HIGH
TIDE Redondo Beach, CA // Redondo Union High School May 23, 2013 // Vol. XCIII // Edition 15
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Students sell hearts to honor Arianna Panaifo.
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ILLUSTRATION BY JOSEPH BIESCHKE
The editorial staff questions whether the SlutWalk is a hindrence or a help.
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Girls softball wins Bay League Championship title.
Awaken Youth hosts guest speaker by Ilana LaGraff and Navikka Dasz
The club Awaken Youth held a rally in the small gym on Tuesday and had guest speaker Ryan Tucker come from the ministry, California School Project, in Biola University. After contacting the ministry, Awaken Youth president Cara Ulizio was introduced to Tucker and found that his story “fit perfectly” with their theme, “Made For More.” “The main idea [of his story] was that we should find our
identity in Christ and less in things such as a job, grades, sports, etc. because they can fail us but God never does,” she said. In his speech, Tucker stressed that all people are loved by God and can do anything with Him beside them. He ended the rally by leading the group in prayer. Ulizio believes the rally’s message was an important one to share with the student body. “Much more comes from having a relationship with Christ. When we do this, we can better pursue our passions knowing it
is through God and that he gave them to us,” she said. “Through the rally, we took advantage of the opportunity to at least share an important idea about Christianity and let God do the rest.” Ulizio wants to share Christianity with others because of her own experiences with it. “As I have grown deeper in my faith and stronger in my relationship with Christ, I have experienced happiness and discovered a greater purpose,” she said. “Because this has changed who I am, I would like others to experience the same.”
PHOTO BY VITORIA MAGNO
Made for More. Awaken Youth Club hosts lunch rally with guest speaker Ryan Tucker who spoke about finding a greater purpose in life.
Hermosa to raise police presence on Fourth of July by Jason Rochlin
ABC News named Hermosa Beach a top place to party for the Fourth of July holiday last year. This is not, however, the kind of image Hermosa Beach wants to portray. Hermosa city officials have
worked out a plan with the City Manager to reinforce Hermosa Beach’s culture of safe, responsible and family-oriented life. “Police officers will cite and detain teens and others who violate laws prohibiting drinking alcohol on the beach and in public places, as well as any use of illegal drugs,”
the May 20 Hermosa Beach Press Release said. To help hammer in these new laws, the Police Department has hired high school teens to appear in informational videos as part of their “Keep your Independence” campaign that serves to educate other teens about the increased
f f o 20% k oo b e c a F with ck-In Che
2 HIGH TIDE . NEWS
enforcement and the consequences of violating the laws. “We want to ensure a safe and happy holiday for all our visitors, and will be vigilant to avoid a repeat of last year’s parties on the beach that ended in fights among teens and injuries to some of the participants,” Interim Police Chief
Michael McCrary said. While one of the major consequences of the laws is a $200 fine, another is that violators could also face jail time, if a parent is unable to bail them out. Under a new law that the city will be enforcing, teens under the age of 18 will also face the loss of their driver’s licenses for a year if they’re spotted with an open container of alcohol on the beach or in any other public space in the city. “Having a driver’s license represents independence to most teens. We want teens to make better choices this Fourth of July. We expect the prospect of losing their driver’s licenses for a year will be a sobering thought,” Chief McCrary said. These new laws will also increase the amount of undercover police roaming The Strand after 10 a.m. in order to catch more underage violators before major problems arise like they did last year. According to the Hermosa Beach Fire Department, “on July 4, 2012, the city had an increased number of emergency medical calls, including 11 cases of alcohol intoxication. Almost all the 16 remaining injuries were related to alcohol consumption.” With the new laws and increased police presence, Hermosa Beach strives to provide a great, safe experience for everyone to enjoy. “Informing teens about the increased enforcement on July 4 and the new law regarding the potential loss of their licenses for having an open container of alcohol will help them make choices that will ensure they will keep their independence and have a safe holiday,” Chief McCrary said.
Redondo beats Costa in Newsweek rankings by Jene Price
After countless hours of hard work and long testing days, Redondo has ranked higher than rival Mira Costa for the first time in Newsweek’s rankings of top high schools. “I am very proud of our ranking overall,” principal Dr. Nicole Wesley said. “I know the principal at Mira Costa very well, and it will be nice to rub it in his face.” Overall, the high school ranking in Newsweek is based off of several varied components such as graduation rate, students who were accepted into colleges, students who take AP tests, the AP classes’ pass rates and average SAT, ACT, and AP scores.
Redondo has an 85 percent pass rate for all AP exams and a 97 percent graduation rate which, when compared to Mira Costa’s 78 percent pass rate for AP exams, puts Redondo over the top. Redondo’s rank in the Newsweek article is 376 in the nation with a score of 3.29. Mira Costa got a score of 3.28 in which put them at 409 despite the schools having close scores. Although Redondo is ranked higher than Mira Costa in Newsweek, Mira Costa still ranks higher than Redondo in U.S. News Weekly with Redondo ranking at 146 and Mira Costa at 81, something Wesley hopes to change. “I never really set out to rank higher than Costa,” Wesley said. “My goal was to
improve from the year before, and if we keep improving then eventually we will surpass more schools and also beat out Mira Costa in U.S News Weekly.” According to Wesley, Newsweek is a more accurate ranking because they focus more on academics and test scores whereas U.S. News Weekly also looks at additional demographic information such as the number of students on reduced lunch, minorities and the mix-up of the student body. Despite Redondo’s good ranking, Wesley’s goal is to keep improving overall in every category to continue to raise our ranking. “I want to improve our completion of A-G requirements for CSU and UC schools
Have a heart graduation in honor of fallen classmate.
which would make us more competitive. It all comes down to the students,” Dr. Wesley said. “I always say a lazy man works twice as hard. We have 176 days to pass a course, so why not pass the first time and not have to take another six weeks of the course in summer school?” According to Wesley, she feels “blessed” to have such great staff members and hardworking students that have helped Redondo get to the rank it has, and she is excited to eventually pass Mira Costa in the U.S News Weekly rankings as well as Newsweek’s. “When we do out-rank our rival, we will point that out and when I see the principal I will be sure to rub it in his face,” Dr. Wesley said.
>>Students to sell foam hearts to wear at
by Rachael Orford
In order to honor Arianna Panaifo, who passed away on March 1 after a five-year battle with bone cancer, students in the senior class are selling hearts to be worn on graduation. To make sure Panaifo is a part of the graduation ceremony, seniors Karissa Taylor, Savannah Stern, Jacqueline Himmelrich,
Vitoria Magno, Shivaani Gandhi, Mannal Haddad, Ilana LaGraff and Tricia Light hope to have every senior wearing a heart when they walk for graduation on June 14. The pins are being sold for a dollar each and can be bought from any of the previously mentioned seniors. The proceeds will go to the Panaifo family to help pay off medical bills and funeral costs, and any remaining money is being donated to a cancer reaserch
fund. Aside from the hearts, Panaifo’s life will be commemorated with a flower-covered seat reserved in her honor in the front row. Panaifo’s parents will also be accepting her diploma on her behalf. “The fundraiser is a way of coming together as a class to make sure Arianna is with us when we graduate,” Himmelrich said.
PHOTO BY SAVANNAH STERN
From the Heart. The senior class is selling foam hearts to wear at the graduation ceremony in honor of Arianna Panaifo.
3 HIGH TIDE . NEWS
PRO >> College
Shelby Salerno
rankings are not as important as how comfortable a student feels in college.
As senior year ends for many students, choosing the right college to spend the next four or so years of adulthood becomes a tense and exciting subject. Some students base their college of choice off of their personal interests, comfort on campus, and liking of location; however, other students determine their future by examining how high of a rank a college has earned. Despite the educational and career benefits of attending a famous, well-funded, prestigious and high-ranking school, deciding a college by comfort, personal liking and majors is more beneficial to any high school senior who wishes to have a happy college experience. For example, a student is able to choose between Harvard University and Humboldt
AROUND REDONDO compiled by Stella Gianoukakis
Are college rankings overvalued in college searches? >>College CON
Andrew Czuzak
rankings are a useful tool in a college search, but should change with the times.
College rankings are not a catchall option for choosing a college, but they sure do help. These rankings can provide students with a general idea of the college. Students can use lists like U.S. News’ and World Report rankings in order to compile useful information about schools. Although one may not care about statistics like alumni donations, they should care about student-faculty ratio, financial aid, and religious affiliation among other things. This information allows students to get a picture of the school when they may otherwise have chosen a school based on what someone told them. Furthermore, one of the main reasons any of this information is easily accessible is due to the U.S. News’ rankings. Before U.S. News’ ranking, it was not as easy to quantify
4 HIGH TIDE . OPINION
State University. This student had visited Humboldt State and Humboldt had made him feel at home, it had the majors he wanted, and although this student had not visited Harvard he chooses the higher-ranking school based on its reputation. Harvard is the number one college on many rankings, however, during the student’s freshman year, he may realize that Harvard just does not feel right for him. This could happen if a student decides to base their college of choice off of rank versus personal interest. If a school does not feel right or does not have a strong department in the desired major, then the student will be less happy and less willing to continue attending the university. Not only that, but if many students use the method of attending school by ranking, then all of those students are going to be flocking to the same top ten or so colleges. This means that other colleges will not get the chance to prove themselves and the acceptance rates of high rank colleges will lower. What determines a college rank is the most concerning aspect. Five percent of the
“ Yes, I think its more important to find a school that has a strong program for your major. — CHRISTIAN FONSECA, 12
“ No, because some
”
school have better curriculums [and it shows in the rating.] —DEVAN SHAW, 9
”
the performance of schools. In addition, the fact that they organize the information for people in one location is preferable to having to gather it by oneself. Another benefit is that students are able to tell which colleges will open more doors through them via reputation. A graduate from the number one ranked school, Harvard, is more likely to get an interview than a graduate from a low-ranked school. While this may seem to be further falsely perpetuate the importance in college rankings, these rankings provide an easy way for an employer to tell the value of potential employees. There are, however, problems with college rankings. In recent years, there have been more and more criticisms of the ranking system. Critics argue that the rankings encourage schools to falsify test scores and use questionable criteria. For example, last year, Claremont McKenna falsified test scores in order to move further up in the rankings. They boosted their average by what seems to be 10 measly points on the SAT, but those points made a major difference in the ratings.
U.S. News and World Report; rankings are made up of alumni donations, and another 25 percent of the rankings consist of assessments by officials of other schools. Additionally, college ranking lists also create inflamed reputations and varying qualities that make a school top rank. Reputation encourages people to attend the higher-ranking schools, thus further lowering the rank of the other schools and causing students to believe that they should attend the high-ranking schools because they are “proven” to be better. If a particular student is searching for a school with a focus in engineering and she picks a top ranking college thinking that the school is overall better, she may find out that the school is only top ranking in certain aspects such as art programs or campus location. Attending a college based on rank is overrated and, for some people, may have extremely negative consequences, such as a miserable four years. Students should choose colleges based on personal preference and levels of comfort in order to get the most out of college.
“ Yes, [students] don’t have to get into a good college to achieve what they want to achieve. — KENNY OKUDA,11
“ No, I think it is
”
important to get into a good college with a good ranking. — JASON DICOCHEA, 9
”
Another problem is that college officials rank other universities based on the percieved quality compared to their college. These officials probably know very little about the quality of other colleges compared to their own. In order to fix this, the way college are ranked needs to be prioritized. One way that has been proposed is keeping the data we have now –like the GPA and SAT– but base college’s rankings off the number of graduates who were pleased with their education, who graduated in four years, and who had success finding a job. College is a means to finding a job and not an end. Students cannot afford to leave a 4-year university with debt and no job. By ranking a college’s students job placement, one is able to see how effective students at a certain university are able to function after college. Without these changes the ranking systems becomes stale and obsolete. While the college ranking system is not perfect right now, when used as a way to guide to select schools to apply to rather than as a final decision maker, they can be effective.
Letters to the
Editor If you have an opinion about one of the articles, we welcome letters to the editor at hightideonline@gmail.com. We reserve the right to edit them for content, grammar, and space constraints. Letters must be signed and are not guaranteed to be printed.
HIGH TIDE
STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Julia Tran Managing Editor: Emma Uriarte Writing Director: Tricia Light Design Director: Taylor Ballard Sports Director: Tatiana Celentano News Editor: Mannal Haddad Opinion Editor: Andrew Czuzak Health Editor: Cedric Hyon Features Editors: Taylor Brightwell; Shivaani Gandhi; Kylie Martin; Haley Meyers Sports Editors: Allegra Peelor, Alejandro Quevedo Entertainment Editor: Haley Meyers Photo Editors: Vitoria Magno-Baptista; Diana Luna Copy Editors: Hana Ghanim; Ilana LaGraff; Navikka Dasz Cartoonist: Cooper Lovano Online Editors: Vivian Lam; Kayla Maanum; LeAnn Maanum Staff Writers: Victoria Artaza; Alina Bieschke; Joseph Bieschke; Jewell Black; Kira Bowen; Kolbie Brightwell; Ted Cavus; Deborah Chang; Edwin Chavez; Caitlin Cochran; Yasmeen El-Hasan; Micah Ezzes; Zoe Ezzes; Anna Fauver; Stella Gianoukakis; Nageena Hamraz; Natalie Hardiman; Katie Hill; Haris Khan; Chance King; Angela Kim; Justin Lee; Daniel Loveland; Shawn Mallen; Nicholas McCarthy; Romy Moreno; Alida Newson; Kayla Nicholls; Susan Nieves; Rachael Orford; Lindsey Pannor; Cameron Paulson; Jene Price; Jason Rochlin; Shelby Salerno; Beth Shallon; Laura Smith; Cole Stecyk; Savannah Stern; Karissa Taylor; Claire Tisius; Grace Zoerner Adviser: Mitch Ziegler The High Tide dedicates itself to producing a high-quality publication that both informs and entertains the entire student body. This is a wholly student managed, designed, and written newspaper that focuses on school and community events. The High Tide is published by the journalism class at Redondo Union High School, One Sea Hawk Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Signed commentaries and editorial cartoons represent the opinions of the staff writer or cartoonist and in no way reflect the opinions of the High Tide staff.
The cost of getting it wrong: a retraction Although children are often told that “sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you,” the High Tide has recently received a poignant reminder that words actually have an impact. Last issue’s editorial and editorial cartoon on the school’s health classes may have been written with good intentions, but they reflected a massive error in judgement on behalf of the editorial staff. Not only did we fail to properly investigate, we also failed to properly report. Instead, we simply pontificated based not on facts, but on suspicions and opinions. Neither the editorial nor the editorial cartoon were meant as personal attacks, but that almost makes the newspaper’s action
more despicable. Even at the high school level, newspapers have a responsibility to publish only factual,information. The responsibility of any reporter is to accurately report the facts, yet the editorial omitted key information. A significant percentage of the school and nearly all of the editorial staff enrolled in the online course rather than the traditional class, but the distinction between the two classes was never made. Even though we primarily meant to discuss the flaws in the online course curriculum, the reasonable conclusion readers reached from the piece was that the staff was criticizing the traditional class. The fact is, students have a positive evalu-
ation of the class taught at RUHS. Furthermore, the editorial staff sought to discuss all health class’ standards rather than their instruction. Teachers are required to teach the topics that the state requires them to cover, so it should have been clarified that the recommendations voiced in the article were aimed at state standards rather than at any particular teacher on campus. As for the editorial cartoon, it was completely inappropriate. Although meant as an entertaining reference to a popular movie, the cartoon was, in truth, a result of laziness. Editorial cartoons should always be original and reflect the editorial staff’s opinion; it should never be a movie still and yet, that is exactly what it was.
Absolutely no consideration was paid to how someone not familiar with Mean Girls might interpret it. Foresight was abandoned for the sake of earning a few laughs, and no one on staff, from the cartoonist to the Editor-in-Chief, had the perception to realize that the illustration of an incompetent coach teaching health would be both misinterpreted and offensive until it was too late. Historically, the High Tide has prided itself in its ability to maintain journalistic integrity in a world of sloppy reporting and sensationalism. However, this time around we have regrettably tarnished that reputation; we have lost our journalistic integrity and we are doing everything we can to amend it.
EDITORIAL
SlutWalk does not focus on real issues WHAT WE THINK While the SlutWalk protests do not do delve deep enough into important issues, they do bring attention to the problems with the oversexualization of American society. Hordes of women parading down the streets in stilettos and lacy underwear may catch the eyes of onlookers, but the SlutWalk protests are counterproductive to the feminist cause. The SlutWalk aims to empower women and end victim blaming, but, by perpetuating the image of females as sexual objects, it is sadly doing the opposite. Rape victims should never be held accountable regardless of what they wear. The SlutWalk, however, consists more of women catching attention by dressing in a manner that panders to our society’s sexualization of women than of reformers making a serious attempt to rectify a serious injustice. The mantra of modern feminists should be that since women should not be seen as sexual objects, provocative clothes should neither be embraced nor shunned. The clothing a woman wears should be consid-
ILLUSTRATION BY COOPER LOVANO
ered irrelevant, just as her gender should not play a major role in determining how she is viewed. Nevertheless, the SlutWalk movement is valuable because it draws attention to the very serious problems with the manner in which our society sexualizes women, or determines that a woman’s value is tied to sex appeal by the American Psychology Association’s (APA) definition. The media is largely responsible for this sexualization. According to an APA report, an analysis from 2003 revealed that 74 percent of prime-time television programs had at least one incident of sexual harassment, with an average of 3.4 incidents per program. Furthermore, nearly every female role
in both television and movies is glorified for her physical appearance. Given the amount of time the average American spends watching television, it is no surprise that people adopt the attitudes and attempt to emulate the behavior that they see modeled by their idols. Furthermore, we don’t even attempt to condemn celebrities for their misdeeds against women. Chris Brown, who brutally assaulted Rihanna four years ago, is still lauded for his music, which celebrates a misogynistic point of view. In addition, he was only forced to serve five years probation and perform community service as punishment for his cruelty. Another celebrity, comedian Daniel
Tosh, said, “Wouldn’t it be funny if that girl got raped by like, five guys right now … like right now?” and barely received any criticism for his comments and still enjoys massive success. As such events prove, feminist campaigns are still very relevant and necessary, but the SlutWalk’s celebration of revealing clothing is no way to achieve true gender equality. Rather, modern feminists should attempt to chip away at the current societal view that women are sexual objects by addressing the sexualization of women in the media, condemning celebrities who represent misogyny, and, most importantly, imparting on the nation’s youth that women and men are equally deserving of respect.
5 HIGH TIDE . OPINION
>> Food Review
Taco
TUESDAY
>> As the Taco Tuesday fad gains momentum in the South Bay, our staff reviews some well-known and some not so well-known participants that might suprise you, but are sure to tempt your taste buds. ILLUSTRATION BY JOSEPH BIESCHKE
Café Rio
Ortega 120
Mickie Finnz
El Tarasco
$$ Affordable
$$ Affordable
$$ Affordable
$ Very Inexpensive
Walking in, it is hard not to be captivated by the enticing smells of freshly handmade tortillas sizzling on a hot grill and the stirring sounds of the cooks working in the kitchen. The friendly and enthusiastic staff made me feel at home and brightened my mood. I ordered the pork barbacoa taco and steak taco with rice and pinto beans. The sweet flavor of the pork complimented the warm tortilla, juicy tomatoes and cilantro of the pico de gallo hit the spot. I am not a fan of steak, but their seasoned strips of tender beef were exquisite. The food presentation was simple and colorful with the bright green lettuce and spots of red tomatoes. Highlights of the meal included watching the chefs preparing the food in right front of me, the fantastic food, and the lively atmosphere infused with a cozy vibe.
Authentic Mexican decor and crowds of regulars all culminate into an alluring atmosphere good for a night out with friends or a nice lunch with the family. I ordered the carnitas taco and shredded beef taco with corn tortillas. Both tacos came with cilantro, onions, cotija cheese and chefpaired salsa. The savory pork in the carnitas taco paired with the onions and spicy salsa creates a nice balance of flavors. The beef was satisfying but a little tough and bland for my taste. The tacos are medium-sized and well worth the price on Taco Tuesday. The customer service is very professional and charismatic. The seating arrangements are more intimate with table seating being the most prominent in the restaurant. Overall it was a nice experience, but I had higher expectations that fell short.
—Jewell Black
“ The friendly and enthusi-
astic staff made me feel at home.
Right around the corner from the beach lies this intimate restaurant that welcomes the customer into a tropical atmosphere. Despite the friendly and efficient customer service, the food was subpar and disappointing. I ordered the chicken taco and shrimp taco with corn tortillas. The shrimp taco had a nice crunch and tasty grilled shrimp but lacked an adequate amount of shrimp itself and left me wanting more. This taco is extra large with competing flavors of the pepper jack cheese, rotisserie chicken, and pico de gallo that are overpowered by the dressing sauce and are a little too much for a single taco. The presentation was slightly messy and the taco itself was difficult to eat with an uneven ratio of filling to tortilla. The corn tortillas for both tacos were a little plain and dry and couldn’t stand up to the rich ingredients.
—Jewell Black
”
night out with friends or a nice lunch with the family.
Where do you like to go for Taco Tuesday and why? PHOTOS BY CLAIRE TISIUS COMPILED BY JEWELL BLACK
6 HIGH TIDE . ENTERTAINMENT
—Caitlin Cochran
—Jewell Black
”
efficient customer service, the food was subpar.
like Chipotle’s tacos “Ibecause their chicken
AROUND REDONDO
With a large dining area, televisions playing news and sports and a small game room in the back, El Tarasco’s comfortable atmosphere is the perfect Taco Tuesday spot. In addition to the acceptable atmosphere, the service is very friendly and attentative. They serve a great classic chicken taco with a fair amount of chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and sour cream. El Tarasco is also very accommodating, offering bean tacos for those who are vegetarian. El Tarasco’s prices are also very inexpensive. The prices range from eight to fifteen dollars. Overall, I reccommend El Tarasco as an excellent Taco Tuesday participant because of the friendly service, good Mexican food, and the inexpensive prices. El Tarasco is simple, yet satisfying.
“ Despite the friendly and
“ [Ortega 120 is] good for a
is really flavorful and succulent.
”
—ANA CHRISTINA, 12
like El Burrito Jr.’s “Isteak tacos with hot
“ El Tarasco’s comfortable amosphere is the perfect Taco Tuesday spot.
”
enjoy Del Taco’s “ITuesday deal. They are cheap and still taste good.
”
— YADICZA HERNANDEZ, 11
the “ Elbest.Sombrero’s Their quality
salsa. I’ll eat anything at that place.
beef tacos and spicy enchilada sauce tastes amazing.
— VERENICE PADILLA, 9
— JACOB LANGE, 11
”
PHOTOS BY VITORIA MAGNO
”
”
eat at Palmilla “ICocina Y Tequila
in Hermosa to order their shrimp tacos.
”
— NINA GOMEZ, 10
like El Torito’s Taco “ITuesday’s. I will
devour their chicken, steak, or carnitas taco anytime.
”
— JACOB HARRIS, 12
>> Reviews
A South Bay
Summer Break
>> Our staff scours the South Bay for some fun, yet educational summer opportunites. From the Self-Realization Fellowship to the Local Poets Reading Series, we’ve shared some diverse options worth checking out.
Self-Realization Fellowship Summer S.E.A. Lab tours by Cameron Paulson
Calm waters, beautiful architecture, peaceful silence and a pure breath of fresh air. Lake Shrine Temple in Pacific Palisades is a wonderful destination to relax and clear one’s head. Tucked away on Sunset Boulevard, Lake Shrine Temple is a Self-Realization Fellowship dedicated by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1950. Once entering the grounds, luscious flowers and green cover the pathway with uplifting statues until it opens up into a lake and archway framing a Gandhi
World Peace Memorial. Although there are many different paths that lead to small sitting areas, the main path passes by a boat for a two-hour meditation, an archway covered in flowers, and a Court of Religions honoring the five principal religions of the world: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. After making the way back to the beginning of the path, the stairs lead to the main meditation rooms, a larger temple, a gift shop, chapel and a visitors center. Lake Shrine Temple has
no entry fee and is open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rules are limited: but no food or beverages are allowed, professional photography must be permitted by a worker and silence is required to maintain the peaceful atmosphere. The ten-acre piece of land framed by the hills, Lake Shrine Temple’s lush gardens, vast flora, and the beautiful lake, home to swans, koi, ducks and turtles, offers a perfect place to get away from the business of LA.
by Zoe Ezzes
1.
If you are looking for a fun place to go over summer, you do not have to look far. The S.E.A. Lab, located at 1021 North Harbor Drive, is a great place to learn about marine life and get hands-on interaction with fish - and it is completely free. Originally created as a fish protection program to save fish getting stuck in ocean water intake pipes used to cool down power plants, it’s now run as a coastal science ed-
PHOTOS BY ZOE EZZES
Learning at the lab. 1. Visuals such as this one are used to share environmental issues. 2. The touch tanks features bat rays, horn sharks, and more.
2.
ucation center by the LA Conservation Corps. The S.E.A. Lab is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for anyone who wants to come see the animals or go on a guided tour. Ocean desalination education tours are also offered Saturdays at 12:30 p.m.
Local Poets Reading Series by Chance King
1.
2.
PHOTOS BY VITORIA MAGNO
Spiritual energy. 1. The Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial is a shrine that contains some of Gandhi’s actual ashes. 2. As people walk through the spiritual center, they can enjoy the spiritual quotes on signs scattered throughout the walkway.
Robert Frost once said, “Poetry is what gets lost in translation.” Redondo coffee shop, The Coffee Cartel has found it. Every Tuesday night, the shop hosts an open mic poetry night, showcasing both seasoned poets and amateurs alike. All ages are welcome to attend and anyone brave enough is allowed to read their poetry. Each poet is given four minutes to recite two poems of his or her choosing. Any style of poetry is allowed and there is no specific order which the poets read in. The event showcases a feature poet, who shares five or more poems and
PHOTO BY TYLER EISENHART
Poetry cartel. Poets read every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. in The Coffee Cartel.
performs before the first break and at the end of the event. The venue is very relaxed and intimate. The plush couches and dim lighting give the shop a very cozy ambience, allowing the focus to be completely on the poet. Old books and memorabilia line the walls, reminiscent of the coffee shops of yesteryear. The shop’s honest and intimate feel resonate within the crowd, allowing the listener and reader to connect . The open mic poetry night at Coffee Cartel is one of the few events in Redondo where anyone can listen and participate in art. There is no criticism or exclusivity, simply people being open and honest.
7 HIGH TIDE . ENTERTAINMENT
>> Book Review
“CRUSHER” by Niall Leonard
Politically correct by Grace Zoerner
PHOTO COURTESY OF RANDOM HOUSE
The poorly-written thriller, Crusher, is a hard-torelate-to novel about a teenage boy named Finn living in London, who comes home one day to find his father beaten to death, and wants to find out who did it. Niall Leonard pieces the story together with a slow and boring plot along with simple and stereotypical characters, who are very predictable and hard to relate to. The main character, Finn, is no exception, as his only drive to find out who killed his father is his curiousity, not because he cares or because he wants revenge, depicting him as a character who is devoid of most human emotion. In addition, Finn is portrayed in the beginning as an illiterate high school dropout because he is dyslexic, but throughout the book, he shows a contradicting amount of wit and quick-thinking, along with the ability to read. Leonard also creates a plot that is slow to start, and nearly actionless. The main part of the plot is about a whole mystery murder, and throughout the novel, the case is dropped and then picked up again out of nowhere, with the main character finding leads out of thin air. The entire plot is so devoid of any realismthat any twists or betrayals were either too predictable or too random to actually be of any interest. Leonard also jams the story full with many stereotypical characters, with the main antagonists being a big time mobster who has a big hand in London’s underworld and a grumpy old cop who thinks Finn is just a drug-dealing teenager who killed his own father. Other stereotypical characters include a big time chef who is very bossy, a gangster henchman who wants to take over his boss’s control of the city underworld, and the rebellious teenage daughter of the old grumpy cop. Overall, the characters in Leonard’s story are very linear and predictable. In addition, Leonard’s novel is filled to the brim with crude language, assuming that modern-day teenagers are unable to say a sentence without pilling on foul language. Overall, Crusher is a boring and linear action novel, filled with stereotypes, predictable plot twists and a lack of realistic emotion. I would only recommend the novel to people who just want to read a book with well written action it; besides that, the
—Daniel Loveland
8 HIGH TIDE . ENTERTAINMENT
Over the past months, the clicks of his fingers on the keyboard have become as familiar to junior Ilan Avineri as the notes of his favorite song: they are a constant refrain repeated as he hunches over the computer late into the night, forming his opinions and ideas into clear, expressive words. Presently, Avineri is wrapping up the writing and publication of his political book, What We Need. “I want readers to walk away with some sort of need for responsive action, in addition to a thorough understanding of political issues they may not be aware of,” he said. Avineri himself is an aspiring politician; over the past few years, he has done research on various problems within the community. In addition to writing for a website he co-runs with a friend, Avineri wanted to publish a book of his ideas. “My website didn’t really get information out there. I want to compile it into a book that people can purchase
>> Junior Ilan Avineri will publish a political book.
and actually hold in their hands,” he said. Because his mother has connections in the publishing industry, Avineri was presented with the opportunity to make this aspiration a reality. “My process of writing was compiling and interpreting data in a way that can give a cohesive explanation for my own ideas,” he said. “Half of the book is research put into my own words in a convincing, persuasive way.” The other half, according to Avineri, highlights the varied opinions of people within the community, such as students and community leaders. He describes the inclusion of these interviews as the book’s “primary focus.” One such interview is with Isabella Hsu, who has been friends with Avineri since kindergarden. She has tried to be emotionally supportive of him in any way that she can. “The biggest thing I’m always telling Ilan is to not care what other people think about his opinions, because they’re really strong. He can’t really be that polite about this, because he can’t change what he thinks,” she said. Hsu believes Avineri’s articula-
1. Stars and stripes. 1. Avineri edits his book in the library. 2. His book titled What We Need will be available in mid-to late September.
>> Album Review
2.
Modern Vampires of the City, Vampire Weekend
Popular indie band, Vampire Weekend, came out with their first album in three years last Thursday. The band’s much anticipated third album is a catchy blend of pop rock and techno influences. But saying all this album had going for it was a catchy sound would be doing the band a great disservice. The band plays like a tour through pop music’s history referencing the greats such as Paul Simon, Nick Cave, and Modest Mouse as well as sampling them. In songs such as “Step”, the chorus and parts of the melody are taken from Oakland rap group Souls of Mischief ’s “Step To My Girl.” The title of the album is even taken from reggae singer Junior Reid’s 1990 track “One Blood.” But music is not the only thing the band references
tion of his thoughts to be the “best thing” about his book. “He’s a smart guy; he knows his stuff,” she said. “He shouldn’t be ashamed of it.” Despite this, however, Hsu says not everyone is as confident about Avineri’s abilities. “I’m proud of him, though I guess others might doubt or question him,” Hsu said. “I know he got that a lot. People asked him if he really thought he could do this because he’s a kid. They didn’t really have a lot of faith in him.” According to Hsu, Avineri’s hard work and dedication have proven him worthy of her confidence. “[Writing my book] consists of a lot of time management and setting aside time to pursue what I’m passionate about,” Avineri said. “After homework, instead of relaxing, I basically do school all over again, but for my own, personal reasons.” In the end, Avineri believes his diligence and commitment to his book have paid off, and his book is what he originally envisioned. “I’m trying to make my book easy to understand. I feel like politicians often just spew facts, so people don’t really analyze or understand them,” Avineri said. “I’m trying to present facts in a more blunt manner that will enable most, if not all, people to truly understand the issues of our country and what we can do to fix them.” Currently, Avineri is trying to get his book on the shelves of major bookstores, but he is positive it will be featured on Amazon. The book will be available for purchase in mid- to late September.
A new direction with a religious twist
in the album. It also includes musings on everything from Buddhism and the Old Testament to Paradise Lost. Reflections on death and faith can be seen in songs like “Ya Hey” which recaps the Old Testament’s tale of Yahweh. This fixation on fleeting life and its aftermath could be due to the band members tasting the bittersweet taste of serious adulthood as they leave their college “Oxford Comma” days and enter their 30’s. “Wisdom’s a gift but you’d trade it for youth,” lead singer Ezra Koening laments. But Ezra Koening isn’t the only one leaving young adulthood; the band as an entirety is heading in a whole new direction that will surely leave them a well deserved spot in music history.
—Katie Hill
PHOTOS COURTESY OF VF.COM
‘Star Trek Into Darkness’, the perfect summer movie >> With its above average acting, personable banter, and seamless blending of characters and ideas from the original movie, Star Trek Into the Darkness serves as the a great summer action film, according to staff writer Shawn Mallen. by Shawn Mallen
Star Trek Into Darkness a fantastic follow up to the successful reboot of Star Trek from 2009. It captures the same essence of the first film, then enhances it with superior visuals, action scenes, and dialogue. The acting, for the most part, was above average. Some actors, including Zachary Quinto as Spock and Simon Pegg as Scotty, really worked with their part and enhanced it to the best of their abilities, creating characters with a lot of depth and personality. Quinto really nails Spock’s personality and mono tone voice. Even though his character spoke in the same tone throughout the movie, Quinto gave Spock an interesting personality that really draws the audience in. Pegg really delivers in his performance as Scotty, creating a lovable character that the audience can’t get enough of. Others, like Chris Pine as Captain Kirk and Peter Waller as Admiral Marcus, fell a little bit flat. Both the Admiral and Captain Kirk were very linear throughout the movie. Kirk’s personality did not change at all, nor did his character really develop. This was disappointing, but other factors of the movie made up for Captain Kirk’s flat personality.
Although the acting by some was nothing special, the script and dialogue enhanced each and every character, creating very amusing and comedic moments. Director JJ Abrams was wise to include banter between the crew of the Enterprise. This banter isn’t significant to the plot, but it really helps the audience understand the characters’ personalities in the movie. Howeverm, what really made the movie was the stunning sets and CGI that were created in the movie. Scenes include wide shots of picture perfect cities with futuristic skyscrapers, incredibly detailed images of every single piece of debris or spaceship, andeven an entirely red forest. The movie, along with its cinematography, does a great job in painting an environment for the audience to explore. The most impressive part of Star Trek Into Darkness is that it seamlessly blends characters and ideas from old Star Trek into the new reboot. On its own, without any prior knowledge about Star Trek, the plot and characters of the movie were very easily accessible and followable. However, when the character of Khan, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, was introduced, I heard the people in the theater gasping and murmuring quietly to each other. Khan was the
BOBA DRINKS
greatest villain in the old Star Trek shows and movies. I did not know this, but it didn’t matter. His character didn’t need explanation in the movie, but it offered something to the old Star Trek fans to enjoy. This movie attracts nostalgic Trekkies while providing a great experience for people, including me, who are new to the Star Trek world. Star Trek Into Darkness creates an enjoyable experience for all, even those with no prior knowledge of the franchise.
Star Trek Into Darkness is a fantastic summer action movie to see with friends. It offers an accessible plot, comedic moments, and intense action scenes. It isn’t thought provoking, nor does it have a clear message or moral; it’s just a great action flick with explosions and futuristic warfare. All in all, Star Trek Into Darkness is a great movie that enhances the old Star Trek with modern technology, visuals, and special effects.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 7
>> Staff writer’s take on the boba drinks, icy drinks with chewy tapioca balls, available in the South Bay. PHOTOS BY VITORIA MAGNO
Boba Loca
Honey Boba
French Village Café
$$ Affordable
$ Very Inexpensive
$ Very Inexpensive
As soon as you walk in Honey Boba, there is a modern vibe. When walking the narrow path towards the back, you see beautiful chandeliers and open hang-out spots in the back. Honey Boba has a large menu with a variety of iced tea, milk tea, yogurt, milk smoothies, fruit juices, and Honey Boba special flavors. I personally prefer a milk tea, such as almond milk tea, mocha cappuccino milk tea, or coconut palm milk tea, but good chices for more fruity flavors are Tropical Summer Ice Crystals with boba. As for the boba pearls themselves, they are squishy, fresh, and slightly sweet taste, making the drink even better than it already is. The lines can be long and there may be times when there is a 20-30 minute wait for your drink, but it is worth it. The prices range from $3-$5.50, depending on size.
Smack in the middle of the South Bay Galleria lies the French Village Café that serves delicious drinks and snacks. The café is well known for itsblended drinks and boba. The French Village Café has satisfying boba drinks- however; the boba is often too frozen. For instance, the outer layer of the boba is soft yet the inside is too frozen and chewy. As a café, it serves a pretty good espresso and their coffee is not bad. It is often complemented for its chai tea as well. Their slushies, however, taste very syrup-like. Almost all of the flavors of the shakes and smoothies seem to be hits. None of the drinks on the menu are more than $3.95. People visit the French Village Café when they need a quick drink, not to eat a gourmet meal. So if you need a quick boba-fix while you are in the Galleria, the French Village Café will fix the craving, but that’s about it.
With a quiet sitting area and a large range of menu options, Boba Loca seems to be an appealing place for a refreshing drink, but the boba is far from great. It is nice if you are looking for a nice drink to satisfy your thirst, but the boba pearls are not very good. They are pretty tough and difficult to chew. The slushies are refreshing and taste as they are supposed to, however the boba was not as satisfying. A popular item here is the shaved ice, which has a lot of fruit, making it very appetizing. I recommend the shaved ice but not the boba. The price is pretty comparable to other boba places. The drinks range from about $4-$6, depending on size. Boba Loca is quiet, refreshing, and decently priced, but not the best. If you want a refreshing drink, it will meet your needs, but if you want a good drink with good boba, it is not the place to go.
—Caitlin Cochran
—Jené Price
—Rachael Orford
9 HIGH TIDE . ENTERTAINMENT
Williams leaves to travel world with her family by Angela Kim
After 17 years, English teacher Leila Williams is retiring. She currently teaches English 10 Honors and AP Language and Composition, but has also taught AP Literature and English for all grade levels. “I like to think of my life in stages: my education, marriage and children, teaching, and now retirement,” Williams said. “The time has just come to move on to the next stage to see what surprises, adventures, and enjoyment it might bring.” There are “countless” things that she will miss, but she most enjoys when students actually learn what she tries to teach them. “I’m talking about the thrill I get when I read a strong essay and, turning it over, discover that it was written by a student who has struggled all year. All of us know the time and effort that went into developing this difficult but important skill,” Williams said. “I know I’ll miss seeing the thrill in their faces or hearing their shouts of joy when they see how much better they can think and write.” Although teaching has provided Williams with a rewarding career, she is looking forward to her plans for after retirement. “My sister tells me to relax, but I know I’ll hit the ground running the day I get back from grading AP exams,” Williams said. Williams has planned trips up until 2014. She and her husband, John Williams, will go to Brittany, France, followed by a trip with her daughter’s family to Warwick, England. “Her plans include a lot of traveling together with me. We’re both looking forward to traveling and living for a while in countries that we like, just as we did before our kids came along. We’ll also be able to spend more time with our children and grandchildren,” Mr. Williams said.
They will spend more time with her family in Boston, and then attend a conference in Nuremberg, Germany. Two months later, she plans to spend Christmas in Berkeley with her three daughters, son-in-law, and granddaughter. “I could go on about my book clubs, house and garden projects, culinary ventures, and plans to take in more musical and dramatic productions, but I won’t,” Williams said. Her final traveling plans include attending the Oxford Literary Festival in March 2014, followed by a trip to France with some of her extended family. “I know a world of excitement and pleasure is out there, and I can’t wait to get started,” she said.
SAYING GOODBYE
Brown retires to focus on tutoring business by Angela Kim
Dr. Steven Brown, who teaches kinesiology, physiology, and biology, has been a teacher for 35 years. After this year, however, he will be retiring. “I have lost interest in the day to day requirement to be somewhere in a situation that is not really under my control,” Brown said. Despite his lack of interest, he still cherishes all of his memories from teaching here at Redondo. “[My proudest teaching moment is] not one moment, but the many I experience each year when former students come back and tell me how much they appreciated my class, and how the “life” lectures I gave them really did help them,” Brown said. Brown prides himself on providing students with an environment where they can express themselves. “I allow students to be themselves. My class environment has
always been nontraditional,” Brown said. “[My class is] casual, enjoyable, and I always try to make each topic relevant.” Senior Matthew Rico, one of Brown’s students, enjoys being in Brown’s class because of the similarities it has with a college class. “He’s really fun, one of the best teachers I have ever had. He is like a college professor. He gets us ready for college. He is really fun and he tells cool stories.” Once he retires, Brown plans to continue working at the tutoring business he started nearly five years ago. “[My business] is doing better than expected, so I’ve been spending many hours (45/week) in my office in Manhattan Beach,” Brown said. “With my business I can set my hours, and I really enjoy the one-on-one teaching.” In addition to his own business, he wants to travel in his motorhome. “[I plan to] cycle every morning, work around the house and be on the road in my motorhome at least one week every month with Morpheus, the wonderdog,” Brown said.
Lending a helping hand. Brown is retiring, after teaching for 35 years, to focus on his tutoring business. In one of his last classes of the year, Brown teaches physiology class about the inner ear.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEILA WILLIAMS
World traveller. Leila Williams sits on a boat on the Chobe River, Zambia, looking out for hippos and crocodiles. She hopes to take many more trips like this with her family after retiring.
LOSING FAMILIAR FACES
MRS. LEATHERS
10 HIGH TIDE . FEATURES
Spanish 2, Spanish 3, Department Chair Taught for 21 years at RUHS, 33 years in all.
MR. HYDUKE MR. MAIER MR. FUCCI
“
[Mr. Hyduke] has a really good sense of humor, and so I think he brings that into the way he teaches us. He always keeps it interesting. ” -Demi Rodriguez, 11
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[Mr. Fucci is] a good teacher because he helps us. He’s a lot easier because he knows not to give out a lot of homework and senior year, you don’t want to do a lot of work. -Max Foster, 12
”
MRS. BRUGGER Counselor Worked for 25 years as both a teacher and counselor
“ I will miss the students on my caseload the most. I really enjoyed getting to know them over the years. Since I was previously a counselor in the elementary and middle school, I was fortunate to watch some of them grow and mature into young adults. I will also really miss the counselling team, as we have a lot of laughs together.
”
PHOTOS BY CLAIRE TISIUS
MR. VAN DEN EIKHOF “ I think my best moments have come when I see a student do an incredible job on a project or when one of my struggling students figures out how to move beyond his obstacle and then succeeds in spite of it. Teaching a new language has its own rewards because students are learning a new skill; it’s wonderful to watch them become proficient and use the language in real situations.
RETIRING TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS REFLECT ON THEIR CAREERS
OTHER RETIRING TEACHERS:
“ I loved to see students actually making stuff and enjoying the hands-on experience. It has been great working with the kids; it’s all about the kids. You’re there as a professional to teach them things that they haven’t learned before.
”
” Digital Photography Taught for 33 years
11 HIGH TIDE . FEATURES
Hatlen grows produce in home garden by Edwin Chavez
She drives home after a grueling track practice, walks through the front door and starts to make her after school snack. Instead of rummaging through the pantry or digging through the refrigerator like most high school students, senior Dani Hatlen walks into her backyard and picks some vegetables out of her garden. Hatlen’s garden contains many vegetables, such as tomatoes and squash, and various types of flowers. Hatlen feels that having her own garden has been immensely beneficial to her family. “Not only are we saving money, but I feel like the garden has also made us a lot healthier since we are able to consume our own organic food,” Hatlen said. Although Hatlen admits that she and her family still make frequent stops at the grocery store, she feels empowered by consuming homegrown produce. “I love being able to go out into my garden and pick out a few things for a sandwich or whatever else I’m eating and know that the produce is fresh,” Hatlen said. “Plus, food tastes so much better when it’s homegrown.” Hatlen’s garden has not only enabled her to feel confident in the food that she is choosing to consume, but it has also created a stronger bond with her dad. “I love watching my vegetables and plants grow from seeds into something that we can enjoy, but what
Making your own
Garden THE HOW TO’s
by Shelby Salerno
I love the most about my garden is being outdoors and spending time with my dad,” Hatlen said. Hatlen first began helping her dad with the garden her freshman year. “Since then it has become an activity we both love doing together,” said Hatlen. Equally so, her father Craig Hatlen has also become fond of sharing the gardening experience with her daughter. “Gardening is not only fun, but also it is an activity to share between just the two of us,” Mr. Hatlen said. The experience may be something only they share, but the food they grow is something they share with others. “We grow so much stuff in abundance, so every now and then we’ll go to our neighbors and give them the vegetables that we grow if they want them,” Hatlen said. Hatlen’s father believes that gardening has helped his daughter grow in many areas of her life, such as learning how to be responsible and how to care for something other than herself. “I think gardening has given her an understanding of where food comes from, and what it takes to make things grow,” Mr. Hatlen said. “I think it has instilled in her a respect for the earth and what it takes to care for something and watch it grow.”
1. Research. It is important to know about the plants and/or vegetables in your garden so they get exactly the right amount of everything that they need. Make sure that the environment you live in will sustain the plant that you’re interested in.
2. Establish a home. Find a place for your plant to live in. They can live in the ground, in pots from the store or even in creative places like egg cartons.
Promiscuous girl by Kira Bowen
She is walking home down the street after a dinner with some friends in a tight, low-cut dress and heels. The fresh night air suddenly feels eerie as a man glares at her from across the street and starts to come towards her. After reporting her rape to the police, they advise her not to dress so provocatively next time. Freshman Maya Avineri and Sophomore Eris Heim feel that responses and beliefs about women like these need to change. Avineri and Heim are two protesters in a feminist movement called the SlutWalk, in which they hope to raise awareness to slut shaming and victim blaming in terms of rape. A common chant is the following: However we dress, Wherever we go, Yes means Yes and No means No. Everyone in the movement is against the unfair oversexualization of women and the double standards for men and women regarding promiscuity. “Many people believe that if a girl dresses or acts a certain way, it is partially her fault if she gets raped. This is extremely wrong. 97 percent of rapists never spend a day in jail and that needs to change,” Avineri said. “I think people need to stop shaming people about their life and what they do with their bodies because it’s none of their business.”
12 HIGH TIDE . FEATURES
3. Stick to the Basics. Plants need sunlight, soil, and water. How much or what kind depends on the type of plant so make sure to research your plant’s needs.
Down to Earth. Senior Dani Hatlen checks to see how the radishes in her backyard garden are growing in.
4. Hydrate. Make sure to feed your seeds a sufficient amount of water. However, be careful not to over or under water your plant. Both cases are likely to end in the plant’s death.
5. Ward off intruders. Monitor your plants for intruders such as hungry insects or curious birds and dogs. Pluck weeds out by the roots as frequently as necessary and plant specific plants nearby to attract desirable organisms that will drive away the unwanted ones. Avoid pesticides and chemicals harmful to the environment.
Facts complied at http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Lupus/lupus_ff.asp
Freshman Maya Avineri and s`ophomore Eris Heim protest the objectification and double standardization of female appearances and sexual relationships.
According to Heim and Avineri, this wide spread idea of slut shaming is common between women and is an active issue at school. “I hear people at our school call girls sluts all of the time. Students utilize the title of ‘slut’ because of the way a girl dresses or what she does with her body. I don’t understand why students feel the need to give that title to a girl. It’s her body; therefore, it is her choice to do what she wants with it and this name calling needs to stop,” Heim said. Avineri has experienced slut shaming first hand and also agrees that this issue is one that goes unnoticed. “At times I dress provocatively, and I have been told I look like a slut. I don’t get offended when people say these things but I know other people are upset by these comments,” Avineri said. According to Heim, she heard many tragic stories from protesters at the SlutWalk including a time when a policeman suggested that a woman should not have worn such risky attire if she wanted to avoid getting raped. Avineri and Heim hope to raise awareness of situations that occur like the stories they heard. “I hope to help make people aware that the laws do not necessarily protect victims of rape. [I want] to bring aware-
ness to the repulsiveness of slut shaming and victim blaming,” Heim said. “I believe that if people listened to the personal experiences shared by the speakers at the SlutWalk event and saw how it affected them, they would feel the same way.” Both Heim and Avineri agree that raising awareness through the SlutWalk was an inspirational experience. “[Being a part of the SlutWalk is] incredible. There are so many strong, beautiful, and interesting women and men, many of whom are rape survivors,” Avineri said. “It’s definitely empowering and inspiring.” Heim believes the SlutWalk was successful in their goal in spreading awareness. “I, along with the other protesters, accomplished raising awareness because people stepped outside stores and their houses onto the streets to see what we were talking about. Cars slowed down to read signs and cheer us on. It was amazing,” Heim said. Avineri feels a bond with the other feminists and protesters at the affair. “We are all there for the same thing. We all just wanna feel safe and respected,” Avineri said. “Everyone is just really passionate.”
Teacher award nominations Most Inspirational Stephanie Manion
“
The credit goes to my kids. I think it’s really nice that I inspire them in some ways, but they are the reason that I get up everyday.
”
Matthew Keye
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”
Michael Henges I enjoy helping people, and I try to make an effort to come around to each table every period whether I am invited or not.
”
Greg Fucci
“
”
”
Leila Williams
“
I actually think that’s pretty hilarious, because I think the students entertain me, so it’s me just working off of them.
”
”
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I’d find it incredibly rewarding if there was anything that I might have said or did that may one day really help someone in life.
Phil Comito
“
“
I try to walk the fine line between educating and entertaining. I also want the students to learn without dreading the process.
”
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I am here to help the students learn, and class time is not always enough, so I try to be available to students who want extra help.
Most Valuable There are a lot of great teachers at our school with many years of dedication, so it is an honor to be considered by students for this category.
”
When I see students who are willing to put in the effort and hard work it takes to succeed in chemistry, it inspires me to keep working as hard as I can. I will be back next year!
”
”
John Burke
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I like being nominated for most valuable. It means the seniors feel I am worth something.
Teacher Who Taught the Most
“
”
Tim Baumgartner
I’m honored by the nomination and grateful for the recognition. It means a lot to me that the seniors remember me a year after.
“
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John Burke
Most Likely to Lend a Helping Hand
Linda Dillard
I feel grateful that the students recognized the effort I’ve made to pack my lessons with as much as possible. I’ll miss a lot about teaching when I retire.
Michael Henges
Most Entertaining
Michael Henges
The nomination and award should go to another teacher.
“
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I have a passion for the lesson and a passion for my classes that I teach, but I really have a passion to inspire students to hopefully make some great choices.
Stephanie Manion
I hope that I’m providing an engaging atmosphere for learning physics, so if ‘entertaining’ means ‘engaging classroom where kids are learning,’ then that’s good.
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Keith Van Swearingen
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Stephanie Manion
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I try and be organized and present it in an understandable way, so if that worked out, that’s great. I guess I’m just glad that they think I work hard.
”
13 HIGH TIDE . FEATURES
Where the antioxidants are
Blueberries Cranberries (cultivated) 1 cup (whole) 1 cup 8,983 9,019
Pecans 1 ounce 5,095
compiled by Ted Cavus
With the craze of staying fit as summer comes around the corner, healthy food is imperitive to fitness. Advertisements always state the antoixdants and vitamins that come with a food or product, but where exactly are they? And what has the most of them? Antioxidants are nutrients and vitamins that contribute to preventing certain diseases like cancer amd heart disease. Essentially what they do is prevent oxygen, a very reactive element, from reacting with organic cells. Here are some foods with the highest antioxidant capacities and the capacity per serving.
Red Delicious apple 1 whole 5,900
Strawberries 1 cup 5,938
Pinto beans Half cup 11,864
Russet potato (cooked) 1 whole 4,649
Granny Smith apple 1 whole 5,381
illustrations by Joseph Bieschke
Sweet cherries 1 cup 4,873
14 HIGH TIDE . HEALTH
Acai food bowl trend continues to grow by Angela Kim
Sweet and tart to the taste, acai berries with their abundance of antioxidants and vitamins are the trending superfruit. An acai bowl consists of an acai smoothie topped with an array of fruit, granola, and other toppings. According to Muhammed El-Hasan, Firas El-Hasan and Nisreen El-Hasan, owners of the Beach Bowls Acai Cafes, located in Redondo Beach and Torrance, the acai berries are popular due to their benefits. “Eating acai, whether as an acai bowl,
smoothie or juice drink, has become very popular and continues to grow in popularity. This trend mirrors the rising interest in health and fitness among the general public,” Muhammed said. In addition to being very healthy and full of antioxidants which are good for the eyes, skin, heart and more, the bowls are customizable and vary in flavor. “Acai bowls are also diverse. For example, we offer 18 different blends for acai bowls. Some blends have whey protein. Others have strawberry in the mix,” Muhammed said.
According to the three owners, because of the many tasteful flavors and boons to health, people prefer the bowls over unhealthier fast foods. “Our acai bowls can be eaten as a meal or snack, depending on the blend and size ordered. Our customers get them for their health benefits in addition to their great taste. Kids love the bowls and parents like that they’re a healthy alternative to frozen yogurt and ice cream,” Firas said. According to Muhammed, there is one setback: Acai bowls seem to be addictive, another reason why they may be growing in
popularity. “One complaint we have received from customers is that acai bowls are addictive. I can attest to that. I usually eat at least one acai bowl each day, but if I go a day without one, I can get pretty cranky,” Muhammed said. Yet according to Firas, even this addiction to the superfruit is beneficial to many consumers looking to lose weight. “Acai berries are a natural appetite suppressant and we have customers who brag about losing weight while eating our bowls daily,” Firas said.
Power Bar Breakdown: What will power up your diet? compiled by Ted Cavus
Luna Bar - Nutz Over Chocolate Calories 140 Sodium 60 mg Total Fat 5 g Potassium 140 mg Saturated 2 g Total Carbs 18 g Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 1 g Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 14 g Trans 0 g Protein 6g Cholesterol 0 mg Vitamin A 15% Calcium 15% Vitamin C 10% Iron 20%
Clif Kid Organic Z Bar - Chocolate Chip Calories 120 Sodium 95 mg Total Fat 3 g Potassium 105 mg Saturated 1 g Total Carbs 23 g Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 3 g Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 12 g Trans 0 g Protein 2g Cholesterol 0 mg Vitamin A 6% Calcium 20% Vitamin C 35% Iron 10%
Tiger Milk Bar - Protein Rich Calories 180 Sodium 190 mg Total Fat 6 g Potassium 140 mg Saturated 3 g Total Carbs 25 g Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 4 g Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 10 g Trans 0 g Protein 9g Cholesterol 0 mg Vitamin A 20% Calcium 35% Vitamin C 20% Iron 30%
Cliff Bar (Canada - Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter Calories 250 Sodium 250 mg Total Fat 6 g Potassium 440 mg Saturated 2 g Total Carbs 40 g Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 4 g Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 18 g Trans 0 g Protein 12 g Cholesterol 0 mg Vitamin A 30% Calcium 25% Vitamin C 90% Iron 10%
Healthy Smoothie Recipes: Good treats after a big workout compiled by Chance King
Orange Creamsicle Smoothie 1 navel orange, peeled 1/4 cup fat-free half-and-half or fat-free yogurt 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 ice cubes
Green Summer Cooler
Avocado and Pear Smoothie 1 cup almond milk 1 ripe pear, cored and peeled if necessary 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled and seed removed 1 cup chopped Romaine lettuce 1 cup crushed ice
Green Tea, Blueberry and Banana Smoothie 3 tbsp water 1 green tea bag 2 tsp honey 1 1/2 C frozen blueberries 1/2 med banana 3/4 C calcium fortified light vanilla soy milk
1 cup water 1 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoons natural almond butter 1 cup honeydew melon, chopped 1 ripe pear, peeled and cored 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped 1 cup baby spinach leaves 1 cup crushed ice
15 HIGH TIDE . HEALTH
>>
UNSUNG HEROES of the spring sports<<
BREANNA MISKIMEN helps the softball team become Bay League Champs
by Stella Gianoukakis
PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL
Catcher power. Sophomore Breanna Miskimen catches in a game against South earlier in the season. “As soon as I step on the field, whatever I am going through just goes away. It makes me happy,” Miskimen said.
She steps on the field and takes a deep breath. She takes a look around and knows that this will always be her home away from home, no matter where she goes in her life. She runs to her spot in order to get into position. Sophomore Breanna Miskimen is currently a catcher on the softball team and hopes that this is only the beginning of a successful career in softball. “I pump everyone up and keep them together. I feel that I am vocal but not as vocal as I should be. I am more of a do as I do, not as I say kind of person,” Miskimen said. According to teammate senior Kristen Currie, Miskimen is a great player and friend. “She is an awesome individual. She is a loving, caring, fun person. As a player, she has an essential role on our team because as a catcher, she does not only catch the ball when the pitches come, she frames the ball to make it a strike. We rely on her to be there for us,” Currie said. Miskimen, however, has been facing difficulties throughout her softball career. For example, she was recently informed by her doctor that she has tendinitis in her thumb. “I have been playing through the pain. It hurts sometimes, but I know that I can-
not let my team down. So, I have to push through it,” Miskimen said. Despite the pain that she feels while playing, Miskimen stays positive and looks at the bright side. “I think about my injury more, such as to be careful not to hurt it. However, I get taped by June [the physical trainer] and it really helps. So now I don’t think about it anymore,” Miskimen said. Miskimen has also been a part of a travel ball team since she was nine years old. Last year, she had seriously considered quitting softball altogether, but her determination and love for the game helped her get through it. “I had a coach on my travel ball team who was really tough, [and eventually] I wanted to quit softball really badly. I decided to join a different travel ball team who helped me love softball again, and I will never forget that,” Miskimen said. According to Miskimen, her father is one of her biggest supporters, a source of inspiration and has helped her get through her tough times and doubts. He even built a batting cage so she could practice more outside of her teams. “My dad is also my coach. He helps me a lot, and he is my role model. I would not be the person I am today without my dad pushing me,” Miskimen said.
RANDIE VLAHAKIS helps the track team become Bay League champions
by Kolbie Brightwell
Along with the other sports she plays, participating in track has taught senior Randie Vlahakis how to cooperate and work with a team and to have the confidence needed to win. “Sports have taught me that hard work and a good attitude can get you a long way. I just work hard at what I do best and try to excel in it,” Vlahakis said. Vlahakis believes the team’s good attitude and support help her and others succeed and that she also inspires others. “The team influences others on a daily basis by supporting one another and supporting people outside of track have a positive outlook on things,” Vlahakis said.
16 HIGH TIDE . SPORTS
PHOTO BY MYA GELBER
Randie the runner. Senior Randie Vlahakis runs in a track meet earlier in the season.
CHRISTIAN GRANTZ
leads the tennis team to a winning season by Haris Khan
PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL
Grand Grantz. Senior Christian Grantz returns a serve in a game against North this past season. Grantz believes he has improved greatly over the course of his high school career, learning how to compensate for his lack of strength with court smarts and placement.
Four years on the tennis team have taught senior Christian Grantz how to be mentally and physically strong and have also strengthened his love for tennis. Grantz improved rapidly between his freshman and sophomore years, ultimately becoming a varsity singles player in his junior year while still supporting his other teammates. “I just do what I think is right. I am competitive, and I never give up,” Grantz said. Grantz’s coaches have seen his commitment and determination to emphasize his strengths and push through his weaknesses. “For a while, my biggest challenge was my [lack of ] strength. I was a small freshman coming into tennis and players could easily overpower me. In the past four years, I have worked to get stronger and balance my lack of strength with placement,” Grantz said. Grantz’s coach, Jessica Seibert, commends his maturity on and off the court. “He has always been a great tennis player in that he is very court-smart and technically gifted. He understands the mechanics of the game and how to construct points, and he has definitely developed these skills in his four years at Redondo,” Seibert said. As the years in tennis went by, Grantz transitioned from a singles player to a doubles player.
“I have seen him go from a very scrappy singles player who just tried to make his opponent hit one more ball to a very aggressive and dominating doubles player with a great net game,” Seibert said. Grantz and Seibert agree that a huge turning point in Grantz’s confidence occurred during his sophomore year when the team beat Mira Costa for the first time in six years, after Grantz defeated Mira Costa’s top singles player. “The boy was over six feet and looked like a giant compared to [Grantz], but it did not faze him. He grinded him down and beat him 6-4 to get our team a ninth point,” Seibert said. Grantz’s doubles partner, junior Sean Mitchell, believes his experience playing with Grants was positive and that he improved his own game over the course of the season. “Christian had a great serve that helped us get games. He was also aggressive at the net, which helped [a lot],” Mitchell said. Mitchell and Grantz played as the top doubles team and went 43-11 in sets this past season. “It was good playing with him,” Mitchell said. “We complemented each other well.” Grantz has only one wish regarding his high school tennis career. “I want to live a life so that several years down the road, I can look back on any moment and smile,” Grantz said.
LANI MCMILLEN
pumps up the swim team by practicing more than last season and succeeding in the pool
by Beth Shallon and Anna Fauver
In addition to helping lead the swim team to victory, sophomore Lani McMillen also brings a sense of team spirit. “Our team had a lot of team bonding which made us a lot tighter and more spirited. We were more together this season than last year,” McMillen said. “This year, we were considered the ‘underdogs,’ which I think made us work a lot harder.” McMillen began swimming competitively in her freshman year and plans to continue through her senior year since it is fun to be part of the team. “I think the swim team is so close because we had team dinners and team parties. We just made more of an effort to be more supportive and hang out with each other,” Mcmillen said. According to junior Bridgette Schneider, McMillen has been working hard this year and was ready to commit to extra practices in order to improve her swimming to an even greater extent. “Last year, Lani did not show up to any
Saturday practices,” Schneider said. “This year, she came to every one when she did not have an illness or injury. She was there, and she was working hard.” In addition to being successful during the season, McMillen did well in CIF playoffs. “She is probably the first girl to qualify for a CIF backstroke since I have been swimming,” Schneider said. “It’s funny because when I came in my freshman year, I overtook the top backstroker who is a senior, and now that Lani has come along, she is overtaking me. It’s a little bittersweet, but I’m really proud of her and all that she has done.” McMillen also wants to make a personal mark in Redondo’s history. “My goal for the upcoming years is to be within the top 5 of the top 20 backstrokers in Redondo history,” McMillen said. McMillen has a plan in mind for how she will accomplish her goals. “I am going to just work hard and ‘keep the faith,’ as Rubke would say,” McMillen said.
PHOTO BY MATT MARDESICH
Lani’s laps. Sophomore Lani McMillen practices her freestyle. McMillen usually swims backstroke and qualified for CIF with a time of 1:04:47.
17 HIGH TIDE . SPORTS
Hard
Softball sweeps Bay League with an overall record of 9-1 and advances onto CIF.
PH O
TO
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DI AN A
LU NA
Hitters
by Caitlin Cochran
Struggling through adversities such as injuries and early season losses, the softball team was able to pull through, finishing the season 9-1 in Bay League and going on to the first round of CIF. Two starting seniors, Analisa Nicholson and Kristen Currie, had season-ending leg injuries but, according to freshman Taleigh Williams, they still contributed. “Although Kristen and Analisa had injuries, they never stopped helping our team,” Williams said. “They pumped us up and always gave us the energy and pep talks we needed this season.” Going into the season, the team expected good results because they were more confi-
dent about their team, according to sophomore Morgan Moczygemba. “I knew this year would be different because this year we had a better connection and team chemistry,” Moczygemba said. Some players, like freshman pitcher Kat Ung, had not played before and were unsure of how they would perform, but were confident about the upcoming season. “I did not know what to expect, I just knew we were a strong group of girls,” Ung said. “We really started to believe in each other.” In the preseason, the team lost quite a few tournament games, but continued on into bay league focused and ready to play. The team became Bay League champions as they won all but one game against Mira Costa at their season’s start. “We were determined and driven to win Bay League, as we expected a great season from the beginning,” William said. The Bay League championship was definitely good for the seniors as this was their last year and they left with a championship. “We came out with a bang this season and let the seniors leave with a Bay League championship on their belt, which is a wonderful feeling,” Williams said. The team has a motto, “dedication plus pride equals championship,” and always stuck with it throughout the whole season.
They set this at the beginning of the season and every girl took pride in it. “This motto showed a meaning to us this whole season, and this season helped our team grow closer,” Williams said. The team qualified for CIF but lost in the first round to Chaminade 2-0. They could not get a lot of hits or runs but their defense kept Chaminade at only two runs. “I feel upset about our loss last night,” Williams said. “We wanted to get past the first round so that we could make a statement, but I am not disappointed with my team.” The girls enjoyed this season and felt like they made a lot of progress and grew a lot together as a team. They felt that they have
2. PHOTOS BY JENNY OETZELL
Spirited. 1. Gabrielle DeLaVega passes the ball during their match against South on 3/20. They lost the game 4-5. 2. Sophomore Madison East and senior Jessi Shipley cheer the team on during their match.
1.
Boys’ LAX fails to live up to expectations
Girls’ LAX finishes season with success
by Micah Ezzes
Missed opportunities and failure to live up to their potential resulted in a subpar season for the boys’ lacrosse team. Despite going 6-1 the first half of the season, the team faltered, and finished off at a record of 8-7. Sophomore Josh Williamson says that this season should have been more successful and that there is work to do. “We need to work on improving our work ethic at practice,” he said. “We are better than what was shown this season.” Once that gets done, the team will be among the greatest the school has ever had, according to Williamson. “Our team [is capable of being] the best Redondo has ever had,” he said. “Next year is going to be the year for boys’ lacrosse.”
18 HIGH TIDE . SPORTS
made a step up since last season. “I really loved this season because we all loved each other as a team and bonded really well and learned a lot,” Moczygemba said. “Our seniors were great motivation but I’m proud and ready to come back strong next season.”
by Anna Fauver and Beth Shallon
PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL
PHOTO BY MATT MARDESICH
Shoot for the moon. Junior Dominic Peluso passes the ball in a match against Penn.
Splitting the opposition. Sophomore Kayla Maanum dodges a PV player.
After a lot of hard work and triumph, the girls’ lacrosse season is coming to an end with a record of 13-4 this year. The key to their success, according to senior Heather Czech, was their team chemistry. “I think our team got along really well [throughout] the season, and we had a lot of assists, and our plays were working pretty well,” she said. Czech advises the next year’s team to try not to have much drama between the girls. “I mostly just hope that the team meshes well again next year and that there is little drama,” she said. “ I feel like that was the key to us doing well this year.”
Baseball has some success, but falls just short of Bay League Title by Jené Price
Going 15-15-1, the boys baseball team had some downfalls and achievements, but overall they were able to complete their season with the achievement of beating rivals Mira Costa on their field. “One of our biggest accomplishments was beating everyone in League and being undefeated on Wednesdays,” senior Freddy Smith said. “We also were able to score 34 runs against Leuzinger.” Some players were overall satisfied with their performance throughout the season, but some felt they still have things to work on. Although junior Cassius Hamm was able to step up pitching this season, according to his coach and several teammates, he
Some players are going to play college baseball such as Turner at UNLV and some will return like juniors Hamm and Cain Castor, ready for next season. felt he had could’ve done some other “Our goals for next season are to things to improve. win games and to get a league title,” “Throughout this season I feel like Castor said. I could’ve hit better. I plan to keep working hard to come out better next season though because a lot of seniors are leaving and we need people to step up,” Hamm said. Despite all the good that has happened this season, they were upset that they were not able to beat Peninsula and get the Bay League Title, which would have been the first for them in 10 years. “It was really sad that I knew I wasn’t going to play with any of those guys anymore but I was also happy of what our team accomplished during PHOTO BY DIANA LUNA the season,” senior Rio Turner said. “Putting ourselves in a position to win Fastball. Junior Cassius Hamm pitches the ball during an away game against Costa on league is something to be proud of.” 5/1. They won the game 3-2.
Girls soar while boys dive by Natalie Hardiman
PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL
Passing the torch. Junior Dustin Herold passes the baton during a track meet at Mira Costa earlier this year.
Members of the track team competed in the CIF Southern Section Division 2 Finals at Mount San Antonio College last Saturday, and the girls’ team was able to place second overall. “It was really a great day for Redondo track and field. The girls placing second in CIF was something that we never would have even dreamed of a few years ago,” coach Bob Leetch said. The boys’ team, however, did not do as well, according to junior Dustin Herold. “Yesterday was just a terrible day for the
boys’ side. Neither Evan [Malone-White] or I qualified as we were expected to, so it was just not the best day for us,” he said. While none of the boys qualified CIF Masters, members of the girls’ team qualified for the 1600, 800, and 4x400. “There are 451 schools in just our region, so the girls to be able compete at this level speaks volumes,” Leetch said. Both Leetch and Herod think the girls will have great performances at Masters. “I think the girls will perform well in Masters because they have the talent and training,” Herold said. “How they will do all depends on if they want to win or not.”
Out-of-bounds shot takes tie for first place from the boys’ golf team by Alina Bieschke
Last Monday, senior Lawrence Ree was far into the second round of CIF when his shot rolled off the green and over a cart path within the golf course. Subsequently, he took a legal drop from the path and made a birdie on the hole. At the end of the round, the players regrouped, and the officials declared Ree’s shot from the path as out-of-bounds. He would have been tied for first place. “It was completely unfortunate,” Coach John Burke said. “It kind of wrecked CIF for all of us.” Aside from individual competition, the team collectively advanced to the second round of CIF and finished sixth out of 18 teams. Redondo placed higher than South and Peninsula, both of which beat Redondo during the Bay League season. “We did really well, and the only team we didn’t beat was Mira Costa,” Burke said. Despite the disappointment of CIF, Ree reflected nicely over his experiences on the Redondo team. “Our season this year wasn’t as good as last year, but we didn’t do as bad as we thought we would,” Ree said. “Being my last year, I’m excited to leave, but I’m also sad to leave [Burke] and the team.” Ree, along with three other seniors leaving this year, will leave big shoes to fill for the rest of the team and incoming players; however, Burke saw the non-seniors’ performance in the team finals as a positive sign. “Overall, I’m happy,” Burke said. “They both played really well there, so I have hope for next year.”
Swim’s close bonds help them improve as a team
Tennis improves upon last year’s records
by Romy Moreno
by Lindsay Pannor
Without winning as many meets as hoped, many things were still accomplished throughout this years swim season. The best part to sophomore Elle Inscore was how close the team was able to grow together. “I really loved our team this year; we had a tight knit group who really supported each other whether it was just a dual meet or CIF,” Inscore said. Junior Sanjay Mahboobani had similar thoughts. “I enjoyed meeting all the new swimmers and how close we all became to each other,” Mahboobani said, “and we truly enjoyed each others accomplishments and improvement through the season.” Coach Mark Ruble was also extreme-
ly pleased with how hard the swimmers worked to become better and drop times. “The main goal we all wanted to fulfill is, Did we do our absolute best? And that is exactly what the swimmers did this season,” Rubke said
PHOTO BY MATT MARDESICH
Fly like a butterly. Sophomore Jay Furusho swims during their meet at Costa on 4/18.
In an improved season from just a year ago, boys’ tennis was able to pull through with an overall record of 15-7, “far better” than the previous season’s record, 12-8. “This year, the team became much deeper all the way around.We had a lot of returning players, as well as the addition of two very talented tournament players [Brett Ishihara and Pablo Trevino],” coach Jessica Seibert said. Senior Derek Levchenko believes that, although the team had a better record this season, it was also a lot more difficult. “I think this season was a lot tougher than last year. New freshman and other players simply getting better made the competition stronger. Overall, I’m very happy with how we performed,” Levchenko said.
PHOTO BY PETER TRAN
Rejected. Senior Derek Levcheno returns the ball during a match against PV on 4/18.
19 HIGH TIDE . SPORTS
A magical moment Andrew Baldwin and Leo Dremmond make new friends and entertain with their magic skills. by Deborah Chang
After several illusion tricks and flips of a standard 52-card deck, the anticipated question is asked: ‘Is this your card?’. Grins slowly spread from ear to ear in disbelief of the magic that senior Andrew Baldwin and junior Leo Drummond have to offer. Baldwin’s favorite and most recently learned card trick is called the Pinwheel. It involves five layers and stacks of cards in the shape of a pinwheel. A person must pick and choose cards for Baldwin to continue his trick. “I love this trick because it’s definitely the most complicated one I have ever learned,” Baldwin said. On the other hand, Drummond enjoys the card trick of having someone pick any card from the deck, putting it back in the deck, and guessing what their card is. “Many people are always so shocked that I knew their card without any complicated tricks or movements,” Drummond said. “I love their reactions.” Not only does Drummond love magic for the reactions, but also the communication and connection with others. “Magic tricks help me talk and communicate with people more,” Drummond said.
“I’m really shy, so I hope performing magic out directly speaking English to them,” tricks will make me become more sociable.” Drummond said. Baldwin’s first passion for magic was inDrummond hopes to make a name fluenced by his grandfather in his elemenfor himself in high school as someone tary years. He began practicing his own who entertains magic tricks when he was in 7th grade. people with magic tricks. “My grandpa “I want did the claspeople to know sic quarter It gives me just as much entertainment and remember out of the ear me as the guy watching other people be entertained by who did fun trick, which I my card tricks It’s an interesting experi- tricks and made thought was the coolest ence to show people the cool card tricks I people happy,” trick ever at the Drummond said. can do. — ANDREW BALDWIN, 12 time,” Baldwin Around the said. “The first school several magic trick I classmates and performed was peers of Baldwin when I would guess which card the person and Drummond have enjoyed the joys and picked from the deck.” surprises of magic card tricks. Drummond’s first attempt at magic “It gives me just as much entertainment was last year when he moved to America watching other people be entertained by from Brazil. Drummond has difficulty with my card tricks,” Baldwin said. “It’s an interEnglish and making friends, so he uses his esting experience to show people the cool magic tricks as a conversation starter to card tricks I can do.” entertain people and make friends. Similarly, Drummond loves the reac“I wanted to do something to make tions he receives and the joy he gives to his people happy and connect with them with- audience of his tricks.
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Q and A with up and coming magician: Andrew Blanchett
since I was five years old, I essentially bought every single magic Q: How did you get started in magic and eventually card A: “Ever kit in the store. They were all fake gimmicks, which were easily detecttricks?
able. Earlier this year, I brought a normal deck of cards and everybody kept asking me if I knew any tricks. At the time I didn’t. Eventually I got annoyed of the question, so I just learned some for the heck of it.”
Q: Why do you continue to do magic?
mainly do this to see the people’s expressions and reactions to the A: “Itrick. The reactions vary with different people. Magic just amuses so many people so quickly.”
started liking it, which made me learn more and more. The more Q: Have people’s reactions to your magic ever fueled your A: “People tricks I learned, the more popular I got. After I saw the expressions of passion to learn?
pure amusement I had to start doing it more.“
20 . HIGH TIDE
“Sometimes when I’m sad, I show people my magic tricks. They say that I made their day which, for me, is one of the best things ever,” Drummond said. Mr. Magic. 1. Leo Drummond never reveals his secrets to ensure people are surprised every time he performs his card tricks. 2. Drummond shuffles his deck of cards before starting a trick. 3. Leo Drummond succesfully performs a magic trick for a friend. PHOTOS BY JUSTIN LEE
3.