Issue 3, 2014-15

THE

Scribe

LoVe ActuALLy A Look Into teenAge reLAtIonShIPS

Vol. XVII, Issue 3 Francis Parker School February 2015

8 table of contents FEBRUARY 2015 VOL. XVII, ISSUE 3

COVER BY GRACE SELLICK 4 EDITOR’S NOTE BY SOREN HANSEN 5 STAFF PAGE 6 THE BREAKDOWN COMPILED BY OLIVIA FIDLER

8 10 12 13

asterisk

WHAT IS LOVE? BY LAKME CACERAS CREATURE FEATURE BY PAIGE MARTIN INSERT TITLE HERE BY SOFIA GARDENSWARTZ QUADRANTS COMPILED BY JULIANNA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH

AC a r t s & c u l t u r e 16 18 19 20

24 HOURS BY BREANNA COMUNALE AND MAYUMI CHINO ALL THAT JAZZ BY CAROLINE WOHL BREAK IT OFF, SHAKE IT OFF BY EMILY WU HEARTS AND CRAFTS BY MEGAN PAI AND NATASHA PARTNOY

SP s p o r t s 24 HEAD FIRST BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY 26 WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY 28 INTO THE MADNESS BY JASH BABLA

FE f e a t u r e s 32 A FAREWELL TO FICKLING BY AVI WALDMAN 34 THE FACE OF STUDENT PROTEST: NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE BY MYLA ANDREWS 36 THE FACE OF STUDENT PROTEST: #YAMECANSE BY ISABEL SANCHEZ-HODOYAN

CS c o v e r s e c t i o n 39 40 42 44 45 46

LOVE ACTUALLY BY CAROLINE MERKIN LET’S GET IT ON BY EMMA MOORE CROSSFIRE: LOVE LOCKDOWN BY CAROLINE MERKIN AND GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE LOST IN TRANSLATION BY LILY GLASSER MORGAN’S LOVE ADVICE BY MORGAN SMITH RELATIONSHIP STATUS: FICTIONAL BY MADDY MCGRATH BACK COVER BY OLIVIA FIDLER

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body typeface: minion pro 9 pt header typeface: prisma and caviar dreams folio typeface: caviar dreams printed by: emagine printing, san diego, ca 750 copies, 100# Endurance Recycled Gloss stock

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PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY (COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, BEGINNING ON THE OPPOSITE TOP LEFT) LAKME CACERAS, CAROLINE MERKIN, ISABEL SANCHEZ-HODOYAN, MEGAN PAI, CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY CAROLINE WOHL, SMUGMUG, ARIELLE SWEDBACK

EDITOR’S NOTE

here are a lot of clichés everyone knows about high school. Friday night basketball games, senior proms, lots of caffeine, piles of homework, and relationships. Oh yes, love seems to be in the air. Well, for some people anyways. From the all-out homecoming askings that seem to be happening earlier and earlier each year to the endless pictures of couples holding hands on Instagram (#couple #romance #togetherforever), a single girl like myself can’t help but ask: what am I missing out on? When we decided that we wanted to have themed issues for The Scribe this year, the relationship issue immediately became the one I was looking forward to most. The tension between our social lives and our academic lives seems too strong to ignore. And I doubt I’m the only one who sees relationships as a major part of the high school experience. So how come the numbers don’t add up? According to a Scribe survey, of 85 students, 36% have the closest relationship with a best friend, rather than a significant other (10%). At the same time, more students chose “to actually have a date” as their preferred Valentine’s Day gift, even over chocolate or flowers (“The Breakdown,” 6). By this account, it seems most students do want to be in a relationship, yet in my years experience, there have never been more than about ten couples per grade, which means less than 20% are actually in relationships. While there are pros and cons to dating in high school (“Crossfire: Love Lockdown,” 42), I don’t believe that many of the people who are not in relationships really choose to because they are against dating in high school. Instead, there exists an odd situation where many people want to be in relationships yet, for whatever reason, are not. Whether it is an inability to understand social communication (“Lost In Translation,” 44) or a general lack of social insight concerning relationships (“Morgan’s Love Advice,” 45), there are many facets of dating that can be complicated and confusing. At a school of around 500 students, one can hardly expect a private life to really remain private. With gossip spreading faster than you can say “design thinking,” the Parker environment can have a big influence on your romantic life. On one hand, a small population can make it easier for you to meet others outside your social group, yet the tight-knit friend groups already established on campus can make it hard to actually start a relationship with someone outside your comfort zone. One of the

hardest parts of socializing at a small school is overcoming the fixed personalities and accepted reputations created for us by our classmates to show your real self to potential significant others. Whether you cried on the playground every day of 2nd grade or were known for your harsh biting sarcasm freshman year, your future boyfriend/girlfriend will definitely be influenced by your reputation long before you even start talking to him/her. At the same time, our peers influence our own relationships a great deal. We all see the media’s idea of a perfect relationship plastered on our TV screens but are left to form our own sense of boundaries and ideals by studying the relationships of our friends and peers (“Let’s Get It On,” 40). But to many who never get to that stage, high school is still the time to stress over the simple things, passing notes and passing in the halls, exchanging glances and emojis. Even if you get past the awkward first stages of a relationship, there are many obstacles that still stand in your way before you become one of the few people whose teenage relationship lasts beyond high school (“Love Actually,” 39). My advice to you? Whether you are committed or crushing, single or celibate, taken or texting, follow your heart and figure out what you actually want. High school is a time of finding out who you are, so don’t feel too stressed about making all the right moves or decisions. Live a little, learn a little. The truth I have found throughout all my dealings with high school relationships is that they simply are not for everyone. If you’re like me and find the whole thing just too complicated, stop perpetuating the drama and hurting feelings. Instead, focus on the other relationships that are of equal importance. Try putting your extra time into your friendships. If your true love is your sport, go for it (“Into the Madness,” 28). If theater is your calling, don’t be afraid to make the commitment (“All That Jazz,” 18). Your bae might be your cat or your pug, and that’s fine. Take your textbooks on dates. It’s high school. For me, it’s this magazine. I hope you enjoy it. Happy Valentine’s Day. Love,

Soren Hansen Editor-in-Chief

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US We would love to have your opinion! Letters to the editor can be submitted on our website or emailed to fpscribe@gmail.com. We will choose selections of these letters to be printed in the next issue. Visit The Scribe Online at fpsthescribe.org for news, features, photos, videos, and sports scores as well as bonus content from the print articles. And join our Facebook fanpage at www.facebook. com/fpsthescribe to stay updated on everything Scribe-related. PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIA FIDLER

PHOTOGRAPHS

BY MR. ANDREW HOLBROOK

STAFF PAGE Editor-in-Chief SOREN HANSEN Managing Editor OLIVIA FIDLER Creative Director GRACE SELLICK Online Editor MADELINE OTTILIE Asterisk Editors JULIANNA Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;AURIA MORGAN SMITH Arts & Culture Editors MYLA ANDREWS EMMA MOORE Adviser MR. ANDREW HOLBROOK Contributing Artist ISAAC GRAY

Sports Editors JASH BABLA CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY Features Editor CAROLINE WOHL Cover Section Editor CAROLINE MERKIN Staff Writers LAKME CACERES MAYUMI CHINO BREANNA COMUNALE SOFIA GARDENSWARTZ GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE LILY GLASSER PAIGE MARTIN MADDY MCGRATH MEGAN PAI NATASHA PARTNOY ISABEL SANCHEZ HODOYAN SOPHIA SWEDBACK AVI WALDMAN EMILY WU

MISSION STATEMENT & EDITORIAL POLICY Serving as the official news magazine of the Francis Parker Upper School, The Scribe strives to report on the major news stories on campus while providing the student body with a cutting-edge take on campus life and culture. Members of the journalism classes oversee the writing, editing, and production of the magazine. Layouts are designed by article authors in collaboration and consultation with the creative director. Members of the staff also volunteer a great deal of their after-school time to work on the magazine. The editor-in-chief assumes all responsibility for the material published in The Scribe. For this reason, any questions or complaints should be reported to the editor-in-chief and not to the authors of particular articles. The Scribe also strives to correct any errors of fact. To identify a mistake needing correction, please email us at fpscribe@gmail.com. FRANCIS PARKER SCHOOL 6501 LINDA VISTA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111 (858) 569-7900

THE BREAKDOWN

COMPILED BY OLIVIA FIDLER

ABOUT

THE GOOD je suis charlie

THE BAD the ipad initiative

THE UGLY house system

The January 7 attack on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo has spurred more uproarious protest and surges of solidarity than just hate or revenge. People came together all around the world to fight for what is right and salvage freedom of expression. There are positives to Parker’s initiative (possibly going full force next year) to make students bring their own devices to school every day: environmental awareness, a lighter load for students to carry, etc. But how can we know if this is going to be properly executed since the iPad initiative flopped this year? Not only was it expensive, but also ill thought-out and supported by few faculty and students. Surprise, surprise: advisory is actually quite missed. Even an incredibly brief seven-minute morning with a group of people you’d otherwise be unsassociated with was nice. Now, the house meetings are rare, with too many people in them to actually have meaningful and focused conversations. They seem contrived. We’re wondering where all those student center “prototypes” went.

144,858 SQUARE FOOTAGE OF FIELD TURF THROUGHOUT THE CAMPUS

“

14,000

SEXUAL REFERENCES ARE MADE ON TELEVISION PER YEAR READ MORE ABOUT SCIENCE AND RELATIONSHIPS ON PAGE 40

OF HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS END UP GETTING MARRIED AND STAYING TOGETHER FOREVER READ MORE ABOUT DATING IN HIGH SCHOOL ON PAGE 42

WHO DO YOU HAVE THE STRONGEST RELATIONSHIP WITH? 1. BEST FRIEND(S)...36% 2. PARENT(S)...20% 3. SIBLING(S)...15% 4. PET(S)...13% 5. SIGNIFIGANT OTHER...10% 6. OTHER...5% DUE TO ROUNDING PERCENTAGES MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100

AROUND

304

CARS GO THROUGH THE DROP-OFF ZONE BETWEEN 7:15 AND 8:00 A.M. IN SEPTEMBER, IT WAS OVER 350

The part of [Fickling’s] legacy which I fear we may already be losing is the idea that understanding is a privilege of the knowledgeable. ” - Alum Duncan Tomlin, Yale University

february 2015

THE SCRIBE

READ MORE ABOUT MR. PHILIP FICKLING’S LEGACY ON PAGE 32

“

When there’s a fire, people notice. And tear gas, then people pay attention. I’m sure protesters would love to have people listen to them without them getting peppersprayed, but they don’t.”

- Upper School social studies teacher Dr. Rai Wilson READ MORE ABOUT RECENT STUDENT PROTESTS ON PAGE 34

250,000

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET ON VALENTINE’S DAY? 1. AN ACTUAL DATE...27% 2. OTHER...26% 3. PIZZA..24% 4. ROSES...13% 5. CHOCOLATE...11%

OUT OF THE 1.5 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN THE U.S. SUFFER FROM AT LEAST ONE CONCUSSION

DUE TO ROUNDING PERCENTAGES MAY NOT ADD UP TO 100

STAFF PICKS READ MORE ABOUT CONCUSSIONS ON PAGE 24

HOT

CIGARETTE DAYDREAMS BY CAGE THE ELEPHANT

Grammy-nominated Melophobia features tracks that are the perfect mesh of Cage The Elephant’s usual grunge garage rock and a new tinge of retro ’70s sound. “Cigarette Daydreams” is a wistful ballad juxtaposed with cheery piano and guitar, meant for driving on the coast with your arm hanging out of the car window.

GOLDEN GIRLS

Our favorite duo, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, hosted the Golden Globes for the third time this January. The opening jokes went from light laughs to actual statements about misogyny and sexism in the film and TV industries. For example, Poehler called out ageism when she said, “Boyhood proves that there are still great roles for women over 40 as long as you get hired when you’re under 40.”

NOT

DESIGN THINKING LOGO Let’s just fit some more vapid verbs, clashing col-

IGNITION (REMIX) BY R. KELLY

This song may be 12 years old, but it’s still young in our hearts. R. Kelly’s classic R&B soul is what makes “Ignition (Remix)” so catchy, along with classic rhymes like “It’s the remix to ignition/Hot and fresh out the kitchen.” Mmmm.

ors, and mismatched shapes onto one page. Not only is this class nearly non-existant, but so is the thinking behind the logo’s design, evidently. Dream, do and try a little harder next time.

TRENDY MAN BUNS

LET’S GET IT ON BY MARVIN GAYE

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, a perfect time for sexual healing, and Marvin Gaye is one of the fathers of seductive soul. The famous first four notes are definitely funk-inducing. Enjoy at your leisure.

Business in the front, party in the back? This hairstyle definitely has its fans and foes, but it’s undeniably trendy. From Brad Pitt to Jared Leto, plenty of men have been ponying up in the past couple of months. The style’s in dress code, boys! Go crazy!

SOURCES: MR. MIKE CAIN, DOSOMETHING.ORG, A SCRIBE SURVEY OF 85 STUDENTS PHOTOS: ALBUMART.ORG, FACT.CO.UK THE SCRIBE

february 2015

asterisks FRESHMAN DANIEL CHIDLAW

SOPHOMORE ESIN GUMUSTEKIN

FRESHMAN BELLA CADY

FRESHMAN BRIANA SANCHEZ FRESHMAN BEN KRONGARD

FRESHMAN GARRET HOFF FIRST GRADER ELLIOTT DUEHR JUNIOR E M I LY P U R D O N

SOPHOMORES MARISSA WOLFSHEIMER & ALAN TOM

SOPHOMORE ANTONIO DORING

JUNIOR GINA BARBA

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is defined as “an intense feeling of deep affection,” but for Parker students, love means anything from favorite pastimes to fictional characters. Valentine’s Day is approaching fast, so check out what your fellow classmates hold dear to their hearts. PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAKME CACERES

SECOND GRADER JAKE DANZO

FRESHMAN STERLING HAYES

JUNIOR REX WINN

SENIOR MAX FEYE

FRESHMAN MIKE YOURG

FRESHMAN JIMMY CHATFIELD

SENIOR SASHA STEPHENS

SOPHOMORE EMMA STEINER

EIGHTH GRADER EMMA BUECHLER

SENIORS KIAN BAGHERI & ADAM WRIGHT

CREATURE FEATURE

12 INSERT TITLE HERE

QUADRANTS

CREATURE CATCH UP WITH THE COOLEST KIDS ON CAMPUS

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAIGE MARTIN

DANIELLE GERGER

How does one even describe freshman Danielle Gerger? As a lover of soup and a girl who failed to emotionally progress past fifth grade, Danielle is known for her many talents, but one she practices secretly is spinning a basketball on her finger. She loves playing her favorite sport, volleyball, and this year joined Parker’s junior varsity team. Her favorite color is the shade of silk under neon light, and her favorite animal is a spider. In her free time, you’ll most likely find her watching her favorite show, Arrested Development, or jamming to her favorite song, “O Canada.” Best Valentine’s Day experience/memory? I don’t have a special someone, so last year I spent Valentine’s Day with my cat, Chicken, and we braided each other’s fur. Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? No, but I scraped my knees when I climbed up from Hell. First crush? Ryan Blackburn. In first grade, we napped together. Best romantic movie and why? Aristocats, because nothing bad happens. Is Valentine’s Day overrated? Not if you have someone you’re celebrating with, but if you’re braiding your cat’s fur, it is. What’s the worst thing about Valentine’s Day? When all the teachers try to do Valentine’s Day problems. Like, for example, “The arrow shot by Cupid goes 50 feet, blah blah... Find x.”

ZACH TEUTSCH When sophomore Zach Teutsch isn’t playing COD with Paulo Cruz after 1 a.m., you might find him watching his favorite show, Gossip Girl. Besides playing his favorite sport, basketball, he enjoys using seniors like Cruz to get him food. He claims his spirit animal is a seventh-grade version of freshman Olivia Thorson, and his secret talent is being mean to short freshmen. His favorite color is purple and his favorite food is waffles. He describes himself as a “white boy from Tierrasanta that enjoys long walks on the beach and Sam Smith.” What’s the weirdest Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever received? One year, my parents got me a lightsaber. Do you believe in love at first sight? No, I believe in hate at first sight. DIY gifts or storebought? Why? Storebought, because love can be purchased. It’s all about money. Best break-up cures? Elton John and peanut butter waffles. Do you like sweethearts? I only like them when they tell me I’m pretty. What do you think about online dating networks? One time, I tried out an app called Cuddler that lets you rate your cuddles, but it was all guys.

february 2015

THE SCRIBE

FEATURE CAROLINE LEZNY Meet junior Caroline Lezny, who enjoys the color of freshly shucked corn, and reading. She splits her time between singing show tunes and consequently cowering behind inanimate objects hoping no one has heard her. She enjoys cheerleading, which gives her a socially acceptable opportunity to be loud and a chance to admire glitter. When she’s not quoting Seinfeld or saying the alphabet backwards to the tune of “The Imperial March,” you may find her painting her feelings or crying over fictional characters. Her favorite celebrity is Chris Pratt partly because of his comedic genius and charming personality, but primarily because of his abs. What’s the weirdest Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever received? One time I was at a stop sign in my car and a lady handed me a flower off the street corner. Who is your valentine? My valentine is that eigth grader who has been giving out flowers to everyone. He’s been hitting on me for like three months, so I’ll give him Valentine’s Day. Dream date? Going to a musical and having my date not fall asleep. Biggest turn-ons/turn-offs? Turn-ons: cool glasses. Turn-offs: Nike high tops with socks that go halfway up your calf. Most embarrassing thing you’ve done around your crush? One time I was outside the cafeteria and trying to be smooth and turn around, but I tripped over the sprinkler and fell down to my knees. That was real smooth...

KIAN BAGHERI If you don’t find senior Kian Bagheri watching his favorite viner, Bryan Silva, or spending his weekend riding around town with the “LC” (his friends), he might be playing his favorite sport, soccer. He’s known for dominating anyone in ping-pong, except senior James Foster, who is “too raw on the paddle.” Aside from soccer and ping-pong, he excels in freestyle rap, but frequently goes over his data limit. His favorite food is a pear and wants to give “a shoutout to them all,” à la Rick Ross. He describes himself as the guy you don’t want to bring home to your parents, and even though he doesn’t watch the show, his favorite celebrity is Sadie Robertson from Duck Dynasty because “she has the sweetest Southern accent.” How did you spend Valentine’s Day last year? With a lot of women. How will you spend it this year? With a lot of women. Dream guy/girl? Someone who embraces the awkwardness I embody. In elementary school, what do you remember about Valentine’s Day? I don’t even remember elementary school... Why do you think people give flowers and chocolate on Valentine’s Day? ’Cause it makes girls feel good about themselves. That’s most important. Is Valentine’s Day overrated? Yeah, because it’s freakin’ stupid. If you’re gonna treat your girl right, treat her right every day. You feel me?

THE SCRIBE

february 2015

( Insert Title Here ) A MESSAGE FROM THE HEART

WRITTEN BY SOFIA GARDENSWARTZ

Dear ____________ boo, (adj.)

I can’t believe it’s already been ____________ year(s) since I met you. I remember exactly how we met. It was ____________ grade, (number) (ordinal number)

in ____________ class. I was sitting at my desk when I dropped my ____________. Before I could get it, you were there, staring back at me (noun) (noun) with your ____________ eyes. I admired you from afar until I finally got the courage to ask you to the ____________ dance. (adj.) (season)

On our first date, you were wearing your favorite ____________ ____________. I remember because I ____________ at you and (past tense verb) (adj.) (article of clothing)

you smelled just like a(n) ____________. You took me to an ____________ field of ____________. We went ____________ to our dinner (noun) (adj.) (plural noun) (present participle) of ____________ and ____________. As you talked, I stared into your ____________ eyes, ____________ falling in love with you. (adverb) (plural type of food) (type of drink) (adj.)

After dinner, we went to ____________ to go for a(n) ____________ walk as the sun set. We ended up ____________ the stars. (place) (preposition) (adj.)

I fell asleep thinking we would be together forever, already planning our ____________ life together. (adj.) Your ____________ woke me up with a(n) ____________ lick on my nose. I looked up to see your ____________ looking down at (pet) (adj.) (noun) me. You took my hand and ____________ me to my home. (past tense verb)

Those first few years we dated were some of the best I can remember! When we broke up to go to college, I was ____________! (emotion)

I tried to date other people in college, but no one compared to you! Then, when I saw you at ____________ with ____________, I realized (location) (person in the room) how much I truly loved you. When you two finally broke up, I was ____________! You showed up at the ____________ and asked me on a (emotion) (place) date. I’m so ____________ that we are finally able to be together! (adj.)

I think about you all the time. There are ____________ billion people on Earth and my heart and mind are stuck on you. I even see (number)

your name formed in my ____________. I’m ____________ in love with you! (noun) (adverb)

Everything about you is ____________. Your eyes are like deep pools of ____________. Your smile is ____________. I love it (noun) (adj.) (adj.)

when your hair ____________ in the wind. Whenever I put my arms around you, I feel like I’m in ____________. Unlike the ____________ in (present tense verb) (place) (dairy product) my fridge, your beauty has no expiration date.

You are like the best poetry ever ____________, the best song ever ____________, the best picture ever ____________. You (past tense verb) (past tense verb) (past tense verb)

have rekindled the ____________ in me. I love you for your ____________, your ____________ ____________, and your ____________ (noun) (adj.) (noun) (adj.) (noun) ____________. (noun) There is no mountain that can reach higher than my love for you. Love, ____________ (your bae) (your name)

* QUADRANTS COMPILED BY JULIANNA D’AURIA AND MORGAN SMITH

Daniel Chidlaw Meredith Wiggins

I usually sit in my room and listen to TLC while eating pizza.

Snigdha Nandipati

one where the girl wasn’t certifiably insane.

Crying alone on my couch.

What’s that again?

Myles Kenny

AN IDEAL VALENTINE’S DAY DATE WOULD BE....

I write myself love notes.

Mrs. Terri Devine

HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE FEBRUARY 14?

Alone in some far flung corner of the globe. (Thanks, Tom Crowley.)

THE ULTIMATE TEST OF TRUE LOVE IS...

WHO IS YOUR DREAM VALENTINE?

WHAT DOES ‘BAE‘ ACTUALLY STAND FOR?

Anyone... I’m desperate.

if you’re willing to share your Chipotle with someone. If so, that’s true love.

Break. All. Eggs.

balling in the streets and getting buckets.

Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child.

not dropping your phone in a Town Hall meeting.

Bacon and eggs. Duh.

chocolate.

I dunno, Winnie the Pooh? He gives great bear hugs!

whether your SO gets you chocolate.

B-A-E-utiful!

a meal at Hooters.

Paula Abdul.

always being there for someone no matter what.

Before Anyone Else.

My husband... when he isn’t reading college applications.

October in college counseling.

Is that an SAT question?

a date with the cute admissions rep for Lafayette College.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH RA ERREGoPixPic F A ERIC Photo:

ASM MS. J

YLO IN TA

THE SCRIBE

february 2015

ar ts & culture

S 14

february 2015

THE SCRIBE

In a recent trip to Iran, junior Kennedy Kidd and her family visited the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque. “The people there are really nice,” Kidd said. “Everywhere we went, people wanted to shake our hands.” To learn more about Kidd’s recent trip, visit www.fpsthescribe.org. PHOTOGRAPH BY PHIL KIDD

24 H O SING URS: WITH LE/ A DA TE

ALL THAT JAZZ

19K IT OFFF,F

A O BRE KE IT SHA

HEARTS AND CRAFTS THE SCRIBE

february 2015

24 HOURS: the

SINGLE

A PERFECT DAY IN HILLCREST TAILORED FOR SINGLES ON VALENTINE’S DAY ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY BREANNA COMUNALE

oses are red, violets are blue, it’s fun to be single on Valentine’s too! Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated as a day to spend with a significant other, but this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day No need to get up early— breakfast is served all day at Chocolat.

alone with entertainment and exquisite dining, in the Hillcrest area, all for under $42.

9:30 -10:30 A.M.: CHOCOLAT 3896 5TH AVE. 9:00 A.M. - 11 P.M. MONDAY - SUNDAY

TOTAL SPENT:$16.95 Start your morning off in this European-inspired bistro, crêperie, and cremerie. Try two of their most popular dishes, the banana Nutella crêpe and the strawberry Nutella crêpe ($10.95). Without a date, you’ll have both of these breakfast items to yourself. To complete the dish, order a glass of orange juice ($4) and a scoop of gelato ($2). “People usually come and eat something sweet like the...crêpes. They also come in for the pasta,” says Cass, a Chocolat employee.

10:30 -11:10 A.M.: METRO NAILS 676 UNIVERSITY AVE. 10:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. MONDAY - THURSDAY 9:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. FRIDAY - SUNDAY

TOTAL SPENT: $26.95 Walk across the street and head east on University Avenue. Take a left at Metro Nails, where you can treat yourself to a morning in the nail salon where walk-ins are welcome. Get a manicure in the color of your choice ($10), although other services are offered, such as acrylic and gel manicures. A unique specialty they offer, according to Jenny, the salon’s manager, is the foot and shoulder massage. Metro Nails’ most popular service is their manicure and pedicure. Students get a discount for the mani pedi with a price of $30.

1 1 : 1 0 A . M . - 1 : 1 0 P. M . :

HILLCREST CINEMA

3965 FIFTH AVE. #200 1:00 - 11:00 P.M. MONDAY - FRIDAY 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. SATURDAY - SUNDAY

TOTAL SPENT: $36.45

After relaxing at the salon, sit back, relax, and enjoy a foreign film. Go west on University toward Sixth Avenue, then take the second right onto Fifth. This theater features independent, foreign, and indie movies.

1 : 1 0 - 2 : 0 0 P. M . : B R O N X P I Z Z A 111 WASHINGTON ST. 11:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. MONDAY - THURSDAY, SUNDAY 11:00 A.M. - 11:00 P.M. FRIDAY - SATURDAY

According to Bronx Pizza’s website, their brick oven was imported from Long Island, NY.

TOTAL SPENT: $38.95 Get back in touch with American culture and take a short walk to Bronx Pizza. Go north on Fifth Avenue and turn left onto Washington Street. This newly renovated pizza joint replicates the New York atmosphere with a subway mural, maps of the Big Apple, and photos of the New Yorkers’ beloved Mets and Yankees. Bronx offers thin crust pizza with a selection of 18 different pies (starting from $15). Try one of their popular slices, the pepperoni, meatball, and sausage pizza ($2.50). “The meat [pizza is] popular because we are a carnivorous, warmongering people,” says the manager of Bronx Pizza, Fabio. Other choices include calzones with cheeses such as ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella.

2 : 0 0 - 2 : 3 0 P. M . : U N C L E B I F F ’ S CALIFORNIA KILLER COOKIES 650 UNIVERSITY AVE. 8:30 A.M.- 6:00 P.M. MONDAY 8:30 A.M. - 8:30 P.M. TUESDAY - FRIDAY 11:00 A.M. - 8:30 P.M. SATURDAY 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. SUNDAY

TOTAL SPENT: $40.70 Make your final stop at Uncle Biff ’s. Begin by going north on Fifth Avenue and taking the first right onto Washington. Proceed right onto Ninth, then take a right onto University. Stray away from the traditional chocolate chip and try their signature favorite, the “California Killer Cookie” ($1.75). Under the golden brown surface is a gooey layer of milk and white chocolate, walnuts optional. There are 13 flavors to choose from such as Unc’s chunk (peanut butter and chocolate chip), Golden Oatie (oatmeal and chocolate chip), and the Double Fudge (chocolate batter with milk chocolate pieces). Who needs to spend a day with someone else when you can have something even sweeter!

february 2015

THE SCRIBE

WITH A DATE

A DAY IN MISSION BEACH WITH YOU AND YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY MAYUMI CHINO

cliché movie relationship, where the couple takes romantic strolls on the beach and shares ice cream while watching the sunset. This Valentine’s Day, the quintessential Hollywood date is perfectly attainable in your very own hometown! From the crystal blue water to the delicious restaurants that line the streets,

spending your Valentines Day at Mission Beach makes the perfect date. Starting with a delicious breakfast at Kono’s Cafe and ending with a romantic stroll among the peaceful waves, this Valentine’s is sure to be the best yet, and not to worry—your ideal date is affordable, totalling just under $42.

9 : 3 0 - 1 0 : 4 5 A. M. : KO N O ’ S CA F E 704 GARNET AVE. 7A.M.-3P.M. MONDAY-FRIDAY 7A.M.-4P.M. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

TOTAL SPENT: $10.95

This urban beach cafe is the perfect place to start your date. The menu has a wide variety of options, including huge egg burritos and house-made French toast. The “Big Breakfast” (only $7.50) includes eggs, potatoes, bacon, two pancakes, and an English muffin. Add orange juice ($1.95) and coffee ($1.50) and it should be more than enough for two people to share. For outside seating and ocean views, make sure to get there early, though, since there is almost always a line out the door.

10:45-11:40A.M.: CRYSTAL PIER/BOARDWALK 4500 OCEAN BLVD. 7A.M. UNTIL DARK

You can rent fishing poles on the pier and take a basic fishing lesson complete with bait, tackle, bucket, towel, knife, pliers, and a possible fish dinner!

This picturesque Pacific Beach pier makes for a scenic stroll. The pier is known for the cottages you can rent overnight, to spend a night over the waves. From the pier, you can watch the early morning surfers in the waves and runners on the boardwalk. You and your date can try bringing your roller blades and go skating. The boardwalk that connects Pacific and Mission Beaches makes for a great seaside walk. From runners and bicyclists to roller bladers with boomboxes, you’ll observe all kinds of people. Try skating down to one of the many coffee shops on the walk for a quick break. After your walk, turn onto Ventura Place, then left onto Mission Blvd. to reach your next destination.

1 1 : 4 0 A . M . - 1 : 0 0 P. M . : L U N C H A T L U I G I ’ S A T T H E B E A C H 3210 MISSION BLVD. 11:30A.M.-9:30P.M. MONDAY-THURSDAY 11:00A.M.-10:30P.M. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY TOTAL SPENT: $21.95 11:00A.M.-9:30P.M. SUNDAY Two slices ($5.50 each) from Luigi’s should be more than enough for you and your date, since they come from a 30-inch pizza and are big enough to cover an entire plate. If you’re lucky, you may be able to witness “The Challenge,” which involves two people attempting to eat an entire 30-inch pizza in under an hour and, if they are successful, winning two free t-shirts and a free meal. “I had two men come in last night to try the challenge,” says Missy, the restaurant manager. “They said that they had been training for weeks, and they even had GoPros on their heads. After about thirty minutes in, they called it quits.”

“I’ve had over 1500 people come in to try this challenge,” says Missy, Luigi’s manager, “and I’ve only seen one win.”

1 : 0 0 - 1 : 3 0 P. M . : R I D E T H E B I G D I P P E R A T B E L M O N T P A R K 3146 MISSION BLVD. 11A.M.-10P.M. FRIDAY-SUNDAY

TOTAL SPENT: $33.95

The Big Dipper is an icon in San Diego. With its stomach-clenching drops and electrifying dips, it’s great for thrill seekers of all ages for the low price of $12. The park has lots to offer, making this one of San Diego’s biggest tourist spots. If you have money to spare, try challenging your date to a game of air hockey or skeeball in the arcade.

1 : 3 0 - 2 : 3 0 P. M . A C L I C H E I C E C R E A M - F I L L E D B E A C H W A L K 3146 MISSION BLVD. OPENS AT 10A,M. MONDAY-SUNDAY TOTAL SPENT: $41.45 Right outside the wave house is Beach Treats. This beach shack sells cold drinks and “monster cones,” waffle cones dipped in chocolate and nuts, filled with a soft serve ice cream flavor of your choice, which are the perfect size for sharing. Take your ice cream down to the beach to enjoy a romantic walk down the sand of Mission Beach. As you dig your toes in the sand, it’s hard to deny—sometimes the most cliché of Valentine’s Day dates can be the most fulfilling.

Walking on the beach at high tide makes the sand wet and easier to walk on than the soft sand.

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All That Jazz All That Jazz All That Jazz AN INSIDE LOOK INTO CHICAGO ARTICLE BY CAROLINE WOHL ARTWORK BY ISAAC GRAY LETTERING BY SOPHIA SWEDBACK

he lights dim and chatter dwindles. Jazz plays as a spotlight shines upon the stage, where a girl rises on a moving platform, scantily clad in fishnets. She pops her leg, dips her hips, and, eyeing the audience, coaxes them to submit to the alluring music of the Roaring ’20s. Lyrics from the musical’s iconic song “All That Jazz” pour from her perfectly rouged lips and the number is in full swing. Set in Chicago in the 1920s, Chicago tells the story of two women in jail awaiting their murder trials. Roxie Hart, an aspiring vaudevillian, attempts to climb her way to the top. She forges a rivalry with seasoned star Velma Kelly, who has more experience with the criminal lifestyle. The show focuses on the women’s battle for publicity and efforts to learn the ropes of show business. Mr. Gordon Cantiello has wanted to produce Chicago for the last ten years. Since it is his last year as chair of the drama department, the cast and crew say this is the perfect musical to end his Parker career. “We had a lot of say in the show we wanted to pick,” says junior Caroline Lezny, who plays Velma Kelly. She says the class ultimately chose Chicago because the limited roles fit the smaller theatre

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class. Cantiello had been working to gain the rights to produce the musical since he began working at Parker. After years of denials, he was finally granted permission. But producing a show can take months. Outside professionals started working with the cast in early fall 2014. In a written response on which she collaborated with Cantiello, production manager Mrs. Shelley Benoit says that Chicago does not have an official student crew due to the time commitment. “The cast is the crew and the crew is the cast,” she says.

PRODUCING THE SHOW

A typical production starts with selecting a play and holding auditions, which usually take two weeks. Once roles are determined, actors learn their lines and start practicing scenes. The crew determines set design, costumes, and props. Chicago’s set was purchased from the Coronado School of the Arts, which just put on the show. The costumes are from previous Parker productions or are handled by the cast and Cantiello. Dress and tech rehearsals take place towards the end of March. The cast usually rehearses for eight to ten weeks until tech rehearsals,

when the cast runs the show as it would be performed. This jam-packed schedule requires that the theater class practices during the school week and sometimes during the weekend. “It is a lot,” Lezny says, “but if you’re really into it, I think it is a really enjoyable experience.” The weekend before the show, the cast and crew run a full-day rehearsal, acting out the production all the way through, instead of scene by scene. During class, they also work on hair and makeup, which Mrs. Debbie Burzynski assists with, as well as costumes and how scenes will be run. Tech week consists of running the show in class; the week leading up to the show, rehearsals go from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. “It is a commitment of passion,” Benoit says.

“This is the first musical I’ve done on the directing side of things,” he says, “so this is really a new experience for me.” Ms. Erica Buechner, the choreographer, collaborates on ideas for the musical numbers, working with the “classic Fosse style” for which Chicago is known. Fosse is an articulate, physically demanding type of dance that uses sexually suggestive movements with vaudeville humor. “Fosse movement is so interesting and somewhat awkward on the body,” Buechner says in an email, “so it is a challenge to make it feel and look right.” This is especially difficult because the cast tries to learn one number per week. The show is double casted, so the crew takes extra time working with both casts. However, this hard work pays off to produce a great show. Cantiello says theatre is a collaborative art and everyone depends on each other. “It’s with this collaboration we decide how to tell [the story],” he says through Benoit.

THE CREW

THE THEATRE FAMILY

As the director, Cantiello visualizes, designs, and executes every aspect of the show, including staging the play, sets, lights, costumes, and more. “What you see on stage in any show is ultimately the vision of its director,” Benoit says. Benoit, officially known as production manager, assists with managing schedules, cast communication, performance coaching, and more. Other outside professionals help run the show as well. Mr. Brandon Sherman is the music director. “I work closely with both the director and choreographer to help their ideas come to realization on stage,” Sherman says in an email. He teaches vocal technique and harmonies to the cast, finds musicians to play in the orchestra, and leads the band. Mr. Vincent Pasquill ’09 is the assistant director. He has been doing theatre for about a decade, with a start at San Diego Junior Theatre. He participated in Parker productions, in college theatre groups, and in professional productions in San Diego. “Probably the biggest challenge we’re facing is time,” Pasquill says. He says that one class period is not enough to rehearse and with the extracurriculars people do, it is hard to fit in a longer rehearsal.

Parker’s theater class becomes much closer while producing shows. “One thing I like about Parker’s theater class,” says sophomore Kaelyn Kappes, who plays Roxie Hart, “is the fact that Mr. Cantiello makes sure we learn new techniques as well as progress towards the production of a musical.” Junior Franz Schauer, who plays reporter Mary Sunshine, says there is a certain rush one gets when on stage. “When I’m performing, it makes me feel like someone else,” he says. “I forget all of my problems and I can take on the character, escaping from life for a bit.” According to the actors, seeing the show come together as a whole is one of the best parts of putting on a show. “I’m really looking forward to watching Chicago continue to come together into the amazing show I know it will be,” says junior Henry Aceves, part of the ensemble. “My favorite part about being in a show is the camaraderie in the cast: by the end, you’re really like a family and that’s just invaluable.” PERFORMANCE DATES 7:00 P.M.: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 TO SATURDAY, MARCH 28 3:00 P.M.: SATURDAY, MARCH 28

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For a photo slideshow of the rehearsals, go to fpsthescribe.org.

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BREAK IT OFF, SHAKE IT OFF HOW TO CURE A BROKEN HEART

ARTICLE BY EMILY WU PHOTOGRAPHS BY GRACE SELLICK AND EMILY WU

CRY

The emotional catharsis obtained through crying is essential to letting go. “Often times what leads us to a point of crying is ruminating or reminiscing [over] those emotions and that’s a really important part of recovering from any kind of loss, that mourning of what could have been, and allowing yourself to process that,” says school psychologist Dr. Bridgett Besinger.

RUN

Running releases hormones from our body which help alleviate stress and make you feel better. “[Running is] linked up to our endocrine system and when there’s a release like that, then we get endorphins,” Besinger says. Endorphins are released into the body, and help reduce the feeling of pain. Exercise in general will keep you healthy while simultaneously fighting against anxiety and depression.

Crossing items off of your bucket list is a great opportunity to try new things.

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Running helps fig ht against anxiety and depre ssion.

CROSS ITEMS OFF OF YOUR BUCKET LIST Crossing items off of your bucket list or even just staying busy gives you a gratifying feeling. It also means you’re making progress and acknowledging that sometimes you need to put yourself first. “It’s about making psychological space from the issue and being able to digest it from a more objective place,” says junior Ted Gehring. So be adventurous, whether to you that means trying a new food or going skydiving.

THE RESTAURANT TO DROWN YOUR SORROWS GHIRARDELLI ICE CREAM & CHOCOLATE SHOP 643 5TH AVENUE This shop in the Gaslamp Quarter serves everything from the classic banana slip and hot fudge sundae to the “earthquake”, (eight scoops of ice cream and eight different toppings). “There’s just nothing better, it tastes so good and comforting” says science department chair, Ms. Laura Capolino. Although you might not feel physically well after binge eating ice cream, you will feel better emotionally— and that’s all that really matters.

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THE RESTAURANT TO EAT YOUR FEELINGS PIEOLOGY 5575 BALBOA AVE. STE. 310 If you prefer a meal after a breakup, then Pieology is a great place to go. Pieology allows you to customize exactly what you want on your pizza, which is flash-fired and given to you in less than five minutes. There is a variety of unique toppings from herb butter to a spicy buffalo sauce, so you have endless possibilities and will probably never have the exact same pizza twice, even if you want to eat your feelings on multiple occasions.

THE REVENGE MOVIE

THE SONG TO REASSURE YOU

JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE

“FIX YOU” BY COLDPLAY

Three girls discover they are all dating the same person and plan to have him experience the same heartbreak as they did. “It’s really great because...I wish I could do all these things to a person,” says sophomore Olia Javidi, “but you can’t, so you just watch a movie.”

Although the song has a sad undertone, it actually has a very optimistic message: accept your mistakes and learn to let go. “Maybe if you listen to it you’ll think of how your relationship failed and that’ll make you sad and sometimes when you’re sad you just need to cry, so it’ll make you cry too,” Javidi says.

THE REBOUND MOVIE

THE SONG FOR WHEN THEY DON’T DESERVE YOU

CLUELESS Protagonist Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) offers strategic tips on getting guys to notice you that are perfect for reentering the dating scene, bringing back your confidence, and reinventing yourself. “I find it funny, and it’s an old movie,” says sophomore Ilsa Lamberti, “it’s just one of the classics.”

“GIVES YOU HELL” BY THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS In a Scribe survey of 83 Upper School students, 41% selected “Gives You Hell” as the best breakup song.“You can relate to it because when someone breaks up with you, you hope it gives them hell. You hope that they regret it,” says freshman Rachel Ellis. Release your anger with the sassy lyrics while giving yourself a confidence boost.

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february 2015

HEARTS AND CRAFTS DIY VALENTINE’S GIFTS: CREATED BY SCRIBE, APPROVED BY CUPID

ARTICLE BY MEGAN PAI AND NATASHA PARTNOY PHOTOGRAPH BY GRACE SELLICK

alentine’s Day is a time for showing affection, appreciation, and love for those around you. This year, instead of opting for the cliché bouquet of red roses or heart-shaped box of chocolates, show your family, friends, and significant others just how much you care with a handmade, heartfelt gift.

Taking the time to make something special can be more meaningful and memorable than any materialistic purchased gift, and much less expensive, too! Check out these fun, easy Valentine’s DIYs that are sure to warm the hearts of loved ones.

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AC 1. FOR THE BOOKWORM...

3. FOR THE FOODIE...

Know friends or family members who always have their nose stuck in a book? This rose bookmark is a gift they will be able to appreciate every time they flip a page. Librarian Ms. Briana Bryan says, “I think it’s really neat that you’re re-using old books to make something special for somebody.” This Valentine’s Day craft can be made using common household materials and supplies, so it is financially friendly as well.

For a simple but sweet DIY gift, look to none other than the classic Mason jar, layered with the dry ingredients to make the perfect batch of a dozen chocolate chip cookies. The timeless recipe is sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. As freshman Lia Redfern says, “These [jars] are really cute and they’re really big in France right now.” This is the perfect gift for bakers who want to reduce recipe prep time, as it spares the recipient from having to go through the tedious process of measuring out all their ingredients. However, they can still have the fun of making the cookies themselves, with the ingredients presented in a festive, Valentine’s themed way. All they have to do is open the jar and mix!

Steps: Place a circular object about 4 inches in diameter (such as a bowl or mug) on a page of an old book (or an old Scribe, like we used!) and trace around the object’s rim. Cut the traced circle out. Draw a spiral on the circle with a pencil, starting at the edge and ending in the middle. Cut along this line so that the circle becomes a spiral and erase any pencil lines left over. Tightly roll the paper, starting at the tail and working inwards. Fold the innermost end piece so it covers the bottom of the rolled paper and secure with hot glue. Glue the paper rose to the top of a 1-inch wide strip of leather or cardstock. Pro Tip: As our interview with Ms. Bryan shows, this bookmark makes a great Valentine’s present for teachers!

2 . F O R T H E M U S I C LOV E R. . . Give your favorite music connoisseur a creative gift this Valentine’s Day. This repurposed vinyl record heart artwork has a professional look but is surprisingly easy to make, even for the most inexperienced of artists. Minimize the budget for the craft by using a previously owned or scratched vinyl record, or even asking a friend, neighbor, or family member for a spare. Personalize the gift by searching online or at a local music store to find an album by the recipient’s favorite artist or band. Steps: Set down a piece of cardboard or newspaper and place the vinyl record on top. Draw the outline of a heart onto the record with permanent marker. To make sure the outline is neat, print out a picture of a heart, cut the picture out, and trace the border of it onto the record. Using a saw or hot knife, cut out the heart outline on the record. Use either a string of successive short strokes or one long, continued stroke. (Warning: This cutting process will be timeconsuming, and remember to wear safety glasses!) Hot glue the vinyl record heart onto red or pink construction paper, and place the art in a festive picture frame.

Steps: Fold a piece of paper in half horizontally and cut half of a heart out along the crease, creating a heart-shaped hole. Set the cut-out heart aside. Cover the inside or outside of the jar with the larger paper, giving the recipient a small glimpse of the jar’s contents once it’s filled. Combine 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Pour this flour mixture into the Mason jar. Pour in 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and press firmly to secure the layer. Next, pour in 3/4 cup brown sugar and pack it tightly. Pour in 11/2 cups chocolate chips or M&M’s on top of the other ingredients and seal the lid tightly onto the jar. Use the heart that was set aside as a tag, and write the following cookie recipe onto it: 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Beat 3/4 cup softened butter, 1 large egg, and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until blended. Add cookie mix from the jar and mix well, breaking up any clumps. 3. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets and bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes, and then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Hole punch the recipe card and tie it around the jar lid with pink or red ribbon. Pro Tip: If the person who will be receiving the gift isn’t a fan of chocolate chip cookies, recipes for different kinds of baked goods can also be used. Brownies, muffins, and other types of cookies can work well for this craft.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a saw at home, ask Middle and Upper School Woodshop Teacher Mr. Barry Cheskaty for permission to use the resources available in the woodshop. If you’re polite, he might even share some helpful suggestions!

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Want to try making these gifts? Have Valentine’s crafts of your own that you would like to make? Email us pictures of the finished products at fpscribe@gmail.com, and we’ll post the best ones on Scribe’s social media pages!

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The varsity girls’ soccer team prepares for a tough game against Escondido Charter High School on January 16. Although the team ended last season as the Southern California Regional Champions, they are starting this season with difficulty, ending this second league game with a 2-1 loss. Visit www.fpsthescribe.org to keep up with varsity girls’ soccer and other teams’ scores. PHOTOGRAPH BY CAROLINE MERKIN

24 HEAD FIRST

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

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Head FIrst

THE IMPORTANT TRUTH BEHIND CONCUSSIONS ARTICLE BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY ARTWORK BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY AND GRACE SELLICK

t was a typical Friday night in September as the varsity football team was playing under the lights against Valhalla High School. Early in the second quarter, the Lancers started to feel confident, holding a one touchdown lead. As the game continued, Parker’s 32 players became exhausted as Valhalla, a 55-player team, kept adding new legs to the field. In a time span of 40 minutes, Parker’s lead in the game took a turn for the worse. One of Parker’s offensive linemen, senior Mickey Miller, was getting tired, but he pushed himself to make one last good block before the game was over. Miller successfully blocked his opponent, but as he came off his block, his head collided with a teammate and he fell to the ground unconscious.

“I felt numb everywhere. I couldn’t stand on my own. My body felt so light,” Miller recalls. “My head was pounding, the lights were unbearably sharp, and the voices around me were so loud. Everything was magnified.” Miller got back on his feet and stumbled to the sidelines. He sat in a daze as a doctor and his coaches asked him questions and whispered to each other about the seriousness of the injury. Miller knew what was going on, but couldn’t get himself to speak as he sat perplexed under the blinding lights of one of the biggest games of the season. This would be his fourth concussion. Aside from not being able to play in his last high school season, Miller has dealt with a lot of changes in his life because of his injury, even changes in his plans

Out of the 1.5 million high school football players in the U.S., 250,000 suffer a concussion during their high school career. -The American Journal of Public Health 24

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for the future. “I was planning on applying to schools like Harvard and Yale,” he says. “I had been planning on applying to a few Ivy Leagues. Now I have to kind of rethink my college plans.” Concussions happen in a blink of an eye, yet many of these injuries are simply over looked and not taken seriously. The truth of the matter is that although the concussion is a common and fasthappening injury, it can change an athlete’s life forever.

THE STATISTICS

The feelings Miller had after his collision are some of the most common symptoms of a concussion. According to The American Journal of Public Health, out of the 1.5 million high school football players in the U.S., 250,000 suffer a concussion during their high school career. Miller is one of these 250,000. Because he has gotten four concussions in his career, he is 4 times more likely to get another concussion than a player who is concussion-free, and many coaches can stand by this statistic. “In my 18 years at Parker,

I’ve seen about 2 or 3 players that have had so many [concussions] that the player, their parents, and the coaches have said ‘enough was enough,’” says varsity football coach Mr. John Morrison. “Eventually it’s just not safe anymore.” Concussions are on the rise and are gaining notoriety as one of the most harmful injuries among young athletes, especially young football players. Athletic trainer Ms. Niki Dehner has seen many concussions throughout her time at Parker, but this past fall season showed astounding numbers. “Last year, there were close to three concussions [in football], and this year, this past season, there were probably around 15,” Dehner says. “In the three years that I’ve been [at Parker], I have seen about an average of 10 concussions per year.” Even though the fall sports season has come to an end, concussions haven’t. Winter sports such as soccer and basketball are the source of thousands of concussions among high school athletes each year. A study by Reporting Information Online (RIO), a high

SP school injury surveillance system, states that over the past five school years girls’ soccer has accounted for the third-highest rate of concussions, according to The Washington Post. Getting a concussion while playing a contact sport such as soccer can happen at anytime, even when simply defending the ball.

CONCUSSIONS DON ’T STAY IN THE BOUNDARIES

It was a hot day in March as senior Taylor Salmons, a freshman at the time, was playing in a varsity soccer game against girls who were 2-3 years older than she was. Her adrenaline was pumping as she saw the ball fly from the opposite side of the field, straight towards her. She jumped to head the ball into the goal, but was aggressively slide tackled and fell to the ground, her head hitting the dry grass hard. “I was unconscious for a couple minutes and had no idea where I was. It was a weird and scary feeling,” Salmons says. “For about a year after [the concussion], I was hesitant on the field and afraid I would get hurt again.” Salmons had been playing soccer for almost eight years and was accustomed to jumping high for headers. She never thought something she did so frequently would cause her to receive a concussion or be nervous to play in the sport she has been participating in for so long. Salmons is not the only athlete who has been shaken up from receiving a concussion. Junior Athena Zander had received two concussions before she decided not to play basketball anymore. “The first time I got a concussion, I didn’t know until a month later when I was having headaches playing sports,” Zander says. “The second time [I got a concussion], I went to the trainer, who told me to take a break from school and sports. Now, I no longer play basketball and I still get headaches all the time.” Zander’s story is a perfect example of the importance of recognizing the concussion as a serious injury as soon as it occurs. Failure of recognition and proper management of concussions when they first occur can cause lasting injury or symptoms.

This is especially true in sports that are not typically associated with concussions, such as cross country. In situations where concussions are not immediately considered, it is important for the athlete to speak up about what he or she is feeling. As senior Nick Valverde ran down Via Las Cumbres during a cross country practice in November 2013, he lost his footing and fell on the hard concrete. To Valverde, falling during a run down a steep hill isn’t a big deal. “I got up feeling a little dizzy,” he says. “I would have continued on as if nothing happened, but a few of my teammates behind me said that my head hit the concrete pretty hard, so I went to see a doctor.” When he visited the doctor, a concussion was the last thing on his mind. But, to his surprise, it was exactly what the doctor diagnosed. Valverde’s circumstance is common among young athletes. A lot of athletes are too involved in the activity they are in to recognize signs of injury, even as serious as a concussion. That is why it is important for teammates, coaches, and athletic trainers to be present during all practices and games.

PA R K E R TA K E S ACTION

“[Parker] has had in place a very advanced directive of how we treat concussions, and we’ve had it long before you were reading about concussions in the paper,” Morrison says. “For football, there are concussion sensors in the helmets. So assuming a player was to have a huge hit, the sensor would go off, the trainers’ sensor would go off, and the injured player would be taken off the field.” Not only has Parker’s athletic department become more aware of the seriousness of concussions by having trainers readily available during all sports games and practices, it has also invested in special safety helmets for football players that help to diagnose athletes on impact. Many athletes are either unaware of concussion symptoms or don’t address the symptoms in fear of losing playing time. However, as Parker continues to stress the importance of speaking up about concussion symptoms,

especially through the Athletes Saving Athletes campaign, many athletes are beginning to realize that two weeks of sitting out of sports due to a concussion is much more beneficial than having those symptoms for life. “It’s true that most athletes want to get back to their sport as soon as possible,” Dehner says. “But because of [Parker’s] most recent education about concussions and returning too early, athletes are now more likely to tell us the truth about their symptoms so that they can get healthy quickly and back to playing their sport.” The publicity that concussions have gotten recently among youth sports teams has caused coaches, parents, and athletes to be more aware of the dangers of concussions. Although most of this publicity has been focused on football, it is vital for athletes to understand that concussions can occur during any physical activity, not only high contact sports. Aside from the concussion sensing football helmets that have been introduced at Parker and other high schools, other precautionary and awareness actions are taking place on campus. The Athletes Saving Athletes campaign, a program to encourage athletes to learn about concussion symptoms before they occur, went viral on the Lancer campus. This campaign, also known as the Speak Up campaign, talked to many Parker athletes including captain of the varsity football team, senior Khaleel Jenkins. Jenkins was featured on a Speak Up video as he talked about the symptoms of concussions and the importance of speaking up about them. “When [athletes] put in so much to the sport, they obviously never want to miss a play, but what [athletes] need to remember is that there is life after the sport,” Jenkins says. [Athletes] need to make sure that health comes first and the sport comes second, always.”

CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS

FEELING DAZED

CONFUSION

DROWSINESS

HEADACHE

RINGING IN EARS

NAUSEA SOURCE: MAYO CLINIC THE SCRIBE

february 2015

What WERE they thiNking? NOT JUST ANOTHER PRETTY FACE

COMPILED BY CHARLOTTE DICK-GODFREY PHOTOGRAPHS FROM SMUGMUG

Excuse me, waiter! Booty had me like whoa.

Where are we?

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Lost the ball and my dentures!

Come here, beautiful.

Ya nasty!

Achooo!

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february 2015

INTO THE MADNESS CREATING THE PERFECT MARCH MADNESS BRACKET

ARTICLE AND ARTWORK BY JASH BABLA

1 Florida 16 Albany

Seed: The nickname for the ranking each team receives by region. Each school is given a rank from #1-16, called a “seeding” or a “seed”.

8 Colorado 9 Pittsburgh 5 VCU 12 S.F Austin

HOW DOES A SCHOOL GET SELECTED? Every college basketball team in the country is part of a “conference,” made of teams in the same part of the country. The “Power 5 Conferences” usually produce the top ranked teams for the tournament. The Atlantic Coast Conference contains Duke and North Carolina, the Pacific-12 is headlined by UCLA and Arizona, the Big 10 is led by Michigan and Wisconsin, the Big 12 conference usually produces Baylor and Kansas for the tournament, and the South Eastern Conference usually sends Kentucky and Florida. The winner of a conference tournament automatically is selected for the NCAA tournament, and is usually given a very high seed. An “at large selection” is a school that has an outstanding regular season, but loses their conference tournament. This entry method benefits great basketball schools in very tough conferences. Usually the Atlantic Coast Conference produces the most, due to the sheer amount of powerhouse basketball schools in the conference (Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia, Louisville). So far, we’ve seleced 62 teams for the bracket. The last two are selected through the “First Four” round. Four teams are selected to play each other in their own separate bracket, and the two winners receive the final two #16 seeds. The final seedings and the “at large bids” are selected by a selection committee, made up of ten athletic directors and conference commissioners, on the famous “Selection Sunday,” a highly anticipated day on the weekend before the tournament. At every strong basketball school, almost all of the students pack the basketball stadium to watch the “Selection Sunday” show, broadcasted on ESPN, on the jumbotron. When their school is announced, students either have a crazy celebration in the stadium or boo loudly and hastily exit depending on the seed the school is given.

4 UCLA 13 Tulsa 6 Ohio State 11 Dayton 3 Syracuse 14 Western Michigan 7 New Mexico 10 Stanford 2 Kansas 15 Eastern Kentucky 1 Virginia 16 Coastal Carolina 8 Memphis 9 G. Washington 5 Cincinnati 12 Harvard 4 Michigan State 13 Delaware 6 North Carolina 11 Providence 3 Iowa State 14 NC Central

Sleeper: A team that is “flying under the radar”, usually a #5-8 ranked team who defeats many teams ranked higher than them, en route to the Final Four or National Championship game.

7 Connecticut 10 Saint Joseph’s 2 Villanova 15 Milwaukee

1 Florida 1 Florida 9 Pittsburgh 1 Florida 12 S.F Austin 4 UCLA 4 UCLA

11 Dayton 11 Dayton 3 Syracuse 11 Dayton 10 Stanford 10 Stanford 2 Kansas

1 Virginia 1 Virginia 8 Memphis

4 Michigan St 12 Harvard 4 Michigan State 4 Michigan State

6 North Carolina 3 Iowa State 3 Iowa State

7 Connecticu 7 Connecticut 7 Connecticut 2 Villanova

HOW TO FILL OUT A BRACKET: When in doubt, pick the powerhouse. Schools are given theat nickname for a reason. If you don’t know whether to pick between a small school and a historically great school, pick the great one. Last year, #8 Kentucky faced #7 Connecticut in the National Championship. Just about no one picked that matchup. But these two schools advanced because of experience, leadership, and great coaching.

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Look at your bracket only once or twice before the deadline. Over-analyzing can lead you to be unsure about an upset you picked, and you might end up changing your pick, and then suffering the consequences when #11 Dayton ends up upsetting #6 Ohio State. The best brackets are often picked by fans who know very little about college basketball. This is because they don’t look at their bracket every day for 30 minutes during their free periods.

arch Madness is a fancy name for the National Collegiate Athletic Association Basketball tournament, or NCAA tournament, that takes place every year from mid-March to the beginning of April. Think of it as the playoffs for college basketball. After the regular season, 68 of the best college basketball teams in the country battle it out, playing each other at different arenas around the country. Each team is assigned to a region (Midwest, South, West, East), and given a ranking within their region from #1-16

1 Florida

Cinderella: The nickname for a very low ranked team, usually from #10-15, who advances to the Sweet 16 round or even the Elite 8. They are called “Cinderella” because of their underdog status.

(the #1 ranked team from the region plays the #16, the #2 plays the #15, and so on). After five rounds, the final game is the National Championship, played at the beginning of April in a different city each year (2015 National Championship will be played in Indianapolis). Each year, millions of college basketball fans fill out brackets, and try to pick the winners of each game to try and win Warren Buffet’s Billion Dollar Perfect Bracket Challenge. But don’t get your hopes up, the odds of you picking a perfect bracket are roughly 1 in 4.2 billion. 1 Arizona 1 Arizona 8 Gonzaga

1 Arizona 12 N. Dakota State 4 San Diego St. 4 San Diego St.

2 Wisconsin

1 Florida

6 Baylor 6 Baylor

7 Connecticut

3 Creighton 11 Dayton

2 Wisconsin 7 Oregon 2 Wisconsin 2 Wisconsin

1 Wichita State 8 Kentucky 8 Kentucky 8 Kentucky

4 Michigan State

7 Connecticut

5 St. Louis 4 Louisville 4 Louisville

8 Kentucky 7 Connecticut

8 Kentucky

11 Tennessee 11 Tennessee 14 Mercer

Final Four: Nickname for the second-tolast round of the tournament, consisting of the last four teams (the champions of each region), remaining after every game from the first four rounds of the tournament. The winners of the “Final Four” advance to the National Championship game on April 6.

2 Michigan 7 Texas 2 Michigan 2 Michigan

Upset: Any team ranked from #9-16 in their region who defeats a team in their region ranked from seed #1-8.

Pick some upsets! Every year, some #12 seed will knock off a #5 seed, and though it’s hard to bring yourself to pick North Dakota State to beat Oklahoma, there is a good chance that it will happen, and you don’t want to miss out on points because you only looked at seed numbers. Last year, Villanova was ranked far too high at #2, and it showed, when they lost to #7 UConn in the second round. Kentucky, UConn, and #6 Baylor are prime examples of teams proving the selection committee wrong. However, this strategy requires watching some of the regular season and conference tournaments.

1 Arizona 16 Weber State 8 Gonzaga 9 Oklahoma State 5 Oklahoma 12 N. Dakota State 4 San Diego St. 13 New Mexico St. 6 Baylor 11 Nebraska 3 Creighton 14 La-Lafayette 7 Oregon 10 BYU 2 Wisconsin 15 American 1 Wichita State 16 Cal Poly 8 Kentucky 9 Kansas State 5 St. Louis 12 NC State 4 Louisville 13 Manhattan 6 Massachusetts 11 Tennessee 3 Duke 14 Mercer 7 Texas 10 Arizona State 2 Michigan 15 Wofford

Throw out personal favorites. If you already have a favorite school because of your parents, or you want to go there, forget personal biases. Duke is my favorite team and always has been, and each of the last three years I have picked Duke to go to the Elite 8. Two of those years, Duke has been upset in the first round. They may be a storied program, but Duke has been my Achilles’ heel for a very long time. Don’t let fanhood and fantasy sports mix, like I do. THE SCRIBE

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features

A banner hangs across a bike rack as part of the protests about the student killings that occurred fall 2014 in Mexico. Read more about them on page 36. PHOTOGRAPH ISABEL february 2015 BYTHE SCRIBESANCHEZ HODOYAN

AF AR FIC EWEL KL L T ING O

NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE

#Y AM

EC AN

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A FAREWELL TO FICKLING LEAVING THE FINEST PREP SCHOOL WEST OF THE HOUSATONIC ARTICLE BY AVI WALDMAN PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF MS. ROSE HANSCOM AND THE CAVALCADE

he first few days back at school after Mr. Philip Fickling resigned the week before Thanksgiving break were a time of uncertainty for many of his students, especially those in his twelfth grade honors section. Even before the rumors of Fickling’s departure were confirmed, seniors worried about the options available to them if no replacement teacher was found. During this period of limbo, the students of Shakespeare, Milton, and the Bible discussed the future of the class. “Some people asked if anyone would consider switching, others wanted to wait things out and see what class would be like with a different teacher. But there was one thing tying us together, and that was the fact that we chose to take Shakespeare, Milton, and the Bible for Mr. Fickling,” says senior

Emma Sheean, who enrolled in Fickling’s honors elective. “When it was kind of confusing and hectic and nobody quite knew what would happen, we all just thought of Mr. Fickling.” Fickling resigned on November 18, 2014, during the school year which was to be the 21st of his tenure at Parker. He taught seniors, juniors, and freshmen, and in addition to his teaching duties was the head coach for junior varsity football and Academic League. Fickling chaired the English department from 2005 to 2011, before, according to Fickling, stepping down in order to focus on his true love: teaching. Throughout Parker’s history, there have been few teachers more iconic than Fickling. His outsized reputation preceded him into any room. Tales of his feud with technology and gruff demeanor

rner, where Richmond K. Tu on board the r ce offi r he With anot 80. m 1978 to19 he served fro klahoma. Hanscom in O With Ms. Rose

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trickled down as far as the Middle School—but for the countless students whose lives he touched, it is Fickling’s passionate commitment to his students and teaching that stands out.

PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW

The circumstances of Fickling’s resignation were unusual. For one thing, his departure came at the end of the first trimester of the school year, which, according to Head of the Upper School Mr. Paul Barsky, is exceedingly rare. Speculation was rife among students as to what had occurred. “Mr. Barsky, in the initial stages of transition, kind of came into our class to explain the situation, but he didn’t say anything about why Mr. Fickling left,” Sheean says. “It was all rumors.” Students expressed bewilderment as to what exactly had occurred during the week of his resignation. According to several students, communication between the administration and the student body was limited, and confusing. Abesent any concrete information, students were left looking for someone blame. “I know Mr. Barsky’s not legally allowed to tell us why [Fickling] left, but it’s absolutely ridiculous,” says senior Grant Shives, who was taking Fickling’s honors course. “There had to have been some part, not just from Mr. Fickling, there had to have been some part...pushing him, there had to have been some real trigger for him to have left like that. And that was the administration’s fault, that they let the best teacher in our entire school leave, just like that.” Though the resignation may have seemed sudden, precipitating factors had accumulated gradually

over time, according to Fickling. “I never saw completely eye to eye with the current administration,” Fickling says. “I think that I assumed that everybody was capable of great things, and they assume that some people aren’t capable of much of anything at all and I really object to that kind of entering philosophy... I said something about the administration that I shouldn’t have and I regret having done so... I really miss the place. I wish I were still there. I really miss the students, I really miss the faculty.” According to Barsky, Fickling’s impact on the school has been realized through his commitment to his students and his teaching a love for and appreciation of literature. “We wish him all the best,” Barsky says. Since resignations during the school year are not a common occurrence, according to English department chair Mr. Chris Harrington, there is no protocol in place to deal with them, making the week before Thanksgiving break a mad dash to find teachers who could cover the five unexpectedly instructor-less classes. Although Ms. Nancy Anderson took the ninth grade class and Mr. Jared D’Onofrio and Harrington between them covered Fickling’s 11th grade AP Language and Composition classes, there was some difficulty finding a teacher to take Shakespeare, Milton, and the Bible. “The twelfth grade honors section was during a time that no other English teacher was available,” Barsky says. “We needed to work with the Middle School to get coverage of their Yearbook

FE class to free up [English teacher Mr. Ben Miller-Callihan] to teach the twelfth grade honors.” While Shakespeare, Milton, and the Bible has been able to continue much as it did with Fickling, there have been some changes to the class’s format and structure. “It’s a bit different from Mr. Fickling’s [class], because in Mr. Fickling’s we were all in little rows but Mr. [Miller-Callihan] has moved all the tables into a conference table sort of thing so we’re all sitting in a square,” Sheean says. “It’s a very discussion-based class. We analyze the passages line by line, and anyone who has anything to say can say it. It’s less structured, less rules and everything, but it’s still very fun.” According to freshman Giselle Alota, the English 9 section has transitioned successfully from Fickling to Anderson. “It’s been really easy. She’s made it so low-key,” Alota says. And while Fickling is much missed, and some things just aren’t the same without him, the transition process for AP Language and Composition has been relatively smooth, juniors say.

AN EVER-FIXÈD MARK

Fickling’s eventual career might have been predicted from his path through college at Yale University, where he earned a bachelor of arts in English language and literature and played football for a year. But he didn’t start teaching straight out of college. Instead, Fickling joined the Navy from 1965 to 1993, rising through the ranks to become chief engineer on four ships. He was hired at Parker in August 1994. “He loved being in the classroom, loved coaching, loved teaching and his kids loved him,” Anderson says. “I think his legacy is the passion for teaching. He shared that with all of us.” “He was old-school,” says Harrington, who succeeded Fickling as chair of the English department in 2011. “He always reminded us that computers and iPads and other ‘inventions of the devil’ were useless unless people knew how to read and write.” Shives signed up for Fickling’s Shakespeare, Milton, and the Bible after having him as a football coach freshman and sophomore years, an English teacher junior year, and an advisor throughout his high school career. “Just from being around him

I’ve learned more. I’ve learned everything I needed to learn,” Shives says. “[Shakespeare, Milton, and the Bible]’s been sort of the best class I’ve taken the last few years.” In addition to his reputation as a top-notch teacher, Fickling’s eccentricities were well known around campus and made him beloved by his students. “He was really an awesome teacher,” Alota says. “At the beginning of every class, he would set up jobs for each of us for books we read. An example would be a drunk, because drunks pass out, so those people would pass out the papers. So it was just funny things like that that he would do. ” “Mr. Fickling was a really funny guy,” says junior Ben Sachrison. “Students would come in and present a topic about modern events, and one of the students did one on the new iPad announcement, and Mr. Fickling laughed and he said, ‘That’s the Devil’s work’... Every time we had him, he’d say the funniest comments and we learned so much. He was one of my favorite teachers.” Past generations of Parker students shared these opinions, nominating him for the Yale Educator Award in 2010. Fickling was was honored by his alma mater for excellence in teaching when he recieved this award that same year, one of 48 teachers and counsellors from around the world to do so. “My decision to become a teacher myself is in no small part due to Mr. Fickling. He managed to inspire so many of us in so many—or as he might say ‘sundry and divers’—ways,” says Quinn White, class of 2010, via email. White took Fickling’s courses his freshman and junior years and audited his senior elective. He credits Fickling with teaching him to love and understand poetry: “He inspired in me—in all of us—a still deeper love and excitement for learning. Were I, as a teacher, to have an impact only a fraction as large as that Mr. Fickling did, I would think my career a great success.” Similarly, Duncan Tomlin, class of 2012, had Fickling his junior and senior years and says that the lessons Fickling imparted stayed with him after graduation. “Some college professors from Mr. Fickling’s academic era tend to scoff at the new generation of scholars, writing us off as spastic, over-stimulated internet addicts, all hopped up on frappucinos and Instagram,” Tomlin says via email. “But Mr. Fick-

ling never saw it that way. He had a profound respect for the high school student and he truly wanted to see us succeed. The part of his legacy which I fear we may already be losing is the idea that understanding is a privilege of the knowledgeable. Mr. Fickling always used to say, ‘you gotta know stuff,’ and it turns out he was right. And then there’s the time Mr. Fickling pulverized a desktop computer with a sledge-

hammer right in the middle of the quad. I hope we never forget that either.” The 2010-2011 issue of the Cavalcade was dedicated to Fickling, and ran several photographs of him throughout his life. Clockwise from top left: Fickling at his childhood home in Ojai, CA. Fickling featured in the 2004-2005 Cavalcade. At the age of eight in Atascadero, CA. At Golden Spike National Historical Site, in Utah. On board the Richmond K. Turner.

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, ember 7 ht of Dec rkeley t the nig e n B e C sp U k e c th edba starteets of Arielle Sw ut live tw arbage fires are . nding o e streets th 2014, se m Right: Small g to ents take sh windows of otto d B u s. st st : e te pro . Abov and sma ads while riled up ed on ro testors become r. ro ve p e flip it o Left: Som ttempt to ar and a a cop c

the face of student protests

NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE THE RISE OF STUDENT ACTIVISM ARTICLE BY MYLA ANDREWS PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARIELLE SWEDBACK

“C

owardice is contagious,” history teacher Dr. Rai Wilson says, “but also courage is contagious.” This statement has only been confirmed by the recent student protests erupting across the globe. Prominent in some of the most widely circulated news sources, such as The New York Times and CNN, are striking reports of huge congregations of young people, bonding against authority and demanding change. Violent or nonviolent, small or large, student protests have had the ability to escalate today’s controversies with their rallies and demonstrations coupled with the use of social media. It is undeniable— the student generation has a voice, and they intend to use it. In Hong Kong, beginning in September, pro-democracy protests emerged against the Chinese government, which is hand-selecting candidates for the

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upcoming election. Hong Kong, which will be absorbed into the greater China entity in this next election, has expressed outrage at its loss of freedom. The protests have escalated throughout fall of 2014. At the forefront of the demonstrations are students, who were the first to begin protesting and hold responsibility for attracting support. In early November, students in Athens, Greece banded together to protest education reforms and budget cuts. According to EuroNews, around 500 schools were occupied in Greece during these rallies. Protesting students in Mexico were brutally murdered around the same time due to authority’s inability to handle opposition. Yet cases of police brutality against African-Americans have gained the most momentum in the United States. The shooting of Michael Brown, age 18, in Fer-

guson, Missouri, and the death of Eric Garner, age 43, in particular have ignited a spark in students across the U.S. whose outrage at the alleged racism translates into varying forms of protest. Students at Harvard University and University of California, Berkeley have notably gathered recognition in the news. On the Parker campus, Wilson has led student discussions regarding such events. Parker alumna, former Scribe editor, and current UC Berkeley student Arielle Swedback works as a reporter for the university’s independent student newspaper, The Daily Californian. During the early December protests, she was assigned the task of following the Michael Brown and Eric Garner protests in person and sending out live tweets during the action. “Walking down Shattuck Avenue that night I felt like I was in a scene from a post-apocalyp-

tic movie,” Swedback says in an email. “With hundreds of small fires burning in the street and nearly all the local business being smashed by masked men with crowbars it seemed… surreal.” Regardless of means, young people from all corners of the globe are proving their worth in raising awareness through activism.

STUDENT MOTIVES

Critics of student activism have refuted the recent protests, believing that the current student generation doesn’t have reason to protest in comparison to past controversies, such as the Vietnam War or the Civil Rights Movement. This is simply not true. “Society is definitely not perfect,” says junior Rex Winn. “I think there’s always going to be a reason to protest until we kind of reach a Utopian era. There’s always going to be disagreement.”

FE Winn is a politically active student. When he participated in Scott Peters’ congressional campaign, he knocked on doors and offered to speak to people about Peters’ campaign. He noted that through his canvassing, those most open to listening to him were young people in their twenties and thirties, regardless of their political party. People who were in their forties or fifties tended to shun him or speak down to him because they felt mentally superior to someone so young. Yet Winn says he feels that he was able to make a large difference. “I’ve registered over probably a hundred people [to vote],” he says. “So I feel like I’ve had a much greater impact even though I’m not able to vote.” Sophomore Emma Steiner, who is an active member of the Young Democrats club, agrees that students should use their voices regardless of age. “Since we’re in a democracy, we have the opportunity to take part in our government, so even though I can’t vote, I think I should at least take part in as many opportunities as I can,” she says. “We are going to have a lot of impact on future decisions when we’re adults. You can’t just wait... to do things.” Yet what quality motivates students, or people in general, to stand up for what they believe in? There are surely the introverts of the world, but more and more reports of student activism have emerged in the media. Wilson offers up an explanation. “I think there’s a quest for meaning,” he says. “I think it’s part of the human condition that we want to matter.” He refutes the claims that young people have nothing to fight for. “I don’t think that they’re casting about for things [to protest for],” he says. “It’s like, ‘What do you need me to do?’...That touches something in people, and so I think when young people see something they can work at ...there’s a satisfaction that comes.”

THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

A large contributing factor to the support of student protests has come from social media—a phenomenon that was unavailable until recently. The ability to upload a photo at the touch of a button makes it easier for people to interpret information for them-

selves, thus sparking debates and conversations over today’s issues. Swedback notes the importance of social media in escalating the issues further. “Social media has undeniably created a platform for activism to flourish. I know that my live tweeting of the protests raised a lot of awareness about the situation,” she says. “And [I] imagine that multiplied by thousands of other people sharing pictures and messages about the events gave the Berkeley demonstrations a reach they could have never achieved otherwise.” She also notes the use of social media to organize the protests and in the spread of information within the student body. This very idea is a concern to authorities across the world, who feel threatened by the growing protests. According to The New Yorker, the Chinese government has been exercising extended censorship on the Hong Kong student protests on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, because of the far reach social media can have. Chinese citizens, who have already been barred by the government from YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, have also been cut off from Instagram for sharing photos of the student protests. Wilson agrees that technology plays a huge role in interpretation of the facts. “You walk around with cameras all the time. Stuff gets recorded. So, there’s more evidence of injustice—concrete, undeniable evidence of injustice that you have that we didn’t have and couldn’t have,” he says. However, there is a definite risk of misinformation within social media that potential activists must be aware of. “Slacktivism” is a term applied to people who make a biased remark in passing, therefore “slacking” in their attempts at activism. The danger remains that these remarks can be taken seriously by a social media audience, and then rapidly built upon.

IS VIOLENCE THE ANSWER?

not an effective tactic. The Berkeley protests that took place in early December were well known because of the violence displayed in the forms of events like vandalism and the blocking off of the Interstate 80 freeway. Swedback explains that those who displayed violence were not related to or respectful of the core purpose of the protests. “Basically anyone who was destroying property was doing so under the guise of a message that was unaffiliated with that of the original protests,” she says. “So I can’t believe that it was an effective means of promoting the cause in any way.” Swedback believes the media’s emphasis on such acts of violence detract from the original purpose of the protests, which are meant to be constructive and peaceful. A similar pattern occurred with the Hong Kong student protests in November and December which, according to The New York Times, gained momentum when police forces cracked down on protest camps. Various clashes with the police have resulted in an increased presence in the media. Wilson says he believes that claims of violence not being the answer are problematic. Between the UC Berkeley and the Harvard protests, he notes that Berkeley has given the issue of police brutality quite a bit of fervor in comparison to the relatively peaceful Harvard protests. “I think it’s far too simple to say violence doesn’t accomplish anything. In the sense of protest, it gets your attention. Like people don’t know Harvard is protesting right now,” he says. “When there’s a fire, people notice. And tear gas, then people pay attention. I’m sure protesters would love to have people listen to them without them getting pepper-sprayed, but they don’t.”

“This may be radical for a teacher to be saying,” he adds, “but you gotta burn some stuff down!”

THE FUTURE OF YOUTH ACTIVISM

Humans’ inherent need to make a difference coupled with the assistance of social media suggests that student activism is, and will continue to be, on the rise. Yet while protests seem to have gained momentum as portrayed by the news, has there really been a huge shift in student engagement? “Social media and other communication has really facilitated the organization of protests and raised awareness about issues that compel people to become involved,” Swedback says. “But I don’t think there’s a sudden emergence of a ‘protest culture’ that didn’t exist before.” While the media has the potential to escalate issues to a new level, the fact remains that students are the real defining variable of successful youth activism. They make up the basis of media coverage and are therefore at the core of their own triumph. “We are the activists, so don’t be scared of going out and volunteering because you don’t have a right— because you’re a child,” Winn says. “That isn’t true. We have been, for a while, the brute force of politics.”

From bottom to top: Several garbage bin fires were started by a few particularly passionate protestors. Others utilized posters to present their message. Police attempted to control a certain crowd that had blocked off the on-ramp of the freeway.

Violent protests have often gained criticism for obvious reasons—destruction is clearly not encourageable. Yet violence oftens attracts the media, and therefore publicity, for a cause. Whether or not affiliating a cause with violence for publicity remains in dispute, as it risks stirring further controversy. For Swedback, it is THE SCRIBE

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FE editorial: the face of student protests

#YAMECANSE MEXICO’S MOST RECENT CRISIS AND HOW SOCIAL MEDIA HAS COME IN TO PLAY

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY ISABEL SANCHEZ HODOYAN

very action has an equal and opposite reaction. Newton’s third law applies not only to physics but also to history. Humanity is evolving, sometimes too quickly, which has many times led to revolution. Mexico has a long history of student protests. The most recent involve 43 normalistas, or student teachers, who disappeared this fall. These 43 young men from the Normal de Ayotzinapa, a school known for its rowdy students who often participate in protests and manifestations, took two buses in Chilpancingo and then two more in Iguala. Three of those buses were directed to Mexico City to take part in the protests in memory of the October

2, 1968, student revolt, when, ten days prior to the opening of the Summer Olympics, government officials shot a group of unarmed students in the Tlatelolco section of Mexico City. Even before authorities had gotten official news on the fate of the 43, which is now known, people began protesting both physically and online, using the Internet to express their reaction to the injustice of the 43.

T H E FAC T S

On Sept. 26, 2014, in the state of Guerrero, a group of normalistas set out to Mexico City to take part in the march commemorating the students that were killed in Tlatelolco.

The students received word that in the historic city of Iguala, the mayor’s wife, Maria de los Angeles Pineda, was giving a report as the director of the Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (Integral Family Development) and decided to get closer to the event to protest. Upon hearing that these students were approaching, the mayor, Jose Luis Abarca, ordered the Iguala police to prevent them from entering the city. These agents asked police in Cocula, a nearby town, to assist them. What began as a typical student protest against the government quickly took a turn for the worse. The Iguala police started shooting at the students, later handing them over to Los Guer-

reros Unidos, the group of drug traffickers who are responsible for their disappearance. When the news of the 43 broke, it produced vast protests that compelled the government, led by Mexican President Peña Nieto, to intercede and send an investigator, Jesus Murrillo Karam. Six weeks later he reported that the students had been murdered, burned in a garbage dump near Cocula, and had their ashes disposed of in the San Juan River. Later, on Dec. 7, a laboratory at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, confirmed that the ashes found corresponded to one of the students. This answers the mystery of at least one of the missing

Below: Residen ts in Paseo de la Reforma, M to a press co éxico City list nference held en on December opposition lea 27, 2014 by ders who are looking to ex 43” to create pl oit “the less corruptio n in México on .

. 43 the f the of e s o tur ent pic e t A h ft: : T . Le low ters Be otes pr

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FE persons, while the fates of his 42 companions are still unknown.

GOING VIRAL

Unlike the killings in 1968, the news of the 43 disappeared students circulated quickly with the help of social media. According to the Mexican Association of the Internet, 51.2 million Internet users were counted in 2014 in Mexico. 24% of these people are between 13 and 18 years of age and 9 out of 10 utilize social media. These numbers indicate that young Mexicans have access to an abundance of information. Alejandro Millan is the general director of Spirit Media, a company based in Mexico City that manages digital media for its clients and their needs. “[There is] more information,” he says, “[but] better information, who knows?” (Interviews were conducted in Spanish; quotes have been translated.) This means that people are taking what they read or hear on the Internet and using it as a source to base their opinion on. But what must be remembered and asked is where does this information come from? “Power is in the information,” Millan says. “He who knows how to classify the information has the power.” Disregarding authorized and official sources, people have taken control of the information concerning occurrences like the disappearances in Iguala by demanding information and not letting the government hide the problem. Using Internet platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs, and other more traditional media, people have the power to generate powerful movements.

UNFORGETTABLE REVOLUTIONS

The news of the 43 disappeared students has brought closer to home protests that had previously been overseas. One of the most powerful revolutions worldwide was the one in Cairo, to overthrow the government. This uprising was inspired by the revolution in Tunisia, where it started as a civil resistance that shaped into a protest to overthrow President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and then became a movement to democratize the country. On Jan. 25, 2011, a throng

at kers : Spea ce. Left : t ef p en e L confer ut u v p o s s t Ab pres banner rotes p by ers.

st-

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of protesters began to take to the streets in a demonstration against the government. A previously anonymous person created a Facebook page titled We Are All Khaled Said after seeing a picture of Khaled Mohamed Said, a man brutally murdered by Egyptian police. When Google executive Wael Ghonim was discovered by security officials in Egypt, he was kidnapped. Activists made plans on social media to protest and find him; 11 days later, he was released. Through this Facebook page, people were able to organize riots, unify, and overthrow the dictator, Hosni Mubarak. Another more current issue took place in France on Jan. 7, 2015. Twelve journalists from French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo were shot and killed after an image depicting Muslim people was published. The event has been dubbed “Je suis Charlie,” a phrase that means “I am Charlie.” Since then, more than a million people have crowded the streets of Paris in protest of this violation of freedom of expression, and recently, an Al Qaeda group has claimed responsibility for the attack. These occurrences have displayed how people react to having their rights violated and the tremendous amount of courage required to go through with these demonstrations against the government.

FED UP

Young Mexicans have used the hashtag #YaMeCanse to protest the disappeared normalistas. The term came from Mexico’s attorney general, Jesus Mur-

rillo Karam, who, in a press conference, got to a point of agitation where he said, “Ya me cansé” (I’m fed up) and stormed out of the room. Since then, the people of Mexico have taken that quote and are now using it against the government to ensure that those who died will not be forgotten and their questions regarding the fate of the 43. The hashtag trended on Twitter for more than 20 days before it was taken off. People demand to be heard and new versions of #YaMeCanse have been created and still are being made. The hashtag began as a way

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for people to broadcast the injustice of the 43 disappeared students. Since then, it has become an outlet for people to share their concerns about Mexico as a whole, raising issues such as security, economy, and corruption problems, as well as more dramatic demands like the impeachment of President Peña Nieto. With the help of social media, people are given a voice, a power that before was virtually nonexistent to this extent. People have an opportunity to make an enormous impact not only in their community or country but also in the world. Everyone has a voice and we will be heard.

Power is in the information. He who knows how to classify the information has the power.”

-ALLEJANDRO MILLAN

GENERAL DIRECTOR OF SPIRIT MEDIA THE SCRIBE

february 2015

cover section:

A LOOK INTO TEENAGE RELATIONSHIPS

section overview nearly every immature, hormonecrazed teen. Drama erupts, hands are held, and tears are shed. But somehow, students still find a way to truly care for, and be cared for, in the hectic, misconceived high school years. It only takes a wink of the eye, the like of an Instagram photo, or a simple “heyy” text (“Lost in Translation,” 44) for high schoolers these days to detect a possible suitor. The start of the flirting process can be a daunting

task for many, but for some it’s a forte, a daily hobby. Whether it be a fictional character or true love (“Relationship Status: Fictional,” 46), the thoughts of love consume the majority of people’s minds at some point in their life. High school, a time full of extreme emotions and identity crises, somehow intensifies the craving towards having a special someone (“Let’s Get It On,” 40). But is it a good idea (“Crossfire:

Love Lockdown,” 42)? Check out the one and only Morgan Smith’s advice on the topic on page 45 to get your answer. Valentine’s Day, possibly being the most dreaded holiday of the year, especially for socially self-conscious teens, doesn’t leave much desire for love in the high school years, however. This issue’s cover section exposes love for what it is, the good and the bad. OVERVIEW AND ARTWORK BY CAROLINE MERKIN

LET’S G IT O ET N

42 46

R STA ELAT I TU S: F ONS ICT HIP IO NA L

LOVE LOCKDOWN

TR LO AN ST SL IN AT IO N

id you know it only takes up to four minutes to realize you like someone? And that falling in love has neurological effects similar to those of cocaine? According to Match.com, romantic feelings affect “12 different areas of the brain [that] work together to release chemicals such as dopamine, oxytocin, adrenaline and vasopressin into that individual’s body.” The idea of falling in love or being in relationship envelops

MOR LOV GAN’S E AD VICE

LET’S GET IT ON THE REAL ROLE OF AFFECTION IN RELATIONSHIPS

ARTICLE BY EMMA MOORE ARTWORK BY EMMA MOORE AND GRACE SELLICK

“D

on’t have sex, because you will get pregnant and die!” This quote, said by Coach Carr (played by Dwayne Hill), is one of the most famous lines from the renowned movie Mean Girls. Although presented in a rather extreme and exaggerated manner, Coach Carr’s message and fear is similar to the views that some parents and teachers have of teen relationships today: that high school relationships move too quickly or have become too physical. However, the media casts a different light on teen relationships, frequently displaying them as far more mature and sexual than they actually are. High school relationships are constantly being romanticized, sexualized, and exaggerated through the media, via television shows, movies, books, and music. According to a study on Sexuality and U, a top-rated Canadian health website, there are an estimated 14,000 sexual references per year on television alone. The portrayal of sexual, unrealistic relationships has created a common misconception among both adults and teenagers about what actually makes a healthy and happy couple.

AFFECTION IN THE MEDIA

Some parents and teachers may fear that physical affection and PDA negatively impact their

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THE SCRIBE

children and, because of the media’s projection of teen relationships, can believe that many high school relationships are simply built upon the raging hormones and chemicals of adolescence. These fears parents may have about their children’s relationship standards are not unprovoked. According to Sexuality and U, about 75% of television shows contain sexual experiences, yet only 15% provide realistic and responsible information about the proper methods of birth control or the dangers of sexual activity, such as STDs and pregnancy. “I feel that television shows often portray high school relationships as very, very mature relationships, which they may not always be,” says junior Carlos Ezquerro. “I think high school is a time when kids are still finding their identities and developing who they are, and a lot of the TV shows set unrealistic expectations on what a high school relationship should be.” Students themselves can also be influenced by this consistent focus on sex and relationships in the media. The constant stream of easily accessible images portraying how relationships “are supposed to be” can cause teens to feel ostracized if they are not exactly like the situations they see on TV, according to Coach Stacey Zoyiopoulos, the Lower and Middle School PE department chair and an Upper School Life Skills teacher. “There’s a lot more casual, sexual encounters on TV now and

in the movies,” Zoyiopoulos says. “I think it normalizes it when you see it everywhere you go. And if you’re not participating in it, you think, ‘Oh, is there something wrong with me?’” According to a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, over 80% of movies shown on television contain sexual content, and an additional 60% of music videos convey sexual feelings and impulses. The mass amount of sexual and physical content being absorbed by students today has been proven to have an effect on their own intimate behaviors. A recent study by the Research and Development Corporation revealed that teens with a high exposure to television were twice as likely to participate in sexual activities than teens with a lower exposure. “There’s a lot of sex on TV nowadays,” says sophomore Ryan Zupkas. “I think people should decide when they’re ready for that, and not be influenced [by the media].”

SEXUAL EDUCATION AND AFFECTION IN SCHOOLS

Not only are parents of teens and young adolescents concerned about their children’s sexual activity, but some adults, along with school administration, also worry about public display of affection, or PDA, es-

pecially on school grounds. The Parker Upper School handbook states that PDA on campus will be counted as a “minor behavioral offense,” which could result in reprimands such as lunch detention, loss of privileges, or a filed report. However, if the couple is disciplined multiple times for PDA, it could lead to more serious results, including ineligibility for extracurriculars or athletics. “I think kids need to have physical boundaries that respect everyone else,” Zoyiopoulos says. “I think there’s an appropriate place and an appropriate time for that physical affection [and it’s not at school].” Despite the warnings given and precautions taken by some parents to protect their children from engaging in intimate behavior, about 13% of teens will have had sex by the age of 15, and 70% by the age of 19, according to an article by the website RH Reality Check, an online publication that focuses on sexual and reproductive health and justice issues. Because of these relatively high statistics, many high schools continue to teach sexual education, a strategy which has been proven to increase the use of contraceptives, lowering the adolescent pregnancy rate by 86% from 1995 to 2002, according to the website Advocates for Youth. Although the majority of states across the nation require or highly suggest that sexual education be taught in high schools, 39 states require that abstinence be

CS taught as the best form of protection, with 27 of these states mandating that abstinence is highly stressed or focused on in the course. Out of these 27, only Mississippi demands that abstinenceonly education be the sole form of sex ed taught in the classroom, a method which has been proved to be highly counter-productive. Instead of decreasing teen pregnancies, the abstinence-only sexual education program has contributed to Mississippi’s having the second-highest teen-birth rate in the nation and the second-highest percentage of teens who have had sex by 12th grade, according to the website Mississippi First.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL CONNECTION

Although sexual behavior is given such a degrading and inappropriate status in schools, human touch in any form has been proven to be important in relationships, whether they be romantic or purely platonic. “I certainly think it’s important to be able to have a physical connection and be comfortable with yourself and with your partner to be intimate or to be close,” Ezquerro says. “I think it’s an important aspect of being with someone else, being comfortable enough to be physical.” Physical touch in any form, such as hugs, kisses, or even holding hands, has been proven to increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone which presumably triggers feelings of love and lust within one’s mind, although the extent of its impact has not yet been fully discovered. Hugs, for example, are able to lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels, according to The Huffington Post. The release of oxytocin during a hug is believed to lower the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, effectively helping keep one’s anxiety levels lower. Plus, too much cortisol can cause increased anxiety and moodiness, and generate weight gain. “I don’t think I could have a relationship [without the physical aspect], or long distance or anything,” says a student who asked to remain anonymous. “I also think that there’s a time and a place for it. [My boyfriend] and I don’t hold hands that much or kiss at school. I think some things need to remain private.”

Cuddling with one’s significant other has also been proven to improve communication in a relationship. According to Shape magazine, cuddling allows one’s partner know that they are being understood and that their significant other truly cares for them. This connection is vital in a relationship, and better communication and understanding between two partners can lead to a healthier and stronger bond. A study by Arizona State University also revealed that people who receive more affection lead healthier, less stressful lives, and they are able to respond to stressful situations more easily. Yet affection does not have to be physical in order to be beneficial and create a healthy relationship. Although physical affection helps create stronger connections and improves relationships for some people, other couples don’t necessarily need the physical aspect. In fact, verbal affection, such as compliments and affirmations, can also be rewarding. “Love is an emotion that we feel for people that we care about. It doesn’t necessarily have to have a physical or sexual component,” says school psychologist Dr. Bridgett Besinger. “Parents can love their kids, friends can love their friends, and it’s just a platonic kind of love.” Some of the most important parts of making a healthy relationship stem from communication and trust, aspects which strengthen the bond between a couple, and that can also be improved via affection and love. “We, as humans, benefit from developing deep, intimate relationships,” says Upper School psychology teacher Ms. Jill Duehr. “I’m not talking about the physical type [of intimacy]. I’m talking about the intimacy of having close relationships. They help you develop as a whole person, and it’s going to lead to success in life.” Despite its exaggerated portrayal in the media, and the subsequent outlook of it taken by parents, affection, both physical and verbal, is beneficial to relationships. Ultimately, however, it is up to each individual couple to choose their own ways to make their relationship work. “Affection can be shown in lots of ways... Just telling somebody that you enjoy being with them or that you enjoy spending time with them is a form of affection,” Duehr says. “It really depends on the person’s interpretation of affection.”

TIPS ON HAVING A HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIP

STAY HONEST One of the most important aspects of a relationship is trust. Being able to put complete faith in your significant other is critical to making things last, and the best way to gain a comfort level with you partner is to keep things honest. Be as open as possible, and never try to avoid a fight by lying. Staying truthful, even about the small things, will help both of you be happier and more content in the relationship.

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS If your partner is having one of those days—bombing a math quiz, waking up 30 minutes late, fighting with a parent, or losing their keys— take the time to celebrate even the smallest of successes. Whatever it may be, let them know how proud you are, and that you’ve got their back. Knowing they have your support will make them feel secure and will strengthen your bond even more.

GO ON ADVENTURES TOGETHER Next time you’re planning a date, steer toward the unconventional route. Instead of staying home and binge watching an entire series of Breaking Bad, get out of the house and go do something. Have a picnic and walk along the beach. Take a bike ride. Go exploring. Going on fun and unique dates will give the two of you new memories and shared experiences that will bring you closer together while also keeping things exciting.

COMPLIMENT Giving your significant other compliments not only makes them smile, but it can turn their bad day into a good one. Tell them how nice their hair looks, how you like their new shirt, or how the joke they told in English class was genuinely hilarious. Showing them that you notice the little things makes them feel appreciated and loved. Plus, they’re likely to return the favor. SOURCES: HAPPIFY.COM, VISUAL.LY, BBC.CO.UK, PHYSCOLOGY TODAY. THE SCRIBE

february 2015

CROSSFIRE:

LOVE LOCKDOWN THE PROS AND CONS OF DATING IN HIGH SCHOOL ARTICLE BY GABRIEL GROSS-SABLE (CON) AND CAROLINE MERKIN (PRO) ARTWORK BY CAROLINE MERKIN

con:According USA Today,

to the average life expectancy in 2013 was 79 years. By the end of high school, people are around eighteen years old. In case you can’t do the math, that gives the average person 61 years to find someone special. That’s plenty of time to date, get married, and raise a family. The problems with high school relationships are such that it’s pointless to get involved with someone as a teenager. To start, they don’t mean nearly as much as post-high school relationships. This fact is the basis for all of the reasons to take a pass on high school dating. There’s no point in getting distracted, ruining friendships, and dealing with the drama of a high school relationship if it isn’t as significant as ones you’ll have later in life.

DISTRACTION

As academic success is extremely important in high school, one of the main concerns with high school relationships is distraction from school work. It doesn’t matter if someone is a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior: high school involves too much work to afford being interrupted. Junior Lou Tauber says he thinks academics should be everyone’s first priority during high school. “Obviously, it’s your choice how important school is for you,” he says, “but if you think it’s more important than social life, at this stage a relationship will most likely be a distraction.” Just like an extracurricular — sports, instruments, community service — a relationship is a big time commitment. Students

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complain a lot about their homework load and how late they stay up working, and the reason they stay up late is due to time commitments. A relationship falls into that category, too. So, although students might not think a relationship is causing them stress, it probably is. Sophomore Meredith Wiggins says it’s definitely not worth the consequences. “I think that sometimes people focus too much on being with their boyfriend or girlfriend every minute of every hour,” Wiggins says. “If people don’t set priorities they can lose track of their grades, family, and friends.”

SIGNIFICANCE

One of the more obvious cons of high school relationships is that they aren’t as significant as post-high school relationships. According to Stage of Life, a teen blogging community, 60% of high school students plan to break up with their significant other before college. A student might fall in love and spend a lot of time with his/her significant other, but the chances of the relationship lasting past high school aren’t high. In addition, it would be a bad idea for students to commit to universities based on where their boy/ girlfriends are going; they should choose it based on what they want to do in the future. “I feel afraid of partaking in a high school relationship due to its probable termination after graduation,” says junior Isaia Galace. “I’m sure it wouldn’t be as fulfilling or powerful as a post-high school relationship.”

FRIENDSHIP ISSUES

High school relationships

If people don’t set priorities, they can lose track of their grades, family and friends.” -Sophomore Meredith Wiggins 42

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also present problems for friendships. Most teenagers aren’t professionals at managing their time properly, so sometimes when they get in a relationship, they tend to feel the need to spend more time with their significant other as opposed to their good friends. Obviously, this can make the friends frustrated, and they end up moving on to other people rather than sticking with their now former friend. According to Stage of Life, 46% of teens have had a friend “dump them” in favor of hanging out with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Relationships can also make teens incredibly antisocial, as according to the same source, 70% of teenagers text their significant other more than talk on the phone. “Couples often tend to cast friends aside,” says junior Alex Devereaux. “They become preoccupied with themselves.” Some people might think it’s worth it to ditch their friends for their significant other while they’re doing it, but once it’s over they find out that it wasn’t at all.

DRAMA

Now, if someone went through a relationship and everything went smoothly up until the breakup, there is still something to fear. After a breakup, things almost always get awkward. After spending hours and hours of time with someone in a romantic way, it’s not easy to just approach him/ her in the hallway and start talking to him/her. One of the most dreaded part of a high school relationship is drama. High school is about having fun, and it’s hard to do that while crying in a corner. It doesn’t matter who is involved in a relationship, there is bound to be drama at some point. Whether it’s a fight, a rumor, someone cheating, or anything else, drama is pretty much inevitable when dealing with a high school relationship. High schoolers, for the most part, aren’t mature enough to be extremely emotionally involved with somebody. Most teens

haven’t experienced real problems, so when they get in a fight with their girl/boyfriend, it’s like the sky is falling.

SCHOOL PROBLEMS

High school dating can also get complicated because of the school in which it takes place. Some Parker students think our school’s small size can create a lot of problems. “We’re such a small school that if and when a couple breaks up, there will still be tension because you will likely see them frequently, which is not really ideal,” says junior Nadia Carrillo. “It’s essentially like an office romance in the sense that, if it doesn’t work, you’re likely going to be in this awkward place with the other person.” Carrillo also thinks the amount of lifers at the school can create problems in dating. She says that when lifers date, it’s an easily regrettable decision. “If you decide to date someone you’ve known your whole life and it ends badly,” she says, “you can easily lose a friend as well as a boy/girlfriend.” She also thinks that with the high possibility of seeing your boy/girlfriend in at least one class, it would be very easy to get sick of each other. The argument that having a relationship in high school is a good way to gain experience for the future is understandable, but it’s also illogical. There is still so much more time to gain experience, and if you’re only dating someone to practice for the future, how do you think that would make your partner feel? Especially if your partner is dating because he/she actually wants to see where the relationship can go, dating for experience isn’t a smart idea. For high school dating, the cons outweigh the pros, and more students need to realize that before they find themselves struggling to cope with the problems these relationships present.

every girl pro:Nearly dreams of hav-

ing their one and only true love sweep them off their feet. Whether he/she is a star athlete, CEO of a company, a teen heart throb, or celebrity crush, the anticipation for that soulmate is insurmountable. The idea of dating normally doesn’t even reach people’s “todo list” till their late teens, and for some not even till their 20’s. However, there are those go-getters who like to get the experience in their early/mid teenage years, during the prime years of high school. Many students frown upon this notion, though, considering it insignificant due to the restricted amount of years. “It’s commonly seen as a waste of time, especially if you’re dating someone older because they head off to college so it’ll have to end at some point,” says sophomore Alex Bloom. But what’s wrong with a little practice? With statistics such as only three percent of high school sweethearts get married, only to end up divorcing, and less than two percent of high school sweethearts end up getting married and staying together forever, according to The Echo magazine, the necessity to date in high school is unlikely. However, the majority of people don’t even assume the person they’re dating or interested in in high school will end up being their spouse. Most students participate in a relationship simply out of sexual and/or emotional attraction, affection towards company, or the desire to gain experience in the “romance world.” Dating in high school isn’t something to be looked down upon — sorry, parents — it’s a part of growing up and gaining insight for your future. Besides, who doesn’t want to be cared about by someone?

EFFICIENCY

The high school years are usually the least busy. There isn’t a substantial job to worry about, no taxes or bills to pay, and no one who’s really dependent on you yet. Your mom can still pay for the dinner dates, the flowers, and the gas, and is also the best comforter for a broken heart. Why not take advantage of this leniency and stable income? “[Dating in high school] is efficient because both people in the relationship will have a pretty similar schedule so they can

spend time together pretty often,” says senior Caroline Harari. “And they probably don’t have jobs so they can have nice dinners with their parents money.” At a young age, it’s easier to put more energy in a relationship. Since the majority of teens aren’t hampered by substantial responsibilities, there’s less to stress over. It’s essential to be attentive and vulnerable in a relationship, so the high school years are almost like a designated time to experiment. “It’s not too intense because both people in the relationship are preoccupied with other stuff, but it provides a good basis for support for both people and allows them to feel like they have someone who is there for them,” Harari says. “It allows people to understand what it’s like to care about someone else and take someone else’s feelings into account in a really mild way.” Junior Austin Rogers agrees, saying, “There’s not as much on your plate in high school. You become way busier in college and in the ‘real world.’” In fact, some high school relationships result in higher levels of self-esteem and self-confidence, thus the individuals are more likely to perceive themselves as well liked at school. “[Dating in high school] definitely has some aspect of selfconfidence,” Harari says. “For some it may be an insecurity for them to not have a boyfriend/ girlfriend so they search to date someone and for people in relationships. It probably does make them feel better about themselves to know they have someone who they have a strong relationship with.” Having a significant other allows for more social interactions, and therefore more self-assurance in these situations for the years to come. “It’s nice to not have anyone to impress anymore,” Bloom says. “You can walk in the hallways and not have to care what people think, because you already have a significant other that knows what you’re like.” Not only are the people involved in a high school relationship becoming more outgoing and assertive individually, they are more likely to engage with other friend groups and grades. Couples aren’t always in the same class or share the same friends, so being able to interact with new people and forming new companions is always a plus.

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Everyone likes to get attention and feel wanted by someone else, and a lot of people seem to like the idea of “being in love” and having trust in someone else, so why not at least try it.”

- Senior Caroline Harari

“It’s beneficial in the sense that you can merge two friend groups and meet new people, thus making you more confident,” says senior Brian Gale. “You find out about more people who share similar interests as you.”

GAINING EXPERIENCE

Probably the most significant advantage of dating in high school is gaining experience. You get to learn your boundaries. Practice makes perfect. “It’s like an introduction to what an extremely serious and committed relationship would be like,” Harari says. “Obviously not a lot of people meet the person they’re going to marry while they’re in high school, so when you date in high school it feels (usually) carefree and way less serious than it would in 10 years. I think it would be really hard for someone to be in their first relationship at a point in their life when marriage is heavily emphasized because it may create feelings of obligation and necessity to get married and settle down, but if you date before that, then you get the general idea of what it’s like to emotionally support someone in one of the less stressful times of our lives.” “You’re at the point where you’re mature enough to be involved in [a relationship],” Rogers says, “but it’s also a learning process because you’re not required to be full-fledged and super serious. Plus, you learn what works and what doesn’t, so you’re able to implicate what’s appropriate in the future effectively. You don’t want to go into college not knowing how to handle a relationship.” Dating someone else in high school makes you realize what you’re fond of and what you may not enjoy. It provides insight for what you may be looking for in a future spouse. Also, when you’re older most dating partners like someone who is experienced and has back-

ground on how to treat someone, so gaining knowledge at a young age is beneficial. It makes you that much more prepared for the serious dating scene. “I mean it’s a pretty good use of your time to get all the awkward experiences out now and learn from them, rather than later,” says junior Seth Markow. In most cases, this relationship education is not addressed in the academic classes that they take in school. It is taught by life experience. Seeing firsthand what companionship truly is will only make your future endeavors in dating more successful. You’ll know how to treat someone and how they should reciprocate. “You learn a lot about yourself through dating someone in high school,” Gale says. “You realize what you want to find in a person and how and when you should act certain ways.”

GOOD C O M PA N Y

When dating, you get to connect with someone who (hopefully) makes you happy. The process of just being involved with someone who provides good company is always beneficial. “Everyone likes to get attention and feel wanted by someone else, and a lot of people seem to like the idea of ‘being in love’ and having trust in someone else, so why not at least try it,” Harari says. A partner truly cares for your emotions and is someone who you always have there for you when you need it most. “It’s nice to have somebody who laughs at all your lame jokes and are always there to make you feel better,” Markow says. “It’s kind of like having a best friend, but you have the advantages of what a relationship calls for too... It’s also just ingrained in us to simply want company. It’s nice to have friends and ‘lovers,’ it’s a basic human instinct.”

THE SCRIBE

february 2015

LOST IN TRANSLATION TEXTUAL EDUCATION FOR THE SOCIALLY INEPT ARTICLE AND ARTWORK BY LILY GLASSER

echnology is evolving, and consequently the ways in which we communicate are too. From correspondence with teachers to ordering your burrito bowl from Chipotle, human contact has been digitalized. This, in congunction with the existing struggles of human social interaction can often make communication with others irritating,

arduous, and, frankly, exhausting. It is for this reason that The Scribe has developed a text message decoder so you can make sense of those tricky messages from your peers. But if you really don’t want to talk to someone, just turn off your read receipts and hope they don’t notice you didn’t respond.

CONVERSATION STARTERS hey(yyyy) This person really wants to talk to you, but doesn’t want you to know how badly, so they’ll try to play it cool. But we all know that autocorrect automatically capitalizes the first letter every sentence, so this person had to manually uncapitalize it in their feigning of nonchalance. You’re not as sneaky as you think. The more ‘y’s there are, the more interest they have in you. Kind of poetic, isn’t it?

what’s up This is the digital version of that awkward situation when you walk past someone and they ask “How are you?” but walk past you before you have a chance to respond. Basically, this person doesn’t actually care “what’s up” with you. Reply with a simple “nothing much” and save your feelings for your diary entries.

how you doin’?

sup Similar to “what’s up”, but this person is obviously too cool to actually type out the whole phrase.

This person does not actually care how you’re doing; they probably just want something from you. Either that, or you’re texting Joey Tribbiani from Friends.

GENERAL RESPONSES

haha

Unless you’re engaged in a scintillating discussion regarding the periodic table of elements, this conversation is basically over now. This person is demonstrating their unwillingness to contribute any appreciable effort to the exchange—pretty much the modern, universal symbol for “I’m just about one hundred and twelve percent done with this conversation.” They might be preoccupied at the moment but they probably just don’t want to talk to you.

okay

Whatever you sent was not funny—not even a little bit. This isn’t even one of those “I exhaled a little harder” kind of pseudo-laugh moments. “Haha” serves also as a place filler when the other person really has no idea how they’re expected to reply or to interrupt a sentence that may have otherwise demonstrated a respectable understanding of the English language.

lol

This person may be unsure of how to carry on the conversation, or maybe they don’t want to sound overly invested, but at least they put a little bit of consideration into their response and actually typed out all four letters.

Sure, it used to mean “laugh out loud” or “laughing out loud,” but this acronym has been overused almost to the point of meaninglessness. What you said probably wasn’t funny. You’ll need to step it up if you want to keep this converstion going.

ENDINGS

byeee

brb

Apparently, intentional misspellings are cute these days; this person wants you to text them back later. So much for all of those spelling and grammar lessons your parents paid tuition for.

talk to you later This person actually has work to do and was the most polite way of saying “stop texting me” that they could think of. At least they didn’t resort to “TTYL”. True effort.

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THE SCRIBE

This person will probably text you back. It may be a couple minutes, or it may be a couple days. It’s also possible that they’ll forget to respond entirely. Either way, you should get comfortable.

[no response] Ouch. Either this person is busy, or wants you to know just how much they don’t want to talk to you. Tomorrow they might tell you they fell asleep. Seems like you just weren’t interesting enough to keep them awake.

MORGAN’S LOVE ADVICE FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS AND YOU’LL SNAG YOURSELF A DIME IN NO TIME ARTICLE BY MORGAN SMITH ARTWORK BY SOREN HANSEN, GRACE SELLICK, AND MORGAN SMITH

fter shedding light on my crippling Snapchat addiction in last April’s issue of The Scribe, the staff and I figured it’d be nothing short of criminal to leave the student body without another glimpse into my head. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you know what that means: Love is in the air. If you’re struggling to find

the one, you’re in luck! Look no further than my expert advice. Do you have questions? I have answers. Stop giving that guy in your math class that weird side-eye and take your relationship to the next level. Attraction is only natural. Now you can finally do something about it.

TIPS FOR ONLINE DATING?

HOW CAN I ATTRACT MY CRUSH’S ATTENTION?

Set up profiles on such popular dating sites as Tinder and eHarmony. If you’re ugly, be sure to find a picture of someone who’s actually good looking and use it as you begin to construct your fake persona. After finding someone you care about and sharing extended conversation with him or her, send said person a bunch of memes. You’re hilarious!

HOW CAN I SHOW MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER I LOVE HIM OR HER?

There is no one on earth you love more than your parents. Tell your SO he or she reminds you of your mom or dad!

I’VE BEEN TA L K I N G TO SOMEONE FOR ABOUT A MONTH. HOW CAN WE DEFINE OUR R E L AT I O N S H I P ?

Sit your special someone down privately. Look deep into their eyes. Say nothing initially. Rather than ask, “What are we?” inquire, “What am I?” If your crush answers, “my boy/girlfriend,” you have your answer.

HOW CAN I GET OVER A BREAKUP?

Call failing Italian restaurants and share your feelings with whomever picks up the phone. I’ve found the workers at these places are tolerant of long-winded customers; they’re willing to listen for as long as it takes for someone to order pasta (desperate, I know), which for you, will be a while. Take advantage of this.

WHAT DOES “ DATING ” MEAN?

If you’re a freshman, it probably means you two accidentally looked at each other in the halls and then texted about how awkward it was twenty minutes later. If you’re a sophomore, it probably means you two talked non-stop at one another about the ‘cool new world of driving’ and how ‘grownup’ you two feel while cruising on the open road. If you’re a junior, it probably means sobbing into the wee hours of the morning together via FaceTime as you struggle to cram for your AP Bio test. If you’re a senior, it probably means making a futile attempt to ‘live it up’ one last time before you ‘take off into the real world’ with someone you find remotely tolerable and just attractive enough for a few token Instagram photos to help chronicle your awesome final year as a kid.

It doesn’t matter where you are. Take off your shirt.

MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND I A R E I N V O LV E D I N A N A R G U M E N T. HOW CAN WE R E S O LV E I T ?

In this situation, it is best to remember a quote said by the great Mark Twain: “Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.” Communication is not key. When disagreeing with your SO, focus not only on the issue at hand, but also on past problems you two have experienced. Employing these examples will solidify your argument. Your goal is to win, right? You’re not some kind of a loser.

I CAN’T DECIDE BETWEEN TWO SUITORS. WHO WILL I PICK AND HOW?

Pick whoever’s hotter. Are you stupid?

I ’M ABOUT TO MEET MY SIGNIFICANT OT H E R ’ S FA M I LY FOR THE FIRST TIME. HOW CAN I IMPRESS THEM?

Begin by asking your SO’s parents or guardians their age. With this knowledge, you can talk about historical events through which they lived. Were they born in the sixties? Ask them their opinion on JFK or Martin Luther King. Were they born in the seventies? Inquire about the Watergate scandal. You’ll have an opportunity to showcase your extensive historical knowledge. Impressive!

HOW CAN I CHECK UP ON MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER WITHOUT LOOKING INSECURE OR JEALOUS?

First, acknowledge the fact that you are both insecure and jealous. Next, collaborate with your SO’s cell provider to enable a tracking system in his or her phone. You have comforting security, and your SO is blissfully ignorant. A healthy relationship is built entirely upon lies. THE SCRIBE

february 2015

Relationship Status:

satire

Fictional... FINDING YOUR (IMAGINARY) SOULMATE ARTICLE BY MADDY MCGRATH

SORRY, YOU NEED TO LIKE TO READ TO GET A DATE. EVEN A FICTIONAL ONE.

LIKE, UM, I DON’T LIKE TO READ?

THERE’S AN AWKWARD SILENCE AT A DINNER PARTY AND YOU WANT TO BREAK THE ICE. WHAT DO YOU DO?

STRENGTH AND SPONTANEITY COMMENT ON THE QUALITY OF THE POTATOES

CONTINUE CHEWING LOUDLY, CHUCKLING SAVING PEOPLE, HUNTING THINGS

WHAT’S YOUR IDEA OF A GOOD TIME?

DESTROYING YOUR ENEMIES, THEN RIDING OFF INTO THE SUNSET

KATNISS EVERDEEN, THE HUNGER GAMES Katniss is the kind of girl who can shoot a squirrel in the eye from 30 feet away—don’t mess with her. Slightly introverted and serious, Katniss may come off as antisocial at first (which she is), but once you earn her trust, she won’t shoot you and may even make a stab at a joke in your company. PROS: You will never go hungry with her hunting ability. Just get used to eating squirrels, and the occasional wild dog. CONS: Watch out for competition— there are these two guys that are both trying to win her love... (cough Peeta and Gale cough). And you should know she will always choose food over you. Always.

february 2015

THE SCRIBE

MR. COLLINS, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Stuttering, sweating, Fordyce’s Sermons, and constant obsessing over his esteemed patroness are what you have to look forward to with this stuck-up chap (who for some reason loves weird hats). When in an awkward situation, he will probably talk about potatoes, making the situation even worse and leaving you wanting to crawl in a hole. PROS: He has a stable job, and honey, you aren’t getting any younger. CONS: You will ultimately live a life of misery and constant prattling about another older woman.

DEAN WINCHESTER, SUPERNATURAL Dean Winchester may seem like a no-good ladies man, but beneath his bad boy exterior, he’s really just a giant teddy bear (a 6’1” teddy bear, to be exact). He has a love for classic rock, 1967 Chevy Impalas, and hunting the supernatural. He will stop at nothing to protect his family and loved ones, and though this relationship won’t exactly be long term, this sexy hunter will sure be worth it. PROS: He has a great sense of humor— his deadpan comments and crass, boyish humour are sure to crack you up. CONS: Hunting is his way of life and he will put his job ahead of your feelings at times.

KHAL DROGO A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE/ GAME OF THRONES Khal Drogo is the strong and silent type who, with his scowling brows and blue war paint, will definitely intimidate you at first sight. But once you get to know him, you will discover that there’s plenty of things to do with him that don’t require talking. If you’re lucky, he may even call you names like “moon of my life” and kill whoever dares to insult you. This guy is a keeper. PROS: He is really quite good at braiding hair. CONS: He doesn’t speak English—his limited vocabulary includes only the word no.

“S

o, are you in a relationship or what?” “Yeah, it’s pretty serious actually.” “Oh my god! Who is it?” “It’s...fictional.” Let’s face it, this conversation looks familiar for some of you. Fictional characters are often (who am I kidding, always) more attractive than the real-life candidates. And if the one-way aspect is disregarded, these relationships are much easier to handle than ones with actual people. Tempted by this? Go through this flowchart to find your perfect fictional match and you’ll be set for life...or at least until your character is killed off. A STABLE ONE WITH LITTLE OR NO DRAMA

FAVORITE TYPE OF BOOK?

FICTION

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL RELATIONSHIP?

NON-FICTION I’M ALL ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT AND INTENSITY

ONE THAT IS SAFE BUT STILL HAS HINTS OF PASSION

WHICH QUALITIES DO YOU PREFER IN A PARTNER?

GRUMPY CAT OR BABY BUNNIES? KNOWLEDGE AND SENSITIVITY GRUMPY CAT THERE IS A TROLL IN THE DUNGEON. YOU HAVE A WAY TO DEAL WITH IT, BUT DOING SO COULD GET YOU KILLED. OR WORSE, EXPELLED. WHAT DO YOU DO?

DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. LIVES MIGHT BE AT STAKE.

SAM WINCHESTER, SUPERNATURAL Younger brother to Dean Winchester, Sam is the perfect 6’4” moose everybody needs in their life. His puppy dog eyes will melt your heart at first glance, and he has better hair than you. Don’t deny it. PROS: Using the magical WiFi he always seems to have, he can tell you anything you want to know about supernatural activity or the nearest motel. CONS: The people close to Sam tend to die. Burning on the ceiling, gash in the stomach, the works.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO ON THE WEEKENDS? BABY BUNNIES HOMEWORK TELL THE TEACHERS! A TROLL IS NOT WORTH EXPULSION.

DEFINITELY NOT GOING OUT AND SPENDING TIME WITH IGNORANT NINCOMPOOPS

HERMIONE GRANGER, HARRY POTTER SERIES Books are Hermione’s constant companions, and she can be found in the library nine out of ten times. But when she’s not focusing on schoolwork, she’s a brave, loyal friend. Oh, and she is smarter than you, always remember that.

FITZWILLIAM DARCY, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Fitzwilliam (respect the name, guys) Darcy is the quintessential mysterious lover. Though he comes off as a prideful, pompous prick, to those close to his heart, he is caring, sweet, and ultimately, gorgeously perfect.

PROS: She’s a witch (not a wizard, don’t be sexist) and a good one at that. CONS: Sometimes it may seem as if she’s more attached to her books than you, and she probably is.

PROS: Once you have proved yourself to be “accomplished,” he will love you and respect you till the end of time. CONS: If you are not prepared to be constantly challenged about your intelligence and so-called lack of propriety, this is not the man for you.

MATTHEW CRAWLEY, DOWNTON ABBEY Matthew is the perfect match for anyone who is quiet but still a passionate lover. His good looks combined with his English highsociety demeanor conceal a man who can kiss just as well as anyone (probably better). Matthew enjoys a good dinner party just as much as a good, proper hunt. PROS He is smart and has a good sense of humor. Not to mention he is beautiful. CONS: He will die when your first child is born...Spoilers.....

THE SCRIBE

february 2015

THE SCRIBE