highlights
@bhhighlights
September 15, 2014 Volume 88, Issue 1 Beverly Hills High School Beverly Hills, Calif. beverlyhighlights.com
Varsity football victorious, first win since 2012
Varsity football celebrates after its first victory at San Gabriel High School. The Normans dominated, winning 35-0. Photo courtesy of PJ GOOLSBY.
Marty Schnapp staff writer The varsity football team broke an 0-16 skid which spanned three seasons, defeating San Gabriel High School on Friday Sept. 19. The 35-0 blowout marks their first win of the season, and their first win since 2012. Head coach Charlie Stansbury describes Friday night as a “truly unselfish and team effort.” “Going into the game we talked about having a great opportunity, but we knew we had to practice well, and win the special teams and turnovers. It was an emotional and very special day for our team; there are not enough words to describe how our seniors felt when the clock hit zero,” Stansbury said. Stansbury feels that the team played very efficiently, but there is still room for improvement.
“We did a nice job running the ball and Jake Wolken was very efficient in the passing game. We need to cut down on the penalties, but all of our players went in and gave it their best effort. It was a fun night,” Stansbury said. Quarterback Jake Wolken started for the second time in his career, due to an ankle injury to starting quarterback Michael Massie. Wolken threw two touchdowns on Friday night to wide receiver PJ Goolsby and fullback Rashad Ysaguirre, respectively. Mental preparation was a major factor in Wolken’s performance, according to the junior QB. “I felt a lot more comfortable than last week because I had a better idea of what to expect,” Wolken said. However, more than just a pre-
made game plan was necessary for the team’s success. “We knew this was a great opportunity to come out on top, and we were able to take advantage of that. We didn’t change too much in terms of game planning; we just executed better across the board,” Wolken said. Reflecting on the team’s performance as a whole, Wolken also believes that recent transfer Stone Spellman’s opening kickoff touchdown return was the boost that propelled the successful output. “Stone took it to the house and that really set the tone for the rest of the game,” Wolken said. Friday night was Spellman’s first high school football game. He acknowledges that his big kickoff return would not have
been possible without his teammates’ protection. “The feeling of running back a [92-yard] kick return to the TD was fantastic to say the least. I knew as soon as I got on the field I was going to return it all the way because I had a sense of urgency to get a win for Beverly. When I returned it my team was ecstatic and in my eyes it gave us a spark of aggressiveness and killer instinct that would continue to burn until the end of the game,” Spellman said. As evidenced in the Normans’ first matchup against Templeton, the run-game was key, as running backs Sebastian Torres and Joe Kolko pounded the San Gabriel defense, notching scores themselves. However, offense was only part
of the story. On the other side of the ball, the defense shut out the San Gabriel offense, even putting up points themselves via a safety. Linebacker Dylan Rutigliano made the tackle in the endzone. “It felt great getting the safety, but it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the punt team that pinned San Gabriel on their own one yard line,” Rutigliano said. Stansbury noted that the team still has most of the season ahead of them. “It has been a long time coming, but we are proud of our effort and know we have work to do for the next seven games,” Stansbury said. The team’s next game was at San Marino High School on Friday, Sept. 26. The final score was 49-14.
Pennsylvania journalists censored, fight for rights Marty Schnapp staff writer Guy Ginsberg, staff writer News Analysis School officials at Neshaminy High School have censored the school’s newspaper, The Playwickian, after the paper decided not to print the name of the school’s mascot, the “Redskin.” After the publication refused to print the name of the mascot despite demands from the school’s principal, Robert McGee, newspaper adviser Tara Huber was suspended from work for two days without pay and editor-inchief Gillian McGoldrick was barred from working on the publication for a month. Along with the suspensions, McGee reportedly confiscated copies of the paper, attempted to block the paper’s access to its social media accounts and retract-
ed $1,200 from the paper’s account to make up for the money “lost” by printing the publication. The Playwickian received a letter to the editor that used “Redskin” multiple times, and printed the letter choosing to print “R------” in its place. The belief of the editorial board was that the term is racist toward Native Americans and didn’t belong in the paper. The First Amendment of the Constitution gives the press the right to express in their publication anything they (legally) want. However, despite the paper’s right to not use a word that might be offensive to a group of people, the School Board President Ritchie Webb and Principal Robert McGee repeatedly demanded the paper and its editors print the word, or face consequences.
When The Playwickian chose to abide to its policies, its leaders were punished. In the weeks following the suspensions of Huber and McGoldrick, journalism programs around the nation rallied behind The Playwickian staff and their decisions. Foothill Technology High School in Ventura, California, fostered much support for the Neshaminy publication by starting a campaign to raise the $1,200 that The Playwickian lost from their budget, as well as an additional $1,200 to pay for the money that Huber was denied after being suspended for two days without pay. In its first four days, the campaign raised $4,910, double the amount of their original $2,400 goal. The principle in question here is censorship. It’s First Amend-
ment, and it’s the right for a publication to choose to print, or not print, whatever they want. Pennsylvania happens to be a “Hazelwood state,” a term birthed from a 1988 Supreme Court verdict on the case of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. The Hazelwood East High School’s principal omitted two articles from his school’s publication because he deemed them not fit for the paper and, in response, three students filed suit against the school district. Once the case reached the Supreme Court, it was ruled that any high school publication “can be regulated by the school if the school has a legitimate pedagogical concern in regulating the speech.” So, while Pennsylvania is one of the 42 states that still abides by the ruling, the question still
remains: did the choice not to use the word “Redskin” cause “legitimate pedagogical concern” within the community? To read the opinion portion of “Pennsylvania journalists censored, fight for rights”, continue to page 6.
In this issue... NEWS: College rape culture analysis (page 2)
CULTURE: Romeo and Juliet review (page 3) SPOTLIGHT: Beverly bathrooms (pages 4 and 5)
OPINION: Urban Outfitters controversy (page 7)
SPORTS: Athlete diets (page 8)
2
HIGHLIGHTS NEWS SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
College rape patterns fueled by drinking, hookups Amanda Christovich staff writer Upasana Mannur staff writer
News Analysis In the wake of publicity surrounding the protests of Columbia University senior Emma Sulkowicz regarding the university’s handling of her rape case, the media has recently begun to pay extra attention to college sexual assault. Sulkowicz, a visual arts student, headed a movement against sexual violence when she decided to carry her mattress around Columbia’s campus until Columbia agrees to expel her rapist from the school--which the school has yet to do. In an interview with Today News, Sulkowicz triumphantly remarked that Columbia’s college dean “turned his whole body into a question mark” upon encountering Sulkowicz and her mattress on campus. Sulkowicz is part of a large group of students blaming their respective university administrations for failing to control what they see as a rampant rape problem. However, the problem has now become too prevalent to just solely blame various universities. Another culprit for the commonality of rape in college life is the red-solo-cup, frathouse laden nightlife that has become so ingrained in college party culture. Nationwide pattern of mishandled cases due to grey areas Columbia is not the only school that is allegedly mishandling rape.
This definition dispute comes into play at college parties, where the majority of rape cases begin. Alcoholladen hookups blur the lines of consent, leaving many students questioning whether or not their situations count as rape. According to Beverly’s alum at USC, rape is more prevalent in college because of “the drinking and hookup culture.” He linked the prevalence of college drinking to the fact that “the ‘rape situation’ comes up frequently.” With the rape culture so heavily ingrained in the college party system, universi“The problem is that a school can only do so much when it comes to preventing ties are struggling to control the situation. Emma Sulkorape.” Photo by: AMANDA CHRISTOVICH wicz is not the only student When asked about their personal During the summer, Huffington protesting Columbia’s treatPost released a list of 64 schools definitions of rape, however, Bev- ment of rape cases. that had presumably mishandled erly alumni gave extremely consexual assault cases. Among them flicting definitions. Students protest, spread One female Columbia student awareness using social media are colleges ranging from “party schools” like Arizona State to top defined rape as “any sexual act that private institutions including is forced upon somebody.” Students at Columbia and across A male attendee of the University the country continue to spread Princeton and Harvard Law. The numbers show that college of Southern California expanded awareness on Sulkowicz’s story via rape is taking place nationwide. on the definition as “any action Twitter (#CarryThatWeight) and There are some factors to consider that takes place without one’s con- Instagram. Two weeks ago, the onto explain the high prevalence of sent.” campus anti-rape group “No Red And while a student government Tape” organized an event where rape at colleges. One reason for confusion among member at the University of Cali- hundreds of Columbia students college students lies in varying fornia, Santa Barbara stated that gathered in protest of the school’s opinions on the definition of rape. the victim of rape could be either handling of rape cases by holdThe FBI’s official (and somewhat male or female, a current female at ing signs, posters and taping the graphic) definition of rape is “Pen- Michigan defined rape as “when a mouth of Columbia’s Alma Mater etration, no matter how slight, of man violates a woman.” statue. According to the UCSB student, the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration “other students fail to understand Universities react, preach by a sex organ of another person, the scope of what is considered to prevention be rape due to lack of education.” without the consent of the victim.”
TMHA Club focuses on peers’ well-being
Campuses across the country are marketing their campus safety measures, such as the prevalent “blue light system,” which allows students to call for help from various phones on campus. At Columbia, students receive frequent emails regarding “gender-based misconduct.” According to a senator in UCSB’s student government group Associated Students, the West Coast is working hard to improve the college rape problem. “The UC system as a whole proposed a plan to combat sexual misconduct,” she said in an interview with Highlights. “It required training students, staff, and faculty and an increasing in support for victims.” In the meantime, however, the burden to prevent rape rests on the daily choices of students themselves. College students interviewed for this article were asked what advice they would give to incoming college students about avoiding sexual assault. Not one student interviewed for this article spoke about choosing a “safe university.” Rape is happening at every school, in every state, all over America. It has become an imminent part of the social culture of college. Regardless of the college or its preventive measures, the real issue with rape in college lies in the drinking, smoking, partying and Greek life that makes taking advantage of someone so easy and consent so unclear. “And it’s no different if you’re in a relationship,” a male UC Berkeley student said. “No means no.”
A Thousand Words: Banding together Veronica Pahomova staff writer
Club officers Ohry Moosiki, HaRim Lee and Sara Neiman. Photo by: GUY GINSBERG Guy Ginsberg sports editor The Teen Mental Health Awareness Club is aiming to help students work through their emotional problems in a healthy and comfortable way. Club President, Ohry Moosiki, along with Vice President Charlotte D’Alessio, Secretary HaRim Lee and Treasurer Sara Neiman, started the club as a way to give students an opportunity to discuss their mental health in a comfortable and empathetic environment. The club gained 75 members on Club Day alone, and D’Alessio is aiming to get those students to forget what they think they know about mental illness and to really
understand the issue. “Our club will raise awareness and try to erase common misconceptions about mental health. We want to get people to start to talk about [teenager’s mental health], and make it something [teens aren’t] ashamed of,” D’Alessio said. Moosiki, who is training to become a listener with Teen Line, a confidential telephone helpline for teenagers to talk to other trained teenagers about their problems, is planning to get the Teen Mental Health Awareness Club to work in conjunction with both Teen Line and the Norman Aid Center. “Since I am a part of Teen Line,
Beverly’s band is scattered in a pool of members from San Gabriel High School’s competitive marching band, bonding and socializing during last Friday’s football game. Photo by: VERONICA PAHOMOVA I will try and get a hold of Teen Line[‘s resources],” Moosiki said. “And Norman Aid is a great idea, too. To interact with more clubs, and the more things we get involved with, the better.” Moosiki does not want to limit the club to just Beverly. He also wants to participate in events that will raise awareness for teen men-
tal health problems. “We want to also have fundraisers that will be beneficial towards the cause,” Moosiki said. “There are many outside fundraisers, outreaches, that are really helpful, like marches. So there are a bunch of outside outreaches that are really helpful, that we could incorporate the club into.”
Overall, Moosiki wants to stress that mental health is the most important thing for a teenager. “My job is just to make sure that everybody is happy. Mental health is the most important thing, health before school!” Moosiki said. The club’s first meeting will be held in room 279 on Sept. 24.
HIGHLIGHTS CULTURE SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
3
‘Romeo and Juliet’ production transcends typical play Eleanor Bogart-Stuart, staff writer with Juliet at certain points, tru- play flowing smoothly, the crowd ly excelled as the forefront and interested and for the teenagers The theater classic “Romeo main point of the play. in the audience a chance relate and Juliet” took center stage at But the driving force of the play to something written in the sixthe Salter Theater this past week wasn’t necessarily the main char- teenth century. to honor the memory of the late acters. Thanks to the polished Each and every cast member and great Beverly theater direc- prose of seniors Jackson Prince played a vital role in the play even tor, John Ingle. With bottles of and Tristan McIntyre, the play if they did not serve as a lead. poison, a myriad of deaths and a legging-clad man thrusting on a sword, it’s surprising that the most impressive part was actually the effect that the play had on its audience. Although written far, far before the teenage audience was even born, it was clear that the onlookers actually connected to the characters and their rather dramatically antiquated problems. The tragic, but distant, story of Romeo and Juliet was brought to life due to the prowess of the double-cast actors juniors Isaac Spector and PJ Goolsby, The final scene of “Romeo and Juliet,” with the two lovers dead on the who played Romeo, and juniors floor. Photo by: SADIE HERSH Ella Tat and Sydney Fiore, who played Juliet. On closing night, Tat couldn’t find the knife with which to kill herself so she simply used her hands to commit suicide-a sign of a purely talented actor. Both Tat and Fiore were radiant on stage opposite their dashing Romeos, who, although almost frantically interacting
was elevated from adequate to amazing. The bawdy and bacchanalian behavior of Prince served as the perfect dose of comedic relief throughout the play. McIntyre played the rowdy but less raunchy cohort to Prince’s Mercutio, Benvolio. Their symbiosis and silliness on stage kept the
They all served a purpose, and all helped create the ambience of being inside a forgotten world. Junior Scott Senior’s, or Capulet’s, volatile speech towards Juliet had a huge impact on the audience, causing most people to go wide-eyed in awe of such wrathful behavior.
Theater director Dr. Brad Vincent filled the shoes of beloved director Herb Hall. Vincent’s influence can already be seen throughout the Performing Arts Dept. As opposed to the single play and single musical of years prior, now two other plays will be on the way as well as a spring musical. During the previews, Vincent even explained some of the methodology behind what the actors were doing. Because of that, the minors in the audience could relate more to the abstract and ancient speech they were hearing. For example, Vincent discussed the fact that two rival households of Montague and Capulet have signature sword fighting patterns and that the stage was a miniature replica of what a Shakespearean stage would have looked like back in the day. These small additions to the production were vital to make people feel like they were actually part of the play. Perhaps the most touching moment of closing night was Prince’s welcome to Vincent as part of the theater family. Cue tears. It’s obvious that Vincent has done his job well, as the Shakespearean play
was learned by the cast only six weeks before opening night. It’s clear that under the guidance of Vincent, they’ll know exactly what to do. If you were lucky enough to have seen the play, you know that you didn’t only see it. You were transported into it. Perhaps the most touching moment of closing night was Prince’s welcome to Vincent as part of the theater family. Cue tears. It’s obvious that Vincent has done his job well, as the Shakespearean play was learned by the cast only six weeks before opening night. It’s clear that under the guidance of Vincent, they’ll know exactly what to do.
Upcoming In The Theatre Department: ‘Noises Off’ was announced as the Fall play. Casted last week, the show is a comedic farce which will open in midNovember in the Salter Theatre.
Radio Airlift broadcasts its fourth season debut Ben Shofet, staff writer Radio Airlift has quickly re-established a name for itself that was once long forgotten by Beverly. Recognized by their iconic triangle, otherwise known as “Lord Triangle,” Radio Airlift continues to deliver myriad shows to the community. “Radio Airlift is basically a cult: nothing more, nothing less. We please the gods of radio with offerings of ritualistic audio broadcasts including music, talk shows, and other student member created shows,” senior Matthew Sater said. Sater, one of the main students who revived the program in 2012, is currently the president of Radio Airlift. Sater, with the help of KBEV director Romeo Carey, continues to produce broadcast radio for the student body. According to Carey, Radio Airlift was rebooted was because the students wanted to revive a program that their parents had run when they attended Beverly.
“Radio Airlift was out of com- has over 20 shows airing daily on how the producers produce the mission for I think 20 years. And www.radioairlift.tumblr.com. shows,” Carey said. I think it was amazing to relaunch “It’s a new year and there are According to Carey, one of Radio something that was sleeping [for] about 50 people competing for Airlift’s most successful shows is so long, and “Bad Advice” for the kids by sophomores to have that Bennett Gerexperience, ” shwin and Carey said. Owen Lloyd. Carey proBad Advice is vides Radio run through Airlift with the social mea broadcastdia forum ask. ing space and fm. Students professional are able to ask equipment to questions to eienable them ther Gershwin to deliver or Lloyd, and broadcast in return they radio to the receive bad adcommunity. vice. The show “Mr. Carey was created last has been Radio Airlift’s broadcasting headquarters in the KBEV production studio. year when both sympathetic Photo by: BEN SHOFET Gershwin and to our cause by helping us secure a recording space and custom-built haven inside KBEV studios,” Sater said. According to Carey, Radio Airlift
slots. And those slots will be filled by the best performers in that first round and those shows will either grow or dissipate depending on
Lloyd were new to the “cult.” “I’d like to think my show changed Radio Airlift by being one of the few talk shows on the station.
We got a good amount of listeners and brought some more hype to Airlift,” Lloyd said. Bad Advice is just one of the many shows that will be featured on Radio Airlift this season. There are many other shows, similar and different to Bad Advice, that diversify Radio Airlift. “Radio Airlift is a myriad of almost anything, theres sports, entertainment, celebrity, gossip and kind of just open forum. It’s kind of a teenagers haven,” Carey said. Radio Airlift will broadcast its fourth season from radioairlift. org, featuring a wide variety of radio shows run completely by the students in the program. “We’ve become a very professional undertaking while maintaining an amateur spirit, that makes me proud of everyone. And it hopefully makes our ‘Lord Triangle’ proud too,” Sater said. According to Radio Airlift`s vice president senior Jackson Prince, in the past two years, Radio Airlift has gained a fan base of around 20 people per show. The organization
Steve Taylor prepares students for future careers Lucas Harward, staff writer Varsity lacrosse coach and U.S. government/economics teacher Steve Taylor promotes a creative and judgment-free environment in his classroom by encouraging students to think differently and have fun. Highlights: How would you describe your teaching/coaching methods? Taylor: Well, teaching is an art, and each teacher is an artist
in their own way, and each teacher has to paint a different picture. Teachers have to create this artistic balance between intellectual discourse and the realities of the 21st Century. My teaching on any given day is a work of art. Highlights: What things do you try to teach your students that go beyond the classroom? Taylor: The idea of life. How to be a good member of society and a productive and integral part of
society. The posters in my classroom show how to think different, but more importantly, how to be different. For seniors, this is their last chance of having that barrier protecting them from the world, so I want them to learn how to make a difference. Highlights: What do you have to say about the perception of you as a teacher versus the reality? Taylor: The perception is, from what I hear after 27 years here at
this school, that my class is out of control. That there’s no learning taking place. The reality is that we’re having fun and learning at the same time. For my class in economics and government, I want to create an environment where people are able to agree to disagree and respect each other’s opinions and be comfortable. It’s not easy though, and it comes with a price, which is this belief that this class doesn’t do anything. But that sim-
ply isn’t the case if you were to ask any of my students. We are learning just as much as anybody else, if not more. Not necessarily about government, but about government and life combined, and how those interact. Haters wanna hate.
To continue reading the rest of the Q&A with Steve Taylor, check out www. beverlyhighlights.com.
4
5
HIGHLIGHTS SPOTLIGHT SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
FILTH IN “LOO” OF CLEANLINESS: A BATHROOM TRAGEDY Opinion
Bathroom stalls expose female student body, eliminate privacy
The good ol’ days of clean, comfy bathrooms are dead and gone
Veronica Pahomova, staff writer on them. You have to stand out of your way to open the door,” sophomore Nikki Melamed said. However, the bathrooms in Building B, also known as the science building, are considered by most to be better. They’re usually clean, with stalls of 5’7”, 10 inches taller than those in the main building. However, while the student body has concern regarding the subject, it seems as if the message has not been relayed to anyone of authority. A solution to this doesn’t seem to be around the corner partially due to this lack of communication. When asked about the subject, janitor Gabriel Barahona said he never noticed any issues with stall height, nor has he ever been confronted regarding them. “No one has ever said anything to me about it,” Barahona said. When asked if the stall heights will ever have a chance of getting fixed, Barahona was clear. “No,” he said. “But it is reasonable what’s being asked. Someone’s going to have to complain about the size of the stall to the main gentleman who’s in charge. But right now, no one’s taking care of it.” Sophomore Mahsa Safvati describes the bathrooms as “agonizing.” “The girl’s bathroom is probably the most repulsive, gruesome, agonizing thing that I’ve seen in my entire life,” sophomore Mahsa Safvati said. “I am 5’3” and the stalls are way too short, even for me. And I’ve seen many things that I should not have seen. There needs to be some serious remodeling.”
Lolita Gorbacheva, staff writer Eleanor Bogart-Stuart, staff writers Jackson Prince, co-editor-in-chief
A Beverly bathroom, teepeed and sopping wet. Photo by: JACKSON PRINCE
In Medieval England, most people did their business off the side of the road or in some sort of hole. As society evolved, magical spaces were designed for such business. This ensured that while a person was, in perhaps, their most vulnerable state, they had the privacy and safety of four walls around them, as well as some sort of locked door. The current state of the bathrooms at the high school clearly shows that whoever designed them probably went to those Renaissance Fairs and pretended to be an ancient lady-in-waiting. These bathrooms violate any sort of unspoken rule that has formed over time about what a modern and civil bathroom should look like. Perhaps the most infamous of the restrooms at the school are located in the history hallways. Complete with doors that only go up to only four-feet-nine inches, locks that don’t work and doors that don’t even meet the other side of the stall, these girl’s bathrooms are perfect examples of what a bathroom These stalls are seven inches shorter than shouldn’t look like. In the good old the average woman. days, bathrooms were mock sanctuarPhoto by: SADIE HERSH ies, where one might be able to clear their head. At Beverly, they are battle- the doors and locks. So, by default, it fields that promote embarrassment, must be our fault. poor health and stress. And we can see the scenario play out All students deserve the right to a in our heads. In fact, one Highlights bathroom stall with a door that will member saw it happen in front of his close. We don’t ask for the floors to be own eyes. spotless. But we do ask for sufficient Two boys strutted into a clean bathutilities and the ability to walk without room near Señor Peixoto’s room. Oth-
How the Normans see it
“They’re definitely not the cleanest, and they’re not maintained on a regular basis.” Nicks Forys, 9
er than the one clogged toilet which hasn’t been flowing for days, they may choose from whichever stall or urinal they please. However, one boy begins to urinate sloppily, misfiring and spilling onto the bathroom floor in front of him. The other boy swings open a bathroom stall door, taking it off of its hinge, and proceeds to do his business and clog a second toilet with excessive use of toilet paper. But it doesn’t end here. “Boy With Poor Aim” grabs a roll of toilet paper and launches it across the bathroom, wrapping the stalls with the soiled white ribbon. “Boy Who Clogs” exited the stall after causing a leak by flushing thrice, and proceeded to wash his hands. He then went 0-3 from the free-throw line in a quick game of “Trash Can Basketball,” littering the ground with wet paper. The boys chuckle and leave as they continue their conversation about how “sick” a new pair of shoes was. Sick. What’s sick is the treatment of our beloved bathrooms. It’s now up to the students to make a change. We complain about the state of the bathrooms, but it’s time to take action. Meet with someone authoritatve. Write a letter to the school board. Have a conversation with a janitor. But, most importantly, have a talk with our peers. If it weren’t for their abuse of the school’s bathrooms, perhaps this article would not exist. High school is hectic. And dirty. Both girls and boys need a place to go where they can be promised a clean, safe and protected environment. This is what an exemplary bathroom should offer, if we let it.
“These bathrooms need new doors, they’re too short. They all smell disgusting and need to be fixed up.” Camilla Wolff, 9
“They are the most disgusting things I have ever seen.” Luc Mendez, 11
“Don’t go in them, they’re nasty. I’d prefer if they were cleaner.” Nicole Yuan, 11
stepping in puddles of liquid and toilet paper. So who is to blame? According to many, the custodians do a “great” job keeping the bathrooms clean and haven’t been directed to fix
“Unfortunately some kids decide messing up the bathrooms is fun and it makes it a hassle for others to use them.” Adriano Saitta, 11
“They’re not very clean, there’s a lot of ants, sometimes the floors are wet.” Justine Elitzur, 10
“The science building is a lot cleaner than the main building. I’d try to avoid the bathrooms as much as possible, only go for emergencies.” Luca Amato, 12
“On a scale from one to ten, ten being the absolute dirtiest, these bathrooms are a seven.” Daisy Abrams, 12
“There’s pee everywhere. We just have to start caring about the bathrooms, I don’t understand why people want to pee on the floor.” Elliot Labib, 10
Photos by: GUY GINSBERG
“God knows how many vaginas I’ve seen,” sophomore Dorrin Yeroshalmi said. “I’m 5’9”, and I know that there are girls in the school who are taller than me, but when I stand up after I’m done doing what I need to do, I have to make sure to look straight forward. I’m more than a foot taller than the bathroom stalls.” The women’s faculty bathrooms, however, offer a bit more. Upon entrance into the restroom near the main office, one is not greeted by wadded-up toilet paper or suspicious yellow liquid, but rather by a couch, a couch which sits next to a table. Inside the room is another door, which serves as a private, sanitary bathroom, where stall height isn’t even a worry. In the history hallway on the This stall is mostly private. Mostly. Photo by: second floor of Building A, the last stall in the girls’ bathroom has SADIE HERSH a chunk of its door missing. A full, Beverly has eight basketball courts, vertical piece that holds the lock is detwo large fields, scattered vending matached, and lays against a wall near one chines, a library that has access to hunof the sinks. dreds of expensive e-books and state“The fact that this bathroom has had a of-the-art science supplies. Yet with all stall door missing for more than a year of these luxuries, many girls feel that makes me feel like the school doesn’t their privacy is being invaded when care about the bathrooms as much as another female stands up in a nearby they do about everything else,” sophobathroom stall. more Andrea Di Battista said. In Building A, also known as the main Further, on the third floor, there is one building, the stalls in the girls’ bathstall, in total, with a functioning lock. room are only 4’9’’. Sophomore Nikki Melamed expressed If desperate for a bit more privacy her concerns regarding the lack of and willing to sacrifice a bit of moral locks. standards, the handicapped bathroom “In the bathroom next to Profe Isaac’s stalls provide little improvements, with class, only three of the stalls have locks 5’6” tall stalls.
6
HIGHLIGHTS COMMENT SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
Norman cars by no means represent the norm Sadie Hersh photo editor On any given day, Lot B is rife with Audis, Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs. An outsider might expect a well-dressed, groomed adult with a high-salary based job to exit these vehicles. Instead, the owners of these luxury cars are clad in gym shorts and too much AXE deodorant, and are no older than 18. It is unusual that many students’ first cars are what most people aspire to own later in their lives. The fact that these high-schoolers, who have barely had driving experience, are operating such costly automobiles seems outrageous. Where does this need for these upscale cars come from? In thi day and age, the top and most extravagant brands are always more desirable because of the statement they make. Our city has a well-known reputation for high-end designers, famous celebrities and fancy cars, but for high-schoolers to be driving lavish cars is absurd. The purpose of a car is ultimately to get its driver from one location to another. Yet many members of our student body must get from Point A to Point B in the sexiest, most expensive way possible, even if their magnificent machines spend the majority of their time hidden in a dark parking lot. Luxury car models are made by every automaker now, but it’s the same top tier brands that continue to be the most desired. With these models on campus ranging from $40,000-$80,000, advertising works hard to maintain brand images and also seduce teenagers with beautiful models, celebrity spokespeople and hip music. A number of dealers in the city see
it as a victory when they can sell a luxury model to a parent and then sell an entry level model of these high-end brands to their kids. This issue is deeper than the price tag of the car. When Normans are tossed the keys to a shiny Mercedes C-Class, the teenager is also gaining the keys to an easy life. With the point of a finger and perhaps a bit of bargaining, a Norman minor is well on their way to simply extravagant living. For many students, the cars they drive have become a part of their identity. At a time when high school students are building and shaping their image, so many kids feel that the car they drive is critical to both their outward image and personal self-esteem. In Beverly Hills, there is a status that kids think they must live up to whether it is driving the fanciest car or having the most fashionable clothing, image is ranked high among our student body. What if everyone at school drove the same no-name, plain car? It’s similar to the concept of a school uniform, where the point of it is to create an even playing field and equality. If this were the case, then students might not rely so much on the car they drive to help shape their personal image and reputation. While this is an interesting concept, the only way we could break away from this car-brand stereotype would be if limitations were put on students’ car choices by their parents. Until then, the status symbols and brands will continue to seduce us, and the Audis, Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs of the world will continue to represent at Beverly.
Students do not park within their assigned spots. Photo by: SADIE HERSH
Pennsylvania high school battles for press rights Guy Ginsberg sports editor We believe that it does not cause legitimate pedagogical concern within a community. A “pedagogical concern” means that the school official is truly concerned that the publication is not befitting of the educational environment. So does Principal McGee legitimately believe that not printing the word “Redskin” in the paper is not befitting of the educational environment? All of this is unclear, but what is clear is that the rights of these Neshaminy journalists are being hindered, which is a very dangerous concept to promote. However, as of now, the Neshaminy journalists are fighting for their rights, for something they believe in, and that’s a concept that everyone should promote. The school officials are violating their students’ rights to free speech. Also, the principal is promoting the use of an offensive term. The students are trying to be respectful and fighting for something they believe in, while the officials are following back-
wards, outdated views and are standing by their skewed opin-
ions. No one is asking them to change
their school’s mascot. The student journalists are just exercising
Student-journalists shall no longer be crushed by those who cannot see their undeniable rights. Cartoon by: RUBY BEENHOWER
their right to not print an offensive term. In the original Hazelwood case, it was ruled that “the school had a legitimate interest in preventing the publication of articles that it deemed inappropriate and that might appear to have the imprimatur of the school.” So, in the case of the The Playwickian, because the word “Redskin” is inappropriate and racist, couldn’t it be said that by not printing the word they are following the ruling of the Hazelwood case? The school officials are going against the ruling by forcing the students to publish a word that is “inappropriate and that might appear to have the imprimatur of the school.” Highlights is lucky. California isn’t a Hazelwood state, and we at Highlights truly have the right to print whatever we deem fit. We can decide for our school, for our students and for ourselves what is the most important news and what is the best way to present that news. Highlights sends our best wishes to The Playwikian’s brave students and their adviser who are fighting for unalienable rights.
HIGHLIGHTS COMMENT SEPTEMBER 30 , 2014
7
Urban Outfitters takes style into own hands, infamous store manages to offend everyone Guy Ginsberg sports editor Clothing company Urban Outfitters, Inc. (UO) describes itself as “an innovative specialty retail company which offers a variety of lifestyle merchandise to highly defined customer niches.” Either they don’t really know what their customers’ “highly defined niches” are, or they don’t really care. Urban Outfitters, featuring clothes that target young hipsters, wants you, the customer, to know that you, the customer, are cool and hip. They want you to know that if you are ever feeling like you don’t belong, or don’t feel like you’re truly being yourself, that you could come into any one of your city’s Urban Outfitter’s stores and buy happiness in the form of a pocket-square tee for $28. Now, I’m not saying that Urban Outfitters isn’t cool, or hip. Because you can bet that I, along with many of my peers, have struggled time and time again to refrain from cashing in on those “Really Sick Socks With Hamburgers On Them” and those “A Little Too High Above The Knee But I Work It Anyway” boardshorts. What I am saying, though, is that when a company like Urban Outfitters has such an awesome and devoted market, and such an awesome and creative product line, it should embrace the feelings of their customers and try effortlessly to make them happy. However, Urban Outfitters, Inc., you never fail to show the consumer that you really just don’t care. The most recent case of UO being apathetic towards their consumers comes in the form of a “one of a kind vintage Kent State sweatshirt” covered in blood stains, alluding to the 1970s Kent State massacre, in which four unarmed students were shot and killed by the Ohio National Guard during a Vietnam War protest.
Never before have I met anyone that would consider an offensive and insensitive sweatshirt like this one to fit their “highly defined niche”, and I’m sure if I did, they wouldn’t be shopping at Urban Outfitters. So we, those boys and girls that tend to frequent Urban Outfitters, and stores like it, have only one question to ask: Why? Why did this fashion empire deem it necessary and appropriate to try and mooch off the lives of four dead protesters? What about the death of these four young men and women made any clothing designer immediately think of a sweatshirt idea? These are all fair questions to ask, and perhaps a fair answer would help console us befuddled customers, so imagine how disconcerting it was when @UrbanOutfitters tweeted, “Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused. It was never our intention to allude to the tragic events that took place at Kent State in 1970 and we are extremely saddened that this item was perceived as such. There is no blood on this shirt nor has this item been altered in any way. The red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray. Again, we
deeply regret that this item was perceived negatively and we have removed it immediately from our website to avoid further upset.” Wow Urban, it’s unbelievable how much you suck. Not only have you managed to offend your entire consumer base, you also managed to excuse yourselves in the most offensive and embarrassing way possible. This isn’t even the first time Urban Outfitters has offended many different communities with their products. UO offended the African-American community, after releasing a Monopoly knockoff cawlled “Ghettopoloy”, which features stereotypes and racist remarks in the game. They also offended the Jewish community after releasing a t-shirt featuring a star of David that looks eerily similar to the one that Jews were forced to wear on their clothing in Nazi Germany. So, Urban Outfitters, Inc., I don’t know if you intend to cause controversy, have a twisted sense of style, or just need the attention. What I do know is that no customer base is devoted enough to look past all your imperfections and poor choices. So, Urban Outfitters, next time you want to appeal to your customers “highly defined niches”, a plain white shirt will do.
Highlights Juliette Deutsch and Jackson Prince editors-in-chief
Guy Ginsberg sports editor
Sadie Hersh photo editor
Karen Shilyan
Business Manager
Veronica Pahomova Cartoonist Eleanor Bogart -Stuart, Amanda Christovich, Lolita Gorbacheva, Lucas Harward, Upasana Mannur, Celine Rezvani, Marty Schnapp, and Ben Shofet staff writers
Gaby Herbst
adviser — The mission of Highlights is to deliver community-relevant news in a timely manner while adhering to professional ethics. Highlights is a forum for student free 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.
Urban Outfitters stained sweatshirt represents their butchering of the trusty consumer. Cartoon by: VERONICA PAHOMOVA
Drumline deserves greater attention, appreciation Veronica Pahomova cartoonist Disclaimer: I am a percussionist in band and a member of drumline. Beverly’s drumline - and all drumlines are underappreciated. Go ahead and ask any non-band member what drumline is. Some might pull out the textbook definition, “a group of percussion instruments in a marching band.” Others might just refer you to a Nick Cannon movie. And then, there are those who simply do not know. “Some people really appreciate the amount of work that goes into it [drumline] and enjoy us at football games and enjoy us when we go on stage. Other people don’t really think twice about it,” drum captain Harlan Tat said. Drumline is the backbone and “pulse” of the marching band, and arguably the best part. “Drumline is the section of the band that people probably enjoy most, but also disrespect the most because they feel like it requires the least amount of musicianship,” Tat said. “Drummers put in an extraordinary amount of work. They produce amazing sounds. People really enjoy it, and a lot of work goes into it. People just don’t understand that.” To demolish a false predisposition, no one is simply put on drumline. Membership requires a high level of skill and dedication, not to mention a good first impression during an audition.
And don’t overlook the audition. This year, five exercises were part of the drumline audition. All together, that’s 54 measures of music expected to be constantly rehearsed to perfection and later on memorized. Once on the line, the real practice is only just beginning. With a minimum of four hours a week of practice, drummers risk the health of their vertebrae and the skin on their palms to produce short arrangements of grooves and beats known as cadences. To a drummer, a callused hand is a job well done. Last year, each Wednesday at 4 p.m., the drumline gathered outside of the band room with two instructors, Ben Harounian and
Jason Karuza, to practice cadences or perfect techniques. Ask any veteran member and they’ll say the same thing: it was torture. Eights on a Hand, the first exercise to ever be learned, which is literally just eight notes on each hand, was played on repeat for at least 10 minutes. Feet never ceased to move. Not marking time was considered a sin, and putting a drum or cymbal down was an even bigger blasphemy. During “showtime,” or a football game, drum cadences can be heard during timeouts, kick-offs and in-between downs. The band marches down to the field to the beat of the marching cadence, which is one of 12 cadences that must be memorized.
Drumline, led by drum captain Harlan Tat, endures through one of their many practices for an upcoming show in the auditorium. Photo by:VERONICA PAHOMOVA
But, just when drumline seems to be too daunting, we are presented with a gift: drum battles. These occur as two drumlines from separate schools attempt to out-drum one another with cadences, returning fire until one line is crowned champion. It seems as if the drum battles are the only times in which we garner any sort of crowd. While viewers from the outside see drumline as “nerdy” or “too hard”, it is a never ending amount of fun for all involved. “Drumline practices are the best moments of my life. I’m with a bunch of friends that are really hot and we have a lot of good laughs together,” bass player Brandon Lee said. With the amount of time, sweat, effort and dedication that is shoved into this extracurricular activity, drumline remains relatively unacknowledged in the sense of popularity. Not everyone knows what drumline is, and not enough people decide to give drumline’s hard work the time of day. Part of what is incredible about a home football game, or any Beverly event, is that there are so many perspectives from which a spectator can watch the game. There’s cheer, there’s the Norman Nation, there’s the game itself, there are crazy soccer moms and there are even crazier coaches. And then there’s us. Take a peek at the drumline at the next football game. Listen and watch the smiles on our faces as we do what we love.
8
HIGHLIGHTS SPORTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
Sports conditioning puts high value on work ethic Sadie Hersh photo editor Lucas Harward staff writer Veronica Pahomova staff writer Boys Basketball Coming off of an Ocean League championship title last year, the boys varsity basketball team is striving to succeed once again this season. The team holds morning practice from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and afternoon practice from 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. two to three days a week. Coach Jarvis Turner’s conditioning program utilizes strenuous exercises to “bring the team closer.” The players rely on each other’s support to push through the drills and improve each day. “I think it’s beneficial at building confidence and building team cohesiveness and mental fortitude,” Turner said. The daily conditioning works the players’ major muscles to increase strength and tests the limits of their stamina and durability. “I think our conditioning is pretty good. It gets them stronger and builds endurance so we can be strong during our season,” Turner said. “For the last couple of years it helped us win league and we have had success with what we do, so we want to keep instilling work
ethic.” Some teachers have noticed the players dozing off during class after morning practice. “Conditioning is very time consuming; however, I enjoy it because basketball is one of my biggest hobbies. So in that aspect, it is a very positive amount of time that is spent,” varsity forward Max Walder said. Even though conditioning is said to be challenging, it is expected to pay off in the season hopefully winning them another league title. “We are looking forward to having a great year and we want all the students and and staff and faculty to come support. We are excited about it,” Turner said. Baseball The winter conditioning for baseball maintains a strong focus on the basic aspects of the game to get players back into shape and ready for the season. Coach Vonzie Paysinger directs the conditioning process, which begins the second week of November and goes until the first week of March, when season starts. “The first couple weeks, three weeks, are just fundamentals. It’s kind of like our spring training. Getting guys back into shape, run-
ning, throwing and getting arms stronger,” Paysinger said. “Just the basic stuff to get us in position to play during the regular season.” Paysinger noted that the simplest aspects of baseball are covered during conditioning because there is no time for them during the season. “What we focus on is just fielding ground balls, fly balls, catchers receiving, pitchers throwing all their pitches. Things that are secondary when March starts. But you’ve got to start with that stuff,” Paysinger said. Separate from the conditioning, the players also compete in the Outfielder Rigo Fernandez refines his swing. Photo by: LUCAS HARWARD offseason under alumnus Boomer field for use by the players. Be- said. Welles. cause the field is shared with other With limited water breaks, they “Immediately after the high sports like football and soccer, the have to run 400s, 600s and 800s. school season we go into All-Stars baseball program must be creative “As the weeks go by, we do more where the players represent Bev- with their use of the space avail- and more running. We run nine erly Hills. We have an extensive able. This issue does not, however, laps, then eight laps, seven, six and schedule of practices and games lessen what the coaches ask from then we start all over again,” JV until mid-July, depending on our the players. point guard Ashley Rahmani said. success,” Welles said. “In SeptemAccording to Rahmani, a group “I demand a lot mentally,” he ber we pick up and play our fall said. “Most physical success and of girls felt like the training was so wood-bat season.” failure is a result of the way the repetitive and tiring that they deWelles, like Paysinger, also pro- game is approached from a mental cided to miss it, infuriating their motes a focus on fundamentals standpoint. My goal is to inspire coach. that will get the team to operate in my players to strive for goals they “So we’re running,” Rahmani a more efficient manner. never felt possible and to hold said, “and one day they don’t show “I like to develop team chemistry them accountable for their goals.” up. And then Eddie got so pissed that emphasizes a responsibility of and wanted to punish them bebeing a good teammate. My belief cause he knew where they were. Girls Basketball is that success is a culmination of During and slightly after seventh They had to run for miles and individual efforts and victories on period, the track is occupied with miles in the heat.” every pitch,” Welles said. Though to the players the definia bunch of sweaty members of Varsity second baseman Mason the girls basketball team who are tion of conditioning might as well Leib feels his coaches do a terrific working to get in shape for the sea- just be “running in the heat”, at the job of preparing the team for the son that’s edging closer and closer. end of the day there’s an overall season. With practice from 2:00 until purpose to it. “There’s a big focus on core 3:30 p.m., the girls on the team “I do homework as much as I can strength and balance,” Leib said. have to leave lunch early to dress during class. Thank God I have all “They can help you maximize pow- for the workout that lies ahead. regulars or I wouldn’t be able to er while batting and helps you stay “Conditioning is super time con- handle it,” Lee said. “But basketagile and quick on defense.” suming and it’s too hot outside for ball is definitely worth the time, Welles added that a noteworthy the kind of workout we’re doing,” even if it takes up like all my enobstacle is the lack of a full time frosh-soph player Amanda Lee ergy.”
Guard Jessica Melamed pants after a run. Photo by: AMANDA CHRISTOVICH
Senior athletes manage, control personal diet plans Upasana Mannur staff writer Seniors participating in varsity sports such as water polo, swimming, football and basketball have developed and maintained their own diet plans to accommodate the strenuous demands of their respective sports. Power forward Natasha Allen, wide receiver and defensive back Harry Green, and swimmers and water polo players Rachel Eshtiaghpour and Michael Fox all pack lunches according to their athletic needs each day. Highlights: What is your diet plan? Allen: A lot of pasta and chicken and meat, bananas before practice. Eshtiaghpour: Lots of fruits and veggies, as well as healthy carbohydrates and proteins and fats. Fox: For breakfast I have to get my energy up. Throughout the day you can find me snacking on fruit, chips, cookies and sandwiches. Post-practice I have a protein shake and a healthy dinner.
Green: Lots of protein (eggs, peanut butter) and water. I always have protein shakes before or after practice.
when I don’t eat enough. I do this always when I’m in season, if I don’t, I begin to lose weight immediately.
Why maintain this diet plan? How does this diet plan help?
Green: Well it’s just smart to eat protein and stay hydrated. Protein helps with recovery after hard workouts and builds muscle. Staying hydrated helps you perform better and avoid cramps.
Allen: It is important maintain so I don’t become slow or easily tired. I need a lot of energy because I can’t afford to get tired during games. I have more chicken than beef because chicken has lower cholesterol.
Who recommended the diet
and how long have you been using it? Allen: I knew how to eat healthy before starting basketball. But a coach for the national Swedish basketball team had a lecture on it when I was 14. My coaches don’t supervise my diet, they only monitor my conditioning. Fox: I came up with this diet myself.
Green: I’ve followed it since I was a sophomore. Nobody really got me started, it was just what everybody did. It helps with muscle development and recovery. What do you do about cravings? What foods do you try to avoid? Allen: I don’t have too much fast food. Pizza is mostly a no-no and I have eliminated white bread from my diet. I miss ice cream and sweets (even though I cheat from time to time).
Eshtiaghpour: As an athlete and student, it is really important to give your body all the nutrients it needs for the pool and school. It’s not about starving yourself or losing weight, it’s about being healthy. I think it is critical to maintain on season and off season. Fox: I use this diet to maintain my weight. Our practices use a lot of energy and I have found myself losing weight
Eshtiaghpour: I control cravings by drinking water and chewing gum, but I don’t think cravings are a bad thing, it might mean your body is missing some nutrition. I snack on nuts or other small things that have protein.
A healthy lifestyle comes in many forms, shapes and sizes. Photo by: UPASANA MANNUR
Green: Food like McDonalds and other fast-foods. Also junk food isn’t good. You want to eat as healthy as possible to perform to the best of your abilities.