CHRONICLE THE HARVARD-WESTLAKE
Los Angeles • Volume XXV • Issue VII • April 27, 2016 • hwchronicle.com
Words at Work By Kami Durairaj
Harvard-Westlake’s second annual poetry festival, “Wider than the Sky: A Young People’s Poetry Festival” welcomed keynote speaker Jacqueline Woodson, the Poetry Foundation’s 2015 Young People’s Poet Laureate, who spoke April 16 about her National Book Award winner “Brown Girl Dreaming” and her experiences with writing poetry. • See page B1
Barzdukas to depart for job in New York By ANGELA CHON
Head of Upper School Audrius Barzdukas will leave Harvard-Westlake to accept the position of Head of School at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, President Rick Commons announced in an e-mail sent to faculty, students and parents. Barzdukas has been at Harvard-Westlake for 12 years, starting as the Head of Athletics, and has served in his current position for four years. Poly Prep is a coeducational independent school with two campuses in New York. “It’s an opportunity for me to grow in different ways,” Barzdukas said. “I have the greatest job. I love HarvardWestlake students. Every day, I don’t know what 40 percent of my day is going to be, but I know it’s going to be something. Just the creativity, the vitality and the vibrancy of the students at Harvard-Westlake has felt like I’ve never gone to work.”
Barzdukas said he will empowering his colleagues to most miss the students at try new ideas and approaches,” he said. Harvard-Westlake. Director of Studies Eliza“The youthful energy, intellect and aspiration is really beth Resnick will serve as Inenergizing,” he said. “It’s really terim Head of Upper School for the 2016-17 school year while awesome. School is the best.” Maddy Harbert ’17 said the administration conducts a nationwide search to Barzdukas has been fill the position. a kind influence. Before her time “Mr. Barzdukas at Harvard-Westlake, has changed my high Resnick served as Dischool experience berector of Upper School cause he made me at Crossroads School feel as if I always had in Santa Monica and a friend on campus,” as Academic Dean at she said. “His door Sage Hill School in was always open to Newport Beach before me, and I knew he ’ that. She earned her was always in my Audrius undergraduate decorner.” Barzdukas gree in comparative Though he will government at Harmiss the students, Barzdukas said he is excited vard University, her master’s to be going to Brooklyn, in degree at Dartmouth Universipart, to see the cultural mesh ty, and an M.B.A. at UCLA Anderson School of Management. and the neighborhoods. “She has been a head of Commons said Barzdukas upper school before, so it was has made a positive impact. “He has built trust and a great opportunity for us to teamwork among the upper ask her to step in so that we school faculty and staff, while have the whole year to identify NATHANSON S
Mr. Barzdukas’s successor,” Commons said in an interview. “It’s not the job she wants long term at Harvard-Westlake, but she’s willing to do it in order to give our school the chance to find somebody great.” The administration will publish the job opening and expects to get at least 50 applications from people with experience at schools similar to Harvard-Westlake. “Harvard-Westlake is well enough known in the National Association of Independent Schools circle that it will be known to anybody who is interested in that kind of position,” Commons said. It will be an “exciting and interesting search,” he said. Commons said he will miss the “incredible job” Barzdukas has done for the school. Harbert expressed similar sentiments. “Although I’ll miss him terribly, I know that he will succeed in his new job, and those kids are so lucky to have him,” she said.
Deans consider new early admissions policy By JONATHAN SEYMOUR
The deans may institute a policy next year that would require Harvard-Westlake students to treat any Single-Choice Early Action application to Harvard, Yale, Princeton or Stanford as an Early Decision application. This would mean that the school would not support any additional applications by students accepted early to any of these four colleges and would
refuse to send the materials or transcripts necessary to complete these extra applications. “If a student is accepted early to one of these four, he or she will be expected to commit to the university without submitting any further applications,” upper school dean Adam Howard said. If students who apply early to one of these schools, collectively known as the “Big Four,” are not accepted, they will be free to apply to as many
schools as they wish during the Regular Decision period. “This is a policy in regards to early applications,” Howard said. “If the student is denied or deferred, they would certainly be encouraged to [apply] elsewhere.” If implemented, the policy will be steadfast, with minimal leniency, Howard said. “There would be financial exceptions, but it would frankly be incredibly rare, as Harvard, Yale, Princeton and
Stanford offer the best financial packages in the country,” Howard said. The deans began talking about the possible regulation after a recent trip to New York City, where they visited top prep schools, most of which already have a policy like this in place, Howard said. Some schools were in fact even stricter. The schools in New York • Continued on page A6
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INSIDE
C3 JEAN SANDERS/CHRONICLE
BEHIND THE WHEEL: Students believe that taking the driving test at certain DMVs is easier than at others.
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Alumni attend Spotlight Dinner By SABRINA
DE
APRIL 27, 2016
BRITO
Nearly 300 alumni, students and parents attended the President’s Spotlight Dinner to hear inspirational speeches from distinguished alumni, guests and current seniors in support of Harvard-Westlake’s financial aid program April 17. Alumni speakers, each of whom had received financial aid during high school, featured professional chef Jamie Gwen Bennett ’92, finance executive Kendrick Bales ’97 and Dreamworks feature animation executive Ami Kramer Cohen ’81. “As a scholarship student so many years ago, I am forever grateful for the education and experiences that HarvardWestlake gave me,” Bennett said. “Speaking about my memories and gratitude was a cathartic way to pay it forward.”
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF KATRINA SPRAGUE
GIVING GRATITUDE: Speakers made up of alumni and current seniors that were or are recipients of financial aid attend a dinner to express their gratitude for the lessons they learned and the experiences they had during their years spent at Harvard-Westlake.
Coordinated by Katrina Sprague, the annual event was previously held at the Middle School, but was moved this year to the Upper School to accommodate more people. Cohen said she hopes the event encourages more donations. “I thought the event was fantastic,” Cohen said. “We
started doing this event 13 years ago, when I was asked what I thought we should do for H-W financial aid recipients. My scholarship changed my life, so I’ve always wanted to help by sharing my story and hopefully inspiring donors to give to the scholarship fund, as well as inspiring recipients to reach for their dreams.”
Racanelli to retire after 13 years of student counseling By MADDY DAUM
Upper School Dean RoseEllen Racanelli will retire this upcoming summer after 13 years of leading and guiding her students. “I think deep down in my heart, I will miss the kids the most,” Racanelli said. “It is a terrific group of young people who attend Harvard Westlake. They’re interested in growing academically, they take risks in terms of exploring other areas of interest, they are immensely talented and I’ve so enjoyed going to games, athletic events, plays, choral productions and the vast variety of activities. It is such
a stimulating and exciting place.” Racanelli was a dean at Scarsdale High School for 25 years before she received a position at Harvard-Westlake. “I came from another terrific school, and I felt very fortunate to be there, but coming here I didn’t know what to expect,” Racanelli said. “I have had such an amazing time and experience at Harvard-Westlake. The kids, the community, the striving for success and the support from parents have all contributed to why I feel so strongly about Harvard-Westlake.” Racanelli was formerly the chairwoman of the legislative
committee for the New York State Association for College Admissions Counseling and served on the Government Relations Committee in Washington for the National Association for College Admissions Counseling. After visiting Los Angeles, Racanelli explored the opportunity of working at a private school, and when a position opened at HarvardWestlake, she was able to move closer to her children and friends. “[Racanelli] was persistent and always concerned about my academic well-being,” Talia Lefkowitz ’17 said. “She was always very curious about
President Rick Commons highlighted the accomplishments of 10 financial aid seniors. Bales said hearing the stories of current seniors who are benefiting from financial aid is inspiring. “It was great to hear how these individuals are contributing to the overall fabric of
“
The kids, the community, the striving for success and the support from parents have all contributed to why I feel so strongly about HarvardWestlake. —Rose-Ellen Racanelli Upper School Dean NATHANSON’S
my life and extracurriculars and was always available and willing to help with any problems or questions that I had.” According to Racanelli, college placement is getting trickier every day, but she believes she has worked with some of the most talented students and hopes they do well in the application process. “I think we want kids to achieve and to develop their potential but be aware of the
In the issue
VERSE WITH ME: Distinguished poets conduct workshops for students from Harvard-Westlake and LAUSD schools. B1
WATCH YOUR BACK: Students participate in an all-school game of Assassin, creating both secret alliances and enemies. A4
Features
FREEDOM OF SPEECH: Peer pres-
sure causes students to hide their political opinions. C4-5
SPRING OUT OF STRESS: Community
Opinion
SOCIAL SPENDING: Many expensive H-W social customs like Coachella are indicative of a lack of socioeconomic diversity in the student body. A10
cost of that,” Racanelli said. “I hope [my replacement] is alert to some of the struggles and difficulties certain students may be having and that they take the time to address those issues. But I am confident in the person we hire, they will be very much involved in the student body and the faculty.” During her retirement, Racanelli hopes to travel, give back to her community with volunteer work at local public schools.
Arts & Entertainment
News
and Character Committee hosts the Festival of Spring to help allieviate student stress before Spring Break. A7
the H-W community, and it made me proud to be a member of the extended H-W family,” Bales said. “For donors to see a tangible representation of what their funds are doing for the community has to be rewarding. The human element is hard to ignore when the students and their families are sitting at a table with you.”
Sports
C6
FLYING HIGH: Ranked third in South-
ern California, the lacrosse team is making steady progress. D1
ANNA GONG/CHRONICLE
WHAT’S YOUR HOOK: Certain characteristics give students great advantages in the college admission process, whether it be wealth, star sports skills, or musical genius. Continued on C6
THE CHRONICLE, the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School, is published eight times per year and distributed free on both the upper and middle school campuses. There are 727 students at the Middle School and 869 students at the Upper School. Subscriptions may be purchased for $20 a year for delivery by mail. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the seniors on the Editorial Board. Letters
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: The boys’ basketball team overcame many obstacles to win a state title. They relive their triumphant run that saw lots of dunks, threes and fun. D4-5
to the editor may be submitted to chronicle@hw.com or mailed to 3700 Coldwater Canyon Ave., Studio City, CA 91604. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Chronicle style and format. Advertising questions may be directed to Kelly Loeb at kloeb1@hwemail.com. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or the school.
April 27, 2016
School hosts Special Olympics
hwchronicle.com/news
News A3
By Dario Madyoon
The Christian Club and Community Council teamed up with the Special Olympics to host a track meet for young students with learning disabilities April 20. The opening ceremony was held between second and third periods, replacing the originally scheduled 1st and 3rd Wednesday Assembly. Students lined up in two files on the Ted Slavin Field and greeted the athletes as they entered the campus. Despite being excused after the opening ceremony, many Harvard-Westlake students remained in the stands to cheer for the athletes as they competed in several races and softball throw competitions. The athletes attend schools that work with The Help Group, a Sherman Oaks nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with special needs. “It was really cool to see all these kids getting a chance to compete, doing stuff they love, so I think it was a big success,” Oliver Friedman ’17 said. Math teacher and Christian Club sponsor Matthew Mori first proposed the event to school administrators after being contacted by someone
TERESA SUH/CHRONICLE
HIGH FIVE: A Special Olympics athlete high fives members of the school community during the opening ceremony of the track meet held at break April 20. The community service event was organized by the Christian Club and Community Council. from The Help Group at his local church. “I had done some tutoring with my church, so she found out I was a teacher,” Mori said. “Once she saw where I was located, she contacted me and asked if we could set something up because we have such great facilities here.” Mori presented the idea to the members of the Christian Club as a way of looking outward and seeing how they
could benefit the community. “I wanted them to get involved in something that would make them look out more rather than look in, so I asked them if they would help sponsor this event,” Mori said. Community Council and other volunteers from the student body helped Christian Club members organize the event by leading HarvardWestlake students onto the field and guiding The Help
Group students through their competitions. “This was the first time the Special Olympics has done an event like this, but they already contacted me afterwards and said that they hoped we could continue to do these kinds of things here at Harvard-Westlake,” Mori said. While Mori was initially worried about liability being an issue in the event, he was assured by the quick support
of the athletic department, administration and the trainer’s office. Most of all, Mori was pleased with how emotional the event was for many people on campus. “I’ve had faculty members tell me that certain parts of the ceremony almost brought them to tears,” Mori said. “I think the feeling and the vibe in the opening ceremony really touched people’s hearts.”
2016 Cum Laude Inductees
TERESA SUH/CHRONICLE
TOASTMASTER: Jordan Khorsandi ’17 delivers an impromptu speech during the head prefect elections March 23. Khorsandi was one of four juniors elected to be senior prefects for next year.
Prefects elected for next school year By Lara Mikhail
Upper school students voted Cate Wolfen ’17 and Matt Thomas ’17 Head Prefects for the 2016-2017 Prefect Council earlier this month. The senior prefects will be Lauren Genender ’17, Carolyn Hong ’17, Jordan Khorsandi ’17 and Matt Hogan ’17. The juniors will be represented by Julia Cosgrove ’18, Princie Kim ’18, JP Cherry ’18 and Wilder Short ’18. Elections for head prefect began with a primary round. The finalists were Lexi Block ’17, Wolfen, Thomas and Khorsandi. After the first round, they delivered speeches to sophomores and juniors before spring break. “Next year on Prefect Council, I hope to inspire all the
other prefects to have a pasThe junior class had their sion about being prefect, and class meeting April 20. I hope I can make a lasting, Candidate statements were positive impact on Harvard- posted outside Chalmers beWestlake,” Thomas said. fore the elections so that stuAs Head Prefect, he will dents could learn what to exserve as one pect during the of the chairs speeches. This of the Honor year’s Head I hope to inspire Board, lead Prefects, Huntall the other prefects to meetings and er Brookman oversee their ’16 and Grace have a passion about projects. Pan ’16, used being prefect, and I D u r i n g the statements hope I can make a their class to formulate meeting April questions for lasting, positive impact.” 19, sophothe candidates. mores heard Prefects —Matt Thomas ’17 speeches from plan events junior prefect throughout candidates, who in addition to the year to improve student those elected included Adele life, such as food trucks on Chi ’18, Brittany Hong ’18, Pa- campus and March Madness. van Tauh ’18, Eli Timoner ’18 Members also serve on the and current sophomore pre- Honor Board and manage the fect Ari Yaron ’18. budget for school clubs.
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Javier Arango
Sacha Lin
Nicole Araya
Arjun Mahajan
Zachary Belateche
Ara Mahseredjian
Brandon Bergsneider
Benjamin Most
William Burford, Jr.
Henry Muhlheim
Cameron Cabo
Jon Nelson
Emma Caragozian
Grace Pan
Hyunseok Choi
Hannah Rasekhi
Joelle Choi
Montana Reilly
Cameron Cohen
William Ruppenthal
Christina Duval
Joss Saltzman
Joshua Friedman
Brendan Sanderson
Jonah Goldman
Emma Schechter
Carlos Guanche
Dylan Schifrin
Cole Hattler
Jonathan Seymour
Marisa Hattler
Parsa Shoa
Adam Hirschhorn
Juliana Simon
Shaileja Jain
Katharine Speare
Sean Jung
Nicholas Steele
Elliot Kang
Jack Stovitz
Camila Katz
Michael Swerdlow
Michael Kellman
Frances Tercek
Hannah Kelson
Philip Thompson
Emma Kofman
Thomas Tilton
Paula Lahera
Dietrich Tribull
Jaebok Lee
Henry Vogel
Nathan Lee
Simone Woronoff
Leena Lim
Nina Woythaler Andrew Wu SOURCE: KEN NEISSER GRAPHIC BY SAMMI HANDLER
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The Chronicle
April 27, 2016
HWPA to host final panel
By Hannah Cho
PHOTOS PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF JAMES LENNON
LICENSE TO KILL: Screenshots of the HW Assassin app, created by James Lennon ’15, show the video function of the app. Students must film themselves “killing” their target in order for the kill to count. The app is available for iOS and Android.
Students play campus-wide Assassin game By Danielle Spitz
Lexi Scher ’17 was one of the last 13 players standing in last year’s game of “Assassin” when there was a sudden change in the rules. “School was ending, so [the moderators] made this new rule that you could hit someone with a sock to get them out,” Scher said. As Scher was studying for a Spanish quiz, Nick Witham ’17 sneaked up behind her and “killed” her with a sock to the face. “I can remember it like it was yesterday,” Scher said. “My heart broke into two, and I couldn’t focus on my Spanish quiz.” The fifth annual campus-
wide game, organized by moderators Will Burford ’16 and Sid Kucheria ’16, began April 12 at 8 a.m. The goal for each player is to “assassinate” a given target by sneaking up behind them and saying “bang” while pointing their hand at their target’s back. The library and in-session classrooms are safe zones. As of press time, Scher was still alive with three kills under her belt, but remembering how she was eliminated last year makes her less motivated to try to win it all, she said. A record number of 441 students signed up to participate in this year’s campuswide game of Assassin, 414 of whom have been “killed” as of press time. The game is orga-
nized using the HW Assassin app, available for iOS and Android. “The app has been working fairly well this year,” Burford said. “While there are some reports of crashes, it hasn’t gotten in the way of the game, as the players have been able to record their takedowns in other ways. I think that people are enjoying the app since they can watch everybody’s takedowns even if they don’t see them in person.” Participants use their phones to video record and submit their kills on the app in order to continually update the game. When a player is eliminated, they must confirm the kill so that their killer can receive their new target.
Players can also view other kill videos, see the location of kills and find out who the top players are on the app. The game will finish when only one player is left. “My favorite part about the game is the rush of getting a kill,” Scher said. “I rarely make a kill unless it’s the perfect opportunity because I think it’s not worth the energy of chasing people around.” “I think the most important thing for the students is winning,” Kucheria said. “But other than that, I think it’s how close the game makes the community and how students interact with people they wouldn’t normally interact with.”
The last event of the Upper School speaker series for this school year will offer parents the opportunity to meet Interim Head of Upper School Liz Resnick at a “Fireside Chat” Wednesday evening at Chalmers at 7 p.m. Organized by the HarvardWestlake Parents’ Association, 130 to 150 parents are expected to attend this event. At the start of the meeting, HWPA President Patty Dickman will introduce next year’s Executive Board slate for parents to vote on. Head of School Jeanne Huybrechts will introduce the Fireside Chat which consists of panel members Resnick, upper school psychologist Kavita Ajmere, psychology teacher and psychologist Luba Bek, upper school dean Beth Slattery and chaplain Father J. Young. The panel will answer questions that parents submit and talk about issues relevant to the student body. “We hope that parents will get a chance to connect with Liz Resnick in her new role as the 2016-2017 Interim Head of Upper School and to hear from the other panelists about how Harvard-Westlake students are supported, from their deans to counselors,” Program Vice President Nancy Kaleel said.
Club promotes Women’s History Month activities
By Josie Abugov and Kate Schrage
“I think it’s very inspiring as a girl to see both genders participate in the La Femme The La Femme club orga- events that have taken place nized events daily from March this week,” La Femme member 21-24 to support Women’s His- Sarah Conway ’18 said. “I love tory Month and plans to pro- seeing the community coming mote Denim Day April 27. The together, noticing and discussfeminist group aims to raise ing gender equality.” awareness about gender equalIn response to an incident ity and rape prevention with in Turkey last year where a their events. woman was murdered after reLa Femme will help support sisting rape, Turkish men wore the upcoming Denim miniskirts to bring Day, when students attention to violence are encouraged to against women. La dress in denim to sigFemme leaders urged nify that suggestive students to wear skirts clothing should not to take a stand against be taken for sexual rape. consent. A Post-it board in The student body the lounge was availhas annually particiable all day Wednes’ pated in Denim Day day, where students Sarah to start discussions and faculty could finConway ’18 about rape culture ish the sentence, “I am and how to prevent a feminist because...” sexual assaults in the commu“We had some pretty great nity. responses on the board, and To begin the week of ac- I know that they came from tivities, students could take both males and females, which a photo in the lounge with a I think is amazing because it whiteboard that said #TheFu- represents what feminism is, tureIsFemme. Written below the social, political and ecothe hashtag were the words “I nomic equality of the sexes,” La am.” Participating students fin- Femme club leader Sohni Kaur ished the sentence with an ad- ’17 said. jective of their choosing. Elizabeth Edel ’16 started nathanson s
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SOHNI KAUR
HE FOR SHE: Matteo Lauto ’18 and Sakura Price ’18 walk to class wearing skirts as part of a La Femme Club event to promote Women’s History Month and spread awareness for rape prevention. this concept earlier this year by taking photos of students around campus and asking them why they are feminists. “We know that there’s a million good reasons for being a feminist and really no reason not to be one, and we wanted to spread that message,” Kaur said. “I think a lot of people shy away from labeling themselves as feminists because of the stigma around the word, but we wanted to show people that it’s really nothing to be afraid of. It’s actually something to be
proud of.” The club hosted an “equity bake sale” on Thursday in which women received a quarter back for every dollar spent to bring attention to the wage gap that exists between the different genders. Discussion of the event sparked controversy, particularly among the junior class. “I believe that this frustration that some guys feel over having to pay an extra 25 cents will further allow them to understand the way a woman
feels when she is cheated thousands of dollars each year for the same work,” La Femme member Daria Arzy ’18 said. Despite opposition prior to the event, the club still decided to go forward in sponsoring the activity. “The whole point of the bake sale [was] not necessarily to raise a huge sum of money, but to make a point, like this is what it feels like,” Kaur said, “This is what half of us are going to have to deal with when we grow up.”
April 27, 2016
hwchronicle.com/news
Learning abroad
News A5
Middle and upper school students traveled abroad during spring break as part of language, cultural and science programs.
Students travel to Rome
By Nicole Kim
By Sarah Lee
Eleven students enrolled in Latin II or higher level Latin courses went on a school sponsored trip to Rome April 3-10 to gain a deeper understanding of Latin texts. Latin teacher Mercedes Barletta said the idea for the trip came from a joke that her students made about visiting Greece to see an oracle. “Once we stopped laughing about the fantasy of journeying abroad and realized we could actually do a trip, [we] decided that what we really wanted was to visit Rome,” Barletta said. In Rome, students visited sites such as the Baths at Carcalla, the Borghese Gallery and the Colosseum. At some sites, students gathered to read texts written in the time of the Ancient Romans in or near the places
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MERCEDES BARLETTA
WHEN IN ROME: Latin students traveled to various scenic spots in Rome such as The Coliseum. While on the trip, students learned about the history and culture of Ancient Rome. where they were written. “[The trip] was a fantastic enrichment opportunity for Latin students,” Barletta said. “It provided students with a way to read original texts about the places we were visiting written by authors living during the
height of the ancient Roman world.” Esther Grover ’19 said she was glad to go on a trip because Latin students do not have as many opportunities to go on immersion trips as students taking modern languages such as Spanish
or French. “Latin isn’t spoken anymore, but getting to visit a city so rich with the history of the society from which Latin came helped me further appreciate the language I’ve chosen to study,” Grover said.
Spanish classes go on school trip to Spain By Indu Pandey
A group of 18 Spanish language students along with three faculty advisors traveled to Spain for educational immersion March 24 to April 10. Participants spent their first weekend in Madrid before attending Aula Toledo, a Spanish language institute, in Toledo. “I think the teachers were very good in both institutes,” Adin Ring ’18 said. “They really helped facilitate my learning of Spanish. We were in school for a lot of hours, so that helped us.”
The group then traveled to Cordoba and spent a week in Granada. They attended Escuela Montalbán, another Spanish language institute, and stayed with local families. The trip ended in Barcelona. Students visited famous Spanish landmarks, such as La Alhambra in Granada and El Prado in Madrid. The trip occurred just days after terrorist attacks in Brussels, leading to safety concerns for all school-sponsored trips to Europe during spring break. “As you know, we just had the bombings in Brussels,”
Students felt as though Spanish teacher Javier Zaragoza said. “So, that made us they strengthened relationcoordinate things. I had al- ships with one another or ready planned learned the trip to make something it as safe as I saw tremendous new about possible. We themselves, have been havprogress in the kids. Michelle ing problems I saw them confront Seung ’18 throughout the their challenges in the last decade. said. Since 9/11 classroom in Spain.” “I saw we’ve taken abtremendous —Javier Zaragoza solute precauprogress in tions on all of Spanish teacher the kids,” our trips, espeZaragoza cially trips I’ve said. “I saw them confront been involved in. It’s just part their challenges in the classof the situation. Safety was already there.” room in Spain.”
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School selects 7 applicants for summer abroad fellowships
By Nicole Kim
Seven students will travel abroad this summer as recipients of HW Go! Student Summer Fellowships. The program supports projects designed by students to investigate the histories and traditions of foreign countries to promote students’ cultural persepctive and global responsibility. Alison Oh ’19, Carmen Levine ’17 and Alitzel Villanueva ’17 received LatinAmerican and Iberian Studies Fellowships. This fellowship initiative encourages students to immerse themselves in the Spanish language in Spanishspeaking countries to extend
Ethics Bowl wins second place
what is taught in classes. Oh plans to study the lasting influences of the Islamic history Spain on its modern society, and Levine will examine the impact of Spanish colonization and religion on Mexican dance culture. Villanueva will focus on gender roles of Mexican girls. Connor Reese ’17, Rachel Lee ’17 and Maxwell Robertson ’17 received Asia Initiative Student Summer Fellowships. As part of his fellowship, Reese will study Yohan Chu’s contributions as an architect of post-war reconstruction and the father of modern poetry in South Korea. Lee will also travel to South Korea to complete research for a project about traditional folk
painting and slip casting from the region. Robertson will explore youth fashion trends and selfexpression in Tokyo as part of his fellowship. “I’m most excited for going to a place that I’ve always wanted to go to and especially because I’ve never been out of the U.S.,” Robertson said. “I have always liked Japan and Japanese culture and fashion, so I thought this would be perfect.” Sahale Greenwood ’17 received the Junior Summer Fellowship, which will allow her to research global graffiti art of Los Angeles and Holland. While the application process was only open to juniors for the Asia Initiative
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Competing against 330 teams, Harvard-Westlake students won second place in their first trip to the National High School Ethics Bowl at the University of North Carolina April 14-17. Cameron Cabo ’16, Su Jin Nam ’16, Nathan Lee ’16, Jessie Pfeifer ’16, Aidan Luscinski ’17, Kat Edminston ’17 and Elly Choi ’18 researched and discussed 15 cases posing ethical dilemmas. “It was thrilling to hear our team’s work on a national stage and meet a lot of other great students and philosophers,” said English teacher Malina Mamigonian, who coaches the team. One of the cases that the students debated centered on ownership rights over photos posted publicly on Instagram. When given the hypothetical situation of an artist appropriating other people’s photos, the team argued that an artist should always have a right to create artwork. Students also debated whether former prisoners’ records should be available for prospective employers when applying for a job. They considered various factors, such as the severity of the crime committed, the risk of recidivism for unemployed prisoners and the employer’s responsibilities to his or her employees or clients, before proposing a solution. The team’s success was preceded by winning first place in both the regional and state competitions earlier this year. “It was really cool to see us come together and be able to compete as a team in a way that we never had before, and that’s a product of the spirit of the event,” Cabo said. “We all worked together, took up our own unique roles and contributed where we could.”
I want kids to have an immersive experience abroad and really think deeply about what it means to be a global citizen. I was particularly impressed with the winners this year.” —Jim Patterson Director of Summer Programs
Student Summer Fellowship and Junior Summer Fellowship, the LatinAmerican and Iberian Studies Fellowship was open to all ninth, 10th and 11th graders. Each applicant submitted a fellowship proposal in February outlining his or her inspiration and aspirations for the project, an itinerary and a budget. Over the course of their fellowship trips, students will also prepare presentations in the form of videos, photos or journal entries to be shared with the student body in October of the following school
nathanson’s
year. “I want kids to have an immersive experience abroad and really think deeply about what it means to be a global citizen,” Director of Kutler Center and Summer Programs Jim Patterson said. “We look for projects that require student creativity and independence. I was particularly impressed with the winners this year.” Students in past years have also had the opportunity to travel to other foreign countries including Cameroon, China and India as part of their fellowships.
A6 News
The Chronicle
inbrief
April 27, 2016
Math club takes the Purple Comet test
Members of the Math club participated in Purple Comet, an international online mathematics competition open to middle and high school students. The competition requires teams of six students to solve advanced math problems and then submit them online. Eli Goldin ‘17, Justin Rose ‘17, Sean Jung ‘16, Zach Belateche ‘16, Tony Ma ‘17 and Benjamin Most ‘16 represented the club, completing 27 out of 30 problems. “Purple Comet was a unique math experience because of the high degree of freedom. While math class asks simple questions where the clearest solution is usually best, Purple Comet demanded a very refreshing, deeper level of problem-solving,” Ma said in an email. —Matthew Yam
Babel to be released within the month Student volunteers will publish the school’s world language magazine “Babel” within the next month. The magazine saw a marked increase in submissions this year and has been in production this month. “I submitted to Babel because I thought it would be fun to do a piece of writing in a different language that didn’t have to pertain to school,” Vivian Lu ’18 said. —Anthony Weinraub
Peer Support trainees elect coordinators
Peer Support trainees elected Emily Rahhal ’17, Lily Beckinsale-Sheen ’17, Josh Musicant ’17 and Jake Broder ’17 to serve as the 2016-17 Peer Support Coordinators. This year, 17 trainees applied for coordinator positions by submitting an application and delivering a speech in front of their fellow trainees. “I was really excited to be elected because it meant that I was being recognized as leader by some of the people I respect most,”Musicant said. “I think the thing I’m looking forward to most is being able to make a bigger difference in the program than I can right now.” —Danielle Spitz
HWPA to choose new program heads
Members of the Parents’ Association will elect new executive board members Wednesday at the Association’s final general meeting of the year. The most important responsibility of executive board members is to “support the goals of the HarvardWestlake School by organizing activities that enrich the school experience and enhance its community,” according to the HWPA website. Current executive board members determined nominees for president, executive vice president, treasurer and secretary at a meeting on March 8. —Noa Schwartz
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MIKE BIETZ
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MIKE BIETZ
TOWN HALL: Kevin Wesel ’17 (left) and Liz Yount ’17 (right) debate in the quarterfinals round of the Harvard World Schools tournament in Boston. The school sent one team of four students and one team of three students to participate in the world schools style tournament.
Debaters to travel to national championships By Sabrina
de
Brito
Five qualified HarvardWestlake debaters will be attending the 45th Annual Tournament of Champions in Kentucky April 30-May 2. “All of our success this season, and even at our postseason championship tournaments, are all due to a strong team effort,” Head of Debate Mike Bietz said. “Certainly all of the individual debaters work exceptionally hard. Many of our debaters spend an additional 20 to 40 hours a week working on
debate. The coaching staff is very proud of how so many different members of the team have contributed.” At the Reagan Foundation Great Communicator Western Qualifier tournament at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks on April 17, Lauren Morganbesser ’19 qualified for quarterfinals, while Kimberly Kimura ’19 made it to octafinals. At the NDCA National Championships in Orlando April 8-11, Cameron Cohen ‘16 won second place overall, and Indu Pandey ‘18 won 14th
place speaker. Nick Steele ‘16 won the tournament as cowon fifth place speaker, while champions. Cohen took third At the first Harvard place speaker. College World Schools At the King Invitational March Round Robin 25-27, Liz Yount ’17 tournament April and Dario Madyoon 1-2 in Houston, ’17 won speaker Cohen won first awards, while Yount place overall as well also won second place as the top speaker speaker overall. Four award. of the seven juniors ’ At the who competed at the Mike Novice National tournament made it Bietz Championships to elimination rounds. held at Woodward Harvard-Westlake was Academy in Atlanta, Jaya the only American team to Nayar ’20 and Alex Monk ’20 make it to elimination rounds. nathanson s
Chronicle wins national publication awards
By Kristin Kuwada
The Chronicle received the highest publication awards from two national scholastic press associations in March and April. The National Scholastic Press Association named the Chronicle website an Online Pacemaker winner in the small schools division at the annual spring convention in Los Angeles April 16. There were 50 finalists
named overall, with 14 winners in the large-school category (1,500 or more students) and 11 winners in the small-school division (fewer than 1,500 students). The Columbia Scholastic Press Association also awarded Chronicle staff the Hybrid Gold Crown at the 92nd annual high school journalism convention in New York on March 18. The honor is the association’s highest award for scholastic journalism programs and
Proposed policy hopes to reform college process • Continued from page A1
City that have even stricter guidelines treat all Early Action applications as Early Decision, except for early applications to the University of Michigan. The reason for these stricter policies is to help students communicate their serious interest when applying early to non-binding colleges like Tulane University and Boston College that are not as hyper-selective as Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and Yale, upper school dean Sharon Cuseo said. “If making Early Action binding helps more kids get into the schools they want to go to from Harvard-Westlake, then I’m all for it,” Matt Thomas ’17 said. “Unfortunately, the downside is some students would have less freedom in choosing schools, but it is my understanding that kids only apply to a school for Early Action when it is their number one choice. In that case, if they get in, it doesn’t matter that they won’t be able to
apply anywhere else because they won’t want to go anywhere else.” However, this policy would take away from students accepted early to a “Big Four” school the opportunity to potentially change their minds if they are accepted somewhere else, a freedom that some students consider valuable. “I think I disagree [with this policy] because it leaves no room for change of mind,” Oliver Friedman ’17 said. “While it helps other applicants, I don’t think it is fair for [Harvard-Westlake] to decide where you can apply. You should be able to go anywhere that accepts you, and for the school to limit that is wrong, I believe.” Another benefit of this policy is that it would free up some admissions spaces at schools that might be considered “backups” to some students, but “reach schools” to others. By requiring students who are admitted early to one of the “Big Four” to accept the offer,
measures the overall quality of the print and digital publications combined. The Chronicle was one of 19 publications to win this award. In November, the NSPA named the Chronicle newspaper a print Pacemaker winner at the fall convention in Orlando, Fla., one of 29 schools honored with that award. The Harvard-Westlake journalism program, with a staff of more than 80 students on
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Chronicle, is one of just three high schools in the country to earn all three national awards this year. “We work really hard to put out the best content we can, so it’s always rewarding to earn recognition from professionals in the industry,” editor-in-chief Henry Vogel ’16 said. “It’s extra gratifying because we launched our new website this year, and it’s great to see that it’s been a success so far.”
We believe that most students can look at all of those colleges before Nov. 1 and decide which one they are most interested in. Nothing really changes too much between Nov. 1 and May 1. —Sharon Cuseo Upper School Dean
other students who want to attend these types of schools might have a better chance of admission during Regular Decision because they would have fewer students to compete with. “It’s important to note that there are no quotas at any of these schools,” Cuseo said. “So there weren’t specific ‘spots’ being taken, but we have so many qualified students in these [applicant] pools that [this policy] might create access for a wider range of Harvard-Westlake applicants.” This is not the first time that the deans have talked about a regulation like this. “The policy has been loosely discussed for a number of years, but it was only in the last couple that we really became serious,” Howard said. The deans are seriously thinking about whether to in-
nathanson’s
stitute this policy now because they noticed that some of the students admitted early to one of the “Big Four” schools this year might have appreciated a rule like this, which would have prevented the possibility that they might have a more difficult decision later on after they received more acceptances from their Regular Decision applications, Cuseo said. “We believe that most students can look at all of those colleges before Nov. 1 and decide which one they are most interested in,” Cuseo said. “Nothing really changes too much between Nov. 1 and May 1. And even if they discover something later that makes another school slightly more appealing or appropriate, we don’t believe that anyone will suffer from being forced to attend Harvard, Yale, Princeton or Stanford.”
April 27, 2016
hwchronicle.com/news
Pianist lectures, performs
News A7
inbrief
Seniors to celebrate at forthcoming prom Senior prom will take place May 14 at The Skirball Cultural Center from 7 to 11 p.m., Prefect Council announced to the senior class in an e-mail Thursday. Doors to the event will be closed from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Students are required to sign an official Prom pledge, stating that students who appear to be under the influence will not be admitted, afterparties are strictly prohibited, and disciplinary action can be taken. —Kate Schrage
By Jiwon Park
Contemporary pianist Danny Holt taught a six-class unit on classical music in the 20th century to students in Philosophy in Art and Science in March as this year’s Kutler Center Scholar in Residence. He also spoke to students in Intermediate Journalism about his background and encouraged students to find and pursue their passions. His piano duo 4handsLA performed “Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky, preceded by a lecture from KUSC classical music radio host Alan Chapman. “Follow your bliss,” Holt said. “Work hard. Be engaged in the world, wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Find something that you are passionate about and pursue it. That will help you be the best person you can be, which in turn will allow you to be a valuable member of society, of the global community.” Holt is a classically-trained pianist, percussionist and composer with an academic background in ethnomusicology, anthropology and cultural studies. With degrees from California Institute of the Arts, Hampshire College and Smith
AARON PARK/CHRONICLE
THE SOUND OF MUSIC: Contemporary pianist Danny Holt speaks to students in the Philosophy in Art and Science class. While on campus, Holt also spoke to Intermediate Journalism students. College, he now teaches at concerts — the formality, seriboth the Herb Alpert School of ousness and sense of elitism— Music at the California Insti- in favor of a fun and interactute of the Arts in Valencia as tive approach. He performs dozens of conwell as the College of the Desert, which is located in Palm certs every year in both small and large setDesert. tings and has reHe chairs Follow your bliss. leased multiple the music program at Work hard. Be engaged CDs. When he the Academy in the world, wherever was 19, he perof Creative you are and whatever formed at CarnEducation at you are doing.” egie Hall in New the Oakwood School in —Danny Holt York City. After his North HollyContemporary pianist conservatory exwood. perience at InHolt said as a performer, he is passion- terlochen Arts Academy, Holt ate about connecting with decided to take an alternaaudiences, noting that he tive path for college and purabandons the conventional sue a liberal arts education at trappings of classical music Hampshire College in order to
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better understand the role of art not only in his own life but also in society. “It’s so important to learn to think critically and to get a well-rounded education so you can always look at any situation or any work of art from a multitude of points of view,” Holt said. An overuse injury in his arms and wrists when he was 15 forced him to stop playing music for a little more than a decade and, he said, gave him new appreciation for his passion. “Losing the ability to make music made me realize how truly precious it is to be able to play, so now I am grateful for every moment I have at the piano,” Holt said.
Alumnus offers college, career advice to students By Eli Adler
NICOLE KIM/CHRONICLE
SPRING INTO ACTION: Eric Bradley ’16, science teacher Nadine
Eisenkolb and Kutler Center teacher Rob Levin play the frisbee toss.
Community competes at first Festival of Spring By Nicole Kim and Alena Rubin
Community and Character Committee hosted the first Festival of Spring March 24 to build a sense of community and help students relieve stress before Spring Break. Students and faculty participated in dodgeball in the Taper Gymnasium, as well as three-ball soccer, kickball and tug of war. Other games included basketball in Hamilton Gym, Wii karaoke in a science classroom and a Frisbee throw on the track. Juniors and sophomores sparred in the different events, followed by seniors versus faculty. Winning teams then
played in the finals. “I think [the festival is] fantastic,” Sam Peacock ’17 said. “I think it really brings the community together, and it’s a great event overall.” In-N-Out trucks offered students and staff free burgers and potato chips. Community and Character Committee Head Darlene Bible and Assistant Head of Upper School Michelle Bracken had been planning the Spring Festival since November. “It was very fun,” Will Burford ’16 said. “It was a nice break, although it would have been more fun in the middle of a long stretch of school rather than the day before Spring Break.”
American sports and marketing deals. Attorney and finance exChief Alumni Officer Harry ecutive Chris Hopkins ’92 dis- Salamandra brought Hopkins cussed his career and gave to the school to bring influencollege advice to interested tial alumni to campus. students April 18 as part of “We are trying to bring a new alumni speaker series more student alumni to camsponsored by the Student pus so that present students Alumni Association. can hear about their experiSpeaking to about 20 students, mostly seniors, Hopkins ences and hopefully network with them and other individuencouraged students to als associated with find mentors at their the school,” Salacollege campuses. mandra said. “Try to find someDuring his prebody whom you know sentation, Hopkins or trust in order to help you figure out emphasized the effect the lay of the land, Harvard-Westlake what you should had on his career. study, where you “This school realshould live and the ly does prepare you. ’ other things that are What you’ll find is Harry more important than that college is going Salamandra you might expect,” to be easy compared Hopkins said. to this,” Hopkins said. “Since Hopkins, Chief Operating Officer at the private invest- graduating, I’ve treated every ment firm Brener International job I’ve had as a continuation Group in Beverly Hills, studied of school.” One of the few sophomores political science at the University of California, Berkeley and to attend the talk, Izzy Reiff earned a law degree from the ’18 said she was impressed by University of Southern Cali- Hopkins’ presentation. fornia. Prior to joining Brener, “I thought that hearing he worked at Playboy, Inc. and about Mr. Hopkins’ journey an equity firm that acquired was great, especially since he a majority stake in a leading took such a unique path to talent agency. The firms he getting to where he is today,” works at now focuses on Latin Reiff said. nathanson s
Middle school faculty, students visit D.C. A group of 45 HarvardWestlake middle school students and teachers traveled to Washington D.C. March 28 to April 1. The faculty advisors were history teachers George Gaskin, Rosemary van Vlijmen, Matthew Cutler and Lilas Lane. Students visited various Washington monuments and museums, such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. “I really enjoyed it because we got to learn about the history of our country,” participant Eugean Choi ’21 said. —Indu Pandey and Anthony Weinraub
Community Council to host book drive
Community Council is hosting a book drive in Mudd library, ending Thursday. The new and gently used books will be given to foster teens graduating from high school. Community services hours will be offered to students who sort the books in Mudd Library. The books will be donated to the Book Truck and distributed at Pasadena City Community College on Sunday. Students are welcome to help with the distribution. —Wilder Short
Faculty to recognize language students Faculty from four language honor societies will recognize 138 upper school students in Rugby Auditorium May 17 for their achievements in Mandarin, French, Latin and Spanish. Nominations for inductions required students to have progressed to the fourth level of their language, including AP language classes, and a certain grade. “For the National Language Honors Society, there is a grade requirement of a B+ or higher in an AP class and an A- or above in a regular class,” Latin teacher Derek Wilairat said. Additionally, teachers will honor an outstanding senior from each language. Students will lead pledges in their respective languages and present awards for the outstanding seniors. —Emory Kim
A8 News
The Chronicle
April 27, 2016
Developer discusses technology By Isabelle Eshraghi
TERESA SUH/CHRONICLE
Juniors meet with admissions representatives at College Fair THE OLD COLLEGE TRY: Connor Kneafsey ’17 and Max Robertson ’17 visit the Dartmouth College table at the College Fair, which followed the College Admissions Case Study Thursday night. During the case study, juniors and their parents from Harvard-Westlake, Oakwood, Loyola, Campbell Hall and Buckley School decided whether to admit, waitlist or deny four imaginary students to a fake university. Afterwards, students talked to the college admissions representatives who led the case study.
Video game designer Derek Yu spoke to computer science students about his career in technology and digital innovation March 11. Yu released his awardwinning indie computer game “Spelunky” in 2008, which has since been remade into a highdefinition version on Steam, an online gaming platform. Yu also co-created “Aquaria,” a computer-based underwater adventure game. “He talked about finding the intersection between what you’re good at making, what you like to make and what kind of finished product you’d like to have,” math teacher Andy Stout said. “I think that a lot of what he talked about was applicable not only outside of game design but outside of computer science altogether.” Boss Fight Books published an autobiographical book about Yu’s experience creating “Spelunky” and his other technological endeavors March 29.
HWPA organizes school blood drive By Ellis Becker
The Harvard-Westlake Parents Association hosted two community service events in April, including a Red Cross blood drive. HWPA set up the blood drive in the student lounge Friday and welcomed faculty and students. The Red Cross organization collected the blood to use for transfusions and other types of research. Students and faculty could donate blood throughout the day, and food was provided for all donors. Students participating were required to stay an additional 15 minutes after donating. “It felt good to be donating
blood and giving back to those who need it,” Max Hernand ’18 said. “It was a good experience, my only complaint being that it took much longer than expected, but it felt great to be giving to those who need it. They provided good food, so I was thankful for that.” The HWPA also hosted a community service project April 16 to benefit United States soldiers. The project, titled “Operation Gratitude,” sends care packages to veterans, wounded warriors, first responders and active-duty soldiers. Fifty-four students and parents attended the event and made 7,781 care packages. Besides making care packages, volunteers also
TERESA SUH/CHRONICLE
BLEEDING LOVE: Simon Weisberg ’17 donates blood at a drive hosted by the Harvard-Westlake Parents Association. The donations were collected by the Red Cross organization. stuffed teddy bears and made quick-release survival bracelets, used to hold seven feet of rope for emergency situations.
Students host leadership conference By Sabrina
de
Brito
Students from the greater Los Angeles area took part in team-building group exercises March 12 at the third annual Unconvention, a student-led leadership conference at the Upper School. Student organizers and Director of Student Affairs and Unconventional Leadership teacher Jordan Church invited Harvard-Westlake sophomores, juniors and seniors to the Unconvention. He contacted other schools to invite students with demonstrated leadership potential who would benefit from the workshops and activities.
At the event, students from Harvard-Westlake, Archer, Marymount, Marlborough and Palisades Charter attended a series of workshops and participated in team-building exercises. Harvard-Westlake students enrolled in the Unconventional Leadership course taught the workshops. Some attendees said they enjoyed the exercise Escape from Paradise, where students had to work together in groups to get from one side of a room to the other without touching the floor using a few selected objects to step on. “The Paradise activity was definitely my favorite part because it was really fun and re-
ally engaging, and we all really had to use leadership skills for sure,” Marley Fair ’17 said. Riot Games co-founder Brandon Beck ’00 shared his experiences in forming his company, which is a game development company that created the PC game League of Legends. Beck spoke about the importance of creating a “company culture.” “[At Riot Games], we wanted people who love gaming and understand it and know the people who game,” Beck said. “They need to have empathy for players and have to be gamers who have a deep passion for it.”
“Operation Gratitude” is typically held in the fall, but due to a change in warehouse location, the project had to be moved to spring.
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“It was great because there were so many people volunteering,” Jacob Tucker ’17 said. “It was a lot of fun to help and give back.”
The ultimate goal is to teach the material to the students and get them to be able to understand the material, own the material.” —Jordan Church Director of Student Affairs nathanson’s
He also spoke about what factors makes a company run smoothly and successfully. “Efficiency and creativity are both very important, and I don’t think that they’re mutually exclusive,” Beck said. “Creativity can lead to the most efficient way of solving a problem actually.” The student and faculty organizers of the event said that they thought it was successful
and were overall happy with its outcome. “For me, as a teacher, the ultimate goal is to teach the material to the students and get them to be able to understand the material, own the material so that they can facilitate a conversation about it with other kids,” Church said. “I’m like a proud papa. Seems like all of the participants had a great time.”
C HRONICLE the harvard-westlake
Los Angeles • Volume XXV • Issue 7 • April 27, 2016 • hwchronicle.com
Editors In Chief: Eugenia Ko, Henry Vogel Managing Editors: Angela Chon, Benjamin Most, Jonathan Seymour Executive Editors: Sacha Lin, Kelly Riopelle
Opinion The Chronicle • April 27, 2016
editorial
Presentations Editors: Su Jin Nam, Pim Otero Ads
and
Business Manager: Kelly Loeb
Assistant Ads and Business Manager: Oliver Richards News Managing Editor: Cole Feldman News Section Heads: Sammi Handler, Layla Moghavem, Jesse Nadel, Teresa Suh News Copy Editor: Jackson Novick News Assistants: Gabi Berchtold, Maddy Daum, Claire Dennis, Brittany Hong, Emory Kim, Indu Pandey, Noa Schwartz, Wilder Short, Danielle Spitz Opinion Managing Editor: Jonah Ullendorff Opinion Copy Editor: Lexi Bowers Opinion Section Heads: Hananh Cho, Kami Durairaj Opinion Assistants: Brittany Hong Claire Keller, Jiwon Park, Anthony Weinraub, Matthew Yam Features Managing Editor: Sharon Chow Features Section Heads: Sabrina de Brito, Jean Sanders, Liz Yount Features Assistants: Josette Abugov, Nicole Kim, Kitty Luo, Jadene Meyer, Alena Rubin, Kate Schrage, Alexa Zuriff A&E Section Heads: Lauren Kim, Tiffany Kim, Katie Plotkin A&E Assistants: Jacqueline Ayestas, Ellis Becker, Isabelle Eshraghi, Sarah Lee, Caty Szeto Health & Fitness Section Heads: Eshanika Chaudhary, Sophie Cohen, Claudia Wong Health & Fitness Assistants: Sofia Guillen, Kristen Kuwada Sports Managing Editor: Bennett Gross Sports Section Heads: Juliana Berger, Zac Harleston, Jake Liker, Dario Madyoon, Carina Marx, Emily Rahhal, Rian Ratnavale Sports Assistants: Eli Adler, Oliver Akhtarzad, Andrew Ahn, Jordan Bedikian, Elly Eun Seo Choi, Ethan Knight, Sam McCabe, Aaron Park, Adam Yu Sports Photography: Cameron Stine Photohraphy: Pavan Tauh Creative Director: Vivian Lin Cartoonist: Mady Madison Chief Digital Editor: Benjamin Most Digital Editors: Ellis Becker, Sabrina de Brito, Isabelee Eshraghi, Sammi Handler, Brittany Hong, Nicole Kim, Kitty Luo, Bryant Wu Online Reader Engagement: Lauren Kim, Jake Liker, Teresa Suh, Anthony Weinraub Adviser: Melissa Wantz The Chronicle is the student newspaper of Harvard-Westlake School. It is published eight times per year. Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the seniors on the Editorial Board. Letters to the editor may be submitted to chronicle@hw.com or mailed to 3700 Coldwater Canyon, Studio City, CA 91604. Letters must be signed and may be edited for space and to conform to Chronicle style and format. Advertising questions may be directed to Kelly Loeb at kloeb1@hwemail.com. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service by the newspaper or the school.
TIFFANY KIM /CHRONICLE
Leveling the college playing field
There is no doubt that Harvard-Westlake is centered around college admissions. We have deans for that specific reason, along with some of the best college acceptance stats in the country and a student body that expects that their hard work should yield high-ranking college acceptances. As the college process ends for many seniors this month, eager sophomores and juniors look to see where they will fit in next year’s “game,” an endless cycle fed by college talk and competition. A big side effect of this college culture is the competition and intense stress that comes from failed expectations, something the deans are hoping to change. With the current application system, students who apply to schools that follow the Restricted Early Action policy, like Harvard College, Yale University, Princeton University and Stanford University, are not bound to their school if accepted. However, the Harvard-Westlake administration is considering treating these four schools as a binding decision for several reasons. At first it may sound unfair for the hardworking students — the “high flyers,” as Head of Upper School Audrius Barzdukas calls them — to not be allowed to apply to as many schools as they would like to, or even deserve to, in order to have choices come May. A student’s opinion is also undoubtedly skewed by how their admissions process went or how they believe it will go. However, in many cases, a student who is accepted to one of these four schools in the early pool will also be one of the few students admitted to the three remaining colleges in the regular pools. This forces many regular decision students to compete in a
much more competitive pool and often results in their placement on waitlists or their rejection from a college because a student who may or may not even attend the school is occupying their potential spot. Students who apply as Early Decision applicants choose their schools because they want to attend, and because they must once accepted. So why should Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Stanford be treated any differently? Students who apply to one of these elite schools should choose to apply because they would go to that college over the others — especially if it affects other students’ chances at admission who didn’t get in early. The satisfaction of one student going to one of these schools as an early applicant and the satisfaction of another student going as a regular applicant seem to outweigh the marginal satisfaction of one “high flyer” getting to weigh Harvard over Princeton. This year, for instance, with seniors recently hearing back all their decisions, a handful of seniors have been receiving great news from all their regular schools — even with an early application admission already in their pockets. However, the sad truth is that some seniors, many of whom are just as qualified, end up with far fewer options because of the more competitive pool. It’s not really about limiting students from their college choices. Rather, it’s about evening out the playing field for a greater number of students, because the college process is already a complicated game. The utility of satisfaction for students could be maximized with the new policy, and the college process could be a bit less stressful if the administration follows through.
A10 Opinion
The Chronicle
April 27, 2016
The high price of fun
By Eugenia Ko Being a Harvard-Westlake student is expensive. I’m not talking about our $30,000+ tuition, textbooks or cafeteria purchases (a lot of which may not cost a thing with financial aid.) I’m not even talking about all the additional college counseling and tutoring that make that tuition number just a baseline. Beyond the classroom, being a functioning, social Harvard-Westlake student costs more than any of us think about. It’s not unheard of to witness talk about trying to score Yeezy boosts or see an $800 puff of fur dangling from an equally designer backpack, but those are extremes. Such a high number of students annually purchase a more or less $400 ticket to attend Coachella that the school established attendance policies in advance. Seniors regularly eat lunch off campus, drive in luxury cars (with paid parking spots) and spend money not covered by HW ID cards. On weekends, we take Ubers to and from basketball games, pay for parties afterwards and sneak an extra meal at Fat Sal’s before going home. This is not to say that the only kind of social student is one who misses school for Coachella — it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. In retrospect, I’m not even sure it was mine. But these are common customs that are a real part of our culture. Even school-wide events such as prom, whose $115 ticket may be covered by financial aid, are preceded by expensive asks, dress shopping, makeup and prep that is only more money the school can’t provide. While every student can make the choice to manage their budget, spend their time and even define what being a social student is, the truth is that we are a school widely run by Joan’s on Third lunch breaks, costly exercise methods and ticketed parties that add up. Very few of us have jobs that significantly impact
our budgets, and while our expenditures may not compare to parents’ mortgages, we live with an assumed standard of social spending. It’s natural that students’ socioeconomic statuses differ, as they do in any other community. However, the amount of privilege that has affected us as social teenagers and not academic students is seldomly addressed. We may talk about our academic opportunities, our resources, but never the amount of privilege that has shaped our social lives. Taking part in many of these customs takes a level of affluence many of us don’t think about or talk about. While it’s possible to be a part of our grade without sharing that affluence, it says a lot that many of our most widespread customs really end up costing a lot of money. Many of my friends have told me they have begun to go out to lunch less because their parents have started putting them on college budgets. But it’s really not about spending less money — that’s a decision we can make for ourselves. What’s really important is how we take these expensive customs for granted because we have a ways to go for true diversity, socioeconomically and beyond. In college, all of us will face different budgets and lifestyles, probably dictated by our parents and maybe a little by our employment statuses. But more importantly, we will be faced with true diversity: all kinds of people with different high school experiences and ideas of the price of fun. Your roommate may not want to take a $20 ride across town and pay for a $10 entrance fee and a $10 meal afterwards. His or her idea of a workout may not be a $30 cycling class. Maybe that’s not even your idea of a Saturday night or a workout. Even though our lack of diversity can make us forget it, there is no price you should put on fun.
NICOLE KIM/CHRONICLE
An education that does not adequately prepare us By Ellis Becker “Why am I learning this information that I will never use in my life?” If any student asks an adult this question, one that haunts our minds while in math class, he or she will be lied to. They will receive a blank look from someone who doesn’t know any better themselves. That person will tell them that they have to get good grades to live a successful life. Although this is partially true, it isn’t the real answer. That is the orthodox answer; the answer that leads to stress, late nights and the downfall of our generation. Our education system does not work. It is flawed, outdated and wrong. It forces students to memorize information that does not fit society’s needs, making it useless. Students begin by learning the basics, travelling more in depth throughout schooling. Therein lies the flaw. The whole system relies on preparing students for college and, in theory, their lives. But what if after finally graduating, reaching the “X” on the treasure map, all you find is a treasure chest of fool’s gold? All you find is a fancy sheet of paper with your name on it called a diploma. One of the biggest misconceptions in the educational system is that one step will im-
The greatest danger By Jonah Ullendorff
T
here is a conspiracy afoot. A tale of corruption and fraud on a scale so huge that I fear the average Chronicle reader may be unprepared for the shock it may bring. Yet it is the job of this fine institution to reveal the truth to our readers, so that is exactly what I will do. But be wary, for you have been warned. First, I must ask you, what is the most important Harvard-Westlake tradition that we have? Is it the ring ceremony? Opening convocation? No, it is the game of Assassin, where glorious warriors fight in the arena of school trying to catch their targets off guard, while avoiding getting “killed.”
The winner of this event is immortalized in our minds as the most skillful and cunning warrior of them all, or some troglodyte who just didn’t come to school for a week in order to avoid being killed. (Cough, cough.) “But, oh wise, noble and handsome Jonah,” you may be asking, “where is this conspiracy you warned us about?” Well, unfortunately, this year’s games are wrought with fraud, corruption and temptations. Players have slain opponents during times of truce, performing unjust kills or sometimes killing a player who was not even their target. These mishaps, though, are not limited to the bot-
mediately follow the other. The status quo states that if you don’t do well in high school, it inhibits your chances of getting into a good college, therefore getting a good job and then having a happy life. Society’s understanding of this process leads students to believe their self-worth relies on high school performance, and that is simply wrong. The misconception is that to reach that final goal of a happy life, the process is essential. Therefore, the goal for now is to do well in high school, forcing students to memorize, not learn. This system will not change, despite the fact that only a miniscule percentage of this older generation will ever use the Pythagorean theorem as adults, and despite the fact that a large majority struggle to do their taxes for the first time because they did not learn how to do so. Despite the reasoning, people will listen to the rest of society when they are told that the one student standing out in the class is not supposed to stand out. They will listen when they are told that the creative student is wrong to dislike studying what he is not interested in. They will listen when they are told that the student who does not put effort into his or her schoolwork
is doing so not because they aren’t interested but because they have a learning disability. Society itself is made up of individuals with all different kinds of thought processes, learning methods and abilities. So why are all these individuals taught in the same way, tested through the same tests and judged by the same criteria? We constantly endorse this backward system but then somehow marvel when the Washington Post reports that the United States leads in most incarcerated persons in the world. We marvel when governing.com reports that one-fifth of our students don’t graduate high school, and we marvel when politifact.com reports that we spend the most per student on education in the world yet fall short on test results to Denmark, South Korea and Japan. This system will not cease to pump out depressed, stressed and unhappy individuals who will one day subject their children to the same. This system will not cease to make creative and thoughtful students hate school because they are forced to memorize facts about things they are not interested in. This system will be the wall our generation hits, and pushing through will be our defining characteristic.
There will be a time in all of our young lives when a great threat forces factions to unite if they wish to survive. The time is now. We face an enemy so big that any lack of action would lead to our demise.
tom plebeian masses running around having their fun. No, this year’s polluted game goes straight to the top of the pyramid, all the way up to the game masters. These game masters have told favored players who is hunting them in an attempt to rig the games their way — telling friends, families and even pets who has them as their target so they know who to avoid at school. This system is so rigged that even Bernie Sanders has stopped campaigning to proclaim that the game masters’ power has gone to their heads, and their monopoly on the assassin game must be broken up. Donald Trump has also
stopped by the school, telling the students that the game masters of Assassin are losers, and unlike him, they have never won anything in their lives. The real question is, how did the Harvard-Westlake administration allow this to happen under their watch? Assassin is our most guarded tradition, and the administration must be accountable for the crumbling of this game under their watch. I suggest an all-school assembly be held and every teacher publicly apologize to each and every Harvard-Westlake student for not being a better guardian of this sacred tradition. The moral fabric of this Harvard-Westlake community
is coming apart at its seams due to this break in trust we now have with our game masters. The game of Assassin has forever been stained with this tragedy, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to recover. The fraud haunts my dreams, and I, like many of my peers, have had my innocence crushed under the ruthless disregard for imaginary human life that these game masters have demonstrated. This is why I write these glorious words so that future generations will not commit the mistakes of their ancestors. Now please excuse me, my emotions have gotten the best of me, and I could use a good cry.
hwchronicle.com/opinion
April 27, 2016
quadtalk The Chronicle asked:
Making it worth the extra mile By Claire Dennis
E
ver since I turned 16, my friends and older sisters have been asking me if I’m going to get my driver’s license soon. Each time I reply “not yet,” pushing it to the back of my mind until someone asks me again. Getting a driver’s license at 16 used to be seen as a rite of passage for teenagers, but things have changed. Teens are putting off getting their driver’s licenses until much later. Most of my friends do not have licenses either, even though they are old enough to get them. Some of them don’t even have their permits. Nevertheless, I’m not worried. Thirty years ago almost 50 percent of 16-year-olds and nearly 80 percent of 18-yearolds had their driver’s licenses, according to a study conducted by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute. In 2014, only 24 percent of 16-yearolds and fewer than 60 percent of 18-year-olds had their licenses. In the past, teenagers often got their licenses as soon as possible, like my sisters, because their transportation options were limited. If they wanted to visit friends or go to a party, they had to ask their parents or friends to drive them; it was much easier to just drive themselves. Now, there are Uber and Lyft, the on-demand driving services that can take you anywhere, anytime, and are much easier than driving your own car and practicing for the driving test. With an Uber car, you don’t have to waste time looking for a parking space or your money paying for parking. Around the Los Angeles area, cars usually arrive in less than five minutes, so there is no worry about being late for an appointment. This service didn’t
exist 30 years ago, when 16 -year-olds either had to get their driver’s licenses or rely upon family or friends for rides. Also, you can text in an Uber car, which you can’t do while you’re driving yourself. The idea of getting a license can also be overwhelming, and the process for getting a license is very timeconsuming. First, there is the permit test, which requires more studying on top of my already test heavy schedule. Next, it requires hours and hours of training, time I don’t really have to spare. Getting a car filled with gas, serviced and maintained takes time and money. With all of the responsibilities we have as students, who wants to add the responsibility of dealing with a car? In addition, parking on campus isn’t an option for sophomores, and the incentives for driving to and from school don’t seem any greater for juniors or seniors. The parking spots allotted for them are often inconveniently far from their classes. Time spent in a car driven by someone else allows for multitasking. I can study for an upcoming quiz or test, or text my friends and make plans. I don’t have to feel stressed that I’m in the right lane, or on a windy road, so I arrive more relaxed. So maybe I am spoiled by easy access to alternative means of transportation that make getting to and from school and other activities more enjoyable than driving myself. Maybe I am overloaded by other responsibilities and I just don’t need another one right now. Maybe I’m put off by all the stories I’ve heard of cars getting damaged in the school parking lots. I would like to learn to drive and get my license at some point. I just don’t plan to do it anytime soon.
Opinion A11
Do you agree with the proposed school policy that will treat SCEA schools like early decision schools? “I’d mostly agree with the policy in that I have multiple friends who are on waitlists and they all really want to go to top schools, especially since college decisions are brutal this year. There are kids who are taking up three spots, and it directly affects the kids who don’t get in or on waitlists.” KAMI DURAIRAJ/CHRONICLE
— William Park ’17
“Every person independently has [his or her] own qualifications so it’s only fair for them to get into all the schools they were qualified to get into.“ —Sahar Tirmizi ’16
KAMI DURAIRAJ/CHRONICLE
INFOGRAPHIC BY KAMI DURAIRAJ
A little kindness goes a long way
The maturity that comes with age helps us develop empathy. In order to be more considerate of the problems others might be facing, it’s important to be respectful and kind above all else.
By Matthew Yam
M
y good friend and I were talking late one afternoon on the way home from school. “Yeah I’m fine.” “You sure?” “Yeah.” “Well okay, but if something is bothering you, I’d be happy to talk about it.” Like usual, we told each other funny things that happened to us during the day, and casually kept conversation. For a reason I still can’t figure out today, this friend, who I will call Lily to guard her privacy, looked as if something was bothering her, so I asked, “You look a little bummed, is everything okay?” And then she told me everything. She had recently been in a mental hospital for three weeks. It wasn’t her first time, It was almost just another routine visit. She pulled up the sleeves of her
sweater and showed me scars running down the entirety of her forearms. She summarized the difficulties she had to face throughout the majority of her life and the constant mental stress that she carries. She explained to me that she is never able to feel happy, even when she acts like it. I looked out towards the passing traffic and then back at her, not knowing how to feel. I was in disbelief. I had known her for years and I never suspected that cheery ol’ Lily could harbor dark secrets such as these. I wanted to help her but felt as if nothing I could have done or said would make her situation any better. During my ninth and tenth grade years, it seems as if all my friends opened up to me about their struggles. One after another, I learned about my friends’ struggles
with chronic depression, selfharm, drug abuse and the list goes on. Every time I found out about one of these things, I felt as if I had been exposed to a much darker side of the earth and sadnessfilled schisms had opened up within the bright field of happiness that had been my world beforehand. I knew, of course, the world isn’t a perfect utopia, but I never had seen these problems hit so close to home. I wanted to help all of my friends out, but their problems seemed far beyond my reach. I felt as though there was nothing I could do. I reflected a lot upon my own life and appreciated that I never had to experience any of these horrors myself. I thought about what I could do to help my friends and anyone else in need and I realized that the hackneyed
phrase “be nice” meant a lot more than I previously thought. Since childhood, we have been instructed daily by our elders to be nice, and have met their reminders with the automatic reponse of “yes, *insert name of adult.*” However, after being exposed to all of these new problems that people around me were facing, I began to understand the value behind these words. I recognized that a casual joke meant to be funny could end up causing someone months of sleepless nights and despair. Growing up, I’ll admit, I’ve never been the nicest guy. I was always the funny guy. I enjoy making people laugh. Often however, my jokes were made at the expense of others. However, I never really saw the effect my occasionally callous yet lighthearted words had on people. But
now, after reflecting on them, I realize they had the potential to be extremely hurtful. After hearing about the many unexpected problems that my friends face daily, I try to be more aware of my peers’ emotions. I try to be kind and understanding to all. I think before I speak, aware that there is a possibility that my words will affect someone in a way I don’t intend. I do my best to be kind to people and look for ways to brighten the days of others. As we trudge through the difficulties in our lives, we may feel we have reached our lowest point. However, I assure you that once we hit rock bottom, there is nowhere else to go but up. This is certain: if we all make an effort to be kind to one another and watch the words that come out of our mouths, then it can only get better from here.
A12
And all that Jazz
exposure
April 27, 2016
During spring break, 32 members of the Upper School Jazz and Studio Band traveled to Spain and Portugal to perform for 10 days. They played at various venues in Cordoba, Seville, Málaga and Lisbon, including the Conservatorio Superior de Música.
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SHAWN CONSTANTINO
SMOOTH JAZZ: Noah Moghavem ’17, Ethan Blaser
’17, Connor Reese ’17, Oliver Friedman ’17 and Jarod Bacon ’17 play “Cherokee” in Cordoba, Spain.
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SHAWN CONSTANTINO
SAX IN THE CITY: (left to right) Nathan Lee ’16, Micah Maccoby ’17, Vincent Le ’17, Connor Reese ’17, Arjun Mahajan ’16 and Robert Iancu ’17 play “Solar,” “Recorda Me,” “Come Fly With Me,” “Fox Hunt,” “Donna Lee” and “That’s How They Get You” in Cordoba.
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SHAWN COSTANTINO
HERE COMES TREBLE: (left to right) Vincent Le ’17, Roland Montgomery ’16, Jeremy Samuels ’16 and Ben Ramirez ’18 perform “Shed.”
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SHAWN CONSTANTINO
TRIUMPHANT: Gray Toomey ’18 plays his trombone in Conservatorio Superior de Música. He is accompanied by Melanie Hirsch ’18 and Simone Woronoff ’16.
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SHAWN CONSTANTINO
JAZZ HANDS: Arjun Mahajan ’16 and Robert Iancu ’16 played their baritone saxophones.
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF SHAWN CONSTANTINO
ALL ABOUT THAT BASS: The Zach Wieder Tour Band combo (Ben Weinman ’17, Zach Wieder ’16 and Gray Toomey ’18) performs “Higher Ground.”
Arts & Entertainment The Chronicle • April 27, 2016
TERESA SUH/CHRONICLE
TERESA SUH/CHRONICLE
TERESA SUH/CHRONICLE
HUMAN DIRECTORIES: Harvard-Westlake ambassadors (top) for “Wider than the Sky: A Young People’s Poetry Festival” hold up signs to direct festival participants. Students (left) brainstorm with each other just outside of Rugby. A student (right) writes down ideas to present to the room. The festival featured a presentation by keynote speaker Jacqueline Woodson, the National Book Award-winning writer of “Brown Girl Dreaming,” and workshops led by accomplished poets.
Upper School hosts poetry festival By Kami Durairaj Keynote speaker Jacqueline Woodson, The Poetry Foundation’s 2015 Young People’s Poet Laureate, spoke about her National Book Award winner “Brown Girl Dreaming” and her experiences with writing poetry at Harvard-Westlake’s second annual poetry festival, “Wider than the Sky: A Young People’s Po-
etry Festival” April 16. The festival featured keynote speakers, panels, workshops and readings in Rugby Theater. Los Angeles poet Douglas Kearney, who was featured at the festival last year, was the master of ceremonies. Kearney teaches at the California Institute of the Arts and is the author of “The Black Automaton” and “Patter.” Students chose from 10
workshops led by renowned authors and poets, teachers and guest speakers, including Los Angeles Youth Poet Ambassador Khamal Iwuanyanwu. Attendees learned about writing style, poetic techniques and finding new sources of inspiration. “The poetry festival broadened my knowledge on what it takes to be a master poet,” poetry festival ambassador Jack
High school students from all over Los Angeles attended workshops in the second annual poetry festival April 16. Li ’17 said. “I loved Professor Teddy Macker’s workshop on ‘axe handles,’ where we learned how to use description in poetic form.” Poetry readings were held throughout the day, and there was a reception celebrating the 2016 edition of the upper school literary magazine Stone-cutters. Students also read poems crafted during their workshops and shared
previously written poems at an open mic event. The event, which ran from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., was open to Los Angeles-area students. Free admission, transportation, breakfast and lunch were provided to encourage attendance. “It was amazing to see so many professional poets perform. It really got me more interested in the impact of poetry,” Mady Madison ’17 said.
B2 A&E
The Chronicle
Students dance in showcase
April 27, 2016
By Sabrina de Brito and Caty Szeto
Students in the Art of Dance I and Art of Dance II classes performed in their endof-year choreography showcase April 19 in the Chalmers Dance Studio. Ten dancers collaborated under the direction of Erica Carpenter Jansson ’08 to create the combined show, where the classes demonstrated their skills in choreography and dance. The show featured solo performances, as well as large group pieces. “I liked it a lot,” Eddie Mack ’17 said. “My favorite part was definitely the dance that Carlos [Guanche ’16] choreographed, the one that was all about kinetic energy. I thought that it was a really cool and original idea.” Preparation began in January after the students returned from winter break. Students choreographed and directed the pieces based on tasks assigned in class, utilizing the skills and creativity they have learned during the year. “Although we are in classes geared more for beginners, it was cool to create this showcase because none of us are truly beginning dancers,” Alexa Frandzel ’18 said. “We’ve all had some sort of dance experience, although not very extensive, so we were able to come up with choreography that was slightly more advanced than one would expect from the Art of Dance classes.” In class, the dancers learned how to focus all of their energy and attention to their performance and choreography, as well as how to translate the six elements of
SABRINO DE BRITO/CHRONICLE
LET’S DANCE: Giselle Chu ’18, Alexa Frandzel ’18 and Daniel Varela ’18 portray a story through their choreography. They are enrolled in an Art of Dance class, and their piece was a part of the April 19 showcase in the Chalmers Dance Studio. dance into their pieces. For example, Guanche choreographed a piece based on the concept of kinetic, the flowing energy between two figures. In his piece, only one person could move at a time, unless the two people were touching, in which case both
dancers would move together. Many student attendees said that they enjoyed the show. “I was really impressed by the choreography, especially Sohni [Kaur ’17]’s, with the six people,” Kat Edminston ’17 said. “The dancers obviously
put a lot of work into it, and that was really clear. I thought the music pairings were really awesome.” In Kaur’s piece, entitled “Nightmares,” she aimed to convey the fear and vulnerability anyone can find themselves in during nightmares,
where they find the situations to be out of the control. “It’s been a really great process, I’ve gotten very close with my class members and teachers and overall it was a very fun, non-stressful experience for me as a performer,” Frandzel said.
Musicians 8 student-produced films and projects to perform chosen for multiple national film festivals last concert By Aaron Park
By Elly Choi
The Spring Instrumental Music Concert at Saperstein Theater on May 6 will be the last concert of the year for the Middle School ensembles. The concert will highlight the skills the ensembles have worked on since the beginning of the school year. Six ensembles will perform. The most advanced ensemble, the Middle School Symphony, will play pieces including “Alborada” by Rimsky-Korsakov and “Danse Macabre” by Saint-Saens. “We’ve been working really hard for the last concert,” violin player Andrew Shibuya ’19 said. “We’re really excited but kind of sad since it’s our last concert with [performing arts teacher Emily] Reola. The pieces we have been working on are really cool, and we’ve worked on them since our trip during spring break.”
discusses how the island nation’s lack of freedom of speech Eight Harvard-Westlake affects its music. “The Story of Three Rings: student films were selected for screening at the Archer, New- A Memoir of Dana Schwartz” port Beach and CineYouth film is an animated project by Harvard Westlake students Elly festivals. “Astro, Naught,” “Love Hong ’17 and Dora Schoenberg and Music” and “The Story of ’16, as well as students from Immaculate Heart Three Rings: A MemHigh School and John oir of Dana Schwartz” Adams Middle School. screened at the NewIt chronicles the port Beach Film Feslife of Dana Schwartz, tival on Saturday. a Holocaust survivor. Katie Speare ’16 The film is a product and Sacha Lin ’16 of the Harvard-Westco-directed “Astro, lake Summer Film Naught,” a music Program’s Righteous video collaboration ’ Conversations Projwith recording artist Katie Speare ect. Moollz. The film pre’16 Two films, “Quote, viously won the Audience Award at the WestFlix Unquote” and “The Big A,” will play tonight at 7:15 at the Arfilm festival. “Love and Music,” a pro- clight Culver City at the Archer duction by Sophia Dienstag Film Festival. “Quote, Unquote,” another ’17, Ryan Finley ’16 and Sarah McAllister ’15 was produced as product of the Summer Film part of the HW Digital Story- Program, is a comedy directed by Nicole Bahar ’18 and Noa telling Adventure to Cuba. The five-minute short film Schwartz ’18. nathanson s
The film tells the story of daily Cuban life, especially betwo girls in a cinema studies cause it will be changing after class. the embargo is finally lifted,” “The Big A” was produced Wolfsdorf said. “We focused a by Video Art II students. lot on people’s hopes for the Another comedy, it centers future, and we wanted to show around a discussion of The that even though their day to Scarlet Letter. day lives are different from The CineYouth film festival American lives, their hopes for in Chicago also the future were accepted three similar to what Harvard-Westwe want for We wanted to lake films, inourselves.” showcase daily Cuban cluding “Para “ M u s i c life, especially because Cuba,” “MuSaved My Life” sic Saved My it will be changing after was directed by Life” and “The Teresa Suh ’17 the embargo is finally Story of Three and Cole Kawalifted. ” Rings: A Memna ’16 as part oir of Dana another Dig—Mikaela Wolfsdorf ’16 of Schwartz.” ital Storytelling “ P a r a Adventure, this Cuba” is another product of one to Cuba. It focuses on the the Digital Storytelling Adven- power of music as a tool to heal tures trip to Cuba. Directed by Cambodia after the genocide. Angela Chon ’16 and Mikaela “Through my video, I wantWolfsdorf ’16, the film investi- ed to show how music helps gates the condition of Cuban us recognize our struggles and life under the communist re- move past them,” Suh said. gime and American embargo. “I’m really excited to be recog“We wanted to showcase nized for my work.”
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April 27, 2016
hwchronicle.com/A&E
A&E B3
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MARIANNE HALL
DARE TO DREAM: Nicole Araya ’16’s painting for the Justin Carr Dare to Dream auction shows a surrealist landscape of Antelope Canyon in Arizona. Araya submitted the piece for her portfolio.
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MARIANNE HALL
MIRROR, MIRROR: Cameron Cabo ’16’s self-portrait shows him looking down at a mirror. The piece was made right after early college decisions came out to capture his feelings of uncertainty.
AP art students push to finish portfolios by May 6 deadline
By Tiffany Kim
As the May 6 national deadline nears, Advanced Placement Studio Art students are working to complete portfolios that will demonstrate their breadth, concentration and quality as artists. While students in Advanced Drawing and Painting III need to finish only five pieces, students in AP Studio Art need to finish 24 pieces for their digital portfolios. The breadth section requires 12 pieces using various mediums that show the artist’s ability to work in different styles. The concentration section requires 12 pieces that
are related to one theme. The quality section demands that students submit five pieces from the other sections. “For me, the most difficult part about completing a portfolio like this is coming up with a central theme and sticking with it,” Samantha Ho ’16 said. Although none of the students are completely done, most artists have few pieces left to complete, visual arts teacher Marianne Hall said. “Most everybody is putting on finishing touches. I have never had students not complete the deadline,” Hall said. “It’s built into the nature of a Harvard-Westlake student.
Choral students will perform “Give My Regards to Cabaret” May 20 in the Rugby Theater. The show is a tribute to Broadway. This will be the final performance directed by choir teacher Rodger Guerrero, who will be leaving the school at the end of this year.
For the Broadway theme, students will sing songs from musicals including “Chicago,” “Wicked” and “Annie Get Your Gun” in groups of varying sizes. Every other year a new theme is selected for the cabaret performance. Auditions were held before spring break for students interested in performing in
TAKE A LAP: Samantha Ho ’16, who considers swimming part of her identity, painted Alex Grande ’16 swimming in the pool.
Along with taking other AP classes and being in many extracurricular activities, students in AP Studio Art need to make 24 pieces by May 6.
They might finish in a flurry at cer and other clubs in school. the end or three weeks in ad“Having to create these vance, but they always finish.” pieces in addition to HarThe artists vard-Westare all taking lake’s workthree to six othload was at er AP classes, They might finish times difficult, which adds to even given that in a flurry at the end or the pressure. art can act as three weeks in advance, a break and a “I decided to take seven creative outbut they always finish.” APs this year in let,” Cabo said. —Marianne Hall large part to get To help a good amount Visual Arts Teacher with the work, of college credHall recomit so I can take mended stuthe classes I dents work on really want to and avoid large portfolios in the summer. lectures,” Cameron Cabo ’16 “I did a few pieces for my said. concentration very late into He is also involved in soc- the summer,” Cabo said. “Ms.
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Choral students to perform cabaret By Isabelle Eshraghi
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MARIANNE HALL
smaller groups. All singers will have the opportunity to perform in some songs. Students will be rehearsing choreography with performing arts teacher Michele Spears. “[It is] going to be a great two nights of Broadway songs and choreography, and it will be extra touching this year since it will mark the end of a
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Hall said that it would be advantageous to have a foot up given how rigorous the timeline is, and she was right. Admittedly, I wish I had better crystallized my concentration earlier on in the process and had completed more works in the summer.” Hall feels the class shows students how to manage their time, and emphasizes enjoyment in the process. “I’ve kind of always wanted to take AP Studio Art since I had heard about it,” Cabo said. “To me, it was like the pinnacle of all the work I had put into my art over my high school life, and I still think that it is that.”
[The show is] going to be a great two nights of Broadway songs and choreography, and it will be extra touching this year since it will mark the end of a long and successful run .” —Angel Hoyang ’18
long and successful run at [Harvard-Westlake] for Mr.
nathanson’s
Guerrero,” Angel Hoyang ’18 said.
B4 A&E
The Chronicle
April 27, 2016
Students to act in Rugby By Ellis Becker
Rugby Theater will showcase 13 student-written plays Thursday to Saturday for the annual Playwrights Festival. The plays were chosen by a committee led by performing arts teacher Christopher Moore, the festival’s producer. Some plays were assigned student directors, while others will be directed by professionals, including British television director David Shaughnessy and actor Bruce Young. The Scenemonkeys, Jackanapes, Jazz Explorers and Harvard-Westlake Jazz Singers will perform during intermissions. The plays will be separated into series A and series B over the three days. Series A Thursday and Saturday night will showcase plays by Jillian Sanders ’17, Jared Gentile ’16, Chloe Shi ’16, Dylan Schifrin ’16, Sabrina de Brito ’17 and Kitty Luo ’18. Series B Friday and Saturday matinee will feature plays by Kenneth Noble ’16, Jenny Lange ’17, Josh Friedman ’16, Henry Roskin ’16, Jack Stovitz ’16, Sammi Handler ’17, Emma Kofman ’16, Gillian Gurney ’17, Jesse Nadel ’17, and Sakura Price ’18. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the audience’s reaction to my play,” Price said. “I was surprised to see how many cast members related to the themes, and I think that some people watching can relate too, or if not, [I hope] that they enjoy it and understand the message.”
Poets to compete in slam By Jadene Meyer
The Spoken Word Club will compete in Get Lit’s city-wide Classic Slam beginning Thursday at the Orpheum Theater. The nation’s largest teen poetry festival, Classic Slam features 50 schools and 300 student poets from Southern California. Students have the opportunity to win monetary prizes, scholarships or invitations to join the Get Lit Players, a Los Angeles organization founded in 2006 to foster cultural understanding, creative self-expression and performance technique. “We’re getting to the final leg of our journey, so we have to start figuring out what we want to do and memorize so we can have everything off book and can start performing our poems,” Matteo Lauto ’18 said. Club alumna Jensen McRae ’15 mentored students for two hours April 17, assisting students in determining what poems to deliver.
PAVAN TAUH/CHRONICLE
PAVAN TAUH/CHRONICLE
PAVAN TAUH/CHRONICLE
SOUND THE HORNS: Adam Rosen ’16 (top in blue) and Noah Rothman ’16 (top in white) present performing arts teacher Shawn
Costantino with a helmet signed by football player Tom Brady. Ben Weinman ’17 (bottom left) and Micah Maccoby ’17 (bottom right) show off their musical skills during their spring concert. The annual showcase was held April 20 at the Upper School in Rugby Theater.
Students perform in annual spring jazz concert By Tiffany Kim
great, and it was a great concert to be a part of,” Jarod BaAbout 70 students per- con ’17 said. Right before the last band formed in the spring jazz concert April 20 in the Rugby The- played, all the seniors on stage presented Costantino a helater. The students have been re- met signed by Patriots’ quarterback Tom hearsing since Brady since the beginning Costantino is a of the year. All of the bands Patriots fan. There were played great, and it was “I was six jazz groups pretty overthat played in a great concert to be a whelmed betotal. part of.” cause I’m from The middle school Jazz —Jarod Bacon ’17 Boston, and I’m a very big Band, Jazz EnPatriot’s fan,” semble, Studio Jazz Band and Jazz Band Costantino said. “The music played in the concert. There was the highlight of the show, were also two other jazz groups but that was the emotional that played, including the Jazz highlight of the concert. They almost made me cry on stage. Explorers. “All of the bands played It was very sweet of them.”
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Although the spring con- play with in the future,” Oliver cert is an annual event, this is Friedman ’17 said. the second year that the MidBecause of Passover, there dle School and Upper School was less time to rehearse. played together. “We had much less time “I love having [the mid- to prepare for this concert dle school students] than we usually do there,” Costantino because the concert said. “Ms. Wayne was moved up due and I started doing to Passover, but all that last year. Havof the bands worked ing the eighth and hard and sounded ninth graders there very good,” Mathew was great. It makes Hogan ’17 said. the group more tightThe trip to Spain ly knit having the gave the musicians a ’ younger and older lot of practice time, Mathew students there.” Friedman said. Hogan ’17 The groups played “It was a nice way 17 songs in total, including to finish out the year, and we “Foxhunt,” “Donna Lee” and got to show everyone what we “Fingerpainting.” had worked on and played in “It was cool to play with Spain,” Friedman said. “I think some people whom I might our practice really paid off.” nathanson s
FEATURES The Chronicle • April 27, 2016
Armed with Knowledge Faculty members who are former veterans apply the skills they developed during their time in the military to their current work.
By BENJAMIN MOST On his first day at the Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia, math teacher Kent Nealis feared that he had made a grave mistake in his life choices. He had joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), a program that would help him pay for college if he agreed to serve in the military. This meant that he would have to serve in the Marines for four years. Unaccustomed to the strict nature of the Officer Candidates School, where he was “yelled at by grizzled old officers,” Nealis worried that he had a painful four years ahead. However, he soon came to enjoy his time in the military. “It was a great experience,” Nealis said. “I learned how to manage and supervise and lead other people and how to not only give orders, but take orders. I learned what it means to be part of a team. The success of the unit you are in is really dependent on everybody else doing their job.” Nealis fulfilled his initial commitment to the Marines
and continued in the Reserves for ten more years. His time in the military gave him confidence in himself, he said. “We’re capable of a lot more than we think we are,” Nealis said. “The military pushes us and tries to get a lot out of us. I think that’s a good thing.” After leading a platoon and eventually a company, Nealis left the Marines and pursued a teaching career, which was inspired by his leadership experience in the Marines, he said. He is one of many veterans around the country who have pursued teaching careers, said Meghan Stidd, Associate Regional Director at the veterans’ organization Troops to Teachers. Troops to Teachers is a program managed by the Department of Defense that aims to help veterans become teachers after returning from service. The organization has helped over 23,000 veterans transition to teaching careers since its inception in 1984, Stidd said. “This number is expected to increase over the next few years as teacher demand in-
creases and the military continues to draw down the force,” Stidd said. In the military, veterans learn leadership, focus and flexibility, all skills useful in teaching, Stidd said. “Military veterans are adaptable and mission-oriented,” Stidd said. “Veterans are also experienced working with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and have a keen sense of cultural awareness. They have training and mentoring experience that directly translates to the teaching profession.” Nealis attributes his disciplined teaching style to the strict rule-following enforced in the military, he said. “There are habits I have that translate into the classroom,” Nealis said. “I’m very disciplined in my approach. I have a plan every day about what I want to do. I think following directions is an important life skill.” Nealis also aims to show his students why the lessons he teaches are important and why his directions are • Continued on page C8
ILLUSTRATION BY VIVIAN LIN
C2 FEATURES
THE CHRONICLE
APRIL 27, 2016
ILLUSTRATION BY VIVIAN LIN
From the Battlef ield to the Classroom
• Continued from page C1
when he was 18 and repaired combat, and veterans currently Kolmanovsky said. “It helps fighter planes. He enjoyed the returning to the United States when I design scenery for a milvaluable, he said. work and loved the planes, and from service abroad have faced itary film or a theatrical set to “People won’t follow you he appreciated the fact that the far more harrowing experiences know the visual semiotics of blindly,” Nealis said. “You need military trusted him with im- than he did, he said. military life. Those designers to lead by example, and you portant responsibilities. “Now the veterans that come who haven’t been in the military need to explain why you’re do“You grew up out, they face themselves almost always miss ing things. I try to always let my fast,” Preciado huge challeng- the quintessentials.” students know where I’m going said. “They put a es,” Preciado Kolmanovsky said he always with what I’m talking about.” lot of trust on an said. “A lot of wanted to be a scenic designer. Getting to see Nealis said he cannot dis- 18-year-old. It them have to He enjoys his job at Harthe peoples of the world, cuss in detail where he traveled made you proud serve in war- vard-Westlake, but he someI have such a deep during his time in the Marines that you were time conditions. times ponders his time in Rusappreciation for the for security reasons, but he vis- doing something Looking out sia and what came of his escape ited places all around the world. for your counUnited States and our way for their inter- from the police, Kolmanovsky His time traveling in the military try. I really valests is on my said. of life and the comforts taught him how fortunate he is ue that. I think mind. Some of “I wonder if they’re still lookthat we have. ” to be an American, he said. it made me bethem have so ing for me,” Kolmanovsky said. “Getting to see the peoples of come really paSome students hope to join —Gabe Preciado many emotionthe world, I have such a deep ap- triotic.” al hurdles to go the military in the future. Gabe Attendance Coordinator preciation for the United States Preciado also through. Guys Golob ’16 will attend the U.S. and our way of life and the com- learned about who were in the Naval Academy next year so forts that we have,” Nealis said. cultures he had never experi- military realize that. We know that he can eventually serve in “There’s so much poverty in the enced before. that. And when they come out, the Navy. world. There are so many places “I grew up in a really Lati- they have to start over again.” Golob, a baseball playthat are very difficult places to no community,” Preciado said. For performing arts teacher er, first considered joining the live.” “All the stores, everything was Alex Kolmanovsky, serving in military in his sophomore year For Attendance Coordina- in Spanish. So getting out there the military gave him the op- when he met the pitching coach tor and veteran Gabe Preciado, and learning all the different portunity to go to college and at the Naval Academy. most of his knowledge about dialects, the people from the eventually pursue his love of set “The idea of being a part of foreign places came from televi- south, the New Yorkers, the design. However, unlike many something bigger than myself sion. Bostonians. For me, I was like, I veterans, he originally came and being a part of something Although he was born in the only get to see that in movies. It from Russia and served in the meaningful initially inspired United States, he grew up in a was really refreshing.” United States Army during the me,” Golob said. “In addition, Latino community in Pacoima, After leaving the Air Force, Cold War. the Naval Academy allows me California and only learned En- Preciado attended the Master’s The USSR wanted Kol- the opportunity to play Division glish when he was six or seven College in Santa Clarita, Califor- manovsky to join the I baseball for the next years old, he said. nia, where he received a B.A. in Russian army, but four years.” Preciado said he nevTheological Studies. he refused and faced Soon after meeting er truly felt like he unHe enjoys working a jail sentence. He the pitching coach, he derstood American culwith technology and emigrated before the decided he wanted to atture until he joined the helping out young police could catch tend the Naval Academy. military. adults, and he found him and came to the His family, friends His family didn’t that he was able to United States in the and coaches were suphave the money to send combine these pas- 1970s, eventually portive of him and enhim to college, but he sions as an Atten- joining the military. couraged him to pursue ’ wanted to pursue a dance Coordinator, “It was not easy to his goal. Gabe Golob ’16 higher education. The he said. go through the U.S. Golob said he feels ’ military gave him an opThe discipline, re- Army training on a the rigor and demand for Gabe Preciado portunity to do so. sponsibility and con- good day,” Kolmanovsky said. excellence at Harvard-Westlake “Where we grew up, fidence he learned in “Being a perceived enemy added prepare students well for the it was where there weren’t a lot the military are important in extra fuel to the rigors of train- Navy. of opportunities,” Preciado said. helping him succeed at his cur- ing. I had to be good.” “I believe that Harvard-West“We lived on a lower socioeco- rent job, he said. After leaving the army, Kol- lake students are the most qualnomic scale, and I didn’t have Preciado also said that his manovsky pursued his love of ified people to succeed at the much money to go to college. time in the military made him visual arts and set design. He military academies because we So when the recruiters reached more politically aware. With said his experience in the army are used to being under presout to us, they said, ‘The only the presidential election coming is useful when designing scenes sure, managing our time and way to go to college and to have up, Preciado is trying to decide for military films or theatrical are very smart and athletic,” money to pay for it is to join the which candidates will respect sets. Golob said. “I wish more stumilitary.’” the needs of veterans, he said. “As scenic designers, we rep- dents considered the options Preciado joined the Air Force He never actually served in resent life on stage or screen,” the academies offer.”
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NATHANSON S
NATHANSON S
APRIL 27, 2016
HWCHRONICLE.COM/FEATURES
Driving me crazy By LAYLA MOGHAVEM
her knowledge of the city’s specific rules would make it When Naomi Barlava ’17 easier to pass there. But the made her appointment last way people talked about that May for a behind-the-wheel DMV made her nervous. She driving test, she did the un- wanted to get her license as speakable — she made the soon as possible, but passing appointment at the Santa the test started to seem less Monica branch of the Califor- and less possible as she apnia Department of Motor Ve- proached her test date. When she told her friends hicles. Her friends had told her to that she had passed on her save herself the trouble and first try at the Santa Monitake the test at the Winnetka ca DMV, most of them were DMV, which has a reputation shocked. To get a license in the state among students for being the DMV where it is the easiest to of California, drivers must first take a written test to obpass. Even though the driving tain their learner’s permit. test “is the same for all driv- After having a permit for six ers” according to the website months, teens can take a behind-the-wheel test to of the California get their license, and DMV, certain DMVs the DMV allows just have a reputation three attempts at takamong students ing the test. After the for being pass-hapthird failed attempt, py, while others drivers have to start have been said to over and take their fail everyone who permit test again. walks through their Harvard-Westlake halls. Students of’ students have said ten choose to take Naomi that the Winnetka their driving tests Barlava ’17 DMV is known to be based on these repthe easiest to pass at utations in order to pass more easily and on their and that the Van Nuys and first try, sometimes venturing Culver City departments also to places in greater Los Ange- have similar reputations. Lola Clark ’17, who took les that they are not familiar with so they can get their li- her test at Winnetka, thinks it is easier to pass there due cense sooner. Barlava was familiar with to road and traffic conditions. “I took my test at WinSanta Monica, however, and felt that her prior experi- netka because it’s known to ence driving in the area and be the easiest DMV,” Clark NATHANSON S
Three-Wheel Drive
82 percent think that the Winnetka DMV has a reputation for being easy to pass the driving test.
FEATURES C3
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JEAN SANDERS
Although each driving test course is supposed to be the same level of difficulty, many students believe that certain DMVs have less strict proctors and easier routes.
said. “I passed on the first time, thank goodness. I think Winnetka gets the reputation it does as the easiest less because of the people that work there and more because that area is just pretty easy to drive around and there aren’t many difficult intersections.” In an April 23 Chronicle poll of 329 students, 82 percent said that Winnetka was known for being a DMV where it was easy to pass a behindthe-wheel driving test. Some say that this status is due to the “friendliness” of the driving environment in the area. Wider streets, less traffic and fewer specific regulations make it easier to avoid “critical errors” such as not signaling when switching lanes or not fully stopping at a stop sign, for which proctors automatically fail the driver. Others report that the proctors at the Winnetka DMV are more lenient with errors in general than other DMVs. Out of 329 students who responded to the Chronicle poll, 52 percent said that they felt that the proctors at the Winnetka DMV are less strict than at other DMVs. Ashley Frey ’17, who failed at Winnetka on her first try but passed there on her second try, said that she believes the proctors at Winnetka are less difficult. “I made a really idiotic decision the first time I took the
test, so I failed automatically,” signal before moving into the she said. “[On my second try], bike lane when making a right I had an alarm that went off turn. while I was driving, so I pulled Particular rules such as over and turned it off, but this make it harder to pass at I’d accidentally snoozed it, the Santa Monica DMV, some so it went off again five min- students said. utes later. I thought I failed “The Santa Monica DMV for sure because I touched is more difficult than other my phone while driving, but DMVs because Santa Monica I passed. And more kids do has a lot of bicycle riders, and seem to pass the city has there, so I’d implemented say the procbike lanes on The Santa tors at Winalmost all the Monica DMV is more netka are more streets,” said lenient.” Keon Niknejad difficult than other In con’17 , who said DMVs, because Santa he failed his trast, many say that the driver’s test Monica has a lot of Santa Moniat the Santa bicycle riders.” ca DMV is the Monica DMV. most difficult. —Keon Niknejad ’17 “Santa Monica The DMV’s is also a very online apbusy part of pointment system shows that, Los Angeles, and you have to while Winnetka is completely pay attention to literally evbooked for the next month, erything, while if you take the the Santa Monica DMV is test in some isolated part in only booked for the next two the valley, there is less you weeks. have to watch out for.” Students say that Santa Barlava, however, said her Monica has more specific and experience taking her behindstricter laws that drivers must the-wheel test at the Santa abide by. Monica DMV, which is in the Due to the large number of same area that she lives and bikers who ride on the road, learned to drive, was not as the City of Santa Monica in- difficult as others had made it stituted bike lanes on major out to be. streets to protect them from “I passed [on my first try],” traffic, according to the city Barlava said. “The test was website. super easy and took 10 minThese bike lanes must utes. I have no clue anymore be treated as driving lanes, why people think Santa Monimeaning that a driver must ca is hard. It was so easy.”
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The Chronicle polled 329 students on April 23 about their DMV experiences and preferences throughout Los Angeles.
72 percent think that the Santa Monica DMV has a reputation for being hard to pass students.
52 percent think that the proctors at Winnetka are less strict than proctors at other DMVs. INFOGRAPHIC BY JEAN SANDERS SOURCE: APRIL 23 CHRONICLE POLL
THE CHRONICLE APRIL 2
C4 FEATURES
The “Right” Opinions
By KATIE PLOTKIN
support Clinton. students voiced “genuine conAlso, 8 percent of the stu- cern and pain,” the WashingAmid controversial political dents said that they most ton Post reported. Some Harvard-Westlake statements from presidential strongly prefer Trump, 4 percandidates this election sea- cent said that they support students said that even though son, conservative and liberal Republican presidential candi- they do not support Trump, students say they feel pres- date Ted Cruz and 18 percent students have the right to exsured to suppress their opin- said that they support Repub- press their views within reaions for fear of retaliation, lican presidential candidate son. “Freedom of speech applies with some feeling that Har- Gov. John Kasich, “I think there are some to everyone in both parties vard-Westlake is not an open space to fully express opin- people who feel very strong- unless it is violent and clearly ly about who they would hy- is discrimination,” Tuchman ions. said. “I think people are worried pothetically vote for Still, judgement that, if they don’t [self-censor], because they are too is inherent in these they will be attacked,” Harry young to vote,” Jeffries said. “It’s unkinds of discussions Garvey ’18 said. when about politics, and In an April 23 Chronicle comfortable students should be poll of 372 students, 58 per- they are saying, ‘No. prepared for that, Elcent said that they have felt I’m going to vote for liott Rollins ’16 said. pressured to suppress their this person. How dare “I think that there opinions when discussing pol- you want to vote for ’ is judgment no matitics at Harvard-Westlake, and this other person?’ ” Francine History teacher ter who you support,” 29 percent said they identify Werner Rollins said. “There themselves more as Repub- Francine Werner ’68 licans, 71 percent as Demo- said she recognizes that stu- is without a doubt large judgdents, especially conserva- ment for anyone who supports crats. Liberal students said that tives, may feel uncomfortable Trump. There is not as much with [Clinton] or [Sanders]. they are sometimes uncom- speaking up about politics. “Most times that it peaks, It is still there, but I’ve never fortable saying that they support Democratic candidate like during an election, you al- seen anyone get in outright Sen. Bernie Sanders over Sen. ways have to be kind of care- arguments over someone supHillary Clinton because of ful about, I don’t want to say porting Trump. I even saw a the social pressures at Har- hiding views, but about keep- Facebook friend the other day ing the atmosphere as open as literally ask people on Facevard-Westlake. “I feel like [Sanders] would possible,” Werner said. “This book why they support Trump. just be a better president for year, this particular year, it’s Not in a harsh way, but she was genuinely just curious.” my safety, and that’s my opin- harder than ever. “ T h e r e Only 23 percent of students ion,” Chasia might be peo- said that they feel that there is Jeffries ’17 ple who do feel, not a lot of political discussion said. “And peoThere is without I would not be at Harvard-Westlake. ple are like, a doubt large judgment surprised if Upper school dean Sharon ‘No, [Clinton] for anyone who there are peo- Cuseo feels that, although she and stuff.’ And, ple who are is not completely sure that I’m like, ‘Yeah, supports Trump. I even afraid, people students feel pressured to those are comsaw a Facebook friend who might like suppress their political views pletely legitithe other day literally Trump or Cruz on campus, there are not as mate points. But for me, ask people on Facebook who might be many people expressing those nervous about views right now. as a person, I why they support speaking up,” “I don’t have enough evifeel like Bernie Trump. ” she said. “I dence to know if it is that they would be a betdon’t think it is are not well informed, that ter president —Elliot Rollins ’16 a lot of people, they don’t have strong opinat representing but I think it ions or that they are uncomme.’ ” definitely might fortable voicing their opinions Students said conservative students feel be. I think it is a real tough but I do notice that there is not one this year.” a lot of discussion going on,” the same pressure. Other campuses have had Cuseo said. “Because [the election] is Cuseo also said that, alcontroversial, with Trump as to deal with controversy when the [leading] candidate of the students have expressed un- though she has heard less political discussion recently, Republican party, it is causing popular political opinions. For example, at Emory Uni- there is a decent amount of more issues,” Hannah Tuchman ’17 said. “Everybody at versity in March, some stu- it among faculty members at this campus is quick to con- dents anonymously posted Harvard-Westlake. “Faculty always feel sort demn everything that Trump chalk messages on sidewalks does so that if someone does that read “Trump 2016,” lead- of more comfortable,” Cuseo support him, they will not ing other students to protest said. “We know each other. We to administration. know kind of where they are come out and say it.” Multiple news channels coming from, and there can Thirty-four percent said that they support Sanders, covered the issue, and Emo- be more comfortable, healthy and 36 percent said that they ry president Jim Wagner said debate.” NATHANSON S
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By the Polls
8% of students say they prefer Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, compared to 4% support for Cruz and 18% for Kasich.
372 stude voting and
34% of students say th ic presidential candida compared to 36% for C
27, 2016
HWCHRONICLE.COM/FEATURES
New to the Process
By SOPHIE COHEN AND CLAUDIA WONG
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LIZ YOUNT
ents responded to an April 23 Chronicle Poll regarding d the political climate at Harvard-Westlake.
hey prefer Democratate Bernie Sanders, Clinton.
FEATURES C5
58% of students said they have felt pressure to suppress their political opinions at school. INFOGRAPHIC BY LIZ YOUNT
As the California primary election draws near, many seniors at Harvard-Westlake say they feel prepared to vote knowledgeably for a presidential candidate, but some juniors who will turn 18 before the June or November elections say they wish the school integrated politics more regularly into the curriculum. This fall, Marisa Hattler ’16, along with many other juniors and seniors, will be casting their ballots for the first time. “I’m really excited to vote because this is the first year that I can vote, and it is cool that my first voting experience will be in a presidential election, not a midterm election,” Hattler said. “I believe that I have a pretty good understanding of the current political scene and what I’m looking for in a president, which is why I already know who I’m going to vote for.” However, nationwide about one-third of high school seniors appear to lack a basic understanding of how the American government operates, according to a 2011 study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Voter turnout among 18- to 20-year-olds dropped in the 2012 presidential election to 45 percent from 51 percent four years earlier, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civil Learning and Engagement. In the 2012 election, President Barack Obama easily won the youth vote nationwide, which was crucial to his success. According to an analysis by the Center for Research and Information on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, if Republican nominee and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney had achieved 50 percent of the youth vote, he could have won the key states of Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. This year, Republican front runners Donald Trump and senator Ted Cruz face the possibility of a contested convention, adding even more weight to the potential youth vote. Harvard-Westlake students, seniors especially, say they are ready to vote in the upcoming election. “[AP Government and Politics] has definitely heightened my interest in politics and made me much more comfortable with my political knowledge,” Hattler said. “Now that I have learned the background on how our country’s government operates, I can apply that to current pol-
itics, and it’s much more inter“After reading ‘The Handesting and understandable.” maid’s Tale,’ which recounts the AP Government and Politics story of a religious dystopia, we teacher Dave Waterhouse said considered the effects of a relistudents frequently discuss the gious president in the United current election in class with States,” Jones said. emphasis on the most recent However, some students, esdevelopments in the presidential pecially juniors not yet enrolled race. in the senior courses, believe Although his students are not that Harvard-Westlake classes given advice on how to make the do not discuss current nationdecision when casting their vote, al issues and trends enough, they are taught to focus on what leaving them unprepared and to look for in a candidate and the concerned about future political qualities he or she should em- participation. body in order to assume the role. “I think that Harvard-WestTeachers draw a parallel be- lake has given me the mindset tween the political science cur- for a thoughtful decision, but not riculum and related issues in the information to base it off of,” Washington. Charlie Noxon ’17 said. “In our Some students say they feel English classes specifically, Harthe government class vard-Westlake teachhas sparked their ines us to sift through terest in politics. rhetoric for kernels of “I now feel that I can truth. However, I feel make a decision on a we’re not exposed to candidate based on the real applications their policies instead of of this skill, focusing blindly choosing one,” on esoteric passages in Lauren Jones ’16 said. Faulkner rather than “Now that I actually the world outside our ’ know a lot more about ivory tower.” Marisa politics, I find myself AP exams span a Hattler ’16 talking about it more specific breadth of maoften and have even considered terial and therefore have ministudying government and poli- mal time to delve into topical istics in college.” sues, Connor Engel ’17 said. Waterhouse believes that “Some history classes have most of his students have strong news quizzes on current events, opinions on the election and are but those aren’t consistent or ready and willing to vote. specific enough to really address “I can’t imagine anyone who the lack of political information,” is eligible to vote in these class- he said. es would not vote,” Waterhouse Engel expressed a desire to said. see Harvard-Westlake integrate At the beginning of the year, politics more consistently into Jones said AP Government and its curriculum. Politics students explored the “I remember that my old candidates’ position on different school did it, and it resulted in issues, their chances in the pri- an all-school mock election,” Enmaries and the likelihood they gel said. would make it to the general Nevertheless, classes have election. fostered an interest in the curThe AP United States History rent election. According to an class, which is typically taken by April 23 Chronicle poll, 62 perjuniors, also incorporates dis- cent of students say they believe cussion about the election. their classes have caused them “In AP United States Histo- to become actively engaged in ry, we have news quizzes, which politics. definitely inform us of the cur“It seems like many [students] rent happenings of the election,” have read on their own and Sylvie Sanders ’17 said. watch the news, watch ‘The DaiStudents say a deeper un- ly Show’ and watch other things derstanding of economics has where they talk about politics,” helped them understand what to Waterhouse said. “They all seem look for in a president, and in AP to have pretty strong opinions Economics, politics is typically already. I think they can undiscussed in terms of fiscal pol- derstand the significance of this icy. election and previous elections.” “We discuss politics in AP Jones said that she is more Economics because economic prepared to vote as a result of policies are very connected to her participation the AP United the government, and we read States Government and Politics Wall Street Journal articles that course. will discuss trade agreements or “One of the goals that my [AP tax policies,” Mikaela Wolfsdorf Government and Politics] teach’16 said. er expressed for the end of the Seniors in AP English Lan- year is that we all leave as eduguage also discuss prevalent po- cated voters,” Jones said. “I belitical issues. lieve I’m prepared to vote.” NATHANSON S
C6 FEATURES
THE CHRONICLE
APRIL 27, 2016
Hook, Line and Sinker S LLU OI OT
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Legacies, sports and other factors can serve as admissions “hooks” for students, giving them a higher chance of acceptance at certain universities and colleges.
ION AT TR BY NA
AN G
N GO
By SAMMI HANDLER
may be hooked at every school. school, the adHe named California Insti- missions office Three months ago, Paige tute of Technology and Massa- would look for athHoward ’17 committed to Uni- chusetts Institute of Technol- student versity of Pennsylvania for soc- ogy as an example of a school letes who also cer, essentially finishing her where Asian-American stu- meets their college process months before dents would not necessarily a c a d e m i c juniors had even started to put be hooked since both schools standards. have student bodies of about “That together a preliminary list. is not to “It feels good to have a 25 percent Asian students. “So take an Asian student say that sense of knowing kind of I what’s in the future, but I’m applying to MIT,” Graham Division still stressed because I need to said. “I don’t think they’re athletes aren’t make sure I keep my grades up hooked at MIT. But take that [also academicaland everything,” Howard said. same Asian student applying ly prepared], but “But it definitely feels good. I to a small liberal arts school there are different prowhere there’s only 2 cesses at different schools, so feel very lucky to be in or 3 percent Asian that’s something that I would the position I’m in.” students, then they really encourage students to Howard had one of might be hooked.” talk to admissions reps about the four most common Senior Associate and find out what types of college admissions Director of Johns roles [hooks] play at particular “hooks,” characterisHopkins University institutions,” Miller said. tics or activities that Undergraduate AdSome students do not beuniversities look for in missions Shannon lieve that their hooks played applicants other than Miller said that in- much of a role in their college grade point average ’ stitutions consider admissions process. and standardized test Paige hooks in different Adam Hirschhorn ’16, scores. Howard ’17 ways and that for who will be attending HarThe most common hooks include athletics, being some schools, even hooked vard College in the fall, said a member of an underrepre- students must meet other that the process was not any less stressful sented racial group, legacy standards to for him even and parents who have been be admitted. “At some though his philanthropic towards chariI think the only brother and ties, high schools or colleges, institutions, effect of my being a legacy father both but the effectiveness of the [hooks] might attended the hook depends on the particu- be highly imwas that I knew more lar school the student is apply- portant, and about the school and thus school. others, “I think ing to, upper school dean Kyle at it was my first choice, but they might the only effect Graham said. of my being “A kid is not hooked,” Gra- be a thumb it didn’t relieve me of any a legacy was ham said. “A kid is hooked at on the scale stress or pressure.” – just a little that I knew a particular school.” Like Howard, student-ath- [factor] that —Adam Hirschorn ’16 more about the school, letes may visit colleges during could tip you and thus that their sophomore year to meet over,” Miller said. it was my first choice, but it with coaches. At a Division I school, she didn’t relieve me of any stress Graham also said that the institutions look for specific said, a student athlete’s ath- or pressure,” Hirschorn said. In Harvard-Westlake’s goals to be met when it comes letic ability may be the prito hooks, and so not every var- mary factor driving his or her college matriculation binders, sity athlete or racial minority admission, but at a Division III students are anonymously NATHANSON S
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Carmen Levine ’17 said that she would not be deterred listed by the schools they from applying to a university applied to, showing their even if she thought she had GPA, test scores and wheth- less of a chance at getting er or not they were accept- accepted than a male in her ed. There is an asterisk by class. “If that’s the only thing the names of students who were accepted and hooked about a school that would detract me, I don’t think it would at the school they went to. In the past five years, stop me from [applying] to the only 43 students with be- school,” Levine said. “I think low a 4.0 GPA matriculated as someone who advocates for to Ivy League universities gender equality, I would prefer or other schools in the U.S. to go to a school that’s 50/50.” Levine said she also might News and World Report’s top consider herself hooked at 10, according to the binders. some schools beGraham thinks cause she is a fethose outliers could be male interested in attributed to students pursuing computer not being honest about science. the amount of donaEven though this tions to the university is not a traditional that their family made. hook, Levine thinks Alternatively, it could that perhaps the low also be due to a hook number of women that is not accounted ’ entering this field for by the binder, such Carmen could work in her as a passion for or noLevine ’17 favor. table success in a parWhen choosing a college ticular academic field. Additionally, at some col- major, 0.4 percent of females leges, the underrepresented select computer science, acgroup hook may expand to cording to a report by the noninclude genders, the Washing- profit organization Girls Who Code. ton Post reported in March. “I think that definiteSome schools, such as Boston University, have a stu- ly some schools that have a dent body of 60 percent fe- greater male student body are male, according to U.S. News definitely looking [for more fe& World Report, and may want male STEM majors], especially to accept more males to future in the light of more awareness classes to equalize their ra- toward sexism in the STEM field,” Levine said. “But I think tios. The admissions rate for that’s true of every hook. As MIT, for example, is signifi- more awareness exists for the cantly higher for women—13 lack of minorities at schools, percent compared to 6 percent the lack of gender balance at for men— while schools such schools and the lack of just as Vassar College and Pomona diversity in general, then the College have higher rates for awareness for hooks increases as well.” men. NATHANSON S
APRIL 27, 2016
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FEATURES C7
Le Tour de College A majority of students try to tour colleges at some point in high school. Many find that the process is essential to get a feel for their likes and dislikes in a school.
By JEAN SANDERS AND JESSE NADEL
to experience a more personal selection of colleges and to get the input of their parents Lola Clark ’17 steps on throughout the process. “I decided to not go on one a bus, ready for a six-hour of the school college tours bedrive to Clemson University cause I felt in South Carthat it was imolina. While portant that I many of her “We were driving saw colleges peers are for the first spending their from Pittsburgh to New time with my spring breaks York and saw several parents and resting at that they were colleges on the way just home or travof my eling, Clark is to get a feel of what type afirstpart imprespreparing to and size of college I like.” sions,” Chloe see her 10th Zoller ’17 said. college in the — Harry Garvey ’18 “Hearing their past five days take on each as part of a college was very important to school-run tour. “I went into it not expecting me, given that they were once it to be really fun,” Clark said. going through the same pro“I was a little nervous about cess.” Some students decided to seeing 12 colleges in one week, but it ended up being really ex- attend both the school-run citing and really fun. It allowed college tour and a tour just for a lot of bonding with people with their family to get the that you wouldn’t bond with at benefits of both. After the Harvard-Westlake school. It was very relaxed but tour, Clark went on to see an also structured.” Clark said that seeing a additional eight schools with variety of schools allowed her her mom, making her grand to identify exactly what she total just under 20 colleges for was looking for. She and oth- a two-week period. “It was nice on my personal er students were able to talk to alumni and hear about their college tour to see just the colleges that I was interested in college experiences. Others chose to go on col- instead of wasting time at ones lege tours with their families that I definitely didn’t want to
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go to,” Clark said. “But I defi- age that they visit,” Cardenas summer when students are nitely think that the tour with said. “The whole process hap- out on summer break. For some, other committhe school was much better pens so early that you want to because I got to see a range be well equipped to make the ments took up the entirety of of schools that I didn’t know I decision and not have buyer’s their break. “I couldn’t go on college remorse once you get there.” might be interested in.” tours over Another Although deans advocate spring break for students to attempt to see motive for stubecause of the a variety of schools, many cau- dents to visit Hearing [my choir trip, so tion against piling on a large is that some I had to find number of schools all in one colleges considparents’] take on available weeker a student’s break. each college was very ends and days “Schools can start blur- “ d e m o n s t r a t off that I could interest” ring into one another, and I’ve ed important to me.” go and visit colreviewheard of people who did even when —Chloe Zoller ’17 leges dispersed just one week of touring, and ing their applithroughout the While by the end, their impression cation. year,” Henry of a school was marred by the most setheir level of tiredness,” upper lective schools in the nation Platt ’17 said. “It was definitely school dean Celso Cardenas do not take such interest into harder than having it all laid account, students out over one or two weeks. It said. “Students tend should try to visit was manageable, but I wish to be much more enmore moderately se- I had the opportunity to see thusiastic about the lective schools that them all at once.” schools they see earSome sophomores also go do care about whethlier on in the trip.” er students took the on college tours to get an earHowever, Cardetime to visit, Carde- ly start on the college process, nas also said that and some seniors visit after nas said. he tells his students Many students they’ve gotten into the schools to try to visit at least plan college tours and must review their options each type of school during spring break before the May 1 decision and to see schools ’ of their junior year, deadline. with varying degrees Lola “We were driving from because it gives them of selectivity. He also Clark ’17 plenty of time to de- Pittsburgh to New York and advocates that his students try to visit the school cide which schools they’re in- saw several colleges on the to which they choose to apply terested in before they begin way just to get a feel of what their applications the next fall. type and size of college I liked, Early Decision. “If students are thinking They are also able to see col- as opposed to taking specific about going Early Decision leges when they are in session colleges into consideration,” anywhere, I highly encour- rather than visiting during the Harry Garvey ’18 said.
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NATHANSON S
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ANNA GONG
C8 FEATURES
THE CHRONICLE
APRIL 27, 2016
The Puzzle of Stress The library supplies students with activities such as puzzles and coloring books to relieve the stress they build up during the school day.
By JACKSON NOVICK
thing that the kids would have more fun with while they were Students visiting the front studying,” Jessica Pfeifer ’16 desk of the Mudd Library in said. The jigsaw puzzles, which the last few months may have noticed a whiteboard covered depict nature scenes, landwith quotes, goofy drawings, scapes and even the periodic opinions and responses to cur- table, not only provide entertainment but also are an outrent events. let for creative energy. They might also Research indihave seen their peers cates there are health solving jigsaw puzbenefits to solving jigzles in the far corsaw puzzles because ner of the common they allow the brain area near therapeuto operate in a linear tic aquariums where and emotionally congoldfish ogle visitors nected way, accordwith mild, wide-eyed ing to the November curiosity. ’ 2007 Harvard BusiOver the last Jessica ness Review. year and a half, liPfeifer ’16 Studies such as brary personnel have brought in the whiteboard, the MacArthur Study of Sucpuzzles and goldfish to help cessful Aging have shown students relieve stress and that individuals who work on jigsaw puzzles have a higher anxiety. The jigsaw puzzles are in- potential for a longer lifespan tended to be a fun activity that and a lower chance of suffertakes away from the business- ing from Alzheimer’s disease, like and stressful atmosphere memory loss or dementia. Dopamine, the brain’s of Harvard-Westlake. “I first saw it as an idea “feel good” chemical used for at another library. I think the learning and memory, is also effect has been very positive,” released during the solving of Head Upper School Librarian jigsaw puzzles. The production of this Shannon Acedo said. “I think that the whiteboard is espe- chemical increases exponencially effective in allowing stu- tially in the brain when a particularly difficult puzzle is bedents to communicate ideas.” The key was finding the ing solved, allowing students balance between something to feel alert and even more that would be entirely too dis- creative. “It gives me something to tracting and something that would be too tedious, Acedo put my mind to,” Sylvie Sanders ’17 said. “It helps me besaid. “I think [the librarians] cause I get to relax more, wanted to bring out some- which is something that I don’t NATHANSON S
really get at school or at home. ecologist Alan Beck, psychiaSo I get it in the library. After trist Aaron Katcher and bioloschool I have a lot of fencing gist Erika Freidmann. practice, so I don’t have time The coloring books seem to do something mindless and to be a hit with students, who relaxing. So this is where I do enjoy the peaceful moments as it.” they shade in the intricate deThe whiteboard is a me- signs, ranging from mandalas dium for students to share to nature images in the quiet ideas, ranging from serious of the library. political topics to silly things. “We started the colorOne topic posed on the board ing books when we first did recently asked students, the overnight reading of ‘Mo“Would you rather run naked by-Dick’ two years ago,” Acearound the track in front of do said. “We really liked them, the entire school or receive a and they just stuck.” failing grade in an AP class?” Coloring is becoming a to which people responded more popular pastime for with statements such as, “My teens and adults outside of grades are more important school, according to an article than my dignity” and, “Would in the Huffington Post in OcI rather? I’m altober 2014. ready out on the Best-sellfield.” ing coloring I first saw it as an books The library’s inidea at another library. I clude Johantranquil duo of goldfish, with think the effect has been na Basford’s their quizzical “Secret Garvery positive.” gazes and ocden: An Inky casional “blub —Shannon Acedo T r e a s u r e blubs,” serves as Hunt & ColHead Librarian oring Book” a source of mild entertainment along with and relaxation. her second effort, “Enchanted The fish, which started as Forest, An Inky Quest & Cola decorative feature for last oring Book”; “Balance: Angie’s April’s “Moby-Dick” reading, Extreme Stress Menders Volwere brought in by Jessie Pfeif- ume 1” by Angie Grace; and er ’16 and have evolved into “The Mindfulness Coloring one of the library’s most pop- Book: Anti-stress Art Theraular features. Simply watch- py for Busy People” by Emma ing fish swim back and forth Farrarons. inherently relieves stress, “Even though I’m colorworking along the same lines blind, coloring is just such as meditation by helping de- a simple task. It’s just so recrease blood pressure, accord- laxing, like listening to the ing to a 2005 study by urban ocean,” Sanders said.
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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY: SOPHIE COHEN AND CLAUDIA WONG
SPORTS The Chronicle • April 27, 2016
Track & Field
Boys’ Lacrosse
Team prepares for CIF playoffs By CARINA MARX CAMERON STINE
AND
The girls’ varsity track and field team is 3-1 in league and has an overall record of 4-1, while the boys are 3-2 in league and 4-2 overall, showing strength and skill early on in their respective seasons. Members of the team have been breaking records and pushing boundaries since the cross country season began in the fall. “One of the most exciting things that has happened was the boys’ school record-breaking performance in the 4x1600-meter relay, which they ran in 18:07.05,” Casey Crosson ’17 said. “It was also fun to watch Alex Barnum ’16 break the school record in the 100-meter run the other day. Overall, it’s been really cool to see how after each meet our team has achieved tons of new personal and season records.” Barnum broke the 100-meter record by 0.001 seconds and came in second place against Notre Dame April 20. However, the boys’ team lost the meet. Both Courtney Corrin ’16 and Nina Milligan ’16 have committed to run track in college: Corrin at USC and Milligan at Lafayette College. The squad is looking forward to Mission League Finals May 5. These events are the last chance the individual performers have to qualify for CIF, and the last chance they have to compete as a team. “We have been working really hard since before winter break, and CIF is an opportunity to prove yourself and for all the practice to pay off,” Andrew Berg ’17 said. The team continues with its strategy to work together during practice to achieve the highest score possible for the entire team. “For a seemingly individual sport, the team really works together and supports each other,” • Continued on page D2
CAMERON STINE/CHRONICLE
SWINGING: Paul Rodriguez ’18 outpaces an Oak Park defender last Saturday. The team bested the Eagles 17-4, increasing its overall record
to 10-4 and its league record to 4-3. The team has two league games left before CIF playoffs begin, and it is expected to qualify for playoffs.
Squad hits stride as playoffs approach
BY DARIO MADYOON AND RIAN RATNAVALE With three quarters of the regular season done, the lacrosse team is ending the 2015 season in stride despite its difficult schedule. In an unusual scheduling quirk, the Wolverines played four straight league games on the road, which they split, winning two and losing two. However, the Wolverines will end their regular season with three straight home games, starting with a 17-4 win over Oak Park April 23. “It was definitely nice coming back home,” head coach Erik Krum said. “We were a little tired in the games before, but we had our feet back under us tonight. We had high energy, the team was playing together and we played all four quarters.” A common theme in the
squad’s losses this season has been a dip in offensive efficiency. The Wolverines scored 10 or more goals in seven of their nine wins, and are undefeated when they reach double digits. However, the team scored only 4.5 goals per game in their four losses, and lost all of those games by five or more goals. “How we want to keep offensive consistency is not only through physical toughness, but also through mental toughness as well,” Krum said. “We have to have our boys firing mentally at all times. They have to be focused when they’re passing, focused when they’re catching and they have got to be running the offense.” The team has been getting consistent play from Phillip Thompson ’16, who has 47 goals so far this season, and Zac Harleston ’17, who has 20. However, the Wolverines have also benefited from improved
play from Sultan Daniels ’18, who has seven goals. “I think that [Daniels] has made a lot of improvement this year and serves as a great role model for other players,” goalie Troy Hattler ’18 said. “He is always working and playing hard.” Despite losses to Palos Verdes, the top-ranked team in Southern California, and second ranked Loyola, the players aren’t worried about facing teams like those in the playoffs, and are happy with their progress so far this season. “We are somewhere around the three-seed in Los Angeles, which is justified considering we only lost to the first and second seeds,” Paul Rodriguez ’18 said. “Nonetheless, I don’t feel like we pay much attention to rankings week to week and are instead focused on each game. I feel pretty good about where we are, and I know that the tough
teams we face aren’t going to be any different than the teams we are playing now in season so we as a team are ready and excited for playoffs and the chance at a CIF championship.” “We really have not worried about the playoffs yet,” Hattler said. “We are taking the games one by one and will cross that bridge when we get there.” However, even when playoffs do come, the team won’t be looking to change its gametested system too much. “We have a lot of confidence in our offensive and defensive systems, so I don’t think we will be making any major changes going forward,” Rodriguez said. “Our key will be to remain together as a family and trust in one another. If we stick together, we can accomplish a lot this postseason.” The team’s next game and regular season finale is Saturday against Crespi.
Boys’ Tennis
Boys improve on slow start BY CONNOR REESE AND BRYANT WU
PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF HW ATHLETICS
AT YOUR SERVICE: Adam Straberg ’17 serves a ball during a match against St. Francis. The team went on to win 14-4.
After starting the season with a 2-2 record, the boys’ tennis team picked up the pace with an 11-game win streak despite losing many players to graduation. “I am most proud of how the team has been able to deal with the adversity of losing a lot of good players from last year,” Sacha Pritzker ’18 said. The team finished fifth in the All American Tournament in Ojai, California. Last year, the team also finished fifth, even when it included nationally ranked players such as Michael Genender ’15 and Jacob Adler ’15. In this tournament, the Wolverines squared up against the top teams in the
nation. The squad is currently ranked fifth in the nation. “The fifth place finish in Ojai was really awesome because we lost so many key starters from last season, so to come back and do just as well was really great,” captain Jed Kronenberg ’17 said. “I think that winning league for another year is always a good accomplishment and speaks to how hard we have been working in practice.” Pritzker is an underclassmen who has stepped up into a new larger role. “[Pritzker] has gotten a lot better since his freshman season and did really well in the All American Tournament,” Kronenberg said. “Without him, we wouldn’t have done nearly as well.”
Pritzker also thinks that his experience on varsity has helped him develop as a player. “Personally, I have tried to improve the doubles aspect of my game, as it has become more important for the team’s success,” Pritzker said. “It’s definitely more pressure playing a higher position on the team, but I really enjoy the challenge of playing at consistently higher levels and continuing to improve.” Other players who have stepped up this year are Theo Velaise ’17 and Matthew Bergman ’17, Jacob Tucker ’17 said. Kronenberg’s contributions have also been vital to the team’s success. • Continued on page D3
D2 SPORTS
THE CHRONICLE
Game to watch MAY 5
Mission League Finals @ Occidental College The boys’ and girls’ track team is undefeated thus far this season, marking great improvement from last year. Both teams started off the season with an encouraging string of wins against Brentwood, Crossroads and Pacifica Christian. Led by Jack Stovitz ’16 and Casey Crosson ’17, the team will head into the Mission League Finals on May 5.
KEY PLAYER Jack Stovitz ’16 Coming off a strong performance in the Notre Dame meet on April 20, Stovitz looks to help lead the team. As the captain of the varsity team, he has consistently been helping the team succeed and is a vital athlete on the team.
& Figures Facts
Boys’ tennis Mission League winning streak
26
176
APRIL 27, 2016
Track & Field
Team still undefeated heading into playoffs
administer discus competitions at dual meets. For this reason, the only discus competitions Crosson said. As the Mission League are during home meets at Ted Finals approach, the team Slavin Field. Bouza’s personal has been emphasizing skills best in discus is over 80 feet and techniques rather than with the 1.6 kilogram disk. The distance runners, conditioning to avoid injuries. “We do a lot of training however, are some of the before season, and now we do team’s strongest competitors. lighter work to avoid getting Led by senior team captain hurt and stay in good condition Jack Stovitz ’16, the group has finished well before league finals,” in nearly all their Bennett Yee ’17 said. track and field Even with the events, including the many running 4x1600 record meter successes, the relay time, broken throwing events, by Stovitz, Nate discus and shotput, Hollander '17, Henry have proven to be Roskin '16, and areas of weakness. Austin McNab '19. After Justin Butler ’ “Just being a part ’19 broke his arm Bennett Yee ’17 of the distance side of skateboarding and things is pretty cool Cole Jacobson ’15 graduated, only three throwers were left to and fun,” Berg said. “Even if I am in the middle of the pack, carry the “Throw Squad.” Tony Bouza ’16 is the running behind great runners only varsity competitor of the is a pretty special thing to be trio. Discus is the squad’s a part of. I know how much stronger event, Bouza said, work they all put into it, and but unfortunately for the it’s pretty awesome to see all Wolverines, the Mission League that work pay off for them and does not require schools to for the team as a whole." • Continued from page D1
NATHANSON S
JOE LEVIN/CHRONICLE
HOP, SKIP AND A JUMP: Matthew Wang ’19 competes in the
100m hurdle event during a 87-35 away win against Crespi March 3.
Baseball
Number of points Wolfgang Novogratz ’16 scored in the basketball state championship game
6
Number of games in which boys’ lacrosse team scored over 10 goals
.001
Seconds by which Alex Barnum ’16 beat the 100-meter school record
Junior Varsity Baseball Next Game: Thursday @ Crespi
Boys' Golf Next Match: Thursday @ Lakeside CC
Boys’ Lacrosse Next Game: Saturday @ Westlake
Boys’ Tennis Next Match: Thursday @ LA Valley College
Boys’/Girls’ Track Next Meet: Thursday vs. Alemany
Boys’ Volleyball Next Game: Thursday vs. Oaks Christian
BENNETT GROSS/CHRONICLE
BENNETT GROSS/CHRONICLE
PLAYING THE FIELD: First baseman Casey Slatery ’17 (left) attempts to apply a tag to a Chaminade baserunner in an 8-0 Wolverine victory at home March 16. McCabe Slye ’16 (right) pitches from the stretch to a Chaminade batter in the same game.
Squad off to .500 start in league play By BENNETT GROSS
The Wolverines’ varsity baseball team has six games remaining in Mission League play and is making a final push towards a league title and a postseason birth. The squad currently holds a record of 14-7 overall and 6-6 in league. After losing in the finals of the Easton Tournament to Burroughs 1-0, the Wolverines began their tough transition to Mission League play. This season, the Mission League has adopted a threegame series format, similar to the MLB, as opposed to the former two-game a week system. “The three-game series are completely different than two,” Cameron Deere ’16 said. “Pitching is always stretched thin, and that third game of the week is a real battle because of how mentally exhausting the first two
games can be.” In the Wolverines’ first series of Mission League play, they faced off against Chaminade, who took two of three against HarvardWestlake. In the Wolverines’ lone win of the series, McCabe Slye ’16 threw a complete game two-hit shutout. In their next round of Mission League games, the Wolverines again only won one of three games against Notre Dame. Behind a 75-pitch complete game six-hitter in the opener of the series, the Wolverines dropped two straight to the Knights. Heading into spring break, the Wolverines were left with many questions after opening up Mission League play with a record of 2-4. Looking for answers, the Wolverines entered the IMG Tournament as the favorites and did not disappoint. They cruised past Bishop McLaughlin and Windermere
Prep, placing HarvardWestlake in the semifinals against the host IMG Ascenders. The Ascenders challenged the Wolverines. However, the Wolverines pulled out a 5-4 victory to advance to the finals. Harvard-Westlake won their fourth game in a row to take home the tournament championship. John Thomas ’16 was named the most valuable player of the IMG Tournament. After returning from Florida with a tournament victory, the Wolverines had a new sense of grit and determination. Harvard-Westlake subsequently swept St. Francis, with Leo Kaplan ’16 providing eight RBIs in the series. However, the Wolverines were unable to channel this success against archrival and Mission League leading Loyola Cubs.
The Wolverines continued their trend thus far of losing two of three to the premier teams in the Mission League. They defeated the Cubs in the first game of the series, improving their winning streak to eight, but they lost their next two to Loyola. "We have shown flashes of a team that can go really far in the playoffs, but we have lacked consistency," Kaplan said. "We just need to continue to work hard, and the results will come." Heading into the final stretch of games in league play, the squad is hoping for sweeps of Crespi and Alemany to give them life heading into the playoffs. “We have two series left, and we hope that we can come away with two sweeps,” Deere said. “It is a very possible and attainable goal for us. Two sweeps would give us a ton of momentum heading into the playoffs, where anything can happen.”
April 27, 2016
hwchronicle.com/sports
Sports D3
inbrief
Boys’ Volleyball
April Athletes of the Month named
The Student Athletic Advisory Council selected girls’ basketball player Jordan Brown ’16 and boys’ lacrosse player Zachary Harleston ’17 as the April Female and Male Athletes of the Month. Varsity team captain Brown led her team to a solid run in the CIF Playoffs this year until Cajon High School ended the streak March 15. Harleston is an upstart player for his team, which has an overall record of 10-4 and a league record of 4-2. The team most recently won a home game against Oak Park by a score of 17-4 April 23. —Jadene Meyer
Boys’ water polo team travels to Italy
DARIO MADYOON/CHRONICLE
GOING UP: Colin Shannon ’17 jumps and makes contact with the ball against Notre Dame in a Mission League match March 3.
Team struggles through league dry spell
By Jake Liker
Injuries and inexperience have taken their toll on the boys’ volleyball team. A season that started with promise and optimism for the team is now in a tailspin, with the Wolverines losing six consecutive Mission League games. Among those bitten by the injury bug is Chris Hedley ’16. Hedley broke and displaced his right pinkie during a drill in practice April 5. That pinkie now houses
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eight screws, two pins and a metal plate. Hedley’s injury resulted in yet another change to a starting lineup that already fluctuated game-to-game, personnel-wise. Filling in for Hedley is Justin Eitner ’18, to whom the injured veteran is trying to show the ropes. “I’ve been trying to help him focus more on developing other aspects of his game like tips, roll shots and smart plays in general, rather than focusing on winning in prac-
The team didn’t start out young, but through injuries and other circumstances, it’s become a young team that’s been struggling with adversity.” —Chris Hedley ’16 Varsity Volleyball
nathanson’s
tice,” Hedley said. In the first three matches the team played since Hedley was injured, the Wolverines failed to win a single set, losing in straight sets to Notre Dame, Alemany and Crespi. “We haven’t really established the set lineup, even though it’s this late in the season,” Colin Shannon ’17 said. “It seemed like halfway through the season we switched it up, and with [Hedley] dropping and a sophomore taking his space, it makes the team young, and young teams are more prone to emotion and head cases.” Hedley points out that this wasn’t always the case. But they’re now dealing with a new reality of injury and inexperience, and that reality is starting to take a mental toll. “I think that before the losing streak we were in a position to be a top team in
league, and we still have the potential to beat anyone in the league on any given day, but the stacked up losses have definitely taken a toll on a really young team,” Hedley said. “The team didn’t start out young, but through injuries and other circumstances, it’s become a young team that is struggling with adversity.” The Wolverines are sixth in the Mission League with a record of 2-8. Co-captain David Ho ’16 is taking it upon himself to keep the team motivated and to foster improvement. “The most important thing is to keep your teammates knowing that it’s not only about the result,” Ho said. “We are a fairly young team with all of our hitters being underclassmen. It’s more important to train and get the experience of the • Continued on page D6
Players prepare themselves for postseason opposition • Continued from page D1
yon High School, University “[Kronenberg] has played High School and Torrey Pines an integral role in our team’s High School. The team credits its latelate season success,” Tucker season success to cersaid. “He has really tain players gaining stepped up to the role much needed experiof captain and has ence over the course been someone who of the beginning of the the players look up to season. and feel comfortable “The lack of expearound. Jed is always rience led us to drop supportive and one of some matches, but it the biggest voices in was clear throughout our matches.” ’ the beginning of the The team also parJed season that we had ticipated in the CIF Kronenberg ’17 the skill level to play singles and doubles with the best teams in tournament in Ojai. As of press time, the doubles the nation,” Kronenberg said. pairing of Adam Sraberg ’17 “Throughout the season many and Kronenberg had advanced of the players have gained the to the semi-finals, beating dou- more competitive and focused bles teams from La Costa Can- mentality that they have neednathanson s
ed to win these key matches.” Tucker feels that his individual play has helped him improve his competitiveness in matches. “I feel like [I have] a more cutthroat attitude this year towards the game,” Tucker said. “I’ve also gotten better at getting in the heads of my opponents.” Kronenberg also thinks that Tucker has been able to step up. “[He] has been practicing a lot and working hard to be a better doubles player and has been doing really well now,” Kronenberg said. Kronenberg added that his fellow captain George Noonan ’16 has been playing really tough opposition in singles
and is still winning. Sraberg, the Wolverines’ number-one singles player, helped maintain the team’s strong start. Sraberg has beaten key players like Menlo High School star Nathan Safran ’16, a four-star recruit committed to Johns Hopkins University. “Adam has been doing great,” Kronenberg said. “He’s really leading the team both in practice and in matches. Whether he plays singles or doubles, we always count on him to do well.” The Wolverines will play against Peninsula High School away from home today and then square off against Notre Dame on Thurday before starting their CIF run.
Eighteen water polo players traveled to Italy over spring break as part of a teambuilding experience. They left with their club Premier for Rome March 23 and traveled to Florence, Recco and Camogli before returning April 3. The team traveled around the city during the day and trained with Italian water polo club teams during the evening. Some of the teams the boys played were Roma, Florentina U-17 and Florentina’s professional team. Sophomore Sam Krutonog ’18 said he enjoyed the experience. “It gave the water polo team a great bonding experience full of great culture and great water polo,” Krutonog said. —Wilder Short
Tse and Brown placed on All-Star roster
Girls’ basketball players Lindsey Tse ’16 and Jordan Brown ’16 were selected as team members for the East team for the Valley Sports Foundation girls’ all-star basketball game April 9 at Los Angeles Valley College. Both Tse and Brown averaged at least two steals per game and appeared in at least 26 games this season for the Wolverines. —Andrew Ahn
Stanley and Novogratz put on All-CIF team Wolfgang Novogratz ’16 and Cassius Stanley ’19 were named to the 2015-16 All CIF boys’ basketball team. Stanley missed two state playoff games after being concussed in a first-round game against Poterville, but returned in time for the semifinal round against Viewpoint. He scored 16 points in the final, including a dramatic alley-oop dunk. Novogratz, a two-year varsity player, made 11 out of 14 of his shots and scored all four of his free throws. He also left with a CIF-4AA CIF division title, ending his career on a high note. —Adam Yu
Path to Victory
Sports D5 A chart of every game of Mission League play this season, showing the evolution of the team through its wins (in red) and losses (in black).
St. Francis
84-53
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April 27, 2016
St. Francis
66-38
The Chronicle
With the Division IV-AA boys’ basketball team winning its first state championship in 19 years March 26, we look back on previous state championships. The Wolverines won in Division III in 1996 and 1997 under former boys' basketball head Greg Hilliard. The path of the Mission League season under head coach David Rebibo is shown at right.
'96
'97 PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF VOX POPULI
THING ONE: Jarron Collins ’97 shoots during one of his games in the 1995-96 season. That season, the team was Division III State Champion.
By Rian Ratnavale PRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF VOX POPULI
THING TWO: Jason Collins ’97 dunks at a game during the 1996-97 season. The team became Division III State Champion for the second year in a row.
Alemany
'96
The boys’ basketball team won its first championship under Gregg Hilliard in 1996, grabbing the top spot in Division III. The team was led by Jason Collins ’97, who was named to First Team All-CIF that year. Collins went on to play for many NBA teams, including the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. After making history with Harvard-Westlake, Collins went on to make history by becoming the first professional athlete in a major sport to come out as gay. Jarron Collins ’97 also was one of the anchors for the inaugural Wolverine title team and teamed up with his brother to form a formidable duo in the post. Both twins ended up going to Stanford after they graduated. Jarron was drafted by the Jazz and after a lengthy playing career became an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. The team ended up rallying from a six-point halftime against Sacramento Grant High School and used a 17-2 run spearheaded by the twins to take home the gold.
Crespi Chaminade
Notre Dame
By Jake Liker
'97
John Wooden once said, "Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character." The 1996-97 team had enough of both to win Harvard-Westlake its second consecutive CIF State Division III title. After defeating Morningside 8464 at Anaheim Arena to lock up a CIF-Southern Section Division III-A title for the third year in a row, the Wolverines would later return to the pond to thrash Hillsdale 80-50 in the state championship game. The Collins brothers each scored 24 points that day. Jason sprained his ankle in the third quarter, but was able to return to record his 1,500th career rebound, and his 17th of the game. To this day, Jason Collins is the only player in CIF-Southern Section history to record 1,500 rebounds in his career. The Wolverines finished the season 36-1, closing out the year with a 26-game win streak. Of their 36 wins, 27 of them were by a margin of at least 20 points. It is for these reasons that the phrase "BEST EVER" adorns the 1997 team's championship banner in Taper Athletic Pavilion.
Loyola
57-53
55-49 75-70
Notre Dame
61-56
Crespi
65-63
77-75
64-56
Loyola
73-69
58-47
Chaminade
74-66
D4 Sports
Alemany
By Carina Marx
'16
After defying all odds, the varsity boys' basketball team broke the 19year state championship dry streak in March. The additions of Wolfgang Novogratz ’16, Cassius Stanley ’19 and new Program Head David Rebibo brought an extra fire to the team. Novogratz was present for the 20142015 season, but was sidelined with a foot injury. Stanley became one of the most famed players at this school for his breakaway speed and dunk prowess. Rebibo came from University of San Francisco and El Camino Real High School, the latter of which he led to CIF playoffs five times in a row. After going 7-5 and placing third in league, the Wolverines qualified for CIF playoffs. Even though they lost to Notre Dame Feb. 26, they won every other postseason game and made it to CIF state finals March 26 against Palma High School, a small Catholic school in Salinas. The Wolverines spent the majority of the game in the lead, with major scorers Novogratz, Stanley and Carter Begel ’17 giving the team a total of 56 combined points.
D6 SPORTS
Volleyball struggles in league play
THE CHRONICLE
APRIL 27, 2016
Swimming and diving
• Continued from page D1
game. A lot of our problems throughout the season were mental because of the lack of experience. For me it was important for them to have confidence and rely on the habits we train during practice and execute during games instead of second-guessing themselves.” The team does not believe that its season is a lost cause. “On the bright side, this season is going to benefit the program in the long run, giving many sophomores and juniors the experience of having to overcome a bleak point in the season,” Hedley said. In his first year as Head Coach of the boys’ volleyball team, Ryan Casey’s goal was to create a new culture, one centered around accountability, within the program. Perhaps that culture is starting to take root, as players are taking responsibility. “We haven’t been finishing games well,” Alec Winshel ’16 said. “We find ourselves down, fight back, and then lose the last set; with such a young team that’s just something we have to work on, but at the end of the day, we have no one to blame but ourselves.” After this dry spell, it appears that the team is finally starting to see results again. The team participated in a tournament of about 25 teams in Sylmar this past weekend, in which it won its pool to advance to the tournament playoffs. The team made it all the way to the quarterfinals, where it was defeated by the eventual tournament champions, Palisades High. “We’re having a lot more success [recently by] spreading the ball and making the other team respect all of our hitters,” Winshel said.
PHOTOS BY JULIANA BERGER/CHRONICLE
DIFFERENT STROKES: Felix Broznya-Vilim ’17 (left) competes in the freestyle against Loyola. Izzy Wiesenthal ’17 (top right) swims butterfly against Flintridge Sacred Heart. A swimmer (top right) dives. Simon Weisberg ’17 (bottom right) races in the boys’ freestyle.
Wolverines continue league play domination, ready for CIF postseason By JULIANA BERGER AND EMILY RAHHAL
The undefeated girls’ swim team ended its regular season with its first victory over Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in several years on the team’s senior night Thursday. “Everyone had such a good time and swam so well,” girls’ captain Alex Grande ’16 said. “After that meet I can honestly say I’m really proud to be on this team and everything we’ve accomplished.” The girls ended their season 4-0 in league and 7-0 overall. The boys’ team faced its only loss of the season to the Loyola Cubs that same night,
ending 3-1 in league and 6-1 overall. Both teams’ success may have stemmed from first year Swimming Program Head Jason Schwarz’s changes to the program, as well as an increase in bonding among the group of swimmers. “The athletes bought in to what we were asking them to do and the direction we wanted to go,” Schwarz said. “High school swimming programs have so many moving parts— high school swimmers, club swimmers, water polo players, divers. It can be challenging getting everyone on the same page, but we built protocols to make that happen, and it really
helped lead us to a successful regular season.” The major focus of the season was to build up the idea that both teams could be successful, something that Schwarz says the teams believed in. After the regular season ended, the boys’ and girls’ teams looked towards preparing for their league prelims and then finals, which took place Monday and Tuesday respectively. “At this point in the season it’s about advancing from mission league to CIF prelims then to CIF finals and state,” Schwarz said. “In order to do that we are sharpening up the
small details of our races and of course getting the athletes some rest.” With the program under Schwarz, the squad is looking to have a successful season next year. The younger swimmers and collaboration with the water polo program has set up for a dominant 2016-2017 season. “I think the biggest change that has put us ahead this year would be the fact that we have a lot of fast freshman,” Grande said. “Not only has our team gotten bigger, but it means that we have depth. It’s wonderful knowing that in the years to come we have the potential to do this well again.”
Softball
Squad salvages its season with tenacity
By OLIVER AKHTARZAD AND ELLY CHOI
The softball team has had a rough start to the season, having lost its first two league games to Alemany and Chaminade 2-1. However, the Wolverines defeated the Marlborough Mustangs 8-6 on April 21. “I think that we had a lot more intensity throughout the course of the game, and that motivated us to work better as a team,” right fielder Princie Kim ’18 said. “We also had really good communication with each other, so the amount of errors that we made de-
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creased by a lot.” As a result of losing its first two games, the team recognized its main weaknesses and strengths and strove to fix them. To improve their play, they have been working on specific plays and refining their skills. “We continuously focus on game-like training to put the pressure on,” head varsity softball coach Melanie Williams said. “Baserunners will take advantage of the opportunities given by the defense, and the defense needs to be heads up because of that. Being aware of the situation every pitch and not being a
I think that we had a lot more intensity throughout the course of the [Marlborough] game, and that motivated us to work better as a team. We also had really good communication.” —Princie Kim ’18 Right fielder
NATHANSON’S
ADAM YU/CHRONICLE
KARATE KID: Hailey de la Vara ’17 winds up against Windward March 3. The Wolverines won the game by a score of 12-2. They are 6-11 overall this season and 1-2 in the Mission League thus far. spectator is a constant focus for us which includes proper positioning for the pitch being thrown and anticipating the strength of the hit.” The team’s overall record stands at 6-11, while its league record is 1-2. Having played over half of its season games, the team’s dynamic and the impact of individual, star players is clear. “Hailey de la Vara ’17 has been extremely impressive this season both in the circle and at the plate,” Williams
said. “Offensively, she remains a force to be reckoned with. Ashley Waco ’18 has emerged a leader this season impacting the team’s success and ultimately setting the bar for the freshman class. Kat Swander ’19 has impressed me in several facets of the game. She displays confidence and discipline at the plate and has performed well in pressure situations.” Williams also cited Allie Sassa ’19 and Lauren Witmer ’19 as key players.
“[Sassa] has embraced her role as a table setter. She impresses me daily with her drive and is extremely coachable. Lauren Witmer has been a huge contributor offensively and defensively. She’s the player always putting in the maximum effort which is incredible for a freshman.” As the season comes to a close, the team is looking forward to entering the CIF playoffs and becoming the Mission League champion and eventually CIF champion.
APRIL 27, 2016
HWCHRONICLE.COM/SPORTS
SPORTS D7
Boys’ Golf
Squad looks past Loyola defeat, shifts focus to CIF individuals By JOE LEVIN
shot 1 over, and Bryant Wu ’17 shot 3 over. “I wish we could treat it In the days leading up to their match against rival like it was just another match, Loyola, it was common to but for some reason we can’t,” hear members of the boys’ golf Fearn said. “If we keep workteam say, “If we beat Loyola, ing hard I know we can [move forward.] Our ambitions exwe’ll win CIF.” Well, the Wolverines lost tend far beyond just Loyola.” All but one member of that match last Thursday, but the team who the latter part played the of that saying Loyola match isn’t out of the qualified for question quite I wish we could the CIF Indiyet. vidual tournaLoyola won, treat it like just another ment by havbut only by the match, but for some ing a combined slimmest of score for two reason we can’t. Our margins: two tournaments strokes. ambitions extend far in the Mission “We need beyond just Loyola.” League top-24. to stay conThere, they will fident in our —Trey Fearn ’16 be competing team,” Branagainst the top don Kewalramani ’17 says. “We only lost players in the Mission League, by two shots, which is noth- many coming from Loyola, ing for team play, and we did with the top nine scorers adnot have anything close to our vancing to the CIF Sectional best stuff. So we know that we tournament. For some golfers, the key can easily beat them on any to CIF success will be poise. given day.” “We know we can advance Daniel Furman ’16 shot the team’s lowest round at far,” Kewalramai said. “We two under par, but Trey Fearn just need to stay patient and ’16, who typically scores near take it one stage at a time.” Others are excited for the the lowest on the team, shot six over par. That day, Kewal- challenge playoffs bring. “It will be easier to play at ramani and Chase Rosenblatt ’18 shot 2 over, Alex Hong ’19 the higher level,” Fearn said. and Owen Calvin-Smith ’17 “Better players force their
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STRIKE A POSE: Brandon Kewalramani ’17 watches a tee shot during the Wolverines’ 186-211 victory over Buckley on March 16.
competitors to keep up. There will be more pressure, but there is nothing we cannot handle.” Other than Loyola, the Wolverines have breezed through the Mission League, easily dispatching every other school. They beat Granada Hills by over 60 strokes. A week before facing Loyola, the Wolverines competed in the second Mission League tournament. They lost to Loyola as well, and by even slimmer margins: one stroke. “It may have hurt a lot losing in two close matches, but I have faith in my teammates and myself,” Fearn said. “Those just were simply not our best days.” As of press time, results of the team’s final league match against Crespi on Monday were unknown. The Wolverines get their chance to exact revenge on Loyola on Thurday in the third and final Mission League tournament. A week later is the Mission League Individual Championship at Lakeside Cosuntry Club, and May 8 brings the CIF Individual Regionals. When somebody asked Fearn what the highlight of his season has been, he responded, “To be honest, it has yet to come.”
THE CHRONICLE
D8 SPORTS
Q&A
APRIL 27, 2016
Jake Suddleson Boys’ Baseball By ELI ADLER How long have you been playing baseball? How did you get into the sport? I started playing t-ball when I was four, and my love for the game just exploded from there. When my brother was born, I was two, so I wouldn’t have been the best at sitting in the hospital all day. So my grandmother’s best friend, who was a huge Dodgers fan, took me to my first game instead. I can remember the atmosphere just being so amazing and so welcoming. When did you start pursuing it more seriously? I started playing club in seventh grade with Coach Shaw and Coach Halpert, but it wasn’t until high school that I fully gave up other sports. What was going through your mind in the Notre Dame game where you handed them their first loss and contributed five RBIs to the effort? How were you feeling? Going into that game, we actually thought we were going to face the guy that pitched on Friday, so when Halpert told us [Notre Dame player] Hunter [Greene ’17] was the pitcher, we were a little surprised but absolutely ready to go. Against a guy like that you just have to be on time for pitches, and I was fortunate that he left a couple up, and I was able to put a good swing on them. When someone is throwing that hard, nothing is given, so it was good to be able to put up some runs off of him. How would you characterize your squad’s season so far? Is it where you expected to be? I think at the beginning we struggled with making adjustments, but as the season has progressed, we have gotten much better. Right now we are in a good spot in league, and we have put a lot in our hands. I don’t think we expected to have so many league losses, but we are for sure within striking distance. What are your goals, both individually and for the team, for the rest of this season? As a team, our goal for the season is to grind and find some way to get better every day. Obviously we like to win, but so much is out of your hands in this game that wins and losses are not the best way to measure success. Individually, I think my goals are similar. I want to get better every day and push those around me to do the same. As a team we have done a great job of grinding day in and day out, and it has put us in a position to be very successful on the field. What is the practice/training regimen like, both in and out of season? Has it changed with Halpert taking over the program? In season, we practice during the week on days when we don’t have games and on Saturdays, and we try to get in the weight room a couple times a week whenever we can. Out of season, we have training after school three to four times a week, lift in the mornings on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 and do swimming or yoga at 7 on Fridays in the morning. The only thing that was new this year in terms of physical training was yoga on Fridays. Last year injuries were a big issue in our program, and I think the yoga was a good injury prevention activity. We also have started doing a lot more film work with Halpert the mornings before games. Halpert is really big on preparation, and it’s just another great way to be as prepared as we can.
Stats 6
Home Runs
1
CIF Division I Championship
0.426
Batting Average
How has your role on the baseball team evolved over the last few years? Sophomore year I played about half of the games, so I was more of a role player like a pinch hitter on days when I didn’t start. But last year I was able to play a bigger role because I took over the starting center field spot. Once I locked center down, it was just a matter of playing good defense while driving in runs as the four hitter. This year I’ve taken on more of a leadership role. Being a senior and a guy in the lineup every day, it’s extremely important for me to pass the Wolverine way on to the younger guys. As a senior, what do you hope to instill in the younger players on the team? If there is one thing I hope these guys take away, it’s that there is no substitute for preparation and working your tail off. If you work as hard as you can day in and day out, someone will notice. And there’s obviously no shortcut to preparation. We pride ourselves on the preparation we do before games, and I hope the younger guys truly understand just how important good preparation can be. BENNETT GROSS/ CHRONICLE