Midnight Judge - LAUSD

Midnight Judge

Volume 7 Issue 1 August 2005

P 1. The Midnight Judge / AP Onslaught The AP Onslaught

P 2. AP Onslaught (cont.) / New Kids on by Marvin Diaz

The Block At the beginning of the year,
sophomores in the ASA found
P 3. NKOTB (cont.) / Spotlight themselves taking the infamous
Advanced Placement classes, and with
P 4. Poems and Art them came rumors of twelve-page
Cornell notes, all-night study sessions
The Midnight Judge and many other activities that keep us
insomniacs busy. Freshmen will fill their
by Suzie Vardanyan places in the future, so this will give
them a preview.
Many students wonder why our
newsletter is called the “Midnight An AP course is basically a college
Judge.” So we decided to answer this level course, which gives students a
question in our first issue of this school chance to earn both high school and
year. To understand our title, you have college credits. Some examples include
to go back in American history in the AP Biology, AP European History, and
presidential elections of 1800. John AP Calculus. These classes are a major
Marshall, like John Adams, was a learning opportunity, but it comes with a
Federalist. The latter’s opponent, price.
Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand,
was a Republican. In the election, “There’s a lot more work,” says Anna
Adams lost to Jefferson, which meant Guan, an Advanced Academy sophomore
that the new president would have to taking AP Biology, and AP European
change the government to a Republican History. “Chapters go faster. It starts out
one. Adams, before leaving office, being stressful.” Sharing her classes is
made his last decisions giving another sophomore, Danny Fonseca, who
federalists various positions in office, also agrees to the flustered start of AP
which according to legend, occurred classes. “I do two to three hours of
during midnight. John Marshall was homework for each class. The transition
appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme is hard, but I think I can handle it.”
Court (while still being Secretary of Surprisingly, both students agree that it is
State) and this is why he was referred to worth it, and they are not alone.
as the “Midnight Judge.” Even though
some Federalists were removed from (continued on P. 2)
office, John Marshall remained and had
a significant impact in protecting the Pg.1
laws of our nation.

“Most students like the idea of having "I was so nervous, I thought she
AP classes,” says Phil Chase, head of (Scheaffer) was going to tell me
the ASA. AP classes are a rare chance ‘You need to practice more, so go
for high school teenagers to grow. home". Around 68 of the 100 of
They also have other benefits, such as them made the cut.
saving money on college and
increasing the chances of getting There are 17 players on each
admitted. Chase’s advice to
sophomores is to at least try, as well as of the 4 teams, Freshmen,
“organize your time.” In the end,
taking on challenges will only make Sophomore, Junior Varsity, and
you stronger.
Varsity. The focus right now is on
New Kids on the Block
By Alex Hernandez the Freshmen and Sophomore

"Play hard, play smart, have teams, which start preseason play
fun," the phrase echoes through the
ears of the freshmen and sophomore on September 12 against
players. Basketball coach Jean
Scheaffer repeats, "Play Hard, Play Verdugo. They start regular
Smart, Have Fun!" Many of the
sophomores have been through this, season play at home on
having ascended from being a
freshman. Some, like Jin Bae, have September 19 against Los
matured and have stepped up to be
leaders, guiding the new freshman. Angeles High.

"I don’t know about you guys, "Play Hard," part of the
but I can’t sleep, I’m getting excited,"
remarks Scheaffer about the start of phrase that defines the team’s
the season, which is approximately 6
weeks away. Yet she stresses the work habits. The hard workers are
importance of getting ready early.
Preparation is the key if they want to the players that could possibly
be up to par with other schools like
Los Angeles High, Eagle Rock, play more than others, regardless
Wilson, Lincoln, Franklin, and
Belmont. of ability. Scheaffer is very clear

Around 100 boys showed up for with the players on working hard,
tryouts on July 12, 2005.
Nervousness immediately sank into "You guys should be doing your
the newcomers. Bilguun Batdelger
recalls, sets of pushups and sit ups. Go for

a little run. Sleep at 9; drink lots

of water so you won’t get injured.

Some of the drills we do here you

can do at home. Because if you

don’t, who are you tricking?" The

players’ immediate response

"US!" The players recycle, and

from the money they make, they

pay for uniforms.

Fundamentals, the basics that

make the difference, "Play

Smart." Scheaffer, along with

Coach Swan, point out the little

things that go a long way such as

(continued on p. 3)

Pg. 2

drills involving dribbling. "Don’t Spotlight by Mari Saakjan
palm the ball, use your finger
tips!" defense "Keep your chest Every month the Midnight
up, bend your knees, look at the Judge will have a Spotlight
player’s chest!" as well as jump article. This article focuses on one
stopping and pivoting. student who exceeds their
expectations in the field of
"Having Fun," is what academics and many other fields
basketball is really all about. as well such as sports. This
Scheaffer, as told to me by month’s spotlight is on Kate
several players is known for Alexis Lubina C10. Kate has two
playing a lot of players in the Advanced Placement (AP)
game, giving equal opportunity to classes, AP European History
all with playing time. Many agree and AP Biology, and still
that they are very happy with manages to maintain a 3.87 grade
being on the Sophomore team point average. That is not
instead of being on Junior Varsity considering that she is also on a
or Varsity because of the playing sports team, our own Marshall
time. Volleyball team. She also owns a
horse by the name of Oz, she
With a season very near, makes an effort to go horseback
excitement arises. Expect John riding at least four days a week.
Marshall High School’s Freshmen A classmate, Anna Guan
and Sophomore basketball teams describes Kate as “a very
to be practicing., working to friendly, smart, and hardworking
attain the level of success they are person." Her friends Lynn and
capable of. "Play Hard, Play Anthony also describe Kate as
Smart, Have Fun..." hardworking and patient when it
comes to all matters, including
academics. Such an outstanding
student with much potential and
goals deserves this issue's
spotlight of the month.

Pg 3