March Issue of Slick Magazine

MAGAZINE

#5

E

Slick.

ISSU

Contents

Contents

A PRESS FOR PROGRESS

4

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS & TRICKS

6

LONG STRIDES

10

FASHION MOUTH

16

PERKS OF BEING A BOOKWORM

18

SYLVIE + MILO

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COLORING BOOK

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WHAT ARE YOU EATING?

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IZZY’S CORNER:SKA

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THE MIRACLE OF COLOR

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A LOOK THROUGH A SKEPTIC’S MIND

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MOMENT EXPERIMENT

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FORGOTTEN CLASSICS:COCTEAU TWINS

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CAN STYLE BE FACELESS?

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ISABELLA:SOMETHING TO PROVE

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BEAUTIFUL BUT DARK

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STYLE REPORT

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OH, CANADA?

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THE CLOSING CEREMONY

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Hey You!

Can you believe it? Spring is here! It seems like it was yesterday when we were finding our classes for the first time. Finally we can enjoy the little things like later sunsets and warmer weather. Students are also getting a sense that the school year is almost over. Another year at Huntington Beach High School is coming to a close and the only thing that any of us can do is make the best of it.

Our staff has worked hard on new content for you to enjoy this issue. The biggest thing to notice is how our design layout has changed ever so slightly. We are still trying to find our voice to see what best represents our class as a whole. In addition, our content has also undergone an overhaul. In an attempt to establish a better structure to our magazine our articles are revolving around common themes, topics, and ideas. Slick Magazine is comparable to any high school student. We are going to go through changes and phases in an attempt to find who we are. It’s for the best. We promise.

Matt Sargent

Dixie Chatt

Candy Hart-Peratt

Gracie Briquelet

A

ress for

progress “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights,” states world-renowned feminist, journalist, and social and political activist Gloria Steinem. International Women’s Day is no longer a new topic. Also known as Civil Awareness Day, Anti-Sexism Day, or Anti-Discrimination Day, it is celebrated across the world in order to recognize and appreciate the contributions and achievements of the women in various fields. According to the United Nations, “International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination of ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

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By: Ally Brodmann

Women’s Day 2018 is an opportunity to transform this force of change into action, to empower women in all settings and celebrate the activists who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights. This year, International Women’s Day comes during a time of unprecedented global movements for women’s rights, equality, and justice. Sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination against women has captured headlines and occupied public discourse massively in the past year, propelled by a rising determination for change.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is, “The Time is Now: Rural and Urban Activists Transforming Women’s Lives.”

The earliest observance of Women’s Day was held in New York on February 28, 1909, and was organized by the Socialist Party of America. A year later, at the International Women’s Conference in Copenhagen, socialist representatives proposed that there would be an International Women’s Day.

photography by: Ally Brodmann

An international day was formed as part of a strategy to promote equal rights for women and women’s suffrage. The date when the women’s strike commenced on the Russian Julian calendar was February 23. This day, in the Gregorian calendar, is on March 9, which is when it is celebrated today.

The Charter of the United Nations, signed in 1945, was the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men.

Since then, the UN has helped create a historic legacy of international strategies, standards, programs, and goals to advance the status of women worldwide. Over the years, the UN and its technical agencies have promoted the participation of women as equal partners with men in achieving sustainable development, peace, security, and full respect for human rights. The empowerment of women continues to be a central feature of the UN’s efforts to address social, economic and political challenges across the globe.

UN Women, a specific body of the United Nations, has explained that “with the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap Report findings telling us that gender [equality] is over 200 years away, there has never been a more important time to keep motivated and Press for Progress

With global activism for women’s equality powered by movements like Me Too, Times Up, and more, there is a strong force striving for gender equality. While we know that gender equality won’t happen overnight, the good news is that across the world women are making positive gains day by day. Plus, there’s indeed a very strong and growing movement of advocacy, activism, and support.”

The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the celebration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has stated that “achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world.” The time is now!

photography

tips & tricks By: Kelsey Fuller

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Photography: everyone may find this easy… I mean, everyone can take a picture of their dog and post it on Instagram.

Everyone thinks that they have their own aesthetic, even if it is their hardwood floor in their bedroom. For this, I began to work on portraits. I wasn’t very familiar with shooting people, but I was more comfortable with scenery. I wanted to my improve my protraits. So I got my friend, Maxine (@maxiine), and I took advice from fellow classmates to take some portraits. Don’t be a dummy; follow these steps:

3. Backgrounds make your photo:

i. Blur background

ii. Place the subject in front of an open space

iii. A solid color make a good background 4. It’s all about those angles:

i. Have your subject shift its weight to appear natural

ii. Lean from the waist, not the legs

iii. Shoot at or above eye level

iv. Get their profile: ¾ of their face

v. Never take a shot straight on

1. Use a DSLR camera or use portrait mode on iPhone 2. Golden hour, what?:

i. Make sure your sunlight is natural

ii. Farther away the subject is, the more there will be shadows

iii. Farther away the light source is, then dimmer your photo will be

iv. Shadows create volume

v. Avoid direct sunlight

vi. Don’t have subjects with their back to the sun

The experience I got through this project taught me how hard taking photos is. You have to find perfect lighting, make sure you don’t have shadows, and, most importantly, have precise angles of your subject. I have learned so much through this project, and am glad I could write about my experience.

photography by: Kelsey Fuller

Long

STRIDES

By: Kenzie Jones & Katy Houchen

A

s everyone knows, first impressions mean everything; meaning that the way someone looks, or how they carry themselves is what we depict them as. However, you never know where that person has been or what they have achieved. Shoes. Shoes are something everyone has, and shoes are the things that take you to places you’ve never been, and on adventures that aren’t told by what you look like.

Shoes also come in all shapes, styles and sizes; these differences make the person unique and bring out their personality among the rest. Anonymously we wondered what adventures our peers had taken and what shoes got them to the peek of their lives.

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A Beat on My Feet

Wearing these shoes for the first time, I went to a music festival and to my surprise I was one of the first people there. On the stage, I saw some familiar faces as they played bumping songs that made everyone go crazy. There was a mosh pit in the center with people shoving so they could see better. I tried to understand what the Spanish bands were saying but I had no luck because their saxophones were blaring. By the time eight came around, I felt as if my shoes were stuck to the ground. I danced my heart out to forget the world for a while. In my maroon shoes, I met a boy who is now one of my best friends. At the end of the night, these shoes carried me to my car where I tenderly unlaced them and proceeded to throw them in the backseat.

Golden Day at Disney

I was at an awards event for APA my freshman year when one of my friends asked me to go to Disneyland with them. Obviously this was a major inconvenience for me because I was wearing three inch heels. But who passes up a Disney trip? Not me. I hopped into my sister’s car and headed for Anaheim. When I got to the tram, I already felt the heel dig into my foot. My constant complaining made for an extremely interesting trip. A lot of the people at Disney were staring at me all dolled up in a dress and heels, and one lady even started clapping. Looking back on it, I can laugh but still feel the agonizing pain I felt doing laps around the park.

photography by: Kenzie Jones

It was an overcast day. My family decided to go on a trip to the Rockefeller Estate in Tarrytown, which was relatively near to where we lived at the time. It had rained the night before, and the roads reflected the shadows of the various pine trees that lined every road in upstate New York. We weren’t entirely sure what to expect, but once we arrived we were greeted by the wind blowing and an open, overgrown field. In the distance I could see the estate. It was large and seemed to have vines growing over the windows and roof. The grass was still moist from yesterday’s rain, and the sky was the dullest grey you’ve ever seen. Our destination seemed to slip farther and farther away from us. Soon enough, the afternoon approached and drops of rain began to break through the clouds. I had never felt more lost in my entire life. The feeling didn’t last all too long, as the car was eventually found. We were on our way home, cursing the fact that the trip was the opposite of a complete success. Outside, the wind and rain began to pick up, and the vines that covered the estate in the distance, growing smaller as we drove, seemed to wave at me. Although, it might have just been the rain. I watched the rain droplets run down the car window, as I did when I was a child and at that moment, everything was perfectly calm. All that mattered was the rain and the journey home.

I never saw the estate again. I don’t think I would want to. Needless to say, my star stained rain boots were dirty the next day at school.

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photography by: Kenzie Jones

A Sparkle in the Rain

Fort Hamilton: Bermuda

It was the summer of my sophomore year of high school and I wanted this summer to be one that I would always remember. As I told my mom, she looked very intrigued by my proposition. By the time the next week came around, I get a text, from my mom, of the bermuda triangle. Following the picture, there was a message: “Your next adventure awaits!” I was instantly happy. I knew that this would be a summer I would never forget. My family backs our bags, we get to the airport, and 18 hours later, we arrive at the cruise ship that is taking us to our summer destination: Hamilton, Bermuda. Once on the island, my brother is begging all of us to take the climb and walk to the top of Fort Hamilton. Throughout all of the humidity, hot weather, the burning sun, and all the complaining, mostly me, we finally get to the top of Fort Hamilton. This was probably the craziest things I had ever done. I was standing on a historical landmark. It was an incredible experience seeing all that had changed between the times from a while ago to now, 2017.

Le fleur in LA

I went to Fairfax in LA with my friend, Adam and we got lost looking for the Bape store. After we had been to all the go-to stores on the avenue itself, we had caught word that a new Bape store had opened in the area. We started our walk and had gone to different locations people had told us it would be at until after walking for what felt like (and probably was) miles. We realized that it probably wasn’t within walking distance. After his mom drove us around and still couldn’t find anything we almost lost hope. Until, while we were eating at Canter’s, a couple told us that it was located in a completely different and far away area near the more luxurious stores such as Gucci and what not. After driving for another 20 minutes we finally found it, and it felt as if we had just found our way out of a long and dark forest, and the journey was completely worth it.

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Kaila hardisty ST: What would you say is your signature? Your imprint on what you wear everyday?

KH: I would say my signature is that almost all my clothes are thrifted. Whenever people compliment my outfits, and I mention that I got nearly all of it from Savers, it surprises them. Countless people beg me to take them thrifting because they can not seem to find good pieces like mine. People who are interested in fashion know me as someone who knows their way around a second-hand store.

ST: Would you consider this your passion or a hobby?

Are you planning on making it into something more?

KH: I have had many ideas of making my passion into a career and my dream job is to become a marketing manager for a streetwear brand like Stussy (or those of that kind). The tough part is that the fashion industry is very competitive and it’s focused on who you know most out of everything. I do have connections with some brands like that I mentioned; however, I’m still playing out the field and trying to see what options I have in being able to get my foot in the door.

photography by: Sarah Tran

ST: How would you say your style is different from everyone elses?

KH: I believe that my style differs from others [by] my ability in being able to make guy’s clothes fashionable. I think a common mistake that girls make is that they [believe] they must wear tight clothes that show a lot of skin in order to be seen as having a flattering figure. I find that the most innovative designers of “fashionistas” are the ones who can work with what they have. Half of my pants are actually out of the men’s section and I use belts, pinch rolling, and other methods to make it my own.

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ST: What other student do you acknowledge at this school to be a “fashionista”?

KH: I get really inspired by a lot of girls at my school who stand out in the way they dress. Girls like Lola, Nicole Fisser, and a few others, really stand out to me in terms of their fashion choices. I think the term “fashionista” is thrown out in a lot of ways. My idea of a fashionista is not just someone who has a good sense of fashion (because [many] people do), but someone who stands out, makes their clothes speak for themselves, and shows originality and innovation in the way they style.

By: Sarah Tran

ST: What would you say is your signature? Your imprint on what you wear everyday?

SR: My signature on what I wear everyday is my high waisted pants, I simply cannot function accordingly if my pants are not high-waisted. I always try to mix up colors and definitely must accessorize with jewelry to change a simple outfit to something more off the norm.

ST: Would you consider this your passion or a hobby? Are you planning on making it into something more?

SR: I definitely consider clothes and fashion a huge hobby of mine. Ever since I was little I have grown up spending more time sitting in my closet, trying to come up with new ideas and enjoying mixing new outfits together. I also am lucky in the sense I can also call this my passion, and of course with an influence from my mom. I am considering fashion to be more than just my teenage hobby; keeping an open mind, always to the new possibilities of what the industry has to offer.

ST: How would you say your style is different from everyone elses?

SR: I guess you can say my style may be different than others because I dress for what I am most confident, comfortable, and happy in; I do not follow trends based on popularity, but if I enjoy the way something makes me feel confident in, I will wear it.

Being into clothes, means being into what I like and not everyone will be as into it as me and that is how dressing different than others can come about.

ST: What other student do you acknowledge at this school to be a “fashionista�?

SR: Definitely my best friend Karly Dang; she is unique with her style and we look to each other for inspiration when thrifting or shopping in stores. Others that dress confidently and look amazing is: Olivia Ward, Melinda Rhamsey, and so many others in school who dress with their personal fashion ideals! In fashion what makes a person look good is not what they wear, but how confidently and true to who they are on how they dress. Nothing beats that bright smile and strong walk you have in something you wear because you purely love how it makes you feel.

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photography by: Sarah Tran

Sam rivas

ST: What would you say is your signature? Your imprint on what you wear everyday?

BH: My signature would probably be my yellow sunglasses, people call them my “yellers,” yeah I’m known for them I think. Oh and also for wearing Adidas because I love Adidas!

ST: Would you consider this your passion or a hobby? Are you planning on making it into something more?

BH: I consider this my hobby and yeah, I do see myself in a fashion industry probably like marketing clothes; I’m not so sure about designing though.

ST: How would you say your style is different from everyone elses?

BH: I think my style is different because I wear a lot of black and white; they are definitely my favorite colors. I also wear a lot of colors too, which is kind of a break from the black and white if I feel it’s too much.

ST: What other student do you acknowledge at this school to be a “fashionista”?

BH: Sebastian Tobar! He’s my best friend! Yeah, he has a really sick style, not as much as mine though.

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photography by: Sarah Tran

bryan hernandez

perks of being a bookworm.

By: Ally Brodmann

While browsing the bookstore to buy a gift for another person or yourself, you may be faced with a tough decision: e-books or the old-fashioned kind? Each one has its pros and cons, and choosing the best option depends on a number of factors. Some of the practical advantages of going digital are obvious. For example, a portable e-reader can carry an entire library wherever you go, which is great for travelers or those who always want a choice of reading material. Though it may sound easy, there are multiple downfalls of increase in e-books.

In the past twenty years, bookstores and libraries have faced the growth and improvement of technology.

People are not buying as many books and are relying on their phones to read. Most teens are guilty of being corrupted by their phones, and although smartphones are convenient, they are very distracting. If you think about it, sitting in front of a screen, disengaged from the real world, tapping, texting, tweeting instead of talking to real people, it is bound to have lasting effects.

However, in recent years, more and more students are coming into the library to check out a book. The curriculum has changed and it allows teachers to assign new books for the students to read. According to Ms. Diana Tran, a worker at Barnes and Noble Bookstores, “teachers are making it a requirement for their students to [go] in to take actual books.� In these bookstores, there is still a good amount of students and adults that love the feeling of a hardcover book, rather than using their tablets.

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photography by: Ally Brodmann

When speaking with Tonie Proctor, Huntington Beach High School’s very own librarian, she explains that “Google is the god of education.”

Books will stay forever and they never change, but the people that run the internet are able to “fix” it to make it what they think it should be. “That is like Robot thinking,” Mrs. Proctor continued. Being submerged into the digital world can be easy. It allows authors to publish directly, to connect with their readers, and to create new ways of telling their stories. According to neuroscientist Susan Greenfield, “our technologies are not only addictive — they are a threat. The brain has an ‘evolutionary mandate to adapt to its environment,’ and the digital world is changing at too rapid a pace for individuals to keep up. Books expand our knowledge and view of the world around us.

They allow each reader to experience the same story using one’s own imagination and create their own viewpoint.

According to Pew Research Center, 27% of Americans read e-books in 2015, and the number was steadily rising. Some of the reasons for the popularity of e-books over paper books include space savings, cost-cutting and reading ease; the possibility of increasing font size and backlighting in e-readers can help hyperactive readers read more easily, to which I can attest through experience. But is there a difference in how people perceive/understand between reading from paper books and reading using digital media?

There is such a difference to reading a book from reading on your screen. While reading on your phone, your eyes could get tired and you could get distracted much more easily. Print books are better for your health. A Harvard Medical School study last year found that reading a light-emitting e-book before bed interferes with your ability to sleep, with your alertness the following morning, and with your overall health. The textures also are a contributing factor to the feeling when reading a physical book. “They stimulate more senses than a Kindle does,” Proctor stated.

Print books have pages that are nice and soft to the touch and the paper makes reading physically pleasurable. Reading an ebook, on the other hand, feels like using an ATM machine. After staring at a computer screen at work all day, how relaxing is it to curl up at home and stare at another screen?

Padraig Belton and Matthew Wall of BBC News stated that “the book isn't dead; technology is simply helping it evolve beyond its physical confines.” While ebooks could be beneficial to reading in the long run, no other digital tool bodes well. The digital era is here to stay, and it is best to find a balance such that it does not compromise on a skill set that is central to our intellectual identity.

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artwork by: Amber Zeng

Sylvie + Milo By: Amber Zeng

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Ring! Ring! Ring! Thunk. Sylvie hit the snooze button as she rolled over, wrapped in her light pink comforter. Her parents were away and that Saturday morning she had no intention of getting up early. However, someone else had other ideas. Milo the raccoon waltzed into the room on all fours with an air of importance and promptly leaped onto Sylvie’s bed. He then grabbed the sheets using his mouth and dragged them onto the floor. Cold, she rolled out of bed and onto the carpet floor with a thump. There, Milo nudged her incessantly until she groggily sat up on the floor.

The clock read 11:00am, and Sylvie, half asleep, got up to get ready. She opened her mouth wide and let out a large yawn. After rubbing her eyes, she noticed Milo sitting on the floor.

“Hey buddy, what’re you doing up so early on the weekend?” she asked, drowsily.

In response, he rolled his eyes. Sighing, she pulled herself off the floor and headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day with Milo following after.

Trudging along the gray carpet flooring of the hallway, Sylvie’s body felt heavy with fatigue. After what seemed like a 10 mile hike, Sylvie, with Milo in tow, made it to the bathroom. She looked at the mirror and surveyed herself. She looked a mess. Her long, light pink hair was still in a loose ponytail from the night before, and her eyes had such large bags that she and Milo looked like twins. Her Beatles T-Shirt was wrinkled from her tossing and turning, and the bottom of her pajama pants were a bit frayed from constant dragging. Looking at the sink countertop, she reached over and grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste to start brushing her teeth. Milo stayed surprisingly quiet, at least in the beginning. Milo was notorious for his mischievous personality. It was just last week that Sylvie lost another charger cord because Milo had chewed it up, and that was only one part of the trouble he caused. This time, he started to push her leg out of impatience. When Sylvie ignored

him, he hopped onto the toilet seat and started unraveling the toilet paper in a fit. Sylvie had fallen asleep in the middle of brushing her teeth, and didn’t notice the raccoon and his antics. She continued on, but after a few seconds she realized that Milo had disappeared. Turning toward the toilet, her eyes widened as she saw the entire roll of toilet paper sprawled out across the bathroom tile.

“Milo!”

He turned his head toward the yelling and, realizing he had been discovered, darted out of the mess with a smirk on his face. Sylvie sighed. She finished washing up and started rolling the toilet paper back, as she had done for the past 2 years.

When she exited the bathroom, Milo was waiting for her. She rolled her eyes.

“What am I going to do with you?” Milo, in response, scampered up onto her shoulder. “Acting cute isn’t going to help your case.”

As she said this, Milo snuggled his head into her neck.

“Fine, whatever, I forgive you,” she sighed, smiling.

At this, she began to walk downstairs, one step at a time, with Milo balancing on her shoulder.

When she finally got downstairs, there was note on the dining room table that read “Your dad and I are going on a trip because of work, make your own breakfast. -Love, Mom.”

After reading the note Sylvie belly flopped onto the couch and sighed. Her parents were never home on the weekends because of work, so she and Milo usually had the house to themselves. Sitting up, Sylvie thought that she should probably eat some cereal, so she could quickly finish her homework and get a few games in. The tile floor was cold against her bare feet as she walked into the kitchen to feed Milo and get a bowl of cereal for herself.

She sat down at the dining table and started eating her lunch. The house was silent except for the clinking of the spoon against the ceramic bowl. Suddenly, the silence was broken

by Milo who had jumped onto a chair and climbed onto Sylvie's head. While this was happening, Sylvie barely blinked an eye and proceeded to eat another spoonful of cereal. After she ate, Sylvie got to work on her homework and finished it in about five hours, with Milo being little help. He constantly jumped on her head, pulled on her clothes, and all around was quite annoying. Sylvie paid him no mind and finished each assignment efficiently.

After she and Milo ate, her eyes lit up as she set up her computer and started to play games. Her newest obsession was the game “Fortnite,” but she wasn’t skilled at the game, and, like usual, Milo would constantly bug her like a little kid whenever she played. After playing a few rounds for a couple of hours, both she and Milo were tired, so Milo hopped onto Sylvie’s shoulder and they both trudged upstairs to get ready for bed. After brushing her teeth, she read on her bed while Milo drifted off to sleep. She always read before going to sleep, and today she was reading a new book called Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. She was extremely engrossed in the novel, but after a while she slowly felt her eyelids become heavy. Turning off the light on the nightstand, she snuggled into her covers and smiled.

“Goodnight, Milo.”

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g n i r colo

k o o b

photography by: Matt Sargent

By: Matt Sargent & Kenzie Jones

photography by: Matt Sargent

26 photography by: Matt Sargent

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photography by: Dixie Chatt

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Nutrition Facts: What Are You Eating?

By: Kat Beason

Have you ever been eating something and stopped to think, “What is in this?” Do you truly know all of the things the food industry neglects to educate us about?

But as I digress, I am going to talk to you about our microbiomes and why it’s so important to understand what we are eating.

There is an extensive list of information the food industry does not tell us even though we are all gravely affected. People have been able to uncover a lot of these secrets, but there are still many we don't know. Everyone should be aware of what the food industry is adding or omitting to our consumables without our knowledge. This information is imperative to our health and day-to-day well being.

There is the active ingredient in herbicide, commonly known as roundup, called glyphosate.

Glyphosate is in 95% of our food, which we consume daily. Glyphosate is important because it was developed to kill weeds and pests (anything organic really) on or around genetically modified crops.

These crops are modified to not look like organic organisms, so the glyphosate kills the weeds and not the crops themselves. This makes it so the plants are unable to produce certain proteins needed to grow. When we eat anything processed or otherwise that has been grown with ‘roundup,’ we consume the glyphosate that destroys our microbiome. It does this first by destroying the microorganisms (good bacteria) that protect us from viruses and break down food to create energy and vitamins we need.

Why is what we consume so important? Well, 85% of our hormone production and immune function starts in our microbiome, or gut. Anytime we put something in or on our bodies that is man-made, or synthetic, our bodies don't know how to process it and react in unexpected ways. Some of the unexpected ways the body reacts are autoimmune diseases, diabetes, heart disease, alzheimers, etc. The list goes on and on with new discoveries being made every day.

For example, one commonly overused substance is ibuprofen. Ibuprofen has been proven to eat the lining of your stomach, cause liver and kidney damage, and just recently discovered, removes inflammation by leaching fluid from tendons and ligaments. The very fluid that keeps your tendons and ligaments strong and supple. The ibuprofen dehydrates the tendons and ligaments making them brittle and more susceptible to further injury. This leads you to believe you need more due to the fact you are told it is supposed to help you, when in reality it’s causing further problems. Ibuprofen is just one of many synthetic substances we take thinking it will help us. If this one thing causes all these problems, imagine what all the other substances you consume do to your body.

When the good bacteria has been depleted, that leaves our villi (villi repel toxins and absorb nutrients) creating microscopic holes to form in the lining of our stomach causing leaky gut. This hastens the onset of inflammation and other autoimmune diseases. Inflammation, in short, is very bad for you.

Given that anything processed has glyphosate, we are inundated with toxins which are slowly killing us daily.

Sugar! We all like sugar. It is an addiction we all suffer from, whether we know it or not. In fact it has been known to be the most addictive substance known to man.

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Sugar impacts brain function, causes, non-alcoholic liver disease, and increases your risk of heart disease. Sugar causes blood glucose to spike and plumate, leading to mood swings, fatigue, headaches, and cravings for more sugar.

The problem is sugar is in everything!

You may think you are eating something healthy by eating non-fat, but food manufacturers found that the only way to make something non-fat taste good is by adding more sugar. It’s not even easy to find out what you’re eating because sugar has at least four dozen different names that food manufacturers put on labels. Some of the easy ones are dextrose or corn syrup, but many of the others have ridiculous names you wouldn’t even associate sugar with. For example, one of those names is florida crystals. Ridiculous, right?

Sugar has also been one of the leading factors to obesity. Due to its addictiveness, the more you eat the fatter you get, the more you need to consume, the more you become addicted to it, and the harder it is to lose the weight. It’s an endless, vicious cycle.

As if you were not scared enough, here is another misconception. “Beef, it’s whats for dinner.” A slogan the Beef Industry Council put in their commercials, and “Got milk?” from the MilkPEP (Milk Processor Education Program). We have all heard the commercials telling us that meat and milk are good for us. We need the protein so we need the meat right?

The thing about meat is, because of all the same chemicals and synthesized products they put in the animals foods the meat is not good for us. Put together all of the chemicals in the crops and then add on all the hormones and other yuck farmers put into their food to make the animals grow faster and more fatty.

This is why beef and other meats are leading factors in cancer, inflammation, diabetes, etc… This also goes for all of the dairy products.

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The American Heart Association, American Cancer Association, and other big health associations all have lists of healthy foods to ‘help prevent’ diseases. Among all of these recipes there are large number with beef and dairy products in them. This is saddening to me because these products are causing disease the associations were created to help. When you look at who sponsors them, it is not hard to figure out why dairy and meat products are listed. Their sponsors are made up of a lot of big meat and dairy distributors like Tyson, Yoplait, Kraft, and even KFC. But hey, they have to get their money from somewhere right? Even though it may not be right, this is what our world is today.

There are alternatives but they are not always the cheapest, so that's why these large companies basically poisoning our foods still exist. They feed the population, but are also slowly killing us.

For medical alternatives, I have found that essential oils help a lot. They are all natural so your body knows how to process them and use them for good.

As for the food, maybe planting your own garden with organic seeds so you know what’s going into your food. Even buying all organic from stores like Mothers or Trader Joe’s help a lot. There are plenty of healthy protein alternatives to replace meat like tofu, quinoa, peanut butter and more, but if you absolutely need meat, grass fed is probably your best bet.

This is meant to inform and not to scare, but now it doesn’t sound like a horrible idea to check the labels next time you buy something from the store.

Just try cutting some foods out of your diet like meat, dairy, gluten, and as much sugar as you can. I can tell you from experience it’s hard to cut them out at first, but after a while you begin to feel more energetic and see a big difference in the way you go about your day. The phrase “You are what you eat” is fact.

photography by: Dixie Chatt

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photography by: Izzy Agnello

Izzy’s Corner:

By: Izzy Agnello

SKA

I remember my first time listening to Ska. I remember watching 90s movies with my older sister and enjoying the music, knowing the words to Sublime and No Doubt songs. Back then, I did not realize how important it would become to me, but last year the concept of Ska was reintroduced to me, and it was love at first listen. The beat matched the rhythm of my heart and the lyrics made me happy and made me feel something. I soon became invested in the scene of local shows, checkered clothing, and Hawaiian shirts. I’m hooked on a feeling that makes my mind wander and body happy; the feeling ska gives me.

After World War II, Caribbean mento and calypso combined with American jazz and rhythm and blues these became the ingredients to the first noted version of Ska. In the 1950s, Jamaica perfected their new genre of music. It was artists like Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, Prince Buster, and Duke Reid who set the foundation for the art. By the 1960s, ska had all of Jamaica dancing and became popular in British subcultures.

In Coventry, England, in the late 1970s, a new era of ska emerged. It combined Jamaican ska beats and melodies with punk rock edgy lyrics and aggressive guitar riffs. This was a movement to promote racial unity with fast tempos. This was the era of 2 Tone. This branch of ska soon became a hit in the United Kingdom, with bands like The Specials and The English Beat.

The Specials, however, has songs aware of racism, friendship issues, and fighting. However, Madness was the band to bring 2 Tone into the limelight. These musicians stayed in the minds of that era’s white working class adolescents as well as immigrants from West India who heard their experiences in the lyrics.

Countries such as Germany, Spain, Australia, Russia, Japan, and Latin America began to embrace blaring horn sections and the traditional Jamaican rhythm with their own twists. In Germany, the 1980s was when the ska tsunami hit, leading to bands like Babayaga to form. In Spain, ska became relevant, creating bands like Betagarri.

2-Tone ska made its way across the pond, influencing the American ska scene in the 1980s. The first two ska bands in the U.S. were The Toasters from New York City and The Uptones from Berkeley, California. These are the two bands that laid the groundwork for ska scenes in what would be some of the ska capitals of the third wave movement. During this time the Untouchables formed introducing ska to Southern California. The ska punk subgenre was soon created by Fishbone, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Operation Ivy. Ska became faster and heavier than ever.

New York City and Orange County soon became the national capitals for ska music. The Toasters frontman Robert Hingley formed Moon Ska Records, the largest independent ska label in the United States.

Orange County became a breeding ground for contemporary ska, being perfected by names like Reel Big Fish, No Doubt, and Sublime. Third wave ska was now gaining popularity. However, in 1993, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were the first mainstream American ska punk band. Bands like Rancid, No Doubt, and Reel Big Fish will soon follow their success with all of them receiving at least one platinum album.

Unfortunately, by the late 1990s, the ska train began to derail as other music genres began to burry ska under the mainstream pile of pop and rock. However, the Orange County ska scene is still skankin’(a dance). With more well-known bands like Suburban Legends, Save Ferris, Reel Big Fish, Less than Jake to lesser known awesome bands like Skaberry Jam, Half Past Two, Little Odd Something, Skapeche Mode, and OC Ska Kids. These are the people trying to keep the flame of ska buring. Ska is not dead and will continue to resurrect into new versions of itself thanks to those in our generation who helps keep it alive. One can always catch a show in Orange County. I hope to see you at one soon. Stay Bodacious Oilers.

Check out Izzy’s official ska playlist: https://spoti.fi/2GzzScL

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photography by: Grace Galarraga

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CC OO LL OO RR By: Grace Galarraga 34

The world is full of color, and so are films.

Along with the invention of colored films came a new form of storytelling, one that can be told through the color of the costumes, set and filter used. In many films, various themes are represented not only by the acting and writing, but by the color of the scene. Different colors have their own connotations, just as they do in literature. Color changed the face of cinema, and some directors have taken this to their advantage and have used specific colors to tell a story on the screen.

One of today’s directors that is most well known for his use of color is Wes Anderson. While he is known for his hipster-esque filming style and his extremely symmetrical shots, Anderson brings a freshness to cinema today with his original use of color in almost every film. He is most known for films such as The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and his Academy Award winning film The Grand Budapest Hotel. The Grand Budapest Hotel is truly one of Anderson’s most appealing works and his use of color in this particular film is something viewers can’t look past. The pastel pink color of the hotel sets the mood for the film in the establishing shots. According to an article entitled, “The Psychology of Color in Film” by Jon Fusco, pink represents things like love, innocence and playfulness. In the story, the hotel itself was indeed the only thing that was truly innocent. The crime story that unfolds within its walls has nothing to do with the hotel, rather with the loveable and mischievous M. Gustave, played by Ralph Fiennes. In one scene, Agatha, played by Saoirse Ronan, makes colorful pastel cupcakes in a dark and soot filled kitchen.

John Hughes was one of the most influential directors of the 80’s and 90’s. He is most known for his films Pretty in Pink, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and, the cult classic, The Breakfast Club.

Most of John Hughes’ films are about teenage adolescence and dealing with being young and in love.

The colors Hughes’ uses in his films shows the tone and mood of the story he is trying to portray. Hughes’ use of color can mainly be seen through clothing. His stories were based around the youth of the 80’s and each film he made became perfectly vintage as time progressed. In The Breakfast Club, each member of said club are represented through the clothing they wear and the color of it.

The Princess was pretty and seeped a privileged lifestyle.

The Basket Case in all black, which not only is a gothic stereotype, Hughes’ liked to play with stereotypes, but also showed the character’s sadness and reflected her innermost feelings, even before they were revealed. The Jock in baby blue, the color of confidence and stability, both of which he oozed because of his place in the high school hierarchy. The Brain in green, the color of preservernace as well as inexperience. Finally, the Criminal, in a similar blue denim jacket as the Jock. Only this time, the blue represents what John Bender could have been. Hence, the red flannel. Red is the color of anger and aggression, as well as passion.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have directors like Tim Burton, who loves to use a more mundane color palette. While films like The Grand Budapest Hotel are filled with pinks, yellows and reds, Burton likes to use darker tones such as deep blue, black, grey and white. Tim Burton is most known for his films, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, and Edward Scissorhands. All of his films have a sense of sadness in them, and the tone of it all is purely influenced by his color choices. In his 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, Burton uses the most color he has used in almost any of his films. The town Edward (played by Johnny Depp) arrives in his filled with bright colors. Each little house is perfectly placed and colored.

The contrast between the town and Edward becomes quite clear, not just because of his scissorhands, but because of his outfit. The tiny suburban town is straight out of the 60’s, and color adds to the complete contrast between Edward’s old world and the new world he can never be apart of.

A life without color would seem terribly bleak, as would a life without movies. Being able to incorporate color in film is nothing short of a miracle.

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A Look Through A Skeptic's Mind.

By: Sheldon Stires

Conspiracy Of The Month: The Winchester House

We’ve all heard of it or may have been to it and there is no denying that this house is strange. But what really happened here? Was Sarah just plain crazy? You walk up and see a door in the place where a window should be. Welcome to the Winchester Mystery House. Sarah was married to William Winchester the owner of a world known gun company. When William husband had died Sarah began to go insane. She visited a Psychic who told her to move to the san jose area and build a build a house and never stop building. For if she did the spirits of the people that were killed by Winchester guns would haunt her

Main Theory

Sarah had moved to San Jose, California and bought a house, she immediately moved in and ordered for expansions within one week. Many workers recall her constantly changing plans at the last minute and always getting different materials that they had ordered. Sarah was almost never seen at the construction sites and when she was, she was always wearing black with a black veil hiding her face. She also never spoke to anyone. However on September 5, 1922 the construction was halted as Sarah had passed away.

Evidence

Because construction had stopped at a random point there is a lot of unfinished parts of the house. When walking through the house there are a lot random windows, doors, and even stairs that are either blocked off or, lead to nowhere. Many believe that because Sarah had changed plans for the house often, many believed that those parts of the house were just eventually repurposed or the workers needed extra materials to finish that portion. Many also think that this was to trick the ‘spirits’ that were haunting her.

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MOMENT EXPERIMENT By: Gracie Briquelet

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uman beings are naturally active creatures, or they at least were, up until the creation of the cell-phone. They aren’t entirely to blame. It is quite easy to get distracted when you have the whole world at your fingertips! According to Moment, I spend an average of 4.5 hours on my phone everyday. This did not surprise me, but it does get a bit exhausting to constantly worry about a little glowing screen in my pocket 24/7. I have tried to break my habit before, but I felt like I needed a little more guidance, so I purchased Moment Premium for a few bucks. Moment Premium provides a 13 day “Phone Bootcamp.” Each day has a different challenge that pushes the user to use their phone much less.

Day 1: Put Down Your Phone for 30 Minutes

Today’s goal was to put my phone down for 30 minutes. I’ll admit that I felt like something was missing by forcing myself not to constantly stare at the screen. In total today, I only spent 2 hours on my phone!

Day 2: Stop Sleeping With Your Phone

I was no longer supposed to sleep with my phone in my bedroom. I bought a really cheap alarm clock from Walmart and set it up after school. I felt more at peace by keeping it out of the bedroom so that I could just fall asleep without scrolling mindlessly through Instagram an hour beforehand.

Day 3: Your Morning Routine

I totally failed at today’s challenge. I was required to wait at least an hour after waking up to check my phone. I felt like I had to check any texts that I had missed while I was asleep.

Day 4: Simplify Your Homescreen

I actually simplified my homescreen before this challenge began, so that I’d be less inclined to mindlessly scroll through my phone. I deleted a few useless apps and reduced everything to one page. I also put all of the time-wasting apps into one folder.

Day 5: Turn Off Some Notifications

I turned off my notifications for Canvas, Huntington Beach High School’s online learning management system. The notifications tend to stress me out, so turning off Canvas notifications has brought me a lot of relief.

Day 6: Go Old School

I ignored this challenge because even though I like phone calls, my friends don’t. I called my mom when I needed to contact her, but other than that, I was mostly communicating through text today.

Day 7: Get Outside

I went to the beach with friends today for a photography project and we had a great time. The scenery was lovely and it was nice to enjoy my friends’ company without constantly looking at my phone.

Day 8: No Phone in the Bathroom

Today’s goal was not to bring my phone into the bathroom. This was a no-brainer for me. It kind of grosses me out to think about bringing my phone into the bathroom where there are icky germs that you will likely carry out with you on the screen.

Day 9: Lights Out

My goal was to put my phone away before 10 PM today. I made sure to tell my friends I’d be going to bed early and I turned it off and plugged it right in.

It felt really good to just put it away and hold myself accountable.

Day 10: Leave the Room

Today’s objective was to leave the room whenever I needed to use my phone. For the most part, I don’t use my phone in front of people during a conversation anyways, so it was not very hard. I broke the rule a few times, but for the most part, I did well.

Day 11: Deep Thinking

Sometime in the morning, I was supposed to sit and think for half an hour. I turned off my phone and wrote in my journal for thirty minutes. It really cleared my head.

photography by: Gracie Briquelet

Day 11: Deep Thinking

Sometime in the morning, I was supposed to sit and think for half an hour. I turned off my phone and wrote in my journal for thirty minutes. It really cleared my head.

Day 12: Give Yourself a Day Off

I didn’t have to worry about my hours on this day. Ironically, I didn't spend as much time on my phone as on previous days.

Day 13: Delete One App

This was a very big day for me. I decided to delete all of my main social media accounts; Snapchat, Instagram, and Tumblr. Most of the hours on my phone were spent on social media. I felt fed up, so I got rid of it.

The Results

I’d say that the biggest outcome from this experiment is that it lead me to delete all of my social media accounts. I felt so much more self-aware afterwards. In the age of technology, a lot of us spend multiple hours of the day comparing ourselves to other people on the Internet. The majority of people have an unhealthy relationship with technology and or social media. If you want to make a change in your life and get disconnected, I would invite you to try out the Moment app.

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Cocteau Twins

With their unintelligible lyrics and distinct vocals reminiscent of those of Kate Bush and Siouxsie and the Banshees, Cocteau Twins made a name for themselves in the 80s and 90s. They attracted the most mainstream attention with the release of the album, Las Vegas or Heaven.

Throughout 1979 to 1997, the group created post-punk and new wave music which would later influence the genre of the 80s and artists such as Prince and Madonna.

Cocteau Twins formed in 1979 in Grangemouth, Scotland and was the brainchild of guitarist Robin Guthrie and bassist Will Heggie. The duo would later recruit singer Elizabeth Fraser, who they knew from a club that Guthrie would DJ at. With all the members, they began making music. Cocteau Twins started by making punk music similar to the Sex Pistols and Siouxsie and the Banshees but later created their own original sound with new wave, new romantics, and gothic influences. In 1982, Cocteau Twins released their first album, Garlands with the label 4AD. Before Cocteau Twins, Fraser had never considered herself a singer, but with the release of Garlands, her singing style would soon become iconic. She blended her soprano voice with abstract mouth sounds and semi-comprehensible English sentences which allows the listener to explore the soundscape and really focus on the sound of the delicate hollow guitars, growling bass, and the repetitive drum machine. Along with that, it allows the listener to place their own meaning into the song.

From 1983 to 1989, the band had success and released a litter of albums including The Spangle Maker, Echoes in a Shallow Bay, and The Pink Opaque. During this time they also recruited Simon Raymonde from the band Drowning Craze. In 1990, the band released their most successful album Las Vegas or Heaven.

artwork by: Amber Zeng

forgotten classics presents: In 1997 while working on their ninth LP, the group disbanded due to differences and because of the breakup of Guthrie and Fraser, the heart of the band.

My favorite EP from Cocteau Twins has to be Love’s Easy Tears which was released in 1986.

It sounds like their most pop album aside from Las Vegas or Heaven while still sounding like their signature selves. Each song seems to build up until the ultimate chorus where Fraser sings her heart out with a booming backing choir behind her. The title track is a perfect example of this. “Love’s Easy Tears” begins with the vulnerable plead-like vocals until the very end where it bombards your ears with Frasers singing. In “Those Eyes, That Mouth,” Fraser’s vocals are especially highlighted in the chorus.

They swoop in and out in obscure melodies, instantly catching your attention in an angelic way.

“Sigh’s Smell Of Farewell” is my least favorite off of the EP, but still exceptional. “Oranged Appled” is my second favorite track because of how Fraser grasps your attention and how she builds up the chorus, where it seems to have a swirling effect in the outro.

The Cocteau Twins were one of the most influential bands of the 80s and 90s with their unique combination of genres and sounds. Elizabeth Fraser’s distinct vocals will forever be immortalized in history and will continue to influence many diverse musicians and of course, continue to be one of my favorite bands.

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photography by: Carter Bernard

can style be faceless ? By: Carter Bernard

Do you have someone in your life who has a certain quality about them? Something just adds to them, and they couldn't be themselves without it. If so, then what do you think gives them this special quality? Sure they have their looks, hair, physique and sometimes mystique, but what else is there?

Well, simply put, it’s what they have on their bodies. Clothes, jewelry, accessories, headwear and all that stuff. Things you cannot imagine them without. They could wear bow ties, hoodies, jorts, or hair ribbons. People have different quirks and a lot of the times they share similar ones. However, some overpower others or are more apparent. They make what they wear custom to them.When you want to add something to your style palette, just make sure you are comfortable with it. Just know that no one ever got anywhere staying within their comfort zone.

Okay, so look at yourself. Well, not you but your clothes. What do they mostly consist of and what can you pair with them? What would work with this and what would clash with that? Ask yourself these questions. Sure, you could just wear whatever you have available, or you could wear one thing for the rest of your life. But what’s the point in that? See what you have to work with but, like I said before, really think about it. If you can, try to either make or get something new to add to your closet. Wear things that compliment you or even clash with the rest.

Create a color scheme for yourself or find something that speaks to you. Remember, just because you can make your own style work for you, that does not mean style has a face. Style is faceless and can it be for anyone.

Bow ties and neckties can add something that other things can’t. They can be for male or female wearers. There are variations to these two, in fact, there are a few different styles of the bow tie. A ribbon-like tie called a “string bow tie” and another leaning towards the feminine side called a “criss-cross tie.”

Ribbons are an option but one thing that could be better are gloves. Leather, silk, fingerless, winter, or other any kind can add a little something extra to your fashion persona; from a business professional to steampunk royalty. Here are some other things you can look for next time you’re shopping: vests, scarves, hoodies, visors, mouth masks, trench coats, denim, circular glasses, brooches/pins, bands, collars and much more.

Wear your new pieces and project your newfound style to a mainstream audience. You don’t have to do everything I say because this is, after all, just my opinion. Some people don’t care or can’t do it, but if you got it then flaunt it! Show up in something completely different from what everyone is used to, or after your transformation, go back to what you used to wear for a day. It should give your friends a shock.

-Carter

Isabella:

Something to Prove By: Christian Fukino & Moses Sandoval

Clashing... Screams... Explosions... Crying... It’s hot. I’m… I’m lying on the floor… Why am I here?... Is that Dad? Why… why is he running outside… with his sword..?

I sit myself up and look at my hand. It’s covered in dust and dirt. I hear someone scream from outside, and I jump. Slowly, I stand up and look outside. There’s a fire close to the house, and I can barely see through the smoke on the field. I can’t even see the sky from where I am. What’s going on..?

I peer out the door. Bodies and discarded weapons are scattered across the scorched soil. I see my father standing beside a small group of warriors against an army of the rival clan.

“You have no business here! Leave!” I hear my father yell, planting his sword into the ground.

“The Dorago Clan has assaulted us without consequence for the last time,” barks the leader of the army, “It is time we eliminate them.”

With black and red armor, he glares down upon my father from his horse. His shield displays the symbol of the Krogon, the Jackal, in a deep maroon shade. My father valiantly raises his deep blue Dorago shield, adorning the Golden Dragon on its face.

“You will not destroy our people!” my father barks, as the other soldiers beside him grab their swords. I slowly poke out from the door.

“If you will not comply,” the leader says, “then you will all die with the rest.”

I see my father draw his sword and run towards the horse-mounted warriors before him. The tyrant doesn’t flinch; he hops off his stallion and draws his sword. The battle between him and my father is short. With his sword throw from his hand, my father is helpless.

I bear witness to my father’s impaling.

“Father!” I cry with tears flooding my eyes. At that moment, all of the enemy soldiers see me, and I feel a rush of dread. I see the soldiers begin walking towards me, so I start running. Tears clouding my vision and terror crowding my thoughts, I sprint with all of my might across the grassy hills that surround the place I once called home.

I sit on the wooden stairs of the temple’s training arena. The sun’s light pours in through the open windows lining the top of the walls, also allowing a gentle breeze to slip inside. Before me are three training dummies, scarred with the frequent batter of practice swords. Pieces of straw lie on the floor beside them, drifting along the smooth wood with the wind from the west. I lay down my practice sword and take a breath.

“I can see how your abilities are improving, Isabella.”

My mentor walks down the stairs next to me. He’s an older man, with long graying hair and a short scruffy beard. Even when I stand on a stair step, I have to look up to him. There’s a faint scar across his face.

“Oh, thank you, Master Athalos,” I reply. He looks to the straw training targets on the arena with a proud smile.

“I never actually thought you were training alone like this,” he says, adjusting his black garments. “Your determination is admirable.”

His smile fades, and he pauses. I know exactly what he’s thinking. Athalos, as I’ve learned after some three years of training, is an incredibly intuitive man. He could tell from the start that I had something to prove in my fighting. Once I was sure that the soldiers from Krogon didn’t follow me, I stopped and found myself in a dense forest. I was only 12 at the time; I didn’t know where I was. Suddenly, I started feeling scared. The realization that I had just lost my father—my only family after my mother had died at childbirth—began to set in, along with the fact that I had just isolated myself in a goliath labyrinth of trees. My memory of the details is hazy, but I know that I sat down on the grassy floor and began to cry.

I don’t recall how long I remained there. Sometime after that, I wandered through the forest until I found a small village. Unlike the kingdom my father and I belonged to, the town was merely a collection of simple wooden houses. A dirt path led me past a line of basic houses to a well in the center of the village’s market. Athalos found me in the market and offered me a place to stay. Within the next couple of days, I found out that he was once a knight for the Dorago and knew of my father. I pleaded with him to train me in the ways of the knight, a warrior strong enough to stand up against the Krogon, a sentinel who could avenge my father, but he refused. He told me that he was done being a knight, but I could stay until I found a better place to live. Frustrated, I trespassed into the old temple with one of his practice swords. Athalos caught me one day, but, instead of scolding me, he watched as I obviously slashed at the training dummies in the arena.

On that day, he agreed to train me on the conditions that I wouldn’t do anything stupid or selfish.

“Master Athalos…” I say, standing up, “do you think I’m ready to challenge the Krogon?” He doesn’t respond immediately.

“Clearly, your talent with the sword is incredible. Your stance is near perfect, and your strikes are accurate and powerful. I’ve taught you all I know about defense and offense, how to fight on horseback and against horseback, even against multiple enemies at once,” he replies, walking into the arena, “but you’re still not strong enough.”

“B-but Master! You know how strong I am; you just said it yourself! I-I can do it!” I start stammering.

How could he say that?

“My student,” he sighs, turning back to me, “you’re talking about fighting an entire army alone. No man can achieve such a feat. You could be the strongest warrior in all of the world, but you are no match for the thousands of blades pointed towards you.” I can’t say anything. What he’s saying is right, theoretically, but…

“C’mon, lunch is being served,” Athalos sighs as he walks up the stairs and to the door.

I don’t want to go to lunch. I breathe in deeply, pick up my practice sword, and begin striking the straw targets once again.

I hear footsteps from behind me. “The old man’s the same as ever, huh?”

“Oh, Arthur. Why are you here?”

Arthur is Athalos’s son who helps with work and chores, as well as tends to the apple trees in the back of the temple. As he walks forward, he straightens his short brown hair. Somewhat egotistical and awfully rude, the only real times I’ve cared to listen to him are when he wanted to spar with me. Surprisingly, he’s not bad at sword fighting. Over the years that we’ve trained under Athalos, he’s grown almost stronger than me.

Almost.

“I overheard your conversation,” he boasts. Awfully rude of him. “You want to take on the Krogon by yourself?

That’s impossible.”

I’m starting to get annoyed. “If you haven’t anything pleasant to say, then leave.”

He chuckles, then continues, “That’s not what I meant. I have a proposition to make.”

I halt my sword swings. “What kind of proposition?”

“If I can beat you in a duel, you let me come along to fight the Krogon.” It takes me a moment to process what he just said. The moment I do, though, I burst out in laughter.

“Hah! You’re serious?” I cry, wiping the tears from my eyes. “Well, alright then! If you really think you can do this, then ready yourself.”

Arthur smirks. “Heh, I knew you’d say that.” He picks up a practice sword and gets into a fighting stance. I raise my weapon.

I begin a countdown in my head, until… “En garde!”

I lunge straight towards Arthur, catching him off guard, but he still manages to parry the strike. For the next half a minute, we exchange swing after swing, lunge after lunge. Our swords lock, and Arthur yells,

“I know how you fight, Izzy! I’m not gonna lose this one!”

“Hah!” I taunt, “If there’s anyone who knows what I’m capable of, it isn’t you!”

I break the sword lock, throwing both of our swords upwards. Reacting as fast as I can, I draw my sword back down and strike at Arthur. I gasp in surprise when I see him block it. Our eyes lock for a second. For a brief moment, I see that I’ve just lost.

“What are you two doing?” Both of us freeze. Athalos is standing atop the stairs.

“M-Master Athalos!” I stutter, withdrawing my practice sword. “We were… we just-”

“C’mon you two. We’re out of the temple until next morning,” he asserts.

“No.”

“Excuse me?” Althalos says, turning his head to me.

“I have to keep practicing,” I rebel, “I have to… I have to—”

“Have to What?”

I take a breathe. “I have to… I have to get stronger!”

46

Both Arthur and Althalos glare at me. For some reason, though, I don’t feel like backing down.

“The time is almost here,” I declare. “It could be today, it could be tomorrow, I don’t know! All I know is… I have to prove to myself that I can fight when the Krogon attack again.”

Silence hangs in the air of the archaic temple.

Althalos sighs. “We’re out of the temple until morning. Let’s go.”

Arthur sighs and lowers his sword. “Well, you heard him. Let’s not make him any angrier,” he says, walking to the exit.

Panting, I stand with my sword loosely in my right hand. I don’t want to go back to Athalos’s house yet, so I decide to head to the market. Usually, on summer afternoons, the market is rather crowded. Today, however, not that many people are here. That actually puts me at ease; after the duel, I just want to take time to myself. On the way, I run into an elderly woman named Luanda, who was one of the first strangers to befriend me in this village.

“Good afternoon, Isabella,” she grinned.

“Ah, hello Luanda! Good afternoon.”

“Isabella, have you heard?” she asks. “The Krogon are going to invade the Dorago Kingdom tomorrow.

Scouts have spotted their army mobilizing.”

I gasp in horror. “What?!” I start thinking rapidly and reach a hasty conclusion. “Sorry, I have to go!”

I rush back to the temple with all my might.

Sprinting through the wooden hallways of the historic building, I finally reach the armory in the back. All along the walls are swords and shields, armor plates and helmets. I pick and choose the ones that I know are the best and end up with a full set of Dorago armor and a sturdy blue and gold shield. As I search for a blade to wield, something catches my eye and stops me. There’s a single sword lying on top of two crates.

The hilt is engraved with precise crossed markings and dragon head pommel has a dark blue shade. Connecting the blade to the handle, the guard wears a golden shine and curls at its ends. Etched into the base of the blade are the words Aeternum Fortitudo.

This was my father’s personal sword.

“You’re probably wondering why that’s here,” I hear Athalos behind me.

“Master? When did you-”

“You don’t need to call me that anymore. You’ve surpassed title of student. Heh, you may even be better than me now,” he nods. I can’t help but smile a little. He continues, “The surviving Dorago soldiers who were there that day meant to give it to you, but they died of their wounds trying to return to the kingdom. I found their bodies shortly after and picked up the sword. I recognized the design, and that was when I realized what had truly happened.” I gently wrapped my palm around the hilt. It’s heavy; it’s strong.

“Ma—Uh, Athalos, thank you,” I say, holding back tears.

“Go, Isabella,” he reassures. “You’re ready.”

The wind chimes hanging from the temple’s entrance begin to ring. Daylight is slowly fading, with the afternoon hour about to pass.

The sky is clear; the night is going to be clear.

It’s time.

I walk down the steps of the temple’s entrance towards my horse. When I arrive at her post, I stop and look at the sword in my hand. Aeternum Fortitudo… Strength Forever. That’s what my father always believed in, ever since he became a warrior for the Dorago. He joined when he was 18 years old. Here I am, in his shoes, at 16 years old, wielding his blade. Looks like I was first this time, Dad… I won’t let you down.

“Isabella,” Athalos says, walking up to me.

“Mast—I mean, Athalos,” I reply, turning around.

He smiles. “You’re nervous.” I look down. He’s right.

“It’s okay,” he declares, “you’re strong. You and I both know that.” He pats my shoulder as I lift my head back up.

“He’s right, you know,” I hear Arthur from behind Althalos.

“Arthur?” I say, noticing the sword in his hand. “Are you..?”

He nods eagerly, “Yep. No way I’m letting you go alone.

I think it’s safe to say that I would’ve won that duel.”

I chuckle to myself. “Alright, then hurry up. We’re about to leave, and I have something to finish.”

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beautiful but dark By: Kat Beason

She is everything you need.

She is everywhere you see.

She is beautiful and joyous, but She’s also powerful and mean.

Love Her or hate Her, no matter where you go, She will always be, for She is the creator of beauty.

The creator of life.

The creator of death.

The creator of all you see.

Without Her, we are not we…

You cannot destroy Her, for She has always been.

You can get in her path, but She will always take it back.

She can love and support you, but She is not afraid to teach you a lesson.

Lessons we are all in need of.

With lessons come new beginnings, and with new beginnings come beauty.

She can create beauty from darkness, even if it’s darkness She creates.

Love Her or hate Her, no matter where you go, She will always be.

Because without Her, we are not we...

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photography by: Kat Beason

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By: Natalie Han

JACK ARREOLA @hockeymisfit NH: How would you describe your style?

JA: It’s more of a punk style. It’s centered around the punk 80s’ look.

NH: What/who are some of your influences?

JA: I am very inspired by this guy named Sid Vicious from the band Sex Pistols. He’s a big icon and is very influential to me. I am really just influenced by punks who were around in the 80s’.There are many other people that I can’t name off right now, but yeah, I am influenced by a lot of people NH: Does any type of social media or anything else influence your fashion?

JA: In some ways, people do inspire me to change up my look. Usually, it just comes from people in the past rather than those in the present.

NH: Any fashion tips or tricks?

JA: Basically just be you. If you like any style, just start wearing it. Listen to music and look at old picture. I’m wearing Doc Martens which a lot of punks wear. Belts are pretty big too. I’m wearing like two on to right now. For hair, you can really do anything. Shave it, grow it out, dye it.

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photography by: Natalie Han

t r o p e R e l Sty eport R e l Sty

NH: Where do you shop for your clothes?

JA: I get a lot of hand me downs and I buy a lot of band shirts. I get my shirts from this record store called “Radiation� or just record stores in generals. I get my pants from regular stores and Dickies. I got my Doc Marten from the Doc Marten store and I got my leather jacket from my dad.

NH: What is your favorite piece of clothing that you cannot live without?

JA: Probably be my Doc Martens or any of my boots. I pretty much live in them.

NH: What are your opinions on dress codes?

JA: I think dress codes are pretty ridiculous.

People should be able to express their feelings with how they look and I feel like guys should have responsibility to not get distracted by how girls or anyone in general dress. I also feel that people shouldn't judge people on how they dress. Dress codes enforce conformity by having everyone feel and dress all the same.

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JESSICA BALANDRAN @gothrenaissance NH: How would you describe your style?

JT: I am known as the goth of my friend group. I’m goth.

NH: What/who are some of your influences?

JA:I take a lot of influence from my parents. My dad raised me punk and my mom was more into melancholy things like The Smiths and gothic music.

NH: Does social media or anything else influence your fashion?

JT: There’s this one instagrammer. Her name is Maya and she lives in Berkeley and I have been following her for years. First on Tumblr and now Instagram. She always posts about how colors are important and she did this one project where she wore one monochrome color every day and it made me want to experiment.

NH: Did you not dress with as much color before?

JT: Yeah I did, but I mean I’m goth.

NH: Where do you shop for your clothes?

JT: Just Savers and Goodwill really. Thrift stores in general.

NH: What is your favorite piece of clothing that you cannot live without?

JT: Denim jackets.

NH: What are your opinions on dress codes?

JT: They are stupid. People should be able to express themselves however they want visually.

NH: Do you dye your hair a lot? You have green right now but any other colors?

JT: The first time I dyed my hair was this summer, but in sixth grade I dyed it purple. I had to stop because there were dress codes that didn’t let me.

NH: They were that strict?

JT: Yeah, I was called up to the principal's office for having unnatural hair.

NH: You have a lot of piercings. Could you elaborate on them?

JT: *points to one of her ear piercings* This one I pierced with my friend. We just went over to her house and got some needles and just pierced each others ear.

photography by: Natalie Han

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By: Grace Gillett

Do you ever crave the life of a Canadian?

With the current climate of our country, many people believe that Canada may be a better option. I agree it is a beautiful place to visit, however living in Canada is contrastive from our current American lifestyle. I created a survey to see why people wanted to leave America. The overwhelming response from people who wanted to leave, do so because they are not content with the inordinate media’s obsession with American politics. People believe that the government is being run unconstitutionally. That the government is not listening to their citizens, which is what a democratic republic’s base values are. The main ideas that people were drawn to by Canada were free health care, better education and the overall morale of Canadian people.

Have you ever heard the phrase “You get what you pay for?” This phrase holds true when considering Canadian health care. Because the country wants to keep health care as inexpensive as they can, they are outdated. For example, they are still using handwritten charts instead of typing them.

photography by: Grace Gillett

There are stories upon stories of people waiting for days in Canadian ER waiting rooms.

Have you ever been inside an ER waiting room?

You can feel the germs creeping up your arm and into your immune system. There is a family sitting next to you with a kid coughing and sneezing. There’s a group of boys snapchatting their friend Chad’s broken arm. The waiting room ER, it’s not fun. So imagine waiting there with those people for days! The cause of this immense wait time? Doctor shortage. It’s that straightforward, the lack of doctors leads to longer wait times. There are 700,000 (15%) people in British Columbia who don’t have family doctors. The main reason for this is because more and more, people who want to be doctors go into specialized fields, not general practices like a pediatrician or an ER nurse.

The education system is also taken into consideration when talking about moving to Canada. Our education system is quite similar actually, the only difference is the teachers.

There are more teachers in Canada so the class sizes are smaller. This helps the students have a better learning experience because they have more of a personalized one-on-one learning experience. Just like America, Canada also holds a prejudice when talking about history. Depending on the province you go to, you will find that the native history is taught a little differently, but that is how it works everywhere.

You will never find a person or place without a bias.

Because they spend so much on keeping their health care free, not a lot of money goes into the education system. In fact, they spend less per student than Britain and the United States. However, they do rank better in the world ranks, so if you don’t mind having not the best healthcare you’ll be fine.

If you are not persuaded and still want to leave the United States, there are some laws you may have to get used to in Canada. If you call someone by their incorrect pronoun, and they believe you did it on purpose, you could be fined or even imprisoned. It doesn't matter if you meant it or not. If the person feels offended at all they could “Tell on you.” If you are 21 and a user of cannabis; in Canada, it is illegal to smoke or use marijuana recreationally. Additionally, those of you who believe in the 2nd Amendment and the right to own firearms, it would not be a good idea to move. This is because, in Canada, there are no legal rights to own firearms at all.

We love to say that Canada is more superior to America and that we would like to move. However, looking at all the laws and differences from the United States yet moving may not be the best plan if you are uncomfortable with large changes.

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The Closing Ceremony By: Andrea Cervantes

The Olympics have just recently passed and it’s received tremendous amounts of attention from around the world. This year, it took place in South Korea where it gave attention to those from the country. The performances in the closing ceremony, however, made the most impact of all. Everyone knows that the closing ceremony is the most anticipated of all. This year, Korean artists CL and EXO stole the spotlight for the night. These artists have been receiving many reactions all over twitter and other social media platforms as their eye popping performances seem to be the new talk of the town for people who don’t know kpop well.

K-pop has recently been dominating the world as artists such as BTS, EXO and more have been leaving their mark on every city they go to. BTS has been the most well known of all, but now after the closing ceremony, EXO and CL have become the new trend for k-pop.

CL was the first artist to perform. CL is well know for her trendy hip-hop music, extending out from the Korean language towards English. She is an artist that does well with experimenting with different styles making her stand out from others. As she is well known for her solo work she was also once in a group named 2NE1. In this group, they made their hit single “I Am The Best” which is the most viewed single with 200 million views on Youtube.

When CL entered for her performance, the crowd is introduced to her cool, edgy style that is presented through her outfit: her long, black trench coat catching the eyes of most viewers. She walked out transitioning into a dance break before the start of her song “The Baddest Female.” The stage is covered with the color red, as the graphics from the screen and the fire that surrounds the stage brought out the main focus point of the performance, which is CL. As the performance continues, she is brought upon a podium making her stand out from the color contrast between the black from her outfit and the red from the color graphics on the stage. The song is soon brought to an end as it is soon transitioned to 2NE1’s hit single “I Am The Best.” With help from the audience, her performance comes to an end.

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artwork by: Amber Zeng

It was soon EXO’s time to perform. EXO is one of the biggest kpop idols in the world, making it impactful to have an opportunity like this. EXO hasn’t expanded much from Korea, so to be able to perform at the closing ceremony greatly benefits them. Although they haven’t been to most countries, they still manage to be one of the biggest kpop idols in the world leaving high expectations for their performance.

The performance begins as a member Kai is presented on stage doing a traditional Korean dance. This brings out a different outlook for the show as they are presenting Korea through their performance. As Kai’s performance continues, the members are brought on stage in willy-like cars. They soon come to a stop, meeting in the middle for the start of their performance of “Growl.” During their performance, towards the middle of the song they present a short dance break before transitioning back to the original song.. “Power” is then introduced as they are now standing on a podium, surrounded by their backup dancers. This performance steals the eyes of the viewers as the amount of colors that are presented from the stage and the crowd. This song suits well with the overall concept of the Olympics as the song lyrics go “We’ve got the power!” The song comes to an end leaving a great impression of EXO all across the globe.

Overall, CL and EXO have worked hard to be able to perform at the Olympics. Their performances brought out the light of the crowd as the ceremony ended with joy. These artists have been receiving great recognitions ever since, which will leave an impact on their success in the future. I hope to see these artists progress as they continue to shine all across the world.

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Dixie Chatt design editor

Matt Sargent editor in chief

Candy Hart-Peratt managing editor

Gracie Briquelet art director

Katy Houchen social media director

Kenzie Jones photography editor

Andrea Cervantes photography editor

Sheldon Stires staff writer

Sarah Tran staff writer

Grace Galarraga staff writer

Carter Bernard staff writer

Kelsey Fuller staff writer

Moses Sandoval staff writer

Christian Fukino staff writer

Grace Gillett staff writer

Natalie Han staff writer

Angie Martinez staff writer

Ally Brodmann staff writer

Jameson Jaksch staff writer

Amber Zeng staff writer

Kat Beason staff writer

Izzy Agnello staff writer

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