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PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL - ISSUE 2, VOLUME 27 - NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Typrowicz is Quick Co-captain Jake Typrowicz leads the XC pack By Sophie Stoddart reporter Senior Jake Typrowicz is a decorated cross country runner, leading his teammates to success in many races. “Three of us ran the 400 meter and we won first, second, and third in it which was a very exciting moment for us,” Typrowicz said. Typrowicz shared that he runs for many different reasons. “I run for my teammates, fitness, and it’s a good way to destress,” Typrowicz said. Typrowicz has personal goals for himself and the team. The two main goals are to win CIF and to potentially win State as well. In order to reach their goals and do well on race days, the cross country team has to follow a training schedule consisting of weekly workouts. “Going into a workout I always tell myself that it’s going to be tough, but I know I can get through it,” Typrowicz said. “I keep myself motivated during workouts by just focusing on moving and continuing to run.” While participating in long distance racing, there are mental hurdles that must be overcome. “I definitely start to think negatively,” Typrowicz said. “I try to take myself out of it by thinking positively like ‘400 meters to go’ or ‘half a mile left.’” As Typrowicz has been racing for PVHS in his four years, his coaches have seen him improve as a runner. “I have been coaching Typie for four years,” running coach Kevin Farrington said. “There are a number of different memories throughout Typie’s running career. Probably my favorite is the most recent, where he ran fifteen flat at the Woodbridge Invitational, which was a three
mile race, and he actually realized how good he can be and currently is.” Typrowicz always tries to make a lasting impact on others like his role models have made on him. He shared that he looks up to a group of seniors that were on the team during his sophomore year. “They led the team really well, and they were great role models,” Typrowicz said. “I look up to them in both running as well as leadership.” As a runner, Typrowicz has learned many lessons which have changed his life for the better. “Throughout running I have definitely learned how to take care of myself (by taking) vitamins, hydrating myself, and eating properly to stay healthy,” Typrowicz said. “I’ve learned how to be a good teammate towards those around me and be supportive of my friends.” Typrowicz has considered what running will be to him in the future. “I do intend to run in college either as a collegiate athlete or intramurally,” Typrowicz said. “I think running will be something that is always in my life,” Typrowicz said. “It’s something that I have a love for, a way to stay in good shape and a passion [which I can constantly] to improve upon.”
Typrowicz runs during a cross country meet. (Photo courtesy of Frank Ponce)
PVHS Walk of Fame Installed Starring influential donors and alum By Lucia Ruiz and Eva Yancheson editor-in-chief and reporter For years, the PVHS Drama Department has been planning a Sea King Walk of Fame, a Hollywood-style walkway of stars featuring the names of influential patrons. On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Walk of Fame project became a reality as 14 stars now line the entrance to the MPR. The PVHS Drama Department has a longstanding reputation for putting on impressive productions which are very popular among students. In order to fund the program, supporters can purchase a star on the Walk of Fame or purchase a seat in the theater with an inscribed nameplate. “My entire family all loves theater,” junior Gavin Kresser said. “If I remember correctly, when we bought our star it was back during 2019 I think. It’s a great way to support the drama department.” The Sea King Walk of Fame started as a method of fundraising for the theater program. “The [Walk of Fame] campaign started when we were trying to raise money to get three units of theater seats because we were using fold-out chairs,” drama department director Nicole Thomspon said. “But that’s where costs have now increased. Even something like a shipment of playbills that used to cost $1200 is now $2700.” Not only were the materials for the stars more expensive, but they were also harder to access due to the effects of COVID. “We started the Walk of Fame preCOVID and put the order in and then the world kind of stopped,” Thompson said. “We were unable to get our order for a year. It came from overseas so it didn’t come and then it was stuck on a ship for a
(Photo by Lucia Ruiz) long time in Long Beach so it took forever. So a lot of people on the stars have now graduated. But it’s super exciting to see them there and they turned out incredible.” However, the campaign has evolved into much more and involves the entire school now. “Even when I was in high school, I remember seeing so many things dedicated to people who have helped to make programs happen,” Thompson said. “The Sea King Walk of Fame isn’t just for theater families. There is a star for the ASB director that was here many years ago, there are a couple stars that are athlete’s families. So it really is leaving a mark and giving back to the school that you love and the programs that you love.” Since the Sea King Walk of Fame is news to many on campus, Thompson is optimistic that it will raise more funds for the various departments in the coming years. “We’re hoping that every program will get a star on there eventually because we really are one school and working together,” Thompson said.
Community to Elect Two New School Board Members By Ella Sherry news editor In early November of 2022, voters in Palos Verdes had the chance to elect new PVPUSD school board members. There were four open seats for a four-year term and one for a two-year term. Results have not been released yet, but the winners are supposed to be announced within the month. “This year’s election is very important,” four-year seat candidate Jennifer Handjian said. “Four seats are open on the school board and that brings with it the possibility of a lot of positive change. Our community is best when all the stakeholders are engaged and informed, so I hope everyone takes the time to go to
the candidates’ websites and learn about them.” A few topics are prevalent among the candidates’ main goals, a major one being academic concerns. “[Academic performance] is a somewhat controversial topic among parents and candidates because there is conflicting information about how well our students are doing,” four-year seat candidate Jeremy Vanderhal said. “College acceptance rates and AP scores are doing very well, but performance on standardized testing seems to indicate a learning gap.” The improvements of school campuses are also a main focus for many candidates this year. “I want to implement responsible fiscal management so that we can actually fix the facilities that are in an embarrassing
and unsafe state of disrepair,” four-year seat candidate Julie Hamill said. A large part of this problem seems to be the financial state of the school district. Other schools in the South Bay are finding new ways to deal with this problem. “...I would like to look for private sponsors like El Segundo Unified does,” Handjian said. “Chevron is a big sponsor of El Segundo Unified School District, giving millions of dollars each year so they can continuously improve their campuses. We need to identify and go after companies who want to invest in their local communities and the South Bay.” Lastly, most of the candidates are concerned about the mental well-being of students, amplified largely because of the pandemic. “If I am elected I will focus on enhancing academic and mental health programs,”
another candidate, Linda Kurt, said. Dr. Sara Deen, also running for one of the four-year seats, has similar views. “My goal is for every district student to have their learning, social and emotional needs met on safe and friendly campuses,” she said, “so that every kid can discover their inner spark, cultivate their own unique gifts and reach for their dreams.” It’s important for PVPUSD students to remain aware of the 2022 school board elections: it can and will affect academic and social experiences in schools. “What I’d like PVHS students to know about this year’s elections is that they absolutely matter,” Vanderhal said. “Many people are focused on the state and federal elections, but often it is the local elections that affect our lives the most.”