Thursday, April 29, 2010 By Eric Nersisyan Freshmen Melanie Sinany and Ghukas Vardanyan, and junior Anahit Shahbazyan -- all members of KATS -- hike up to the Hollywood sign during a recent visit to Hollywoodland Camp. - Chronicle staff Advertising Students express relief that Hollywood sign is saved (April 29, 2010) -- With the final donation of $900,000 from Hugh Hefner on Tuesday, April 27, the Save Hollywoodland Organization reached its goal of $12.5 million to save the famous Hollywood sign. “What a relief,” said photography teacher Kelly Brinker. “When I first heard that the sign might be taken down in order to build multiple luxury mansions, I was very upset.” The Hollywood sign was one of the first places Brinker visited when she moved to California. “The sign is what makes Hollywood special,” she said. “What would the city be without it?” The sign is also very meaningful to the KATS (Kids Against Tobacco and Smoking) Club, which takes their annual trip to Hollywoodland Camp where they take the trail all the way up to the famous Bat Cave and the Hollywood sign. “I’ve gone to Hollywoodland Camp twice now and it has always been one of my favorite experiences of the year,” said KATS club member junior Veronika Tokatlyan. “Now that the sign is saved I am so glad that I can take the trail up to the sign next year too.” Although many agree with the sign being saved, others beg to differ. “There are so many other charities that the millions of dollars could have gone to,” said sophomore Narine Vartanian. “When there are people in need we shouldn’t worry about a sign so much.” Originally put up in 1923 as a temporary advertisement for Hollywoodland real estate development, the sign has now become an international icon. “Taking down the Hollywood sign would be like taking down the Statue of Liberty, crazy!” said sophomore Shant Abraamyan.

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