December 2019 & January 2020

School Events

"FIELD OF LIGHTS" WINTER FORMAL

Celine Irasusta 2021

Honestly, I could have come up with a better title for this article, but I’m not bright enough to think of something clever.

Anyway...

UHS hosts its yearly winter formal, this year’s theme being “Field of Lights." The theme was largely inspired by Bruce Munro's Field of Light, located in Paso Robles Valley. His Field of Light is a 15-acre walk-through sculptural composition, blanketing the hills at Sensorio with over 58,800 of its vibrant lights, decorating the magnificent landscape with a blend of various colors.

The beauty of Munro's creation was nicely captured by our ASB, who Ellie Moore, 11th, claims they "pulled off the theme surprisingly well." Saying that the environment inside the Satellite Student Union was lively would be an understatement. As Helena Zubacz '23 puts it, "The 2020 winter formal was absolutely the best," showing the excitement of UHS students. The place was filled with colorful lights and enthusiastic students, who dressed in vivid colors, dancing and moving freely to their favorite songs.

Something else that people seemed to look forward to that night was the crowning of the prince and princess. Congratulations to Soni Moua, 11th, and Sulee Phonxaylinkham, 11th, for winning the titles!

Shoutout to Mr. Murillo and Isaiah Soto, 10th, for DJ-ing at the dance, as well as to ASB for setting up and making this night spectacular!

JAZZ BAND/SHOW CHOIR HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR SUCCESS!

Kimi Galang Villegas 2020

A stage lined with Christmas lights, musicians ushering in the holiday spirit wearing Santa hats. The Jazz Band/Show Choir Winter Concert that has traditionally taken place at Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall was staged at the Fresno State Satellite Student Union this school year. Many UHS students were anxious to get into the show as all the tickets were sold out. However, the situation was resolved, and many students were able to gain access into the performance. The seats were filled with energetic audience members.

As audience members were trickling into the venue, Jazz Band and Show Choir performed a selection of tunes for the Preshow, which included “Winter Things” and “White Christmas,” to name a few. The main concert began with Show Choir’s encore of their Magic of the Arts dance, “Time Warp” from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

An interesting component of the performance is that the Jazz Band was on the actual stage, while Show Choir was on the ground level for their group numbers. This created an intimate environment with the audience, as the performers were just inches away, flipping and tap dancing right in front of their eyes.

“Our First Christmas,” an original song written by Mr. Greg and Mrs. Deborah Lapp, was premiered at the concert. They were inspired to write this song for their daughter, niece, and their husbands, who they recently married this past year. Other Christmas pieces that were a hit include “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” and the finale, “Jingle Bell Rock.”

On behalf of the UHS Jazz Band and Show Choir, we would like to thank everyone who attended our concert. The energy you exuded inspired us to give our best performance, sharing holiday cheer with you all! We hope that you are able to attend our Spring concert on May 1 in the UHS Courtyard!

LARAMIE PROJECT

"I give you life in memory of one who no longer lives. May you have a long life, and may you thank Mathew every day for it." -- Dennis Shepard

"It was really well put together"

-- Herb V. '20

"It shined a light on a story that many of us might not have known about."

-- David D. '22

Current Events

A TRIBUTE TO KOBE AND GIANNA BRYANT

Claire Irasusta 2022

"When we are saying this cannot be accomplished, this cannot be done, then we are short-changing ourselves. My brain, it cannot process failure. It will not process failure. Because if I have to sit there and face myself and tell myself, 'You're a failure,' I think that is a worse, that is almost worse than death." -- Kobe Bryant

On January 26, 2020, Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, and several of Gianna's basketball teammates passed away when a helicopter crashed that morning in Calabasas, California. This came as a shock to all of us. One day, everything is perfectly fine... and it's crazy to see that everything could change in the blink of an eye.

So how did this mournful event happen? Kobe and Gianna were expected to be at a basketball game the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks. Kobe was to coach, and Gianna and her teammates would play. Unfortunately, on their way there, their helicopter had crashed. Based on the investigations of The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it's been reported that the pilot of the helicopter was climbing in order to avoid the fog/clouds. As dense fog covered the area, the helicopter crashed.

Kobe Bryant was, and still is, a very inspiring role model to people of all ages. He accomplished so many things throughout his basketball career, such as his All-Star Game appearances and MVP Awards, NBA Finals MVP Awards, and many more. When asked what Kobe Bryant meant to them, Natalie V. (2021) said, "He was a hero, an inspiration, and a fantastic athlete." In addition, Abbas D. (2021) said, "Everything." It wasn't just his many accomplishments as a basketball player that stood out to people; it was also his personality. He was a devoted husband and father to his family, and definitely a light that lit up the world.

Sources

Dorsey, Jesse. “Complete Resume of Kobe Bryant's Historic Career Accomplishments.” Bleacher Report, Bleacher Report, 29 Sept. 2017, bleacherreport.com/articles/1586810-complete-resume-of-kobe-bryants-historic-career-accomplishments#slide3.
Greenspan, Rachel E., et al. “Kobe Bryant Dead in Helicopter Crash. Here's What to Know.” Time, Time, 30 Jan. 2020, time.com/5771909/kobe-bryant-dead/.
Moshtaghian, Artemis, et al. “Kobe Bryant and His Daughter, Gianna, among 9 Killed in a Helicopter Crash in California.” CNN, Cable News Network, 27 Jan. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/01/26/us/calabasas-helicopter-crash-trnd/index.html.

JUSTIN BIEBER'S COMEBACK

Valerie Aguirre 2021

Mayday mayday! Justin Bieber has officially returned to the music industry! His last album, Purpose, was released on November 13, 2015 which was the last project published by him. However, he recently released his latest single, “Yummy” on January 3, 2020. There have been multiple reviews and opinions circling on his new single. Despite those who have mixed emotions about it, it reached number two on Billboard's Hot 100. He takes this time to also announce that he will be releasing a brand new album on February 14, 2020. But wait, that’s not all! Justin is also coming out with a tour! #Bieber2020

Justin Bieber’s comeback isn’t just the release of “Yummy”. There are other projects that relate to not only his musical career, but his personal life that he is planning to share. He is coming out with a ten part documentary series, Seasons, on YouTube Originals. This documentary is primarily focused on Justin’s hiatus and how being in the spotlight for over ten years affected him. He shows a very vulnerable side of him that many have yet to see. Another part of the documentary focuses on the production of his new album that he is planning to release this February. We are ready for Justin Bieber 2020!

Sources:

“How Did Australia Fires Start and What Is Being Done? A Very Simple Guide.” BBC News, BBC, 7 Jan. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50980386.

TRAGEDY IN AUSTRALIA

Terralynn Datrice 2021

Australia has been struck by mother nature in an unfortunate disaster. Starting September 2020 there have been at least 25 deaths and many homeless as a result of these fires. Every state in Australia has been touched by the quick moving fires. The largest devastations have occurred along the stretches of the south and east coast, including Sydney and Adelaide. These areas are where most of the population live. More than 15.6 acres have been burned already, each acre being roughly one football field. It is hard to imagine this catastrophe.

Firefighters are doing whatever they can to stop the bushfires from spreading. Spraying water and fire retardant are the most distributed at the moment. Putting out the fire is terribly difficult, instead the officials are focused on stopping the quick spread of the fires. For example digging around the fires as a boundary has proven to be beneficial, saving many lives. Countless volunteers have also stepped up to the plate showing their courage to protect as many as they can. People are not the only thing being affected by the devastation the fires have caused, but the wildlife has been negatively affected as well.

The harsh fires are killing animals and their habitats. With the habitat of animals being burned down, the surviving animals have nowhere to go. This is a huge loss for the population of species and other nature in these forests. The country is under a state of emergency not being able to control the speed and devastation the fires in Australia have caused. People can help Australia by donating to the Australian Red Cross to help the people being impacted by the fires.

NEW YEAR, NEW ME

Nyanza Williams 2022

Happy New Year UHS! I’m proud to say that we have survived the first semester and are entering the sprint with more opportunities and challenges! As we enter this new year, I want to encourage all of you to let this be the beginning of a new chapter. If procrastination was your enemy last semester, conquer it. If a relationship was debilitating, move on from it. If you were feeling bad about your weight, do something about it. Let’s persevere to get homework done on time and to push through senioritis (for some of us). Instead of being content in our sometimes dark situations, let us move forward and choose to be who we want to be. The only thing that truly stops us is ourselves; it’s up to us to decide to change. We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change how we react to them. This year, let us live up to the legacy before us. Let us rise, like the Phoenix that we all are.

“Like a phoenix rising high, our spirits soar across the sky.”

WINTER SPORTS SAFETY

Ryan Titapiwatanakun 2023

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and a great start to the second semester. Though we are already up to speed since the first week of school, we still can have some fun on the weekend. There is plenty of snow this season. It is not too late to get out there and enjoy skiing or snowboarding. However, do not forget to stay safe and avoid injuries.

No matter what your skill levels are, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises all children and adolescents to wear helmets in snow sports. These helmets are specifically designed for skiing or snowboarding and can handle repeated impacts with the ground. Skating or bicycling helmets, on the other hand, are designed for a single impact. The ski helmets also provide more head coverage as they start at the forehead and cover the ears, and back of the head all the way to the top of the neck.

You should always make sure that your equipment is working properly. Be aware of weather conditions such as upcoming storms or severe drops in temperature. Use sunscreen to protect from sunburns. Wear multiple layers of clothing to avoid frostbite. Warm-up appropriately as cold muscles are more prone to injury. If possible, take lessons from a qualified instructor to learn proper technique and rules. Lastly, never participate alone in a winter sport. So, ask your friends to go with you. Have fun!

Works Cited

Korioth, Trisha. “Helmets a Must When Skiing, Snowboarding.” American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 Mar. 2014, www.aappublications.org/content/35/3/26.5.
Person, et al. “Winter Sports Injuries - Facts and Figures.” Intermountainhealthcare.org, 15 Sept. 2017, intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/topics/sports-medicine/2014/01/winter-sports-injuries-facts-and-figures/.
“Winter Sports Injury Prevention - OrthoInfo - AAOS.” OrthoInfo, orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/winter-sports-injury-prevention.

Reviews

LITTLE WOMEN: THE BUOYANT NEW ADAPTATION

Kimi Galang Villegas 2020

With a classic like Little Women, many people believe it is hard for a director to create a fresh adaptation. However, director of the newest adaptation, Greta Gerwig defies expectations in keeping the substance of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved tale, while also revealing the three-dimensional aspects of each of the four March sisters. The fact that this is only Gerwig’s second time directing a feature film, Lady Bird being the first, is quite miraculous.

Gerwig begins the film in media res, showing the career struggles independent Jo March (Saiorse Ronan) undergoes as a writer. Jo submits her story to a patronizing male publisher, Dashwood (Tracy Letts), who represents the American patriarchy. He buys Jo’s work under the stipulation that she rewrites the ending to fit societal conforms of that time, and marries off her main character. The conflict arises as Jo must discover what kind of story she wishes to portray in the midst of a multitude of male-centered narratives.

The director cinematically innovates as she jumps between different timelines in the movie. Each time period has its own distinct attributes, although many of the events parallel with one another. Gerwig differentiates the different time periods with her usage of color palette. The Civil War years in Concord, Massachusetts, when the March family grapples to stay afloat financially as Mr. March is fighting the front lines, are depicted with radiant reds and greens. This reflects the busyness and camaraderie of the March sisters. The “present” time period is characterized with bluish, pale hues, in resemblance to the family’s separation.

Although I feel the cinematography was very well done, the facet that stood out to me most was the acting. Each actor had a clear understanding, with the help of director Gerwig, of what their character’s motives are. Emma Watson is the kind and gentle Meg March, who truly has dreams to marry and become a mother. Eliza Scanlan plays the gifted prodigy March sister, Beth, whose powerful heart forces her to submit to a weaker constitution. Florence Pugh portrays the youngest March sister, the pugnacious Amy. Gerwig’s jumps from different time periods really allowed for room to display Amy’s multifacetedness. Prior to seeing the movie, I had never been a fan of Amy, but Pugh’s portrayal propelled me to not only sympathize with Amy, but also to admire her. Meryl Streep is hilarious and brilliant as Aunt March. Laura Dern captivates Marmie’s generosity and selflessness. Timothée Chalamet plays Laurie, a teenage boy born into

money, who falls in love with Jo. Chalamet gives Laurie so much depth, especially when confessing his love to Jo. Of course my favorite character in Little Women is none other than the protagonist, Jo March. Saiorse Ronan truly emulates the essence of Jo. Her performance is filled with so much passion and gusto. Ronan conveys a woman grappling with what society is telling her to do and what her heart wants.

Greta Gerwig’s movie adaptation of the beloved, timeless classic, Little Women, is an excellently made film with stellar performances. I came out of the movie theater crying, just so enamored of this new take on the story. The title Little Women is deceiving as the movie is major. It is a kind of entertainment produced with sincerity, critical intelligence, and honest sentiment, grounded in the understandability of life. Audiences can all find at least one character they resonate with. I would hands down recommend Little Women to anyone, so if you have not seen it yet, I urge you to go to the movie theater, bring some tissues, buy a bucket of popcorn, and experience a beautiful piece of art.

“I just feel like women, they have minds and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty.” -- Jo March

Student Life

WHAT IS YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION?

"I don't have one."

Vince U. '21

"Practice viola 3 times a week."

Justus V. '21

"To practice the violin more."

Angell G. '23

WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION FOR 2020?

"Political chaos, but I hope there will be some closure."

Isa M. '23

"To hopefully get into a music festival in New York and Switzerland."

Alex H. '22

"More live-action Disney movies."

Isabel B. '22

WHAT SONG MOST CLOSELY DESCRIBES YOUR 2020 SO FAR?

"Watermelon Sugar"

Mandika S. '21

"Hang On Little Tomato"

Nikhil H. '21

"All Star"

Aram P. '23

Dear Phoenix Post,

Recently I’ve been feeling like I lost myself. I care too much about how people see me, and I constantly worry about not reaching their standards. I’ve been feeling a need to change my personality. All these thoughts keep floating around in my head, to the point where I can’t really focus in class. I don’t know how to be content with myself anymore. What should I do?

Hello fellow reader!

Trust me, you’re not the only one. Many people, myself included, deal or have dealt with something like this in our lives. I get it, everyone grows up dealing with such pressures and expectations from family and friends. Let me ask you some things: will you feel accomplished by reaching their standards and changing your personality? In the end, will you be happy? Will you be content by changing for others? I would assume that you wouldn't; who would feel better putting up a false image of themselves?

Now I'll be blunt with you, you can't satisfy everyone; you are only capable of truly satisfying yourself. There will always be people who don't approve of your actions, looks, and more. Don't waste your time reaching others' expectations; you'll probably be dead before you fulfill every single one of their needs and standards. Do what you love. Think and make choices for yourself. Reach your own standards and goals. It will take some time, but I promise, you'll get there and eventually find your self-worth.

Honestly, I’m currently writing this at 1:40am in bed, so I hope my advice was alright and not too cheesy or cliché. I apologize in advance if this wasn't the advice you were hoping to hear, but I wish you the best of luck! <3

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." — Eleanor Roosevelt

— A Writer from The Phoenix Post

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