Day: January 16, 2018

Preparing for AP Exams

Published on by SGHS

 

by Alejandra Gonzalez

As the second semester begins, the sooner finals are approaching. Among those finals are the infamous AP exams for the brave students who are up for the challenge. Students must put in extreme amounts of time into their studies to know a year’s worth of material like the back of their own hand. If the work is so stressful, then why do students take the course? You see: getting a 4 or a 5 on an AP exam will assure that student college credit even before attending a college themselves. This goes without saying but; preparing for AP exams is not a walk in the park, taking lots of time to study and plan effective work schedules to be ready for the exam. Here are some helpful ways students can prepare for AP exams:

1. Know When to Start Studying:

a. Students often begin shifting to AP prep mode a month or two before the exam. The aim is to give yourself enough time to be prepared for typical AP questions. Students should take practice tests, review content, and perfect a test-taking mindset.

2. Invest in a Prep Book:

    a. Purchasing a prep book will; help you review essential content, introduce you to the format of the exam, and put your mind in the zone.

3. Remain Calm:

    a. Stressing out about the exam will not help you prepare for it. The more organize you are, the better, and the less anxious you will become.

Jonnie Lahti

Published on by SGHS

by Marisol Martin

One of JROTC’s outstanding cadets, 2nd Lieutenant Jonnie Lahti, has been leading and motiving underclassmen throughout her four years in South Gate High School’s JROTC program. She is currently the Raider Team Commander and Bravo Company Commander and was previously the battalion’s Security Officer. She has been a member of various teams such as Color Guard, Orienteering, Marksmanship, Saber, Armed Drill and Raider Team. Jonnie’s involvement with JROTC has inspired her to enlist in the U.S. Army to become a combat medic. On June 25, 2018 she is scheduled to go to Basic Training which usually lasts up to 10 weeks. There, soldiers are vigorously taught basic fundamentals such as marksmanship and land navigation; and are trained how to march long distances and build their physical fitness. Thanks to our school’s JROTC program, Jonnie will be able to transfer her four years in the JROTC program into the Army as she enters as a Private E-2 instead of a Private E-1. After Basic Training, she will get special combat medic training that will last roughly 16-18 weeks. As a combat medic she will serve to aid wounded soldiers during wartime and obtain a nursing job during peacetime. Throughout her four years in JROTC, Jonnie Lahti has helped shape young cadets into better citizens and continues to inspire motivation throughout the battalion. For this reason, it gives JROTC a great honor to see this cadet develop into the intelligent, uplifting, diligent soldier she is today.

Students Completing College Appplications

Published on by SGHS

by Vicky Hernandez

During the months of November and December is when seniors have a stress of the most high. The time has come finally come to turn in their UC and CSU applications throughout November and have the month of December to work on their Common Application for private universities. The time is finally here, this is what our seniors have worked for all throughout high school; ensuring a better future for themselves. Although students might feel extremely nervous around these months; when January finally arrives, a huge weight is alleviated from their shoulders and comfort soon begins to settle.

SGHS senior Alejandro Avilez says, “I feel a bit of relief because it felt like a big weight on my shoulders. I guess it was the thought that my future depended on these applications but, overall, I feel happy and I’m hoping for the best!” As for another SGHS senior, Selene Poblete mentioned how she feels “very anxious because I’ve dedicated months now to ensure that my applications are strong and whether they’re good enough to assure my acceptance into my schools of choice.”

New Year, New You?

Published on by SGHS

by Selina Quintero

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, we begin to notice the phrase, “New Year, New Me!” all over social media. While the New Year brings new opportunities, it doesn’t mean we have to change everything about ourselves. As students, we are constantly trying to find ways to prepare ourselves for college, and “New Year, New Me” is not the only way of doing so. The New Year is a great time to reflect on the changes we want or need to make.

Stop procrastinating for goodness sake! How many times have you pushed every homework assignment off for the last minute? This is why you’re up at 2:00 a.m. desperately trying to finish it. At some point, there will come a time when things simply can’t be done in a single night. Do yourself a favor; get into the habit of productive time management.

Get organized! Keep a calendar at your side 24/7 if you have to. With a calendar, you can balance academics and extracurricular activities with your social life. Isn’t that nice for a change? Using a planner or calendar will allow you to visualize your commitments, helping you remain organized and on track even during the busiest of times. Keep this up and the New Year will be a great one for you!

What are all the GPAs?

Published on by SGHS

By Alexis Robles

Our transcripts have a million different GPAs on them. But we are here to explain what they mean, starting off with LAUSD GPA.

 

The LAUSD GPA is used by the school district. Your weighted GPA includes extra points from AP and Honor classes while an unweighted GPA does not take them into account. The scale is up to 4.0 but you can go higher with extra points from AP and Honors classes. AP and Honors classes only give you extra point when you earn a C or higher. The school uses LAUSD weighted GPA to determine your school rank.

The UC and UC Capped GPAs, are used by the University of California (UC) and they take the extra points from AP and Honors classes, but they also have a capped GPA which means after eight semesters or four classes, they will no longer accept the extra points. They look at both of them during the college application process.

NEW MOVIES TO COME IN 2018!

Published on by SGHS

by Alexander Alvarado

The long awaited movie Avengers: Infinity War will finally be hitting theaters in 2018. The Avengers will form an alliance with many characters from the MCU to fight off the powerful Thanos and to stop him from destroying Earth. Thanos is a well-known and powerful villain in the Marvel Universe who uses the Infinity Gauntlet as his weapon of preference. Join The Avengers in May of 2018 and witness the Infinity War.

The galaxy’s favorite and famous smuggler will finally be getting his very own film. The movie is set to feature Han Solo as he grows and meets his best friend Chewbacca and how he later came to become a rebel hero. The movie does not fit into only one era as it will take place throughout his life. After his fate in The Force Awakens, fans are happy to once again see Han Solo on the big screen. Join him on his journey in May of 2018.

14 years after their first film, The Incredibles will return to the big screen. The movie is said to take place right where the first movie left off. The Incredibles have now grown accustom to their powers and will fight off all new threats along with their youngest child Jack Jack who was discovered to also have powers. Join the “totally wicked” family in May of 2018.

The Wakandan King is coming to the big screen with his own movie titled Black Panther. Captain America: Civil War was his introduction to the MCU. In this new movie, we will be taken to the beautiful land known as Wakanda where viewers will see just how T’Challa, a.k.a. Black Panther, came to be the nation’s savior. Black Panther will be released in February of 2018.

Getting College Credit in High School

Published on by SGHS

 

by Louis Perez

            Students can earn college credit during high school by taking AP courses and enrolling in college classes. By doing so, students save time and money, develop essential skills necessary for success in the future, and demonstrate college readiness.  

               Advanced Placement (AP) is a program offered by the College Board that allows high school students to earn college credit by taking college-level courses followed by AP exams, administered in May, which test students in everything they learned throughout the year. AP exams are scored on a five-point scale with the highest score being a 5 and the lowest being a 1; earning a 3 or higher is considered passing, but some colleges only grant college credits for scores of 4 and 5.

               Dual enrollment is a program that allows high school students to enroll in college courses during high school. Fortunately, South Gate High School offers free after-school college classes at our campus through East Los Angeles College (ELAC). All students, grades 9-12, can take advantage of this opportunity and earn college credit by passing the ELAC classes they take with a grade of “C” or higher. Sign up for an ELAC class with Mrs. Corona in the college center.

SGHS AP Courses

                                                                                                   AP Biology AB                                                                AP Microeconomics

                                                                                                   AP Calculus AB                                                                AP Calculus BC

                                                                                                AP Psychology AB                                                  AP Spanish Language and Culture AB

                                                                                   AP Spanish Literature and Culture AB                                                AP Chemistry AB

                                                                                AP English Language and Composition AB                                 AP U.S. Government and Politics

                                                                                AP English Literature and Composition AB                                             AP U.S. History AB

                                                                                        AP Human Geography AB                                                          AP World History

 

       ELAC Courses Offered at SGHS

                                                                                                  Administration of Justice                                                      Child Development

                                                                                                 American Sign Language                                                   Communication Studies

                                                                                                      Intro. to Business                                                                      Psychology

                                                                                                     Chicano Studies                                                                        Theater

 

 

Netflix Shows Returning in 2018

Published on by SGHS

by Giselle Martinez

When we’re bored and just need some time to relax, we tend to turn to Netflix. Netflix has created some amazing shows that we just can’t stop watching. Here are a few shows being renewed for another season:

 

 

 

 

 

13 Reasons Why (Season 2)

The second season of the hugely emotional, controversial Netflix series will return early 2018. Season 2 will follow the theme of recovery set shortly after the events of Season 1.

 

 

 

Travelers (Season 2)

The show about time traveling through human consciousness was renewed by Netflix and will air in 2018.

Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Season 2)

Thanks to the busy Marvel/Netflix schedule, Jessica Jones Season 2 has been confirmed, and new images of the shows villain have surfaced, making fans very excited for this follow up.

Marvel’s Daredevil (Season 3)

Much-like Jessica Jones, Daredevil Season 3 is confirmed, but won’t appear in 2017 due to Iron Fist, The Punisher and The Defenders dominating Marvel Netflix’s schedule. Expect it to arrive in 2018

7 Must Read Classics

Published on by SGHS

1. 1984 by George Orwell

“WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.”

GENRE: Social Science and Political Fiction

“Mind blowing. Probably the most frightening book I’ve ever read.”

— Christiania Ramos, Class of 2020

2. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee

“SHOOT ALL THE BLUEJAYS YOU WANT IF YOU CAN’T HIT ‘EM, BUT REMEMBER IT’S A SIN TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.”

GENRE: Coming-of-Age-Fiction

“Fascinating and emotional. A book about the injustices that the innocent experience.”

— Andrea Nunez, Class of 2019

3. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen

“A LADY’S IMAGINATION IS VERY RAPID; IT JUMPS FROM ADMIRATION TO LOVE, FROM LOVE TO MATRIMONY IN A MOMENT.”

GENRE: Romance Novel

“Romantic and intriguing. Best Love Story.”

— Britney Marquez, Class of 2019

4. GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens

“I LOVED HER AGAINST REASON, AGAINST PROMISE, AGAINST PEACE, AGAINST HOPE, AGAINST HAPPINESS, AGAINST ALL DISCOURAGEMENT THAT COULD BE.”

GENRE: Coming-of-Age

“Contains valuable lessons about life. Shows how riches change people and what happens as a result.”

— Daisy Vargas, Class of 2020

5. THE ODYSSEY by Homer

“OF ALL CREATURES THAT BREATHE AND MOVE UPON THE EARTH, NOTHING IS BRED THAT IS WEAKER THAN MAN.”

GENRE: Epic

“Great book. Interprets mythological creatures as something majestic and aesthetically appealing, which I like.”

— Katherine Vega, Class of 2020

6. The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald

“ANGRY, AND HALF IN LOVE WITH HER, AND TREMENDOUSLY SORRY, I TURNED AWAY.”

GENRE: Romance, Modernism, Literary Fiction

“Tragically beautiful. Well written. Fitzgerald never fails to please his audience. ”

— John Ramirez, Class of 2018

7. THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck

“THERE AIN’T NO SIN AND THERE AIN’T NO VIRTUE. THERE’S JUST STUFF PEOPLE DO.”

GENRE: Historical Fiction, Realism

“Depicts the hardships of forming part of the lower class in the American social/economic system. It’s unfortunate to know that similar events to these actually took place. ”

— Dianna Perez, Class of 2019

New Year New Venue!

Published on by SGHS

by Kaitlin Wright

 

 

A new temporary artistic setting has emerged in DTLA, this pop up life sized artwork goes by the name of Happy Place! This joyous 29 room art piece is found at 1242 Palmetto Street in LA. Although it is small, the bright colors set an exhilarating tone that enhances its size to make it appear much larger than it actually is. The intent is to take people away from their daily reality and put them into a positive and upbeat place. The chance to experience is available until February 25th!

As bright as each room is, every one of them is different. One room may be multi-sensory and fully immersive rooms meanwhile the others may have dozens of moments curated to “Capture Your Happy!”—as quoted directly from their site! Tickets are exclusively sold online through their website (happyplace.me). The website is as bright and creative as the setting itself!