High Tide: March 23, 2012 by High Tide

HIGH

TIDE Redondo Beach, CA // Redondo Union High School March 23, 2012 // Vol. XCII // Edition 11

hightideonline.org

DEFEATING

STEREOTYPES

People like to classify skaters as punks with tattoos, drug addicts, vandals, and delinquents. Skaters, however, range from little kids learning the basics to action sport enthusiasts. [continued on pg. 10-11]

p6-7 //

Students share the diversity of their living situations.

p14-15 //

The most authentic foods in the south bay are reviewed.

p18-19

PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

Boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; vvarsity volleyball beat West Thursday.

NEWS // MARCH 23, 2012

The

week in

Adminstrators, teachers push for increased online education

photos.

by Mannal Haddad

Graffiti. PHOTO BY ANDREW HAZELTINE

Typographical Terrorism. The campus was vandalized on the night of Sunday, March 11. When students came to school the following morning, they discovered Bansky-inspired graffiti thoughout the school. According to Principal Nicole Wesley, the vandalism will not be tolerated. The images were quickly covered up and Wesley hopes that the student body will feel frustrated and angry and step up to identify those responsible.

Spring Rally. PHOTOS BY ALISA IDE

Boys vs. Girls. Senior Eric Brown performs at the boys versus girls rally last Thursday. According to Brown, the final all school rally was “really fun and a fun way to show school spirit.” Brown values the opportunity to perform in front of the entire student body, especially as a cheerleader, which, according to Brown, is “something that guys don’t usually do.” The rally also feature a performance by the salsa team, b-boy club, and a preview of the spring musical “How to Suceed in Business Without Really Trying.”

Online education could be coming to Redondo as early as next year, depending on when teachers at Redondo start creating the courses. Administration and teachers are currently deciding which platform to use. As soon as that is decided, teachers can begin planning and enacting the new online courses. Chemistry teacher Braidy Halverson is among the teachers who support online education, although he believes it shouldn’t be rushed. “We need to take it slow and put in a lot of energy to make sure students succeed,” Halverson said. Principal Nicole Wesley has high hopes for the success of the program, and hopes to see one or two “pilot” classes next year to test out the program. “I know we are going to be successful. It’s just a matter of making sure that we work out the kinks,” Wesley said. Although the courses would be available to any interested students, she believes that online courses aren’t necessarily the right fit for everyone. “I think [online courses] are harder,” Wesley said. “Students have to have the self-motivation to commit to going on and doing the required work without someone reminding them, and have to be tenacious enough to not give up if there’s a problem or if they don’t know something.” Online courses will be available in the summer for credit recovery, although students who believe the online courses would be easier are in for a surprise. Aside from lacking the structure that comes with an in-class course, the online and in-class curriculum will be the same in order to ensure a smooth transition back to regular classes. “The class itself isn’t any different. The requirements and requisites are the same,” Wesley said. “We’re not creating a new course. It’s the same course taught through a different medium.” Halverson believes “hybrid classes” could help bring online education and regular education together by acting as an

Musical.

Teacher’s

“ In certain circumstances, it’d be very nice to have

Takes PHOTOS BY JENNY OETZELL

The Music Woman. Senior Alessandra Ragusa begins Act Two with the “How to Succeed (reprise)”. The rest of the girls look on as they learn how to “hook a tycoon” and “take him for all he’s worth”.The musical runs tonight at 7 pm and tomorrow with a matinee at 2pm, tickets are $10 pre-sale and $15 at the door. “I really enjoy playing my character, she’s quirky, sarcastic and fun. This cast is fantastic and I’m very proud to be a part of this show.” Ragusa said.

aid to regular instruction. “It lets students to go at their own pace,” Halverson said. “It opens up the opportunity to take more electives, and gives them more flexibility to design their ideal high school course load.” Hybrid classes look like a zero period. Students would meet on a consistent basis to do labs, take tests, and have discussions but the rest of the material would be presented online. “The UCs made it clear that you can’t have online courses for a lab science without the lab component. So that’s where a hybrid-type course comes into play,” Wesley said. The courses would mainly target sophomores and juniors, as those are the grades with the most impacted schedules. “Come tenth grade, you have your four cores, PE, and a language, so if you’re interested in anything beyond that, you can’t take that class,” Wesley said. “Online courses can alleviate these grueling decisions, benefiting our students.” Wesley believes the biggest difference between online courses and ones in a traditional classroom setting is the lack of face-to-face discussion. Students would instead interact via online discussions. “It’s definitely different in the sense that you’re not getting the same social interaction and conversations. Some people thrive off that, but it’s just a different type of conversation. It’s online,” Wesley said. Online education would also help provide a change of pace for students who don’t function well in a classroom setting and it would give motivated students a chance to excel. “I don’t believe everyone learns the same way. It’s a different medium, online rather than in a regular classroom,” Wesley said. With students today being more tech savvy, Wesley feels that not bringing technology into the curriculum would do the students a disservice. “Online courses are the way of the future,” Wesley said. “Things are just moving in this direction. This is how people are communicating these days.”

students have the opportunity to pass a class. However, I think the best learning takes place with the interaction between teachers and students. ” –Tim Ammentorp

“ I’m still on the fence about online education, but I want to learn more about it because I’m not sure about it just yet. ” –Norma Molina

NEWS // MARCH 23,

2011 yearbook wins first ever CSPA Gold Crown award by Aly Peet Lukes

The 2010-2011 edition of The Pilot yearbook “Not Just Another” was awarded with the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Gold Crown award. According to current co-editor in chief Lisa Inoue, the award is the highest honor given by the CSPA to a student publication. “Because The Pilot is a completely student-run publication, winning the Gold Crown proves how talented each student on staff is,” Inoue said. “Both the newspaper and yearbook have won the Gold Crown now, so we have proven ourselves as one of the best publications programs in the nation.” This is the first Gold Crown award for the Pilot, but the Pilot has won many other “prestigious” awards, such as the Pacemaker award for the 2009-2010 book, according to Inoue. “People don’t realize how prestigious of an award the Gold Crown is so to say that we have won multiple [awards] is some-

thing that the staff should be proud of,” she said. Inoue believes that the 2010-2011 book was successful due to its leadership from former Editors-in-Chief Brandon Pritzkat, Bonnie Mata-Matthews, and Jake Collins. “[Each editor-in-chief ] balanced each other out so well with their specific skills, Brandon was really good at design, and Bonnie was really good at writing, and Jake was an amazing photographer. They were a power team,” she said. Inoue also credits the book’s success to innovative design. “[‘Not Just Another’] was different from other yearbooks because we really tried to follow a magazine style yearbook and have very dramatic photos. It had a very ‘in your face’ style of design that was hard to forget,” she said. Current Co-Editor-in-chief Kamryn Claridge was impressed with the hype the 2010-2011 book created. “Going to camps this summer, everyone wanted to see our book. Receiving com-

pliments from advisers of award-winning yearbooks across the state was when I really realized how much of an impact we had made. I’m excited to try and blow them away again this year,” Claridge said. Claridge also admires the talent that Mata-Matthews, Pritzkat, and Collins brought to the staff. “Last year’s book serves as an inspiration not only for our staff but for staffs around the nation. Brandon, Bonnie, and Jake revolutionized yearbook design. We feel pressure to live up to the reputation they earned last year,” she said. The immense success the 2010-2011 book received has encouraged Inoue and Claridge to push their own creative boundaries when creating the 2011-2012 book. “Last year was a really big change in our style of the book and so it was really hard for us this year to break away from that style and do our own,” she said. “But the talent our staff has showed thus far is very encouraging. We are confident that our book will be very well received.”

According to Pritzkat, the title of the book, “Not Just Another,” served its justice. “The staff and I really tried to do something last year that was different and the design that we chose to go with was something new and unusual to the yearbook world,” he said. “Bonnie and I wanted to take the design of the yearbook to a place that we had been too timid to go to before. We wanted something bold and clean.” Overall, Pritzkat credits the books success to the tremendous effort made by the whole staff. “I am extremely proud of the staff. Every single person was an integral part in creating ‘Not Just Another.’ We did it as a team, it was a book produced by everyone on staff last year. That collective, creative goal to made the book truly feel like ‘Not Just Another’ was exciting to all of us, and no person was more important to the process. Artistically, it was was a long journey and goal we had as a team.We couldn’t have done it without our staff’s trust” he said.

Middle Eastern club plans to sell bracelets to bring awareness by Shavaani Gandhi

An elderly woman dressed in patched rags squats in front of a hundred-year-old stone building, trying to stay out of the scorching sun; she has no home to shelter her. She is not the only one — hundreds of people suffer from poverty throughout the Middle East. Junior Moiz Ansari, president of the Middle Eastern club, is dedicated to helping these impoverished people and countries. “We want more people to be aware of the poverty in these countries, because their situations are pretty bad,” Ansari said. Although Ansari has not witnessed the poverty firsthand, vice president Hana Ghanim went to Jordan and Palestine last summer. “It made me feel terrible because I know not everyone has had the opportunities my family has had,” Ghanim said. “They don’t have any standing social welfare programs, and even if they do, they

aren’t particularly effective.” Ghanim saw the “horrible” conditions of the poor and was inspired to make a difference. “In the Middle East, people are really big on help thy neighbor policies, and I have witnessed people opening their homes to strangers who have nowhere to go. It’s heart-warming and eye-opening at the same time,” she said. In addition to exposing the poverty, the club wants to promote under-represented Middle Eastern culture throughout the campus and the community. “The club helps Middle Eastern countries get back on their feet and support the families and kids that need it,” Junior Vitoria Magno said. “It’s a great cause and I’m always up for supporting great causes.” They plan on selling green bracelets that say “Peace in the Middle East” in white writing for $1 each. “We’re not completely certain if it will be a success,” Ansari said. “But we do

What’s your

Type

The blood drive will be held on May 22 at the small gym. According to senior Tess Wainwright, the blood drive is an easy way to help out. She urges students over the age of seventeen to donate a pint to save three lives. “All of us are busy outside of school and for most of us making time to donate blood is not ever on our to do list” Wainwright said.

hope that this fundraiser will follow in the footsteps of past fundraisers for other countries and help reduce the level of poverty.” Magno is hopeful about the fundraiser and cannot wait to start selling the bracelets. “Hopefully people around campus will learn more about the cause we are supporting, the club, and see that there are other countries out there that need our help,” she said. Sophomore Alina Aamir, a member of the club, likes that they are contributing to the global community and helping people on the other side of the world. “I think the club is awesome because it reaches out to different places and really has an impact,” Aamir said. “I hope that with help and support [these countries] grow and prosper.” Club advisor Geoffrey Watts agrees that Middle Eastern Club is doing a good job of spreading knowledge about different cultures on campus.

“It allows people to have a better idea of where [people from other cultures] are coming from because racial profiling is a big issue,” Watts said. “It’s great that they’re helping countries in need.” Despite the fact that only five to seven members show up each week, Ansari feels that the club is productive and efficient. “It can be stressful not getting many ideas or much feedback on the ideas that I present,” Ansari said. “However, almost all of the people that usually come are committed and always help out when needed.” All proceeds will be distributed evenly between Palestine, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Even though Ansari is unsure of how much money they will make, he believes that it does not matter where as long as he is making a difference. “We want to raise money, obviously, but we also want people to be more openminded about [these countries] rather than believe in the typical terrorist stereotypes,” he said.

Orozco wins Coca-Cola

Out of 84,000 applicants nationwide, senior Jovan Orozco was chosen to be one of the 250 scholarship students to receive the Coca-Cola by Alejandro Quevado Scholarship. “It has given me more confidence, because, from what I’ve heard, I’m the first person to get this scholarship at this school in a long time,” Orozco said. This scholarship guarantees him perks such as $10,000, which he has a chance in April to double through an interview in Atlanta.

OPINION // MARCH 23, 2012

SMOKE FREE ZONE Everyone has their vices. Some gamble, some engage in risky sports, some are promiscuous, and some smoke. By definition, however, vices do not have by Anthony Leong an impact upon others. Provided a man’s cocktail does not compel him to start a fight or operate a vehicle, I think he should be allowed to drink as many as he wants. Smoking is a little different, and the city of Hermosa Beach evidently agrees as they have just instituted a ban on smoking on its pier, public parks, outdoor dining areas, and the central commercial area above the pier. I am certain some other Californian teens have had an experience similar to mine in traveling to other states or countries. I’d go inside a building and it would seem as if the building must be burning, but the smell is of tobacco, not wood. Having this experience in Arizona as a child was valuable, albeit unpleasant. It reminded me that Los Angeles isn’t the world, and that although I had grown up in smokefree buildings, most kids didn’t. The damage caused by secondhand smoke exposure is a matter of scientific consensus, according to multiple sources (http://www. tobacco.neu.edu). Many of the risks associated with smoking tobacco are, not surprisingly, associated with inhaling the smoke exhaled by smokers. Increased risk of cancer, heart disease, lung problems, other circulatory issues–all are associated with secondhand smoke exposure. In any case, as real a threat as secondhand smoke may pose, I don’t see the health aspect as the true issue so much as the social aspect. The fact can’t be avoided: smoke is invasive. Alcohol remains in the glass and the slot machine stays put, but smoke goes everywhere. To observe a striking difference, compare any bar setting to a concert. At worst a bar smells of alcohol, but the worst at a concert is essentially standing in a cloud of smoke. More than being unhealthy for others,

particularly outdoors, it is irritating to others. People should be allowed to engage in their vices when and if they choose–but the key aspect that makes a thing a vice and not a crime is that the harm is solely selfinflicted. The fact is this: there are plenty of places to smoke outside of the presence of those who don’t want to deal with it. Sure, you can’t smoke on the pier or outside of restaurants, but do you really want to? I would feel like I was disturbing people, and considering that one smoker has the potential to irritate a whole crowd, it seems there is a disproportionate amount of pleasure and displeasure created by the situation. Please, keep your vices vices and smoke at home.

GONE

UP IN

SMOKE

Hermosa Beach is banning smoking on its pier, public parks, outdoor dining areas and the Pier Plaza. The new anti-smoking ordinance in Hermosa Beach carries fines from $100 to $500, and the city can issue criminal misdemeanor complaints after the third ticket. according to latimes.com

The Facts Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.

Smokers die significantly earlier than nonsmokers: 13.2 years for men and 14.5 years for women. About 8.6 million people in the U.S. have at least one serious illness caused by smoking.

PHOTO BY CAMILLE DUONG

The Strand. Posters similar to this one

hang around the pier alerting beach-goers of their new city ordinance. Parks and outdoor dining areas, as well as the pier, are all nonsmoking areas.

according to http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking

AROUND REDONDO

Do you mind when people smoke around you in a public place?

TYLER LIANG, 10

THOMAS STEVENS, 12

“Yeah it doesn’t seem right to me. It smells badly.”

TORI GUERRERL, 11 “There should be a certain area where they can go to smoke.”

“It bothers me that someone else’s smoke could affect my health.”

HAYES HONEA, 9 “It’s gross. It invades the personal space of people who don’t smoke.”

EMIL SHALLON, 11 “I don’t smoke, but I don’t really think it is an issue.”

OPINION // MARCH 23, 2012

SHOUTING FOR A

CHANGE

The same chant is repeated over and over. Louder than the announcements or music played at the rally. One, two, three times as it by Dan Furmansky rises in intensity. The teacher speaking into the microphone is drowned out by three words: “Let him go.” The truth is, this school doesn’t lack spirit, what it lacks is guidance. It has the heart but it’s heading in the wrong direction. The student body is quick to support misbehavior because it is amusing and because it riles them up. Why can’t the rallies or other school events be just as entertaining? The school is so worried about being politically correct and following strict guidelines that kids feel the need to act out in order to get some real entertainment. ASB has a hard enough time trying to entertain one of the biggest schools in the

country as it is, so imposing tough rules and regulations on their events creates a whole new set of problems. How do you entertain teens with simple, homely skits and activities that might have amused us in middle school? The creativity is there. All sorts of brilliant ideas must be thrown around in that ASB classroom only to get the ax from administra-

tion or paranoid teachers. Nothing great is born out of fear. Fear limits the creative process and makes people too scared to speak out or share their ideas. It is easy to avoid a mob mentality at school if only the iron curtain between students and staff was drawn back a little, or at least made out of a more pliable material. Who would cause a disturbance if they were so entertained by what was going on in front of them? How can you talk to the people next to you if you’re too busy laughing at what’s going on in the rally? As it stands now, the best parts of the rally are the performances by salsa, cheer, and the hip-hop dance groups at the school. This isn’t because these kids are more talented or they put more effort into their performance, it’s because they’re free. The audience sees these kids dancing with-

out any strict limitations, just pure expression, and we can’t help but love every second of it. The moves may be a bit risqué but no one leaves offended or shocked by what they just saw. There’s plenty of mind-numbing corruption, senseless violence, and sex on TV every night that whatever happens at school will always pale in comparison. Administration needs to realize that taking risks with the rallies is not as terrifying as they think it might be. At least not as terrifying as the alternative. We all know that crowd surfing on the bleachers is much more dangerous than creative freedom at rallies. We have the potential for incredible school spirit. This school can handle the privilege of being trusted to behave at school functions. The lack of faith from administration makes kids act out in order to prove them right but if administration trusted us from the start no one would feel the need to prove them wrong. Holding us by the neck and implementing more rules and regulations will only cause unrest. No one rebels under benevolent rule.

HIGH TIDE

STAFF

All riled up. Students at the Boys vs. Girls Rally got out of hand cheering for a crowd surfer. The staff shut the rally down early after the commotion.

Online education does not replace real teaching Our generation has had to deal with changing technology more than any previous generation. What is current one day is obsolete the by Andrew Czuzak next. But should Redondo really change one of the foundations of its educational system? There is no doubting that online education promotes working at your own pace and reducing teaching costs, but at what cost? Being able to set one’s own pace is both a blessing and a curse. There are students who find being able do it on their own time is very convenient. Alec Makowski, junior, said, “[Online education] was a really easy way for me to finish the class because I could do as much or as little as I wanted in a day. When I had other responsibilities, I could wait until later to do this.” A few students will use this pacing properly and go as fast or as slow as they need, setting their own pace so they may properly learn the material. However, those who lack the selfdiscipline to do their homework on a regularbasis will fall into a vicious cycle of procrastination and all-night homework sessions. In addition, instituting online education

will lower the expenditures for Redondo Union. By replacing teachers with cheaper online classes, they would be able to save thousands. But saving thousands of dollar should come second to a student’s academics at Redondo. The stories, teaching techniques, and gimmicks to remember things are things that teachers excel at. Some teachers and students have a bond that will last many years after they graduate high school. Online education will never allow this. Furthermore, online education requires students to be tech-savvy. By now most of the population should knows how to word process and do other basic tasks, but in reality many people are incompetent once they get to the steps that require new programs and abilities on your. Online education should not be a test if whether one knows how to use a computer, but rather a true barometer of one’s skill. Additionally, online education does not force students to discuss with other students answers. Our generation needs more practice speaking and actively participating in our education. Online education does not provide long term learning. Joe Catsavas, junior, said, “I don’t really remember the health course I took online. It probably would have been better if I

had taken the real class.” Taking classes online education does not provide the same experience and teaching that real high school does.

ONLINE OR

OFF THEIR ROCKER? AMANDA JOHNSON, 12 “It is helpful because you don’t have to waste your time sitting in class and you are able to look back at the material instead of asking the teacher.”

KRIS MARTIN, 12 “It gave me the liberty to work on my own time and I didn’t have to do it at the high school.”

Editor-in-Chief: Alison Peet-Lukes Managing Editors: Madeline Perrault; Meglyn Huber News Editor: Daniel Garzon Features Editors: Taylor Ballard; Kimberly Chapman; Anacristina Gonzalez; Bethany Kawa; Tricia Light; Jeremy Porr; Emma Uriarte Sports Editors: Tatiana Celentano; Julie Tran; Zach Zent Photo Editors: Erinn Middo; Jenny Oetzell Copy Editor: Camille Duong Cartoonist: Cooper Lovano Online Editor: Brianna Egan Staff Writers: Dylan Biggs; Matthew Brancolini; Taylor Brightwell; Torrey Bruger; Claire Chiara, Logan Collingwood; Andrew Czuzak; Navea Dasz; Navikka Dasz; Camille Duong; Brandon Folkman; Dan Furmansky; Shivaani Gandhi; Hana Ghanim; Cole Greenbaun; Mannal Haddad; Andrew Hazeltine; Nageena Hamraz; Katie Hill; Cedric Hyon; Craig Ives; Ilana LaGraff; Vivian Lam; Justin Lee; Anthony Leong; Diana Luna; Kayla Maanum; LeAnn Maanum; Isaiah Madison; Kylie Martin; Benjamin McLaughlin; Hayley Meyers; Madison Mitchell; Chris Nguyen; Cameron Paulson; Allegra Peelor; Alejandro Quevedo; Lia Quilty; Sophia Ritchie; Jason Rochlin; Jessica Shipley; Taylor Sorensen; Savannah Stern; Hannah Son; Claire Tisius; Colin Welch; Cody Williams 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 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. Call (310)798-8665 ext. 2210. Signed commentaries and editorial cartoons represent the opinions of the staff writer of cartoonist and in no way reflect the opinions of the High Tide staff.

FEATURES // MARCH 23, 2011

This

House is

Home

not a

by Nageena Hamraz

After a long day at school, most students come home to a fresh home-cooked meal, but senior Ali Pournamdari unlocks the doors to an empty house. Pournamdari has been living alone, and he realized that the excitement was not long lasting. “It’s not what I thought it would be and what most kids think it is. It’s not really all that fun. At first it was cool, but after a while it got to me. But I’m fine and happy and content,” Pournamdari said. Pournamdari has been living alone for about a year and a half. He started living alone because he was not happy with his father’s new girlfriend. “Every time he would come home I wouldn’t like to be around, so I would just leave,” Pournamdari said. One day, his father offered him a proposition of changing the house under his son’s name, and moving out with his girlfriend. Pournamdari accepted the offer, and began to live alone. “At first it was very lonely, and I had no

one to talk to when I’d get home. But after a while it set in, and it wasn’t as lonely,” Pournumdari said. Living alone has not stopped him from being family-oriented and spending time with family. “I still see my parents, they live close. My mom lives on the beach, and my dad lives in PV,” Pournamdari said. “[My mother] always kept close contact with me, and she comes over sometimes.” Although he does not live with his parents, the experience of living alone has changed him. “Living alone at this age isn’t all that great because you need your parents around most of the time just for support and stuff, but it’s made me mature and take responsibility into my own hands. It’s bettered me as a man and as a person,” Pournamdari said. Though he has lived alone for a long time, he still has some of the same habits. “I’ll cook dinner or bring home take out after the gym and I sit down, and it’s just me, myself, and I,” Pournamdari said. “I usually

get enough food for three or four people just because that’s what I used to do.” Pournamdari’s girlfriend, junior Cameron Paulson, supports him with his decisions. “I wouldn’t know what to do without my parents and my house, but he still has a lot of support from his parents,” Paulson said. “I think he’s pretty grounded and knows what he’s doing.” According to Pournamdari, other students have the wrong idea of why he lives alone. “People think I have my own house because I’m rich, but happiness and having money, I don’t think go hand in hand,” Pournamdari said. Pournamdari’s father has realized that the relationship of father and son is very important, so Pournamdari’s time of living alone is about to end in the near future. “My dad is soon to move back in with me,” Pournamdari said. “Now he realizes that I count more than [his girlfriend], so he is breaking up with her and moving back into my house.”

Very close, but years apart

Kayla Cuevas forms a new relationship with her grandmother after choosing to live with her when her mother moved.

by Navikka Dasz

Her parents may be thousands of miles away, but junior Kayla Cuevas found a friend, confidante, and guardian in her grandmother. Due to an early divorce, Cuevas’s dad moved to Utah when she was three, and a couple of years ago, her mom moved to Illinois after remarrying. She now lives with her grandmother. “I didn’t really want to move since it was beginning of my freshman year. I really wanted to stay with my friends in a place that is familiar to me, so I made the decision to stay with my grandma,” she said. Although Cuevas and her grandmother have “always been close” and her grandmother has “always been super involved” in her life, according to Cuevas, living alone with her has deepened their relationship. “Living together has brought me and my grandmother closer together because we depend on each other a lot more. We vent to each other too,” she said. According to Cuevas, living with her grandmother is the “best arrangement.” “My grandma and I are the most alike in my family and we can talk easily. She understands when I need my alone time or when to push me. We talk about absolutely every-

thing and I can tell her how I feel without being judged. She respects my privacy too and doesn’t push my buttons,” she said. According to Cuevas, the biggest problem in their relationship is the difference in generations. “We have a lot of different opinions and that causes issues sometimes but we usually get over it really quickly,” she said. Despite the age difference, her relationship with her grandmother is “more friendly than parental.” “I talk to my parents about plenty [of things] and we’re close too, but they overreact the way most parents would whereas my grandma listens calmly and gives me the most straight forward advice,” she said. Cuevas’ grandmother also finds her relationship with Kayla to be “easy” and “entertaining.” “I love our relationship because there’s such a wonderful balance. I get to be a parent, a grandparent, and a friend interchangeably,” she said. Through experience, Cuevas feels that the “typical” family situation with a mom and dad all under one roof would be “nice,” it is not the “most important” situation to have.

“Family to me is being surrounded by a person or by people that love you and support you unconditionally. People that want the best for you. People that you can be yourself around without being ashamed. My parents have always been there raising me, but so have the rest of my family, especially my grandma. I really wouldn’t change a thing,” she said.

Grandma knows best. 1. Junior Kayla Cuevas has developed a very close relationship with her grandmother. 2. Cuevas believes that family is being surrounded by people who love you.

FEATURES // MARCH 23, 2012

The Greenberg Bunch by Hannah Son

standing

TALL

by Dylan Biggs

After years with no father around sophomore Ashlee Blackman has become accustomed to her mother’s relationships with other women. “It was when I was ten or eleven my mom announced she was a lesbian,” Blackman said. Blackman’s mother coming out of the closet hasn’t affected her life or relationships with friends. “My friends are actually really supportive of my mom,” Blackman said. Blackman is used to her mom being with her girlfriend and it hasn’t changed the way she acts in the slightest, in fact she thinks her

Sophomore Ashlee Blackman and sophomore Dakota Neal both have lesbian mothers. They have accepted their mothers and love them just the same.

mother’s sexuality is a change for the better for the family. “If anything my mom is cooler now,” she said. “It’s nice to have [my mom] being lenient because she’s a lesbian and doesn’t have to hide it and my dad being strict,” Blackman said. She says her family hasn’t reacted in a weird way to her mom’s announcement. “My grandma and my grandpa on my dad’s side are completely okay with [her sexuality],” she said. Sophomore Dakota Neal also has a lesbian mother and has learned to live with the difference.

“I could like see the subtle hint of it because she would like never go after guys,” Neal said. His mother would always hang out with her friends that were girls and not any guys. “It wasn’t too much of a surprise,” he said. Neal says that his mom went about announcing that she was a lesbian in a subtle way. “She started to ask me like if I was ok with gay people and if I would be ok with a lesbian then she came out and told me she was a lesbian,” he said. When she first announced it Neal said that he was accepting

and it didn’t change his view of his mother. “When she first said she was a lesbian I was about thirteen so I understood and was supportive,” Neal said. He still talks to his mom about twice a week and she still comes to his competitions and supports him. “She is still in my life and the person she likes doesn’t change that,” he said. He says that his family was also very acceptive of his mother’s choice. “My mom is still my mom no matter what,” he said, “I will always love her for who she is.”

Where do you talk to your family most? 50% talk most at the dinner table

19% talk most in the car

31% talk most around the TV *Made from a sample of 80 students compiled by Colin Welch

For senior Adam Greenburg the middle child of seven, having three of his younger siblings newley adopted means learning from both older and younger siblings. As the middle child of seven, Greenburg has learned a lot from his three adopted younger siblings. “The younger ones have helped me learn to be more responsible because I have to always help them out with everyday things like cooking, cleaning, and babysitting,” Greenburg said. After Greenburg’s father got remarried, his family decided to adopt. “My mom and my dad got married and three years ago we adopted my three younger siblings. They are all biological so they were a package deal,” Greenburg said. During the adoption process, his family went through many cases. “At first it was like an interviewing process and before we adopted them, we had been trying to adopt for two years but our cases kept falling through. In the end everything finally worked out,” Greenburg said. With both older and younger siblings, Greenburg has benefitted from being the middle child. “You get the best of both worlds being the middle child which is cool because growing up as a child, I was always the youngest. When my family adopted, my older siblings had moved out and I suddenly became the oldest,” Greenburg said. For Greenburg, being the oldest in the house means being a role model. “It feels good to have little kids look up to you and I get to show them what my older siblings did for me when I was younger,” Greenburg said. For a while, Greenburg felt alone because of his age gap with his older siblings. “Before I felt kind of like the only child in a way because my siblings were not around. I went from being the youngest to the only to the oldest child,” said Greenburg. Throughout his life, Greenburg attributed his sense of family to his older siblings. “Having older siblings has taught me things that they have learned so that I do not make the same mistakes. I also always have someone to hangout with, I consider them not only my siblings but some of my best friends,“ Greenburg said. “The older ones have helped shape me as a person because they have taught me things like how a family is supposed to always have each others’ backs and be close to each other,” Greenburg said.

FEATURES // MARCH 23, 2012

LIVING IN THE

SHADOWS When an older sibling is extremely succesful, the younger child is often left feeling inferior.

Brother’s success pressures Garzon by Joy Ohiomoba

Just like two peas, but in very different pods. Over the years, siblings Senior Danny Garzon and freshman Natalia Garzon developed completely different identities as Danny focused on academics and Natalia decided to take the creative route. According to Natalia, Danny excelled in school early on, and she felt that her parents pressured her to also excel in school. “When we were little, I was always in the shadow. I did not really see the point of trying,” Natalia said. Danny recently got accepted to New York University with a full tuition scholarship. “When my family found out, my parents started crying. I felt so proud of him,” Natalia said. Natalia feels that Danny’s success has made her realize that she cannot compare herself to him. “All his accomplishments building up makes me feel that I cannot measure up to him and be just like him, which is what my parents want from me,” she said. “They say that they don’t always compare us, but they

really do. I don’t want to be like him. As long as I’m happy with my life, I’ll be okay.” Natalia feels sympathy for her brother because of his pressure to succeed. “He feels the need to be perfect all the time, and I would not be happy living my life like that,” she said. “I’m really proud of him and I regret that I don’t always show it enough.” Natalia admits to resenting her parents’ belief that she should be like Danny. “I just feel that they do not always see that Danny and I are two completely different people. We have different strengths and weaknesses,” she said. She is extremely proud of her brother and is happy for him. “Just because he can do something doesn’t mean that I can’t. I realized that comparing myself to him doesn’t get me anywhere. I have my strengths and things I’m good at,” she said. Danny also feels that Natalia should not be pressured to follow in his footsteps. “She is really artistic and even though everyone is pushed to go to a good four year university, if that’s not what she wants, then I support her a hundred percent,” he said.

PHOTO BY JULIE D’EATH

Worlds apart. Natalia Garzon considers herself to be more “laid back” than her older brother, Danny.

Kelly is a role model to her younger sister by Jason Rochlin

Inspiration can come from many different places: art, nature, teachers, friends, and even family. Freshman Jaelin Kelly feels inspired by her older sister’s legacy. “Seeing my sister get a full ride scholarship to Xavier Pre-Med program really inspired me to try harder,” Jaelin said. Her sister, senior Jazzolynn Kelly, has been offered a scholarship at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana to enter their pre-med program, or to major in chemistry for both undergrad and graduate school. “I feel proud to be the first to try and

make something more out of myself. I do believe that’s where some of [my sister’s] inspiration comes from,” Jazzolynn said. Jazzolynn will be the first in her family to get a college education. “It was kind of difficult growing up with her, because you’re younger and always trying to compare yourself to [her]. You want to do as well as she’s doing, but sometimes that doesn’t always happen,” Jaelin said. She has recently sharpened her academic focus by moving from regular to honors classes. “I was never really into doing the honors classes, but now it just seemed like I should,

almost like I had to,” Jaelin said. She is taking geometry and honors English this year, and plans on taking AP classes in the future. “I feel like if I do go into AP classes, that’s where my sister left the biggest reputation to follow,” Jaelin said. However, she does not feel that her mom pressures her to be like Jazzolynn. “My mom tells me that she doesn’t expect me to be like my sister, that we’re two totally different people, and that I shouldn’t always try to live up to her because I want to be something else,” Jaelin said. Jaelin hopes to become a culinary artist.

“[Culinary arts] is totally different than what Jazzolynn is doing,” Jaelin said. While Jaelin enjoys art and creativity, Jazzolynn is more interested in science. “I want to be a neurologist because I love learning about medicine, I really want to learn about surgery, and I want to help decrease the pain of neurological diseases,” Jazzolynn said. Jazzolynn hopes to continue motivating her sister for both for herself and her family. “I let her know that even though our lives are extremely difficult, it is possible to provide a better future with education and zeal. Only she can do it,” Jazzolynn said.

FEATURES // MARCH 23, 2012

Antilla sisters both excel academically by Cole Greenbaun

Last week, AP chemistry students cheererd in awe as they heard the news: junior Katie Antilla earned the tenth highest score in all of Southern California on the annual Amerian Chemical Society’s high school exam. This is just the latest of Katie’s many academic achievements. With such a “high achieving” older sister, sophomore Sarah Antilla might be expected to feel pressured by parents and teachers to do just as well. However, the only pressure Sarah feels comes from herself. “I try to do as well as her because she does really well, but I would still try to do that well even if she wasn’t here,” Sarah said. Sarah isn’t troubled by her sister’s grades or presence at the same school, but she feels that seeing Katie’s example does motivate her to do better. “I don’t put as high effort as she does into school. [I don’t put in] little effort, but just not as much as her. So my grades aren’t as high as hers, but I still try to aim for the same achievements that she got,” Sarah said. Katie doesn’t feel that she overshadows her sister at all. “She does as well as I do in classes, but she feels really pressured because of all the classes I take,” Katie said. “I don’t feel bad that she’s pressured because she puts all the pressure on herself.”

Sarah isn’t pressured by her parents to do as well as Katie either. “As long as I do my best they are fine with whatever grades I get,” Sarah said. “They know [that] I’ll beat myself up over a low grade more than they will.” While having Katie as an older sister might seem like an advantage academically, Sarah doesn’t rely on Katie for guidance. “If I’m confused I’ll ask her for help or clarification, but other than that I don’t really need her help,” Sarah said. “We will do our French projects together, but other than that we stay away from each other school work wise because we will distract each other.” Even though she doesn’t do homework with Katie, Sarah hangs out, plays tennis, and shares a room with her. “We hang out at the same lunch place mostly, and a lot of my friends were friends with her so I kind of joined in,” Sarah said. “I was higher than her in tennis, which gets awkward because she gets mad, but she is better than me in school so it equals out.” Although Katie gets slightly higher grades than Sarah, in the end Sarah doesn’t feel overshadowed. “A lot of people think we are twins. I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked [if we are twins]. We are kind of similar in some ways, but we have pretty different personalities overall,” Sarah said.

FIRST PERSON:

Oh, Brother!

According to a High Tide poll of 149 students,

81 %

of students feel compared to their older brother or sister

55 %

of students feel pressured by their older sibling’s legacy Compiled by Isaiah Madison

ILLUSTRATION BY VALERIE CHOI

PHOTO BY JULIE D’EATH

Star student. Sarah Anitlla’s academic success rivals that of her sister, Katie.

Siblings can’t be compared

by Claire Tisius

Here it comes: the much anticipated criticism. My report card just came, and there it is. A D in APUSH. It is just one grade, and it doesn’t make much of a difference to me. However, my mother doesn’t care. Thanks to my sister, the “golden child”, the bar is set much higher for me. The argument gets worse as tears of shame begin to crawl down my face. I cannot stand sitting across from her, especially when she looks so disappointed. And so the comparisons begin. I simply cannot compete with an older sister who took three AP’s and had a 3.5 GPA junior year. I get criticized for doing poorly in difficult classes, but if I take easier classes she accuses me of not trying hard enough. Such criticisms are nothing new. As a child my sister spent her time inside reading and studying, but I was always playing sports. She recieved awards while I collected trophies, causing us to both be jealous of one another. None of that matters now; we have come to realize that comparisons and competitions are pointless since we are so different. Unfortunately, my mom just can’t see things that way. I will always be compared to my sister and her accomplishments, so why do I even try to get my mother’s acceptance? I am not as intelligent as she is, so nothing I do will be considered acceptable. I cannot be as smart as my sister because I am simply not her. My mother needs to start seeing that we are different people or I will always be caught in a spiral of comparison. This thought brings me back to reality, where I am faced with the disappointed face of my mother, who will only ever see me in my sister’s shadow.

Cover Story

MARCH 23, 2012

Defining a Community Continued from the front page: 2.

by Cedric Hyon

PHOTOS BYJENNY OETZELL

PHOTOS BY CHRIS NGUYEN

board as a Christmas gift, she has used skating as a way to go around town, sometimes with her brother, Mike. For most skaters, skating is a hobby and also a way to get around. But for Benti, skating is just for an easy way of transportation. Therefore Benti doesn’t do many tricks. Benti’s mom likes the idea of her skateboard being the transportation that way Benti won’t bother her about getting a car. “My skateboard is my car,” Benti said.

Bike or bust. 1. Bazan’s most memorable moment while biking was an injury. “I was at my local skate park and I was asked to do a flair-180-backflip. I had no warm-up and I did the flip, but my pedal broke on my foot and cracked my bone,” he said. Despite the danger in his sport, he is dedicated and will “be biking until a serious injury.” 2. Bazan preforms a nose manual trick called a “hang five.”

by Chris Nguyen

Junior Hannah Benti would not be the type of girl you would think to see riding down the street in a skateboard, and certainly not in a sundress. Many people accept the stereotype that girls do not skate, but Benti has not been subject to such stereotypes in her life. “I usually get, ‘I didn’t think of you as a skater,’ because I don’t wear the usual skating attire,” Benti said. Ever since her mother gave Benti her first

e typ

The feeling of adrenaline rushing through his body and that moment of weightlessness that guides him as he flips his bike around in the air is nothing new for sophomore Jorge Bazan. Bazan has been riding and performing tricks on his bike since he was in seventh grade and he rides every day after school and on the weekends. “When there’s someone riding bikes with me, I stay out there for like 3 to 9 hours. Sometimes I go out at 11 a.m. and don’t come back home until 9 p.m.,” Bazan said. Bazan sometimes rides with friends like senior Jake Rodriguez. “We like to ride bikes and do tricks and have fun,” Rodriguez said. Bazan normally practices his bike tricks at high schools such as West, Torrance, and Wilson but is open minded to trying other places. “Every Sunday I go to VANS Skate Park in Orange County. I choose it because it is a great place to do tricks and because it’s the best skate park ever,” Bazan said. Bazan owns a 20 inch Bicycle Motocross bike that is normally used in the BMX games. He has owned previous bikes before, but many of them have been overly used or broken. “I like the bike because it’s easy to handle, not that heavy, and I can do some tricks with it,” Bazan said.

According to Bazan, although some of the tricks are tough to master, he likes taking up the challenge because of the emotions that come with being able to learn and perform the trick with ease. “Sometimes it takes 10 minutes to two hours or even days to learn a trick, but it really depends on what trick you are learning,” Bazan said. “The feeling that I get [after mastering a trick] is just fantastic because you’ll always want to have that feeling again and again and that’s what makes me want to ride more. So you sort of get that feeling because you know that you’re the only one that can do that trick and no one else can.” Bazan also belongs to a professional BMX team called Kitty Litter. With professional bike riders and a cameramen, Kitty Litter has become very popular among other riders in the South Bay. Before joining the team, Bazan was jealous that he was not on the team because he loved their videos. So he competed to be on the team and made it. Bazan is able to do many tricks on his bike which include and “360”, “360 Bar Spin”, and “Tailwhips”. Bazan and Kitty Litter hopes to become famous through their Youtube videos and Facebook page, and later on become a national team. “I was really excited because it is the best team in the South Bay, and it was probably the greatest accomplishment that I’ve ever made,” Bazan said.

s k a s ter s t a e f te de

reo

by Justin Lee

Be n

Bazan competes with Kitty Litter

Skater boy. 1. Richardson practices his skating on the sidewalks around the school. 2. He is able to skate on all types of surfaces, and can even skate off of a planter. 3. Richardson grinds on a rail. 4. Richardson preforms a “watermelon.” He has been skating for 5 years and hopes to continue skating. “I’m pretty sure I will always skate, and if I go pro that would be pretty awesome,” Richardson said.

According to Mark Brög, the owner of the skating shop “Soul Performance” on Artesia Blvd., the punk stereotype of skaters is a classification that is not true. “It’s a stereotype meaning that they’re trying to lump all skateboarders into that category which is not true,” Brög said. “It’s a generalization made by the population which is really bad, which is the part that I don’t like because they say that skateboarding is bad.” Senior Dwight Richardson has met someone that fits the skating stereotype, but not to the fullest extent. “I remember we went to Venice, sitting in a skating bowl. This one guy, who was completely covered in tattoos and fit the stereo-

type, was the nicest guy ever. He was very generous and was motivating me to learn a new trick. It was really unexpected,” Richardson said. Brög does not like the fact that people blame skateboarders for scratching the sidewalk. He says that to stop people’s complaints about damaging the sidewalk, Redondo should open a skate park. “They can’t say skateboarders are bad for [hurting the sidewalk] because there aren’t any skate parks in Redondo Beach. If people had a problem with it they would create a place for skaters to go so they wouldn’t have to skate on the streets,” Brög said. “They could go to a nice facility that they would love. All of them: the grungy ones, young kids,

the BMX bikers–they would all be safe in that area and out of everyone else’s hair.” According to Richardson, becoming a friend with a fellow skater is not difficult since there is already one commonality. “No matter where you go you see another skater and you get along. You automatically have that one thing in common: you both like skating,” Richardson said. Brög sees the skater population as a rapidly growing one with a lot of camaraderie. “All the guys that do street skating together, they all hang together. They push each other really hard as a small group of buddies. They push each other because they have each other,” Brög said. “It’s not fun to

skate alone. If you did a rad trick, you would want your buddies to say ‘Man that was rad! I’m trying that next!’” Richardson skates almost everyday whenever he can. Richardson says that he and his friends push each other to be the best skater. “Skating’s a lot of fun. It’s something that I can do and progress in. Pushing each other to do better is the best part about [skating],” Richardson said. Brög believes the most important aspect of skating is having friends to push each other further. “Having your friends with you helps push your ability level farther. That’s important: having friends that make you skate harder and better to always be the best guy,” Brög said.

The best place to skate:

PHOTOS BY ANDREW HAZELTINE COMPILED BY EMMA URIARTE

“My favorite [skate park] is Westchester Skate Plaza because I really like the ledges there and the ‘hubba’ ledge.” –Aric Hansen, 11

“[I like] Venice Skate Park because it’s right by the beach and in a great neighborhood and has a great vibe.” –Eli McArthur, 12

FEATURES // MARCH 23, 2012

FACE OFF//

Senior Cody Spainhour and junior Nick Williamson compete for the position of starting setter. Despite the competition between them, Spainhour and Williamson maintain their friendship and motivate eachother.

PHOTO BY ERINN MIDDO

by Hana Ghanim

They stand across the net from each other, game faces on, wearing similar red and white jerseys, ready to practice. For junior Nick Williamson and senior Cody Spainhour, competing against each other is just as important as competing against other teams. Because both Williamson and Spainhour are setters for the boys’ volleyball team, they have been competing for the position of starting setter since February. “I’m pushing myself to do harder but [Nick] is better than me right now,” Spain-

hour said. “Sooner or later, I will beat him.” Williamson secured the position last year, when the starting setter left the team as a graduating senior. However, when volleyball season started again, Williamson was faced with some competition. “It’s fun because [I’m] competing against [my] friend, so it motivates me a little bit more since we’re both working as hard as we can to get it,” Williamson said. Both Williamson and Spainhour enjoy the friendly competition and believe it has its benefits.

“I push myself every single day in practice, trying to beat him, but I just haven’t yet,” Spainhour said. According to Williamson, they have been good friends since before high school and their rivalry hasn’t affected their relationship at all. Spainhour agrees with Williamson. “We’re just being positive through the whole thing,” Spainhour said. “I’m best friends with him, so he and I just laugh when our coaches try to get us to hate each other, but it never happens.” Spainhour believes Williamson has a bet-

ter chance of getting position since Williamson is a junior. “Our coach wants him to be starting, since ‘younger is better’ to prepare for the future,” Spainhour said. “It sucks on my part.” Even if he doesn’t secure the position, Spainhour is determined to stay positive and looks forward to his future. “I might beat him by the end of the year but no matter what, I’m still going to play volleyball in college and I’ll still start in college,” Spainhour said.

FEATURES// MARCH 23, 2012

Face of Determination

Face the music:

Smith produces music in Sophomore Paulina Martinez pursues career in music and hopes to attend Julliard his own personal studio

School in New York City. by Navea Dasz

Between rigorous classes, band practice, and orchestra rehearsals, sophomore Paulina Martinez has very little free time, and free time for her means more time to practice her oboe. Despite the endless practices and sleepless nights, Martinez pushes on, determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a professional oboe player. “I’m pretty used to not having any time to relax and being so overworked, but I don’t let myself give up anything, no matter how hard it is,” she said. “It’s pretty rewarding when you accomplish something so hard. I know there will always be a happy ending to the stress and that’s what keeps me going.” Although she has played for only two years, Martinez found a passion for the oboe and wants to pursue it as a career. “I just really love it, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything else,” Martinez said. “I take it really seriously, and I’ve been

by Savannah Stern

working really hard at it.” Even though Martinez is already involved in the school band and in two youth orchestras, she plans on auditioning for another youth symphony called Pacific Youth Symphony. “It’s one of the best orchestras around here, and I’m hoping I get into that one,” she said. “I think it’ll be a great experience and opportunity to gain more knowledge.” Pursuing oboe further, Martinez plans to leave school at the end of this year, to go to Los Angeles County High School of the Arts. “It’s really competitive, but it’s really a great opportunity,” she said. “They usually don’t take juniors, so it’s really special that they picked me.” Martinez looks forward to what her new school can offer. “I’m hoping that when I go to the new school, I’ll be more focused on just music. I’m looking forward to how little academics

Face of success by Taylor Brightwell

We all know that one student that seems to just roll out of bed in the morning and manage to ace a test without studying. Sophomore Janel Decurtis is not that student. Everything comes easy to her and she works hard to be successful in everything she does. She spends every minute of her weekend doing homework, playing soccer, and sailing. When she has time in between she studies even if she is just in the car. “When there is a weekend with a soccer or sailing event, it is really hard for me to participate in these events unless I have accomplished a large portion of my homework on Friday evening,” she said. “There is no break from homework or studying until I am on the green playing, or on the sea sailing.” Her dedication and careful time management allows her to balance school with sports. Decurtis is currently a member of the varsity soccer team, the Exiles club soccer team, and the Del Rey Yacht Club Junior Race Team. Even with all this on her plate, she still manages to achieve goodgrades in her honors and AP classes. “I take school extremely seriously, and it takes support from my parents and siblings to calm me down or help me stay positive,” she said, “For soccer and sailing, personally I wish I could give them an equal amount of my time, but soccer always takes priority over the sailing. My passion for both is equal.”

are focused there,” she said. “It’ll be awesome not to worry so much about academics and just focus on music.” Determination to succeed and pursue a career in playing oboe, however, doesn’t come without hard work and effort. According to Martinez, all her efforts and hard work are meant to help her in the future, to get into a big school like Julliard and to get a good job. “All the things I’m doing right now are going to be put in my resume so colleges and jobs will take me more seriously,” she said. Martinez aims high, and is set on her determination to one day become a professional oboe player, despite all the hard work now. “I like to set really big goals, and I keep going until I achieve them,” Martinez said. “Sometimes I put too much pressure and stress on myself, and do too many things. But the end result is always worth it.”

Decurtis maintains balance between multiple sports and rigorous course schedule

With only two years of high school left, Decurtis is proud of her accomplishments thus far. “So far my greatest accomplishment is being able to challenge myself by setting high standards academically and succeeding with great dedication and perseverance,” Decurtis said. According to Decurtis club soccer keeps her challenged and forces her to constantly look to improve her game. With the support of her parents Decurtis trains with a private instructor. “With club soccer, there is always a teammate that can play your position as well as or better than you do yourself, so its an accomplishment when I play the whole game on my club team,” she said. Although soccer and school take up a majority of her time, Decurtis still sails as much as she can. “In the past year, my teammate and I have performed well in the SoCal Junior Olympics, and have been accepted into an advanced racing clinic known as CISA,” she said. During her last two high school years Decurtis hopes to achieve even more in academics and sports and hopes to continuously succeed in both through college. “My mentality is what makes me a face of success. I am only as good as my last grade, as my last place in a regatta, and my last play on the soccer field, and there is no such word as enough,” Decurtis said.

PHOTO BY ANDREW HAZELTINE

Balancing act. Janel Decurtis successfully juggles varsity soccer, club soccer, sailing, and multiple honors classes.

It’s quiet. The lights are dimmed and the rhymes start flowing. For senior Brandon Smith, this is the typical atmosphere in his recording studio. Smith’s parents surprised him with his own recording studio this past Christmas. It is a gift he uses almost all the time. “I wasn’t even expecting it but my parents know I’m really dedicated [to music] and it made me tear up a little,” he said. Now Smith spends almost every day in his studio, sometimes with friends Romeo Vigliotti, Clive McLean, and Micheal D’Angelo. Although they are “fun to work with”, Smith prefers to work alone. “Usually I work alone because I like the quiet atmosphere and most people don’t work the same way I do so it’s a little easier [for me],” he said. In the quiet studio, Smith creates rhymes and looks for inspiration. He draws much of his inspiration from his surroundings. “A lot of my songs are inspired by my friends, life’s problems and what other people are going through.” Smith said. Smith’s friends and experiences are most of his inspiration. He enjoys other rappers but doesn’t draw inspiration from them. “I like listening to rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Slug, and Gil Scott Heron, but I can’t say they inspire me because they talk about irrelevant things. I hate what they rap about,” he said. His relationships are a key part to what Smith puts in his raps. His relationship with his brother is a big factor. “I never talk to my brother but one day I decided to call him and after we hung up I talked to Romeo about love and how it’s so materialistic today and how it can be deep, not necessarily a relationship or something, but a passion. It just shouldn’t be material,” he said. “That whole conversation inspired me and Romeo said we had to go to the studio.” Rapping isn’t just a hobby to Smith; it’s something he is truly passionate about. It is his way of self expression. “Rapping means a lot [to me]. It’s just like bouncing words around but I feel like I should use it for other purposes like telling stories and poetry,” he said.

Facing the audience Cast and crew members in drama’s currently-running musical, “How to Succeed in Business,” share about their preparation for the show in an exclusive High Tide Online news video. Watch the footage and interviews at hightideonline.org.

FEATURES// MARCH 23, 2012

Cupcake Couture

Yellow Vase

by Alison Peet-Lukes

Cupcake Couture blends in nicely among Manhattan’s chic and affluent downtown area. The cupcakes, though quite expensive, were my favorite out of the group. The frosting was buttery and sweet, and obviously homemade. The cake was moist and delicious. The cupcake wasn’t too sweet or too bland. I could tell that it was made with high quality ingredients and was well worth

Located in The Riviera Village, Yellow Vase is my pick for the best cupcakes in the south bay. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting, and the service is great. The cakes were extremely high quality and Yellow Vase had the largest selection. Not only does Yellow Vase have cupcakes, but they have other assorted baked goods, ranging from Macaroons to Fruit Tarts.

Cupcake Chaos Torrance Bakery

Beckers bakery

by Danny Garzon

Torrance Bakery in Old Town Torrance provides a cheaper alternative to the cupcake boutiques in Manhattan Beach. While the cupcakes at Torrance Bakery are only $1.75, the selection is much less varied than that at Cupcake Couture and Beckers. Torrance only has the basic chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, and carrot cupcake. In addition, the drive to east Torrance and dealing with the parking in the area is not worth it.

by Alison Peet-Lukes

Beckers bakery has a family owned atmosphere. The cupcakes, however, tasted store bought. The frosting was very thick and achingly sweet, and the cake was dry, as if it was made days ago. Also, Beckers costs as much as cupcake couture does for the same size cupcake. Seeing as is only a few stores away from cupcake couture, there is really no competition who has better cupcake quality.

Takes the cake. 1,2 and 3. Cupcake Couture features cupcakes with detailed and excentric designs. They are fancier than the average cupcake which is why they are more expensive. 4 and 5. Yellow Vase has a relaxed, quiet atmosphere and a large selection of sweet treats sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. 6,7 and 8. Beckers has a family-style atmosphere that does not match their store-bought quality cupcakes and small selection. 9. Torrance Bakery has a small selection of cupcakes and expensive prices not worth

7. ALL PHOTOS BY CHRIS NGUYEN

Atmosphere and cuisine irresistable at Pho Hana by Cody Williams

In the south bay, there is a decent noodle house, Thai restaurant or Oriental restaurant on almost every corner. Sadly, many of these restaurants fail to provide the experience an authentic Oriental restaurant would give. Fortunately there is Pho Hana on Hawthorne Blvd., an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. The first thing that will come to attention upon entering Pho Hana, is the intriguing atmosphere. The clinging of dishes, the audible conversations in Vietnamese and the taunting smell are a few of the things that add to the atmosphere. Pictures of southern Asia decorate the walls

along with pictures of the menu items. “It’s supposed to look like Vietnam in the 60’s,” Doug Kim, a manager of Pho Hana said. The atmosphere along with the colorful decor was one of the best things about the restaurant according Charise Mirabal, a customer at Pho Hana. “The decorations are really interesting,” Mirabal said. “I just like the atmosphere and the overall feel of this restaurant.” Although the atmosphere and colorful decorations play a big role in the authenticity of Pho Hana, the food is what really makes it an Authentic Vietnamese restaurant. The definition of Pho is a Vietnamese

noodle soup dish consisting of rice noodles in a clear beef broth typically with some kind of meat. Every order of Pho at Pho Hana is served with jalapenos, lime, and bean sprouts on the side. The “Beef Combo” Pho, is noodle soup that has thin sliced steak, tendon, and tripe sand served in a beef broth. The steak and tendon were both succulent and along with the rice noodles made a tasty dish. Although tripe is an acquired taste, it was also delicious and added to the overall dish. One popular appetizer on the menu is the “Shrimp Spring Rolls”. A spring roll is a few pieces of shrimp with lettuce and rice noodles all wrapped in a thin rice dough served with a sweet peanut dipping sauce.

These were a colorful appetizer and made a contrasting taste with the sauce. “I liked the spring rolls because they aren’t greasy like egg rolls,” Mirabal said, “I also like the sauce they come with.” Another impressive dish was the Chicken fried rice. It was not greasy like normal fried rice but instead more clean tasting. The rice is cooked to a brown with egg, chicken, carrots and green onions. The chicken was savory and cooked to perfection. Pho Hana’s atmosphere and food are what make it an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. “Our chef has been making Vietnamese food for 25 years,” Kim said. “That is what makes us the best in the south bay.”

FEATURES // MARCH 23,

Las Brisas restaurant cherishes its rich history by Justin Lee

As one walks into Las Brisas, one sees that the décor is filled with Mexican symbols. From the Mexican flag hanging on top of the entrance of the bar, to the old rustic wood carvings in every booth, Las Brisas itself is an authentic breed of Mexican food and culture. The walls are painted different

colors as opposed to just white from a couple of years back because “it makes the room more lively”. Las Brisas which translates to The Breeze, is known for its great food that has not changed since it’s inception. “The food is always good here and we al-

ways order the same thing, not because we are afraid of trying new things, but because we can’t stop eating it,” Charles Rahn said, a regular who eats at Las Brisas every Friday. Part of the experience of eating at Las Brisas is also the history behind the classical Mexican restaurant. Before Las Brisas became known for its food, it was a billiards hall and salon. Then in 1974 it became a “downstairs nightclub” that primarily served food to party guests. Finally in 1978, it became known as Las Brisas. “The history of this place is amazing. A lot of families come, and they bring their kids. And now, their kids come to eat with

their spouses,” Marcel Islas said while preparing a drink. Islas, the manager and bartender of Las Brisas, has worked at Las Brisas for 15 years and believes that “the experience makes him feel good to be a part of the family”. Islas likes working at Las Brisas because it is so “consistent” since the food never changes. The chef has cooked the same food for 30 years and Islas believes that that is why the food tastes so good. “The people can relate to the food better it is consistent and made by the same person. It’s also better because you can come here and pretty much know what you’re going to get,” Islas said. Islas believes that Las Brisas has not changed much throughout the years. “It is special to be here and to be a part of the history,” Islas said.

2. Cool Cuisine. 1. and 2. Las Brisas, located on Artesia Blvd. in North Redondo is know for their various decorations on the outside of the restaurant and in the inside and their quality food. 3, 4 and 5. Empanada’s Place is owned by the Gil family and they make sure that you get a touch of Argentina each time you eat with them whether you go in for pastries, sandwiches or empanadas.

inthe

Food South Bay

Empanada’s Place stays true to their traditional food by Haley Meyers

Walking past the brilliant blue banner reading Empanada’s Place immediately the sweet, yet savory smell embraces you as the warm smiles of Susanna Chumacero and Jesse Gil welcome you. This intimate Argentine restaurant encompasses the hard working, loving, family culture and authentic delicious taste of Argentina. Located at 3811 Sawtelle Blvd., Norma Gil, along with her four sons, John, Shane, Jim, and Jesse opened Empanada’s place in

1985. “Mom, just really wanted to work for herself,” Manager and son of the owner, Jesse Gil said. The Gils pride themselves of their intimate family business. When asked what position he carries in the business, Jesse humbly replied saying he simply is just helping out his Mom and the family business. “You know, I’ve been helping out since I was twelve, (now 24 years old), and I still just work to keep this Restaurant in the family. Oh, and I work for the food. The food is just that good,” Gil said. The family works to keep an authentic “touch of Argentina in California”. According to Gil, the family uses top-quality Argentine beef in addition to the many other

PHOTOS BY DANNY GARZON

fresh ingredients like eggs, raisins, or Mozzarella cheese that may fill your decedent empanada. From the beginning, the Gils have prepared their own ingredients to incorporate the family’s own Argentine traditions into a one-of-a-kind, fresh, flaky, crisp, yet, hearty empanada. “Some families in Argentina bake and some fry their empanadas. There are a couple of variations. But my family, we fry our empanadas. We specifically make our own dough at the restaurant for frying in fresh vegetable oil,” Gil said. According to Gil, in addition to six sandwiches, and delicious desserts including flan and dulce de leche pastries, the restaurant provides their costumers with a wide variety of eighteen empanadas that appeal to the different provinces of Argentina. “Our costumers really favor the more traditional empanadas like the Criolla (beef, eggs, and raisons), the Pascualina (spinach),

and the Fugazzeta (ham and cheese) empanadas,” Two year employee Susanna Chumacero, said. According to Gil, the Fugazzeta, a very popular empanada, originates from the Spaniards and Filipinos and is commonly eaten for breakfast, snack, or any meal for that matter. To the Argentines, empanadas are a staple food. With the early purpose of feeding workers on-the-go in Spain, empanadas contain a hearty and healthy meal of meat and or vegetables in a convenient pocket fried pastry. “Our empanadas are like the American’s hamburgers, they are fast-food, but very good,” Chumacero said. Empanada’s Place is a piece of home to many locals, but to Jesse it is much more, he grew up loving empanadas and has truly loved them ever since. “To this day I eat an empanada everyday. My favorite empanada changes every week,” Gil said. Gil’s current favorite and recommendation to readers is the “Saltena with Mozzarella” or the “cheesy spicy beef empanada”. He claims Argentina truly has superior tasting beef and spices that are heightened in the flavorful Saltena. All in all, customers know exactly what they are getting when entering Empanada’s place, a warm and fulfilling experience in a small, delicious wrapping.

SPORTS // MARCH 23, 2012

Baseball loses to Torrance High BOYS’ TRACK LOSES TO PENINSULA by Diana Luna

PHOTO BY ANDREW HAZELTINE

Sliding to safety. Senior Ryan Granado slides back to second base after an attempt to steal to third base at the game against South High. by Jessi Shipley

Baseball lost in a double header to Torrance Wednesday 3-5 and 2-3. In the first game, Torrance’s consistent hitting resulted in their team’s win. “For the most part our glove work is pretty good, but Torrance hit pretty well. It’s nothing we can’t fix,” senior Johnny Albi said. According to the boys, they are pleased with their base hits but feel they can do better. “If we as a whole came together and had clutch hits when there are runners in scoring position, then I think we would be winning almost all of our games,” Albi said. The boys feel they need to work on staying positive even when they don’t play well. “Our heads weren’t in the game. Most of our mistakes were mental. We need to stop thinking too much and just play,” junior Freddy Smith said. With the first game out of the way, the boys are confident and ready to improve for

the second game. “We made too many errors the first game, but the second game we came in and got ahead of the game early and hit well. We cleaned up our errors and played with intensity,” Smith said. According to the boys, the plan for the game was to get ahead in the early innings. “We jumped on the team early and started ahead,” senior Cameron Bennett said. But by the fifth inning, Torrance began to score and came up with three runs. As the game became more intense, the boys did too. “We kept the energy strong even though it was a long double header,” junior Zach Turquand said. But with Torrance hitting hard, the boys began to loosen up and get “down on themselves”, according to Turquand. “We need to learn to shake it off and forget about what just happened and keep playing. We need to focus on the positive, which is that we had the capability of beating this team,” Turquand said.

Though the boys lost the second game, they feel as though they fixed what was needed from the first game and played a better and stronger game. “It’s all about staying in the game, keeping focused, and not getting down on ourselves because it affects the way we play,” Smith said. With both losses, the team is still working on improvements and minimizing the errors. “It’s difficult to stay intense through 14 innings, but we can do it. We just need to work hard, stay focused, and be ready for anything that comes our way,” Turquand said. The next baseball game is against Carson, Saturday 3:15 p.m. “We beat Carson last season. They have a solid program and we will have to play well to win,” Coach Baumback said. “Getting rest and bringing energy for tomorrow is important. If we come out tomorrow and play like we’re capable of playing, we’ll be tough to beat.”

BOYS’ TENNIS

BOYS’ GOLF

by Allegra Peelor

by Colin Welch

Yesterday, the boys’ tennis team beat West High 10-8.

Yesterday, the boys’ golf team lost 197194 against Chadwick.

“We just pulled out our first

“Rolling Hills country club

Bay League win today, so that definitely gets our confidence up. That’s going to propel us through the rest of the season. -Coach Jessica Siebert

posed some issues for the team because it’s a difficult course and some of the players haven’t played there

PHOTO BY JULIE PHOTO BY BRITANY NYGUEN

”

Boys’ track lost yesterday 65-73 while the girls won against Peninsula High School. The boys team’s match up against Peninsula was extremely competitive and challenging according to junior Evan Malone. “Peninsula is a great team, so [yesterday’s] meet was definitely a challenge,” Malone said. “We should have ran better from the beginning and not have waited until the end and hoped for a win.” Junior Jordan Washington felt that the only way to have won was to keep focus and take each race one at a time. “What we needed was to take it slow to put our full concentration and commitment from the start,” Washington said. The expectations for the girls team were very high as they dominated throughout the whole meet according to junior Kayla Ferron. “We went in our races with a positive mindset,” Ferron said. “We ran smart, fast and with a lot of heart and we came out with the races in our favor.” Junior Erin South has once again broken her personal record for the 400 meter race. “All I want is to win,” South said. “That’s all that runs through my mind when I am running.” South is looking forward to the next meet against Palos Verdes next Thursday to try to break her personal record for a third time in the 400 meter race. “I think what keeps me most motivated are my teammates. We all push each other to do our best,” she said.

Return. Junior Derek Levchenko returns a serve from an opposing player from West.

before yesterday. -Matthew Ferradas

PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

”

Hole in one. Senior Ryan Ree drives a ball down the fairway in match against West High

SPORTS// MARCH 23, 2012

KING

Matt Esparza. Athlete of the Issue.

OF THE HILL by Julie Tran and Lia Quilty

Consistency, skill, and experience, he is exactly what the baseball team needs more of. The general consensus: senior Matt Esparza is one of the best pitchers on the team, maybe even the ace. He is undoubtedly a threat to be reckoned. “We’re able to rely on a solid game from him on the mound so it all just comes to him naturally,” senior Hunter Bradshaw said. “Him getting hits just makes our line up that much stronger. “ According to senior Jesse Harter, Esparza recently threw two complete games and gets hits consistently. Pitching two complete games is a record no one on the team has yet to match; most can only play until half time, according to senior Adrian Benoit. “Pitching for so long saves a lot of our guys energy for the next time because it’s pretty hard to go for the whole game,” Esparza said. “I want to win really badly and by doing that I help our team stay in the game.” Esparza has improved in more ways than one since his freshman year, according to his teammates. He spent his junior and sophomore year comparing high school games to the Major League games and it wasn’t helping him. “I would always go into games overestimating the opposing teams,” he said. “I was overestimating the competition and expected the other team to be more mature baseball-wise than they actually were.” By simplifying his mindset on the field, Esparza was able to focus more on what he needs to do at any given moment. “Now there are only a few basic things I focus on in practice and adjustments my coaches make, but I perform my best when I just go out and play hard and don’t worry about the little things,”

he said. His simplified mindset resulted in not only better pitching, but also better hitting. Esparza’s current batting average is 380 and his best pitch is a fastball going approximately 85 miles per hour. “He used to be one of the smaller guys on the team with an average arm,” Bradshaw said. “Now he is 6’2” and has one of the area’s best arms.” Esparza attributes his success to his love for the sport and hard work. He trains--running, lifting weights, and hitting--on his own time whenever he feels that he performed poorly. “He is a very dedicated player,” Harter said. “Matt takes the game itself seriously both on and off the field but he knows the importance of keeping things light in the dugout by not getting too intense to the point where he disrupts the team.” Esparza’s appreciation and dedication for the sport can be traced back to his youth when he played on travel teams and T-ball. Since moving to Redondo Beach from Cleveland four years ago, baseball has been the medium for him to make new friends and focus his energy. “Four years ago, I could barely talk to people. I played football for awhile, but I was no good at it,” Esparza said. “Baseball is something special and it’s a treat I get to look forward to.” According to Esparza, his teammates, coaches, and family get him through each season. “I know a lot of people say I’m the main reason we’ve won many of our games, but this is really a team effort,” Esparza said. “We have a lot of talent and great guys and we have an opportunity to win Bay League and go deep into CIF playoffs so everyone should come out and support the team.”

PHOTO BY ANDREW HAZELTINE

SPORTS // MARCH 23, 2012

T E D P O W N

To better prepare for future teams, coach Avery wants to build the younger player’s skill by giving them more playing time and experience. Despite some feelings of discontent, the team will be more valuable in the years to come.

PHOTO BY ERINN MIDDO

Block them out. Junior Nick Williamson blocks with teammates in game against West. They are overall happy with their performance. “We played really well the first two games and came out flat the third but finished off strong, to take the win,” Williamson said. by Allegra Peelor

Despite having a team comprised of mostly younger players, boys volleyball beat West yesterday in three games, 25-17, 25-22, 28-26. Assistant coach Austin Zahn believes that their win was due largely in part to the boys’ positive attitudes and their willingness to work hard through the end. However the boys need to work on staying focused in order to avoid close matches. “I would like our mental focus to stay strong throughout the match,” he said. “During game three it lapsed.” Junior Nick Williamson believes that their victory at West was due to hard work in practice. “I don’t think any team in Bay League has worked harder than us at practices,” he said. Senior Clay Attig agrees that the team’s participation and attitude in practice have been exhibited throughout their season and will continue to show. “Pretty much all of our practices have been ‘A plus’ so far,” he said. “There’s only been one or two times where we’ve had to have a talk to pick up our game.” According to senior Jesse Conner, the team’s training regimen is more intense, but another reason they have been successful is because of team spirit and “chemistry”. “I know that we’re going harder than any other school because we’ve been working off season and on-season the whole year,” he said. “Even if they are maybe not having that good of a day, they are still trying to keep the team chemistry going.” The boys have not only been working hard in practice.This

whole season is a “training” for the years ahead. In order for the young team to be competitive with rivals they must work extra hard. “The younger players are going to be here longer, so [Avery] is looking for future success,” sophomore Louis Richard said. Williamson believes that even though their team may not be as strong as it could be, having a younger team will bring them success in the future. “But the sophomores we have now have a lot of potential,” he said. Conner agrees that it has been hard to adjust to having a younger team he is not worried about it. “I feel like we’ve really adapted well,” he said. Their next Bay League match is against Palos Verdes on Tuesday. The boys already beat the PV but Williamson believes they have to try to not get too confident. “We’re going to come out with a lot of fire and we want to beat them again,” he said. According to Zahn, PV is going to be tough but based on the West game, he knows what they need to do in order to improve. “Close games expose the things we need to work hard on,” he said. Richard agrees that the team should beat PV if they continue showing their best effort in practice and continue to grow. “If we keep doing what we’re doing but work a little harder towards our goal we have an even better chance at beating them,” he said.

Down to the last second

Yesterday the swim team went up against Peninsula suffering a drastic loss but they continue to focus on improving their times.

by Kylie Martin

Swim like a butterfly, sting like a bee . Freshmen Elle Inscore swims butterfly in meet against Peninsula. Inscore broke a pool record yesterday in the 500 freestyle. PHOTO BY JULIE D’EATH

Although boys’ lost 120 to 34 and girls’ lost 108 to 48 to Peninsula yesterday, the team made major individual improvements and even broke a pool record. Freshman Elle Inscore swam the 500 freestyle with a time of 25:1:0, and broke the new pool’s record while increased her chances to qualify for CIF. Rubke also notes senior Declan Andrew’s win in the 100-meter backstroke. According to Rubke, his time almost meets the automatic CIF qualifications. “I wasn’t too focused on winning or

competing, but mostly on lowering my time to get a Bay League record and to qualify for CIF,” Andrew said. However, despite both the boys’ and girls’ losses, Rubke looks forward to the team’s improvement and acknowledges the talent of the Peninsula swimmers. “At times, our team does have some bad moments during practice. However, later in practice everyone always starts to swim well and I am know that our swimmers will work harder on mastering their techniques and finishing stronger at meets this season,” Rubke said.

SPORTS // MARCH 23, 2012

NEXT IN LINE

Girl’s lacrosse decided to allow the JV team to play against Culver City, an unchallenging team. The JV team got practice playing on the varsity level and the time off provided varsity to take time to recover from last week’s loss against Mira Costa. by Kylie Martn

After a disappointing loss to Costa on Tuesday the girls took time to reflect on their performance when the JV team took their place and beat Culver City 17-1 on Wednesday. “Culver City is not a challenge for the varsity team, so we decided to let the JV team play up this game,” senior Ariel Mistuloff said. Mistuloff feels that playing up is beneficial to the JV players so that they can get a feel for what it is like to play on varsity for next year. As captain, Mistuloff feels that not only is it her duty to prepare the varsity players to play their best, but it is

also her duty to get the JV players prepared to play on varsity. “Even after I graduate, I hope that the team continues to be as strong as it has been since the program started,” Mistuloff said. “That is why moving JV players up to play against Culver City is not only beneficial to the girls individually, but also to the program as a whole.” Varsity used the extra time off to refocus on coming out on top this season and to reflect on their loss against Costa Tuesday. “We haven’t lost a Bay League game in three years so losing to Costa was a wakeup call for us that we really need to work

2. PHOTOS BY ALEXIS BRACKEN

In the process of recovery. 1. The team tries to regroup during Mira Costa game and regain focus. 2. Senior Micayla Kotzbach goes up against Mira Costa player in last Friday’s game. Kotzbach and team are disappointed in their loss and look forward to better focus on their upcoming games. “We have to play hard until the end no matter what the outcome is,” Kotzbach said.

harder this season,” senior Brittany Ross said. Although the loss was a shock, Ross feels that it has brought the team closer together and it created a deeper drive in each of the players to stay mentally focused and dedicated during practice and games. “We took this extra time to recount our mistakes from the game against Costa and are aware of what made us weak as a team,” junior Lydia Roth said. “We let pressure get the best of us and we needed to settle down and play the game that we are capable of.” Mistuloff notes how the team is working to improve how they play to beat Costa

at their next game. “We have such amazing talent on this team and I am disappointed in how we played against Costa because I know we are better than that,” Mistuloff said. However, Ross acknowledges the higher level of competition this season and notes that every team they have played against has improved much more since last year than she had expected. “I am proud of the team for not letting the loss get the best of us,” Mistuloff said. “We are continuing to work hard at practice to improve our mistakes to play the best we can.”

FILLING THE SPACES by Brandon Folkman

In a close match that came down to the finish Redondo beat Culver City last Wednesday 12-11. The team had the disadvantage of playing in the absence of key players, but clinched their second victory of the season. “It’s great that we got the win tonight because we started off the season with three losses in a row,” said senior Tyler Clinton. The team was down by three at the end of the first quarter, but was able to turn the game around and come out with the victory. According to Clinton, although the offense was strong, it was the team’s defense that made the difference in keeping Culver City’s goals to a minimum.

“Our offense took advantage of many shots which is a subject we’ve been working on in practice. But our defense really stepped up this game considering we were missing one of our starting defenders (senior Zach Zent) and our starting face-off and midfielder (senior Max Christy),” said Clinton. Senior Jeff Clark agrees that the team’s defense played a huge role in the win. “The game got really nerve-racking in the fourth quarter, but when it got down to the wire, our defense stuck with it and held them in the final seconds to win the game,” said Clark. According to senior Eddie Clites, the team is optimistic

going into their next game against Beverly Hills. “Beverly Hills tends to have one or two offensive players that we need to around for, but I believe our defense will be able to shut them down,” said Clites. Clinton agrees that Beverly Hills should be an easy game, but feels that the team cannot get too comfortable against them. “The game on Friday should be a definite win for us. However, we can’t go into the game thinking it will be an easy win because that’s how upsets occur,” said Clinton, “We have to hit, help, and hustle from the beginning of the first quarter to the very end of the fourth.”

SPORTS // MARCH 23, 2012

More than teammates. 1. Boys’ varsity golf team from left to right, Lawrence Ree, Ray Malazo, Austin Cronkrite, Kenny Cole, Matt Ferradas, Ryan Ree, and Michael D’Angelo enjoy each others company. 2. Members are able to be both teammates and friends.

ALL as

ONE

With only 6 making the cut, boys’ varsity golf forms close bonds outside school. by Madison Mitchell

Waking up before the sun is up, meeting in the school parking lot, and driving for hours is what has brought the boys varsity golf team together. Seniors Kenny Cole, Michael D’Angelo, Ryann Ree, Austin Conkrite and juniors Matthew Ferradas, Ray Malazo and Lawrence Ree go to tournaments where they have to drive for hours together. “Driving to matches together for sure makes us closer because we all talk and share laughs which really helps the team bond,” Cole said. Ferradas also agrees that the drives to the matches brings them closer. The almost two hour drive to a tournament in Glendora is the longest drive and holds the most memories. “We have a lot of fun on [the car rides] and become closer as a team,” Ferradas said. “We discuss how we

think we are going to play, what we hope does not happen, and on the way back is the best because we talk about our round and who we played with.” The boys have grown closer as friends over the last three years playing on the varsity team together. They play about three times a week and practice two or more times during the week. Being with each other so much outside of school bonds them together as a team. “During matches and tournaments, we talk about everything, what’s going on with ourselves in school and outside of it. We pretty much talk about anything,” Malazo said. Besides golfing together with the team, some of the boys hang out together at the beach and go snowboarding. “Outside of school, [we] hang out to-

Drama Free

by Kaite Hill

Cheer breaks through drama-filled stereotypes and works to become a family.

Put any group of teenage girls together and make them practice stunts and choreograph dances for hours on end and there’s bound to be some drama. According to varsity cheerleading, they are “family”, and will always have each other’s backs.

During football season, the team practices every single day, repeating grueling stunts. They spend huge amounts of time together practicing and performing at games, under high stress to cheer as best as possible.

gether all the time. Surfing at the beach is something we do a lot,” Cole said. Cole, D’Angelo, and Ferradas have been friends for a “long time” but the rest of the team is part of the group that will remain friends and keep in touch with each other forever. Cole, D’Angelo and Ree are graduating this year, but their

All in the FAMILY

friendship will not end. “Michael, Kenny and I have been close friends since we were babies, so it will be [sad] when they are gone,” Ferradas said. This year the boys varsity golf team is very strong and it will be very different next year. “It’s going to be different and

PHOTOS BY ERINN MIDDO

disappointing because this is the only year that the boys golf team is going to be its strongest,” Malazo said. “The JV kids have to step up their game or we need incoming freshmen that are tremendously good. But it’s going to have to take serious luck to be as strong as we are this year.”

Members on boys’ varsity golf shares the benefits of being on such a close-knit team. PHOTOS BY ERINN MIDDO

“It is more fun to be a real “We can talk about team, it’s like a family. anything and play with Everyone is out to win and anybody on the team,” has fun doing it,” -Ray Malazo -Austin Cronkrite

“Anytime you have a group of teenage girls spending so much time together there is always an opportunity for drama to present itself,” senior and co-captain Carolyn Pyle said. According to Pyle, the girls are together for each other’s ups and downs, whether they like it or not. As a team they have to be ready to support one another no matter what. “We are a great group of girls who know how to deal with the drama, put it aside and focus on what’s important,” Pyle said.

The team has supported each other through a lot this year in everything from injuries to getting a new coach. These obstacles may have caused altercations at first, but in the end it has made them stronger, according to junior Keziah Wilhelm. “We’ve grown together through our struggles,” Wilhelm said. “We now have a closer bond and our team is better than it has ever been.” Many of the cheerleaders have been cheering together all of their high school careers

“It makes it a lot more fun because you can relate to everyone and share the ups and downs during matches,” -Kenny Cole

which has given them experience in combatting drama. “A lot of us have known each other for almost four years,” Wilhelm said. “We’ve learned it works best for everyone if we just talk it out.” The team knows what matters most and that is “being a team”. They may have their fair share of drama, but their bonds with each other are stronger. “We fight but we love each other so we quickly get past the drama,” senior Laura Schlueter said