High Tide Oct. 29, 2012 Edition

HIGH

TIDE Redondo Beach, CA // Redondo Union High School Oct. 29, 2012 // Vol. XCIII // Edition 4

THE ELECTION ISSUE

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Memorable moments from the past weeks are captured in photos.

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Madeline bright learns self-defense through Krav Maga.

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Athlete of the issue Micheal Chang is a standout waterpolo player.

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NEWS // OCT. 29, 2012

The week in photos

Administration inaugurates first annual College Preparation day

By Grace Zoerner

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PHOTO BY DIANA LUNA

College knowledge. A speaker from the Princeton Review spoke to seniors about finding a good fit for colleges and how to get into college.

Students participated in College Preparation Day last Wednesday, Oct. 17, spending the morning taking tests and gaining valuable information about college.

“College Preparation Day is our attempt to continue with the college-going culture that we have on campus,” Assistant Principal Adam Genovese said. “We want to [make sure] students are prepared for college.”

Students were split up by grade level in order to cater to each grade’s specific needs.

“While freshman need to have a clear understanding about the courses they should be taking to graduate A-G eligible, seniors need to focus on choosing colleges that will be a great fit,” Principal Nicole Wesley said.

Sophomores, on the other hand, took the Princeton Review Assessment (PRA), an exam that takes elements from the SAT and ACT so students can see which test they are more suited towards. Juniors took the PSAT. “[We] would like to thank Princeton Review for funding the PRA, and the Redondo Beach Educational Foundation for funding the PSAT,” Genovese said. “We are extreme-

ly grateful for their generosity.”

Though he dislikes the fact that instructional time was taken away, Genovese feels that the students’ time was used valuably. “[Because of RBEF], this is the first year we are able to have it on a Wednesday [instead of Saturday]. [We hope this] will encourage students to take the test,” he said.

Instead of just pulling the juniors out to take the PSAT, administration decided it would be better if each class was given an activity that would get them ready for college.

Some students, however, found the event uninformative. “[I thought] it was a bit redundant,” senior Tyler Takemoto said. “Maybe it would have been a bit more helpful if it was focused more on the admission offices’ perspective [and what they are looking for].”

College Preparation Day will continue to be an annual event at Redondo, according to Genovese. He and the rest of the staff agree it sends a positive message to students.

“I hope our College Day will inspire, inform, and ignite a desire in our students to graduate college-eligible and college-ready,” Wesley said.

Cafeteria to be designed by students

By Kayla Nicholls

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY NICOLE WESLEY

Leading the fight. RBUSD School Board member Laura Emdee, congressman Henry Waxman, Principal Nicole Wesley, RBUSD School Board president Anita Avrick, and state legislator candidate Al Muratsuchi all attended the grand reopening of the library.

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PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

Unsportsmanlike conduct. Senior Sierra Kaufman tackles a junior during the Powder Puff game despite it being a game of flag football. According to ASB, the seniors went on to win the game.

Students flood in and toss their stuff aside, vying to get a spot in the overcrowded cafeteria. Shining surfboard tables overflow with students as they all compete for the best spot in front of the flashing flat-screen TV. Others socialize in a cafe bar while looking out the windows. This is what administration hopes the new cafeteria, or student union, will be: a place not just for lunch, but to hang out.

The students will be executing and planning the design for the interior of the new student union. “[There is] no[one] better than students to make those decisions,” Principal Nicole Wesley said.

Wesley thinks that for the new student union to be appreciated and used by the students, it must appeal to them.

“This place is for students. We believe that students will have ideas that other students will agree with,” Wesley said.

A committee of 21 students were gathered based on their interests; athletes, scholars, and those involved in extracurricular activities to come up with ideas that the student body can agree with.

“These students form a good mix-a good representation of the student body,” Wesley said.

The students met with Richard Ford, the head of Food Court Design Group, to design all the interior details.

“The people who met with me are representing 2,500 students, so no pressure,” Ford said.

The students involved decided on a cozy, comfortable space.

“We want to make it feel like a restaurant type setting or even a cafe setting,” Wesley said.

The goal of creating the new student union with student ideas is to increase the time and student participation.

“I want a place where students will not just eat, they will hang out together and socialize there,” Wesley said.

To encourage this, the new student union will have unique designs and features, such as surfboard-shaped tables, that separate it from the old cafeteria.

“It will look nothing like [the old cafeteria], which had long tables with very little decoration and color contrast. This cafeteria will look very much like a restaurant,” Wesley said.

Everything in the student union will cater to the students in order to create a comfortable space enjoyed by all students.

“We want to design the cafeteria and the patio so students are attracted to the venue,” Wesley said.

The new student union will benefit both those who enjoy it, as well as those who were influential in creating it.

“There will definitely be a sense of legacy for those who got to design the interior of the cafeteria,” Wesley said.

NEWS // OCT. 29, 2012

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ASB, Gross criticize B-Boy, Cheer for their performance at the rally

By Anne Fauver and Jené Price

Ending the cycle. 1. Heather Brewer spoke in the library, sharing her life story and writing tips. 2. Brewer signs a fan.

PHOTOS BY SAVANNAH STERN

Author Brewer’s book tour comes to Redondo

By Stella Gianoukakis

Heather Brewer, author of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, The Slayer Chronicles, and The Legacy of Tril series, came to RUHS to promote her new novel, Foretold.

Brewer spoke about her writing process, her life as an author, and her life growing up in Michigan.

“I grew up the most hated person in my small town and extremely poor,” she said. “I was bullied every day in school. It was horrible.”

Later she found out that reading and, even more so, writing were her only outlets for her frustration.

“I would read books and dive into that world and get away. I feel like everyone has their outlet when it comes to emotion, and you find your way to deal with thing. For me I’ve always written to get things out,” Brewer said.

Her hobbies were looked down upon by her parents though, especially by her father.

By the age of 12, however, she had read many books and knew that she wanted to become an author. Her dream was delayed, but not destroyed, when her parents and the librarian told her that it was “not realistic.”

“My parents said, ‘You can’t be an author.

You have to get a real job’,” Brewer said. “So writing became my dirty secret.”

It wasn’t until years later that her husband inspired her with just three words begin writing again.

“Those three words that changed my life were ‘so be one’. All it took was one person to support me,” Brewer said.

Starting from that moment, she wrote every day.

“My writing process has evolved over the years. I used to just sit down and write the story very organically, and I found that writing for publication really requires a lot more pre-planning,” she said. “As long as I use a [detailed outline] like a road map, I can still get that organic feeling of writing a story.”

The first book she wrote was rejected 248 times and her second book 98 times.

Despite all of the rejections, she continued to write. Through her books, she tries to convey a message that traces back to the alienation and loneliness she felt during her childhood years.

“My passion isn’t just writing books,” Brewer said. “My biggest passion is combating bullying and making people believe and understand that they are not alone in this world. They can absolutely use any of that pain that they have had and turn it into strength. They are survivors like I am a survivor.”

At the end of the talk, students were so excited that they rushed over to Brewer in hopes of having themselves signed or to take a picture with Brewer.

“It was very interesting because I’ve never met an author before,” freshman Joey Flint said after getting his face signed.

Senior Tyler Bradshaw also appreciated Brewer’s speech.

“It was pretty cool because she’s a popular author and I didn’t know she was coming ,” he said.

Brewer concluded her speech with what she believes is a crucial part of writing.

“Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused and be true to ourselves,” Brewer said. “The important thing is putting a piece of your soul into the story.”

The recent school rally was not all fun and games. There were “questionable” moves by the cheerleaders, not to mention the breakdancer who almost “stripped” in front of everyone. He was going to, that is, before ASB adviser Sherie Gross stopped him.

Both of these groups’ acts were deemed inappropriate by Gross, but the water polo boys running around in their speedos were all right.

“We want to continue to have student performances,” she said. “It’s my job to make sure everything is school appropriate.”

According to Gross, the cheerleaders were doing “questionable” moves at the rally. Cheer coach Karen Bustillos, however, disagrees completely.

“To us, [the girls’ moves] weren’t provocative in any way,” she said.

According to Bustillos, the cheerleaders love to dance, and the coaches’ main goal is for the girls to have fun. “[Dancing] is a form of art,” she said. “It shouldn’t be taken as anything seductive.”

Despite the accusations that the cheer team was inappropriate, Bustillos is still extremely happy with how the girls performed.

“I think the girls did a really good job,” she said. “I’m really proud of them.”

The cheerleaders were not the only ones

PHOTO BY BRITTANY NGUYEN

Can’t touch this. Senior Steven Seng was performing this dance move without his shirt, a part of his routine, when Gross told him he had to change his performance.

that were “inappropriate.” The B-Boy club also had trouble getting the “all’s clear” from the ASB instructor. Originally, senior Steven Seng was going to take his shirt off on the last turn of the performance. However, Gross did not support this move.

“We didn’t have anything against the trick, but he can’t strip at a high school event.” Gross said.

Gross supports the decision by saying that the dress code at school did not allow Seng to take off his shirt.

“It is really an inarguable issue. It’s not censorship; we are at school, and there is a dress code.” Gross said.

Seng was disappointed that his move was taken out of the dance. He believed that he and his partners put so much time into the performance and it was unfair to have to remove it.

“We still made the performance work and still made the crowd go wild,” Seng said. “It would be nice to get some more respect because a lot of people tell us that our performances are one of the best parts of the rally.”

Seng did not understand why his part of the performance had to be changed and water polo was allowed to run through the gym in their bathing suits.

“I had to change what I planned for a big performance, and they let water polo come out in speedos. That makes no sense,” he said.

Gross, however, disagrees with Seng. She thinks that it was perfectly fair that the water polo team was allowed to go through the rally in their speedos based on the school’s current policy. “[Speedos] are the water polo uniform.

They are school sanctioned just like football jerseys are the football uniform sanctioned by the school,” Gross said.

Although the cheerleaders and the B-boy club both disagree with Gross’s opinion, she is still firm in her beliefs.

“I love artistic and creative performances, but they have to be school appropriate,” she said.

#RUhere: Yearbook attempts to increase involvement and accesibility among students

By Emma Uriarte

Because technology and social media is so prevalent in high school life, the yearbook staff is finding ways to utilize technology to get students more involved in the yearbook-making process.

The idea to use mediums such as Instagram and Facebook to get pictures and suggestions directly from students arose from complaints about last year’s yearbook.

“Last year people complained that they did not have the opportunity to

help with the yearbook process, so this year we are trying to make it much more accessible. We want the students to be as involved as they can in order to make them more satisfied when the book comes out [this year],” co-Editorin-Chief RJ Mushaney said.

According to Mushaney, along with increasing student satisfaction, taking student suggestions will expedite the yearbook-making process.

“When students give us photos, it cuts down the time that we spend taking

and looking at photos, and their suggestions let us know what to do, as well as what not to do,” Mushaney said.

In addition, co-Editor-in-Chief Channing Lou hopes that student suggestions will greatly improve this year’s yearbook.

“Yearbook works really hard all year long to document important events throughout high school, and we do want to hear peoples’ input. They just need to get involved and tell us, so the yearbook is more personal,” Lou said.

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OPINION // OCT. 29, 2012

Savannah

The long road to enriched education

Says

by Savannah Stern

“Students need to study their political claims before saying them.”

Everyday, a new post, a new video, or a new article shows up on Facebook insisting that this candidate is better, this prop needs to pass, or that everyone is dumb if they vote no on this measure.

Some people may be influenced by their friend’s posts, but everyone should research to form their own political opinions instead of basing opinions off of claims made by others. Students instead need to motivate themselves to form their own opinion to eventually cast an educated vote.

Most student’s poetical views mirror those of their parents’. Seventy-one percent of teens follow their parents’ political views, according to a Gallup.com’s Youth Survey.

But instead of just blindly imitating parents’ political views, students should explore the political world for themselves to form their opinion as well as to get a better idea of their own political identity.

Another source teens should be wary about getting political information from is soundbites. Teens look ignorant when depending on soundbites and lose their credibility when they make groundless claims.

Instead of relying on soundbites, students should take the time research and check their facts, so that they understand the context of their claims, and better ensure their validity. An educated opinion means a person has an understanding of the issue as whole. They can assess the pros and cons, take a side, and argue why their opinion has validity.

Having an educated vote is all about research. Students should watch the presidential debates, read the newspaper, and use the internet. Students can also read the candidates’ speeches or past papers they’ve written. With today’s technology, searching public records on the internet to compare and contrast candidates and look at the issues is easy. All students have to do is take the time to search.

Fortunately, there are students who take the time to do their own research. Students best immerse themselves in politics when they take it upon themselves to discover the facts instead of accepting what they have heard as fact.

When students do the research, they avoid looking silly, because they have the facts to back up their claims when questioned.

It isn’t wrong to have a political view at a young age, but it is wrong to have a political opinion without knowing the facts.

We are the future of our country and have a responsibility to educate ourselves to create the best future for our country.

Photo courtesy yesonmeasueQ

THE BALLOT: To prepare students for success in high school, college, and the workforce; acquire, construct, upgrade, furnish, and equip school facilities, including career and technical facilities, improve classroom technology, and make energy efficiency improvements to reduce operating costs and put more money in classrooms; shall Redondo Beach Unified School District issue $63,000,000 of bonds at legal interest rates, have an independent citizens’ oversight committee with no money taken by the State or used for salaries or other operating expenses?

PRO: Measure Q improves schools CON: Measure Q is irresponsible Nowadays, education is a waning priority for many people. However, it is more than relevant to us: we are currently stuck in the public education system.

With furlough days and budget cuts assaulting our quality of learning, we need to do everything we can to increase funding to our district.

Measure Q is a piece of legislation that, if passed, Shivaani Gandhi will permit the district to sell bonds to raise $63 million that will be used to improve the quality of both our education and our learning environment. These improvements, quite frankly, are long overdue.

As technology plays an increasingly crucial role in the real world, the school needs to find ways to keep students connected so we can receive the most relevant education possible. That means utilizing electronic textbook, among other things. Otherwise, we will simply sit in a classroom memorizing facts that are inapplicable anywhere outside that classroom.

Since class sizes have increased, the updated technology can also help not only the students, but the teachers who have more students to work with.

In addition, in order to keep students safe inside the classroom, updated earthquake and fire safety precautions have also been proposed. Our state is no stranger to earthquakes, so the more secure our buildings are against this natural disaster, the better.

Additionally, Measure Q suggests greener and healthier improvements to our schools, such as increasing the of renewable energy, installing energy efficient technology, and replacing inefficient, polluting buses.

If made, these improvements will increase the district budget in the long run, as it would be able to spend less money on gas and electricity and more on us, the students.

For those of you worried about the money being misspent, California law requires that spending be monitored and examined yearly by a committee. Furthermore, the funds can only be used to improve our local schools, and not to pay teacher and administrator salaries.

So every penny raised through Measure Q would be spent in the best interest of the students: whether that means new and improved technology, less environmentally harmful school buses, or more energy efficient buildings.

Besides, a percentage of tax money already goes towards education. Measure Q would only cost taxpayers $2 per month per $100,000 of taxable property (yesonq.net), so what’s a couple more dollars every month?

The choice between community improvement and increased taxes is a decision that invokes much controversy and Measure Q is no different.

Measure Q would allow RBUSD to issue $63,000,000 in bonds at legal interest rates to improve student access to computers and technology as well as improve classrooms, student health and Savannah safety, and energy efficiency according to the 2012 Stern Official Sample Ballot.

I can understand why some voters would want to pass their measure since it will most likely mean improvement to RBUSD schools, but what voters failed to face is that this measure means another tax for property owners. With RBUSD and the state already in immense debt, Measure Q is a step in the wrong direction and should not be passed.

As RBUSD is already in debt, borrowing more money from the community is unfair and unrealistic.

Property owners will be taxed a maximum of $60 per $100,000 their house is valued at, per year according to the proposal RBUSD wrote out for Measure Q. In addition, the proposal states taxpayers will have to pay an additional $24, bringing the total to a minimum of an $84 per year tax increase and will only raise as the homes value increases.

If this money was going towards paying back the deficit, maybe the measure would be worthwhile. The money from taxes, however, will go towards many technology upgrade projects which in our current financial situation is irresponsible.

Electronic textbooks and solar panels are possible projects that can be implemented, but at this point in time, they are unnecessary. Measure Q adds to a deficit that is already affecting instructional time and teachers salary.

We shouldn’t be paying for new things when we still are paying for Measures C and E with furlough days and larger class sizes.

Furthermore, RBUSD is better off than most districts in the way of technology. We have access to computers, including a laptop checkout program, and just last year, we test drove iPads in the classrooms. Solar panels and electronic textbooks can wait until our deficit shrinks.

The district and state are already in immense debt and shouldn’t be digging themselves into a deeper hole. Instead of passing Measure Q this year, voters should wait until the next election.

Yes, school funds are low, but if we borrow more money, we’ll be deeper in debt, and the school will be trapped in a vicious cycle of borrowing and spending money we do not have.

OPINION // OCT. 29, 2012

AROUND REDONDO

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 guarenteed to be printed.

Students share their thoughts on the value of College Prep Day. “They just said everything we already knew.

We are already seniors, so we can’t change any of our classes anyways.”

High Tide

Staff

Editor-in-Chief: Julie Tran Managing Editor: Emma Uriarte Writing Director: Tricia Light Design Director: Taylor Ballard News Editor: Andrew Czuzak Opinion Editor: Haley Meyers Features Editors: Taylor Brightwell; Shivaani Gandhi; Hana Ghanim; Anacristina Gonzalez; Mannal Haddad; Cedric Hyon; Kylie Martin Sports Editors: Tatiana Celentano, Allegra Peelor Photo Editors:Vitoria Magno-Baptista; Diana Luna Copy Editors: Hana Ghanim; Ilana LaGraff Cartoonist: Cooper Lovano Online Editors: Vivian Lam; Kayla Maanum; LeAnn Maanum Staff Writers: Victoria Artaza; Ilan Avineri; Alina Bieschke; Joseph Bieschke; Jewell Black; Kenneth Bowen; Kira Bowen; Kolbie Brightwell; Ted Cavus; Deborah Chang; Edwin Chavez; Caitlin Cochran; Navikka Dasz; 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; Rachel Orford; Lindsey Pannor; Cameron Paulson; Jene Price; Alejandro Quevedo; Jason Rochlin; Molly Rood; 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 of cartoonist and in no way reflect the opinions of the High Tide staff.

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Selena Avalos, 12

Illustration by Cooper Lovano

Wednesday’s waste of time In light of RBUSD’s four furlough days, the potential for an increase to 17 furlough days, Proposition 30, and teacher unions across the country decrying “loss of instructional minutes”, the college prep day two Wednesdays ago was just a waste of time.

The truth is, while the college-prep day was executed with good intentions, it translated into the much-decried loss of instructional minutes. RUHS should have been maximizing time for academia, not wasting it.

Teachers, especially AP teachers, are already struggling to teach all the necessary information in a standard 180 day school year. The four furlough days only add to this time-crunch, and so teachers need every available minute of class time. The college prep day took away one of those much needed days, and did so unnecessarily.

If the school tells a bunch of high school students that they will be spending the whole day listening to someone talk about college admissions and watching a movie, then their first thoughts will be to sleep in and stay home. Considering the fact that the school loses $36 for every student that ditches, the college prep day probably cost the school a considerable amount of money.

For the seniors, all the information that the speaker gave was too little, too late, as most seniors already know where they’re applying to or have already started applying.

The tips the Princeton Review representative gave, like that having a fourth year of math with a 3.0 GPA is just as competitive as a candidate who didn’t take a fourth year of math and has a 3.5 GPA, were useless information, given the fact that schedules

are set, so there’s nothing the seniors can do about it now.

The representative’s lecture about college admissions would have been most beneficial to the juniors and sophomores, but they didn’t get to hear it.

The day’s only redeem quality was that the sophomores and juniors were familiarized with the SAT and ACT through review assessments and the PSAT. The juniors, however, can take and should have taken the PSAT on their own time on Saturday like everyone else did before them.

Even if the juniors absolutely had to take the test during school hours, why did that have to affect the education of the freshman, sophomores, and seniors? Sophomores do not get the day off when they take the CAHSEE; they just go to their next class, not disrupting the instruction for any of the other grade levels.

Like that, the rest of the school should have gone about their regular schedules so only junior classes were affected.

Meanwhile, the teachers attended a workshop about how to write letters of recommendation, which according to many teachers was useful to them, but again, the loss of instructional minutes for students can’t be emphasized enough.

Seniors didn’t need a college talk, freshman should have gotten the bullying and college lecture at orientation, and the sophomores and juniors could have taken the tests over the weekend.

For a first attempt at something like this, it was a nice try. But if students are to get anything out of college day, the information needs to be presented to the appropriate audience at the appropriate time.

“I thought it was good. It helped us learn how to prepare for colleges and some objectives we can complete.”

Connor Riley, 9

“I think that college prep day was very helpful. I thought it was a great opportunity to see where my level is [in the SAT].”

Camille Guerson, 10

“I thought it was kind of a waste of a day. I would have rather just have gone to my normal classes.”

Gabby Page, 10

“The program was a bit pointless because half the students were clearly not paying attention to the presenter. ” Randy Vlahakis, 12

“I liked it. It gave me more information [to] take a stronger stand on where I want to go college.”

Kim Elwood, 11

“Yes, I thought the speaker was really inspiring and I really liked getting out early.”

Kayley Hanson, 9

PHOTOS BY DIANA LUNA

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FEATURES // OCT. 29, 2012

N TIO RA ST U ILL

How to ask for a letter of rec, according to Dillard

OI CH RIE E L VA BY

1. Submit a completed Brag Sheet to teachers by June 30, email acceptable.

Brag Sheets must include information such as phone number and email address, AP classes taken, SAT scores, and any personal notes. Also include a copy of a personal statement or any other essays written for scholarships.

College

2. Recommendation forms with due dates must be

Knowledge

filled out completely and given to the teacher as early as possible.

Letter-writing is prioritized by the college’s deadlines; a letter not due for a while may not be written for a while.

3..A second Brag Sheet must be submitted by September 30 containing any updated information such as SAT exam scores.

4. Take advantage of the College and Career Center and the Naviance website.

5. Treat the teacher with respec –consider the recommendation letters as a favor. Write a thankyou card, or give a gift.

For more information, visit Mrs. Dillard’s webpage on www.redondounion.org

Interviews could make the difference in your acceptance

by Shelby Salerno

Sweaty palms, shaky hands, the senior’s heart pounds as anticipation eats away at his thoughts. He sits in the chair awaiting his fate; as the interviewer shuffles her papers, her eyes meet his, and she asks the first question.

Seniors don’t worry yet because interviewing with a college is “not mandatory,” according to counselor, Kelley Goo. “Each school is different,” Goo said. “[Usually] interviews are for more select schools.”

Private school or not, inter-

College

views are a way to give colleges a “personal” view into an applicant’s life. According to the Chapman University representative, Sarah Buckley, schools are on the look-out for diversity,and that personal touch.

“They want to see if you are a good fit in their environment,” Goo said.

College interviews go beyond the basic questions asked at job interviews. They are more personal and intellectual.

The interviewers might ask questions like these: “Why do you want to go to this school,” or “How can you contribute to this school?” They may want the person who is being interviewed to ask questions of his or her own. “[Interviewers] want to see how you act under pressure,” Goo said.

by the numbers

Most stolen item

.

.

775,000 1,575,000

Males

Females

iPod

Almost 60 percent of graduates of the California State University system and 30 percent from the University of California system transferred from a California Community College.

Students receiving a degree or certificate from a Community College see an 86 percent increase in their wages, from $25,600 to $45,571, three years after earning their degree.

*Averages calculated by year. Taken from Classesandcareers.com

The people who control these interviews are the college’s alumni, or on occasion, the Directors of Admission.

In order to get an interview, applicants are “invited” by a school they have applied to. Students can request for an interview as well.

It is also wise that students “look the part” for an interview.

“Dress neat [and] professional. Relax [and] be yourself,” Goo said.

Students should also be prepared, not only with a resume and a general idea of what to say, but also with questions they may want to ask.

“Do a mock interview with your friends,” Goo said. “[And] don’t have questions that you can find on the [school] website.”

. As late as 1940, fewer than 1 in 20 .

adults held a B.A. degree. From 19452000, the number of B.A degrees awarded annually rose almost eightfold, from 157,349 to approximately 1.2 million.

Approximately 2.94 million U.S. students graduate from more than 27,000 high schools each year, meaning each college applicant is competing against 27,000 valedictorians, 27,000 salutatorians, 27,000 student government presidents, and 27,000 editors-in-chief.

FEATURES // OCT. 29, 2012

Harvard rep gives advice

by Taylor Brightwell

PHOTO BY VITORIA MAGNO

College Knowledge. Harvard alumna and South Bay application reader Karen Shipherd visited RUHS last Thursday to share her unique college knowledge.

SAT

Last Thursday, Harvard University alumna and South Bay reader, Karen Shipherd spoke to students and parents about the application process.

She shared her knowledge and some personal stories that could keep students from making common application mistakes.

“The number one thing colleges are looking for is that a student has constantly challenged themselves academically,” Shipherd said.

“Take demanding courses. Don’t take them if you think you won’t do well.”

Another thing Shipherd recommended was that a personal essay should be more than just a story. It is one of the only ways colleges get to know you personally.

“It is important to write a very strong essay so that the admission officer feels like they know you,” she said.

If a student is able to establish a sense of self in an application they will have a higher chance of being admitted. According to Shipherd

it is also important to be involved, but it is more important to show a sense of leadership.

“I have seen thousands of applicants with 20 or more clubs listed on their application but that doesn’t matter,” Shipherd said. “What really counts is showing that you play an active leadership role in a club.”

About 10 or 15 years ago, colleges have been about finding the most well rounded students. Now schools are looking for the most “well-lopsided” students.

“A well-lopsided student is someone who does one thing particularly well. It’s about leadership, not membership,” she said.

Applications are about presenting yourself in the best way possible, and if a student is able to show an admission officer they are confident in themselves, they will be more successful.

“If I could offer one piece of advice about the application process it would be to speak from the heart,” she said. “Write something because it has meaning to you, not because it is something you think they want to hear.”

ACT

vs.

The SAT is a test that measures a student’s critical thinking and problem solving abilities.

The ACT is a test that measures what one has learned in their school’s core curriculum.

Ten sections: 3 math, 3 reading, 3 writing, and 1 write-in math section which does not affect your score.

Four multiple choice subject tests: English, math, reading, science reasoning, and an optional writing test, an essay.

The test is entirely multiple choice and based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for wrong guesses.

. .

. . . .

The sections are not given in the same order every time, so section 5 for one test will likely be different from section 5 for another test.

The multiple choice sections have a penalty for guessing. For every wrong answer 1/4 of a point is deducted.

The total testing time is 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Each section is out of a possible 800.

A perfect score is 2400.

. . . . .

The total testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (without the writing portion) and 3 hours and 25 minutes (with the writing portion).

There are 12 total scores received: 1 composite, 4 subject scores, and 7 subscores.

The scaled score is the composite score, which is measured on a scale ranging that ranges from a score of 1-36.

7

Fillman applies to Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC)

by Andrew Czuzak

These are dark days to be a student looking to pay for college. Senior David Fillman hopes to avoid the burdening costs through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps(NROTC) scholarship.

If Fillman is awarded the scholarship, the Navy will pay full tuition and give a monthly stipend in exchange for a minimum of five years of active military service. “[The scholarship] is a great opportunity to go to a good school with a secure job after college,” Fillman said.

Initially, Fillman wanted to apply for the Coast Guard scholarship, but due to the Coast Guard’s small college choices, Fillman switched over to the Navy.

“I really liked the Coast Guard’s program when I saw it, but when I browsed their catalog of schools it didn’t give me a lot of choices,” Fillman said. “I decided to look at the Navy because I still wanted to do something ocean-related. The Navy’s school selection was much bigger and included my number one choice of UC Berkley, so I decided to apply there.”

Fillman’s decision came as a surprise to his friends and family.

“Most people see me as sort of the stereotypical surfer,” Fillman said. “ I don’t think anyone expected me to do anything like this.”

Fillman, who plans on studying nuclear engineering in college, believes he surprised his peers again when he told them of his dreams of serving on a submarine.

“I think only my mom believed me when I said my number one choice would be to serve on a nuclear submarine. [A submarine] is somewhere I could apply my major and get hands-experience,” Fillman said.

Despite others’ perceptions of him, Fillman believes he will be able to change his lifestyle.

“Although, everything will be a lot different, I actually like having my day planned out and regimented for me,” Fillman said.

While Fillman believes he has a high chance at being awarded the scholarship but has alternatives if he does not.

“If I don’t get the NROTC scholarship, I’ll probably apply for the Coast Guard scholarship,” he said.

Leading petty officer Micheal Dedios helped recruit Fillman and believes that Fillman’s personality sets him apart from other candidates.

“When I met David he was very polite and personable, but more importantly he seemed very determined and also ambitious,” Dedios said. “He should fit right in.”

8

HEALTH // OCT. 29, 2012

Trick or Treat?

The best and worst types of candy for your dental health

Best

Worst

Dark Chocolate

Laffy Taffy Serving size: 5 pieces Amount Per Serving Calories: 210 Calories from Fat: 110 Total Fat: 13g Saturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 5mg Sodium: 55mg Total Carbohydrate: 25g Dietary Fiber: 2g Sugars: 22g Protein: 3g

Serving size: 1 bar Amount Per Serving Calories: 165 Calories from Fat: 36 Total Fat: 4g Saturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 20mg Total Carbohydrate: 33g Dietary Fiber: 0g Sugars: 23g Protein: 0g compiled by Joseph Bieschke

To floss or not to floss? % of students out of 158

According to dentistry.about.com, “Flossing in between your teeth is essential for avoiding periodontal disease as well as preventing tooth decay. Periodontal disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and can be easily prevented by flossing. Studies have even shown that flossing can also help prevent heart attacks and strokes.� So how many students floss?

35 30

27%

25

23%

20

14%

15 10 5

Daily

Regularly Occassionally

Regularity of Flossing

by Joseph Bieschke

Cavities are formed by a combination of bacteria and carbohydrates such as sucrose, also known as table sugar. When sugary foods are left on the tooth enamel, bacteria within the mouth reacts with the carbs to form acids and results in plaque. The acidity of plaque corrodes into the tooth, forming a cavity. (WebMD.com)

36%

40

Cavity Prevention

Never

To prevent cavities, brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly. Consuming acid-forming foods such as candy, sugary drinks, and even cooked meat and bread factor heavily into cavity formation. Consumption of healthy, alkaline-forming foods such as fruits and vegetables helps prevent plaque from forming. (ADA.org) Xylitol, a natural sweetener found in plants and fruits, appears in sugar-free gum, mints and toothpaste and research confirms that it inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the oral bacteria that causes cavities. (AGD.org)

Heavy metal first person account by Angela Kim

For the past ten years, what should be my pearly whites have been masked by the metal ornaments plastered to my teeth. For the past ten years my teeth have been under construction.

At the age of seven, my orthodontist told me I needed braces due to a minor underbite that could potentially grow more obvious. At the time, I was only a first grader who barely knew what braces were.

After the first three years, my first orthodontist had already failed both my sister and me. He did not even regularly tighten my braces, so we were forced to find a more capable orthodontist.

Aside from changing orthodontists, year after year passed and problem after problem arose. When my orthodontist got rid of my underbite, the bottom incisors grew slanted; when she fixed that, the root of one of my teeth began to wane; when she pulled that tooth out, I had a conspicuous gap in the

HEALTH // OCT. 29, 2012

9

Junior Angela Kim has dealt with many dental problems.

front of my teeth. The constant construction being done to my mouth was an embarrassment, to say the least.

My orthodontist would have given an older patient an implant but, because of my age, she decided to close the gap by moving the surrounding teeth closer together.

Meanwhile, she used the wires and brackets to attach a tooth in the empty space, creating the guise of gapless teeth. Though the fake tooth is now gone, a small gap still exists on the left side of my mouth, growing less evident each month.

Although it would be easier to place all the blame on my orthodontists, a lot of the guilt rests on my shoulders.

Just like any other seven-year-old, I was an avid fan of sweets. I loved eating candy and chewing gum that broke my brackets and molar bands. I especially favored candies like Airheads, Starbursts, or bubble gum — all candies restricted to people with braces.

But in my young age, I could not, and still cannot resist any sweet offered. My sweet tooth still overpowers my correct judgment to cut down.

I broke my braces so regularly that my orthodontist could no longer get angry with me; she just adjusted her way of approaching my issues. It got to the point where she would expect to see me on a weekly basis, just to fix what the candy broke. I broke my braces over 20 times.

Now I regret disobeying my orthodontist, especially since I have seen countless friends get their braces on after me, but off before me.

Having friends tease me because they got their braces off before me always lights a spark of indignation. Having to drive to LA every three weeks for an appointment is another con. Having my orthodontist continually chide me for my unintentional neglect of her orders and losing my rubber bands is yet another.

braces in your mouth,” Dobler said.

For a year in seventh grade, Dobler only had braces on her top three front teeth and two back teeth because she still had baby teeth everywhere else.

She also has to wear a retainer with a fake tooth in it, as she is missing a permanent adult tooth.

“I thought it was cool that it looked like I had a tooth [when I really] didn’t. It made my pictures look better, it made my teeth look better, and it made me feel better,” Dobler said.

Even though she stays positive, Dobler is self-conscious because of her braces.

“I hate my smile, and I hate my teeth,” Dobler said. “I always smile with my mouth closed, and in all my school pictures I always smile small.”

Dobler is self-conscious not only because of her braces, but also because of Febrile seizures she had when she was younger, which caused her teeth to turn into yellow.

Despite such difficulties with her teeth, Dobler always made the best of her situation.

PHOTOS BY DIANA LUNA

Pearly whites. 1. Junior Angela Kim had braces for ten years and struggled with constant orthodontic problems since she was seven years old.

Of course, having braces for ten years itself is very irritating. All these negatives seem overwhelming, but I can say one thing: I’ve had them for so a long time, they’ve become a part of me.

Dobler copes with slew of orthodonic issues

by Nageena Hamraz

The strong smell of antiseptic mouthwash and toothpaste waft through the air.

Listening to the sound of drilling, junior Jordan Dobler is back for yet another dental procedure.

“I’m a junior in high school. I just barely lost the rest of my teeth, and I didn’t even get to lose them by myself,” Dobler said.

Dobler is often “embarrassed” by her teeth.

“It’s always annoying going to birthday parties and dances, and having to smile with

Teeth Whitening Bulimia & teeth Pro:

compiled by Edwin Chavez

Teeth whitening will improve one’s appearance with a brighter smile. With it will come more confidence, which will have an effect psychologically as well as physically. It will enhance the appearance of anyone trying to look great for a formal event or a picture. Teeth whitening will give a person a cleaner image and just may be the difference between a good and bad first impression.

Con:

“I have really low self-esteem. It’s a really big problem, but I just kind of block it out,” Dobler said.

Dobler had nine teeth removed after wearing the retainers for three years and is currently wearing braces again.

Dobler is excited to have her braces taken off next year, in spite of the surgery she will need for an additional fake tooth.

“I don’t think my teeth will be perfect, just because of how small they are,” Dobler said. “I just want to make myself look as good as I can.”

Bulimia: disorder in which bouts of extreme overeating are followed by depression and self-induced vomiting, purging, or fasting

Those with Bulimia gain puffy, sore “chipmunk” cheeks caused by excessive vomitting.

Though teeth whitening is a popular commodity, it also comes with its share of negatives. People accustomed to having their teeth tear through food with ease will have a hard time adjusting to the temporary sensitivity teeth whitening causes. The sensitivity applies to drinking fluids as well. Drinking something cold will be painful, which can be irritating in the summer when it seems only a cold drink can satisfy one’s thirst. There is also the issue of gum irritation, which is caused by the bleach concentration or whitening rays used in the teeth whitening process. Another defect of teeth whitening is its inability to bleach restorations such as dental crowns or dental veneers. The teeth whitening process presents a temporary solution that requires a lot of work (and a bit of pain) to maintain.

Discolored, yellowed, ragged, or clear teeth from exposure to stomach acid.

www.aboutcosmeticdentistry.com/procedures/teeth_whitening/pros_and_cons.html

www.yourdentistryguide.com/teeth-whitening

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bulimia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.html http://www.eatingdisorders.org.nz/How-does-Bulimia.759.0.html

Cavities form on the teeth as enamel erodes away from stomach acid exposure.

Teeth become overly sensitive to hot and cold foods.

Bulimia can cause gum disease from constant harm to gums.

The corrosion of enamel exposes the sensitive pulp and nerve endings in the teeth.

10

Politics

OCT. 29, 2012

Where are we in the election process?

AP Government teacher, Michael Henges, breaks down the election process step-by-step by drawing a diagram on his white board.

OCT.29, 2012

2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION facts, figures, & opinions

11

The most important political issues to teachers....

1. The economy, the deficit, & job creation “ Having a fair taxation system in place would be helpful for the economy so no one will

get unfair advantages. The tax code is very complex; there are a lot of tax deductions for certain groups. Trying to simplify that and make it fair would help the economy.

”

FOLLOW THE PARTY

TIM BAUMGARTNER, AP CALCULUS

2. Education “ Education surpasses all other issues. You can’t accomplish anything without an educa-

tion. In the state of our economy now, college students are graduating with more debt and with less opportunities than when their parents graduated. Jobs are not guaranteed like they used to be, but if you don’t have a college degree in this volatile economy, it’s even harder to find a job. The government needs to do more to make sure qualified teachers are being hired and students are provided for. Cutting the budget does not help—it only hurts.

”

71% of seniors would vote for Obama 29% of seniors would vote for Romney

MARISSA LONG,U.S. HISTORY

3. National Security “Threats to national security are one of the most immediate ways for our daily lives to

If these percentages were representative of California’s actual popular vote, then that would mean our state’s 55 electoral votes would all go towards Obama. Each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on population, and whichever candidate the majority of the people vote for determines all of the state’s electoral votes. Since California historically votes democratic of the time, candidates do not spend a lot of time campaigning here because it is not a “swing state” like Ohio or Florida usually are.

be disrupted and safety to be put at stake. I don’t want someone screwing that up. The number one thing that needs solving is how partisan politics have become. The greater good of the nation is second to towing the line for a particular party or fundraising for that party. How can we move forward if we’re divided for the sake of the being divided?

”

KIM AKHAVAN, AP ENGLISH

Abortion

Abortion

“I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v.Wade.”

“I support the reversal of Roe v. Wade because it is bad law and bad medicine. Roe was a misguided ruling that was a result of a small group of activist federal judges legislating from the bench.”

ObamaCare

ObamaCare

On March 23, 2010, Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will provide funding for health plans that pay for abortion on demand.

Romney believes that ObamaCare must be repealed.(Statement on Mitt Romney’s website) “Obamacare will violate that crucial first principle of medicine: ‘do no harm.’”

Immigration

Immigration

Obama plans to create a 21st century immigration system by: continuing to fulfill the federal government’s responsibility to securing our borders, demanding accountability for businesses that break the law by undermining American workers and exploiting undocumented workers, strengthening our economic competitiveness by creating a legal immigration system that reflects our values and diverse needs, and requiring responsibility from people who are living in the United States illegally.

Romney opposes amnesty because he believes that it encourages illegal immigration. He has stated that he will fully enforce federal immigration law. As governor, he authorized state police to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement.

Gay Marriage Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Act, which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

Gay Marriage BARACK

OBAMA

MITT VS.

ROMNEY

“...I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name. My view is the domestic partnership benefits, hospital visitation rights, and the like are appropriate but that the others are not.”

Information gathered fromhttp://www.politicalresponsibility.com/index.aspx

12

FEATURES// Oct. 29, 2012

Graves and Blanquel gain friends through gaming

By Jason Rochlin and Ted Cavus

He grabs his controller and turns on his PS3, the look in his eyes intensifying as he gets ready to embark into the digital world.

The world around him blurs as all his concentration goes into playing, and hours seem like minutes in his eyes.

Freshman Angel Blanquel likes spending his leisure time playing video games online.

“When I’m not doing homework or having soccer practice or a game, I just sit down and play video games,” Blanquel said.

He feels that video games are different and unique every time he plays. He always plays with different gamers, changing the outcome each time.

“I play a variety of games. It depends on what mood I’m in really,” Blanquel said.

Blanquel’s interest extends from thriller shooting games such as “Resident Evil” to comical fighting games like “Super Smash Brothers.”

Sophomore Nicolas Graves is also an avid online gamer, but he plays PC games like “Starcraft” and “Team Fortress 2” instead.

“I prefer role-playing games, personally.

It’s like watching a story unfold that you are a part of, sort of like a movie but longer and more fun,” Graves said.

One of Blanquel’s favorite parts about playing games online is the chance for him to meet new people from other places.

“I have met some people online from Tennessee and Nevada,” Blanquel said. “You can find people online that you can really connect with.”

Blanquel has added gamers from his online games as his friends on Facebook, although he always waits until he feels he has a good understanding of their personalities.

They connect through common interests such as basketball games and other sports.

Graves has also made connections with people from far away through online gaming.

“My group typically consists of 19 people,” Graves said. “Three of us are friends at school, [and] the others live all over the world in places like Australia, Norway, and Canada.”

The online gaming world also keeps Blanquel connected with his friends.

“Being able to play online with friends is always fun. It’s like hanging out, but you don’t have to go outside of your house,” Blanquel said.

According to Graves, multiplayer games are usually more fun than single-player games.

“I’m exposed to a lot of new and intelligent ideas from people around the world [through multiplayer gaming],” Graves said.

Other online gamers have comments on the real world and different cultures that can be expressed and shared.

“I learn a lot about the state of the world around me through online gaming.

Hearing the perspective of American customs through other countries really puts in perspective some of the things we do,” Graves said.

1.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLAS GRAVES

3.

2.

Game on. 1. Sophomore Nicolas Graves puts on his headset, ready to go into the PC gaming world. “ 2. Freshman Angel Blanquel plays with the HALO club during lunch. 3. Graves plays on his PC online. “PC Games have higher quality graphics and. The controls are more precise, and the modding community is great,” Graves said.

PHOTO BY DIANA LUNA

Wii U

Nokia Lumia 920

Release Date: November 18, 2012

Release Date in Italy: November 12, 2012 Release Date in America: Unknown

Starting Price: $299.99

A smartphone developed by Nokia running on Windows 8 operating system and 32 GB storage.

Recognizing the limitations of the Wii, the Wii U was developed to bring the “core” gamer audience back to Nintendo.

Features: Inductive charging 8.7 Megapixel PureView camera

A quick glance at

NEW TECHNOLOGY Windows 8

Release Date: October 26, 2012 Features: New start screen called “Metro,” containing shortcuts to applications The “Windows Store,” Microsoft’s answer to the Apple Store.

Supports the newest USB 3.0

Features: Backwards Compatibility A new Nintendo Network to serve better online gaming purposes Some launch titles: Assassin’s Creed III Batman Arkham City- Armored Edition New Super Mario Bros. U

iPad Mini

Release Date: November 2, 2012 Starting Price: $329 Display: 7.9’’ screen at 1024 × 768 pixels Developed by Apple Inc. to compete with other tablets such as the Kindle Fire and the Google Nexus.

WHICH

own?

phone SHOULD YOU

Apple iPhone 5

FEATURES// Oct. 29, 2012

13

Students compare two of the most popular phones that are currently on the market.

Samsung Galaxy S3

by Nicholas McCarthy

by Nicholas McCarthy

When the first iPhone was released in 2007, it revolutionized the definition of the smartphone and how we communicate.

Five years later, the iPhone 5 is released and with it many rivals competing to be the best.

Sophomore Christopher Martsolf believes the iPhone beats out the competition and is the best amongst the many smartphones on the market.

“I like the iPhone so much because it’s easy to use, they are more fun, and they look better,” Martsolf said.

Its most notable rival is the Galaxy S3, but the iPhone 5 can hold 64 GB, double the memory of the S3, is a half-inch taller, and has improved screen resolution.

The camera in the iPhone 5, though it has the same eight megapixals as the Galaxy S3, has a faster shutter speed.

“The number one thing that makes iPhone so successful is that it’s user friendly and it’s easy to use, so you don’t have to be a super tech wizard, and it appeals to people because it looks good,” Martsolf said.

Critics have commented on the battery life and fragile screen of the iPhone 4S. As a result, Apple gave it a larger battery pack and made the screen stronger, and more lightweight. The screen is much stronger compared to the Galaxy’s screen.

The App Store for iOS has more than about 650,000 apps versus the Android market’s 450,000 apps.

“Because it has a larger market and there’s

Many see the iPhone as the only smartphone on the market, but there are some that want to have something different, so they move towards Android.

Junior Ebuka Ohiomoba had always had a predilection towards Android products.

“I like Android because it is so much more versatile than iOS,” Ohiomoba said.

He believes that Android has more features that users can enjoy, while iPhone users would have to jailbreak their phone to acquire the same software. The cost of jailbreaking an iPhone includes the voiding of the phone’s warranty and screen freezing.

“The Android has a steeper learning curve only because there are more features to figure out and play with,” Ohiomoba said.

According to Ohiomoba, in comparing it to Android, iOS 6 is not very revolutionary because most of the new features added are very similar, if not the same, as to those of Android’s.

Though Android has more software features in its Samsung Galaxy S3, iOS has more applications in its App Store. “[Although] iOS has more apps than Android, the gap is closing everyday,” Ohiomoba said.

Android has an edge over Apple in the maps and applications because the expired contract with Google has lead Apple to make its own applications that do not always work and lack some features that Google Maps has: street view, walking directions, bike di-

always going to be more Apple users than there are anything else,” Martsolf said. “It is one of the best features about the iPhone.”

The iPhone has been around for almost five years and becomes more successful each year.

“The iPhone is better because of the simplicity. A smartphone should be quick, responsive, and do what you need it to, and Apple does it the best,” Martsolf said.

What should you surf with?

Information compiled

by Haris Kahn

Internet Explorer

Mozilla Firefox

Apple Safari

Created by: Thomas Reardon Initial Release: August 16, 1995 Features: -Smart Address Bar allows users easier access to locate specific sites by observing the history and favorites of its user -Tab Groups allows users to discern any tabs that have unrelated content Disadvantages: -Speed is significantly slower -Questionable security; there have been more cases of hacking in Internet Explorer than in any other browser -Lacks customizable browser

Created by: Dave Hyatt, Joe Hewitt and Blake Ross Initial Release: November 4, 2004 Features: -Quick and easy installation -79 languages, including Hebrew -Java Scrip Engine improves speed and reduces lag -Tabbed Browsing allows multiple tabs to be opened and browsed easily and smoothly Disadvantages: -Initial loading time -Compatibility issues -Font color display

Created by: Steve Jobs Initial Release: June 23, 2003 Which Features: -“Reader” button that compiles all the pages into a single, scrollable web page to view tabs swiftly and efficiently.

Disadvantages: -Lack of customization -Bugs while viewing flash videos -Some websites will not allow Safari access -Random crashes and unexpected bugs on certain websites

rections, and transit directions.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is, in comparison to the iPhone 5, bigger, wider, and has a longer battery life.

“I think more people would buy Android if they got the chance to try one out for some time,” Ohiomoba said. “And besides, everybody has an iPhone, so I’d just like to have something different.”

?

Which brand isbetter

57 70 63

Out of 128 students polled...

percent of students prefer Macs to PCs percent of students prefer the iPhone 5 to the Galaxy S3 percent of students prefer iOS 6 to Android

14

FEATURES // OCT. 29, 2012

young

INDEPENDENCE

When they have the motivation, students take on various roles of responsibility, from living alone, traveling, learning self-defence, or risking their own lives to save others’.

Bernal lives on her own

by Rachael Orford

PHOTO BY VITORIA MAGNO

Self-sufficient. Bernal decided to stay here by herself when her grandmother moved to Colombia.

Living alone might sound like sweet freedom for most teenagers, but for senior Katherine Bernal, it is a hard transition and a life altering experience.

Bernal moved to her new home in Hermosa Beach three months ago because her grandmother, who she was living with, gave her a choice to move with her to Colombia or finish Bernal’s senior year in America.

“There are more opportunities in America and I would have had to go to back to Columbia,” Bernal said.

Living alone comes at a steep price for Bernal. She works at Malibu Fish and Grill 25 hours a week in order to afford rent. Bernal had no choice but to mature.

Bernal finds some adjustments more challenging. “I can’t go shop anymore and I can’t buy the things I want because I have to save my money to buy my lunch.”

School is especially hard for Bernal because she works so much and has less time to study.

According to Bernal, not many high school students can understand what it means to live

in the “real world”.

“Paying rent makes me feel responsible; it’s something that most high school students don’t have to deal with,” Bernal said.

Although the experience of living on her own has allowed her to mature, Bernal prefers living with her grandma .

“I never had to deal with cooking or paying rent, she would do everything for me,” Bernal said.

Bernal often finds herself sad because she misses her family.

“I miss my Grandma calling and telling me, ‘what are you doing?’ ‘Where are you?’ I don’t have anyone telling me what to do. I miss that,” Bernal said.

Bernal keeps herself together by looking to the future.

“I want to be successful one day and it will all pay off in the future, hopefully,” Bernal said.

Overall, Bernal loves living by herself and finds it an important step in her life.

“I’m learning young and its better than being twenty-five and living at home with parents. I think it’s a good push for me,” Bernal said.

Ross volunteers as firefighter

by Katie Hill

Very often if you ask a four year old boy what they want to be when they grow up, the answer will be “a firefighter”. But when senior Brennen Ross said he was going to be a firefighter at four years old, it was a decision he would stick with.

It is no surprise that Ross would take this aspiration so seriously, considering he was around many firefighters from a very young age.

“I grew up being around the fire service,” Ross said. “My dad and uncle are firemen so I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter.”

Ross was so sure of his career path that he began putting himself through rigorous training at age 15. He went through training towers as well as training with many other firefighters apart of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

“I had to start the training then in order to prepare for the real life situations I take on now,” Ross said.

According to Ross, his training seems inferior when compared to what he now experiences with the LAFD. Ross goes with other professional firefighters to everywhere from Inglewood to Watts to battle fires.

“I’ve been going into the real life house

fires and calls for 2 and half years now” Ross said. “I have saved so many people’s lives with my partners and other fireman.”

As time has passed while Ross has been battling fires with his partners, he has found it to be like nothing he has ever experienced.

“Working in Inglewood, I’ve seen things that no one should ever have to see,” said Ross.

Even though battling real fires has been tough, the protection of others has made it worth it for him.

“I love [battling house fires] and I can’t even explain how good it feels saving someone’s life,” Ross said.

According to Ross, many could never fathom the idea of going towards something that could potentially kill them, all in order to save a stranger. With this in mind, Ross knows it takes a very special kind of person to do it.

“It’s funny [how] everyone is running out of the burning buildings while we are running into [them],” Ross said.

The true motivations that keeps Ross running into burning buildings is the feeling of helping others and saving lives.

“Firefighting is my life,” Ross said. “I love helping people and saving lives; it’s a feeling like no other.”

2.

1.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRENNAN ROSS

Hot blooded 1.Ross helps a fellow firefighter put out a fire. 2. Ross usually spends Saturday or Sunday at the station doing 24-48 hour shifts. 3. Ross poses with his father, captain Scott Ross. He hopes to make firefighting his full-time job. “I love [firefighting]. If I won the lottery I would still go to work the next day,” Ross

3.

FEATURES // OCT. 29, 2012

15

Mather sailed around the world in six years

by Ilana LaGraff

1.

2.

PHOTOS 1 & 3 BY DIANA LUNA, PHOTO 2 BY CLAIRE TISIUS

Staying alive. 1. Sophomore Madeline Bright trains in Krav Maga in order to learn self-defense. 2. Bright also attends survival camps that prepare her for emergency situations. 3. Bright’s training stregnthens her both physically and mentally.

3.

Bright acquires self-defence, survival skills through Krav Maga

by Justin Lee & Chance King

The sky grows dark and the ground becomes increasingly colder. Her team is getting more and more anxious as she tries to make a fire with flint and wood, but it becomes harder to do so because of how dark it has become. Finally, she gets a spark and her teammates gather around the fire. This is just one day out of the many that will teach sophomore Madeline Bright how to survive.

Bright has attended 2 survival camps now, one in the winter of last year and one in the summer of this year.

“These camps are a one in a lifetime experience. You will never find anything like them anywhere else. They are a constant strain on you not only physically but mentally,” Bright said.

Bright was taught by professionals who were former Navy Seals and ranked army members. She and her team were taught how to start a fire, signal for help, find food, filter water, administer first aid skills, and use fighting techniques that the instructors had used when they were in the military.

“The instructors will constantly throw obstacles at you that are designed to break your team apart, and that’s where unity comes in,” Bright said.

These camps are a part of the program at Elite Training Center where Bright has been learning Krav Maga. Krav Maga is a form of

martial arts that focuses on avoiding critical situations or getting out of them without hurting anyone.

“The thing with Krav Maga is that it’s not a sport. It’s an exercise of body and mind.

The way we train is we don’t train to perfect the movement, we train to get away. The key to Krav Maga is to escape without injury,” Bright said.

Instructor Selah Pomeranitz has been doing Krav Maga for 4 years. He actually introduced Bright to the art of Krav Maga in Middle School. He says that Bright shows an exceptional understanding of the techniques which serves her well in training.

“I think that it’s really cool that she picked [Krav Maga] up and is sticking with it because a young teenager like her doing what I did just a year ago is just amazing,” Pomeranitz said.

As a Green Belt, Bright likes Krav Maga because she has always found martial arts to be a passion of hers.

Bright thinks that Krav Maga is an excellent skill to have, especially to survive.

“The will to survive needs to be a prominent feature in your training. You need to be able to pick up that will at anytime when you are surviving because –let’s face it- you could end up in the wilderness with no food or water, and you need to know what to do, be confident, and know what it takes to survive,” Bright said.

In a six-year-long trip that took 10 years to plan, freshman Phoebe Mather has visited every country except Antarctica via her family’s boat, Blue Sky. “My family made the decision to go because life is too short,” Mather said. “It was definitely an experience of a lifetime.”

While visiting the different countries, Mather experienced many cultures and lifestyles.

“I enjoy meeting people from all over the world and learning their customs,” Mather said. “Since we went to South Africa, I appreciate what I have now more than ever. A lot of what we saw was just the slums, [but] the people who had nothing were very kind and generous and happy.”

Other places that impacted Mather and her family were Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand because they stayed there longer.

“The main reason we stayed in one place for so long was to wait out the weather.

Hurricane and typhoon seasons are typically six months long. During that time we would immerse ourselves in the cultures.

The longer we would stay somewhere the more people we would meet and become friends with, which made it harder to leave,” mother Emma Mather said.

Spending so much time with family brought them closer together. “[Living together on the boat] helped us understand that family is all we have. We are

all really close,” Mather said.

Mrs. Mather agrees, and is grateful for the time she had with her children.

“We are fortunate to have spent such quality time together while they were young and us parents were still cool,” Mrs. Mather said.

While sailing all around the world, Mather kept up with her studies, but is glad to be back in a school.

“We never had school while we were on the way [to our destination]. We only did work while we were anchored or in a harbor,” said Mather. “I hear people say they hate school all the time, but I love school. I guess it was the lack of going to school that makes me like it so much.”

Now that they are back home, the Mather family continues to live on their boat.

“It’s our home. It feels normal,” she said.

Her adventures around the world have become a big part of her life and may have something to do with her future. “[In the future,] I would like to do anything that has to do with the ocean and helping people. I could see myself being a lifeguard,” Mather said. “I would definitely love to travel more to some of the countries I’ve visited and explore new countries.”

To watch an in-depth video on Mather’s travels, visit hightideonline.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.THEVOYAGEOFBLUESKY.COM

Around the world in 2,190 days. Freshman Phoebe Mather has traveled to over 30 countries in six years on sailboat. Growing up on the seas, Mather has learned to appreciate her family and has adapted to several different cultures.

16

SPORTS // OCT. 29, 2012

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE 1.

PHOTO BYJENNY OETZELL

Michael Chang Shark in the water Senior Michael Chang prevails in water polo, leading his team through an undefeated season against Ocean League so far.

by Haley Meyers

2.

PHOTO BY AHMAD KABBANI

Merman. 1. Senior Michael Chang is approached by a Chadwick defender, in an attempt to score. Chang is one of the strongest offenders on the water polo team, scoring an average of three goals a game for his team. 2. Left handed Chang throws the ball attempting to score, after surpassing the Mira Costa defense. Chang’s strong legs help him move fast in the pool.

All of the punches to the face and grabbing by the gut just further fuels senior Michael Chang as he dominates the water.

“A lot of people discount water polo because boys in speedos can appear weak. But, we get grabbed, drowned and punched a lot and it is this physical element of the game that is really motivating and competitive,” Chang said.

Chang, who is the captain of the waterpolo team, argues that this physical and competitive element of water polo is what makes water polo his favorite sport. Working hard at practice to become a competitive offensive player has apparently paid off as Chang scored four goals against “tough” competitor Beverly Hills. This season, Chang has kept an average of about 3 goals per game.

“He’s one of our strongest offensive points as a really strong and consistent player. We can always count on him to come to all our events, whether it’s practice, games, or a team bonding event,” junior Jonathan Ortiz said.

Junior Nicolas Gutierrez adds that Chang’s strong legs and his left-handed abilities contribute to his success on offense, making for strong six-on-five plays

where he can shoot on the right side. Gutierrez accredits Chang’s success mostly to his temperament in the water and how he reacts to the competitive and aggressive nature of the game.

“Most importantly, through everything, he stays calm before and throughout the game. By acting this way, he influences us to do the same and we end up playing better,” Gutierrez said.

According to Gutierrez, this calm temperament helps to lead his team to a better state of focus throughout the game, making him not only effective as an individual player, but also as a captain.

“Michael is a good captain which is obvious by how the whole team looks up to him, not only as a players but as a friend as well.

He knows us as people, not just as his teammates,” Gutierrez said.

Ortiz agrees that Chang acts as a good role model, he is constantly going out of his way to be nice to the younger players to make them feel included and giving them feedback to improve individually and as a part of the team.

“Although our team is mostly younger players, under Michael’s leadership, we expect to overcome the age differences and beat all teams in Ocean League this season,” Ortiz said.

SPORTS // OCT. 29, 2012

Moment of truth

17

Running away. Senior Anthony Philyaw runs the ball in game against Palos Verdes last Friday.

Philyaw broke his wrist in the game and may not be able to play in the upcoming game against Mira Costa. PHOTO BY MATT MARDESICH

The Sea Hawks played their biggest game of the season on Friday night against Palos Verdes. This game ended the team’s winning streak and gave PV the first place title in Bay league.

by Romy Moreno and Caitlin Cochran

In the game that broke the tie and determined which team would be first in Bay League, RUHS felt great going in, but ended in defeat with its 7-21 loss to Palos Verdes.

Both teams were on winning streaks and undefeated in league before this game.

The team knew that this would be even tougher after the second run, when senior Anthony Philyaw left the game for good with a broken wrist.

“I put my hand down to break my fall and the dude hit me,” Philyaw said. “It’s very frustrating, but it is what it is.”

Philyaw wishes he could have played and helped his team, and hopes he can play with them again this season, as it is his last season at Redondo.

“I’m proud of our guys. They kept their heads and fought until the end. You can’t ask for more than that from your teammates,” Philyaw said.

According to junior Harrison Faecher,

the team’s spirits were high before Philyaw’s injury.

“We felt that we were really prepared and the guys were fired up to go out and play for the Bay League title,” Faecher said.

Senior Christian Fernandez agrees.

“We felt confident and excited because we were coming off of a great week of practice,” Fernandez said.

Although Faecher, Fernandez and other players thought that Redondo had a decent game and felt good going out on the field, .

They also agreed that they made key mistakes that lead to their defeat besides Philyaw’s injury.

“We had some mistakes that cost us our forward momentum, but other than that we had a good game on both sides of the ball,” Fernandez said.

This game might have been a let down for RUHS, but the team refuses to let it affect the way they will play in their upcoming game against Mira Costa.

“We are taught to have short-term memory when we play, whether we win or lose a game,” Fernandez said.

However, since RUHS is no longer fighting to place first in Bay League, they are now fighting to come in second as Mira Costa’s only loss was also to Palos Verdes.

“We all know that our goal now is second place in league and that’s exactly what we are

Last tee-off

by Beth Shallon

Six girls went in, and only one, sophomore Robynn Ree, came out. Now, she only has two more rounds before state finals at Pebble Beach.

On Oct. 22, Ree placed second in a CIF match.

“My total score was 66, which was 6 under on a par 72 course,” Ree said.

Ree feels like she could improve her

going to go play for,” Faecher said.

All that the boys have to do now is get back into the groove that they were in before playing Palos Verdes, that kept them on such a strong winning streak.

“We are hungry to get another win,” Fernandez said. “To motivate us even more is that this is our biggest game of the year because we are playing our rival-- Costa.” putting to make her game better.

“I was satisfied except for a couple of mistakes, but overall it was a good experience,” Ree said.

Throughout CIF play, Ree has had the support of Coach John Burke, who has gone with Ree to each round of play.

“I am very impressed with her maturity on the course and her competitiveness,” Burke said.

Ree’s next game is on Nov. 1 at Western Hills.

18

SPORTS // OCT. 29, 2012

RAISING AWARENESS ONE GAME AT A TIME

by Cole Stecyk

It’s her angelic voice and beaming smile that motivate the girls’ volleyball team. The girls dedicated their season to Karen Beebe, who lost her third battle with breast cancer over the summer. Their dedication showed when they won the Redondo Classic tournament this weekend and beat West in straight sets on Thursday.

Beebe is the mother of one of the volleyball teams’ former players, Krista Beebe.

She continued to support the girls and her daughter despite battling breast cancer for almost eight years.

The team remembers Beebe’s encouragement and inspirational words, which got them fired up and ready to try their hardest. Senior Hannah Mosebar misses Beebe’s enthusiasm on the court.

“Karen inspires us because she was such a positive hard worker. She was so strong and a great role model for us,” Mosebar said. ”I think she would really appreciate and think it was kind.”

Sophomore Abril Bustamante believes that Beebe greatly improved the team’s chemistry and teamwork. According to Bustamante, they explode with energy on the court in Beebe’s honor. “[She] taught us to keep working hard and fighting through everything,” Bustamante said. “I think she would be proud and realize that we play for each other.”

Power Players

The volleyball team plays in honor of old team mom Karen Beebe, who lost her third battle against breast cancer over the summer.

Senior Katie Rotondo can’t personally relate to Beebe, but she is emotionally touched by Beebe and is astounded by the amount of love that the girls express.

“It sounds like she touched people’s lives everywhere she went,” Rotondo said.

“In our games, we just want to play all out and show people that we are really there to touch other people’s lives.”

According to junior Marissa Mitter, it was Beebe’s positive attitude and encouragement that today flips on the mental switch of the girls’ to be the best they can be, on and off the court.

“Since her daughter played for the team, we will always fight for breast cancer and fight for her,” Mitter said. ”I think she would be very proud and happy that we are fighting for her.”

Before every game, the girls form a tight circle around coach Tommy Chaffins. They discuss their strategy going into the game and end with a prayer for Beebe.

Not only do they dedicate this season to her, but they try to make every moment and every point count.

“I would say she inspired the team by preaching that you need to live life to the fullest and take advantage of everyday,” said Chaffins. “She fought cancer so valiantly and had such a great spirit, it definitely proved to me and the rest of the team that she was such a loving person.”

PHOTO BY HAILEY NEWMAN

Blocking out defeat. Junior Brianna Lanktree and sophomore Abril Bustamante attempt to block Mira Costa player’s spike in a game on Oct. 11. The girls went on to defeat Costa in four sets 26-28, 26-24, 30-28, 25-23. “We’ve never beaten them the first time around, so it was a great win in the South Bay,” coach Tommy Chaffins said.

The best girls’ tennis players of the season used their experience and skill to make it to the semifinals in the final Bay League tournament, losing to top-ranked Peninsula players.

by Lindsey Pannor

PHOTO BY CHRIS NGUYEN

Approaching success. Freshman Emily Zargham hits an approach shot on Oct. 11 in match against Chadwick’s top doubles team. “Erin and I were playing really well that day,” Zargham said. “Even though their number one doubles was really good we still managed to sweep.” The girls’ tennis team beat Chadwick 11-7.

The top girls’ tennis players competed in the Bay League Finals, with number one singles player freshman Alyssa Grijalva and number one doubles team freshman Emily Zargham and junior Erin Shy fighting all the way to the semifinal rounds. Unfortunately, they all lost to one of the team’s top rivals, Peninsula. Grijalva lost the semifinal round 6-1, 6-2 against Peninsula’s number one player, who went on to win the tournament.

“It was my mistakes and my opponent’s consistency that really got me [in the semifinals],” Grijalva said.

“But it was definitely a surprise, even to me, that I made it as far as I did.”

To Grijalva, who is a new member of the team, the tournament was considered an okay loss since her semifinal opponent was so good. Coach Jessica Seibert said that it would’ve taken “a perfect game” from Grijalva to make it to the finals. Grijalva was also able to defeat the number one singles

player from Mira Costa in the quarterfinal round, who she was originally tied for fourth seed in the tournament with but did not get the position because she had lost to the player earlier in the week.

Shy and Zargham, who also made it to their semifinals, were defeated

by Peninsula’s top doubles team, who were the number one seeds in the tournament and won the 18 and under Southern California Sectionals earlier this year. Shy and Zargham were hoping to encounter the team later in the tournament, and did, much to their pleasure.

“We knew going into the match that we probably weren’t going to be able to beat them, and before we even knew our draw we were hoping not to play Penn girls in the beginning,” Zargham said. “They were the only team that were able to beat us in previous matches.”

Coach Jessica Seibert was not at all surprised by the girls’ success-- from the start she knew Grijalva, Shy, and

Zargham all had the capability to get to the semifinals. Shy and Zargham had a season record of 44-3, which not only contributed to the tennis team’s success as a whole but also to the doubles team’s confidence, who were also seeded fourth, and therefore expected to make it as far as they did.

“We knew going into it that it was an uphill battle. I wasn’t surprised at the outcome of it, but I was definitely proud of them for getting that far,” Seibert said, referencing her top girls’ fight to the semis.

Although Grijalva, Shy, and Zargham were Redondo’s power players of this year’s Bay League Finals, singles player sophomore Allegra Peelor and doubles players senior Lia Quilty and junior Miin-Jiuan Tsay also participated in the tournament.

Quilty and Tsay lost in the first round to a team from Mira Costa in a tie break. Peelor’s draw unfortunately placed her face-to-face with her biggest competitor from Peninsula, and she lost the match 2-8.

SPORTS // OCT. 29, 2012

Running away with the victory

19

On Oct.11, senior Cara Ulizio became the first RUHS girl to place first on the Palos Verdes course, but the girls still finished second behind Mira Costa. The boys placed first for the first time in a Bay League meet since 2008.

by Micah Ezzes and Nick McCarthy

In the most recent league meet on Oct. 11 at Palos Verdes, girls’ cross country made their presence known, finishing with both first and second place runners. It wasn’t, however, enough to beat rival Mira Costa, who accumulated more points. Meanwhile, boys’ cross country won in a tight race.

Sophomore Paige Sullivan was disappointed in the girls’ second place finish to RUHS’s biggest rivals.

“It felt really bad after we worked so hard to keep up with Costa the whole race,” she said.

Sophomore Amber Gore feels that there was room to improve.

“As a team, we could’ve been more bunched,” she said, referring to the method of staying as a team to score more points.

Head coach Bob Leetch believes that the teams are doing well, but they will need to work harder.

“Mira Costa ran better, so we will have to match our intensity to succeed,” Leetch said.

Gore, Sullivan, and sophomore Nicole Pederson agree that the strongest runner on the team was senior Cara Ulizio, who finished first overall in the race and became the first girls’ runner for RUHS to finish first in a Bay League meet.

“She ran an incredible race,” coach Julie Ferron said.

Ulizio ran an 18 minute, 39 second race.

She took off from the front-runner pack on the last hill to claim first place, but did not realize how fast she was going until she heard her final time.

“I didn’t hear my first mile mark, so I had no idea,” Ulizio said. “I just told myself to keep pushing, and when I got to that last hill, I broke away from the girls I was keeping pace with.”

After a summer with a minor injury, Ulizio came back strong, inspired by her “passion for running for Redondo.” Many of her teammates are excited and happy for her.

“We’re all so proud of her, especially after coming off of injuries earlier in the year,” Sullivan said.

With the girls’ second place finish and a first place finish by the boys, which was the first Bay League meet win for RUHS boys since 2008, both teams now have a chance to become the Bay League champions.

“We are expecting to win,” Ferron said.

Meanwhile, the boys continue to shine and are becoming a stronger team as the season progresses, according to Leetch.

“The boys are really coming together,” Leetch said. “Evan Malone-White and Will Tait continue to have a successful season this year.

We set ourselves up well to win the Bay League Championship.”

Senior Dustin Herold, sophomore Carlos

Suarez and junior Wasseem Radi managed to overtake one runner each at the end of the race to force a tiebreaker, in which the sixth runner, Tomo Hira Yamaya, won.

“It wouldn’t have even been a tiebreaker if [Herold, Suarez, and Radi] didn’t pass runners at the finish line,” Ferron said. “It was an incredible feat.”

Bay League Finals will take place at Mira Costa’s home course, Polliwog Park, on Thursday. For the girls, the league leader board is tied between RUHS and Mira Costa, so there are high expectations for this meet. “[The loss] is going to help us improve,” Pederson said. “It’s going to motivate us to push harder to beat Costa. We’re all taking our training really seriously. We just need to stay fit and stay healthy, and we’ll be ready to go next time around.”

2.

PHOTOS BY JENNY OEZTELL

1.

Run like the wind. 1. Seniors Cara Ulizio and Kayla Ferron lead the pack in Palos Verdes meet. Ulizio came in first in the race-- the first time for an RUHS girls’ runner on the PV course.

2. Junior Will Tait and Senior Evan Malone-White race on the Palos Verdes course. The boys won the race for the first time since 2008.

Water polo struggles against Peninsula despite improvements Even though they have a powerful defense, water polo lost to Peninsula on Wednesday. The boys look forward to their game vs. Palos Verdes on Monday, in which they hope to have stronger offense.

o s y h w

by Anna Fauver

?

K N I P

Soccer player and senior Tonya Gonzales shares why she wears pink during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“To find the cure, everyone must be aware and willing to contribute; this is how I contribute.

”

Tonya Gonzales

The boys’ water polo team lost to Peninsula 5-8 on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Peninsula beat Redondo 7-9. The score difference is due to good defense that held Peninsula and allowed them less goals, but their offense scored less.

“We knew they had some main guys to mark and although they did score some we did a decent job of defending,” junior Jonathan Ortiz said.

According to Ortiz, they were better prepared to play them this time since they had played Peninsula before.

“We came out a lot stronger instead of letting them get a jump on us,” Ortiz said.

Junior Lucas Duffy agrees with Ortiz in that they did play better this time.

“Other than a few mental breakdowns, like bad passes and not helping on defense, I think we played pretty well,” Duffy said.

Although he believes that Redondo was better prepared for Peninsula, Peninsula was also better prepared for them.

“The first time they played us, they weren’t

suspecting such a strong performance,” Duffy said. “Today, they knew what was coming and played with more fire than the first time.”

Even so, the boys did manage to hold back Peninsula. According to coach Mark Rubke, this group of boys is all about team playing.

“When one of the boys is on, all of the boys are on,” Rubke said. “It’s the same the other way. When one of the boys is off, all of the boys are off.”

Ortiz agrees with this idea. The boys are very close and because of this Ortiz says that the team “always works well together.”

“That’s what keeps us in the game,” Ortiz said. “When we don’t, it’s really hard to be competitive.”

Even though teamwork is key, individual players can also help a team out. In this game, Duffy and senior Michael Chang scored all five goals. Duffy scored two of them, while Chang had the most with three.

“Michael played a really good game for us, especially on the offensive end,” Duffy said.

“He led us in goals, and the goals he scored were against pretty tough defenders.”

Not only did Chang score the most goals and manage to draw a few ejections, but Ortiz believes he also inspired the team and got them more into the game.

“Michael Chang really stepped it up today,”

Ortiz said. “He had a couple goals and really got us excited.”

Overall, the boys were pleased with their performance in the game. Even though they did not win, they felt as if they played better as a team then when they last played Peninsula.

Their next game is today at home against Palos Verdes, who they previously lost to 9-11.

PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

Throw down. Senior Michael Chang prepares to throw the ball in game against West.

20 POLITICS // OCT.29, 2012

PROP 30:THE BREAKDOWN THE STIPULATIONS . Increases personal income tax on annual earnings over $250,000 for seven years. . Increases sales and use tax to 7.5% for four years. . Allocates temporary tax revenues; 89% to K–12 schools and 11% to community colleges. . Bars use of funds for administrative costs, but .

provides local school governing boards discretion to decide, in open meetings and subject to annual audit, how funds are to be spent.

Guarantees funding for public safety services realigned from state to local governments.

27% of staff are against Prop 30 73% of staff are for Prop 30

PROP 32

PROHIBITS UNION POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY PAYROLL DEDUCTION

. Prohibits unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes. . Applies same use prohibition to payroll deduc. . .

*out of 87 faculty members polled

“ Prop 30 is being promoted as a way to save education and my question is:

could they not save education without having to raise sales tax and taxes on the rich? To me, the campaign supporting Prop 30 is about the emotion of saving education rather than the government actually needing more tax dollars. How are they spending all the money they’re already taking away from us? ” TIM AMMENTORP

PROP 33

AUTO INSURANCE PRICES BASED ON DRIVER’S PAST INSURANCE COVERAGE

. Changes current law to allow insurance compa-

. .

AP ENGLISH

Prop 30: How to blackmail your citizens, for dummies

by Garrett Klatte The art of blackmail is simple. Person A uses leverage on Person B to extract something of value. Let’s say Person A finds out that Person B has robbed a bank.

But instead of turning Person B into the police, Person A demands that Person B hand over all of the money in exchange for his silence on the robbery. So Person B has a dilemma: Should he give up all of his money and walk away free? Or should he go to prison and hide the money? Or should he kill Person A? Person B should not take this decision lightly.

But now I draw a comparison to reality. Person A is the California State Legislature. Person B is every citizen of California. And the leverage is education. The state legislature wants more tax revenue. In order to receive this additional revenue, the legislature has come up with a brilliant blackmail scheme. It gives the citizens an ultimatum: give us more tax revenue or we will reduce education spending by $6 billion. The citizens then collectively vote on whether or not to give the $6 billion to the legislature by temporarily increasing both the state’s sales tax and the income tax on upper-income individuals. Returning to my hypothetical story, Person A has blackmailed Person B into taking something of value from Person C and giving that something to Person A. Now that is clever.

But what does this have to do with anything? Well

tions, if any, by corporations or government contractors.

Prohibits union and corporate contributions to candidates and their committees.

Prohibits government contractor contributions to elected officers or their committees.

Increased costs to state and local government, potentially exceeding $1 million annually, to implement and enforce the measure’s requirements.

this is the essence of Proposition 30. Amidst all the cries to avoid furlough days, many people have lost sight of how these furlough days will be avoided. I agree that it is terrible to forego an additional 12 days of school. That would be grossly unfair to both students and teachers.

But now consider the alternative: A temporary hike in both the state’s sales tax and the income tax on upperincome individuals. While I do agree that furlough days are unfair, is it somehow less unfair for upper-income individuals to pay the price for our government’s fiscal irresponsibility? I think not. More importantly, consider the precedent that this sets for future legislators: Anytime the state wants to spend more money than it has, it can cut education out of the budget and tell its citizens, “You want it? You pay for it.” That is a very slippery slope to walk down. And what about the expiration of these “temporary” tax increases? As great economist Milton Friedman observed, “there is nothing so permanent as a temporary government program.” History reminds us of the many “temporary” government programs which were not only extended beyond their initial expiration dates, but expanded as well. The Tennessee Valley Authority still exists, even though the Great Depression ended over 70 years ago.

Proposition 30 is more than just legislation impacting this year’s furlough days. It is a survey from our legislators asking us whether or not we will tolerate more fiscal imprudence. So will we? I certainly hope not.

nies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance with any insurance company.

Allows proportional discount for drivers with some prior coverage.

Allows increased cost for drivers without history of continuous coverage. Probably no significant fiscal effect on state insurance premium tax revenues.

PROP 34

REPLACE DEATH PENALTY WITH LIFE IMPRISONMENT

. Repeals death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. . Applies retroactively to existing death sentences.

Directs $100 million to law enforcement agencies for investigations of homicide and rape cases.

PROP 38

RAISE TAXES TO FUND EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

. Increases taxes on earnings $17,346+ using sliding scale, for twelve years. . Revenues go to K–12 schools and early child.

hood programs, and for four years to repaying state debt.

Increased state tax revenues for 12 years—roughly $10 billion annually in initial years, tending to grow over time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: http://voterguide.

sos.ca.gov/propositions/