Author: Sofia Alva

Seniors bid farewell to SPHS in drive-through and livestream graduation ceremonies

Story by Sofia AlvaAssociate Sports Editor Photo by Ella JayasekeraAssociate Photo Editor SPHS seniors donned traditional caps and gowns to receive their diplomas in a drive-through graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 3. The festive event continued virtually via a YouTube livestream which featured speeches, performances, and slideshows showcasing the graduating Class of 2020.  Principal Janet Anderson congratulated […]

The Class of 2020 sends nine athletes to the collegiate level

Story by Sofia AlvaAssociate Sports Editor Photo by Jayden EdenStaff Photographer SPHS athletes tirelessly train throughout their high school careers, shooting for championships and deep CIF runs. The Class of 2020 boasts a wealth of athletes who have surpassed those goals and turned their sights to another: college competition. With multiple Division I athletes and a variety […]

City hit with financial losses and backlash as it plans next year’s fiscal budget

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer South Pasadena’s budget planning for the next fiscal year will look drastically different as the economy is facing a downturn and the state plans to cut city funds due to the coronavirus outbreak. The city is expected to reallocate and shift funding to different departments […]

City discusses possibility of parking lot dining spaces

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Alicia Alderete Contributor The City Council reviewed the city’s potential Al Fresco Initiative plan at its meeting on Wednesday, May 20, which would enable businesses to host customers into nearby outdoor parking lot and sidewalk spaces.  Councilmember Dr. Marina Khubesrian asked for the council’s support of a potential Al […]

Congresswoman Judy Chu briefs city on national response to coronavirus

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture Contributor Congresswoman Judy Chu delivered a special presentation to the city council on Wednesday, May 13, briefing the council on Californian representatives’ current plans on the federal level to help support cities during the coronavirus. The fire chief, police chief, and city manager […]

City council appeases local tenants, letting L.A. County eviction protections take effect

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer The city council voted 4-1 against establishing its own protections for residential and commercial tenants and property owners at their meeting on Wednesday, May 6. The new resolution included language requiring tenants to provide documented proof of financial hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak, unlike […]

Gym construction expected to continue during school closure

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Ella Jayasekera Associate Photo Editor Construction on the SPHS main gym is still expected to be completed by August 31st, despite SPUSD’s school closures. Public construction has been deemed essential by Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, allowing work on the gym to continue throughout the lockdown.  However, the […]

Senator Anthony Portantino briefs city on state response to coronavirus outbreak

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Richard Gomez Contributor Senator Anthony Portantino briefed the city council on state efforts in response to the coronavirus outbreak at its meeting on Wednesday, Apr. 29. Portantino and the state are currently brainstorming ideas to help residents, cities, and businesses adjust to the coronavirus situation, through proposed senior […]

City reassures residents at coronavirus update broadcast

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer City of South Pasadena department heads gave coronavirus update presentations at the City’s online city council broadcast on Wednesday, Apr. 15. All departments have continued to stay in contact with neighboring city’s staff to ensure the best steps are taken to prevent further spread of […]

City passes emergency tenant protections in light of coronavirus outbreak

Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photo by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer The South Pasadena City Council passed a resolution to declare a local emergency and establish residential and commercial renter protections at their meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 18, due to the coronavirus outbreak. This declaration also adopts regulations for private and public facilities and gatherings and […]

Nutrition: the unseen factor critical to a runner’s success

Story by Sofia AlvaAssociate Sports Editor Illustration by Alicia ZhangStaff Illustrator Natural-born talent, dedication, and training regiments all factor into a runner’s performance, but a strict diet is just as important. With nutritional research rapidly advancing, runners are constantly searching for anything that can gift them a slight advantage. As veganism and other unique diets […]

Swimming crushes Mark Keppel in preseason meet

Story by Sofia AlvaAssociate Sports Editor Photo by Katelyn HernandezStaff Photographer The SPHS swim team reigned victorious against Mark Keppel on Tuesday, Mar. 10, with the boys outswimming the Aztecs, 103.5-66.5, and the girls, 98-71. Freshman Alex Johnson won both the 200m individual medley and 500m freestyle, while senior captain Evan Kowal also aided the […]

City addresses long-awaited traffic concerns with new Traffic Enforcement Bureau

Story by Sofia AlvaStaff Writer Photo by Katelyn HernandezStaff Photographer The South Pasadena City Council approved the creation of a Traffic Enforcement Bureau in the Police Department during their meeting on Wednesday, Mar. 4. The South Pasadena Police Department (SPPD) Chief Joe Ortiz introduced the bureau to the council, which aims to tackle the traffic problem […]

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