Pulse Volume 11 Issue 1

The “Big Issue” Issue

Pulse Volume 11 Issue 1

I Do?

3-5

A Global Appeal

7-8

It Doesn’t A.D.D. Up

9-10

Indie-scribable

11-12

House of Glass

13-14

An Apple a Day...

17-18

Fight or Flight

19-21

The Race to Apply

24-25

All Genders Welcome

27-28

Editor-in-Chief Skylar Binney Creative Director Jakob Saloner

Here at Pulse, we strive to crack open the truth about circulating issues, ensuring full coverage of various opinions and facts outlining the discussion at hand. There are many subjects that may appear too vast or sensitive to touch upon; however, with an unbiased perspective and honest motive, we have discovered the pressing subjects that are so privately spoken of.

The opinions expressed in this issue do not reflect those of Pulse Magazine, Canyon Crest Academy, or the San Dieguito Union High School District, which must be considered when reading the heavy content this issue strives to cover.

We aim to expose the most sensitive subjects, beginning with Ronnie Simon’s experience with divorce, and onto Max Greenhalgh’s stance on political correctness. Featuring guest writer Annie Charlat, it is our honor to pioneer a new social norm and present the opportunity of access to a gender neutral restroom here on campus.

To lighten the mood, Jakob Saloner presents discussions with transfer students from around the globe, while Elliot Cohen takes a more local approach as he emphasizes the disguised eateries near campus. Taking on a humorous tone, Ashlyn Finkbeiner uncovers the truth behind mandatory volunteering, and guest writer Kaylee Kinninger spotlights independent films.

Despite creating this issue of Pulse Magazine with the smallest staff Canyon Crest Academy has ever had, we have set the bar higher than ever by covering the largest issues.

With great pride, we present Volume 11 Issue 1.

Sincerely,

Skylar Binney

Editorial Director Elliot Cohen Online Editor Veronica Simon Staff Writers Max Greenhalgh Ashlyn Finkbeiner Leah Bloom Guest Writers Kaylee Kinninger Annie Charlat Advisor Christopher Black

Want More? Scan the QR code below to head to ccapulse.com to see what else we’ve been up to!

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I Do?

by Ronnie Simon My parents are getting a divorce. It never occurred to me that I would be in this situation until recently, simply because I never thought that it would happen to my family.

At first, I blamed myself. I later realized it was just a natural reaction, and the divorce was not my fault at all. I have found enough trust in my parents’ decision to realize that, in the end, what is best for my parents, is best for me.

About 40 to 50 percent of marriages end in a divorce.

Marriage is generally a lighthearted idea, but why is it that some people are skeptical to fall in love in fear that one day they will be left heartbroken? The concept of divorce used to be looked down upon, but somehow has crept its way into the norms of our society. With only about half of all marriages succeeding, I must question the honesty of those vows exchanged upon marriage.

The idea of marriage can seem crazy at first. Put simply, you find someone that you believe you can connect with, and you promise to live the rest of your life with that one person by your side. They will be there no matter what and you will never betray or hurt them, but that doesn’t seem to be the case every time. Problems can occur between people and that’s when the idea of marriage starts to become crazy.

The reality of it is, divorce is common in our society, and each couple has their own way of dealing with issues. Some people try to salvage the marriage for the sake of their children, whereas others believe it is best to simply end the relationship. As a product of divorce, I can only offer my perspective on the subject; there are many teenagers facing the same situation, each under different circumstances.

About 17 percent of divorces are caused by infidelity.

CCA student, Erin Wilson, has witnessed firsthand the effects of infidelity on her parents’ relationship. When Erin was just ten years old, her mom found out that her husband was cheating on her with his colleague. She decided to end the marriage, but was left with no job at the time. After dealing with the divorce, she was later able to find a job and take care of Erin on her own. As for Erin’s dad, he is currently engaged to his colleague. Erin makes it blatantly clear that she refuses to repair the lost relationship she had with her dad as a child, due to his decisions. Despite the circumstances, Erin feels that the divorce did not make her unhappy, but instead strengthened her relationship with her mom.

Erin states, “Just because my dad made the mistake of being unfaithful to my mom, doesn’t mean that I will get caught in the same situation.” She continues, “If it does happen, then that’s that, and I will deal with it with the grace that my mom did. If it doesn’t happen, then I will be happy to have a healthy relationship with someone.” The optimistic attitude Erin has adopted allows her to view the situation as a positive opportunity to build an even better relationship with her mom. Many times, a difficult situation, such as divorce, can bring family members together. In this way, it is evident that some divorces may develop a silver lining.

Although infidelity can cause a divorce, the main cause of divorce is incompatibility. Rachel Tuner also dealt with her parents’ harsh divorce, but under different circumstances. After returning from a family vacation, Tuner’s dad decided he was fed up with all the fighting and asked

Photo by Jenna Spesard, C 2009 4

the whole family to leave the house. After his decision, the family was to be separated as divorce was imminent. The two adults do not see each other often, other than in court to solve custody issues. Tuner remains optimistic and is accepting of the decision, as she admits it would be worse to live in a household with constant fighting. Rachel explains her thoughts on marriage and love, and reveals that she does not want to get married due to her parents’ unfortunate divorce. She further reasons that she does not want things to end up like they did with her parents, and will avoid the situation at all costs.

As seen in Rachel’s strengthened relationships, divorce is not necessarily bad in all cases. People fall out of love, just like they fall in love, which makes it possible for things to settle on good terms. This is often doable when people are able to agree on certain matters and items are split up fairly.

However, this is difficult because arguments may rise as a reflection of the issues that caused the separation. Each relationship ends for a different reason, and the after-effects of the marriage are also dealt with differently. A peaceful end to a marriage is beneficial for both the parents and children involved, but not all families can be fortunate enough handle divorce with such grace.

Sometimes a divorce earlier on in the child’s life can alleviate the pain because the child may not understand the situation. Jenna Andrew was three years old when her parents got divorced, and of course did not understand the concept.

Now that she is older, she understands what happened when she was younger, but it’s doesn’t really affect her because it is the way she has lived almost her entire life. Jenna does have to deal with switching homes every so often, but it hasn’t negatively affected her life very much.

Sometimes, however, the issues that cause a divorce are prolonged far after the divorce has been finalized. In Tyler Parker’s case, his parents’ divorce occurring at a young age

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did not prevent problems from occurring. When Tyler was five years old, his parents made the decision to separate due to their escalated amount of fighting. After four years of the couple being apart, Parker’s mom asked for a divorce. Parker’s relationship with his mom grew stronger, while his connection with his dad slowly fell apart. For a short period, both Parker and his sister went to therapy because of the mental affect the divorce had on the children. Teenage children of divorce are actually three times more likely to need psychological help within a given year. At one point, Tyler did not talk to his dad for eight months, and now tries to avoid seeing his dad at all costs.

Now that Tyler is applying to college, he has to talk to his dad more often due to financial obstacles that arise when applying to college. Other than for finances, Tyler avoids deep conversations with his dad as much as possible. As for Tyler’s sister, she also tends to avoid conversation with her dad. However, both siblings have strong a relationship with each other due to the fact they relied on one another for support during this time.

It may be difficult to deal with people from time to time, whether it be a coworker, friend, sibling, spouse, or stranger. Agreeing to spend the rest of your life with someone may be a crazy concept; however, despite the marriages that don’t last, half of marriages still do. Divorce may be prominent in our society, but each situation is radically different and can be handled a multitude of ways. Each family makes a decision with the best interest for each individual in mind.

In my experience, situations like divorce may come unexpectedly, but there is always someone looking out for you no matter how alone you feel.

*Some names have been changed in this article to protect the identities of those mentioned

A Global Appeal

by Jakob Saloner Due to Carmel Valley’s obvious appeal as a neighborhood, as well as SDUHSD’s prominence as a district, Canyon Crest Academy receives many foreign students each year. Hosting international students gives us the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. Not only do we learn about other countries from our foreign students, but we can also find ways to improve our own systems. Fortunately, I got the chance to interview Tristen Collis, a sophomore who recently moved to the United States from South Africa, as well as Mai Kanaji, a sophomore from Japan.

After moving back and forth, do you personally identify more as Japanese or American?

When did you move to America from Japan?

The culture [in the US] is more accepting, and anyone can do what they want to, and they are not restricted in any way. In Japan, you are supposed to do what other people do and you have to go along with what they do.

You can’t be unique or different than anyone else. If you do, you will get bullied.

I moved to the United States in July of 2008 because my parents got a job in America.

Were you happy that you moved?

When I heard I was moving, I was in second grade and had mixed feelings. I was excited to go to America, but was sad at the same time because I had to move away from friends and family. I was born in America, but I moved to Japan when I was about to turn three, and lived there for five years. It was hard moving here because of the language barrier, as I forgot the English I learned here when I was little. I spent time learning English in Japan, but the education is not very good because the English teachers are Japanese. It was difficult to learn how the vowels or accents sound from a Japanese teacher compared to how they sound here. I had to go to a tutor every Friday because it was too hard to communicate in Japan.

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wasn’t so bad,

I would say Japanese because my parents are Japanese and Japanese culture influences me more than the American culture. I also listen to Japanese music and watch Japanese television.

In what ways does day-to-day life in Japan differ to life here?

What is the biggest difference in schooling between the U.S. and Japan?

Well I was only in Japan for elementary school, but, in Japan, you eat lunch in your homeroom. You would actually spend the whole day in your homeroom, and the teachers would move around the school instead of the students. Staying in the same room all day

though, because you still get breaks between classes. I prefer the American way,

because you

Are there any other major ways that American schooling is different?

Another thing is that, in America, you get these huge textbooks that you are expected to take home, but in Japan, we get these thinner books that we have to bring everywhere for each class.

Because of this, backpacks are much lighter than in the U.S. I also had the pleasure of interviewing Tristen Collis: When did you move here from South Africa?

[I moved] about a year ago because my father got a job here.

How did you feel about coming to the United States?

To be perfectly honest, I’m a little bit happy and sad about coming. I had to leave my friends, but I didn’t know what was going to happen, and that was kind of exciting. I plan on staying here after school.

get to see your friends in the hallways and it is easier for the teachers.

What do you think about America as a country, especially compared to South Africa?

I think that America is a much more stable country, with a much less corrupt government. The infrastructure

is better, and generally, everything is more efficient. South Africa is both a first and third world country, depending on the city. The poorer parts of South Africa are more prone to crime, blackouts, and other stuff, but you just get used to it. It doesn’t feel like as big of a deal when you are actually there, even though it seems like it would be.

How are South African high schools different from the high schools here?

Well, for one thing, students in America don’t wear uniforms. South Africa’s high school system also consists of 8-12 graders, as opposed to the 9-12 grade system in America.

Is school more formal in South Africa?

In America, students don’t refer to their teachers as sir or ma’am. I probably prefer the South African system because of its formality, and there was also a lot less homework. Teachers in South Africa never made a point to give specific homework assignments.

If you didn’t finish your work in class, or had a project to work on, you would generally do it at home. Assigning tedious homework to do at home was Although it is easy to see subtle differences in culture between two groups of people, it is also remarkable how similar we all are. The way Tristen and Mai spoke in our interview didn’t strike me as particularly different, (discounting Tristen’s South African Accent) and I didn’t expect it to.

Regardless of one’s country of origin, people will be people; a universal truth that sounds as obvious as it is.

8

It Doesn’t A.D.D. Up

by Leah Bloom

According to a study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6.4 million children between the ages of four and seventeen have been medically diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder at some point in their lives. This is approximately 11 percent of U.S. school-age children. Within the past decade, the number of these diagnoses has increased a shocking 41 percent. These statistics may just seem like a bunch of numbers, and you may be asking yourself, “So what if a couple million kids have problems focusing? School is boring; am I supposed to be able to pay attention anyways?” The reason it’s so important is because this means nearly 400,000 kids are being treated via prescription with potentially dangerous medications such as Adderall. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates there are currently 1.2 million Americans over the age of eleven taking stimulants non-medically.

As someone with A.D.D. myself, I can attest to the tremendous benefits Adderall provides. Ever since I was a little kid, I had trouble focusing on the lessons being taught in class. I took more interest in the slightly crooked sparkly blue bobby pin on the left braid of the girl sitting in front of 9

me. I never could finish tests in the time allotted, because I was too distracted by the idea of a really rich person paying to have a personalized license plate of completely random numbers/letters, simply because they have the money to do so. In third grade, my teacher had to let me take breaks during tests to go run around the track, in order to release my energy and be more focused. As a high school student, that sort of thing isn’t exactly encouraged.

At competitive schools like CCA, it is expected that you are on top of all your work, while being held responsible for paying attention and absorbing all of the given information.

For kids with A.D.D., this can be a challenge, regardless of their intelligence or skill level. Medications like Adderall help students with attention issues buckle down and concentrate on one thing at a time, at an accelerated pace.

What would normally take an A.D.D. student two hours to complete, can now be done in about 45 minutes, freeing up much more of their day for other tasks or some relaxation time. In my own personal experience, I have seen my grades improve incredibly within the past year while taking the medication; I now finally have the results I know I’ve always been capable of.

While all of this is fine and dandy, you must keep in mind that this is a drug. The recent problem blossoming on high school and college campuses is the illegal obtainment and misuse of this stimulant. At high-achieving schools like CCA, kids feel an immense pressure to perform above and beyond average; to get the best grades, the best GPA, the best SAT score possible, in order to better position themselves for a successful future. This competitive environment instills an almost obsessive mindset. Many high achieving campuses like CCA face the struggle of time management.

In order to have time for three different AP classes, sports practice, volunteer work and college applications, kids will look for an easy solution: pills. Thinking that they’re only doing themselves a favor, they’re willing to spend $20-30 per capsule. Most kids don’t perceive this as medicine abuse or any threat to them physically, which is why they usually have no moral conflict with buying it. Research has consistently shown that the less risky a child believes a drug to be, the more likely he or she is to use it. The problem is, Adderall and similar medications like Ritalin are DEA Schedule II substances, which means they have a reported “high potential for abuse.” They can lead to severe psychological or physical dependence and are considered dangerous. Despite these warnings, 81 percent of students in a nationwide study think non-medical use is “not dangerous at all” or only “slightly dangerous.”

Due to this misconception, kids are under the impression that they are invincible. They can go out on the weekends, party, get completely wasted and do stupid things, but then come Monday morning, pop in that $20 miracle and somehow get straight A’s. Like many others with A.D.D., I had to struggle with legitimate focus problems and go to dozens of doctors’ appointments to find out what exactly was “wrong” with my brain. I continued to pay an exorbitant amount of money to solve the problem, yet still have to work my ass off to get the grades I want. It’s extremely frustrating to watch other students not put in any effort to their schoolwork, but swallow a pill and get a better grade than me. However, the result of these two worlds colliding is not always the dream it seems to be.

According to a report by Dr. Ron Holmes, continuous mixing of alcohol and Adderall “can lead to psychological issues such as paranoia, anxiety, and severe depression.

Physically, it can cause nausea, vomiting, weight loss, heart palpitations, and headaches.” Long time effects can also

include “convulsions, arrhythmias, fevers, tremors and muscle twitching.” Sounds more than just “slightly dangerous” right? And the possibility of physical harm doesn’t only pertain to combining alcohol and Adderall. In early September of this year, two California high school football players were rushed to the hospital with head injuries after suddenly collapsing post-victory. One of the players, Nick Brown, underwent surgery for a subdural brain bleed caused by a high-impact blow to the head. Although this seems like a freak accident, the El Dorado County Sheriff ’s Office believes there is a possible link to the injuries with Adderall.

Later that week, officials arrested a classmate of the injured boys from Union Mine High School for allegedly selling the drug to students. It is no secret in the sports world that Adderall is used as a performance enhancer that increases focus, however the investigation of the involvement of the stimulant in this case is still ongoing.

Regardless of whether or not the drug has a correlation to the brain injuries in this recent case, the point is, it’s still being widely abused in our country by students and athletes alike. The danger here is that drugs like Adderall are designed to be used for people with very specific neurological issues, however there are three times as many people taking it illegally than those who actually have been prescribed the medication. Many who take the drug illegally are only thinking of the short term benefits it may provide them, without considering the many possible risks. For some reason, there is a misconception that drugs like Adderall are safe because they have been approved by doctors; however, that is not the whole truth. Prescription drugs can be extremely helpful, but only to those who need them to treat a specific medical problem.

For those who take the drugs recreationally, they can be just as dangerous or even more so, than the “street drugs” you are often warned about. Many young people are putting their health at serious risk by skipping over the process of in-depth analysis and consolation by doctors and psychiatrists that is necessary to determine a legitimate problem worthy of medication. Students (and their families) who feel as if they may have a serious issue with concentration should seek out professional help to determine if their conditions would benefit from Adderall or other medications.

But for those who just want a little boost in their scores, good ol’ fashioned studying is always the better option.

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Indie-scribable

by Kaylee Ray Kinninger

Independent films chase the truth; they constantly seek the meaning of life and of human nature. The audiences of independent films run straight toward the light with open arms, accepting the harsh realities of the world. Due to complex themes based on human condition, independent films are stereotyped as dark and too intense for teen audiences. Rather teens need exposure to these themes in order to grow and gain deeper knowledge. Teens are often told they are too young to understand the world around them; however, Canyon Crest Academy proves this age group can possess creative and open minds. Generally, indie movies tend not to be uplifting movies, considering the intense conflicts and uncensored emotions, but they express profound messages about the lives of teenagers, as seen in How I Live Now, Never Let Me Go, Stuck In Love, Palo Alto, The Art of Getting By, and Men, Women, and Children. These unique stories produce compelling characters whom plausibly react to the world around them and truthfully convey human emotions.

From the beginning of movie making, independent films grew simultaneously with the American film industry. In the early 1900s, Edison, Biograph and Vitagraph held monopolies on film production which led smaller competition to form under the Independent Film Protective Association, defining independent films as movies created outside the monopoly. Skipping ahead to the 1950’s, a new monopoly called The Big Five, which included Warner, Brothers, Paramount, MGM, Twentieth Century Fox, and RKO, took over the film industry, pushing independent filmmakers to look to major companies for financial support which still continues on today. Further defining independent films, New American Cinema in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s developed an approach to filmmaking. Deviating from the Hollywood technique, these new filmmakers created an aesthetic consisting of improved dialogue, handheld camera work, and rough editing. Despite these revolving definitions and the common belief that independent films are a reflection of budget and popularity, indie is more so defined by mechanical techniques and narrative forms.

Throughout the development of independent movie making, these films have continued to reach outside of the superficial norm and reflect on human experience through storytelling as an art form. A British indie film released in 2013, How I Live Now opens with a haughty teenage girl, Daisy, who arrives in the English countryside on the brink of World War III. With a deceased mother and an indifferent father, she masquerades as an uncaring, selfish brat, her eyeliner too thick and responses too caustic. While in England, she meets a boy, Eddie, who peels away at her mask. Just as she opens herself to affection and finds purpose, the war tears them apart. The majority of the movie accounts Daisy’s trials as she finds her way back to Eddie. Some of her actions may seem abhorrent, but the audience

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soon sees how circumstance affects the decisions and morality of teens. Not only does the movie express emotion through the narrative, but also through the mechanical techniques and style. This is most apparent in the beginning and the end where it seems as though the film is moving art.

An American indie film, Men, Women, and Children reveals the effects of technology in modern life. Taken to the extremes, the film uses no censorship and divulges the truth of human nature through the stories of several adults and teens: a mother who scrutinizes all her daughter’s technology, another mother who sells inappropriate pictures of her daughter, a boy who hides online rather than facing the real world, another boy who cannot have true connections with girls because of his attachment to online fantasies, a couple who uses the internet as an outlet for sexual frustrations. The diverse range of stories connects through interpretations of life in the digital age and the reactions of people to all-consuming technology.

Recently, the local La Costa Film Festival was held and featured Welcome to Happiness, an artistic film about moving forward while accepting past mistakes. The movie tells the story through color-changing rocks, magical doors, and fantastical characters. Michael Callihan, co-founder of the festival, spoke of the history behind ancient civilizations searching for meaning and purpose, as many received such explanations through storytelling. He commented, “Today our storytellers are often best recognized as independent filmmakers.” When asked whether independent movies are meant for teen audiences, he replied, “Teenagers should be drawn to this sort of emotional expression, since it mirrors many of their own questions about life.” Independent movies touch on so many emotions because they leap further than conventional storylines and parallel the hardships of human experience. As young adults, it is crucial that we recognize the wrong in the world and try to move forward and improve. Despite this deeper level of filmmaking, some teens still gravitate toward the “immediate gratification” of Hollywood films. Callihan later explained, “Movies are a big part of social interaction for teenagers, so seeking a film for personal growth is not a current priority.” But maybe it should be.

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House of Glass

by Max Greenhalgh It seems as if the society built around us is just one big storm away from crumbling down, shards of broken glass flying everywhere, maiming those sheltered beneath its high ceilings. All this destruction is for naught, for this glass house is only to be rebuilt and destroyed in a perpetual cycle that is destined to eventually be derailed. Most civilizations depend on tolerance of all races, religions, and cultures. Recently, however, the public has recoiled against a principal upon which American society was constructed: freedom. In an ongoing crusade to limit vocalization of radical thoughts and ideas, censorship is beginning to spiral out of control. Political correctness is taking over.

The entertainment industry, especially comedy, has been under some scrutiny recently due to the social implications of not being politically correct, even in an environment that emphasizes a chafing tone. Many comedians have been targeted by society in recent years. Amy Schumer, for example, was forced to issue an apology after a 2010 routine that was deemed racist towards Hispanics among other groups. Trevor Noah, host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show”, has been under fire since March about a sequence of jokes that were originally tweeted in 2010. Even Steven Colbert, who in his old show “The Colbert Report” often acted as more of a talk show host than a comedian, sparked a controversy when the official Twitter account of said show posted an offensive joke in late March of 2014. Sherni Azad (10) says comedians should have free range to use material about any event or group of people they want, but it’s just a matter of timing in order to ensure community acceptance. Azad adds, “Making fun of these topics is what helps us accept them, but when the timing is wrong, that will anger people.”

Other segments of the entertainment industry have been under fire recently for not being politically correct, and the gaming industry has received potentially the most criticism. The cause of these attacks: Female portrayal in games. Many feminists (and gamers in general) are making the argument that throughout gaming’s history, women have been objectified as they stand off to the side and look pretty while the ‘man in charge’ does all the work. The main argument is that we are no longer a patriarchal society, and our entertainment must represent our positive growth. Of course, not everyone thinks that way. Many people consider games to be escapist entertainment.

Anita Sarkeesian, leader of the group GamerGate, an organization driven to level the playing the field of the sexes in the gaming industry, would disagree. She asserts, “Games have a huge impact on our society because the media plays a role in helping to shape our attitudes...so it’s not just fantasy.” I would add that while men make up the vast majority of the gaming audience (though the gap between the sexes here is closing), the “business decision” that game studios are making is understandable from an economic standpoint, but certainly not from a moral one.

Perhaps the area of political correctness that may affect Canyon Crest Academy the most is in the field of social justice. CCA has a reputation as an open and inviting campus and student body, with acceptance to all that enter. Anyone can act as they want, and feel safe in doing so, which is a major aspect 13

of the unique experience our school offers. However, the downfall of such an open school community is the potential for oversensitivity and censorship of free speech.

Case and point, an article was posted on BuzzFeed this July previous that highlighted body image. A woman named Rachel Taylor had her fifteen minutes of fame due to her online campaign stating that all women, big or small, are attractive in their own ways. While this message was empowering and lifted the confidence of many “plus-sized” (as BuzzFeed puts it) men and women alike, there was something very troubling for me about how Taylor came to this conclusion. A girl and her mother were shopping at an Old Navy, and Taylor happened to overhear a casual, private conversation between the two shoppers. The girl pulled out a plus-sized tank top, stated that she and her friend could fit in it, and her mother agreed. As that was Taylor’s size, she reacted: “I couldn’t help it; I started crying.” A private conversation between a girl and her mother became the fuel for a nationwide rallying cry against discrimination. Do we as a society need to censor the conversations of children just in case someone walking by might identify with the group being spoken of?

This kind of reaction occurs in the same way a person can be fired due to speaking his or her mind on public airwaves, similar to Colin Cowherd’s recent debacle. The sports talk show host was recently fired from ESPN for comments about the nature of baseball and sports in general: “Baseball is like any sport. It’s mostly instincts.” Seems like a fair opinion, and as an athlete, I happen to agree with him. However, his views came under fire due to how he supported his opinion. He added, “I’ve never bought into that ‘baseball is too complex.’ Really? A third of the sport is from the Dominican Republic.” This comment is obviously out-of-hand and presumptuous about the intelligence of an entire country. While this comment is shockingly ignorant, is it fair to put Cowherd’s career and on the chopping block because of something stupid he said?

This situation is similar to that shown by Rachel Taylor, as both comments in question could be construed as offensive, but both of these remarks were made spontaneously in conversation. Cowherd was fired in ESPN’s effort to save their own collective hides from social justice activists, and as upsetting as this is, I think they made a sound business decision. The public has the tendency to characterize the views and attitude of an entire corporation or organization based on the comments of one employee.

Of course, Cowherd should have been more careful, and recognize that employees working for a company constantly under the scrutiny of the public eye such as himself are held to a higher intellectual standard than many other working class Americans. Of course, his words were objectively false and profiling. The question is, in America, with our collective freedoms of speech, should we be censoring and punishing the utilization of said free speech? I love the community atmosphere that CCA fosters, with its openness and safety for all students.

We, as a community, have to accept the fact that not everyone has the same opinion, and sometimes those opinions may offend some. This does not make them any less viable to be considered through logical discourse and conversation, nor does it make the person or group of people ‘bad.’

I challenge you to find 15 minutes of your day today when you don’t say anything that could possibly be construed as offensive by any single person in the world, no matter how obscure. The harsh reality of the world is that everyone gets poked fun at every now and again, and that’s what makes social interaction real. If I, for a comparison, couldn’t handle the phrase “twig-like” being used in my presence (being 6’3 and barely scraping 140 pounds), my friends would have to be careful in talking to me, possibly eliciting fear of offending me, and leading to social isolation. Obviously, being the butt of a couple of jokes about size is a far cry from actual discrimination, but that is exactly my point. It is important to understand the difference between a joke and genuine bullying, profiling, or discrimination, just as it is important to recognize the rights of creative people in the lead of entertainment products that we, incidentally, are not forced to watch, play, or take any part in.

However, some of us seem to understand the fine line we must walk in order to thrive as a society.

“Taking a look and empathizing with both parties should help bring us to social justice that is nonviolent, not biased, and will hopefully benefit the human race as a whole,” said Sherni Azad when asked about social conflicts.

Will our house stand when the next storm comes? It is our choice how we construct our society, and we need to start rebuilding with the foundation that Americans so strongly stand by: freedom.

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Involuntary

by Ashlyn Finkbeiner In the eyes of a high school student, mandatory volunteering is somewhat of an oxymoron that can imply more work, and less fun. Volunteering is defined as an act of kindness, while expecting nothing in return. As for the average high school student, volunteering is defined as a chance to exaggerate, or even lie, on your college application about the inspiring experience you had and would gladly do again. Volunteer work has become an act of kindness, while expecting hours that you can record and later use to your advantage. Students are now facing the connotation attached to volunteering with a reaction of hesitance because of the implication that volunteer work is no longer fun once it is mandatory.

Now, not all community service has to be unpleasant, as it can actually be quite enjoyable depending on how you view it. In fact, in 2012, 64.5 million Americans volunteered an estimated 7.9 billion hours. However, a high school student will nearly inevitably cringe at the words “mandatory volunteering.” Forty plus hours of volunteering are required to graduate at most private schools. Most students are probably thankful that here, at Canyon Crest Academy, there is no graduation requirement for volunteering. Even though community service is not a graduation requirement, colleges highly recommend it so that students may appear

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more well-rounded and can increase their chances of admission.

The truth is, if you put the word “mandatory” or “required” before any word, high school students often prefer not to do it. This applies to many enforced requirements.

For example: required reading. Reading can often times be fun, and a lot of people love reading. However, once a teacher assigns students to read 50 pages in one night, suddenly, the enjoyment of reading vanishes. Similarly, the idea of physical education being mandatory can take the fun out of exercise. Students may love to run, but once you require them to run for 20 minutes around a track in the middle of a day for a passing grade, it seems no longer enjoyable.

In high school, just about every decision is made with the expectation of gaining something in return. The whole point of volunteering is to help people that are less fortunate than you are. People who do not volunteer often view the work as unappealing due to the thought of getting their hands dirty or begging family members for fundraiser money. Picking the right places to volunteer have a magical effect when you are able to help others by doing what you love.

There are many places in San Diego that need volunteers, such as animal shelters, which are constantly in need of helpers to clean, feed, and play with the animals. Unless you are allergic to these animals, it is a very fun and rewarding option. For example, at the Helen Woodward Animal Center, located in Rancho Santa Fe, volunteers are able to foster animals and care for exotic critters.

If you like kids, you can get involved with a daycare

center or a place for less fortunate kids in which you spend your time playing games and talking to children. Promises2Kids is an organization that has helped foster children for over 30 years by providing support for kids that have been abused and neglected. The organization is looking for volunteers to help with fundraising so that they can buy supplies for the children. During December, volunteers meet to shop for presents for less fortunate children that do not receive gifts during the holidays.

Mama’s Kitchen is an organization that relies on volunteers to help make meals and deliver them to adults and children living with AIDS and cancer. On April 7th, the organization celebrated their seven millionth meal delivered, which shows how they have impacted lives on such a large scale, but in the most simple way. They have avid volunteers who work hard every day that have kept the organization running for almost 25 years now. There are many places like this that are always in need of extra help for a day or two.

Although some of these jobs require you to be 18 years old before you can volunteer, a lot of non-profit organizations will allow younger teens to help them with certain projects that may not be listed on their website. Volunteering at day camps also allow you to rack up hours depending on how long the shifts are. If you volunteer five hours a day, five days a week, then you already have 25 hours under your belt. If you continue this volunteer work for two weeks, then you are already above any other school’s community service requirement, and have gained so much more than the relief of filling the community service section on your college application.

Believe it or not, it is actually very common for someone to volunteer once as a requirement, end up loving the experience, and then get more involved. If you ask an avid volunteer about this concept, I’m sure they would confirm that the first time they volunteered, it wasn’t exactly thrilling. However, with enough dedication and care, the littlest acts of kindness can change your life. Those avid volunteers found an organization or activity that allows them to enjoy their community service, even if it began as a requirement.

People that volunteer in high school or elementary school are 50 percent more likely to volunteer later in their lifetime, as the need for a helping hand is always present.

Students need to take the initiative and start volunteering for reasons other than having another section to add to your college application. We need to become involved, if not for ourselves, then for others and our planet for future generations.

There is a reason that volunteering is called volunteering, and that community service involves actually serving the community. This is because it is voluntary, and if done by enough people, can make in immense difference to the community and others. This means not being pushed by that graduation requirement or that college you want to get into, but instead, going out and making a difference in your community. Dodging the need to lie on your college application about the “amazing experience” that you had volunteering makes your life one step easier. Go out and help others. Voluntarily.

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An Apple a Day... Won’t Keep the Shaming Away

by Skylar Binney With the recent campaign to increase body acceptance and pride in curves, women on the other end of the scale are being ridiculed for their slimmer body type. Overweight people may suffer from verbal abuse due to the emphasis the media puts on being extremely thin, but the tides have turned, and body acceptance for heavier bodies are being promoted. Due to this escalation in encouraging curves, those with thinner bodies are sometimes looked down upon as a result of this reversal in the “ideal” body type.

When offered a donut, some girls may accept, while others may deny.

If a girl accepts the offer, she may be called fat. If a girl declines the offer, she may be called anorexic. However, this girl’s choice to either accept or deny the treat has little reflection of her body type. There are many girls that choose to not eat well, yet naturally have a thin figure. There are many girls that choose to eat healthier foods, but may be curvier. Melissa McCarthy, a heavier set Hollywood actress, comments on her weight: “I don’t know why

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I’m not thinner than I am. I don’t really drink soda; I don’t have a sweet tooth and we eat healthfully at home.”

Another Hollywood actress, Jennifer Lawrence, has made herself into a model of body acceptance for the public, but sometimes emphasizes confidence in a curvier body, rather than a thinner body. She spoke out in an interview, “What are you gonna do?

Be hungry every single day to make other people happy? That’s just dumb.”

Although she promotes curves for young women, thinner body types are also shamed. She comments, “I eat like a caveman. I’ll be the only actress that doesn’t have anorexia rumors.” These comments may take an inappropriate stand, as an unalterable body type should not be judged in any way.

Katie Massari, a student at Mira Costa, has a naturally thin figure, but has been judged constantly for her body. She was sent to the hospital for a total of two months to get anorexia treatment.

Her lack of appetite was often due to anxiety, however, the nurses refused to

believe her claims of healthy self-confidence and body acceptance. She was unable to leave the hospital, and dealt aimlessly with the disbelief of the doctors around her. Massari was assigned a therapist and was limited to a strict schedule in which she was only provided three meals and three snacks per day. Katie was able to make the best of her situation and befriend another girl at the hospital, although the girl had a much more severe case. This newfound friend was fed through an eating tube, as she would normally only consume about half of her meals. Dealing with hunger, ironically while in an anorexia hospital, Katie would often eat the food her new friend was unable to finish. After being caught, Massari was punished numerous times and put in room lockdown.

In a daily social setting, Katie has been constantly confronted because of her thin figure. While shopping at a store, she was offered a photo shoot. After disapproving of one of the pictures due to its unflattering angle, the photographer commented, “What are you talking about? You look like you could just step out of the anorexia hospital.” Little did this woman know, Katie actually had. Formerly meant as a sarcastic compliment, this “joke” was found insensitive and had the opposite effect.

Katie has rude comments thrown at her often, usually

with good intentions, but is almost always followed by inevitable offense taken. As a result of her thinner body type, Massari states that, “You can’t complain about anything. Someone will always respond by saying ‘Oh my God you can’t complain; you’re so skinny!’ ” Eating in a social setting also becomes a nuisance when comments like “You need to fatten up” or “Eat a burger” are often sent her way.

Canyon Crest Academy student, Maddy Scherler (10), also regularly faces rude comments towards her body type. As everyone in her family is thin, Maddy merely adopted her family’s genetics and unavoidably has a thin body. She recalls a specific incident in which a close friend’s words made her significantly uncomfortable: “I was getting lunch with my friend and got a pretty big sandwich. My friend looked at my food and said, ‘Wow, that is gonna catch up with you someday.’ ” Another friend took the initiative to call Maddy’s mother and personally ask, “Does Maddy have an eating disorder?” This scarring event was enough to mark in memory the insecurity she felt because of her natural body type.

Maddy has not only received criticism from kids her own age, but also adults, as one criticized, “You are so thin you look sickly.” Maddy refutes, “The accepted body type is always going to change, but it shouldn’t matter what kind

of body you have. You can’t change a body type.”

CCA senior, Montana Auerbach, has suffered from a medical condition that causes her to radically lose weight.

She was recently diagnosed with delayed gastric emptying, which is a condition that doesn’t allow her stomach to empty in the way that it should.

This causes her to become nauseous and vomit frequently. Due to this condition, she has reached a weight of 103 lbs at a height of 5’8” tall, which puts her in a size 00. Montana is currently on two different medications, one of which fights the nausea and the other treats the condition directly. Auerbach stayed bed ridden for months, which affected her social and academic life greatly.

One of the most troubling scenarios that she faced with insecurity is a conversation she had with a teacher and a couple students. Montana was bombarded with comments like, “Real women aren’t a size zero,” and, “Small sizes are just made to make girls feel bad about themselves.” She tried to share her opinion, but was immediately shot down: “You’re just lucky you’re skinny. There’s nothing to worry about.” Little did they know, Montana was struggling greatly with her weight, and her confidence was lacking as a result.

She constantly

receives comments consisting of: “God, is she f***ing bulimic or something?” and rude suggestions to, “just eat already.”

Ronnie Simon (10) is less offended by the comments, but tends to feel rather uncomfortable. As a dancer, she says that being shorter and strong tends to be very helpful in many routines, but her body doesn’t exactly fit that model. She is constantly undermined as other dancers suggest that, “Someone else should lift the dancer,” simply because Simon appears to be thinner. She is crammed into the stereotype of ”looking like a ballerina,” when in fact, she is not. The careless comments friends often throw at her include, “Eat a donut” and “Eat a burrito,” similarly to the examples many other thin girls used when describing the skinny shaming they suffered from.

Society has defined comments toward heavier set people as being unacceptable and rude. However, the same cannot be said for comments towards those with a thinner body type.

Many times the overused compliment, “you’re so skinny!” does more harm than good. With the recent emphasis on body acceptance, it seems, to a certain level, that thinner body acceptance has not caught on.

There are various conditions that prevent some bodies from gaining weight, and in that case, a “compliment” is unfit.

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Fight or Flight

by Skylar Binney and Ashlyn Finkbeiner The uncontrollable shaking, the nausea, the temporary blindness; it all becomes instantaneously crippling. Within a second, and without reasoning, your body is no longer yours to control, as anxiety takes over without consent.

Approximately 40 million adults in American suffer from the disorder, while only one-third receives treatment. There are six major types of anxiety, each with its own detrimental characteristics: generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

As one of the most common mental illnesses in the U.S., it’s common to wonder where anxiety stems from and what causes it to be so prominent in our population. The disorder can rise as a result of multiple factors including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events. Also, it is more than common for someone who has been suffering from any type or anxiety to later develop other types of mental illnesses, such as depression.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) For Rina Calbert, anxiety is not completely mental, but also takes over physically. She is mostly affected by generalized anxiety disorder, but also experiences frequent panic attacks. Describing her disorder, Calbert says, “It doesn’t feel mental because I am good about blocking out things that might cause me to feel anxious. However, my body still experiences the effects of my disorder, which then in turn allows me to mentally recognize the anxiety I am feeling.”

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She remembers being faced with a particularly remedial issue with minimal importance, but her body reacted extremely irrationally. As most people would not stress about this issue, Calbert’s body took another hit. Suddenly feeling dizzy and nauseous, Rina took a seat on the bathroom floor and curled up in the fetal position. She laid there for a few minutes before her vision went black and became unconscious, but is unsure of the time period. Waking up on the floor, she could not remember why she had awoken in this spot. Less than a few moments later she recognized the situation again and came to the realization that she had another panic attack.

In addition to her panic attacks, Rina faces heart palpitations and has done numerous tests to diagnose the issue at hand. The doctors were unable to hear the double beat, but when the heart monitor records came in, it became apparent the sensation was a reality. It is highly probably that the palpitations are a result of anxiety, which Rina still struggles to keep under control today.

Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder) Jessica Carter (12) is a victim of Trichotillomania, which involves compulsively pulling out one’s hair, and in her case, her eyebrows. The disorder began when Carter was forced to miss two months of school due to relentless migraines. She was put on home hospital and learned class lessons from tutors until she was able to return to Canyon Crest Academy. When questioned about her patchy eyebrows, Jessica often defended herself by saying, “It’s just a side effect of my migraine medication,” when she internally had realized it was part of a larger problem.

She mentions, “Plucking my eyebrows hurts. Getting my eyebrows waxed hurts. The thing is, this doesn’t.”

Eventually Jessica’s mom noticed the patches in her eyebrows continued even while Jessica was off the migraine medication, and urged her daughter to see a therapist. Her mom would occasionally comment, “You’re not pulling at your eyebrows are you?” To which Jessica would often become defensive about and proceed to pull out her eyebrows even more. One night she was lying in the dark and felt her eyebrow where there was no hair left. At this point, she finally caved and agreed to see a therapist. It was during these sessions that the concept of trichotillomania was introduced to her, and it became apparent that she was suffering from an actual disorder.

Illness Anxiety Disorder (Formally Called Hypochondriasis) Canyon Crest Academy student, Melissa Recarn, suffers from hypochondriasis, which is defined as a preoccupation with the fear of having a serious health disorder.

The disorder is highly mental, and has caused Recarn to experience unexplainable illness-like symptoms that last more than 6 months at a time. She has been dealing with the anxiety disorder all throughout her childhood, however, within the past two years it has escalated tremendously. Melissa first noticed the problem as a child, and would cry out, “My heart hurts!” until her parents had no choice but to call an ambulance. It was later discovered that her “hurting heart” just a result of heart burn, not a serious illness.

Melissa is not currently on any medication but consults her doctor often. She often claims speculations of having various “diseases,” which she believes to be lymphoma, congestive heart failure, multiple sclerosis, and a brain tumor. Her worst experience with the disorder was sparked by the outbreak of Ebola in 2014, as she felt obligated to take her temperature up to four times a day. If it read one degree above average, she immediately went home with the belief she had a serious condition.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Kandis Burmel (11) describes her anxiety as generalized anxiety with the addition of obsessive compulsive disorder. Obsessive compulsive disorder is defined as excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Burmel is currently being treated with medication and therapy, but still experiences generalized anxiety symptoms which range from stomach aches to excessive muscle trembling. She mentions, “My family first noticed that something was wrong when I was younger and felt the need to touch things a certain amount of times.” Many people with the disorder experience these types of compulsions, which in her case, is doing everything three times until she feels satisfied. Her compulsions are a result of her constant need to be in control and feel safe in her actions. Kandis would even miss school for a certain amount of days at a time due to her OCD, but always felt anxious about coming back to school in fear of people asking where she was due to her lack of reason.

Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting) Cassidy Everlin suffers from the phobia of vomiting, called emetophobia. Her fear of vomiting also stems from germaphobia, as any sickness leading to vomiting can be connected to germs and bacteria. This crippling phobia

prevented the student from attending school, as she ended up missing more school than she attended. Everlin also constantly feared getting food poisoning or coming into contact with germs at school and other public places, which made social interaction highly difficult. She was eventually kicked out of high school due to her attendance record, and finished school online.

The height of her emetophobia experience occurred during eighth grade, just after she had gotten out of the hospital for other issues. For an entire week, Cassidy suffered from severe anxiety and spent her nights sobbing and circling in thoughts of death. She was taken to the Emergency Room three times in one week, each time easing her anxiety upon arrival. After a week of this repetitive behavior, she awoke one morning to find fear overcoming her body. Her sister lay sick in the bed next to her, as they had shared a room, and endless complaints of a nauseous stomach circulated the room. She immediately burst into a mental breakdown, screaming and crying, “No one get near me or touch me!” Cassidy’s mother was forced to call 911 due to the chaos her daughter was experiencing, and the police arrived soon after.

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Escorted out of her house in her pajamas with handcuffs around her wrists, Everlin’s anxiety was heightened to a new level as her destination was withheld from her until she had finally arrived at the hospital. Previously screaming, “I want to die, I want to die!” the police had no choice but to isolate Cassidy from her mother and from contact with any harmful objects. The car ride remained overwhelming as the policemen commented, “How could you do this to your family? Can’t you see what you’re doing to your mom?” She was held for 72 hours during which she was unable to take any of her regular medications for her emetophobia and anxiety.

This led to withdrawal and severe discomfort as Cassidy’s body began to shut down. After surpassing numerous tests, the hospital finally released her for false suicidal

thoughts.

After becoming sick for a short while, Cassidy was prescribed Zofran, a medication to ease nausea. This drug became a safety blanket for her, as she carried the pills everywhere she went. The original prescription was four milligrams, but was later increased to eight milligrams. However, Cassidy took about two to three of the eight milligram pills, which totals at 32 milligrams, a dose far above what anybody is capable of intaking. She proceeded to abuse this medication for approximately two years and almost suffered a seizure from the overdose. The

pills became counterproductive as the side effects were often worse than the feeling of nausea she may have felt without the medication. After realizing her addiction, Everlin transitioned to over the counter medication to subside her nausea.

However, she was recently prompted to take the medication again due to morning sickness caused by pregnancy.

The 17 years old became aware of the pregnancy after racing to the hospital with complaints about nausea and cramps.

The father was thirty and the two did not have a steady relationship, so Cassidy formed the decision to have an abortion. Not long after the procedure, she experienced serious complications. While on a normal afternoon outing, she began bleeding profusely. Everlin went into labor as her body recognized a blood clot as a baby, and she experienced severe pain. Her anxiety was only heightened through this chain of events, and her mentality has suffered greatly.

Luckily, after verbalizing and accepting her phobia of vomiting over social media, she was able to connect with a fellow peer that had the same fear.

This provided the two girls a source of comfort when anxiety around the subject formed. Although Cassidy suffered for years, she remains optimistic about the fact that her story is reassuring for those out there with similar issues.

Nearly every teenager will experience a form of anxiety at some point in his or her life, some more severe than others. It is a difficult battle to win, as most types of anxiety leave the victim powerless, which is often a cause of the anxiety. Even the most seemingly calm people can experience the disorder and experience mental and physical pain on a daily basis. The result is crippling and uncontrollable, but with the proper help, can be significantly subsided.

*Some names have been changed in this article to protect the identities of those mentioned

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Mothers Know Best

by Leah Bloom

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court made national history with its 5-to-4 vote ruling same-sex marriage as a right guaranteed by the Constitution.

This had a huge effect on couples and families all over the country, and has solidified the growing support by most Americans. Some opponents of the decision, however, have struggled with the concept of deviating from the original definition of marriage. Here at Pulse, we strive to shed light on important and relevant issues as well as correct misconceptions with truthful information. We talked with Tyler Dutchmen (9), the child of a same-sex couple, to get his personal take on just how “different” —or not— life is like with parents of the same gender.

Luckily it’s never really hurt a friendship. My friends are pretty open about it; they love my parents and think they’re great people.

As a little kid did you ever feel as though your family was different than other kids’?

In your own experience, what would you say are some of the benefits or advantages of having two moms?

Not really. I knew that I had two moms and I knew that most kids had one dad and one mom, and some even had two dads. I never really wondered why I was different, I somewhat always understood. It never really affected me or hit me in a strong way, to be honest.

I had always known I had two moms instead of a dad so there never was really a shocking revelation. One of my moms is pretty into sports and she’s the one who works, so I guess she’s sort of a paternal figure in my life.

I don’t think there are any advantages of having parents of a certain gender, but I do think that it has given me more of a gay and racial tolerance. I think that’s definitely a positive— that I’m not being raised in a home that is intolerant to any kind of people, culture, or differences. It gives me a really open mind and also a tool for sharing that with others.

How has having two mothers impacted how you are perceived by others?

There have been a couple instances where I’ve gotten one or two insults, but it doesn’t really stick with me.

Has it ever had any effect on how you perceive yourself or your self-confidence?

I think it’s had a good effect. I couldn’t imagine a world without two moms—I love them and I think that they’ve shaped me into the wonderful person that my friends seem to think I am. I think having two moms has affected me in a really good way, not necessarily better than having a mom and a dad, but it hasn’t had a negative effect on me or my self-image.

Do you think your stand on LGBT issues and rights would be different if you didn’t have parents of the same gender?

No, I’d say I’d probably be less comfortable around gay people, but my stance would be the same. I would still believe they should be able to get

married and have the same rights. I do think it comes down to how your parents decide to raise you as a person.

For example, the kids who were racist back when African Americans were segregated were like that because they were being raised as racists, it wasn’t necessarily their original personal opinion. Had they been raised in a home that clearly accepted diversity, they would’ve been more tolerant.

Lastly, what is one common misconception about having parents of the same sex that you would like to clarify for people? What would you want people to ultimately take away from this interview?

I would say there’s two things. Just because you have two moms or two dads, doesn’t mean you are raised in a certain way. People have the misconception that if you are raised by two moms you are less tough, or if you are gay man that means you’re more feminine or you like fashion. And honestly, that’s just wrong. Being gay has to do with who you like and are attracted to, but it doesn’t determine what kind of person you are.

Although this story is one personal account and does not necessarily reflect the experiences of every child of same-sex parents, it does serve to combat some stereotypes. Regardless of your opinion on this issue, hopefully you walk away with more information than you knew prior to reading the article.

*Some names have been changed in this article to protect the identities of those mentioned 23

The Race to Apply

by Elliot Cohen

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As a high school senior, I am constantly thinking of ways to get an edge against competitive applicants in the college application process. Maybe if I describe the four hours of community service I did last week as my way of giving back to the community in a more sophisticated way, I will have a better chance at getting into Harvard. After I completed my resume description, I looked for other key areas that I could stand out in. Well, I am half South-African, and have grown up with South Arican tradition my whole life. At first, I was hesitant about whether or not I should mark the “African American” box. After the realization of how strongly I feel about my background, and a few recommendations from college advisors, I made the decision to check that box.

What does checking a box for a particular race even indicate, and how much do colleges take that part of the application into consideration? For me, checking a box for a particular race indicates how I believe I was brought up, and an indication of how connected I feel to my heritage.

For others, the reason behind checking a particular box might be due to their place of birth or just the color of their skin. The reasoning behind the race section is not very clear. It seems as though it is merely for demographic use, but I have been skeptical about whether or not it helps you get into specific colleges because of the quota that every school tries to fill. Universities are increasingly attempting to keep up a wide range of demographics throughout the population. The top universities have also always made sure to keep a quota for the percentage of minorities that are accepted. In turn, this adds to the variety in the population.

Recently, a group of students sued Harvard due to the discovery that their race required higher test scores than other races in order to be accepted. According to CNN, a

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group of Asian American students came together to address, with the federal law, the issue of race in the college admission process. These students analyzed public studies that revealed it was significantly harder, in term of test scores as a measurement, for students of Asian American descent to gain admittance than students of other races. For those students, it was a disadvantage to define their racial background. It may have even helped for them to simply not record a race at all. These students stated that they were trying to bring back the core principals of America in terms of equal opportunity for every citizen who lives in America.

It is evident that certain races, due to the general income of that particular race, have a better chance through the admission process. According to Philip Marcelo of the Huffington Post, top schools, such as Harvard, are using affirmative action in the application process, which grants lower income minorities a better chance at being accepted.

Mercelo goes on to say, “Statistical evidence reveals that Harvard uses ‘holistic’ admissions to disguise the fact that it holds Asian Americans to a far higher standard than other students and essentially forces them to compete against each other for admission.” These high achieving students are not given the same opportunity simply because of their race.

It is tough to identify and label a mixed race student, which makes the race section a highly touchy subject. It should really be the student’s own judgment as to which or how many races pertain to him or her. Students are also not given the opportunity to explain why they chose a certain race, if they were not born abroad.

At the end of the day, I plan on marking the races on my college application that represent how I perceive myself as an individual. Your race should not affect the chances of you getting into a certain school; it should only better help the admission officer reading your application interpret how you see yourself. The line needs to be drawn as soon as being a particular race discredits one’s academic achievements.

Students must be valued by their effort, dedication, and the results they earn, not by their race.

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All Genders Welcome

by Annie Charlat A sign reading “All Gender Restroom” adorns the door of Canyon Crest Academy’s first gender neutral restroom. According to Refuge Restrooms, there are about 4,500 gender neutral restrooms in the United States. As of October 13th, CCA can now say that we stand alongside the 150 college campuses, and growing number of high school campuses, that have implemented gender neutral bathrooms. Staff members have been discussing this issue long before its implementation, thanks to student advocates spreading awareness about creating greater inclusivity on our campus.

Transgender and gender nonconforming students deserve equal facilities, so that they may use the bathroom and feel safe like any cisgender student (people who identify with the gender they were assigned at birth). Before the labeling of this bathroom as gender neutral, the facility was labeled as a staff bathroom. Trans students who wanted to use this restroom needed a key. While this was better than nothing, it certainly wasn’t enough. No student should feel a sense of otherness to fulfill a basic need. This single key divided the student body between those who used a restroom that locked from the inside, and those who used a restroom that locked from the outside. While the majority of our school populace won’t be using this new restroom, a group among our student body will. This brings our diverse community closer together.

Our principal Mr. Mueller is an advocate for a shared school community, one that celebrates individuality and diversity. Feeling safe on campus, Mueller says, is a feeling that “we are all entitled to”. Our principal adds, “There is not one group that has more entitlement than the next. We are 2,380… All of our actions need to reflect that.” The all-gender facility ensures that every student and staff member has a choice.

Before the implementation of the new restroom, trans students did not have positive experiences involving gendered restrooms. Charlie Spadone, a nonbinary student at CCA, views using gender specific facilities as an uncomfortable experience. “At school very recently I had to choose between bathrooms and I went into the girl’s bathroom. It just made me feel the most safe out of the two at the time.” As soon as Charlie entered the bathroom, it was no longer just about satisfying a biological need. “I didn’t think [it] would be a problem but a girl walked in, took one look at me; she looked very surprised, and asked if I was in the men’s bathroom.” Because of this incident and others, they would avoid using the restroom at school and in public entirely.

Sometimes, choosing a bathroom is the most difficult part for transgender people. Another student, Leo Levinson, feels “torn and completely lost” when it comes to making 27

the decision. Every time he encounters gendered restrooms, he has to balance tricky matters that cisgender people do not have to. “Do I respect the fact that I’m still pre-hormones and use the bathroom I’ve had to use most of my life?” Leo muses, “Or do I use the bathroom that truly matches my gender? It leaves me completely confused and

anxious, and usually I’ll just end up holding it until I get home, as I did most of last year.”

It is year 2015, and we are the first school in the San Dieguito High School District to have equal facilities. This is a huge step in the right direction.

This attitude of equal opportunity is one that our school

promotes. Mr. Mueller describes CCA as “a place where everyone is feeling that we need to honor, respect and value each and every member of our shared school community.” As someone who has been in academia for many years, he praises the dialogue that is now taking place about LGBT issues. The mere fact that these conversa-

tions took place in our school community and district is already progressive. He views CCA as headed in “the right direction”, but despite our high level of improvement “doesn’t mean that we have reached a place of inclusion that we need to reach.” Having these discussions with

peers and educators is an important part of keeping CCA’s accepting culture alive. As Mr. Mueller emphasized, “culture takes nurturing.” He wants the student body to know that CCA educators support the needs of all of their students, and want every student to be successful.

Principal Mueller discusses the reason behind why we are the first school in the district to implement unisex bathrooms. “At our core, educators want to do what is right for students in our care. I know each high school, not just within our district, but each school is it’s own community, and have their own needs and their own priorities.” We are fortunate as a school community to have our priorities being addressed. While implementing the unisex bathroom cannot erase the discrimination that our students may face in the world outside of our campus, it ensures that each student has an equal opportunity to thrive in our community, and can graduate as confident young adults.

Due to the implication of a facility that can be used and locked from the inside, various students and staff have voiced concern. Mueller addresses this hesitation by explaining: “Student safety is my top priority. Part of student safety is trusting that our students are mature and make decisions that are in their best interest and in the collective best interest of their student body.” The majority of CCA students are uniquely mature and accepting of diversity, which is represented with the administration’s trust in creating this gender neutral bathroom. However, concerns of inappropriate actions taking place in the restroom is an additional concern: “A lot of concerns that I have heard in the past have to do with supervision,” Mr. Mueller says. “If there were any inappropriate behaviors taking place in the restroom, then that is usually reported by other students in the restroom.” If inappropriate relations take place in a single stall bathroom, there is no one else to observe this behavior, which could endanger students. However, Mr. Mueller does not believe in living life based on hypotheticals: “The safety of our students trumps all of those other concerns,” he concluded.

While implementing the unisex bathroom cannot erase the discrimination that our students may face in the world outside of our campus, it ensures that each student has an equal opportunity to thrive in our community. Because transphobia cannot be eradicated in one day, our shared facility ensures that students of all genders can use a restroom without experiencing confusing or uncomfortable scenarios. Hopefully Canyon Crest Academy stands as an example and an inspiration to the schools that are soon to follow the positive example that we are setting.

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CCA Eats

by Elliot Cohen

As of this year, CCA has a new off campus lunch policy. Due to the new shopping center opening across the street, there was an increasing concern that more underclassmen would disregard the existing policy. CCA administrators decided that by allowing juniors to go off campus the policy would be more realistic. Juniors and seniors can go off campus while underclassmen must stay on campus.

If you want to visit any of these places, their websites can be found by scanning the QR codes to the right.

Corner house is a small, outside cafe located just off of Carmel Mountain Road. In order to make good timing, the best way to get there from school is to take the 56 east to the 5 south. The sandwiches aren’t the only quick bite available at this local cafe. Acai bowls are also a popular item and are a great, healthy option. Corner house doubles as a sandwich shop and a smoothie bar, which allows for chilled smoothies during hot school days. Attached is a small Mexican restaurant, which makes this hidden corner a home to tons of options.

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Fresco Urban Cafe is a small pizza and grill cafe located just off of the 56. You simply head east from school and take the Camino Del Sur exit. Their menu has a wide variety of options varying from healthy meals to giant slices of pizza. Among CCA students, pizza is the most popular because of how quick and easy it is to order. After all, you don’t have much time to eat when you go off campus. Many people aren’t aware of their new variety of healthy entrees and salads. like their Asain Lettuce Wraps and Fresco Cobb Salad.

Corner House Cafe

Fresco Urban Cafe

PizzaRev is also just off of Camino Del Sur. Pizza Rev is a brand new pizza place that has a create-yourown pizza design. You can pick from a wide variety of styles of pizza and toppings, from BBQ chicken to classic cheese. PizzaRev has not been around long, so it is definitely an awesome new place to go check out.

Its concept is similar to Chipotle’s, except with pizza.

PizzaRev has officially mastered the personalized pizza industry since they have many other locations around the country, which makes the new pizzeria not so new to the business.

PizzaRev

Vons

The Vons off of Carmel Creek Road, west of school off the 56, is not like most Vons shopping centers. The grocery store conveniently has a variety of fast options for lunch throughout the supermarket. Panda Express Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and Vons’ own deli are all located within the market. Vons’ Deli has a sandwich bar, a sushi station, and many more hot food options.

My favorite meal from Vons is the chicken tenders and fries combo because it is so inexpensive and fast.

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