WORLD • 2
BRAVO NEWS • 1
ENTERTAINMENT • 3
BRAVO MEDICAL MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | VOL. XXIX, ISSUE XIV | WWW.BRAVOWEB.LAUSD.NET| September 2019
In Loving Memory of Juan Diaz
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet School School Survival Guide
BY: NOEMI PEDRAZA
In the early morning of July 27th, Officer Diazs’ life was taken
By JENNIFER JIMENEZ
in a senseless act of violence.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA— With the new school year beginning, there are some unwritten rules many at Bravo Medical Magnet High-school that will make the school year much smoother.
Although he was out of uniform at the time of the incident, Diaz
was doing what he had been doing every day for the past 2 years; protecting and serving his community. According to people actively involved in Diazs’ life, he was a loving, kind, community-driven person who was constantly trying to better his surroundings. A well known and well-respected teacher here at Bravo, Ralphael Rodriguez, had taught Diaz in the past and described him as a good kid who had been interested in the police academy and steadily prepared for it throughout his high school career. Juan Diaz not only impressed his teachers but his family members with his passion, intelligence, & uniqueness, he will be forever missed and forever remembered.
Juan Diaz, an honorable officer, loving son, brother, and friend of many. Source: CNN
Bravo Hosts its First Athletic Pep-Rally By SAMANTHA SOTO
Bravo held its first ever Athletic Pep-Rally on August 23, 2019 during lunch. The girls volleyball team and the co-ed cross country team gathered in the outside cafeteria to celebrate the start of their season. Their fellow peers united around the teams to shout encouraging words and demonstrated their school pride. As the teams were announced by the leadership class, the members stepped behind their designated posters. The girls volleyball team began to chant their spirit song as they attempted to tear through their poster. Unfortunately, the poster didn’t tear, so now it resides inside the gym as a constant encouragement for the team. The cross country did what they do best and ran through their poster, splitting it in half. In spite of Bravo’s stigma of not being athletic, the brand new athletic pep-rally comes as a result of an increasing number of students who actively participate in sports and cheer for our games demand celebration for their achievements.
Adopt- A - Freshman Between September 3rd to September 6th, 2019, Bravo hosted their Annual Adopt-AFreshman week. During this week, September 3rd and 4th were dedicated for Seniors to look around and find Freshmen who wanted to get adopted. In addition, these two days involved seniors and Freshman getting photographed with their official certificates. The rest of the week was filled with laughter, music, and fun activities. Seniors were given opportunities to bond with the freshman that they adopted. One very special activity called for Seniors and Freshmen to play
By Laura Gueta
musical chairs. This competitive, yet exciting game was not only enjoyable to the players, but also to the student audience watching. Students and staff in the outside cafeteria witnessed the clumsy and silly outcomes of the musical chairs activity. Adopt a Freshman week, is so significant because not only does it help freshmen get the opportunity to meet Seniors, but find someone who can mentor them during their first year of high school. Besides, both grade levels receive the chance to meet and build new friendships. In conclusion, this easy-
going atmosphere allowed all students to be themselves and most importantly, have fun! A special thanks to leadership for organizing this annual amusing event. Till next year!
Tip #1 Do not block the hallways if possible. With the small hallways in Bravo, it is very difficult to move from class to class. Conversations should not be held between classes because it makes it difficult to make it to class on time. Tip #2 Avoid the middle staircase, if possible. The middle staircase if the most popular here at Bravo because of its precise location. There are three other staircases available here at Bravo which are not as full as the middle staircase. Using one of the other staircases provides an easier and faster route to your next class. Tip #3 Do not be afraid to reach out to seniors for help! Many seniors are willing to give underclassmen valuable tips about teachers, sports, study tips, etc.
Tips #4 Be aware of the AP classes you are taking. Do your research and attend informational meetings about any AP classes you are planning to enroll in. Do not enroll in an AP class simply because your friend is taking the class, the workload will not be kind! Tip #5 Have fun! Join clubs, make new friends, and do not stress too much about school. Although school is very important, remember to have fun every once in a while. Coming from a senior, high school goes by extremely fast even if you do not feel like it does at times. Make sure to end high school without any regrets, remember you can not go back in time.
Have fun and enjoy your time here at Bravo but remember these tips that will make your high school experience a bit better!
2 WORLD
VOL. XXIX, ISSUE XIV
September 2019
WORLD
Donald Trump Passes a New Bill Regarding Government Services By JAZMIN ANGUIANO
Amazon Fires By DANIEL MENDOZA
Source: TIME
Image Courtesy of CNN WASHINGTON D.C.- Officially, the Department of Homeland of Security confirmed the public change which intensively complicates the applications of Green cards and Visa. Under Trump’s administration, this new public change jeopardizes the chances of an applicant becoming a legal resident because of the government services they receive such as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In this case, the public change is more accurately described as a public charge, and it created numerous additional factors to evaluate when examining applications. Accordingly, these additional factors are the following: English proficiency level, income, and health status. Evidently, this proposal evokes fear in many undocumented immigrants as noted by political experts.
struggle to benefit from federal aid. Subsequently, the public charge changes are considered not congressional. Other researchers discovered that 8.3 million children receiving resources from Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, or SNAP could be dismissed although they need medical assistance. As a result, they predict that about 1 and 2 million children could be impacted. Consequently, experts noticed a chilling effect occurring since February 2018 which involves a number of immigrants removing themselves from their government services due to their fears. However, in November 2018 the city of Baltimore and the organization Democracy Forward pressed charges on President Trump and the Department of State for changing the public change without congressional approval.
Political experts such as Doug Rand, a former member of Obama’s administration and co- In essence, political figures understand that founder of Boundless Immigration, discussed immigrants have the right to fairly apply for the unfairness of the public charge proposal. He government services when needed and eligible. affirmatively mentions, “The alleged, but illusory problem is that immigrants are eating up taxpayer funds makes no sense.” Rand recognizes the severe changes towards the immigration system because immigrants will
Tragedy has struck in Brazil, in the city of São Paulo, smoke from the burning of the Amazon Rainforest, is filled their clouds and air. This is alarming news because the forest is burning at a record rate.The Amazon Rainforest provides an estimated 20% of the world’s oxygen supply, giving the rainforest the nickname of the Earth’s lungs. There have been 9,500 forest fires in Brazil since 2015, this year there are a recorded 74,000 fires. The rate of these fires is alarming, and it is saddening that only now after years of exposure, we are starting to say something. The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has lowered the standards of environmental conservation and has been blamed for selling the rainforest land to NGOs (Nongovernmental organizations) and private corporations. The Amazon Rainforest is rich in animal diversity and natural resources. By selling the land, Jair Bolsonaro is damaging our planet by trying to benefit his economy. Sadly, the Amazon Rainforest has been burning for years in small proportions, and our oxygen is slowly depleting. We are left to question our health as an economy and as a planet. At the end of the day it is everyone’s planet, and it is our job to make sure we keep it healthy and safe, by doing small things everyday you can contribute to the preservation of our world.
A Deeper Look Into ICE raids By AMY MORALES
MISSISSIPPI-The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently been targeting families from Central America. Federal authorities intend to arrest as many as 2,000 people who are not eligible to stay in the country as a way to prevent others from coming. To achieve this, ICE has begun to operate over the weekends in places like New York, Florida, Illinois and Mississippi, but recently hundreds of families were affected by this. U.S immigration authorities recently rounded up hundreds of undocumented workers in a food processing plant in Mississippi.
raid in a single state to ever occur in U.S history. It’s been reported that nearly 700 undocumented people were detained, but many of the workers were later released. Although it is still highly possible that they may have to face a federal judge. Father Robert Mena, from St. Michael Catholic Church, says he lost about 150 members from this raid. Father Mena has become a temporary emergency center to help out families. These ongoing threats of ICE raids has brought daily fear and anxiety to millions of undocumented immigrants across the United States. As a result, officials reported this as One of the biggest dilemmas from the largest immigration enforcement
the MIssissippi raid has become the story of two children who were left behind without both of their parents. The U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said before that if both parents were arrested, one parent would get sent home within 24 hours. Evidently, this did not happen in this case since both children (ages 12 and 14) were left alone for eight days. Authorities later became aware of this so the children’s mother was released on August 15. More than 350 workers remain in ICE detention centers in Mississippi, but advocates say it’ll be weeks till Source: CNN they hear from a judge.
3 ENTERTAINMENT VOL. XXIX, ISSUE XIV
Senior Announcements
ENTERTAINMENT
September 2019
Senior Crewmecks
By HERMES AGUSTIN JR
Seniors, it is that time of year for the senior crewnecks. As a tradition of senior year, the crewnecks symbolize what represented the years of Bravo students who were once freshmen that have to be navigated in a tall building, now have a better understanding of both the school and getting prepared for the next stage of life. It’s your time to showcase the prestige of the 30th class on your sleepless nights on the hardship of multiple tests and preparing for the acceptance of colleges and universities. Before it can be produced, it’s all up from anyone in the senior class to come up with a crew necks design that will represent the class of 2020. Remember, the design is meant to be a portrayal of fun times and maybe a bit of
struggle coming from the most competitive class in Bravo history. If a design that you feel that solidified as the senior, drop off your design to Rm 314 during break. Once we all designs are submitted in, seniors can vote for their favorite design and personality fit with the class. Voting will take in the Bravo class of 2020 Instagram page (@ bravoclassof2020).
Source: Pinterest
Source: Instagram
A Shift in Media Serves as a Call to Action for Teens
the show. When They See Us also raised awareness surrounding the corruption of the justice system. This allows for people to be more careful and avoid having history repeat itself.
By MELINDA RENTERIA
With the recent release of When They See Us, many people became aware of the corruption that occurred in 1989. In an Instagram poll, teenagers were asked whether they were familiar with the exonerated five. 60% answered yes, but of those people only 20% knew of them before watching
Another show that gained some controversy was Thirteen Reasons Why. This Netflix show depicted mental illness in high schoolers as a result of bullying and other issues. The main character combats the illness, but eventually it becomes too overwhelming. In an Instagram poll, 62% of participants between the ages of 15-20 agreed that Thirteen Reasons Why made them more knowledgeable about mental illness and its effects. Later, teens were asked about other movies or forms of media they felt had an impact on how they viewed society. Celine Campos, a recent graduate from Bravo Medical Magnet, commented, “Cyberbully is a movie that explains how media is perceived and the effect it has on society.” An overwhelming amount of participants wrote that The Fosters, a show about a foster family from San Diego, taught them various lessons about foster families, teens being viewed as criminals, racial prejudice, and gay marriage. Shows that individuals are currently watching are no longer just for entertainment. What previously were subliminal messages and lessons hidden in shows are now the basis of shows and more importantly, are educating people about issues that occur in present day society.
Editorial Matter
Letters to the Editors
Traditionally, television shows and social media have been used for solely entertainment purposes. Recently, Netflix and Hulu have taken it a step further including conepts of racial injustices, sexual assault, and mental illness in order to spread awareness. These shows have taught individuals about real events and have even warned against possible certain issues using civic imaginationthe ability to create alternate solutions or realities to current social, economic, and political conflicts.
Opinions expressed in Vital Signs belong to the
Letters to the editors concerning any topic relevant to Vital Signs are
writer. They do not reflect the opinions of the
welcomed. Please refrain from using vulgar or disrespectful language.
Journalism staff or those of Francisco Bravo
Letters should be brief and may be edited to maximize space and heighten
Medical Magnet High School.
clarity. Letters may be anonymous or signed by the author. Please send letters to: bravovitalsigns@gmail.com or Drop them off in Mr. R. Rodriguez’s mailbox/Room 312
Conquering Bravo Land Art By ANDY GARCIA
Vital Signs Staff AZUCENA HILARIO ANNABELLA RUIZ VALENTINA GUEVARA MELINDA RENTERIA ANDY GARCIA DANIEL MENDOZA JAZMIN ANGUIANO HERMES AGUSTIN JR NOEMI PEDRAZA SAMANTHA SOTO LAURA GUETA JENNIFER JIMENEZ
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