B4-B5: The anchor explores the lives of foster kids and adopted children, such as Santana Boswell.
P3: Students enrolled in ROTC show their faith and pride in their country.
P7:Senior Kevin Tom saves an attempted goal against Costa.
High Tide
Redondo Beach, CA Redondo Union High School
Feb. 11, 2011 vol.
LMXXIV
edition 8
]www.hightideonline.org ]
Increased traffic and noise level due to Measure C renovations cause shaky relations between concerned neighbors and the district.
UNEASY COEXISTENCE
Ski week is replaced with four day weekend by Laney Burke
Although students will not be able to flee to the snow-covered mountains after the end of first semester, summer will come earlier while still keeping a long weekend in February. After much negotiation, the Teachers’ Association (RBTA) and the district decided to cut ski week and implement a four day weekend from February 18 to the 21. According to Principal Mary Little, the district was concerned that students were unnecessarily missing school. “When we have a Monday off, people think ‘Oh I’ll just take one more day off ’ and miss the Friday before,” Little said. Because the school receives money for every present student, the district tries to find the best possible way to keep students coming to school. “Right now, with all the budget cuts, raising revenue is important,” Little said. Many teachers felt that ski week was more of an interruption than a vacation. “Last year, [ski week] disrupted the instructional sequence of curriculum,” chemistry teacher Linda Dillard said. “We had just started a new semester and already we had a break.”
by Danny Garzon
Traffic on crowded nights of football games and cars with RUHS validation surrounding the neighborhood are just a few of the complaints that a neighbor to the school, Maureen Lewis, has about the new Measure C renovations. The Measure C renovations have brought about increased traffic congestion and parking issues, according to Lewis. Lewis, who cofounded Families for a Safe Redondo, a group comprised of about 40 families that live in the vicinity of RUHS and Parras Middle School, feels that the influx of construction activity resulting from the new athletic facilities has produced an unsafe environment for students and homeowners. The school district has allocated $1.7 million from the bond measure to mitigate the traffic and parking issues, but Lewis feels that there is not yet any visible plan to address the issue. “The neighborhood was promised that improvements would be
made to ensure safety of students, added parking, and improved traffic flow [before Measure C passed],” she said. Lewis feels that the schools see the renting out of facilities as a revenue stream, but she acknowledges that no new clubs were added to the calendar this year. According to RBUSD Chief Business Official Janet Redella, there has not been an increase in usage by outside groups on campus, nor have there been any new groups using the facilities. The apparent increase in use is due to the reopening of fields that were closed for renovation. “It may give the appearance of increased use when, in fact, it is a return to normalcy,”’ she said. According to Redella, all field usage ends at 9 p.m. and the district is in constant communication with staff members and organizations that use the facilities about the concerns of community members.
“It is our intention to be good neighbors. We are doing the best we can to overcome this issue and find solutions” she said. Redella also said that traffic and visitors are being redirected from the south side of the school on Vincent Street to the newly renamed Sea Hawk Way. In addition to these measures, multiple other measures have been taken to alleviate the traffic congestion surrounding the school. Plans have been made to build another parking lot adjacent to the athletic facilities on Vincent Street. Also, the city and the district are conducting a traffic study through an outside consultant. Lewis acknowledges that improvements have been made in recent months. “We are very hopeful that the school board, the city, and the neighborhood can work together to solve these issues and keep our neighborhood the jewel that it is,” she said.
“Last year, [ski week] disrupted the instructional sequence of cirriculum. We had just started a new semester and already we had a break.”
Academic Decathalon proud of their accomplishments by Alex Curtis
Academic Decathlon (AcaDec) placed tenth out of 55 schools, in Los Angeles County, falling just short of qualifying for the statewide competition. In AcaDec, students study a wide range of materials and prepare for an annual competition in which a selected team uses the knowledge they learned over the semester against students from other schools. “We’re a little disappointed, but we know we’ll come back stronger next year and take one of the top five places,” Junior Christopher Lew said. This is Lew’s second year in AcaDec and his first year on the competing team. He earned several medals, including a gold medal for his speech and another for being the “top decathelete”. “It’s exciting to have evidence of our hard work,” he said. Junior Alex Niebergall was also excited by their success. “It’s an exciting atmosphere, to see the other teams. You get really competitive,” she said.
Advisor and coach of AcaDec, Aimiee Gauvreau is proud of her students. “At the beginning of the year, when we were first discussing our goals, goal number one was making the top ten. Goal number two was having fun doing it. I know we achieved both,” Gauvereau said. This is the first year Gauvereau has coached AcaDec. Previous advisor, Julie Ferron has remained involved with the program throughout the year despite not being able to coach, which Gauvereau believes has eased her students into the unexpected change of teachers. “When you have everyone working together, it just seems to be an easier transition,” Gauvereau said. The program hopes to receive their next set of curriculum earlier next year, as they feel they did not have a sufficient amount of time to learn it all. “I know we’ll be able to do so much better. I’m also happy with how we did this year,” Niebergall said. The students in AcaDec, according to Gauvereau, are nothing less than dedicated. She
—Linda Dillard
1. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOHN LY
Brain Power. 1. The members of AcaDec gather to take a group picture along with their coach and advisor, Aimiee Gauvreau. 2. Some members gather at the banquet.
says that they are truly interested in learning. “We’re not nerds. We don’t enjoy studying and schoolwork. There is something about AcaDec that is just irresistible,” Lew said.
2.
Administration believes recent vandalism represents lack of respect and pride for the school by Melissa Rosero
PHOTO BY ALEX SHEA
Mischief. Freshman Circle was vandalized with toilet paper and maple syrup.
Unable to identify anybody from the security video footage, the administration is still investigating the students responsible for last weekend’s vandalism. According to Assistant Principal John Newman, administration believes that the vandalism occurred sometime Sunday afternoon. The pranksters tee-peed the trees and poured maple syrup on the bricks and tables of Freshman Circle. Although the maintenance staff cleaned most of the vandalism before students needed to use the area, the prank was still visible to the students.
According to Newman, such pranks create unnecessary work as the maintenance staff had to power wash the maple syrup off the bricks and benches during Monday’s snack break. “We have plenty to do without having to clean up after a senseless prank. This senseless wear and tear causes work for people who already have enough, “ Newman said. Even though Newman found the tee-peeing to be “harmless,” such pranks still display a lack of respect and will not be tolerated. “Our staff works very hard to provide a safe, clean environment, a culture of acceptance, and an excellent education. It is disappointing that people would disregard all of that ,” Newman said.
The teachers also preferred to get a week out earlier instead of having ski week. “Sure, the break was nice,” Dillard said. “But it’s going to feel better getting out a week earlier in June.” Although many staff members prefer the new schedule, some students are disappointed that ski week has been canceled. Senior Josh Obear, an avid skier, preferred the week-long break. “Last year I spent 30 days in Mammoth,” he said. “But this year I don’t even get 20.” Seniors Brennan and Baron Abramowitz believe ski week did not get the full trial run it received. “They need to give it another year,” Brennan said. “It was nice to have a break to just relax. We just went through finals.” According to Obear, there are about 12,000 people at Mammoth Mountain on the weekends compared to the 3,000 people there on an average weekday. “My dad won’t even take us [to Mammoth] on weekends anymore because it’s so crowded,” Baron said. However, according to Little, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. “[If we have a week-long break] the school year would be pushed into summer,” Little said. “This creates problems for students going to summer school.” Last year held one of the latest graduation dates in Sea Hawk history, but with the vacation cut, graduation has been moved up to June 17. Next year will have a similar graduation date but there will only be one day off in February with an extra day off earlier in the year for a Jewish holiday. Little hopes that by trying different ideas the RBTA and district will find the most beneficial schedule. “We’re always looking for the best way to do things. Did teachers like it? Did it work?” Little said. “It’s a guessing game.”
Opinion
2
p.
]Feb. 11, 2011]
U.S. nativism breeds racism
Around
Redondo
“Would implementation of a latestart schedule reduce tardies?” “I don’t think it would make any difference. Kids will be kids.”
12th
— Travis Fischvogt
“Yes, we would more have time to sleep in and get ready for school.”
11th
— Declan Andrew
Editorial: Noise complaints irrational
“I think people would still sleep in and be late for school.”
10th
— Sierra Gabriel
“Yes, because it would give people more time to rest in the morning.”
10th
— June Kim
“It might reduce morning tardies, but it could have negative effects later in the day.”
9th
— Paolo Ragusa
“For sure. We got to cash in those extra z’s while we can.”
9th
— Vinny Pizzuti
High Tide ]staff] Editor-in-Chief: Austin Pritzkat Managing Editors: Sophia Lykke, Julia Uriarte Editor of Design: Molly Simon News Editor: Kaitee Scheyer Opinion Editor: Josh Hillsburg Features Editors: Dylan Futrell, Kelsey Chung, Meglyn Huber, Christina Mehranbod, Ashley Pournamdari, Alison Peet-Lukes, Madeline Perrault Sports Editors: Adam Ammentorp, Jessica Cascio Photo Editor: Jonathan Martin Copy Editors: Shannon Bowman, Olivia Loveland, Melissa Rosero Cartoonist: Josh Hillsburg Online Editor: Brianna Egan Staff Writers: Vanessa Alarcon, Sammie Avalos, Taylor Ballard, Kyle Bittman, Matthew Brancoli, Loren Brown, Laney Burke, Tati Celentano, Kimberly Chapman, Zachary Commins, Alexis Curtis-Olson, Camille Duong, Zack Elliott, Kaelee Epstein, Gianna Esposito, Dan Furmansky, Daniel Garzon, Allie Goldberg, Anacristina Gonzalez, Michelle Hough, Cedric Hyon, Bethany Kawa, David Kawa, Casey Lovano, Anthony Leong, Tricia Light, Cameron Paulson, Jeremy Porr, Melissa Rosero, Allison Salazar, Alyssa Sanchez, Joanie Schneider, Alex Shea, Jessi Shipley, Laura Shodall, Annica Stitch, Emma Uriarte, Zachary Zent Adviser: Mitch Ziegler The High Tide dedicates itself to producing a high-quality 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, One Sea Hawk Way, 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.
Every morning hundreds of cars converge on the school, new facilities have brought to their neighborhood. eliminating any available parking space for blocks around. First and foremost, traffic on the north side of the VinEvery home football game, the stadium fills to capacity and cent Park circle has been all but eliminated thanks entirely to the roar of the crowd echoes through the surrounding neigh- the relocation of the front of our school and stricter parking borhood. enforcement. In addition, new lighting structures have draAnd yes, every weekend, people from around the commu- matically reduced the amount of light pollution spilled into nity come to use the school’s state-of-the-art facilities. the neighboring streets, since light is now more effectively diRUHS is a large school with close ties to the community. rected toward the fields. All this is nothing new, so what’s the issue? And lastly, probably the most beneficial change to homAfter construction on Measure C projects ended, com- eowners is the marked increase in property values due to these plaints have come pouring in about school improvements. the crowds and noise associated with “RUHS is now known for RUHS is now known for its amazthe bond improvements. ing facilities in addition to its strong its amazing facilities in Neighbors of the school complain academic rating. How could improvthat there is too much traffic and not addition to its strong ing the quality of the neighborhood enough parking to accommodate the academic rating.How could high school be a bad thing? school’s needs. However, if only to quell to the improving the quality of the complaining, They argue that the new sports the school should confacilities are overused and they com- neighborhood high school sider some of the neighbors’ grievplain about the noise from sporting be a bad thing?” ances when scheduling times for field events. use. One would think that after buying a home next to a 56Despite a few errors in the logic of the residents’ complaints, acre high school, these residents would be used to dealing with the school should make a conscious effort to be sensitive to the noise and weekly commotion — but apparently not. people that live near the school. The loud noise and frequent use of our new facilities have But with that said, these residents knew full well what they become something of a neighborhood hot topic, arousing an- were in for when they purchased their homes. ger and hurt feelings from local homeowners. They don’t have a right to file repeated aggressive comBut what right do they have to complain? Surely they no- plaints against what the school does with its facilities. ticed the enormous high school with over 2,000 students and What the school does with its fields is its own business and staff across the street when they moved in. What did they what the residents do on their property is theirs. Complaints expect? on both sides are ridiculous and can be easily resolved with a These locals neglect to consider the many benefits these bit of understanding and common courtesy.
Millions of Americans exercise their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble. But a handful abuse this privilege to spread ideas of nativism and religious by Alex Curtis intolerance. When the first coloby Zac Commins nists made the voyage to the land that would be known as the United States of America, they came to realize their dream of a better life. As the American colonies prepared to declare their independence from a distant empire, Thomas Paine argued that this new nation must be an “asylum for mankind.” And in Emma Lazarus’s iconic words on the base of the Statue of Liberty, the symbol of the freedom throughout the world, America proclaims, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” But with the global war on terrorism, financial collapse, and a frustratingly slow recovery, a recent movement in this country has promoted intolerance toward immigrants and Muslims. Although the messengers of this movement declare themselves as patriots and protectors of this nation and the Constitution, they are delivering a message contradictory to the values that America was founded on. This movement of promoting intolerance as a means of escaping troubling times is not a new phenomenon. Jews were presented as scapegoats in the crises of World War I and the Great Depression. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the federal government placed quotas on the number of immigrants that could enter the country, as many citizens feared their livelihoods would be taken away. This campaign has erroneously placed blame for our problems on these immigrants and non-Christians, especially Muslims. These people are not to be held responsible for the global financial crisis. They are not to be held responsible for the rise in terrorism. It is corporate America, not immigrant America, that is responsible for our economic collapse and unemployment crisis. It is religious extremism, not Muslims from any nation, that is responsible for recent acts of terrorism. The United States of America must return to being the tolerant and immigrant nation it was founded to be. This nation ought move forward rather than accepting the intolerant ideas of the past. As the late Senator Ted Kennedy once said, it is our duty “to speak for those who have no voice, to remember those who are forgotten, to respond to the frustrations and fulfill the aspirations of all Americans seeking a better life in a better land.”
Pro Con Should school days start later in the morning?
B
en Franklin once said, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” But does this apply to teenagers? by Laura Shodall Many a night I find myself having to choose between school and sleep. Power through the history chart and accept that I’ll only sleep for 4 hours? Or bail on the homework and save my friends the trouble of dealing with a sleep deprived version of myself? It’s your sleep and sanity or the homework. But why does there need to be a choice? Starting the school day later in the morning would give teenagers the sleep that they so desperately need, not to mention the fact that it would drastically improve the quality of schoolwork. It’s easier to pay attention in class when you’re not fast asleep on the desk. Greater academic achievement also increases student morale. More time for sleep in the morning would increase alertness and desire to learn in students. A later start time could very well improve the quality of education with little cost. There’s a direct correlation between reduced sleep and a risk of metabolic and nutritional deficits. Sleep is a vital part of a sound body and mind. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), it is recommended that teenagers get between 8 1/2 to 9 hours of sleep a night, yet very few students reach this
quota. And that’s certainly not something to overlook. Over time, sleep deprivation leads to consequences in academic achievement, social behavior, and health. Starting school later in the day would also decrease tardiness and the number of absences. It decreases the pressure of preparing for school in a small window of time and gives student an adequate amount of time to prepare themselves. A drop in tardiness would allow teachers to conduct their classes without interruption and give students a better chance to actually show up on time. A majority of students who are absent, with the exception of those who are out with a valid excuse, don’t show up to class simply because they’re not motivated enough to learn. They follow the exact same pattern during the school week: go to school, spend hours on homework, lose hours of precious sleep, and repeat the process early the next morning, as lazy and irritable as ever. Because the school loses money for every absent student, increased attendance would sire the school more funds. Though changing times is a difficult transition for schools, with factors such as conflicts with sports and parents relying on early start times for carpools and drop offs, the benefits of a later start time positively affect students. A later start time could very well improve the quality of education without the cost of doing so. A well rested student is a happy, alert, and an ultimately more productive student.
S
ure, an extra of hour of sleep sounds nice. Maybe you won’t fall asleep on your desk during first period; maybe you won’t be practically comatose after lunch. But pushing school back an hour won’t be nearly as beneficial as it seems. The arguments for starting the school day later are plentiful, but unrealistic. Yes, sleeping in an extra hour sounds nice, but kids who are late at 7:56 will be just as late at 8:56, albeit with an extra hour of sleep under their belts (assuming they don’t stay up extra late anyway). Students will be staying at school until 3:55 instead of an hour earlier, so sports and extracurricular activities will be pushed later, as will homework and, eventually, bedtime. Students will be sleeping the same hours, just at different times (azstarnet.com). There are reasons why school starts at the time it does. Most parents need to be at their jobs earlier in the morning, so having to drop their kids off at 8:55 may not give them the necessary amount of time to commute. Surrounding school districts, if they keep their current schedules, will have sports teams waiting to compete while our athletes are still in class. Drama productions will be later, as will chorus and other activities (publicschoolreview.com). For students without a fifth or sixth period who take their extra time to work or attend classes at SCROC or El Camino, leaving school an hour later will definitely affect the hours they work and the classes they’re able to attend off campus.
For years, students have relied on our current schedule in order to fit the extra things they need into their daily routines. While an extra hour may not seem like by Shannon Bowman much, it is plenty enough to upset their habitual regimens (associatedcontent. com). Yes, there are ways to make the school day end around three, as it does now. Those ways include shortening our passing period (running shoes recommended); shortening snack (breakfast is worthless); or shortening our lunch period (that cereal can hold you over, right?). An extra hour of sleep sounds a little less glamorous when it means compromising time to eat or socialize during school. Lack of sleep is an issue and many studies have found that increased sleeping has a positive effect on teens (kidshealth.org). But there are other ways of combating sleep deprivation, like going to sleep earlier. While it is true that schoolwork and busy schedules leave students with less free time, but from my experience, it’s procrastination that keeps teens up late. I am the last person that would oppose anything involving extra hours of beautiful sleep, but maybe everyone should stop staying up to watch reruns or refreshing Facebook if lack of sleep is that big of a concern.
Features
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p.
Faith ]
] Feb. 11, 2011]
]
Students integrate the concept of faith into their everyday lives
Cheerleaders rely on faith during stunts By Gianna Esposito
Tuuholoaki finds inspiration for his future career through Christianity By Alyssa Sanchez
After attending church every Sunday to listen to the service and attend youth group, senior Moulton Tuuholoaki has realized his calling. Tuuholoaki has attended the First United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach from his early age. His church experience has inspired him to become a social worker or student counselor and eventually he wants to become a pastor of a church. What sparked Tuuholoaki’s interest in working with children is the multiple activites he participates with the church. He attends all of the social events, community projects, summer camps, and Sunday youth groups. His favorite activity is working with the children’s programs. “I love how religion teaches the children
PHOTO BY JONATHAN MARTIN
Finding Faith. Senior Moulton Tuuholoaki ‘s faith inspires him to help others in the future.
morals and how having faith in God guides them in the right direction,” he said. Along with participating in church services, Tuuhloaki and other churchgoers visit Indian Reservations. Their goal is to renovate the homes of the people there by fixing the roofs, repainting their homes, and doing whatever repair jobs they can to make the homes more livable. “We get to build bonds with one another and with the members from the other churches by helping other people that do not have the same resources as we do,” he said. These experiences have strengthened Tuuholoaki’s beliefs in God and the church. “We talk about the moments where we have felt God’s presence and where we feel God has guided us, which makes me feel closer to the religion and makes me want to pursue a career as as a social worker and school counselor even more.” Although his ultimate goal is to become a pastor, Tuuholoki wants to become a social worker or student counselor so that he can gain life experience by helping others and changing lives. “To preach to someone about life you need to have life experience and live more to be able to develop communicating skills so when you can get through to the people you are speaking to” Tuuholoaki said. Bonding with the people from his church and other churches has shown him how much religion can help guide people in the right direction. “Everyone needs someone to talk to and that is why they go to other people to seek advice, often times those people fail them” he said “I want people to realize that God is a spiritual force that is always there to guide them in the right direction”.
Drama builds trust through productions By Taylor Ballard
He forgets his first line. Hundreds of people are watching. His face burns red. Two seconds to recover and all he can do now is hope the cast will help the show go on. While there are dress rehearsals and practices before productions, performers must have faith the actual show will go smoothly. “We have to remember that it is a live performance and we have to be brave enough to go through with the show, even though the risk of messing up is there,” sophomore Victoria Artaza said. Forgetting lines is a regular part of an actor’s life, according to senior Kieran Newton, and actors must be prepared. “We always forget lines. It’s inevitable. The key is being both prepared enough as an actor and enough in the moment as the character to be able to improvise a logical continuation of the scene,” Newton said. Although things may go wrong during a performance staying in character is a priority for the performers. “If you’re really in the moment, there should really be nothing in your mind. If you can get rid of all of [distractions] and just be someone that you’re not, your performance will shine,” Newton said.
The actors may be the only component of a production the audience sees but there are people behind the scenes bringing everything together that carry just as much weight as the actors. “Just in the last show during our preview we had a mishap of props and forgot to take one of the props off stage before the next preview. When that happens you just have to figure out a way to replace the prop and work around the issue,” stage manager Amanda Marlett said. The cast must trust the crew, the crew must trust the cast, and everyone must trust the director for guidance. “I have to trust the actors to get their lines right all the time. I still have nightmares about them not saying their line right and me missing a cue,” Marlett said. No one cast or crew member is more important than another and they consider themselves a family. “You need your cast mates to give you energy to propel the story forward. We’re really all there to support each other to make the play or scene great,” Artaza said. The bond between a hard working cast can be nearly unbreakable. “It certainly is a family, but one that seriously requires boundaries and focus,” Newton said.
With a “5-6-7-8!” she’s off. She’s lifted off the ground and vaulted 10, 12, 15 feet in the air. As her hands stretch out to tap her toes, she gives the crowd a radiant smile. She is not
PHOTO BY NOUR KABBANI
Reaching up. Senior Darylese Shook relies on her teammates in order to perform the stunt successfully.
afraid, but confident. She has faith that her teammates will catch her and keep her from harm. A large part of cheerleading is stunts, in which the “fliers” are thrown or lifted into the air by other teammates known as the “bases.” Trust must be established between teammates because of the danger involved in these stunts. According to junior Carolyn Pyle, a flier on the varsity cheer team, flying can be “really scary” at first. “You’re up there and it’s really high,” Pyle said. “You don’t know if you’re going to fall and get hurt.” And fall she did. In her freshman year Pyle fell out of a lift, breaking her left wrist and fracturing her jaw. She attributes her accident to a lack of awareness. Senior Briana Williams, a varsity cheer back base or “back spot” believes awareness is key when doing stunts. “You have to watch your flier all the time because if they go up there and you’re looking around, then all of a sudden, they’re on the ground,” Williams said. After a break from cheerleading to heal her injuries, Pyle returned to stunting and felt even more secure than usual when Williams, her best friend, was assigned as her back spot. Pyle said that Williams would offer her encouraging words like “Stick it. You got it.” or “I’m here. I’ll catch you.” Williams said that because Pyle was dropped her freshman year, Williams knew it was important to make her feel safe. “I made sure that I never dropped her all year,” Williams said. “I made sure that no matter which way she was falling I would get
there.” According to Pyle, Williams’ determination to be there for her was comforting. “[Flying] is a really big trust thing,” Pyle said. “You just expect everyone to do their job, but it also helps when you know that the person actually cares that you don’t get hurt.” But, Pyle said that no matter who supports a flier, the flier has to “do what [they] have to do, stay tight and just let [the bases] control [them].” Senior Darylese Shook, who is also a varsity flier, agrees. After years of stunting, she feels flying comes naturally to her. “I honestly don’t think. I just do it because I’m used to it,” Shook said. However, Shook admits to feeling unsure at times. “Sometimes if bases I haven’t based with before are mixed in, I get really nervous because they might be people that aren’t experienced and I don’t have the faith,” Shook said. Regardless of nerves, the cheer team have never experienced accidents due to a lack of faith in one another, according to varsity cheer coach Brooke Mata. “We practice enough to make sure that everybody is aware of what’s going on and it really allows for the girls and teammates to trust in each other that they know that a stunt is going to go up,” Mata said. Mata admits that when practicing new stunts, the cheerleaders are “challenging [themselves] to perfect the stunt” and consequently may result in falls. But she believes that with communication comes faith in each other, which is very important “because when you stunt, the flier’s life is pretty much in [the bases’] hands.”
MCJROTC members have faith in their country By Brianna Egan and Emma Uriarte
He touches the buttons on his crisp uniform, tucking in his shirt one more time. All set. A Sergeant screams in his ear, but he is not fazed. He is prepared to face anything that stands in his way: It might be a competition now, but in the years to come, it will be reality. Junior Gray Myers and senior Billy Sewell plan to dedicate their lives to serving the country: As both have relatives deployed in active service, they demonstrate their faith in the country through the school’s MCJROTC presently and look to join the Armed Forces in the future. As Armed Drill Team Commander, Myers defines his involvement in MCJROTC as a passion and a privilege. “It’s important to be giving back to the community because the community’s done a lot for us. I try to be as patriotic as I can,” Myers said. “[In MCJROTC] we’re everyday [high school students], like everyone else, just giving a little more back to the country — being proud to wear a uniform that not many people get to wear.” He appreciates the community service opportunities MCJROTC offers and feels that the program will prepare him in his plans to become an officer and join the Marine Corps in college. Myers sees commitment to the country as a sure faith — a faith in the cause and in those around him. “Serving the country is definitely a faith, but it’s also the knowledge that there are people there, all around you, that go through these things together,” Myers said. “It’s reassuring.” Myers’ connection to those in service is rooted in his family’s military background, which includes his cousin and uncle who are currently deployed to Afghanistan. “My relatives are people that I aspire to be. They’re all heroes to me, and I’d like to be like them. Just having them all support me has definitely inspired me,” Myers said.
Myers looks up to his uncle, who has served in the army for 29 years. “He’s taught me a lot in terms of discipline and respect and how to act like an adult and make the right decisions,” he said. “That has made me want to join the service — to become someone like him and keep my life on track like he does.” Similarly, senior Billy Sewell takes inspiration from his brother who is serving in the Marine Corps. 2. 1. “We both had an interest in the Armed Services and he decided to join,” Sewell said. “He told me stories about boot camp and [the stories] made me interested in serving my country.” Although Sewell’s brother is in Thailand, he still feels a connection to his sibling. “I know it sounds strange, but when he joined the Marines we’ve gotten closer, even 3. PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MARTIN AND COURTESY OF GRAY MYERS though he’s physically farther away,” Sewell said. Military Pride. 1.Junior Gray Myers spends much of his Sewell treasures this stron- time with MCJROTC in order to pursue his passions. 2. Seger bond, as well as the disci- nior Billy Swell looks to join the Armed Forces due to the pline he gains in leading oth- inspiration of his brother Jordan Sewell who is serving in the ers as Cadet Sergeant Major in Marine Corps. 3. Junior Gray Myers’ cousin Andrew Baldwin and uncle David Baldwin now serve in Afghanistan. MCJROTC. Sewell and Myers alike feel and in the end, we all succeed,” Myers said. “It’s that their involvement in the MCJROTC pro- that family aspect that I like the most . . . that all gram has strengthened their ties not only to the the Armed Forces display as well.” students with whom they compete as a team, Like Myers, Sewell sees the Armed Forces as but to their country as a whole. a profession of faith in the country. “The fact that we come together [in “Even if I don’t know what might be goMCJROTC], having different lifestyles and ing on with the government in my country, I groups of friends, makes it like a family. We all will stand by and go along with it,” Sewell said. work together, sweat together, try hard together, “That’s faith.”
In-Depth
4
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]Feb. 11, 2011]
Redondo
“What do you think is the American Dream?”
by Bethany Kawa
2.
Erin Hardy
“Having a big house, a nice family, and a dog. And to be more successful than your parents.”
9th Chisom Arinze
“Having lots of money and being successful.”
10th Alex Eastwood
“Living up to your dreams and expectations and being able to live your dream without people putting you down.”
9th Courtney Melindrez
“Just being successful and being rich. And not ending up in a bad place.”
9th Araina Culbertson
“To live a happy life and find someone you love. And being content with your life without material possessions.”
]Feb. 11, 2011]
Burtons reflect on situation in their homeland and their new life in America
Around
11th
5
p.
1.
Finding his passion. 1.Chaffins stands in line with the girls’ volleyball Team at a game against Mira Costa. Chaffins is the head coach of the team. 2. Chaffins tells Libero Tiffany Morales to watch the ball at a game against Palos Verdes High School.
Chaffins finds job as a teacher after recovering from the tragic death of his mother by Anacristina Gonzalez
His father slowly approached his mother, clutching a kitchen knife in his hand. He saw the fury in his father’s eyes. His mother quickly unlatched the chain on the door, cracked it open, and told him to run. “I had a typical childhood up until the third grade. That’s when everything started changing,” Chaffins said. At age nine, volleyball coach Tommy Chaffins’s life had taken a turn. His own father had murdered his mother during a heated argument. Meanwhile, Chaffins was wandering around the neighborhood, trying to figure out what had just happened. Chaffins did not find out about his father murdering his mother right away. His grandparents tried to cover up what had really happened in order to protect his innocence. “I was told that she died in a car accident. We never really talked about it,” Chaffins said. Chaffins’s grandparents took him in after the death of his mother. Although they struggled financial, he was thankful for their generosity. “I’m always appreciative of everything they did for me,” Chaffins said. Chaffins had to appear in court a few weeks later to identify his father. Little did he know he was simultaneously identifying the murderer of his mother. “I didn’t really comprehend what was going on. When you’re nine, your scope of the world
is really limited,” Chaffins said. A few years later, Chaffins finally managed to uncover the truth. While rummaging through a box he found at his grandparent’s house, he found an old newspaper article on the murdering of his mother. “I couldn’t believe it at first, but after I thought it over it sort of made sense,” Chaffins said. His family dealt with their difficult situation by keeping a positive attitude. They would constantly joke around and try to make light of heavy situations. “We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a sense of humor. For me, joking around was sort of a defense mechanism,” Chaffins said. He went to Mira Costa as a freshman and remembers always feeling out of place. When he set foot on Redondo the first day of his sophomore year, he felt at home. “One of the happiest moments of my life was when I came to Redondo. I thought to myself, this is where I’m supposed to be. It’s now 25 years later and I haven’t left,” Chaffins said. Growing up without a father in his life, Chaffins looked to his male teachers and coaches for guidance. “My male coaches and teachers were my role models. I really looked up to them. I thought maybe I could do that someday,” Chaffins said. One day during a visit to the school library, Chaffins stumbled upon a book that caught his eye. After reading They Call Me Coach by John Wooden, he was inspired to be a role model to
others. “Early in my sophomore year I read that book and I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a coach,” Chaffins said. Chaffins has had a passion for sports ever since he was a child. He believes that during a game, a player’s background doesn’t affect the score. In the end, the score is determined by who’s put in the most work. After graduating high school, Chaffins knew that he had to go to college if he wanted to achieve his dream. He worked everyday at the Chart House in order to be able to put himself through university, since no one else could help pay his tuition. Along with long work hours, Chaffins made a lot of sacrifices. He would eat the same 99 cent breakfast everyday and only eat again after his shift at night. He would finish the leftovers of dishes that went almost untouched at the Chart House. At night, he would come home to his small, one bedroom apartment. “I remember driving by car dealerships and wanting to upgrade my old car, but I couldn’t,” Chaffins said. After all the hard work and determination he put in, Chaffins is proud to have gotten to where he is today. The struggles he went through in his early life taught him to never take anything for granted. “I didn’t feel like I was entitled to anything. I’ve learned that you have to appreciate everyday,” Chaffins said.
Walker grows up in impoverished Korea, finds success in America despite lack of schooling by Michelle Hough
Myong Walker, born into poverty in Pusan, South Korea, epitomizes the term “rags to riches.” She has a true Cinderella Story. Just subtract the Prince however, because she did it all by herself. Walker, mother to Sherie Gross, English teacher, survived a harsh childhood. Born in a typical mud hut of the impoverished country folk, Walker was a second child in a household of three, and her mother raised her alone until Walker was 12. Walker did chores in the fields, cooked, and washed clothes in the streams. “She worked very hard cooking and cleaning because she wanted to make life for her mother easier more than anything. [Her mother] was all that she had- she loved her. It was very hard, harsh living, but she saw that her mother struggled with not being able to provide. On the days that they didn’t have food, she was more hurt by her mother’s struggle than by the pain of her own hunger,” Gross said. Walker learned how to read and write by stealing books from the schoolhouse and peeking into the window — she never attended school. “At a young age, she had a resolve to persevere, a curiosity [for the world],” Gross said. Walker, regardless of her attempts, was still very isolated from the progress of the outside world. “Once at the schoolhouse, there was a girl who had a radio. [She heard] someone was speaking, and she was so sorry for the people inside the box. That is how little she knew of the world. She thought streets of America were made of gold,” Gross said. Because Walker’s mother could no longer support her children, Walker and her sister were sent into two separate cities to work as servants for well-off families. The next time she saw her mother she was 23. Leaving her mother was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. “As unloving as her mother was outwardly, [she recognized that] as a child, the only thing you want is your mother. And she could not have that,” Gross said. It was a lonely life in the city. She worked seven days, with pay in only food and board.
She underwent some rough times with certain families. “She was beaten up once pretty badly by the eldest son of the house. She wasn’t reciprocating his advances. The grandmother took her to the hospital, but told her that she should know her place, and that [if she had] it wouldn’t have happened,” Gross said. As Walker grew up in these households, she had no choice but to toughen up. At 18, she worked her way into cocktail waitressing at an American army base. “[During that time] she ran with sort of a rough crowd, wrecking reckless, teenage mayhem in the streets, never backing down from fights. In fact, she was actually known to be feared,” Gross said. At the Army base, Walker met Gross’ father, a black sergeant in the American army based in Seoul, Korea. They married, and that allowed Walker to come to America. “My mother, pregnant with me, knew that she could not stay in Korea because I would not have a chance due to racial prejudices. She first told my father to take me to U.S. alone, but she couldn’t go through with it. After years of contemplation, my father, my mom, my sister and I moved to Indianapolis, Indiana,” Gross said. Walker never aspired to come to the US but she no longer had roots in Korea- her family had split and her mother had passed away. When Walker came here, she was a stayat-home mother. She had learned some English from working with American soldiers, but she couldn’t read or write. She wanted to get a job because to provide for her children, but her husband said that she was not qualified for anything. Taking that challenge with her background for survival, Walker attained a job by “pretending” she had skills. “She worked in the engineering department manufacturing T.V. by saying that she had the skills, and she was a fast learner. She got her drivers license by asking the security guard at the DMV to read the questions to her, because she ‘didn’t have her glasses.’ She acquired a car from a friend, and came home one day to show my father he was wrong,” Gross said. Shortly thereafter, Walker and Gross’ father
divorced. She took sole custody, and went from working in a factory to saving enough money to buy her own cafeteria-restaurant called Beanies. She managed it, ran it, cooked, and cleaned. She had one other employee. At Beanies, Walker met Gross’s stepfather. “He was a customer, and they married a year later. Ron says it was ‘love at first spaghetti.’ My mom can make a mean spaghetti sauce,” Gross said. Walker was successful in that business. It grew, and she sold it for triple what she bought it for. She bought her second business in cash, a women’s boutique, and then she bought Sunny’s sandwich shop. After, she bought into the Blimpie franchise with a Blimpie’s sandwich place. When Walker retired, Gross was in high school. “These business ventures allowed her to buy her family a house. My sister and I never wanted anything, we both got cars at 16, we had shopping trips. We both went to college. All paid in cash,” Gross said. Walker came to the idea of cooking by learning as a servant. Cooking always “gave her joy.” Her love for cooking and her innate sense of industry allowed her to dominate the business world. “My mom knew how to work. She saw opportunities other people didn’t see. She knew it was all about the food, so she spent all her time in the kitchen, and customers came in droves. She had this intuition for business, and she made a fortune. In America, money can be found anywhere. She came far, far, far from the mud hut,” Gross said. Walker was able to send money back to Korea after her success. “She found her sister in Korea and built her and my five cousins a house. That’s significant because my aunt and mother both grew up impoverished. To own a home? That’s more than just the American Dream; it’s a dream without national boundaries,” Gross said. Walker always wanted to be able to provide for her children. Gross is more appreciative of her mother than anything else. “I truly would not be who I am or where I am without the perseverance of my mother. She is an incredible woman, and I owe her everything. She’s my hero,” Gross said.
Anxiety overwhelms their bodies as they wait to board the plane. Leaving behind everything they know, the Bertans look out the small window of the airplane as they get further and further away from their homeland: Cairo, Egypt. They are excited and nervous to embark on a new journey in America. July of 2004 marked a significant chapter in siblings junior Fady Bertan and senior Donia Bertan’s lives. After completing nine applications for the immigration lottery, the Bertans journeyed to America from Egypt in search of living “The American Dream.” “My dad applied for the lottery for nine years and after waiting so long, we finally got picked,” Donia said. The lottery allows for immigrants to come to America and become citizens after five years if they pass a test. Any person under 18 can become a citizen if their parents pass the test but any person 18 or over must take the test themselves. Because both Fady and Donia are minors, they were able to get their citizenship through their dad. The Bertans immigrated for better job opportunities and education. They appreciate the better education system in America com-
pared to the one in Egypt. “Here, there are more opportunities for education. There is more accessibility to college, but we have to work really hard. In Egypt, there are few colleges, but they are easy. Even after you graduate, many people find it hard to find jobs because of the poor economy there,” Fady said. He appreciates the religious tolerance and freedom in America, but also misses the churches in Egypt. As a Coptic orthodox Christian, he feels safe to freely practice his religion. “In America, there is no religious discrimination. In Egypt, although everybody gets along, when I went to private school I was with Christians and Muslims, and we went to our own religion classes. At the same time, I miss the churches in Egypt because they are more spiritual than any church here,” he said. Although Fady is grateful for the opportunity he has here, he misses his family and friends back home. “I miss spending time with my family and celebrating the holidays with them. Life in Egypt was so much better because I could hang out with my family and have fun with them,” he said. Donia agrees. “It was hard leaving my relatives that I was
so close to. It was also difficult to adjust to the school system. On my first day of school, I was afraid of standing in the hallway because I didn’t know what to do. School in Egypt was so much different,” she said. The Bertans plan on visiting Egypt every year but have no desire to move back. In the meantime, they reflect on the crisis that is happening now and have hope for their native country. “I’m glad the Egyptians are finally speaking their minds, but I don’t think they are doing it in the right way. They were under Mubarak’s rule for 30 years, so why can’t they wait 6 more months? I think they should just leave him alone,” Fady said. His strong faith in God leads him to believe that everything will work out fine in Egypt. “I have faith that God won’t let anything happen,” he said. Donia is relieved that she is in America during this Egyptian crisis, but is happy that the Egyptians are voicing their opinions. She is thankful for the opportunities she has living in America. “Egypt and America are both great countries. I miss Egypt so much, but I know that America will provide me with great opportunities that Egypt won’t. I will make sure to visit Egypt every summer,” she said.
Around
Redondo
“What do you think is the American Dream?”
10th Daniel Gonzales
“The pursuit of happiness and to live life and be free. And to get money.”
10th Ariana Panaifo
CHASING
THE
AMERICAN DREAM
“The American Dream is dying, because the economy is dwindling and if we don’t fix it soon we might just fall into a depression.”
9th David Proano
“Getting famous while getting money.”
Students and faculty share differing stories on what they believe is the American Dream and how to achieve it.
11th Breanna Martinez
Rivera family lived in two seperate countries by Emma Uriarte
Finally, she had what she had never known before: a father. After waiting her whole life, Guadalupe Rivera, along with her mother and siblings, was reunited with her father, Alejandro Rivera, who had been working in the U.S. to pay for his family’s passage to the country. Guadalupe and her family are one of the many immigrants in California living out their own American Dream. Mr. Rivera knows there has been many hardships, but he has kept his determination to make a better life for his family in the United States. “It was hard to leave but sometimes you have to leave what you love to get where you want,” he said. “I wanted my family to have a better education and a better future.” Guadalupe looks up to her father and respects him not only for what he has given up, but for what he has achieved. “He’s inspiring because he came here with nothing and left his family,” she said. “He makes me feel like a better person. There are
obstacles in everything but he teaches me to overcome them.” Guadalupe’s father left their family before she was born, and she grew up without him because he was working in the United States as a plumber. “I had my brothers but it wasn’t the same. We always did dances on father’s day, but I couldn’t put emotion into it because I knew he wouldn’t be there. It was really hard to have my friends hug their dads but not me,” she said. Mr. Rivera hopes his children will take advantage of the opportunities and will be inspired to succeed. “I don’t want to be admired. I want my kids to learn that life is not easy and they have to work hard to get a good life,” Mr. Rivera said. “Life is a process and you have to overcome the obstacles.” Although Mr. Rivera was far away from his family for many years, he knows that giving his family all the opportunities the United States has to offer was worth the long wait. He is happy knowing that his children can look forward to a better future
because of his accomplishments. “Sometimes I thought [leaving] wasn’t the right decision. A family is for the mother and father and children to be together, but you do what you have to do to get a better opportunity for your family,” he said. Guadalupe also feels that the American dream isn’t about having a nice house and expensive cars and getting to the top. To her, it is a process. “A lot of people think that life here is good and everyone has money, but to get there you have to work hard. I think the American dream for anyone who comes here is to have a better future,” she said. “We have the American dream.” Like his daughter, Mr. Rivera thinks the American dream is a progression. To the Rivera family, the American dream isn’t something that can be achieved immediately. It is about having a brighter future. “In a way, I haven’t achieved [the American Dream] yet because I still want to see my children get a degree and see them working and watch them become successful people,” he said.
“To make a lot of money and to have a good family and be successful.”
12th Brock Vanpelt
“The American Dream doesn’t really exist. It’s just whatever makes someone happy, because everyone has their own dreams.”
Features
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]Feb. 11, 2010 ]
A
look INTO THE
new gym
Football anticipates new weight room for offseason training by Cameron Paulson
Although it is no longer football season, Redondo football players have to train hard to be ready for next season, but due to the absence of a weight room because of the gyms’ remodeling, the team has to change their normal routine. “We find alternative ways to overcome the loss of the weight room,” junior Brandon Kim said. The football team is currently using the weight room in the bungalows and field for training. “Since we don’t have the weight room we flip tires, run with parachutes, and lift heavy bags to increase our strength and stamina,” Kim said. Although the weight room is unavailable at the moment, it will be ready and in use in the within the next few weeks. “The new weight room is going to increase the player’s motivation to do big and better things next season,” junior Ryan Spiwak said. “Everyone can’t wait to see the new room and equipment.” The new weight room’s equipment and features are much more advanced than the old weight room. “The weight room will be new and improved,” Spiwak said. “All the players are excited for it to open and be able to workout on the new machines and use the new equipment.” The new weight room will encourage the team to work harder according to Kim. “I’m more motivated to do the workouts and
train harder with a new facility,” Brandon Kim said. Aside from the new equipment, there are other benefits for the football team as well. “The weight room is now close to the locker room and the all the new equipment is definitely a plus,” Kim said. Redondo football is now more motivated than ever to start training and build the strength and stamina they need for next year’s season. “It’s a better facility and will make the teams attitude improve toward training,” Kim said. “The new weight room will make us stronger and better prepare the team for future games to come.” Not only are the players eagerly awaiting the new weight room it is also greatly affecting the coaches. “The new weight room is great for our players,” football coach Bob Cracknell said. “It’s inspiring and will motivate them for the season to come.” As the new weight room will be motivation for the players, games next year are likely to be better than ever. “I think the football team will improve,” Cracknell said. “Even without a weight room, we’re off to a good start.” The team is highly anticipating the new space to workout in. “The new weight room is a privilege and we all can’t wait to use it,” Spiwak said.
ALL PHOTOS BY JON MARTIN
Shiny and new. The new gym includes a new weight room, an improved court, a dance studio, team rooms, locker rooms, and class rooms for PE to meet in. Also, a new practice field and golf putting area were added to the surrounding area. The gym overlooks the new pool and is now used by different sports, clubs, and classes.
Girls’ volleyball coach trains players to avoid injuries and strengthen muscles by Taylor Ballard
An athlete’s body is their most important tool; one wrong move is the difference between success and excrutiating failure. Sports teams are now taking measures to help prevent injuries. Teams such as girls’ volleyball and boys’ basketball are training their players to pevent injuries. “It’s helpful because injuries are common, especially in the offseason, because you’re training a lot,” freshman Ian Fox said. “[Teaching the team how to take care of themselves] has been extremely helpful. By focusing on nutrition and flexibility they’ve been able to perform well,” boys basketball coach Tom Maier said. In addition to the dynamic stretching Maier teaches his team, which increases
the range of motion one can achieve, he requires them to wear ankle braces. “We felt that the braces would lessen the severity of any sprain a player may receive,” he said. While there may not be enough time for teams to do these stretches during the season, players agree that being given the tools to take care of themselves has been helpful. “Volleyball can take a great physical toll on a player’s body. Volleyball is played on a hard surface and involves repetitive jumping diving and other fast twitch movements,” volleyball coach Ashley Bowles said. “If a player doesn’t warm-up properly or take care of aches and pains, various injuries can develop. Common volleyball injuries would affect the knees, shoulder, and back.”
It is important for athletes to take the prevention tips they learn from their coaches and do them on their own time according to JV volleyball player Haley Meyers. After ignoring the signs of her knee injury, Meyers could not participate in summer training. This experience propelled her to take the prevention tips she learned more seriously. “The summer program is really important and it was hard not to participate. The stretches are definitely beneficial to me which is why I make sure to do them. They keep you safe from injury while making you stronger as a player,” Meyers said. The routine Bowles teaches her team consists of many different components. “The basic warm up I do with my team
is very similar to the warm-up I did as a player at UCLA. It consists of a running warm up with various movements or sprints and then about a ten minute stretching routine once their warm. I have added to that routine through the years with stretches I have learned in yoga, or from other coaches or professionals,” Bowles said. According to Bowles, having a proper warm up and stretching is important to prevent injuries in any sport while helping players create a routine where they can get in the right mind frame for practice. “In some form or another I would think most sports teams take time to warm up and stretch before rigorous activity. If it is not a part of the coaches routine, players should plan to spend 10 to 15 minutes warming up on their own. I’m also a
big fan of yoga and think that can be extremely helpful in or out of season for an athlete to maintain strength and prevent injuries,” Bowles said. Sustaining an injury can drastically affect team dynamic and personal play, so it is important to avoid injury if possible according to Meyers “When I got injured I initially felt like I let my team down and I thought I wasn’t going to be able to participate enough but it actually gave me an opportunity to see my team from a whole new perspective which helped me later on with positions,” Myers said. Meyers plans on using what she has learned to prevent future injuries. “Learning to be an athlete is learning to deal with the setbacks and learning to accept the limits of your body,” Meyers said.
Sports
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p.
]Feb. 11, 2011 ]
Against all odds
It’s all about the team by Jessi Shipley
After going 4-4 in League, Girls’ water polo secured a wild card spot in the Division I CIF playoffs. by David Kawa
Girls’ water polo lost to Mira Costa, 6-12, last Wednesday. But earlier in the season the team defeated Peninsula twice to ensure their third place position in Bay League. They are preparing for CIF playoffs next week. The CIF game schedule will not be published until Sunday night. According to senior Emily Ewart, the only sure thing is that every game will require complete focus since Palos Verdes brought up the entire Bay League into Division 1. But making it to CIF is a great accomplishment in itself, according to head coach Danielle Berger. “The entire starting lineup is mostly composed of seniors,” Berger said. “It’s really monumental, especially for this group of girls.” This game has special meaning for the seniors on the team because last year they did not qualify for CIF at all. “As seniors we’re excited that we even have the op-
“The other teams in Division I are way ahead of us. Unless we play a wildcard seed, the competition will be very intense for us” –Danielle Berger
portunity to make it into CIF. We’re glad to end our high school careers on a good note, win or lose,” senior Devon Cohen said. According to Berger, they feel somewhat uneasy because playing Division 1 isn’t “exactly on their level.” “The others are playing on levels way ahead of us,” Berger said. “Unless we play a wild card seed, the competition will be very intense.” The team is taking “precautionary measures,” like working on new time out and restart plays. “We are also working on a fronting set in case we get caught from behind,” Ewart said. “We’ll bring in a drop from the top.” According to senior Gabriella Reynoso, compared to last season, many players have improved their shooting and swimming. Regardless, the appeal of CIF lost its luster because the girls are constantly exhausting themselves in practices. “This game is just tough for us because the season has felt so long this year,” Reynoso said. Although the team considers themselves worn out they plan on coming out “guns blazing.” “We are excited to have a chance in CIF and go against good competition,” Cohen said. “I’m really excited to go out there one last time with my team and see how we stack up against one of the best teams out there.”
PHOTO BY CELESTE MANAGULAN
Back off. Senior Nich Graham defends the ball against a Costa Player. They beat Leuzinger yesterday 3-2 and qualified for CIF.
Boys soccer qualified for CIF yesterday by beating Leuzinger 3-2 in the final game of League. The boys came back in the second half of the game, after being down 2-1. In the first half they got nervous because it was a “do or die” game, if there to loose they wouldn’t have qualified for CIF playoffs according to senior Adam Anderson. But they made adjustments in the second half to win. “They came back strong in the second half and began to relax,” Coach Lopez said. In the last nine minutes of the game Redondo scored and tied. With 5 minutes left to go, junior Rubin Pereda scored the winning goal. After the final score defense stayed strong to complete their second half shut-out, sealing their victory at 3-2, sending them to playoffs. The boys are willing to do whatever it takes to advance in CIF. “We’ll be playing a lot of solid teams but we’re going to work hard and fight like we did today,” Anderson said. While they are still optimistic, there are still things
they want to work on. “To prepare for CIF we need to work on our tactics and positioning,” senior Kevin Tom said. The boys really rely on each other for encouragement, which will help them win. “Support from teammates is what keeps us going. We don’t want to let each other down,” Anderson said. According to Coach Lopez team chemistry is key to winning playoffs. “The chemistry has been there from the start, we work on team bonding outside of practice to keep the boys together, and it really shows in our games. Their chemistry will really pull them through to win,” Lopez said. The team really thinks that they have a chance in doing well in CIF playoffs. “ You never know what can happen, I have faith in these boys and I think they’re going to do well,” Lopez said. The boys believe in themselves too. “Our love for the game will push us to win, our desire to win is what will keep us going through CIF’s,” Anderson said.
Ending on a high note Boys Basketball beat Leuzinger last night in their final home game of the season by Tati Calentano
Boys’ basketball won 62-51 in last night’s last home game against Leuzinger, moving them to second place in league after Peninsula and guaranteeing them a CIF spot. “The seniors knew it was an important game so they stepped up and led the team to a definite earned win,” coach JR Martinez said. According to coach Jeff Ventero, Leuzinger is a high scoring team but the defense stepped up last night and handed it off to score many fast break shots. “We started strong and carried the hard work and energy through the whole game,” senior Jocquise Bates said. According to senior Mwelu Mataya, the team needs to approach CIF with a serious mind set because it is such a senior based team; all the boys want to do well. “We come out strong and we need to carry that energy throughout the game. We have dead moments where we won’t score and it only gives us more to make up for when it’s down to the last couple minutes,” senior Martyre Demarco said. According to Senior Brandon Boyd, they need to step up the offense and have more rebounding. They plan to work on the basics, including conditioning and scoring to prepare for CIF. Demarco wants the team to continue playing good defense and play aggressive in the second half. The offense needs to improve the flow and consistency of their shots. As a team the boys need to listen to the coaches more and communicate on the court better. “Our main goal is to get the team into rhythm and mesh to succeed,” Riggs said. A majority of the team has been to CIF and know what they have to do and what is necessary to succeed, according to Boyd. “We haven’t seen the pool play for CIF yet. We are going in knowing it will be tough and hoping to mesh as a team and go as far as the boys want to go. We underachieved throughout the season but we can over achieve in CIF. It’s all up to the team and how bad they want it,” Riggs said. Mataya is confident in the team and has high hopes for the future. “If we play as a team we can achieve. This team has great potential and I believe that we can go far and accomplish whatever we set our minds to,” Mataya said.
PHOTO BY MATT MARDESICH
Driving. Senior Martyre Demarco drives to the basket in Tuesday’s game against PV. The team won Tuesday and last night and have moved on to the first round of CIF.
Movin’ on up by Matthew Brancolini
PHOTO BY ASHLEY MAULDIN
Victorious. Clockwise from left: senior Matt Ulizio, junior Raymond Gandara, and junior Jake Harris grapple in the League meet. All three are moving on to the CIF individual tournament.
Three wrestlers, one meet. Juniors Raymond Gandara, Jake Harris, and senior Matt Ulizio guaranteed themselves a spot in the CIF championship tournament by placing either first or second in their weight class in last Saturday’s Bay League final. Gandara, who placed second in the 112 pound division, feels more pressure because of the increase in the quality of the competition. “Everyone there is the best of the best and is either the second or first place finisher from their league,” Gandara said, “That adds a lot more pressure to do well. Next week will be extra intense — more running, more wrestling, more of everything. We could go further in CIF than ever before. It’s exciting.” Ulizio, who placed first in the heavy-weight division at League, also looks forward to the challenge of wrestling in the heavy weight class in CIF, a class he didn’t wrestle in until the last weeks Bay League finals. “After I lost my 215 spot in a wrestle-off, I was mad at first but then I realized I could compete with them if I’m mentally prepared. I decided to wrestle the heavy weight and it ended up being a good decision because I’m just as strong as them and I’m faster,” Ulizio said. Ulizio plans on training extra hard to prepare for
CIF. “The heavyweight from South High School has been training with me and we’re going to train some more next week. Also Coach Schonberg has been working on moves that work on heavies because he wrestled heavyweight and knows a lot about it,” Ulizio said, “I think I can place in the top ten if I wrestle like I can. It’s another challenge to step up to.” Harris, who placed second in the 160 pound division, is excited to be in the first CIF tournament of his career. “Personally, this is the farthest I’ve ever been and its feels great. I’m not going to stop trying because I made CIF but I’m definitely happy to be where I’m at. I’m going to give it all and keep preparing and working like I have been all season,” Harris said. Head coach Arond Schonberg is extremely proud of the team’s recent success. “I’m very pleased with our with our finals performance,” Schonberg said, “We had four wrestlers in the finals this year and we only had one last year. One to four is a huge improvement.” Schonberg stresses that the wrestlers must stay motivated going into CIF. “Sometimes they think ‘Well I made it to CIF so now I’m done.’ It’s my job to keep them motivated and focused on moving further on.”
Sports
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p.
]Feb. 11, 2011 ]
The Wolf Pack goes
UNDEFEATED
by David Kawa
PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS
AHWOOO. Senior Ashiana Antar goes up for a lay-up at last night’s game against Leuzinger.
The Wolf Pack ended a flawless season by defeating Leuzinger, 64 -18, last night. The Bay League Champions are now focusing on the CIF title. The Pack secured the Bay League title on Tuesday against Palos Verdes, but still kept up the intensity against Leuzinger. “We wanted to be the solo Bay League Champs and go undefeated,” senior Shayna Stuart said. The Pack kept Leuzinger in the single digits until late into the third quarter. Senior Riki Murakami attributes the win to a strong start. “We came out very focused. It [was] Senior Night and we knew we were the last group of girls to play on this court, so we wanted to make sure we played well. We came out strong and made them distressed,” she said According to Stuart, the seniors are proud to leave as champions. “All of us seniors have been together for the past three years and put in so much effort. We’ve had a rough three years and now we have finally gotten our chance to be number one,” she said. Coach Marcelo Enriquez looks to the seniors for the undefeated season. “The seniors had a lot to do with [our success]. They showed leadership. They led by example with sacrifice and commitment,” he said. Before each game, the team stares into the eyes of a wolf poster and howls as a group. Stuart appreciates the pregame rituals and
Issue
PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS
Wolf Pack. Senior Shayna Stewart and junior Annie Park celebrate the win last night against Leuzinger, 64-18, after completing their undefeated season. The Wolf Pack will head to CIF.
Riding Solo
Athlete of the
the pack mentality. “It brings us together and pumps us up. It also lets us have fun with it and just show our camaraderie and team bonding to everyone in the stands,” she said. According to senior Rachel Scarlett, the Pack stayed hungry for the Bay League title throughout the season. “Our intensity increased after every win. If we weren’t hungry every game for the win, we would not have been champs. As we got close to the finish line we only wanted to speed up because we knew the title was waiting for us. We were not going to let any other team take our success from us,” she said. The Pack reaps the fruits of dedicated teamwork and focus. “Our undefeated season made me proud of my team and the hard work we have been putting in. We worked as a unit like a wolf pack would. We knew that we needed each other to be successful. It’s important that we had each other’s backs,” senior Michelle Lowery said. The Pack is preparing for CIF playoffs. “Our goal right now is to win the first playoff game. We are going to practice hard and just do what we do,“ senior Ashiana Antar said. Looking forward, Lowery stays positive about the next step. “We kept the intensity high throughout all our games. I feel confident that we can go pretty far in playoffs [with the same attitude],” she said. The Pack is ready to attack the playoffs. “Even though we won Bay League, the sky is the limit from here on out,” Stuart said.
South of the Hermosa Pier, surf team members will compete in The Hennessey’s Cup, a singles competition. by Alex Shea
Michelle Lowery PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS by Allie Goldberg
She pushed as hard as she could, but her legs simply wouldn’t move fast enough. The buzzer rang, but she still had an up and back left. Senior Michelle Lowery did not make the time of the sprint, causing her team to keep running. “I used to feel so bad in practice making my team run. We had to run a lot as it was, and I’m sure my teammates didn’t appreciate having to run extra,” she said. Lowery explained that coach Marcelo Enriquez had a talk with her last July about losing 25 pounds to help her become a better player. “He told me I could help my team by losing the weight. I would be lighter on my feet, quicker, faster, and be able to play more minutes,” she said. Lowery explained that this made a tremendous difference in her game, and that she is so glad she was able to accomplish this goal. “It definitely wasn’t easy,” she said. “I had to change my eating habits and as a team we had intense workouts with our trainer three days a week on top of practice.” Lowery is now a leading scorer and rebounder for the girl’s basketball team and is “almost unstoppable,” according to senior Riki Murakami. “She had all of the qualities of a great basketball player,” Murakami said. “Now that she’s fast and can play so many minutes, it’s hard for teams to find an answer for her.” Lowery believes that this transformation gave her the confidence she needed to be a contributing factor to her team’s undefeated record in league.
“We definitely went through a lot getting to this point. Sophomore and junior year were a blur. We dreaded practice every day and I was just so out of shape,” she said. Lowery explained that she is proud of her team for winning Bay League this year. “We got our butts kicked for two years,” she said. “We went to Oregon, San Diego, all over the place and played the toughest teams. I know we are well deserving now.” Murakami explained that Lowery leads the team in many ways. “She’s not a big talker but always leads by example,” she said. “All of the post players look up to her and definitely respect her game. She’s just a beast.” Enriquez believes that Lowery has improved tremendously over the course of her three years on varsity. “She has so much more endurance now, and as a result her scoring and rebounding just went way up,” he said. Enriquez is impressed with Lowery and her commitment to herself and the team. “This dedication to her goal has had a direct affect on us being able to win more games,” he said. “She has grown so much confidence in herself and in her team.” Enriquez attributes Lowery’s natural leadership ability to her “happy go lucky” spirit. “I love her personality. She has good charisma and brings a lot of positive energy to the team and it just takes us such a long way,” he said. Enriquez always tells the team that great players are made during the off season. “She’s gotten so much more aggressive and physical, and more skilled in her shooting,” he said. “Her off season commitment has enabled her to get into the best shape of her life.”
Tomorrow morning a yearly battle will take place. The surf teams in the area will fight to win the Hennessey’s Surf Cup. The Hennessey’s Cup is a new challenge for the team that brings focus to each individual surfer on the team. The contest’s format make surfers advance individually rather than gaining points for the team. The new format is embraced by team members who see the potential and promise of an individual format. “You can win for yourself. Team surfing is great, but surfing is a sport where want waves for yourself and there is no team to worry about. You can just surf for yourself and hope you’re doing right,” said sophomore Johnny Hobbs. With the pressure of team scores gone, surfers are free to try new moves and use self motivation to fuel their riding. “We can try harder to get to the finals by ourselves and we can find where our real talent is by competing with kids better than you. It makes you get more creative and try bigger moves to impress the judges,” said senior Parker Baker. While the contest may present the surf-
PHOTO BY JAKE COLLINS
Ride. Senior Grant Wessel pulls into a barrel south of the Hermosa Pier. ers with an individual experience, the team benefits from members gaining practice competing. The extra practice in a contest setting is important for the team. “The event gives us another opportunity to compete against other people. Our league meets are coming up soon so it’s good practice,” freshman Katie Parkinson said. The highly competitive event that introduces team members to the level of surfing
that will be required at future league meets. “The Hennessey’s Cup is a great stepping stone for surfers because it gives you a taste of the competition they will face later on in the season,” said junior Conor Beatty. The Hennessey’s Cup is special due to its emphasis on individual achievement. However they cannot compare to the “feeling when your name gets called to be in the next heat,” said Parker Baker.
Ending strong The girls’ soccer team salvaged their record beating Costa and tying, 4-4, to Palos Verdes, ending the season 4,4,2. by Zachary Zent
After beating Leuzinger, 3-0, yesterday, the girls’ soccer team is anticipating a possible CIF play-off birth. Junior Samantha Witteman credits the win over Leuzinger to solid team dynamics. “We won because we started playing with heart and started playing with good team chemistry that we haven’t had for a lot of the season,” Witteman said. The three goals were scored by Witteman and seniors Jen Stevens and Sophia Lykke. Sophomore Brittany Oldham credits the win to the team’s overall effort and hard work. “Despite the game being ‘easy,’ our team worked on fundementals to improve,” senior Patricia Gonzalez said. The team is looking beyond their most recent victory and hoping for a spot in CIF.
Witteman hopes to see improvement if granted a play-off birth. “If we do make CIF, we need to work on our combinations and team defense,” Witteman said. Oldham also offered some insight on a
“We just need to put everything we got into it because we have talent and potential to go far” –Brittany Oldham potential play-off run. “We just need to put everything we got into it because we have talent and potential to go far,” Oldham said. If going into CIF, the team is hoping to compete at the level they played at when
they faced off against the returning Bay League champions, Palos Verdes, last Tuesday. After being up 2-0, the game ended in a 4-4 tie. However, the team is proud of their effort that displayed against their Bay League rival considering the 7-0 loss to PV in the first round of league. “I think we worked really hard and had great intensity throughout the whole game. It was a tough game to play in but I am happy with the result based on the fact that we gave it all we had,” Witteman said. The play-offs would be a “fresh start” for the team, as they still remain optimistic for what is to come even though the girls will most likely face a top-seeded team if granted a spot in the play-offs. “If we start from the first whistle with everything we have and with the heart that we’ve been playing with, then anything is possible,” Witteman said.
BREAK THE SILENCE by Loren Brown, Shannon Bowman, Allie Goldberg, and Dylan Futrell
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“You are worthless. You are meaningless. You are nothing.” If an abuser doesn’t say these words with their mouth, they say them with their fists, their belt, and their actions. The abused endure the pain of these injustices, scorned by those who are supposed to love and protect them. Each and every day, these students –– these children –– must cope with a situation that, to them, has no end in sight. [continued on on back]
the February 11th, 2011 Features Magazine
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PHOTO BY JON MARTIN
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finding a
family At 10-years-old, Nelson Adams found a family in the United States after being abandoned in the streets of Colombia By Allison Salazar
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He was anxious to see his new parents. He had spent the entire summer getting to know them, and the adoption had just been finalized. As he walked off of the plane at LAX he shouted “Hasta la vista baby” and ran towards them. Junior Nelson Adams was left on a bus stop in the streets of Bogotá, Colombia when he was four years old. The year before, his father had died, leaving his mother, Blanca Sanchez, alone with three kids. “I remember crying and not knowing why she left me,” he said. “I was the middle child but after she left me I never got to see my sisters again.” Adams was taken to Fundacion Hogar San Mauricio where he lived for six years. The orphanage became his new home and he thought of the other kids as his family. “My favorite thing to do at the orphanage was to play tag with my friends and to just have fun,” he said. “I also had this teacher named Jorge who would give me coffee every morning and he was nice.” In 2004, things changed for Adams. Through the Kidsave International organi-
Transcontinental. 1. Adams’ “outgoing” personalty has helped him adjust to life in the United States. 2. Adams, right, naps with his adoptive brother, Richard, who is also from Colombia.
zation, he was taken to the United States and spent the summer with a host family. He returned to Colombia and eight months later Joe and Rhonda Adams became his adoptive parents. “The paper work was horrible and immense,” Mrs. Adams said. “I immediately filed all the paper work but it took eight months to complete everything.” Adapting to a new culture was not difficult for Nelson, despite the language barrier he faced. “At first it felt so weird. I couldn’t climb trees and none of my friends from the orphanage were around,” he said. “My mom would speak to me in Spanish and she got me involved in gymnastics and other things so I could meet people.” Mrs. Adams believes that Nelson’s outgoing personality made it easy for him to get use to the different lifestyle and educa-
Adams traveled over 3,400 miles from the streets of Bogotá, Colombia to his adoptive family in Redondo Beach.
2. PHOTOS BY JONATHAN MARTIN AND COURTESY OF NELSON ADAMS
tion system in America. “Nelson was easily able to make new friends and he would even bond with kids he didn’t know,” she said. “We got Nelson to participate in many activities and he is just a natural athlete so he continues to be active.” Nelson believes it was easy for him to integrate into the school system. However, he remembers how simple things such as a garage door or the ceiling fan amazed him when he first moved in with the Adams.
“I have been through a lot but I try to live my life in a positive way and I try to make the most of it. I like to make people laugh and I am open about being adopted because it influenced who I am today.” —Nelson Adams
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“I had never seen [a ceiling fan] before, so I would just stare at it while it went around in circles. It was hypnotizing and we didn’t have that kind of thing in Colombia,” he said. He recalls that moving from the orphanage to Redondo Beach was a significant change in his life but he feels fortunate to have come here. “I feel so lucky to live here. I am thankful for my parents and I appreciate them because they gave me a home,” he said. He does not know where his biological mother or his sisters live. Although he is curious about his mother’s whereabouts, he believes she had a reason for leaving him and does not resent her for it. “I was really little when she left me so I don’t really remember what went on
in my mind. I was sad and I cried a lot at first, but I got used to the orphanage. Everything happens for a reason so even though she left me, things worked out ok,” he said. Mrs. Adams remembers Nelson having dreams about his biological mother and he would tell her about them, but he never asked where she was. “He was curious when he was younger,” she said. “All the kids from the orphanage have sad stories; these are kids that are abandoned and have no family members to take care of them so there are a lot of personal feelings attached to their memories.” Despite the hardships he has experienced, Nelson does not dwell on the past and he has a positive outlook on life. “I have been through a lot but I try to live my life in a positive way and I try to make the most of it,” he said. “I like to make people laugh and I am open about being adopted because it influenced who I am today.” Adams believes Nelson has always had a determined and positive perspective on life. “When we visited him in Colombia he would say that he leaped from building to building and that he wasn’t scared of getting hurt because God would protect him,” she said. Adopting Nelson also impacted Adams and she feels that he was given another opportunity in life. “In Colombia he had no opportunities. There was little hope and he had no future,” she said. “In this country you can come from nothing and you can rise to make something of yourself.” Nelson has lived with his adoptive parents for six years and he thinks of them as his real parents. “If it wasn’t for them I don’t know what my life would be like,” he said. “All I can say is that I am thankful for everything they have done for me and I love them because to me they are my real parents.”
Feb. 11, 2011
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Students reflect on their experiences in the Foster Care System.
Drale mistreated by her foster family, eventually reunited with father by Alex Curtis
Junior Katy Drale stood nervously outside the door of the courtroom. As people passed by her, they encouraged her to smile. An unfamiliar man finally stepped through the door and announced that she would be put into foster care. But it wasn’t until her parents walked out crying that she realized her life was about to take a turn for the worse. Drale was wrongly put into foster care when she was eight-years-old after her neighbor falsely accused Drale’s parents of not feeding her. Her neighbor’s lawyer accused her parents of hitting her as well. “[The trail] made me feel like no one
believed me, like I was making stuff up,” Drale said. After the verdict was read, Drale was immediately placed in the care of a family in Carson that she had never met before and she moved to a strange environment. “[The family] hated me,” Drale said. “They tormented me because I was different.” Over the course of the year with her foster family, Drale’s life slowly came to a halt as she lived in fear of abuse. “It was hard for me to talk to people because I was afraid I would get beat up ... I thought I would have to be like [new people I met] or I would get beat up. I couldn’t be myself,” she said. Drale was only able to see her parents once every two months for brief amounts
of time. Finally, after nearly a year of suffering, she was allowed to go out to dinner with her parents, where she told them what was happening. Shortly after, her social worker learned that the family Drale was staying with had been mistreating her and abusing her. “I felt relieved because I wouldn’t be tortured any more. I was still a bit sad that I wouldn’t be moving in with my parents, but I felt some comfort that I was living with family,” she said. The entire situation certainly should have never happened. As Drale sees it, her family never did anything wrong. “It was unjustified and wrong that I was being taken away for no reason,” Drale said.
She now lives with her father; her mother lives in Pennsylvania. Her life has slowly adjusted back to something somewhat normal and she believes it will continue to do so, though she also knows she will always have scars she cannot erase. “I’ve put it behind me,” she said. “I’ve learned that not all people are evil and there are good people.” Drale also believes she has grown from her experience. She feels that she is stronger now than she had been before. “When I was younger, I thought people would always be nice to me. I thought nothing could ever happen to me. I thought I would always be protected. I learned that there is evil in the world, and I have to be strong through it and protect myself,” she said.
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Thankful. The Boswell family after adopting Santana. Although she wonders who her real mother was, she is happy ith the Boswells. by Joanie Schneider
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ophomore Santana Boswell sat in the courtroom while her adoption was being finalized. As a baby, Boswell was put up for adoption by her incarcerated, drugaddicted mother. Thouh she has a happy life with her adoptive parents, she wonders about her past. “I don’t really know who my [real] parents are and I don’t know why exactly they gave me up for adoption. I have many questions for them and I was very confused about adoption,” Boswell said. The only information that she knows about her biological mother is that she was a coke addict who was in prison at the time of her pregnancy. Because she has only limited information about her biological mother, Boswell wants to find her so that she can learn everything about her. “I would like to find my real mom and ask her questions on why I was put up for adoption and how she felt after leaving me,” she said. When thinking about her and her mother’s situation, Boswell feels depressed. But despite learning the truth about her mother, she is really grateful that she has found a caring family to live with.
Camille Mitchelle
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Reasons for foster placement include behavioral problems, ill parents, incarceration, and substance abuse.
2/3 of children who enter foster care are reunited with their birth parents within 2 years.
photo courtesy of Santana Boswell
“Instead of being in an adoption home my entire life, I get to be with a wonderful, loving family,” Boswell said. Santana’s adoptive mother, Krista Boswell, has deep sympathy for the children living in foster care. “I decided to adopt because too many children are in foster care that need to have families. I decided that it is important to bring one into our home. This is why before I got married, I decided to have one child and adopt a second,” Krista said. Even though Santana is adopted, Santana’s brother Ryan Boswell does not see her any differently from the family. According to Ryan, Sanatana has helped him have a different outlook on children who don’t have a place to call home.
www.aacp.org
A new direction in life
Sophomore Santana Boswell is grateful to her adoptive parents for giving her a home. “I think it is a good thing that my parents chose adoption over having another child. I’m very happy to have Santana as my sister,” Ryan said. Although she’s had to overcome obstacles, Santana is grateful to her family. “Overall, my adoption was what saved me from being in the adoption center my whole life. If it wasn’t for the Boswells, I don’t know where I would be,” she said.
Over 500,000 children in the U.S are currently in foster care. Over the past ten years, the number of children entering foster care have increased, but foster parents have decreased.
www.aacp.org
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Senior Emily Montano wants to be a social worker after living in foster care. by Anthony Leong
She arrives at her second foster home, ready to move in with all of her belongings. Senior Emily Montaño is surprised to discover her mother is waiting at the house, ready to take her back home. After being abused by a family member, Montaño’s mother moved her in with a foster family to end the abuse. Montaño felt that living in a foster home was a difficult adjustment, as she was forced to find a different place in her new family. “I felt different [with the foster family] because before I was in foster care, I was spoiled and the center of attention,” Montaño said. “I wasn’t with [the foster family].” In foster care, Montaño had a turbulent situation. While she was in the first foster home, she was told that she would be leaving that home in ten days to live with a different family. “At first I said I’d do anything to stay,” she said. “But I found out it was a better place, a nicer home, and I’d have my own room.” But as she arrived at this newer, bigger house, something unexpected happened. “I had just moved all of my stuff and arrived at the new home when my mom picked me up to take me home,” she said. After that, Montaño’s six-month foster home endeavor was over and she was back to living with her biological family. Many who have had such an experience
photo courtesy of Emily Montano
A new perspective. Montano with her dad. Her experience moving around multiple foster homes have changed who she is.
might be nervous about telling such a personal story - Montaño is not. “I’m open about it because it’s not something I look down upon,” she said. For Montaño, her tale is no sob story. Montaño’s experience has given her a direction in life. She wants to be a social worker. “I remember when I went [to foster care] I was really close to the social worker and didn’t want to let her go,” Montaño said. “I saw the bond you can form with a social worker. I want to have that.” Using her experience, Montaño has improved herself and formed aspirations. “This will sound cliché, but it changed me. It made me who I am,” she said. “I want to be a social worker to help kids who go through the same thing as me.”
he hours ticked by and when her mother came home, sophomore Rhonda* awoke to see her mother stumbling into her room drunk and angry. The two began arguing over something small and it gradually escalated, catching the attention of their neighbors. As the tension between them increased a familiar fear fell over her and Rhonda covered her face and pushed her mother off her bed. “She sat on my bed and looked at me hatefully and I knew something was about to happen. She hit me in the face but it was covered and when she left the room I was crying,” Rhonda said. Sitting in her room, she heard her mother on the phone talking to a friend blaming her daughter for things that had gone wrong. “I came out of the room crying saying, ‘Give me the phone, I want to tell what really happened, I don’t want to lie anymore,’” Rhonda said. In frustration, Rhonda left the house. Having been listening to the fight, a neighbor took Rhonda inside their home and called 911. When the police arrived, Rhonda gave them her mother’s “bar chips” which proved that her mother had been drinking. Because Rhonda’s mother, Amy*, already had a Department of Children and Family Services [DCFS] case going and had a warrant due to unserved community service, she was arrested. With her father out of her life, Rhonda was left to stay the night at a friend’s house. “I went to school the next day and got pulled out of class by my social worker and they told me I was moving to a foster home in Downey. I begged and pleaded and was ready to just run and not come back but I didn’t. We went back to my apartment and packed my bags,” Rhonda said. During her stay with her foster family in Downey, Rhonda was expected to walk two miles to school everyday, complete a list of several chores without allowance, and was denied access to her phone and computer. “I don’t like Downey at all. It was horrible. The family was very odd, and they made me eat food I didn’t like or I would starve. If I wanted something I’d have to buy it myself,” Rhonda said. Shortly after, her neighbor was designated to be her new foster parents. But when plans fell through, Rhonda was transferred to another family friend, Liz*, in Hermosa Beach. “Liz was pregnant with a baby girl at the time so she had constant mood swings. I lived with her for about a year and a half before she didn’t want me anymore because she couldn’t handle me,” Rhonda said. When Liz and Rhonda’s fight escalated, Rhonda’s stay with the family ended. “I was vacuuming my room and talking to
myself saying how much I hated it and she was standing there behind me and I turned around and saw her. She pushed me into the wall and yelled at me and she left the room. I went after her and said, ‘I don’t need this...I would get her kids taken away if she ever put her hands on me again’ and she pushed me into the wall and I started packing my things because I was done,” Rhonda said. “That day of the fight she called DCFS saying she couldn’t handle me and wanted me to move as soon as possible.” Although Liz and Rhonda are now on good terms, after being placed and taken out of mulitple homes, Rhonda lost her ability to trust and built walls around herself. But when she came into the home of Melissa*, everything changed. “In the beginning, it was not fun. She was a brat and she wasn’t willing to compromise on anything. She wanted everything her way and wasn’t willing to work with me, but slowly, I started to break through the shell around her and now she’s my baby. I love her to death. She ended up being a great kid,” Melissa said. Slowly, Rhonda respect for Melissa as well. “Although it was rough at first and I gave her crap, I learned to trust her and she was supportive of everything I did. She made sure I had good grades and I had a lot of good friends,” Rhonda said. But after four months, Rhonda’s real mother, Amy, was granted custody of Rhonda. As of Jan. 7, 2010, her mother regained full custody, and they were able to tighten their once loosened bond. “My mom got me back after she got out of jail by going to rehab, doing community service and proving that I would be in a stable home and environment and proving that she was no longer drinking or doing drugs,” Rhonda said. Despite forming a close bond with Rhonda, -Rhonda* Melissa was able to let her go with a smile. Today, her bond with Rhonda remains as strong as ever. “I was happy because I know that she wanted to go back home with her mom and I was proud of the accomplishments her mother had achieved,” Melissa said. “She’s my baby, we talk every day, I can’t get rid of her.” Bouncing from one home to the next, Rhonda has had to grow up quickly. But today, she is happy with where she is and sees herself improving from the struggles she’s had to overcome. “I do have some anger issues sometimes but they have gotten a lot better since middle school. I am working on them,” Rhonda said. “[Now,] I could not imagine life without being a Sea Hawk. I have amazing friends, I love my classes and my teachers. I’m in the school play. We have become a family. I know that everyone in the drama department will always be there for me, including the teacher.”
“She sat on my bed and looked at me hatefully and I knew something was about to happen. She hit me in the face but it was covered and when she left the room I was crying”
*names have been changed
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STRONGER
by Allison Salazar
She woke up excited for her first day of school, but her excitement was overcome by embarrassment. She reached for her favorite hair tie, forgetting that nearly all of her hair was gone. At only five-years-old Destiny Abeyta was fighting for her life against liver cancer. “Having cancer made me grow thicker skin because I started first grade being bald, and some kids did pick on me,” Abeyta, senior, said. “I just wanted to be a happy normal kid.” Abeyta had to undergo surgery and went through chemotherapy for a year. Some of the side effects she experienced were hair loss, fatigue, vomiting, and a weakened immune system. “At the time I was one of two kids in the history of the UCLA hospital that were diagnosed [with liver cancer] and the [doctors] couldn’t find a reason why,” she said. With the support of her family, Abeyta overcame the cancer but the disease created tension between her grandmother and mother, Lisa LeDoux. “I was afraid of how this would impact her future and what she would have to go
than ever before Senior Destiny Abeyta pursues a career in medicine after fighting liver cancer at the age of five.
through,” LeDoux said. Despite the tension and struggles Abeyta and her family went through, the disease strengthened the relationship. “My mother and grandmother were both very involved in taking care of me and since they had different ways of doing so, it created some tension,” she said. “In the long run it brought us all closer together and our relationship was like any other family’s would have been.” The nurses and doctors that assisted her also played a significant role in her recovery. Having them reassure her and lift her spirits inspired her to pursue a career as a registered nurse. “I decided I wanted to take this career path because I remember the nurses and doctors making me feel like I was going to be OK,” she said. “I would be honored to make a patient and their family feel the way I felt.” For Abeyta, having the support of her family encouraged her to keep fighting the cancer. With their support she focused on having a positive mentality and she believes that it is one of the most important things a cancer patient must focus on. “It’s easier said than done, but happiness is the best medi-
“I would be honored to make a patient and their family feel the way I felt.”
cine in my book. I believe surrounding yourself with family will make it easier for everyone because families feel for each other and will provide support,” she said. All that remains now is a wishbone shaped scar on her stomach and an appreciation for life. “When people see [the scar] and ask what happened, they feel bad when I say cancer. I was a sick little girl so it makes sense, but I don’t want anyone to feel bad,” she said. “It made me who I am today and I’m proud of that.” As a survivor, Abeyta appreciates and values her body so she takes care of it as much as possible. Her outlook on life is different than some of her peers but she celebrates her health and enjoys her life. “I do not judge students who drink. I don’t do it myself but I can’t tell them what is wrong. I take care of my liver so drinking isn’t an option for me, but it’s something I can easily and happily live without. My friends and I play juice pong, it’s funny and I appreciate it,” she said. Having liver cancer did not diminish Abeyta’s spirit; it has made her a confident and outspoken person. “Cancer was a major struggle in my life but it helped me develop a strong personality and confidence in myself. I think everything happens for a reason and I can’t imagine seeing my life in any other way,” she said.
—Destiny Abeyta
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Well done. The new school grill offers a refreshing, new alternative to the traditional school lunch. byTaylor Ballard
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In line. Wait in line at the cafeteria, where you would to buy any other school lunch. Ask for a hamburger tray. When you pay, you will recieve a red ticket stub.
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Packed with flavor and nutritional value, the hamburgers and hot dogs served at the school grill in front of the cafeteria are a great addition to the school’s lunch menu. The hamburgers are surprisingly good, not dry in the slightest and completely worth the $3.75. It is a great alternative to a packed lunch and is a great replacement for a lunch forgotten on the counter at home. The burger blows a McDonalds “Big N Tasty” out of the water, not only in taste but also in nutrients. While McDonalds may be a nice treat once in a while their sandwiches can be packed with up to 800 calories, leaving you in need of an afternoon nap or regretting your lunch choice. A school hamburger is definitely the better alternative. The grill in front of the cafeteria also offers a refreshing environment. With the large grill shelling out the tasty burgers and smoke circling the air, you might even begin to feel as if you are at an actual barbecue. Even a walk by the grill might be enough to leave you craving a hamburger. However, if you are not in the mood for a hamburger you can try ordering a hot dog or a veggie burger. Freshly grilled hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs are
not the options normally expected while mulling over what to eat from the cafeteria, but they are definitely welcomed additions. The variety balances the menu and adds to a long list of lunch items, offering more variety. After eating the hamburger you will feel full, but not gluttonous. It is an appropriate portion of food for a lunch. Another plus is that you can choose your own toppings. The burger comes with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles, all in a convenient little cup. Ketchup and mustard packets are also available in the cafeteria. You can even request the cook to grill the patty or hot dog for a longer or shorter period of time, depending on your preference. While you are in the cafeteria make sure not to forget to grab your choice of sides. Choose from a baked potato or fries. If you want something healthier less filling, try some fresh fruit. The only real prominent issue is the wait, but it is a mere price to pay for the fresh, filling food. The school grill is a great effort to add variety to the school menu. So, the next time you forget your lunch on the kitchen counter or just want to try something new, consider forgoing the “Pick up Stix” and try the grill for yourself.
Order up. Go to the front of the cafeteria and give the cook your ticket stub. Wait a couple minutes and the cook will give you your patty or hotdog.
To top it off. After you have your food, add the toppings to your liking. Lettuce, tomatoe, pickles, mustard and ketchup are available. Then, enjoy your meal.
the [NUTRITION] facts Hamburger Calories 230 Total fat 18 g Cholesterol 65 mg
Calories from fat 160 28% 22%
Turkey Frank Calories 100 Total fat 7 g Cholesterol 40 mg
Calories from fat 60 11% 14%
Veggie Burger Calories 160 Total fat 3 g Cholesterol 0 mg
Calories from fat 25 5% 0%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition facts do not include bun and other condiments.
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Feb. 11th, 2011
SILENCE BROKEN. The pain is not only physical, and lasts long after the wounds heal. After spending years in a toxic environment, mistreated and sexually abused by the father who raised her, Jenny* blamed herself for his inhumane actions. “I know it’s partially my fault. I could have told someone sooner,” she said. Anybody could be among the abused. A classmate, an acquaintance, a close friend. Their ranks are many –– not separated by wealth, quality of life, or age. They bear their scars now so others can avoid having the same regrets, so others can break the chains of abuse before they are affected forever. ——— At this point, he looked at his mother and wondered why she would not leave. Bruised, physically broken, mentally broken, and tired, he watched her endure the pain from his stepfather and later suffer the same blows. It was a weekly routine. And, in his mind, there was nothing he could do to stop it. Counselor Arond Schonberg never had a “healthy” childhood. He grew up in Germany and during his infancy was raised by a full time nanny. At the age of three, when his mother returned to relieve the nanny, she introduced Schonberg to her new husband, Eddie. “When I first met Eddie, I thought he was really nice, funny, and charismatic,” Schonberg said. Any semblance of trust he had in Eddie soon disappeared because behind Eddie’s friendly exterior existed a dark, cruel abuser. “I remember one day, I was at home by myself and all of a sudden my mom came home from work shaking and crying. She took a chair and shoved it against the door and [started] saying ‘He’s coming, he’s coming,’” Schonberg said. He could hear Eddie coming up the stairs. Eddie busted the door down and Schonberg watched in horror as his mother received punishment for whatever “crime” she had committed. “He broke her cheek bone, [her] eyes were swollen ... She would scream for help, but I was scared,” Schonberg said. Schonberg never knew why Eddie would come home drunk or angry with him and his mother. He did not know why someone who was supposed to love and take care of his mother would want to beat her or her child. The punching and thrashing continued without any answers. “[I was] scared and terrified to a point where I didn’t know if my mom was going to live. I would lock myself in the bathroom or hide under my bed and go all the way against the wall so he couldn’t reach me. I would be thinking, ‘Is he going to come after me next?’” Schonberg said. For years, his mother went back and forth leaving and returning to her husband; always with the same explanation, “He’s changed.” Because he could not express himself to his mother he had no one else to talk to. With hardly any friends and no known family to cope with, he had to deal with keeping everything inside. “Socially, I was a mess. I was such a neurotic kid ... I would cry all the time. The baby sitter would have to split the room between me and the other kids because I was so sensitive,” Schonberg said. But as he got older, his sensitivity transformed into aggression. His anger and sadness intensified and he soon developed a violent persona. He started looking to pick fights and start trouble. And at one point, he even joined a gang. His violent actions were a result of the pain and suffering he endured as a child. “You feel hopeless, I didn’t realize that my self-esteem was robbed from me as a kid,” Schonberg said.
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——— Just like Schonberg’s upbringing excluded him from functioning normally, the twisted nature of their upbringing can cause feelings of confusion and isolation. Sometimes, even realizing there is a problem is difficult. Children raised in abusive environments may think that this behavior is normal and natural (kidshealth.org), or may not be entirely sure what a ‘normal’ household is. “I wasn’t positive, but I didn’t think it was like that for everyone because in movies that I’ve watched it was never like that,” Jenny said. “It wasn’t until my teens when my friend assured me that what was going on ‘wasn’t right.’” The most shocking development of abuse, however, is the idea that the abused somehow brought this situation upon themselves, that they are not the victim of torment, but rather the cause of it. This happens often and can be the result of fear or parent conditioning, according to Colleen Sass, outreach coordinator of the Redondo Beach Community Helpline. “Abusers typically try to justify their actions by saying things like ‘If only you hadn’t’ or ‘You’re making me do this,’” Sass said.
“I know it’s partially my fault. I could have told someone earlier.” This kind of psychological torment addles the mind, and it can take months of therapy to convince the abused otherwise, according to Sass. ——— The wounds of abuse, both physical and mental, run deep, and can last for generations if allowed to fester. Over 80 percent of adults that were abused as children develop psychological disorders. In addition, around 30 percent of those abused go on to abuse their own children, creating a vicious circle of hatred and violence (childhelp.org). “Many abusers were abused themselves as kids,” Colleen Sass said. “This all they know. They don’t how to break the cycle.” The road toward healing is long and difficult. Those stuck in the mires of abuse can rarely help themselves: one person can only do so much. Victims often take the first steps toward healing by finding refuge in the help of others. By speaking to others about their abuse, victims begin a process of recovery with the hopes of finally ending their pain and sparing their children the same fate. ——— A ray of light appeared to Schonberg in seventh grade when a coach at his school introduced him to sports. He joined wrestling and it became his favorite sport, an activity that allowed him to unleash his anger efficiently. Wrestling transformed his life. The sport gave him a positive outlet for his anger and his coach became his mentor and role model. Schonberg, now the wrestling coach, last saw his abuser, Eddie, was when he was 19-years-old. Although Schonberg did not tell anyone about his hardships at home, he urges those who are abused to speak up. Schonberg attributes his turnaround to finding a positive outlet that benefited him and helped him release his emotions. “We have to step back and adjust our approach and get ready for the next obstacle. This courage to face our fears will prepare you for that journey we ultimately take by ourselves. Just like when you step onto the wrestling mat it’s you and your opponent. Wherein; the opponent is a symbolic expression of your struggles that you have to ultimately face on your own,” Schonberg said. “That experience is what
builds character and courage to continue living.” ——— Although Schonberg has now overcome his adversity, he made a common mistake during his teenage years: remaining silent. Many people who suffer from abuse are hesitant to speak up, according to Schonberg. “You don’t want people to think less of you. We become actors. We think that no one can help us, so why bother? I felt like I was alone. There’s no one there to comfort you [so] I was always in survival mode where I felt I had to constantly say the right thing and do the right thing,” Schonberg said. According to Sass students are resistant to getting help for various reasons, including fear of retaliation and concern for younger siblings and relatives who could be affected by their decisions. “They want to [get help], but that isn’t enough to make the change,” Sass said. “They have to feel that they are safe before they can reach out.” While victims can live and function in society, they are “alone” in the sense that their upbringing was not like their most of their peers. “This situation is all they know,” Sass said. “Outside of that, it’s a very scary place.” ——— School psychologist Kelly Six hopes students who are being abused, or just want to talk, can find refuge with her department or with their counselors. “[Students] can come to a psychologist or counselor,” she said. “But a lot of students don’t know we exist.” Six’s best advise for students is to “find a trusted adult” they can confide in. “Go to a trusted adult on campus or at home. If they feel they are in danger, whether it be home, school, or whatever, they should talk to an adult,” she said. Students who are abused may not be open about it, but if a friend has any concerns, doors are always open. According to Six, signs of abuse at home may be very similar to signs of depression. A red flag would be abnormal or strange behavior. “The first step if [the student] feels comfortable is to talk to their friend about how they’re feeling,” she said. In cases of emergency, Six recommends hot lines students can call anytime. The Redondo Beach Community helpline (310-793-9049) is available for free and volunteers working there are trained to help in any situation. The Los Angeles County Child Protection Hotline (800-540-4000) aims to ensure child safety and protection and works to report cases of abuse to the Department of Children and Family Services. Talks with counselors, psychologists, hotlines, or any mental health professionals are all confidential, unless abuse is involved. When a student reports being abused, or is worried about a friend, the authorities need to be alerted within 24 hours. “We legally have to report abuse,” Six said. “But not only do we legally [have to], I ethically want to. I want to keep those people safe.” ——— However difficult the struggle may be –– the tears, the physical pain, the sleepless nights –– know that the cycle of abuse can be broken. Ignorance is not bliss, and late is always better than never: remaining silent will only deepen the wounds and make recovery that much more difficult. If you, or someone you know, suffers from abuse or neglect, get help as soon as possible. You are not alone, you have been wronged, and the avenues to a happy life are stretching out before you. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.