Temple City Voice

While other California Schools often send senior graduates to theme parks for post-graduation celebrations, Temple City will once more follow its own sixteen-year tradition and host “Grad Nite” held on the high school campus.

This more centralized event allows graduates a safe, supervised ground for festivities and camaraderie. The event will take place on Friday, June 19 and will run from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the following morning.

With the glamorous theme “I Love L.A.,” 2009 graduates will be granted full red-carpet treatment, enjoying entertainment, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and a hypnotist show. They will not be permitted to leave campus until the event is over.

Publicity Chair of the event, Karen Scauzillo, led fundraisers to provide extra funds for the “huge undertaking” at hand.

“I worked with the committee during the year,” Scauzillo said, “and we got the word out about fundraisers, various events, and volunteer opportunities.”

The theme also required extensive development, both in the idea stage and further bringing it to life.

“The Grad Nite theme last year was ‘Hollyweird,’” Scauzillo added. “The practical idea is to develop a theme somewhat related to the previous year so you can reuse some of the props. [Grad Night] requires a lot of props and backgrounds, as well as an enormous amount of money.”

Karen participated in the creation of props that could not be reused.

“It’s a ton of work,” Scauzillo admitted, “because we start meeting in September and we start working in January. On Saturdays and Wednesday nights, we have work parties where make props and decorations.”

While graduate guests cannot view the high school’s decorations beforehand, public tours will be available from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. the same day. They are $2 per person and grant a full walkthrough and complete viewing of the school’s alterations.

Soon-to-be graduating seniors have been excited for the event for some time.

“I’m pumped,” senior Ramandeep Kaur said. “It should be fun. It’s like a last get-together with your senior friends; ones you [might] never see again. It seems like it will be really exciting. I can’t want to hang out with my friends.’”

With all the planning, secretiveness, and resulting anticipation, Grad Nite 2009 is sure to be a success: a night to remember.

This article was written by Katie Brown. It was published in the Temple City Voice on June 19, 2009.

The Temple City Voice would like to congratulate each member of the Temple City High School Class of 2009. Good luck and best wishes!

Unlike any other club at Temple City High School, Model United Nations–or as club members called it, MUN–is a club dedicated to giving students a taste of the real United Nations located in New York City.

Every year, they attend two main conferences: UCLA’s, around November, and Berkeley’s, around March. Students work in pairs and are assigned different countries in order to research their countries’ policies and to develop resolutions for different problems. As Vice-President of Model United Nations, junior Ivy Vuong explains what MUN is all about.

What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations is basically a simulation of the United Nations. Students assume the roles of delegates and represent a specific country. As diplomats, we are required to represent the policies of our country and then work with other countries to form resolutions to world issues.

What is the purpose of Model United Nations?

In all, the purpose is to be more aware of world issues and to allow each delegate to formulate possible resolutions through research and debate.

What type of events does Model United Nations hold?

We have two main events that we attend each year–the UCLA Model United Nations Conference usually held in November and the Berkeley Conference held in March. We also have Mock Conferences held before each conference to give participants a sense of how the conference flows.

What have you learned from MUN?

From attending the conferences, I learned a lot on how the United Nations runs. Moreover, I learned a tremendous amount on my specific topics from the past- disarmament, obstacles to International Humanitarian Aid, and protection of indigenous cultures.

Are there any improvements that MUN can make next year?

Next year, I plan to do weekly activities focusing on each aspect of the conference. I also plan to have a fundraising activity for the members to help alleviate the cost of the trips.

This article was written by Aiden Leong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on June 12, 2009.

The city of Temple City has spent approximately $150,000 to pay for legal fees associated with the Piazza legal case, according to City Manager Charles R. Martin.

“Our expenses are up by about 5 percent with the increase in attorney fees due to the costs of outside counsel and the Piazza controversy” wrote Martin in the March 19, 2009 City Manager’s Report.

In April 2008, the City filed a suit against Piazza owner and developer Randy Wang in anticipation of a breach in the developer’s agreement.

Wang countersued in September 2008, accusing Temple City Mayor Judy Wong, councilman David Capra, former councilwoman Cathé Wilson and former city council and state assembly candidate Scott Carwile, of bribery.

In exchange for support of the project, Wang alleges he gave Capra, Carwile and Wong $13,000 in cash during the March 2007 city council elections. He also claims Wilson demanded one of the 52 one-bedroom condominiums.

Capra, Wilson and Wong have all publicly denied the allegations.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office-Public Integrity Division has been investigating the case since last year.

Members of the D.A.’s office conducted searches at the homes of Capra, Carwile, Wilson and Wong in February 2009. The home of the first Piazza construction manager, Jay Liyanage, was also searched. In addition, the D.A.’s staff also visited City Hall, but according to City Manager Martin, they took “nothing of value.”

The D.A. seized tape recording the developer secretly recorded while conversing with city officials in January 2009. This incident followed the questioning of councilmembers in December 2008.

Months of negative news stories about the developer’s allegations, by the Pasadena Star News and Los Angeles Times, have dogged Temple City and city officials.

Earlier this month, former councilmembers Wilson and Ken Gillanders were ousted by Temple City voters. Both had voted for the Piazza development in May 2006.

The Piazza at Temple City, formerly known as the “Temple City Galleria” and “Piazza Las Tunas,” once promised 52 one-bedroom condominiums and a large retail center. The project included a proposal for a banquet facility, a wish the Temple City community has desired for years.

Since its initial approval in 2006, there have been two ground breakings and three different construction management firms in charge of the project. The developer proposed changes in 2007 and again in 2008.

In December 2008, the City Council sent the developer’s newest changes to the Planning Commission for review. Wang, who has not yet filed a new proposal with the city, is expected to do so shortly.

The developer has until August 23, 2009 to complete the construction of the Piazza at Temple City. If Wang fails, the city has the option to purchase the 3.7 acre lot for $5 million.

A court hearing to discuss the Piazza’s original development agreement has been set for July 2009.

This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on June 12, 2009.

With the last school day and thus graduation looming closer and closer, seniors at Temple City High School (TCHS) are in the process of finally checking out of high school.

Even though, as senior Esther Cai, who will be attending the University of California, Riverside next fall, says, “it still hasn’t really sunk in yet because I still [have] some classes for which I [have] to do work.”

The first of the upcoming events is the senior finals.

Seniors will begin taking their finals Friday, June 11th. The finals then continue on Monday, June 15th and Tuesday, June 16th.

Seniors are obligated to take their finals earlier than the rest of the school, because when the underclassmen are taking their finals, seniors will be busy with mandatory graduation rehearsals.

The next milestone that seniors reach is Baccalaureate at St. Luke’s church on Sunday, June 14th.

Baccalaureate is a non-denominational inspirational program that will begin at 3:00 p.m. Graduating seniors must wear their graduation gowns but not caps over formal attire.

The graduation itself will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19 at the Arthur North Field at TCHS.

Each graduate will receive 6 tickets to portion out to friends and family, who will be seated on the bleachers overlooking the field. The procedure to the ceremony itself is mostly privy only to those who have previously attended graduations.

Cai states that “I’m completely clueless about it [graduation] because they don’t really clue us in until rehearsals.”

Immediately following graduation is the Class of 2009 All-Night Party, affectionately known as “Grad Nite” to all those involved. It will be held at the high school itself from 10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. and will involve dancing, a casino, rides, and an all-you-can-eat-buffet.

The theme of the 2009 Grad Nite is “I love L.A.”

Members of public will be invited to take tours of the Hollywood-themed festivities for a $2 donation. The tours will take place from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. before the graduates arrive.

Senior Andy Huang, a future Massachusetts Institute of Technology student, feels that Grad Nite is important because “it’ll be the last I see of a lot of classmates, [even if] I’ll see the people who I’ve gotten really close [during] the summer.”

This article was written by Angela Wen. It was published today in the Temple City Voice.

The City Council of Temple City appointed former Parks and Recreation commissioner and Planning Commissioner Cynthia Sternquist to the City Council early this evening.

Sternquist, who ran in the 2007 city council elections, was appointed by a 3-1 vote. Councilman Tom Chavez cast the lone dissenting vote.

Three other nominees were also considered. They include former Temple City councilman Dan Arrighi, former Planning commissioner Carl Blum and businessman Thomas “Guy” DeMarco.

The Temple City Voice will publish a more lengthy story at a later time.

The City Council of Temple City will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Council chambers.

The City Council will appoint an individual to serve the remainder of former councilman Dave Capra’s term. Capra resigned last Tuesday, June 2, 2009.

There will likely be a number of people attending tonight’s meeting due to the expansive media coverage of the Piazza bribery allegations.

Temple City Mayor Judy Wong, former councilmembers Cathe Wilson and Dave Capra, and former City Council and state Assembly candidate Scott Carwile have been accused by Piazza developer Randy Wang of having solicited for bribes in exchange for support of the Piazza project.

The Temple City Voice will publish an updated news story shortly.

Cathé Wilson and Ken Gillanders both left the office of city councilmember on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

Wilson, who served as Temple City mayor for four terms and councilwoman for sixteen years, and Gillanders, a fifty-four year resident and long-serving councilman, were defeated in the local election earlier this month.

Gillanders placed fourth and Wilson fifth, in a pool of six candidates. Two city commissioners, Vincent Yu and Tom Chavez, garnered the most support.

“Thanks for putting up with me for thirty years,” joked Gillanders during the council meeting.

Despite the fact that she is no longer on the council, Wilson pledged to continue to volunteer.

“My biggest regret was the Piazza,” she said. “We were all fooled on that.”

State Senator Carol Liu (D-Temple City) was also present to express appreciation for their service to Temple City.

After Wilson and Gillanders departed, City Clerk Mary Flandrick gave the oath of office to Chavez and Yu.

Yu is the second Asian American elected to the Temple City city council. Along with councilwoman Judy Wong, there are now two Asian Americans serving together on the council.

Councilman Fernando Vizcarra then nominated councilwoman Wong for the position of mayor. Wong was unanimously approved to be the mayor for 2009-2010. Elected in 2003 and re-elected in 2007, Wong previously served as mayor in 2007-2008.

Next, Dave Capra, the mayor pro tempore from 2008-2009, nominated Vizcarra for the position of mayor pro tempore. Vizcarra also received unanimous support from his colleagues.

The first major issue presented before the new city council was the hiring an economic development/redevelopment consultant.

In January, the former council gave preliminary approval to Avant Garde, but requested the firm return in 30 days with a more detailed plan for Temple City. On Tuesday evening, the new city council decided to postpone the matter and instead hold a special meeting next week.

Linda Payne, President and CEO of the Temple City Chamber of Commerce, criticized the city council for allowing new firms to compete after having given Avant Garde the greenlight.

Payne testified in support of the work Avant Garde had completed in the past month. She noted that they had met with the Chamber four times and had been walking around Temple City to bring back a more specific proposal.

Wong did offer an apology to Avant Garde, but defended the council’s decision. She stated new information was needed for the benefit of the new councilmembers.

The new city council is expected to address unresolved and new issues. The Piazza project and economic development are likely to be the council’s top priorities.

This article was written by Randy Shun. It was published in the Temple City Voice on June 5, 2009.

School Board members were faced with yet more changes made to the Temple City Unified School District’s pending budget plan Wednesday, May 27.

Superintendent Chelsea Kang-Smith and Chief Business Official David Jaynes presented the dire fiscal straits of the near future. Taken into account were the failures of both Propositions 1A and 1C on the May 19 ballot.

With the 2008-2009 school year having been largely held afloat by the District’s emergency reserve fund, schools statewide have been relying on the proposed Propositions 1A and 1C to pull them through subsequent years of monetary whittling.

According to the California Voters’ Guide, Proposition 1A would have created a $16 billion temporary increase in sales, use, income, and vehicle taxes from 2010-11 through 2012-13 to help balance the state budget and increase the state “rainy day” reserves. Proposition 1C had called for protecting funding levels for schools currently provided by lotter securitization bonds. Neither Proposition passed.

In February, Jaynes’s budget revealed that $591,000 would remain in Reserve Funds after the next three years. The State requires school districts to meet a 3% minimum reserve requirement—this would necessitate a $2,262,000 budget reduction during the 2010-11 school year, and a $500,000 reduction from 2011-12, stripping down further the already bare bones of educational funding.

As of May 19, the State has proposed additional reductions of $225 per ADA (Average Daily Attendance) less in 2008/09 revenues, and $19 per ADA less in 2009/10 revenues. These new revisions reduce the total yearly revenue from about $41 million per year to $39 million.

If such figures hold, the unrestricted reserve balance will be bankrupt by 2010. The original $591,000 left in funds is projected to plunge into a $3.8 million deficit by the end of 2012.

If Federal Stimulus allocations are included in the budget, TCUSD will be able to meet its 3% requirements. Federal Stimulus funds for TCUSD total $1.7 million.

“If we could include all those allocations there,” said Jaynes, “everything would be okay.”

However, the stimulus money to be issued in May has yet to be seen even now. Instead, Board members discussed methods of raising school attendance.

On June 3, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) required the submission of a preliminary budget plan. Public viewing of the plan will be made available on June 14, and a public hearing will be held on the June 24 to approve the final District budget.

This article was written by Jessica Liu. It was published in the Temple City Voice on June 5, 2009.

Christine Keung, a junior at Temple City High School, has been selected to attend the 2009 Girls State session at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA from June 27 to July 3.

Keung competed with four other eleventh grade nominees in a thorough selection process. She was nominated by Kevin Slattery and Wendy Van Thiel, physics and journalism teachers at the high school, respectively.

Representatives from the American Legion, who sponsor the program, conducted a group interview, which consisted of personal questions and inquiry on political issues like flag burning.

The Temple City delegate, who has expressed interest in politics with her involvement in the Junior State of America and Rampage, the Temple City High School newspaper, looks forward to learning about leadership and citizenship.

“I have a passion for politics,” said Keung, “and I’m excited to spend a week with a group of girls from California who share the same interests as me.”

Delegates will be spending six days learning about federal government of the United States. All girls will be grouped into cities and placed in either Whig or Tory parties. They will then participate in a mock Senate and election simulations.

Other extracurricular activities, like a daily newspaper and a band are available for all students. However, the American Legion is primarily focused on instilling good virtues in all delegates.

“It’s really just developing leadership,” Keung noted, “and encouraging that quality in young women.”

This article was written by Jason Wu. It was published in the Temple City Voice on June 5, 2009.