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2 NEWS APRIL 27,2012 Iliad Most Poway High students recognize the face of senior Vincent Beltran, who is also known as Tommy Titan. On April 13 a pep rally was held where a new stu- dent mascot was elected to take over upon Beltran’s graduation. When the time came for junior contestant Erl Liwa- nag to lead a cheer at the pep rally, the stands erupted in approval. It came as no surprise when Beltran an- nounced the judges’ decision; Liwanag would be the new mascot. Liwanag just recently realized he was fitting to be Tommy Titan. “[The Iliad] asked what my New Year’s resolution was so I randomly said that I wanted to be the new mascot,” Liwanag said. Liwanag will be present at football games and vari- ous other sporting events. Not only will he bring in- creased energy to the crowd, but he will also s serve as a role model for the Poway fans. Erl Liwanag will be only the second mascot to ap- pear without a full mask, a new tradition decided upon by Principal Scott Fisher. “Vince was the first face and personality of Tommy Titan to actually be seen by the crowd. We bought him a new outfit without the full head mask which worked out well,” Fisher explained. When asked for his advice to the new Tommy Titan Principal Fisher simply said, “I encourage him to be like Vince.” Most of the students on Poway High’s campus who have ventured into the library at any given time of the year have noticed the large and glossy posters hanging in con- spicuous locations around the room. Some are color, some are black and white; some are funny, some are deeply thought- provoking; but all share one thing in com- mon: each one features a book and its reader in a highly interesting situation, and each one bears the legend “READ.” These posters are the results of a popu- lar collaboration between the library and the photo department which has been going on since 1998. The posters were initially based on the popular American Literacy Association graphics, which strove to encourage reading. Former photo teacher Dennis Wood and then-librarian Barbara Nobriga got together and developed the assignment to honor Na- tional School Library Month each April. The contest was more successful than they could have possibly imagined, and is still going strong well over a decade later. School librarians Jan Hurley and Kather- ine Powell continue to be extremely pleased with the high level of interest the contest brings to the library. “I think people are very interested in com- ing in and seeing them,” Powell said. “Right after the winners are announced, we get big crowds who come in just to look.” Photo teacher Daniel Harris agrees, and cites the assignment as one of his favorites to give all year. “One thing I really, really like about it is that it’s a wonderful introduction for stu- dents to commercial photography. They have to develop a concept, execute it, and present it. They’re like an entire ad agency in one shot,” he said. Entries follow certain guidelines: a photo must promote reading; the book in the pic- ture should be relevant to the subject matter; and, of course, the picture must be “fam- ily-friendly” enough to be exhibited in the library—although the last line tends to get crossed about once a year. “There’s always controversy,” laughed Mrs. Hurley, citing last year’s “Students’ Choice” photo (of two teenagers in a bed reading up on safe sex) as well as the 1999 winner, which featured several Speedo-clad members of the mens’ water polo team. Despite these regulations, the idea only continues to become more popular. Harris noted that he has received calls re- garding the project from photography teach- ers at other local schools, including Gross- mont High. “It’s really great to see students coming out and demonstrating what they can do,” he said. “And I don’t think [the assignment] is going anywhere.” Photos are currently on display in the li- brary for voting. The winners will be displayed until next year’s contest. Eye on Art, one of Poway High’s fastest growing traditions, returns to campus on Thursday, May 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. The festival will feature student work from the floral design, photo, digital media, ceramics, 3D anima- tion, architecture and drawing and painting departments. In addition to many displays, entertainment will include Hors d’oeuvres provided by the PTSA, music by local jazz musicians, The Tough Times Trio as well as a “drive-in” style Film Festival for the best student films of the year and demonstrations of the dark room and the back studio. Local personality Jacob Neuen- swander will host as emcee, and principal Scott Fisher and district director Noreen Walton will give speeches. Eye on Art was established to solidify an art department that, due to budget cuts, has suffered more than any other department. “We raised over $1000 last year to pay for things like printing,” photo teacher Daniel Harris said. Admission to the festival is free and funds are raised by selling stu- dent work. “This has been one of our best years,” said digital media teacher Robert Kaechele about some of the great works to be displayed this year. “I get a kick out of seeing the room packed with parents for stu- dent art,” Harris said. “Eye on Art” festival to showcase Titan work CHASE PADO Online Editor Sharon J. Friedman M.S. College Admissions Specialist Helping students and parents solve the puzzle of college applications and admissions Tel 858.395.7776 Email [email protected] nts solve e of college We Pay Ca$H for Your Cool Stuff! Need a new outfit for this weekend? Look no further! Plato’s Closet Escondido has everything you need. We buy and sell gently used clothes, shoes and accessories from all your favorite brands for guys and girls. And...we pay you $$$ on the spot for trendy items you no longer wear. PlatosClosetEscondido.com facebook.com/PlatosClosetEscondido *May not be used in conjunction with any other discount, offer or gift card. Valid at this location only. Expires June 1, 2012. Check Us Out TODAY! 1220 Auto Parkway 760-233-0002 (in the Target Shopping Center) Bring in this ad to Save $5 off a $30 purchase!* LONDON DETRICK Photographer LUKE CASTOR Staff Writer Passing on Poway Pride: Vincent Beltran hands Tommy Titan’s helmet to new mascot Erl Liwanang. Liwanang won the approval of both the crowd and Beltran, and will serve as the official mascot for the 2012-2013 year LONDON DETRICK // The Iliad New Tommy Titan selected Photo displays “READ” posters in library ~Courtesy of Daniel Harris Daniel Harris’s photo classes compete for year-long placement in the library
