Photo by Adam Kwoh Staff Writer Friends of Vanessa Marquez, the ER actress who lost her life after an officer-involved shooting, gathered to honor her name in a vigil Wednesday, September 5, a week after her passing. Loving messages and flowers were placed next to a palm tree in front of Marquez’s Fremont home during […]
SPHS kicks off the new school year with annual SAC assembly
Photos by Sophie Yeung and Tony Chen Staff Photographers SPHS commenced the new school year with the annual SAC assembly on Friday, August 31. The first assembly of the year featured this year’s ASB members in skits promoting the Student Activities Card (SAC), the Icebreaker dance, and yearbook, as well as several student performances. The marching […]
Officer-involved shooting fatality identified as ER actress Vanessa Marquez
Photo by Andrés Oyaga Staff Photographer Authorities identified actress Vanessa Marquez as individual who was killed in an officer-involved shooting Thursday, August 30. No officers were injured during the confrontation, which is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s office. South Pasadena Police Department (SPPD) officers responded to a call […]
Officer-involved shooting on Fremont results in one fatality
Photo by Andres Oyaga Staff Photographer Multiple South Pasadena Police Department (SPPD) officers responded in an officer-involved shooting, resulting in one death on Thursday afternoon. No officers were injured in the shooting. Officers were called to a welfare check at 12 p.m., prior to the shooting, on the 1100 block of Fremont, near the intersection […]
SPHS band and orchestra holds second annual mattress fundraiser
Written by Christine Mao Staff Writer The SPHS band and orchestra, along with Custom Fundraising Solutions (CFS), hosted their second annual mattress sale on Saturday, August 25. The small gym was transformed into a showroom with numerous sales team members to introduce and advertise the many name brand mattresses. Mattresses were provided by CFS without any […]
SPHS holds concussion workshop for fall athletes
Dr. Nancy J. Cohick hosted a concussion workshop at the South Pasadena High School auditorium for fall sport student-athletes on Tuesday, August 21, highlighting the lifelong dangers of brain injuries. Students were informed about the symptoms, recovery process, and long-term effects of concussions and urged to take the necessary steps to prevent permanent cerebral damage. […]
Kelley’s Kookies cuts ribbon in Fair Oaks grand opening
Written by Raymond Yeo Staff Writer Photo by Tony Chen Staff Photographer South Pasadenans joined Kelley’s Kookies at its grand opening celebration on Saturday, August 18th. The city’s newest sweet shop specializes in handcrafted shortbread cookies and aims to help satiate sweet tooths around town. Recently relocated from the Santa Anita Mall, Kelley’s Kookies seeks to pursue […]
SPHS responds to parent and student concerns regarding mandatory study hall
The SPHS administration expanded the list of exception courses that students could enroll in – in place of a study hall, to accommodate students who want to take a seventh class. Superintendent Geoff Yantz responded to the concerns of parents and students regarding the new mandatory study hall with a note behalf of the district. […]
South Pasadena city council outlines impact of the possible UUT repeal
Written by Dominic Marziali Staff Writer Photo by Helena Fu Staff Photographer The South Pasadena City Council discussed an initiative by the Pasadena-based political group, TeaPAC, to repeal the Utility Users Tax (UUT) Wednesday, July 18. Councilmembers considered the longer reaching effects of a repeal and plans of action should voters repeal the tax on the upcoming […]
South Pasadena celebrates the Fourth of July with its annual Festival of Balloons
Story by Aanji Sin Staff Writer Photos by Tony Chen and Oscar Walsh Staff Photographers Residents of South Pasadena celebrated Independence Day with the annual Fourth of July Festival of Balloons on Wednesday, July 4th. Throughout the day, participants enjoyed food and games held at Garfield Park and gathered at South Pasadena High School later that […]
SPHS SkillsUSA members earn top marks at the National Leadership and Skills Conference
Story by Raymond Yeo Staff Writer Photo courtesy of South Pasadena SkillsUSA State gold medalists of South Pasadena’s SkillsUSA team traveled to Louisville, KY from June 25 to 29 to attend the 54th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). The team showcased their work in various areas of career and technical education and earned high […]
SPHS students teach introductory coding as part of the Next Generation Coding Camp
Story by Raymond Yeo Staff Writer Photo courtesy of Femineers SPHS’ Coding Club kicked off the third iteration of its Next Generation Coding (NGC) camp, a weeklong course teaching introductory coding to elementary and middle school students. Throughout the week of June 11, participants learned the fundamental aspects of coding and applied their knowledge by […]
SPHS parents and students express concern regarding new study hall policy
Photo by Tony Chen Staff Photographer SPHS parents and students packed the SPUSD board room to voice their opinions regarding the new mandatory study hall policy on Tuesday, June 26. The policy — set to take action in the 2018-19 school year — requires students to take six classes with an additional study hall period. This […]
South Pasadena City Council approves an updated plan to combat homelessness
Written by Matthew Tsai Staff Writer The South Pasadena City Council approved a last minute plan to prevent and combat homelessness Wednesday, June 20. Initially, the original proposal was slated to be rejected, but a revised document was submitted the afternoon before meeting, prompting the council’s change in recommendation. During a previous meeting, Councilmember Diana Mahmud […]
Artists transform the streets for the annual Pasadena Chalk Festival
Written by Luyang Zhang Staff Writer Photos by Alicia Alderete Photo Editor The plain concrete walkways of the Paseo Colorado Center were transformed into a multihued masterpiece on June 16-17 in the 26th annual Pasadena Chalk Festival. As the pounding of live music blended with the chatter of hundreds of spectators, individual artists and teams from all […]
SPUSD announces Carlos Kassam-Clay as the new assistant principal of SPMS
Photo courtesy of South Pasadena Unified School District The new assistant principal of South Pasadena Middle School (SPMS), Carlos Kassam-Clay, was formally introduced during the SPUSD Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, June 12. Kassam-Clay will be succeeding Robert Yim due to Yim’s retirement. The SPMS assistant principal position oversees student discipline, special education, special […]