The Zoo Magnet Times
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Mentor Events
By: Elliot Stewart
Mentor events. You might have heard of them, these fantastic events Ms. Hope organizes so that the whole school is more connected to each other. These events are fun to be a part of yet they seem to be neglected by the students of this magnet. During this school year the number of “Zooie’s” going to these events has clearly sunken, at least in the freshmen junior events.
Now why is that? I have wondered this to myself in the last few weeks. Especially since there were only three freshman at the Citywalk Scavenger Hunt in March, including myself. Could it be the time, the activities, maybe even the mentors? I have a different theory, I believe that freshman aren’t showing up to these wonderful events because of commitment. Now let me explain, when a mentor signs up to the mentor program they make a certain commitment to show up to the mentor events unless they cant due to reasons like sickness, family issues, personal issues, etc…. The freshman on the other hand, never agreed to the mentor program, so they are not as invested. Though there are some, such as myself, who find these events interesting and helpful to get used to high school.
I want to just tell everyone some good reasons you should come to these events. Of course there might be some things I mention you know, but still, take it into consideration. First the most obvious, they're fun. I know you probably hear this about a lot of things, I mean it though. The school puts a lot of thought into organizing these events. Just the other day I was talking to Mrs. Benitez about the mentor events, and she said they had all these amazing events planned and what a shame it is that freshmen don't show up to them. She even gave me an example of one event she would like to hold. An escape room. Personally I've never heard of it but it sounded more interesting the more I heard. Then she mentioned a version of an escape room that comes as a puzzle in a tiny box and man was I excited.
How would I conclude this? Simple! Just go to these events! I'm talking to everyone-- juniors, freshmen, seniors, and sophomores-- come to your mentor events they’re fun and exciting. I hope to see you all at the mentor events that are yet to come.
Sand-Sational Helpers
By: Cat Fischer
In this year’s Rose Parade one of our Zoo Magnet students had her float be a part of the parade. Catherine Glandon, a 9th grader here at Zoo, submitted her design in January 2017 while she was still in 8th grade. Her float is called "Sand-Sational Helpers". She is the youngest female designer in Burbank and a contender for the youngest female ever. The theme for her design was “Making a Difference”.
Catherine has been volunteering with the Rose Parade for nine years, has submitted two designs, and has about 164 hours volunteering. Her design was one of six finalists then made it to the final two. "When mine was picked I screamed and jumped up. I was really excited", she says in an interview.
Catherine said the her idea for the design came to her when they were learning about recycling in her eighth grade English class. She said she wants to be a Marine Biologist so "I wanted to in-cooperate sea creatures." She also got to be a part of putting her float together by helping decorate sea creatures. She said that the experience was crazy and nerve wracking. During the parade the float was given the Founder Award. This is an award given to "The most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization" (Tournament of Roses). "I do plan on submitting more designs. It just has to be a theme that inspires me." So we can look forward to seeing more float designs by Catherine in the future.
Los Angeles all CITY band
By: Damian Chavez
Two of our very talented students from Zoo participated in this year's Rose Parade. Samantha Manno (11th grade) who is part of the North Hollywood dance team and Danielle Lee (12th grade) who is part of the LAUSD All City Honor Marching Band. Both walked in this year's Rose Parade. Here is a quick Q&A with both of them.
Q #1: How did they invite you to be a part of the parade?
S: You're not really invited to go to the parade. We learn about it through our marching band at North Hollywood and we both had to try out for the positions we wanted.
Q #2: What exactly was your role in the parade?
S: I carried a shield that spelled out Los Angeles.
D: I played the drums.
Q #3: How did you feel being a part of the parade?
S: It was a really good feeling like to be apart of something that was like bigger than me and actually be in the Rose Parade and a lot of people seeing me on tv and all over the world
D: It was really tiring. It was more like getting to the finish line than actually finishing something and accomplishing something at the beginning of the year.
Q #4: Did you have to attend a rehearsal/practice? If yes, how often?
S: After we got in and got accepted. There was practice every Saturday and then once winter break started it was everyday except Sunday.
Q #5: What was your favorite part of the parade?
S: My favorite part was performing at the Rams half time show. It was a feeling like no other.
D: In the group that we are in, the LAUSD all city honor band. It's a lot of participants from all these schools in LAUSD and just meeting people and then you see them on the on the street like oh hey I marched rose parade with you.
Some of the words were edited for length or clarity.
If you're interested in submitting a float design visit the official Tournament of Roses website. For information on joining the marching band visit the LA All City Band website.