Volume 45 April 12, 2013Number 17

Glen A. Wilson High School Hacienda Heights, California 91745

the INSIDE story

Longtime Superintendent to retire after 42 years

Prom-goers will get ‘out on the floor tonight’

ART APPRECIATION- Seniors Andrew Strand and Karla Jauregui admire the art pieces during the Arts Showcase, Wendesday.

ENTERTAINMENT | New Disney movie, Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, had good intentions, but it ultimately failed to bring closure for the audience. pg 9

EDITORIAL | Paw Priints Weekly reflects on the new school year schedule’s effectiveness and encourages further improvement for upcoming years. pg 3

Wilson Arts Showcase

PHOTO/SABRINA LIM

NAKAOKA LEGACY - District Superintendent Barbara Nakaoka engaged in an interview with Paw Prints Weekly, Wednesday.

SPECIAL | For the last issue of the year, senior editors reminisce about their fondest memories, leaving their final paw prints. pg 4-5

PHOTO/KATRINA WU

By CARINA LEEGRAPHIC DESIGNER

All dressed up in black and white…Love is swinging in the air tonight.

It is the time yet again for gentlemen to dress up in suits and ties and gals to adorn elegant gowns.

By JASON LIEDITORIAL EDITOR

Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) Superintendent Barbara Nakaoka is retiring after 42 years with HLPUSD and will be formally stepping down from her post on July 1.

“It was an extremely difficult decision to make,” said Nakaoka. “But after so many years, you know when it is time to leave.

Nakaoka has served as the assistant superintendent and the district’s chief academic officer before taking over as superintendent in 2006. Since then, she has helped the district improve its academic standing, with the district Academic Performance Index (API) exceeding 800 points.

“[Nakaoka] is a visionary. Instead of following the fad, she

has utilized researched-based programs to directly improve district stability and bring our district API to a record high,” said Principal Elena Paul. “She is truly a unique individual.”

Nakaoka says that one of her proudest accomplishments during her term was preserving the district’s financial strength.

“We have had no furlough days. We have never had to get bonds,” said Nakaoka. “The district has maintained its savings even though we have had decreasing enrollment and less funding. It has definitely not been easy, but the district

is fiscally sound compared to others around the area.”

Nakaoka attributes her achievements to the district’s resourcefulness.

“We certainly have not had the funding to launch

all the activities we have wanted to. So we have tried to cultivate partnerships that will allow us to equip our students academically while also fostering their character and integrity,” said Nakaoka.

“It has never just been about me. Any superintendent who says that is lying.”

However, her term has not been without difficulties. In the past seven years, Nakaoka has had to navigate through a variety of district issues, including the recent dispute on teachers’ salary negotiations.

“HLPUSD has always been about the people involved. We truly are like a family,” said Nakaoka. “I think I

have more face-to-face contact than other superintendents to make sure that every person feels valued within the district.”

Nakaoka plans on continuing her involvement in the district as well as starting her own foundation that will focus on science and technology.

The district is in the process of recruiting a new superintendent, who will be selected by the Board of Education.

“The new superintendent must be extremely loyal to the district, and [he or she] must put the district as the first priority,” said Nakaoka. “Often times, we lose sight of what education really means when we are so busy doing other things. The superintendent must have his or her heart in education and the children.”

Nakaoka will continue to serve as the interim superintendent until a decision is made.

The Associated Student Body will be hosting A Black Tie Affair, the annual promenade, at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, April 13 from 7:30p.m. to 11:30p.m.

The beauty and elegance of prom itself inspired the theme, according to ASB secretary Rosemary Judy.

“We actually wanted to stray away from a concrete theme, which is what we had in the past,” said Judy. “It was an idea we got from looking at prom books.”

The decorations will primarily consist of black and white colors, along with a hint of red. Participants will be served by waiters in a sit-down dinner, unlike in previous years.

“It’s a once in a lifetime event, a fairytale dream that every girl fantasizes about at one point in her life,” said senior Esther Moon. “Besides spending time with my friends, I hear often that the food is always really good, so that’s something that I’m looking forward to.”

For prom goers, it has become a Wilson tradition to extravagantly ask their date to the dance. According to some males, it is a nerve-wracking but positive experience.

“Like anyone else who asks, I was definitely nervous,” said senior Vincent Wong. “I took the opportunity of asking in-class during a presentation. Luckily for me, Mrs. Alvarado was very lenient and understanding. It didn’t go as planned though. [But] in the end, it was a fun and interesting experience, and I’m really happy that I asked.”

For the females, being invited to prom is a reaction worth the effort, says junior Jocelyn Chen.

“When my boyfriend asked me, I honestly did not expect it at all because he told me he would be asking a week later,” said Chen. “Usually we have bonfires around Top of the World, where I was asked, and I was told it was a celebration for college acceptance letters. I was really surprised and happy, and overall it helped build excitement for the dance.”

However, prom is extremely money-crunching and demanding, according to senior Jonathan Wang.

“Prom crippled my financial situation, because it literally drained an enormous amount of money. Though I feel indifferent overall, I still think it is special because it is a formal event for informal beings. I am looking forward to the dance because of how much I spent,” said Wang.

Dress code will be strongly enforced. Today is the last day to purchase tickets from the ASB office for $90 with an ASB card, or $95 without.