal to near the goal was the horse, but, a slimy and sneaky snake, hiding on the horse’s hoof spooked the galloping creature. Because of this, the snake was able to become the sixth animal and the horse the seventh.

As the race went on, the sheep, monkey, and chicken were each able to cross the mighty river by helping each other, thus making them the eighth, ninth, and tenth animals, respectively. The last two animals, the dog and the pig, each had an explanation to why they were so late.

The dog, on his way over, decided to take his time with a bath, using the fresh water. The pig however, simply got hungry and stopped to eat. He then became tired and decided to take a nap. It wasn’t only until after he had awoken from his nap did he continue the race, finally finishing as the last and twelfth animal on the Chinese Zodiac.

Though there is no definite interpretation behind how the zodiac is arranged, it is important to understand the influence it has on the Chinese traditions for the new year.

This article was written by Angie Yeh. It was published in the February 13, 2007 issue of the Temple City Voice.

Temple City High School’s Comedy Sportz team showcased their comic talents as they improvised their way through hilarious 2-hour show on Friday, January 25.

“It’s competitive improv,” says referee Silvie Zamora. As referee, Zamora’s job was to serve as the game’s host while making sure that the competitors, or “actletes” as they are called, kept the show family-friendly.

The red team, which consisted of students Justin Chiapetta, Jonna Smalldridge, Samuel Thorne, and Isabel Yao, went head-to-head against the blue team of Candice Aparicio, Chad Armbrust, Jacky Chan, and Evelyn Kessler in an entertainingly ferocious duel of comedic wit.

Some of the night’s games included “Forward or Reverse”. In this particular match, one team was required to act out a scene requested by the audience. When Zamora blew her whistle, the actletes had to reenact all of their lines and movements backwards, then forward on the next cue, and then alternate back and forth, ad infinitum. Raucous laughter permeated through the room as the entertainers stumbled over forgotten lines.

At the end of the night’s show, the blue team narrowly prevailed by a score of 38 to 35. Nonetheless, it was obvious that no hard feelings were present in the friendly environment.

Blue team actlete, Evelyn Kessler, spoke kindly of the casual atmosphere when she noted that the night “reminded me of why I love Comedy Sportz. I just have fun and try not to worry about looking stupid.”

The show was only the first of many to come this season. Comedy Sportz’ next game has been scheduled to be held some time in late March. If you missed this show, there will be plenty more opportunities to experience comedic improvisation at its best.

This article was written by Jason Wu. It was published in the February 6, 2008 issue of the Temple City Voice.

Tomorrow will be a big day for many people around the world. Children will have time off from school to celebrate and the adults will be busy preparing a feast and handing out red envelopes. It will also be a day filled with celebration and family, a day filled with cheer and many wishes of wealth and good fortune. After a year of waiting, the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays will finally arrive: Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year.

A traditional New Year feast is usually composed of 10 dishes, symbolizing prosperity and completeness. Chicken, eggs, fish, and meat are only a few of the components in the large variety of dishes. According to tradition however, on the day of the feast, the fish, though cooked, is not to be eaten. This is to symbolize frugalness and having the ability to set aside for the New Year.

Another tradition is the giving away of red envelopes from parents to children, adults to elders, and from the married to the unmarried, no matter what age. The envelopes are filled with money and the red on the envelope is used as a symbol of good luck. The actual amount within the envelope varies, though the amount is usually initiated with an even number, mainly because an odd amount would usually be given to people during a funeral.

There are many more traditions and festivities, other than the ones mentioned above, which will help make tomorrow a day where families come together for celebration.

Lastly, today will be the last day in the year of the pig. And because the pig is the last of the 12 animals on the Chinese Zodiac, the year of the rat begins tomorrow. It will also be the start of a new cycle for the next 12 years, since the Chinese Zodiac is comprised of 12 animals: the Rat, the Ox, the Tiger, the Rabbit, the Dragon, the Snake, the Horse, the Lamb, the Monkey, the Chicken, the Dog, and the Pig.

Like the Chinese say, “Gung Hay Fat Choy!” which translates into: best wishes and congratulations. Even if you don’t celebrate the lunar year, we hope you have a prosperous and good year!

This article was written by Angie Yeh. It was published in the Temple City Voice on February 6, 2008.

Temple City High School has yet again experienced another change in its administration this year, with Christopher Sewell as the new dean at Temple City High School. For approximately a month now, Sewell has taken the place of former Dean Kevin Herrington, who was promoted to Assistant Principal in November.

Before starting at TCHS, Sewell worked in a number of educational related jobs. Sewell worked for the Non-Public School Liaison for Whittier Union High School District, was a former Dean of Education for Zinsmeyer/ Vista Ridge Academy, and an administrator for issues with student behavior in the Long Beach Unified School District.

With his expertise in dealing with students and his history in education, Sewell brings a new perspective to his job. Some of the responsibilities Sewell has as the new dean include student disciplines for grades ninth and eleventh, overlooking campus safety, attendance, discipline and intervention, and administering the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Examination).

Mr. Sewell is excited and hopeful about working at TCHS, saying, “Students have been very helpful, as well as the community and campus.” He says though the environment is different that where he has worked before, such as more students, a bigger campus, and more students to know, Mr. Sewell feels invigorated to be up to the challenge and eager to meet more people. Although it is difficult to come into the school year half over, Mr. Sewell feels that the community and the school has given him a warm welcome and has been very hospitable and helpful.

When asked about the recent acts of violence around Temple City and the impact of this on the High School, Mr Sewell is hopeful. He says we can prevent this by being “proactive and [having] the community work together with the school … to get on the right track.” He believes the most important thing is to have the campus be a safe, positive and productive learning environment. He says he will continue to stress community membership and responsibility and by doing so, “everybody works together, everybody is on the same page.”

This article was written by Connie Lu. It was published by the Temple City Voice on February 6, 2008.