High Tide Nov. 16, 2012 Edition

HIGH

TIDE Redondo Beach, CA // Redondo Union High School Nov. 16, 2012// Vol. XCIII // Edition 5

Acting and running their buns off

a a m g

by Jewell Black and Kira Bowen

All the world may be a stage to the cast of Midsummer Night’s Dream, but the world now encompasses exercise – lots of it. Exercising and pursuing healthy lifestyles have become a part of their everyday lives.

Director Justin Baldridge incorporates running, workout video P90X, yoga and abdominal exercises into weekly rehearsals to prepare the actors for the physically demanding

[story continued on p. 24]

p8-9//

Freshman Massa Kassab reflects on her life in war-torn Syria.

p10-11 //

Exchange student Natalie Everlee continues hoseback riding in US.

p22-23 //

The boys’ water polo players strengthen their friendship.

2

NEWS // NOV. 16, 2012

Key Club serves the community and builds unity through rallies

by Yasmeen El-Hasan

The energy at Six Flags Magic Mountain reverberated and students cheered with pride as it was announced that Key Club’s Division 19 South (RUHS) had raised $6700 for charity, setting a new precedent at their 57th annual Fall Rally on Nov. 10.

Key Club is a community service organization that volunteers around the South Bay. At the event, members participated in a series of spirit battles against other divisions from the Calif-Nev-Hawaii district.

“It’s like a spirit rally,” club adviser Pat Love said. “They have skits, games, fundraisers, [and] everything to bring up the spirit of Key Club.”

Key Club joined thousands of other members in the event that dates back to 1955.

“It’s a great way to meet new friends and just know that there are other people like you,” club president Julia Tang said. “It reveals the social aspect of Key Club. You can

volunteer and have fun at the same time.

They dressed up as their mascot, the “Beasty Bunny,” in pink and black, and prepared cheers for the battles.

“The spirit battles are super fun because people are so passionate about it. They’re decked out in their war paint and costumes; it’s like Super Bowl attire,” Tang said. “People go out of their way to be spirited. There’s a general sense of camaraderie and friendly competition.”

According to the Key Club district website, Fall Rally aids members in gaining motivation, meeting new people, and gaining club spirit.

“It shows the spirit of Key Club. People come together, exchange ideas, get to know each other, intermingle, and be sociable,” Love said. “It brings us unity. That’s number one. Unity and spirit.”

There are two rallies per year that take place in Northern and Southern California.

On both occasions, Six Flags is bought out exclusively for Key Club members.

“Key Club is a worldwide organization.

When we go to Fall Rally, we meet people from all over,” Love said. “It brings us together. Just because you have a school club, doesn’t mean that you’re alone.”

In keeping with the goal of Key Club, the day also carried greater importance.

Executive officers from each division are auctioned off to other divisions. To raise money for bidding, the club had multiple fundraisers where they sold food and refreshments.

They bought their district governor, secretary, and three other division heads, raising $6700 in this unprecedented action.

“It’s kind of a bragging thing, where we raise enough funds and volunteer so we can bid [a high amount of money],” Tang said.

The proceeds of the auction and a portion of ticket sales go towards the Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP), the district’s charity. PTP provides funding for their six partner hospitals and for doctors to be specially trained for pediatric emergency.

“PTP encompasses not only taking care of babies and underprivileged kids, but it trains doctors,” Love said. “That’s our big point. To help children.”

photo Courtesy of Alex Chang

Bunny Hop. Seniors Tyler Takemoto, Brandon Wong, and sophomore Winston Wong dressed up with rabbit ears and club t-shirts to represent District 19, whose mascot is the “Beasty Bunny.”

Ecology Club, Simun work with Surfrider Foundation to improve water quality

by Shawn Mallen

Photos of the week

The students chatter excitedly as they shine an ultraviolet light on their water sample. The light reveals disappointing news as harmful bacteria become visible.

The Ecology Club, headed by seniors Cooper Lovano and Cameron Rosenberg, is testing the ocean water near storm drains for levels of harmful bacteria. The club is working to support the Surfrider Foundation, which is devoted to keeping oceans and beaches clean.

“I think it’s important to inform people and have them participate and protect the environment. We share this world and we need to preserve it,” Rosenberg said.

AP Environmental Science teacher Mary Simun also collaborates with Ecology Club

This week the Marine Corps ROTC celebrated the Marine Corps birthday, Courtney Bowen worked to earn her Gold Award, Redondo was searched by drug sniffing dogs, and the Drama Club practiced in anticipation for their upcoming play.

to help the foundation. The Ecology Club is working to reduce the levels of the bacteria by picking up trash at the beach.

“Everything they do improves water quality so that people don’t get infections,” Simun said.

Every other weekend, the club goes to the ocean and collects samples. The samples are then taken to Algulita Marine Research.

There, they put special “food” in the water that harmful bacteria take in. The “food” glows under ultraviolet lights when it is inside the bacteria. When the sample glows, the students know whether the water is polluted or not.

“Everyone should come and help. It’s important to preserve the environment because even though it can seem unimportant to some people, it affects their everyday life,” Rosenberg said.

For example, harmful bacteria in the water can produce toxins that can cause a wide variety of irregular infections and illnesses in people. In addition, after they test the water for bacteria, they post the results online so that the general public can see where it is safe to surf and swim.

In addition, the club attempts to conclude what exactly is polluting the water.

Trash samples and information are then taken to Simun’s AP Environmental Science class where the students analyze the data.

“I truly value the participation of the students on this project and their commitment to making a difference,” Simun said.

The club plans to have a “Going Green” event where environmental issues will be discussed. The event will stress the importance of proper waste disposal, how the general public can help fight pollution, and

the importance of being environmentally friendly.

Although she values what her students are doing, Simun has big ideas for the future of the Ecology Club’s relationship with the Surfrider Foundation. She wants to expand the program so that it involves more people, schools, and the community. In addition, she wants to sample the water more frequently so that she and her students can draw more solid conclusions about trends of bacterial pollution.

Simun’s and the club’s goals are big, but she is very proud of what her students have done so far.

“I think it’s fabulous that our students are able to participate in an authentic project that will not only help improve the quality of the environment, but also educate the public,” she said.

photo by jenny oetzell

photo by Lindsey Pannor

Happy Birthday to you. ROTC cadets performed a pass-in-review as part of the Marine Corps birthday celebration on Nov. 16. “Despite the wind at the field, I think they performed really well,” Cadet Captain Patrick Williamson said.

Every dog has his day. Police officers searched the campus this Thursday for drugs.

NEWS // NOV. 16, 2012

3

Tips to improve poor quarter grades Gauvreau, Murphy expects Academic Decathlon to improve from last year Compiled by Shawn Mallen, based on advice by Emily Krueger

• For many classes, if every single assignment is turned in, the student will not fail.

• Always turn in assignments even if they are late. It’s often better to turn something in than nothing at all even if the teacher does not give any partial credit for late work.

• Communication with teachers is key. Spending extra time at lunch and after school can help influence a teacher’s final decision about grades.

• Regardless of the current grade, demonstrating a willingness to work and improve makes teachers more receptive to helping a student.

• Ask early on in the quarter to try and do extra credit. Asking for help the last week of a semester will rarely result in anything.

• Always study for tests before the night of the test. That way you can ask teachers to explain material you do not understand.

Are grades slipping through your fingers?

Percentage of students who let grades slip

130 students were asked if they let their first quarter grades slip.

80 70

62% 61%

60 50 40 30

27%

20

14%

10 Seniors

Juniors

Sophomores

Freshmen

Compiled by Rachael Orford

photo by Vitoria Magno

Going for the Gold. Senior Courtney Bowen paints the wall at the Redondo Beach Unified Transitional Kindergarten so that she can earn the Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouts.

by Andrew Czuzak

It’s early in the year, but the Academic Decathlon team is feeling confident. Very confident.

“We’re in the top tier of schools,” Coach Aimee Gauvreau said. “I know they’re working diligently, and we’ll see how they perform this weekend because we are definitely contenders.”

Gauvreau, who coached the team to an 11th place finish at last year’s state competition, is eager to see how her newer members will perform at the scrimmage this Saturday against some of California’s top Division 1 teams.

“Our team is very young, but I like that.

Other top schools in our region, like West and Burbank, have recruited freshmen more heavily than us and it showed. If you’re a first year student in Academic Decathlon, you’re going to have a harder time because you have to learn the decathlon format while also learning new material,” Gauvreau said.

Despite many experienced seniors leaving last year, Gauvreau is confident that there will not be a drop-off from last year’s standing due to the leadership and experience of junior Luke Murphy and senior Amanda Caceres.

“The way [Caceres and Murphy] present information is special. It makes other students feel very comfortable asking questions and it creates a very inclusive environment,” Gauvreau said.

According to Gauvreau, the two students’ style of leadership has led to a very tight-knit group, despite the number of new students.

“People need to buy into the system to perform and achieve at their highest level, and [Murphy and Caceres] have definitely created a sense of community and family,” Gauvreau said.

While Caceres and Murphy have no official leadership roles on the team, they are the only two returning members who made the team last year and attended the state level competition.

“I try to help the new decathletes whenever I get the chance. It’s important that I help them so that they can improve individually so then we can improve as a team and win,” Caceres said.

According to Caceres, the Academic Decathlon team has become more competitive due to an earlier start and more intense studying habits.

“I think we’re going to be better this year.

We set higher goals for ourselves than last year and [Ms. Gauvreau] really knows how to motivate us,” Caceres said.

Gauvreau agrees with Caceres and pointed to Murphy as an example of just how good she expects the team to do this year.

“Luke Murphy was our highest scorer last year as a sophomore, and he is a force to be reckoned with. We have every expectation to make our past members proud,” Gauvreau said.

Murphy hopes to meet that expectation not only through his high scores, but also through his ability to help newer members get familiar with the decathlon format.

“As one of the returning members on the team, I feel like it’s my job to bring my past experiences to the team,” Murphy said. “I know the questions the judges like to ask and I can also provide study tips to the newer members.”

Murphy, who is in his second year of Academic Decathlon, looks forward to this season, calling his previous seasons the most rewarding part of high school for him.

“It’s exciting to start competing again.

Academic Decathlon is by far the most engaging activity I have participated in.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Murphy said.

photo by Jenny Oetzell

Nothing but a dream. Drama teacher Justin Baldridge instructs seniors Emily Horowitz, Vicky Artaza, and Kasey Mandelbaum on how to properly space themselves for their upcoming performance of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream.

4

OPINION // NOV. 16, 2012

Karissa’s

Korner

by Karissa Taylor

Pick a side on the state-wide war on soda 12 oz

7 oz

32 oz

16 oz

64 oz

Do students strive to be skinny for their own health or for the acceptance of their peers?

Everyone wants to believe that we’re leaders and we dare to be different, but the fact is, people tend to do everything in their power to fit in with the crowd.

Peer pressure, usually known for convincing teens to drink and take drugs, now carries weight when it comes to body image, food and physical activity.

But should teens really be the ones to blame? Society’s influences brainwash us to value people based more on physical appearance instead of on other qualities. A major influence begins with the media.

Our media repeatedly sends the message that thin is beautiful, pushing weight-loss programs that feature underweight young women, and presents personalities who have builds that are not possible for most people to have.

Although the media may not be able to fool everyone into thinking being thin is the only way to be attractive, this ideology overwhelms teens who are vain and insecure.

According to timetoact.org, twenty-nine percent of high school students think they are overweight, and over 50 percent of girls think they need to be thinner.

Insecure teens influenced by the media in turn are pressured to fit in with their peers and have a sense of belonging.

While people want to fit in with their peers, they also desire their own personality apart from the group. For some people this is easier said than done.

Not everyone can be the funny one or the pretty one of the group, so some people compete to be the skinny one, giving them a sense of identity (examiner.com).

Staying in shape and eating healthier may have a positive influence on our society; people, however, should stop empowering the media to make people insecure and instead should give teens the confidence to work out for their own healthy shape.

AROUND REDONDO

Do you feel RUHS’s efforts to create a healthier campus are too much or too little?

Illustration by Cooper Lovano

THE BAN: Despite the soda tax initiative ballot failing to pass in obesity-plagued California this past election, the war on soda continues as New York’s Health Board approves New York Mayor, Bloomberg’s ban, restricting the sale of super-sized, sugary sodas larger than 16oz beginning March 12. Bloomberg hopes to reduce obesity’s impact on hospitals, New Yorkers’ health and eventually other states’ health.

PRO: Save our future from soda CON: Soda ban ignores voters America is fat. There is no doubt about it and with over 50 percent of adults and 30 percent of children overweight, according to frac.org, not only New York, but all states need legislation similar to Mayor Bloomberg’s Soda Ban to lower dangerous obesity rates.

Although banning the sale of soft drinks over the size of 16 oz may seem extreme, the ban’s benefits Daniel outweigh the fear of overregulation. Research shows Loveland that the daily consumption of soda directly correlates to high obesity rates (termlifeinsurance.org.)

Restrictions similar to Bloomberg’s will lower the rate of obesity, causing heart disease related deaths to decline, life expectancies to increase, and the lowering of medical costs related to obesity. In addition, $450 billion is spent each year on obesity costs, but this number will lower thanks to plans similar to Bloomberg’s (forbes.com).

Now more than ever, when every penny counts, decreasing obesity costs is an opportunity that must not be ignored.

Bloomberg’s ban has already caught the attention of Boston and Cambridge, Mass., (cbsnews.com).

Already, organizations in California, including the California Center for Public Health Advocacy and California Project LEAN, are fighting America’s obesity problems alongside Bloomberg by banning and restricting soft drinks and sugar-sweetened drinks in schools. Bloomberg’s ban is a wake up call to Americans, motivating them to make better decisions for their health and for their wallets.

We may be fat, but we have the power to change that.

This is the thing about the soda ban in New York City: it’s not about improving people’s diets or creating a healthier tomorrow. It’s about the violation of voters’ rights.

Under Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal, sweetened beverages larger than 16 oz will no longer be sold in New York City. I understand that the ban reduces obesity and healthcare costs, but are we willing to Andrew Czuzak let the government dictate our everyday lives?

This proposal was not even approved by the voters, but rather by the Board of Health, a group of Bloomberg’s appointees. In fact, six out of ten New Yorkers opposed the ban, according to the New York Times. Does the term “consent of the governed” mean anything?

My problem with the ban is not about the content. If the New York City residents voted for the ban, then so be it. However, as it stands, it’s a blatant disregard of the democratic process.

Business owners and consumers are now standing together to protect their rights. New Yorkers for Beverage Choice, an opponent to the ban, filed a lawsuit against New York City, claiming that the Board of Health can’t approve the ban. Instead it’s the legislator’s job to pass the proposal.

Los Angeles may be the next city in line to impose a soda ban.

Councilmen Bill Englander has proposed banning soda machines in parks and libraries. I really have no problem with it so long as voters or their representatives are able to vote on it. After all, what’s the point of voting if our councilmen are just ignored?

“I feel that we should get some better meat because it doesn’t taste good and the portions are too small.”

“I have no problem with the healthier options. I like most of the food except the potatoes, but other than that, [the healthy food] adds flavor to our meals.”

“Their efforts are too much because the kids just get mad at the staff for changing the food.

It becomes a trend to eat unhealthy foods.”

DYLAN BALCARCEL, 11

DAENERA BLANCHET, 10

ALEX MCINTOSH, 10

“I like the options because these improvements make you healthier. Our food was really unhealthy, so this makes it at least a little better.”

“If they want our campus to be healthy, they shouldn’t have so many vending machines filled with junk food.”

“People don’t even eat the rice anymore, so the changes are not going to help if students decide not to eat them.”

SAMANTHA RUIZ, 12

CARLIN LIANG, 9

CHRISTIAN REZA, 10

Letters to the

Editor If you have an opinion about one of the articles, we welcome letters to the editor at hightideonline@gmail.com.

We reserve the right to edit them for content, grammar, and space constraints. Letters must be signed and are not guaranteed to be printed.

HIGH TIDE

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief: Julia Tran Managing Editor: Emma Uriarte Writing Director: Tricia Light Design Director: Taylor Ballard News Editor: Andrew Czuzak Opinion Editor: Haley Meyers Features Editors: Taylor Brightwell; Shivaani Gandhi; 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; Navikka Dasz Cartoonist: Cooper Lovano Online Editors: Vivian Lam; Kayla Maanum; LeAnn Maanum Staff Writers: Victoria Artaza; 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; Rachael 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.

$

Sports, worth the moneyball?

Editorial

Few good things in life are free.

These words have never been truer than in the question of whether high school sports’ financial demand is too high for athletes and their families.

It’s true--sports are expensive. In soccer and volleyball, it is necessary to be on a club team to receive a spot on varsity.

These clubs, however, can cost a hefty $3,000 or more per season, not including travel and equipment fees. For sports such as tennis, in which the player needs private lessons and extra workouts to earn a spot on varsity, the monthly cost for lessons and extra group workouts adds up to more than $1000, not including the cost of equipment.

Although playing for a varsity sport is a large financial obligation, the possible successes prove this obligation to be a smart investment since the athletes are welcomed as part of the school’s elite group of higherlevel athletes.

First, it has been proven that being part of a team builds students’ self-confidence.

A student can make new friends and find something that he or she loves to do, in addition to becoming more active and fit, which also leads to higher self-esteem.

Large- and small-scale goal-setting skills are useful in everyday life, and playing a sport in high school can help build up these skills. On one hand, if a student does not make varsity the first time he tries out for

the sport, he has now set a goal for himself to make varsity next season with or without realizing it. On the other hand, in sports like cross country, the runner’s main goal is to beat their personal record and win the race. Learning the value of working towards goals is one of the benefits of paying a lot of money for a sports team.

In addition to the benefits of being on a sports team, varsity athletes have a greater chance of earning a full-ride or academic scholarship to a Division 2 or 3 school.

Therefore, the money that the student pays to become better at their sport in high school literally pays itself off.

In addition, high-level athletes, especially those who travel regularly for games, learn important life skills such as responsibility, determination, and a hard work ethic. Although coaches travel as chaperones, there is an absence of parental supervision that forces students to learn how to take care of themselves and gain responsibility.

Paying extra money to become better at a sport is comparable to paying extra money for an SAT prep class. SAT prep classes cost a lot of money, but the payoff is a better college experience.

This, along with the intangible life skills of becoming more responsible and hardworking, are worth it, just as how paying more for athletics leads to the benefits of being a student athlete.

Everything good in life, such as playing on a high school athletic team, takes money, time, and effort, just as few good things in life are free.

OPINION // NOV. 16, 2012

5

Wake up and smell the fruit Editorial

Between the greasy cheese pizza, tasteless french fries, and sticky orange chicken bowl, it seems practically impossible to buy lunch that costs less than 1,000 calories.

From the outside, it may look as though the school is not putting in as much effort as it could to provide healthier lunches for students.

However, contrary to popular opinion, the school is actually doing a great job of cutting back on unhealthy foods. There are many nutrition regulations in place that restrict the number of calories, percentage of calories from fat, percentage of sugar, and total calories from saturated fat. Serving sizes must also meet strict protein minimums and fat and carbohydrate maximums.

To make sure every food sold on campus meets these nutritional standards, the school makes sure that all snacks and entreés have been evaluated.

As it turns out, the school has also instructed its vendors to provide healthier alternatives, according to Stephanie Tovar, Director of Food Service.

For example, two of the lunch options, Pick-Up Stix and Domino’s pizza, may not seem like healthy foods, but the rice and the pizza crust are now both whole grain. In addition, the school now offers a variety of vegetables with every lunch entreé, including broccoli, carrot sticks, celery sticks, and three-bean salad.

There is also a healthy vending machine on campus. While most of the machines sell “junk food” like chips, gummy worms, and even ice cream, the one at the end of Main Hall has many healthy foods, including carrots and hummus, and dried apple slices.

The school’s efforts don’t stop there, though. According to Tovar, by 2014, federal regulations will require that 100 percent of grains served in school meals be whole grain. There is also a plan to gradually reduce the amount of sodium in foods sold at school over the next ten years.

So, the students are wrong to say there is too little being done to provide healthier lunches.

The real problem here lies in the school’s failure to vocalize their efforts. When is the last time the lunch lady offered you these new fruit and vegetable options? Probably never.

If students were aware of just how much healthier the food is becoming, they would be less inclined to criticize the school’s apparent lack of effort.

We have fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and non-fat dairy options available to us; we just need to realize that and take advantage of it.

6

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

Cassidyaspires to become a

by Joseph Bieschke

For freshman Shane Cassidy, filming is not as simple as pointing a camera and shooting footage. It also involves a lot of effort from behind the scenes to achieve excellent results.

“Filming is almost like having a party at your house,” said Cassidy. “If you don’t have a DJ or someone to help plan the party, it won’t matter how many people you invite or how long you prepare the end result will just turn out as a total messy disaster.”

Cassidy recently joined the after school filmmaking class and now finds himself as his assigned group’s post-production editor.

Although his lines may not be written in the script or his face may not be seen in the footage, Cassidy’s role is vital to his group’s final product.

“The most difficult parts of filming would not be the actual filming but the preparing and editing,” Cassidy said. “It’s the most time consuming and even if the actual clips are movie quality in the end, without decent editing the clips will just go to waste,” he said.

Learning to be a post-production editor is only one-third of the filmmaking class – the other two are script writi n g

and acting.

In class, Cassidy learns the various tricks of the trade such as splicing clips or changing the color. For example, the sun’s rays glaring into the camera lens is not present in the original footage–special effects are added to appear more realistic to the viewer.

“There’s nothing worse when you’re watching a movie, you’re into it, then all of a sudden something happens that just distracts you,” says Cassidy. “I like making it feel smooth, finding which clips go where, making the whole movie go without stopping.”

Splicing together clips for a fluid viewing experience is not the only thing Cassidy does with editing.

Cassidy also experiments in different fields such as cinematography, pursuing personal projects such as creating a two minute timelapse of a busy city from 24 hours worth of footage.

“I’m most interested in filming things that just catch my eye or are just everyday things that I think have serious potential,” he said.

“One time I took a video of me strumming a guitar and slowed it down so much that you see the strings go back and forth as they vibrated.”

Although Cassidy has shot and edited many videos, he has yet to release them anywhere.

director

After finishing a film, he shows it to his family and the friends who helped him. Eventually, Cassidy and his friends want to post their films onto YouTube.

Outside of filmmaking, Cassidy has a profound passion for making electronic music. He and three other friends pooled together all their money to purchase an electronic turntable for $2,000.

However, his parents hate his electronic music, though Cassidy remains indifferent.

“It doesn’t really matter what other people are thinking,” said Cassidy. “If you like to do something, just do it. A lot of artists aren’t famous now because they listened to their parents. If they wanted to do something, they just went out and did it.”

Cassidy applies that philosophy in more ways than one. When not utilizing electronics, Cassidy and his friends can be seen on rooftops performing and recording parkour.

“I also like to film parkour because it’s really fun, its easy to slow-mo, and [parkour] is a lot harder than most people think,” Cassidy said. “When worst comes to worst, at least I get some footage of one of my friends eating the pavement.”

In fact, Cassidy discovered editing after

recording himself and his friends performing parkour during the last two months of eighth grade. Taking the footage, Cassidy went home and edited it into slow-motion clip with the FinalPro software installed on his computer.

Satisfied with the cool results, Cassidy realized his potential for editing.

“A lot of people worry about not being professional,” said Cassidy. “It’s not about being professional–if you make it look good and smooth and not as if you only spent 10 minutes on it, it’ll look professional.”

Cassidy has already begun to consider a future in film. Although only a freshman, Cassidy has much technical and filmmaking experience behind him, regardless of formal education.

Perhaps in a few years, the name Shane Cassidy will be seen scrolling in the credits of major productions.

“Right now I’m filming for the fun of it and cause I think it’s really interesting,” Cassidy said. “If I get into filmmaking, I don’t want to be like ‘Okay, I’m here. Teach me every single thing you know.’ Rather, I’d like them to teach me the things I don’t know, and the things I do know, they can make better.”

Stil ls ta ken from Cas sidy ’s

Post Production

Editing a film from good to great

Good Film 2-4 hours: All clips are put together, add music into background.

ILL US TR AT IO N

BY

KO LB IE

Great Film 5-7 hours: Color correction, all clips are used, wide variety of camera angle,

film s

BR IG HT W EL L

add original credits.

Amazing Film 8-12 hours: Color correction, voices too quiet are revoiced, subtitles might be PHOTO BY BRITANY NGUYEN

added, add CGI or special effects, the film looks like a real movie, cinemtaics are outstanding.

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

Yang pursues art career

by Kayla Nicholls

A tray filled with all sorts of different mediums, including paints and pencils, lays spread out in a wide array before him and his mind.

He chooses one and creates a work of art, just like most of the members in his artistic family.

Most of junior Kyle Yang’s family is artistically gifted.

“Almost everyone in my family is very artistic and I get inspired from them,” he said.

According to Yang, he has always been good at art.

“I always had artistic abilities ever since elementary school, and it has been something that developed as I aged,” Yang said.

Despite always being artistic, Yang didn’t start to take art seriously until he started high school.

“I specifically started practicing my art and drawing skills when I was a freshman. Before then, I usually just doodled or drew for school projects,” he said.

Now, Yang experiments often but prefers pencil because of his comfort level in that area.

“I love using graphite because it is what I’ve been using the longest and I am more comfortable with it,” said Yang.

He got his artistic talent from his mother and both of his aunts, who have all pursued art as a career.

“Two of my aunts [work in art], one works at Dreamworks, in the shadow department, the other at Disney works in product management,” Yang said.

Because of all his family’s art skills, art has always been present in his life.

“I always had that mentality of being the best at everything I attempt,” said Yang.

As a result of all the artistic talent in his family, Yang feels the pressure to do well and succeed in his own art.

“It is stressful sometimes because my family is so talented and I feel like I don’t know how to keep up with what I am doing,” he said.

To cope with the stress of such a successful artistic family, Yang relies on and appreciates all the familial support.

“My family is very supportive and [they] push me a lot and I am very grateful,” said Yang.

The most influential supportive figure in Yang’s life is his mother, Jean Yang.

“My mom was always the one giving me advice,” he said.

She tries to support Yang and push him to go further with his art.

“I encourage him to do a lot more artwork, classes, I see his work and offer my opinion, like what kind of technique he should use and how to prepare his portfolio for college,” Mrs. Yang said.

PHOTOS BY ALIDA NEWSON

2.

Mrs. Yang knows the challenges that Yang faces because she herself is an artist. Yang’s brother also provides Yang with constructive advice.

“When I am advancing into new mediums, he gives me advice on how to approach things,” Yang said. “If I were to choose an artist I look up to, it would be my brother because his style is very developed and unique.”

7

1.

Sketchy. 1. Junior Kyle Yang works on a drawing during AP Studio Art using a reference photo on his phone. 2.

Yang’s drawing of electronic musician and singer-songwriter Skrillex.

One day Yang hopes to major in entertainment design or animation.

“I would love to work at Dreamworks in the art department because I’ve been there a couple of times and it’s awesome,” said Yang.

His advice to people who want to pursue art is, it is all about confidence.

“Always believe that you can do better because that will force you to be great,” said Yang.

Blanco starts Dope Riches clothing company using his own custom designs

by Molly Rood

PHOTO BY VITORIA MAGNO

Dope Riches. Senior Erick Blanco shows off his custom designed crew neck sweatshirt for his Dope Riches clothing company, complete with its stamp of authenticity.

He sees his own design print out before him. Staring at his personal “stamp of authenticity,” he hopes to strike it rich with his next sale. Senior Erick Blanco has created his own clothing line, Dope Riches, and is optimistic about his business’s future.

Blanco has many designs in the works for shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, and even socks, but is currently only printing his main logo.

“I actually have a lot of designs that I have drawn and am excited to share with people. But because it is expensive to have them all printed, I’m just having one design being printed for now,” Blanco said.

He is going to eventually purchase the machine that prints the designs on to clothes , which will reduce the expenses.

“Once I buy the machine I’ll set it up in my garage and do all the printing myself. It will definitely help me save money and time,” he said.

Blanco has all his prices set depending on what style of shirt or sweater it is, which his mom helps him pay for. Crewnecks are $30, hoodies $35, and shirts are $20.

“When I first started, I sold the shirts at 15 dollars each for exposure. I knew that if they were priced too high, most kids wouldn’t be willing to buy them,” he said.

To help promote Dope Riches even further, he recently created a Facebook page but wants

to take the page and go a little further with it.

“I am working on getting a website up to promote all my products so that I can expand my business to other schools,” Blanco said. “I want Costa and P.V. to know about my clothing line too.”

To help advertise around school, Mr. Sheehey is going to display his design and the steps taken to print the shirts.

“Mr. Sheehey showed me the illustration design program, without him, I would’ve had a lot more trouble trying to figure out how it all worked,” he said.

Although Blanco is familiar with the design program now, he still has a lot of room for improvement.

“I’m not very good at editing. Once I improve those skills, my designs will look a lot sharper,” he said.

Besides having difficulty with the editing, money is another set back. His mother is very supportive of his clothing line because she has “always known he has wanted to create something of his own,” so she helps with his finances.

“Money is difficult but it’s something you have to have when starting a business so my mom helps me out. She can only give me so much though,” Blanco said.

Blanco knew there would be setbacks when he first started his clothing line during second semester of his junior year, but he continues on

because he knows it will all be worth it.

“My friends and I always wanted to do something different. So one day I drew something and thought it was tight,” he said. “This is my first major business and I’m not going to quit,” Blanco said.

Since his first inspiration was drawn from him and his guy friends, his designs are targeted for boys, but girl designs may be coming soon.

“Right now, I am just selling as the business comes. It is all a slow process, but I hope to come up with cool designs that girls can also wear,” he said.

Blanco is not only going to expand his clothing line for girls, but he is also going to expand his love for business in the future.

“This is only my first business, and I feel like I am off to a good start. But one day I want to own other businesses,” Balnco said.

For now, Blanco is simply enjoying the experience of having his own clothing line and appreciates all the support he gets. He’s even more motivated when he sees someone wearing his clothes.

“The best part of all of it is seeing someone wearing a product, and just thinking to myself, damn, I made that,” he said.

Like Dope Riches on Facebook

8

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

Gayle Wilson’s “white butterfly” philosophy helps her cope with her sister’s death

F

by Yasmeen El-Hasan

reshman Gayle Wilson woke up to a clear summer morning last July. Her 21-year-old sister, Trisha, did not.

Trisha’s spontaneous “brain bleed” on July 16 led to her death two days later. The incident evoked feelings of “utter anger and despair” in Wilson.

“I was disappointed in myself,” she said.

“I felt that I hadn’t been the person I should have been, hadn’t been the sibling I should have been.”

Wilson soon discovered how to cope, however. A day later, she left to play in a tournament for her softball team. Though playing did not completely distract her from these feelings, it did offer a sense of closure.

ILLUSTRATION BY COOPER LOVANO

“I was at second base when a white butterfly flew past me.

When I was younger, I was told that white butterflies are the spirits of the dead come back on earth. At that moment, I knew everything would be all right.”

Wilson now refers to this as her “white butterfly philosophy,” and feels it still affects her today.

“I saw another white butterfly when I first visited her grave,” Wilson said. “And today, I see one every time I am sad or depressed.”

Throughout their grief, Wilson and her family have been fully supportive of one another.

“The best thing we can do as a family is keep an open dialogue,” Wilson’s mother, Janine, said. “We talk a lot [about] our memories which involve Trisha, and we talk about everything that transpired. I try to make sure [my family] knows it is okay to be sad.”

Mrs. Wilson has faced her own struggles

dealing with Trisha’s passing, but she found strength in the people in her life today.

“What is helping me is that I have three children that still count on me,” she said.

“So having them forces me to get out of bed each day and get moving.”

Wilson’s seventh-grade brother, Chet, appreciates his mother’s openness. He feels it has helped him move past this difficult point in his life.

“My parents have made it easier by not keeping secrets from us. They give us all the information they have,” he said. “Now, I can move on because I think that everything happens for a reason.”

Freshman Kathryn Ung, one of Wilson’s close friends, witnessed this incident from an outside perspective; according to her, its aftermath affected the Wilsons deeply.

“The Wilson family is strong, but I could tell this loss had really shaken them,” Ung said. “They all tried to prop each other up, and I really respect them for that. Still, they all dealt with Trisha’s death at a different rate.”

Realizing the depth of this loss, Ung tried to help Wilson however she could.

“The death of a sibling is really painful, and most people can’t even fathom what it would feel like. Trisha’s death is not something to be forgotten,” Ung said. “I just tried to keep Gayle’s mind off it, but she did a good job herself. At the softball tournament, the whole team helped and just tried to distract her.”

Presently, Wilson feels that Trisha is still a prominent force in her everyday life. “[Trisha’s] passing was like an inner drive, pulling me forward and giving me strength,” Wilson said. “My sister always told me that I was great, that I was strong. That gives me something to strive for. I can’t make her a liar.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF GAYLE WILSON

Sister, sister. Freshman Gayle Wilson, right, poses with her sister Trisha. The two were very close, and stayed that way all the way to the end. “The third day Trisha was at the hospital, her heart stopped beating. But I was holding her hand from the beginning until long after,” Wilson said.

BButterflies chasing

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

BRAVE

MARCH 2011 First major protests begin with “Day of Rage” rally in Daraa.

New World

APRIL 2011 President Bashar al-Assad lifts state of emergency, which had been in effect since 1963.

Freshman Massa Kassab moved to the United States in August to escape the danger and violence of war-torn Syria.

by Yasmeen El-Hasan

PHOTO BY CLAIRE TISIUS

She spent the past two years in fear for her life. Her house shook every time a bomb dropped. Her ears rang with every protest for freedom and scream for mercy. Her mind was on a continuous loop of worstcase scenarios.

Freshman Massa Kassab moved to the United States from her home country of Syria in mid-August to escape the dangers of Syria’s civil war.

“So many people could not sleep or eat or talk out of fright. We were always in danger,” Kassab said.

According to Kassab, school was the riskiest part of her daily life.

“Our school had tanks inside. It was in a very dangerous place, in the middle of where the fighting was,” she said. “A lot of people stopped coming. Their parents were afraid to send them.”

Kassab lived with her parents and younger sister in Aleppo, a large city in northwestern Syria. Electricity would be shut down for weeks at a time, and it was common for protesters and other civilians to be killed by government troops and supporters.

“Some of my family was protesting for our freedom, but the government killed them,” Kassab said. “I wished I could go out and protest too, but my dad wouldn’t let

me. He was worried.”

All protests are videotaped so that government officials can review them. They then murder those involved, according to Kassab.

“My family’s friend was taken by the government, and they tortured him for two months,” Kassab said. “I saw him four months after and he had marks everywhere.”

The Kassabs would often allow friends and family whose houses had been destroyed to temporarily reside with them.

“There are so many people with nowhere to go,” said Kassab. “I try to give money and food to the people who need it, but it doesn’t help.”

Her family originally came to America as tourists to celebrate the Muslim holidays of Eid and Ramadan. They chose to stay because of the risk factors involved with returning to Syria.

“We thought we were going to go back, but it got too dangerous in Aleppo. I still want to go back. It’s my home,” Kassab said. “My friends and my family, they’re still there. I miss them.”

Kassab’s mother Roula Aboudul-Samad said that the transition between Syria and America was relatively smooth for Kassab.

“She quickly became acclimated to America,” Aboudul-Samad said in Arabic through a translator. “No one treats her like a stranger.”

Both Kassab and Aboudul-Samad want the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad and his “oppressive” regime to leave their country.

“It was inevitable because there would have to be a revolution someday, but it did not occur to us that they would drop bombs from planes on us and kill us,” AboudulSamad said. “We thought that the dictator Bashar would leave without resorting to bombing and murdering.”

Kassab is hopeful that the violence will end soon.

“It’s been almost two years. Every day hundreds of people are killed,” she said. “I am a strong person, but not always patient.

I have to distract my mind and tell myself ‘I can do this.’ I have to be good for my mom and dad and sister. I have to make it as easy as possible for us.”

9

MAY 2011 Government sends tanks to stop protestors in Homs, Daraa, and areas of Damascus.

AUGUST 2011 1.

President Obama and U.S. allies call on Assad to resign.

PHOTO BY AP/MUHAMMED MUHEISEN

OCTOBER 2011 China and Russia veto a U.N. resolution condemning Syria.

NOVEMBER 2011 Arab League suspends Syria’s membership.

DECEMBER 2011 Syria allows Arab observers into the country and frees about 700 detainees.

2.

PHOTO BY AP/MANU BRABO

JANUARY 2012 Arab League stops observer mission because of violence.

FEBRUARY 2012 Government bombs Homs.

APRIL 2012 Apparent ceasefire in Syria.

JUNE 2012 U.N. suspends mission in Syria.

JULY 2012 3.

Syrian rebels kill Assad’s main officials.

PHOTO BY AP/NARCISO CONTRERAS

In ruins. 1. A book is left on the ground at the yard of a destroyed school on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syria. 2. A doctor carries a severely wounded Syrian boy in the Dar El Shifa hospital in Aleppo, Syria. The border violence between Turkey and Syria has added a dangerous new dimension to the civil war. 3. A rebel fighter claims for victory after he fires a shoulderfired missile toward a building where Syrian troops loyal to President Assad are hiding.

10 6

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

2.

Saddle up 1.

by Zoe Ezzes

As she approaches the ranch, she can see him in the stables. His brown coat, white-marked face, short mane, and skinny tail come into focus as she nears. Soon she will be out in the arena spending time with him, practicing dressage routines. It is a typical day for freshman Natalie Eberle, who spends time every day riding and training her horse, T.K. “It’s a bonding experience,” Eberle said.

Eberle was inspired to ride horses after she saw her cousin ride, and began riding at the age of five. Horse riding was a common sport where she lived at the time.

“The two most popular sports in Germany are soccer and horse riding,” Eberle said.

Despite horse riding being less popular here, she found a place to continue riding in Rolling Hills Estates when her father’s job promotion brought Eberle to California in sixth grade.

Eberle’s main horse riding event is dressage, a sport involving intense training with the horse and memorized routines. To do this, the rider has to form a strong connection to the horse, gain its trust, and learn to notice the horse’s tells for when it is about to spook.

“I’ve had [T.K.] for about a year, so I’ve laid lots of groundwork,” Eberle said. “It’s almost playing with the horse. It’s like a trust game.”

Eberle also takes T.K. to compete in group competitions over the weekends with other riders. Eberle has made many friends through the competitions and often goes to their jumping and Western riding events to support them.

However, Eberle prefers the bonding with the horse involved with dres-

sage to riding in group competitions.

“It’s more about the experience,” Eberle said.

Although all the competitions and daily rides are a huge time commitment, Eberle does not find the schedule to be too demanding and only occasionally misses out on plans with friends. Moreover, Eberle actually feels that her riding helps to reduce stress. “[Riding is] really relaxing for me, especially with school stuff going on,” Eberle said. “The time put in is worth it.”

As for the financial commitment, in exchange for her parents paying for her lessons, Eberle does chores around the house. Her brother, sophomore Dominik Eberle, also supports her by helping out with stable work, even though he does not ride.

Eberle is comfortable around horses so she feels that people who find them scary do not know them well enough.

“Horses are actually really nice,” Eberle said. “They take care of their owners.”

Eberle does not understand why the misconception that horse riding is not a sport exists. She hopes people will realize how much exercise is involved.

“Riders do have to work out–the horse doesn’t do all the work,” Eberle said. “It’s more like the rider guides the horse.”

Eberle plans to keep riding as a priority in her life and aspires to be a horse trainer. Despite being a freshman, Eberle has already started looking into colleges to find which ones offer equestrian sports, including colleges in Colorado and Texas.

“I love horses and couldn’t live without them,” Eberle said. “They’ve taught me life lessons and make me feel unique.”

3.

Riding solo. 1. Freshman Natalie Eberle rides her horse T.K. 2. Eberle kisses her horse after a long day of riding. 3. Eberle practices jumps with T.K. 4. Eberle poses with her horse at the Rolling Hills stable she rides at.

4.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATALIE EBERLE

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

11 7

Get her to the Greek

Freshman Nicole Schiappa’s Greek dancing group serves as a way for her to learn more about her Greek culture.

by Stella Gianoukakis

Laughter and chatter fills the room as people rush into a semi-circle to hold each others’ hands before the music starts. As the bagpipes and drums sound, freshman Nicoletta Schiappa reminisces about her family’s culture and feels a connection to her Greek heritage.

Schiappa is part of a competitive Greek dancing group, Asterismos, at St. Katherine’s Church in Redondo Beach. Being part of Asterismos gives her a way to learn about her family’s background and to make new friends.

“It’s really fun because I get to meet a lot of new people,” she said. “It is a great experience.”

She learns songs and dances from the different regions in Greece. Above all, Schiappa feels that dancing has brought her closer to her Greek culture.

“Dancing has gotten me more involved in the Greek community,” she said. “When my group sings songs I have to understand what I am singing [since they are in Greek] and that brings me closer to my culture because I get a feel of it.”

When Ms. Schiappa first signed her daughter up for dance, her intentions were to have her learn about her Greek heritage.

Now, she is “thrilled” that her daughter has such a love for what she does.

“I wanted her to learn about our heritage and keep the customs in our home. I never forced it on her and what makes me so happy is that she loves to do it,” Ms. Schiappa said.

Schiappa says she has gotten more involved in

her church’s Greek festivals as well as other neighboring churches because of dancing.

“Festivals are annual and this year all the dancers were encouraged to go and help, but I have always helped throughout my dance career because it is a really pleasant environment and atmosphere. It is very cool to see everyone there,” she said.

Over the years, due to her service at festivals and attendance in Greek dance, Schiappa has developed pride in her culture.

“I am half Greek and half Italian and I think that I am way more involved with my Greek side because of dancing. I want to get more involved in learning the language and traveling to Greece more often because I am so thankful to be Greek,” Schiappa said.

Besides going to practice to have fun, review dances, and build a stronger connection with her culture, she goes to perfect certain dances that the group will perform at an annual competition called Faith, Dance, Fellowship (FDF).

It is a competition that Greek dance groups from the west side of the country attend to perform traditional dances from different parts of Greece. They compete for singing and dancing awards.

“FDF is a weekend of Greek dancing where we meet new p e o -

ple,” she said. “It is a magnificent experience.”

Over the years her group has won a costume award, a founders award, and a choral sweepstakes award among other dancing awards. The songs and dances her group performs about times of war and hardship remind her of her background and the Greek history.

“Most of the time I may not understand what I am singing, but I like it when my director explains the song so I know what is going on. By singing the songs, I am learning the language. I find it really neat because I understand the culture better as well as those who the songs are about,” Schiappa said.

Through dance she has also formed strong bonds.

“I have developed such strong friendships from just coming to practice,” she said. “Everyone in the group has become a big family. Religion comes in because we are all connected through church and dance. I think that is something to be thankful for.

I am so lucky to have friends with the same interests.”

Schiappa has been doing Greek dance for ten years and hopes to continue all throughout college.

“I have been doing it for so long and it has grown on me. Greek dancing has become a big part of my life. If I stopped I would be missing a part of myself,” she said.

3.

2.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NICOLE SCHIAPPA

Greek Goddesses. 1. Schiappa performs a Greek dance with her dance team at a competition. 2. Schiappa holds up a poster for her dance team Asterismos representing St. Katherine’s Church. 3. Schiappa lines up with her dance-mates in their Greek dresses before performing.

1.

12

NOV. 16, 2012

GETTING

ACTIVE

NOV. 16, 2012

The tools & tricks to

Gym reviews

Healthy Living

1. Get active

3. Eat right

P12-13

BEACH CITIES HEALTH DISTRICT

P16-17

by Chance King

Large chain gymnasiums can often be overcrowded and intimidating places, aggravating regular gym-goers and scaring newcomers. Tucked away in the Beach Cities medical center, only a few blocks from the school, the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) offers a more comfortable, but comparable, alternative.

The gym is open and well-maintained, and the staff takes good care of the equipment and facilities. All of the machines and weight lifting equipment are high quality and comparable to that of any gym of more prominent status, such as 24 Hour Fitness.

Because of its rather small size, rarely are the machines or equipment occupied for more than fifteen minutes. Everything from treadmills to elliptical machines are housed inside of the gym, and the weight lifting area contains free weights and machines to cater to any desired work out.

BCHD also offers yoga and cardio classes, many of which are free with a yearlong membership. In addition to these classes, the gym also offers personal trainer sessions that teach proper weight lifting techniques and ways to maximize workout efficiency.

The staff is very friendly and informative, and due to its large population of senior members, the gym has a very laid back and pleasant atmosphere. This gives the gym a much more personal and involved feeling than the larger chain gyms.

The one major negative of this gym is its size. The gym has a much smaller amount of machines than others and does not have facilities such as pools or basketball courts as many other gyms in the South Bay do.

This gym, overall, is a very solid alternative to chain gyms in the South Bay. The friendly and laid back approach to exercise that the gym takes creates a much more inviting feel. The staff is excellent and the machines, although fewer in number, are high quality.

BCHD is ideal for a newcomer to gyms or someone seeking a much more subdued place to work out. The gym offers a more quiet and personal atmosphere to larger gyms which can often be crowded and intimidating, while still providing all that is needed to lose weight and get in shape.

24 HOUR FITNESS

by Jene Price

Choosing a gym could be hard because everyone wants a place that is clean and where the people are helpful. The 24 Hour Fitness in Hermosa Beach has all of that and more.

24 Hour Fitness is a clean gym with a lot of open space and air ventilation. The open spacing makes it easier to move around the gym and also allows machines to be open very often.

Besides the spacing and the cleanliness, the people who work there are very nice and helpful. The staff is always friendly and is

P14-15

2. Do excercises correctly helpful when you are lost. A tour of the gym is also available whenever you want to check out the gym.

The gym also includes new equipment and amenities that make it look nice. On the ellipticals, there are televisions in case you are taking it easy in your workout and want to catch up on television shows. There is also music that can be played, as long as you bring your own headphones. This gym also includes a pool, a jacuzzi, and a steam room.

Personal trainers and different classes are offered at 24 Hour Fitness. A list of the class schedule is found online. Some of the classes included in the class schedule are cycling, yoga, pilates, zumba, Nike Training Club, and strength classes. Classes are also free with a membership to the gym, depending on which membership is purchased.

24 Hour Fitness in Hermosa has a lot to offer and is in a good location. This gym is very new and has an upbeat vibe. This gym will appeal to a lot of younger people with its size and new amenities. If you’re looking for a newly-equipped gym with great staff and clean facilities, then 24 Hour Fitness in Hermosa Beach is the gym to attend.

lively music as they increase pedal resistance every few minutes.

While the class is challenging, newcomers are encouraged to participate at their own comfortable pace. The small class setting lets instructors get to know each individual participant’s fitness level in order to train them accordingly.

BCCHF’s group fitness classes motivate members to exercise in a friendly, social setting that can empower any work-out routine.

The first floor is the free weight room and the check-in, and the second floor features the locker rooms, the fitness equipment and the deck for relaxing and exercising outdoors.

The different colored walls and the well-maintained floors give the gym a very personal feel. The staff and trainers are all very helpful and seem to care about getting and keeping you in shape. They also keep the equipment and the overall gym hygienic and well-maintained.

The locker rooms are absolutely luxurious, are kept very clean and offer amenities such as towels, showers, and various personal items like shampoo, soap, and Qtips.

You can read the rest of this review and others at hightideonline.org Healthy living.

by Victoria Artaza

h t

The Riviera Fitness Club, located in the Riviera Village, is an upscale two-story health and fitness club with a very warm and modern ambiance.

Overall, the Riviera Fitness club is a great place for athletes that are looking for great and clean machines to work out with and a place that provides a friendly and personal atmosphere to all newcomers and members.

, s w

GROUP CLASSES AT BCHD

e i v

by Anacristina Gonzalez

The Beach Cities Center for Health and Fitness (BCCHF) offers a variety of group fitness classes--more than any other gym in the South Bay--that allow members to change up their weekly work-out routines.

Group classes ranging from belly dancing to circuit training are included in a basic BCCHF membership. Class schedules change on a monthly basis, allowing members to participate in several different exercise routines. With an unlimited upgrade, members can also enjoy yoga and pilates classes that are offered daily.

Zumba, available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, provides an upbeat, intimidation-free environment where it is easy to follow along to dance moves while working up a sweat. The combination of quick and slow Latin rhythms keeps the work-out exciting, yet manageable. The instructors make the class enjoyable to all, making sure to help out those with physical limitations by teaching alternative moves so that everyone can join in.

Power Cycle, offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends, allows members to build their endurance through interval cardiovascular training. Participants ride stationary bikes to

h g i

e r o

ym

re

g

i s vi

1. People workout at BCHD. 2. A woman uses everything the Beach Cities gym has to offer. 3. LA Fitness is a gym that can be adapted for all ages.

4. BCHD promotes living healthy at all times.

3.

PHOTOS BY ALIDA NEWSON

m r o

F 1.

2.

. e n

i l n

o e

it d

RIVIERA FITNESS CLUB

g r o

PHOTOS BY CLAIRE TISIUS

4.

13

14

FEATURES// NOV. 16, 2012

Periodization training better than intense workouts

By Nicholas McCarthy

When the Iron Curtain fell in the 1990s, specialized training information of their soldiers on the eastern bloc became public, revealing the new training techniques. This periodization training soon became incorporated into the conditioning of many athletes of all levels.

Periodization training involves the cycles of hard work and then rest, allowing the body to grow stronger.

“Rest is as huge as is sleep and nutrition,” cross country coach Bob Leetch said. “The body needs to heal.”

According to Leetch, the amount of sleep needed varies but at a minimum of eight hours. A good diet is needed for “burning good, clean fuel.” The body gets stronger as it heals, so periods of rest are essential for recovery after a tough workout.

“That’s why [the team has] specific hard days and easy days,” Leetch said.

An easy day consists of distance runs, and hard workout days consist of interval training of varying distances, which take a few days to recover from. According to Leetch, the team, with CIF finals soon, is only having one hard workout a week instead of three so they can deliver their maximum effort.

Periodization training also provides variation between workouts. According to research from the University of New Mexico, exhaustion and fatigue occurs when the body trains too hard without sufficient recovery. “[Periodization training] is more of a blending of aerobic and anaerobic exercise to improve the aerobic capacity at some point,” said Leetch.

Aerobic exercise is the training within the breathing capacity and anaerobic is when the breathing capacity is exceeded.

According to Leetch, overtraining in the anaerobic phase will eventually cause the body to break down, resulting in many injuries due to stress on the muscles and joints. “[As a result,] you will flatten out and will go into a downward spiral,” Leetch said.

“You will get nowhere near improvement.

You can get good on short term, but not on the long term.”

How much rest needed is dependent on how fit and athletic an individual is, which is why the team trains every day all year long.

According to Leetch, periodization training has proven to be successful to the cross country team.

“It is the accepted training throughout the western world,” Leetch said.

CORRECT

RUNNING FORM Information Compiled by Deborah Chang

Keep your head and neck straight, held high; Make sure not to lean your head forward. Focus on the horizon; running looking down can strain your neck and spine.

Relax your jaw, neck, and shoulders; keep your shoulders low. If there is tension in the shoulders, drop and shake your shoulders to relieve the tension.

Stand tall as you run; avoid slouching.

Bend your elbows at approximately a 90-degree angle and move your arms front to back.

Do not clench your fists while running, instead lightly cup your hands.

Maintaining good posture allows for better lung expansion, permitting greater delivery of oxygen to the muscles.

Make sure breathing is relaxed and deep.

Deep belly breathing can help prevent getting cramps under the rib cage.

Breath in through your nose and breath out evenly through your mouth.

Striking the heel first as you run can increase your risk of injury, especially to the knees, and cause a shin splint or hamstring injury.

Strike your mid-foot and roll forward onto your toes and push. A mid-foot strike provides greater shock absorption, decreases strain on calves and achilles tendon, and prevents shin splints.

Your feet should not slap loudly as they hit the ground.

Photo by Jenny Oetzel

Interval vs. Cardio Training: Which one is best?

By Cameron Paulson

Fast sprints, long runs, dedicated runners and passionate coaches are all key ingredients to the recipe of Redondo’s track and cross country programs. Having one of the best teams in the nation, coaches Bob Leetch and Julie Ferron have perfected a training program through aerobic and interval exercises.

“For cross country, aerobic exercises are of utmost importance and for track it’s a combination between [both interval training and aerobic] training,” Leetch said.

Running between five to six days a

week, the runners must be in shape to continue rigorous practices.

“For cross country our hardest days are when we’re at the anaerobic threshold, meaning increasing speed or intensity,” Leetch said. “Yet for track practices are always at the anaerobic threshold since their distance is not as long.”

Although track and cross country are different in intervals, their principles for training are sometimes quite similar.

“A unique thing both [cross country and track] do to train is spend time on speed and core strength,” Leetch said. “You could say our secret ingredient to this program

is plyometrics being an exercise for fast yet powerful movement.”

Julie Ferron is also an advocate of this conditioning program.

“A big part of why Kayla [Ferron] and Evan [Malone-White] won at Bay League was because of this training,” Ferron said.

“They kicked butt and will continue to do so.”

Leetch and Ferron are both confident the runners will continue to excel.

“We have superior athletes in this program and hopefully our peak will be at state champs this year,” Leetch said. “All we can do is train hard and hope for the best.”

3 Workouts Minute

FEATURES// Nov. 16, 2012

15

Information Compiled by Navikka Dasz

What’s the point in exercising if you’re not doing it right? You may be wasting your energy and your time--and possibly damaging the very muscle you are trying to strengthen. If you want to get the most out of your workout, it’s important to do the exercises properly.

Three 3 minute workouts you can do are push ups, squats, and sit ups. Pushups work out the pectorials, triceps, and shoulder muscles. Squats help work the hips, legs, back, and abodmen muscles. Sit ups work the abdominal and core muscles. Here’s how to do each of them properly.

How to do a proper push up ..............

1. Lie face down. Place your legs 8 to 12 inches apart. Place your hands on the ground. Keep your body straight and push off the ground, balancing on your hands and toes.

2.

2. Tighten your core (ab) muscles. Bend your elbows and slowly lower your body to the ground. No part of your body should touch the ground. Stop when your elbows and shoulders align. Stay for a second.

3. Squeeze ab muscles and lift body. Keep your body straight and don’t let your butt or lower back sag.

1.

3.

.................. How to do proper squats 1. Slightly bend your knees with feet planted firmly on the ground and toes pointed slightly out. The wider your feet are placed, the more the muscles are worked. Keep your knees out and don’t cave them towards the center.

2. Move your butt backwards while going down so your knees don’t go past your toes. Keep the pressure on the heels instead of your toes, keep your head straight, chest up, shoulders back. Slightly arch your lower back to reduce the pressure.

3. Go down until hamstrings are parallel to the ground. Those who are more flexible should go past the parallel point, and those who are not as flexible should stay above the parallel point. Breathe out forcefully while pushing up.

2.

1.

3.

How to do a proper sit up ..................

1. Lie down on your back. Place your feet flat on the ground about foot in front of your tailbone, with your knees bent. Place your arms crossed over your chest or behind your head.

2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and exhale while tightening your abs. Keep your head straight but move your chin forward a little while sitting up. Curl up only until your upper back is off the mat, making sure that your feet, lower back, and tailbone are still flat on the ground. Hold for two seconds.

2.

3. Exhale and slowly lower yourself to the ground.

1.

Photos by Claire Tisius

3.

16

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

Pass

Students share their family’s the unique Thanksgiving recipes.

Plate

1.

PHOTO BY CLAIRE TISIUS

Panettone compiled by Shelby Salerono

Ingredients:

Yields: 3 ½ pound loaves 1 ½ cup lukewarm water 1 ½ tablespoon granulated yeast 1 ½ tablespoon salt ½ cup honey 8 eggs (lightly beaten) 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly) ½ teaspoon fiori di sicilia (Italian citrus and vanilla extract blend) 2 teaspoon orange zest 7 ½ cup cake flour 2 cup mixed dried fruit Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water) Sugar (for sprinkling on top of the loaf )

Preparation:

1. Mix the water, yeast, salt, honey, eggs, butter, extract, and zest into a mixer. Then, add in the flour and dried fruit; mix to combine. Cover and let rest at room temperature to allow the dough to rise; approximately two hours.

2. After two hours, put the dough in the refrigerator and let it sit for 24 hours.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY NGYUEN

2.

PHOTO BY SHIVAANI GANDHI

Chocolatada compiled by Shelby Salerono

Ingredients:

Yields: 6 cups 1 bar raw chocolate cusco (only sold in Peru, so use baking chocolate) 1 spoonful of butter 4 cups of water 2-3 cinnamon sticks 1 whole clove brown sugar (use as much as desired) 2 cans of evaporated milk

3. The next day, grease the panettone mold with butter.

Use panettone paper molds available online.

Preparation:

4. Dust the surface of the dough with flour, then cut into thirds. Roll each piece into a ball, dusting with flour if necessary. Place each piece into a panettone mold and loosely cover with plastic wrap, allowing to rest at room temperature for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

2. Heat up a sauce pan, and put the chocolate in along with a spoonful of butter.

5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the plastic wrap and brush the top of the panettone with egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar. Place the panettone on the middle rack of the oven and allow to cook for about 5055 minutes or until the top is golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.

6. Allow to cool before slicing.

1. Cut up 1 bar of chocolate.

3. Stir until it melts.

4. Add 4 cups of water, 2-3 cinnamon sticks, and a pinch of whole cloves.

5. Wait until it boils.

6. Add 2 cans of evaporated milk.

Salmon Pho

3.

compiled by Justin Lee

Ingredients:

500 grams Spanish salmon fillets (cut into cubes) 1 tablespoon fish sauce ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper ¼ teaspoon sesame oil 1 garlic clove (finely diced) 5 spring onions (white part only; finely sliced) Vegetable oil (for deep frying) Nuoc mam cham dipping fish sauce

Preparation:

1. Place the fish sauce in a small bowl, and begin to pound the fish into a paste. Continue to dip the pestle into the fish sauce to prevent the fish from sticking to it.

2. Add salt, pepper, sesame oil, garlic, and spring onion to the sauce.

3. Pound the fish until all the fish sauce is used up.

4. Combine the ingredients together until the paste becomes fine, smooth, and elastic.

5. Transfer the fish paste into a bowl, then use oiled hands to form patties out of the fish paste that are five cm wide and two cm thick.

6. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the fish cakes in batches and fry for 4 minutes on each side until golden.

7. Add sugar until content (make sure it is warm).

7. Either serve the fish cakes on its own or wrap them in lettuce leaves, adding some noodles and herbs to the parcel.

8. Serve with Panettone.

8. Serve with nuoc mam cham for dipping

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

Eat, sleep, run

17

Cross country eats healthy food together before races.

by Laura Smith

The taste of fresh fruit and cold water sits on their tongues as they discuss strategies for tomorrow’s race.

The cross country team prepares themselves for their three-mile run by eating nutritious meals that will provide the fuel necessary to compete.

“The dinners allow the team to bond and, at the same time, have a pre-meet meal that’s healthy,” cross country coach Julie Ferron said.

Junior Will Tait agrees.

“I think [the dinners] help my teammates and me remember how close we all are as a team and as friends, which really gives you more to fight for when the racing gets rough and the mental doubt sets in,” he said.

Runners find the meals important as they mentally prepare themselves for the next day’s events.

“It’s a way for them to ensure they are eating healthy and have the proper fuel to run a three-mile race,” Ferron said.

Nutrition plays an “important” part in allowing runners to give it their all.

“All your months of training can amount to null if you don’t eat and rest properly leading up to race day,” Tait said.

The dinners also help to settle nerves and give runners a chance to talk to teammates.

“It’s a great chance for our team to get together and joke around to loosen up our minds a little before the tension sets on the next day,” Tait said.

Premeet dinners also give coaches time to give last-minute advice to their runners.

“It’s a great time to talk about race strategy and to bond as a team,” Ferron said.

Many students at school believe that these dinners are based off of a carb diet, but this is a misconception.

“People always think that pasta is the fuel you should eat before you run, but that’s more for a marathon runner,” Ferron said. “For these [meets] we focus on whole grains, lean proteins, and lots of fruits and vegetables.”

According to Tait, the team eats whole

grain pasta with proteinrich meat sauce, bread and grains, salad, and fruit to get a “hearty” intake of high-energy carbohydrates. Beverages play an equally essential role in a nutritious meal.

“Hydration is really important the day before and the day of [a meet],” Ferron said.

As these dinners provide fuel for running a three-mile meet, the cross country coaches try to motivate runners to continue healthy eating habits.

“We really discourage soda and sweets before meets and throughout the season,” Ferron said.

Ultimately, the healthy dinners prepare runners to give it their all at the competition.

“Running cross country is all about endurance and sustained energy, so nutrition plays a key role in keeping us in shape,” Tait said. “I love everything about it.”

Pre-workout foods Post-workout foods Foods that will maintain energy and promote muscle growth.

Foods that replenish the body’s energy and repair muscles.

compiled by Angela Kim

compiled by Angela Kim

Bananas: The potassium in bananas helps sustain correct nerve and muscle functions; they’re also easily digestible.

Eggs: Eggs are packed with just the right amount of proteins that are needed after a workout.

Trail mix (the healthy kind without the M&Ms): Just watch out for the quantity. The mix has phosphorous which helps muscle growth, zinc which helps in muscle healing and provides energy. The good sugar from the dried fruit provides energy as well.

Low-fat chocolate milk: Even though it might be considered sweet and fattening, it has the perfect ratio of carbohydrates to protein. Plus, it is high in calcium and has sugar to help regain energy. Since it is low in fat, it is not too fattening.

Energy bars: They provide energy and contain protein or carbohydrates.

Dried fruit: These restore the glycogen sources lost from working out.

Oatmeal: It is full of fiber and vitamin B to energize and lower stress.

Nuts: Their protein and healthy fats restore those lost during the exercise.

Low-fat greek yogurt: It has about 50 percent more calcium than regular yogurt with less sugar. Yogurt also contains necessary proteins. To add carbohydrates, vitamins, and fiber, eat it with fruit.

Cottage cheese: This dairy product has less saturated fat and cholesterol than other cheeses and is packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals like calcium.

It is also 79 percent water, unlike most cheeses.

Almonds (and other nuts): Although fat should normally not be consumed, monounsaturated fats provide good fatty acids.

Fruit smoothie: It is saturated with vitamins. Smoothies with a scoop of protein powder, skim milk, or lowfat yogurt provides a good source of energy.

Lentils: Lentils have tons of benefits for working out: carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamin B, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, calcium.

Rice cakes: These snacks are easy to pack and a fast source of carbohydrates.

They only have about 30 to 40 calories per cake.

http://www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness_top_ten/24_fitness_list.html http://www.builtlean.com/2012/01/24/pre-workout-meal/ http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/on-fitness/2011/10/13 http://www.mensfitness.com/lisa-freedman/best-pre-workout-foods

www.askmen.com/top_10/fitness/top-10-post-workout-foods.html http://www.ivillage.com/5-best-post-workout-foods/4-a-142434 http://www.livestrong.com/article/103484-post-workout-foods/ http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/chocolate-milk-after-workout

18

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

Wave Runners is a running club Wave The for middle school kids that aims to Runners prepare students for cross country.

by Natalie Hardiman

Starting high school is a big change for most students with the harder curriculum and new surroundings, but the freshmen who join cross country need to adapt even more. These students have to adjust to long workouts of running for miles and many times, the injuries that come with it.

“You are going to get injured if you go too hard without getting the base training first,” cross country coach Julie Ferron said.

Minimizing injuries and preparing students for the running season are critical for the coaches.

To help prepare their runners, the coaches strongly recommend attending the summer camp and the new middle school running club, Wave Runners.

“It is important to be present during the

PHOTOS BY DIANA LUNA

Running wild. 1. Siena Hsu is just one of the high school runners who practices with the Wave Runers. She gives the middle school runners encouragement and advice on the runs. The Wave runners, created by Melanie Sullivan and Laurie Baker, have 81 members.

Cost of Sports

the

$

boys’ soccer boys’ volleyball cheerleading $1000+ cross country dance guard girls’ soccer girls’ volleyball

$

$400-$999

whole training program,” Ferron said. “One week builds upon another, in order to prevent injuries.”

Ferron believes that if students attend the entire training camp and start out slowly, they are less likely to develop injuries.

“If they come to the camp, steadily work their way up and do everything, then most of the freshmen will not get injuries,” she said.

One of the freshmen who developed a shin splint injury during the cross country season is Jessica Washington.

“In the beginning the shin splints were really painful because I never had them before. It hurt when I was running, but I adapted and then it was not so bad,” she said.

Although she suffered from shin splints, Washington believes that there is no need to change the workouts for freshmen to try to avoid future injuries.

“I think the coaching style is really good because it works you really hard and that is what makes you stronger,” she said.

Throughout middle school, Washington ran only in physical education and had never run more than a mile.

“It was a big change to go from barely ever running to running almost everyday,” she said.

To better prepare students earlier for cross country and track and to possibly avoid some of these injuries, mothers Melanie Sullivan and Laurie Baker created Wave Runners.

“I felt like there was not enough athletic opportunities in the middle schools,” Sullivan said. “Also, running is something all

kids can do, so if they cannot get on a sports team, then this is a way they can stay healthy all their lives.”

This club consists of 81 students from both Parras and Adams and practices three times a week from 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.

“We are just happy that the kids are interested in the program and get the opportunity to run,” Sullivan said.

Wave Runners has two seasons: cross country in fall and track in spring. The running club gives the students a chance to compete in meets to prepare them for the high school teams.

“I think the kids will go into the program with their bodies equipped and prepared. At least, I certainly hope so,” she said.

Like Sullivan, Ferron is excited about this running club and believes it will have a positive impact on future freshmen cross country teams.

“The athletes involved in this club will see the importance of core work and drills which will help them prevent injuries before they even start the high school program,” she said.

Although Ferron realizes that Wave Runners will give students an advantage for starting cross country, she does not think that it will necessarily stop the injuries, but help prevent serious ones.

“There is always a chance for any runner to get injured,” she said. “That is why the drills, the core work, and the base training are so necessary.”

Washington has a similar opinion.

“Every sport has injuries and minor setbacks, and to be a part of that sport means to overcome them,” she said.

Although fundraisers try to lessen the price tag of sports, costs such as equipment fees, uniform fees, and the costs of private lessons or club teams can increase the price of some sports well into the thousands. baseball boys’ basketball football girls’ basketball softball track

$

$200-$399

boys’ lacrosse boys’ tennis boys’ waterpolo girls’ lacrosse girls’ tennis girls’ waterpolo wrestling

INFORMATION COMPILED BY KATIE HILL PRICES BASED ON SCHOOL FEES PLUS THE COSTS OF NECESSARY EQUIPTMENT, UNIFORM FEES, AND THE COST OF A CLUB OR TRAVEL TEAM, IF RECOMMENDED BY THE VARISTY COACH.

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

19

Caponpon treats student injuries

by Alina Bieschke

Athletes rest at the edges of the examination beds, waiting to be treated. A line riddled with sore ligaments and dislocated shoulders trails out the door. In the middle of play-offs and CIF tournaments, inflamed muscles and swollen joints are all too common for athletic trainer June Caponpon.

This fall season, Caponpon had numerous ankle and knee injuries.

“Some people have what’s called a traction injury where their foot gets planted and their body [keeps going], so that causes a sprain [on their ankle],” he said.

Caponpon’s crew of T.A.’s, including sophomore Andriana Angleveski, are especially vital to Caponpon when he cannot busy himself with minor tasks such as ice and ice-wrappings.

“Ankle [injuries] are definitely the most common because so many sports involve [a lot of ] running,” Angleveski said.

Caponpon sees injuries from every sport, from shoulder injuries from waterpolo to wrist injuries from tennis. With the fall season coming to a close, Caponpon expects to see a new wave of athletes from the winter season flowing into his office in the small gym.

Despite his constant work to keep up with so many injuries, Caponpon encourages injured athletes to see him. “[My biggest tip is to] let me know when

Dangerous Dancing

[an injury] happens,” he said. “You don’t want it to happen, but when it does, you need to tell me.”

Although athletes cannot always prevent an injury, they can prevent it from becoming worse. With or without Caponpon’s assistance, there are still simple steps athletes can take to properly care for their injury once it occurs.

“Icing is definitely important. The least [athletes] can do for themselves is ice down the injury,” he said.

Though it seems like it doesn’t do much, icing is important for a speedy recovery.

“Initially within the first 24 hours, the healing rate [of an injury] is [lessened],” Caponpon said. “The ice draws out the heat and reduces the inflammation.”

Apart from a short-term fix, Caponpon recommends a broader way for athletes to help their bodies.

“If [athletes] can get a background in anatomy of physiology, it definitely helps their understanding of the human body and how to take care of it,” Caponpon said.

Injuries are an inevitable aspect of sports that cannot be ignored, and Caponpon’s goal is to treat student injuries so they can perform better in sports.

“When you’re injured, [you] have to come back from that injury stronger than [you] were before,” he said. “I’ve always had an interest in helping people [and] getting them where they were before and better.”

Freshman Carissa Carter’s knee injury prevents her from dancing.

by Kolbie Brightwell

Freshman Carissa Carter has broken cartilage and liquid in her knee from tearing her lateral collateral ligament, preventing her from prolonged dancing.

“In fifth grade, I was sitting in the splits and a girl kicked my knee,” Carter said.

The damage caused still affects her daily.

“My kneecap will move to the back of my leg at random times,” she said.

Because of this, she can’t do the activities she loves and often has to wear a knee brace. Carter can no longer dance for long periods of time.

“When I was little I would watch the dancers in movies over and over until I could copy their moves,” she said.

Carter will be getting ligament reconstruction surgery later this year. She will be able to dance again after a six-month recovery.

Carter plans to dance after her recovery. The injuries to her knee haven’t affected her love for dance, or her aspiration to become a dancer.

1.

Helping hands. 1. Caponpon tapes senior Brennan Ross’s right wrist before football practice because it had become dislocated.

Caponpon also wraps many players wrists to prevent injuries before practice. 2. Caponpon checks up on freshman Nick Sisto’s knee, which is recovering from a previous injury.

PHOTOS BY DIANA LUNA

Anthony Philyaw: Injury update After suffering from a broken wrist at the Palos Verdes game on Oct. 26, Philyaw still played at the Costa game on Nov. 2, wearing a brace.

by Susan Nieves

Running back. Despite his injury Philyaw played in the Nov. 2 game.

PHOTO BY ALIDA NEWSON

PHOTO BY HAILEY NEWMAN

While running a play against PV on Oct. 26, Philyaw was injured by an opposing player. Even though he fractured his wrist’s growth plate, Philyaw continued to play in the following games.

“I will be playing my normal positions,” Philyaw said. “But my plays will be limited.”

The injury keeps Philyaw from his usual training, like using the bench press, and limits his playing time.

But despite his injury, Philyaw remains optimistic about his ability to play on the field.

“I won’t be out as long as it doesn’t bother me too much,” Philyaw said.

“It’s my senior year and I can’t let my teammates go to battle without me.”

20

SPORTS // NOV. 16, 2012

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE

CHRISTIAN FERNANDEZ T H E

MIGHTY

ENFORCER PHOTO BY MATT MARDASICH

Four-year varsity football player Christian Fernandez encourages and leads his team through the victories and losses.

by Daniel Loveland

On and off the field, senior Christian Fernandez is a team player. From boosting morale to helping teammates, he holds the team together.

During practice, Fernandez acts as a role model to the team. He brings energy and enthusiasm, running through every drill and practicing like he plays on the field.

“He does everything 100 miles an hour,” senior Freddy Smith said.

Fernandez’s experience of playing on varsity for three years allows him to make strong decisions and adds to his leadership qualities. He is able to help his teammates on the field and knows which teammates to cover and when.

Fernandez always tries to motivate and energize the team before and during games.

He also makes sure that the team maintains a level head.

“When winning or losing [we have] got to get points on the board,” Fernandez said.

His ability to keep a level head allows

Fernandez to always make his team try to take the lead of the game or keep the lead of the game.

Fernandez does not only benefit the team as a leader, but as a very skilled player too.

He brings experience and a variety of skills and techniques onto the field. Fernandez’s quick and instinctive reactions allow him to see what is going to happen and what he has to do.

“He’s got a little bit of everything,” junior Harrison Faecher said.

During the game Fernandez stays energized and puts all his energy onto the field.

“He plays like it’s his last play and makes sure he has no regrets,” Faecher said.

Fernandez’s great skill and determination helps motivate the team, making sure they are always fired up during a game, when winning or losing.

Fernandez also benefits the team as a safety during the game, making him a defensive leader that the other defenders look up to.

“I’ve got their backs the whole time,”

Fernandez said.

Not only is Fernandez a great defensive leader, but his relationships with the coaches give him someone to look up to too. His coaches are able to bring the best out of him.

“It’s like an extra player next to you, telling you when you’re doing good and telling you when you’re doing bad,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez’s great skill, leadership qualities, and his ability to maintain a great relationship with the coaches allow him to be one of the most beneficial players on the team. “[I] put everything I [have] got onto the field,” Fernandez said.

His skill, speed, and ability to motivate players makes Fernandez a great team player on and off of the field. Allowing Fernandez to help make the team stronger together, and each teammate stronger individually as a player.

“I think we can all look up to Christian for different reasons, because he is such a versatile player and great guy,” Smith said.

Single-elimination. Senior Christian Fernandez dodges the Palos Verdes players in the game that ended Redondo’s chances at winning the Bay League Championship title.

STATS Solo tackles

38

Assisted tackles

34

Play break ups

7

Fumble recoveries

1

Receptions

8

Touch downs

1

SPORTS // NOV. 16, 2012

21

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

The cross country team competed in the Mount SAC race and now heads into CIF in hopes of qualifying for state.

by Micah Ezzes & Romy Moreno

PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

Run as fast as you can. Senior Cara Ulizio sprints to the finish in a home meet ealier this

At the first preliminary round of CIF at Mount SAC, the girls’ cross country team came out strong, finishing second with 56 points. They also secured a berth in the CIF Finals next Saturday.

Sophomore Paige Sullivan is proud of the team and how they ran, despite the lack of importance of this race.

“Although this race wasn’t the biggest race, it still feels really good,” she said.

Sophomore Amber Gore agrees.

“It wasn’t a really important race, but no one was upset with a close second place,” she said.

Coach Bob Leetch, had the girls run conservatively, not trying too hard, but doing enough to secure a spot in the finals. “[Saturday] was a qualifier,” Leetch said.

“You just want to take care of business and move forward. We did that. The kids ran well.”

Senior Kayla Ferron, Gore, and senior Cara Ulizio had strong races, finishing third, sixth and seventh, respectively. Ferron just came off of a win at the Bay League Finals last week and came back with another strong performance.

“Kayla has been a really strong and stable leader this season,” Sullivan said. “We all look up to her.”

“She’s doing great, not only this season, but her whole high school career,” Pederson added. “Cara and Amber also had really good races. They always do. [Ferron, Gore, and Ulizio] all did a great job leading the team.”

The team now looks forward to next weekend, the CIF finals at Mount SAC. There are high hopes for this race, and the girls are excited to be able to compete.

“We want to make our seniors proud and make it to state,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to fight for every spot.”

Pederson also sees the importance of this upcoming weekend.

“We’re going to go out even harder this weekend,” she said. “This week is much more important, and we all want it.”

Sullivan believes everyone is well prepared to race this Saturday.

“Everyone is improving,” she said. “Amber’s doing great. [Sophomore] Anevay Hiele is on fire; hopefully we come out strong and make it to state.”

Gore has great expectations for this race, with the stakes as high as they are.

“This is the race where everyone needs to give their all,” Gore said. “Knowing that it’s the final round before state, everyone will naturally step up.”

“We’re going to do what we always do– compete,” Pederson said.

Both boys and girls advanced to the next round in CIF. Even with the wind going against them, the Boys did not let that get in their way, and placed second in the meet with 65 points, right behind Righetti High with 51 points.

“The weather was perfect; it was exactly what we were expecting,” Evan MaloneWhite said.

Will Tait was the team’s top runner who placed first in the race and Malone-White followed close behind and came in fourth place.

According to Malone-White, even though Redondo came in second, their main objective for this race was just to qualify so that they can progress in CIF, not just to finish in first.

“We ran exactly what we needed to do to qualify and we believe that we can compete to win CIF finals and even State finals,” said Malone-White.

The Boys plan on sticking to what they have done all season to keep going strong and make it to the end of CIF. “We are in a great position to make a great run throughout CIF,” Malone-White said.

THE BITTER-SWEET END

by Caitlin Cochran

Despite some tough breaks, led by new head coach Matthew Ballard, the Sea Hawks placed third in Bay League and earned the right to qualify for CIF. The team faced a lot of hardship, including running back senior Anthony Philyaw breaking his wrist. He was able to continue with his cast on, but it was harder for the team.

Although there were setbacks, the players

feel the new coaches were definitely a beneficial addition. According to senior Shoon Shojima, the coaches were an improvement.

“This season was the best season I’ve experienced. The new and improved coaching led us to a great season overall,” Shojima said.

Although the seniors are sad the season is over, they are very confident about next year’s team led by these coaches, according to senior Julian Harrison.

“It was a fun season and I wish it didn’t

PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

And they’re off. Senior Dagmay Demsas leads the Peninsula competitors in a home meet.

After a season full of ups and downs, the football team’s run came to an end after loosing in the first round of CIF.

have to come to an end so soon,” junior Harrison Faecher said.

Also, senior Christian Fernandez really enjoyed this season and the football program overall.

“I think this is one of the best football programs in the South Bay because you are able to create a close bond with everyone on the team, even the coaches,” Fernandez said.

The team finished third in Bay League and only lost two league games. Their final record was 3-2 going into CIF when they

lost in the first round. Although the team was unsuccessful, they played hard despite the weather conditions.

According to Ballard the team was able to come a long way and is proud of their accomplishments.

“I feel like we came a long way in a short time,” Ballard said. “The results on the scoreboard may not be what everyone wanted, but I think we made great strides toward becoming the team and program we want to be.”

22

SPORTS // NOV. 16, 2012

THE PRESSURE’S ON

Newport: CIF First Round Junior Brianna Lanktree and senior Hannah Mosebar prepare to block a Newport spike in their first-round CIF match on Nov. 8.

Marymount: Round 1

Corona del Mar: CIF Semifinals

Captain and senior Skylar Dykstra spikes in the girls’ game against Marymount earlier this season, which they won. Since the team has already beaten Marymount, they believe they have a good chance of winning tomorrow.

Freshman Norene Iosia sets sophomore Abril Bustamante for a kill in the volleyball team’s semifinal CIF match against Corona del Mar on Tuesday.

PHOTO BY DIANA LUNA

Beating Corona del Mar in the semifinals of the CIF tournament, girls’ volleyball advances to the finals. They play Marymount on Saturday in the finals.

by Cole Stecyk and Chance King

As the crowd stood, they raised a single finger in the air. One more point was all that separated the girls’ volleyball team from the CIF-SS finals. When the ball hit the floor on the opposing side, the crowd produced a deafening screech and the bleachers rumbled from the stomping feet of the fans. The scoreboard read 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.

The team hopes to win the CIF tournament, having developed camaraderie throughout the season. According to coach Tommy Chaffins, the season has been a lot of fun and he almost doesn’t want it to end.

“I thought we had great ‘next play focus’ all night. We played a lights-out game,” Chaffins said. “We had great blocks and won a lot of long rallies. I’m really stoked; the kids had an amazing practice and I’m so blessed to be around them. I’m glad I get to be around them more now for finals. I really love my team; they are hardworking and a great group to be around.”

Strong offensive and defensive playing from seniors Skylar Dykstra and Katie Rotondo brought the girls through many games that Redondo almost conceded.

The girls’ tenacity and energy allowed them to get the edge over their opponent.

According to Chaffins, the team made an amazing comeback in the first game. They were down 17-20, but the girls fought back and played even harder. They won the side-out when sophomore Abril Bustamante blocked one of Corona del Mar’s spikes. Bustamante is excited for

5

PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

PHOTO BY MATT MARDESICH

the upcoming game against Marymount.

“I’m so excited for the finals against Marymount,” Bustamante said. “I know they are a very strong team, but we have beaten them in the past and we can do it again.”

Senior Katie Rotondo had many “amazing” digs in the second set. Rotondo, who had 17 digs on Tuesday, is the libero of the team. Captain and senior Skylar Dykstra got an “amazing” twenty kills, thirteen digs, and three blocks, freshman Norene Losia got one kill, one block, eight digs, and thirty assists, Abril Bustamante got five kills, junior Brianna Lanktree got eight kills and nine digs, junior Leilani Martinez got nine digs, junior Marissa Mitter got four kills, and senior Hannah Mosebar got three kills.

Mosebar is “relieved” that they beat Corona del Mar and hopes she will earn one more win before the end of the CIF playoffs.

“I cannot wait for finals. I really hope we can beat Marymount again,” Mosebar said. “Although they are a very tough team, we have beat them before, and I really hope we can pull together and use our teamwork and our coach’s [tactics] to be able to defeat them again.”

The girls are currently ranked fourth in the nation and first in California. Their record is 33-3, and they hope to continue their winning streak in their final CIF game against Marymount.

Although they won the Redondo Classic tournament and their first two CIF games, the girls and Chaffins are still nervous. According to Chaffins, it has been a “successful” year for the girls.

steps

toward

success

Five things the girls’ volleyball team needs to do in order to clinch the CIF title, according to coach Tommy Chaffins.

1. “We have to have great next-play focus and just forget about the last point. The next point is all that matters.”

2. “It all starts with a pass; if we can get our passes perfect then we can definitely drill a ball over the net.”

3. “We played together as a team and we won a lot of those rallies through our communication.”

4. “The players had really good practices and they put that into effect tonight.”

5. “We have to get our serves in; we lost multiple points on that in the first match. I think we definitely picked that back up in the last matches though.”

Golf meets season goals, makes CIF

by Beth Shallon

PHOTO BY JENNY OETZELL

Let’s go for a drive. Senior Brittany Shankar hits the golf ball in match against West.

This season, the girls’ golf team had two main goals: to improve their scores and to make it to CIF as a team. According to the players, they accomplished both, even though their CIF dreams ended in the first round.

“As a team we did accomplish our goals.

Not only did we go to both CIF individuals and to CIF team, but we also took second in the league, which is the best we have ever done,” senior Brittany Shankar said. “We all focused and worked together as a team.”

The girls believe they improved during the season, but that they cannot get too ahead of themselves when they learn who

they are playing.

“We could have done better in the match against Peninsula at Alondra. We thought we were going to win just because we beat them at PV Country Club,” sophomore Mackenzie Jeffrey said.

The players believe that they each contributed to the team’s success by improving their own scores.

“We are a family; everything we do is together. I think that’s what really helped us as to improve as a team,” Shankar said.

According to Shankar, golf is a sport of ups and downs, so the team had bad days.

“Bad days are really common in golf,” Jeffrey said. “You never know when it’s going to be an off or on day.”

The team’s goal was to lower its score, but that would only be possible if each player worked to lower their individual score.

“My weakest spot depends on how I am playing that day,” Jeffrey said.

A couple of the players feel like they could have improved their game by practicing and focusing more.

“I lost my focus on bad days. I was frustrated that I couldn’t hit a golf ball straight,” Shankar said.

The team improved this year by lowering its scores and therefore making it into CIF play, in which the team placed second.

In addition, sophomore Robynn Ree played in five rounds of CIF individuals, ending her streak in Murrieta on Nov. 8.

SPORTS // NOV. 16, 2012

Right up their alley

This season, the girls’ tennis team improved from previous years, making it to the main draw of the CIF tournament, only to play the top team in Southern California in the first round.

by Lindsey Pannor

2.

1.

Overcoming obstacles. 1. Freshman Alyssa Grijalva hits a backhand slice. Grijalva became the tennis team’s top singles player despite her young age. 2. Junior Erin Shy hits a shot in game against Chadwick. PHOTOS BY CHRIS NGUYEN

As uniforms are retired for the year and score sheets are filed away, girl’s tennis season ends with a collection of sweet victories.

The team had the advantage of many returning players, three new freshmen--two of which were starters--and the opportunity of two rounds of CIF, while last year the team didn’t even qualify for one. “[This season was] definitely a vast improvement from last year,” coach Jessica Seibert said. “Last year we were fifth in league and didn’t qualify for CIF, but within one season, we were able to make it up to fourth.”

Other improvements the team experienced this season were having both a singles player and a doubles team make it to the semifinals of the Bay League finals. According to Seibert, another betterment from last year’s season was the work that many returning players put into their game; specifically doubles player and junior Erin Shy and singles player and sophomore Allegra Peelor.

“Over the summer [Allegra and I] worked for a few hours twice a day with two different coaches. Both of the workouts were physically challenging, so most days were really tiring, but it definitely improved our game a lot,” Shy said. “We also focused a lot on conditioning, which really helped

our game.”

Seibert believes freshmen newcomers Emily Zargham and Alyssa Grijalva have also been a great asset to the team. Zargham has greatly strengthened the team’s doubles game, while Grijalva became the top singles player.

“I think I really helped to strengthen our singles game, and I hope we gain some experienced freshmen like Emily and me next year to improve even further,” Grijalva said.

Although the girls had a great run this year, Seibert believes they still have a lot to improve upon. The team’s singles game is very strong, and so is their top doubles team, but according to Seibert, they need more depth in order to climb even higher in the Bay League ranks.

“We really need to step up our doubles game in order to win those 9-9 ties, especially in league,” Seibert said. “Although our first position is strong, we need to work over the summer to improve on our second and third teams.”

This season, girl’s tennis made “vast” improvements over last year’s team, with not only new and experienced players, but also an improvement in returners and a step up in the Bay League rankings. Despite their uplifting performance, this team plans to work until they reach their best.

Water polo bonds outside of the pool

by Anna Fauver

Not only does the boys’ water polo team have fun in the water, but they also have fun outside of the pool. Whether passing the ball and shooting goals in the pool or eating Korean barbeque on dry land, this team is more than a group of water polo players; they’re also best friends.

After finishing fourth in Bay League, first in Ocean League, and making it to CIF, the boys feel proud of their accomplishments this year.

“We really improved a lot from last year,” senior Michael Chang said. “Also, we were really thrilled because we achieved all of our goals.”

According to the team, one thing that makes them successful is how close they are outside of the pool.

“We are super close,” Chang said. “We hang out all the time and go to team dinners a lot.”

Over the last couple of years, the boys have bonded. According to Chang, this team spirit carries on into the games, too.

“We connect really well,” Chang said.

“We work together during games and have a lot of team synergy.”

Not only does the team spend time together outside of the pool, but the practices are also a way to spend time together and become closer.

“Our team improved greatly in the season at morning practices,” junior Davy Thomas said. “These really improved our swimming speed and endurance, which helped us compete with stronger teams such as PV and Peninsula.”

The boys lost by a small margin in both of the games: not more than three points in each game.

“We stayed competitive in all the games we played in,” Thomas said. “This was really important to us because we did not want to lose without putting up a fight.”

The team believes that in most games they had an overall good team effort, and that they have always tried their best.

“The teams that we played against were very good,” Chang said. “As a team, we proved that we were competition. We worked well together in these games, and we never lost hope.”

The team believes that they could not have done so well this season if they were not so close outside of practice.

“We are always together,” Thomas said.

“Not only are we a team, we are also great friends. This helps our team chemistry a lot.”

The boys believe that because of the “team synergy” that they have, all of the boys can trust each other and therefore they get the best performance possible in the

23

1.

games. They think that being friends has really helped to improve their playing this season.

“It’s not what we do during practice that helps us a lot,” Chang said. “It’s what we do out of practice that makes us a team.”

Making waves. 1. Junior Jonathan Ortiz passes the ball in game against West. “We always work well together,” Ortiz said. “That’s what keeps us in the game. When one of us is off, then the whole team is off. When we don’t focus, it’s really hard to be competitive.” The team beat West 19-2. 2. Sophomore Jay Furusho shoots for a goal in game against West. PHOTOS BY HAILEY NEWMAN

2.

24

FEATURES // NOV. 16, 2012

In preparation for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” drama does more than just rehearse. They also work out together to get in shape.

1.

[story continued from p. 1] “It’s good to be healthy, to workout, and to stay fit. The set is very complex and has a lot of ups and downs, so we need to move around without having any trouble,” junior Chris Ward said.

Arm strength is necessary because the actors are throwing people around and picking people up as well as climbing up ladders and girders, according to Baldridge. The set also includes other structures that the actors have to utilize during the performance, along with diving under platforms and crawling out of small spaces.

There are no handrails on the set, since it would distract from the meaning of the show, and the fairies are going to be doing a lot of squatting and using leg muscles, so keeping balanced is really important, according to sophomore Angel Goldstein.

“The yoga helps with our movements during the ballet dancing because they have to be very slow and controlled, and we have to maintain a calm character,” Goldstein said.

The actors have to focus on staying in character while also staying safe on set, and exercising helps them feel less tense about their performance, according to Goldstein.

“I think [exercising] is important because we get so stressed out down here, and exercise is the best stress reliever. It’s good to go for a thirtyminute run and then feel great afterwards,” Baldridge said.

Baldrige compares the actors performing in the theater to an athlete competing in a sport.

His main intent is for the cast to be physically fit so when given a task, they can execute it safely.

“You are your instrument. The same way athletes have to keep their body in shape so they can play on the field appropriately, an actor has to be fit in a show of this scale for the same reason,” Baldridge said.

In addition to their weekly exercise schedule, the cast is avoiding fast foods and sugary drinks.

Senior Trevor Biggs says dieting was not easy at first with McDonalds right across the street, but he has actually lost weight on his chest and stomach.

“At first I was exhausted by the workouts, but I’ve grown to love them. It feels really good to work out and have a healthy diet, and it’s another great bonding moment for the cast,” Biggs said.

Biggs points out that a unique quality of this play is that it has three separate groups of characters who are in completely different scenes, so they don’t usually work together onstage.

“Unlike other shows, we aren’t constantly together as a whole cast, which is why I believe the workouts have become an amazing bonding moment as a cast. Whether it be yoga, kenpo, ab-workouts, or running, we all work out together, including Baldridge,” Biggs said.

Goldstein also feels that working out together has strengthened the relationships between the cast.

“It’s similar to a sports team because you bond with people as a result of working together. With the cast, no matter what role you are, we still help each other, hang out, and just have fun,” Goldstein said.

Senior Reina Chacon likes working out and thinks it will make the actors look better on stage, particularly with certain costumes.

“I think it does help all of us because we’re going to be more fit--and with the costumes for girls especially. We are going to be wearing corsets, which will restrain our breathing a bit.

And some of the guys will be shirtless at some points,” Chacon said.

Chacon believes that exercising not only improves the actors’ physical appearance, but also helps boost the actors’ confidence.

“I think it benefits you as a person, not just for the play. You feel better about yourself when you’re exercising and are living a healthy lifestyle,” Chacon said.

2.

3.

No drama no gain.

1. Senior Ryan Colescott rehearses “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” 2, 4.

The cast does the P90X workout, which includes planks, sit ups, push ups, and other ab exercises. 3. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they run around the school. Photo 1 by Jenny Oetzell. Photos 2, 3, 4 by Claire Tisius.

4.