Pulse Volume 13 Issue 1 by Annie Lu

Letter From the Editors As we head into the 2017-2018 year, we are eager to welcome our new freshmen to our campus and welcome back returning students. For the last few months, our Pulse team has been working to create a magazine that is more focused on CCA than we normally do, as we believe this will be a helpful introduction to the CCA experience and culture for our new freshman class. With this focus in mind, even our stories with more national or international relevance target the minds of CCA honing in on their opinions, as our students are often knowledgeable and passionate about world affairs. For example, Audrey Hsu’s piece regarding new US military policy regarding transgenders takes a critical look at this new policy, but also how our students interpret it. On a more sensitive note, Kaylynn O’Curran’s take on insecurities takes a look at more widely relevant emotional struggles that high schoolers across the country deal with, as well as those more specific to students at CCA. Finally, Hannah Musgrave’s coverage of Quest takes a look at one of the special opportunities granted to students here. Creative director Jakob Saloner and his layout team have worked tirelessly to create a visual theme inspired by pop art and the bright colors of comic books that jumps off of the page. On the cover, the differences within the landscape and between the two students pictures are deliberate, as they represent the diversity of all kinds present within our school. As new Editors-in-Chief, we are proud to present Volume 13 Issue 1 of Pulse.

Editors-in-Chief Max Greenhalgh Ronnie Simon Creative Director Jakob Saloner Editorial Director Daniel Chekal Online Editor-in-Chief Annie Lu Design Will Hillard Staff Writers Elan Berger Noah Gaines Josh Golden Audrey Hsu Derek Li Hannah Musgrave Kaylynn O’Curran Gabriella Patino Frank Yang Ali Youel Photographer Libby Edwards Special Thanks Eva Douwes

Table of Contents Bro Code/Girl Code

Insecure

18 20

Josh’s Six Golden Nuggets

NBA Predictions Stormy Skies

Student Art

A Counselor’s Life

Rookies and Veterans

by Ronnie Simon and Max Greenhalgh

by Josh Golden

Transgender Taboo

Mad Scientists

by Hannah Musgrave

by Gabriella Patino

The Man... The Myth...

by Derek Li

by Max Greenhalgh

by Eva Douwes

by Audrey Hsu

How to Tame Your Sibling

by Kaylynn O’Curran

by Frank Yang

by Annie Lu

by Ronnie Simon

by Ronnie Simon and Max Greenhalgh

Bro Code (Written (Writtenby byaaGirl) Girl)

A Bro never cries in front of a fellow Bro, as Bros need to maintain their stone-hearted manliness. Never during class, at the gym, or in the presence of family. Save it for the pillow when there is absolutely no one around to see your emotionally vulnerable side because how dare someone tap into the secret that boys actually have emotions. A Bro is never vegan. In order to maintain that brawny physique that you think every girl dreams of, you need protein. Not that artificial protein that comes from those finger-sized power bars, but the protein that comes in delectable 24-oz New York Strip steak with a glass of milk on the side. Tufo is not even food in the dictionary of men. Plus, who would ever want to be vegan? A Bro must always draw on another Bro if that Bro passes out/falls asleep. It is simply just common courtesy to make sure the other Bro wakes up with the most mature of art pieces on his face out of sharpie and sometimes even with a pool of shaving cream around him. This is the time to show off the modern artist that lurks inside of you. It is especially important to do so if the other Bro has some kind of important function the next day. A Bro shall never use the adjacent urinal to another Bro if there are other urinals available. No need for me to expand on this: it’s just common sense. If a Bro calls dibs, the other Bro must respect dibs. If Bros always respect the precedent of dibs, then there will be no conflict between bros regarding partners. Dibs even expand beyond partners. If you want to secure a seat in the back of a class, the longest french fry sticking out of the container, or the luxury of sitting shotgun, then you must call dibs.

Girl Code (Written (Writtenby byaaGuy) Guy)

Always abbreviate everything, whether through shortening words or using emojis. The rise of emojis and abbreviated terms in texts shows the power of the girl code, as even guys who want to spend time with girls will begin to adopt some of its tenets in order to do so. If someone posts a less-than-stellar picture of you on social media, the lawful procedure is as follows: Comment something signifying that you know you don’t look your best, but still love your friend. For example: “Ew I look rough, but love you!” Angrily text the poster of the picture. Promise a loss of friendship and/or life if the picture isn’t taken down immediately. Once the picture is down, go back to normal with your friend, and pretend that this never happened. When another girl makes an introspective statement that reveals a negative quality or insecurity about herself, you must either respond with a scold and a reminder that she is perfect, or a confirmation of the statement in such an exaggerated way that it is immediately understood to be sarcasm. Whatever you do, do not let her grow as a human being by admitting her faults. No matter how good of friends you are, if you and another girl are interested in the same person, you must have a dramatic and public falling out. There are no exceptions. Even if you were best friends before this, you must break this friendship up for someone who probably doesn’t even have romantic feelings towards either of you. When one girl goes to the bathroom, at least one other girl must follow or meet her there. Even when a girl is at home alone and wants to go to the bathroom, they have to call at least one of her friends to come over to make sure that she has a safe five step trip. A (definitely real and not made up for the purpose of this article) clinical study on why girls constantly need bathroom partners was inconclusive. I guess that this is just a natural phenomenon that men may never understand.

NFL For the first time since 1961, the city of San Diego will go a year without a pro football team. For long time Chargers fans such as Bradley Spilkin (a teacher at CCA), this season is something they have never experienced. Spilkin, who’s been a fan since 1971, wasn’t surprised by the move due to the drama surrounding relocation in 2016. Additionally, Spilkin stated “it’s not the same kind of ritualistic passion we used to have” and now it’s really just another NFL game despite still being fond of a few of their stars. Spilkin believes “it’s really tied to the ownership”, a very common belief amongst San Diegans, and he “doesn’t want to see [the Spanos family] be successful”, which is what occurred with the Chargers starting the season with four straight losses. MLB As the 2017 season of the MLB comes to a close, the Padres will be watching from the couch in October once again, which is no surprise to anyone. However, that doesn’t mean this season was a disappointment. Since the core of their roster is very young, the focus of the franchise is to develop the young stars, which was a success this year. They developed players such as slugger Hunter Renfroe, defensive star Austin Hedges, and promising pitching prospect Dinelson Lamet, along with current face of the franchise Wil Myers and partner-incrime Yangervis Solarte. These guys will hopefully be the core of the Padres franchise for years to come and bring some excitement to a city that has never won a professional sports championship. This baseball season was one to remember, but which individuals stood out enough to be recognized? For the National League, I believe the Cy Young (best pitcher) will go to Max Scherzer of the Nationals. His 253 strikeouts lead the NL and his 2.59 ERA is second behind Clayton Kershaw. The MVP of the NL is between Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins and Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks, yet Goldschmidt will likely get the award since Stanton’s average is below .280 and Goldschmidt’s is over .300. On the American League side, the Cy Young should go to Corey Kluber of the Indians due to his 7.6 wins above replacement, which leads the MLB for pitchers, and 2.35 ERA, which leads the AL. For MVP, Jose Altuve of the Astros is the clear winner. He leads all of baseball in wins above replacement and batting average, leading Houston to the best record in the AL.

NCAA The Heisman trophy is an award given to college football’s best player of the year. This year’s favorites for the prestigious award are Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, Stanford running back Bryce Love III, and Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett. Currently, the favorite to take home the trophy is Saquon Barkley, who has over 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns through seven games. Behind Barkley is Mayfield, who was a Heisman finalist last year and proved early on this season that he can step up in clutch situations in a road win against Ohio State. If Mayfield can perform well down the stretch, he could give Saquon some competition. The 2017 college basketball season, as usual, will consist of star freshmen at schools such as Duke and Kentucky. However, some top recruits have decided to go to smaller programs so they have more room to shine, such as Michael Porter Jr. of Missouri. Another unusual part of this season is that for the first time since the 2000-01 season, Rick Pitino will not be a head coach due to his violation of NCAA rules, causing Louisville to fire him. Along with Louisville, other schools are dealing with rule violations with the NCAA that could lead to suspensions and perhaps a ban from the postseason for a certain amount of time. These schools include Alabama, Miami, Auburn, Arizona, USC, Oklahoma State, and South Carolina. CCA Our school’s boys soccer team will be chasing back to back CIF titles for the first time in school history. Although Coach Lockhart believes that this team is different due to the loss of some of last year’s stars, it’s unfair to call them defending champions. However, Lockhart believes that despite this loss, it can still produce great results. He stated “our goal is to make it into the Open division and win it,” despite no team from CCA ever even making the Open division. Along with winning the Open division, Coach Lockhart believes “the biggest thing to show is can we be consistent as a program.” This season should be very exciting and hopefully will end with CCA hoisting the CIF championship trophy.

Transgender Taboo by Audrey Hsu

Aside from GPAs, SAT scores, and AP classes, CCA has maintained and cultivated an intensively dynamic reputation. When asking students about which words best describe CCA, the most common responses were accepting, open, ambitious, and welcoming. Much of CCA’s culture is blessed with such descriptors because of the students, whose progressive and passionate tendencies are often reflected in their actions. These include examples such as the silent march that occurred in spring of 2017 (protesting the President’s immigration policy), the extensive amount of clubs CCA showcases, and the addition of gender-neutral bathrooms a few years ago. Whatever the issue, the Ravens at CCA tend to take a firm stance on their proudly stated opinions. At the moment, America is being pummeled by a battering ram of contentious situations. One of the topics currently on the table is President Trump’s directive to ban transgender peoples from the military. In June of this year, Trump wrote on his Twitter account, “the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.” The statement that he released via Twitter was a reversal of a policy that President Obama worked to create in 2016, which allowed transgenders to serve in the military. There were mixed reactions to Trump’s tweet; some people said it was a contradiction of his promises to support the LGBTQ+ community during his campaign. Others agreed with President Trump, proclaiming that the money used on transgender people for surgery and hormonal treatment could be spent on direct military needs instead. However, in response to supporters of the statement, a study by Rand Corp (a nonprofit global corporation that offers research and analysis 8

to the U.S. Armed Forces) was cited by the opposition. This stated that there are currently between 1,320 and 6,630 transgender service members in the military, where only a subset of around 29-129 people would utilize military funds. There would be a $2.4 million to $8.4 million annual increase in spending, which is pocket change in the face of the entire military budget, which is around 520 billion dollars, and is also tiny in comparison to the 84 million dollars spent treating erectile dysfunction. Still others claim that hormone therapy could impair the emotional stability of those undergoing treatment. The same people also claim that transgender people shouldn’t be allowed to serve because of having higher rates of mental health issues. This fact is true. Transgender people are nine times more likely to suicide than cisgender Americans, and a startling 41% of transgender people attempt suicide. With all of that being said, those who stand against the transgender military ban state that by judging individuals based on the average characteristics of the group they are part of, people are taking part in a dangerous kind of discrimination. Transgender people often face discrimination in some way, whether it is in the media, in daily social life, or perhaps feeling alone or isolated. It is no wonder that the statistic is fueled by the constrictions of the unspoken rules of what is or isn’t socially acceptable. Adding to the considerable opposition and limits that transgenders face would not help to fight prejudice against them. In a 2016 NPR interview on transgender people in the job market, reporter Gloria Hillard talked to Jiselle Neel, a 43-year-old woman who began the transition in 2012. Neel states, “You knew you have all the qualifications and you have the work ethic and you’re - you know, you’ve been polite and respectful and they tell you all these great things and yet I could not convince anyone to take that chance (talking about

This World War I propaganda poster is surprisingly relevant in 2017, over 100 years after it was originally printed. It has been altered to contain some of the colors of the Transgender Pride Flag.

job interviews).” Furthermore, for the already openly transgender people in the military, what would the ban mean? In an article by Laura Bradley of Vanity Fair, she interviewed two ex-veterans, Joey Whimple and Jennifer Marie Long. Whimple claimed that a discharge from the military, as President Trump’s ban proposes, will impact the job selection in the future. Therefore, the ban would not only impact the current lives of service members, but also their lives after service. Not only this, but the next generation aspiring to be service members would be affected as well, transgender or not. The easily bendable minds of youth everywhere in America would be affected by this act. As youth, we at CCA have the inclination to question concepts that have been cemented in stone. Even so, Trump’s directive would perhaps allow the current generation to grow up with the notion that it should be the norm for people to be discriminated against because of their gender. Another branch of people with a strong opinion are advocacy groups. Numerous organizations, such as the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Legal Advocates and Defenders, are suing Trump on behalf of five transgender service members who have the combined experience of 60 years in the military. The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is also promising to sue, and countless others have been brought to the front lines of social action by the President’s announcement. His proclamation has already met considerable opposition in Congress, most notedly by Senator John McCain, who is also Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee. He has co-sponsored a bill that would prevent Trump from passing the directive, and it has garnered support from several other members of Congress. McCain stated, “When less than one percent of Americans are volunteering to join the military, we should welcome all those who are willing and able to serve our country.” Honing in on CCA, we see that many people have thoughts on the matter as well. Lucas Giles, a junior who is the president of the G.S.A (Gay Straight Alliance), says that “Donald Trump was starting to look at ways to discriminate, and this is a good place to start. It wasn’t a big topic of discussion, it was just something he decided was a good idea, that wasn’t widely supported by the military.” Another member says that it is important for people to become more intimately aware of this issue. “People trust numbers and statistics. If people look at the actual financial comparison of how much the military is actually saving versus what the President says, it would be easier to attract attention to the matter.” Lucas adds that CCA students can help in particular by “making it clear that our students support the issue and acknowledging that there’s really no 10

difference between trans and straight people; we should respect ability, no matter where it’s from.” Uri Shakked, a senior who is looking to go into NROTC (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps), says that “[Transgender people] want to fight for their country like anyone else does. As long as therapy doesn’t affect anything that’s going on with their deployment or take away from military budget. If they’re motivated and driven to fight for their country, they should be able to serve.” When asked about the money spent on erectile dysfunction, he explained that Viagra has other uses, such as lowering blood pressure, and treating pulmonary hypertension (this was confirmed by an NBC News report). Max Tokman is another senior that is hoping to go into the military to follow in the footsteps of his family members. “I agree with the fact that medical expenses for the purpose of surgery shouldn’t be covered by taxpayers. But anyone who is willing to serve and passes the background checks should be able to have the opportunity. It is a great honor to be able to serve; no one should be banned for the sole purpose of their gender.” The discussion of this topic stretched out beyond conducted interviews and into the classrooms of Canyon Crest Academy. The subject even sparked a flurry of people willing to share their perspectives during a discussion of reform movements in the 1800s in AP U.S. History. One student, whose mother served in the Air Force, felt that the current situation mirrored the controversy years ago about women being able to serve in the military. Other students stated that the public tends to resist change, no matter the issue or facts. Many students at CCA seem to share the same beliefs on the matter. Whether or not military expenses should be allocated on treatment for transgenders seems to be the only point of distinction between the general agreements. All CCA students spoken to are in agreement with the right to be able to serve in the military, without limits based on wealth, gender, or race. Ahead of the curve, with a propensity for forward-thinking, Canyon Crest Academy students have a hint of pride when they say they are staunch supporters of transgender rights. Said one student, “We’re very lucky to be students here at Canyon Crest. It’s a safe haven for all kinds of people, ideas, expressions. Our support and acceptance of many different beliefs and religions, and our fearless fight for what’s right is an example and model for communities and students all around.” Editor’s Note - Views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the editors and staff of Pulse Magazine as a whole, nor do they necessarily represent those of the entirety of Canyon Crest Academy.

WINTER 2017

DECEMBER 19-29

SAT

FINALS WRITING PROGRAMS

SPEECH & DEBATE

Quest. This is the laboratory that houses all the mad scientists you didn’t know about, the white coat haven with bubbling bacterial brew, explosive ideas, and a consistent conjuring of innovative thoughts. Here is where all the wacky experiments that you thought were kept within the borders of fictional TV are performed. In one experiment performed, skin cells are transformed to glow by merging their genes with those of a fluorescent jellyfish. In another, worms are controlled through the tampering with of their DNA. Learning in this classroom is done through experiments and handson problems, with “no textbook reading,” according to Quest student Ruchi Agashe, a junior at CCA. The program is focused on teaching students how to work in a lab and perform with industry standard technology, giving them experiences similar to those of professional scientists. Students are pushed to expand their imaginations and experiment in their fields of interest with a personalized program that allows them to work in a lab with professional scientists and a yearly science fair. With the machines, materials, and opportunities provided, Quest is a place where students can expand their knowledge and explore their interest in science. Last year, CCA students took first and third at the Intel ISEF (International Science and Engineering Fair), the most competitive and prestigious science competition globally, over the 1,800 other contestants competing from around the world. Our first place winner, Maggie Chen, won with her innovative approach to fighting antibiotic resistant bacteria. She devised a method that would use red blood cells as decoys to kill bacteria. When the bacteria attacked the red blood cells, that were actually toxin filled and just disguised as red blood cells, the toxins would in turn attack the bacteria and the bacteria would perish. Third place finisher, Paul Gauvreau, succeeded with a drone he constructed that could pollinate plants and double a field’s crop yield. Both these students won prestigious awards and did an outstanding job in their ideas and execution. Competing with countries and schools worldwide and having two CCA students finish in the top three is a significant accomplishment. Just qualifying for the Intel ISEF is a challenge. First,

the two students had to place in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair, an intensive competition amongst local science and engineering students. There, they both won a Sweepstakes Award, which allowed them a spot to compete in the Intel ISEF as well as giving them a $2,000 grant. Mr. Haas, Quest’s teacher, stated “Every year, as far as I can remember, CCA wins one or more Sweepstakes awards at the GSDSEF.” Even with only seven Sweepstakes awards to win, Quest students won two last year and won four the year before. Haas hopes this record will continue with the pending projects for this year. One project that is in the works right now is an approach to eradicating the addictive side effects of drugs. While in the beginning stage of the process, Agashe explained that she, along with her partner Kaitlyn Wong, are in the process of crafting their proposal of the project and emailing local scientists that will, hopefully, allow them to come participate in their laboratory. The internship program has proved to be a very beneficial and successful system for CCA students. Some students have even landed full time jobs with those they interned with. Shane Berchtold, a CCA graduate of 2016, has had his job for two years now; working in the laboratory that he originally interned in as a high school student. He gets paid above minimum wage, works with a beautiful view of the ocean, travels across states to perform experiments, and even occasionally gets to count surfing as his work hours. He says he plans to study marine biology in college to carry on with the job he has and attain a higher position in the field. All of this came from the opportunities he was originally provided with through Quest. Quest has provided its students with jobs, taught them how to perform like professionals in a laboratory, and to think with an open mind and determination for solutions. Agashe described the program as “an opportunity you couldn’t get anywhere else”, and Berchtold expressed his gratitude of the impact it had on his life. Within the wacky experiments and close-knit family feeling of the class, Quest is the hidden haven for all of the mad scientists of CCA.

how to tame your sibling

where there’s no audience (except your angry mother).

by Gabriella Patino For those who are convinced they live with a monster, I feel you. My twin brother Lorenzo and I have been close for our entire lives, but sometimes I think we’re from two different planets. It can be tough to see things from our siblings’ perspective, but they probably think the exact same thing about us. I’m sure all of your parents have told you to “play nice” with your sibling and “share,” but I’ve always thought that these tasks are easier said than done. I’m still trying to figure all of this sibling stuff out myself, but this is what I’ve got. Here are a few tips that might make your life at school with your sibling more bearable. Tip 1: Try to avoid unnecessary battles This tip is pretty general and applies to both home and school. Most arguments are avoidable by changing your tone of voice. When at school or talking about school, limit conversations to topics that won’t have you at each other’s throats. Apparently it’s not “socially acceptable” to wrestle it out in the middle of the quad, so save those arguments you just need to have for home, out of the public eye. Tip 2: Treat them like a friend The sooner you try and treat your sibling like a friend, the more patience you’ll have with them. It’s easy to argue with siblings because we know that we’ll never lose them. I can yell at my brother a million times and he can’t get rid of me because we live in the same house. But that doesn’t mean that I should yell at him a million times. The fear of losing a friendship keeps us from treating them like a sibling. If you treat your sibling like they are a friend that you actually have a chance of losing, you’ll both be much more likely to tolerate each other. Tip 3: Don’t tease them in public I know it’s tempting. The opportunity is right in front of you. They say something weird or you see them do something strange when no one else is looking. Try your best to bite your tongue. Because if you say what you really want to say, it is going to bite you in the butt. The next time you are on the verge of messing up – don’t deny it, it’s going to happen – they’ll be there. This vicious cycle of teasing each other for the sole purpose of embarrassment can easily spiral out of control until you are each other’s worst nightmares. The bottom line is this: don’t say something you know will make them mad. It’s not that you shouldn’t tease them at all , but at least wait until you are in the comfort of your own home

Tip 4: Make drives to and from school fun 7:00 am is a time when no human being should have to be awake. It is much too early to function and much too early to deal with your sibling without getting agitated. However, contrary to popular belief, those early drives to school can be fun. Jamming out on the way can be a great way to start your day. If you can’t find a compromise between Hannah Montana or Schoolboy Q, just take turns playing your music. Compromise is the key to an enjoyable car ride. Driving home after school can also be fun. Try taking turns talking about your day whether, that involves telling a funny story or complaining about all the homework you were assigned. Even when you have a lot to say, try to avoid interrupting them, though, because this might just start World War III… Tip 5: Let them hang out with your friends I know it sounds scary. Maybe my situation as a twin makes things a little easier. My brother and I get along very well and I think we owe that to being in the same friend group. This makes me see him as more of a friend rather than a brother. I’m not saying you and your siblings need to hang out every day at school, because I know that’s not realistic. However, it might be a good idea to make them feel welcome amongst your friends. Don’t shoo them away in the morning when you see someone you know. The more you let them talk to your friends, the less they’ll feel the pull of the natural sibling instinct to annoy you. Giving these simple tips a try might steer your relationships with your siblings in the right direction. After all, you’ll begin to realize that these are your last few years with them before you go off to college. Wouldn’t it be nice to make those years go by fight-free? The leech that you feel you can never get rid of may just turn out to be your best friend.

The Man... The Myth...

We all know who I am talking about when I say the superhero riding around in the golf cart with his bird sidekick. It’s our lovely campus manager, Hector Gutierrez. With him being such a significant part of CCA, it is no surprise that there are some legends about the mythical man roaming the halls of our school.

Story 7 “This one Wednesday he told me that it was his birthday that day and I got excited and wished him happy birthday. Then the next Wednesday he told me that it was his birthday again. I don’t think Hector’s birthday is every Wednesday.” -Not True

Story 1 “One time I saw Hector and he had a bruise on his arm. I asked him how that happened and he told me that it was because of a fight between his two wives. They were arguing over something about him and then it got heated, and as they were fighting each other, Hector got in the way. That’s how he got his bruise.” -Not true

Story 8 “I heard that Hector has a nanny cam for his dogs that he uses to watch them while he’s at work.” -True

Story 2 “Once Hector told me that he had to go by another name for five years because he was undercover. He then laughed and said ‘no, I’m just kidding, I had to take my brothers name because I took his birth certificate instead of my own [when I came into the country].’” -True Story 3 “Hector once told me that he loved this girl in third grade. He was very shy when he had to speak in front of the class so he froze. Luckily, this girl stood up and helped him get through his presentation. He didn’t say anything to her after that, so when elementary school was over, he never had the chance to talk to her. Years later, he found out from a taxi driver that a girl from that family had died. She had been shot by her husband because he thought she was cheating on him. There were two girls in the family, but he didn’t know which one [was shot]. He has regretted not talking to her ever since.” -True Story 4 “So, you know all the birds Hector saves on campus? Well, it turns out that he actually takes them to a bird rescue place after he saves them and brings them back to good health.” -True Story 5 “One time, I heard that Hector saved a kitten that was wandering around near his house, and took it in and took care of it. I’m not sure if this is true, but I wouldn’t be surprised because he saves so many birds.” -Not true Story 6 “[One time I heard] that a bird flew into a classroom and broke its wing. Then, Hector was summoned and came and helped the bird get better. That bird was his best friend for the day.” -True 17

by Kaylynn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Curran

I hate my nose. It has this large bump and whenever I turn my head to the side, I feel that the only thing someone sees is my skinny, lumpy nose. My laugh is more of a cackle, and my voice is so high I sound like the filter on Snapchat that distorts your voice. I know I’m not alone in having my insecurities. We all have at least one attribute that makes us feel ashamed for no reason except that it isn’t considered “normal.” I think most of us can agree that we are our own worst enemies when it comes to appearance. In January of 2016, Yahoo Health conducted a survey of 1,933 women and girls aged 13 to 64 concerning the age they became self-conscious. Most girls aged 13-17 started noticing their differences at about nine or ten. The average of all women surveyed, however, started noticing at about 13. What causes this apparent trend of self-consciousness starting earlier for these girls? It seems to have a lot to do with how accessible media has become to kids. According to Common Sense Media, 68% of children five to eight years old have access to a computer or tablet every week. This causes a kind of forced maturation of kids when they have access to all these different possibilities. Robyn Silverman, author of Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession Is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It, believes that, “Younger kids are getting messages earlier about how they should appear.” This also results in potential sexualization of younger generations who feel the need to look “more adult-like” much earlier in order to fit into our society. Younger kids see this older generation and feel the need to imitate someone who seems to be successful or validated. Avery Claire Nugent, a longtime member of Theater Conservatory, started out at CCA being someone she wasn’t. She tried mimicking other successful girls but just wasn’t getting similar results. Nugent soon realized that was because she didn’t have confidence in her actions, and this lack of confidence was present because she wasn’t truly being herself. She wasn’t the same as those older girls, and until she started being authentic, she wouldn’t see the results she wanted. She embraced her differences, saying “I’m not a perfect soprano doll. I’m an alto, who likes gritty things and dark humor.” When she took the next summer to become comfortable with all of these attributes of herself, she came back better than ever knowing, “this is me and if you don’t like it I can move on to other opportunities.” However, there are also very prevalent emotional

insecurities that come up among teens. Students these days, especially those in high school, have become competitors in the race to college. As application deadlines near, students try to cram in AP classes, extracurriculars, sports, volunteer work, and so much more to seem like an appealing candidate to their dream school. Kids are overworking themselves all due to the “necessity” of going to a top-tier college. When talking to CCA students the consensus was that most students are fearful of both how competitive this school truly is, and of being outshined by their peers. As of last year, U.S. News & World Report boosted these uncertainties, rating our school 5th best (according to math and language testing and graduation rates) in the state of California. Let’s not forget how 32 of last year’s seniors are now attending UC Berkeley, and how five more got into Stanford. They all make it look like a breeze, despite our knowledge that, as far as our experiences, it is very stressful. Senior Caitlin Campbell knows that her “time management skills are bad” and she has “a difficult time not procrastinating.” Procrastination has become the teen anthem these days. According to Psychology Daily, “The goal of procrastination is to escape the immediate necessity of demand, obligation, or work. The trap of procrastination is adding pressure to ordinary demands.” We all know this causes unnecessary stress, but that doesn’t stop anyone. How can we fit every activity in and still maintain a 4.0? Many of us are in this camp together fearing we won’t be able to get into our dream college because we just aren’t as well-rounded as that other person that may be competing for the same spot. Melody Li, a member of ASB, sums it up perfectly in saying, “Being near such amazing people at CCA, who have accomplished so much, you sometimes feel like you’re standing in their shadow because of how great they seem to be, but then again I realize that I am super great too. We are all standing together.” Teenage years come along with insecurities. Our generation is unlike most with access to almost the entire world with just a click; there are so many different opinions and ideas. The trend of avoiding our work makes it all too easy to avoid our feelings. Along with so much piling on, there is little time to deal with anything. But I think, as Melody put it, we are all standing together. Whether it be in success or nerves, we all have a commonality about us that unites us as a school. Whatever the experience of CCA may be, we are in this together.

by Derek Li

The 2017-18 offseason was one of the most frantic and exciting ones in NBA history. The draft was comprised of a multitude of very young, talented, and athletic players with big ambitions, while the offseason trades were shocking to say the least. With so many changes to all 30 teams in the NBA, this year is set to be an interesting one for the league. Here are the most anticipated NBA teams for the 2017-18 season. Golden State Warriors: After winning the 2016-17 finals against the Cavaliers (4 games to 1), the talented Warriors are still the favorites for being the NBA champion this season. During the offseason, they only bolstered their team’s roster by keeping key players such as Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson and adding sharpshooters Nick Young from the Lakers and Omri Casspi from the Timberwolves. In addition to having a league-best offensive rating (a measure of a team’s offensive efficiency) of 116 during the 2016-17 NBA season, the Warriors will continue to be the most entertaining team to watch in the entire league. Cleveland Cavaliers: Last year was not the type of season that the Cavs had envisioned. After making a historical comeback in the 2015-16 NBA finals against the Warriors, the Cavs got embarrassed in the rematch in last year’s finals by losing 4-1. Plus, the team lost Kyrie Irving during the offseason after he demanded to be traded. On the bright side, the Cavs did get Isaiah Thomas, an electrifying playmaker, Derrick Rose, a scoring threat as the sixth man of the team, and Dwyane Wade, a veteran all-star who won the NBA champion20

ship with LeBron James when they were playing for the Miami Heat. At the end of the day, the Cavaliers are still one of the most dominant teams in the Eastern Conference and will probably appear in the Finals again. Boston Celtics: The Celtics had a rollercoaster of a season last year. On the one hand, they advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference finals and surprised everyone not only with their great team chemistry, but also with the outstanding individual performance by Isaiah Thomas. However, just when they were starting to build a team centered around Thomas, he was traded to the Cavaliers, dealing a blow to both the team’s chemistry and the fans alike. Yet, the Celtics filled the void left by Isaiah Thomas by adding Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward to their roster. Unfortunately, Hayward suffered a horrific ankle injury in his first game this year and will probably be out for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, the team picked up Jayson Tatum in the draft, who was a scoring machine in his tenure at Duke. With an offensively stacked roster, the Celtics are aiming to advance all the way to the NBA finals this year. Oklahoma City Thunder: Russell Westbrook (who was named the 2016-17 NBA’s most valuable player) literally carried the Thunder on his back last season. He also became only the second player in NBA history to average a triple double. However, the Thunder evidently relied too much on Westbrook; when he wasn’t on the court, the Thunder would collapse: their offensive rating dropped from 107.9 to 97.4 when he sat on the bench. Nevertheless, the team made two incredibly valuable trades for all-star small forwards Paul George and Carmelo Anthony in the offseason. George and Anthony, both of whom were franchise players on their former teams, should complement Westbrook and the entire Thunder offense very well. With this in mind, the Thunder should be one of the best Western Conference teams this year. However, as of the first few games of the season, they haven’t been performing up to expectations. Hopefully, with more time, the Thunder will be able to figure out a suitable playing style that maximizes the their performance. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Wolves have a very bright future ahead of them. The whole team is composed of young and promising players, including Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Justin Patton, and many more. The Wolves’ problem last year was that a lot of the young players were still adjusting to the style of NBA play, which was shown by the entire team’s poor defensive performance. However, if the Wolves are able to learn from their past mistakes, and defensive-minded coach Tom Thibodeau continues to make use of his talented roster, they may just be the dark horse of the 2017-18 NBA season. Philadelphia 76ers: For the past few seasons, the 76ers

have been the laughingstock of the NBA. A combination of unfortunate season-ending injuries and comically bad play has caused the team to miss the playoffs for five straight years. Yet, last year, the team showed promise. Joel Embiid came back from his two season injury and wowed everyone with his scoring and shot-blocking abilities. The team showed flashes of greatness and was able to win 28 games (which it hadn’t done since the 2012-13 NBA season). This offseason, the 76ers drafted Markelle Fultz, a talented point guard that will pose a problem for the rest of the NBA on both ends of the floor. If Fultz, Embiid, and Ben Simmons (an extremely versatile 7 foot point guard) can stay healthy this season, the 76ers are looking like a very formidable team in the Eastern Conference. Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers are perhaps the most hyped yet unpredictable team in the NBA this year. For the past few seasons, they, like the 76ers, have been rebuilding their organization around young prospects. However, Lakers fans’ patience may just pay off in the this season. The organization drafted Lonzo Ball, a player with unbelievable court vision and an ability to make everyone around him better, and Kyle Kuzma, a lethal perimeter shooting big man. Additionally, they acquired Brook Lopez, an all-star center that possesses an incredible scoring ability, from the Brooklyn Nets during the offseason. Pair those three with rapidly improving forwards Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle, and the Lakers have the formula for success. Plus, if Paul George or Lebron James decide to come to Los Angeles next year, the Lakers may just become the next NBA dynasty. The sky’s the limit for the Los Angeles Lakers, but the young, unproven roster may turn out to struggle against the battle-tested veterans of the NBA elite. Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks have not made it to the Eastern Conference Finals since the 2000-2001 season. In the last 16 years, the team has qualified for the playoffs a total of 7 times only to repeatedly lose in the first round. Yet, the franchise has recently been rebuilding around Giannis Antetokounmpo, who many call the “Greek Freak”. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches tall and originally from Greece, Antetokounmpo is a 22-year-old guard/forward who amazed the NBA last season with his rare combination of length, athleticism, court vision, and scoring ability. Because of his endless potential, many people believe that Antetokounmpo is going to be the future of the Bucks and possibly of the NBA. Other young and promising players on the Bucks roster as of now include Malcolm Brogdon, who was voted Rookie of the Year at the end of last season, and Jabari Parker, a very talented scorer. If the Bucks continue to develop and improve their young and hungry roster, winning a championship in the near future may be a real possibility.

Stormy Skies by Max Greenhalgh On August 25th, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in southeast Texas. Although it’s not much of a feat due to the dryness of Texas, local rainfall records were shattered by the 19 trillion gallons of rainwater that fell on Texas during the hurricane. Furthermore, Harvey caused an estimated $180 billion worth of damages, more than Hurricane Katrina cost Louisiana in 2005. Just days after Harvey came and went, Hurricane Irma hit, affecting almost all of Florida as a Category 5 hurricane and making it all the way inland to Georgia and South Carolina as a tropical storm. The storm was one of the strongest in recorded history, setting records by maintaining a high intensity by holding 180 mph wind speeds for 37 hours, an unprecedented time for such an intense storm. The storm delayed school for weeks or months depending on the district, and only 18% of Florida residents have flood insurance, meaning that many Florida citizens will be struggling with the damages of the storm for years to come. A mere 10 days after Irma tore through Florida, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico. The US territory was drenched with 30 inches of rain and hit with 100 mileper-hour winds, leaving much of the island without power even today. Due to the isolated nature of the US territory, its weaker economic backbone, and the lack of publicity the wreckage of the island received, Puerto Rico will likely feel the effects of their storm longer than any location hit on the continental United States. With that being said, disasters tend to bring out the best in people. The Cajun Navy is one great example of many passionate individuals coming together for a common cause. This informal volunteer group was forged in fire in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when people used their privately-owned boats to help survivors. As soon as Texas opened its waters to volunteers, hundreds of the group’s boats came in to help. This ragtag Cajun Navy collective has no leader, no structure, and no official plans of any kind, but still managed to save hundreds of lives with nothing more than boats and a great deal of bravery. Individuals without any group labels have been

making headlines as heroes too. One 13-year-old boy from Dickinson, Texas, commandeered a makeshift life raft (a mattress) to save 17 people in his town. The boy left his safe place at home at 2 A.M and paddled across his flooded street to go rescue his friends, but ended up making multiple return trips to save others within the building as well. The United States government can, apparently, only do so much when it comes to responding to these disasters. Congress has signed off on tax breaks for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, but their cash relief bills fall pitifully short of fulfilling the needs of the communities rebuilding in these areas. While the jury is still out in terms of direct Irma and Maria funding, if those efforts are anything like what Congress has put out to help the victims of Harvey (just $15.2 billion compared to the estimated $180 billion estimated cost), they won’t be nearly enough. Despite recently signing a $700 billion spending package on our armed forces, Congress hasn’t, at least so far, been able scrape together even $50 billion worth of total direct aid to these ravaged areas. As San Diegans, we can’t make the same kind of physical impact that locals can in saving individual lives or building communities back up from the rubble left behind by these storms. While we may not be able to reach across the country with our hands, we can do so to some extent with our wallets. The reliability of the American Red Cross has been called into some question as of late, so finding easily verifiable funds might be the better option to make sure as much of your donation as possible gets into the hands of victims. Some good methods to make sure the charity or foundation you are thinking about donating to is reliable are watchdog groups like Charity Watch and Charity Navigator. In these destructive areas, not enough time and energy goes into telling the stories of those individuals who have been directly impacted by these storms. Stay tuned for next issue of Pulse Magazine, where we will have a look at the destruction these storms have wrecked from the perspective of those in affected areas. 23

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by Frank Yang

CCA is fortunate to have its counselors, especially when it comes to supporting all students on campus. Mrs. Djernes, a counselor that has been a part of the CCA faculty for five years, divides her job into “three academic domains: academic counseling, college and career planning, and social-emotional counseling.” It’s not a surprise that academic counseling has became a crucial component of counseling services. Countless students have raised their concerns about class selection over the years. We’ve all heard the “Don’t I get priority? I’m an upperclassman!” plea. While it would be great if everyone got the classes they wanted, Mrs. Djernes says that it’s more of a “catch-22 situation. With more students, we’ve got the B-building, we’ve got [18] new teachers this year, [and] our class sizes haven’t gotten bigger.” Unless students are dropping the class, it is unlikely that classes can be changed with as much flexibility as before. Nevertheless, Mrs. Djernes and her fellow counselors want to make the course selection process as fair and transparent as possible. “It becomes a huge puzzle on how many teachers we have, how many classrooms [we have] and the space available... we then prioritize based on grade level [and] graduation needs.” The counselors also meet every day after school during add-drop season, considering the availability of the classes and the needs of the students. What makes the CCA counselor’s job unique is the personal bonds that are constructed between students and counselors. Every year, the counseling department tries to run a support group in order to touch on social-emotional counseling at CCA. This year, they plan to build six support groups, varying in topics such as girl power, stress, identity, and substance abuse. Mrs. Djernes emphasizes that all students are a part of the social-emotional relationships she cherishes, no matter whether they are comforted by support groups or individual counseling sessions or not. “Sometimes someone just wants to come in and debrief about a situation… students make my job enjoyable and personal...there’s no one profile for any student that comes in [and] sees us,” she adds. Students come in to consult their counselor for a variety of reasons; from the average student that visits for academic support to the troubled student with friendship problems, there’s always a space for them. The counseling office then becomes a safe place to talk openly and get advice, “start building relationships,” and take advantage of a system sustained by

caring parents, teachers, and peers. “Don’t be afraid to ask...students are [always] welcome to come in and talk to their counselor.” This year, the counselors are leaving their offices more often to support the students who are isolated in the quad. Despite the busy nature of their jobs, counselors are still involved in student events. By attending CCA’s sporting events, watching CCA’s student-produced shows, participating in wellness days, and visiting classes, Mrs. Djernes hopes to “be visible” and to “touch upon things...that make [CCA] unique”, and “[be] a human, not just someone that sits at my desk all day.” She continues: “It got us meeting kids, stay[ing] connected in whatever little pocket I could find.” After last year’s implementation of “Game Days” to make all CCA students feel welcome, an effort to maintain wellness and balance activities throughout the whole year is being initiated. CCA counselors, PALS and the CCA wellness committee have been constantly working to promote wellness as a campus-wide effort, focusing on themes and activities to allow students to become more actively engaged with wellness in and out of the classroom. Counselors maintain an open-door policy, no matter what the background of the situation is. “If [a student] has an emergency, they can see us without an appointment. They tell their teacher, no questions asked…[the student will] always be my first priority. It’s important for students to find an ideal, happy balance... not everyone is equipped to do everything. CCA is a really unique school in the sense that we have so many opportunities. [However], that makes students spread a little thinly; there’s just not enough time to take 8 APs, be involved in conservatory, be in a club, [and] volunteer.” Even though CCA thrives in a state of competitiveness, it’s important to keep that healthy balance in perspective. In the case of Mrs. Djernes, she separates her life between work and the outdoors: “I give it 110% once I’m here…[for] counselors especially, we get here early and we stay late.” However, this doesn’t stop Mrs. Djernes from enjoying her life out of work. Mrs. Djernes loves being outdoors, going to the beach, and enjoying San Diego while not thinking about work. She always tells her students: “What makes you not stressed...try to incorporate that into your life weekly. Find what makes you happy; it’s going to be different from your friend. Enjoy high school. We’re all not the same people, and I hope that’s what CCA students take advantage of, finding their thing on campus.”

Rookies and Vets by Annie Lu

Mr. Whitehouse: Computer science teacher Past experience: My degree was in computer science, and my master’s was in computer science. I worked as a software engineer. Now I’m sharing the wealth. Well-traveled: I spent six years of my life in Saudi Arabia. My dad worked there when I was a kid… We came over here [from England] 25 years ago. Mr. Lackey: PE teacher Athlete: I am running my third marathon in November and I hope to complete an Ironman in the near future. Accidental hero: I saved a man’s life in college while surfing the Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. Ms. Myers: English teacher Animal Lover: I have a cat named Guillermo. He’s from a Baha rescue, so he’s a little Mexican cat. My first year... I had an inside-joke with some of my Spanish-speaking students. They would call me Guillermo [or Ms. G]... so when I got my cat, I named it in honor of the class. Hidden talent: I was a florist for [about] five years. I still occasionally pick up floral work. Mr. Frazier: Art teacher Disaster prone: I have been in every… type of natural disaster except a tsunami: A tornado… a hurricane off of Japan… earthquakes in the Bay Area, a wildfire in the Sierras, flood in the Russian River valley, the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Saint Helens and [Kilauea], and a [lightning strike]. What am I doing wrong?! Still alive though! *Knocks on wood furiously* Talented: I can take a car engine apart and put it back together, bake a cake and frost it, and teach students to draw Admiral ‘It’s a Trap!” Ackbar juggling cats on the set of “In the Woods.” Mr. Paulin: Stagehand tech Backstage: [Before coming to CCA, I was] designing for Theatre Companies like New Village Arts, Moxie Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, and KAABOO music festival. Onstage: Prior to moving to San Diego I was a dancer for 13 years. I used to be a ballet, jazz, and tap instructor and dancer. In addition to being a dancer I was also a fair performer. [The] last show I did was a regional tour of Les Miserables, where I played the character

Enjolras. Mrs. Tan: English teacher Interesting taste? I listen to some pretty weird music. *did not specify further* Hidden talents: I’m famous for my New Orleans cooking—a talent hidden only to my students because we have no access to a kitchen!!

Profe Ancona: Spanish teacher Hurricane season: I used to work for an oil company in Houston, Texas. I was sent to Louisiana after Hurricane Rita hit the area… I was there as part of the company’s Emergency Response team to help reactivate my company’s refinery and pipelines that were shut down… It was a crazy experience that lasted about a month. Hidden talent: I can juggle! Ms. Balch: Science teacher Food: I am a total foodie. I love food from all cultures. You can find me most Saturday nights poking around the Convoy area eating at some of the tastiest places in San Diego. Let me know if you have any recommendations or if you see me there, come and say hello! Mrs. Erquitt: Counselor Past experience: I used to work in Manhattan at a sports agency. We would help connect [professional athletes, like NFL players] with businesses [to] feature them in commercials. Film famous: I did dance and musical theater when I was in high school, and I really enjoyed it... A TV/film company reached out to my high school because they were very well known for their theater programs. They did a documentary on [high school theater programs]. I wasn’t featured majorly… but there were little snippets from previous years that I was in, and now it’s on Netflix. So I’m in a Netflix documentary. No, I don’t want people to look it up. Profe Gomez: Spanish teacher Dancer in disguise: I love to dance but I’m not very good at it. I dance better in my head.

Retiring Teachers: Thank you! Mr. Hayden: How long have you been a teacher? This is my 19th year. I did 24 years in the Navy first. What made you change to teaching? Well… it actually started with an argument with my son’s teacher. She said she “didn’t have time to help students.” If they couldn’t keep up in her class, then they didn’t belong there. I didn’t quite agree with that philosophy. Biggest achievement as a teacher? The connections with kids. I piloted a 6-year program at my first school, where I was a teacher for the same kids for six years… so I taught them from Pre-Algebra through Calculus. The goal was to increase the number of students who made it to Calculus by giving them one constant, [since] the school had never had more than 30 Calculus students. I had 80 finish my program… plus they all went to 4-year universities. Now they’re all turning 30… and I’m friends with most of them. Fondest memories at CCA? The coaching part. I was the head cross country and track coach for the first 9 years I was here… that’s my big starting program from the beginning, when we had very few students, and growing it into one of the largest programs in the school. What is something you wish more people understood about teaching? It’s worth it. It’s not a lot of money, [and] it requires a lot of education, but what you get out of it is worth what you put in. Plans for retirement? Mostly [travel and] a lot of time spent with grandkids. We have a trip to Vermont to go see my nephew play his last college hockey game—he’s the captain of the University of Vermont’s hockey team. And then [I] see the grandkids, and then the Panama canal… and I’m going to cut lawns in my neighborhood. That’s how I’ll spend my couple hours a day getting out of the house. Any quote or saying that you live your life by? Actually, yeah. It’s the same quote that I have in my high school yearbook: If life were simple, I’d be wasting my time. And then my grandfather’s: The stupid shall be punished (so don’t be stupid). Yeah, but the first one is the serious one. Do you feel like you’re very wise now? Well I guess the best way to say this is when I was young, I thought my father was stupid, and the older I got, the smarter he was. Because, when you’re young, you think the old people don’t have an idea… but they’ve experienced everything you haven’t yet. When my father would [give] me advice, I wouldn’t always take it because I didn’t think he knew what he was talking about. But, as I got older,

I realized he did know… so I wish people would take my advice more often because I do have experiences that they may not. Advice for teachers: Don’t get angry. Always smile. Advice for students: Most of what’s happening in your life right now doesn’t matter. Everything that you think is important right now isn’t going to matter. When you were in 8th grade, you thought those were your best friends for life. How many of them do you still have now? When you graduate from high school, all those best friends, maybe two or three will still be your friends after college. You never know where your life’s gonna take you. Coolest job you’ve ever had? When I worked on submarines in the navy. During the Cold War, chasing Russian submarines around in our submarines was kind of fun. Hidden talents: I do Chinese brush art. When I was on an aircraft carrier for deployment in the Persian Gulf, I needed something to unwind at the end of every day, so I bought a book. [In] Hong Kong, I bought all the brushes and the inks, and rice paper,. aAnd I taught myself.