P2: Students enjoy the new ice cream vending machine.
B8: Food trucks are popular in the South Bay.
P8: A flock of Sea Hawks tackles a Culver City running back.
High Tide
Redondo Beach, CA Redondo Union High School
Oct.1, 2010 vol.
edition 2
]www.hightideonline.org]
Safe School Ambassadors improve campus by Vanessa Alarcon
Safe School Ambassadors is a program that encourages friendly behavior on campus by empowering leaders from different groups and providing them with skills to prevent violence and bullying among their peers. Although this is the second year of the Safe School Ambassador program, it will not be able to be critically evaluated until it is in place for three years. According to Jeff Rosadini, the organization that started Safe School Ambassadors, Community Matters, requires the program to be in place for three years before it completes an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness. The Safe School Ambassador program has been in place at Adam’s Middle School for three years. According to Assistant Principle Erin Simon, the students at Adams took surveys on how safe they felt their school was. School officials found that after the Safe School Ambassador program, students felt safer and more comfortable at school. “[Students] are happy that other students are speaking out for them,” she said. Both Rosadini and Simon believe that some students have misconceptions of what the program is about. Simon does not want students to think that the program is only about snitching on other students.
“[Students] are happy that other students are speaking out for them.” –– Erin Simon According to Rosadini, it is not only about bullying. “It’s about creating a community of acceptance,” Rosadini said. Program participant Connor McCulloh, senior, says she enjoys the program. “It’s a good way to decrease the violence,” McCulloh said. The program is expected to be more effective this year because there are more students. The program has about 90 students, which is a significant increase from the program’s 30 students last year. “[The size] has increased about 300 percent. We are happy with those numbers,” Simon said. Students that showed leadership were nominated for the program and were trained. “[The training] expanded on things we already knew,” McCulloh said. “We don’t go around trying to find people fighting, we just make situations easier for other people.” In the program, students who have been chosen to become Safe School Ambassadors will learn methods of helping other students. “They meet with an adult to discuss tools [to] combat bullying,” Simon said. According to Simon, the program gets money from a grant from the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and other donations, which it uses to fund training programs. RBUSD is one of the few districts in the country that has dedicated all of its schools to the program. “The program helps to fight and advocate for other students,” Simon said.
LMXXIV
Parking Predicament New reserved parking spaces cause conflict between staff and students by Allie Goldberg
New reserved parking spaces has sparked controversy between staff members, teachers and students. There are six assigned spaces for counselors in the Senior Parking Lot. Because of this, many teachers believe that they are not as highly valued by administration as the counselors are. Counselor Tiffany Straight was initially surprised by the controversy. “[The counselors] have had the parking spaces since as long as I’ve worked here,” she said. “It’s not like we’ve never had them.” According to Straight, the counselors do not feel superior to the teaching staff. “I do not feel in any way above anyone else. I understand that people feel unequal, [but] sometimes I feel that way,” she said. Straight explained that the spaces are critical for logistical reasons. “We have off-campus meetings during the school days. Overall, I believe there are more things within our workday that cause us to leave campus more than a class room teacher,” she said. According to counselor Arond Schonberg, this dilemma is creating an unnecessary amount of resentment towards counselors. “I never fought for my parking space,” he said. “It was just given to me.” According to Straight, the attitudes of many emails received from the teachers have definitely “shown some resentment”. “The teachers just want to feel equal,” Straight said. “I totally understand that. Sometimes there is a lack of understanding of the day to day responsibilities that we have.”
According to chemistry teacher Linda Dillard, if no staff members had reserved spaces, everything would be “more fair.” “It’s favoritism,” she said. “I get here most days between 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. and I cannot get a good space,” she said. Dillard explained that many teachers are forced to park in the drama lot, or the science building, in which the spaces are “extremely small.” According to principal Mary Little, there “should be enough spaces.” “There is enough space [on campus] for all teachers to park in a reasonable space,” she said. “This is just a process of change, its nothing new.” Little believes that the reserved parking spaces have no representation of the value she has for her staff. “Everybody here has an important role. We all work together,” she said. Little believes that the new debate is only a result of the construction and the school’s new additions. “The [administration] building changed the hub of the campus. Now we are just adjusting,” Little said. According to Little, new staff spaces were reserved on Tuesday and Wednesday, which should ultimately release some tension. “It was just the initial change inconvenience, it should be fine,” Little said. “We are going to find spaces for everyone to park. However, it may make student parking more difficult.” Many students are affected by the additional 26 reserved parking spaces that were added to the senior parking lot earlier this week. According to senior Christiana Marvray,
Staff Only. Half of the parking spaces in the Senior Parking Lot are now reserved for staff, relieving tension between teachers and counselors but causing an inconvenience for students.
it is important that there is sufficient space for teachers to park but it is also a major inconvenience for students. “It’s really frustrating for those of us seniors who work really hard and take a zero period and now we have to park farther away than ever,” she said. Marvray believes that parking permits need to be more taken more seriously. “The fact of the matter is the majority of students that park in the parking lot do not have permits,” she said. “There needs to be harsher penalties.” According to Marvray, parking in the lot for first period is “almost impossible.” “Last year I used to get here at 7:40 and I had to park all the way at the end of the lot and now there are construction workers parking there,” she said. Although an inconvenience for students, the tension between the counselors and the teachers is alleviated, according to Vice Principal John Newman. “Teachers now should be able to find adequate parking,” he said, There were 30 reserved staff parking spaces last year, so there are 26 new reserved staff parking spaces that will be taken away from the students. According to math teacher Amanda Morton, it is unfair to jeopardize student parking. “It’s not fair to take spaces away from
students, and its also not fair to not provide sufficient and convenient parking for teachers,” she said. According to Newman, there are enough spaces for students and staff who have parking permits. “I counted the number of available spaces, and I know how many people have purchased parking permits. There are more spaces than permits,” Newman said. Overall, Newman has calculated that sufficient parking is being provided for both staff and the students. “It may not as close as people would like, but there are enough spaces,” he said.
Parking Lot Spaces–– Drama Lot:
Total Spots: 94 Spots are available to students and staff.
Science Lot:
Total Spots: 34 Spots are reserved for staff only.
Senior Lot:
Total Spots: 126 Staff Reserved: 56 Counselor Reserved: 6
Old Administration Lot:
Total Spots: 55 Spots are reserved for staff only.
Measure E Bond stands in the way of improvements Locker shortage to be dealt with by administration by Danny Garzon
Nearly 100 students have been left without lockers. Assistant Principal John Newman attributes this shortage to difficulties in finding available lockers. Newman, along with the Information Technology (IT) Department, plans on developing a comprehensive way to find all the mismatched, double-booked, and empty lockers on the system. According to Attendance Clerk Maria Vint, each student must be checked one by one in the system in order to find students that either have two lockers or have a locker assigned and no longer attend the school. “The process of going one-by-one through each student is time-consuming and tedious,” Vint said. Junior Megan Riggle recently transferred from Mira Costa High School and does not have a locker. She feels as if not having a locker is both detrimental to her health and her grades. “I really hate [not having a locker]. I feel like I should have one, even if I am a new student,” she said. Riggle says that her backpack can easily weigh up to 15 pounds and that sometimes
it can cause fatigue and pain. “I’m carrying at least 15 pounds on my back every day and at times, I come home with a sore back,” she said. As for broken lockers, Newman feels that there is no proper fix. “I’ve had our maintenance department and our locksmith look at the lockers. We would have to spend thousands of dollars in order to adequately fix them,” he said. New lockers were supposed to be installed ten years ago, with funding provided by the voter-approved bond Measure E. However, Measure E ran out of funding before the project was completed. The recently passed Measure C Bond could provide funding for new lockers, since there is a surplus of money due to projects coming in under budget. But the Measure E project has yet to be closed out by the Division of the State Architect (DSA). “Right now it’s in litigation, it’s up to the lawyers to determine when we can [install new lockers],” Newman said. “We were ready to add new lockers this summer and we couldn’t, now we’re working on a way to do the lockers before the close out [of Measure C], we hope to be able to get it done.” Newman strongly discourages against students sharing lockers. “I say to students, ‘Don’t share lockers only use the lockers assigned to you, don’t give out your combination, and don’t leave anything valuable in your locker’,” he said.
Lawyers are in litigation to get money for air conditioning in history building by Bethany Kawa
Locked Up. The shortage of lockers causes an inconvenience for students with a heavy load to carry around all day.
What is a Bond?
A bond is tax-exempt money issued by a city, state, county or other government for the financing of public interests. The Measure C Bond is a bond that provides funding for classroom and school facility improvements throughout RBUSD. The Measure E Bond is a bond that was approved in November of 2000 in order to modernize and update all the classrooms throughout the district.
Students and teachers have complained about not having air conditioning in the 800s building. According to assistant principal John Newman, air conditioning and lockers were part of Measure E, which was a bond passed about ten years ago. Measure E covered the costs for the renovations of the 200s, 300s, 500s, 700s, and 800s buildings, air conditioning, and lockers. However, after the renovations of the buildings, there was no money left for air conditioning or lockers. “We cannot get air conditioning for the 800s building until we get more money. Right now, lawyers are in litigation and are waiting for close out [of Measure C],” Newman said. Once the lawyers reach close out, the school will have enough money to complete the Measure E project. As for now, the time to get air conditioning is unknown. “I would love to say next summer, but it won’t happen until they reach close out,” Newman said.
News
2
p.
]Oct. 1, 2010]
Ice cream machines bring revenue to athletic department Administration and Food Service employees look to serve students in more efficient ways. by Shannon Bowman
Ice cream machines are a new addition to the school, raising questions about the nutrional value of the ice cream. Students were quick to notice and utilize the machines. The new ice cream machines were athletics director Andrew Saltsman’s idea. At the school where he was previously employed, El Dorado High School, there were many types of vending machines, including ice cream. The money from the machines at El Dorado went toward the ASB budget. “The machines brought in $800 to $1,000 a month,” he said. “That money added up.” The money from the ice cream vending machines is split between the athletics department which gets 15 percent of the profit, school district which gets 15 percent as well, and Vendopoly, the company that provides the machines, gets the rest of the money. Although excited, Saltsman is realistic about the profit. “We’re not going to make too much right now. The program is just getting started,” he said. According to Saltsman, the money made from ice cream sales will go into the athletic general budget which helps pay for uniforms, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. “The money is to really help student athletes, coaches, and teams,” he said. Junior Samantha Witteman feels the ice cream machines are a good addition to campus. “I think [the machines] are nice to have on campus because it gives students something a little different,” she said. “They are nice to get on a hot day.” While selling ice cream may seem unhealthy, assis-
tant principal John Newman believes it is not. “The ice cream’s nutritional value does fit into the [the state] guidelines,” Newman said. In 2009, California introduced legislation AB12, which controls what food schools can provide. It is part of an effort to curb obesity rates and unhealthy lifestyles. Schools can not sell food high in calories or fat, which has affected what the school can offer students. “We’re really limited in what we’re able to do these days,” Saltsman said. Food services will also be limited next year with the cafeteria construction. The cafeteria will be demolished in the summer of 2011, and construction will continue through the 2011-2012 school year. The school is now looking into alternate ways to feed students. “We’re considering bringing in more food carts and possibly offering food trucks,” Newman said. “We may also use the food services center in Adams [Middle School] and bring it over [here]. But nothing’s concrete.” The A.L. Young Center, which is located near the 700 building, will be utilized during cafeteria construction but will then be permanently closed after construction is finished. “There will be such long lines at all the other stands and the cafeteria,” sophomore Maya McEwen said. “If the lines are long now, think about how much longer they are going to be.” Crowding is already a problem in the cafeteria, but steps have been taken by the school to control it. Security guards are always stationed in the cafeteria to move lines along and keep students in order. Food is also distributed to different areas when needed.
Pool and gym set to open in November Construction crews push to finish the new gym and aquatics center in time for the Nov. 5 grand opening of the new athletic facilities and Student Services Building. “I think it will be close. But yes, I do think [the projects] will be done,” assistant principal John Newman said. Measure C, the $145 million bond passed in early 2008, provided funding for the improvements. “It will be the absolute nicest, biggest, most professional, newest high school athletic facility anywhere in Southern California without a doubt,” Newman said. “I think our athletes will be proud to call PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN it home … and practice and play in the facilities that are Build Up. The pictures above show the contruction of the new small gym and pool to be being built for them.” finished in November. The school will have a grand revealing of the new facilities on Friday, Nov. 5, 2010.
League of Women Voters registers students On Oct. 11, 2010 the League of Women Voters will to register seniors to vote. Barbara Arlow is a member of the League of Women Voters. According to Arlow, the League’s purpose is to promote active, informed citizen participation at all levels of government through education and advocacy. Arlow also says the League welcomes all voting citizens and does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. “[We have] two separate roles: advocacy and citizen education,” Arlow said. The League believes voting is the responsibility of all citizens, even teenagers. “With students’ busy schedules it is easy to forget to register to vote,” Arlow said. “But the decisions [legislators] make affect all of us. It is important that they understand the needs and interests of young people.” Arlow also feels ballot measures will affect the lives of California voters. “Some of the measures will impact the lives of young people and their input is needed,” she said. Assistant Principal Amy Golden says the League
2.
3. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN AND JAKE COLLINS
Long Lines. 1. Students wait to buy their lunch at the A.L. Young Center near the 700 building. 2. Junior Mario Celotto buys ice cream at the new vending machine, which has become popular among students. 3. Students buy snacks at carts located all around campus. 4. Junior Adam Rudow pays the cashier in the cafeteria.
“We try to bring food so each student can get to it,”said cafeteria manager Rita Jones. “We don’t want things to go to waste.” Students can sometimes see Jones and other cafeteria workers sprinting across campus to bring excess food from the cafeteria to the A.L. Young building. The carts have begun to sell full meals again. Some students, however, are confused as to why $3.75 at the cafeteria get them pizza, fries, and a drink while $3.75 at the carts only gets them pizza. According to Jones, the reason for this difference is that the food carts sell everything “a la carte” for students who just want to buy a single item. “Carts usually offer more snacks, so kids can choose
4.
other sides [for an extra charge],” she said. Some students, like junior Eddie Tyler, like the fact the carts are more accessible, but feel like they’re getting less for their money. “If I’m paying almost four dollars, I don’t just want a pizza. I think they should [include] extras, too,” he said.
Construction Timeline
by Austin Pritzkat
by Shannon Bowman
1.
first contacted her to ask if they could help students register. When she sent out information to the staff, many teachers were interested in bringing their students to register. “If there was no interest, I wouldn’t have invited them to come,” she said. Only seniors will be allowed to attend the presentation and be registered, but they do not have to be 18 to register. If the student is not 18 by November, their information will be stored and later submitted when they come of age. Golden feels this is a “good opportunity” for the students. Senior Dillon Guth will be 18 when the League comes to register students. “I feel like I need to be heard,” Guth said. “I don’t want to just sit back.” For students who are not as interested as Guth, Golden says they will not be forced to register. “Their teacher might [bring them], but they don’t have to do anything they don’t want to do,” Golden said. Guth is looking forward to registering. “I want to vote,” he said. “I want to do something to make [the country] better.”
• The pool and the small gym are to be completed by Nov. 5, 2010. • The old administration building remodel will begin in December and be completed by the spring. • The big gym’s construction will begin in December and be completed by Oct. 2011. • The library construction will begin June and be completed by Aug. 31, 2011.
Grand Opening of the Administration Building, Small Gym, Fieldhouse, Lower Field, and Pool is on Nov. 5, 2010.
RUHS prepares for College Fair by Alyssa Sanchez
Since 1986, RUHS and Mira Costa High School have alternated hosting the college fair; Redondo hosts on even years and Mira Costa hosts on the odd years. Each year there is over 2,000 students attend the college fair. On Oct. 5, 2010 Redondo will be hosting the College Fair. The College Fair will begin at 7:00 p.m. for seniors only and then will open to the public from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Sea Hawk Pavilion. The College Fair will give students opportunities to meet with with counselors and representatives from over 140 different colleges and universities. Karen Morris, Director of the College and Career Center and the planner of the College Fair, believes that it is in the best interest of the students to attend the College Fair because it opens up students’ eyes to their different options. “I have students come in saying they visited schools
they’ve never thought about applying to and it gives them an opportunity to look at schools that aren’t brand name,” Morris said. Morris also added that the College Fair has helped many students make a decision on which school they want to attend. “I had a student that talked to a representative from the University of Montana who never thought of leaving California that ended up visiting the school, applying, and attending the university,” Morris said. ASB, MCJROTC, PTSA, and staff help prepare for the College Fair by planning the event for months, inviting over 400 colleges, and searching for the volunteers needed to run the event. Redondo also hosts a dinner for all of the college representatives in which meals from local food establishments are served in order to thank the representatives for giving their time to help students pick the right school. “I hope that all the students take the opportunity to attend this special event planned specifically for them,” Morris said.
Opinion
3
p.
]Oct. 1, 2010 ]
Around
Josh
*
Redondo
Jabbers
”Should food trucks be used during cafeteria reconstruction?”
about
streaking
“I think they would be a tremendous contribution to the school.”
*with input from Dylan Futrell
12th
— Chancy Hill
“It’s a good idea because there will be shorter lines and more variety.”
9th
— Kylie Owens
“We should not have them because the gas will destroy the environment.”
Editorial: Food trucks plausible
11th
— Oliver Callaghan
“I like it the idea because it’d be easy to get good food.”
9th
— Dustin Herold
“It’d be a smart idea because it would shorten the long line in front of the shack.”
10th
— Kimia Yazdi
High Tide
Despite the obvious positive effects of the renevations being done around campus- from increased access for handicapped studnets to increased ecological effortsthere are the inevitable drawbacks. Ignoring the obvious enormous cost of remodeling, there also the daily inconveniences suffered by all. Unfortunately, all of these inconveniences will pale in comparison to the one the entire campus will suffer when the cafeteria is going to be demolished in the near future. When this happens the entire food distribution system that’s been established will have to undergo a massive transformation, as the shack already suffers from painfully long lines and if the lines from the cafeteria are shifted there it will be absolutely impossible to serve all of the students. That said, there is no other structure on campus which could act as a proper distribution center- so what are we going to do? The answer is simple and age old--food trucks or a truck that serves food, if you will. These miniature mobile caterers will provide the student body with a tremendous amount of increased services and options for
everyone to enjoy. The cafeteria already has a few options but those five options become old and tired after being recycled for a few months let alone the whole year. There is the simple beauty of the food truck. Having several of these trucks on campus would be able to easily keep the variety fresh, and the quality will be leaps and bounds ahead of the food we’re served now- although some may prefer their food to bask under heat lamps for several hours. Food trucks prepare their food daily and this freshness combined with the variety will create a food dynamic that will be preferable to the whole student body. Even vegetarians will be able to enjoy the new service as there are food trucks which cater specifically to their needs. Besides being generally more enjoyable, the school will also receive a cut of all things sold on campus, one truck offered 15% of their take. So the benefits range from variety to quality to finance. A rather simple solution to an imposing problem.
“The quality will be leaps and bounds ahead of the food we’re served now.”
It’s halftime. The crowd goes wild, their primal howls reverberate throughout Sea Hawk Bowl. But their cheers are not for the band; they’re meant for the troupe of streakers who, moments before, dashed across the AstroTurf, bathing our students in all of their bare, naked glory. The time-honored tradition of streaking is not only humorous, but also a poignant display of school pride. Predictably, these exploits tend to gather the attention of disgruntled administrators. The primary concern being that the sight of distant exposed genitalia might frighten and/or traumatize the young children in attendance. Of course, this aspect has been hilariously overblown, its oponents failing to realize that the grievously offensive spectacle of a bouncing brigade of giblets is practically invisible to spectators on either side of the Bowl. The fact that some students are willing to expose their most sensitive areas to the harsh sea breeze indicates a level of dedication to their school that most lack. Their lavish masks and capes showcase a commendable degree of intricacy, rivaling that of school rallies. Their costumed parade of nudity is just as spirited and possibly more entertaining. Older, more conservative spectators might cite streaking as an example of the irreverent youth spoiling an honored American pastime; however streaking has been around longer than they have. According to the information treasure trove—Wikipedia.org—streaking has been around since the early 1800s. Originally sanctioned by General Robert E. Lee as a rite of passage for college students, it has since evolved into a celebrated ritual at crowded sporting events. In recent years, the beloved tradition has seen a resurgence in popularity, with Time magazine calling it a “growing Los Angeles-area fad”. Let it be known that streaking is not merely a fad, but a mainstay of sporting events worldwide. Streakers should not face scorn and punishment, but rather praise and admiration for their enthusiasm. Instead of chastising their behavior, they should be lauded as selfless paragons of bravery and spirit. Of course, no self respecting Sea Hawk should streak at any event, sporting or otherwise. That would be a disgrace.
Pro Con Should immigrants raised in America become citizens?
]staff
Editor-in-Chief: Austin Pritzkat Editor of Design: Molly Simon Managing Editors: Sophia Lykke; Julia Uriarte ] News Editors: Christina Mehranbod; Kaitee Scheyer Opinion Editor: Josh Hillsburg Features Editors: Dylan Futrell; Kelsey Chung; Meglyn Huber; Ashley Pournamdari; Madeline Perrault; Alison Peet-Lukes; Brianna Egan Sports Editor: Adam Ammentorp; Jessica Cascio Photo Editor: Jonathan Martin Copy Editors: Shannon Bowman; Olivia Loveland; Melissa Rosero Cartoonist: Josh Hillsburg Staff Writers: Vanessa Alarcon; Sammie Avalos; Taylor Ballard; Matthew Brancoli; Loren Brown; Laney Burke; Kimberly Chapman; Zachary Commins; Alexis CurtisOlson; Ciara Diaz; Camille Duong; Kaelee Epstein; Gianna Esposito; Daniel Garzon; Allie Goldberg; Anachristina Gonzalez; Bethany Kawa; David Kawa; Casey Lovano; Anthony Leong; Trisha Light; Cammille Mitchell; Joy Ohiomoba; Melissa Rosero; Allison Salazar; Derek Sarno; Joanie Schneider; Alex Shea; Jessi Shipley; Laura Shodall; Annica Stitch; Shayna Stuart; Emma Uriarte; Alyssa Wolf; Zachary Zent Adviser: Mitch Ziegler The High Tide dedicates itself to producing a highquality publication that both informs and entertains the entire student body. This newspaper is a wholly student managed, designed and written newspaper that focuses on school and community events. The High Tide is published by the journalism class at Redondo Union High School, 631 Vincent Park, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Advertising is $7.50 per column inch, $6.00 if paid in advance. For information call (310)798-8665 ext. 2210. Signed commentaries and editorial cartoons represent the opinions of the writer or cartoonist and in no way reflect the opinions of the High Tide staff.
PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS
Senior Sean Dreiling dropping in to a gnarly pounder.
I
A
merica is a nation founded upon different cultures, ethnicities, and customs. It is “el crisól” or, the melting pot. The first immiby Julia Uriarte grants came here looking for a better life, more freedom, and opportunity. Over 200 years later, millions continue come to this country to achieve the same thing, the American Dream, “el sueño Americano.” However, it is no longer as easy to immigrate to this country as it once was. One cannot simply take a boat across the ocean or pay 25 cents to cross the border. The process is much more complicated now and those wishing to ebter the country wait for years to get their visas, forcing millions to enter this country illegally. Many of these undocumented residents were brought here as children, have lived here and gone to school here for the majority of their lives. Most of these undocumented residents are hardworking members of society, not members of drug cartels. All of these undocumented workers simply want a chance to achieve the American Dream. So what should we do with these residents? The Development, Relief, and Education for Minors Act, or DREAM Act, provides a solution that will benefit both the undocumented aliens and our society as a whole. The DREAM Act grants temporary residency to undocumented aliens who have been living in the United States for at least five years, came to this country before
the age of 16, and are “of good moral character.” After six years, they are granted permanent residency if they have either served in the military for at least two years or have finished at least two years of secondary educations and are on their way to a bachelors degree or higher. Contray to what many believe, the DREAM Act does not allow criminals to stay in the country. It does not allow undocumented immigrants to stay in this country without contributing to society. The DREAM Act grants residence to hardworking immigrants that have lived in this country for years to stay and contribute to society. So what if the DREAM Act isn’t flawless? In a nation with a 27 percent college graduation rate, shouldn’t we do everything in our power to encourage residents to seek out higher education? If someone is willing to risk their life in war for this country, shouldn’t they be allowed to live here without fear of reprimand? If a person is willing to work, they shuold be given a chance at the American Dream. Yes, the DREAM Act isn’t a perfect solution to the immigration problem facing our nation, but it’s a start, and it’s certainly better than the legislation we have in place now.
s it fair to let illegal aliens come into this country become citizens even though they have broken the law? Thanks to the DREAM Act children of illegal immigrants can do just that. The DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act) states that individuals [minors] who meet certain requirements, have an opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college and have a path to citizenship which they otherwise would not have without this legislation (dreamact.info). Even with the requirements within the DREAM Act illegal aliens should not be allowed to stay within the U.S. borders. What gives them the right? They broke the law by being in this country illegally. It isn’t right for people to break the law and not be punished for it but rewarded. What about all the people who have to wait for years to get into this country legally? Is it really fair that they obey the law while illegal aliens come here and are granted citizenship? Instead of smuggling their way into the country illegals should obey the law and come here with immigration visas. That way they can get into the country legally and hopefully one day get the necessary paperwork to obtain green cards and full citizenship. Some would argue that the DREAM Act would help because this can affect
good people. That this gives them a chance to stay here and live “The American Dream.” But there are ways to live “The American Dream” by coming here legally by Camille Duong and doing things the right way. With that said the people who are already here should obey the law and do things legally. I’m not saying going back to your native country but make all attempts to get a working or student visa so you can stay here. That way you are able to stay within our borders without breaking the law. There are ways to come into the U.S. legally and there are no excuses why people should not be obeying the law. Why don’t the illegal aliens do the same thing? Is it really fair to the people who have to wait years sometimes up to a decade? No, it is not. Why are illegals allowed to stay when they break the basic laws of this country? Who knows what other laws they would break being here. How are we supposed to let them live here when they can’t even obey the law? The DREAM Act is supposed to let in people with “good moral character”. But how are any of these illegal aliens supposed to have “good moral character” when they come here illegally? Ed dolummy nismod tet auguer suscilis nostrud eu facipsusci bla at lor at, quam illam nulput nostrud min vero dio consenibh ea feugait volortie dolor sim zzrilit ut lorem dolorero odolor susto commolum alissit alit lobor ip estrud modigna
Features
4
p.
]Oct. 1, 2010]
Big Red Goes Green Native plants added to campus by Victoria Balding
Near the front office there are new planters, there are new sections of grass that cover a large area by the cafeteria, and next to the English hall on the hill is newly planted ivy. These additions are meant to make the school a more beautiful facility and to provide a nicer environment to learn in, according to landscape architect Jeff Chamlee. However, according to teacher Mary Simun, these new, visually appealing plants are not considered native plants to our environment. Most plants have difficulty surviving in California due to the fact that it is a desert, and caring for non native plants in California is difficult and potentially expensive. “Native plants are just gorgeous. I don’t know why they are not being planted in our schools,” Simun said. Simun states that the native plants are extremely beneficial to the environment and the wildlife. “They attract local wildlife like butterflies and birds, stabilize the soil, and use the nitrogen in the air and turn it into food. When they die they enrich the soil and make it healthier,” she said Even though there are benefits to using native plants, the district feels that the plants they have chosen will not affect the school negatively. “Native plants adapt to the environment, are water friendly, and low maintenance,” Simun said. “The ecology club used to try and only plant native plants. Three times we grew native plants and every time they were ripped out.” According to an article in the LA Times the native plants are dominant in the summer and require regular water and some shade. In order to have the most success with native plants, it is recommended to begin growing them primarily in pots then moving the plant to a less stable environment. With native plants needing aid to flourish, the question arises of how much more care the non- native plants and grass need to continue to grow. Due to the construction, the football field no longer requires water which cuts back spending, but according to Simun, the new large grass areas near the new front office could potentially be costly. According to the RBUSD website Measure C, which went into effect in early 2008, “Passed a $145 million general obligation (G.O.) bond program that will provide funding for classroom and school facility improvements throughout the Redondo Beach Unified School District.” In order to not to waste money or re-
Students and administrators do their part to help the environment by making the school more eco-friendly
sources, Chamlee said that “all the plants were selected for different reasons, and though not all of them are drought resistant the majority of them are designed to do well at a sea coast exposure even though they are not native.” The plants that were not selected for water conservation were selected for other reasons such as fragrance, shade tolerance, to provide shade, and even color. “We tried to put in red and white blossoms in order to match the school colors,” Chamlee said. Even though not all of the plants are native, landscape architect Nathan Herrera makes it clear that all plants near the field and gymnasium are cared for with reclaimed water. As to the reason for the large amount of grass near the cafeteria, Chamlee says that it was a request from Principle Mary Little in order to prevent massive erosion and mud, the grass is merely temporary until more construction is started. “We needed to put in grass because the mud and the erosion damage that could occur would be awful for the school,” Chamlee said. In an attempt to prevent erosion in the new administration building the school has recently planted water absorbing plants in order to prevent damage to the roof or building from rain fall. Solar panels were recently installed on the roof of the office in order to be more eco-friendly. According to Vice Principal John Newman the solar panels power most of the new building and the school has plans to install more solar panels on top of the new gymnasium and possibly use the power to heat the pool. According to Dr. Steven Keller the district “wants to as highly sensitive to water conservation as possible.”
Eco-friendly Tips and Facts Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost. Bike, use public transit, carpool to school, drive slower, keep your tires inflated. -www.ecologyfund.com If just 25% of U.S. families used 10 fewer plastic bags a month, we would save over 2.5 BILLION bags a year. Americans use 50 million tons of paper annually -- consuming more than 850 million trees. Every day 50 to 100 species of plants and animals become extinct as their habitat and human influences destroy them. -www.library.thinkquest.org
Ecology club cleans local beaches by Kaitee Scheyer
The Heal the Bay Club is now a part of the Ecology Club and is doing more to ensure that Southern California has clean beaches. According to senior Joanie Schneider, the Ecology Club’s president, the club is a community of activists that inform and educate people about precautions that they should take for the environment. “It’s an environmental club and we focus also on making the beach a cleaner place for us to enjoy,” Schneider said. There are scheduled beach cleanups once a month with the Heal the Bay Foundation at various beaches in the area. “We send the trash into the Heal the Bay and they do waste categorization of the trash so they know what is polluting our beaches,” Schneider said. This year, the Ecology Club is partnering with the Surf Riders Foundation and is doing a teach and test program every two weeks. “This is new to our club. We didn’t do it last year,” Schneider said. “Every Sunday we meet at the Sea Lab. Volunteers of Surf Riders will be there and we go to different beaches to test the [ocean] water.” The Ecology Club has been a part of the foundation for six years. According to the ecology club’s advisor Mary Simun, the Surf Rider Foundation approached her with the idea to involve school students in authentic data collection. “Anytime students can get involved, I
jump at it,” Simun said. “Not only do they get to experience real science, but the data is actually being used, which makes it meaningful.” The Ecology Club is also working with a foundation called Algulita, a marine research foundation that does research on plastic pollution in the environment. “[Algulita] researches how land based activities affect organisms in the environment,” Simun said. According to Simun, the students in the Ecology Club enjoy being a part of authentic experiences. “I think it’s important to get kids excited about practical, hands on experience,” Simun said. “It’s also a way for students to find out if they actually like the field they are interested in.” Simun believes that Ecology Club gives students a place to express their concerns for the environment. “The Ecology Club has always tried to improve the environment locally and at large,” Simun said. “It is important for young people to have a voice and an outlet about how to treat the environment.” According to Schenieder, the Ecology Club is about education about the environment, and she feels a personal connection to the work she is doing in the club. “It’s cool to know that I am making such a big difference,” Schneider said. “[Awareness about the environment] can only be done by communication, and if a lot of people are aware then things can change.”
Workability uses recycling to advantage by Melissa Rosero
Struggling to pick up a can, anxiously walking in and out of a class full of students, frustratingly sorting bottles from cans -we forget we take for granted the essential activities that are fundamental to our daily routine. 16 years ago, special education teacher Jodi Rhodes began the recycling program, and now her Workability class is recycling to help the Kool Katz foundation. Rhodes is not simply an animal activist; rather, she is attempting to help her students achieve a higher sense of freedom. “They are genuinely wonderful people, always enthusiastic to come to school and they have skills and needs just like everyone else,” Rhodes said. “They’re special.” Rhodes’ Workability class aims to help students find job placements out of school, or for those too young to leave campus, gain work experience. “There are jobs all over wanting to help students with disabilities learn proper work skills.The skills learned here do not only benefit themselves, but transfer to the community as well,” Rhodes said. Volunteer for the Kool Katz foundation, special education teacher Christine Williams has struggled financially supporting this organization and is thankful for Rhodes’ help as the organization lives solely on donations. “Miss Rhodes has seen how much
money we spend on our cats each year and she wanted to have her students participate in helping raise money to support our rescue group,” Williams said. Not only are the students saving lives, but they are gaining invaluable insight as well. “Helping animals shows them empathy, to care about animals, responsibility, and to show they can take care of others. They are so dependent on others for assistance that this is their chance to break away, yet still be involved with the community,” Rhodes said. Over her 28 years of teaching, Rhodes has witnessed the capability of her “gray area” students and has grown a deep attachment to helping them develop as individuals. “Everyone is trying to monitor [my students], but they’re independent. By allowing them to manage the recycling process and donate the money to Kool Katz, [they] are a part of something else, ” Rhodes said. Not only are Rhodes students gaining skills from the animals, but from the actual process of recycling as well. “For many students recycling helps their motor skills, their social skills, and academic skills,” Rhodes said. Rhodes understands that all students have the same goal, some students just take different paths. “The recycling program is a piece of our world where anyone with a disability or disadvantage can participate in. The program is an issue that our students can relate to,” Williams said.
Features
5
p.
] Oct. 1, 2010 ]
Farzad prefers teaching to management
Theodorou building up performing arts
by Laney Burke
by Christina Mehranbod
There is a big difference between teaching enthusiastic, hyper, 4th graders and teaching cynical, weary teenagers. Tanaz Farzad, the teacher for the new Learning Center, has done both. “4th graders think [their teachers] are everything,” Farzad said. “But I’ve noticed a lot of high school students complain.” Through the Learning Center, Farzad has been helping credit deficient students fulfill their graduation requirements. Farzad appreciates the maturity of students in this environment. “I can say the reality of the situation: ‘You’re in here because you messed up,’” Farzad said. Although Farzad has a passion for teaching, she did not always want to be an educator. “My dream job was to be a pub-
licist to the stars,” she said. Farzad got a job at a talent management company where she worked for country singer Reba McEntire. Soon after, however, Farzad realized that the talent industry was not what she had expected. “People in that industry lie a lot,” she said. “It’s just not me.” She decided talent management wasn’t right for her. Throughout her high school years, Farzad worked as a camp counselor. After working in the talent business for years, she missed teaching kids, so she went back to school to get her teaching and administrative credentials. For two years she taught fourth and fifth graders at Alta Vista Elementary. “Fourth graders are warm and fuzzy,” she said. “[But] I wanted the experience of working with older kids.”
Farzad shifted gears from teaching elementary students and came to teach here. “It’s a big change [from elementary school]. At the end of class, my fourth grade students would give me hugs, but my students now don’t acknowledge anything,” she said. Eventually, Farzad hopes to become a principal. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but all I can say is, so far so good,” she said.
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN
He stands in front of a crowd staring at the director. He sings with emotion, leaving his heart on stage. At only six years old, Phil Theodorou began to discover his love for singing and music. His passion for music grew from then on and he is now working on building the performing arts program here. “[Singing] was something that I liked and enjoyed very much, so when I got to a point when I could no longer sing ‘boy’ parts or soprano parts, I sang in a college glee club in high school,” Theodorou said. Initially, he had no vision of himself as a music teacher, having entered college with a PreMedicine focus. After switching to a music major, he decided that it was “much easier to do some-
thing [he loved]” rather than to do something that just “makes a lot of money.” Not only has Theodorou spent time teaching music to the youth, but he has also sang in professional choirs, performed in various churches, and has also judged multiple choir festivals. Despite occupying himself with his family and his music, Theodorou managed to find time to become a marathon runner. “At San Clemente High School, there was an art teacher who was a marathon runner and was very inspiring. One day he was describing what it was like to train and I always thought it was a goal that was impossible to reach,” he said. After intense training, The-
odorou participated in five marathons. Theodorou looks forward to becoming an integral role in the school’s performing arts programs. “My experiences in choir were largely influenced by my directors and those people had profound influence on my life,” he said. “I thought directing choirs would be a great way to do two very important things at once: make great music and be a teacher.”
PHOTO BY ALEX SHEA
Watts’ love of baseball led him to coach
Simon excited for girl’s basketball season
by Camille Duong
by Joy Ohiomoba
The Angels fans are heartbroken. It was the 2002 World Series, game six, and the Angels were down against the Giants. It was a do or die moment for the Angels. But then, the Angels made a comeback, and the good luck continued in the eighth inning leading to a victory for the Angels. This was a defining moment for history teacher Geoffrey Watts. He never missed a game with his father and he follows that tradition now with his two daughters. “They both love going to Angel’s games and watching all the action,” he said. His love for coaching baseball led him to teaching. In high school, he knew that he was never going to make it as a professional, and if he did have a career in
Baseball, it would have to be as a coach. “I have loved [coaching],” he said. Watts did not think teaching was in his future until he worked with another coach, Chris Kinder. “He was my inspiration into teaching and coaching,” he said. Watts saw that Kinder always looked like he was having fun. “I realized it was because he had a job that he truly cared about and was passionate about,” Watts said. “It just worked out that they were my passions as well.” Watts decided to become a history teacher because he loves reading about people’s lives throughout history. “We wouldn’t be the society we
are today without people standing up and speaking their opinions to change what they feel is important,” Watts said. According to Watts, understanding someone who has made a decision a 100 years ago that still affects his life today makes him appreciate the person more. “I want to learn more about them and why they did what they did,” he said.
PHOTO BY ALEX SHEA
Clad in blue and gold, assistant principal Erin Simon cheers on her players from the sidelines as they rush from one side of the court to the other, trying to break the tie. She will be cheering at the girl’s basketball games for the upcoming season, this time in red and white. Simon’s love for basketball led her to work as the girl’s basketball coach at Crenshaw high school. “My sanctuary when I worked at Crenshaw was basketball,” she said. “When I had a rough day, I just needed to go down to the gym.” Because Simon was involved in the girl’s basketball team at Crenshaw high school, she believes that she will be the Sea Hawks’ Girl’s Basketball team’s number one fan.
“I don’t plan to coach but I do plan to observe the girls,” she said. “I’ll be helping Marcelo, the girl’s basketball coach, with anything he needs help with. I’ll be watching the plays and working with the post players.” So far, Simon has been enjoying her work on campus. “I’m really looking forward to working with my departments and helping students excel academically,” she said. “I especially look forward to the basketball season.” After serving at Adams Middle School as the Assistant Principal for three years, Simon decided that it was time for a change. “I really love working with High School students. It’s my passion,” she said. “Adams really
gave me the foundation I needed to work in administrations and I think I can work anywhere.” The one thing that Simon does not really like on campus however is the amount of litter lying around. “It seems like many kids don’t pick up their trash,” she said. “I hope they realize that this is a beautiful campus and the community put in a lot of money into it.”
PHOTO BY ALEX SHEA
New Sea Hawks Espinoza helps students with problems by Derek Sarno
Counselor Melissa Espinoza commutes from Long Beach every day, knowing she’s going to accomplish her passion. Her biggest love in life is helping students deal with the day to day drama of high school life. “My high school counselor was very helpful to me,” she said. “Ten years later, I sat with him and told him I was a counselor.” Her counselor was a large part of her inspiration to become a counselor herself. “He was very patient and gave good advice, and I want to do the same,” Espinoza said. According to Espinoza, her high school counselor was somebody she could go to talk about
for a New Year
Johnson adjusts to new environment by Christina Mehranbod
problems that she wouldn’t have been able to talk about with her parents and it “makes [Espinoza] feel good to know [she’s] here as a trusting adult.” She wants to be somebody students can turn to for their problems. Despite being faced with the difficult task of earning the trust of a new batch of students, she feels that they have been “warm and responding” to her, and is happy with the way things are going so far. Espinoza also works to advocate the rights of kids. “I work to help students in foster care or wards of the court,” she said. Although she knew from
childhood that she wanted to help kids, she initially went into teaching and then went into child psychiatric care before she “found [her] passion” in counseling. In the future, Espinoza wants to continue to be a counselor rather than pursue administrative opportunities. “I like it a lot” she said.
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN
Students don’t have to worry about being protected at school. The crime rate is not a problem. The literacy rate is high. Teacher Jason Johnson knows that he is not in Watts anymore. Having just left teaching in the Watts District, teacher Jason Johnson looks forward to strengthening and building the school’s new IPASS program. IPASS is a newly-developed school credits recovery. Not only must Johnson develop working relationships and a basic knowledge of the high school, but he must also introduce the new program to the school. “When you’re new its tough because everybody has their way of doing things and when you’re a new
program, you’re ultimately going to change the way they do things whether you are trying to or not,” Johnson said. He taught in Watts while receiving his credentials, and he believes he “worked well [in Watts], a very challenging environment.” Dedicated to “motivating” his students, Johnson believes his experience teaching in the inner city will shape him into a better teacher. “[The Watts district] is way too big. In reality as society, we don’t play a lot of emphasis on education,” he said. After realizing the high rates of illiteracy at his previous school, Johnson believes that some types of crime could be linked to simple literacy and the development of a
child’s mind. With a new school year ahead at a brand new school, Johnson is excited for what is in store for him here, including developing close relationships with his students. “I’m really happy. I’m happy to be here. There is a lot of work here, but people are so nice. I’m so impressed by the kids I’ve met here,” Johnson said.
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN
Saltsman drafted out of high school
Stadler comes back as Mrs. Subotic
by Katiee Scheyer
by Kelsey Chung
A sudden pain shot through his leg and athletic administrator Andrew Saltsman looked around at his teammates. He knew his baseball career was over. “My [injury] wasn’t the ultimate factor of me not progressing to the next level, but it obviously had an impact on my career,” he said. Before tearing his cartilage in college, Saltsman was drafted out of high school for the Los Angeles Dodgers. “I was a draft and follow, meaning they follow high school kids for the next year,” Saltsman said. Despite the offer, Saltsman chose to go onto college where he continued to play baseball. “Baseball has been a passion of mine since I can remember. I loved the competition and self motiva-
tion that I developed through the sport,” he said. “There can be a lot of down time in baseball so the opportunity to work on my game on an individual basis really drove my competitive spirit.” According to Saltsman, finding a job in athletics is very difficult because many athletic directors don’t move out of their positions for several years. “It is also hard to get into a district like Redondo that only has one high school, it’s very selective,” he said, “But I liked the smallness of it.” Volleyball coach Tommy Chaffins, who has known Saltsman since he was hired late last year, believes Saltsman has a lot to offer to the athletic program. “He is super organized and extremely helpful,” Chaffins said, “He
has a sports back round and I think he has some really great ideas.” Because of his back round in ASB and student services, Saltsman hopes that he can help the student body get behind our athletic teams more. “I’m excited to be here and to drive more school spirit to games,” Saltsman said, “ It would be nice to get a lot of people out there to have continued support.”
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN
After leaving here to teach in New York for two years, chemistry teacher Sarah Stadler came back with a new appreciation of California and a new last name. Within one year, she met her husband, traveled across America, visited her husband’s family in Australia, and got married. She now goes by Mrs. Subotic. “It was a lot of changes all at once. But it was a good experience for me. We have the same religious beliefs, and we just have a lot of the same background. We fell in love and I guess you know when you know,” Subotic said. She met her husband before leaving for New York, but while teaching there, she and her hus-
band spent time apart. She left her job in search of something different. “I lived in southern California my whole life. I wanted to try something new,” Subotic said. She attended school here, and after teaching here, she wanted to venture out into an unknown world. “For me, the East Coast is like a foreign country. It toughened me up a little. It was good to see how other schools worked, especially from a teacher’s point [of view],” Subotic said. The whirlwind year and the life experiences have helped her grow as a teacher, according to Subotic. “As far as teaching, every year you learn and grow. I don’t think
I’m better because of the year away, but because of the fact that I’m a year older,” she said. Soon after, Subotic and her husband decided to come back to Southern California. When she was offered a part time job here, she happily accepted the offer. “I came back to Redondo because I really liked it here. I knew I would already like it and what to expect here,” Subotic said. Though she sometimes feels that she never even left, she realized that this is her true home. “I moved to the East Coast and fell in love with California,” Subotic said. *Chemistry teacher Sarah Subotic is not pictured.
p.
Features
6
] Oct. 1, 2010]
Lopez family overcomes immigration struggles by Allison Salazar
The knot in her throat expanded as she tried to hold back the tears as her brothers walked away. Senior Lidia Lopez thought it might have been the last time she saw ever them. “The thought that my brothers might be deported crossed my mind everyday. I would cry at night just thinking about not being able to see them,” she said. Lopez and her family began dealing with her half brothers Gerber and Cesar Herreras’ immigration cases two years ago when they discovered that they could be deported although they had lived in the U.S. since they were kids. “At one point my brothers had given up and they were ready to be deported but my mom wouldn’t let that happen. She made them continue fighting and that is the reason why they are here today,” she said. The immigration process eventually took a toll on Lopez’s mom. In order to keep her family strong, Lopez took responsibility over the household duties as well as watching her newborn niece. “I had to keep my emotions bottled up because I realized the more emotions I expressed the harder it was for my mom. I was stronger than I had ever been, to support her,” she said. As her mother struggled with the cases, Lopez found the strength to open up to her about the difficulties they were experiencing.
“I remember waking up at two in the morning to find her crying. Seeing my mom go through so much pain was the hardest thing I have experienced. I leaned towards my friends as an escape but I eventually told her how I felt,” she said. Lopez had to deal with the consequences of missing school in order to go to her brother’s court cases. However, she is glad to have supported her brothers and believes it strengthened their relationship. “My brothers and I didn’t really get along before the immigration process; we hardly talked. After it we grew closer and now we talk everyday. My respect for them has grown because of everything they went through,” she said. Her brothers’ struggles with their immigration status have helped Lopez appreciate the opportunities she has as a citizen. “What amazes me is their strength. They never regretted coming to this country even though they had been through a lot. They realized that this country had also given them so much to be thankful for,” she said. “I am very grateful for the opportunities I have, but I didn’t really learn to appreciate them until my brothers told me their stories.” Her brother Herbert’s immigration story inspired her to major in the medical field in college because of all the opportunities she has. “He told me about all the chances he
You pursues hobbies, stays positive Q: Why did you stop teaching?
lost and all the dreams he let fall because he wasn’t a citizen. I was impacted greatly by his story and as a citizen I feel like I should take the advantages that are given to me,” she said. “Being a citizen makes me want to be the best I can be for both my brothers and my parents. I want to make my parents proud because they have gone through so much to give me the life I have today.” Lopez’s view on immigration and the DREAM act have become more important to her because of the effect they had on her brothers. The DREAM Act allows illegal immigrants to get conditional permanent residency if they either attend a four-year college or serve two years in the military and have lived in the United States for over 5 years. “I believe the DREAM Act should be passed because it would give young immigrants, like my brothers, the chance to succeed in life. I believe the US is opportunistic for citizens but for others, that is not always true. Therefore this act would help change this,” she said. Her personal connection to the immigration process has affected her in a positive way. It has inspired her to help others dealing with similar situations like her brothers, in the future. “I would love to help families dealing with cases like what happened to my family. I know it’s hard and no one really knows what it’s like unless you have been through it,” she said.
1.
3. ALL PHOTOS CURTESY OF LIDIA LOPEZ
In It Together. 1. Lidia”s mother has supported her brothers, Gerber and Cesar Herreras’ through their immigration struggle. 2.The process has made Lopez’s relationship with her family stronger. 3. Lopez has taken care of her niece to help take pressure off her mother. 2.
Missing Faces
A: First off, I want to thank RUHS for fivememorable years. I thank Ms. Little and Ms. Dillard for hiring me and giving me the chance to teach here. I’m grateful for the High Tide to allow me the opportunity to clear up any misconceptions about the reasons of my departure. I left because a miscommunication about my schedule for this year. My teaching schedule changed and I wasn’t feeling like I could handle the stress of a new schedule. I didn’t feel like I handled the stress of teaching my previous schedule very well, so I thought this new schedule would be too much. Q: What do you miss about Redondo? A: I miss the interaction with the students the most. After a month of not teaching, I realize how much I miss being around the kids on a daily basis.
Q: What are you doing now? A: Right now, I’m still coaching the JV Redondo water polo team. I credit Mr. Rubke for allowing me continue coaching this season. I’m taking time right now to retrain, learn and figure out what to do next. but I’m really enjoying this time: pursuing hobbies, interests, and seeing what other options are out there. Q: What are your plans for the future? A: For the future, I’m hoping to pursue some of my other interests, including investing in a variety of different industries. I’m definitely also open to working in education again, but probably in a different role than teaching. Q: Would you ever return to Redondo in the future? A: I feel like I left on good terms with Redondo, but I think a fresh start would be good for both sides. I’m happy with my experience here but I also know that I’m not from the south bay and I don’t have too many reasons to keep me here. Again, I might work in education again, but I don’t really know what the future holds. I’m definitely excited no matter what happens.
Berger maintains position as coach Q: Why did you stop teaching?
A: I did not choose to stop teaching at Redondo. Due to the budget cuts, freshmen English class sizes increased, so as a result my position was cut. I had the least seniority out of the current English teachers. Q: What do you miss about Redondo? A: I miss Redondo a lot and I hope that one day I can teach there again. I really enjoyed teaching and coaching swim team and water polo. I learned a lot about my students and athletes both as people and I miss the relationships I formed with all of them. Q: What are you doing now? A: Currently I am recovering from an eye surgery I recently had. I also am substitute teaching, coaching off season water polo and looking for other work. Q: Would you ever return to Redondo in the future? A: I plan on one day returning to Redondo High School.
Pederson inspired to start organization to build a well by Annica Stitch
In her mind senior Michelle Pederson surveys the situation. It is a snowball effect; children drink dirty water, the water makes them sick, they can’t go to school or get an education which would help them develop a means of getting clean water to their village. The task seems daunting: get enough gallons of clean, drinkable water for hundreds of people, living on a whole other continent for around $2,500. But the solution is as simple as a well. Pederson plans to build a well in Sudan, Sierra Leone, or Kenya. Her project is called Be A Catalyst. “A catalyst causes change, and the project is about getting reactions from people and making something happen. The whole idea
is that individuals make a difference – that they can be a catalyst for change,” Pederson said. A well will provide clean water for people in the area to drink and use in other ways. According to Pederson children who drink the dirty water can get sick to the point where it disables them from going to school. “They miss out on the education that could have led to progress. It’s like a trap that keeps poor areas stuck in poverty,” Pederson said. Pederson also hopes that her project will challenge the stereotype that high school students are unproductive. “It seems like a lot of people have low expectations for teenagers in terms of how we choose to spend our time, and I wanted to defy those expectations. I was inspired by
stories of people starting their own charities,” Pederson said. According to senior Sarah Bremme, Pederson is a good-natured person with big goals for the future. “Michelle’s just one of those people who wants to do good in the world, and has the determination and passion to make it happen,” Bremme said. Pederson has been committed to the clear water cause since a Democracy in Action presentation in the eighth grade. “She focused on clear water for Africa back then, too, and I think she was eager to pick it back up and do more for her cause now that she has power. She’s put a lot of work into Be A Catalyst, and done almost everything herself and of her own accord,”
Bremme said. Pederson used her creativity and talent to design her own website, t-shirts and buttons all of which she sells to raise money for the well. “I like art and I like designing things, so it made sense to apply my interests. I talked it over with some friends who helped me brainstorm, and then I started making designs and putting a website together,” Pederson said. Bremme attributes the success of Be A Catalyst to Pederson’s “knack for art”. “Anyone who’s ever met Michelle knows just how skilled she is with presenting things visually; that skill mixed with her passion for what she’s doing has resulted in the general success of Be A Catalyst,” Bremme said.
PHOTO CURTESY OF CATALYZEHOPE.ORG
Speed It Up. Senior Michelle Pederson designs her own shirts and buttons to promote her project Be a Catalyst.
Simon to start Challenge Day because of personal hardships By Laura Shodall
It’s easy to feel rejected and lost in the shuffle of everyday high school life, but junior Kelsey Simon believes that everyone deserves to have a voice and to be loved. Challenge Day is a program that promotes self-expression, truth, and acceptance in individuals and communities. After witnessing Challenge Day in her school during her sophomore year when she lived in Franklin, Tennessee, Simon decided to bring it to Redondo. “Back at my previous school, I noticed
how many students have been affected by it,” she said. “I came back to Redondo and saw how badly some students need to realize that the things they say and do to others will hurt more than they think it will.” Because of hardships in her own life, like having friends that would constantly lie to her, Simon wishes to share her knowledge and support to others who need it as well. “I’ve been through times in my life where the people I love the most would
turn me away,” she said. “I’ve been through a lot of emotional pain, and my hope is that bringing the concept of Challenge Day to Redondo will help me help others who are hurting the same way I have.” The club is essentially about getting the student body involved so everyone is affected by the club. They hope to spread awareness of the club through fundraising to raise money for the school. “We plan to fundraise like crazy,” she said. “it would do the school so much good.”
Like Simon, junior Alex Furmansky believes the club will have a positive change on the school. “I feel like it’s going to improve some lives, if not many. Plus it’s great for community service hours, since we’ll probably be volunteering in the community quite a bit,” she said. According to Simon, community outreach is very important to her. “This club shouldn’t just affect Redondo, it should affect the whole community,” she said.
According to Simon, her goal for the club is to improve lives and relationships to create a better and more harmonious school. She hopes that people will change because of the club. “If I could change or move at least one life in this process, my goal would be complete because no one deserves to feel pain over what someone says or does to you,” she said. “I want people to know that they are loved and respected. I want to restore hope inside people and let them know that they are not alone.”
Sports
7
p.
]Oct. 1, 2010 ]
2. ALL PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MARTIN
1.
3.
New Digs. 1. Players changing in the new locker-rooms. The Field House was recently completed, and includes facilities for the football team as well as other teams. 2. The conference room in the new facility features theater seating with built in desks, along with a retractable projector screen. 3. The storage units in the new facility have a brand new track system, allowing for easier access to more things.
New field house finished, teams share facilities by Christina Mehranbod
The halls are quiet with the occasional echoing sounds of cleats making their way towards the field. The coaches are planning today’s practice in their own office. Tennis players come in and out changing into their practice clothes and running out with their racquets. The muffled sounds of football players come from the various rooms. The drills and hammers put the final touches on the outside of the building. Welcome to the field house. Complete with four locker rooms, a coaches’ meeting room, a large meeting room, a storage room, a small trainer’s room, and a new weight room, the field
house serves as a building that Sea Hawk sports players “can take pride in,” according to senior football player Matthew Ulizio. “[The Fieldhouse] offers a lot more than we had before. It lends itself to a more intense atmosphere,” Ulizio said. Junior Hunter Bradshaw believes that due to the new pride in the field house, the football team must also play hard to show whether they deserve the new facility. With the addition of the new facility will also come the addition of a new custodian, whose primary responsibility will be to take care of the Fieldhouse and all of the sports fields, according to assistant principal John Newman.
The spacious conference room has been designed to be a beneficial asset to the football team as well. This room has been dubbed the “film room” by many of the players, who are impressed by the new padded seats with desks to take notes on the previous night’s game or listen to a coach’s “chalk talk.” Football coach and equipment manager David Strelka believes that the sanitary conditions of the field house are the biggest benefit of having a brand new facility where “cockroaches aren’t running around and there aren’t bugs in the place.” Although the football teams fill most of the locker rooms of the Fieldhouse, the girls’ tennis team currently occupies
one of the locker rooms. Even though the lockers can’t store tennis racquets, junior Christie Goodman is still thankful for the new facility. “Even though it is really small, it’s nice to be able to have a locker room. There’s an actual place where we can change and put our stuff. Before, some girls changed in the Main Hall bathrooms, at home, and even the Port-a-potty,” Goodman said. With the new building already in use, Strelka believes that the biggest issue lies in the maintenance of the field house. “We have to get [the football players] more in tune with what we want: keeping the place clean and functional,” Strelka said.
Tennis continues winning streak by David Kawa
Varsity Girls tied 9-9 in sets against North Torrance yesterday, but scored a narrow victory in games won, 86-77. With team captain and senior Elle Taylor out of town, the team still managed to pull out a win. “We didn’t have our number one sin-
gles player. We also dropped some close double sets that we should have won,” coach Jessica Seibert said. The team was forced to rearrange its lineup to compensate for the absence. “Everybody was moved around. I had never played with my partner before, but we didn’t have enough players,” junior Makenna McNair said.
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN
Forehand. Senior Elle Taylor returns a shot in their match against Torrance. The girls are currently undefeated and are focusing on Bay League.
Redondo defeated El Segundo 12-6 on Monday. Taylor attributes the win to strong team unity. “[The win] was a combination between our team playing very well and staying focused throughout the day. Also, the other team was not the strongest,” she said. According to junior Angeline Lee, every game brings the team closer to the goal of the Bay League Title. “The more we play, the more experience we get, and the more strategic we become,” she said. With record temperatures, the team took extra precautions. “[The heat] was definitely a factor. We had to make sure we remained hydrated and mentally prepared for a long day,” Taylor said. McNair felt that the weather kept her from performing at her best. “It was stressful because you want to give it your all and just tough it out, but the courts are all in the sun and you start overheating,” she said. According to Lee, sideline support kept her focused throughout her match. “Cheering definitely helps keep spirits up and makes me more motivated and focused to win. When people root for you, you want to make them proud and keep fighting for the next point,” Lee said. Recovering from an injury, junior
Christie Goodman still managed to contribute to the team’s success. “Thankfully I was actually able to play. I won my set, but then I couldn’t go any more because the pain was too much,” she said. Even with their winning streak, the team will not let up in its intensity, according to Goodman. “Everyone is tough. I don’t think we can ever over prepare. We always have to go out with a positive attitude,” senior Megan Thomas said. The team is preparing for matches against Palos Verdes and Peninsula next week. “Next week we have a challenge. Those matches will be the true test of our team’s strength,” Taylor said. Their winning streak is motivating the team towards continuous success according to Thomas. “I feel that now we have momentum and can continue to win,” she said. As captain, Taylor hopes to lead her team to victory by providing an example of hard work. “As for me, I have been waiting for these next couple of weeks of Bay League matches since the end of last year’s season. I have been practicing and mentally preparing to win my single sets against these tough teams,” she said.
Band size increases, moves up a division by Joy Ohiomoba
One division higher and 16 musicians stronger, the band marches on. According to band director Mark Aguero, the band grew from a total of 70 to 86 students. He says this is due to the increase of underclassmen joining band. “We’re bigger but younger. We got 36 freshman and 19 sophomores. We’re really starting to grow in the next few years,” he said. Band president Kimberly Spicker also agrees with Aguero that the increase of students joining band has proven to be beneficial. “We have a huge incoming freshman class which helped us move into the 3A division. It gives us a larger and better sound,” Spicker said. “It makes us compete against larger groups that we couldn’t have been able to compete against before.” The band divisions are based upon how many students are in the band programs. For the past two years, the band team did not have enough people to qualify for anything higher than the 2A division. This year, because of the increase in musicians, the team was moved up into the 3A division. “3A seems to be the ‘softer division.’ Fewer bands tend to be in it. 2A tends to be more competitive,” drum major Tyler Salerno said, “We’re going to have an advantage since we used to be in a more competitive division and now, we’re in a less competitive one so we may fair better.” Aguero has high expectations for his team and is certain that they will do well in the competitions. “Our goal is to select material that challenges everybody but not be too far over our head that everyone is struggling. So far, we’ve found a good balance,” he said. Aguero hopes that the team places well in both of these competitions that take place in November and December respectively. “We are trying to place in the top three places at the first competition. At the SCSBOA competition, we aim to place in the top 12. In the past years, we’ve been tenths away from placing in the top 12 and I think that there is a really good chance that we’ll place this year,” he said. Assistant drum major Clayton Attig also feels that the team has a good chance of placing in the competitions. “I think that we can make it to championships. It’s been something that we’ve been striving for,” he said, “If we keep up the progress, we have a good chance of winning the competitions.” Aguero feels that the team has performed well in the practices and looks forward to a great year of music. “I think that we’re doing well. The quality at this point is better than where we were last year,” he said, “Everyone is working hard and just getting along well.”
Cross Country competes in Oregon by Olivia Loveland
The girls’ cross-country team captured back-to-back wins at the first Bay League meet at Entradero Park and at Nike PreNationals in Oregon. The boys took second in league to PV and 15th at prenationals. Sweeping places 2-6, the girls team made a statement at the dirt course with more than 10 hill climbs. Led by Rachel Bush (19:59) the girls defeated rival Mira Costa for what was an emotional win for the team. The boys took second against Palos Verde with junior Tyler Caracoza in second place and sophomore Evan MaloneWhite in fifth. The next morning the teams flew to Portland, Oregon for the Nike PreNationals invitational held at Portland Meadows racetrack. The boys and girls varsity raced in the Jim Danner invitational and the girls JV team raced in the Division 1 Varsity race placing 19th overall in Oregon. The teams invited to this race are ex-
pected to win their league championships and return to Oregon in December for the Nike Cross Nationals held at the same course. According to sophomore Kayla Ferron, the course is challenging due to the fact that it is on the infield of a horse track that also serves as a golf course. Additionally, along with the terain there are manmade obstacles, which include a set of two haystacks that had to be jumped over and moguls, or “whoop-di-doos” as they were commonly called. These were a set of five equal-sized mounds of hills that were steep on both sides. Both the haystacks and whoop-di-doos were repeated twice throughout the course. “It was hard. We all felt like we were coming off dead legs from running all those hills at Entradero but everyone did really well,” Ferron said. The girls were on a roll winning at Portland two days after the demanding Entradero race. However, this time leading the way was Kayla Ferron who came in 5th place overall in 18:44 followed by Mull a second later in 6th place.
Just before the race the girls were ranked 5th in the nation according to the Powerade top-50 and 9th in Harrier’s top-25 where Costa was ranked 21st. “We already proved that we were good enough to be nationally ranked, but now it was more than that. People could recognize us and we were able to go out and show more people who we were,” Ferron said. The boys varsity took 15th overall in the invitational with Evan Malone-White the first Redondo finisher in 16:42 and senior Dezhan Bland and Caracoza a second behind. According to coach Leetch, this meet served as a business-like transaction, the girls show their stuff in Oregon and practice on the course which they will hopefully be back on for Nike Cross Nationals in December. This weekend the teams will run at Warren Stauffer Invitational in Downey, a particularly flat course that is 2.8 miles, where the team will be divided into classdivisions and can focus more on individual times.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDREW HAZELTINE
Packing it in. The girls’ cross country team ran together throughout the Nike Prenationals, helping them come in first place overall.
Sports
8
p.
]Oct. 1, 2010]
Football loses to Culver
Water polo falls to Torrance
by Victoria Balding and Kaelee Epstein
The boys’ water polo team lost to Torrance last Tuesday 12-6 and will play in the El Segundo tournament this weekend. Junior Adam Rudow believes that the reason for their loss was because of mental errors. “We started forcing passes into set and making bad decisions when we shot. Also, we weren’t pressing the players on the other team that needed to be shut down,” he said. According to Rudow, the team started off well but fell apart towards the end of the game. “We played really well in the first quarter. At the start of the second, we were up 5-1. We had a lot of good teamwork and good passes, but after that I think people started to slack off and we started forcing a lot of bad passes,” he said. Coach Mark Rubke also believes that the team’s lack of wins so far can be attributed to simple mistakes. “The guys have shown that they can be competitive against such teams as Chadwick and El Segundo but haven’t been able to get the win due to obvious mistakes,” he said. He believes that if the team is able to stop this pattern, they are capable of doing better in the El Segundo Tournament next weekend. “If we can cut back on these mistakes and bring back the same energy that we had against El Segundo and Chadwick before then we might be able to surprise somebody in the tournament,” he said. Senior Jake Leonard believes that with these close victories they will do well against the teams at the tournament. “We have been winning many games recently, and when we lose its just by one or two goals,” he said. “Just last week we lost to El Segundo by one goal, and it was a very close match, so I believe we can beat them this time.” Rudow believes that the team will have their work cut out for them in this weekend’s tournament. “We are playing South Pasadena first which will be a challenging game. And for our second game, we will probably be playing Torrance again so we’re pumped to play a better game against them,” he said. According to Leonard, the team has been playing together better and is more successful than last year. “We are coming very close to beating teams that we had no chance of beating last year,” Leonard said. Regardless of their previous faults, Rubke has high hopes for the team this year. “Despite these mistakes, the team is preforming at a higher level than I anticipated,” Rubke said.
After last Friday’s “frustrating” loss to Culver City, 21-17, the team plans to come back aggressively tonight against Banning, according to senior Jon Catsavas. The Culver City game had a rough start, according to Coach Tim Ammentorp. “We started out weak and slow, letting [Culver City’s] aggressiveness get to us,” Ammentorp said. Early in the game, Culver City made an 80 yard touchdown. “Our players didn’t come out prepared to stop them,” Ammentorp said. “Our defense made key mental errors.” The team’s offense also had trouble early in the game, making several blocking errors, according to Ammentorp. “Simple errors made it hard to get things going in the first half,” Catsavas said. Culver City was presenting issues the team was not prepared for, according to coach Gene Simon. “The guys were not comfortable with a lot of what Culver City was doing,” he said. Despite being down 14-0 at the end of the first half, the team advanced early in the second half. After catching an interception, Catsavas made a “big play,” gaining the team yards. Following this advance, junior Deon Williams scored the teams first touchdown. “Intercepting the ball is always a positive factor in improving the pace and energy. We needed some encouragement,” Catsavas said. Shortly after, sophomore Christian Fer-
by Meglyn Huber
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN
Running the ball. Junior Ryan Spiwak runs through two Culver City defenders while senior Brandon Engel blocks for him in last Friday’s game. Redondo lost 21-17. nandez made another interception, allowing junior Ryan Spiwak to make the teams second touchdown. “It’s all about making plays,” Ammentorp said. At the end of the third quarter the score was tied, 14-14. Early in the fourth, junior Hunter Bradshaw made a field goal, giving Redondo their first lead in the game. However, despite a good tackle from senior Adam Ammentorp, Culver City followed with a touchdown with less than a minute left on the clock.
“There was no doubt we needed to play our most aggressive offense in order to have a chance at scoring,” Catsavas said. Despite some complete passes from junior Nick Pope, the team was stopped at the 50 yard line, which resulted in the team losing the game. “We didn’t deserve to win. We need to play the whole game to win and we only played half of a game,” Simon said. According to Ammentorp, the team needs to play at their best level against Banning tonight. Practice this week was very important for
the team. “We need to start playing consistently so we can progress as the season goes on,” Ammentorp said. Banning uses a physical attacking style, according to Simon. “If we play the full four quarters and fix our mistakes from Culver City, we should have a good chance,” Simon said. The team will come out much better prepared as a result of this week’s practices. “We are going to prove that we can work together and apply what we learned in practice,” Miller said.
Golf starts using new facilities by Allie Goldberg
Girl’s golf will play North next Tuesday, after a loss yesterday against Torrance, 183266. Torrance is the number one team in California, according to senior Kristin Discipulo. Coach John Gonzales was upset with the team’s performance. “They did not meet expectations, everyone went into it like a practice match,” he said. However, Gonzales explained that there was some positive aspects of last night’s match. “We did reach some personal goals, such as improved putting and chipping,” he said. According to senior Hayley Lane, in order to be successful against North on Tuesday, the team needs to focus. “We have to have better warm-ups and be focused before we go into our matches. We can’t go into a match without warming up, because it will take at least 3 holes to get warmed up,” she said.
The team was able to see the new facilities on Monday, for the first time. “[The facility] is really convenient for us instead of having to practice in El Segundo all the time,” she said. “It will definitely be a great opportunity to improve and a great place to practice chipping and putting.” Senior Kristi Chu agrees and is excited for the new facility. “I do believe the new area will allow the golf team to practice more often,” he said. “The hardest part about golf is getting to a golf course.” Lane believes that their short game must improve. “We all seem to be doing fine with our drives, but chipping and putting need to be worked on,” she said. In addition, Chu explained that the team needs to maintain its energy throughout the entire match. “The plan for next Tuesday is to not over
work ourselves right before the match,” she said. “We have realized that we get tired near the end of the match, therefore we need to make sure we have the same energy for both the first and last hole.” According to coach John Gonzales, the new facilities should have a positive impact on the girls’ game. “The new facility should help with putting and the sand buffer shot. I know the girls are going to improve,” he said. Gonzales feels that North has a great program but the girls need to set personal goals. “We have to worry about ourselves,” Gonzales said. “Success starts with little goals, and the final goal is an improved score.” Gonzales explained that the team has made many improvements overall. “The girls have had great focus. They focus on what they have been doing wrong, and then go out and work on it. It’s a great trait for them,” he said.
Nicole the Week: White
Athlete of by Adam Ammentorp
PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS
It’s late July, and Mira Costa just made a mistake. After being turned down from Mira Costa because of paper work issues, senior transfer Nicole White came to Redondo instead. “The only reason I really wanted to go to Costa was because it was closer to my house,” she said. “I didn’t really know anything about the school.” White, a middle blocker for the volleyball team, moved to Redondo Beach from Ukiah, California because her mother wanted her to be closer to the family. “My mom wanted me to be closer to my siblings because we only saw each other twice or maybe three times a year,” White said. Making the transition hasn’t been difficult for her or her family. In fact, most of White’s extended family lives in Southern California. “I get to be around my family every day. It’s been a nice change,” she said. However, White was not on board with moving at the beginning. “Of course I wanted to stay [in Ukiah]. It’s my senior year,” she said. “But I
agreed with her in the end so I could see my family more.” White takes similar approaches to most things in life. According to senior setter Blake O’Brien she doesn’t get caught up in drama, and is very relaxed. “Nicole is really easy to be around and brings great energy to the team,” O’Brien said. According to White, she didn’t know about the rivalry, or that they both have strong volleyball programs. “I didn’t know anything about the programs, I was just trying to play somewhere,” White said. White is the starting middle blocker for the team this year, and has impressed both her coaches and her team-mates with her athleticism. “Nicole is really explosive. Every time he gets up, she goes for the kill. She works hard every play,” O’Brien said. According to coach Tommy Chaffins, White “is one of the fastest middles we’ve ever had at Redondo.” Even with all these accolades, White remains humble and focused. “All I do is focus on winning,” she said.
PHOTO BY SAVANNAH IRVING
Putting for Par. Senior Kristin Discipulo puts the ball at Alondra at a game versus Palos Verdes.
Volleyball beats South Torrance by Laura Shodall
Girls’ volleyball beat South Torrance last night, 2522, 25-20, 25-17. “It was only our second home game and we played really well as a whole,” she said. “South has always been a good team and it was nice to finally play in our home gym and beat a team like this.” South has been tough competition in the past and the team has been working hard to improve for the game, according to coach Tom Chaffins. “We practice two hours a day and go over game footage before games to study our opponent,” junior Devon Bogart said, “Plus, all of our players this year are very athletic and enthusiastic about the sport.” At Tuesday’s game against Mater Dei, Redondo emerged victorious after five games, 23-25, 25-16, 2025, 25-18, 15-8. “We started slow but we got fired up and played our game,” senior Allison Field said, “Our energy and effort really helped us win in the end.” Sophomore Skylar Dykstra agrees with Field on their slow start. “We were very inconsistent during the game,” she said, “but we really stepped it up when it mattered in the end.” According to Dykstra, the team learned to work together as a whole. “We learned to stay together in times of adversity,” she said. “We will take our new lessons with us when we enter Bay League.” According to Chaffins, senior Lara Dykstra has been one of the keys to their success. “She’s been a starter for four years now,” he said. “I really do think that she’s the best player in the South Bay.”
The girls play Peninsula for their first Bay League game next Thursday, and are going in fairly confident, according to Bogart. “We have a lot of good competition in our area,” she said. “We’re hoping to prepare for league by practicing hard and working as a team.”
PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS
Bump, Set, Spike. Senior Nicole White spikes the ball in yesterday’s game against South Torrance. Redondo won in three games.
A look at Redondo landmarks[B4-B5]
(food)truckin’ across
America
Epicenter in Fontana proves to be an exciting experience [B3]
also inside...
*
The Ragin Cajun, a local restaurant, competes in the Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race [see B8]
A
October 1st, 2010 Features Magazine
the
nchor
p.
2
Oct. 1, 2010
Viva las Americas
The Museum of Latin American Art is hosting a temporary exhibit, ‘Four Views from the MOLAA Permanent Collection’ by Josh Hillsburg
I’ve always found it difficult to appreciate Latin American art. Its characteristic drab coloring and rustic scenery just don’t jive with my plebeian fondness for exciting hues and beautiful European landscapes. Maybe it’s just too deep for me. After viewing the Four Views from the MOLAA Permanent Collection exhibition at the Museum of Latin American Art, I’m happy to say that while I still prefer livelier, more colorful works, Latin American art is not as pain-
fully strange and unrelatable as it had been for me before this visit. Having been to the museum once before for Spanish class, I was already well acquainted with its minimal, modern architecture and dull brown exterior. The heavily air-conditioned lobby provided instant relief to patrons entering from the 95 degree parking lot. I stepped into the display hall and immediately found myself in a thinly populated exhibition called “Four Views from the
1.
MOLAA Permanent Collection”. Unsurprisingly, the exhibit was separated into four distinct parts, each representing a different, but equally important era in Latin American art. The first part was devoted entirely to sketches and landscapes by the early to mid-20th century Mexican artist, David Siquieros. Siquieros’ pieces were mostly black and white and depicted scenes of dreary desolation, which as I’m told by the pamphlet is supposed to represent his exile in Chile. My preconceptions of Latin art being what they were, these abstract, bucolic landscapes did little to win me over. The next section of the exhibit made a far greater impression on me. These pieces were evidently drawn at a Mexican school between the mid-1940s to the 1950s, and featured a wider range of color and, arguably, talent. However, the pieces conformed almost laughably to my earlier stereotype of this kind of art, being largely made up of earth tones depicting rural countrysides. It was the third section, which was devoted to contemporary Cuban art, that really impressed me. The paintings were abstract, but not nearly as hokey as their Mexican counterparts in the last room. The standout piece in this room was clearly the recreation of Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, which read “Cuba’s Condensed Ideology Soup” and was emblazoned with a picture of political revolutionary, Che Guevara. If the last section held the most technically proficient works, then this final fourth section held the most interesting. The room, entitled “Fluid Sculpture”, featured
2. Eras of art. 1. Sketches from the first section of the exhibit by Mexican artist David Siquieros. 2. Painting from the contemporary Cuban section of the exhibit. Campbell’s soup can also from this section. 3. Painting of people in the countryside from the second part of the exhibit. 4. Painting by Siquieros. 5. Steel fluid sculpture from the fourth and final section of the exhibit. All photos courtesy of Josh Hillsburg.
contemporary abstract sculptures ranging from impressive soapcarvings to an absurd string of bicycle tires nails together. The latter piece defies my traditional definition of what constitutes “art”, but I suppose that was the point. A number of times, I’d see “sculptures” that were just a couple of sticks stuck in a birdcage and I’d think to myself, “I could have done this.” But I didn’t, and I guess that’s where the genius of those particular pieces is hidden. Having not the slightest idea of Latin American history or culture, I’m certain a lot of these pieces flew over my head. But that isn’t to say they weren’t occasionally fun to look at. I won’t tell you that this exhibit radically altered my perception of abstract Latin art, but I will say that it’s worth checking out if you’ve got a free afternoon sometime.
3.
4.
5.
Oct. 1, 2010
p.
3
1.
Epicenter worth the heat by Alyssa Wolf
5.
4.
“1, 2, 3!” bodies were pressed up against each other as everyone pushed to get as close as possible to the stage. Sweat soaked through T-shirts and dripped down to the floor in the 110 degree heat. The hectic and sometimes frightening scene only added to the intensity and excitement of the crazed crowd. Mosh pits broke out. Even with the craziness, Epicenter 2010 was worth every single second. Epicenter was on the weekend of the 26th and 27th. The first day attracted an older crowd because bands like Kiss, Eminem, and Papa Roach played. The second day had a much younger crowd because Blink-182, Rise Against, Bad Religion, and 30 Seconds to Mars played. Blink 182 was the biggest band to perform the second night, and a huge event for their fans. The band recently got back tgether after being broken up for several Eras of art. 1. The crowd gathers on the second day of the concert to watch Bad Religion perform. 2. The band, “New Politics” performs. 3. Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker performs during their set. 4. The band, “The Academy Is” performs during their set. 5. David Boyd of the band “New Politics” leads in vocals. All photos by Kyle Bittman.
3.
years. They had about an hour and a half set which was enjoyed by happy moshers rejoicing in the occasional breeze that came in the desert during the night. Blink 182’s drummer strapped himself to his drum set and played upside down, which added a nice flare to the set. At the end of their set, cannons full of silver confetti showered the crowd. Rise Against brang a great atmosphere to the tired crowed. They ignited the crowd’s energy and, unlike other bands, sounded exactly as they do on their CD, which made it more enjoyable. 30 Seconds to Mars had great crowd interaction when they called various spectators on stage for their last song. While many people tried to crowd surf to the front of the stage. 30 Seconds to Mars’ singer, Jared Leto, talked to the crowd which made the crowd more ratable. No matter what band was playing, the atmosphere was intense and the mosh pits flowed in sync with the powerful lyrics of the various bands. Towards the end, being in the mosh pit was actually easier than standing or watching the bands be-
cause there was room to breath, which at times was a bit frightening. Because of the heat, it was hard to stay in the mosh pit for more than one song without downing half of a five dollar bottle of water, which most people had no choice but to buy because all water was confiscated at the entrance. Unless of course, you were as fortunate as I to sneak in 21 bottles of water in a backpack with the help of a very generous security guard. A fire hose sprayed water down upon the panting fans causing everybody to scream. Everyone wanted one thing: to cool down. Water bottles were passed around while misters were sprayed at one another. The best part of the show was the atmosphere. Everyone’s enthusiasm added to the excitement and intensity. The only downside was that it was a bit of a drive and for some of the bands people were pushing so hard to get to the front of the stage that it felt as if someone were to fall they would have been trampled. Even that gave a bit of an adrenaline rush, something which can never hurt at a music festival.
2.
p.
4
p.
5
THe History of Redondo Beach Former graduate strives to preserve her city’s local landmark Linda Aust, Class of ‘66, has devoted her time for ten years volunteering for the Redondo Beach Historical Society. At the Morrell House, a local landmark, she gives tours and helps preserve the city’s history. by Alex Curtis
1
1
4
2
5
6
1. The Redondo Hotel which was built in 1890 when the city was becoming a hot spot. 2. The old fire station. 3. The entrance to a city building. 4. A view of the pier and the Redondo Hotel. 5. A 1920’s beauty show. 6. A town event in 1937. Photos courtesy of the
3
Redondo Beach Historical Society.
1. The Morrell House sits at its new location on Flagler lane. It was constructed in 1906 and moved in the 1980’s. The museum has many original furniture and items, which were donated by the Morrell family. 2. The sign in front of the Morrell House. 3. In the house, many original artifacts like the vintage sewing machine, can be seen. 4. The archway of the Heritage Court which leads to the Morrell House. 5. People can take tours of the house and learn about the architecture and how people lived a few decades ago. 6. The original furniture, like the couch and the record player, is featured at the Morrell House for the public.
2
3
5
4
6 Photos by Jake Collins
Scanning over her collection of antiques and vintage photographs of the city, alumna Linda Aust, ‘66, wants to help preserve the history of her city. Aust has volunteered for the Redondo Beach Historical Society for ten years. “Preserving the older homes and history is very important because the school has the 3rd grade students study the city history. By preserving the house and photos, the students … are able to actually see how the early residents lived,” Aust said. Watching the children and adult’s faces light up in astonishment when visiting the Morrell House, Aust enjoys her time helping to continue pass on the city’s history. According to Aust, many people are often surprised at how difficult life was only a few decades ago. “They are usually amazed with the hand crank phonograph [and] the fact that the mothers had to do so much work in the home. They had no idea that the moms had to do all the banking, ironing, grow gardens, use wringer washing machines, and hang cloths on a line outside to dry. The Morrells did not have an electric refrigerator until 1920,” said Aust. For Aust, her devotion to volunteering for the historical society is a way to give back to her community. “It is very rewarding to be able to give to such a wonderful cause and let the public enjoy Morrell House,” said Aust. The Morrell House, which was owned by the Morrell family until 1956, was built in 1906 on Catalina Avenue. The house was the first home in the city to have electricity. The house features original Queen Anne
and craftsmen detailing. In 1991, it was made a local landmark. In the 1980s, the owner of the Morrell House and several others wanted to bulldoze the area where the house was located to build condos. To save the house, many volunteers spent thousands of hours helping move and restore the house. After discovering that the twostory house didn’t fit under the telephone wires during the move from Catalina Avenue to Flagler Lane in the middle of the night, the house sat on the parquet on 190th for a year until the land was ready. For 88 Saturdays after the house arrived at its final destination, the Historical Society volunteers and King’s Harbor Church finished the house putting in wood flooring and plastering the walls. After it was restored, a lot of the original furniture from the Morrell’s cabin was donated to the Morrell House after the son of the Morrells’ died of tuberculosis. Since the Morrells left in 1956, the building was home to a family. Several other groups have also used the place as a boarding house. “You’d be surprised [by] all the different groups who came forward and said ‘we lived there!’. Some of these guys have even been back since to visit the house, because they like how it turned out,” Aust said. The Morrell House has been a special place for many people through its various roles: as a house, a project, and a symbol of community. “There’s a lot of Redondo history to the house and to the family,” Aust said.
p.
Oct. 1, 2010
Golfing Goes
The Putting Edge
Dark
Black Hole. 1. Putting Edge is located in the Howard Hughes Center Promenade. 2. The course features creative holes featuring fantasy-like settings from mystical forests to under the sea. 3. Putting Edge offers special rates for larger groups.
2. PHOTO CURTSEY OF ANTHONY LEONG
2.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 2:00p.m. – 9:00p.m. Friday: 1:00p.m. – 11:30p.m. Saturday: 10:00a.m. - 11:30p.m. Sunday: 10:00a.m.-9:00p.m. Location: 6081 Center Dr # 119 Los Angeles Price: “General” (13 & over) - $10.50 “Junior” (12 & under) - $8.50
by Anthony Leong
The faint, purple glow of ultraviolet lights on the abyssal ceiling illuminates the brighter colors of the large mushroom smiling down at you from the hole. The par is 3. You’re up. The atmosphere inside Putting Edge minigolf, located on the first floor of the Howard Hughes Center Promenade, is an admittedly unusual place. Its rarity comes largely from that fact that it boasts an indoor mini-golf course. I walk through the doors and several things come to my attention. As a result of the darkness, the ceiling and the room appear to be endless. After collecting my ball and putter (make sure to choose a white ball- it is the most visible under the black lights), they gave me a yellow glow stick to wear on my wrist. The white stitching on my shoes glows boldly under the black lights of the dimly lit labyrinth as we approach Hole #1. Each hole has a theme, and the theme of hole #1 happens to be mushrooms. When the first thing I saw as we began our round was huge, colorful mushrooms, I knew we were in for something. Some of the mushrooms have faces, some don’t; but they all pierce the darkness with a faint, yet vibrant glow. I get a hole in one. As we advance towards the second hole, the mushrooms start to become trees, and some of these trees have snakes in them. The third hole is a bright, blue glacier with holes at the bottom for golf balls to pass through to the other side. The fourth hole features a pond setting, with alligators
3. PHOTOS CURTSEY OF PUTTING EDGE
6
3.
1. PHOTO CURTSEY OF ANTHONY LEONG
and a frog on a lily pad staring up at the player. There are various helpful tricks at each hole, so go last, or walk along the course before you take your turn. Admission is $10.50 for adults and $8.50 for children under 12. There are many places to eat at the Promenade, including Subway, Ben & Jerry’s, Starbucks, Wetzel’s Pretzels, and Johnny Rockets. Typically, at Putting Edge, there isn’t a wait, but expect to be behind someone as you play. With the cozy atmosphere of a dimly lit room and the maze-like structure of the ornately designed course, Putting Edge is more than your typical round of mini-golf: it is true escapism.
4.
p.
Oct.1, 2010
The
Joy
of
7
the
Hunt
by Kelsey Chung
PHOTOS CURTSEY OF TORRANCESTREETFAIRE.COM
1.
When looking for anything out of the ordinary, we tend to look at places far away, instead of looking at what is in front of us. Well, look no further because just around the corner lies a place that sells the eccentric and the extraordinary. The Torrance Antique Street Faire is a monthly street fair, like a flea market, where all things unique, vintage, and one-of-a kind come together. There are over 180 vendors selling vintage dresses from the 30s, mid-century chairs, dangling gold chains and necklaces, both fake and real Louis Vuitton bags, vintage photos from the 1950s, collectible Barbies, record players, Beatles albums, a nowhere-to-be-found Harper’s Bazaar book from the 50s, and anything else imaginable. Compared to other more prominent flea markets, like the Santa Monica Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market or the Rose Bowl Flea Market, the vendors at the Torrance fair are more willing to negotiate prices, even on reasonably priced items. Also, the Torrance fair attracts a wide range of audience— an overly tanned
2.
3.
4.
grandma covered in makeup, young couples, a grandpa with a crazy bright orange hat, high school students and babies in strollers. The people working at the market are very friendly, informative, and willing to make a deal in order to sell their products. Once people take an interest in an item, the vendors are right there to assist. In general, most sellers knew the item’s history and how they came to possess it. Spanning over four streets in a quaint and charming section of old downtown Torrance, the market has a much more relaxed and friendly vibe compared to other flea markets. It is small enough to look through the entire place in two to three hours, yet large enough to find something unique for everyone. Along the streets there are also a number of cute restaurants and stores that often offer discounts on the day of the fair. In this upside down economy, flea markets are the way to shop. For just $20, people can buy chair or a bench. Of course, it may be worn out, but with a little elbow grease and patience, a broken chair could be turned into a beautiful elegant dining chair. Sometimes, it maybe not be the best quality, however, each item holds some potential of becoming something great. Plus, with free admission and parking, it’s a new, fun, creative, and cheap way to spend a weekend. The Torrance Antique Street Faire is held every 4th Sunday from 8a.m. to 3p.m. There are thousands of treasures waiting to be discovered.
Hidden Treasures. 1. The Torrance Antique Street Faire spans across Sartori Ave. and Torrance Blvd. and has over 180 venters. 2. 3. Vendors promote their pieces. 4. A wide variety of items are available with something for everybody. 5. The faire features collectible pieces from a variety of eras.
5.
b.
8
October 1st, 2010
Ragin Cajun truck participates in Food Network challenge by Sophia Lykke
When Ragin Cajun Café owner Stephen Domingue was originally told that he would be featured on the Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race, he did not even have a truck. “They called me [the day after the audition] and told me I was on the show. I got a truck done in a day and a half,” he said. “I thought that I do festivals all the time and this can’t be much different. Boy, was I wrong.” After his participation in the show, Domingue’s Cajun food truck gained attention and popularity. As an extension to the restaurant that he has owned in Hermosa Beach for the past 18 years, the truck has
But... how’s the food? When tasting the food, one can immediately tell that the recipes have been handed down in Domingue’s family for generations. The shrimp and crab meat chowder is particularly delicious, along with the beef brisket, and the cheesecake garnished with praline sauce and pecans. Domingue’s mother will help to add new items and dishes to the menu soon.
acquired a fan base as well as continued to operate throughout Southern California. “It took off on me,” Domingue said. “I have never had a food truck in my life.” According to Domingue, the premise of the Food Network’s show challenged different teams from across the country to drive through the and compete for food sales. The Ragin Cajun truck, which served entrees such as red beans and rice, chicken and sausage jambalaya, and shrimp poboys, only made it to the second episode due to GPS complications in New Mexico. Domingue, who referred to himself as “the crazy Cajun of the show” was nonetheless proud of his novice team. “We were not rookies in this show, we were wookiees. We made it past the first episode to the second episode so I’m proud of that,” he said. “Believe it or not, we had the best food on the show.” Domingue is originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, which he describes as “the heart of Cajun country.” He made his way to Los Angeles 24 years ago and introduced family recipes in hopes of bringing authentic Cajun food to Southern California. “You know something, I couldn’t believe what people were doing for Cajun
said. Acknowledging what a great addition to his business the truck has been, he still does not wish to give up his true passion, owning a restaurant. He takes great care in actively operating it and getting to know his clients. “[The restaurant] is my girlfriend. If I don’t take care of her she’s not going to take care of me,” he said. Domingue would be willing to use his truck to sell food at the high school to students at lunchtimeif some sort of agreement could be worked out with the school. “I would do it and 15 percent [of the profit] would go toward some cause at the -- Stephen Domingue school, you pick it,” he said. “It’s all about giving back to the community.” Managing the food truck has been a new ing the show after I was off,” he said. “It got and exciting endeavor for Domingue, who all over, it’s crazy.” In addition, the restaurant itself has got- now looks ahead to continue operation and possibly expand. ten more business and attention. “It just happened like a hurricane, it came As for the food truck, it will soon be on Twitter and Facebook so that people can fast,” he said. “But, I have the right people track its whereabouts each day. Domingue on my ship to keep that ship going straight,” realizes that his food truck has been a great he said. He is thankful for the opportunities that investment and is now considering franchising Ragin Cajun food trucks all over the the food truck has given him. country. “I’m lucky. No, even better than lucky, “I want to spread my Cajun culture,” he I’m blessed,” he said. food down here,” Domingue said. “I started making my food and handing out samples.” It was the Food Network’s show that prompted him to ever consider adding a food truck to the Ragin Cajun company. Not expecting the truck to have any lasting significance after the show, Domingue is surprised by its continuous popularity. “A lot of people said they stopped watch-
“It just happened like a hurricane. It came fast, but I have the right people.”
Sweet E’s pastry truck provides sweet treats
Tracking Trucks through Twitter
by Alison Peet-Lukes
The smell of freshly baked cupcakes fills the air, the baker takes each bite sized treat and puts it on display, awaiting the long line of customers. Sweet E’s pastry truck bakes cupcakes everyday, according to employee Sam Miller. “All of our cupcakes are bite sized, and are baked unique to what the customer wants,” she said.
“All of our cupcakes are baked uniquely to what the customer wants”
Every month Sweet E’s has a “celebrity flavor” where all of the proceeds from that flavor are donated to charity. “This month Whitney Port has a flavor called ‘cinaminnie,’ and we are going to donate all of the money earned from the ‘cinaminnie’ cupcakes to the American Cancer Society,” she said. Miller believes that the stores’ success is attributed to the small size of the cupcakes. “Because the cupcakes are so small, people keep wanting more of the cupcakes, so people buy more. These cupcakes aren’t too rich so they wont fill you up,” she said.
-- Sam Miller Sweet E’s has a variety of pastries with customizable toppings. “We have vegan cupcakes, gluten free cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and normal cupcakes,” Miller said. Sweet E’s is owned by Erica Trucker, who started selling her cupcakes only a year ago. “This truck is pretty new, Erica’s business is family owned and she used to make the cupcakes herself in her own kitchen,” Miller said. All of the employees at Sweet E’s are from the same sorority as Trucker, which creates a family-like atmosphere. “Because we all [have known eachother] we all connect, we are like a family, and it makes working here really fun,” Miller said.
1. ALL PHOTOS BY LISA INOUE
2.
3.
1. Sweet E’s pastry truck sells assorted baked goods daily. 2. The selection of customizable cupcakes. 3. Employee Sam Miller serves customers at the truck.
Find these trucks any time via Twitter, updated daily.
http://twitter.com/cajunonwheels http://twitter.com/sweetesbakeshop http://twitter.com/green_truck
The Green Truck sells healthy alternatives by Alison Peet-Lukes
Running on reused vegetable oil with solar panels stacked on the roof, The Green Truck is the only food truck in Los Angeles that is completely sustainable, according to employee Liana Gill. “We sell organic food that is good for you and good for the planet,” Gill said. The Green Truck only buys produce that is local and organic. “We reduce our carbon footprint by using organic produce and because we get everything locally, which supports local farmers,” she said. Their meat is free-range and is “high quality,” according to Miller. “We use free-range grass fed chicken and beef which is way higher quality then most food trucks,” Miller said. All of The Green Truck’s meals are made to order in the small kitchen behind the counter. According to Miller the Green Truck’s
most popular dish is called the “Mother Trucker,” an organic chicken burger. “We have a variety of items on our menu, from falafel to chicken burgers to beef burgers,” she said. The Green Truck’s main goal is to serve good quality food without harming the planet. “Our motto is ‘healing the planet one meal at a time’,” she said.
PHOTO BY LISA INOUE
The Green Truck provides a variety of healthy foods around the South Bay.