Story by Lilian Zhu and Noah KuhnStaff Writers Photo by Oscar WalshPhoto Editor Ten students from South Pasadena High School were announced as semifinalists for the 2020 National Merit Scholarships on Wednesday, Sept. 11, a year after taking the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The students joined 16,000 other seniors across the […]
Annual SAC assembly kicks off the school year with new videos, skits, and dances
Story by Audrey ErnstStaff Writer Photos by Sarah Lee and Ella Jayasekera Staff Photographers SPHS kicked off the school year with its annual SAC Assembly on Friday, Aug. 30. The ASB commissioners and class officers organized skits and class competitions to promote the Student Activity (SAC) cards, Icebreaker dance, and football game. Senior Evan Kowal made his debut […]
SPHS basketball team hosts free clinic for South Pas’ youth
Story by Haelee Kim Staff Writer Photos by Oscar Walsh Photo Editor The SPHS basketball program hosted a free basketball skills clinic Saturday, Aug. 31, inviting students ages five to thirteen to spend two hours playing with the coaches, basketball players, and high school volunteers from the team. The newly appointed head coach Ernest Baskerville, who […]
City council recognizes local business’ environmental sustainability efforts
Story by Zoe Schlaak and Ellie Campbell Staff Writers Photos by Katelyn Hernandez Staff Photographer The South Pasadena City Council awarded local business owner Michelle Hammond the Green Business Leaders Recognition Certificate, Wednesday Aug. 21, acknowledging Hammond’s green and sustainable practices with her own business: the Munch Company. Hammond employs many environmentally sustainable processes, aiming to […]
Mamma’s Pizzeria reopens at new upgraded location
Story by Audrey ErnstStaff Writer Photos by Jayden EdenPhotographer Mamma’s Pizzeria opened its new and expanded 1007 Fair Oaks location Tuesday, Aug. 21, after a year of renovation and planning. The restaurant is now three times as large as its original 710 Fair Oaks location, with new features including an expanded menu, indoor and outdoor seating, and […]
SPHS students host nature walks for low-income students, exploring the wonder of natural science
Story by Aanji SinSenior Staff Writer Photos Courtesy of Evan KowalContributor Seniors Evan Kowal, Aidan Lewis, and Tianhao Wei were featured on NBC 11 Sunday, Aug. 11, for their dedication and work to the YOSE (Youth Outdoor Science Education) project. The group began the program last January, giving low-income elementary school students the opportunity to learn about […]
SPHS welcomes new computer science teacher Jared Guiou
Story by Sofia AlvaStaff Writer SPUSD announced that Mr. Jared Guiou will begin teaching Math 2+, Math 3+, and AP Computer Science Wednesday, August 15. Guiou will be teaching alongside current computer science teacher Garrett Shorr for the coming 2019-2020 year. Guiou grew up in Chino Hills and was named a National Merit Scholar before attending […]
SPEF’s dance camp takes first steps in expanding SPHS’ dance program
Story by Haelee KimStaff Writer Photo Courtesy of SPHS Dance ProgramContributor The SPHS dance program hosted the South Pasadena Educational Foundation’s (SPEF) annual dance camp from July 29 through Aug. 2, a week-long course designed to showcase previews of different dance styles to participants in South Pasadena’s middle and elementary schools. SPEF first implemented the program to broaden […]
Brian Solinksy appointed as first deputy chief of South Pas
Story by Haelee KimStaff Writer Photo Courtesy of South Pasadena Police DepartmentContributor The South Pasadena Police Department (SPPD) has recently undergone a restructuring, creating new positions within the department, which includes the Deputy Chief position. Police Captain Brian Solinksy was the first SPPD member officially promoted to the position in a ceremony conducted Monday, July 29. […]
South Pas’ Summer Arts Crawl animates Mission Street with local art and business
Story by Sofia Alva Staff Writer Photos by Oscar Walsh Photo Editor Residents gathered on Mission Street for the South Pasadena and SPACE Summer Arts Crawl Saturday, July 20, to celebrate the artistic works of local businesses and artists. The free “Neighborhood Night-on-the-Town” also featured live music, food, and shopping. Businesses and organizations in the business district […]
Former South Pasadena Little Leaguer drafted for New York Mets
Story by Lilian ZhuStaff Writer South Pasadena resident Casey Slattery was selected in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball draft for the New York Mets. The 20-year-old began his baseball career in South Pasadena’s Little League before attending Glendale Community College. From 2006 to 2011 in South Pasadena, Little League is where Slattery began […]
South Pasadena community celebrates Independence Day with 38th Festival of Balloons
Story by Haelee KimStaff Writer Photos by Sarah Lee Staff Photographer The South Pasadena community celebrated the 38th annual Festival of Balloons, Thursday, July 4th, transforming the city with a full day schedule of festivities in observance of Independence Day. This year’s theme was “To the Moon and Beyond – 50 Years of Exploring America’s Freedom,” commemorating the […]
SPHS SkillsUSA students earn first-ever national gold medal
Photo courtesy of Jolene Lee South Pasadena High School’s SkillsUSA chapter attended the 56th SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference hosted in Louisville, Kentucky, June 24 to June 28. Juniors Talulla Chow, Jolene Lee, and Luyang Zhang took home SPHS’ first-ever gold medal at the national competition and the chapter’s fourth-ever national medal in the SPHS […]
South Pas parents voice concerns over LGBTQ+ curriculum in elementary schools
Story by Noah Kuhn Staff Writer Parents and students rallied in support of LGBTQ+ curriculum in South Pasadena elementary schools during a school board meeting Tuesday, June 25. Residents attended the meeting to protest a small group of parents who voiced their opinions against LGBTQ+ curriculum at a school board meeting two weeks prior. Marengo parents […]
City council reviews plans to revitalize SPUSD district office and downtown area
Story by Cloe MaurerStaff Writer Photo by Katelyn HernandezStaff Photographer South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe and SPUSD Superintendent Geoff Yantz presented a plan to revitalize the SPUSD District Office and Mission District Wednesday, June 19. The district office’s proposed revitalization is a collaborative effort between the city and the school district who hope to develop both […]
South Pasadena city council passes $28.3 million 2019-2020 general fund budget
Story by Amber Chen Staff Writer Photo by Sophie Yeung Staff Photographer The South Pasadena City Council unanimously passed the General Fund Budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2020 through 2024 Wednesday, June 5. The General Fund approval of $28.3 million came after months of discussion and public meetings. […]