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September 4, 2015 Volume 89, Issue 1 Beverly Hills High School Beverly Hills, California beverlyhighlights.com

New principal brings years of experience Marty Schnapp co-editor-in-chief Keith Stone staff writer Nine and a half hours into his second retirement, Principal David Jackson received a phone call during which he was offered his current administrative position at Beverly. As Jackson begins his oneyear term as Beverly’s principal, grades and test scores are not his primary concern. “I want my kids to be happy. I want them to be healthy. Yes, I’d like them to do well in school. More important than that, my job, more important than educating you, is to keep you safe,” Jackson said. Jackson will be at Beverly for one school year to help it get through any obstacles that it currently faces. “I’m here for this year, trying to get us over this jump, especially with Mr. Paysinger retiring. He retired in June, and it really is hard to find principals in June,” he said. Jackson has a background in teaching, administration and business. He has worked in many jobs and positions over the span of his career in education. “I’ve taught high school. I’ve taught community college. I’ve

taught at the university level. I’ve taught girls sports and boys sports. I was an ASB director, an administrator in charge of ASB. I was a middle school assistant principal,” he said. However, he has not always worked in education. In college he received his accounting degree, and began working soon after. “I was making 20 grand, and that was a lot of money back then. I left the $20,000 job, came to teach for $600 to $800. My mother stopped talking to me for about a year. The girl I was dating broke up with me. Best decision I ever made,” he said. In 1993, Jackson left his position of five years as principal at Royal High School and pursued a career in private business so that he could put his two sons through college at USC. “I retired out of Royal High School in 1993, went into private enterprise. I was very lucky to be in private enterprise and have a good group of people around me. I did very well and got my boys through college,” he said. After what he considers a successful run in private enterprise, Jackson returned to education until 2007, at which point he retired. Seven years into his first

retirement, he was tapped for another stint in education. “I got calls from superintendents from up and down the state, saying, ‘There’s a real problem over [at Malibu High School]. You can handle this. Go fix it.’ So, I was at Malibu last year, fixed it, and retired,” he said. After retirement from Malibu High School, Jackson and his wife made travel plans for the year, under the impression that this time his retirement was official and permanent. “I was supposed to be in Paris today for a friend of our friend’s wedding. We are not in Paris. I am here,” he said. Today, he still owns “a couple businesses.” He is also a legal expert in education. “I defend school districts, most on the plaintiff side. I also own rental property in Beverly Hills and other places,” he said. Jackson stresses that he accepted his role at Beverly not because he was forced to, but because he “really want[s] to be here.” “They asked me to come back, and I can’t explain to you why I said yes, but I did. I think it’s a good decision. I’m having a good time,” he said. “I don’t know if you guys are, but I like kids. I like what I’m doing.”

“People ask me how many kids I have. I have two biological sons, and 1,600 kids. That’s really how I feel about it,” Jackson said. Photo by: MARTY SCHNAPP

Library preps for staff changes, relocation Nirav Desai staff writer The library and its occupants are currently dealing with a slew of changes which include impending construction, a recently filled position vacancy and a search for paid students assistants. Library technician Barbara Jebejian retired over the summer, taking Head Librarian Karen Boyarsky by surprise. “I didn’t know [Jebejian’s retirement] was coming, but I was happily surprised because I think retirement is a happy time of life for people,” Boyarsky said.

After a three-week period of Boyarsky working both jobs, Jebejian’s absence has since been filled by substitute library technician, who will remain in that position for at least 30 days. The librarians are also currently bracing for a temporary relocation of their books and equipment. “This time we are moving for possibly six years, and that makes it a little more frightening to determine what we can take with us and what has to go into storage. But this is the second time that I have moved this library, so I feel like I have a little bit of experience,” Boyarsky said.

INSIDE

Boyarsky endured the library’s prior move during the mid1990s, an experience that allowed her to continue serving the students and staff of Beverly throughout nine months of construction. This time around, she hopes to replicate that success. “This is the second time, [so] I know what can go wrong and I’m hoping this move will be smoother. [Previously], a lot of the books themselves were damaged. In addition to that, about 300 books never came back, and there was school equipment left in some of the offices that disappeared and were never able to [be] replace[d]. I’m really hop-

ing that doesn’t happen again,” Boyarsky said. Any potential temporary storage system may present an obstacle for students hoping to complete assignments at the last minute, as books will need to be requested in advance in order for them to be shipped out of the library’s storage. Boyarsky made it clear that she hopes this kind of storage system is not necessary. While Boyarsky is anxious about the role these challenges would present in students’ perception of the library, senior Alex Alcalde expressed less concern. “It would be inconvenient. [The library] wouldn’t be as useful for

students. That’s life, deal with it, [stuff] happens,” Alcalde declared. Despite these ongoing trials, Boyarsky will not need to readjust herself in order to still enjoy her job. “Oh gosh. I just think I have the best job in the world. I think I’m working harder right now than I ever have, so I don’t really feel like I’m slowing down much. But we’re going to have a very busy year this year moving the library and things like that, so ask me again in June,” Boyarsky said. To read the full article, visit beverlyhighlights.com

SPOTLIGHT OPINION SPORTS

this issue

NEWS: Construction plans Page

@bhhighlights

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/beverlyhighlights

OPINION: Young voters Page

OPINION: Basketball year preview

Page 8

www.beverlyhighlights.com

HIGHLIGHTS NEWS September 4, 2015

ASB mixes appetites with enterprise Keith Stone staff writer

ASB held a fundraiser at Froyo Life and California Pizza Kitchen in an effort to raise money for future events. Hoping to raise money for popular school activities, ASB arranged a deal with these two restaurants to have 20 percent of proceeds donated to Beverly if the customers brought in a flyer. “Jessica [Moghaddam] and Lily [Manavi] came up with the idea of a fundraiser because they wanted the whole school to get invvolved for raising money in a fun and delicious way,” Junior President Ryan Neydavood said. The influx of cash that ASB was

Dorrin Famininy and friends clink their glasses at CPK. Photo by: KEITH STONE. hoping to raise would go directly toward each class’s account.

“The money is going to be split evenly among the four grades

and go into each grade’s separate accounts to spend on their own events such as prom or supplies,” Neydavood said. While official numbers are not in yet, ASB members are optimistic about the amounts raised and about the school spirit that helped raise it. Many students went for a good time, and aiding the school was a bonus. Junior Jonathan Songhorian went because, “CPK is a fun place and I thought it would be cool to go out there and support our school.” There were a lot of satisfied people on Thursday, Aug. 27 because, as junior Dorrin Famininy said, “Who doesn’t like CPK and Froyo?”

Science Olympiad aims for new start Lauren Hannani staff writer Science Olympiad makes an active appearance this year by setting up new activities to achieve their hope of earning more recognition among their classmates. The academic club plans to host weekly meetings where its members will study for college level courses that prepare students for competitions. Co-presidents, sophomores Sophia Goldberg and Jamie Kim hope to reinvent the club this year and raise its level of intensity higher than it used to be. “The idea really came in eighth and ninth grade because I did Science Olympiad in ninth grade with my middle school, Horace Mann, because I went back,” Goldberg said. “We realized that there was basically no structured club here; the team here was not at the level that we competed in at middle school so we just figured why not just make it the level it should be.” At the high school level, Science Olympiad consists of many different science topics. As well as pre-

paring students for competition, the events goes way beyond what the material also provides them I think you learn in a typical class, with a better understanding of the and the events are also not necesworld around sarily classes them. that you could “I think the take. A lot of most imporour students tant part of go online and this club is just take college learning more classes to learn in depth what information, so you want to it goes beyond learn, because the scope of a in school you regular classhave to take room,” club cohistory, you ordinator Emhave to take ily Smith said. English, but for S c i e n c e Science OlymOlympiad repiad you can quires dedicastudy what you tion and time. Club co-presidents sophomores want to study,” The students’ Jamie Kim (right) and Sophia Goldberg said. hard work does Goldberg (left) lead the meeting. Along with eventually lead Photo by: LAUREN HANNANI. teaching bento attending eficial topics, events once they the club also provides students compete with different schools with a much broader view on sci- from all over Los Angeles, and ence than they have experienced in possibly California if they succeed. class. “One of my favorite parts of Sci“The information you learn from ence Olympiad is going to the ac-

tual competition because everyone really cheers each other on and the combination of learning from August to January really pays off,” Kim said. Looking forward, the co-presidents hope to achieve great accomplishments in every way possible. “This is our first year competing at the high school level as an official team, so we’re just trying our best to get more knowledgeable. We hope that by the time we graduate, Science Olympiad here at Beverly will become a really popular club that gets a lot of awards and recognition,” Kim said. Smith also hopes for their team’s success. “The students who do it are what make it special. The students who care about science are the kinds of kids who are going to save the world when they grow up. These are the people who are going to solve our energy problems; these are the people who are going to create technologies that are going to allow us to move forward to the future,” Smith said.

Highlights Print Team Sadie Hersh and Marty Schnapp editors-in-chief

Eleanor Bogart-Stuart, Natasha Dardashti, Nirav Desai, Isaiah Freedman, Lauren Hannani, Jamie Kim, Evan Minniti and Keith Stone staff writers

Web Team Juliette Deutsch and Guy Ginsberg editors-in-chief

Vivian Geilim, Sophia Goldberg, Jason Harward, Veronica Pahovoma, Ben Shofet, Sydney Tran and Max Yera staff writers

Gaby Herbst adviser —

Our goal as a student-run publication is to provide reliable, accurate and fair content that informs and intrigues the Beverly Hills community by following the principles of ethical journalism and represents the student body. We will deliver a broad spectrum of coverage through a variety of mediums, including online and print. Highlights is a forum for public expression that is produced by the Advanced Journalism class of Beverly Hills High School, 241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Letters to the editor may be sent to beverlyhighlights@gmail.com. Visit beverlyhighlights.com Follow @bhhighlights on Twitter and Instagram. Highlights is sponsored by PTSA and BHEF.

Branches of journalism hit new peak over summer Natasha Dardashti staff writer Two members of KBEV and the staff of Watchtower and Highlights were able to earn recognition during the vacation. Senior Molly Hersh and 2015 graduate Tony Sarandos won a People’s Telly for Beverly’s student-run television station, KBEV. The winner was determined by people’s choice, so Hersh and Sarandos relied on their hundreds of faithful viewers to vote for the show. The prize-winning segment is called “How Hollywood Works,” an interview show featuring Hersh as the host, interviewing professionals in the television industry ranging from actors to show-runners. Sarandos was the director and producer of the show. “I was Tweeting and Facebooking, everything I could to get it out to the public,” Hersh said. The award was especially rewarding to Hersh, as she has been committed to KBEV since sophomore year. “It felt like I really achieved something. It’s really opened my eyes. I know how stupid this sounds, but honestly I can say I’ve

found my passion in KBEV and I know that’s definitely something I want to pursue,” Hersh said. Another branch of Beverly’s journalism department that walked away with success over the summer was the Watchtower yearbook. Watchtower’s staff earned a rating of First Class from the National Scholastic Press Association for the 2015 yearbook, titled “Be Bold Be Beverly.” The yearbook was judged on its style, design, writing and photography, and scored a perfect 3700 points. “It’s almost like the same feeling when a student opens their yearbook and sees their picture on a page; when they open it and they freak out and jump up and down. That’s what it feels like to get that award,” senior Emily Kogod, coeditor-in-chief of Watchtower, said. “Students at the school don’t really know how much work goes into the yearbook…It really feels like you’re being appreciated for something that would usually go unnoticed.” Even though Watchtower consisted of only eight people while a typical staff has close to 30, the staff was able to push past hardships and earn an award for their yearbook.

“Since we were so little, making last year’s yearbook was a challenge for all of us. We each had to do a huge chunk,” senior and co-editor-in-chief Brenna Nouray said. “But we got it done in the end, and seeing that we got recognized and acknowledged for our awesome work makes a person feel gratified.” The school newspaper, Highlights, was able to win almost the exact same award as Watchtower, a rating of First Class with one mark of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association. Highlights was able to accomplish this feat by doing what senior Juliette The awards from Highlights and Watchtower stand proudly on display. Photo by: Deutsch, co-editor-in- NATASHA DARDASHTI. chief this year and last, what we should be writing. Be- proud of the rest of her team. phrased as changing evcause I think that when you know “I’m really proud. I think we reerything about the class. “Jackson [Prince] and I, basi- certain people, you know how to ally deserved it,” Deutsch said. cally changed the structure. We play to their strengths. We put “I’m proud of our staff last year, changed how the class is run, re- together a really creative, news- and that we could turn around designed how print is run, [we oriented and relevant paper and and win an award. It’s important to win awards, but it’s more imchanged] how web is run. We re- website,” Deutsch said. Deutsch, similarly to members portant that our audience is being ally focused on the strengths of the individual writers and less about of Watchtower and KBEV, also felt served properly.”

HIGHLIGHTS September 4, 2015

HIGHLIGHTS SPOTLIGHT SEPTEMBER 4, 2015

constructiVE CRITICISM

Construction sparks confusion Marty Schnapp co-editor-in-chief Jamie Kim staff writer Evan Minniti staff writer Construction: Beverly will soon undergo large-scale construction that will affect virtually all parts of the school, except the science building, swim gym and a portion of the main building, in an effort to build a “first-class, 21st-century school.” Construction is scheduled to begin when students return from winter break on January 4, although that date is subject to change. During construction, some classes will be placed in cottages on and across from the lacrosse field. That area is now called “the village.” “I’m going to have 40 cottages up on the lacrosse field and right across, so I will have 40 cottages up there. So, some classes will still be in the science building; some won’t be affected right away,” Jackson said. In a rare situation, a student could have up to six classes in cottages. There are questions yet to be answered regarding most aspects of construction, but Jackson is confident that teachers will like the cottages more than their current classrooms. “Right now, the teachers have no control over air conditioning. It’s central; it’s one. In each of the cottages, they have their own heating and air conditioning, so you can set it the way you want,” Jack-

son said. But before that area is developed and suitable for cottages, the lacrosse field must be dug up, tested and covered in asphalt. Other mechanical functions have to be put in place as well, including electricity poles for the PA, phone system, air conditioners and water lines for the bathrooms. Also, El Niño poses possible problems if it arrives near or during the construction period. “Rain’s the big unknown. If we have rain, then we can’t put asphalt on wet dirt. It just doesn’t work...If we get postponed, then we get postponed. If we are able to do it, you’ve got to start sometime,” Jackson said. The area which the cafeteria currently occupies will also be under construction, so the cafeteria and primary lunch area will be relocated to the first floor of the science building. “The area at the bottom of the science building in the EDC will be turned into a cafeteria area. Facilities and equipment should be fairly similar, but who knows,” Jackson said. Many in the community have raised concerns about why construction is happening now, as opposed to a couple years ago, when the bond was passed. “I don’t think anybody realizes that it takes so long after you pass that by going to the state board of architects, getting the design and having an oversight committee. It just takes a long time. It takes four or five years before they get going,” Jackson said.

Jackson acknowledges that there is a lot of unknown information, but the construction has to be done. “I think the reaction is we know it has to be done, but we just don’t want to be in the middle of it. Someone’s going to be in the middle of it; that’s just the way it goes,” Jackson said. In an effort to prepare the students for the upcoming construction, Jackson is visiting classes throughout the day. “I think there’re a lot of questions. I’ve been going around to all the classrooms, and [answering] questions. Everybody has questions because there’s so much unknown,” Jackson said. Despite the whirlwind of changes that are soon to come to Beverly, Jackson hopes to maintain his goal of keeping his students and teachers safe and happy. “At this point, depending on some issues and concerns that I have raised, that [Superintendent Steve] Kessler also is helping out with, I want to do this so there won’t be chaos. We want to do this in an orderly manner and what’s good for our kids,” Jackson said. Parking: With the school board of the Beverly Hills Unified School District hoping to start construction on Beverly, student and staff parking have become issues for the School Board and ASB. The construction project, which BHUSD hopes to start in January, will see the student population without a

parking lot to use. This has worried the many students who depend on the parking lot every morning when they drive to school. “As far as our modernization process… in the parking lot area, we will be moving maintenance into the bottom section where you guys currently park, which is where the issue of student parking [came up]... I know the biggest impact is that the bottom student parking area as well as the faculty parking area are going to be affected by the modernization,’’ Superintendent Steve Kessler said. Kessler realizes that this is a contentious issue among the student population, especially those who drive themselves to school. “As far as student parking goes, I know a lot of people are concerned about it. Please know that there have already been people reaching out from our departments to commercial buildings in Century City as well as other [places] in the immediate area to have some form of student parking.’’ Kessler has also been adamant about the fact that finding an alternative parking program for the students will fiscally help ASB which is experiencing financial hardship due to their reliance on parking as a source of income. “Financially for us, we might go through a bit of a struggle over the next two and a half years…as we no longer have that source of income [parking fees],’’ ASB Student Board Member Shawn Ahdout said.

A birds-eye view of a renovated Beverly shows its new fields and courts, such as baseball and tennis, and its buildings after the approximated three year project is complete. Photo courtesy of: DLR GROUP

Short term inconveniences, long term rewards Sadie Hersh co-editor-in-chief

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Future plans for the renovation include an outdoor swimming pool,t outdoor walkway and underground parking. Photos courtesy of: DLR GROUP

Buckle your seatbelts Beverly students and faculty, and get ready for a wild ride. Come next semester, our school will begin a multiyear reconstruction project that will affect just about every building, field and parking structure, where upheaval will become the new norm(an). While the construction will be an inconvenience for current students and faculty, the end result will be worth the trouble. In the coming semester, students and teachers will be displaced with regard to their classrooms and parking. 1,600 students will need to learn to navigate a campus that will be uprooted and condensed, in order to make way for a newly renovated school complete with state of the art facilities. Short term inconveniences for us, like classes held in cottages and limited (if any) parking, will change our daily patterns. Where will we eat lunch? Where will we park? Will there be parking on the nearby residential streets? Will there be buses or shuttles picking up students due to this lack of parking on campus? How will we navigate from class to class with cottages said to be spread throughout the campus? No one knows quite what next semester (and the following years) has in store. To think that a majority of the classes held in Building B will be transported into a village of cottages is perplexing. Along with the question of where these cottages will be placed, we also must address how this will

affect students’ learning environment. These portable classrooms will accommodate students and teachers just like a regular class, but will this move disrupt our learning setting? It can be argued that students will not be able to tell the difference between their usual classrooms and the unknown setting of the cottages, but that is not necessarily

comfortable in their class surroundings. The sudden change in location will alter what students are used to and could potentially cause an interruption to their learning experience. Although it will be a challenging adjustment in terms of becoming familiar with the new type of class scene, students are capable

Classrooms will be built where the parking lot now stands. Photo courtesy of: DLR GROUP

true. Each year, students receive their class schedules and familiarize themselves with not only the path from one teacher’s class to another, but also with the actual classroom in which their teachers reside. By the time this construction begins, students will be well into their routines and

of overcoming this, just as they did in the beginning of the first semester of this year (and every year of schooling before that). Another controversial issue that has surfaced from the news of the approaching construction is where students will park their vehicles.

While it may seem daunting to enter our second semester with no true clue of what it will be like, we need to focus on the benefits that this chaos will bring. Long term rewards from Beverly’s makeover will make its facilities cleaner and therefore more student friendly. Although, for the next few years, students will not have a conventional high school campus experience and not reap the benefits of this construction project, we need to do our part for the betterment of Beverly’s legacy. While this construction project will take away from the idea of what high school should be like, based on what is portrayed in the movies, it is only temporary. The end of the construction will bring us to a new, modern age of architecture and a highly advanced learning environment. It is frustrating that we are the class of students being put in this period of construction, but we must look to the future. We need to face all of these short-term inconvenience and uncertainties in order to create a long-term reward and maintain the legacy that our community has built. This once stellar landmark has become an outdated, dysfunctional group of buildings that has needed this massive facelift for some time. If this means the present students need to sacrifice their own comforts and familiarities with their routine and school, so be it. The future student body and community will benefit from our good will. So, a heads up to current fifth graders and below, we are doing this for you. Make us proud for years to come.

HIGHLIGHTS CULTURE September 4, 2015

Technology feeding a lazy, insular population Sadie Hersh co-editor-in-chief With all of the new advances made in technology, virtually everyone can satisfy his or her appetite for goods, services and food without ever needing to leave the house. Our generation has come to depend on communicating via technology versus face-to-face and also relies on a variety of applications (apps) to take the place of physically doing just about everything. Is technology is “feeding” an increasingly lazy and insular population? One of the fastest growing areas in technology today are apps that deliver items right to you. Companies that are thriving and playing off America’s need to get everything fast and delivered to their doorstep include Postmates, Uberfresh, Poshmark, Amazon, and also many new monthly subscription-based companies such as Birchbox (cosmetics), FiveFour (men’s clothing), BarkBox (dog items) and CandyJapan (Japanese candy). These subscriber-based companies charge a monthly fee and send out random products in the categories they represent every 30 days.

All of these conveniences are sav- inability to comingle. one brick-and-mortar store. Amaing us time, but they are also makJust last month, Amazon sur- zon delivers everything, and they ing us a society rife with social ap- passed Wal-Mart, America’s big- don’t charge for shipping. Who athy. Everyday tasks and outings gest retailer, in worldwide sales. wouldn’t take advantage of this have been a part of our social exis- Amazon is now the number one service? Amazon’s delivery methtence since the beginning of time. retailer, and they don’t even have od could get even more targeted With the introif the company duction of apps follows through and courier serwith their anvices, our world nouncement that has become one it will begin uswhere a person ing drones to can completely drop packages off cut themselves right at your front off, if they choose porch. to, from virtually Even Taco Bell everything and just announced have everything home delivery come to them. service through Today’s young the courier Doorgeneration aldash, making ready spends fast food even an inordinate faster! This is just amount of time the beginning of tied to their what’s to come, phones and lapas companies try tops, and less to eliminate the time interacting process of having and talking face to go somewhere to face. As the to get what you Use of technology may soon lead to neglect of important things need, while getdemand for more c o n v e n i e n c e - such as social interaction. Cartoon by: VERONICA PAHOMOVA ting it exactly how based services you want it. We’ve grows, so will our become a society

Straight Outta Compton: Platinum Filmmaking Evan Minniti staff writer

Welcome to 1980s Los Angeles, California. Crumbling, old, cookie cutter houses lined the blocks of Compton, decorated with bullet holes and graffiti. If a working class African-American wasn’t harassed by an overly violent police force, then the vicious gangs could certainly get the job done. And out of this extreme poverty came some of the most acclaimed rappers ever: N.W.A. ‘’Straight Outta Compton’’ is a fantastic 2015 biopic of West Coast rap group N.W.A. The film is directed by F. Gary Gray, who previously directed the comedy film ‘’Friday’’, which was written by Ice Cube. It stars Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E, Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre, Paul Giamatti as Jerry Heller and newcomer O’Shea Jackson Jr. who plays his own father, Ice Cube. All of the cast,

especially Jackson and Giamatti, deliver near-perfect performances. Watching Jackson completely inhabit the role, down to mannerisms, facial expressions and voice, is intense. At times you forget that you are watching an actor, and not the real Ice Cube himself. Many other rap figures, like Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur, appear in the movie, and the actors who play them deserve the Academy Award for ‘’Best Performance in a Cameo Role.’’ The film chronicles the complex history of the members in the group, and their interactions with gang violence, feuding record labels and dodgy music producers. The performances of their songs like ‘’F- The Police’’ are exhilarating. Traditionally a stuntman, R. Marcus Taylor provides the movie with an intimidating antagonist as the violent music producer Suge Knight. However, many people

who were sucked into the energy of the first hour and a half of the movie may not like the slower, more violent second half, as well as its surprisingly sentimental ending. In addition to all the positives of this movie, it is clear that Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, both of whom produced this movie, are depicting the events from their perspectives only. They are more than willing to leave out important events and minimize characters, most notably with Dr. Dre’s infamous history of domestic violence. With that being said, it is still a solid movie that does portray its protagonists in the grey paint they undoubtedly deserve. It shows a time when hip hop feuds were not just ridiculous Twitter wars, but often time real and violent, and it reminds us that America hasn’t changed much when it comes to the inner city.

Eazy-E, a member of N.W.A, graffitied onto a wall in the Netherlands. Photo by: LJVANT

in which people can completely “cocoon” themselves from the rest of the world given all of the new apps and services that make things more convenient. There’s no stopping the expansion of convenience through technology, and we have come too far to go anywhere but forward. Some might say these advances in the world of technology are improving the socialization amongst people by saving us time and allowing them to get out and interact. But by and large, the vast majority of those who utilize these convenience apps are from the younger generation. They have grown up in a world where their everyday lives revolve around modern technology, which is the reason they could be classified as less social. With all of the constant advancements in modern life, what is next? As technological improvements continue to grow, our world is on a course to make socializing completely obsolete. All of this cool, new technology is going to create a new generation of people who don’t need to do anything to get everything, and a mere tap of the finger replaces the need for social interactions.

Mediocre Weeknd Eleanor Bogart-Stuart staff writer

Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, is a renowned R&B artist well known for his slow, dark and erotic music. He released his third album, “The Beauty Behind the Madness,” on Aug. 28. Although it has its fair share of massive hits (“Often”, “Earned It”, “The Hills”, “Can’t Feel My Face”), “Madness” is not a cohesively solid album. On some songs, Tesfaye finally begins to push his boundaries to create new, interesting music. On others, he unfortunately falls into the same pattern that he’s been practicing in his last two albums. Although it sounds fairly similar to Tesfaye’s typical sound, there are a few unique gems that stand out from the rest as being particularly different, in both good and bad ways. Hits ‘Dark Times’ ft. Ed Sheeran: When I first heard that these two were collaborating on a track for “The Beauty Behind the Madness” I got incredibly excited. How could a combination of these two produce anything less than amazing? And I wasn’t disappointed. “Dark Times” is a sultry, bluesy rock ballad, where the two singers complain of how in their roughest times they can only find love in their respective mothers, the only people who will love them for themselves. The ballad begins and ends with Sheeran’s rough and bold guitar. It’s completely unique, and a complete success. Shameless: You’d be hardpressed to find any song by the Weeknd that doesn’t eventually elude to the theme of sex. “Shameless” is no exception. He’s good at it. “Shameless” is reminiscent of the hit “Often,” but manages to stay clear of sounding like a copy of the many similarly-themed songs that

have preceded it. The lyrics detail both Tesfaye’s unabashed proclamation of how great he is in bed, and his unconcealed dedication to a damaged girl in need of his love. He’s unashamed to be open, if not too open, about these traits. Misses ‘As You Are’: Remember what I said about him practically having a tic when it comes to talking about sex in his music? In this song, the controlling Tesfaye is desperate to accept a woman for all of her flaws and “broken” pieces, even though his own heart is supposedly at risk in the process. “As You Are” sounds like all of the songs on his sophomore album, “Kiss Land,” mashed together. Although the first 20 seconds are pretty and promising, it changes pace fast into a completely forgettable track. The only memorable part is the ending: a minute and a half of Tesfaye half-wailing, half-mumbling over layers of dissident sound effects and voices. ‘Acquainted’: It seems that the biggest problem Tesfaye faces with the kind of music he makes is the pitfall of repetition. “Acquainted” is yet another song about the dangers of loving a girl like the one he can’t help but love, and how much he loves to “touch on” her body. Didn’t we hear this same story in almost every other song he’s made, ever? “Acquainted” is just another hopeless love letter for yet another doomed love affair, a letter Tesfaye seems to write quite often. “The Beauty Behind the Madness” is not the best album of the year. It’s not cohesive and at times repetitive. It’s a hit or miss record, but the songs that Tesfaye hits he hits out of the park. It’s worth a listen, but not a long one. “The Beauty Behind the Madness” can be streamed on Spotify for free or bought on iTunes for $13.

HIGHLIGHTS OPINION September 4, 2015

The need for your vote You should not vote Nirav Desai staff writer

Evan Minniti staff writer

Sixteen point three percent. That was the turnout rate for voters aged 18-29 in last Make no mistake: there is no party that represents the interests of young people. The November’s general election, the lowest mark in the demographic that has ever been reRepublican Party is very clearly a rightwing and reactionary organization opposed to the corded, according to the Census Bureau’s 2014 national survey of the voting populace. interests of the youth. However, many young people still view the Democratic Party as beSuch behavior is toxic and hypocritical to the very people who express it the most, as ing a lesser evil, and believe that Bernie Sanders’ left-wing grassroots campaign for becompurposely abstaining from the political process will only produce harmful, self-inflicted ing the Democratic party’s presidential candidate confirms this. Sanders’ stirring speeches consequences for the latest generation of apathetic voters. The aspirations of the young against America’s bloated billionaires and capitalists have voiced the opinions many young will cease to be accurately reflected in the actions of the government. That is why is it conpeople and workers have about the current system. Sanders has also championed the cause fusing to see that the actual shame evoked in young voters by such a damning indictment of public funding for students to provide them with the best possible education, as well as of America’s future decision-makers pales in comparison to what one may expect. trying to curb the crippling debt that, according to The Institute For College Access & Suc“These Parties Are Lame,” blasts the headline above Huffington Post writer John cess, affected 1.3 million graduates in 2012 alone. Michael’s particularly scorching hot take about his personal apathy. “Paying attention and The reason for Sanders’ high levels of support isn’t because he is running as a Demoknowing what to listen for are mentally grindcrat. It is because he is a self-described socialist ing. But we have to do something, because the who has the backing of a number of trade only other solution seems to be active particiunions, as well as the support of the rank and pation in government. And that would really file of trade unions whose leadership are ofstymie my passive righteousness,” he unabashficially endorsing Hillary Clinton, most notably edly admits. the American Federation of Teachers. Despite Sure, it is tough to follow the complex Sanders’ progressive ideals and public support, issues in America’s polarized, partisan politiwe must face the fact that the Democratic Party cal system. Young Americans have no trouble is controlled by a highly efficient bureaucracy realizing this, subsequently neglecting to put that deliberately keeps the party in the political in the effort to become informed members of centre and represents the interests of the rich, society. In doing so, they struggle to arrive at and not the interests of youth, workers or the the logical conclusion of paying more attention middle class. to politics. A YouGov poll compiled after last In addition, Sanders is not the first indeyear’s dismal civic showing tallied 60 percent of pendent leftist to try to reform the Democratic voters aged 18-29 believe only people who are party. In 1934, Socialist Upton Sinclair tried to well-informed should vote. move the party to the left with his EPIC (End This sociopolitical undercurrent has the Poverty In California) campaign. This failed, potential to be a destructive force in American and the party forced him to take moderate political culture, the type that will essentially stances. result in a mass disenfranchisement of the Michael Harrington’s Democratic Socialyouth. ists of America tried the same tactic of in the Yes, the voting debacle truly has gotten 1980s, and though this organization still exists, that bad, as proven by a separate Huffington and still endorses Democratic Candidates, it is Post article, this one by Lisa Maatz, from 2014 completely irrelevant as a mainstream political which noticed, “Those who came to the polls force. this year didn’t look anything like the U.S. Finally, we mustn’t forget that Barack population overall. In fact, it would be fair to Obama also came from the more progressive, say that this election’s voters were overwhelmliberal wing of the Democratic Party. However, ingly white, older, male and wealthy.” under Obama’s Presidency, we have been Some student-voters at Beverly are white, engaged in imperialist conflicts in Syria, Libya Teenagers and students are divided over whether their votes matter or not. Some some are male and yes, some are wealthy. and continued fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. believe that age doesn’t make a difference. Cartoon by: VERONICA PAHOMOVA. However, most do not fit into every one of those The CIA has organized a coup backed by the categories, and absolutely none are “older.” The fact that these Americans are underrepVenezuelan middle-class against the democratically-elected Socialist government of Nicoresented as voters is tragic. More tragic is the fact that these would-be constituents are las Maduro and have supported an extremely rightwing government in Ukraine. Bernie actually the root of this flaw in the countyr’s political culture. Sanders, whether he liked it or not, would be forced by the Democratic Party bureaucracy “Perhaps most frustrating is this statistic: Americans younger than 30 and those older to protect the interests of American capitalists in other countries, even if he ran on an antithan 65 make up an equal percentage of the electorate (each about one-fifth), yet those war campaign. older than 65 were more than two times as likely to vote in 2014,” Maatz analyzed. Despite Sanders’ mistakes, the popularity of his candidacy, especially among young The full extent of this discrepancy is evident when one examines the victors of the most people and unionized workers shows a clear and very welcome shift to the left in American recent general election, and compares the results to those from 2008. “The data also show society. For far too long, America has been dominated by unhealthy centrist and apathetic that young people are more progressive. No wonder, then, that Republicans virtually ran political feelings. Now, young independent progressives are increasing in number, and the the table in the Senate and won most gubernatorial races,” Maatz concluded. Amid the opSanders campaign is committing a grave error to direct these people into the Democratic timism of the 2008 election, when the Census Bureau recorded the highest youth turnout Party. in history at 48.4 percent, Democrats won majorities in the White House, Senate, House of With all this being said, I honestly believe and encourage young people and the workRepresentatives and state governorships. ing class not to vote in 2016. They have no reason to, so long as Sanders remains within The pathetic trends conform to a pattern first brought to attention in a 2000 presithe Democratic Party. The Democrats do not represent their interests; they are simply the dential election PBS NewsHour online feature, which, beside an ugly row of turn-of-themore compassionate wing of a political establishment set up for the rich. Sanders will most millennium clip-art graphics, states that “The United States now has on average the lowest likely be forced into moderating his program by the bureaucracy of the party. voter turnout in the world (among mature democracies),” and justifiably goes on to quesThe American youth and working class should encourage the trade unions to break tion “If people don’t participate, at what point does a democracy cease to be democratic?” from the Democrats and form an independent left-wing party, in the same vein as CanaThese generalizations are then dangerously applied to the politics of the nation at large, da’s New Democratic Party or Mexico’s Morena Party. A party like this would inevitably completeing the viscious cycle of apathy. have to represent the interests of the youth by organizing student unions and providing a Thus, it is a tremendous shame when “We shrug our shoulders and say that politicians clear alternative program of public funding for college students to prevent them from bewill always be corrupt and rich men will always game the system. But thinking like that ing buried under student debt. breeds cynicism, and that cynicism leads to apathy,” as Michael articulates. In the increasingly likely event Sanders doesn’t secure the nomination for the PresidenThe solution to this national dilemma is, like the solution to most of life’s quandaries, cy, then he should continue his campaign independently and fight for the interests of youth the simplest one. Before complaining or abstaining, America’s young voters need to live up and workers. Even if he didn’t win, he could start a lasting and new movement to challenge to their title by voting. the deeply unfair and monotonous two-party political establishment.

Highlights’ pledge to the student body Editorial

aim of Highlights is not to impose signed and do not have to be print- lights are not subject to censorship our views on the student body, but ed in the newspaper, depending on by teachers or administrative facto allow for the population’s views Highlights’ discretion and whether ulty members, so long as the words to be shared and properly repre- there is space in the edition. printed are not obscene, libelous sented. or slanderous. We look forBeverly students outside of “Our mission above all, ward to using our rights. Highlights are able to voice Highlights staff writers are is to provide a voice for their viewpoints on a spedesignated multiple “beats”, cific issue in the print edischool functions that serve you, the reader.” tion through letters to the as news sources. Twice a editor. All letters must be week, writers share informasent to beverlyhighlights@gmail. Protected by California Ed Code tion collected from their beats at com. Letters to the editor must be 48907, articles published by High- a pitch meeting. Under the beats

system, we are able make sure that no program is left unrepresented in our newspaper. We will keep our social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) active for the entire school year through instant coverage of as many school events and occurrences as possible. We are dedicated to bringing you, the student body, the most accurate, creative and interesting content in both print and web.

HIGHLIGHTS SPORTS September 4, 2015

Opinion: Can boys basketball replicate success? Isaiah Freedman staff writer Beverly’s varsity boys basketball 2014-2015 CIF championship run was a thrilling experience that included thunderously loud home games and anxious fans waiting in line for tickets at the student store. The whole program contributed, from Jarvis Turner’s superb coaching, to role players pushing starters in practice and to the effort of a group of quality seniors. However, in this new school year, after losing eight seniors to graduation, it will be difficult for this year’s team to repeat last year’s success. Losing 80 percent of a starting lineup generally results in a loss of chemistry which means new players must step up. This will most probably result in a strenuous and frustrating adjustment period for the whole squad. Since new players must gain experience, and the individuals must gel as a unit, expectations should be reasonably lowered from last season. The team will be heavily reliant on senior point guard Denzel Holt, the team’s sole remaining starter from last year. Even

though there is a large amount of just is not an easy path to replacing as he is the only true center on the pressure on him to perform well, them. As Holt mentioned, not be- team. One may be anxious stepHolt feels comfortable stepping ing able to rely on the blocking and ping into such an integral role, yet into a leadership role. dunking machine Comanche, who Hajirasooli remains composed. “Being a leader feels great. I want is entering his first season at the “It feels really good stepping into to be the best I can Chance’s shoes. be, make the players I think there are around me better, and a lot of expectalead my team to victotions that kids ry,” Holt said, as sweat have for me,” dripped down his face Hajirasooli said. after a workout. The transiHolt realizes it will tion for Holt to be very difficult to become the new cobble together a sealeader, Hajirason as successful as sooli to step in last year’s, since most for Comanche of the players expected and the whole to contribute were eiteam to get in ther not on varsity or synch will be a played limited minutes difficult task, last season. and that is why “We don’t have the The varsity and JV boys basketball team runs through the sprint it should be same amount of pieces sets. Photo by: JAMIE KIM questioned if this as last year, including year’s team can a 6’11 center [Chance Comanche] University of Arizona on a Division approach last year’s in terms of and some knockdown shooters,” 1 scholarship, will be difficult. The success. Holt acknowledged. player who now must step into the Still, some players in the proFans of the team should keep massive void left by Comanche is gram are optimistic about the uptheir expectations in check, as the 6’7 senior Amir Hajirasooli, who is coming season’s prospects. Xanteam will likely not be as good as the team’s new starting center. der Bienstock, a junior on the JV last year’s. It has simply lost too Hajirasooli said he is under a lot squad, said, “despite the loss of a many reliable players, and there of pressure to perform well, seeing variety of very talented seniors, we

have a lot of younger talent coming up, as well as a great leader in Denzel Holt.” This year, the team will be more guard-oriented, so spectators can look forward to a faster and more exciting pace. “I definitely believe the team will play faster this year, just due to different personnel,” Bienstock said. The road ahead is long and difficult. There are plays to be memorized, laps to be run and scolding to be endured. There will be boos on away games, cramped legs on filthy buses, incorrect calls by officials and, as always, the heartbreaking feeling that comes with a loss. “Through it all though, it is all worth it. Every practice and every game is all worth it,” Holt said. Now, as fans, we do not know who will contribute this year. We do not know if Turner’s coaching will be enough. We do not even know who the starters are. As the student body though, we need to be there for this group of players, cheering and screaming at every home game, because they feed off our raucous energy. The more we support them, the better they play.

New athletic director steps on Fall Sports Schedule September:

Jamie Kim staff writer

Szeremeta smiles in the tennis court after she helps organize more lockers to the girls tennis team. Photo by: JAMIE KIM New athletic director Wanda Szeremeta attributes everything she has done in her life to the single sport of basketball and only hopes to share her experience and knowledge. Szeremeta may be a fresh face at Beverly, but she definitely isn’t new to the culture of sports. She first began playing basketball at a very young age in the basketball court her father built. “My dad built a basketball court in our backyard. I started shooting, and I was good,” Szeremeta said. As a young girl, she dreamt of becoming a renowned athlete. “When I was little, I told my mom that I’m going to be a professional basketball player one day. She laughed at me because there were no women’s leagues. In my senior year in college, though, they developed the women’s basketball league, and I got drafted, right out of college,” Szeremeta said. With her innate talent, she continued to play basketball and eventually did achieve her goal of becoming a professional athlete. “I went to high school and had a very successful career. I went on to college on a basketball scholarship and actually played in the Final Four in 1978,” Szeremeta said. Although she had originally received an athletic scholarship to a university in Texas, she decided to

go back home to New Jersey after her family experienced a severe car accident. During her junior and senior years at Montclair State University, she became a part of the women’s basketball team, whose overall record was 25-7, and placed third in the AIAW Final Four. “We were just winning, and it was the first year that they had that format. Then, we ended up coming out to UCLA, but we lost to UCLA in the semifinals. So, we didn’t win the Final Four, but as a studentathlete, I was able to be a part of that experience. It was incredible,” she said. Szeremeta went beyond college basketball to play professionally in the Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL), the first professional women’s basketball league in the United States, on the New Jersey Gems. This, she says, led to a multitude of job opportunities. “I coached at Georgetown University...I coached at San Jose State and I coached a year overseas in Venezuela. So, my whole life has been basketball. I’ve worked for the Lakers. I coached in the WNBA in 1997. Then, I did radio for three years, and I worked in the front office as director of fan development. I was also a personal trainer for 13 years. So, everything I’ve done, I attribute to basketball. I’ve been able to make a nice living doing something that I love,” Szeremeta

said. Thirteen years ago, though, she took a different step when she applied for an athletic director position in the Los Angeles Unified School District. “I told myself, ‘I’m going to go use the degree that I earned.’ I applied for a job in LAUSD 13 years ago and got hired on the spot and became an athletic director,” Szeremeta said. However, she never imagined that she would be working in Beverly Hills. “I was at East Valley High School as the athletic director. If someone would have told me, ‘Wanda, you’re going to be sitting in the athletics office at Beverly Hills High School,’ I would have laughed,” Szeremeta said. Despite her shock at being here, she felt welcomed on her first day, which happened to be in the summer. “I had just gotten hired, and I just came by and started walking around. There were several boys on the steps right outside the gym. I looked at them and said, ‘Linebacker, linebacker, linebacker, lineman, lineman, lineman.’ They all looked at me. They were the football players, who had just gotten through weight lifting. They said, ‘Yea. Wow.’ I got one position wrong,” Szeremeta said. “I asked, ‘Are you guys going to be here for a second? Because I need some help.’ I just parked my car right outside of the gym, and they were already at my car, grabbing boxes and bringing them inside. And I said, ‘You know what. This is the place for me.’” With her positive first impression of this community, she hopes to refine Norman athletics. “The students here are wonderful; they’re ambitious. I’m excited about getting our athletic programs to compete at high levels, which I believe is possible. Not that we haven’t been doing that, but just constantly improving our programs,” Szeremeta said. “I’m excited to be here and work with all the student-athletes, the parents and the community, to help enhance the program. I truly am.”

Boys Football:

Girls Volleyball:

Boys Water Polo:

Girls Tennis:

Cross Country: