October 14

highlights Today Well Lived

Volume 85, Issue II

Beverly Hills High School · Beverly Hills, CA October 14, 2011

STEVE JOBS: LEGACY OF iNNOVATION  Danny Licht Opinion Editor Every once in a while a revolutionary comes along and changes everything. A few years ago, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs used similar words to announce the first iPhone.

Jobs was born to unwed parents in San Francisco and adopted by the Jobs family. He grew up in Cupertino, Calif., where Apple is currently headquartered.

It was there that he attended after-school lectures at Hewlett-Packard, fueling his technological adeptness.

Lesser-known are his days at Reed College, an Oregonian school whose unofficial motto is “Communism, Atheism, Free Love.” Although Jobs dropped out after one semester, he continued to attend classes and carry out the school’s mantra. He then went to India to seek spiritual enlightenment and returned a Buddhist.

While in India, Jobs explored his spirit, body and mind. He practiced Buddhism, and he experimented with psychedelics.

Apple’s image, products and advertisements are a gateway into the mind of

Jobs. Nothing produced by Apple demonstrates this more so than “Think different,” one of the company’s most successful advertising campaigns.

Jobs has said that those who had not had the same psychedelic experiences as he—including his closest family members—could not completely understand him, which made him feel especially isolated in the corporate world. Jobs thought differently.

After being forced out of Apple in 1995, Steve Jobs purchased Graphics Group, a division of LucasFilm, which he renamed Pixar.

Since then, Pixar has defined the modern childhood and is a trailblazer in the animated film world with critically acclaimed pictures, such as A Bug’s Life and The Incredibles. Pixar revolutionized and redefined what is possible in animation.

The company has consistently produced the crème de la crème of animation, and of the film industry as a whole: two of their films, Up and Toy Story 3, were nominated for Best Picture in the Academy Awards.

Jobs’ return to Apple in 1997 was a

turning point for the company. Apple returned to profitability with the introductions of Apple Stores, iMacs and iPods. Because of its halo effect, the iPod is arguably the most important product in Apple’s history: it has lured consumers into the Apple brand, making them aware of the company’s product lineup.

In Beverly Hills the ubiquity of Apple is undeniable. Most everyone has an iPod, and likely another stuffed away in a drawer. Almost everyone wants an iPhone. And the most sensible among us use Macs. Macs are the most innovative, simplistic and downright-beautiful computers.

Jobs often cited the importance of a calligraphy class that he stumbled upon while at Reed. In that class, he not only learned the importance and subtle beauty of typography: he learned that even mundane things—text, for example—can be highly appealing if energy is invested in them. He realized that everything can have aesthetic perfection, including something as simple as a mouse.

Apple was the first to market the mouse, a concept Jobs took from Xerox PARC. And since their introduction

of the mouse in 1984, Apple has continuously been at the forefront of mouse technology and design. Competitors see the mouse as a tool; Apple treats it as art.

Their latest design—which may be their last traditional mouse—is the Magic Mouse. It’s a symmetrical, minimalistic wireless mouse featuring multi-touch technology.

As a writer, I aspire to be Steve Jobs.

As a geek, I am inspired by him. As a moviegoer, I am thankful for him. As a businessman, I am motivated by him. As a musician, I am grateful for him. And, as a proponent of progress, I worship him.

I found out about Steve Jobs’ death via Twitter on my MacBook, and I confirmed it via CNN on my iPhone.

President Barack Obama perfectly wrote that “there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.”

I researched, wrote and rewrote this tribute on a Macintosh. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Steve Jobs didn’t just say he wanted a revolution: Steve Jobs changed the world.

Inside this Issue...

The Counter at Century City is deemed delicious and meaty.

Page 10

Swedish freshman proves skill on varsity girls’ basketball team.

Page 15

Matthieu Riegler

The administration bring back Peer Tutoring for its second year.

Page 9

2 news Adjustments in Foreign Language Dept. affect class options and sizes

Lilia Abecassis Staff Writer The new school year brings many changes to the Foreign Language Dept., including the addition and removal of classes, and changes in class sizes.

Spanish endured a loss of a full time Spanish teacher; and while French’s popularity is decreasing, Chinese is thriving.

The loss of a Spanish teacher forced the other teachers to have larger classes, some that were created at the last moment since classes were overenrolled.

“I started teaching one of my classes two weeks ago,” Spanish teacher Iliana

A.J. PARRY

Medina said.

All of the Spanish teachers have a busier schedule, with five teaching five classes, and two teaching six classes.

“My [Spanish] classes used to be under 30 [students], around 23 or 24. Now I have 30, sometimes 31,” Roberta Stevens, a French and Spanish teacher, said.

Stevens feels that the larger class sizes have a made a negative impact on students.

“It doesn’t give them as much time to participate,” she said. “When I question students, I can’t question all of them.”

The Spanish 9/10 course has also been removed due to low enrollment and

budget cuts.

French is becoming less popular every year. One French class was cut at the last minute due to low enrollment.

“My class is a lot smaller than last year,” sophomore Zoe Tran said. “Last year our class had 30 people, but this year I think there are less than 20.”

The chasm between the popularity of Spanish and French has grown by year.

“Everybody wants to speak Spanish in L.A.,” Stevens said. “It’s more useful since there are more Spanish speakers here.”

While French classes lose interest among students, Chinese has become increasingly popular.

In previous years, only Mandarin Chinese 1/2 and 3/4 were taught, but this year a 5/6 class has been added.

“Chinese is becoming more and more popular,” Chinese teacher Jing Zhang said. “It was originally mostly Asian students but now there is a large variety.”

Chinese appeals to many types of students, especially those who want to learn a language other than the classic French and Spanish.

“I thought it would be interesting learning a language that did not use phonetic lettering,” sophomore Yusei Koizumi said.

Zhang believes Chinese 5/6 “will help recruit new students” because people will want to take a language where they can get more than the necessary credits.

Chinese 5/6 will focus on reading, which is not taught in 1/2 and 3/4, and continues the focus on speaking and understanding.

Zhang also stated that there are plans for a Chinese 7/8 class, which it will probably be added next year.

The addition of Chinese classes, reduction in French and increased Spanish class sizes were made in the hopes of meeting students’ needs.

Highlights plans to go online Candice Hannani News Editor The long-established newspaper will be broadening its reach to include its own online website for the first time.

Gaby Herbst, one of Highlights’ new advisers, came up with the idea in early September and immediately set out to pursue it.

“I was really surprised to learn that there was no online website for Highlights,” Herbst said. “There’s no reason why the school with the most name recognition in the country should not have an online newspaper.”

With that idea in mind, Herbst created a Desktop Publishing class which will design and maintain the online website.

By creating a virtual newspaper, Herbst hopes to gain popularity for Highlights through the internet. Her goal is to have students interact with its online version.

“It is important as a journalist that you know all the different ways to cover a story and that it is being covered in a way that people want to consume it,” Herbst said.

“There are a lot of interesting things that you can do online, and newspapers, while they are essential, are not interactive. People now enjoy interacting when they get their news.”

Many students believe that the website will make it easier for students to access the news and it will become a popular hit, especially for those who are not able to read the print version of Highlights.

“I think it’s a great idea, especially since students spend most of their spare time online. It will attract more students, and it would make it more convenient for me,” junior Yuri Kim said.

Sophomore Daniel Raban says an online version of Highlights, will make it more easily available for people to read. “It would make it more accessible to the students. I, for one, never got any newspaper issues last year nor did I know where to get one,” he added.

While some are in favor of Highlights’ transition into the virtual world, others

claim they like the newspaper just the way it is.

“I prefer the newspaper because I like having a physical copy of it in my hands. I don’t like going online to have to find these things, because sometimes it can be a hassle,” freshman Shayna Eshmoili said.

For those who are anticipating the website’s arrival, there are a few details they would like to see appear in the online version that are not and cannot be present in the print newspaper.

“I think a comments section is vital for any website. In addition to the basics, I would like to see a section specifically for reader input,” senior Tiffany Sera said.

Herbst hopes to have the website up and running by the beginning of November.

Until then, she says, her students will be learning how to create content to place onto the website, such as multimedia and blogs.

October 14, 2011 Highlights

Quick Reads Band performs in first half-time show Beverly’s first half time show allowed the school band to pump up the audience and boost school spirit.

The band upgraded the number of formations and song pieces that were performed last year from one to three.

Band director Bill Bradbury complimented the first half time show, which occurred on Sept. 23, when the varsity football team competed against Peninsula High School.

“Although some people weren’t as confident as they should have been with formations, I think it went well. We will be presenting another theme with the piece called ‘Light My Fire’ by The Doors next game,” Bradbury said.

Bradbury noted that one of the biggest challenges of having such a big band was communication between members.

Junior drum major Elbert Kim explained the band’s improvement in communication this season.

“What really impressed me was that everyone was really willing and cooperative during rehearsals,” Kim said.

Another junior drum major, Matthew Yamodim, agreed with Kim’s positive outlook on future performances.

“I think that with some more rehearsals and more time we can perfect the show from last week and do really well on the second part,” Yamodim said.

Senior head drum major, Tony Rescignoo, stated that the band appreciated the support they have been receiving lately.

“Band ‘geeks’ only exist in the eyes and ears of those who truly don’t love and appreciate music, which is why we are grateful for Beverly students and their continued support,” Rescignoo said.

With the support from students, the band is looking forward to the next half time show.

Dami Kim

Teen BHEF holds Candidates’ Forum With school board elections coming up, teens from all over Beverly Hills were able to inquire the candidates about school-wide matters through the annual Teen School Board Candidates’ Forum held by the Teen Beverly Hills Education Foundation (Teen BHEF).

The forum took place at Beverly’s Jon Cherney Lecture Hall in the Science and Technology Center on Oct. 5th and was filmed live on KBEV. Sammy Galen, a senior here at Beverly, helped bring about the first-ever event of this kind and has participated in each one since then. Both this year and last year, she led and moderated the forum.

“It is such a great experience getting to ask the questions with the candidates personally. I love getting the students involved with Beverly Hills politics and working with other Beverly Hills students that are also passionate about making a difference,” Galen said.

Some questions that were asked regarded student protection methods, technology integration throughout the district and student-teacher relationships.

“I think this is a great idea because we are able to see what the school board candidates have to say about issues that deal with the students,” sophomore Chaliz Taghdis said.

Although Beverly Hills teens will not be able to cast a vote for the next set of school board members in the 2012 election, they were given a chance to participate in the decision-making process due to Teen BHEF’s forum.

Michelle Banayan

October 14, 2011 Highlights

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October 14, 2011 Highlights

Beg. Journalism teaches First Amendment Sarit Kashanian Staff Writer The Beginning Journalism students let their voices be heard by giving the school a unique portrayal of the First Amendment.

Under the guidance of their teachers Gaby Herbst and Katie Murray, these students set out to both inform the student body of the content of the First Amendment and demonstrate its importance to high school students.

This first law in the Bill of Rights allows for the freedom of speech, religion, petition, peaceful assembly and the press.

“The purpose of the project is to bring awareness about the First Amendment to the student body,” Herbst said. “In order to show they truly understand the First Amendment, [the students] have to teach it to the school.”

Along with their video presentation in the Oct. 11 assembly, the students plan to continue spreading their knowledge through various

other activities taking place throughout the week.

The students put posters about the First Amendment around the school and wore T-shirts designed to state the rights protected under the amendment.

The planning of these events started on Sept. 26 and will end with a final event today during lunch, where students who know their First Amendment rights can come out to the Second Floor Patio to receive a prize.

Beginning Journalism student Pasha Farmanara explained that although Herbst and Murray helped the class organize the work for their upcoming educational activities, the students themselves independently created ideas for the entire project. While being a requirement for the students’ law unit, this project was also a learning experience for students.

“I’ve learned that in this country you can believe in whatever you want, and the citizens have more rights than they think they do,” Farmanara said.

During this week’s assembly, the students revealed their knowledge on the First Amendment in an informative video that received positive reviews from many students, including senior Christina Mitchell.

“I thought [the video] was really great.

It was cool how [the students] demonstrated examples of the First Amendment, like freedom of speech and freedom of religion. It all came clear as to why this performance was displayed because we need to make sure we know what we want in life,” Mitchell said.

Sophomore Jonas Tunnell, however, was not completely certain about his own

Beg. Journalism students (left to right: Quinn Forrer, Jessica Saadian, Pasha Farmanara) design shirts representing the rights given in the First Amendment. GABY HERBST

rights under the First Amendment after watching the video.

“I wish we had freedom of speech in school so we could tell our teachers what we think of them, good or bad,” Tunnell said.

Nonetheless, Tunnell still owed the Beginning Journalism class his praise.

“I like that we’re trying to incorporate our nation’s amendments with our school.

It shows our democratic ways,” Tunnell said.

The Beginning Journalism class hopes that by involving the school with its project, it will not only be able to educate itself, but that it will also educate the rest of the students on campus.

A.J. PARRY

Interview with Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker Mabel Kabani Staff Writer Q. What are your goals to better the community and, specifically, the high school?

A. What I would like to do is bring forth a program called Take a Moment. The whole idea there is that I want to eliminate all the negative energy in this community.

I have a feeling that the people in this community are not being as respectful and civil and tolerant with each other as they should be.

This program is just a reminder for people to take an extra moment and think of their words and actions, and how they should not jump to saying offensive things.

I was hoping to talk to ASB and Principal Paysinger about putting on an assembly about bullying and civility. I have a feeling that this will lower the temperature and reduce some of the anxiety between classmates and teachers.

Q. Last year’s API scores have improved so much since the previous years. What are your goals for next year?

A. The scores are critical for, first and foremost, the students. But they’re also very critical for the reputation of the community. It even, in a way, affects the economy.

I think the API scores are a testimony

to the excelthat? How do lent teachers you hope to that we have. improve the Is there room matter? for growth?

A. I have an Of course. opinion that But we are at times our moving in counseling the right distaff have alrection. lowed the exQ. What pectation of do you have students to be to say about allowed to go the vandalto these colism at Bevleges as being erly that ocokay and accurred over ceptable. the summer?

When I went A. I really to Beverly, think that if virtually evwe had secuerybody went rity cameras, to either a UC PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRY BRUCKER we could precampus or an vent more things like Ivy school. Very few went to community this from happening. Stealing laptops colleges. Now it seems that we are makand things from the school is basically ing it acceptable to be an average student. stealing directly from the students themI know that there are exceptions such selves. as financial problems, and some students Q. In the more recent years, the lack may not be mature enough to go to a four of Beverly students being accepted into year college. But 40% of the graduating four year college program is increasclass should not make it their goal to go ing. The majority of students end up goto a community college. It’s not accepting to SMC, a two year college. Last year able. around 40 students did not even get into I think by doing a better job in marSMC last year. What are your thoughts on keting our students, we can achieve this

goal. This is what private schools such as Harvard Westlake do. They send a packet of college applications to a dozen Ivy League schools.

They send them together as if saying, “Here are the best of the country. The Westlake students.” And I think that if we send a packet of applications to different schools [of Beverly students], it will make a statement. This would ensure to the colleges that the Beverly students had gone through a rigorous course of work through high school. And we would be doing a better job of marketing our students.

Q. How do you feel about the underground subway that Metro wants built under Beverly?

A. The city and the high school are very much in agreement that we do not want the subway built under Beverly. And within a month or so, we will probably get the environmental impact report from Metro which will make a recommendation on the alignment of the subway, and whether it will be underneath the high school or along Santa Monica Boulevard.

The vice mayor and myself, as well as everybody else, have been advocating for the Santa Monica Boulevard alignment.

We have also offered a low cost parking structure to support the subway on Santa Monica Boulevard.

If this doesn’t work however, we are looking at all our options, including legal actions and litigation.

October 14, 2011 Highlights

news 5

Beverly Café receives grand opening ceremony

Clockwise from left to right: Board Member Steven Fenton, Board President Lisa Korbatov and Board Member Myra Lurie have the privilege of cutting the ceremonial orange ribbon before attendees entrance to the new café. Community member Lisa Licht samples nachos from one of the new stations in the café. After watching an documentary produced by Head Chef Darrell Smith, community member Jay Solmit tastes some of the free food cooked by café staff. OLIVER GALLOP

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October 14, 2011 Highlights

President Obama speaks Leggings are not pants, so at West Hollywood event please cover your assets Having a reputation for writing political columns has its disadvantages and advantages. Certain people will stop me in the hallways and proceed to angrily interrogate me regarding my views. Others will procure press credentials for Barack Obama’s fundraiser at the House of Blues for me.

So on Monday, Sept. 26, I found myself in a queue on Sunset Boulevard, surrounded by security, photographers, ticket holders and Ms. Murray. Protestors began to amass across the street as we waited. One carried a sign that read “Be a man, not a mouse.”

Members of the press corps had multiple, official press passes strung around their necks; I was afraid my lowly school identification card would fail to suffice.

Luckily, they let us in without trouble.

We were then herded through a door that led to a narrow staircase, graffitied by innumerable performing acts. The provided escort ushered us to a small press pen to the left of the dance floor.

And then we waited. I commenced “livetweeting” from the @bhhighlights account, only to discover the influx of tweets lost us a follower.

As we waited, it was interesting to observe the journalists around me.

Some of them were rather friendly and dispensed advice on how I should comport myself in the pen. Others grabbed a glass of wine and started gyrating to Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.” It was a highly illuminating experience.

The actual fundraiser began at 5 p.m.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, of “Modern Family” fame acted as the emcee for the night.

West Hollywood Mayor John Duran then welcomed the audience to his city, “where the women are strong and the men are pretty.” The Gay Men’s Chorus followed,

performing Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” as an anti-gay bullying anthem, as well as Pat Benatar’s “We Belong.”

B.o.B. performed next and managed to effectively infuse energy into the middleaged crowd who awkwardly raised their hands in the air upon command.

The curtains reopened at 6:15 p.m., revealing a podium. The crowd alternated chants of “Fired up, ready to go” and “four more years,” followed by the old standard: “Yes we can.”

The president strode out at 6:18 p.m. to wild cheers.

Politics aside, the feeling upon being within twenty feet of the actual president of these United States­—in the flesh!—was indescribable. The office of the presidency exudes a certain, well, commanding power.

His speech was interrupted by a plump heckler who was dragged out, screaming “Obama is the Antichrist!”

Obama’s speech was well-prepared and personable.

However, his talking points were noticeably recycled. Warren Buffett’s secretary must be the most famous woman in political America by this point.

His pandering to the West Hollywood audience was extremely obvious. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell received the loudest applause, and Obama certainly did not shy away from the topic.

The point of fundraisers is to raise funds. People are likelier to give money if they hear things they like. Obama ensured that his coffers will not be empty.

The entire event gave an insight into both the art of political campaigning and the life of a political reporter.

Lilia Abecassis Staff Writer

cartoons by Sasha Park

Mallika Sen Editor-in-Chief

Throughout the years bad fashion trends have plagued even the most innocent people.

There was bright spandex in the ‘80s, MC Hammer pants in the ‘90s, and now, leggings as pants in the 21st century.

People, particularly adolescent girls, are sporting skin-tight leggings as pants.

They deem this look “stylish” and “fashionable.”

“They’re comfortable and cute,” senior Orel Ouda, a proud offender of leggings as pants, said.

Navigating the halls, I see countless girls wearing leggings as pants. No long shirt. No skirt.

No dress. They simply replace jeans (or other suitable bottoms) with leggings.

There is nothing wrong with wearing leggings under a skirt, dress, or long shirt, but when worn as pants with an average sized shirt, the look is immodest and not in any way respectable.

Page 42 of the BHUSD Discipline Policies and Procedures states: “Leggings or tights must be covered by shorts, dress or skirt.”

Not only does this style break school rules, but it’s much too revealing.

How can you possibly respect someone when you can see a very descriptive silhouette of their lower body?

It leaves nothing to the imagination. Leggings show every curve of one’s body, most of which should be hidden.

“It’s unattractive wearing such tight

Editorial

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nearly every student. Want a study hall to get work done? Check. How about a 55-minute period of yoga to escape from stress? Check. And what to do if you hate your enrichment course? You change it each month. The PTSA helps fund this new enrichment program, striving to create a program that allows students to choose an area of interest or to help

Nathan Ong and Mallika Sen Editors-in-Chief News Editor

ects such as the senior lounge and Beverly Café, there is no way one can say the administration is not trying to make our school a better place. If they also happen to be tacking on extra minutes of school to meet a requirement, so be it.

Although the administration throws new programs at students each year, we students complain even before we get a chance to learn about it.

We are optimistic and supportive of the new, experimental enrichment program. Whether students use courses to socialize, get homework done, or just read, it’s a period in your day, once a month, where you are in charge of choosing what to spend your time doing. Why not get a headstart on learning about college or all the steps for your next year? Or, why not take a break from your constant stress of college apps and AP classes and take a cooking course?

The administration’s main motive is to find a program beneficial for students, and although they have experimented consistently with different things, practice is known to eventually make perfect.

And they may have just found it.

“We are optimistic and supportive of the new, experimental enrichment program.” them improve their performance in a specific subject.

Now, another common question arising concerns school minutes: whether or not the administration is only implementing this enrichment program as an excuse to keep us in school longer. Although the minutes could be a motive, the administration is clearly making a great effort to make school as enjoyable as possible for us students. With proj-

The Staff Candice Hannani

Enrichment deemed good alternative to Tutorial

n recent years, we students have dealt with the suspense of each year’s new schedule change. Two years ago, the inclusion of Intervention added an extra 25 minutes to the already impossible block periods. Although Intervention was meant to be a period for students to talk to teachers or work as a study hall, few teachers followed this recommended protocol.

Many teachers simply disregarded this and continued teaching for the full two hours.

The following year, the administration attempted to play around with the schedule a bit and put Tutorial after lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays, and a morning period of Tutorial on late start days. Students used this tutorial time to either get some homework done or socialize.

This year, enrichment courses have replaced the tutorial period. Students are able to choose the course they take, with the accompanying teacher. Courses range from AP prep to college Q & A to cooking. The flexibility of courses creates a wide array of options for students to choose from in order to appeal to

bottoms because you can see everything.

Please do not bend down while wearing leggings,” sophomore Danay Diaz said.

To the people who succumb to this trend: I do not need, nor want, to know every detail of your body. If you’re going to wear leggings, please wear something that goes at least halfway down your thigh.

It is not appropriate to dress so revealingly, especially at school.

Technically, leggings do “cover,” but when you can see so much, it’s immodest, to say the least.

“For school, it’s not appropriate, you get profiled as [promiscuous],” sophomore Evan Rennie said.

Others disagree, and proudly support their love of leggings.

“They’re comfortable and you don’t get as hot as in jeans. They’re cute and I like the style,” freshman Emily Robinson said.

They can be cute if worn with the right top, b u t for the most part, leggings are not a replacement for pants.

When wearing bottoms, for the sake of all creatures with eyes, please make sure it decently covers you.

A present is no fun to open if you already know what’s inside.

Danny Licht Opinion Editor

Benjamin Hannani Feature Editor

Vincent Brock and Julia Waldow Centerfold Editors

Sayeh Mohamadi and Chandra O’Connor Arts & Style Editors

Austin Grant-Dixon Spotlight Editor

Ryan Feinberg Sports Editor

Sayeh Mohammadi Business Manager

Oliver Gallop, Alex Menache, AJ Parry and Ginelle Wolfe Staff Photographers

Bless Bai, Sasha Park and AJ Parry Staff Cartoonists

Lilia Abecassis, Michelle Banayan, Chanan Batra, Celine Hakimianpour, Mabel Kabani, Sarit Kashanian, Dami Kim, Hae Lee, Brenda Mehdian, AJ Parry, Shannon Toobi and Arman Zadeh Staff Writers

Gaby Herbst and Katie Murray Advisers

This newspaper is produced by the Advanced Journalism class of Beverly Hills High School, 241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

Send letters to the editor to beverlyhighlights@gmail.com.

Feedback is appreciated.  Made on a Mac

spirit assembly 7

October 14, 2011 Highlights

Beverly Pride assembly celebrates clubs, scores On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Normans held the first spirit assembly of the year. The assembly featured an awards presentation for students who demonstrated dramatic improvement or achieved a perfect score on the California State Testing exams, skits from a selection of the school’s various clubs and exclusive classes, and a video on First Amendment rights created by Beginning Journalism.

All skits were thoroughly vetted by Performing Arts Department Chair Herb Hall and Spirit Chair Heather Harrison.

Performers: ASB, Broadcast Journalism, DECA, KBEV, Madrigals, Model UN, Peer Tutoring, Robotics, Service Learning, Sports Medicine Club, Yearbook

Clockwise from top left: Madrigals perform “Lean on Me” to open the assembly. Principal Carter Paysinger and Assistant Principal Kelly Tabis hand out certificates to honor CST performances. Senior Jon Yadegar and junior Ariel Azdham advertise Service Learning.

Symphonic band plays in the orchestra pit. Senior Jordan Neman is carried in by seniors Matt Spector and Cameron Countryman in ASB’s skit. Senior George Qiao-Guan looks on as Rob 2.0 attempts to place an inflatable ring on a peg. Junior April Banayan and senior Debbie Reyhan attempt to wrap the injured in the Sports Medicine Club’s skit.

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Highlights

centerfold

TEEN SUICIDES SPARK ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN New laws stimulate instruction in schools Anti-discrimination LGBT laws to prevent harassment arise in California LGBT bullying prompts onset of nationwide deaths Julia Waldow Centerfold Editor

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verwhelmed by intolerance, harassment and judgment, many homosexual students have struggled to face the bullying they encounter daily. Feeling helpless and alone, some lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students have ended their lives in the past few years. Others have died at the hands of their homophobic classmates.

The murder of Larry King, a homosexual eighth grader shot to death by his classmate, Brandon McInerney, brought national attention to gay bullying. McInterney, an alleged white supremacist and homophobe, walked into a computer lab and shot eighth grade King in his Oxnard school in Feb. 2008. King and McInerney’s classmates recalled that King wore mascara, lipstick and jewelry to school. McInerney claimed that King was showing off and flirting with him. Overly uncomfortable with the situation, McInerney shot him.

McInerney is now being tried as an adult, and his case was declared a mistrial earlier in September.

“I think that it’s absolutely disgusting that people would even consider bullying in the first place,” junior Leah Weissbuch said.

“You really have to be insecure to be a bully. It’s sad that people [like McInerney] have issues with themselves that they take out on other people.”

Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student, jumped off the George Washington Bridge on Sept. 22, 2010 after a video of him having sex with another man in his dorm room circulated around the Internet.

Clementi’s death inspired a two-year Rutgers project to teach its students the importance of respect, especially pertaining to social media use.

“It is more clear than ever that we need strongly to reassert our call for civility and responsibility for each other,” Rutgers

October 14, 2011

president Richard L. McCormick said in a public statement to the New York Times.

Beverly students were appalled by the news of Clementi’s passing.

“I think that [Clementi’s death] is really sad,” freshman Jasmine Hannani said.

“Just because people are gay, [it] doesn’t mean that you can bully them and act differently towards them.”

Jamey Rodemeyer, a fourteen-year-old gay student who posted notes online about bullying, suicide, homophobia and Lady Gaga hanged himself outside his home in Buffalo early in September.

“People would taunt me in the hallways and I felt like I could never escape it,” he said in a YouTube video posted in May on the “It Gets Better” project website, a site in which gay and lesbian teenagers can seek help and support for bullying.

Lady Gaga, one of Rodemeyer’s idols, posted a message to her deceased fan on Twitter. “Bullying must become illegal,” she declared. “It is a hate crime. I will not stop fighting. Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it. #MakeALawForJamey.”

According to California Press Report and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight E d u c a t i o n N e t w o r k ’ s (GLSEN) 2007 National School Climate Survey of more than 6,000 LGBT kids, 86.4 percent of LGBT students were harassed during the period of one school year. Twelve percent of seventh graders and 10 percent of ninth graders are harassed due to their authentic or professed sexual orientation.

LGBT bullying can increase youths’ risks of depression, slipping grades and thoughts of suicide. In fact, LGBT kids and teenagers are three times more likely to be suicidal than heterosexual youth, according to the 2010-2011 California Health Kids Survey.

“If kids are thinking of killing themselves, then they should get counseling,” senior Jason Khoury said. “They need to know that they’re not different from other kids just because they’re attracted to the same sex.”

“Bullying must become illegal. It is a hate crime.”

The prevalent issue of gay bullying in schools has inspired California’s newest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) bullying laws. These laws were created to support harassed students and to provide antibullying instruction in school curriculums.

Student Non-Discrimination Act • Would establish a national prohibition of intolerance in public schools against LGBT students and would prevent schools from ignoring bullying.

• If a school violated the act, it would lose partial federal funding and give LGBT students an opportunity to take legal action against their school.

Safe Schools Improvement Act • Calls for schools and districts to create student behavioral policies with clear repercussions for bullying and harassment.

• Would provide schools to focus on bullying preventive strategies, and to find and report data regarding bullying incidents.

AB 9/ Seth’s Law • Named in memory of Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old gay student from Tehachapi, California, who committed suicide in Sept.

2010 after being harassed by anti-gay bullies at school.

• Besides executing anti-harassment and anti-discrimination school programs, the law hopes to “empower students and parents to know what their rights are and how to advocate for them.”

• The law also hopes to decrease the numbers of students targeted and bullied for their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability or religion.

• Approved in the California State Senate on Sept. 2.

Accurate, Inclusive, Respectful, and Education Act (FAIR, SB48) • Would require schools to teach LGBT history and to include anti-discrimination activities in classrooms in order to prevent bullying.

• Passed in the California Senate in July.

Bullying creates angst outside of the schoolyard

VINCENT BROCK

Vincent Brock Centerfold Editor

I

often ponder about the world and continuously find myself asking the same question: Why is the world filled with so much aggression and from where is it derived? From the Kindergarten jungle gym to Wall Street, it seems to be true that using force and hostility is an extremely effective way of obtaining an individual’s desire as opposed to reaching an outcome that would benefit a majority of people .

Is it actually good business that keeps guns readily available for anyone, regardless of mental health? Why, despite all the energyefficient technology available, do fossil fuels continue to be the only capitalized resource of energy in America?

Perhaps, some small minority must be benefitting from these almost antiproductive, anti-safe and anti-equal choices by using oppression. When pertaining to ordinary torment between children, the same is true. Bullies use violence and hatred to influence situations that will benefit themselves and no one else.

So, if bullying at a young age is preventable, will we be able to prevent wars in the future, end poverty, stop crime and improve our societies so that all humans can co-exist?

As students in one of the most privileged school systems in the nation, we Beverly Hillsians often lose sight of the continuous harassment present in schoolyards across the country. Despite the perturbed reactions of students, parents, news reporters and politicians, every time a teenage suicide story appears on the news due to harassment, it seems as though there is no one in the general public that is concerned enough to contribute to finding a solution.

Only in a perfect world can we assume that people would stand up for each other in time of hardship or struggle. As cynical as that

sounds, it is logical to underestimate the compassion executed by the common individual. Otherwise, why would marriage still be forbidden to a group based solely on sexual orientation? If all people were really free, then the right to marry could not be stripped away simply because who one marries is not incorporated into someone else’s opinion. Regardless of one’s beliefs, it is safe to say that this is bullying in its simplest form.

Living in Beverly Hills, we are lucky enough to avoid many of these problems, including harassment from our peers. Yet, there are things beside wealth, security and location that really keep these issues at bay. Programs such as TeenLine are in existence to keep us from hurting each other and ourselves.

“Teenage consultants, who are known as ‘Listeners’ in the program, are on the phone every night to help other teens overcome issues caused by bullying among other troubles,” second year member senior Michelle Moreh said. “The majority of callers hang up feeling reassured and confident in themselves and their situations.”

The fortunate lack of reoccurring acts of torment in Beverly Hills schools could be credited to such programs. By offering aid to adolescents who struggle with these issues, programs such as TeenLine help generate a friendlier community that is enjoyable to be a part of.

Fifteen miles down the road, however, the case might not be so similar. Imagine going to school afraid day after day because someone with the need to prove their masculinity or ability to control others disapproves of your interests, skin color, social standing or sexual orientation.

It is the same hunger of power or feeling of superiority for a selfish cause that leads to dirty business, unjust wars, class division, false advertising and lobbying. As strange as it may sound, it is my opinion that in order to achieve a peaceful and fair society, we all must contribute some form of acceptance towards one another.

Because if you do not stand up for people who are being threatened when they’ve done nothing but been themselves, no one will.

SASHA PARK

9

Bullying Resources USA National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7, Free & Confidential 1-800-273-Talk www. suicideprevention lifeline.org

Hopeline 1-800-SUICIDE www.hopeline.com

Crisis Chat Online Emotional Support www.crisischat.com

The Trevor Project 24/7 Suicide Hotline for LGBT Youth 1-866-4-U-Trevor www. thetrevorproject.org

Information about Bullying www.StopBullying. gov Teen Line 1-800-852-8336 (national) 1-310-855-4673 (Beverly Hills) www.teenlineonline. org Kids Against Bullying www.pacerkids againstbullying.org Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network www.glsen.org

10 arts&style The Smell is Downtown’s trendiest all-ages venue

October 14, 2011 Highlights

Zoe Kenealy Staff Writer

acts like the up-and-coming band, Animal Eye. Located in Downtown, L.A., The Smell The Smell’s number one concern is is an all ages, alcohol-free club that books keeping to its original feel of being a place struggling artists and bands for those where artists can perform, and receive coming to enjoy anything from the retro their desired freedom both musically and ambience of the club to the very cheap artistically. vegan bar, or simply to experience a new The Smell can easily be classified as underground band. one of the most laid-back venues in all of “The Smell is really friendly. It has a Downtown. When going to The Smell, really good vibe, lots of great art, and great do not expect to be asked for your ID, it underground music,” Natsumi Santos, a is an all-ages club, nor should you expect Smell regular said. to see drugs or alcohol. The Smell is a The Smell typically features punk rock friendly place that has an edgy feel, while maintaining a comforting, safe surrounding for those attending.

Along with the many other interesting art pieces, the bathroom is worth a second look; the bathroom walls and even the toilet are covered in graffiti.

Upon entering The Smell there were many paintings that immediately popped out, such CHANDRA O’CONNOR as a colorful “Venice Beach”

What’s that smell? CHANDRA O’CONNOR

sign that took up an entire wall. The Smell is covered from floor to ceiling with works of art.

At extremely low prices, the Vegan Bar sells tea, peanut chews, Cliff Bars, and many other prepackaged goods.

For more than ten years now, The Smell has worked hard to maintain its reputation of being a 100 percent nonprofit organization, relying solely on volunteer staff who do everything from booking acts to cleaning up after each show. This is why the entrance fee is extremely low, typically

$5, unless specified otherwise on the website. If you are planning on going to a show, tickets may not be purchased online, or ahead of time; all tickets are available at the door, the night of the show.

So the next time you don’t feel like going to another movie with your friends, try The Smell, and you won’t be disappointed. In fact, you might even be having so much fun that you won’t want to leave until 2 a.m., the time The Smell closes. Or you may become like Santos, going there every free moment you find.

Norah Jones and Melissa Etheridge,with a hint of tot music, like Raffi,but deeper. The song has a timeless melody and some exquisitely sad lyrics: “I know it’ll need to go from good to worse.”

Feist’s most direct song ends the album.

It’s a story of “wheat of gold,” “tops of trees” and “skipping stones.” The song is mostly a description of an idyll, accompanied by a contrasting, downcast melody.

The song’s lyrics end

with its song’s title, “Get It Wrong, Get It Right.”

On Metals, Feist got it right.

Leslie Feist returns to music scene with new album Danny Licht Opinion Editor

You might know Feist from the 2007 iPod Nano commercial which featured “1234”. But, if you’re lucky, you know her from her other work, such as indie classics “The Limit to Your Love” and “Gatekeeper.”

Feist (whose first name is Leslie) released Metals, her latest LP, on Oct. 4.

The opening track “The Bad in Each Other” is a retrospective that is filled with tribal beats, bluesy horns and utter agony. Simultaneous pain and power shine through the lyrics. Feist wails, “We had the same feelings/At opposite times.”

The Canadian singer’s songs have always been filled with love-sick lyrics, but

none so much as the songs on this album.

The first single from the album, “How Come You Never Go There,” has an R&B sound, with its sassy tone and sprawling guitar solo. Though it is not getting as much airtime as her pop-hit “1234,” Feist’s newest single has some killer lines:“Your words are like a lasso/You’re an instrumental line.”

Metals is truly gorgeous. Its simplistic beauty shines in “Cicadas and Gulls,” an acoustic ballad of love and nature. The singer-songwriter’s strong but quiet voice is perfectly matched with the song’s campfire-like tone.

Another highlight of the album is “The Circle Married the Line.” It is mom rock, like

ALEX MENACHE

The Counter: scrumptious, juicy, divine meatery that the same burger is rarely made twice in one day.

The Counter offers alternatives to beef If Webster were to define The Coun- such as chicken, turkey, and veggie opter, he would have described it as a place tions. Each individual restaurant offers where you can satisfy both your taste special customizations known as “market buds, as well as your stomach, in a simply selections.” For example, one can order classic yet trendy environment. their sandwich on rustic ciabatta bread On Sept. 21 the “build your own burger” instead of a burger bun. franchise opened a new location in the Choosing against meat, senior Maddie Westfield Century City Shopping Center Grossan described her experience with right next to Rock Sugar. the veggie burger as a “carnal” and “satAs a diner offering over 312,120 burger isfying.” combinations, The Counter has found its Market selections are not permanent own niche in greater Los Angeles with 18 items on the menu and are sorted out locations scattered throughout the South- at the individual restaurant’s discretion. land. They also boast on their website These decisions depend on how popular the item is; for instance, The Counter’s famous birthday cake milkshake started off as a market selection, and through its consistent popularity with customers was moved to the permanent menu.

The ingredients at The Counter are some of the best. Most of their sauces are made The Counter’s famous onion strings on a traditional burger.

AUSTIN GRANT-DIXON in house, and they humanely raise and Austin Grant-Dixon Spotlight Editor

handle Myer’s Ranch beef.

The overall vibe of the modern-day diner can be described as a new age’s interpretation of retro: “the 21st century’s bold answer to the classic burger joint,” as stated on their website.

Their walls, Seniors Maddie Grossan and Persia Phillips eat at The Counter. AUSTIN GRANT-DIXON executed in different shades of gray, exhibit vibrant pho- crispy onion strings and their creative tographs of rock performers and concerts. twists on the traditional milkshake.

At The Counter, one does not obtain Ordering is as simple and easy as checkthat warm feeling solely from their burg- ing off items on a checklist. Every cuser, as the servers go a long way to make tomer is given a menu to check off each sure their customers are comfortable and individual criteria that makes their juicy, happy. jaw-widening burger special and unique “The service is great. Everyone has a to their taste buds (pencils and napkins smile on their face and is eager to get you are amply provided). your perfectly tailored burger,” senior The Counter’s personally tailored, sucPersia Phillips said. culent burgers take the customer on a While mainly catering to the burger euphoric excursion that intensifies bite crowd, The Counter offers a small selec- by bite. Their patties can weigh up to a tion of sandwiches in addition to their pound; their girth rivals that of the boinverted concept, “signature burgers in vine from which they originated. A meal a bowl.” They are also known for their to satisify even the biggest appetite.

arts&style 11

October 14, 2011 Highlights

Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980 Sayeh Mohammadi Arts&Style Editor Pacific Standard Time is a grandscale art exhibit that celebrates the significances of post-World War II life in California. Its remarkable displays include ceramics and silverware, Pop Art, Chicano performance and Japanese-American designs of pioneering art.

Over 50 art galleries and institutions have joined together to host this program for six months, demonstrating the birth of the Los Angeles art scene. The exhibit was initiated through a $10 million grant from the Getty Foundation in October.

The Getty Research Institute launched this historical exploration and analysis of postwar art through interviews, public programming, publications and exhibitions. Each gallery contributes independently to this exhibit, providing thoughtful insight on social change and artistic innovation.

Pacific Standard Time presents one of the most remarkable contributors to the artistic era of her time period. On display from Sept. 10 through March 3, the Santa Monica Museum of Art will feature Beatrice Wood: Career Woman –Drawings, Paintings, Vessels, and Objects. Her con- troversial paintings and ceramic lusterware supplied both cultural

and scholarly art to the 20th century time period. According to the SMMOA press release, Beatrice Wood (18931998) was born in San Francisco, and moved to California in the late 1920s.

Beginning to create art at a young age in an era where it was unacceptable for women to change their roles in society, Wood continued to follow her dreams until just a few years prior to her death, at the age of 105. She worked in both the East and West coasts, including the New York Dada community. At the age of 40, Beatrice began to dabble with ceramics, and discovered her extraordinary talent with pottery. This accidental experiment turned into a daily hobby, which eventually led to her lifetime career.

The museum exhibits over 100 drawings, paintings and ceramic objects Wood created during a 75 year time period.

Her detailed work expresses her deep, witty and bold, sensual personality. Her art conveys an almost suppressed, rebellious soul, the messages powerful and outspoken for a woman of that time period. Her controversial drawings and figures convey her sexual frustration and her unrelenting, unruly spirit.

The exploitation of her sexuality is most evident in her Career Women drawing and sculpture and colored pencil portrait, Un peut d’eau dans du savon (A Little Water in Some Soap).

The exhibi- tion is guided by a fully-illustrated catalog which includes essays that examine her role in the Dadaism movement, her position on modernism, her stance on sexism and the woman’s role, and how her attitudes are reflected in her art.

For more information on upcoming events from Pacific Standard Time, visit www.pacficstandardtime.org.

PHOTOS BY SAYEH MOHAMMADI

On display at The Santa Monica Museum, Beatrice Wood: Career Woman – Drawings, Paintings, Vessels, and Objects, includes a wide range of artistic work. Her cermic figures and drawings express her attitude toward modern and social issues, and sexism and sexuality. Her contriversial work in an era of suppresion expressed her rebellious mindset.

Beatrice Wood artwork featured clock-wise: (farthest left) Yellow Seated Clown, 1943; (upper left) Innocence is Not Enough, 1958; (above) Suspicious Wife, 1952; (upper right) Mr. Teapot, 1980 ; (lower right) Mermaid Teapot, 1991

From Superbad to Moneyball: Jonah Hill’s Evolution Benjamin Hannani Feature Editor In the least likely of transitions, Jonah Hill is testing the water in drama after years in comedy. While Hill is known for his crassness in raunchy comedies like Superbad and Get Him to the Greek, he has entered a new frontier with Moneyball. Starring alongside Brad Pitt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in a script based off a true story written by Aaron Sorkin (“The Social Network”), viewers should not be surprised to see Hill associated with Oscar buzz.

In the film, Hill plays the Oakland A’s new assistant general manager, Peter Brand,

who evaluates major leaguers using a statistical system called sabermetrics. Consequently, the A’s are able to identify and sign efficient baseball players who had gone under the radar and eventually, win the MLB title. To this day, the 2002 A’s squad holds the American League record for most consecutive wins at 20 games.

Hill has found himself to parallel his character from the film in reality, since both were underdogs in their professional lives.

“I felt just like my character,” Hill told The Patriot Ledger. “They were taking the chance on someone that everyone else overlooked. It’s the first time I got the op-

portunity to be in this type of movie.”

Moneyball is not Hill’s first foray into drama. Last year, the actor starred in Cyrus, acting as Marisa Tomei’s pathologically possessive son. The little-known but well-reviewed indie film caught the eyes of Moneyball director, Bennet Miller, who decided to cast Hill. The ascension of Hill from the lower rungs of drama to a commercial film identifies with the theme of Miller’s movie.

“The point of the movie is that things are constantly overvalued and undervalued; there’s opportunity and exploitation swirling around us,” Miller told The Daily Beast.

“I didn’t think [the role] would be a big

stretch for Jonah. He has an agile and associative mind. I knew him more as a sensitive guy than as a comic.”

However, Hill has not strayed away completely from his comedic roots. He will next be seen playing a suspended college student forced to babysit in The Sitter, slated to premiere on December 9. In the spring, he will star with Channing Tatum in the film adaptation of 21 Jump Street, the series that sent Johnny Depp into stardom.

“I’ll make comedies as long as they’ll let me,” Hill told reporters at the Toronto Film Festival. “But I like to be in different kinds of movies. I worked hard and I wanted this.”

October 14, 2011 feature 12 Highlights Photography classes welcome new digital lab Celine Hakimianpour Staff Writer Photography has taken a great step forward this school year by making new technological advancements.

This is the first year the course has a computer lab, which opens up the doors to bigger possibilities of developing and editing photos.

“This is a really big deal; we’ve been wanting this to happen for four years,” Photography teacher Tim Briggs said.

Last year the Photography lab started off with four computers, which allowed them to enhance some of their photographs to a certain degree. The new digital photo lab consists of 15 new computers, which are all dedicated to the purpose of editing and enhancing photographs.

For some, the joy of photography is all about developing photos in the dark room and doing it the traditional way.

“What we plan to do is not to abandon traditional photography completely, but

we plan to blend the two,” Briggs said.

Although the digital lab is only offered to the advanced photography class, Briggs plans on introducing this digital lab to the beginning class by the end of the year.

“I personally like the traditional lab better right now just because I haven’t gotten used to working with the computers in the digital lab,” sophomore Abraham Abginesaz said.

Using digital photography gives students a chance to pull photos up onto Photoshop and make all types of enhancements and then print them out. Some students may be worried about the new digital lab due to the fact that they have been working with the traditional methods≠≠≠ for so long.

Briggs assures his students that they will not discard the traditional way, but add to the curriculum by using digital methods.

“It’s interesting to see some students don’t want digital. I think this is because they might fear the technology, so I plan on just easing them into it,” Briggs said.

Photography teacher Tim Briggs poses in the new digital lab. ALEX MENACHE

With a new digital lab, Briggs envisions improvements in Advanced and Beginning Photography and hopes the classes will become known for their quality of pictures.

Overall, Briggs is happy to provide his students with the latest technology and

more effective forms of photography.

“The biggest thing this new lab does [is] gives us a chance to be competitive with the other schools in the area and it keeps us up with how the times are changing,” Briggs said.

AP class sizes in flux: AP Comparative, Spanish see changes Benjamin Hannani Feature Editor For better and for worse, this year many students have been affected by fluctuating enrollment.

Since overall student enrollment decreased from last year, staffing was adjusted accordingly. Due to a smaller faculty, the availability of certain courses was affected. As a result, not all students were able to enroll in their desired courses.

The courses that have been impacted the most compared to last year are AP Comparative Government, which has only one available period but is at maximum capacity, and AP Spanish, which only has a handful of students.

AP Comparative Government, taught

by Roel Hinojosa, has only one period available in contrast to last year’s three.

Consequently, the one period of the course happens to be one of the largest classes in the school with 33 students. The change was caused by increased enrollment in AP U.S. Government and Economics, the other course taught by Hinojosa.

U.S. Government and Economics is a graduation requirement.

Due to contractual regulations, teachers can only be assigned five periods. However, teachers’ contracts allow a sixth class in the event of greater enrollment, which Hinojosa was assigned.

“If Mr. Hinojosa can only teach six classes and we need six classes of AP U.S. Government and Economics, we can’t offer a class of AP Comparative Government,”

Tabis said.

Although Catherine Pincu teaches one section on AP U.S. Government, there is simply no room for additional classes of AP Comparative Government. Assistant Principal Kelly Tabis said.

Having only one period of a class can be problematic, which is why priority was given to seniors, who will not have another opportunity to take the course.

Whereas AP Comparative Government had to turn away students due to high enrollment, AP Spanish struggled to attract students. The administration predicted increased enrollment in AP Spanish, taught

by Joseph Isaac, since Spanish 9-10 was not offered this year due to limited staff.

However, the course has fewer students than last year, as seniors were wary of a greater workload.

“AP Spanish definitely has a reputation to be impossible, so most students preferred [Spanish] 9-10, which was mostly a class of seeing videos and experiencing Spanish,” a senior who had hoped to take Spanish 9-10 said.

While a rise in enrollment for certain courses offered space for more students, it came at the expense of availability of other courses. Unfortunately, some students were not able to enroll in the class of their choice.

Even though students cannot always secure their choice of classes, Tabis noted that the administration does its best to make sure students have their desired course(s).

“The bottom line is we don’t like to turn away students,” Tabis said.

Overcrowded and under-enrolled courses 60

Last Year

50

This Year

40 30 20 10 0

AP Spanish enrollment

AP Comparative Government enrollment

Peer tutor Nina An helps Sheyna Messiqua with her studies. ALEX MENACHE

Peer Tutoring returns

Administration reinstates the program for second straight year Brenda Mehdian Staff Writer With the new school year comes the beginning of a new academic outlook. After introducing the program last year during the second semester, the success of peer tutoring has resulted in a high demand for its continuation.

“The first day went well. The tutors were in place ready to help students during lunch, and from the feedback...it was very helpful last year,” ROP counselor Megan Anspach said.

Peer tutoring was introduced by Regional Occupational Program (ROP) and the administration.

After seeing a need for tutoring, Principal Carter Paysinger reached out to the head of ROP, Steve Rappaport.

Paysinger, Rappaport, Anspach and other administrators developed Peer Tutoring to provide a service for struggling students and to allow students interested in careers in education to learn skills the can help them work towards those career goals.

“The thought process was that we needed to make an effort to help the students.

Private tutors are expensive and many of them do the homework [for their clients],” Rappaport said.

This year, an email was sent through JupiterGrades to all students who were interested in tutoring. Students sent in applications and went through a screening process in which their attendance and

academics were reviewed.

The three As required to be a tutor include academics, attendance, and attitude.

“I believe that the tutors are the biggest factors in the success of the program.

The students need to have the desire and passion to help others succeed,” Anspach said.

Although there may be a difference in the number of tutors for specific subjects, there is at least one tutor for each. When tutors turn in their applications, they select the subjects they feel most comfortable tutoring in.

Tutors also receive community service hours, in addition to the gratifying feeling of helping their peers.

“I love peer tutoring because I get to help other students reach their full potential,” junior Nina An said.

The chosen tutors take an ROP peer tutoring course where they learn skills about teaching, counseling, problem solving, and study skills. Students use the skills they learned in the ROP course during these sessions.

“Everything we learned in the ROP class definitely helps tutors connect with their tutees in helping then build academic confidence,” An said.

As for the tutees, sessions are a firstcome, first-served system.

“If you want help and you are here first, you will get priority; we can only help those who want to be helped,” Anspach said.

spotlight 13

October 14, 2011 Highlights

Guidance Counselors campaign against growth in numbers of SMC applicants among seniors Sayeh Mohammadi Arts&Style Editor With increasing trends of Beverly graduates registering at Santa Monica College (SMC), counselors are taking a firm stance in promoting higher education for the current graduating class. Many students assume they don’t have the opportunity to go to a four year institution, but fail to realize there are a number of options specifically designed for each student’s unique situation. More and more students seem to be giving up hope for a higher education, despite repeated attempts from counselors to educate and to provide alternative routes for students and their families.

“It’s a misperception that’s out there that it’s going to be easier if students go over to the community college,” college counselor, Jill Lewis said.

In searching for a school that fits a student best, many aspects, including academic programs, location, size, tuition and religion may be taken into consideration. Beverly counselors have tried various methods of educating students, including bulletins, college visits, counselor meetings and the use of the Naviance website.

“It is important that students and families really know everything that’s available to them. The counseling department is all about educating students and really exposing them to all the universities and colleges all throughout our nation and the world,” Lewis said.

For many, Santa Monica College has become a refuge from the price tag that

comes with a four year institution. But are families really planning out their goals prior to making judgment whether a community college will benefit them in the long run?

Financial instability is a viable reason to choose SMC over a four year institution.

However, counselors are unsure if families are really looking into all of their options, or know what all of their options are, before making this choice. Many students fail to realize that if they are transferring to a university, rather than applying directly after high school graduation, they will not be qualified for some financial aid.

Universities often provide some sort of financial aid, including loans, scholarships and grant opportunities to freshmen, which SMC students will miss out on due to their status.

There is also the issue of timing and planning, many students believe they will receive their degree within the first two years at SMC. With this mind set, many students register for SMC each year. This has become an inconvenience however, as this community college continues become more heavily populated each year.

“Because so many people have chosen to go the community college, it is impacted and nearly impossible for students to get a class they need, therefore it is taking them a third or fourth year to graduate,” Lewis said. “I would hate for someone’s goal to be to earn their associates degree within one or two years and quickly transfer, when in reality it may not end up happening.”

Due to the large number of applicants

per year, more and more SMC students are forced to sign up for classes they don’t need, or attend classes they are not registered for, in hopes of gaining an education.

“Since SMC is so overpopulated, I crashed many classes, and ended up not getting any core subject classes. I’m taking five electives and hopefully next semester, I can get the classes I need,” Beverly graduate and SMC student, Talia Yektafar said.

Lewis believes the key to choosing a successful school is knowledge of all schools, and all options. Admittedly, the ‘pit stop’ between high school and four year university may allow some students to decide what they would like to major in or which university they would like to attend.

“I can’t encourage students enough to be informed and know what they could be getting themselves into in any situation,” Lewis said. “I do agree, for some students, studying at the community college for two, three or even four years may allow them to mature and grow up, and know what they want to do with their lives.”

Just as they have in the past, counselors are not denying students or working against SMC, they are just working harder to inform students of all their options, for both financial and educational needs.

“If students want to stay close to home, or they don’t have the financial opportunity to go to a four year institution, then SMC could be an option,” Lewis said. “We just want to make sure we are empowering and educating them for all the choices that there are.”

Student commentary on Beverly-SMC relationship “I view Santa Monica College as a last resort, or a plan B. It’s the safety net of the college application process.”

–Ariel Banayan, senior “I think that students should always strive for the best no matter what college they apply to, and attempt to achieve their maximum potential, and let the cards fall as they may.”

–Grant Rasak, senior “I believe they are taking the position because too many people from our high school are going to SMC. They don’t believe that they can get into a good school so they under achieve.”

–David Daniely, senior “Santa Monica College? I don’t want to feed into the stereotype.”

–Parmida Mahrou, senior

SASHA PARK

14 news

October 14, 2011 Highlights

sports 15 Basketball player Allen swoops in from Sweden October 14, 2011 Highlights Chanan Batra Staff Writer Standing at six feet tall, freshman Natasha Allen is not the typical basketball player.

She moved here from Stockholm, Sweden this past year on August 20, and has taken the basketball program by storm, earning a starting spot at center on the girls’ varsity squad despite missing summer conditioning and no prior relationship to the coaches.

“Natasha is a very hard worker, and she is always pushing herself to be better. She puts the team on her back every time she steps on the court,” fellow teammate and point guard Jazz Anderson said. “I love being her teammate and I think we are going to have a great season together.”

Junior Dorsa Mehrannia, another teammate of Allen, agreed with Anderson.

“She is very outgoing and has already made an attempt to become friends with all of us,” Mehrannia said. “She does not seclude herself from the team and has transitioned very well.”

Although she made the basketball team with relative ease, adapting to a new school, and a new country at that, has been an interesting experience for Allen.

“In Sweden, we don’t have school teams, clubs, no mascot, not even a school newspaper!” Allen said.

Instead of playing basketball for schools, teenagers in Sweden can try out for national teams based on age groups.

While in Sweden, Allen tried out for the U-15 team, and made it to the final cut of tryouts. However, Allen has not always had the attitude of a player of national team caliber.

“I started playing basketball when

I was 11, but I hated it,” Allen said. “I was actually very lazy and afraid of the ball.”

All Allen needed was a little time to grow. By the time she was 13, Allen had grown taller, faster, and stronger, and her love for basketball grew as she did.

Now that Allen is part of the varsity team, she has had some time to reflect on basketball here and how it compares to basketball in Sweden.

“Basketball is definitely more competitive and popular here, and people take it much more seriously,” Allen explained. “The players are very strong, but I am always open to challenges and look forward to taking on this one.”

Allen will not only have to take on this challenge, but also the challenge of academic life in high school. With a heavier workload and stricter disciplinary rules, the U.S. school system is quite different from that of Sweden.

“In Sweden, we only got homework once a week per subject!” Allen said.

“Also, my teachers in Sweden were really laid back. You could chew gum whenever you wanted to, listen to music, and if my phone went off in class, the teachers would never take it.”

Despite an increased workload and a new set of rules to follow, Allen embraces the opportunity to grow accustomed to American life.

“She’s been a great addition to the team and she works extremely hard,” Girls’ Varsity Coach John Braddell said.

“Hopefully she continues to improve throughout the year.”

Should Allen successfully balance her studies with her dedication to basketball, it is hard to believe anything will stop her from achieving her long-term goal: to play basketball at the collegiate level at UCLA.

Swedish import Natasha Allen smiles with hopes for a successful season. OLIVER GALLOP

two college interns each year to work in the training room. While they are here, Davenport teaches the interns how to administrate a training room and gives them a grade, which then applies to their CSUN transcript.

“They are the ears and hands and eyes that are beyond me, which we need,” Davenport said. “With 900 student

athletes, one of me doesn’t cover it.”

A greater amount of interns means that each athlete can get more individual attention, allowing Davenport to take on the additional role of supervising and ensure that “safety precautions are always followed.” She added, “I have to be more of a role model all the time, so I have to be on my toes at all times.”

Sports medicine class assists student athletes Ginelle Wolfe Staff Writer The sports medicine class offered at Beverly is not an easy elective; it is a rigorous science course.

The prerequisites for sports medicine are the completion of both biology and chemistry since the class requires students to know the science behind the body before learning how to treat injuries.

Colleen Davenport advises and runs the class, and teaches students all about the human body, including each of its 206 bones.

Although they study different types of injuries, the students focus primarily on sports-related injuries.

Eventually, students end up taking their new knowledge outside of the classroom.

“We are required to work at least 35 hours each semester in the training room, at practices or at games,” senior Meghan McMurray said. “Last week, a few of us taped players before the football game.”

In such on-site experiences, students learn to apply their classroom knowledge under pressure. Then, if the students decide to be athletic trainers later in life, they will have had experience working in the field.

Students in sports medicine also have the privilege of working with college interns from the Cal State Northridge Athletic Training Education Program.

“They help teach us while we are doing our hours, and they’re always open to questions,” McMurray stated.

For 12 years, the program has sent

Because the class is so uniquely structured, the interns and students get the chance to give Davenport assistance when things get hectic.

Finally, the curriculum takes the students outside of the classroom and allows them to apply their learning in real world scenarios, which is ultimately the goal of ROP.

Sports medicine student Alisa Sheldon tapes the wrist of sophomore cross-country runner Gabriel Bogner. GINELLE WOLFE

October 14, 2011 sports 16 Highlights Cheerleading team uniformly accomplishes feat

Step 1: Junior Kayla Countryman steadies herself for back handspring.

Step 2: Junior Hannah Einbinder starts the flip.

Step 3: Countryman arches her back while gaining momentum to finish the flip.

Step 4: Senior Kristen Abajian completes the back handspring. DANNY LICHT

Shannon Toobi Staff Writer

“All the girls took gymnastics classes on their own time in order to practice and get comfortable with tumbling for the upcoming year,” Co-Captain Kristen Abajian shared.

Although the varsity members seemingly perfected the gymnastic move outside of school, it was important to maintain the gymnastic skills and expand on them. Through daily practices, the captains of the team make sure to fit in time to work on tumbling as a team.

“We dedicate half an hour to tumbling, daily,” Captain Bridget Abajian said. “We

work to push all the girls, especially the ones who are not so confident with their back handspring, to come out of their comfort zone.”

Both captains also shared that members more confident with their back handspring created a sense of intimidation for those not so confident.

However, through practice, the team members seek to perfect their moves.

“It’s really scary at first but once you push yourself, you feel a great sense of accomplishment,” junior Maddie Bond shared.

Thanks to the team’s gymnastic accomplishment, it is able to work together at a more advanced level when it comes to football games and reaching Nationals, which the team will attend in January.

“This is the first time in BHHS history that each member on the varsity squad has perfected gymnastics skills,” Davidi said. “This ranks our team as one of the most elite. Due to the team’s hard work and tenacity we received a bid to Nationals and will be competing in Dallas, Texas this January.”

The varsity cheer team succeeded in full squad back handsprings. Through the enforcement of new requirements and the motivation of the team to stay in shape, it is evident that the team is progressing.

During tryouts last April, Head Coach Hilla Davidi put a new requirement in place. It was simple: each member of the varsity squad must not only have the skills for cheering, but also for gymnastics.

Specifically, a back handspring.

Water polo strives for CIF Arman Zadeh Staff Writer Although varsity water polo started the season off at 0-2, Head Coach Robert Bowie is confident that his team can bounce back from its slow start.

“We’ve had our ups and downs, but there are times where we have looked really good,” Bowie said. “Hopefully we can start to put a string of those spurts that we have in every game and put them together for a whole game.”

Last week, the team played away games at both El Segundo on Oct. 5 and Brentwood on Oct. 6. Unfortunately, the squad was not victorious in either.

Despite defeat at El Segundo, Bowie was impressed with the team’s intensity Junior Nick Goncharov winds up for a shot in Beverly’s Swim Gym. ALEX MENACHE

Upcoming games: Friday, October 14: Varsity Boys Football vs Hawthorne, 7:00 p.m. Varsity Boys Water Polo @ Mira Costa Novice Tournament, time TBA. Saturday, October 15: Varsity Girls Volleyball vs Polytechnic, 4:30 p.m. Junior Varsity Girls Volleyabll vs. Polytechnic, 3:30 p.m. Frosh/Soph Girls Volleyball vs. Polytechnic, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 19: Varsity Boys Water Polo vs.

Culver City, 3:00 p.m. Varsity Girls Tennis @ Harvard-Westlake, 3:00 p.m. Thursday, October 20: Varsity Girls Volleyball @ Morningside, 3:15 p.m.

Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball @ Morningside, 4:30 p.m. Junior Varsity Boys Football @ Santa

Monica, 5:00 p.m. Frosh/Soph Boys Football @ Santa Monica, 3:00 p.m. Varsity Girls Tennis @ Morningside, 3:00 p.m.

Junior Varsity Girls Tennis @ Morningside, 3:30 p.m. Friday, October 21: Varsity Boys Football vs Santa Monica, 7:00 p.m. Varsity Boys Water Polo vs El Segundo, 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 22: Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball @ Valley Christian Tournament, times TBA. Varsity cross-country @ Mt. SAC Invite, 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 25: Varsity Girls Volleyball vs Santa Monica, 3:15 p.m. Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball vs Santa Monica, 4:30 p.m. Frosh/Soph Girls Volleyball vs Santa Monica, 4:30 p.m. Varsity Girls Tennis @ Inglewood, 3:00 p.m.

and believed El Segundo was caught by surprise.

Bowie believed that the team was doubtful against Brentwood. He feels this lack of confidence led to their first ever loss against Brentwood.

Bowie believes that if the team plays with the same level of energy as it did against El Segundo, it should be in good shape for the rest of the season.

On Thursday, Oct. 13, the team had a home game against Santa Monica, but results were not available in time for print.

Now that every game counts, Bowie expects that the team’s passion and energy will begin to rise so that it will be able to finish first in league and make a playoff appearance.

Alemany strikes Normans Arman Zadeh Staff Writer On Thursday, Oct. 6, Beverly’s football team lost to the Alemany Warriors 48- 12 in a nonleague game.

Beverly’s record is currently 1-4, leaving them at fifth place in the Ocean League.

The team is on a three game losing streak.

Running back Frank Brown scored the team’s two touchdowns in the second and third quarters of the game.

Wide receiver Willie Green led the team with a season high of 17 tackles against the Warriors.

Head Coach Donald Paysinger thought that the team’s performance showed much promise, considering it was against one of the best teams in Southern California.

The team’s next challenge is at Hawthorne, currently ranked second in the Ocean League, on Friday, Oct. 14.

This will be the team’s first league game.

“Everything from this point on means something; it’s the start of the league now.

Every win is a step closer to playoffs,” Paysinger said.

Paysinger believes that the team is definitely prepared to face Hawthorne.

“We’ve been working since last Friday; we’re ready for them,” Paysinger said.

Brown is also confident that they will be able to break their losing streak on Friday night and come out with a win.

“We’re going to come out strong and show [Hawthorne] what we’re all about,” Brown said.

“Every win is a step closer to playoffs,” Paysinger said.